| October 30, 2003 | Thursday | Ramazan 3, 1424 |
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Mass revolt in Bolivia
Cortisone in toothpaste
Women patients & male doctors
Deduction of Zakat
Errors in entry test
Educationists’ grievance
Woman’s status
Woes of an account-holder
Lack of research
Blackmarketing of cars
THE founding fathers of Pakistan never looked upon partition as a prelude to continued confrontation between the two communities but as the precursor to close cooperation and peace between India and Pakistan. This hope was belied initially by the partition massacres and subsequently by the Indian occupation of Kashmir which has turned into a bleeding wound.
It is disappointing that the Indian proposals of Oct 22 ignore the urgency of negotiating an honourable and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, which is a serious threat to regional peace and a huge drag on the subcontinent’s economic development. The recent report of the US Congressional Research Service (Oct 17) highlights this in stating that “so long as the Kashmir animosity remains, the danger of war between India and Pakistan is a substantial risk”. US arms control expert Rodney Jones (now with think-tank Policy Architect International) has described Kashmir as the most dangerous place on earth (Oct 27).
It has been made clear by Indian spokesmen that their offer of talks between Home Minister Advani and the APHC relates only to issues within the four walls of the Indian Constitution, such as devolution and autonomy. India is apparently hoping that the enhanced repression, including significantly increased killings by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir, the split within the APHC, the Indian-inspired attempt to brand the Kashmiri freedom struggle as terrorist and the Indian war threats to Pakistan, would pressure the Kashmiris and Pakistan into accepting India’s diktat over Kashmir.
As for the 12 confidence-building measures suggested by India (many of which had been proposed by Pakistan earlier), human ingenuity is unable to devise a realistic confidence-building scenario which, while pursuing secondary issues, leaves the heart of the problem untouched. Every dispassionate observer of the subcontinental scene realizes that the efficacy of the proposed CBMs would be blocked at every turn by the intermittent repercussions of the unresolved conflict over Kashmir and by the continuing bloodletting in occupied Kashmir.
Harwinder Baweja, Associate Editor of India Today, wrote: “Differences between India and Pakistan do not allow for much in the way of confidence-building. If the two parties (without resolving the main dispute) go through the motion of confidence-building, it is aimed much more at re-assuring the world than each other” (a contribution to Henry Stimson Center Report on Stability-Instability Paradox - Nuclear Brinkmanship in South Asia).
While India has ignored the composite agreed agenda dating from before the Lahore Summit, involving the Kashmir dispute, strategic restraint (nuclear issues) and the rest, Pakistan should nevertheless examine the proposed confidence-building measures with the utmost goodwill, accepting some and holding further discussions on the others. India should at the same time reconsider its summary rejection of President Musharraf’s proposals for a ceasefire on the LOC which is being daily violated by India, a mutually encouraged lowering of violence in occupied Kashmir, an impartial monitoring mechanism on the LOC and initiation of bilateral dialogue for a resolution of Kashmir and other issues. Without this “thirteenth step” (the description by Mani Shanker Ayer), the 12 CBMs, although positive in many cases, would not go far in establishing durable peace and in meeting the economic and security challenges facing the people of the subcontinent.
MAHDI MASUD
Karachi
THIS refers to the recent mass revolt in Bolivia that overthrew the president on Oct 17.
The local people, as well as coca-farmers, affected by the US-backed coca-eradication programme (ironically named ‘plan dignity’), had been leading this revolt since last month against the policies of the American educated Bolivian president and millionaire mine owner, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada.
What led to the democratic dictator’s fall was an unpopular decision to export gas through rival Chile to the US. The Bolivians acted on the correct impulse that the $5 billion gas pipeline would mostly benefit the minority of European-descended rich and leave the poor Bolivians out.
Bolivia is South America’s poorest nation. The people’s victory signifies the discontent of ordinary Latin Americans as a result of the failure of neoliberal reforms and its extraordinary fusion with bourgeois democracy in this continent in the last decade. For five years, the whole continent has been practically in revolt against their inept leaders and as a result a movement towards the left has seen new leaders emerge and become president in Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela. This is in addition to the very strong Marxist guerrilla movements in Colombia and Peru fighting against corrupt leaders.
Two years ago the Bolivians had forced out the US water multinational, Bechtel Inc., after they doubled the price of water in Cochabamba, which for some Bolivians meant a rise by 200 per cent. The insurrection against de Lozada was merely a continuation of that brave revolutionary tradition.
The new president, a former leftist and vice president, Carlos Mesa, has been given 90 days to begin shelving the gas project, implementing a radical land reform and seeking to overturn the excesses against the indigenous Indians, or the people will oust him too.
As the people of South America increasingly reject the authoritarian policies, mere populists will have a hard time convincing their people of their genuineness unless they back it up with democracy, accountability and radical redistributive reform. This would also mean going against the interests of US imperialism which has long treated Latin America as its little Carribean lake where they can set big fish (corrupt tyrants) to eat the small fish (the people).
As fellow residents of the Third World, we in Pakistan who are beset by the similar curse of feudalism, militarism, capitalism and US imperialism should stand up and applaud and seek to draw lessons for our own struggle against these evils, as the Bolivians now work towards a project to claim Bolivia for the Bolivians.
RAZA NAEEM
Lahore
I HAVE been reading in these columns about the addition of cortisone in certain brands of medicated toothpaste. These brands are quite famous for their magic healing power. I have been watching their advertising on TV wherein tall claims are made and a magic therapeutic power is projected. The standpoint for such claims is only possible, as they have added corticosteroids to their toothpaste.
Dentists and the dental researchers have taken up the issue seriously. Knowing the perils of cortisone, these toothpaste brands are putting the health of consumers at a very high risk of a total collapse of the body metabolism.
Being a doctor and a health practitioner, I suggest that our drug control authorities should move fast to stop the sale of these dangerous brands of toothpaste.
The use of such ingredients in products like toothpaste is an example of extreme carelessness. If directly administered through mouth, cortisone can create havoc in the human body. It can create cardiac condition, damage the liver permanently, and in expecting mothers it may cause fetal defects. There are several other damaging effects of cortisone.
I warn the consumers and request the government bodies to take an immediate notice of this scam.
DR SHARIQ A. LASHARI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item “Segregation rules affect women patients” (Oct 23). It tells a tale of utmost senselessness on the part of the obscurantist regime of the NWFP.
According to the report, an Afghan refugee woman, Sehr Jan, died in childbirth at a camp near Peshawar because male doctors and technicians of the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, refused to attend to her, thanks to the ban imposed by the provincial government on treatment of women patients by the male doctors.
That is not all, it was the 10th death caused by the rigours of labour in the absence of a doctor (we do not know how many more went unreported).
Shocking is a euphemism to describe the feelings of a sane person over this sheer madness. More so is the justification for this ban given by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal provincial secretary-general, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, describing it to be in line with Islamic teachings, “We think men could derive sexual ecstasy from women’s bodies while conducting ECG or ultrasound. Similarly, some women could lure the men under the ECG or ultrasound cover. In both cases, perversion could prevail.”
Our mullahs are obsessed with the word “woman” and “sex”. There is no other justification for their brutal measures. These clerics are pushing our society back into the dark ages, that too in the name of the most dynamic of religions.
It is about time the saner elements of our society came forward to put a leash on the wilful actions of these people; else there will be no end to their exploits. They are not only brutalizing simple people in the name of religion, but also defaming our country. Above all, it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that a single group does not push its narrow agenda at the expense of people and the country.
GHULAM ABBAS
Karachi
A SENIOR citizen has bewailed about no tax exemption to senior citizens (Oct 25). What can be said of general tax deductions, even Zakat is being deducted indiscriminately from the pension accounts of senior citizens.
The compulsory deduction of Zakat was among the most foolish and callous of the Islamization actions taken by Gen Ziaul Haq. Now even the senior citizens and the disabled are not spared.
My daughter who is mentally disabled has a savings account in her name, which is also subjected to Zakat deduction. This is a pity that disabled persons, specially the mentally- retarded, who need help by society and the state and who are unable to make any declarations, are subjected to Zakat deduction.
The rulers should realize that the compulsory deduction of Zakat, specially from the accounts of the old and the disabled, is unjust.
T. S. BOKHARI
Islamabad
I ENDORSE the views expressed by Nasreen Malik (Oct 15).
The question paper circulated among the candidates appearing in the entry test held on 21-09-2003 at UET, Lahore, and elsewhere, for admission to medical colleges in Punjab was not properly set inasmuch as it was having errors of serious nature.
It is admitted in the master key (yellow page) under the caption: “Note” that credit is given to all students for answer marked as (tick mark here) in the question number 37 under the heading “physics”. This is tantamount to admission by the UET of the incorrect or out-of-course question.
It is admitted at serial No: 12 of the Master Key under heading “Chemistry” that credit is for two answers, i.e. option C&D. A particular question has one particular answer and not two answers. This is a pointer towards setting of a wrong question.
While communicating entry test results, the question paper has not been provided to enable the candidates to check the correctness of the answer. Likewise, the master key provided with the answersheet for decoding is without details of questions asked in the examination, as a result of which authenticity of the master key could not be verified.
Most of the questions asked in the English section of the paper were of dubious nature, reflecting poor knowledge of English on the part of the paper-setter. There is strong possibility of similar mistakes in other questions as well asked for in the examination. Fictitious roll numbers should have been affixed on the answersheets to make the process transparent but it was not done.
Due to the wrong setting of the master key, a large number of deserving candidates have not been able to get the proportionate marks and this has resulted in extreme frustration among the candidates.
As the convener of the examination board is not prepared to rectify the mistakes, an immediate action is called for in the supreme national interest.
RUKHSANA FARRUKH
Lahore
GRADE 18 officers in the NWFP education department have been awaiting promotion since 2001. Why their case is still pending is best known to the relevant authorities. Many officers have retired since and many others will retire soon.
After election, it was hoped the provincial government would solve the problem, but unfortunately it has taken no step so far to grapple with the issue that has affected over 40 officers. I request the chief minister and the governor to solve this matter on a priority basis.
KHURSHID ALAM
Islamabad
THIS refers to the letter “Woman’s status in Islam” (Oct 14) from France, which disapproves of interpretations of the verses in the holy Quran and uses “interpretation” synonymously with “extrapolation”.
It is through interpretation that we know of men’s fazeelat over women in respect of inheritance and some other possessions. For the actual verses refer to this matter as the fazeelat of “some” over the “others” which when read contextually is interpreted as above.
As for equating one man to two women, this is by extrapolation as the context in which this is used is commercial transaction (2:282). A woman witness may seek the help of another woman in commercial cases which some extrapolate to all situations. Thus, the disagreement on this.
DR MAHNAZ FATIMA
Karachi
I AM an account-holder of MCB, DHA Branch (0061), at Defence Market, Karachi. A couple of days ago I visited the bank to help my cousin open an account but I was shocked by the behaviour of the bank’s customer officer and the manager who not only did not entertain our plea for opening a new account but also asked me to close my account.
I never expected such treatment from one of the best banks of Pakistan. The bank authorities should ensure that no such thing happens in future.
A SUFFERER
Karachi
I AGREE with the content of the letter by Mr Ramzan Ali Toor, titled “Lack of Research” (Oct 20). The performance of such literary and research bodies have been really poor. The record shows that there has been a practice of appointing favourites of the ruling political parties to head these organizations which, obviously, served no purpose except promoting favouritism.
It is also true that these bodies have hardly brought out a single book on the life and works of Allama Iqbal or M.A. Jinnah “which foreign scholars could find worthy of quoting ...”. I was shocked to see that the book titled Iqbal & Goethe by M. Ikram Chughtai, which is an ‘award winner’, had a glaring mistake of language in its opening paragraph. Writes Mr. Chughtai in the last line of the first paragraph of the ‘Acknowledgments’, “... it climaxed in the poetical and prosaic writings of Iqbal”.
I think neither the writer nor the publisher bothered to look up a dictionary to find the delicate difference between the meanings of ‘prose’ and ‘prosaic’. At last, the people calling shots in Iqbal Academy should have taken due care to revise and vet the manuscript before it was sent to press. What serves as an icing on the cake is that Prof. Annemarie Schimmel wrote a forward to this book.
WAQIF LAHORI
Lahore
MUCH is being said about the sudden increase in demand for cars which has created backlogs and, thus, premiums for ready delivery of cars. The solution must not affect the car industry even though the prices they are charging are up to 50 per cent higher than in India.
One workable solution is to open a limited-time window for imports for the time it will take for the backlog to be eliminated. Imports at half the current duties may be restricted only to assemblers in Pakistan, and not to a plethora of models and importers. This way the assemblers themselves will be able to assess how many cars they need to import. And after-sales service and spares may be assured.
These limited period imports should carry assurances that the assemblers will give the delivery of cars within a stipulated period. Also, if assemblers do not wish to have a large-scale competition of imported cars with Pakistan-assembled units of the same model, they may also import other models of their principals, such as Accord and Jazz by Honda, and Corona and Charade 1,000cc diesel by Toyota. There is also a case for importing about 20 to 30 per cent of the same models as the locally-assembled cars because the quality of Pakistan-assembled cars are declining rapidly.
The government’s policy of giving banks all liberty to finance cars is hugely faulty. It is putting our citizens in the dock. The Pakistanis are not known for their savings, but the government is now taking savings to a negative territory by making the populace use up their future earnings today. This is a bad, bad policy. Now several banks are providing finance for cars and everything else even without a down payment. All this great and sudden demand for cars, white goods; even tyres, hi-fi equipment, etc., is artificial. It is funded by non-existent money, which may be earned in future. If the government or the State Bank clamps down on these sales on instalments, the backlog for cars will be greatly reduced, or will vanish quickly.
Unfortunately, as banks are a favourite child of our banker finance minister, this terrible policy of making our citizens into debtors may not be touched. (Also the reduction in income tax on banks, most of which are now making phenomenal after tax profits is quite ununderstandable. Instead of taxing savings, banks should be taxed further. They will still make great profits).
The two approaches presented here — a short-term and a long-term policy — which may be implemented without delay. Of course, ‘reconditioned’ cars (a euphemism for discarded cars) must not be imported to protect our auto industry. But the arms of local assemblers should be twisted to reduce prices, at least to the level of the revaluation of the rupee against the dollar over the last three years, which is 12 to 15 per cent.
MUZAFFAR A. GHAFFAR
Lahore
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