| August 26, 2003 | Tuesday | Jumadi-us-Sani 27, 1424 |
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Woman’s status in Islam
Erratic power supply
‘Jinnah’s sister, Fatima’
Tasman Spirit — II
Troops for Iraq
Bonus withheld
Closure of Frere Hall book bazaar
Co-joined with Kashmir
Phone fault
Five-rupee coins
FTC flyover mess
For information of the reader, this bonus was announced 14 months back but due to some hindrance in the holding of the annual general meeting it has not been passed on to small investors despite a lapse of over a year.
IN his weekly column (Dawn, July 26), Indian journalist and parliamentarian Kuldip Nayar has done well to draw attention to ‘the bedrock of goodwill’ that exists between the people of India and Pakistan. However, his piece gives a clear impression that but for Pakistan army’s vested interest everything would be fine between the two estranged neighbours. He makes no mention of vested interests in India, if any, that have benefited from this senseless acrimony.
The killing of seven Hindu pilgrims at Vaishnu Devi pains him as it does every other human being with some feelings. Pakistan has been one of the first to condemn the incident and some Kashmiri leaders have blamed it on Indian intelligence. That is not utterly beyond the realm of possibility. He accepts the Indian verdict at its face value when he links it with the attack on the Northern Command military formation at Akhnoor. A simple question — who benefited? — could have pointed the finger in the right direction.
Public memory is proverbially short and it would be instructive to look back a little to see if civilian governments in Pakistan would have fared better in resolving disputes — or the dispute — with India.
Kashmir became a problem in 1947 because of a dubious document, unpublished to date, that was allegedly signed by a ruler on the run from his people. The governor-general of India, while receiving it, made it clear that it was only an interim arrangement and the people inhabiting it would take a final decision on the accession of the state.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was more explicit when he announced that India had no desire to keep people who are not willing to be part of it. The UNSC, to which India referred the dispute, also came up with a similar verdict. For 11 long years after that Pakistan was ruled by democratically-elected prime ministers but a solution to the problem could not be found. Three years before the military took over government in 1958 India had closed the chapter as, according to it, elected representatives of the state had opted to accede to India. No one in India raised an eyebrow on the fact that an overwhelming number of those ‘elected’ (71 out of 73) had been returned ‘unopposed’. It was much later in 1990, after the eruption of armed struggle in Kashmir, when most Indian writers, including Mr Kuldip Nayar, (if memory serves me right) averred that all elections in the state, barring the one held under the Desai government, were rigged.
The next period of civilian rule in Pakistan was from 1972 to 1977. President Z. A. Bhutto took a courageous decision at Shimla to agree to resolve the dispute through bilateral dialogue. He was rewarded with not a single meeting at any level to move the process forward throughout his five years stay in power. Ironically, it was during the military rule of Gen Zia that some pro-forma meetings at official’s level were held.
We then come to 1988 when Benazir Bhutto took charge as elected prime minister. Within weeks she was playing host to Saarc summit in which all attention was focussed on Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to Pakistan. How did the guest respond to this? At a press conference in Islamabad, to the great embarrassment of his host, he dismissed a question about plebiscite in Kashmir by referring to the same mock elections held periodically in the state.
Nawaz Sharif, the next civilian ruler, was rewarded with a visit by his Indian counterpart arriving on friendship bus. The visit was high on symbolism. The substance part was clarified by Prime Minister Vajpayee on return to Dehli when he said that reference to the Kashmir dispute in the Lahore Declaration only related to part of the state controlled by Pakistan. That in brief is the story. If any civilian ruler received an offer other than accepting and condoning India’s illegal occupation, it has not been made public.
People of the two countries indeed yearn for peace. They have suffered enough. Dialogue is the only means of finding a lasting peace but one cannot think of many examples where an occupying power conceded demands of the occupied only for the asking. After partition the only major disputes resolved were as a result of arbitration (Indus basin treaty) or adjudication (Rann of Kachh). As regards the current problem the two sides are still to agree on what the term ‘Kashmir dispute’ means. In fact, they have debated inconclusively as to whether it is a dispute or an issue. What optimism can such attitudes give rise to?
What takes the cake in Mr Nayar’s article is his assertion that he heard many (Pakistanis) saying that slavery of Hindu is far better than that of America. Some choice! If true (and I have my doubts), then these people apparently never heard of custodian killing, sprawling graveyards in the Valley or even the carnage in Gujarat state where the alleged perpetrator was returned to power with a thumping majority. God help them.
MUHAMMAD QURBAN
Islamabad
THIS is in response to yet another letter from Karachi and with reference to Verse 32 (Sura Nisa) in which some (women) are advised not to covet others (men). The verse was revealed when one of Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wives raised a question about women’s inheritance and right to participate in Jihad. God advised not to covet as, according to the explanation in a translation, real excellence is in one’s good deeds for which men and women are responsible individually as is also evident from Verse 32.
So, what women do with their lives is their choice as they are independently accountable before God. Moral deviations are, however, not allowed as is made clear in Verse 34 which focuses on the chastity of wives. Men rely upon it to generalize about the relative status of the two genders which, as mentioned above, is a function of their individual conduct in this world.
So, no advice need be given to women regarding their role which each one will determine according to her nature, strengths, disposition, and circumstances. Women have already stepped out in large numbers to play a broader role in society to fulfil their lower as well as higher order needs of self- actualization, none of which are confined to any one gender.
In some cases wherein men are either disabled, or cannot find jobs, or are lazy, women are also proving to be the maintainers of the family. Also, women excel and lead in professions to the extent that they also head organizations and national governments. Talents and capabilities are naturally endowed without any gender-based discrimination. It is but natural to realize the potential.
So, what is the debate about? Who is superior and who is inferior are issues discussed either in a Talibanic realm or in those households and men’s clubs in offices that take a patriarchal view of society and by men who feel threatened by the talents of women? As they dissipate their energies thus, women continue to forge ahead exactly in line with the talents that the Creator has bestowed on them in His infinite Mercy.
DR MAHNAZ FATIMA
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of the chairman of Wapda to the plight of electricity consumers of the Muzaffargarh city where, since the onset of summer, power supply has been extremely erratic.
Power breakdowns had been occurring almost regularly two or three times a week when, in the name of repairs, electricity was kept shut down for two weeks for four-and-a-half hours daily from July 25 to Aug 10, and it was promised that after the repairs, there would be no more breakdowns.
Unfortunately, the old routine of power failures still continues and on Aug 16 the entire local grid station was shut down from 12 noon to 6pm, and then again in half the city the next day.
The ordeal is not yet over and it seems that the things are out of control here. To add insult to injury, the complaint phone numbers are kept disabled during the blackout periods, increasing people’s frustration.
Is it a conspiracy to punish Muzaffargarh’s population (seen to be most vocal against administrative excesses) or sheer official incompetence?
MUHAMMAD NAEEM
Muzaffargarh
THIS refers to Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee’s article “Jinnah’s sister, Fatima” that appeared in your issue of Aug 10.
First, I humbly ask my seniormost citizen-cum-journalist the meaning of ‘mythical ideology’ since myth has no concept, I repeat, no concept whatsoever in Islam.
Secondly, perhaps Mr Cowasjee is ignorant of what the so-called ‘myth’ had anything to do with the disintegration of Pakistan. I wish he would not write such absurd things, which clearly show his ignorance of Islamic laws and practices.
He also quotes a writer as saying that Miss Jinnah’s dead body was washed by a team of washers consisting of 67-year-old Haji Kalloo and his associates. This is ridiculous and incomprehensible. One should know that washing of the bodies of opposite sex is strictly prohibited in all Islamic sects. How did they find a number of ‘deep wounds’ on the body of Miss Jinnah is also not understood?
JANBAZ H. JAFRI
Karachi
THIS has reference to your columnist’s article “Tasman Spirit — II”, published on Aug 24. The article is incorrect inasmuch as it contains the allegation that one of the interested persons is “one of the few surviving lieutenants of the Quaid-i-Azam”.
This description is nowhere contained in the pleadings, nor any interested person was ever a lieutenant of the Quaid-i-Azam. Also, the names of the persons mentioned in the article are not of the interested persons. Moreover, the application filed by me and Mr Wazeer Hussain Khoso, advocate, on behalf of Dr Arif Alvi and others is to be joined as co-plaintiffs, hence in support of the suit.
This is the right of all environmentally conscious citizens to join the plaintiff in a noble cause. The suit has been published in Dawn of Aug 22 as a representative suit (pro bono publico), under Order 1 Rule 8 of CPC 1908. The columnist has entirely misconceived the suit. The claim in the suit is that the defendants have committed the tort of negligence which is different from the perils of the sea.
Your columnist would serve Karachiites better by refraining from trying to obstruct the cause of justice and pre-judge a matter of fundamental public importance which affects the lives and well-being of the millions of old and young citizens of the industrial, commercial, financial and mercantile capital city of Pakistan.
Mr Cowasjee should tender an apology to Karachiites, in general, and to the interveners, in particular, for making sarcastic remarks at the cost of the concerned and environmentally conscious citizens of Karachi.
SAADAT YAR KHAN
Karachi
ALL sorts of speculations appear in the press about our army going to Iraq. The general has categorically said that Pakistan will consider sending troops once the UN gives approval. If India, which is America’s close ally, has refused, there is no logic why Pakistan will send peace-keepers to Iraq.
The decision to send troops must have approval of the National Assembly, including the Senate. After all, we are on the road to democracy. In India, the issue was discussed in parliament which turned down the proposal.
MUHAMMAD AFZAL SADIQ
Attock
One would like to know what SECP has done in getting the rights of the shareholders in this particular case. My understanding is that it is the primary duty of SECP to ensure that shareholders get their bonuses, right shares dividend, etc. Will somebody from SECP explain?
IMRAN BASHIR
Karachi
I WAS shocked to read in your newspaper that the Frere Hall book bazaar has been discontinued by the Sindh government on a request of the US consulate as “the book-buyers pose a security threat to them”.
The book bazaar had become an interesting Sunday feature and it will be loss for readers, browsers, book hunters and many others for whom the city offers no other similar activity. The Sindh government has promised an alternative place, but previously too it tried to dislodge this activity from the Frere Hall and the various places which were tried out, including the Polo Ground, were badly organized and failed to attract adequate numbers. Anything which is related to books and the book culture is seen as not needed and easily thrown without a pang of regret.
While one understands that the Sindh government is too preoccupied to be really concerned with books and promotion of reading, what is shocking is the premise on which the book bazaar has been closed. Does any and every collection of Pakistani people pose a security threat to the American interest? What if tomorrow the US Consulate decides that the Sate Guest House and the Frere Hall itself are security threats as well? Will the Sindh government close these too? Why cannot the government understand the simple fact that it is the US consulate which is a security threat to the people of Karachi, and decide to move it to an appropriate place?
ASIF FARRUKHI
Karachi
IT was pleasant to read suggestions to strengthen relationships between India and Pakistan by Mr Gopalani (Aug 10).
But somewhere in his letter are the facts as mentioned by him which are controversial and it seemed to be an attempt of reshaping and mending the history.
First of all let me clarify one thing. Mosques are as sacred to the Muslims as shrines and temples are to the Sikhs and the Hindus. There is no question of being used or not, but an attack on the holy place is considered an attack on the religion itself. It shows the extent of intolerance, disrespect and violence of the basic human and religious rights of the citizens.
All the rapes, counter-killings, violation of human rights, burning and destroying of privately-owned property, all the “retaliation” of the army faced by innocent Kashmiri people speak of a vain attempt to justify the unlawful presence of the Indian army in Kashmir. Worldwide people are well aware who has attacked and who is retaliating, historically.
Again, rememorizing recent Gujarat riots and communal discrimination at workplaces and education system, it is unfair to say “Muslims are so well-to-do in India”.
Kashmiri freedom-fighters are not “foreigners” as charged by you but they are Kashmiris themselves, fighting and protesting on their own accord.
SABEEN JAMIL
Karachi
MY phone, No. 6315169, has been having a cross-line problem for the last over 15 days. The matter was reported to the respective exchange. Last week I intimated the phone number with whom my telephone line is crossed as I am getting all incoming and outgoing numbers of the other telephone, i.e. 6316380, on my CLI.
All the concerned authorities of the Azizabad Exchange were contacted for rectification of the fault but of no avail. The higher authorities are requested to look into the matter.
LATAFAT ALI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to a letter by Mr Rizwan Sultan published in these columns on Aug 21 under the caption ‘Five- rupee coins’.
It is clarified that as per decision of the government the five- rupee coins are being issued through all offices of SBP, SBPBSC (Bank) and National Bank of Pakistan, Chest/sub-Chests with effect from 26-12-2002. Besides the five-rupee coins, the bank notes of Rs5 denomination are in circulation and are available at counters of all commercial banks.
There is no shortage of five-rupee coins and five-rupee notes in the country as these are easily available at all field offices of State Bank of Pakistan, SBPBSC (Bank) and branches of all commercial banks.
SYED WASIMUDDIN
Chief Spokesman,
State Bank of Paksitan,
Karachi
A FLYOVER on Sharea Faisal near the FTC is under construction for almost a year. I am in no position to comment on the quality of this work but as a road user I can certainly comment.
The contractor, as part of the tender, must have in his contract (1) safety measures to be adopted to ensure that road users’ lives are not endangered and (2) the flow of traffic is smooth and there is no traffic bottleneck.
Safety measures, if any taken, are designed to cause and not prevent accidents. Their barriers of pipes are so dangerous that they can pierce through any oncoming car. Also there are no warning lights or reflectors at night to warn the flowing traffic of the work in progress and these barriers.
Every day there are traffic jams galore. The contractor has installed a diversion sign on the Chandmai Bridge for Saddar- bound traffic. This is all well but since the last rain, this road, leading to the Jinnah Hospital, is such that no vehicle can move on it. As for the traffic moving towards the airport, it is a daredevil’s pit. No provision for extending the road temporarily on the footpath or directing the traffic in the rush hours exists.
And what is the cost to the public using this road for:
1. Extra fuel burned because of slow movement of traffic (it takes at least 30 minutes to reach Sharea Faisal for the Chandmai Bridge),
2. The extra time lost non-productively,
3. Damage to the vehicles,
4. And, above all, the mental torture of driving through this bedlam.
I don’t know exactly who is responsible for supervising the execution and progress of this flyover. Maybe there are multiple agencies, so each can throw the blame on the other. In any case, it is the contractor who is to blame.
I am, therefore, using the courtesy of your columns in the hope that somebody or some department would accept its responsibility and take some corrective action. The fact that no major accident has occurred speaks about the patience of our drivers. Otherwise it is an accident waiting to happen.
NOWSHERWAN G. IRANI
Karachi
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