| November 5, 2003 | Wednesday | Ramazan 9, 1424 |
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Letter controversy
‘Provocation and ignorance’
Indian hospital’s offer
‘Rethinking Kashmir’
Old NED Engineering College
Old pensioners’ plight
PPP and the poor
‘Speaking out against tenure appointments’
Indus Valley seals
Hudood Ordinance
Ads in PTV plays
Law & order situation
Judo training
THE much-trumpeted PTCL package is out but no relief to the majority of users. There is no relief in local calls and respite from the curse of multi-metering that are a thorn in the throat of PTCL subscribers.
Even the relief provided in domestic calls is insignificant. The PTCL claims a slash in nationwide call rates but I am afraid they do not know the meaning of ‘slash’. The meagre reduction of 50 paisa per minute in prime time rates and no reduction in evening time/night time rates (for calls up to 160km), another reduction of 23 paisa per minute in night time rates (for calls above 160km) cannot be termed a slash.
I would like to advise the PTCL not to remain in a fool’s paradise that by taking this step they have provided any relief to its customers who by compulsion use their service as there is no alternative, for the present. Due to exorbitant and unreasonable rates the PTCL is making huge profits to the tune of billions of rupees that come out of the common man’s pocket.
It is also surprising to note that different rates are notified in the national press on Nov 1 and 2. In a Urdu daily of Nov 1 the rates for distances 80-160km evening time and night-time are Rs3.25 per minute and Rs1.62 per minute, whereas in Dawn of Nov 2 they are Rs3.50 per minute and Rs1.75 per minute.
I suggest to the PTCL that to provide relief to its customers it should slash the nationwide call rates as this will not affect its income/profits because the number of callers will go up many, many times and neutralize the effect of the slash. Real relief should be provided to domestic subscribers who use phone at night-time.
A new slab of 161-500km be introduced and rates should be fixed as suggested in the table.
The night time should also be from 8pm to 8am and that night-time rates be applicable to whole of Sundays and holidays. This proposal will be a real slash in the rates and provide relief to the subscribers, specially to household users who mostly use the facility at night-time. The international call rates also need to be reviewed, specially to the Saarc countries, and that half evening time and quarter night-time rates be also introduced for international calls. The local call rates and line rent should also be reduced. Moreover, the line rent should be reduced to Rs200 per month, with 100 free local calls.
If the multi-metering is to be continued, the subsequent calls after the first pulse should be at half the rate, i.e. if the rate of a local call is Rs1.80 every five minutes, the
subsequent duration be charged at Rs0.90 per five minutes.
KHURRAM SHAIKH
Karachi
THE so-called “GHQ letter” which has become the focal point for the nation in general and the politicians in particular is also the talking point at every gathering in some countries that I happened to visit recently. Pakistanis living away from their homeland are genuinely concerned about everything that hurts them and they ask all sorts of questions whenever they come across a person who has recently come from Pakistan.
First it was in the news that there was some letter purported to have originated from the GHQ and sent to some politicians. It was not published in any paper and may not be published even now, but it is on home computers here and even some have photocopies through the generosity of the foreign media.
Just a glance at this letter will tell a sane person that it is fake. Someone who has just put a GHQ insignia, which is available with most printers and can be printed through any printer on any paper, cannot make it an authentic document. Its language and the fact of the letter being handwritten in Urdu without any trace of the author should have militated against giving any weight to the letter, let alone making it a national issue. Whosoever received such a letter should have thrown it into the trash can.
The way it has been released to the foreign media and the way it is being used is worrisome.
As a layman I would say that handling of this delicate issue has not been done correctly by the government, the politicians and the national press. Watching from outside the country one can see how minor issues are turned into major crises, which lead to tarnishing the image of the country.
Perhaps there is absence of a proper forum which should study and analyse major issues and chalk out a policy to counter any adverse propaganda that could mislead the nation. Such a body should include people from the media and experts.
SYED USMAN ALI
Melbourne, Australia
IN his article “Provocation and ignorance” (Nov 1), Mr Kuldip Nayar says: “Pakistan is afraid that its creation may come to be questioned if Muslims realize that the Muslims in India are more in number and articulate their identity openly despite the Hindutva onslaught.” The numbers that he relies on are quite contrary to facts.
I draw his attention to The World Factbook 2003, published by the CIA and updated every year with information taken directly from the official statistical agency of each country covered. According to this factbook, Muslims in India numbered 125.9 million (12 per cent of the population) as of July 2003, whereas Muslims in Pakistan amounted to 146.17 million (97 per cent of population). The discrepancy in Mr Nayar’s numbers is obvious.
Secondly, even if there were more Muslims in India, why should that raise doubts about Pakistan’s creation? There were more Jews in the US in 1948 when Israel was created. After decades of state-sponsored migration, there are more Jews even now in the US than in Israel.
Mr Nayar says that Muslim’s articulate their identity openly despite the Hindutva onslaught. That there are elements in the governing coalition in India who are trying to force Muslims to hide their identity shows that fascism is gaining ground. As an illustrious journalist, Mr Nayar would do well to raise alarm against this onslaught on the Muslims. He should also question as to why, even after 56 years of independence, Muslims are woefully under-represented in the legislature, the civil services, and the armed forces of the country.
ZIAUDDIN AHMED
Germantown MD, USA
AS a gesture of goodwill to neighbouring Pakistan, Global Hospitals at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, is offering to undertake living related paediatric liver transplantation, almost free of cost, for poor Pakistani children.
The 150-bed Global Hospitals, the only dedicated facility in India to undertake multi-organ transplantation, has successfully carried out both cadaveric and living related liver and kidney transplantations. It is getting ready to undertake heart transplants too. The government of India’s Technology Development Board has part-funded the facility so that it will emerge as a centre of excellence and set benchmarks in multi-organ transplantation.
Dr Mohammad Rela, world renowned paediatric liver transplant surgeon of King’s College Hospital, London, will be at Global Hospitals from Nov 6 for consultations and undertaking advanced liver surgeries.
For an appointment with Dr Rela, one can contact Global Hospitals at 091-94404-34567 or email to drpatnaik@globalhospital.net.
In the case of children, a mother or father can donate a segment of the liver for transplantation on their offspring. Global Hospitals has, therefore, decided to extend the paediatric liver transplantation service to Pakistani children who cannot afford the big cost involved. Dr K. Ravindranath, managing director of Global Hospitals, says: “If the parents meet the costs of the drugs and disposables, Global Hospitals will take care of the rest.”
DR R. PATNAIK
Hyderabad, India
ONE hopes that public opinion such as that expressed in the superb article “Rethinking Kashmir” by Mr Kunwar Idris and in the recent columns by Mr Irfan Husain and Mr Ayaz Amir shakes the rulers of Pakistan in realizing the folly of their obsession with Kashmir and their kid-glove treatment of the fringe extremist elements.
The United States was able to subdue the mighty Soviet Union by engaging it in a costly arms race which America could afford but which bankrupted Russia. Precisely, a similar situation is developing in the subcontinent where India, already far more advanced than Pakistan in almost every sphere of activity, can easily outspend Pakistan in strengthening its military posture and continuing its occupation of Kashmir. When both countries become economic powers of substance, the ferocity of this 56-year-old dispute may subside on its own.
Pakistan cannot be a formidable economic power unless it controls the violence perpetrated by the extremists with an iron hand. The government, despite its periodic bold statements, does not appear to be very serious about tackling this menace so as not to annoy the ‘jihadis’ who are waging the ‘proxy’ war in Kashmir which, as the above-mentioned intellectuals have so clearly pointed out, is not in the interest of Pakistan.
M. HAIDER
New Jersey, USA
RECENTLY, passing by the historic but now deserted building of the old NED Engineering College, I thought of philanthropists Nausherwanjee, Eduljee and Dinshaw who established this first engineering institution of Sindh. I also thought of one of its first Muslim engineers, Dr M. S. Qureshi, who taught in Aligarh as a professor of civil engineering, after being offered a job equivalent to a sub-engineer in his own province.
It is sad that this historic institution is lying vacant, exposed to deterioration, while many young people are seeking admissions abroad, or to fake institutions, in search of technical know-how and research which is badly needed.
I urge the president, the prime minister and the Sindh governor to order restoration of this institution.
S. M. H. RIZVI
Karachi
FOR years old pensioners have been demanding their right to indexing their pensions with those of new retirees of equivalent rank/grade as is the normal practice internationally, including in India. With successive governments, both civilian and military, being opposed to it, the pensioners took up this issue with the federal ombudsman who supported it and recommended its acceptance to the government.
This was, however, rejected by President Ziaul Haq. The case was then moved in the Shariat Court which gave a ruling in their favour but the government went into an appeal to the Supreme Court and since then (the early ‘90s) the case has been in pending.
Meanwhile, prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Oct 1, 1999, publicly announced the doing away of disparity between pensioners of over 70 years of age and the new retirees. Although a partial concession, the principle of parity was thus accepted by the government. Surprisingly, this has been ignored by the military government. This was also brought to the notice of President Pervez Musharraf but to no avail.
Interestingly, the principle of the same pay for old and new pensioners has, however, been accepted in the case of the judiciary. Why this discrimination?
To show the deep disparity that has developed over the years, I have given below the comparative pension scales (in rupees) of those retired in the 70s (the worse affected) and are now over 80 years of age and the new retirees.
Old New
Vice Admiral/Lt-Gen — 6,450
Rear Admiral/Maj-Gen 9,580 24,150
Commodore/Brig 8,600 22,425
Captain PN/Col 7,400 21,275
Commander/L-Col 7,000 19,550
Lt Cdr/Maj 6,500 17,250
Lt/Capt 3,500 11,500
Federal secretary 9,600 26,450
The lot of the lower staff would surely be much worse, some perhaps living below poverty line. Is this justice Pakistan-style? Since the pensions of the judges has already been indexed and the then prime minister had announced the acceptance of the principle of parity, there is no justification for denying this benefit to the old pensioners and is perhaps even illegal. The government should withdraw its appeal to the Supreme Court against the judgment of the Shariat Court, and show a proof of its oft-repeated claim of good governance. Remember justice delayed is justice denied.
REAR ADMIRAL (RETD)
S. Z. HASNAIN
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Taj Haider’s letter “Need for a left of centre party” (Nov 3) in which he claims that the PPP stands for the issues of the vast majority and that is the reason it enjoys huge support in the country.
It is hard for me to digest such a conclusion about the PPP. How can we expect a political party to stand for the issues of the vast majority of the people when the vast majority of its elected leaders belong to the feudal class? The reason why the PPP is able to poll so many votes is because feudal lords always manage to get votes from their areas as no one can dare oppose them. As long as feudal lords are members of the PPP and the feudal system exists in the country, the PPP will always be able to get votes, irrespective of its performance.
I would like to ask Mr Haider as to how many of the elected leaders (both male and female) of his party belong to the middle and lower-income groups? Why is it that leaders of the poor are always rich in our country? Perhaps, a large majority of the people do support the PPP but only a small minority of educated people back it.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
IT is quite disturbing to read in the article “Speaking out against tenure appointments” (‘Education’ Nov 2) by Dr Riaz Ahmed, chairman, Applied Chemistry department, University of Karachi, that the department has about 80 per cent of the faculty members without PhD degrees.
Dr Ahmed blames the university for not providing scholarships since 1979 to the department’s faculty members to do PhD from abroad.
Anyone who reads newspapers would know that many countries and foundations announce several scholarships every year. But these are awarded on merit. The question is, why were the Applied Chemistry faculty members unable to make use of these scholarships in the last quarter of a century?
Only at a stone’s throw from the chemistry department is the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry. Just like the writer’s department, the HEJ Institute also grew out of the chemistry department and has so far produced some 140 PhDs. Isn’t there something that the department of Applied Chemistry could learn from its sibling institution, i.e. HEJ? Why haven’t the senior teachers of the Applied Chemistry department who got PhDs in the 1970s guided their younger faculty members in obtaining PhD since 1979?
DR PARVAIZ NAIM
Kathmandu, Nepal
ACCORDING to a press story on Dawn’s international pages, an Indian scholar is working hard to decipher the inscription and symbols appearing on the Indus Valley seals, excavated by a British explorer in 1924-27.
According to this historian, the mystery of a lost legend of this rich ancient civilization is soon to be solved and the enigma contents will reveal whatever that was once this grand civilization on the banks of the mighty river (2500-3500 BC).
The researcher believes that the symbols and lines appearing on the Indus Valley seals is in close resemblance to the ancient artifacts found in Iraq. Maybe yes or maybe no, because Western historians have failed to connect the two ancient civilizations, though trade and commerce may have occurred between them directly.
The Indus Valley has deep roots in Tibet plateau due to the flow of the river Indus that fountains from this legendary geolocale. The historians must, therefore, dig into the roots of the ancient Indus civilization in this part of geography to find the key to this mystery.
KHALID DURRANI
Karachi
THE Hudood Ordinance should be eliminated as soon as possible, because as long as they remain on the books, they will only bring shame to all Muslims and denigrate Islam in the eyes of others.
Pakistan as a Islamic republic should ensure that our religion is not misused and mutilated for personal gains or subjugation of any human.
SANOBER Q. HAIDER
Princeton, NJ, USA
WE watch PTV plays for enjoyment but are frequently interrupted by the showing of ads between the scenes. Their placement is so untimely and odd that it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. My question is: don’t we pay the annual fee?
PROF (MRS) S. P. MIRZA
Lahore
THE decision to provide relaxation in import rules to allow a federal minister to import a bullet-proof vehicle in consideration of insecurity to his life is welcome but this raises a serious concern about the law and order situation in the country. When a minister-cum-chieftain does not feel secure and does not put trust in the law-enforcement agencies, what about the people at large?
NIZAMUDDIN PIRZADA
Khairpur Mir’s
THIS is with reference to Beenish Naz’s letter “Judo Training” (Nov 3).
Does she honestly believe judo training will save someone against a gun-wielding kidnapper, robber or killer? Martial arts saves lives only in movies. In today’s world, this training would provide little, if any, protection against such elements.
NASIR ABBAS
Austin, TX, USA
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