| 24 April 2004 | Saturday | 03 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
How aliens get CNICs
Emergency OT at JPMC
Detention of duty-paid goods
Jones on a donkey cart
Indus water flow
'Israeli gangsterism'
Ads in praise of president
'An inspiring document'
Pollen problem in Islamabad
The gift from Adolf Hitler
Polythene bags
Lack of leadership
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Patrick J. Buchanan was twice a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and the Reform Party's candidate in 2000. He is also founder and editor of the news magazine The American Conservative.
Now a commentator and columnist, he served three presidents in the White House, was a founding pane list of three national television shows, and is the author of seven books.
In a recent article "Bush out sources Mideast policy", Pat Buchanan states that major Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank, planted by Sharon in violation of international law, which every US president has called "obstacles to peace," are now allowed to Israel. Like Lord Balfour, Bush is surrendering title to Arab lands he does not own and surrendering Palestinian rights that are not his to give up.
Pat Buchanan further states that as he surely intended, Sharon left the Arab world with the clear impression that the Americans had given a green light to his "extra-judicial" killings. Sharon seeks to make his war on the Palestinians America's war. If Bush lets him succeed, we are finished in the Middle East.
Pat Buchanan is not the only political observer who has commented on the meeting between Ariel Sharon and President Bush; there are others, too. Churches for the Middle East Peace has stated that President Bush has effectively told the world that what Israel has taken by force from the Palestinians is now acceptable. This is a roadmap to war.
The announcement by Ariel Sharon to disengage from Gaza is unexplainable. It appears that he wants to strengthen Israel's grip on the West Bank for the reasons explained by Joshua Micah Marshall in Talking Points Memo.
Mr Marshall states that because the proposed withdrawal and dismantling of the Gaza settlements was first accompanied by an announcement that Sharon would move the Gaza settlers to West Bank settlements, the proposal could be seen as a way to negotiate fresh American aid while allowing Israel to abandon the expensive and difficult-to-defend Gaza settlements.
The Americans nixed the idea of relocating the Gaza settlers to the West Bank early on as well as declining to pay for what amounted to an increase of settlers and expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
As to the Middle East peace map, Yossi Alpher in a Media Monitors column states that it was a means of leveraging regional and European support for America's campaign in Iraq. Since this election year began in America, even the rhetoric has dried up.
To conclude, I would say that in order for Bush to win the November elections, he can go to any extent and does not care about ethics or international law. It is very unfortunate to state that none of the Muslim governments are willing even to speak against Bush, as they are receiving big bucks in US aid.
MOHAMMED CHORWADIA
Chicago, Illinois, USA
How aliens get CNICs
There is no proper scrutiny mechanism in place in the application form of computerized national identity cards. A photocopy of the old identity card (irrespective of whether it is genuine or bogus or obtained by misrepresentation), attestation by any councillor, a birth certificate (which one can easily be obtained for a paltry sum), etc., are sufficient requirements for getting a CNIC issued from Nadra.
The Nadra registration centres and swift registration centres are working on a turn-key-project basis. Those handling this job on a private basis will naturally be interested in procsssing the maximum number of CNICs.
Previously, the biggest folly that Nadra did was to appoint countless number of so-called authorized agents in every nook and corner to help, fill and complete application forms for the CNICs for an officially allowed charge of Rs5 only. In fact, many of them were very good agents of illegal persons instead of Nadra agents. They helped illegal aliens to the maximum extent and made a lot of money and did a roaring business.
Some politically-inclined groups also entered the arena of CNICs. They provided all related services for CNICs in a tent pitched on a roadside or public place. They provided blank forms to Nadra agents to fill and complete, with attestation service by their own councillor on the spot and submission of these forms at Nadra offices for just Rs40.
This was, in fact, a bonanza sale of Pakistani citizenship. This arrangement benefited mostly illegal aliens or those not entitled to get CNICs.
Some of these wrongly obtained CNICs were undelivered and returned to district registration offices by privately-engaged boys of Nadra and postmen. But within no time many managed to get their CNICs at their doorsteps in a perfect and secure manner with the help of "insiders" of district registration offices for a consideration. That is how many aliens have acquired national identity cards.
SHEEN AIN
Karachi
Emergency OT at JPMC
This is with reference to the APP news report in the Metropolitan section of Dawn (April 22) under the headline "Emergency OT at JPMC inaugurated". There are inaccuracies in the report and I would like to set the record straight.
Professor Hassan Aziz's remarks at the inauguration have been misquoted. He did not state that the Accident and Emergency Foundation - the body under which the Emergency Operation Theatre (EOT) project was launched - is an "amalgamation of donors including Tabba Foundation, Patients' Aid Foundation (PAF) and Jinnah Society". What he said was that funds raised for the EOT project were met entirely by donations from the private sector, including Tabba Foundation, PAF and Jinnah Society.
I may add that AEF is an independent Trust which has no connection with Patient Aid Foundation or any other organization, nor is it affiliated to any institution. Furthermore, Jinnah Society has been described in the report as 'comprising JPMC doctors'. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Professor Hassan Aziz is also reported to have mentioned that 50 per cent of funds were raised by JPMC doctors for the complex. What was actually said was that almost 50 per cent of the cost of the entire project was met by Tabba Foundation and PAF. Although two doctors from the JPMC are Trustees of the AEF in their private capacity, they played no part in the fund-raising activities.
SHANAZ RAMZI
Karachi
Detention of duty-paid goods
The Central Board of Revenue has authorized the officers of the drug enforcement cell (DEC) to exercise certain powers and discharge duties of the officers of the customs under the provision of the Customs Act 1969 vide SRO 388(1)/82, dated April 22, 1982, but it is disturbing to note that the Karachi staff of the DEC discharge their functions beyond the scope of their jurisdiction, which is to unearth serious cases of drug smuggling.
The DEC has no power under Section 25 of the Customs Act 1969, but a few officials posted in the DEC like to use extra powers. We informed the collector of custom (preventive) on April 11 that a few officers of the DEC, Custom House, Karachi, broke open the locks of the premises of our dealer custodian situated at Sher Shah where our goods were kept, and unlawfully took away 167 rolls of carpets.
They did so on Sunday night when everything was closed and we could not show them the documents relating to the import of the merchandise. Our request to them to seal the warehouse and put a guard on duty till Monday morning so that we could verify the goods fell on deaf ears.
These goods, which were duty-paid and not smuggled, were later released by the collector of customs, Karachi Collectorate. It would be advisable if the intelligence officers are told to curb the smuggling of drugs and not to interfere and detain duty-paid goods which have been already examined and cleared.
KASHIF ZAKI
Karachi
Jones on a donkey cart
This is with reference to Mr Omar Kureishi's article "It was insulting to see Jones arriving in a donkey cart" (April 21). I am in total agreement with Mr Kureishi about Dean Jones buffoonery in coming to the venue in a donkey cart. It was downright insulting for the people of the region and in very bad taste. Was he trying to identify the backwardness of the area with the donkey cart? Somebody should tell him to grow up.
KULDEEP NARAIN
Hyderabad, India
(2)
I totally agree with the comments by Mr Omar Kureishi regarding Dean Jones arriving at the ground on a donkey cart, as was shown by Ten Sports. I would like to bring to your attention another aspect of cricket coverage by the TV channel. I am disappointed by the commentary of Sanjay Manjrekar.
I have found him to be extremely biased in favour of India while Imran Khan, Navjot Sidhu and Ramiz Raja made balanced comments. Manjrekar also ridiculed Pakistani players many times. Being an anchor person, he should be careful while making comments.
MUHAMMAD ALI
Islamabad
Indus water flow
Ever since its construction in 1956, a reasonable quantity of water was regularly released downstream Kotri barrage to meet the domestic and agricultural requirements of the population inhabiting the area.
However, over the past three years, there has particularly been no flow downstream Kotri barrage for 10 months of the hydrological year, endangering the very existence of its people.
The situation has resulted in ruining agriculture, deterioration in the quality of water (total dissolved solids exceed 3,000 ppm - WHO standards limits 1,500 ppm), and rise in the seawater table threatening the communication network like bridges and roads, and houses in the already impoverished villages.
It is time measures were taken to address the issues created by the scarcity of water and its devastating effects on the economy of Sindh and the psyche of its people, specially those earning their bread downstream Kotri barrage.
DR M.Y. KHUHAWAR
University of Sindh, Jamshoro
'Israeli gangsterism'
In the first week of June last year at the Aqaba summit, Jordan, Ariel Sharon took the first steps to meet a roadmap pledge by tearing down 10 of an estimated 60 Jewish settler outposts, all unauthorized by the government, in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Colin Powell welcomed this Israeli move. However, Nabil Abu Rudainah, a top aide to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, said: "This is a theatrical and insignificant step."
Six days after the Aqaba pronouncement, Israel tried to kill the public face of Hamas in Gaza, wounding Palestinian leader Abdel Aziz Al-Rantissi in a helicopter strike on his car that drew vows of revenge from Hamas and fears for a US-backed peace plan.
Rantissi, from his hospital bed, had vowed that "Sharon and the Israelis will not know security. We will fight them until the liberation of Palestine, the whole of Palestine."
White House spokesman Ari Fleisher remarked, "The president is concerned that the strike will undermine efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to bring an end to terrorist attacks and does not contribute to the security of Israel."
The memory of the killing of the top spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, was still fresh, when Rantissi, new leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was gunned down by an Israeli helicopter last Saturday. When Yassin was killed, the reaction of most Palestinians, even those who did not follow Hamas or agree with its tactics, was overwhelming shock and anger.
The murder of Rantissi by no means leads one to believe that Hamas is dead. Mahmud Al-Zahar has told mourners: "Hamas is not dependent on one or two persons; it is a society working for the establishment of a state."
The campaign against Hamas will include more targeted killings and a move to destroy the organization's "supportive infrastructure" and the sources of its financial support. Palestinians will now move into the hardliners' camp. All Muslims around the world will burn with desire to explode next to Israelis. The threshold of violence will reach new heights.
The overall lesson to be drawn from these events is that there is really no prospect for peace. The targeted killings show Israel's determination to abort the roadmap. A resumption of the policy of liquidation (targeted killings) will put back the region on square zero and will lead to an escalation of suicide bombings.
There has been world wide condemnation of Rantissi's murder, but the US only says it didn't give a 'green light' to Israel'. Who is going to believe this? Only the other day President Bush said Israel might keep 'some' of the Arab land in occupied territory and also said no to the return of Palestinian refugees into Israel.
Rantissi's killing is a direct result of the US role as a dishonest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dawn's editorial (April 19) judiciously summed it up: "Israeli gangsterism".
PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
Ads in praise of president
Recently, there have appeared in your newspaper several advertisements praising the president, placed by various corporations/organizations. In my opinion such blatant acts of flattering should not even be given expression in newspapers.
Those who truly want to praise the president or his policies can write to him personally. Massaging his ego in public only serves to betray the real motives of the advertisers - which are to get on the good side of the government in power in order to further their commercial interests. In fact, such an approach should be taken by the president as an insult, since it clearly shows that the praises are directed towards his position, and not his person.
Moreover, those who read these newspapers (and hence the ads) are knowledgeable enough about current affairs and government policies and do not need to be informed about the 'commendable' steps being taken by the president.
ZAIN MANKANI
Karachi
'An inspiring document'
While the piece "An inspiring document" by Mr Hafizur Rahman is touching in its sincere content, the writer has fallen for a well-known historical mis understanding.
The poem "Desiderata" - the Latin name translates to "Things to be desired" - was written by a lawyer named Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) in 1927. Its text can be seen at http://www.fleurdelis.com/desiderata.htm.
The tangled story of how it came to be viewed as penned in Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore in 1692 has been told many times. For a summary see http://www.fleurdelis.com/desidera.htm, or a 1977 The Washington Post article available at http://home.tonline.de/home/Volkert.Braren/washington_post771127.htm#Deside rata (one unbroken line).
ANIL TRIVEDI
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Pollen problem in Islamabad
I Endorse the views of Sardar Tarique Ahmed (April 7). The felling of trees in Islamabad is no solution to face the problem of pollen allergy. Allergy can be caused both by pollens and by mould spores, dust particles, various gases, etc. Why not clean Islamabad of spores and gaseous emission to reduce the chances of allergy?
It should be ascertained what type of pollen is causing the allergy before cutting down the trees. We should also remember that plants can live without human beings but human beings cannot live without plants.
DR HIDAYATULLAH ABRO
Jamshoro
The gift from Adolf Hitler
Mr Majid Sheikh writing in Dawn (April 11) on the above subject has indeed revived old memories of the Khaksar movement. With it he has also brought to the fore the condition of the gift of a car received by Allama Mashraqi from Adolf Hitler.
I remember participating in a camp which the Khaksars of Sindh had arranged. The year was 1942 or thereabouts and I accompanied my father to attend the closing ceremony of this camp. We were invited by Hyder Bux Soomro who was a Khaksar himself. I was greatly impressed by the discipline exhibited by over 200 Khaksars and the 'belchas' which were their only weapon.
With regard to the car lying in a dilapidated condition, I would like to seek Mr Majid Sheikh's assistance to have the car repaired and restored for such use as it may qualify. Unfortunately, Mr Sheikh has given no address of his own but if he so desires he could be in touch with me on my email: alavisons@cyber.net.pk.
MAHER H. ALAVI
Karachi
Polythene bags
This is apropos of the news item "Ban on polythene bags" (Dawn, Karachi Metropolitan, April 17). The city nazim's initiative to ban polythene bags in Karachi is commendable. One cannot imagine problems caused by the usage of polythene bags in the city.
Numerous complaints are received daily by the sanitation staff of the City District Government Karachi concerning polythene bags that have outsourced the flow of sewage.
The ban should be strictly implemented. Moreover, there is a great need for public education on this serious environment and health problem. It is time the health authorities looked into the matter seriously and started a campaign to familiarize people with the hazards of polythene bags.
ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
Lack of leadership
One of the major problems faced by Pakistan in the game of cricket or in the field of politics has always been lack of genuine leadership. Apart from a few, most of our ruling elite have always been focussed on exploiting the country for their own selfish reasons.
Amazingly enough, these so-called leaders fail to comprehend their wrong doings and consider that their presence is for our betterment. Given the dismal record of politicians, it is not surprising why martial laws have been so popular in the past few decades.
SHABBIR A. HARIANAWALA
University of Warwick, UK
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