| October 18, 2003 | Saturday | Sha'aban 21, 1424 |
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Case against cricketers
Operation against Al Qaeda men
Toothpaste advertisement
Civilian martial law administrator
‘Enlightened moderation’
Heart Mela
Local auto industry
Punishing a dutiful cop
‘A bibliophile looks back’
Stick with English
Humanity
Remembering Kalimullah Fehmi
ONE fails to understand why wisdom should always become a monopoly of the rulers of the day as is evident in the case of the controversial issues of building new dams and GTC (Greater Thal Canal).
Why is it that the opponents of the ‘nightmare 2025’ are not given equal time on both official and unofficial media to present their case on these important national issues? How is it that fallacious arguments in support of the new dams and GTC are hammered in day and night while the other side is shut out? How can one serve the interests of the people if the people are not even heard?
People are not told that dams are only reservoirs and do not create water. Several experts quoting official figures have proved beyond doubt that we simply do not have extra water for any new dams. We actually are facing a shortfall of water. That is why the Indus River System Authority has been distributing water on the basis of the controversial 1994 arrangement, instead of the 1991 Water Accord, for the last four years. Owing to the acute shortage of water, Sindh has faced an ecological and human disaster in its two coastal districts and tremendous losses in agriculture production elsewhere.
The experts say our capacity to use and store water at this time is 139.7maf while the total available water is 131.188maf. It means we already have a capacity to store or to use 8.5maf of extra water.
With the of raising the Mangla Dam and the desilting of the Tarbela, we can increase that capacity even further. That may equal that of both the Kalabagh Dam and Bhasha Dam. But who listens?
One wonders when we will consider all the people of Pakistan as equal and will respect the voice and the interests of all instead of a few chosen ones?
AZIZ NAREJO
Corpus Christi, TX., USA
THIS refers to the letter “Surplus water claim” (Sept 30) by Badin MPA Dr Sikandar Mandhro.
According to the statistics that he has quoted in this letter, sufficient water is not available in the country to build Kalabagh Dam. If what he says is right, the question arises: why are critics like him in favour of Bhasha Dam?
I think the main issue is the lack of trust between Punjab and the other three provinces. But we cannot sit back and watch the silting of the Tarbela and Mangla dams. One possible way is to solve the water crisis is to build these dams and distribute water according to the 1991 Water Accord.
The water distribution/operation should be handed over to the Army and distribution data should be made accessible to the public on a daily basis.
We Pakistanis must grapple with this issue before it further sharpens provincial disharmony.
SHAHID ALI
Karachi
IT was with much shock and surprise that I read about a Pakistan court having summoned Shoaib Akhtar, Ramiz Raja and Aamir Sohail to answer charges of hurting the religious sentiments of the people by attending a fashion show on “Shab-i-baraat”. This is truly a very sad reflection on the state of our society.
Has crime disappeared in Pakistan for the courts to have the time to even consider such complaints? Anyone who feels offended by fashion need not attend the show but it is ridiculous for anyone to claim that their sentiments were hurt by the mere fact of a fashion show taking place.
Why do the religious sentiments of these people not get offended when innocent Muslims get killed in mindless sectarian violence? Why do they not take offence when their religious leader calls for the killing of people belonging to their rival sects? Why do they remain unperturbed when innocent young men and women are killed in barbaric ways by their own family members for the mere act of choosing their own life partners? Why do they remain completely silent when innocent citizens get victimized or marginalized in society because they are not Muslim? Why do they keep quiet when innocent women are beaten up or killed by their husbands on the pretext of the so-called karo-kari? And why don’t they come out on the streets to demand justice for Mukhtaran Bibi, the poor woman in the Jatoi tehsil who was brutally assaulted and raped by four men under orders from their tribal leaders for an unproven offence by her brother?
But these self-styled custodians of Islam are too busy smearing the faces of female models on billboards, brainwashing the minds of children with their poisonous rhetoric or inciting their activists to harass peaceful and moderate people of this country.
It is time we ended this ignorance which disguises itself in the name of religion. Islam is a religion of peace. Minorities have equal rights. Men and women have the right to choose who they marry. Women are meant to be treated with respect. And entertainment is neither a crime nor a sin.
It is time for enlightenment to replace this ignorance. It is time for us to take back our religion from these extremists.
ALI GULFARAZ
London, UK
WE are in again for lots of surprises after our operation against Al Qaeda inside the Waziristan area. The operation amounted to asking for more reactions and explosions in parts of country.
The recent killing of six Suparco employees going to an imambargah in Karachi and now the murder of an MNA and chief of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba, with his four guards, on his way to the parliament house clearly point to RAW or Al Qaeda elements operating inside Pakistan, targeting our big cities and the capital without any trace of the killers.
This shows what our interior minister and agencies are doing in the name of security, and turning the country, in fact, into no-business-friendly and not peaceful for investors, as well as for poor citizens.
If we were expecting flowers in return for our action in North Waziristan against Al Qaeda and Afghan extremist elements, we are simply fooling none but ourselves. Moreover, Israel’s Mossad and Indian RAW may too hire professionals to create unrest and hatred for those who are in the administration, and to particularly send messages to our government either to stop their operations or be ready for reactions in Kashmir and Afghan border areas.
This is not surprising that our interior minister, after CNN broke the news about the killings in Islamabad, was still unaware of the terrorist incident.
If even such so-called big guns and lawmakers are unsafe, the safety and security of the common man can hardly be ensured. Let us hope that things do not go from bad to worse, and stern action is immediately taken in the affected border areas of the country.
ENGR. M.Y. CHOHAN
Karachi
RECENTLY a mushroom growth of various brands of toothpaste has been seen in the market. It seems to be a highly profitable business as everybody is jumping on the bandwagon. The toothpaste manufactures are using all tricks possible to enhance their sales.
Advertisements like “Elaj ki kya zaroorat hay” and “Home Dentist” are completely unethical and misleading. Projecting any toothpaste as a “cure for dental ailments and diseases” is not only unethical but also disinformation and can cause serious health hazards to unsuspecting users.
Toothpaste brands are marketed all over the world after acquiring a seal of approval from the National Dental Association which ensures correct formulation and that no harmful products are used. They also keep vigil on the manufacturing standard and quality.
Unfortunately, this practice is not being followed in Pakistan. The Pakistan Dental Association is prepared to give such a seal of approval after due testing.
I request the advertising association and the media not to advertise unethical and misleading products. We have pointed this out to the relevant authorities in the past but the people have continuously been sacrificed on the altar of advertising revenue, whether it is “saunf supari”, cigarettes or cortisone-containing brands of toothpaste.
I will also advise the public not to use those brands of toothpaste which are not certified by the Pakistan Dental Association as using them can cause serious health problems to them.
DR KAMRAN A. VASFY
President, Pakistan Dental Association,
Karachi
IN his article “Not the same old track of wilderness” (Dawn, Oct 17), Roedad Khan writes about the induction of army into the governance of Pakistan, but I would not agree with him when he says, “We lost half the country in 1971 as a direct consequence of the imposition of martial law in Pakistan.” I think that is stretching the case of army intervention in politics too far.
One cannot be a supporter of the army when it comes to their rule over the country, but one must concede that the elections held by Yahya Khan were fair and above board. At the end of the elections it was not the army that derailed the democratic process. It was a politician. Had Mr Bhutto accepted the results, the history of the country would have been different.
I would like to recall that Yahya Khan had reconciled with the results, but not so Bhutto. Mujibur Rehman was referred to as the next prime minister by Yahya Khan but, for his part, Bhutto was not willing to see anyone else except himself holding the position. Had he accepted the mandate of the masses, he may not have ended his life on the gallows.
One last point: whoever has heard of a civilian acting as a martial law administrator? Ironically enough, Mr Bhutto held that position for quite some time.
R.H. USMANI
Karachi
WITH reference to the article “Enlightened moderation” by Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee (Oct 12), I would like to refer to Mr Jinnah’s speech of April 24, 1943, as under:
“... There is a lot of mischief created. Is it going to be an Islamic government? Is it not begging the question? Is it not a question of passing a vote of censure on yourself? The constitution and the government will be what the people will decide. The only question is that of minorities.
“The minorities are entitled to get a definite assurance and ask: Where do we stand in the Pakistan that you visualize? That is an issue of giving a definite and clear assurance to the minorities. We have done it. We have passed a resolution that the minorities must be protected and safe-guarded to the fullest extent and as I said before any civilized government will do it and ought to do it. So far as we are concerned our own history, our Prophet have given the clearest proof that non-Muslims have been treated not only justly and fairly but generously.”
HAJI ESSA KATCHI
Karachi
I HAVE seen reports of the Heart Mela held in Lahore organized by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).
The mela completely ignored the deprived sections of society, who are prey to infections, which lead to valvular disease of the heart. Awareness should, therefore, be created about the prevention and treatment of infections that are responsible for heart diseases with less emphasis on prevention of degenerative diseases, which are largely a worry of the affluent. Such melas should be organized inside the Walled City.
I will go along with the observation of one of the eminent cardiologists of Pakistan who, when questioned about the beeline made by Pakistanis to Bangalore for treatment, said that in Pakistan you charge for this treatment whereas it is done free of cost there and probably in more caring circumstances. It is important to remind the powers that be in Pakistan that free health care is the basic right of all citizens.
ZAFAR OMER
Lahore
LATELY a PR campaign to improve their image has been started by the local car manufacturers and auto part vendors. The former is concentrating on public service messages while the latter is highlighting their contribution to generating employment and potential export.
Now the Engineering Council and Tijarti Khabrain of PTV have also joined the campaign. No one talks about the exploitation and misery of the public at large being perpetrated by the auto mafia.
The task force of the bureaucrats on the subject established by the government is still sleeping even after the expiry of the deadline of Sept 30 for the submission of its report. No one expects any relief by the task force just like the big promises made by two federal ministers on the subject. They are now silent.
H.U. HASNAIN
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to the incident at Lahore’s Ghalib Market (“SP also punished for stopping general’s car”, Oct 17) where a policeman stopped a general’s car because of the tinted windows of the vehicle.
The mistreatment of the poor policeman who was just doing his duty and other higher-ups in the police department for their so-called “misbehaviour” is disgusting. Do army officials think they are above the law just because they wear a khaki uniform? Do they think they can twist all codes of legality to satisfy their own demands?
Kudos to the police officer who courageously did his duty.
SOBIA ASLAM
Lahore
THANK you dear Karachian for taking us old Karachiites down the memory lane (Sept 29), but you have missed out on a very famous bookshop, which was Mackwins on Inverarity Road, opposite the Karachi Electric Supply Company office building.
As a young girl, I visited this bookshop very often in my free time, as my father’s shop, Karachi Radio Co., was just next door. Mr Qureshi, the owner of the place, being a thorough gentleman, would allow me to browse through the magazines and books, without making it a compulsion on me to buy them. In fact, he would give me articles of interest, to read.
Mr Qureshi (senior) has passed away, but I will always remember him with gratitude for having inculcated good reading habits in me.
His son, Shams, held the fort till such times as this fine and popular bookshop also died a premature, natural death with all the others.
MRS. NINA MEHTA WANIA
Karachi
IS it asking too much to expect your letter-writers and opinion writers to refrain from mixing Urdu phrases and words in their writings? Nothing irks me more than to see a thoughtfully written essay in English being destroyed by a sudden, pretentious Urdu phraseology when there is no need for it and a perfect English translation exists.
There is the bad habit of writers enclosing Urdu phrases or words in quotes, as in ‘chamchas’ that appeared in Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee’s recent essay. This is like adding insult to injury and is totally redundant.
Incidentally, Mr Cowasjee, how about ‘sycophants’ or even ‘toadies’ instead of ‘chamchas’?
TARIQ SHAFI
Springfield, VA, USA
AS leaders opt for brazen use of military machines, there is a need for an international movement to talk, listen and win through moral positions. The beast in man must die so that humanity can fully awaken.
ARSHAD DURRANI
Peshawar
RECENTLY death has snatched away from among us a symbol of dedication, honesty and loyalty, the qualities hard to come by these days. He was a pioneer in his field — the art of broadcasting in Pakistan — who died on Sept 22. A. F. Kalimullah Fehmi’s commitment to his work and profession was great. A day before he fell ill — the illness that was to cost him his life after three months of its onset — he had visited the Radio studios for a recording of the Roshni programme, in which he had been taking part for about 25 years.
Born in 1921, he received his early education of Arabic and Persian at home, and matriculated from the Calcutta Madressah. He graduated in Islamic Studies from the Presidency College, Calcutta, securing a gold medal for his extraordinary achievements.
After completing his studies, he joined the All-India Radio at Calcutta as a broadcaster and later started taking part in programmes from that station. Shortly he got an offer from BBC Urdu Service which he accepted, and after WW II was over, he returned to Calcutta where he kept himself engaged in Hindustani programmes of All-India Radio.
On the creation of Pakistan, he moved to Dhaka where he was employed as an Urdu newsreader for Radio Pakistan Dhaka. Later he was selected as a newsreader and assistant director of Radio Pakistan. He opted for the latter and was subsequently promoted as station director at Dhaka Radio. After some time he joined the Rawalpindi Station. In 1963 he was awarded Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam for his services.
On the launch of Pakistan Television in 1964, he served this organization at Islamabad and Dhaka and was later promoted as director programmes of PTV. He also remained a member of the PTV Censor Board till his retirement. As his responsibilities grew from strength to strength, he was appointed deputy director-general of Radio Pakistan, this being his parent organization.
With the birth of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, which replaced Radio Pakistan, he assumed the mantle of director programmes, a post which he held till his retirement in January 1981. Throughout his distinguished career, he undertook a lot of initiatives to improve the techniques of broadcasting and endeavoured to make it more informal and pleasant for the listeners. One of his main achievements was his idea of having live commentary for the rituals of Haj, and he was the first Pakistani broadcaster to achieve this feat.
It was his interest in Islamic history and teachings that accounted for his association with the radio programme Roshni.
NOORI MUNEER
Karachi
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