| 19 January 2004 | Monday | 26 Ziqa'ad 1424 |
An air passenger's ordeal
Whither Iran revolution?
Security obsession
Road to Swat
'Joyride of the victors'
Bahbood savings certificates
Request to KBCA
What America stands for
Indian visas
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I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the plight of the residents of Karore, Kotli Sattian tehsil, Rawalpindi district.
Karore was initially a part of Murree. Dhanyal, Abbasi and Satti tribes have been living in this area for about seven centuries, in peace and harmony. The tehsil comprises a number of villages and towns - the biggest among them is Karore. Most of the men are serving in armed forces. Kotli Sattian is connected with telephone through the Kahuta dialling code and has road links through Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Murree.
In 1985 a water supply scheme was launched by the Public Health Engineering Department, government of Punjab. Initially, it was running very effectively, but due to the ever-lowering of underground water level, the scheme is a shambles. Women have to fetch water from far-off places and have to suffer a lot. The depletion of water resources has brought unlimited difficulties to the people of this area.
Despite being locality close to Islamabad, the area has always been neglected. The worst thing is that some of the villages like Bissah and Kalalahi of this tehsil are still without electricity, water supply, roads and the telephone facility. The rate of literacy is 95 per cent, but after matriculation many students discontinue their education as there is no college in the area.
There is no NGO working in the area. The Rural Health Centre in Karore remains without medicines and medical staff during most part of the year. It will be a great service to the people of adjoining localities if a maternity home is established in the rural health centre.
To solve the water problem on a permanent basis, reservoirs on seasonal nullahs and rivulets are to be built. The people will then be able to store plenty of water for cultivating crops, and the sub-soil water level will also improve. After filtration, water so collected can be used for drinking purpose also.
The high-ups in Islamabad, NGOs and donor agencies are supposed to look into the matter of neighbours and mobilize resources to establish water reservoirs in every village of Kotli Sattian. Such an arrangement will eradicate poverty to a greater extent. The work will be easier with the involvement of local councils, government and social workers of the tehsil.
The main resource from this tehsil to the government of Punjab is timber and rosin. The forest wealth of Kotli Sattian must be preserved by providing gas to the above-mentioned villages and towns.
A degree college and a vocational training centre each for boys and girls need to be established. For better access, telephones should be linked to the dialling code 051 instead of 0578. It will not only reduce burden on the people who are paying exorbitant charges to communicate with their relatives mostly having the dialling code 051, but also reduce the migration rate from rural areas to Islamabad where Dhanyal and Gillani Syed tribes are residing. The clientele will also be increase.
ABDUL RASHID DHANYAL
Rawalpindi
An air passenger's ordeal
On January 4 I travelled from Karachi to Dubai on EK605 in business class for onwards connection to London on EK001 in first class, and then to New York JFK on United.
EK605 arrived late at Dubai International Airport and I reached the departure gate of EK001 as soon as I could at 0720, about 25 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Much to my shock and dismay I was advised by the gate agent that I had been offloaded. He did not give me any explanation and asked me to wait for a supervisor.
The supervisor, Abdul Aziz, arrived at the gate, but he too refused to make known the reason behind my offloading. The best he could do was to direct me to the first class lounge and ask me to wait until someone from reservations could book me on the next available flight.
From 0800 to 1200 I waited in the lounge with no update whatsoever of my status. Finally a reservation agent arrived and proceeded to re-book me from Dubai to London on EK003 on the same day.
Since my connection on United Airlines from London to New York was already missed and no United flights were available to connect with EK003, I was booked on American Airlines despite my protest and objection that American Airlines is not my carrier of choice and that since I had missed my chosen flight, I should be allowed to make a choice. There was also a Virgin flight from London to New York that connected with EK 003 and I requested the agent to put me on this flight. He refused outright stating that my request was unreasonable and that I had to take American or find my own way to New York.
During routine reconfirmation in New York I found out that all my return flights stood cancelled because I had failed to travel on my originally booked flight and there was no notification from Emirates.
On arrival in London I went to the Emirates transfer desk to inform them that I did not wish to travel on American and if they could book me on Virgin instead. My request was gracefully honoured and I flew on Virgin and arrived in New York at midnight, instead of 1500 which was the time of arrival of United.
It is clear that the once great Emirates Airlines has started to sag under its own weight owing to rapid expansion. Perhaps the powers that be at Emirates should pay some attention to the quality of ground handling at Dubai and not spend so much time basking in the glory of past performance. Ground handling is where it all starts. Of late, Emirates has becoming a non-starter.
SAEED A.M. DADABHOY
Karachi
Whither Iran revolution?
This is apropos of the present tussle between the reformists and the conservatives in Iran, with a similar situation existing in Pakistan.
I was a wing commander teaching officers of the Imperial Iranian Air Force at the Pakistan College of Aeronautical Engineering in Karachi when the Shah of Iran was deposed by Imam Khomeini in 1979. I was very enthusiastic about the revolution which was given the name of Islamic revolution.
Even at that time, some 25 years back, I thought that the people of Iran would continue to be modern and eager to learn from progressive countries like America, Britain, France and Germany and, of course, Pakistan.
In my enthusiasm I learnt Persian from my Iranian students, so that I could understand a book Islam Shanasi by Dr Ali Shariati, which was the forerunner of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. His sentence Insan miyane doo bi-nihayat ast was very inspiring to me and also very modern in the context of things. Also, he interpreted the story of Habeel and Qabeel, both sons of Adam, as being a struggle between the socialism of Habeel and the capitalism of Qabeel: it was not a struggle between the two brothers because of their wives.
Although Saddam Hussein was a tyrant dictator, who allowed himself to be used by Reagan and Bush Sr. against the Islamic Republic of Iran, I was expecting that some kind of help would be provided by the Iranian air force against the wilful intrusion of Bush and Blair in Iraq in the name of democracy and WMD - both are still missing in Iraq.
The readers of these columns should realize that the American and the British with all their modern weaponry have failed to control the various sections of the Iraqi population such as the Kurds, the Sunnis and the Shias. Iraq is a difficult country to keep together and that Saddam Hussein was able to keep them together for almost 40 years, albeit using excessive force, goes to his credit.
As a US citizen I do not support the massive killing by both Saddam Hussein and Bush Junior, and I do regret Bush and Blair using US and British troops like in the style of warlords. Their threats against Iran are meaningless because both the United States and Britain have amassed weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons without any apparent reason to do so after the undoing of the Soviet Union.
AHMAD ZAFAR FAROOQI
Karachi
Security obsession
The people who matter are so much obsessed with security that whenever there is the movement of a VVIP, the people on that route are made to suffer. Perhaps the VVIPs do not realize the ill treatment meted out by different security agencies to the very people who got them to the offices they occupy. They forget that they are elected to serve the people and not rule and abuse them.
Moreover, much taxpayers money is spent on one such movement. Green belts have been converted into posts for Rangers and diplomatic security staff. Every other house in F sectors have private security guards. Barriers have been erected across some streets in Islamabad. The diplomatic enclave is out of bound for all Pakistanis. It appears Islamabad is under siege Where are we headed? Why do we feel so insecure? Are we free citizens. I think nowhere in the civilized world the movement of its citizens is restricted in the name of security.
Security agencies should acquire latest technology to fight various crimes instead of making an armed policeman, with an equally outdated gun, stand in extreme weather at different hours of the day and night. The amount of money saved on providing glamour to the security could be diverted for acquiring this technology.
It is suggested that, instead of checkposts all over Islamabad, security cameras be installed at all the toll plazas at entry points to Islamabad. This would provide all the data such as time, date, car number (installed at the motorway toll plaza) and whether explosive is being carried in the vehicle (such a gadget is installed at the entrance to a local hotel in Islamabad).
For narcotics, sniffer dogs should be kept at the toll plaza. In short, all the security should be done at the entrance to Islamabad. Similarly, such cameras should be installed at all the airports. It would reduce some burden on the city police and would be less cumbersome. All the vehicles passing through the toll plazas would be automatically checked and their entrance to the city recorded. No person in uniform should have the right to abuse and violate the right of the citizens.
A CITIZEN
Islamabad
Road to Swat
I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the appalling condition of a road leading to Swat. The Swat Valley with its many interesting historical and natural features greatly interest tourists, specially Chinese and Japanese who are seen in the valley throughout the year.
This road is now the only link with the valley, since the rails laid by the British end at Dargi and the sole flight to Saidu Sharif has been called off.
While driving from Peshawar or Islamabad towards Swat, you are fine up to Mardan. Beyond this, however, there exists no road; a few concrete patches are not a substitute for a road.
I have been visiting Swat since my childhood when traffic was not that heavy and the road was not that bad. Whatever road we had in the past has nearly disappeared. Driving on the present road is a nightmare, yet you have no choice. I appeal to the relevant concerned to rebuild this road on a priority basis.
PROF MOHAMMAD ISHAQ
Karachi
'Joyride of the victors'
This refers to Mr Ayaz Amir's column "Joyride of the victors" of January 9. The writer cannot seem to make up his mind whether in agreeing to a composite dialogue with India, Pakistan has "bid a last farewell to jihad in Kashmir" and sold them out like we did the Taliban, or made a "historic compromise".
He begins his article with criticizing General Pervez Musharraf for his reassurance that Pakistani soil will not be used to support terrorism. There is nothing new in that statement which should get Mr Amir so indignant. Pakistan has been routinely repeating this line since after September 11, and this can hardly be termed a "huge concession".
What Mr Amir chooses to completely ignore is that the first paragraph of the Pakistan-India joint statement states that India is ready to talk to Pakistan on all outstanding issues, including that of Kashmir, and that the dispute will be settled to the "satisfaction of both sides". Granted that satisfaction of both sides in this case might prove to be mutually exclusive, it clearly does not weigh in favour of India.
The fact that India has agreed to discuss Kashmir to the satisfaction of both sides and not stuck to the original line of it being an integral part and an internal matter of India surely should have deserved a mention in his article.
The world around us is rapidly changing, and it is imperative that concessions be made by both Mr Vajpayee and General Musharraf. That is the only way forward and is essential to make our region safe and improve the impoverished lives of millions.
Mr Amir criticizes General Musharraf for "grandstanding on Kashmir" at Agra, only to call it "a loss of face for Pakistan" now that an agreement for a dialogue has been reached. All international observers agree that the carefully worded joint statement gives away nothing by either side.
It is merely an easing off on the tough rhetoric by both sides which the international community is not willing to benignly overlook anymore. We should hope that by agreeing to talk to India, Pakistan can accelerate the hesitant economic recovery made in 2003 and not call it a "joyride of the (Indian) victors".
I usually regard Mr Amir's articles as being both informative and interesting. In this instance, however, he has let his dislike of General Musharraf overwhelmingly colour his judgement. He should do better than to let that happen.
SAIRA SHAH
Karachi
(2)
When President Pervez Musharraf offered to set aside the UN resolutions on Kashmir, he did not abandon the right of the Kashmiri people to decide their own future. This can only be done through a plebiscite, a referendum or free and fair elections.
Therefore, the main theme of the UN resolutions vis-a-vis ascertaining the wishes of the Kashmiri people remains intact as a cornerstone of our Kashmir policy.
F. U. AHMAD
Karachi
Bahbood savings certificates
These days we see in the newspaper central directorate of National Savings advertisement on the subject, tempting senior citizens by using the words "great news" which contain only 10.08 per cent rate of profit per annum on the above Bahbood certificates.
If we recollect the rates of return applicable to DSC, NSC and other such government securities in the past, the years 1994, 1996 and 1999 were far better than the existing one. Moreover, at that time everyone was entitled to invest at their own will without any restriction whatsoever.
We know that the prices of all the commodities of daily use are currently not the same they were in the past but the return was then fabulous. The present regime having good knowledge of this is well prepared to make drastic reductions from time to time. This can be observed from the fact that the last such slash was made effective from January 1, 2004, a New Year gift for all the concerned citizens.
It would be to the contrary if the Central Directorate of National Savings kindly look into their advertisement and, accordingly, rectify the words "great news" inasmuch because the rate of return is less attractive than it was previously and also the Bahbood Savings Certificates are restricted to senior citizens only.
SULTAN ALI
Karachi
Request to KBCA
I am a resident of Clifton Block-4, Karachi, and outside my house there is illegal construction going on. Our block has bungalows on plots measuring 1,000 and 2,000 square yards. But new builders are constructing eight buildings of 4,000 square yards each, which is illegal.
When we submitted an application to the Sindh governor about the problem, he called for a report from the KBCA authorities who informed the governor that they were immediately going to stop the illegal construction. They further said that the building plan had been withdrawn and the second floor of the building would be demolished. These officials sent a notice to the owner of plot as well.
However, the illegal construction is still going on, and within one month the builders have constructed five roofs. Four buildings are almost complete. The builders have already changed the look of the area for the worse.
Once again we appeal to the authorities concerned to stop the illegal construction and make amends for the wrong already done to the area.
ALHAJ MUHAMMAD RAMZAN
Karachi
What America stands for
International critics continuously blame American foreign policy. Insecure and intellectually dishonest politicians around the world have made it fashionable to denigrate America.
However, I have a different view on American involvement in world affairs. The United States always tries its best to be an honest broker in international disputes. When ethnic violence erupted in former Yugoslavia, it was America that sent its armed forces to stop the genocide. Today it is busy reconstructing Iraq and Afghanistan after years of despotic rulers. And it recently sent over 120,000 pounds of medical supplies to help the devastated earthquake victims of Bam, Iran.
Further, enumerating American greatness is the separation of church and state in its government; a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. In America, unlimited opportunities are available to everyone; there is an egalitarian value system that promotes dignity of human life; basic human rights are enshrined in its constitution and are protected by everyone.
Only in the US, all people are equal under law, and where men, women and children are protected from physical and psychological abuses. The rights of minorities are also protected in this country.
BEHRAM B. ATASHBAND
Austin, Texas, USA
Indian visas
Ninety-five per cent of the people who visit India belong to Karachi and Sindh. It is a hard task for them, in terms of both money and time, to travel about 1,600km to Islamabad to obtain their visas.
As most of the persons who want to visit India are old, women and children, they find this journey tiresome and daunting. It is, therefore, suggested that the Indian consulate general in Karachi should be reopened immediately.
If the Khokhrapar-Monabao rail route is reopened, it will not only help people to visit central and southern parts of India, but also bring economic prosperity to this area.
S. M. A. RIZVI
Karachi
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