| October 5, 2003 | Sunday | Sha’aban 8, 1424 |
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Kashmir: deluded enough
UN role in Iraq
Recruitment policy for teachers
Haj operators
Constitutional crisis & political deadlock
Moral rearmament
Bomb blast in Karachi bus
Volunteer’s death
Auto prices
Digital library
Any transport sector commercial organization would formalize its fleet plan so that it is economically viable for their route structure and suitable to its passenger profile. PIA’s main revenue-generating international sectors are Gulf, Middle East and Manchester. All other routes are either break-even or loss-making prestige sectors that the airline has to fly on.
Our ethnic passenger profile is composed of passengers who carry excess baggage. The Umra, Haj and Eid seasons are a regular feature and spread over a period of six months. Any fleet plan, worth the paper on which it is typed, must be able to meet these requirements, otherwise it cannot even be called a fleet plan. Unfortunately, aircraft have always been inducted into PIA by either the establishment in Islamabad or well established powerful lobbies in PIA on considerations other than commercial requirements.
PIA has ordered eight Boeing 777s, and now plans to replace its over 20-year-old A300s with 20-year-old A310s from Jamaica Air. It has six Boeing 747-300s and two combi B-747s, along with three 747-200s, which it continues to fly. The airline also has a fleet of A310s, A300-B4, B737s, F27s and Twin-Otters. However, to meet Haj requirements this year it plans to lease three A300s and about four B747-200s. Given the composure of its fleet plan, the national airline will have to continue to resort to hiring of these types of aircraft to meet its requirements, while at the same time it plans to ground its own fleet of similar aircraft.
This is a strange logic but not so strange if you evaluate the lease agreements signed in the past 15 years. It is a strange coincidence that while a similar type of an aircraft is leased by private airlines for $1200/hour, PIA has been paying about $3,500/hour for the same aircraft. PIA fleet’s composition is neither suitable to meet its route structure, passenger and cargo requirements, nor its passenger profile, nor is it economical viz-a-viz revenue generated. It is based on whims and short-term planning.
It seems that Haj, Umra, Eids and other regular peak periods come unannounced every year, and are, therefore, not catered for by the fleet planners. Somebody needs to evaluate all appointments and promotions in PIA, made during the last three years, and except a few exceptions the story is still the same.
Merit, seniority, qualifications and relevant experience are the least of considerations for evaluation either for direct lateral entry or promotion. Involvement in financial misappropriation, or abuse of official status, or serious criminal offences committed are not a bar, if you have contacts and pledge loyalty to the man at the helm of affairs. Loyalty to PIA is the least of considerations. That is PIA’s misfortune and that of majority of its employees who believe that sheer hard work, dedication and honesty pays.
JAWAID HUSSAIN
Multan
ONE did not have to be a master clairvoyant, even as far back as 1953 towards the end of Dr Frank Graham’s final attempt at mediation on Kashmir, to realize that come hell or high water, India had — to use V. K. Krishna Menon’s now notorious expression — ‘irrevocably’ made up its mind not to give up its armed stranglehold over Kashmir.
It is a pity that for some odd reason successive administrations in Pakistan have failed to grasp this unpleasant reality and have not adjusted long-term domestic, geo-political, economic and social planning accordingly. Indeed this did not require abandoning our robust stand on the issue or the inalienable right of the Kashmiris to self-determination.
Because of the time we lost in moving from pillar to post we lost sight of many developmental priorities, particularly economic, and gave up our lead of the sixties as an upcoming promising and prosperous state of Asia. We can salvage much even now without compromising our position or posture. It is only a question of re-structuring our strategy with national cohesion and economic strength taking centre-stage. Indeed, ultimately, it will be these two factors, which will make our just cause in support of the struggle of the Kashmiri people taken serious note of in precincts, which matter.
Shifting of emphasis of this nature and attendant magnitude is a fundamental change. It will require meticulous planning and commitment from all sections of society fully conscious that it will be an exercise in ‘blood, sweat and tears’ and over an extended period. This is where the mettle of collective and bi- partisan leadership is tested. Decidedly, this is not beyond our reach. What is called for is ‘Pakistan first’ in the framework of ‘unity, faith and discipline’.
In immediate terms the Kashmir issue would place a very heavy burden of professionalism on two ministries: that of foreign affairs and information. I am afraid our diplomatic effort lacks drive, lustre and persuasive projection. Why it is so is for the foreign office to diagnose and treat. We can only say that things do not appear altogether happy.
So far as the ministry of information is concerned the media scanning Pakistani feels that it is one thing to see material aired on PTV or press advices converted into press reports in Pakistan and quite another not to see much projected in TV channels and print media that matter abroad. In organizational terms, it demands very close cross-functional teamwork between our diplomatic missions and policymakers at the ministry.
M. J. AS’AD
Karachi
ALL allegations against Iraq for possessing weapons of mass destruction and nuclear capabilities have proved baseless. The fresh US commitment to deliver a new constitution and ensure early reconstruction of the ruined country for an early transfer of power to an elected government is being considered a mere eyewash by the Iraqi people, as they have already seen the fate of such commitments in Afghanistan.
Had there not been mounting American casualties in Iraq, this issue would not have been placed before the UN Security Council for help. But how the United Nations, ignoring the violations of its charter, allowed a debate on this issue is really surprising. Instead of asking the violator to first withdraw its forces, pay for the damage done to a member country, submit an unconditional apology and promise not to repeat such acts of terrorism in future, the Security Council is allowing one resolution after another which aim at mustering support for strengthening the hegemony of the occupying forces or providing them with a safe passage.
The role of France, as well as of some other Security Council members, is laudable for their denying support to the US, without the UN umbrella. But ironically the role of the OIC and some of its members is not only dismal but also contrary to the ethical and moral values and tenets of Islam. Instead of providing help to the oppressed in its freedom struggle, they are considering deploying their forces for strengthening the unauthorized and illegal occupation of Iraq, and fighting their own brothers for their permanent enslavement, just in the name of peace.
Are the cases of Palestine and Kashmir any different from that of Afghanistan and Iraq, except that the former have been on the UN agenda for 50 plus years and the latter are new additions to the list?
RAFIUDDIN AHMAD
Karachi
PUNJAB appears to follow (as reflected in recent ads) a policy for recruitment of schoolteachers under which MA Education and MEd degrees are treated at par with BEd. This way the holders of such degrees are deprived of an opportunity to serve secondary-school teachers. Earlier this was not so. Now they are eligible for teaching in primary and middle schools only.
The policymakers claim that they have raised the required qualifications for secondary-school teachers, i.e. master’s degree in the subject plus BEd, but do not consider the degree of MA Education and MEd as equal to MA plus BEd.
According to this policy, the candidates with BSEd and MSEd were given the highest credit, contrary to a notification (No. 8-60/Acad/86/II/728 dated 1.4.1990, issued by the UGC/HEC) declaring the MA Education and MEd degrees equivalent to MSEd, and BEd to BS.Ed.
This deprived the holders, with higher degrees, of higher posts. Those hit by the policy staged protests in various Punjab cities but in vain.
The MA Education and MEd degrees are equal but higher than BEd. The holders of these degrees get teaching specialization in various subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, English, Urdu and Islamic studies, and are more competent and skilled than are the BEd graduates. They are also eligible for teaching in universities and higher secondary schools.
Surprisingly, the Punjab government has declared them ineligible for secondary schools, and also ended the practice of giving these graduates three advance increments to encourage them to have further education and training.
The recruitment policy has very adverse implications for quality education. It will result in lowering the standard of teaching in schools. This policy must be reversed if the government wants to encourage further education and training.
PROF (DR) AHMAD FAROOQ
MASHHADI
Multan
THIS is with reference to the letter headlined “Haj operators” (Oct 3).
I myself performed Haj last year and managed to meet all obligations in this regard, though most facilities as regards accommodation, transport, food and guidance that had been promised to us by our tour operators were not available. Most important of all, their timing was so mismanaged that we were late for the rites.
There were several other mishaps also. However, as someone who has gone through it all, I wish to make here a few suggestions for future pilgrims:
— Do not be taken in by their fancy presentations and promises; special treatment is really not possible during Haj.
— Do not go for any VIP packages, unless you have checked up on it, since again this is difficult to organize during Haj.
— There is no such thing as separate bathrooms in Mina. This promise cannot be kept.
— If you are taking the shortest duration Haj package, make sure the timing is not so tight, and that unforeseen delays (which are actually quite common in those days and circumstances) do not disrupt everything or make it difficult for you to meet your Haj obligations.
— Keep asking your Haj operator to send in your passports and Haj applications on time, instead of delaying till the last minute, thus leading to problems with the ministry.
AMNA FAROOQUI
Islamabad
THE letter “Haj operators” should have mentioned the name of the Haj operator whose poor performance was noted. This would be useful information and others would not choose this operator.
It is hoped that the writer has filed a formal complaint against this Haj operator with the Ministry of Haj which regulates such operators.
ARNAB MALIK
Islamabad
RECENTLY Gen Pervez Musharraf, at a news conference at Hyderabad, reiterated that the LFO was a part of the Constitution, and without it the October elections could stand invalidated. He also said the Supreme Court had given him the authority to amend the Constitution.
The LFO crisis is the result of the uncalled-for grant of power to the military dictator to amend the Constitution and it was given without asking for it, though with an embargo on making amendments touching the salient features of the Constitution like the independence of judiciary, federalism and parliamentary form of government, blended with Islamic provisions.
Even this grant was subject to judicial review by the apex court and could have been resorted to only if the Constitution failed to provide a solution for attainment of his declared objectives.
The LFO which was even otherwise not judged by the apex court on the above touchstones, therefore, turned out to be an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to rewrite the Constitution under the dubious authority conferred by the Supreme Court, which itself had no such authority.
Notwithstanding the above position, the general election was held under and in terms of the provisions of the Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002 (CEO No. 7 of 2002), promulgated on 29.02.2002 by Gen Pervez Musharraf as the chief executive. Those who contested did so under the said order. The LFO (CEO No.24 of 2002) was promulgated on 21.8.2002 when the election process was in advanced stage.
This position also stands corroborated by the Supreme Court in its findings on 07.10.2002 in the case of the Watan Party as under:
“It is worthwhile to mention that all the major political parties have fielded their candidates to contest the General Election 2002 under the Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002 (Chief Executive’s Order No. 7 of 2002) and none of them has come forward with a petition to question any provision of the Legal Frame Work Order.
The elected Parliament is in immediate sight and obviously the Parliament and not this Court is the appropriate forum to consider all these amendments. We may further observe that procedure to amend the Constitution as enshrined in Article 239, Part XI, remains unaltered. The Parliament retains same power to amend the Constitution as it did before the promulgation of the Legal Framework Order.”
Thus the LFO is not a part of the Constitution, being ab initio void and of no legal effect, unless amendments to the Constitution are made by parliament in accordance with the provisions of Article 239.
SYED IQBAL AHMAD
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mr Ihsan-ul-Haq’s comment “Moral rearmament” (Oct 3) on Mr Mahathir Mohamed’s observations which he recently made at an OIC address.
The pathetic condition of the Muslims today is due to a number of reasons, one of them being highlighted by Mr Ihsan. But Mr Ihsan should realize that Mr Mahathir is correct when he says that the Muslims need to advance in the field of science and technology so that they can defend themselves against the forces that have kept them subjugated for a long time now.
Mr Ihsan talks of bellicosity; Mr Mahathir mentioned the purpose of acquiring weapons as deterrence and defence. This is completely justified in a world where other world ‘leaders’ continue to justify illicit invasions of sovereign states, and where countries continue to acquire modern weapons, both conventional and nuclear.
Mr Ihsan also mentions the reason for the rise and fall of nations. But, then again, whoever is superior in terms of knowledge and technology will rule the world. History is witness to this, and this will continue to be so. Therefore, acquisition of modern technology is inevitable for the Muslims. Nevertheless, the point mentioned by Mr Ihsan about the necessity of moral rearmament of the Ummah is still valid.
S. M. AFZAAL
Singapore
AFTER two bomb blasts in Kawish Crown Plaza, Karachi, one following the other within one-and-a-half months, a horrendous bomb exploded in a minibus on M. A. Jinnah Road a week back. Karachiites have experienced many similar incidents before and the latest incident has once again spread terror and fear among them.
The authorities concerned will again place in minibuses and buses caution notices that the passengers should beware of any suspicious passenger or any suspicious luggage. This does not, however, deter terrorists because they strike at will, amply benefiting from the lax security in the city.
The city nazim and the security authorities are requested to chalk out a foolproof strategy in this regard so as to prevent any such incident in future.
NABIHA GUL
Karachi
RECENTLY an Edhi volunteer descended an 80-foot-deep oil tanker in search of the body of a Yemeni sailor. As expected he succumbed to the heat and odour of poisonous fumes. I am aghast and dumbfounded at this silly and dangerous act which resulted in the death of an innocent victim of misdirected act of charity.
Any tanker seaman would tell you that he goes through a long checklist of dos and don’ts before he descends into an oil tank. Of the many things, he has a breathing apparatus protecting him against inhalation of poisonous fumes.
Was the Edhi volunteer equipped properly? Was he told about the risks he was taking? What right did the Edhi Foundation people have to take up the duties of the fire-brigade?
Picking bodies from streets is different from picking them from the depths of an oil tanker filled with four feet of oil.
SIDRA RAFIQUE GOODA
Karachi
I HAVE been following this issue for quite some time while working in the library of a university here in Leeds. When I arrived here, I was surprised to see the cars, the shapes, sizes, brands and models. All types of cars are available here: small, big, European, American, Japanese, Korean, etc.
The other day there was a research analysis in a local newspaper wherein it was found out that the prices of cars had been falling over the last two years. Which is just the opposite.
I wonder when the government in Pakistan will realize the need to rationalize its policies and bring prices to a level where ordinary people can afford these things. May Allah grant them the wisdom to rationalize the policies.
ASHAR J. KHOKHAR
Leeds, UK
THIS is with reference to the news-item titled “Digital library to be set up next year” (Oct 3).
The worthy adviser to the prime minister on science and technology is reported to have stated that 5,000 journals will be provided on CDs to universities in Pakistan, and then the vice chancellors will be asked to see if any journal is left out.
Can the list be shared before making CDs of journals so that their worth and usefulness are known in advance? If most of these journals are of little use or available for free, then why are we wasting money on providing them on CDs?
SYED AHMED NAQVI
Karachi
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