| September 29, 2003 | Monday | Sha’aban 2, 1424 |
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War of culture
KESC spending
Jamali’s generosity
Local auto industry
PCB chief’s policies
Gorakh Hill Station
Victims of noise & air pollution
‘Defence in safe hands’
KIA scam
IT as subject
IT forms
India’s refusal to talk peace
ASLAM MINHAS
THE Greater Thal Canal project is being opposed by Sindh because it will hurt agriculturists in the lower riparian provinces. Despite protests, work on the project was stared in August 2001 without the approval of competent bodies, i.e. the CDWP and ECNEC, though these approvals were subsequently managed in February 2002 without caring for the rules and procedures as laid down by the planning commission.
The Sindh Assembly has passed two unanimous resolutions against construction of Greater Thal Canal. These resolutions were sponsored jointly by the government and the opposition. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the provincial government, held an anti-Thal Canal seminar in Karachi in June, which was also attended by representatives of Sindh’s other major political parties (except the PPP) and technocrats.
AT the seminar, Sindh ministers and prominent MQM functionaries spoke against Greater Thal Canal. Particularly, senior minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, who was the chief secretary of Sindh at the time of the signing of the Water Accord in 1991, gave the background of the signing of the accord and stated that Greater Thal Canal had never been a part of the accord.
He also said that the subsequent incorporation of this project in the draft 10 daily statements was a clear violation of the 1991 Water Accord and that it had vehemently been opposed by the province and, therefore, had not been agreed to by the CCI.
The provincial government also sent protest letters to the centre before and after the CCI meeting, which said this project could not be included in the 10 daily statements in violation of the specific provisions of the water accord, as it had not existed in the period 1977-82 or even in the year 1991 when the agreement had been signed.
The MQM also held a similar anti-Thal Canal seminar at Karachi Press Club about two years back in which similar views were expressed, and the seminar passed a resolution against the project. This seminar was also addressed by MQM Chief Altaf Hussain from London on the telephone.
It is strange that senior minister Syed Sardar Ahmed has now taken a U-turn, stating in the Sindh Assembly earlier this month that GTC is a part of the Water Accord 1991. There was then no need for the MQM to hold two seminars and also no need for the two resolutions in the assembly co-sponsored and signed by Syed Sardar Ahmed and Mr Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, leader of the opposition, which were unanimously passed.
Has Sardar Ahmed any explanation?
DR SIKANDAR MANDHRO
MPA, Sindh, Badin
IT is rightly stated by Ms Sabeen Jamil (Sept 3) that it is not vulgarity that resulted in the ban, rather it is the propaganda that Indians do. But the picture on the other side of the coin is no different. We do the same when it comes to our side.
But what makes us tilt towards their media is the entertainment which lacks a little in local media. If we seriously look into the matter, we will realize the peg with which they hook our viewers. Their culture is their main priority. Everything — from praying, festivals, dresses, relationship, with their complexities — and most of all they have ideas which they present in forms of game shows and other entertaining programmes. They know how to hook viewers and stick them to their channels.
The reason that we are influenced by their media is that Hindi is somewhat similar to Urdu, to some extent we share same problems in relationships, and our social issues are same. The only difference is that they use their potentials and resources and project them through media.
Unfortunately, we are not able to do the same thing. Instead, we have a mixed bag for our people, having influence of the western media and the Indian media, along with glamour. A few are doing good business.
Also, we have been subject of different governments with different policies. All those who came were unable to give due attention to the most powerful art of electronic media. Despite plenty of talent across the country, we are unable to bring them to the forefront. Those who have succeeded in earning a name have only done so on their own strength.
There was a time when Pakistan dramas were the best in the world. Nobody could compete us, nor even the Indians. But with deteriorating standards of PTV, and the arrival of dish antennas, we kept losing our standards. Nothing is different in our film industry either.
We need to have effective media power. With the ban still on, the quality of our dramas, films, etc., should be brought up. Specially PTV should start up with catchy programmes that improve their viewership. The media representatives should start training programmes for the upcoming lot and bring the talent to limelight. People are thirsty of entertaining programmes. Sonia Gandhi had once said: “We have hooked the people of Pakistan with our media and there is no question why we can’t get over them.”
Let’s pray this does not happen.
SIDRA RAFIQUE GOODA
Karachi
ON a random search for Pakistani websites, I stumbled on http://www.aol.com.pk. The site is so graphics-intense that it took a few seconds for my 2.5 mbps down connection to load. When the page loaded, it showed an advertisement for the KESC.
I was humoured and upset by the logic applied by the people running the this power utility. Why does a public utility need to spend money on Internet advertising when it is already cash-strapped? Who is the KESC competing against when there is virtually no competition? Does the company believe that by advertising it will gain more customers? What purpose is this advertisement serving? Why is it being advertised on a website that takes substantial time to load on a broadband connection when most people are using a dial-up connection in Pakistan?
Once you are on the website, click on residential tariff. It will show you a picture of a person holding $5 bills. When did our state utility started promoting the US dollar? Will the chairman of the KESC please explain the misuse of funds and politically-incorrect images?
ADNAN SALEEM
Chicago, IL, USA
AFTER his “selection” as prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali announced development funds worth millions of rupees for every member of the National Assembly, dismaying the general public. Gen Musharraf entrusted the responsibility of infrastructure development to the local district governments through his devolution plan, and the elected representatives of the National and Provincial Assemblies were given the responsibility to make the law and the policies but, as the case with Pakistan politicians is, old habits die hard.
According to a news report, the prime minister has sanctioned Rs60 million for three delegations of non-functional National Assembly members, who will be accompanying him for his unnecessary visit to the US. The previous prime ministers were criticized for their cruelly extravagant spending on frequent foreign tours as they were taking with them a planeload of favourites on a free ride.
Why under the very nose of Gen Musharraf, who is very careful about spending on foreign trips, the prime minister is generously spending people’s money for VIP luxuries when 40 per cent of the people are living below the poverty line? The responsibility of the primer minister wasting national exchequers is securely on Gen Musharraf’s shoulders as he is his “boss”.
ENGR. S. T. HUSSAIN
Lahore
FOR the past few months, almost all the newspapers, our politicians and to some extent even the public have been making an issue out of the local car industry. I am aware that the waiting period on the purchase of new cars is very long. Its about time the government took steps to solve this problem once and for all.
The news-item on Sept 25 really came as a shock, when the task force suggested allowing the import of used cars saying that it was the only way to force the local assembler to enhance production and reduce prices.
My question to the task force and the government is, what if in near future there is an issue of clothes being too expensive? Will the government make a decision on it and make us wear used cloths of the Gora Saab?
Instead of letting go of the ban on used cars, I think the government should enforce some strict law to eliminate the middleman from this whole picture. I wonder why the government is trying to save the interests of the middleman. I hope their interests are not common.
S. H. NAQVI
Lahore
OWING to an unprecedented demand in Pakistan, new cars are selling at premiums of up to 20 per cent.
This situation has been prevailing for two years while the manufacturers and dealers are making windfall profits owing to the devaluation of the dollar and the shortage of vehicles.
The manufacturers have not increased production sufficiently to fill the gap between the supply and the demand in spite of the government’s constant urging them to do so. They must cut prices and increase production immediately so that customers get their cars within one month of payment instead of the current waiting period of six months to one year.
Alternately, licences must be issued for the import of vehicles at a concessionary duty so that cars are available at competitive prices. Enough protection has already been given to the cartel of manufactures who have created a monopoly. Allowing imports will motivate them to reduce prices (and profits) to a reasonable level.
ASIF JAH
Karachi
SINCE his appointment as PCB chairman, Pakistan cricket has, for sure, been going down. He has simply ruined many stars. When he dismissed Moin, there was no point. Now he has made Rashid Latif resign and I can’t see any point either.
Those who follow cricket keenly were amazed when the PCB boss appointed Amir Sohail, Rashid Latif and Javed Miandad, who don’t like each other, as head of three main and interactive departments. It is no more a secrete that all of them have differences regarding selection policies.
Just a month ago, Inzimamul Haq was struggling for his place in the side, now he is a captain! Tauqir Zia appointed Rashid captain till February 2004. Why did he accept the “resignation” when he is still admiring Rashid as captain and wicketkeeper?
I request Tauqir Zia, for the sake of Pakistan cricket, please quit the job or be a “man of word” and try to understand cricket. I also request President Gen Musharraf to intervene and do something good for cricket.
MUHAMMAD RASHID
Waterloo, ON, Canada
DEVELOPMENT work on Gorakh Hill Station, a recreational spot located in the mountainous areas in the west of Dadu and about 450km from Karachi, has been suspended for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.
This is to be noted that when completed, the project will provide picnic opportunities to the people who cannot afford going to the northern areas. Picnicking at Gorakh Hill Station will certainly prove affordable, safer and easily accessible to local tourists.
The project nowadays is placed in cold storage for red tape. Many dignitaries have visited the site and vowed to take steps to ensure its early completion but nothing concrete seems to have been done so far.
Also needed urgently is repair of broken Wah Pandhi Road and a bridge across the Gaaj river, leading to the site.
The Sindh governor and the provincial department of tourism and culture should take cognizance of the matter and do the needful.
SANAULLAH RUSTAMANI
Dadu
WE, the residents of D’Souza Road, Garden East, would like to apprise the relevant authorities of their negligence which has forced us to face anxiety regarding the pollution created in the area by rickshaws which are mended at the junction of Fatima Bai Hospital.
Some rickshaw mechanics have occupied the crossroads and the footpath along Shahjehan Luxury Apartments and Hashoo Garden. During day time from 7am to 8pm, they park a number of rickshaws/taxis there for mending purposes, which not only hurdles the main traffic on Business Recorder Road, as well as on D’Souza Road, but also creates such a noise that one cannot get rest even at the 4th floor of the apartment. This continues the whole day.
Moreover, the footpaths have become completely oily and slippery, so much so that no one can walk on them. These illegal workshops have opened with the connivance of the area police who get monthly ‘bhatta’ from these encroachers. The area nazim has shown his inability to remove these illegal occupants and has let the people suffer.
It is pertinent to mention that parking at the crossroads is illegal and a constable is also deputed at this crossroads but these rickshaws are only removed by the police when a celebrity has to pass through this locality. The area residents struggled to do something on their own, but in vain.
We would like to request the city nazim and other authorities concerned to take action against these illegal occupants.
RESIDENTS OF
GARDEN EAST
Karachi
THIS refers to the discussion emanating from Ayaz Amir’s column “Defence in safe hands” (Sept 5) and the letter by Ms Urooj (Sept 26).
Let me add a line about Mr Bhutto’s genius. Henry Kissinger asked Oriana Fallaci (Interview with History) as to who the most brilliant leader was she had interviewed. She mentioned Bhutto, and Kissinger agreed with her with the caveat that besides intelligence a leader should also know how to use power.
Similarly, as a member of Ayub’s cabinet, Bhutto met JFK in the White House. After 45 minutes of discussion, Kennedy was visibly impressed with the young minister and remarked in a lighter vein that if Bhutto were an American, he would be in his cabinet. Bhutto promptly replied: “Mr President, if I were an American, I would be the President.” You cannot compare Bhutto with these dictators from whom you cannot squeeze even one intelligent sentence. Bhutto had his weaknesses but he was the greatest patriot this nation ever produced after Jinnah.
Now on defence. The hands that are supposed to defend us are grabbing acreages, lush civilian jobs, plots, bat, racquet, hockey, and multiple other profit-yielding devices. Soldiering is far from their minds. Let us not kid ourselves. Personally, I would not bet even a counterfeit seven-rupee note on their professionalism.
Karachi
I WOULD like to bring to the attention of President Musharraf and his official team to look into the KIA scam. More than 16,000 cars were booked in January 1995.
Naya Daur Motors Ltd had collected Rs750 million for the delivery of 15,000 cars in the same year. As many as 750 customers paid the full amount but few got the delivery. Nobody knows now about the affairs of Naya Daur Motors.
I would like to request the Supreme Court to take suo motu action against the NDMC so as to ensure either delivery of cars or refund of the booking/full payment to the hard-hit customers.
AN AFFECTED PERSON
Hyderabad
WOULD the relevant authorities like to clarify whether or not information technology as compulsory paper will be given this year by the BISE, Karachi, for pre-engineering and pre-medical students? The subject is being taught in our college, i.e. DHA College for Women, Karachi, but the teachers are not clear about it.
Secondly, I would like to request the BISE that information technology should not be made compulsory subject because pre-engineering and pre-medical students already have four compulsory subjects. Please do not overburden students.
FATIMA NASEER
Karachi
THE income tax form is complicated and one has to spend much time to fill it out. I request the finance minister and the CBR authorities to extend the due date of filing the IT form by at least a week so that it can be filled out correctly.
JAVED BHATTI
Rawalpindi
MORE than five months ago Mr Vajpayee announced in Srinagar that he was extending the hand of friendship towards Pakistan. Even in Pakistan some people took this announcement as his sincere desire to enter into dialogue to resolve the core dispute of Kashmir. Vajpayee, however, did not mean what he had said. The same day he came out with a forceful statement that there could be no talks unless Pakistan stopped alleged terrorism in the disputed state. The next week he arrogantly issued a bellicose statement that Pakistan was preparing to suffer the fourth defeat by his country.
Vajpayee’s nasty allegations against Pakistan on the floor of the UN General Assembly and what followed it are more than sufficient for all to come out of the illusion about India’s intentions. As a humble student of political affairs I was surprised to see that much was made of the reciprocal visit of parliamentary delegations. The visits were not of the least significance and it stands proved now.
It was shocking that on the last day of their stay in Pakistan the Indian delegates issued a threat to Pakistan that in case the present status of Kashmir was changed there would be unimaginable killing of Muslims in India and millions and millions of them would seek shelter in Pakistan to escape massacre. I am old enough to recall that J. N. Nehru had issued the same kind of threat in April 1956 while declaring that the Kashmir issue was finally settled.
This is not for the first time that there is talk about negotiated settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Talks have been held a number of times since the days of Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan. There was no result. It was naive on the part of our government to make the offer of dialogue again and again. India contemptuously brushed them aside. Now there should not be such offers.
India is anxious to have normal business relations and resumption of air link to serve its own interest. Pakistan must unequivocally tell India that there will be no talks at all about business relations or any other kind relations unless India stops state terrorism in the state and offers to hold summit conference for the final resolution of the core dispute without any excuse. Whether the Hindu fundamentalist parties like it or not is the business of that country.
PROF. MUKHTAR ALI NAQVI
Orlando, Fl., USA
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