| 18 March 2004 | Thursday | 26 Muharram 1425 |
Badshahi Mosque
Give no room to criminals
Opposition leaders in NA and Senate
Woes of DHMS students
STBB's textbooks
BJP and Muslim voters
Violation of CDA laws
HBFC loans
Karachi's civic conditions
Lollywood
Pakistan-Spain hockey match
Cricket guests
US visas
Excessive gas billing
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The fury caused by the disclosure that Iran, Libya and North Korea have received assistance in nuclear technology from Pakistan has obscured some important and relevant facts, the most important being that neither Iran nor Libya was able to make a bomb. Iran asserts that it never intended to.
North Korea is a case apart. It already possessed a plutonium-based nuclear device. If, as alleged, it can now make a uranium-based one, has it became more dangerous?
Biological and chemical weapons are not less dangerous than nuclear weapons. Did Pakistan also supply this technology to the aforementioned parties? And if not Pakistan, who did? To understand the furore over nuclear proliferation, one must answer the questions in their proper context.
The non-proliferation regime restricted the nuclear weapon powers to five - the United States, the USSR (now erstwhile), China, France and the United Kingdom.
The first chink in the regime was the nuclearization of Israel - already overwhelmingly stronger than all the Arab states combined. No sanctions were imposed on Israel. India first exploded a nuclear device in 1974, but there was mild criticism of India and no sanctions were imposed against it.
Pakistan was aware of Indian intentions and made efforts to have South Asia declared a nuclear-free zone. Our labour came to nought. On the contrary, the US seemed determined to prevent Pakistan from acquiring nuclear capability, even though it was clear to even the most obtuse that India had embarked on a programme to become a nuclear state.
When the Soviets were expelled from Afghanistan, Bush Senior lost no time in imposing sanctions on Pakistan. Even the F16s for which payment had been made were refused to Pakistan.
The mea culpa of Dr A. Q. Khan has provided a wonderful opportunity to the West to put Pakistan in the dock. We now have to suffer visits from western leaders who come here to pontificate on the dangers of nuclear proliferation as though they had no part in it.
Dr Khan is an eminent scientist who played a vital role in giving Pakistan nuclear capability. Despite such an achievement, he is in my view neither a hero nor a villain but a product of the money culture that has become the curse of our country. Non-proliferation of nuclear technology is a highly desirable aim provided it is pursued without hypocrisy and double standards.
BIRJIS HASAN KHAN
Karachi
Badshahi Mosque
The National Mosque (Masjid Negara) is an outstanding landmark of Kuala Lumpur. Built in contemporary style in 1965, it features a massive umbrella-shaped dome and a 73-meter minaret. The interior is embellished with the finest specimen of Islamic art and calligraphy.
Close by is the impressive Islamic Arts Museum which houses various themed galleries like the Al-Quran and the manuscripts gallery, the jewellery and the costumes gallery and the Islamic architecture gallery.
The last gallery contains miniature replicas of famous mosques, monuments and mausoleums like the Taj Mahal, the Imam Bokhari mosque, the Ibn Toloun mosque, Cairo, and other outstanding mosques of Bokhara, Samarkand, Isfahan and Istanbul.
All these miniature mosques (and other monuments) are made to scale, and great care seems to have been taken to adhere, as closely as possible, to the original design and colour scheme. The entire effect is extremely impressive.
Unfortunately, the model depicting the Badshahi Mosque of Lahore has, for some odd reason, been made of small rectangular pieces of glass-mirror on a plaster of Paris base, which gives it a rather dull, greyish look.
Also, the entire structure of the mosque has not been made according to scale, with the result that it conveys the impression of a very small mosque (instead of one of the largest in the world, which it is reputed to be)
This anomaly needs to be rectified as soon as possible. I request our ministry of tourism and culture to have an exact replica of the Badshahi Mosque made here, and then present it to the Islamic Arts Museum with the request it should be displayed there instead of the one on display at present.
SALAHUDDIN K. LEGHARI
Lahore
Give no room to criminals
Watching the news on TV channels on March 3 just shows the power of the people and the difference between the people of the West and ourselves.
Two young girls were raped and murdered in Brussels eight years ago and the offender's trial began a few days back. Thanks to the media, one saw literally the whole of Brussels come out on the streets in an organized protest, condemning the delay in justice and wanting nothing but death penalty.
Shocked at letting a criminal remain alive for eight years, they were so emotionally charged that there were skirmishes with the police. The bitterness and outrage got the better of some. Such was their reaction.
And here in Pakistan, rapes, murders and killings are a daily routine and no one bats an eyelid. So much for our numerous organizations and NGOs which cry out whenever it suits them in an individual capacity and not as a collective drive as citizens when such an outrage has taken place.
The streets of Karachi or any other city are jammed with people, cars and all sorts of vehicles for our daily activities, weddings, parties, shows, school and college attendance, etc.
And yet no one cares that two young girls have been tortured, killed and buried by criminals, and not just ordinary criminals but allegedly by law-enforcers responsible for our safety.
The president, the governors, the chief ministers, who are extending their all-out support to stop terrorism and protect the citizens of every other country, should see that justice is done in this and every other sordid crime.
S. BABAR
Karachi
Opposition leaders in NA and Senate
There has been an unexplained and rather long delay in the announcement of the leaders of opposition in the National Assembly and the Senate. It should not have been such a difficult decision once the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, the two major groupings of political and religious parties still out of the government, presented lists with signatures of their respective MNAs and senators. There could be other ways to ascertain which of the two groupings enjoys a majority among the opposition.
This delay is encouraging rumour-mongers in the country and is also adversely affecting the working of parliament.
There is a general perception in the masses that the government wants to extract maximum favours and obtain some undefined political objectives before the announcement of the opposition leaders in the two houses of parliament.
The opposition parties have alleged that the government is engaged in attempts to divide the opposition parties. They have also accused the government of arm-twisting and the use of force and coercion to achieve defections. It all doesn't augur well for the elected parliament.
The inaction on the part of the Senate chairman and the NA speaker reflects adversely on the independent nature of their exalted offices, and they must rise to the occasion. They need to do justice to their offices.
AZIZ NAREJO
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Woes of DHMS students
The managing committee of the Pakistan Central Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Karachi, has put the careers of poor students at stake after securing millions of rupees from them.
These unfortunate students of DHMS first year were admitted to the college in 2002 and charged Rs4,520 each and then allowed to appear in the annual examinations 2003, without getting their enrolment and admit cards from the National Council for Homoeopathic, with the assurance that the same would be issued later. They appeared in all the papers, including practicals and vivas.
A year has gone by but their results have not been announced. This is creating anxiety among the students that in the absence of their enrolment, admit cards and results, their careers may be jeopardized.
The students have not been admitted to the next class and thus they cannot appear in the next DHMS examinations to be held next month. The president, the prime minister and the minister of health are requested to order an inquiry into the matter and do justice to the students. The results should announced immediately, with enrolment and admit cards, to allow them to appear in the examinations next month.
DR RAZI ALAM
Chairman, Homoeopathic Medical Association, Karachi
STBB's textbooks
Mr Omar R. Quraishi's comments on STBB's textbooks (March 7) have made me and my friends very anxious. The Sindh Textbook Board (STBB) is lagging behind the other boards in revising and updating textbooks, right from primary to tertiary levels. The writer has commented in detail on the English textbook of class IX.
When we compare this textbook with the English textbook of the Punjab board, the latter seems to be far better as it has been revised and updated appropriately. It contains very useful chapters on Pakistan studies, history, current affairs and environment, etc.
I request the STBB authorities to revise and update its all textbooks, right from class one onward. All outmoded lessons should be deleted and lessons on the latest developments should be included.
Also, the board should ensure timely supply of books in the market. If any change has to be made, it may be notified well in time to avoid ensuing problems.
AGHA ALI GOHAR KHAN
Ghotki
BJP and Muslim voters
This is with reference to the two letters by Mr Anil Dubey and Mr Ravi Madhav appearing in these columns on March 13 and March 15, respectively, as rejoinders to my letter of March 12 on the above subject.
It seems that both the writers have got exasperated over my observations regarding communal disharmony in India. Blazing facts if denied reflects immaturity.
It is unfortunate what we are today. It does not mean that India should follow suit. India is a democratic and secular state and should hold on to its fundamental principles as set forth in the constitution.
In Pakistan, our acts and deeds otherwise are secular. We have done away with separate electorate. We have not experienced communal riots. Instead we have seen the worst kind of sectarian violence, which is of great concern to us.
The writers' focal point is that how a Pakistani can point a finger at India about its remaining secular when his own country has not been declared as secular. I have to recall that when Pakistan came into existence, on the first day Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his historic speech unambiguously spelt out the following:
"There shall be no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or religion. All citizens are Pakistanis and are equal before law. The Hindus are free to go to their temples, the Christians to their churches and the Muslims to their mosques. There shall be no animosity between each other. That it shall certainly not be a theocratic state. Religion shall have nothing to do with the business of the state."
What happened thereafter is regrettable history. At the outset, our country was known as "Republic of Pakistan". Democracy was not allowed to mature. Constantly we were under military rule. This is not the case with India. The RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal seem to be religiously monomanias. Keep a rein on them and much harmony will prevail.
Secularism and democracy is imperative for economic progress and emancipation of human beings. Let us hope that the recent social intercourse between the two neighbours will pave the way for lasting peace and tranquillity.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
Violation of CDA laws
The chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has shown his ability to launch new projects and implement the laws of the authority. However, the new projects are money-driven and laws are effective only against the weaker sections of society; hence demolition of dozens of illegal kutcha houses and uprooting of the poor.
I hope the chairman will now take action against powerful and influential people guilty of open violation of CDA laws, such as the following:
1. Many illegal and also dangerous road humps have been constructed in all sectors of Islamabad, whereas road humps of a specified design with traffic signs on them are authorized only outside the gates of hospitals and schools.
2. Several portions of public car parks in the Blue Area are illegally reserved by some offices, resulting in altercations.
3. Green belts at several locations have been either encroached upon with roads and permanent structures or annexed to private houses with barbed wire and hedge-fencing, thus denying their healthy use by other citizens. Some houses with annexed green belts were prominently advertised for sale during 2003.
ENGR. ABDUL MAJEED
Islamabad
HBFC loans
I contracted for a new house and applied for a loan to the HBFC (primarily for it being Shariat-based). Before applying for the loan, I had obtained all information and was told that I certainly qualified for the loan and was assured that the loan would be disbursed in about three/four weeks.
It has been almost two months but I have not got any loan. My file is still stuck in the zonal manager's office, and the delay is causing agony to me and the seller of the house. I have tried my best and provided whatever documents demanded by the relevant authorities in the HBFC, but they are not moving this file - every time giving a new pretext or making a new demand.
Will someone help me get out of this tortuous situation?
MAJOR ABDUL AZIZ (RETD)
Karachi
Karachi's civic conditions
It really breaks my heart to see Karachi being allowed to fast lose its vibrancy; roads and the sewerage system in most areas are in a pathetic state and traffic is a total mess, but still the city district government is making lofty claims of undertaking mega projects and completing them for the convenience of the people.
For the sake of the Father of the Nation who was born in this city, the relevant authorities are requested to judiciously utilize the amount of Rs29 billion recently sanctioned for this mega city by President Pervez Musharraf.
CAPT SYED SALMAN HAIDER
Lahore
Lollywood
The current state of the Pakistani film industry is appalling. Apart from cheap parody of Indian films, overacting, vulgarity, intense violence and hackneyed storyline, Lollywood has nothing new to offer. There is not even a single film under Pakistan's belt which reflects our sociological and political concerns, values or culture; which can be addressed very effectively through the big screen.
Thus, instead of spending fortunes on foreign locales and plagiarized scripts, we need films we can proudly call our own.
SHABBIR A. HARIANAWALA
Coventry, UK
Pakistan-Spain hockey match
It was really a treat to watch the recently -held hockey match between Pakistan and Spain. The Spaniards played like real champions and literally snatched every ball whenever an attempt to move forward was made from our quarters. Their forwards moved like a well-knit trio displaying a game similar to our long forgotten forwards Sami and Islah.
The Spanish team also worked out a strategy to keep Pakistan out of their 25-yard line. This plan was implemented with such accuracy that Pakistan was unable to penetrate their defences. Can anyone believe that throughout the game of 70 minutes not a single short corner was awarded to Pakistan?
The result was a well-deserved victory for the Spaniards. The inability of our forwards to attain a short corner also exposed the shortcomings of our strength. It can be inferred that in the absence of short corners, the Pakistan team is just an ordinary force to reckon with.
In view of this, our hockey bosses should reconsider the strategy to rely on victory through short corners. They must do some talent-hunting to pick forwards who can penetrate and convert any goal attempt without looking helplessly at the umpire for the award of a short corner. Only then can we think of reaching the victory stand at the Olympics Games.
M. Z. JAFRI
Karachi
Cricket guests
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has done well by inviting some notables belonging to politics to watch the home cricket series between Pakistan and India. But one is surprised to note that it has ignored those directly related with the game.
For instance, as a gesture of goodwill and in an effort to create harmony and brotherly feelings between the people of the two countries, the PCB should have also invited great former cricketers across the border.
As we know, Mr and Mrs Sunil Gavaskar, Mr and Mrs Bhishen Singh Bedi and Mr and Mrs Tiger Pataudi have a great following in this part of the world as well. So, it would be most appropriate on the part of the PCB to invite the above-named stalwarts of Indian cricket as official guests of Pakistan. Their very presence would certainly make the cricket series even more colourful and add new dimensions to the much-awaited and much-publicized rubber.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
US visas
Would-be-grooms from the US visit Pakistan for three weeks only. Weddings, paper formalities, waiting 10 days for interview calls from the embassy, and nearly a one-week further delay for courier formalities often force the newly-wed couples to pay another visit. Eastern girls are not smart enough to travel alone. The situation should be improved.
SALEEM AHMAD
Karachi
Excessive gas billing
I have been a domestic customer of the Sui Southern Gas Company for 30 years. My monthly gas bill is usually Rs200, but I have been receiving a monthly bill of Rs600 for the past three months.
I have made several complaints to the company but to no avail. It does not even acknowledge any letters. Will the high-ups in the company look into the matter?
IBNE HASAN
Karachi
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