| 25 January 2004 | Sunday | 02 Zilhaj 1424 |
PCB: 'merit has taken a back seat'
Hudood laws & govt-MMA deal
Old-age welfare fund
'Blight of ghost schools'
Pakistan-India peace process
Political parties
Poultry disease
Centenarian couple
Racist slur on PTV World
Dow University
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
While giving interviews to foreign TV channels, President Pervez Musharraf betrays a pronounced gentlemanly demeanour, which isn't always the best policy. In a recent interview given to CNN's Christian Amanpour, he was polite to the point of appearing evasive on the subject of Pakistan's alleged involvement in nuclear proliferation. He should have been more direct in replying to the clever CNN interviewer, instead of appearing decent to the point of being apologetic. Such a policy will eventually backfire.
Even if the inspired western press campaign fails in proving that proliferation was a statesponsored activity, it could still build a case for decommissioning Pakistan's nuclear capability, citing unreliability of its command and control mechanism as the justification.
Pakistan must, therefore, make it abundantly clear that no such weakness exists in the mechanism and the current "debriefing" of Pakistan's nuclear scientists was undertaken not under external pressure but out of Pakistan's concern for ensuring against system laxity that could lead to proliferation. To vindicate this stance, it would be worthwhile to conduct an extensive TV presentation on the control and command mechanism.
Pakistan did not invent nuclear technology. It was developed in Nazi Germany and, later on, perfected by the Allied powers to coerce the socialist block into submission. Nuclear weapons' technology sneaked into Israel, South Africa, India and Pakistan through the courtesy of European scientists and greedy US and European hi-tech companies. But European governments were never blamed for it. Nor was an orchestrated campaign for hounding the violators launched either in the US or in a European country. Why, then, is the West trying to pin the blame for the same violation on the Pakistan government?
Besides, while Pakistan appears to be the lone target of this smear campaign, there is a grand network of underground outfits in East Europe that is busy selling nuclear weapons technology to anyone who can pay for it. No one talks about it as loudly and as often. It is not difficult to guess why: after the capitulation of Iran and Libya, Pakistan is the only Muslim country with nuclear capability. Like Libya and Iran, it too has to be trapped into giving up this capability.
A.B. SHAHID
Karachi
PCB: 'merit has taken a back seat'
This refers to the comment on PCB Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan titled "Merit has taken a back seat under new PCB chief" (January 20) by Mr Imran Naeem Ahmad.
Having given the man a little over a month to take on a second most demanding job, Mr Naeem Ahmad proceeds to cast doubt on anything that has occurred under Mr Khan's watch so far. Most of the writer's comments are bereft of logic.
For example, a Test series win in a traditionally tough touring country and a one-day loss (4-1) that actually could have gone in Pakistan's favour given the rub of the green in a couple of tight games represent a "drubbing" to the writer.
In Mr Naeem Ahmad's opinion, having beaten New Zealand 5-0 at home a month ago, the 4-1 loss to the same side was ridiculous. But had he been following the series, he would have known that the tourists had played in Pakistan without seven first-team players, including their influential captain, Stephen Fleming. So, in fact, it wasn't really the same team.
Continuing, the writer tries to build an argument that the U-17 selection "muddle" was somehow the fault of the PCB chairman. So, the national selection committee picks a team without interference from the chairman (as it is supposed to do), passes on the names to the chairman (as it is supposed to do), he finds serious faults in the process (nepotism and over-age players) and suspends the original team (as he should do), and for doing so gets the blame for tarnishing the image of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
His attempt to pin the blame for the telecasting rights' fiasco on Mr Shaharyar Khan, though it happened during his predecessor's reign, shows the writer's desire to find something to moan about.
The TenSports 'controversy' began with the new PCB chairman stating that to ensure validity, a legal adviser would review all existing contracts, including those of broadcast rights. If, as is the case with any legal contract throughout the world, they are found valid, they will be honoured; there is, therefore, nothing "controversial" or "confused" here.
ALI AFZAL JAFRI
Karachi
Hudood laws & govt-MMA deal
This is with reference to the news item "Report on Hudood laws, women status launched" (January 23).
The news report has quoted an official source as saying that the government has asked the chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, Justice Majida Rizvi (retired), not to launch this report at this time as the government has recently reached an agreement with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on the LFO issue.
What has the government-MMA deal on the issue of the Legal Framework Order got to do with the issue of the Hudood laws? I wonder if there has been a covert deal between the government and the MMA in which the latter has been assured that the government will not support any movement against the Hudood laws. No wonder none of the government functionaries, including adviser to the prime minister on women's development Nilofar Bakhtiar, accepted the invitation to preside over the launching ceremony of the report.
Should my apprehensions turn out to be true, the MMA-government agreement will come as a blow to the women of Pakistan.
Every successive government has dared not to repeal this contentious piece of legislation for fear of the reaction of religious parties. One had high expectations that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, being a woman, and President General Pervez Musharraf, considered as a liberal leader, would have these discriminatory laws repealed. But it seems that in order to stay in power both compromised on this issue with the religious parties.
It is quite unfortunate that President Musharraf could singlehandedly bring about changes in the Constitution, but he left it to parliament to decide the fate of the Hudood laws. Just a few amendments to the Hudood ordinances could have changed the lives of thousands of women.
It is hoped that at least the women parliamentarians, regardless of their party affiliations, will unite to demand repeal of this absurd piece of legislation.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
Old-age welfare fund
The announcement by Acting President and Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro (Dawn, January 23) that the government is considering a scheme for creating an old-age welfare fund will be enthusiastically welcomed by the people, particularly the senior citizens - 60-plus who now number about 10 million in the country's population of 140 million.
As the government is now fairly affluent and has substantial funds to spare for poverty alleviation programmes, the proposed old-age welfare fund should be speedily created.
On October 1, 1999, the then prime minister, with the federal cabinet's full approval and vetting by the provincial governments, announced a detailed package of reliefs, concessions and benefits for senior citizens in a largely-attended government-convened convention for senior citizens in Islamabad, but unfortunately its implementation has been held in abeyance for unexplained reasons. Concession to senior citizens in air and train fares and more attention to the treatment of senior citizens in government hospitals, as well as relief to them in urban property taxes, were some of the features of this package.
Many progressive Asian countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India and Sri Lanka provide such benefits to their senior citizens as a part of their welfare services to the people.
The government of Pakistan had promised to the United Nations to implement the recommendations framed by the UN for implementation by member states during the past UN Decade for the Elderly Citizens. The UN may want to conduct a follow-up and an evaluatory exercise to find out how far the recommendations of the aforementioned UN Decade for the Elderly Citizens have been implemented.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Vice-President, Pakistan Senior Citizens Association, Karachi
'Blight of ghost schools'
The detection of 20 non-functional or "ghost" schools by the Peshawar District Council's monitoring committee (editorial "Blight of ghost schools", January 23) is good news in the sense that the local administration has at last started paying attention to a grave problem afflicting the poor of the district.
I hope that your newspaper and also other agencies of the press and media will watch the situation and report on the corrective measures that are taken to deal with this scandalous state of affairs.
That 4,500 "ghost schools" were discovered with the help of the army in Punjab in 1998 clearly demonstrated the failure of the centralized administrative system that was completely devoid of local participation in the affairs of the district.
In the case of schools, the problem cannot be adequately dealt with until the district school system is made independent and responsible to the local administration, as opposed to the director of education sitting in the provincial capital. It does not mean that the provincial education department becomes redundant. On the contrary, the crucial task of laying down the syllabus, regulation of standards of performance of students and teachers, inspection of buildings and school facilities and other matters of educational policy will receive more attention than is possible in the present set-up.
ZIAUDDIN AHMED
Germantown, MD., USA
Pakistan-India peace process
The process of globalization has forced many countries to change their confrontation-oriented policies to achieve economic stability and prosperity. Now equal distribution of resources among various sections of society is a basic obligation of the state, which is why countries are utilizing available resources for the welfare of their citizens. These are the motives that have convinced Indian think-tanks and responsible statesmen to change their old policies based on hatred against Pakistan.
This arrangement of international forces is a dependable surety for the smooth conduct of a composite dialogue between India and Pakistan. However, the Musharraf government should be conscious of the people, armed groups and even the institutions that have deep interests in the longstanding issue of Kashmir.
In India Prime Minister Vajpayee will have to face more difficulties in deciding to opt for peace. Extremist Hindu groups, it is feared, will create hurdles for the peace process. It is also believed that Mr Vajpayee will succeed in overcoming the extremist forces because of his economic successes and achievements in domestic and foreign policies. Noted journalist Kuldip Nayer has rightly said in his recently published column in Dawn that Kashmir is a symptom not the disease. The disease is bilateral suspicion, and the fear from each other is the root cause of the disease.
In bridging the gap among the masses, the media and the political parties of both countries are expected to think positively and play a constructive role for peace and prosperity in the region. Recent developments demand sincerity, devotion and hard work for the solution of outstanding issues, including Kashmir. After the failure of the Lahore and Agra talks, it is imperative that the leaders of the two countries are careful while following the path of friendship, peace, economic stability and peaceful settlement of Kashmir.
Think-tanks in Pakistan are of the opinion that the government should create a soft corner for the Pakistan People's Party and the Muslim League (N) and have a contact with their leadership in exile in the national interest, so that it should have full confidence of the nation while negotiating with India.
The nation is facing confusion about the fate of Kashmir. For many decades it has been brought up among calls to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir. But now General Musharraf has indicated options for settling this dispute. Keeping in mind this scenario, the government should arrange a discussion not only in the press, but also in parliament in order to reach a national consensus on the issue.
Political circles think that Mr Vajpayee will win the coming elections and will be in a better position to settle all disputes with Pakistan. If Congress wins the polls, it will also make no difference. The new Indian government will have no other way, except to follow the path of peace.
A heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Pakistan government, political parties and the establishment to come forward and think about national interest and create national consensus on the Kashmir issue.
We should have a meaningful contact and discussion with the Hurryat Conference to win its confidence on Kashmir. We should use our abilities for a meaningful dialogue with the Indian leadership so that we may succeed in achieving a satisfactory solution of Kashmir.
DR NAZIR AHMAD SIDDIQUI
Rahim Yar Khan
Political parties
Now that the 17th Amendment has been approved, it is time parliament did some serious legislative business.
A law is needed to abolish the culture of "personal" political parties. Anyone breaking away from their mother political party should not be allowed to use the crutches of the old party. Such a person should rather form a new political party, so as not to confuse the common man.
Let us do away with the alphabetical culture as regards the names of political parties. By tagging along with the name of the old party, it appears that such people have no leadership qualities of their own.
HASHMAT A. KHWAJA
Islamabad
Poultry disease
This is apropos of the letter "Poultry disease" (January 21) by a concerned housewife.
The writer is quite right in saying that lots of confusions exist among the general public regarding diseased chickens.
The fact is that the layer category of chickens have been suffering from the Avian influenza virus H7 & H9 which can cause serious health hazards.
The Pakistan Medical Association has already advised the people not to take diseased layer chickens, as they are being sold with the broiler chickens by shopkeepers.
The PMA has also demanded of the relevant authorities to look into the matter and monitor the sale of diseased chickens in the market, and destroy all such chickens. Healthy broiler chickens can, however, be eaten without losing one's peace of mind.
DR S.M. QAISAR SAJJAD
General-Secretary, PMA, Karachi
(2)
This has reference to Ms Fouzia Irshad's letter "Poultry disease" (January 18) and the news items appearing in Dawn on the subject.
I clarify that the recent disease in layer birds in areas on the outskirts of Karachi has since been controlled by adopting preventive measures.
After conducting research studies, poultry experts are of the unanimous opinion that the surviving layer birds and broilers are not infected with any disease. Therefore, eggs and chickens being sold in the Karachi market can be used safely.
RAFIQUDDIN
Central Secretary, Pakistan Poultry Association, Karachi
Centenarian couple
The story (Dawn, January 17) about how a centenarian couple has been forced to live separately at two different Edhi centres in Karachi is tragic and unfortunate. The siblings and their wives have acted in a very cruel manner.
In western society it is common to dump parents in old people's homes. Our old couple's plight now shows that western culture has started making inroads into our Muslim society.
Old age is inevitable. One who is young has to eventually grow old and lose his independence. This is the rule of nature that no one can alter.
All parents in the heyday of their life bring up their children with great fondness and love. Parents try to provide all comforts to their children even if this deprives them of many comforts. If the same children rebel against their parents in their advanced age, it is not appreciable in our society.
What if the rebel children left to have their own ways become unkind to their parents? They should fear that lest their own children pay them in the same coin when they need help and are dependent on them.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Racist slur on PTV World
I fully support the views expressed by Mr Tahir Zaman in his letter "Racist slur on PTV world" (January 20) and object to the derogatory and xenophobic comments made about Pashtuns by a presenter of the programme "News Night" on January 14.
I happened to watch that programme and was disgusted to hear such a thing being said on one of our national television channels.
In the United Kingdom popular television presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk very recently made some offensive comments against Arabs which caused an uproar. Even though Mr Kilroy regretted the offence caused by his comments, his regret was not deemed enough, and the BBC immediately suspended his show - one which he had been hosting for 17 years. This was how a reputed television channel in Britain dealt with a very similar issue.
Moreover, MP Lynne Jones tabled a Commons' motion denouncing Mr Kilroy's comments as "racist".
Being the state-owned television channel, PTV has an even greater responsibility to ensure that no section of the Pakistani population is alienated and that certain ethnic groups are not made the target of such racist comments.
The incident must not go unnoticed because if it did, it would greatly damage PTV's reputation and integrity.
The PTV management must ensure that the presenters of such programmes uphold the principle of impartiality.
SHAFIQUE UR REHMAN
London, UK
Dow University
This is with reference to the letter by Dr Shahid regarding Dow University. A junior person has been appointed vice-chancellor of the university by breaking all rules and regulations because of his political affiliation.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has shown he is no different from his predecessors and his party's slogan of merit is just an eyewash.
Dr Tipu Sultan did the right thing by resigning from the principalship on principle and decided not to become a party to what is wrong.
DR ABDUL HAQ
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.