| August 10, 2003 | Sunday | Jumadi-us-Sani 11, 1424 |
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Port Qasim: need for industrialization
Internet and pornography
Karachi transport system
Woman’s status in Islam
Greater Thal Canal project
SSGC’s move
Age-limit for CSS exam
NSC a failed concept in Turkey
Salvaging of M. T. Tasman Spirit
I AM Indian and was pleasantly surprised to read the opinion “Co-joined with Kashmir” in Dawn (July 30). From the images what we have seen or heard in the media, I could not believe that such a sane voice can come from Pakistan.
I am also a peace-loving Indian who believes that both the countries should work together to eliminate poverty and improve the standard of living, education, health and hygiene. We have a habit of comparing with each other, forgetting that by world standards we both are very poor countries and in all the living standard indexes, we both are rated behind at least 100 other countries.
I firmly believe that the common people of both the countries want peace and it is unfortunate that leaders keep on inflaming the passions. Kashmir is also one such issue for which countless lives are lost. I do not know whether it is Jihad or not, but from my perspective every life lost is the life lost of a bread-winner, or a dear son or a dear daughter or a dear mother, a dear husband or a dear father or a dear sister or a dear friend, whatever be.
Somebody should ask the families who have lost their dear ones and somebody should ask this question a couple of years after the tragedy when the rhetoric has died down; what does happen to the families afterwards?
Also, in India there are thousands and thousands of mosques, some in very thick dense populations and upmarket locations. If one disputed unused Masjid was damaged/ ravaged by a crowd, that does not mean that Islam is in danger in India. Hundreds of new mosques have been made in the last 10 years. Muslims are increasing in number in India. Thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims are crossing over to India daily. Had the condition been bad, so many Bangladeshi Muslims would not have been crossing over to India or for that matter the president of India would not have been a Muslim.
So, in a country where Muslims are so well-to-do, it is not conceivable that the government will prosecute Muslims in one state only or Muslims will be denied freedom in one state only. Whatever is happening in Kashmir is because there are thousands of armed men roaming in Kashmir, mostly foreigners, who are carrying out a guerilla warfare against the Indian army, and the army is retaliating. The Indian army is never against peace-loving Kashmiris.
I pray to God there be more people in both the countries who want to stop this bloodshed and sabre-rattling. Let us all develop a feeling of understanding towards each other. Instead of hate, let us be patient and listen to each other. Instead of seeing each other as Hindus and Muslims or Indians and Pakistanis, let us look at each other as another human being, and maybe our problems will die down.
Let Kashmir not be the battle ground for the two countries, where innocent citizens are caught in crossfire. Let there be some cooling of tempers and conditions conducive so that a democratically elected political government, as well as the civil administration, start functioning freely.
GOPALANI
New Delhi, India
I WOULD like to congratulate F. S. Aijazuddin on his brilliantly articulated views in the article “Co-joined with Kashmir”.
I fully agree with him when he says: “The Kashmir question has never been put to the litmus test of a public poll or a referendum by either side. What masquerades as ‘public opinion’ in Pakistan is, in all honesty, nothing more than the prejudices of right-wing editors of high circulation Urdu dailies. Because they believe they mould public opinion, periodically they take plaster casts from that mould and present them as fresh impressions of the public’s mind on any particular issue.”
It’s about time the Kashmir Problem was viewed with a new perspective. How many more generations have to be destroyed before we have the good sense to let go. The utter failure of our ruling class to move beyond the Kashmir issue has resulted in untold misery and has contributed in the moulding of a psyche (of the nation) which is extremist in outlook and unbending and devoid of reason.
The exploitation of religion and cheap emotions by all and sundry has resulted in total destruction of every fibre of our society, which used to be once open, moderate and reasonable.
S. A. AHMED
Abu Dhabi, UAE
THIS is with reference to the letter headlined “Port Qasim: need for industrialization” (Aug 5) by Mr Nisar Ahmed Khuhro. Some facts about the matter are presented below for the benefit of your valued readers.
Port Qasim owns 12,000 acres earmarked for industrialization and allied services like warehousing, CFS and commercial areas. This area is divided in three major zones, i.e. northwestern, southwestern and eastern industrial zones.
Most of the plots in northwestern and southwestern industrial zones have already been allotted. About 40 industrial units are in operation and an equal number is in various stages of planning and construction. Similarly, most of the area earmarked for commercial activities has also been allotted.
At present, about 6,000 acres are still available for industrialization in the eastern industrial zone. The PQA has lately received a number of applications for allotment in this zone. All the interested parties have been advised to complete necessary formalities, including down payment of 25 per cent of peripheral development charges. On receipt of complete information to be provided by the potential investors, allotment of plot is initiated by the PQA and is completed in the shortest possible time.
Seaports are a natural gift. The land in proximity of ports assumes its importance for industrialization, particularly in the sectors requiring imports of raw material and exports of finished products. It has been an earnest desire of the PQA to allot land to only such buyers as want to set up their units immediately and to keep the speculators away from the arena.
This principle may have caused discomfort to the speculators, nonetheless the PQA has been encouraging serious investors to build up industries in this area which promises in its fold the most sought-after job opportunities and economic revival of the country.
GHULAM HAIDER CHANDIO
PRO, Port Qasim Authority,
Karachi
IT entertains me to read letters appearing in your columns on Internet and pornography. Condemning the Internet cafes is like condemning libraries for holding books on sex — a notion hardly worth contemplation.
How did our young do before the Internet was accessible? Were they ignorant then? Or, were they satisfying their natural curiosity of the opposite sex by some other means? How about schools? Shall we close them down too as boys and girls share, learn and teach each other far more here?
Let us stop bickering now. Let us not indulge in self-denial. There were always some channels available to our young to vent their frustrations, and there always will be some others. The point being not to pass on the buck. Instead of advocating better and stronger social values, morals and norms at home that parents so often neglect, we tend to, like in everything else in life here, point a finger at somebody else.
Shutting or denying some sites, cafes, right of privacy, etc., in general for the sake of a few who do surf on them will not make better Muslims out of us. Teaching of tolerance, justice, equality, compassion and charity, absent in our people, will do us far more good and make us far better Muslims. Talibnization is not a way of Islam.
AYAZ SHAIKHZADEH
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Arman Sabir’s report on Green Bus, published in Dawn’s Metropolitan page on Aug 4. As I regularly commute to my office by Green Bus — also often use CNG Bus — may I be allowed to express my opinion in the same context?
Although the chief of Swede Bus Pakistan did not succeed yet in setting up 40 bus stops, providing more buses to their fleet and setting up an assembly plant, the fact remains that they are trying their best to provide a reasonably good service to the commuters. As far as the designated stops are concerned, I agree with Mr Sabir that both CNG and Green buses some time bypass it, but most of the time because of overloaded passengers.
Coming to airconditioner’s cooling in the bus, I disagree with Mr Sabir. The CNG Bus compared to the Green Bus is more effective. During peak office hours, the Green Bus does carry more passengers than its capacity. Mr Sabir is right in pointing out that there is no difference between them and the normal transport at that point of time. Everyone is in a hurry and doesn’t care much whether he is boarding an overloaded bus.
This can only be avoided by adding more buses to the fleet at the earliest and, if possible, adding more seats to the present buses. The Green Bus maintains the ladies’ compartment very well by not allowing a single male passenger into it, whereas the CNG’s ladies’ compartment cannot be differentiated the way it should be. Tickets are more often checked on the Green Bus than on the CNG buses. It is a good suggestion that the bus management should introduce a monthly pass for regular commuters.
Above all, culture and tradition is developed by the people only. Unless the people of Karachi develop a sense of discipline and patience, the bus management cannot do much to help us. We should not blame the bus management for not changing the transport culture.
IFTEKHAR RAHAT
Karachi
I APPLAUD Mr Adnan Ahmed (July 29) for proving yet again that men in Pakistan are, by and large, progressive when it comes to gender discrimination. I agree that equality should be defined in terms of humankind and not on the basis of religion, gender, colour or creed or any other trait. How long are we going to distort and use Islam to justify selfish aims of a few bigots to keep women under subjugation and covers?
Pakistanis should abandon their tendency to think that a bad thing will go away if they stay quiet. The rise of rampant lawlessness and corruption speaks of our own cowardice and apathy. The women of Pakistan should face this matter head on and fight for equal rights.
It is strange that in India where religion dictates a husband’s place as god women enjoy more freedom owing to the strict laws against discrimination promulgated by government and the active role of women groups. At least, they have under the laws of the land a recourse for women to fight for their rights and demand equal treatment.
Obviously, we in Pakistan like elsewhere in the Islamic world are mired in the trap of feudal society and any movement in opening the minds of the people is challenged through religion and other vile methods.
This will only be checked by empowering a non-feudal class and when social and mental upliftment of people is given a top priority.
The new leaders and specially elected officials should once and for all work for Pakistan and the aspiration of the people in making strict laws to rid the people of the feudal system and the injustices meted out to the weak and the vulnerable.
SANOBER Q. HAIDER
Princeton, USA
THESE days a lot of hue and cry is being raised against the greater Thal Canal project, but nobody from the government side is coming out to explain its salient features. Has there even been a cost-benefit ratio analysis?
It is also most deplorable to note that none of the Sindhi (including the MQM) politicians is demanding that the said canal be extended right up to the Tharparkar area. The canal is going to be built, come what may, because the ruling province wants it. It is about time we came to terms with this fact and demand that the canal be expanded up to the Thar area in Sindh.
Let us be positive and make the most out of the given situation. Agitation per se is a zero-sum game in this context.
SALIM D. DADABHOY
Karachi
THE MD of the SSGC in his statement, published in Dawn on July 6, stated that the company is likely to face financial problems if it implemented the Supreme Court’s decision about the absorption of its former employees, but, according to a report (March 18), the company made a profit of two billion rupees in 2002-2003. The question is: would the company management bother to clarify on what grounds it made discriminations between 590 affectees?
The authorities posted only 480 out of the 590 employees who had won the judicial review in the Supreme Court. The company left out 77 employees without any ground. Nevertheless, they were also ordered in the same manner as their other 480 colleagues.
The court in its decision quoted Article 25 of the Constitution which provides for “equal protection by law” but the company made discrimination without any moral or legal justification.
AN AFFECTED EMPLOYEE
Hyderabad
THE government must increase the age-limit for the CSS examination from 28 to 30 years. Keeping in view the ever-increasing unemployment in the country, the decision of the previous government to lower the age-limit for the CSS examination was both unfair and mind-boggling.
The decision has caused frustration among the educated but unemployed youths of Pakistan. They still fail to understand the rationale behind the decision. I hope the government would lend a sympathetic ear to this demand of thousands of youths.
SYED HASSAN RAZA
Kohat
THE main impediment to Turkey’s entry to the European Union is the dictatorial working of its military-dominated National Security Council which does not even allow its elected parliament to comply with certain basic democratic requirements necessary for EU membership. Hence we see that Turkey’s NSC has over the years proved to be anti-democratic, a failed concept in these changing times.
This being so, it is not understood as to why our great leaders insist on having a similar anti-democratic failed concept in Pakistan. In fact, the Turkish military control over democracy as a whole is facing a serious challenge from the present parliament and the end-game of its involvement in politics has begun.
In Pakistan it is the other way round. When will we learn to read “the writing on the wall”?
MUSTAFA HAIDER
Karachi
SOME quarters are expressing apprehensions at the slow salvage operations of M. T. Tasman Spirit, grounded outside the Karachi channel. There are also misleading reports about inaction on the part of the KPT and about excessive oil spillage, impacting the environment. The fact is that it is because of the KPT’s strong vigil that an oil spillage catastrophe has been avoided.
Salvaging stranded or grounded vessels during the high winds and very rough seas is a complicated and very involved process. All possible action has been taken to first stabilize the ship and then to ensure its water-tight integrity, so that no oil spillage takes place. These actions that require priority and urgency were achieved effectively, immediately on the grounding of the vessel. Doing this meant that any impending disaster was averted, and the port could then proceed to the actual salvage work.
Salvage of ships is a very specialized job and because of the infrequency of its occurrence most ports do not have a dedicated salvage team and equipment, as it does not make an economic or a logistic sense. Therefore, internationally, ports and owners of ships hire salvage firms to operate and salvage ships, post-occurrence. At present, the equipment and team working on site, in addition to KPT personnel, is a conglomerate of people and assets from Greece, the UK, Holland, Dubai and Sri Lanka. This underscores the enormity of the required effort and the fact that no single port is equipped to undertake such a venture locally.
The required personnel and assets are now in place and the lighterage work should begin on Aug 6. This will be a slow and a deliberate exercise which will have to brave many unpredictable situations, while de-fuelling 67,000 tons of crude oil. After this, the effort to refloat the tanker will be undertaken through tugs. The entire operation may take up to another three weeks. This is much faster than the average salvage time recorded in other ports. The general worldwide average time for such salvage operations is between two and four months.
The ministry of communications and Karachi Port have a comprehensive contingency planning for such incidents. It is the implementation of that contingency planning because of which the overall situation is under control, with no adverse environmental, ecological or economic effect.
The KPT by tradition emphasizes transparency. Consequently, this matter has been reported to the IMO, as well as to the DG, Environment, ministry of environment, Islamabad. In addition, all environment- related agencies, including the Maritime Security Agency, have taken regular rounds of the area and are satisfied with the KPT efforts. The fact is that there was only on the first day a “minor” leakage of the oil, so the KPT reported the fact accordingly. All speculations to the contrary are unfounded. Had there been a major spillage, it would have been impossible to hide.
The fact that the KPT has been totally transparent about the issue is also borne by the fact that it has arranged the visit of all the journalists who asked to visit the site for first-hand information. Among these, the Geo and PTV teams were taken to the area on July 28. They filmed the ship and its surrounding areas, as well as interviewed KPT officials. This has been followed by regular press releases and interviews of KPT officials. Again on Aug 4 the PTV and Reuter camera crew along with a host of journalists including the APP correspondent accompanied the minister of communications and KPT chairman for an on-site survey and inspection of the area. The KPT would be privileged to take any concerned organization to the site whenever they choose to go.
As there is no environmental or economic damage, we should not raise false alarms and send panic waves, nationally and internationally.
KAFEEL AHMAD
Sr. Public Relations Officer, Karachi Port Trust,
Karachi
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