| July 20, 2003 | Sunday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1424 |
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Water, power riots in Karachi
No reason to be awed
Sending troops to Iraq
Embassy attack
Compensation for Pakistani prisoners
Hate crime and more
Healing the hearts
Traffic jams at Jauhar Mor
TEVTA’s performance
LATELY the increased denial of US visas to Pakistani physicians has gained visibility. The public affairs branch of the US embassy, Islamabad, claims in the July 12 edition of Dawn that 32 J1 visas have been issued to Pakistani physicians in the last few weeks. It also refers, in an earlier letter to the editor, to lack of citation of names and dates of visa refusals.
The Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA) has learned that there has been equal number, if not more, of denials during the same period. It could not be just a matter of coincidence. Considering the fact that several hundred physicians matched in residency programmes all over US, 30 or so is a small number.
The US medical residency year traditionally begins in July. This year many physicians are unable to join their programmes owing to visa denials or delays. This, in turn, creates problems for those teaching hospitals and, hence, directly affects the patient care.
The US health system requires more than 20,000 new physicians in training per year in their residency system. Out of these more than 6,000 are international medical graduates. This workforce keeps the hospital in the inner cities and underserved areas running and ensures that there is enough staff to take care of the sick and the indigent. Pakistan is the fourth largest supplier of international medical graduates to the US.
These physicians had completed the exhaustive process of taking the required tests, have received ECFMG certification, were interviewed and selected in a US Residency Programme in an accredited training hospital, were issued the contracts by the hospital and had received the necessary paperwork from the ECFMG and the Pakistan government for an Exchange Visa Program. The final step was to get a J1 visa from the US embassy in Islamabad.
J1 visa is an exchange visitor visa programme. It is mandatory for the individuals on J1 visas to return to their country of origin. There should be no question that these physicians would violate these visa conditions. It is created with the singular purpose of providing the state-of-the-art training and higher education in the US, so that on coming back to their home countries, these physicians help improve the overall health system. Many Pakistani physicians have returned from the US and are making a difference in the health care of Pakistan. They are not only providing highly professional patient-care, they are providing a leadership role to the medical teaching institutions and health care.
According to our data, these physicians in case were denied visas for various reasons. “Immigrant Intent” and “Lack of Internship/House-Job experience” were the two most common reasons. As mentioned earlier, it is mandatory for the J1 visa holders to return to their country of origin and serve the hospitals, institutions and patients back home. There is no record of anyone who had stayed illegally beyond the allowed stay. “Lack of internship/house-job experience” is an equally erroneous assumption in visa denials. All these physicians were certified by the ECFMG in the US and were interviewed and selected by accredited US hospitals. The medical internship is the first year of this post-graduate training and any prior work experience is not required.
Besides J1 visa, medical students and fresh graduates are also being denied B1/B2 visas. This is of additional concern. To get an ECFMG certification one has to take a Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) examination besides the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). So far, the CSA examination is only offered within the United States at Philadelphia and Atlanta. The doors for higher education and post-graduate training are being shut on these individuals by denying them visas and hence preventing them from taking the essential examinations which are required for ECFMG certification. The professional aspirations of these individuals for higher training in the US will be over for these individuals if they are not issued B1/B2 visas to take their CSA examination.
APPNA has created a task force to help resolve this crisis situation. Our database has reached over 30 individual physicians affected. We have been in touch with the US embassy in Islamabad. The list of these individuals with their particulars was sent to the US ambassador in Pakistan last weekend. We believe there are many more facing these troubles. We plan to follow up with the US embassy shortly.
We are also reaching out to the US Departments of State and Homeland Security, and individual US senators and congressmen regarding these physicians. The ECFMG has been reached by us and the commission is sympathetic to our cause. The ECFMG has agreed to write to the US embassy on behalf of individual physicians. Affected physicians can contact Stephen Seeling J. D., Vice President for Operations ECFMG, at sseeling@ecfmg.org or fax (215)386-3185.
We are also offering help to those who plan to apply for the US visa in future to prepare them better for the application and interview process. Our contact in Pakistan: Dr Saeed Akhtar, Transplant Surgeon, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Fax # 051-4446879
We would like to stress that these extensive and indiscriminate visa denials or delays on a large scale without any checks and balances will have long-term adverse effects on the health-care systems, both in the United States and in Pakistan.
NASIR GONDAL
Co-Chair, Task Force on Visa & Licensure Issues,
APPNA,
appnataskforce@aol.com
THE recent water and power riots on the streets of Karachi have perturbed many peace-loving citizens. But I have learned the hard way that there’s more to an issue than meets the eye — at least in this part of the globe.
We have all got our government-run electricity corporation to blame for the massive power breakdowns, and nine times out of 10 it is justified. “Nothing gets done here when the government is involved” has become more of a rote-learned cliche uttered umpteen times by many weary people.
All through my teen years I had fantasized the American treatment of their citizens as the best on the earth, until my larger-than-life assumptions came shattering when I heard the treatment meted out to some of my relatives after the 9/11 tragedy.
My thoughts turn again to the plight of our nationals: water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink for the grief-stricken people of Lyari after the death of the people who drank poisonous water. And meray gaoun (village) main bijli aaee hai sung by Karachiites when they see their fans twirling to the tune of electricity being restored, as and when desired by the officials.
I didn’t have much difficulty getting down to the dirty or more so sweaty facts. Berating the government for the downside of life is very easy until one comes in contact with the bourgeoisie. Leaving aside the offices and industries which have had dealings under the table with the suppliers of electricity to make their machines running, we take the houses. Every room has an airconditioner kept running for 20 hours at a stretch. A further probe into the matter reveals that the total bill of exchanging your immediate environs with the cool pastures of Murree hills is less than that of a humble house with three or four fans switched on only when in use. If you have not already solved the paradox, either you are here as a tourist or perhaps your grey cell has taken a day off envying the two-month-long vacation by the electrons in your power cables. The illegal connections have done it all.
Some people are always out to blame the low lives of the ordinary people while they need it only to light their two-room flat. But no one even thinks of pointing his finger at the sophisticated elites. Knowing that a large part of their money comes the easy way, watching them steal electricity leaves one with a big question mark. No wonder the transformers get over- loaded leading to a short-circuit depriving not only themselves but the poor parts of the city as well. And as they sleep with their generators on, the poor are out in the streets being baton- charged only because they are demanding the basic necessities of life.
NOSHEEN ISLAM
Karachi
YOUR forewarning to the prospective entrants in the field of telecommunications in the editorial note of July 14 is a little off the mark and, I hope, would not scare them from entering the field.
Those who have had the experience of dealing with the PTCL know very well the inherent weaknesses they suffer from. The first albatross around their neck is its bureaucracy. They have built so thoroughly stratified procedure for doing things that, as a Persian proverb goes, till the cure is brought the patient expires. They are extremely slow to adjust to the changing ground reality. They take months in arriving at a decision.
Secondly, having worked for better part of their life under monopolistic milieu, their outlook has been solidly cast in that mould. It would be too late for most of them to learn the art of swift response in a competitive regime. Supposing competition in the market dictates reduction in tariff, it would take the PTCL many months before they finally take any decision, whereas the private organization would come out with a decision overnight.
Overheads would be another Achilles’ heel of the PTCL. It is highly unlikely that the princely paid mandarins would consent to forgo their parts and pomposity easily. They are not to be blamed for it as it is but human that once you have savoured a certain standard of living you would fight tooth and nail to retain it.
The strongest forte of the private sector would be in the field of innovation. They would be the catalysts and the PTCL a lame imitator. Information technology is the only field where new products are cropping up fast and redundancy is swift. By the time the PTCL comes level with the private sector, they would jump ahead by a pretty long distance.
There is absolutely no reason to be awed by the amphibians structure of the PTCL. In fact, I foresee gradual withering away and eventual hundred per cent transfer of the salve to the private sector.
NAZAR QURESHI
Hyderabad
THERE is no normal or legal justification for sending our troops to Iraq as “sacrificial lambs” to protect US imperial interests and occupation of the brotherly Muslim country. The people of Pakistan are bitterly opposed to such a decision which is not only against our national interest but also against the unity of the Muslim countries.
The command and control authority in Pakistan is not authorized to dispatch troops to Iraq. Such a sensitive matter of national importance is better handled by political rather than military minds, and it is imperative that the issue be presented before the National Assembly. The people of Iraq consider the US army an occupation army, which is the enemy of Iraqi independence. That is why every day hundreds of Iraqis demonstrate against the US, burn its flags and attack, wound or kill US troops.
Whether it is under US pressure, or paltry financial inducement, that the people of Pakistan are wondering if our troops will be made to play the same role in the preservation of “colonial interests” as in the past. If so, then God help us, for our troops would meet the same fate as the US troops, and the Arab world, as well as the Iranians, would consider us their enemy and puppets of the US.
MAIRAJ MUHAMMAD KHAN
Karachi
AFTER the attack on the Pakistan embassy in Kabul by angry Afghan demonstrators and protesters, the president should think many times and ask the Iraqis if they need us before sending Pakistan troops to that devastated country. The Iraqis are not amused at their so-called liberation by the occupation forces. This appears like an extension of the plan for recognizing Israel.
It is not a question of being more Palestinian than the Palestinians. You cannot neutralize Israel but maybe get a few points for being “sagacious, bold and courageous”.
HUSAIN MAHMUD
Lahore
ABOUT 660 prisoners from various countries have been caged in 4x8 iron cubicles. Among them are two Britons. They are chained — shackled inside the cage and when required to move from point A to point B they are carried on stretchers.
These prisoners have been kept for over two years without a trial and are not being treated as POWs, though they were picked up fighting alongside the Taliban in a battle zone. The ration allowed to them is just enough to survive. Out of the 600 lot, only six have been picked up for trial — after two years of interrogation/detention.
Recently, the US let go 11 Pakistanis held there as there was no proof for their involvement in terrorism. Justice demands that they ought to have been compensated. Not a cent paid to them. Is this what the US — a champion of democracy — wants to tell the world?
Global terrorism is being stretched too far and under pretext more sovereign states are being annexed to form US colonies, specially the oil-rich states. Iran is the next target. Where is the conscience of the Americans? Osama and Mulla Umar are still alive. Saddam is on the run. One should be able to read between the lines.
It is time the American public told the government: hey, enough is enough. No more wars on flimsy grounds of WMDs.
AFZAL SADIQ
Attock
I AGREE with all the points you made in your editorial titled “Victims of hate crime” in the July 17 issue. What concerns me is that more people die in Pakistan because of hate crime than in any other country. The issue is even more serious than it is in the United States where fellow Muslims are killing each other. Is that not a more serious hate crime?
What concerns me even more is that instead of worrying about what is happening at home, you are bothered about what is happening halfway around that world. My advice to every Pakistani is to worry first about what is happening in your home soil. Solve problems from within; poverty, illiteracy and corruption should rank much higher on your list of concerns rather than what Israel is doing, or who sold India what radars.
JEFF HAIDER
Plymouth, MN, USA
IT was heart-warming to see baby Noor Fatima undergo a heart surgery successfully in Bangalore. Most Indian newspapers reported it as a step (though small) towards friendship with Pakistan. All Indians felt deeply for her and prayed for a successful operation and recovery.
But this did not get as much attention from the Pakistan media and the news was either missing or very briefly and casually stated in the Pakistan newspapers. This operation was important not just because Fatima is a Pakistani girl who was successfully operated upon in India (previously also many such Pakistani kids have been treated in India), but that at only two-and-a-half years of age she had holes in her heart and also because she was one of those who specially came travelling to India last Friday by the first bus of the resumed New Delhi-Lahore bus service.
And the high hopes of her parents did not go stray. Moreover, every small step towards breaking the ice counts at this stage when the two countries are setting the right mood.
ALKA GIRDHAR
Sydney, NSW, Australia
THE Karachi city government has carried out some important repairs of the roads and roundabouts in such areas as Nazimabad, Numaish and Nagin Chowrangi.
Road repairs and installation of signals at Jauhar Mor were also taken up by the city government some time back, with the hope that the work would be completed as early as possible in view of the fact that this road caters to a lot of traffic from Sharea Faisal and other parts of city through Rashid Minhas Road. But unfortunately the work seems to have been slowed down, rather suspended. This now results in major traffic jams at the peak hours.
Moreover, the road leading to Jauhar Chowrangi has become unmotorable as it has developed puddles of rainwater at a number of places. People are facing great difficulties and compelled to drive their vehicles on the footpaths.
Could it be possible that the head of the city government pass through this way instead of taking any bypass to his residence and view the difficulties of the people of Gulistan-i-Jauhar and Gulshan-i-Iqbal?
M. A. HUMAYOUN
Karachi
EDUCATION should be the number one priority of the government as nothing is more important than educating our children. The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) was created in 1999 to take control of 402 technical institutes previously run by different bodies and departments of the Punjab government. TEVTA’s main aim was to promote and provide technical and vocational training, establish close relationship with various sectors of economy like agriculture, industry, service and commerce, assess the manpower training needs in the context of domestic and global markets and redesign and consolidate the existing technical education and vocational training system under one management structure.
There are still two management bodies having duplication of the same function — Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) managing 16 institutions which are financially supported by the provincial Zakat council of, utilizing Zakat funds. But why is the money being spent on the PVTC management when the TEVTA management is fully capable of administrating 16 institutions as it is managing 402 institutes spread all over Punjab?
Whose vested interest is served by having two management bodies performing the same function? Is it because of Rs569 million annual Zakat fund for vocational training institutes under the PVTC that the PVTA is not merging and handing over its 16 institutions to TEVTA?
At present TEVTA institutions are imparting mostly outdated technical knowledge and training to about 52,000 students with 13,000 teaching and non-teaching staff. For every four students, one person is being employed. The money spent on the training of one student is to be made public. How much Zakat fund and other money have been spent by TEVTA and the PVTC must be made public and its audit accounts by Punjab auditor-general be made public. Why has Governor Khalid Maqbool’s order for the merger of the PVTC and TEVTA issued two years ago not been implemented yet?
The Punjab chief minister has authorized the chairman of TEVTA to appoint more staff even in grade 18 without involving the Punjab Public Service Commission. In view of the devolution plan finding its roots at the district level, the need is to develop the new system of TEVTA institutions to be managed by the district technical management board. TEVTA and the PVTC should merge and form a single authority. Each district board management should include district nazim, EDO and the representative of private sectors and NGOs operating in that district.
ENGR S. T. HUSSAIN
Lahore
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