| August 23, 2003 | Saturday | Jumadi-us-Sani 24, 1424 |
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Gang-rape ordeal
Tipu Sultan’s sword
Two-nation theory
Prisoners’ plight
Environmental disaster
Iraq after occupation
Targeting doctors
Woman’s status in Islam
Police and highway robberies
THE founding fathers had made it very clear that Pakistan should function as a democratic state, having a constitution drafted by the elected representatives of the people. It was supposed to be a state where the rule of law and constitution was to be supreme and no man or institution was supposed to be above the rule of law.
When the creation of Pakistan became a certain reality, there were quite a few people with large land holdings who joined the bandwagon. There was also a group which, having migrated, wanted to establish a constituency of its own and, therefore, was instrumental in delaying the holding election after the creation of Pakistan. The tragic circumstances in which the Quaid died are now a historical fact.
The remnants of the Raj and a few non-democratic elements within the League, therefore, started working to delay the drafting of a constitution, which was so essential for laying the foundation of a sovereign independent state, as visualised by our founding fathers.
Within years of our independence, the remnants of the Raj started intrigues so that they could live a life of luxury based on loot and plunder of state resources. The establishment of a strong political system enforced by the writ of a constitution and rule of law was an impediment to their scheme and evil designs.
Ghulam Mohammad was illegally installed as governor-general by a coterie of civil and armed bureaucracy which had opposed the creation of Pakistan. Ayub Khan followed suit, having already made inroads in his capacity as defence minister. He defied the very basis of the creation of Pakistan when he declared martial law. He gave a truncated and evil system and called it “Basic Democracy”.
His philosophy was that we were not yet qualified to run ourselves as a democratic state. This was in total violation of the very basis of our creation as a sovereign, independent and democratic entity. The Quaid’s sister realized the danger posed to the state, for which her brother had laid down his life. She decided to confront and oust the dictator by challenging him in the election. Her defeat was preplanned by installing a corrupt judge, Sardar Iqbal, as head of the West Pakistan Election Commission. When she refused to accept the rigged elections, she was removed from the scene. To this date, her political murder has not been investigated.
Ayub Khan was replaced by Yahya Khan, who stepped down only when half of the country seceded from the motherland. Without establishment of a democratic constitutional rule, Pakistan’s very existence was at stake. East Pakistan, which was the origin of our freedom struggle, seceded from Pakistan.
Civil democratic rule was allowed by the establishment for the first time since our independence. The 1973 Constitution was adopted unanimously by elected representatives. However, Gen Zia once again stepped in to usurp powers and upset the democratic process. Stiff opposition by ZAB and his refusal to proceed abroad on forced exile resulted in his state-enforced judicial murder.
The country that was created by a constitutional political struggle still suffers at the hands of those institutions and elements who had no role in its creation. We are today isolated in the comity of nations and in our own backyard. Our existence and sovereignty are at stake.
Pakistan was established to function as modern democratic state and its existence and sovereignty is wedded to supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law. There is also no concept of dictatorial rule in Islam, nor is there any room for such scheme of things in its teachings.
SALMAN MALIK
Lahore
WHILE browsing through the Dawn website, I saw the horrific report by S. Raza Hassan about a couple’s ordeal. Would there ever be something called “law and order” in the city of Karachi? I guess it’s our nonchalant attitude towards such incidents that propagates such horrifying acts.
Aladin Park is a place where many decent families go for recreation. Has anyone ever thought that it can be you and me with our loved ones there (i.e. fiancee, sister, mother, wife, daughter, etc) being subjected to such an act of barbarism?
The media is a major source of fighting such social evils. I request people like Ardeshir Cowasjee, A. B. S. Jafri and Ayaz Amir to write more about such evils and help the common man fight these social battles. It will be great if any of these writers dedicates some time to follow up on the above-mentioned crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Persistence from anyone of them would persuade the local police to do their duties properly, and to catch and convict the criminals, instead of terrorizing the victims.
BABAR HASAN
Indiana, USA
I RECENTLY read the story about a couple who were kidnapped outside an amusement park, taken blindfolded to some unknown place where the girl was assaulted. I console the couple but, at the same time, request them not to take it as a matter of fate.
God knows how many of our women are subjected to this crime and, owing to many reasons, keep quiet and live with this trauma throughout their lives.
Our government and leaders are busy making political gains. It seems that the judicial and the law-enforcement systems are busy with other priorities.
May Allah help this couple and all of us.
KHALID KHAN
Karachi
I REFER to the news about the gang-rape ordeal narrated recently by a couple in Karachi.
I felt ashamed to be a Pakistani on hearing such news, for this happened in a country which was formed in the name of Islam. That the affected couple have decided not to lodge an FIR is a sad commentary on the performance of the police.
There is a police checkpost outside the pubic park, wherefrom the couple hired a taxi. Will the police inspector-general of Sindh bother to hold the policemen on duty accountable? I think he or anybody else (in the administration) will not be moved until it is the daughter of a minister, a politician, a potential minister, an armyman or a bureaucrat.
We keep raising our concerns over the killing, rape and torture of innocent Kashmiris. Will somebody tell me how different the situation is in our country?
SAFDAR AKBARI
Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada
A FOOTAGE appearing on a local TV a few days back said that Tipu Sultan’s sword was being put to public auction in London. Tipu Sultan was one of the bravest Muslim warriors who fought against the great odds of the English troops in the subcontinent. He was known as the ‘Lion of Mysore’ and gave the toughest time to the Britishers. He martyred himself for India’s freedom. I recall a Hindu teacher of mine in the history class used to repeat his famous words, ‘One day’s life of a lion is preferable to a hundred years’ existence of a jackal.’
Tipu was not only a terror for the English soldiers, but the European ladies used to silence their naughty and noisy children by reminding them ‘Tipu is coming — be silent.’ Tipu’s valour has also been acknowledged by the English soldiers. His ‘Taj’ (Crown) and the ‘Talwar (Sword) or anything that belonged to him has a historic importance for us Pakistanis as well.
It will, therefore, be in the fitness of things if his sword is acquired by the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom at all costs, rather than falling into the hands of the non- Muslims again. For the non-Muslims, it may not have that much significance.
The priceless possession of Tipu Sultan must, therefore, find a prestigious place in our National Museum for the benefit of our younger generation.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
THIS has reference to the article headlined “The two-Nation theory” by Kuldip Nayar (Aug 9).
The controversy has not ended because, even after 56 years, the Indians have not accepted the basis on which Pakistan was founded. Mr Nayar still does not know “which two nations Mr Fazlur Rehman is talking about”. Undeniably, whatever the Quaid-i-Azam “propagated” was self-evident, logical and categorical.
It is a gross mis-statement that Jinnah ever re-defined nationalism. In his speech, as governor-general, the Quaid was describing the characteristics of an Islamic state in which no discriminatory treatment is meted out to the non-Muslim Pakistanis. The non-Muslims do not merely enjoy all the rights, specially the right to worship along whit the believers, but some extra privileges as well. That speech can only be understood in the context of the communalism and the resulting horrid riots that erupted because the Hindus resented the very concept of Pakistan.
It is also wrong to say that “some quarters” in Pakistan sustain the old concept to find justification for fundamentalism. The fact is that the whole of Pakistan believes and will always believe in the immutable concept which is the cornerstone of their homeland.
The Islamic ideology being dynamic and progressive is the very anti-thesis of dogmatism and fundamentalism. The ideological state of Pakistan is not a religious state or a theocracy because Islam is not a religion in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a deen, i.e. a complete way of life with its unique economic order, political system and code of morality.
One cannot comprehend its true character in terms of the prevalent jargons. Its agenda is not new, it is the same as that of Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-i-Azam.
PROF RAZIA YAQUB
Karachi
THE affairs at the Sanghar district jail are in a terrible mess. The jail superintendent has let loose a reign of terror against the prisoners. Right from the main gate of the prison to the security ward, the prisoners are subjected to the worst type of mistreatment. They are humiliated, taunted, tortured and kept in the security ward where his close associates demand bribe.
The prisoners, most of whom are poor, are passing hard times and have to grease the palm of the official in order to protect themselves from further humiliation and torture. Now, how can we give huge bribes to him? Should we sell our livestock or womenfolk to satisfy his hunger for money?
We request the higher authorities concerned to save the prisoners from the maladministration of the jail chief.
AN UNDER-TRIAL PRISONER
Sanghar
I WAS simply outraged by the comments of the government representatives concerned on the recent oil spillage disaster at the Karachi beach. By giving silly comments, these authorities have become a laughing-stock of the whole world.
Instead of accepting and taking full responsibility for being lax and not being able to respond on time, they have very conveniently said that the damage is very negligible and business is as usual. I agree, the business of polluting and depleting natural resources is as usual. Keep up the good work. Keep your heads buried in the sand and everything will look rosy and shiny. Just perfect.
Why don’t we close down this ministry and save the money and utilize it on something more useful? The best part is that all the fish affected owing to this pollution will end up on our dining tables and we will be eating oblivious to the fact that this contamination will have on the entire food chain.
AMER KHAQAN
Jubai, Saudi Arabia
TWENTY people were killed and 100 wounded in a suicide truck-bomb attack at the UN headquarters in Baghdad on Aug 18. Among the dead was the UN Special Representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
The US government, before invading Iraq, was very much optimistic and was expecting unprecedented support of the coalition forces from the Iraqi people, but soon after the dismissal of Saddam Hussein’s government, people in Iraq came out on the streets and demanded withdrawal of the US and British soldiers from their country.
The US and its coalition forces have occupied Iraq because, among other things, they want to ‘protect the lives and property of the Iraqi people”. Here, the question arises: if the US and its allies cannot protect the lives of UN officials who are deputed for maintaining peace and harmony, how come the coalition forces can protect the lives of the Iraqi people?
The resistance from the Iraq people will indefinitely continue. Whether Saddam Hussein remains at large or is arrested, the people do not want the foreign forces to remain in Iraq. The US and its allies should reconsider their decision of keeping their forces in Iraq any longer than necessary, and must quit that country to save the lives of US and coalition troops.
The only way to bring peace and prosperity in the war-ravaged country is through the active participation of the Iraqis and not by keeping coalition forces in Iraq, as the presence of the coalition forces is aggravating the situation and adding to the hardship of the people.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
I WONDER why the extremists in Pakistan gun down doctors belonging to the Shia sect. The professionals may be soft targets. As a developing country, Pakistan cannot afford to lose its science and technology skills. Professionals deserve respect from the public, and the administration should protect their lives and property.
Why should Pakistanis take the Lahore-Delhi bus for medical treatment when the country has outstanding surgeons practising all over the world? It is only the sectarianism and the complacent military rule to be blamed for the country’s morale decline.
SATHEESAN VARIER
Bangalore, India
IN her letter of Aug 19, Dr Mahnaz Fatima has informed us that men are the maintainers of women because they are providers of the family. She has also informed us that women are allowed to earn for themselves (and hence be the providers too).
In this subtle manner, she has put forth an interesting suggestion for the women of the country — that if they wish to overcome the “edge” given to men by God, they simply need to step out of their homes and start earning for themselves. This is an incredibly shallow and materialistic vision.
Not only that, this is a gross misinterpretation. If you read the verse referred to (Surah Nisa, verse 34) in sequence, you will realize that men are “primarily” the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of His creation “to excel others”.
Also, if you observe the verse in which it states that women shall have the benefit of what they earn (verse 32), it begins with the admonition: “Do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others.”
ZAIN MANKANI
Karachi
THE governor of Sindh, the chief minister, the police IG and other higher authorities should take notice of the day-light “robberies” committed by policemen on the National Highway. I am a frequent highway traveller and go upcountry four-five times a year. I travel on both national and Indus highways, and cross Sindh via Obaro or Kashmore to Punjab and onward. Mostly the victims are cars bearing Karachi registration number plates.
I will illustrate how these robberies are being committed these days. While travelling on the National Highway to or from Punjab, particularly near Sukkur bypass, your car will be chased by a private car in which three-four men, waving their hands in frantic way and wearing traffic police uniform, will chase you and stop you by pulling over ahead of you in a thrilling police movie style as if you had committed a big crime. You will naturally be nervous, and stop your car.
One constable will approach you and, in a threatening tone, will inform you that you didn’t stop when they (the police) tried to stopped you some 20-30km back. You will naturally say that you did not notice any such instruction by the police. On which he will be very angry with you and ask you to come out of the car with documents. If you are with your family, they will become more hostile. Then they would examine your vehicle documents. Whether or not you have complete documents, or you have some minor or major deficiency in your documents in terms of vehicle tax, validity of driving license, insurance etc., they will find out some “serious” missing in your documents. They will tell you how many serious crimes you have committed, for example by not having a highway code book duly issued by the authorities.
You would reply that these are minor missings and you are willing to get a legal challan. But at this juncture they will threaten you that they are going to seize your car till the next one or more days, when you will have to appear before a magistrate in Sukkur or Nawabshah. Just imagine, you are on the highway, tired and wearied, with your family going to your destination for some very important commitment. What you will do? They won’t listen to any argument of yours.
Then another policeman will jump out of the car and will approach to the scene, and these policemen will stage a play. The first policeman will assure you that if you are willing to negotiate for a handsome money for ‘mithai’, he will convince “saheb” (the police officer sitting in the car) to let you go. The other policeman will shout at the first policeman for why he is trying to help you by accepting such a meagre sum.
You are confused, stunned and upset by the situation. You will realize that by going legal you will lose a lot of your time and face unimaginable difficulties. Then you will calculate the cost of your time, and inconvenience caused if you are agreed on legal challan process, which will held the next day or so. You will then think about your family and children, where they will go and will silently agree on “mithai” terms.
Then there will be a tough and intensive negotiation process. You will be terrified by listening their demand which would be something like seven-ten thousand rupees, and they will extract as much money as they can. It’s upto your mental stamina. And you, miserably helpless, will be forced to pay the bribe.
Similarly, while travelling from Karachi to upcountry, there is another “famous” police post at “Naseerabad” on the Indus Highway, some 60km from Larkana, where motorists are harassed by the district police. They are relatively polite and soft, but still insist on ‘mithai’. The higher authorities are requested to look into this matter.
TANVEER ARIF
Karachi
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