| September 30, 2003 | Tuesday | Sha’aban 3, 1424 |
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Lahore Services Hospital
Musharraf’s visit to Canada
Myth of canal lining
Simple solution?
PTV theatre festival
‘Of Mice & Men’
Congested road
Caring for pensioners
Inzamam
Jugmug Point
Presidential democracy
Friends in need
MUHAMMAR RIAZ
President Gen Pervez, Musharraf during his speech on television on Sept 13, stated that he would like to use the figures of water outflow downstream Kotri into the sea during the post-Tarbela period (from 1976-77 to date) for determining the availability of surface water for future storage. According to the chart shown by the president, the annual average outflow into the sea during this period was 35 maf.
The president said further that after accounting for 10 maf from downstream Kotri under the Water Accord 1991, eight maf as eastern rivers contribution and eight maf as possible reduction in flows from the Kabul river (total 26 maf), there is still a balance of nine maf which is equal to the capacity of Tarbela Dam, from which another reservoir can be constructed.
In his calculation, the president did not account for the unutilized portion of India’s authorized uses on western rivers under the Indus Water Treaty 1960 (4.79 maf) and the unutilized portion of the water accord allocations to the provinces (12 maf). If these two figures are accounted for, the net annual average surplus water availability comes to minus 7.79 maf. Thus, even according to this approach there is simply no surplus water available for future storages.
However, if the same data is analysed on a year-to-year basis, storable surplus water is available in seven out of 27 years, ranging between 7.5 and 32.8 maf. These occasional surplus flows which are available in super flood years can only be stored in a carryover dam of high capacity and not in a conventional dam which can store only six to eight maf.
The very idea of using the downstream approach of outflow into the sea as a basis for determining surplus water availability is neither suitable nor appropriate. However, without debating this point, it remains a fact that even on that basis there is no water available for storage in a conventional-type dam.
DR SIKANDAR MANDHRO
MPA, Badin
ON Sept 20, I, with my wife, went to the Services Hospital, Lahore, where the gynae OPD department was jampacked with women. But very surprisingly only one junior lady doctor was there to deal with these patients. Also only one nurse, sitting in the same lounge, was taking blood pressure reading and weight measurement of the patients. Quite shockingly, the BP apparatus and the weighing machine being used by the nurse were out of order. No wonder that all the patients had a normal BP reading. She also guessed a patient’s weight by just looking at her. Whenever someone objected to her doing so, she retorted: “I am the doctor, not you.”
The junior doctor too was very much exhausted. She was not properly checking the patients, nor was she listening to their problems. There was no senior doctor of the rank of assistant/associate professor or consultant. I was told that senior doctors never gave any attention/time to the OPD patients.
The doctor in charge of the department was not present. I was also told that as per routine only one junior doctor was deputed to attend to the OPD patients in gynae daily. Also no one cares whether any apparatus is in order or not.
Multinationals and leading national companies very often donate BP apparatus in connection with their publicity campaigns. I was informed that senior doctors took all such donations as their personal property.
I wish we had some sympathy for pregnant women, in particular, and other patients, in general. Will the authorities concerned do something to make things at least bearable?
MUHAMMAD FAREED
GHAURI
Lahore
BEING involved in Canadian politics, I had an opportunity to meet President Gen Pervez Musharraf. His tour of Canada, which began on Sept 24, included meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, members of parliament, Canadian government officials and a speech sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies.
I met him when he appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Sept 26 when he talked about the role of Pakistan in terms of fighting terrorism, curbing Al Qaeda and suppressing religious extremism. He spoke with confidence about democracy in Pakistan and his long-term vision for the country.
It was the first time any head of state from Pakistan had appeared before the prestigious committee of Foreign Affairs. Members of the committee asked some tough and critical questions, but the president was clear and honest about his answers. He defended the role of Pakistan and talked about how critical the support is which Pakistan is giving to the international community to fight the war against terrorism.
Without doubt, Pakistan stands on the crossroads — a country which has gone through many difficulties and still continues to suffer from social, political and economic malaise, and as limited choices. Also, Pakistan’s image as a state sympathetic to religious extremism does not appeal to international institutions.
President Musharraf, after 9/11, has emerged as a figure who has taken an interest to initiate a dialogue between Islam and the West and I think that is quite a terrific opportunity for Pakistan to improver its image as a country which aspires to be a modern nation.
RAJA KADRI
Saint-Denis, Ottawa, Canada
A SUGGESTION has been made by Ms Benazir Bhutto in the national press that canals ought to be lined and small dams made instead of the Kalabagh dam and that canal lining would save water equal to four Tarbela dams.
This view is not based on facts as regards the Indus basin where floodwater is available for only 70 days in a year for storage. If not stored during this period, whether the canals are lined or not, it would flow down to the sea unutilized. The canals are only conduits of water and have no role whatsoever in storing surplus water.
Moreover, the water seeping in the ground is retrieved to an extent of over 50 maf by tubewells in sweet-water belts which is not a loss as such. The only loss would be of surplus water that flows down to the sea unutilized as canals cannot handle surplus floodwater.
Similarly, speaking of small dams in relation to the mighty Indus does not make sense as only mega dams could be built on a large river like the Indus if we planned to use its water for storage, flood control and power generation.
Our politicians have a habit of playing provincial cards for opposing national projects of vital importance and it is expected President General Pervez Musharraf would not pay any heed to such voices.
DR. M. YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
THE interview of Indian politician and former diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar (Sept 14) is revealing in more than one respect. He admits that “the plebiscite proposal had come from India” which was “endorsed by the United Nations”. But now he considers “plebiscite out of the equation”. It was because, according to him, Pakistan did not fulfil the condition of withdrawing its forces from Kashmir “because it feared losing the plebiscite”!
If it was really so, India should have agreed to hold the plebiscite immediately and “exposed” Pakistan. But that required honesty. Mr Aiyar’s “simple solution” is simply not acceptable.
Mr Aiyar tells us that when he was Indian consul-general in Karachi, “Sindhudesh proponents visited me and asked for India’s help for Pakistan’s disintegration. We never gave them any importance and simply ignored them”. Good that Mr Aiyar did not violate the diplomatic propriety in this case but who disintegrated Pakistan in 1971? None other than India!
About Z. A. Bhutto, he says: “But Zulfikar Ali Bhutto betrayed India. He had agreed to convert the present Line of Control as the permanent border, but he did not do that”.
This confirms the worst suspicions of many Pakistanis since 1972 that there was a sell-out at Shimla. Mr Bhutto tried to “honour” this commitment to Mrs Indira Gandhi when he proposed “provincial status, a parliamentary form of government and representation for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir in the federal legislature”. This offer was made to the people of Azad Kashmir in Muzaffarabad in 1973 (I. H. Burney: No Illusions... Pp 432-34).
Although he did not press this matter further for fear of reaction at home, Mrs Indira Gandhi rebuked him while talking to Khushwant Singh. But ZAB had surrendered enough to serve the Indian interests like changing the ceasefire line to the Line of Control (ceasefire line was restored after Tashkent) and converting Kashmir into a bilateral issue which Mr Aiyar calls “the greatest achievement of Indian foreign policy”.
M. NAWAZ QASMI
Multan
RECENTLY the PTV announced a theatre festival competition projecting social issues. The prizes were large indeed. No other criteria were spelled out, no indication of the judges’ panel — the usual arbitrary assumption of God-given right to the powers-that-be.
Ajoka Theatre, the premier theatre group of Pakistan with an international reputation of excellence, and Madeeha Gauhar have issued an appeal to the high court on the selection process. They should be supported fully.
Is the concept of transparency unheard of in Pakistan?
Ajokas’ theme of Karo-kari is not considered a social issue by the PTV notwithstanding a reference in President Gen Musharraf’s BBC interview and Asma Jehangir’s direct identification of Karo-kari as a rampant social evil. But it appears of no social significance to the PTV and not falling under the purview of the award-giving committee, whoever they may be.
Incidentally, if there is such a committee, who are these doyens of theatre and drama and how were they selected? Why no names?
Modesty is not a particularly relevant characteristic of Pakistan’s. Will the concepts of fair play, justice and concern for people ever penetrate the establishment?
FARRUKH NIGAR AZIZ
Lahore
THIS is in response to the column “Of Mice and Men” published on Sept 3.
I feel that the writer’s views are rather exaggerated about the eating habits of the upper class. Although there are people who indulge in gluttony, they do not belong to the upper class only.
At least among my acquaintances I see no such characters as Seth Ghulam Shikam Instead, the rich are more diet- and calorie- conscious for want of physical fitness or for some ailment staying with them. Younger people belonging to a well-off family are dying not for food but for smartness and physical fitness and they have a clear concept that over-eating will mar their smartness, both physical and mental. The older ones are already on perhaizy khana and looking for non-fried, low- fat, less spicy food, which is obviously not available at wedding dinners. As regards children, they go for junk food: pizza, fries, coke, etc.
There may be a class of people behaving in such an obnoxious manner, but they do not belong essentially to the upper class. At a wealthy person’s function, you can find people belonging to middle and lower-middle classes, some government officials also get opportunities to attend such parties and there they take advantage. The writer is much prejudiced against rich people.
I have travelled much and have come into contact with people of many countries. Compared to them, we Pakistanis eat are very moderate. I may say many people in developed countries indulge in overeating. Hugely-built people are a common sight in Holland, Germany, England, America, etc. The way their fat hangs out of their bellies and legs and feet speaks of their massive eating habit. I swear I have not seen such things in Pakistan.
At formal dinners people eat a lot. It is difficult to give them company. The writer has given a picture of an official reception and the behaviour of the ministers, senior government officers, etc. It is their mental hunger, lack of manners and education that shows such type of “pouncing and gobbling”.
If the working class behaves like this, it is forgivable as they lack both food and education but the educated government employees’ behaviour in such cases is unforgivable.
G. TOHEED
Sialkot
THIS is to draw the attention of the Punjab chief minister to the fact that Sialkot-Gujranwala Road is a one-way carriage. Huge traffic passes through it every day. This 50km track is surrounded by hundreds of thickly-populated towns/villages and tens of thousands of workers use it to reach factories/workplaces.
Almost every day some human lives are lost in accidents due to congestion and speeding. Usually, the faulty tractors/trolleys and vehicles are left standing on the road and the traffic police, as well as the concerned authorities, are least bothered about their immediate removal from the road.
Sialkot being a city specializing in export goods, the government is requested to resolve the problem of traffic congestion by ordering construction of a dual carriage road from Sialkot to Gujranwala.
Gujranwala
I AM writing this with reference to your editorial (9/9) under the caption “Caring for pensioners”. You are absolutely right in pointing out that the plight of the elderly persons, lining up at banks and National Savings centres to collect their pensions or profits, is a sad commentary on our indifference to the comfort and convenience of senior citizens.
For example, I am 78 plus, desiccated by years, and in poor health, have arthritic knees. Some time ago I opened a pensioner’s savings a/c with a local National Savings centre. After reading your editorial, I phoned my centre to inquire, if I authorized them in writing to directly transfer my six-monthly profit to my bank a/c, whenever it becomes due, would it be acceptable to them? The point-blank answer I got was ‘no’, and that I would have to come personally and collect it in cash. No other way!
The ministry of finance should seriously consider allowing such automatic transfer of credit, so that the elderly citizens are spared the hassle and inconvenience of marking time in long queues, and then slowly, at a snail’s pace, crawling into the cramped and crowded shoe-box size premises of the centres. Usually, it takes well over an hour, held off in limbo, to go through this exhausting, gruelling drill. Somebody, please help!
MANZOOR AHMAD
Lahore
I WAS appalled to hear the selection of Inzamam-ul-Haq as captain of the national cricket team. It is bewildering how a player that was dropped from the team for lack of performance can regain such a commanding foothold after displaying a few good innings against the minnows of Test cricket.
Maybe even more frustrating was the fact that the standing vice-captain, Yousuf Youhana, who is arguably the best cricketing mind in the team, did not get the seemingly natural promotion.
Is there anyone with the courage to ask the tough questions when it matters?
MUJTABA
Longmont, Colorado, USA
I want to draw the attention of authorities concerned to the Jugmug Point at Mithi, which is just like Daman-i-Koh of Islamabad.
At this point at night the whole city of Mithi looks like glowing stars on earth!
Unfortunately, this point is not accessible to an ordinary visitor. It is essential to build a road, along with a hut, at this point. The ministry of tourism and culture should play its role in order to highlight this point.
DR ABDUL QADEER
Mithi
PAKISTAN’S present political setup, unique in its feature, had come to stay.
It may appropriately be christened “presidential democracy”.
M. AYYUB
Karachi
VERY few people in Pakistan are aware of the truth that Pakistan was saved by the Americans on three occasions. Once in 1965 when it helped arrange a ceasefire. The second occasion was in 1971 when after Pakistan lost its east wing through Indian intervention, the surviving half of Pakistan was rescued by the Americans who applied pressure on India and warned the other superpower (the USSR) not to attack West Pakistan. The warning to India was credible. It was published in both Hamood-ur-Rahman report and the declassified American documents after the expiry of 30 years of the secrecy period.
The third time we were saved was just a year back. The Indians had massed over half a million infantry troops, with heavy armour, on our borders. They also deployed their full sea power not far from Karachi. Sustained economic and political pressure was exerted by the Americans on India. This went to the extent of a threat of withdrawing 500 American multinational groups working in India.
The Indians were ready to attack using both their army and navy. This time they had worked on their risk management concerning the number of the casualties and the possible destruction of their cities in case of a nuclear war, in defiance of our theory of nuclear deterrence.
Honestly we should not only be indebted to them for saving us on three occasions; we should also feel obliged to them for our present strong military position. Even on an issue like Kashmir, unlike many Muslim countries, the American policy is not against us. They have recognized and declared that Kashmir is a most dangerous dispute and it needs to be solved.
Now when Americans are currently involved quite deeply in some international disputes, we have a chance to repay them for their friendly conduct and cooperation. How to extend such support to them is not a big question.
Let me quote the British example. They are with the Americans through thick and thin because they have not forgotten how the US saved their country in the past. It is a fact that if the Americans had not acted to contain the German armies then, the map of Europe would have been different today.
Time was when the rightist religious groups were fond of American policies and eagerly received covert military and financial aid. But after the 9/11 they were ditched after the US changed its priorities by targeting Al Qaeda, the Taliban and the jihadi elements in Afghanistan.
Massive secret financial funding used to come from some Middle Eastern countries to our religious outfits. This was the main cause of our internal destabilization. The aid flow to them is now being plugged for good. This is the foremost reason today why some such groups are so staunchly opposing the Americans.
There is a good deal of resentment over American policies against some Muslim countries. But is it not our duty to think as Pakistani nationalists and to consider our interests as a country? Did any Muslim country in the world come to our rescue even once in our hour of need? The Americans did three times.
KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Islamabad
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