| 24 March 2004 | Wednesday | 02 Safar 1425 |
Match-fixing allegations
US visa seeker's ordeal
Non-Nato ally status
Falling standards of law education
Hyderabad development package
Residents exposed to danger
A gracious monarch
Election graffiti
Menace of beggary
A request to Nadra
Pedestrian underpasses
SROs
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If you harbour state terrorists, you are a terrorist. If you aid and train state terrorists, you are a terrorist. If you finance state terrorists, you are a terrorist. So, don't ask why 9/11, but rather think and reflect about your complicity with the state terrorism of Israel in committing the crimes against the Palestinians in places like Dar-Yassin, Khan-Yunis, Qana, Sabra-Shatila, Beirut and Jenin.
There can be no peace without justice, and no justice without just retribution for the crimes. The crimes began in 1948 by uprooting a nation and turning them into refugees in their own lands. Now the ugly and racist wall is imprisoning them.
The killing of a crippled and a blind old man, the daily killings of children, the old and the stone-throwing youths in Palestine by shooting them in the back with weapons can only be categorized as acts of despicable cowards.
The world knows Sharon; the butcher of Sabra-Shatila who has committed much worse acts. Thus, shooting defenceless people in the back are not an exception but a trait of Israel.
Yet, the only time this word of "cowardice" is used in the mass media is against those who have sacrificed their lives legitimately resisting the aggression.
In the media the headlines read "Israel missile strike kills Hamas chief". Now imagine if the situation was that Hamas somehow executed Ariel Sharon. The headline would have read similar but replaced the word "Israel" with "terrorists" rather than Palestinians and "kills" with "murder".
Then, with the use of adjectives like fundamentalists, extremists and fanatics by the likes of David Aaronovitch or Thomas Friedman, the article would have been completed and fed to the masses in the West.
That would have once again reinforced the image of the inherently violent Muslims against the peaceful West and Israel, thus turning the victims into aggressors and the aggressors into victims.
How is it justice when those who come from Russia, Eastern Europe and the US suddenly become legitimate owners of land automatically where they have never lived, and those dispossessed are a problem that is to be negotiated? Why is it that the West insists on secularism but expects the Muslims to swallow Israel's "divine right" over Palestine?
There is no global unified Islamic body that can issue a response to the ongoing murders in Palestine and elsewhere. All the various organizations (OIC, Arab League, etc.) and the nation states that exists reflect not the unity but rather the fault lines created by the former colonial nations of Britain and France in order to prevent forging of unity.
At the most, what one can expect from these nations is to gather and condemn and condemn, like a parrot. Then upon return each party is seeking a way to secure its benefit from Israel and the US.
YAMIN ZAKARIA
London, UK
Match-fixing allegations
It is appalling to read former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif's statement (March 23) that the fourth One-Day International was fixed. It is a sentiment that I have seen echoed by Pakistanis on many message boards online as well. Are we a nation so obsessed with conspiracies that everything must be something it seems not to be? Is it not feasible that our team had a bad game?
Mr Latif was correct in his assessment that we let the Indians have the fourth game. But not because it was fixed; we lost the match simply because our much vaunted bowling attack left a lot to be desired. Our problem throughout this series has been extra deliveries and through them we have gifted India two of the four matches.
Right now our cricketers are under a lot of pressure. I hope people will stop talking about how matches are fixed and show them support and cheer for them.
FAZAL KHAN
Costa Mesa, CA., USA
(2)
Many people think that the fourth one-dayer was fixed, as Pakistan could have easily won the game, with the Indian team quickly losing their first four wickets. Well, if that was the case, I guess they would also assume that the third ODI was also fixed as then Pakistan too had lost it four wickets quickly.
One wonders why people have to cry foul whenever things don't take turn the way they want them to.
MOULIK
New Mexico, USA
(3)
With reference to Mr Asif Noorani's letter (March 23), I would like to express my disgust at match-fixing allegations being levelled by many people as regards the fourth ODI that India won by five wickets in Lahore on Sunday.
Why do these people think that Pakistan should win all the matches and at what merit? Let me remind them that before this series started, many non-Pakistanis had been picking India to win easily. Now that the five-match series has been levelled 2-2, suddenly we cannot even lose a match.
JAWAID SHAIKH
Chicago, USA
US visa seeker's ordeal
This is to bring to the notice of US Secretary of State Colin Powell (who lately visited Pakistan) and US Ambassador Nancy Powell the ordeal being faced by students here in obtaining visit visa for examinations held in the US, as a prerequisite for admission to medical and dental institutions.
I am a student of final year dentistry at the Baqai Medical University, Karachi, and have visited the US on many occasions before applying for a visit visa again to appear in the National Dental Board examination being held this coming July.
I applied for a visit visa and was given February 27 for an interview at Islamabad. During the interview, a number of questions were asked regarding my family, education and my previous visits to the US.
The visa officer refused the visa for the reason that I stayed in the US for approximately five months with my uncle who is a citizen and settled in the US for about 30 years.
I had gone soon after my high school vacations to utilize the valid visa before its expiry in order to save myself from unnecessary questions and, by doing so, I thought I would qualify for a drop box facility to save myself the expenditure of Rs20,000, which is a lot of money for a student.
I have lived abroad and visited many countries, with my parents and alone also, on the basis of proper legal travel documents. In view of the news that appeared in Dawn on March 4, I understand that the US embassy would take this favourably. I attach the excerpt and quote:
"Generally, the sources said, the Bush administration was very much concerned about its negative perception in the Islamic world, including Pakistan, and wanted to largely improve it during the next eight months.
"There is a growing thinking in official and unofficial quarters in the United States that the Bush administration should make concerted efforts to win over public opinion in the Islamic world and that countries like Pakistan, which provided maximum support in war against terror, should be treated fairly well."
I look forward to hearing a positive response from the US visa office.
FAHD AHMAD
Karachi
Non-Nato ally status
Pakistan's alliance with the United States in the immediate aftermath of September 11 was looked upon by many with great suspicion. This lack of trust by Pakistanis had developed over the years after repeated actions by the superpower which had damaged Pakistan's interests.
Being ignored after the Russian-Afghan war, sanctions against Pakistan on various accounts, a humiliating visit by President Clinton and an increasing alliance with India were some of the contributors. Even after September 11, failure by President Musharraf to secure previously promised F-16 fighter aircraft fuelled suspicions.
The new designation of 'non-Nato ally' is, however, an indicator of a positive paradigm shift in American policy towards Pakistan. Such designations are not easy to acquire.
It demonstrates a degree of trust the US has in its dealings with Pakistan and puts Pakistan in league with Israel and Japan, both of which the US has supported through tribulations.
The Pakistan government needs to foster this link by supporting the US in pursuit of its regional aims. The government, however, must use this opportunity to extract concessions from the US, for example, securing F-16s from America for defence purposes and as a symbolic gesture confirming this new relationship.
It would also be in the interest of both countries if the US were to take an increased interest in promoting education in Pakistan as well as taking measures to increase industrialization.
Both are areas where Pakistan lags far behind many developing countries. Such steps would not only bring prosperity to Pakistan, they would diminish anti-American sentiment in the country in the long run - certainly a worthy goal for the US.
MUBASHIR KHAN
Indianapolis, IN., USA
Falling standards of law education
Mr Shahbaz Haider says in his letter "Falling standards of law education" (March 22) that "girls belonging to the rural areas are usually shy and reserved. For them it is almost impossible to enhance their knowledge by asking questions.
Lecturers, instead of finding ways of addressing the problem, ridicule female students in the class. This has the effect of hurting their self-respect and confidence. Hence, this should not be accepted.
It should be directed to the administration of private law colleges to submit before the university a code of ethics which should be observed by their teachers".
As an American law school graduate I am definitely in favour of the Socratic method, by which students are randomly tested in class. I find it an invaluable learning tool of legal education.
It challenges students. If a student is shy in class, how will that student manage in court a few years later before a judge? It is only proper that such students should overcome their shyness by participation induced by their professors in class. Hence, I disagree with Mr Haider's suggestion that the professors give up the Socratic method in favour of observing social niceties in class.
In fact, they are doing the girl students a favour by calling upon them during class to answer questions. They are giving them the legal education they have paid for. There is nothing improper about this practice whatsoever.
OMAR MIRZA
New York, USA
Hyderabad development package
Prime Minister Jamali's denial the other day of any commitment for the much-trumpeted Hyderabad development package has plunged the district into a state of shock.
The embarrassed officials are trying to put a brave face to it, saying the statement was based on some kind of misunderstanding. However, according to the district nazim, no one from the president's or the prime minister's office has so far called him and clarified the position.
In the meantime, district and taluka councillors and nazims have decided to tender resignations if the funds were not released as announced by the prime minister on September 13, 2003.
It may be pointed out that the official news agency, APP, had reported the prime minister's announcement to the effect and the media had given it prominent coverage. The report as it appeared in this newspaper on September 14, 2003, said: "Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali here on Saturday approved a Rs10.5 billion development package for Hyderabad city presented by District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman.
"He approved the package at a briefing by the district nazim and adviser to Sindh chief minister on home affairs, Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, at the District Nazim Secretariat.
"The prime minister directed the district government to prepare a development plan for Hyderabad at the earliest so that the required funds could be provided accordingly."
Unfortunately it is not the only promise made and then conveniently forgotten. The people of Hyderabad, in dire need of funds for development, are still waiting for Rs500 million announced by the then governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, Rs141 million from the Annual Development Programme, 2002-2003, and Rs241 million from the governor's grant.
There are some other programmes in other areas that are also being affected by the delay in the release of funds. An editorial in this newspaper on March 18, 2004, says: "Five ongoing federally-funded mega-projects in Sindh may be further delayed if money from Islamabad is not released according to the schedule." The editorial further says: "Ironically, these very plans were declared 'fast-track projects' by President Pervez Musharraf himself a few months back."
Yet another news item published in Saturday papers says the coal-fired Thar Power Plant may not take off on time if the federal government fails to release funds committed for development work in the area.
The project's task force had in May last year sanctioned Rs1,000 million for developing infrastructure in the area before the plant's groundbreaking ceremony. One hopes the officials concerned will take note of these discrepancies and try to rectify the situation.
AZIZ NAREJO
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Residents exposed to danger
We, the residents of Karachi Centre, are highly disturbed on noticing that commercial shops in our centre are stockists and retailers of duty-free highly inflammable stuffs - petrol, diesel, etc. Some shops have placed public advertisements to attract buyers while others are selling these stuffs without advertising.
We fear if proper security steps are not taken, the residents of Karachi Centre may be hit by a great disaster some day. We draw the attention of the relevant city authorities to the encroachments made on the footpaths on the link street of PlB Colony and University Road.
Throughout the working days, these are occupied by car traders, creating problems for pedestrians, specially women and schoolchildren. We request the city nazim to visit the area and take measures to lessen the suffering of the people.
SHAKILA ROHEILA
Karachi
A gracious monarch
Mr M. J. As'ad's letter "A gracious monarch" (March 23) eulogizing Queen Juliana of the Netherlands was excellent. I want to share with the Dawn readers another story about a nobel gesture of the great queen towards Pakistan.
When Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's ambassador to Holland, she developed a personal friendship with Queen Juliana. The ambassador was the only female member of the diplomatic community and the queen appreciated that. The queen used to visit Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan quite frequently and was appalled by the fact that Pakistan's embassy was in a dilapidated building in the Hague.
She donated one of her palaces to be used as Pakistan's embassy and since then our embassy is the best in the Hague. This has been quoted by Qudratullah Shahab in Shahabnama.
DR S. M. ISMAIL
Karachi
Election graffiti
Now that the elections for the PTCL CBA are over, it is incumbent upon the elected party to ensure that the graffiti on most telephone exchange buildings in Karachi are removed.
The practice of defacing government property, be they telephone exchanges, post offices or other such buildings, at the time of CBA elections should come to an end. In fact, the code of conduct that is drawn up for such elections should disqualify candidates or parties that indulge in such irresponsible behaviour.
AHMAD RASOOL
Karachi
Menace of beggary
Beggars are a public nuisance. They are seen occupying various traffic intersections in cities. Whenever traffic lights turn red, they surround vehicles or move in the narrow lanes formed by the stationary vehicles. These beggars are pathetically dressed and some have wounds/burns on their body parts, though all wounds are not genuine. This is just to gain sympathies of the public. The following measures should be taken to overcome the problem:
- Genuine beggars should be given full support by the state. They may be kept in camps and provided with food, health care and shelter. It is the duty of the state to take care of all homeless handicapped persons.
- Able-bodied beggars who do not have jobs should be given jobs. Some may be provided training as electricians, machines, telephone operators, nursing or in other fields so that they can find jobs and lead a respectable life.
- Those who are able-bodied but use beggary as a profession should be punished severely to discourage the practice.
- Zakat money may be used to rehabilitate these beggars.
LT-COL (retired) IRFAN HAIDER
Karachi
A request to Nadra
My wife and I submitted our applications for computerized NICs at a regional office, Muhammad Ali Society, Karachi, on February 14, 2003, with an urgent fee of Rs185. The Nadra people said that our cards would be delivered at our home address after 12 days. When this did not happen, I rang them up after a lapse of 15 days and they said that the cards were ready but we had to collect them ourselves from the CDC, Awami Markaz.
I twice visited the office but did not get our cards. Will Nadra do us a favour as I have to make my passport to go abroad on official purposes.
JAVAID MAHMOOD USMAN
Karachi
Pedestrian underpasses
This has reference to Sqn Leader (retd) Ausaf Husain's letter (March 11) highlighting the need for pedestrian underpasses in Karachi. Such a design for economical underpasses was published in the Institution of Engineers Pakistan magazine of September 1994 and the Chartered Institute of Transport journal of December 1994. It was claimed that this could be built even without breaking the road, relying on jacking and boring technique.
It is, therefore, suggested that this design should be tried at some location after some review and refinement, if so desired, before adopting it for use by vehicular traffic.
S. M. H. RIZVI
Karachi
SROs
The new CBR chief has not yet met the mafia which enjoys special tax exemptions through concessionary serial regulation orders (SROs). We, the taxpayers, pay for their concessions.
All the finance and commerce ministers have been promising for so many years that all concessionary SROs will go. Nothing happens. There are about 250 special concessionary SROs still in operation and will continue.
REHAN AKBAR SHEIKH
Karachi
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