| 24 May 2004 | Monday | 04 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Pensioners' case
Constitution and democracy
Teachers' training
Bringing back looted wealth
Prospects for oil and gas sector
Malpractice by doctors
Chickenpox incidence
Condition of graveyard
BJP's defeat
Advice to PTCL
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The murder of innocent Palestinian civilians in Rafah (May 19) has once again shocked and deeply saddened all of us. The criminal face of the Israeli state and its military has once again been revealed to the world.
As a crowd protesting the endless curfews and demolishing of their homes marched peacefully, unarmed men and children were cut down by tank and helicopter-gunship fire. There can surely be few examples of such wanton killings even among the bloodied annals of the Israelis.
What is equally astounding is the nature of the coverage given to this cold-blooded killing by the western media, in particular the BBC and CNN, that claim to be providing news objectively and fairly.
On May 19, when these murders were reported as the headline news, these stations continued to play down the number of those killed (10 killed as opposed to the figure of over 20 confirmed by other reports including The New York Times).
The source of the killings was not explicitly stated because the networks said that they occurred at the same time as Israeli troops were conducting an operation in the area rather than identifying Israelis as the killers. The patently false Israeli explanation that they had fired at an abandoned building and only warning shots were repeated and gunships were shown firing flares.
In a further act of partisanship, the BBC carried an interview with the official Israeli spokesman who as usual laid the blame of the deaths on the Palestinians. No opportunity was given to the Palestinians to give their version of what happened and the matter was essentially presented as one of unfortunate civilians caught in a war zone.
While one has little or no expectations of CNN or any other American news channel, the callousness and seeming unprofessionalism of the BBC was shocking. By slanting and twisting the news in this manner, these western organizations are only feeding the hatred and xenophobia in the Muslim world that the West has launched an offensive against the Muslims and no degree of justice or fair play can be expected of them.
It is time the western media projected the Israeli state for what it is - a criminal state that acts with complete impunity in disregard of all international and human rights, aided and abetted by the US and its western allies.
S. KHURSHID HASANAIN
Islamabad
Pensioners' case
Thanks to Dawn, a lot of debate and discussion has been generated on the above issue. In view of the rising cost of living, the importance of taking positive steps to help widows, pensioners and the elderly cannot be over emphasized. Be it food, clothing and housing or education, it is difficult to make bends meet. The problem is compounded because old people are living longer.
After sharp drops in NSS profits, the government has introduced two schemes, which yield somewhat better rates of profits. One is known as Pension Benefit Account (scheme) and the other as Behbood Registration Certificates.
Their limitations are: (a) No investment above Rs1 million can be made in any of these schemes, and (b) they cannot be availed of by all widows, pensioners and the elderly.
In the case of the pension benefit scheme, it can be availed of only by retirees from federal government service or from autonomous corporations of the federal government and their units.
In the case of widows, I do not think that there is any restriction of age. However, for Behbood Registration Certificates for the elderly, it is necessary for the certificate holder to be 60 years or above. Each scheme yields a profit of Rs841 per month on an investment of Rs100,000.
Those who are able to make the maximum permissible investment of Rs2 million in the two schemes will earn a profit of only Rs16,820 per month. This highlights the need for introducing more and better schemes, especially for widows, pensioners and the elderly.
Many investors may like to benefit from both the schemes, but they may face the hurdles of requirement of pension book or for serving in projects which have been privatized.
One may not go into these complications, which have been highlighted before, but it would be worthwhile if someone could examine all the rules and other details of the new schemes and rewrite these rules and details.
It is also suggested that we may try to introduce a new clause in both the schemes, allowing the spouse/son/daughter to operate these accounts. If this is not done, we may land ourselves in litigation, particularly in the case of Behbood certificates, after the demise or even before the demise of the investors.
The rule in the Pension Benefit scheme is that whatever investment is to be made, subject to the limit of one million rupees, it should be made in one go. The rationale for this rule is not clear. It is suggested that staggering of investment in this scheme should be allowed. If this rule is also being followed by some NSS centres for Behbood Registration Certificates.
MOHAMMAD ANWAR KHAN
Karachi
Constitution and democracy
It seems Pakistan is the only country which has suffered in the name of democracy. Enumerating the achievements of our politicians, Dr Azizur Rehman Bughio, in his Encounter article (May 8), has mentioned the 1973 Constitution as one of them.
If we analyze this document, we shall realize that the Constitution is far from being a democratic one. After the seven general elections held under the Constitution, we are still very far from a "government of the people, by the people and for the people". It is because our Constitution was framed by a feudal leadership on the pattern of the undemocratic and colonial Government of India Act 1935.
This act, when passed by the British parliament, was described by Winston Churchill in these words: "A gigantic quilt of jumbled-up crochet work, a monstrous monument of shame built by pygmies."
No wonder the 1973 Constitution is responsible for the creation of an essentially totalitarian and colonial-style state structure under which after every election we get a 'civilian dictatorship' of feudals and billionaires.
Under this dispensation, the masses are always denied genuine participation, rule of law and good governance. The first general election under the Constitution was held in 1977 when its undemocratic character became obvious as the prime minister, all the chief ministers, some cabinet ministers and party stalwarts of the incumbent government were declared elected unopposed. The hapless masses felt cheated and resorted to large-scale protests.
If the Constitution were framed on a democratic pattern, as the ones in the UK, Canada, Japan and Australia, Pakistan would have embarked on a road to establishing a democratic welfare society.
Only then would no army general have dared impose military rule on the country. Why don't we realize that the 1973 Constitution ensures a "government of the elite, by the elite and for the elite", who are accustomed to palace intrigues and manipulations only for their own benefit?
It is time we had realized the undemocratic nature of the Constitution. We must analyse its harmful provisions and strive for making it democratic and people-friendly. Otherwise, even 70 elections will not usher in democracy and good governance in Pakistan.
SYED FEROZ SHAH
Karachi
Teachers' training
Several factors contribute to the low level of literacy in Pakistan. The main constraint to the delivery of quality education is the lack of qualified, skilled and trained teachers in the public sector.
Due to a dearth of teachers with adequate academic qualifications, the quality and efficiency of teaching is low, resulting in poor performance by students, specially in primary schools.
There are several gaps in the process of training teachers, which have adversely affected the quality of teacher training in our country. Enhancing teachers' quality requires training through a well thought out programme.
In 1995 the curriculum/syllabus for Primary Teaching Certificate and Certificate of Teaching was revised. A committee was constituted and all the provinces contributed by sending experts for developing a new draft. This was implemented without textbooks.
Some new subjects - English and Teacher, School and Society - were added in this draft. Also, some new topics or concepts such as population education, environmental education and drug education were to be taught. English is compulsory from Class I to V (for primary section).
In the public sector, there are 90 elementary colleges; in Sindh 25 male and female training institutions follow this curriculum. All the private training colleges work on the same lines. In Sindhi, no textbook has been either printed or compiled according to the new syllabus for PTC and CT trainees.
It is suggested that textbooks for PTC and CT should be made available in Urdu, English and Sindhi, especially the teaching of mother tongue (Sindhi), as per the curriculum and syllabus for elementary teacher education.
YAQIN MUHAMMAD
Sanghar
Bringing back looted wealth
As a citizen I appreciate the effort of President Pervez Musharraf for the eradication of corruption, terrorism and fundamentalism from our society. The NAB and its chairman, Lt-Gen Munir Hafeez, also deserve our praise in this regard.
Nobody can deny the fact that it is for the first time in the country's history that a big amount of looted money has been brought back to Pakistan. This we must acknowledge, instead of expecting too much from President Musharraf.
However, the honesty and sincerity shown by these two gentlemen cannot be expected from the subordinates, some of whom may succumb to all sorts of pressures.
As the president himself once said, some corrupt persons have not only reached the assemblies but even the cabinet. Such corrupt persons can harm the honest and the noble.
The late Hakim Said once said that a colossal amount of 80 billion dollars has been stashed away abroad by unscrupulous Pakistanis. It is now the responsibility of the government to bring this money back and give it to its rightful owner - the national exchequer - with the help of friendly governments and intelligence agencies.
If this money is brought back and it is spent on the people's health and education, Pakistan will be transformed into a modern, developed state.
K. MURAD BEY
Karachi
Prospects for oil and gas sector
During a briefing of the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, President Musharraf was informed of the prospects of $1.5 billion investment in the oil and gas sector during the next one-and-a-half years.
Progress in exploring oil and gas has been dismal for various reasons. (Oil production has registered a downward trend in the current fiscal year due to depleted reserves and no new significant discoveries.)
Political and economic instability during the past few years has been the main cause discouraging foreigners to invest in this sector. While the economic situation seems to have improved, political instability continues to haunt the country.
It is needless to emphasize that economic sovereignty is a pre-requisite to be a politically sovereign country, as rightly stated by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz in his recent statement on a private TV channel.
The president should know that oil and gas companies perform only 30 per cent of their task and the remaining activities are carried out by sub-contractors providing different services.
Multinational companies and local contractors have been facing tremendous problems in providing services to these companies, because waderas and jagirdars do not allow them to operate without receiving their share of money regularly. This makes nonsense of budget forecasting, thereby rendering the service useless.
I have seen companies and their contractors employing workforces beyond their legitimate requirements at the behest of the local elite, notwithstanding the money regularly being paid to local political leaders, persons claiming to represent local media and labour leaders who do not have even the remotest link with the area or the CBA concerned.
As if this weren't enough, labour departments support their unlawful activities and act on the advice of labour unions in achieving their objectives (taking advantage of intra-CBA rivalries), as they too have to earn their livelihood by whatever means.
The situation is worse in Badin and Khairpur and adjoining areas. Balochistan is exception, and unscrupulous persons and so-called political elite have made the operations of such companies extremely difficult.
The vehicles of people associated with these companies are stopped at gunpoint. They are looted and threatened with dire consequences if demands are not met. Consequently, these companies and their contractors become hostage to the locals for fear of being abducted. The local police are a part of the whole exercise and often work hand in gloves with the locals in minting money.
Will the relevant agencies and all those who are directly or indirectly connected with the development of the oil and gas sector look into these serious issues and take corrective steps in the supreme public interest? They need to take measures to ensure the writ of the state in those areas where oil and gas exploration and production activities are carried out, and eradicate the menace posed by local political elites and so-called leaders and their cronies.
ONE WHO KNOWS
Karachi
Malpractice by doctors
My wife recently had to consult a number of different specialists. It was saddening to observe the following:
a. Some specialists accepted the patient, charged a fee and after a few days of test/treatment declared that the patient needed to see another specialist as she was not suffering from ailment of their specialization.
b. They charged hefty fees from Rs600 to 1,200 for every visit and even for brief advice.
c. Some went out of the city on leave, for seminars and other commitments, thus leaving the patient high and dry.
d. They were not available for advice after private consultation hours even when the patient needed it badly. One specialist even advised us to consult the nearest hospital in case of discomfort/pain or any medical necessity.
e. All ordered tests worth thousands of rupees and changed very expensive medicines at will.
All said and done, I was lucky to have met the chief of surgery at a major hospital. His attitude, availability, private fee, etc., astonished me. He acted as a philanthropist as compared to others and successfully treated my wife. I and my family pray for his good health and long life.
The PMDC and health ministry should issue (if already available, then make it public) a directive on the ethics of specialist private practice. It must spell out the "rights of a patient" and also fix the maximum fee and the number of patients a doctor can see in an hour.
LT-COL (retd) MUHAMMAD ALI KHAN
Karachi
Chickenpox incidence
This refers to the news item "Chickenpox on the rise" (May 3). I am appalled to read the following incorrect statements in the report:
1. "If, for instance, the brain is involved in which case pus may start oozing from the ear."
2. "Prof Issani and Prof Akram both were of the opinion that chickenpox could have disastrous consequences if the patient was only one year old or less."
3. "One shot of the vaccine may cost something like Rs1,500."
The facts are:
1. The vaccine costs Rs1,800 per dose and mostly you need only one dose.
2. If the brain is involved, then pus doesn't come out of ears; both problems are independent issues.
3. The younger the child, the milder is the disease. It is true that a child born to mothers with chickenpox near delivery can have an unpleasant outcome.
This is a period every year that we always see a normal upsurge in cases of chickenpox. There is no severe epidemic.
There has been a few other reports which lack depth/ understanding and correctness. I would suggest such facts should be verified from experts (by fax or telephone).
PROFESSOR IQBAL A. MEMON
Karachi
Condition of graveyard
This is to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable condition of the New Karachi graveyard which is deprived of basic facilities such as water and electricity.
A water connection has been provided, but water supply remains suspended without any reason. I am constrained to believe that a water mafia has complete control over the graveyard and is selling water at exorbitant rates. Besides, electricity has not been provided to the graveyard.
I request the authorities to make water and electricity available so that burial rites may be properly performed.
ABDUL QAYUM KHAN REWARVI
Karachi
BJP's defeat
It was the BJP's anti-Muslim drive which turned the general elections against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BJP believed that as the Hindus are in a majority in India, they should try to win the extremist elements by adopting policies against the Muslims.
It was during BJP's rule that over 2,000 Muslims were massacred in Gujarat state in 2002. However, no step was taken to punish the perpetrators of the crime.
The BJP government also supported the argument of extremist Hindus for constructing a temple at the Babri Masjid site. This greatly hurt Muslim sentiments.
The BJP's Hindutva policies proved disastrous, and secular and moderate elements in Indian politics voted for the Congress to bring about a change.
KHURRAM KHAN VIRK
Lahore
Advice to PTCL
The PTCL is earning windfall revenues by milking its helpless subscribers. Its back-breaking charges come in the shape of line rent and multimetered local calls, although sales tax and withholding tax are collected on behalf of the state.
If a subscriber fails to pay his bill, the phone becomes one way, which after a few days is blocked even for incoming calls, and a disconnection recording is played. In the meanwhile, the company conveniently charges line rent on the disconnected phone and a further penalty of Rs500 for late reconnections.
I suggest that the PTCL should take a cue from mobile phone companies which allow incoming calls for six months after expiry of credit. As a gesture of goodwill the company should allow incoming calls on disconnected lines and the privilege of unlimited local call facility as availed previously.
It would be wise for the PTCL to review its hegemonic attitude and address the concerns of ordinary subscribers.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
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