| July 29, 2003 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 28, 1424 |
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Killing of Saddam’s sons
NWFP health department
Fatima Jinnah’s aims
Visa & travel facility
Woman’s status in Islam
Appeal to electrify villages
ISPs’ quality
Flaws in HIV policy
KESC’s drive to install new meters
IN the context of the recent anti-Pakistan incidents in Afghanistan and hostile statements emanating from some Afghan sources, it may be pertinent to point out that not many nations in history have paid as high a price for another people as Pakistan has done for the Afghans through its unreserved involvement in the struggle for the liberation of Afghanistan from the Soviet yoke.
The US military and economic aid that Pakistan received in the process was peanuts compared to the historic cost Pakistan incurred as a result of the influx of illegal arms, Kalashnikov culture, large-scale drug smuggling and addiction, a rampant increase in high-level corruption, a large-scale flow of arms for the first time in Pakistan’s history to sectarian, ethnic and crime mafias, an astronomical rise in incidence of violent crime and sectarian and ethnic bloodletting.
While the limited US military and economic aid ended the moment the Soviets left Afghanistan, the tragic destabilization of Pakistan, occasioned by Pakistan’s voluntary (not enforced) participation in the struggle against the Soviets, is a continuing, long-term affair having changed the face of Pakistan sadly beyond recognition.
The sanctuary and hospitality extended by Pakistan to over three million Afghan refugees for over two decades is also without many precedents. Together with around eight million who came over as refugees from India in 1947, Pakistan has given sanctuary to perhaps the largest number of refugees in recent history.
The Afghan refugees in Pakistan were given the brotherly treatment of the free run of the country and of its economic opportunities, unlike other states, including Iran, where they were restricted to refugee camps.
What Pakistan did for the Afghans was, most regrettably, not even done for Pakistan’s own nationals in East Pakistan, where described as Biharis they are still encamped in the shanty towns of Bangladesh, in spite of their dedication and attachment to Pakistan.
One doubts whether the new generation of Afghans is conscious of the sacrifices made by Pakistan and the high price paid by the Pakistan people for the sake of the Afghan cause and for their release from the Soviet occupation. With due sensitivity, restraint and respect, the above facts should be impressed on the consciousness of the Afghan people who, regrettably, are being brainwashed by sections of the Kabul establishment known for their anti-Pakistan bias and Indian affiliations.
That our support to the Taliban during the pre-September 11 period may be a cause for bitterness and disaffection among sections of the Afghans is acceptable. However, for this disaffection to surface when Pakistan is playing a key role in the fight against Al Qaeda and against their extremist Taliban allies is not understandable, specially when recent, regrettable border incidents have resulted from Pakistan’s operations against these very elements in question.
Pakistan needs to mount a pro-active unapologetic information campaign on the over-all historic sacrifices made by Pakistan in solidarity with the Afghan cause, as discussed in foregoing paras, notwithstanding the negative Taliban side of the ledger during a limited period. At the same time Pakistan should step up demands on the world community to fulfil their reconstruction commitments for Afghanistan which urgently needs maximum economic and humanitarian assistance and which also requires a much greater role in the country’s administration and governance for the distinctly major ethnic group, now sidelined.
Most Taliban were Pakhtoons but only a very small minority of the Pakhtoons were Taliban.
MAHDI MASUD
Karachi
THE US military with dozens of vehicles and various aircraft used automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and missiles against four individuals armed with poor weapons. This assault concluded with the slaying of Uday and Qusay Hussein confirming some facts which the US forces were trying to conceal.
The increasing exultation of the American and British officials over the killing which included the death of a 14-year-old son of Qusay revealed the vengeful character of the US troops.
The question arises about a clause of the United Nation’s convention which was invoked when the Iraqi regime was asked to stop airing video of the US prisoners during the war in April 2003. Where is the UN convention now?
The pent-up rage and revenge in the face of Iraqi people, as well as the Sunni community in Mosul, is expressed on the killing of Saddam Hussein’s sons. In fact, this would increase the Mujahideen urge for ‘jihad’ in a vindictiveness mood against the Americans. This would bring about more disasters, maybe against any nation associated with the US forces in the recent war. Pakistan should also re-consider its decision to send troops to Iraq.
FEROZ SADRUDDIN Karachi
THE recent mortuary visuals of Qusay and Uday is an immoral, unjustified act which only portrays the sick mind of the US administration in Iraq. Nobody has the right to dishonour a dead man regardless of his deeds and actions when alive.
Specially in this case when Uday Hussain’s leg was cut and shown in a most inhuman way that nobody could justify. This ruthlessness must end soon and the burial must take place. AHMAREEN JAUHAR
Karachi
WE, the employed doctors of the NWFP, have a very high price to pay in terms of our time when it comes to postgraduation.
It has been 20 months when most of us cleared our part-1 of the postgraduate studies (FCPSI). This part-1 is a dream project for any doctor who has done his MBBS. It requires a lot of hard study and many sleepless nights to achieve this goal.
But in the NWFP those who achieved this goal have been humiliated by the officials who did not let them start their TMO-ship. So many doctors are waiting to get married between these “todays, tomorrows, next week, or maybe 10 days later”. Twenty months have passed like that and the TMO-ship orders are yet to materialize.
Politically-oriented orders for transfer of doctors and cancellations of some are on their way unhindered. These do not require a timeframe and for them rules can be bent but we, the employed doctors, who only required a simple transfer order the day they had qualified their part-1, are still waiting patiently.
The new government or the old one, all are the same at this level. “These transfers are not being ordered because there is nothing in it for them....” said an official.
Although the story is the same: the file is here, the file is there, has been sent to the secretary, to the chief minister, to the chief secretary, etc., a new record is being set — this wait of 20 months may furtherprolong and set a very high target for future delays. Hats off to the health department of the NWFP.
DR S. GUL KHAN
Swat
WHETHER or not Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah was killed is yet to be investigated through an impartial inquiry. Until facts about her death are known, her admirers should try to emulate the noble path that Miss Jinnah adopted, i.e. making efforts to restore real democracy to the country and educate the nation by establishing schools.
Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah opened schools and colleges, specially for girls. Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali admires Miss Jinnah. His admiration could only be admired if he opens a chain of schools in the whole length and breadth of Balochistan in respect to the great lady.
Balochistan is the most backward province of the country, but the richest in natural resources. Its leadership should come forward and let the poor reap the fruits of independence and live with dignity which comes only from proper education. Let the people prosper not sardars.
As the Chinese proverbs emphasizes: if you plan for a year, sow rice. If you plan for
ten years, plant trees, but if you plan for hundred of years, establish schools.
FARAH GUL
Islamabad
THE resumption of bus service between Lahore and Delhi has brought cheer in the lives of the divided families in India and Pakistan. One hopes liberalization of visa facilitating travel between the two countries will follow.
It is an irony that travel facilities are disrupted in the wake of failure of talks between the political leaders of the two countries. The common people dread political talks, which invariably end in a deadlock leaving a trail of misery for the divided families.
The common man in the two neighbouring countries would feel gratified if human relations-related matters were delinked from the political talks on the Kashmir dispute. A treaty of friendship embracing liberalization of visa, travel links, exchange of newspapers, magazines, books, films, video cassettes, trade, etc. would be welcome by the silent majority in the two countries.
SYED AFZAL HUSAIN ZAIDI
Islamabad
THIS letter is in response to Ms Mahjabin Nisar’s article titled “Woman’s status in Islam” and the corresponding letter by Amir Yusuf Ali Khan (July 16)
It is good to know where the obscurantist lobby, in this case exemplified by the response to Zia Ahmed’s letter (June 30), stands on this issue. The effort seems to deny a public place to the women and confine them to the proverbial chaar diwari. The centrality of the woman as the home-keeper and the upbringer of children is repeated ad nauseam. Combine this with the assertion that Islam is the sole upholder of the women’s rights.
No progressive woman or man denies the important role that a woman plays in bringing up a child and the positive influence she has on the family unit. But the assertions that her primary role is of motherhood or that she must only venture “out” if compelled by circumstances point to an inability to look beyond a simple formula of family relations.
The pluralistic and tolerant society that Jinnah dreamt of meant that the people would have choices to pursue their lives as they saw fit. This means that a woman would be as free to pursue a career as she is free to stay at home and raise a family.
I believe it is important for us to regard all humans as equal, regardless of sex, religion, etc. Both woman and man must be free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. This is what pluralism and tolerance is all about.
ADNAN AHMED
Karachi
THIS is to draw the attention of the chairman, Wapda, Lahore, to the problems facing the consumers of Pind Dadun Khan tehsil from Lilla town up to Jalalpur Sharif because of non-establishment of a Wapda XEN office at Pind Dadun Khan tehsil.
Pind Dadun Khan is one of the famous tehsils of Pakistan because of Kohistan-i-Namak. But it is one of the most backward tehsils of the country where no development has been undertaken by any MNA or MPA since the creation of Pakistan. The people of this tehsil are simple, honest and patriotic. Most of them are serving in the army.
There are two numbers of Wapda subdivision in tehsil Pind Dadun Khan, consisting of more than 25,000 consumers but the office of the XEN is situated at Jhelum No II instead of Pind Dadun Khan. There is no proper road from Lilla Town to Jhelum. Besides this there is no proper transport for Jhelum. The bus takes four to five hours to reach Jhelum. If anyone has to go to Jhelum, he cannot return the same day. He will have to stay for the night at Jhelum.
It is surprising that the office of the XEN No II Jhelum is established at Jhelum merely for one subdivision of Dina while the Dina subdivision can be merged under Jhelum Division No I.
I would, therefore, request the Wapda chairman to set up an XEN office at Pind Dadun Khan for the convenience of the consumers of Pind Dadun Khan and its adjacent villages.
RAJA GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN
Jhelum
THE provision of quality Internet service through dial-up has always been a major problem faced by the Internet companies in Pakistan. Owing to the competition among them, they ruin their quality and come up, every now and then, with new packages that attract customers.
Why doesn’t the PTA have a quality check on the local ISPs in the same way it did on the mobile phone companies?
WASIQ ABBAS
Karachi
THIS refers to a news-item (July 15) that stated that the NGOs see flaws in the government policy on HIV.
It is sad to note that the national AIDS control programme does not spend a single penny on the treatment of persons who are either HIV-positive or are suffering from full-blown AIDS.
A local newspaper Kawish has reported that three people have been found, in Hyderabad jail, to be suffering from HIV-positive. Moreover, 16 people have been diagnosed as having hepatitis too.
According to the newspaper, Dr Naeem Akhter Qazi, who is surveillance in charge of the HIV/AIDS control programme, Hyderabad, and has been working to fight against this evil, has said that the entire jail administration is in panic and all samples have been sent to Karachi for examination.
I would request the government to pay proper attention to this grave problem and create awareness among the masses.
SHAHZAD SOHAIL
Hyderabad
CONGRATULATIONS! The KESC has at last got a very bright idea to relieve itself of the bane of high losses (transmission losses about 40 or so per cent) in its distribution network. If it continues to work on it (or on similar ideas), it will eventually reduce this figure to naught; or better still, some negative values by billing for power consumed by the people far in excess of the generating capacity of the KESC itself!
In recent days, there has been a great turmoil among the residents of this metropolis against the KESC’s recent drive to install new power meters on the boundary walls of the consumer’s premises. It is generally complained that the meters have been giving very high readings (much in excess of what their normal consumption has been for years): the meters seems to be preset to give higher readings either wilfully or perhaps by improper calibrations against faulty standard wattmeter available with the manufacturers.
Senior KESC officers claim that these meters cannot be tampered with (then why not simply replace the old ones by the new ones at much lower cost?), properly calibrated, and that they are installed after demonstration for accuracy (Dawn, June 28). For the satisfaction of the public they propose a simple check that can be carried out by the consumers themselves by ‘connecting a one kilowatt tube bulb for one hour. If the meter will click for one unit after one hour, it is 100 per cent accurate in reading’.
The naivety of the KESC’s officials, in suggesting this simple test, is too obvious. The word ‘accuracy’s scientific measurements means much more than a common man can understand. The accuracy of a standard can be assured only by its traceability to some national standards. We have in this country the National Physical and Standard Laboratory (NPSL), Islamabad, which has been mandated to maintain national reference standard, and all calibration standard must be traceable to these standards. Then the Pakistan Standard Institution sets the performance standards for all goods and services.
When we speak of calibration standards, we have every right to ask for the certification documents — both the provincial electric inspectorate and the manufacturers have to comply with this requirement.
Let us look at the proposed simple test. The installed meters are six-digit meters, the maximum readable digit is one kwh — it does not have a fractional digit.
We are glad that Nepra has established a consumer affairs division for safeguarding the interest of the consumers. While there is still room for improving this document, we would refer to the following two of its clauses, which are pertinent to assess the performance standards of the KESC’s present project:
1. Metering and billing: It is not the disco which should be checked up and giving verdict for the correctness of the meters. The disputes of the faulty meters should be referred to electric inspectors who should be adequately equipped to check the correctness of the meters or otherwise and their report should be taken as final. The Nepra has to periodically assess the effectiveness of inspections made by the POIs.
2. Safety standards: Violation of performance standards by a licensee to deal with the cases as follows: a. electrocution owing to improper earthing; b.loose and dangling wires ; c. low height at crossings and other public places; d. Tilting poles and e. miscellaneous safety hazards
It is important that the electric inspectors are adequately equipped, which, inter alia, must mean that their equipment be calibrated against NPLS’s standards, and that they should also follow the prescribed PSI methodology for carrying out the tests. In the present circumstances when the public at large feels outraged by the new meter’s performance, it is proposed that the electric inspectors may on their own randomly check the installed meters to the satisfaction of the public.
As for meeting the safety standards, the jobs have been done quite shabbily in contravention of the given standards. No proper earthing has been done; the wires from the new meters pole to the distribution board installed at the consumer’s premises are running at lintel level heights and have been, in fact, laid on the lintels; the wires have been dangling near the distribution board and have not been directly connected to the fuse box of the distribution board, but have been joined to the old wires coming out of the fuse box of the distribution board - the connection have been made by twist joints and installed with ordinary insulation tape which would hardly sustain itself for any longer period, thus there is a great risk of electrocution when the insulating tape lose their hold and expose the twist joints that stand at about 4’ height.
The current monsoon has exposed the KESC’s safety standards. Deaths have occurred by merely touching the innocent-looking poles which lack proper earthing. More than 60 per cent poles are without earthing in the KESC distribution network.
We feel that Nepra may act urgently to control the situation before it is too late.
CAPT (R) S. G. MOHIUDDIN
Convener, Concerned Citizens Association (Central),
Karachi
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