Across-the-board accountability?

THE other day there was a discussion about accountability on a private TV channel. The participants included two generals — one serving and the other retired — a politician and a journalist. The last two pleaded that the people being sovereign, they and they alone are the authority to undertake accountability in elections, not the generals who themselves being the people’s servants are accountable through the people’s elected representatives, the politicians. The generals argued that they are doing so because the politicians have failed and the people did not undertake their accountability.

I was astounded at the generals’ innocence or one might call it naivete. May I respectfully remained them that they themselves are wielding real power, at least since Ayub’s coup of 1958, actually since Ayub and Ghulam Mohammad usurped power from the democratically-elected prime minister, Khwaja Nazimuddin, and the following year dismissed the democratically-elected sovereign assembly. That was when democracy was totally derailed and then never restored.

Democracy is not mere election, fair or foul, just as Pakistani generals fancy. There is a whole democratic political process consisting of political parties with roots in the people through party membership who elect leaders from among themselves in regular inner party elections. Such a party has a definite political programme for the people’s welfare, placed before the people in party literature. This way the inner party democracy, as well as national election, creates political awareness among the people. In fact, political awareness among the people, as well as inner party election, is the foundation of democracy.

Successive coups — Ayub’s, Yahya’s, Zia’s and now Musharraf’s — completely wiped out democratic political process. Dictatorships produce either sycophants or agitators, not politicians. Bhutto was Ayub’s sycophant and Nawaz of Zia or now Jamali of Musharraf’s, Benazir Bhutto is an example of agitator — Zia’s agitator.

As for gauging the generals’ performance as rulers, start by reading the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report and for the present day read daily newspapers. With peasants being used as slave labour, who so often also find them in feudal private jails, where even the judges’ lives aren’t safe under police security, criminals in jails are armed with guns, killings take place in encounter, let alone daily murders, mass murders in places of worship, gang- rapes, daylight dacoities on busiest city roads, similar other horrendous crimes and where sometimes even police are involved in crimes, tell me where is law, much less order. And less we talk about economy the better with fast dropping poverty line, as fast increasing unemployment and with commodity prices shooting sky-high.

I pray to Allah Almighty to make the generals realize that the rulers’ first priority is law and order and that second one is economy, besides ensuring health, welfare and education for all citizens, before the existing lawlessness gives rise to a collapsed civil society in Pakistan.

GHULAM KIBRIA

Karachi

Madar-i-Millat Fatima Jinnah

A LETTER published in your daily claims that it was A. K. Fazlul Huq, the then governor of East Pakistan, who had first addressed Miss Fatima Jinnah in 1957 as Madar-i-Millat. I would very respectfully like to disagree with it.

As a matter of fact it was I who addressed her as Madar-i-Millat for the first time as early as December 1949. Prof Hasnain Kazmi is witness to it. His elder brother, the late S.M. Kazmi, was the founder secretary of All Pakistan Muslim Youth Organization, which had the unique honour and distinction that Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah accepted to become its president.

Miss Jinnah in her whole life never became office-bearer of any other organization except the All Pakistan Muslim Youth Organization. This organization held its first three-day convention in the last week of December 1949, at Khaliqdina Hall, Karachi.

In the last session Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah came as the chief guest. Delegates who attended this convention from all over the country included eminent personalities like Nurul Amin, Qazi Essa, Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar and Sardar Aurangzeb. I was also invited to speak as representative of Turkey.

I still recall that I addressed Fatima Jinnah as Ma-i-Millat amidst thunderous clappings. The details of this memorable function must be there in the record of Madar-i-Millat. This was incidentally the first public appearance of Miss Jinnah after the death of her great brother: She was attired in black dress and when I addressed her as Ma-i—Millat I still remember she was shaken with sentiments due to clapping and a faint grin came over her shining face. I was also asked by Sardar Aurangzeb to sing a Turkish milli song, which I did and more clappings followed.

When I approached Prof Hasnain Kazmi, he also endorsed the fact that I was the one who for the first time addressed Miss Fatima Jinnah as “mother of the nation”.

In the end I would also like to congratulate President Gen Parvez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali for honouring this great lady. More importantly, it will provide necessary knowledge to our new generation who knew very little about the achievements of our great leaders like the Madar-i-Millat. The declaration of 2003 as the year of Madar-i-Millat is reflective of the government’s concern for women in society.

K. MURAD BEY

Karachi

Sialkot jail tragedy

THE alarming incident of Sialkot Jail, involving the loss of precious lives, appears to be the result of ill-planning of the police officials and the jail authorities who could have averted the tragedy through talks.

During my service career a condemned prisoner managed to get hold of a pistol, a day before his execution, concealed in a bouquet brought by his little daughter during interview. While we were proceeding to the condemned yard to carry out the execution, a sentry came running to inform us about the possession of the pistol by the prisoner to be executed. Realizing my responsibility, I straight away went to the prisoner and retrieved the pistol within 10 minutes through talks and executed the prisoner.

The Sialkot Jail superintendent should have mustered courage to have talk with the prisoners. Besides, the near relatives of the prisoners should have been brought and sent to the prisoners which would have proved positive in achieving the goal. The use of tear-gas would have also compelled the prisoners to surrender.

I think the police and the jail officials owe responsibility for resorting to indiscreet commando action.

SHEIKH GHULAM MURTAZA

Former Superintendent Jail, Balochistan

Vulgarity and liberalism

THIS is with reference to “Media Review” that appeared in your July 26 issue. It is strange the way Mr Omar R. Quraishi took notice of Mr Zafar Iqbal’s letter which was appropriate though a bit late.

The problem with the new channels is that they find it hard to sell their programmes to the viewers and the advertisers. Instead of putting quality into their programmes they have opted for less difficult option — sex. But this strategy backfired first in the case of Indus Vision and more recently with the debacle of Umrao Jan.

Television is a part of one’s furniture and for a country like Pakistan the only source of entertainment for the millions of middle/lower middle class people who have their own values which should be respected. Those who have watched the Umrao Jan must have noticed that there was just one scene showing sexual intimacy but that too was more of a symbolic nature.

The point under discussion is that of aesthetics: whatever is being dished out by the channels now-a-days is below aesthetic sense.

Lastly, I would like to ask Mr Omar a question: since when vulgarity is being equated with liberalism? If that is the case, then why do the “enlightened” people like him make fun of Pushto movies?

SAADUDDIN

Karachi

Omar R. Quraishi replies: Umrao Jan was actually quite a big hit and did very well with the viewers. Though I disagree with the writer of the letter when he mentions it as an example of a media company “using sex”, the fact is that it did do quite well commercially.

As far his question regarding any connection between vulgarity and liberalism, there is indeed no connection between the two. Being liberal — and I believe I did not even use the word — is about being tolerant and open to the ideas of others and has little to do with being vulgar. Even very conservative people can behave in a vulgar manner at times, and this is quite common, unfortunately, in our part of the world.

Entertainers’ arrest

OFTEN the arrest of mujra performers — attendants, traditional dancers and extra activists — are reported. They are supposed to have committed a great sin in the eyes of the law. But what would you call those who run and organize such revelries at national and international levels and are entitled to awards and rewards by the government.

The joke is that all these activities take place in the name of custom and culture to promote the traditions of Pakistan. You may call me conservative but I salute dictator Ziaul Haq who did never allow women to be projected and used as a toy and a showpiece. He banned these activities on television. But now in this regime the military and mullas who do claim themselves as custodians of Islamic principles have failed to do so. They only make noises about the LFO and nothing else.

DR SHAFIQULLAH HASSAN MEMON

Hyderabad

Terrorism and sabotage

IT is unfortunate that our country and innocent citizens are subject to terrorism time and again. The latest massacre at an imambargah in the heart of the Quetta city, resulting in the killing of over 50 people on the spot and wounding of about 70, is perhaps the most serious incident. It is pity that no security cover was provided by the administration even when 11 police trainees were killed on June 8.

It is a matter of great concern that successive governments have failed to evolve any strategy for reducing or limiting such incidents. At the moment perhaps no place is safe. These activities adversely affect economic growth in the country. It is also one of the reasons for the staying away of the foreign investors. There can be numerous reasons for such activities on a regular basis. There cannot be two opinion that most of these are planned and engineered by the enemies’ intelligence agencies.

The present government has been able to eliminate some terrorist groups but the latest incident demands that the situation should be thoroughly examined for taking concrete action. All entrance and exit points in the country and main cities should be properly manned and the movement of foreign and our own nationals should be recorded with complete data on computer network. The decision on the fate of millions of foreign nationals staying illegally in Pakistan should be taken without any favour. The mention of the NIC or passport number on all travelling tickets should be made mandatory.

It is time that the leadership at all levels should get together and achieve a consensus on all national issues.

MUNIR A. RAJA

Karachi

Japan and Saarc

JAPAN’s reported interest in joining Saarc is a very welcome move. It will be instrumental in ushering in an era of economic prosperity in the region. Besides, it will help in countering India’s hegemonic attitude which keeps the smaller members under threat.

It is notable that India’s relations with all Saarc members, ie Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, are far from pleasant. On the other hand, Japan has very comfortable and friendly relations with all Saarc members. Japan’s inclusion will, therefore, have a very soothing impact on the area.

In view of Japan’s level of development the present economic lopsidedness will thus be greatly removed.

Japan will also benefit economically by increased trade with the member-states.

At a subsequent stage an economic union involving more states in the area will help the region grow into an economic unit on the EU’s pattern.

AFTAB IQBAL KHAN

Rawalpindi

Karachi’s rain Blight

THIS refers to your editorial of Aug 3. A disaster can strike any time, anywhere. Earthquakes, floods, rains, drought epidemics are all acts of God. Nature’s mood, sometimes, is unpredictable and inconsistent and far beyond the control of human beings.

In such a situation the meaning of disaster prevention is difficult to understand. But a disaster always casts its shadow before it occurs and there could be sufficient time to mobilize resources that would minimize the damage a disaster may cause. The clouds that recently burst at the lower Sindh could not have been pushed back but steps should have been taken to save the infrastructure from collapsing and the people from misery.

In Badin, Thatta and other areas the entire towns and villages were swept away but the government was not aware of the places where the risk was high. There was absolutely no preparedness to respond to the danger. There are no permanent relief organizations in the rural areas and the city agencies made no arrangements to alleviate the sufferings of the city dwellers.

Confusion and chaos still reign. Restoration and repairs may take months, even years. Rebuilding should be done preventively to avoid future damage caused by the same calamity.

CHAGHTAI MIRZA EIJAZUDDIN

Karachi

Cricket ties

WITH reference to the latest news regarding the cricket relations between Pakistan and India, I would like to draw the attention of the BCCI towards the following issue:

In 1999 when the Pakistan cricket team was scheduled to visit India under the captaincy of Wasim Akram, the Pakistan team was threatened by Bal Thakaray. Not only this, the Indian extremists also demolished the pitch of the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, New Delhi. But still under these circumstances the Pakistan cricket team travelled to India and played there.

It is time India and Pakistan signed a contract of playing a five-Test-match series every year like the Ashes, which is good for the future of cricket in the subcontinent.

MANSOOR AHMED KHAN

Karachi

Dr Kelley’s death

DR Kelley is dead but has left many questions unanswered. Suicide? What compelled him to commit it? Murder? Who committed it and why? WMDs? Where are they?

COL (R) RIAZ JAFRI

Rawalpindi

Police service

MR Ayub Bukhsh Awan passed away in Islamabad recently, and took with him perhaps the last vestige of tradition for which the old Imperial Indian Police (IP) and its successor in Pakistan, the PSP, had always stood to uphold.

I first had the privilege of meeting Mr Awan when I was SP at Rawalpindi in 1955 and he had come to attend a ministerial meeting in Murree to iron out the mechanism of the One Unit setup for West Pakistan. There were two other inspectors-general present (Sindh and Punjab) but it was Awan’s views which prevailed. He was a stickler for honesty, good image and tradition.

With the liquidation of the Police Service of Pakistan as it was once constituted and also of its service association, all that has passed into history having been replaced by the dictum of “grab as grab can”.

The tradition of “service before self”, which the late Mr Awan held so dear, needs to be revived now, more than ever, because even if the structure has gone, the spirit still survives. It only needs to be nurtured and brought back to life.

S. ASIF MAJEED

Karachi

Pakistan’s follies about Kashmir

THERE was a time when Pakistan used to get the support of 10 out of 11 members of the UN Security Council on Kashmir. Today Pakistan cannot even raise the issue in that council in spite of being its member. This gross degradation is the result of this type of follies committed by governments of Pakistan time and again.

One of the organizers of the Kashmir moot held recently in Washington asked me on telephone on July 15, 2003, whether I had a valid passport as they wanted to invite me to the conference. I checked up and found that my passport was to expire on July 19, 2003. So I deposited a sum of Rs4,000 as urgent fee and submitted my application on July 16, 2003, for renewal of my passport. The passport office asked me to take the passport next day but next day an officer who was sitting with the passport officer told me that since my name was on the Exit Control List (ECL), I was not entitled to have a passport.

India has got international warrants of arrest (Red Notice) issued against me by Interpol under which I was arrested in Belgium in 1993 where I had been invited by European Parliament for a round-table conference on Kashmir. Indian action against me may be taken by neutral observers as a justified one as it was I and my party who started the ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir in 1988. We were the only organization in the field for the first over 18 months. This freedom struggle gave a new life to the almost dead Kashmir Issue and put India to lots of trouble. But what have I done to Pakistan?

There is no case against me in Pakistan concerning any financial irregularities or breach of law. As such, the action taken against me is a politically motivated one. My only crime is that I and my party sincerely believe in conditional independence of the entire Jammu Kashmir state and have prepared an easily practicable roadmap, a copy of which has already been sent to president Pervez Musharraf.

We sincerely believe, and have weighty reasons to do so, that conditional independence of the entire Jammu Kashmir state, as suggested in our roadmap, is in the best national interests of all the three parties to the Kashmir Issue, i.e. Kashmir, Pakistan and India. But Pakistan does not swallow this healthful but bitter pill. As such, this and other aspects of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy have created a strong impression on international level and to some extent on Kashmir level also that Pakistan also,like India, is interested only in the land of Kashmir and even in a large segment of it, and not in Kashmiri people’s wishes and aspirations.

AMANULLAH KHAN

Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Islamabad