| August 11, 2003 | Monday | Jumadi-us-Sani 12, 1424 |
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Policy for foreign remittance
Why this discrimination?
Mediation on Kashmir
Fighting sectarianism
Recruitment in FPSC
‘Minaret with a view’
The ‘Falcon’ project
Mockery of law
Late-night weddings
Recognizing Israel
Setting priorities
Bank charges
Economic and financial woes of Pakistan
IT is time to categorize our problems. Our immediate problem is neither democracy nor economy. Our problem is that we are ignorant of our role and status. Only education (awareness) will lead us to where democracy and better economy matter.
It is universally recognized that salvation of the masses lies in the fact that education should be made compulsory throughout the country. It has already been proved time and again that in no country elementary education has become universal without compulsion.
For this purpose there may be arguments that sufficient buildings and sufficient trained teachers are not available. To build schools and to hire trained teachers, a huge amount would be required. In order to fulfil this requirement the Quaid-i-Azam stressed again and again to find money.
If you have not got enough money, discover and tap new resources. It may be mentioned here that in Pakistan 10 babies are born each minute, 600 each hour, 14,400 each day, equalling 5.3 million each year. Estimating that some half a million die before reaching the age of five, we need 160,000 elementary schools.
The government will have not only to find money to build an education system, but it will also have to revamp the entire education curricula now operative in the country. The national curriculum objectives as set forth by the federal ministry of education in 1995 remain unchanged, eight years on.
The Musharraf government has failed to realize the first thing that must be tackled right from the grassroots level is the compulsory mass education which will lead people to understand the importance of population control to their own welfare and well-being.
For the local governments to even function, surely the people they serve must be educated so that they at least have a modicum of understanding about the system and are able to contribute towards its functioning. As for poverty alleviation, how does the government expect the people to drag themselves out of the ruts in which they are embedded, bereft of learning and of schools?
There can be no lessening of poverty without the spread of education — illiteracy and ignorance and overpopulation are the prime promoters of destitution and beggary. It has been reported that out of the three billion dollars US aid, a mere $21.5 million will go towards education and literacy. By reducing the gap between lower and top echelons and by curtailing of facilities, perks, etc. to top echelons in the armed and civil services, billions of rupees can be generated and utilized for the promotion and development of the education sector.
S. A. KHOKHAR
Lahore
THIS refers to the Muhammad Javed’s letter titled “Govt policy and foreign remittance” (July 30).
It is difficult to comprehend how the hydraulic press can defy the principles of physics. You may reduce the volume of the goods by eliminating the air between the goods (thereby ruining the goods which would not be sold). But it is difficult to understand how one can reduce the mass of the goods which determines the weight of the goods.
It should be noted that duty-free imports of $1,000 does not mean that the government is forgoing the customs duty worth Rs60,000. The maximum duty in Pakistan today is 30 per cent which would mean that the government would may lose Rs18,000.
While the government should be making the expatriate aware that the extra rupees for overseas remittances come at the expense of the rupees not being available for health, education and infrastructure spending. The expatriates (I being one of them) should realize that extra rupees do not merely materialize out of the thin air. It is unfortunate that Pakistanis still do not think what they can do for Pakistan but want to know what Pakistan can do for them.
The Ayub era’s bonus voucher was a disguised two-tier currency exchange rate system which the present government has done so much to get it eliminated. Today, Pakistan can proudly say that it has earned enough creditability among the overseas Pakistanis that even without any advantage the foreign currency would continue to flow in.
This is not to say that the hundi will be replaced completely, but over the years to come when Pakistan’s foreign exchange policy would continue to be rationalized and liberalized, this would be the case. So, I believe that the government, rather than give the overseas Pakistanis these lame incentives, should focus on keeping one exchange rate system by meeting the demands for foreign currency by resident Pakistanis for portfolio investments abroad, since other demands for foreign currency has already been liberalized, e.g. funds for migration, medical expenses and education.
AMIN DAWOOD SALEH
Dubai, UAE
THE US Congress has initiated investigation against the FBI and the CIA for their failure to foresee and prevent the 9/11 catastrophes. The inquiry committee recently declared that poor performance by the US intelligence agencies caused the death of about 3,000 innocent people.
It is now concentrating on US agencies’ pre-Sept 11 information about Al Qaeda’s presence and activities in the US. It said that had the US agencies shared information about Al Qaeda’s activities inside the country, the 9/11 tragedy would not have happened.
Besides the Congress, the media and the masses in the US have been demanding severe action against the intelligence agencies for failing to cope with terrorism. However, the Congress and the so-called independent press in the US seem to be reluctant to ask the Bush administration to punish the secret agencies for providing fake reports about Iraq’s WMDs.
Both the US and British secret agencies had warned their governments and the people that Saddam’s WMDs could remove them from the world within 45 minutes, but so far they have not found any WMDs. This only goes to prove their evil design behind the attacks on defenceless and powerless Muslims of Iraq. The so-called champions of humanity and peace have murdered hundreds of innocent Iraqis, but unfortunately neither the Congress, nor the US-based human rights organizations, nor the press has made any appeal for constituting a committee which can probe the deaths of the oppressed Iraqis and Afghans.
I appeal to the Congress to set up an inquiry committee to disclose the failure and mala fide of US secret agencies about Iraq’s WMDs.
ALI ATAL
Quetta
THIS is in support of Zahoor Ahsan’s letter (July 12). India’s policy throughout has been to evade the UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir, by using any argument they could think of.
Their principal arguments, besides others like the troop withdrawal issue, are the contents of the Shimla Accord of 1972, by which they claim that the UN resolutions are invalid because the ceasefire line has been changed into the Line of Control and, therefore, the CFL as defined in the resolutions is non-existent.
Secondly, the accord calls for a bilateral settlement of issues which overrides the resolutions. Perhaps, these were cleverly contrived by Mrs Indira Gandhi in 1972, at that time bargaining from a position of strength, as it entailed release of 90,000 Pakistani POWs with some territorial concessions.
To maintain their position under the Shimla Accord, India will never allow any “internationalization” of the issue, i.e. it will not permit any foreign or international parties to come anywhere near Kashmir, either as mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, observers, or in any capacity whatsoever.
According to a press report, on Clinton’s visit to India in 2000, he was rapped on the knuckle by Jaswant Singh for merely uttering the word “Kashmir”.
About two years ago, India proposed joint Indo-Pakistan patrolling along the LoC, which, of course, falls in line with their contention that the issues should be dealt with bilaterally and keep any internationalization out.
If international mediation is allowed, given the intransigent positions held, the mediators will no doubt uphold that there is already a formula for settlement in place (commonly referred to as a “roadmap” in dealing with the other international issues) by way of the UN resolutions. India will have nothing of that.
RAFI AHMED
Karachi
YOU have reported in your issue of July 20 that the nationalist parties have vowed to fight sectarianism. It is a laudable aim provided it is put into practice with absolute sincerity and honesty.
Now, the real way to treat a malady is to first diagnose its cause and then treat it. The cause and the basis of sectarian menace are two evils of the undemocratic laws which were inducted into our Constitution by Gen Ziaul Haq. They are (a) separate electorate (b) the Qadiani ordinance.
As long as these two laws are in vogue in Pakistan, the nationalist parties can never succeed in uprooting the evil of sectarianism.
If the nationalist parties are sincere about their aim and claim to fight sectarianism and eradicate it from the country, they should declare, through the print media, that they are in favour of the earliest abrogation of these two undemocratic and wicked laws which have wrecked our national unity ever since their induction.
If, however, no such declaration is forthcoming, all their talks about fighting sectarianism would amount to mere rhetoric.
MOHAMMAD ISHAQUE
Rabwah
RECENTLY, the Federal Public Service Commission has advertised in the national dailies for recruitment of 75 income tax officers in BS-16. All these vacancies are to be filled through merit and regional quotas.
No seats have been reserved for the disabled, though two per cent quota is mandatory for them.
I request the prime minister to intervene in the matter and direct the authorities concerned to allocate seats for the disabled.
JAVED AHMAD MALIK
Lahore
IN the article “Minaret with a view” by M. J. Akbar (July 28), the writer says: “The battle was both ideological and military; it preceded the mutiny of 1857 and continued long after it.”
It is a pity that historians, politicians and the mediamen in both India and Pakistan refer to this event as a “mutiny”, an imperialistic view, despite being independent for over 50 years. The progress in peace and harmony can be made between the two neighbours only when we can shed the shackles of colonialism.
Recognizing this day as “the first war of independence” and having a joint national celebration to mark this historic day could be the beginning of a new era of peace and harmony in the subcontinent. It is time the younger generation knew about the perils of imperialistic rule.
I am an Indian Hindu and I know that many Indians, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists share this view.
S. KARTHIKEYAN
Via email
ACCORDING to recent reports, the Americans are looking for global strike capacity within two hours directly from their military bases to destabilize the threatening actions by hostile countries and terrorist organizations. The project is called ‘Falcon’.
No doubt it is a big technological achievement. But it may create more dilemma than solve problems in case the Americans are the sole judge to decide the criterion for would-be victims. They are not willing to forget the importance of invasion and wars.
Mr Donald Rumsfeld reads daily, “Aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords”, as engraved in a bronze plaque which he has displayed on his office desk.
Since the Americans have announced their plan, the UN and the European Union should step in now and not later.
Z. A. KAZMI
Karachi
IT was 1am on July 22, 2003, when in Karachi’s thickly-populated area of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block 16, there was an outburst of drum-beating and musical instruments at the Erum Centre. During this nightlong show, a comedian started hurling shouts and vulgar jokes over the loudspeaker. Moreover, throughout the night they fired or blew up crackers.
Someone dared to phone the police, and a mobile appeared for a while but suddenly disappeared after having some dialogue with the organizers. The matter needs to be inquired into and stern action against the culprits, as well as against the policemen who failed to perform their duty.
A RESIDENT
Karachi
THE marriage season is on. And with it have increased the agony and distress of the people. This is so mainly because of the late arrival of the guests for mehndi and baraat and the time wasted in serving them dinner at unearthly hours. Unfortunately, our social and cultural traditions do not allow us to leave without suffering the inevitable torture and misery.
Karachi enjoys the distinction of being a place of educated people and we do not let a minute pass without moaning about the state of affairs of the country and the backwardness of our society. But, we take pride in arriving and starting functions at a time when any civilized society should have gone to bed.
My humble request to Karachiites is: “The people who do not respect time can never progress or prosper. Please realize, what we are losing in terms of health, wealth and efficiency.”
LT-COL MUHAMMAD ALI KHAN (R)
Karachi
THIS refers to the letters appearing in your esteemed paper on the issue of Pakistan recognizing Israel.
It is the general impression in Pakistan that by not recognizing Israel, we are helping the cause of Palestinians. The other impression is that such a stand is based on principles dictating our Islamic ideology.
We neither help the Palestinian cause, nor do we promote the cause of the Muslim world. It is time political issues were divorced from religion. If for once that issue has been taken up by the general, let the so-called leaders come forward and take this chance to educate the people at large about the real world.
MUNIR A.VARRAICH
Sweden
MARRIAGE Expenses, Dowry and Bridal Gifts (restriction) Act 2003 is the new law being implemented yet again. This is another source of income for the police.
When will our lawmakers learn to have their priorities straightened? Shouldn’t it be in the order of clean water, electricity, peace and security, education and so on and on.
SURAIYA KSAIM FRB,
Copenhagen, Denmark
THE State Bank of Pakistan has exempted government employees from levy of service charges for salary purposes.
This is a right concession. But the authorities have forgotten the low-paid employees and workers of private organizations who have been requesting the CBR for the disbursement of salary to the employees drawing up to Rs20,000 by cash or bearer cheques.
MUHAMMAD USMAN
Karachi
THE purpose of this letter is to show to the readers that the much-talked-about aid of three billion dollars, which Pakistan is likely to receive from America, is not at all sufficient in any measure for pulling the economy out of the woods.
During the first 40 years of Pakistan’s development, great achievements were made in the field of economic advancement. Under two civilian dictators and four military ones, the country was able to achieve agricultural progress owing to the construction of large dams and barrages, supplemented with additional canals. Well-planned industrial areas enabled Pakistan to increase its industrial output, and the infrastructure of the country was greatly expanded.
Till the death of President Ziaul Haq, the country had received only 15 billion dollars in all from external sources for an average population of 90 million. This has meant a borrowing of four dollars per capita annually. If Pakistan is going to receive one billion dollars per year for a population of 150 million, by helping George W. Bush in his war against a phantom of terrorism, it would amount to about six dollars annually per capita. Prices have gone up at least six times using 1973 as a base year.
It is easy to imagine that for Pakistan, after reversing its policy which it had followed under Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and the first two years of the regime of President Gen Pervez Musharraf towards the Taliban and President Saddam Hussein, the returns are indeed meagre. Shaukat Aziz, the finance minister, has, therefore, not achieved much as a result of his tour of Europe and America.
The State Bank of Pakistan has been trying to stabilize the economy for the last three years, but the future of Pakistan as a viable country requires huge inputs of foreign aid and investment.
The Taliban regime was America’s baby in the early ‘90s, including Osama bin Laden during 1993-96 in Afghanistan, propped up by Benazir Bhutto and Naseerullah Babar in the mid-nineties just because Ziaul Haq had supported Gulbadin Hekmatyar and Ahmed Shah Masud. The continued support to the Taliban or demolishing them was America’s problem and not that of Pakistan, specially after 9/11. Pakistan should have resisted George W. Bush’s attempt to draw it in, favouring the standpoint of the US administration. I write this as an American citizen. What has Pakistan gained in financial terms in Afghanistan when its embassy is attacked by hostile Afghan elements in Kabul, whereas the Indians have been invited to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by Hamid Karzai?
Although it is too late for Pakistan to make amends in Kabul and Baghdad, as well as in Tehran, the present government in Islamabad needs to do a lot of hard thinking in connection with its economic and financial policies, e.g. in relation to Saarc, India, the ECO and Europe. It is difficult to bring about a change in its policy towards the Middle East and Saudi Arabia because of the circumstances well understood.
WG-CDR (R) AHMAD ZAFAR FAROOQI
Karachi
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