| 28 April 2004 | Wednesday | 07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Keeping 'some Arab land'
KESC billing system
Random announcements
'Reducing returns'
Hazards of HID lights
Ban on Jirga system
Transport situation in Karachi
Education for the poor
Iraq under US occupation
Crimes against children
America's Big Brother role
Garbage bins
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This refers to the editorial "New housing strategy" (April 17). Housing is an important engine of growth, considering that it supports over 50 allied industries, including cement, steel, cables, ceramics, glass, marble, stone-crushing, printing and so on.
Its ripple effect on the economy is best exemplified by the fact that on one acre about 100 flats can be built and the project can give employment to over 300 workers for three years.
The key point raised by the builders' representatives with the president was the need for providing infrastructure such as electricity, waste disposal and water for projects and numerous other issues - simplified procedure for land titling, resource mobilization, low cost and rural housing, planning and zoning regulations.
The editorial mentions the "prickly issue" of high transfer fee. In this context, we are grateful that Punjab reduced the fees during 2003 to 1/2 per cent from 2 per cent.
In Sindh, the fees in respect of mortgage finance are now at one per cent of the loan amount plus a stamping fee of a maximum Rs2,500. Accordingly, on a Rs7.5 million housing loan, the borrower would pay the Sindh government additional fees totalling Rs78,000.
The suggestion of a one-window operation is useful. The need for a more streamlined procedure can be judged on the basis of an HBFC study recently, which shows that to obtain the necessary documents before obtaining a loan, such as approved building plan, proof of ownership, etc., the poor customer has to make numerous visits to the relevant agencies and pay several numerous charges.
The Punjab governor has asked the provincial government to start one-window facilities so that housing finance can be easily available to our customers. We are awaiting its implementation.
The suggestion about having more satellite towns is quite valid. Surjani Town, built 15 years ago, is an example of such a scheme. But what I see here now are rows after rows of town houses, etc., sold but vacant. The reason is lack of utilitize such as electricity. Over 96 per cent of HBFC's 7,700 borrowers here are in default for Rs388 million.
This was discussed with the president. Many builders talked of the problem of freezing of titles on account of the Sindh Land Utilization Ordinance 2001. As a result of this, the HBFC has blocked disbursements of over Rs360 million to about 2,500 families.
It is ironical that many families living in buildings for over eight years are now unable to obtain home repair loans from us because as a result of the ordinance they have lost title to their property
The editorial has recommended that the HBFC should lower the rates for housing finance. Already we charge a fixed rate throughout the loan tenure, whereas others charge a floating rate, linked to the T-bill rate.
There are inherent risks for the borrower in sticking to a floating rate, keeping in mind that the T-bill rate was 16 per cent in 1998, came down to 11.5 per cent in October 2000, moved to 13 per cent by June 2001, and has come down since.
In January 2004 it came down to its lowest level of 1.97 per cent, but by March 2004 it was up to 2.04 per cent. When people build a house they want security, and with HBFC they know what their liability will be throughout the tenure.
For every Rs 100,000 borrowed from the HBFC, a similar amount is saved. If the savings are put into defence savings certificates, over 20 years at current rates, they would make Rs675,000, whereas with the loan from the HBFC one would pay out Rs260,539.
This excludes availing the tax incentives offered in the budget. This only goes to show that HBFC rates are already very reasonable compared to the market rates.
SOHAIL OSMAN ALI
Managing Director, HBFC, Karachi
Keeping 'some Arab land'
It is okay with President Bush if Israel, under Sharon, keeps "some Arab land". To be more accurate, he should say: "Yet more Arab land" because the entire state of Israel is located in what has been Arab land for the last 2,000 years. The kind of hold Israel has on American policies has made President Bush side step this basic, historical fact.
The fact is that the Arabs have inhabited Palestine continuously for the last 20 centuries. In 1922 the League of Nations (which later metamorphosed into the United Nations) gave Palestine under the British mandate. A census conducted in Palestine at the time gave the population breakdown as follows:
Arab Muslims 660, 641 81%
The Jewish population would have been even smaller had not Jews begun moving at about this time to Palestine from all over the world. The history of usurpation of Arab lands is replete with systematic killing of Palestinian Arabs on a scale amounting to genocide.
Christian Arabs 71,464 9%
Jews 82,790 10%
Not only did the entire western world watch this disgraceful development without batting an eye, they were almost always there to help Israel to gradually, by brute force and subterfuge, change the concept of a homeland for Jews in Palestine to a Jewish nation and, finally, to a Jewish state in a predominantly Arab land.
Israel will never be satisfied till it has achieved all its long-term objectives of which only the tip is discernible to most people. The way Israel has eased itself out of the Helsinki award should be an eye-opener to those who believe Israel will be satisfied if it is made to feel secure in its present boundaries.
WAJID NAEEMUDDIN
Karachi
KESC billing system
This is apropos of Mr Nisar Akhtar's letter (April 22) regarding the KESC's billing system. I am nearly in the same predicament. I received a notice dated April 2, 2002, from the Clifton branch of the KESC, which says my meter was replaced on 13.12.02, i.e., a year and a quarter ago. The meter was replaced without my knowledge.
After 15 months, the KESC has determined that the meter was not working properly and there is, therefore, a possibility that I have been charged less since the "drop in electricity consumption".
I wrote to the Clifton SDO, KESC, that there was no drop in the consumption and quoted the following figures regarding units consumed:
2001 2002 2003
I also visited the Clifton branch office and explained to the SDO that there was no drop in consumption. He asked his staff to work out the average consumption in the winter and the summer months. This was bound to be different. After he was provided with the average consumption for the peak and low periods, he commented that a drop in consumption was evident.
May 954 1059 1621
June 1750 1865 2025
July 1836 2053 2184
Nov 548 545 565
Dec 524 545 486
I protested that there was bound to be such a variance. He did not listen to me and instead asked his staff to issue a supplementary bill. It appears that the KESC Clifton branch is trying to raise money before the close of the financial year.
Will the high-ups in the KESC take notice of the matter and ensure that supplementary bills are not issued?
HARASSED CONSUMER
Karachi
Random announcements
This is with reference to the news report (April 24) under the headline "Sindh's mega highway project hits snag".
The report says: "The finance ministry has expressed its inability to fund the Rs2.5-billion Karachi to 500-km Badin highway project under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2004-05... and has asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to construct the highway through its own resources or ask the Sindh government to co-finance the project." The important bit of information is that "much of the Thar Coal development project is dependent on this road project".
The finance ministry's refusal defies the the president's directive to the federal government to provide the required funding for the project. Similarly, the ministry had earlier reportedly refused to release funds for the Rs10-billion Hyderabad development package announced by the prime minister.
When will our politicians and democratic institutions act with responsibility and professionalism? Can't our leaders consult the ministry concerned regarding funds for major public projects before making announcements? And can't the ministry release the allocated funds for the timely completion of projects as it is well aware that such delays can cause additional financial burdens?
MUKESH MATHRANI
Edmonton, Canada
'Reducing returns'
Your editorial "Reducing returns" (April 5) correctly depicts the plight of retired employees. A few years ago the government had adopted a retrenchment policy. A large number of government, autonomous bodies and corporation employees were forced out of jobs under different schemes before their date of retirement. Most of these employees have now been adversely affected due to reduction in the rate of return on NSS and soaring prices.
But in the present circumstances it seems difficult for the government to revise returns and increase them. Other options need to be considered. Some suggestions are given below for consideration:
(i) The Export Promotion Bureau may separately specify a quota in their trade fairs and other activities for prematurely retired government employees.
(ii) The Higher Education Commission could be directed to design courses and programmes for skilled/qualified retired officials for updating their knowledge according to the needs of the market and physically fit people may be employed in corporate/private sectors or NGOs.
(iii) The Privatization Commission may allocate a quota for prematurely retired employees in the share of new companies offering shares on the stock exchange.
ABDUL KARIM
Hyderabad
Hazards of HID lights
I appeal to the authorities concerned to give strict instructions to traffic police to remove HID lights (laser sharp, high lumens white lights) from regular cars and jeeps plying within city limits and mostly patronized by youngsters to draw attention.
These HID lights are banned in city limits in other countries and are not meant for street driving as they are mostly used by rally drivers for night racing and for high resolution vision in designated and isolated areas.
In our cities these lights literally blind drivers/motorcycle riders coming from the opposite direction during the night and could cause serious accidents. Also they are very harmful for the human eye.
Immediate official action is also required against pressure horns mostly installed in private buses and in some cars also.
S. M. KAMRAN
Karachi
Ban on Jirga system
Hats off to Justice Rehmat Hussain Jafferey of the Sindh High Court, who has delivered a historic judgment by imposing a ban on all trials under the jirga system throughout Sindh.
The judge announced this order during a hearing of a petition by a couple seeking protection from the court against tribal leaders who have declared them "karo" and "kari" for marrying of their free will.
The lives of millions of women in Pakistan are circumscribed by traditions that enforce seclusion and submission to men, many of whom impose their control over women with violence. Women bear the traditional male control in every aspect of their lives as part of their fate.
In cases where a woman is believed to have 'dishonoured' her family by marrying a man of her choice or by seeking a divorce, tribal councils, commonly known as jirgas, decide the fate of women by declaring women as "kari". At least 1,000 honour killings occur annually in Pakistan.
Many people link honour killings with their local culture, traditions and religion, but in fact decisions taken by jirgas are not in accordance with the spirit of Islam. Jirga laws are rooted in the tribal customs and the power that lies in the hands of elders.
Tribal leaders are members of jirgas. They hand down punishment in violation of basic human rights and run private prisons. The majority of people in the rural areas are illiterate and do not know how to approach the official justice system of the country.
Corruption in police ranks has also seriously compromised the official system. In rural areas, people are forced to obey the orders of a jirga; the members of such self-made courts lack in knowledge due to which cases of human rights violations and injustice are on the rise.
The government should constitute a panel of judges of the Supreme Court in order to find ways and means to abolish the jirga system, so that the lives of thousands of women can be protected. The government should also introduce and enforce laws against the death penalty awarded by jirgas in the country.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
Transport situation in Karachi
I was glad to see a press release on "Drivers training academy" (Dawn, February 26) which is a good sign of improvement on the part of the city district government of Karachi.
Would the CDGK look into the following matters to further facilitate the people of Karachi?
- To implement putting the number of Green bus/bus/coach/mini-bus/metro bus on top of the front and back which should be lighted at night.
- Publish a booklet, size 4"x3" and priced at Rs10, showing all route numbers from the starting point to the last destination, with stops of all types of vehicles. It is believed there will be many sponsors to help in the publication of such a booklet. It will also be a great help to tourists coming from upcountry to this city.
- There should be well-marked bus stops, with clear warning that no bus should stop outside the designated area. This would discourage the frequent and abrupt stopping of vehicles by drivers in order to earn a few extra rupees.
- All important roundabouts should have a radar control camera for better control of vehicular movements.
A. BARI
Karachi
Education for the poor
It is distressing to see that education in Pakistan is not given importance at all. A very nominal amount of the national budget is allocated for education development. Students attending government schools hardly study due to the increased mismanagement and lack of responsibility shown by teachers who do not realize the importance of education and their service to the children who are the future of Pakistan.
I, as a student of a reputable English medium private school, do feel blessed at being able to acquire quality education. But what about children whose parents cannot afford the high fees of private schools? Why should they suffer?
The education sector in Pakistan should be held responsible for these irregularities and the federal government needs to be authoritative in this regard and should improve the standard of public services.
AYESHA KHALID
Karachi
Iraq under US occupation
This is with reference to the letter by Syeda Aasia Batool (April 2) in which she has criticized the ouster by the US of Iraq's Baathist regime that, for a long time, had suppressed the people of Iraq.
I am glad that Ms Batool went to "Iraq last December, as a pilgrim to the holy places". Also, I am sure that she knows that days after the fall of Iraq's dictator, Iraqi Shias exercised their God given right to practise their religious rituals for the first time after many long years of suppression. I am glad that during her pilgrimage she met a young Iraqi who felt free enough to criticize the government of the day.
But I am sorry that she could not meet the relatives of someone who had been missing for years but whose bones and clothes were found in the recently unearthed mass graves. I am sure that Ms Batool would have found their comments over America's ouster of their tormentor very enriching.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY., USA
Crimes against children
For those of us who have not yet become altogether desensitized and apathetic, it is hard to view the murder of three children within five days in Muridke (Dawn, April 24) without feeling shocked.
The recent spate of crimes against children should come as a wake-up call for our collective consciousness. The social fabric is disintegrating before our eyes; society is facing an identity crisis, a crisis of self-esteem and confusion as to the raison d'etre of the nation.
Contradictions, hypocrisy and moral decay in every sphere of life have turned desperate and vulnerable individuals into monsters, and this is manifesting itself in such acts as the rape and murder of Hajra and Sassi in Karachi, the killing and mutilation of the three children in Muridke and all the other senseless and barbaric acts of violence taking place with increasing frequency every day.
My advice to the people is to turn to the only path that can lead us out of this melee and decadence, which is the path of truth, modesty, piety and abstinence; the path of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
KHWAJA SHAMAAS
Lahore
America's Big Brother role
I endorse the views of Natasha Kamal which she expressed in her letter "America's Big Brother role" (April 15). To add, I would like to ask what right has Bush got to allocate Palestinian land to Israeli settlers? Why is the world silent on this? Tomorrow he might allocate Pakistan's land to some other country. Are we going to keep silent?
At the same time Bush says they are not colonizers and they will hand over Iraq to the local council (Khaleej Times, April 15). Who is he trying to fool? Only two buildings in the US were knocked down and we still do not know who the real culprit was. But look at the destruction the US has brought to the world. How many countries has it destroyed and how many thousands and thousands of innocent people has it killed?
If Bush is so much in love with Israel, why doesn't he allocate/hand over New York to Israel?
MOHAMMED HUSSAIN
Karachi
Garbage bins
The daily collection of garbage by CDA trucks in Islamabad provides an efficient mechanism for the collection of garbage from householders but has failed to stop littering, particularly by youngsters. But the people may not be to blame because there are no garbage bins.
The CDA authorities must take appropriate steps in this regard so that the beauty of this city is preserved.
SAJEEL SHERYAR
Islamabad
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