| October 22, 2003 | Wednesday | Sha’aban 25, 1424 |
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Graduate assembly
PCSI’s working
Acute water shortage in Pindi areas
‘Bridging India’s digital divide’
Mohatta Palace
Stick with English
Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway
Menace of price hike
Loans for policemen
Shortage of stamp papers
Peshawar schoolchildren
Call to save QAU
COLUMNIST Ardeshir Cowasjee, while discussing ‘enlightened moderation’ (Oct 12), reiterated that Mohammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned Pakistan to be a secular and liberal state. This he did while criticizing Dr Israr Ahmad’s views, voiced on a TV channel.
According to Mr Cowasjee, religion is a matter of personal faith and its interference with state affairs results in theocracy. But he does not address the question as to why a secular state is ready to patronize religious sentiments whenever these can be used to achieve goals set by the state. The issue is that even a secular state requires its citizens to act normally, to abide by the law, to live according to the accepted norms and rules, but such a mindset cannot be cultivated by any of the purely utilitarian ethical philosophies.
Public morality cannot sustain itself without a powerful religiosity. Religion, therefore, is needed by the state for its own survival, simply because it is impossible to inculcate goodness of character without the support of religion, and also because all moral values are in the final analysis, derived from religious tradition.
Again, the fact that the Quaid wanted to make Pakistan an Islamic state rather than a Muslim “nation” state is clear from his various speeches. On Nov 21, 1945, while addressing a Frontier Muslim League conference in Peshawar he said: “Muslims demand Pakistan, where they could rule according to their own code of life and according to their own culture, traditions, and Islamic laws.”
Again, on Jan 25, 1948, while addressing the Karachi Bar Association, he said: “Islam today is as much a practicable religion as it was thirteen hundred years ago. It is a standard-bearer of democracy. It is Islam which guarantees justice, fair play and equal rights to everyone. And the whole world will see that we will frame our constitution in accordance with it.”
He was also critical of feudalism and uncontrolled capitalism. He said on April 24, 1943, while addressing the All-India Muslim League in Delhi: “Here I should like to give a warning to the landlords and capitalists, who have flourished at our expense, by a system which is so vicious, which is wicked and which makes them so selfish that it is difficult to reason with them.”
On Nov 5, 1944, he told the first meeting of the All-India Muslim League Planning Committee: “It is not our purpose to make the rich richer and to accelerate the process of the accumulation of wealth in the hand of a few individuals. ..... Our ideal should not be capitalistic but Islamic, and the interests and welfare of the people as a whole should be kept constantly in mind.”
These statements make it clear that the Quaid did not want to make Pakistan a secular state. Moreover, it is not true that reference to religion in state affairs leads to theocracy. Islam enjoins shoora at all levels and thus supports a democratic form of government.
DR ABSAR AHMAD
Lahore
THE idea to have a graduate assembly was rather good but it did not click. In fact, it is not only mere education that makes one good, but moral and ethical commitments are also needed to make things move. Otherwise education has no bearing on human affairs. Hence our term taaleem-o-tarbiat (education and ethics). It is a lifelong process. In an educational system we may have provided the knowledge but lack far behind in teaching ethics.
The way some of our grads have behaved in the assembly shows their lack of moral and ethical commitment to their electorate. They did not for once realize that the people have not sent them to the assembly for doing nothing. Differences of opinion can be there but that does not give anyone the right to vandalize social and moral values. The need is to solve the problems of society, such as improving the literacy rate, overcoming the water problem and alleviating poverty. People want result and not antics.
What is needed to achieve our goals is that we lay every brick thoughtfully. Our every step must be a measured one. There’s no time to waste — we are already lagging far behind in the world. There are many pitfalls in our system of life, in our saying and doing. So, a composite view of life should be developed. For example, when we talk about giving jobs on a merit basis, it seems we are using the idea to gain an advantage. Let me explain, if 500 applications come for only one vacancy and we decide the job on merit, then that’s nothing to be happy about. In fact, it is time we thought about the remaining 499 literate people with no jobs.
So, we come to the point that people may not be literate but still can think, and they may not say anything but do understand things. Therefore, try to achieves results. We need solutions, not disputes. We need peace and prosperity. So, please show that you really represent us.
MEHMOOD ALI
Karachi
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the prime minister and the minister for food, agriculture and livestock to the working of the Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute (PCSI).
This organization was established with the aim of introducing and implementing internationally accepted cotton standards so that Pakistani cotton and other value-added products could fetch better prices in international market. In the context of WTO agreements, its importance has increased significantly but a few vested interests are trying to endanger it.
The post of director has remained vacant for many years but the ministry is not showing any interest in appointing a PhD in agriculture science to fill the post, as originally envisioned and agreed by the donor agencies (in this case the ADB, the UNDP and FAO). A junior officer was promoted and made joint director of PCSI in clear violations of government rules. His case of promotion is still in a court of law. Besides, many other important posts are lying vacant.
I request the prime minister and the minister to immediately appoint director at the PCSI and form a high-level inquiry committee to look into its administrative irregularities.
BAKHTIAR AHMED
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, the Rawalpindi District Government and the chief minister of Punjab to the acute shortage of water in the Westridge industrial area of the city.
Besides several dozen industrial units which meet their water requirements by purchasing from five to 15 tankers daily, more than 250,000 people of this area, including Habib Colony, Chak Madad Khan, Mohalla Sultanabad, are badly affected as the underground water level has gone down up to 250 feet, which is far beyond the sucking capacity of a normal pump. A worker who earns between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000 a month cannot afford to install a water pump.
Children between seven and 10 years can be seen all the day running here and there in search of water, carrying gallons and cans on their heads.
I request the authorities concerned to look into this problem and provide enough water to this area from the nearby Allabad water reservoir. KHALID PERVAIZ
Rawalpindi
I REFER to the article “Village kiosks bridging India’s digital divide” (Oct 19). India has many problems, but steps are being taken to introduce IT and communications technologies even in villages, as the article says. However, a lot more is to be done in this vast country.
As a business consultant based in the UK, I visit India regularly and know Prof Ashol Jhunjhunwala referred to in your article. Credit goes to him and many brilliant graduates of the Indian Institute of Technologies who have not only put India on the world economic map of knowledge-based industries, but also found practical and cost-effective solutions to problems in developing countries like India and Pakistan.
In some rural areas, banking is done on line using wireless satellite connections and not so costly handheld computers using Linux, non-proprietary software based technologies. Some handicraft products from small co-operatives are also marketed likewise.
As mentioned in my another letter sent to you recently, Pakistan, with Indian assistance, must take steps to establish top independent institutes of science and technologies to progress. It must look forward and not backward, otherwise it will be left behind even by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and such other countries. I am not asking India or Pakistan to give up their views on their mutual problems, including Kashmir. Kashmir has not been solved during last 56 years and it cannot be resolved unless the public opinion in both the countries allow it to happen, even if the governments in India and Pakistan by some miracle decide to offer mutual compromises. Why not put all the problems on ice for say five years and have genuinely co-operative relationship to generate goodwill which alone can solve all our problems.
VIPUL THAKORE
London, UK
I RECENTLY visited the Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi. The building, after its renovation by the Sindh government, can now be acclaimed as an architectural jewel of outstanding beauty and grandeur. The art galleries set up in the building are also very attractive.
However, the entrance to the building is marred by an unsightly plot which faces its main gate and is covered with bushes and littered with garbage. It is indeed an eyesore.
It is proposed that the city government acquire this plot and convert it into a park or grassy lawns. This will further enhance the beauty of the Mohatta Palace.
Besides, the building should be renamed “Qasr-i-Fatima” to honour the memory of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.
SH. KHURSHID HASAN
Karachi
THIS is in reference to the letter “Stick with English” (Oct 18) by Mr Tariq Shafiqui.
Although he makes an excellent point about refraining from using Urdu phrases while writing in English, there are many instances where it is more apt to use an Urdu phrase than the English translation. The main reason is that an English word may not capture the true essence of the term; readers can relate more to ‘chamchas’ than sycophants.
It is not just Mr Cowasjee who incorporates the vernacular in English. Renowned authors from the subcontinent such as Bapsi Sidhwa, Vikram Seth and many others frequently use Urdu or Hindi words to illustrate the story more vividly.
With frequent use of such words by prominent authors they become part of the English language. Terms such as “purdah” and “chappattis” are now officially words of the English language.
SYED IMRAN SAQIB
Karachi
MY family enjoys travelling on the well-maintained and hassle-free M2 Motorway between Islamabad and Lahore. The M2 has made long-distance travelling to Lahore and other cities in between like Sheikhupura and Gujranwala a much less tiresome and more pleasant experience for us. My children enjoy the scenic views along the M2 and they invariably insist that we take a break or two at the various C-marts and restaurants along the motorway. The only complaint we have is that the public toilets are not maintained properly.
This year we have had to travel on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1) at least four times — once to go to Naran, once to Peshawar and twice to Wah Cantonment. And on all four occasions, we had to experience a frustrating traffic jam along a long stretch between Islamabad and Taxila, because the Taxila to Islamabad side of the road is not passable.
There were various reports in the press last year that the contract to build M1 had been awarded to some Pakistani companies since the original contract with a foreign company had been cancelled earlier. There seems to be other bureaucratic hurdles in a speedy completion of M1, including the controversy whether the M1 should have four lanes or six lanes.
The construction of the M2 has been criticized for being a whimsical, extravagant project of an elected government, which was undertaken through bypassing proper bureaucratic procedures. Well, if the M1 is any indication of what it means by getting things done through proper bureaucratic channels, thank God for whimsical projects like the M2.
AHMED NADEEM
Islamabad
IN the last six to eight weeks, prices of all essential goods have gone up steeply because of sheer incompetence of the government. Vegetables like tomato are being sold at Rs40 a kilo. Similarly, all other vegetable items have registered a rise in the prices out of proportion. Mutton and beef are selling at Rs160 and Rs100 a kilo.
Various government inspectors and agencies and the network of patwaris and tehsildars all seem to be in league with the profiteers and black marketeers because they are getting their share of the loot. No raid, no inspection whatsoever is carried out. The government’s claim of good governance has proved hollow.
On the other hand, the government has taxed people like anything. Utility bills for gas, electricity and telephone have been hurting the people very badly. All POL products carry 100 per cent government tax which again hurts the people.
The government is embroiled in the LFO tangle and has been rendered ineffective, with the result that no law is being made to provide relief to the people. The finance minister is busy rescheduling foreign loans on a long-term basis. Occasionally, government functionaries beat the drum proclaiming increase in our foreign exchange reserves but it should be made clear to them that it does not provide any relief to the common man.
SUNAWAR CHAUDHARY
Rawalpindi
I AM shocked to learn that the police service is on the negative list of the financial institutions for the grant of loans for private house construction. The situation is compounded by the policy of the House Building Finance Corporation which keeps the Police Foundation Housing Scheme in Loi Bhir, Islamabad, out of their operational areas.
Will someone in authority let us know the logic behind this discriminatory policy of the banking sector for police officers and members of the legal community?
ASGHAR MAHMOOD
Via email
THE shortage of non-judicial stamp papers in the central stamp office, Karachi, for the last couple of months is not only causing great distress among the people but there is also a heavy loss to the Sindh revenue department. Hundred-rupee stamp papers are out of stock.
However, some of these stamp papers can be procured unofficially by paying extra money. Will the authorities concerned look into the problem and do the needful?
HAMZA ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
THIS refers to your Peshawar Bureau report “4 school employees suspended for abuse” (Oct 19).
The teachers suspended for allegedly abusing the innocent schoolchildren deserve the maximum punishment under the law. Simply suspension from service, now to appease the angry parents and then their reinstatement six months later, cannot be called punishment. They and their accomplices should be tried under the Hudood Ordinance.
The MMA government in the NWFP is politically and morally bound to give them an exemplary punishment so that other people may not even think of committing such a criminal act.
PROF ROEDAR AHMAD KHAN
Peshawar
ONCE house of knowledge and chair of erudition, the Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, has fallen to the status of a slaughterhouse, with the death of Naseeruddin, a student of third semester of Master’s in History, who fell prey to a clash between two ethnic groups of students on Oct 13. This was the fourth casualty at the campus in eight months.
Being an old Quaidian, my heart is plunged with sorrow and chagrin over the plight of university. I can well recollect the memories of my stay at QAU. There used to be all the beautiful colours of life at the campus. Students with various backgrounds would warmly interact with each other. Funfairs, music concerts and other extravaganzas would mark every semester with delight, cheerfulness and enthusiasm. This is not to say that no conflict ever happened during that era. There had been certain instances when some disagreements arose between student groups and some of them took even the form of physical clash, yet those conflicts never claimed any life and were amicably resolved through arbitration.
The serpent of ethnicity has engulfed the beauty of diversity and that, as corollary, has led to the elimination of peace from QAU — a university enjoying the calm and serene settings, for being situated on the foothills of the Margallas.
One wonders why the university administration did not take preventive measures to nip the conflict in the bud, although it was cognizant of intermittent exchange of firearms between the two groups, lasting four days, before the sad death of a student.
I implore university academicians, who eagerly discuss social problems, issues of national interest and international political affairs, to kindly pay ample attention to students who need it and are the ones who primarily matter. Just know them. Sensitize them on the need for synthesis and harmony through holding interactive discourses and dialogues.
To have an ethnic identity to represent a culture and make distinctions between social groups is truism, but to have an ethnic identity for prejudice and discrimination is an absurdity. Wake up, before ethnicity takes precedence over our national unity and cohesion. I invite you all to come out of QAU and see for yourselves how strongly the old Quaidians, having diverse ethnic backgrounds, are joining their hands together to work for the solidarity and prosperity of our country.
FAISAL RAHIM BUZDAR
Dera Ghazi Khan
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