| December 19, 2003 | Friday | Shawwal 24, 1424 |
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Islam and the West
Checking pollution
Safety awareness
NED admissions policy
A girl’s ordeal
Agosta submarine
Lahore-Kasur Road
Some sporting thoughts
Common currency
Needed: law to protect places of worship
THE role played by the finance minister and the State Bank governor in implementing the fiscal and banking policies framed by the IMF and the World Bank during the last four years needs to be reviewed by independent economists to ascertain the correct picture of Pakistan’s economy.
The two economic managers may have done well for the foreign donors but nothing for the people. They have admitted that benefits of their achievements have not reached the common man. They have also admitted that unemployment has risen and poverty is increasing. The cost of living has been going up daily and the recent surge in the prices of essential items of daily use is unprecedented and should be an eye-opener for those who claim that inflation is well under control.
More than a 100 per cent increase in the salaries and perks of the members of the National Assembly and the Senate is indicative of the realization of high inflation which also necessitated an increase in the salaries of other government officials, including the forces, judiciary, the SBP and the CBR, a few months back. Where is the relief for the people in the private sector, senior citizens, retired persons, people from low-income groups?
The rulers have seemingly done nothing tangible to lessen their burden. No one in the ruling class has taken any notice of their plight and hardship. Rather, a distorted definition of inflation is floated around to mislead the people. The SBP governor’s argument that less return in the hands of the investors in the NSS means more value in hand is not valid as it is a negation of the well-established theory of inflation the world over.
According to him, when return on the NSS was 16 per cent four years ago, the rate of inflation was also high, about 15 per cent, but now it is about three per cent, and that is why the profit has been reduced.
Well, according to a simple economic theory, the value of money increases when the price level as a whole goes down and not by the rate of inflation. Inflation, whether high or low, invariably decreases the value of money or the purchasing power of money. For example, if something which was available for Rs100 when the return on the NSS was 16 per cent is now available for Rs84, then the cut in profit is no doubt justified. But if the same thing now costs Rs103, it means the value of money has gone down by three per cent. Accordingly, the profit on the national savings schemes should have been increased proportionately and not reduced.
It is time the economic managers played honest and fair with the nation. People should not be burdened with each and every unfair condition of the IMF and the World Bank.
It is, however, somewhat heartening to know that the finance ministry is now planning to repay some of the foreign loans before their maturity and it may not require further loans from them. If it is so, it will certainly help. The rulers may gain some flexibility in managing their affairs on their own. This gives a dim hope to the nation that the authorities may not comply fully with those conditions which go against the interest of the common man. The donors’ policy of first creating poverty and then providing funds for its alleviation is counter-productive and should be discarded.
It is hoped the authorities will now announce some relief package for the common man and the senior citizens. This package so announced should include the provision for an upward revision of the return on the NSS for the deserving investors, which is the crying need of the hour.
S. ANWAR ALI
Karachi
THIS refers to the article by the Rev Giles Fraser, titled “Islamophobia in Xmas wrapping”, recently published in Dawn.
We have seen for centuries on end that Christianity and Islam have remained distinct and exclusive. We have also seen the two civilizations run along parallel courses, yet we have not seen the two as so incompatible as has prejudicially been portrayed by Franklin Graham, Jerry Farwell, Pat Robertson and Jerry Vines of the evangelical Church, particularly the world after 9/11.
Islam is perceived as an abode of fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism and as a religion which is honeycombed with intolerant barbaric practices.
Bertrand Russell in his most celebrated book, History of Western philosophy, writes: “Throughout the Middle Ages, the Mohammedans were more civilized and more humane than the Christians. Christians persecuted Jews, especially at time of religious excitement; the crusades were associated with appalling pogroms....”
The Bridge between Islam and Christianity, a book written by Dr William Baker, a former archaeologist, dismisses the often-expressed warning that Islam, the fastest growing religion in the world, threatens the democracies of the West and that Christians and the Muslims are headed for an inevitable clash, as Professor Samuel Huntington predicts as the clash of civilizations, reminiscent of the ancient crusades.
Baker notes: “Although the Jews joined with the enemies of early Islam, neither they nor Judaism were targeted by Muhammad or Islam. It is a fact of history that when the Jews were being persecuted in Europe during the Middle Ages they found peace, harmony, and acceptance among the Muslim people of Spain. In fact, this was the era of Jewish history that they themselves refer to as the Golden Age.”
Would the Western Church gainsay that the Reformation — a rational revolt against the Church — owes its debt to Islamic indoctrination of latitudinarianism? The glaring commentaries on Islam and the life of the holy Prophet (peace be upon him) by Carlyle and Professor Smith are the best reflections of Islam as a religion preserving the universal values such as humanism, peace and fraternity.
A. J. Toynbee’s “Trail on Civilization” and the painstaking works of Dr Khalifa Abdul Hakim, titled Islamic Ideology and The Prophet and His Message provide much food for thought for the West to demystify its myth and concept of Islam.
The Rev Robert H. Schuller preaches: “True believers in God must move our society and our world from incompatibility to compatibility; from intolerance to tolerance; positive Christians and Muslims becoming partners in peace.”
It is high time the promoters of both Christianity and Islam worked for a coalition rather than creating a collision between them.
S.Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Mr Akbar Khan (Dec 7) wherein almost all kinds of pollution have been discussed.
Adequate garbage collection is not in operation anywhere in Pakistan, with the result that heaps of stinking garbage are found in almost all cities.
As stated by Mr Khan, garbage burning is prevalent in many cities like Karachi where early in the morning it may be witnessed in many areas. Likewise, overflowing gutters are now a common sight. So is the case with air pollution, particularly in big cities, where there is no dearth of smoke-emitting vehicles, including rickshaws which cause both air and noise pollution.
According to the chairman of the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources, Dr Akram Kowhloon, (Dawn, Dec 10), the water quality monitoring has shown that in none of the major cities of Pakistan, the water supplied to the people is fit for drinking.
It is obvious that every type of pollution is directly related to infection and spread of various diseases. By reducing pollution we will certainly be reducing the expenditure on medicine, hospitals’ upkeep and other auxiliary services.
In the biological world, all pollutants are also known as well-established mutagenic agents. Hence, pollution not only affects our current health status, but may also affect our future generations. Should we not take adequate steps for creating awareness and healthy environment now rather than make huge investments in medicines, hospitals, sanatoriums and asylums for abnormal persons for the rich and let the poor die in miserable conditions?
In India, as per a decision of the Supreme Court, now no motor vehicle is allowed to enter Delhi which is not on CNG, with the result that air pollution has considerably been reduced. Can our Supreme Court also rise to the occasion?
S. I. Ali
Karachi
I AM in the field of oil trading. In respect of the recent blast at a CNG pump in Karachi, my opinion is that every personnel working in a team must be aware of safety hazards.
There are certain things to be checked /done as soon as a motorist or a pedestrian enters the premises of a petrol pump.
1. Avoid using any electrical equipment which is battery-operated.
2. Do not use the mobile phone. It is highly hazardous as it is not safe in operation and is a flammable material.
3. Personnel working/handling the equipment must report promptly to their supervisor anything which they think is not right or safe.
4. Personnel using CNG or petrol must get their kits checked by authorized dealers only and they must get certificates from them for future references.
5. PPE (personnel protective equipment) should always be used by those handling the equipment.
6. The staff working at CNG stations must fully know the use of fire extinguishers, what kind of extinguisher to use in certain type of fire, and what emergency medical treatment they can provide to a victim.
7. The government must introduce an annual inspection system for all vehicles and refuelling stations. The fitness inspection department can not only generate a huge amount of money for the government but keep our lives safe and sound as well. The same money can also be used for training personnel. Fit and problem-free cars can play a vital role in making our environment healthy.
OMER HALIM
Islamabad
THIS is to bring a problem being faced by many A level students to the notice of the authorities concerned.
Admission to the NED Engineering University is on merit — based on the results of a admission test and certain percentage of marks obtained in HSC and SSC examinations. This is quite logical and has worked fine so far.
However, more and more children of the middle and upper-middle classes are opting for A level exams. Although they have to study one year extra, their parents have the satisfaction that their children are getting better education which is not based on rote learning alone.
These students are Karachi-domiciled and have studied in local schools. Their parents are generally from the salaried class who pay income tax to the government every month. Unfortunately, in return, they are being discriminated against; they have been restricted to compete for only two per cent of the seats. The remaining seats are for the HSC students.
In fact, tax payers should be given preference in admissions of their children, and not vice versa. Equal opportunities should be given to the A level and HSC students of Karachi to compete with one another, and admissions should be on merit.
NED as a university and the nation as a whole would benefit by this. If complete parity cannot be given immediately, at least the quota of seats for the A level students should be increased to 20 per cent of the total seats. I request the authorities to look into the matter.
ZAHID HUSSAIN
Karachi
WHICH soul won’t be moved and which eye won’t shed tears on the sight of grief-stricken Ms Almani?
A beautiful girl, full of confidence, as seen in a photo only a few weeks ago, wore an agonized and distressed look when she dragged herself with the help of two policewomen to a court room in Sukkur this Wednesday. She resembled the Sohni of the Shah of Bhitt, drowned in deep waters, and threatened by the animals of this world. She seemed asking the humanity if it could help her — save her body and her element.
In the courtroom, she was shaking and broke down frequently. What have they done to her? Were it just the anxiety, the anguish and the torment that she has suffered or something else?
Reports say she has been subjected to severe torture that has paralysed her. If that is the case, one should ask: who has done it to her? Her husband? Sardars? The system? Society? Won’t they be brought to justice? This should really be the testing case of these times.
AZIZ NAREJO
Corpus Christi, TX, USA
NO nation can claim to be great unless it has the potential to indigenously produce its requirements, particularly in the field of defence. Thanks to the armed forces, following the construction of very reliable tanks and aircraft, the Agosta submarine has also been commissioned successfully.
The construction of this submarine of highly advanced technology is a very big step forward in self-reliance, and demonstrates the skill and devotion of our naval engineers and dockyard personnel who deserve all praise.
We should not forget to thank the French government which did not discontinue its collaboration in this field even after many of their naval personnel, engaged in assisting us in this project, lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Karachi some time back.
ABDUL SALAM DADABHOY
Karachi
KASUR is a neighbouring district of Lahore but, unfortunately, the road leading to it from Lahore is like a village-to-market road. Thousands of people travel daily on this two-way road which is in bad shape these days. On and off, accidents take place on the road, resulting in deaths and injuries to passengers.
The relevant authorities are requested to turn the road into a dual carriage way urgently.
A COMMUTER
Kasur
ALL the fun in the world of sports in Pakistan has been shifted to upcountry towns, and the southern region has been suffering from a dry period for a long time.
While our compatriots in Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Rawalpindi continue to enjoy international cricket matches and other sport, Karachiites are left to watch such games on television.
Using their entrepreneurship skills, Karachiites have found some very popular uses of this largely unutilized valuable space. Karachi’s National Stadium has become a coliseum of sorts. It appears that the authorities will continue to deny us events more sporting than tying the nuptial knots.
It is, therefore, suggested that this open and wide space be turned into a resort for animals, some kind of an open safari zoo.
Such a project, it is believed, will generate more revenues, and satisfy some of the wild desires of Karachiites about seeing some playful monkeys on the run, a pleasing alternative to watching world-class sportspersons in action.
SUMREENAH HASHIM SYED
Karachi
THE recent opinion article “Common currency proposal” by Sultan Ahmed is a well-written piece but the writer, despite mentioning all advantages of a common currency and free trade, comes back to the same point, i.e. “the political impediments”.
I do not understand why
we cannot let the money talk
if we all know the benefits
of economic ties. Let us make the subcontinent a better place to live in where everybody has the basic civic amenities.
Can’t we put Kashmir on the back burner and give trade a chance?
KANWAR SINGH ARORA
New Delhi, India
I FULLY agree with and thank you for your editorial of Dec 3, titled “Leave the temple alone”. In this editorial, you have demanded that the Peshawar Cantonment Board’s decision to demolish a residential compound that is inhabited by members of the Balmiki community and includes a 140-year-old temple should be quashed.
If it were the matter of just an old building, a decision to demolish it would have disturbed me because of its historical value, a source of cultural pride for any society. However, the issue here is much bigger than history. The building in question is a place of worship and it is the entire society’s bounden duty to respect and protect it.
How could a group of people who would not enter a mosque while wearing shoes (I say this with a sense of deep solidarity with the practice of removing shoes before entering a mosque) think nothing of deciding to demolish a house of worship?
It is the third anniversary of the horrific act of the destruction of the Bamyan Buddha at the hands of the Taliban cult. One only hopes that the Peshawar decision was not “inspired” by the same demented logic, now that the Taliban’s “intellectual cousins” are running the provincial government in Peshawar.
The anniversary of the tragic demolition of the centuries-old Babri Masjid has just passed. It was a terrible act of fanaticism and bigotry. It is hoped that respect for humanity will prevail and the world will be spared the pain of the destruction of yet another religiously sacred place.
The issue is not just that of Pakistan’s image abroad. The real issue is that it is the moral duty of the majority to treat the minority with utmost equality. If the temple is demolished, how much self-respect could members of the Peshawar Cantonment Board claim to command? Generally speaking, if one has lost self-respect, one cannot expect others to respect one.
I urge the president, the prime minister and all with a commitment to decency and justice to ensure that the above-mentioned morally defunct decision is rescinded. Moreover, the Peshawar Cantonment Board should apologize to Pakistanis, in general, and the Balmiki Pakistanis, in particular, for committing an act of insensitivity, in the first place.
Clearly, Pakistan is in dire need of a law that will ensure equal rights and protection to non-Muslim Pakistanis, their properties and their places of worship. Under this law, anyone attempting to impose the “tyranny of the majority” on the minorities must be reprimanded, pointedly. All fair societies have such a law.
Finally, I am confused at the silence over this issue of Pakistan’s clerics. I am sure they know that Islam expects its followers to respect all places of worship.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY, USA
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