| July 21, 2003 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1424 |
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Funding for social sciences
A wall of glass
Febrile fits among kids
Standards of morality
Reconditioned cars’ import
Books on Islam
Prime TV — an impression
An overview of MMA
Ties with Kabul
CIRC and sick units
SYED A. Mateen, in his letter “Should Pakistan recognize Israel?” (July 8), has pleaded for recognition of Israel provided it pays Pakistan’s entire foreign loan (July 8).
I feel this suggestion is a bit too naive. Interested countries do not trade recognition with money or merchandise. The writer, in his wisdom or knowledge of international relations, might have or could have even suggested that since Pakistan needs F-16s so badly, Israel should deliver these machines from its own inventory or persuade the US to do it.
The demand for money from Israel whose economy is not much better Pakistan’s cannot be met for as huge an amount as $37 billion. Even if Israel diverts the reparations it receives annually from Germany, it will take decades to recompense the entire loan which, over the years, will also accrue a sizable interest.
The US, being its chief advocate, has been trying to persuade Pakistan to recognize Israel right from its birth in 1948. It has put even greater pressure on Pakistan after the Suez war of 1956 when Turkey, Iran and Indonesia had already recognized Israel. The strongest pressure was exerted in 1974 when Dr Henry Kissinger came as President Ford’s special emissary to convince Z. A. Bhutto with the offer of substantial aid increase and other benefits. He would not listen. This was the turning-point in bilateral relations between the US and Pakistan. The US lost interest in Pakistan and Bhutto his life.
So, Mr Mateen, forget about squaring off loans from Israel’s money. Suppose Israel agrees to dole out this money in your hat, won’t we be sending a signal that Pakistan can do anything for money?
We must be realistic and mature enough in our approach towards international relations. By recognizing Israel, as recommended by our intelligentsia, we would start getting some benefits anyway.
S. M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
THIS refers to a debate already begun in the country about recognizing Israel. In this regard, before a decision is taken, I would like to mention some facts which must be kept in mind.
Since the 9/11 incidents, the world has changed. New developments in international relations and foreign policies are taking place. In fact, there are no permanent friends and foes.
In this changing geo-political environment, Pakistan has to protect its national interests as well as its sovereignty. However, at present the recognition of Israel can yield short-term benefits as the Jewish lobby which has great influence in American policy-making institutions could favour in economic and military assistance to Pakistan.
But in the long run it would have a negative impact on our relations with the Islamic world as well as our foreign policy’s principled stand relating to our support for the right of self-determination. Therefore, before addressing this issue, we should make it very clear that it would depend on the recognition of the Palestinian entity.
ABDUL SALAM DHAREJO
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item headlined “Due funding for social sciences demanded” (July 12). It has been rightly observed that “in spite of the existence of a high-level committee for the promotion of social sciences in the country, both the Education Ministry and Higher Education Commission (HEC) are showing reluctance in providing adequate funds for research and development activities in social sciences sector”.
After the formation of the high-level committee for the promotion of social sciences, it was hoped that the much-neglected field of social sciences would receive proper attention from the policymakers. But this has not happened as the review of the project proposals submitted by the social scientists is not only taking much time by the HEC but the entire process of providing grants to the applicants is marred by numerous flaws like refusing funds or asking applicants to resubmit their proposals without proper justification. Moreover, the HEC which takes much pride in promoting information technology is not communicating with applicants by email, but by regular mail which consumes a lot of time.
As far as the issue of making qualification allowance for in-service PhD teachers and researchers of social sciences at par with their counterparts in natural sciences is concerned, one can see a clear discrimination. A PhD in social sciences get only Rs1,500 as compared to a PhD in natural sciences who gets Rs5,000 per month. Recently, in order to remove such a a contradiction, the Syndicate of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, decided to grant Rs5,000 also to PhD faculty members in social sciences.
The chairman, Higher Education Commission, must take notice of this asymmetry in the qualification allowance given to teachers and researchers holding PhD degrees in social sciences and natural sciences. Most important, he should make sure that the taxpayer’s money is properly utilized for funding projects and the unnecessary delay or manipulation in approving grants to the applicants in social sciences must be stopped.
One cannot overlook the fact that unless the field of social sciences gets proper encouragement from people at the helm of affairs and the social scientists are equipped with sound academic skills to play a dynamic role in society, it will be quite difficult to fulfil the requirements of the 21st century in Pakistan.
PROF MOONIS AHMAR
Karachi
THIS refers to the write-up by Mr Mushir Anwar (July 2). Will he be kind enough to go beyond 200km of his wall, towards East or South, and look for the similarities enumerated by him, in his above-headlined column. He need not travel further or else he would be lost in the vast expanse of ancient land that harbours about a billion deeply diversified people who claim no similarity among themselves. Even within this narrow parameter he will be recognized as Pakistani, no matter to whatever extent he may disguise himself.
It will not be difficult for him to find out why he is identified as an alien the moment he ventures out on the road, travels in a train, bus or even a taxi, does some shopping or tries to interact with people or makes friends whom he does not know. Instead of staying in some Star-rated hotel, it would be ideal for him to avoid urban centres and, instead, tour the countryside, accept the hospitality of some liberal Indian, which can so generously be extended to those who claim that “people of India and Pakistan look alike, are of the same size and shape, speak the same language, dance to the same tunes”.
Mr Mushir Anwar probably believes in whatever he sees in Indian films but have never physically gone beyond the zones where Urdu or Punjabi is no doubt still spoken, though with a different accent.
India is an enchanting country, dripping with thousands of years of history and I earnestly request you to take a tour of that land of fascinating mysteries and search for people like you. Sir, there are quite a number of those still alive who migrated to Pakistan after having spent major parts of their lives in the deep interior of that peninsula or having travelled in every direction of that pot-pourri comprising many a “wonderland” and, therefore, they are thoroughly aware of similarities.
Just a useful tip — to save life and limb, please do not shake hands or touch anyone while he is eating food or drinking water. You must not touch, even with a long pole, anyone, particularly the one who is carrying some eatable on his person or has food laid out in front of him. Please do not try to touch or pick any item out of the dish a person is eating from. Never enter the kitchen of your host. Leave here, all good or bad habits of informal cordiality that we are used to among ourselves, or else it may be problematic to return to the land, which you despise anyway.
Wish you a pleasurable tour of the land of similarities.
WAHIDUZ ZAFAR
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news titled “Febrile fits among kids rising” (July 7). It is incorrect to say that there is surge in cases of febrile fits among kids under one age. Febrile fits are seen in 2-4 per cent of children.
The apparent increase in the number of cases is due to the rapidly increasing population, 45 per cent of which is below the age of 15 years. It is also erroneous to say that the condition is often wrongly confused by parents with epileptic fits or a possible manifestation of meningitis. As a rule, all children with first febrile fits should be admitted to the hospital to exclude meningitis or CNS infection because 25 per cent of these cases are of encephalitis or meningitis.
Repeated attacks of untreated febrile fits cause mental damage leading to delayed milestones and poor performance at school because fits diminish oxygen to the brain cells.
So it is pertinent that fits must be stopped as soon as possible by Diazepam intravenously or intrarectally.
Concluding, febrile fits are of two types — simple and complex. Complex febrile fits last more than 15 minutes, leave neurological signs and these are more prone to epilepsy and, therefore, require long-term treatment with anticonvulsants under expert medical care. (Reference: Pakistan Paediatrics Association, textbook of paediatrics).
Still I feel that a paediatric neurologist will be in a better position to comment.
DR IRSHAD AHMED SETHI
Karachi
STANDARDS of morality are gradually but definitely changing for the worse. Those who are old enough to have seen the emergence of Pakistan as a new state will be able to differentiate the degree of unlikeness of accepted examples of good moral conduct against which others are judged between then and now. Whereas honesty, royalty, conscientiousness, truthfulness, uprightness were adjudged, adored and admired as qualities in the past, the standards now are the richness and the powers, even if obtained through cunningness, dishonesty and cheating.
Those who were men of principles are now regarded naive and are on the run or are giving in to pragmatism in contrast to idealism because sticking to the later ideology have made them “odd man out” as they find themselves up against the stream.
Whatever happens, please continue to stick on to your moral habits and practices because ultimately you will win. The glory of those who have achieved their “successes” through immoral practices and through short-cuts is short-lived. Rest assured.
PROF (DR) ASLAM PIRACHA
Islamabad
PEOPLE have often expressed their views about the import of reconditioned cars which have been banned for a decade. The prices of the locally manufactured cars are soaring high by the year and there is no check on their prices by the government.
The Suzukis started off at Rs55,000 per unit and is now selling for Rs450,000. The locally manufactured cars are beyond the means of an average person. If the ban on import is removed, the prices of the used cars will drop.
It is believed that someone in the government in collusion with the manufacturers is not allowing the import of reconditioned cars for purely selfish motives. Will the minister concerned look into this matter?
MUHAMMAD AFZAL SADIQ
Attock
THOUGH many books have been written on the holy Quran and Islam, it is rarely that events are analyzed qualitatively from scientific, philosophical, socio-cultural and historical perspectives at the same time.
The issue of the modern age are largely ignored and the divine injunctions are hardly interpreted in the light of contemporary realities.
DR I. HUSSAIN
Gujranwala
I AM a Pakistani living in Chicago. We bought Prime TV cable to be in touch with our Urdu programmes, culture and environment. But, it has been a great disappointment so far as the cultural aspect is concerned.
What is shown on Prime TV, specially through its projection of musical and cultural programmes, negates our Islamic values and lifestyle and looks like an imitation of the Indian channels and MTV. I am not asking to project an artificial ‘dupatta policy’, as was done in the ‘eighties, but at least being a national television network, there should be some sort of limits set for women’s dress code, men and women relationship shown through songs (which seem to be crossing all limits now) and the projection of mehndi dances and basant melas and mujras in the name of our culture.
Excuse me, this is not our heritage either as Muslims or as modest Pakistanis. As far as the political programmes and discussions are concerned, they have improved quite a lot.
NAZIA AZFAR
North Brook, IL, USA
IN the current political scenario, it is a good omen that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal is keeping its words, is not selling itself to the military ruler and is proving that the party is not a military-mulla alliance.
Traditionally, our religious parties would be a part of the so-called king’s party in any government directly or indirectly ruled by the military.
After the formation of the MMA government in the NWFP, the province is making good progress. Now after all this praise of the MMA I must say that I disagree with it on some points, e.g. in Balochistan it has formed government with Q-League that gives an impression of double standard.
And in the NWFP all the facilities from Peshawar are being shifted to Bannu because Mr Akram Durrani belongs to that area.
SYED ABDUL WAHAB
Rawalpindi
THE Northern Alliance, which is effectively ruling Afghanistan, has ransacked our embassy in Kabul. So be it.
The Afghans can never become loyal friends of anybody and this destruction of our embassy is a living proof of it.
Let us read the writing on the wall and let us not be fooled by official explanation from their side. Now it is our turn to act.
Send all Afghans who are living in Pakistan back to Afghanistan as soon as possible and sever all links with such a terrible country.
The so-called Afghan transit trade — euphemism for smuggling — be stopped forthwith. The powers that be, specially the men in khaki, must read what Sheikh Saadi has to say about the Afghans.
SALIM D. DADABHOY
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Muhammad Munir Gill’s letter (July 2). I am in agreement with the views expressed by the writer. The CIRC claims that it has picked about 175 cases of sick and closed units out of about 750 units, and about 75 cases have been disposed of and auction has been conducted and the industries have been revived. Can the CIRC name the 75 industries which have been revived, as it is mentioned in the preamble of the CIRC Ordinance, 2000, that the ordinance has been promulgated to provide restructuring of the industrial undertakings and/or units?
The issue of the recovery of stuck-up loans pertaining to about 4,000 sick and closed industries is a matter of national and economic importance and shall be resolved on a war footing as the CIRC (Corporate and Industrial Restructuring Corporation) functioning under the CIRC Ordinance, 2000, CIRC Rules, 2001 and Industrial Undertakings (Legal proceedings) Ordinance, 2000, has failed to achieve its object(s) and/or goal(s) under the statutes and/or rules.
It is proposed that under an amnesty statute an incentive scheme which will be offered to the sick and/or closed industries through their management — the directors/owners of these industries may be given an option to voluntarily surrender the possession of these sick and/or industrial units to the banks and/or DFIs, as well as to the CIRC.
In response to this action, all the personal guarantees and/or personal (residential) mortgages, as well as personal securities belonging to the guarantors/mortgagors, will be released, the hypothecation(s), pledge(s) and mortgage(s) related to the sick and/or closed industrial unit(s) will be transferred to the banks or DFIs under the proposed incentive scheme.
These sick and/or closed industrial units may be given an amnesty or exemption and/or a waiver from the due property and/or income taxes, outstanding electricity bills and other payable utilities. The suggested incentive scheme will be enforced through the promulgation of a presidential ordinance to be called the “CIRC Amendment Ordinance, 2002”. These units will be advertised for sale with zero liability throughout the world and through international auctioneers/bidders and also other related experts.
The revival of 50 per cent sick industrial units, within one year through this method, can be materialized. The banks can recover at least the principal amount of the stuck-up loans pertaining to the 4,000 sick and/or closed units, and these units may be sold to the new management subject to the condition of the BMR and the commencement of trail and/or commercial production within one year.
The sick and/or closed industrial units will be declared sick and/or closed units by virtue of notification(s) of the State Bank of Pakistan issued by the Governor of the State Bank itself as an entry into the instant notified schedule.
In the case of the revival of these 4,000 sick and/or closed industrial units, the banks or DFIs can earn huge profits from fresh secured financing based on sufficient and proper securities and the feasibilities under the proposed revival plan as the banks/DFIs or CIRC will grant financing for working capital/BMR equal to the bid amount offered by the new management. The fresh financing will be on a discount mark-up rate and will be based on a long-term financing of about 12 years; there will be sales and income tax exemption for five years from the date of purchase and/or possession by the new management and despite tax holder, there will also be no custom duty on machinery or goods imported for the instant industry, there will be no tax/duty/surcharge on utilities bill(s) for at least five years. The proposed exemption(s) can be extended but cannot be withdrawn in any case and the special protection in this regard will be given in the proposed ordinance.
If 50 per cent of the 4,000 units are revived, the whole national economy will be strengthened and a major part of the unemployed persons and/or population in Pakistan will get a chance of employment in these revived industries. Further our exports will be enhanced.
SAALIM SALAM ANSARI
Karachi
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