DAWN - Letters; 14 April, 2004

Published April 14, 2004

A battle Bush & Blair want to win

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's article "A battle we have to fight, a struggle we have to win" (April 12) was thought-provoking. One cannot decide who to pity more: the Iraqi people who suffer as they do because of the Bush-Blair obsession with Saddam, or the British and American public, who are now expected to pay with the blood of their loved ones for the folly of their leaders.

The prime minister's writing is mere rhetoric, devoid of logic and betrays a severe lack of insight and poor judgment. Now that no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, he has borrowed the 'good vs evil' doctrine from his partner in crime and calls it a war between "extremists, remnants of a dictatorship, and outside terrorists" versus "people with immense courage and humanity".

He does not elaborate why these people with "immense courage and humanity" bombed innocent women and children and killed more than 10,000 civilians (in addition to countless military personnel) for weapons of mass destruction which did not exist.

After starting an illegitimate war in collaboration with George W. Bush, which was supposed to 'shock and awe' by the intensity of its bombing campaigns when the world was begging for peace, Blair now denounces Muqtada Al Sadr as an "advocate of violence". Isn't it the British and American soldiers who are present in Sadr's country and not vice versa?

The insurgents, he says, are "Saddam sympathizers", who are angry at the loss of their "boss" status. Thousands of these 'Saddam sympathizers' have been killed since the war started; by some accounts upto 400 in the last week alone in Fallujah.

If after such killings, Saddam still has 'sympathizers' left, it would appear that Saddam was a very popular president indeed (which he was not). These people are fighting for their freedom against an illegitimate occupation and that is where the numbers come from and would continue to come.

There is no doubt the battle in Iraq is "historic". But for different reasons. In modern history, it is hard to find an example of such brazen disregard for international law, such violation of a country's sovereignty without just cause, and such reckless and overwhelming use of 'pre-emptive' power.

Blair # should have considered more the consequences of war before he decided to act god to "liberate" the Iraqi people. This is imperialism at its best and sugar coating it does not change this fact.

MUBASHIR KHAN

Indianapolis, IN., USA

(2)

Mr Ayaz Amir in his article "Platos from the drill square" (April 9) writes about the "courageous resistance" of the Iraqi people and their "passion of freedom".

America bashing in the Muslim world is really getting out of hand. The most glaring examples being our Majlis of self-proclaimed Islam savers (MMA) who could really make a good career in writing fiction, such has been the creativity of the accusations levelled against the US by them.

Why did we never condemn Saddam Hussein for the atrocities he committed against the Shias in Iraq? Where was the pain and suffering we feel for our fellow Muslims then? What he did was tantamount to genocide. He had no qualms in using chemical and biological weapons against his own people or the Iranians he picked a fight with.

It is time we stopped blaming the US for everything that goes wrong in the Muslim world. I for one would gladly live in a moderate, progressive but subservient Pakistan (to the US) than one that the MMA would cast in the mould of its beloved Taliban.

ZAINULHUDA BHATTI

Michigan, USA

Pakistan and tobacco control

The landmark Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was adopted by 192 member states of World Health Organization at the 56th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 23, 2003. Pakistan was amongst those countries which agreed to endorse the treaty.

The convention calls on its member states to take several important measures to control tobacco epidemic in their countries. These measures include a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, a ban on sale of tobacco to minors, making public places and transport smoke-free and establishment of smoking cessation clinics.

So far, over 100 countries have signed this treaty, including our neighbouring countries India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that the Pakistan government is either too busy in other affairs or reluctant to sign this document, the last date for which is June 30, 2004.

Every year over 100,000 people in Pakistan die prematurely as a result of tobacco use, and sadly the government is watching the havoc as a silent spectator. The government's lack of interest in tobacco control can be judged by the fact that it passed an ordinance in 2002 to control the tobacco menace in the country but subsequently failed to take any practical steps to implement this ordinance. Tobacco use remains as rampant in the country as it was before the ordinance.

I would like to request the federal minister for health to sign the FCTC without delay and take practical steps to control this single largest preventable cause of deaths in Pakistan.

PROFESSOR JAVAID KHAN

Karachi

IELTS: British Council's replay

With reference to Mr Khadim Shah's letter of April 7, the British Council, Karachi, acknowledges that mistakes were made in his Test Report Form and sincerely regrets this occurrence.

Of the 15,000 IELTS examinations delivered annually in Pakistan, errors remain very few. That the errors described by Mr Shah occurred with a single candidate is highly regrettable. Our staff have been in contact with Mr Shah and he agreed that he would come to our offices with the TRF for signature, and to collect a full refund of fees. We are yet to hear further from him other than via your columns.

Mr Shah infers that data entry errors could be made in entering band scores. Let me assure readers that scores are checked by our officers once received from the examiners and are then entered into our system using a double-keying method.

Irregular score profiles are sent for remarking to a different examiner. Finally, scores are again checked in the UK by computer scanning of scripts. Candidates who have taken examinations in recent years will also be aware that both passports and national identity cards are thoroughly checked on entry into an examination, randomly checked throughout the examination and again checked before release of the TRF.

I hope this will serve to allay customers' fears with regard to the integrity and security of IELTS examinations. We are grateful to Mr Shah for his feedback, which we welcome in all areas of our work.

CHARLIE WALKER

Director, British Council Karachi

Per capita income

An article (Dawn, April 10) has quoted Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz as informing the Senate that per capita income in Pakistan will reach $600 this year. Mr Aziz further says that the GDP growth rate in the next fiscal year 2004-05 is expected to be 6 per cent.

The article mentions that according to the Pakistan government's economic survey the per capita income was $492 in 2002-03. If you take the aforementioned figures as correct, even then Mr Aziz's claim of $600 per capita (assuming a zero per cent growth rate in the population in the last two years) implies an extraordinary per capita growth of a bit above 15 per cent in 2003-04.

If you assume a 2.5 per cent growth rate in the population in the last two years, per capita growth rate for 2003-04 implied by Mr Aziz's claim of $600 per capita income goes up to well above 20 per cent.

Readers should also note that the World Bank in its world development indicators database for July 2003 states that Pakistan's per capita income was $410 in 2002-03 (given as $492 in Pakistan's economic survey) while India's per capita income in the same year was $480 (given as $433 in the economic survey).

PROFESSOR ARUN KHANNA

Indianapolis, IN., USA

The making of modern Egypt

This is with reference to the letter "The making of modern Egypt" by Mr Manzoor H. Kureshi (April 12). He writes: "After the fall of the Fatimids - but for the short period of Ayubi interlude - the Circassian Mamluks acquired ascendancy (1250-1517)."

The Mamluks were purchased slaves who were converted to Islam. These slaves belonged to different racial backgrounds. It is true that the Mamluks rose to power in Egypt in 1250 AD, but the Circassian Mamluks did not come to power until 1382 AD.

The Circassian (or the Burji dynasty) was preceded by the Bahri dynasty that composed of Mamluks of Turkish and Mongol descent. The Burji Mamluks got control of the Egyptian throne only after the waning of the Bahri dynasty.

Mr Kureshi also writes that "these (the Circassian Mamluks) were the same Mamluks who broke the Mongolian myth of invincibility by defeating their forces at Ayn Jalut."

It was the Bahri Mamluks who defeated the Mongols, not the Burji Mamluks. The Mamluk forces were led by Sultan Zahir Baybars (Baybars al-Bunduqdari). Sultan Baybars was a Kipchak Turk. He was captured by Mongol warlords and sold to the Ayyubid Sultanate, where he was given military training.

ALI GIBRAN SIDDIQUI

Karachi

Injustice to Waqar

I would like to draw the attention of those who were concerned with the selection of Waqar Younis. I would like to say that after the World Cup 2003 when every player was given a chance including Afridi, Saqlain and Inzamam-ul-Haq who made just 19 runs off his six matches in the cup, despite which he was made the captain of the Pakistan team, why was Waqar Younis not given a second chance?

Was he the only one responsible for the team having lost the cup? I think his absence was felt greatly during the 1st Test at Multan, when Pakistan's bowlers were not able to swing the ball. Now that he has decided to leave the arena of international cricket, I believe that the Pakistan team will definitely miss him.

SAMEER LALWANI

Karachi

Carrot and stick approach

US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice has told an independent commission investigating the causes of the 9/11 incident that the carrot and stick approach was used to persuade Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban.

Apparently, it seemed reasonable because Al Qaeda enjoyed the backing of the Taliban which were supported by Pakistan. However, as a fallout of this policy, Pakistan has ended up toeing the American line.

As a US ally in the so-called war on terror, Pakistan recently launched an operation in South Waziristan in Fata after the US received a tip-off that Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden's right-hand man, with other top Al Qaeda operators, had taken refuge in the mountains of Shakin and Angorada.

President Musharraf told CNN in an interview that a "high-value" Al Qaeda target had been surrounded near the border with Afghanistan. The so-called high-value target, if any, a certain Abdullah, turned out simply to be a local operative.

This failed operation resulting in 63 militants killed and 166 fighters, including 93 Pakistani tribesmen and 73 foreigners captured, was eventually called off.

Now the US has designated Pakistan as a major non -Nato ally (MNNA) - a recognition of Pakistan's important role in the war on terror.

But a prominent US Congressman and founder of the India Caucus Frank Pallone, along with 30 of his colleagues, in a joint statement in the House of Representatives, has warned that if the floodgates of military aid are reopened through the MNNA device, it will seriously impact on the promising efforts being made to normalize Indo-Pakistan relations.

Another pro-Indian Congressman, Gary Ackerman, has said: "What is truly amazing is that, in addition to giving a pass on democratic development, the administration is also giving them a pass on proliferating nuclear technology."

Apart from the criticism of Pakistan by the US congressmen, Maqbool Ahmad Bhatty has a logic when he says ("China more cautious, not less friendly", April 11) that the decision to designate Pakistan as a major non-Nato ally is designed to obtain the maximum support from Pakistan which controls the tribal area along the border with Afghanistan.

President Musharraf has taken a major risk as many militants have taken sanctuary in the tribal areas whose the code of honour requires that persons under one's protection must be defended at all costs.

It is possible that the US may change its stance again after the presidential elections in November and adopt a more proactive policy against countries holding WMDs in the Islamic world. As many US analysts point out, the importance of "ally" status is symbolic.

Your editorial of March 30 says: "Every time US calls for the Pakistan army to launch an attack, the result is the same: no catches and the Pakistanis come under attack, at which point the operations are abandoned, or slide into hunts for local criminals.

All this is bound to have deep scars. If a sense of anger and frustration overlays the already fiercely independent spirit of the tribal area people, the state may have a fierce problem on its hands."

PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR

Gujrat

Soccer team's performance

It was pleasant to see the way the media reported the progress of Pakistan football in recent times. Also, it was a great pleasure to see the Pakistan team win the football event in the SAF Games. People who came to see this match outnumbered the people who watched the two Test matches in Multan and Lahore. Maybe this should serve as an eye-opener for the Pakistan sports board.

However, it was sad to hear that Pakistan would part company with the Chinese coach under whose supervision they won the SAF gold medal for the second time. Why not keep him as a fitness coach?

I certainly believe Pakistan can tap into its football potential if only there is some semblance of organization in the structure. After all, Pakistan has for such a long time made quality footballs. Now all they have to learn is how to kick it. All the very best, Pakistan football.

MUHAMMAD AQDAS

Stockholm, Sweden

Water crisis in Sindh

Reference Mr I. A. Solangi's letter (March 25) and other letters justifying the construction of additional storage dams, I would recall my letter of January 19, 2000, on desilting of canals, in which I had pointed out that a lot of water can be stored by providing floodgates to the old irrigation head works like Khanki, Balloki, Marala and Punjnad.

Due to the non-provision of such floodgates to these and other head works, the river-beds have been raised by about 15 to 18 feet for over 10 to 15 miles on the upstream. This has choked up billions of acre feet of water storage capacity of the rivers, perhaps equal to that of a big dam.

I would, therefore, urge that before building a new dam the prime minister and the president should seriously consider restoring these huge choked water storage sites.

This will also eliminate huge expenses on the annual so-called bhall-safai, besides enabling water to reach the tail-ends, thus improving the crop yields.

S.M.H. RIZVI

Karachi

Nation's liberty

Never in the history of any nation have the representatives of the people signed away their right to rule for military domination by passing the National Security Council Bill, that too in just 35 minutes.

A. REHMAN

Hyderabad

Japanese consulate

One can only wonder at the wisdom of the government at allowing the Japanese consulate to construct a new building on one side of the Bagh-i-Jinnah (Frere Garden), Karachi.

First of all, I would like to know whether the Japanese government also waives government levies as was done by the Sindh government for the Japanese consulate.

Then there is the nuisance factor associated with having a consulate in such a central city area. At a time when many city representatives have asked that the US consulate be shifted to some other part of the city, the government has allowed another consulate to be built on the same road.

This decision will only add to the woes of the people of Karachi who suffer daily traffic jams only because movement on one of the main arteries of the city is restricted

Finally, was no account made of the parking problems that will result with the shifting of the consulate? Why have all these issues remained unaddressed?

IMTIAZ ALI KHAN

Karachi

Controversy over curricula

This is with regard to the curricula controversy which has been raging on for one week in the country. Religious parties and organizations have unnecessarily made a huge issue out of this and are constantly talking about the ideology of Pakistan as well as Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his vision of Pakistan.

How can these people claim all this and be so worried about the intentions of the Quaid when the religious parties had called him (the Quaid) "Kafir-i-Azam" and railed against the concept of Pakistan before partition (according to Abida Sultan's book "Memoirs of a Rebel Princess")? What gives these people the right to be the guardians of Pakistan's ideology and purpose?

Pakistan needs to become a moderate nation, and there is no place for a theocracy here. I am glad that finally someone is correcting the wrongs committed by General Ziaul Haq.

FAWWAD SHAFI

Karachi

Clothing

More than 40 per cent people living below the poverty line do not have proper clothing; but the main issue to be debated by the opposition as well as the government is the president's uniform.

MIR TABASSUM MAIRAJ

Islamabad

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