| 25 May 2004 | Tuesday | 05 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Vatican's stance about Muslims
Iraqi prisoner abuse
What breeds corruption
Non-payment of dues
Toxic water for human use
'Perks of top 100 officers'
PTCL's claim
Stop signs
'Towards a monolithic system?'
Vandalism in courts
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The current impasse in the National Finance Commission may have much to do with the composition of this body. The Constitution of Pakistan prescribes in Article 160 that the National Finance Commission shall "consist of the minister of finance of the federal government, the ministers of finance of the provincial governments and such other persons as may be appointed by the president after consultation with the governors of the provinces".
Though not designated as such, the federal finance minister has come to be the chairman of the NFC. And the "such other persons" referred to above have come to be one private member each, appointed from the four provinces.
The Constitution goes on to say that the National Finance Commission shall make recommendations on the distribution between the federation and the provinces of the taxes in the divisible pool. In practice, the commission conducts no such exercise.
It is the federal finance minister, the ninth member of the NFC, if we may designate him so, who informs the eight provincial members of the nine-member commission as to what the division between the federation and provinces shall be.
Again it is the National Finance Commission which is required under the Constitution to oversee the exercise by the federal government of its borrowing powers. But this item is never brought on the agenda of the NFC. The agenda is of course drawn up by the federal finance ministry.
The statutory provision on collection charges is that the federal government shall be reimbursed from the divisible pool the actual expenses incurred by it on the collection of taxes.
Normally, this charge comes to less than one per cent but the federal finance ministry insists on deducting five per cent as collection charges from the provincial shares. This comes to Rs22.5 billion currently or more than Balochistan's total share from the divisible pool.
So, while the provinces have eight members and the centre only one, it is the central government which exercises all control. One wonders whether the story would be different even if the provinces stood solidly united.
As currently composed, the NFC consists of interested parties each of whom works for its own gain. The federal finance ministry having been entrusted with the collection function appears to have arrogated to itself all the clout and power. The provinces, particularly the smaller three, have almost lost effective membership status and have become mere recipients from a dispensation in which they have little participation.
The solution lies in changing the composition of the NFC. The pattern to adopt should be that which obtains in India and in most of the federations in the West. In these countries, their national finance commissions are fiercely independent.
They consist of eminent personages who do not represent the states or the provinces nor the federal government. None of them is a government functionary. The chairman, too, is a distinguished private person. And no prime minister or chief minister can influence them.
Before this body of men appear functionaries of the states or provinces, each presenting his case. And this independent, non-government commission gives the award to the nation. Should we not emulate this kind of NFC? Of course, a small and beneficial amendment to the Constitution shall be required.
ABDUL HAKIM KHAN
Karachi
Vatican's stance about Muslims
In a document released by the Vatican, Catholic women have been advised not to marry Muslim men (May 15). It also calls women as "the least protected member of the Muslim family" and urges the Muslims to show respect for gender equality, among other things. The basis of this criticism was the alleged treatment meted out to some Catholic women by their Muslim husbands.
The renowned German Orientalist and scholar, Annemarie Schimmel, who spent many years of her life travelling and living in Muslim countries, had a very different outlook. She regrets that not a single (western) book on the phenomenology of religion deals with Islam.
It is certainly much easier to look on the surface and judge polygamy and easy divorce adversely and to point constantly at the concept of purdah - although its over stressed application developed only after a certain period - than to see its positive sides, she says.
Dr Schimmel had also made the perceptive observation that the recent events in the Muslim world unfortunately supported the detractors who say that in a militant, fundamentalist society, women are an oppressed lot with no rights, are unable to voice their opinions or have a say in their own religious affairs. However, the role of Turkish women in their war of liberation or the active participation of women in the Pakistan Movement easily proves the contrary.
Most scholars, being male, have never lived in the company of women in a Muslim home and have not seen how important a role women, and especially mothers, play in their homes, be it in Turkey or in the subcontinent, explains Dr Schimmel.
Incidentally, a recent report in The New York Times stated that Islam has become the fastest growing religion in Rwanda, though Roman Catholicism was the dominant faith there for over a century (Dawn, April 10).
The reason cited was that "many people, disgusted by the role that some priests and nuns played in the killing frenzy (that took 800,000 lives), have shunned organized religion altogether, and many more have turned to Islam."
To this may be added the unbelievable atrocities committed by American and British troops or the Israelis, Russians and others, even if not Catholics, and one can easily see the disgust of Muslims and other fair-minded people.
Some Muslims no doubt treat their foreign wives improperly, but things must be seen in their proper perspective and the entire Muslim community should not be stereotyped. Like other developing nations, the Muslim countries ought to pay more attention to human rights and democracy, but these do not stem from any shortcoming in Islam.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Iraqi prisoner abuse
No human being can fail to be appalled by the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of US military personnel at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. Condemnation of the actions has been universal.
However, Bush's and Blair's condemnations came with an attempt to mitigate the horror. They both stressed the same thing - that the actions of a few should not tarnish the reputation of the 150,000 coalition soldiers in Iraq.
There is something deeply wrong with the military and political culture that could generate and attempt in any way to minimize such atrocities. America's human rights credentials are already tarnished by the illegal imprisonment of "detainees" at Guantanamo Bay.
Although the media in the US deserves praise for releasing the photographs, it failed in its duty to the public by delaying the broadcast for almost two weeks as a result of a request from the Pentagon. That gave them time to prepare a defence.
Not surprisingly the Islamic world has reacted with disgust. Every Muslim feels that this is an outcome of the culture of hate that the US administration has adopted against the Muslims.
Amnesty International has also said that the incident was not an isolated case. It is not enough for the US to react once such images hit the television screens. The organization has called for an independent inquiry into the abuse allegations, but thus far they have received no response from American administrators in Iraq.
British military authorities are themselves investigating eight separate allegations of maltreatment by their troops in southern Iraq. In addition to which, a series of photographs are now being investigated which show British soldiers engaging in the same type of abuse and humiliation as perpetrated by the Americans.
It is not enough to write these atrocities off as the actions of rogue elements. Nor is it sufficient to focus on the damage that these revelations have already had on coalition PR campaigns for hearts and minds.
A fundamental re-ordering of principles and priorities needs to take place. The coalition must act in accordance with the moral principles it espouses. It must act with integrity and demonstrate to the world that it knows the difference between right and wrong.
ERFAN KURESHI
Via email
What breeds corruption
This is with reference to Mr Karam Ilahi's letter "What breeds corruption" (May 7). Corruption operates mainly in two ways: one, by misappropriation of public income or public assets; and, two, by levying a charge for performing a legitimate public duty.
The former impoverishes society and the latter curtails its growth. Society is impoverished because it loses the assets that are its due. Growth is retarded in two ways: directly by increasing transaction costs, and indirectly by delays.
There are many reasons for corruption in our society. Public officials receive low salaries and, as a result, they try to justify corrupt behaviour by treating it as a moral necessity to take care of family obligations.
Such needs justify corruption. Unfortunately, once need justifies corruption, greed takes over. Thus, the government needs to increase the salaries of government employees.
Corruption is like a mushroom which grows in the dark. So where secrecy is sacrosanct and there is no inspection, corruption grows unchecked, and where there is transparency, corruption cannot take root.
Thus, we need to do away with complex regulations and make the system more transparent. Furthermore, we need to limit the discretionary powers of public officials and eliminate red tape.
It also needs to be realized that increasing the quantum of punishment for corruption is not the solution, but increasing the probability of being punished can help. Psychologically, the certainty of punishment is a greater deterrent than its severity.
That is why death sentences have had little impact on crime, but traffic rules are obeyed (at any rate in places where they are enforced). A punishment may be minor, but the loss of prestige that it entails is major.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
Non-payment of dues
The 729 ex-employees of SAS0 (defunct) have been anxiously waiting for the payment of their golden handshake dues promised since the discontinuation of their services on January 31 this year through an order issued by the government of Sindh in this regard.
Prior to this, the Sindh cabinet at its meeting held on January 18 had approved a golden handshake package worth Rs392 million in favour of the employees, worked out by the agriculture department and modified by the finance department.
The Sindh High Court, accepting the plea of the employees, obtained confirmation of the package in a hearing held on 10-2-04 at the Sukkur bench where the government pledged to disburse the package within three months. But so far there has been no sign that the dues will be paid soon.
During this period, two of our colleagues have died due to lack of medication. We are facing a dilemma: we are getting neither our salary nor our golden handshake benefits.
We appeal to the governor and the chief minister to solve our problem at the earliest to save us from starvation that is knocking at our doors.
EX-EMPLOYEES OF SASO (DEFUNCT)
Karachi
Toxic water for human use
The supply of toxic water for human consumption in Hyderabad and vicinity has caused a severe crisis that has all the trappings of turning into a great human tragedy. According to recent newspaper reports, the death toll from water-borne diseases has risen to eight. Several hundred people have been hospitalized with gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and eye infections.
The contaminated water has also been allowed into canals that are a source of drinking water in the districts of Hyderabad, Badin and Thatta. Nobody yet knows how many people might have been affected in these areas.
The toxic water may have also found its way into Keenjhar Lake that supplies water to Karachi. Only a full-scale inquiry and investigation may reveal the extent of the damage and its long-term effects.
How did this crisis take place? The immediate cause is said to be discharge of contaminated water from Manchhar Lake into the empty beds of the Indus River. Its origins though lie in the water shortage in Sindh and the unimaginative planning and designing of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) which carries saline water and effluents from Punjab, Balochistan and Upper Sindh to Manchhar Lake.
Irrigation and environmental experts had foreseen the dangers of connecting the RBOD with one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia and had warned against its calamitous effects.
Nobody listened and the result is that the flora and fauna have greatly been damaged and thousands of fishermen living in boats in the lake have lost their abode and livelihood.
It has caused salinity to around 200,000 acres of land and, according to press reports, 21 people have died of water-borne diseases in last three months in Taluka Sehwan.
However, the colossal water shortage in Sindh is the major cause of the present crisis. In the last few years, the province has faced a 30-57 per cent water shortage.
Some tail-enders have faced up to 80 per cent shortage. While it has ruined the agriculture in the province, several cities and towns, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Khairpur, Badin, Dadu, Sehwan, Rohri, Jaccobabad and Thatta, have been facing a severe shortage of drinking water.
It clearly shows the in different attitude of the federal and provincial governments towards the serious issues facing the people and their failure in solving the inter-province water distribution issue in a just manner. It is mind-boggling how the authorities in the federal government, Irsa, Wapda and the provincial government could be so insensitive and cruel to their own people.
The highest authorities in the land have to take notice of this grave problem and order an impartial inquiry into its immediate causes and also take firm steps to enforce the 1991 Water Accord to avert an imminent disaster.
AZIZ NAREJO
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
'Perks of top 100 officers'
This is with reference to the news "Perks of top 100 officers cost half a billion" (Dawn, May 12). The information has been presented in a manner as if the benefits availed of by senior civil servants are exorbitant.
We should not grudge the cost of senior civil servants if you compare their emoluments with those given in multinationals and other large private companies. Chief executives of many companies get far more.
Company cars and accommodation, etc., are in addition. Our senior civil servants hold very responsible jobs of running major departments or provinces. If their emoluments are not compatible with the private sector's, no intelligent, competent and honest young person would want to join government service. As the saying goes: if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
It is the misuse of facilities and wastage that can be avoided by providing a high consolidated cash salary to all government employees. There should be no fully maintained houses, cars, telephones, electricity, servants, etc.
If an employee has to pay for petrol for the vehicle owned by him, the chances are he won't allow misuse. The same goes for electricity and other utilities. Of course, there is no way that the government can stop misuse and corruption if an employee is bent on doing so.
However, it can be made difficult and if we ever have proper accountability procedures and honest policing, these will disappear. I am amused to note that a Civil Service Reforms Unit at the cabinet block has been given the task of making suggestions in this regard. Have a heart. It is difficult to drop an axe on your own feet.
S. KIZILBASH
Karachi
PTCL's claim
The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has failed to honour its commitment to provide me with a new telephone connection within 24 hours.
I applied for a connection to the sub-divisional officer, Qila Didar Singh, on March 6 against Registration No.4442, but so far even a demand notice has not been issued despite repeated visits to the PTCL office.
MUHAMMAD SHAHID
Gujranwala
Stop signs
I would like to appreciate the decision by the DHA, Karachi, to close some access points on main roads of the area as this has greatly reduced the number of accidents taking place. The DHA now has to work to put up stop signs on most intersections as there is confusion on right of way.
INAM AZIZ
Karachi
'Towards a monolithic system?'
Sound and pertinent advice has been extended to the prime minister through the editorial (May 6) in the following words: "But combining party and government offices is definitely the wrong way to go about consolidation.... and the prime minister ought to resist the demand of accepting a party office just to keep his government in place."
It may be recalled that a similar situation had emerged in 1951 when Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan was the first prime minister of Pakistan. He was advised by national dailies published from Karachi, i.e., Dawn, Jang, and Millat (Gujrati), not to don both the hats of premiership and party chief of Muslim League but due to sycophants, who are always standing around, the advice was not heeded. What next happened to the Muslim League government is part of the political history of our country.
GHEEWALA A.G.M.
Karachi
Vandalism in courts
The report "112 judges and magistrates quit in Lahore" (May 15) depicts an extremely sorry state of affairs, of which society can only be ashamed. People have learnt the idea of handling problems by taking the law into their hands from the second Nawaz Sharif regime when hooligans, supported by their mentors, assaulted the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Now things have come to such a pass that even civil judges, the upholder of the rights of the weak and dispensers of justice, and lawyers, who are supposed to help the courts to arrive at the truth, can come to blows to sort out their problems.
Now where will the needy go to seek justice and get their grievances redressed?
ALTAF HUSSAIN QURESHI
Hyderabad
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