| 16 April 2004 | Friday | 25 Safar 1425 |
Non-Nato ally status
Let's raise park fee
Passport blues
Subdivision of plots
Medium-income country
Dress code for women
Alistair Cooke
'Lunch break'
Exemptions
Armed forces' involvement in governance
Hawkesbay scheme
Non-audited funds
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
In recent days, the report by an NGO, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), about educational structure and possible reforms has triggered off debate in academic circles. It throws light on the prejudices shown in our textbooks towards minorities, anti-Hindu sentiments and undue emphasis on jihad and makes recommendations to reform them.
There are some among us who oppose such changes, thinking it to be an imperialist plot to rob our children of their identity and heritage. However, the authors of the report and those who favour its recommendations, call these allegations baseless.
Amidst all these controversies the most neglected group is the one which is the most affected, that is, the students. I, as a student, wish to write against the two extremes.
There's no doubt that our students are exposed to a very biased approach towards events of history, but every country has a certain ideology. Distortions can be of three types. One, an event is wholly omitted; second, an event is incompletely depicted and, third, an event is written from a certain perspective. In our textbooks the mutilations mostly fall under the third category.
It is true our books tend to create anti-Hindu emotions. I quote from our Pakistan Studies book about the impact the advent of Islam had on the subcontinent's art and literature:
"The people rejected the outdated and absurd customs of Hindu society." This sentence clearly maligns and ridicules the Hindus. Our books do not refer to the Hindu contribution to the development of mathematics/astronomy in the history of Indian region.
The most contorted event in our textbooks is about the creation of Bangladesh. In the book mentioned above, Bangladesh's creation is mainly attributed to Mujib's separatist design and Indian exploitation of our internal rifts.
But the fact remains that it was the economic disparity between the two wings, the bureaucracy's role, and lack of fair representation of the Bengalis in the administration that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Similarly, Gen Zia is portrayed as a true Muslim and his efforts to Islamize the country as "honest". But there is no discussion on how he made anti-women laws and crushed civil liberties and exploited the name of Islam to cement his grip on power. It was he who deformed the entire history and effected a major change in the textbooks.
If we glance at the books of the Sindh Textbook Board, they give an altogether different picture. There are no sections available on the creation of Bangladesh or on successive governments in the post-independence area.
As far as Islamic ideology and the two-nation theory are concerned, a subject also discussed in the report, we all face an educational quagmire as this issue is sensitive and even after 56 years of independence we have not yet decided whether nations are made by an ideology or on the basis of land. If we regard nations to be made on the basis of ideology, then we should, in principle, accommodate all Muslims in India as Israel offers its territory to all Jews.
The report has sparked much controversy about jihad. I see no reason why there should not be a lesson or two on jihad, which has a much wider meaning than just taking up arms. However, it's true that equal or more emphasis should be placed on Islam's ethical aspects.
Another dimension of our curriculum is to degrade women and confine them to stereo-typed roles. So, our curricula should berevised to help us achieve the following targets:
- To make studies practical to help students in their professional lives.
- To help evolve students into responsible and contributing citizens.
- To help students realize and fully develop their potential.
SAMREEN ADIL
Karachi
Non-Nato ally status
It is not understandable why US Secretary of State Colin Powell did not discuss with his Indian counterpart the Bush administration's decision to designate Pakistan as a major non-Nato ally status.
Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union, both the United States and India have been working hard to forge a strong strategic relationship. During this period, India has made impressive gains in the form of economic benefits, acquisition of sophisticated military hardware (directly from the US, or from Israel), liberal access for Indian products in US markets, preferential treatment to Indian students and scientists for admission to American universities and research centres, increased US investment in the Indian economy (in spite of the setback experienced by ENRO in the power generation project in Maharashtra) - and a host of other measures.
For the US, the benefits from this relationship have been mainly political - to draw India closer and tighter in the arc of "strategic relationship" which extends from Washington DC to Tel Aviv to New Delhi to Tokyo in Japan. It is, therefore, not in the US national interest to jeopardize this relationship.
It would be naive on our part to think that all aspects of this so-called "honour" to be bestowed on Pakistan were not discussed in New Delhi. After all, there is nothing unique about this "honour". Its value is more "symbolic" than substantive, and it can be withdrawn by the US on a 30-day notice.
So what is the big deal? Is it a ploy to pressure us to compromise on our nuclear programme or some other aspect of our sovereignty? Or, is it a sop to assuage our feelings, or smother our criticism of some impending major US concession for India? And, what could this concession be - proactive American support for a solution to the Kashmir dispute on terms favourable to India? American support for an expanded role for India in the international arena, like a permanent seat at the UN Security Council?
Our foreign office should examine these and other related questions thoroughly before accepting this "gift horse".
SALAHUDDIN K. LEGHARI
Lahore
Let's raise park fee
Of late, there has been a surge in the number of people seen doing outdoor workouts, such as brisk walks. For this reason the number of recreational parks has also increased to meet the demand of a fitness-conscious populace.
Karachi's well-known parks such as "Auntie's Park" near the Do Talwar roundabout, Hilal Park and Nisar Shaheed Park in Defence, and Wasim Bagh in Gulshan have certainly encouraged the young and the old alike to pursue a healthy exercise regimen.
However, there are certain problems, for these beautiful parks are often host to non-serious characters who make serious walkers uncomfortable. Men often flock together, and a stray remark or two for the benefit of a woman is a very common occurrence.
Youngsters are seen loitering around, often indulging in heavy smoking. Families interested in spending quality-time together are driven away, especially on weekends, when these parks are packed with all sorts of uncouth people. Mothers who seek some outdoor activities with their toddlers and who until recently were seen in high numbers are slowly giving up workouts because they feel that these parks are home to all sorts of people.
Now I am not suggesting that we discriminate between peole and people. But it would be helpful if these parks introduced a provision for family membership, with a slightly higher annual fee than the Rs10 charged at the gates at present.
The current fee makes the parks accessible to all. Members should be allowed inside only if they have their membership card. This would certainly help in the maintenance of a healthy atmosphere both for families and for people who want to do serious workouts,. This would also increase the level of security, which Karachiites are forever seeking.
MARIAM JAVED
Karachi
Passport blues
I wish to draw the attention of the passport and immigration department to some changes in new passports. Previously, passports had nine enteries on page one which had information like the passport number, the name of the passport holder, his father's name (or husband's name if the passport holder is a woman), his profession, place and date of birth, identification mark, religion, NIC number and national status.
Last week a friend of mine got his passport renewed. But his new passport has only seven columns. The provision for profession and identification mark has been removed.
Moreover, in the column of religion, my friend had mentioned Islam while filling his passport form. But his passport carries the word 'Muslim'. The passport of my another friend says Islam. Why this difference?
The passport department is requested to appoint a person with neat and good handwriting to enter details in passports. In my own passport, I am not able to read the address of my own house. How will the immigration officer at our airports or at any international airport be able to read it? An illegible entry often embarrasses the passport holder at airports.
Finally, I would like to suggest that when Nadra starts issuing machine-readable passports this September, a provision for blood group should be included in the passport details.
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
Subdivision of plots
I am the resident of a D-type (1,000 yards) category house in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Karachi. I am shocked to know that CDGK/ KBCA has allowed subdivision of plots of 1,000 yards, with the result that some contractors have made a business of acquiring houses already constructed on these plots. They demolish and get them divided into two, three or four plots, and construct small houses to sell them, thereby making a good profit.
Further, they do not leave even space around the house as per the new by-laws and get the completion of the houses regularized after payment of penalty. The above action of CDGK/ KBCA is detrimental to the interest of existing residents because,
1. By-laws have been changed and free space on four sides of the houses has been drastically reduced making the area congested.
2. Water, sewerage and electricity lines were not designed to cater the requirement of such a large population.
3. The whole atmosphere is going to change due to inclusion of small plots within bigger plots.
The above is against the basic rights of the residents, and the authorities are requested to look into the matter immediately.
AFFECTED RESIDENT
Karachi
Medium-income country
The ministry of finance and the Central Board of Revenue have spent thousands of dollars on public relationing for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, who has been praising his president's economic policies because of which the per capita income for the current fiscal year will be $600, making Pakistan a medium-income country from a low-income one.
How much of this is the truth? Must all governments in Pakistan fool all the people all of the time? Sixty-five per cent of our people live in villages. Does Mr Aziz want us to believe that the per capita income of 65 per cent people is now $600? What hogwash! How come the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, in its survey, states that the condition of our children is the worst in South Asia, with eight million children facing malnutrition and 3.5 million children working are indented child labourers.
The State Bank's economic survey states that the "incidence of inflation falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable income groups, who are least prepared to absorb the burden impoverishing more than a third of Pakistan's 145 million people."
Mr Aziz, what about unemployment? Again, the State Bank survey states that unemployment stood at 7.8 per cent in 2003 compared to three per cent in 2002. It has more than doubled from the 3.1 per cent recorded in 1990. What Mr Aziz's policy has done is to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
The banks in Pakistan have made a profit of Rs48.6 billion at the expense of depositors who are getting a negative return. The auto, cement and sugar mafia has created artificial shortages and price increases with the help of banks, which are hand in glove with them by giving them credit at low interest rates.
All avenues for investment by the middle class have been sealed. The profits on the national savings schemes have been slashed, and the taxation is so high that it is not worth investing.
While Mr Aziz has so generously given $12.65 billion foreign exchange reserves to US banks at two per cent and has floated euro bonds at 6.75 per cent interest, the middle class of Pakistan have no avenue except stocks and shares.
Unfortunately the share market is manipulated by the stock market mafia, who will gobble up the middle class through their ruthless manipulative speculation tactics. It is ironic that Mr Aziz is exhorting Pakistanis in the country and abroad to invest in Pakistan.
It is time for people to wake up as they are being led to economic slaughter and the time will come when even their plastic cards won't keep them alive.
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
Dress code for women
In order to gauge the mediaeval thinking that exists in the minds of people of religious parties, we must all read the news item "Dress code for women" (Dawn, April 2) in which JI women have asked the rulers for:
1) An immediate ban on family planning and diversion of funds to other areas,
2) And discouraging sports in girls' schools and colleges, which promote masculinity.
All this coming from women themselves is even more shocking. I request the liberal parties to counter the negative propaganda on a war footing.
On the next page it was heartening to read Maudoodi's son lambasting the Hudood Ordinance and asking where in the world rape is committed in the presence of four witnesses. The JI should learn a lesson or two from the founder's son.
HAROON KHALID
Karachi
Alistair Cooke
On March 30 Alistair Cooke died at his home in New York at the ripe age of 95. He had stopped his broadcast only a week or so earlier on his doctor's advice. The deaths of Peter Ustinov at 82 and Alistair Cooke within a week makes one wonder if ever people with their integrity and character would be produced again by the media, now the domain of spin doctors.
For over half a century (58 years) the BBC World Service broadcast his weekly "Letter from America by Alistair Cooke". I never missed it until my contact with the BBC World, Hindi and Urdu services ceased when TV and cable entered my home.
I wrote a letter to him, care of the BBC, pointing out a factual error. It was the letter of the week of May 31. Alistair Cooke had referred to Quetta as a town in India. He was informed that Quetta was now in the new independent state of Pakistan.
H.A. HAJI
Karachi
'Lunch break'
This refers to the picture captioned "Lunch break" published in your Karachi Metropolitan section on April 13. There is unusual rush of shareholders following the 10 per cent public offering of Sui Southern Gas Company's shares on April 13. Arrangements were made to cater to the anticipated rush which, however, turned out to be beyond SSGC's expectations.
The company is receiving nearly 1,000 shareholders daily who visit it for verification of transfer deeds. The number of counters and staff has been increased, and staff is working till 11pm daily, even on weekends and holidays. Our customer facilitation centre, located at the head office, works during lunch time also.
S.NASREEN HUSSAIN
Chief Manager (ER), SSGC, Karachi
Exemptions
The press has reported that it is the government policy to withdraw all exemptions/subsidies, etc. In this connection I draw your attention to the following points:
1. There is now no justification in continuing exemptions on capital gains tax on stocks and shares.
2. The exemption of excise duty on cement was not passed on to consumers, hence this exemption should be withdrawn.
3. Freight subsidy on cement demanded by cement mills should be ignored.
4. There is substance in the demand for re-instating tax exemption on NSS schemes and this deserves positive consideration.
IFTIKHAR MAHMOOD
Karachi
Armed forces' involvement in governance
Mr Irfan Hussain writing on the above subject (April 3) needs to be complimented. His views reflect the feelings of a vast majority of the people of Pakistan.
We all respect and regard our armed forces, but today if one were to examine and assess the nation's advantages and disadvantages under military rule, one would certainly agree with the views of Mr Hussain that "their heavy involvement in property and other business-related activities" is bound to tell on their professionalism. To this remark I would like to add that it is bound to tell on the quality of leadership as well.
The NSC (National Security Council) won't remedy the situation. The army must distance itself from the daily chores of governance and strictly maintain its professional militarism.
MAHER H. ALAVI
Karachi
Hawkesbay scheme
The Hawkesbay scheme in Karachi was launched with much fanfare in the late 1990s and a lot of revenue was collected as cost of land form the public. Now nothing is known about its fate.
The scheme office has also been shifted from a prestigious building on Sharea Faisal to the Civic Centre, without any intimation to the members. The shabby outlook of the office speaks of the interest of the authorities in the scheme.
The government should clarify the status of the scheme and the desirous members should be allowed to withdraw their investments. In case the scheme is no more viable, deposited amounts must also be returned to the investors, who happened to be common citizens.
Moreover, a responsible person should be appointed at a makeshift office to respond to visitors' inquires.
M. A. KHAN
Karachi
Non-audited funds
It is strange to learn that heavy grants given to senators, MNAs AND MPAs for the welfare schemes of their areas are not audited and more than 50 per cent of these funds are not used for the purposes meant.
It is also learnt that the funds utilized by certain agencies are exempted from audit due to security reasons. But there is no reason not to audit funds placed at the disposal of public representatives. These funds are mostly generated through taxpayers' money and, therefore, the public has the right to know whether the funds are being judiciously used.
LT-COL IRFAN HAIDER (Retd)
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.