| 28 May 2004 | Friday | 08 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Physician-patient relationship
Urdu as Punjab's mother tongue
New government in India
A wake-up call
Arab League's decision
Private security arrangements
Juvenile justice system
Dangers of smoking
Law and order
Link road a shambles
Faulty traffic signals
Political parties
Indian show
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Mr S. G. Jilanee cites (May 21) cites several instances to show that the Americans are not subject to many international laws, and that Bush has a Hitler-style team. The Bush administration has a history of intransigence, partisanship, lies and doublespeak.
A senior State Department official, Michael G. Kozak, has remarked that India needs to rein in its troops responsible for "widespread human rights violations in occupied Kashmir if it wants to improve its image in the world."
How about the image of Israel when Ariel Sharon is given a free hand with the blessings of President Bush to kill, maim, imprison and torture hundreds of Palestinians?
President Bush has shattered a longstanding American policy by saying "no return of Palestinians refugees" and that Israel can keep "some" of the Arab lands.
Terry Jones, a film director and actor, has observed that "Bush reverses the good name of Americans" by successfully turning America into a byword for man's inhumanity to man: for torturing prisoners and for massacring over 40 people, including 15 children, at a wedding function. The US military insisted most of the dead were foreign fighters who had crossed over the nearby Syrian border.
Before the Congress Committee, Donald Rumsfeld said, "I feel terrible because what happened to Iraqi detainees. They're human beings. They were in US custody. Our country has an obligation to treat them right. We didn't do that. That was wrong. To those Iraqis who were mistreated by US forces, I offer my deepest apology."
The phrase "we didn't do that" is a lie as Rumsfeld earlier had said these abuses were on his "watch". Rumsfeld must be reminded that Abu Ghraib abuses are isolated instance.
The Los Angeles Times (May 17) comments: "Under Saddam Hussein's rule, Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad was known for torture and killings. Now under US occupation, it again is the subject of outrage, after the army's own investigation found 'systematic and illegal abuse of Iraqi prisoners' and sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses."
PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
(2)
The picture of an American soldier inciting a trained dog against a handcuffed Iraqi detainee (Dawn, May 22) reveals that the American soldiers do not have the word 'decency' in their lexicon.
The series of new pictures released by The Washington Post proves that the sordid acts were not accidental or the work of a few crazy American soldiers. The Iraqi prisoners were put to inhuman treatment under a calculated plan to demoralize the Iraqis. The American commanders cannot absolve themselves of what has happened under their eyes.
The deep wounds inflicted on the Iraqis can only be healed if they are left their war-torn country for their own management, with no foreign influence. The UN should play its role to restore peace and Iraq's lost dignity, shattered by America's misguided adventure.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Physician-patient relationship
For the past few weeks I have been reading with interest the views of your readers over medical ethics and the physician-patient relationship. Some of your readers quoted examples from western medical setups with reference to the patient's bill of rights etc.
One has to understand that the medical profession in the US or other western countries is governed by society or a board that licenses a qualified person to practise medicine, but a doctor who is licensed to practise medicine is also mandated to follow the standards of care and code of ethics established by society or the board. Any negligence or refusal to follow the accepted standards of care is a ground for malpractice.
In the US, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, commonly known as JCAHO, is involved in the improvement and safety and quality of care provided to the public.
To maintain and earn accreditation, organizations must have an extensive on-site review by a team of JCAHO healthcare professionals at least once every three years. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the organization's performance in areas that affect patient care.
Accreditation may then be awarded based on how well the organizations met JCAHO standards. These JCAHO standards range from the patients bill of rights, organization ethics, assessment care of patients, leadership, governance, nursing and medical staff, etc.
It is sad that in Pakistan we don't have such a regulatory authority other than the PMDC that is focused only on medical education. We need to institute accountability more specifically addressing the physician-patient relationship.
I think that prior to making a final decision regarding patient care, physicians and other members of the healthcare team should make an effort to obtain his or her informed consent which should indicate that the patient understands the risks and benefits of therapy.
It is also very unfortunate that Pakistani physicians trained do not follow the same medical ethics standards when they return home.
DR ASHRAF KHAN
Hackensack, NJ., USA
Urdu as Punjab's mother tongue
Punjab has been the nursery of Urdu since ages. Even during Sikh rule, the "Farameen" of the Maharaja used to be issued either in Persian or Urdu. The number of Urdu books published every year in Punjab exceeded the total books published from Lucknow and Delhi. From Punjab, even non-Muslims used to take out dailies and magazines in Urdu.
I have yet to see a Punjabi friend writing a letter to his parents or near and dear ones in Punjabi. Allama Iqbal composed his poems in Urdu since he wanted his message to reach all Indian Muslims.
Only once Ayub Khan delivered a speech in Punjabi at the Lahore Cantonment. Maulana Salahuddin Ahmed took no time in issuing a harangue saying that the president had insulted the Lahoris, even non-Urdu speaking leaders like Maulana Ataullah Shah Bukhari, Shorish Kashmiri, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan who delivered flowery speeches in Urdu and the people listened to them the whole night.
Non-Muslims from Punjab produced the best literature in Urdu. To name a few, Rajindar Singh Bedi, Krishan Chandar, Balwant Singh, Ram Lal, Kanhiya Lal Kapoor, Tilok Chand Mahroom (the list of Muslim Punjabi writers is unending). In class III I learnt Urdu from the weekly Phool edited by Imtiaz Ali Taj, published by Dar-ul-Ishaat, Punjab, Lahore.
Urdu was the language of courts even in pre-partition days. I saw "Wakalat Namas" in Urdu in the office of my lawyer father. Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad and Altaf Hussain Hali brought about a revolution in Urdu poetry, working in Lahore under a British scholar.
According to Professor Shirani, Punjab is the birthplace of Urdu. The people of Punjab must understand that they excel in Urdu. It is their strong point. The medium up to the primary level must remain Urdu to retain their superiority.
KHALIQUE A. QURESHI
Karachi
New government in India
This refers to Mr Ayaz Amir's column (May 21) on the new Indian government. To be successful, you need political backing. Manmohan Singh had it from Narasimha Rao when he was finance minister, but now he is more or less on his own, a technocrat with no following among the public or members of parliament.
Perhaps that is why he has been preferred over political veterans like Parnab Mukherjee. Instead of backing him wholeheartedly, Sonia Gandhi will perhaps try to micromanage him.
To build a coalition, Manmohan Singh has been forced to induct 67 ministers into his government. Some 35 years ago, C. S. Venkatachar, distinguished Indian civil servant, stated ("1937-47 in Retrospect"): "In Indian conditions, only the authority of a strong central government can hold in check the centrifugal forces and prevent the parts from falling apart."
In India, the centre has been getting weaker, and regional parties have been gaining in strength. I do not pretend to know the future, but one is reminded of the following lines by Yeats:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
ASAF ALI SHAH
Lahore
A wake-up call
The world's major oil resources are located in five Muslim states. This is a gift from God to enable Muslims to live honourably. The oil producers are blamed for the recent spike in oil prices, expecting an increase in quotas.
The westerners could explore other options like North Sea crude, Texas, Alaska and strategic reserves in Louisiana and elsewhere. They prefer to conserve their deposits, while our Arab brothers are bent upon draining their black gold in anticipation of western estimates of billions of barrels floating underground.
It is reported that since 1976 no new oil refinery has been set up in the USA. The reason is not financial; it is due to the fact that no US state is willing to give land for such a pollution-oriented enterprise.
The US requested Saudi Arabia to establish refineries, so that finished petroleum products may be taken, leaving environmental hazards, if any, overseas. The Saudis wisely rejected the proposal, but there are others who may agree with their mentors.
Our Arab brothers should wake up before the oil wells dry up.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
Arab League's decision
This is with reference to the news item "Arab leaders pledge reforms" (May 24). It is heartening to know that Arab leaders have vowed to carry out political and social reforms such as restoring democracy, freedom of speech and women's rights in the region.
However, the sad part is that the Arab League has admitted that they are doing it at the behest of the US. This will further reinforce the world's belief that We Muslims are indifferent to the feelings of our own people and will take reformative steps only under coercion from the West.
There is no gainsaying the fact that most Muslim regimes are authoritarian. But it is also true that increasing awareness and education has made more difficult for rulers to forcibly enforce their will on the masses.
It is time enlightened Muslims showed to the world that they are capable of changing.
MISBAH NOMANI
Karachi
Private security arrangements
The letter "Robbers on the prowl" (May 22) highlights the anguish of citizens targeted by criminals. A similar situation prevailed in Seaview in Karachi's DHA till 1997 which forced citizens to act on a self-help basis, instead of waiting for the government to solve their problems.
In 18 months, in 1996-97, 80 incidents of dacoity and robbery occurred in an area having 1,200 houses. Criminals had selected Seaview as it was an easy target because of its numerous entry/ exit points and were robbing a house every seven or eight days. Since Seaview had no association or committee managing it, residents appeared helpless as the police were unable to control the crime wave.
A Seaview society was thus formed which tried the chowkidari system, and organized neighbourhood watch and patrolling by security agencies but crime continued. A plan had to be devised keeping the areas' ground realities in view.
The community finally decided that the costly option of constructing a security perimeter was the only remedy. This was a gigantic task since people in large numbers had to be mobilized to contribute funds on a self-help basis.
Credit must be given to the then corps commander and administrator, DHA, who supported these efforts and helped complete the first boundary wall in 1997 measuring 4,000 feet and enclosing 261 houses.
Community participation picked up as improved security became visible and guards were posted at entry/exit points. It is satisfying to see today that in the last six years only three incidents have occurred in the first walled enclave of 261 homes.
The word spread and residents were motivated and another 108 homes were enclosed in a boundary wall in 1999-2000. Another 300 residents joined the society, and with support from the DHA we have succeeded in covering 800 households, making the area a much safer place to live in for its 4,000 residents.
Although a lot still needs to be done, newcomers not familiar with the area's history cannot visualize how bad the situation used to be.
The purpose of this letter is to encourage activists to join hands on a community basis to solve their problems themselves instead of waiting for help from somewhere. We are willing to help, if needed.
AZIZ SUHARWARDY
General Secretary, Defence Association's Coordination Committee, Karachi
Juvenile justice system
The juvenile justice system in our country is underdeveloped. There is no separate law-enforcement wing to deal with juvenile offenders. Juveniles are not tried immediately and properly.
They usually become hardened criminals as they experience mistreatment in jail. The situation calls for engaging criminologists as rehabilitation facilitators and probation and parole officers.
Crime usually results when community problems are left unsolved. Disputes and conflicts can be resolved at the initial stage. Community policing is the approach that engages both the police and a community in overcoming community problems.
The fear of crime is reduced by active availability and role-adjusting approaches of "community-police officers". This calls for introducing new policing with pro-active and predictive ability to address delinquency, crime, fear of crime and its causation.
NABI BAKHSH NAREJO
Hyderabad
Dangers of smoking
The health ministry has replaced the health warning on cigarette packs: "Cigarette smoking is injurious to health" with "Smoking causes cancer and heart diseases."
Does the government think that merely changing the warning is enough for safeguarding the public from the dangers of smoking and nothing more needs to be done?
President General Pervez Musharraf stresses that he always keeps the best national interest before him and all his actions are towards that end. One of the basic national interests is to ensure the safety and health of the citizens of Pakistan and save them from the grave danger to life itself from smoking. Is the president ready to ban smoking altogether?
To achieve this objective the government will have to sacrifice the enormous incomes derived by it from levies like import and excise duties, sales tax, advertisements on electronic media, sport sponsorships, etc.
Merely revising the warning on cigarette packs is just eyewash.
S.M. YOUSUF
Lahore
Law and order
The Metropolitan section of Dawn Karachi of May 19 has two interesting news items adjacent to each other. The first is "IG's orders defied: land encroached upon to build DSP office". The second one reads: "Police mobile taken away at gunpoint."
The conclusion that a common citizen would draw is fair and simple. First, even an IG cannot enforce his order on his own police subordinates. And, second, how can a police force that cannot protect itself provide security to unarmed common people?
SHAMEEM AHMAD
Karachi
Link road a shambles
The Karachi link road connecting the Super Highway and the National Highway, built by Pakistan Steel, is extremely essential and useful as innumerable goods are transported every day via this road.
Moreover, traffic coming from Hyderabad and Thatta uses it to access the new Subzimandi and vice versa. The government has proposed building an education city, and many plots have been allotted to well-established universities on both sides of this road. Above all, because of this road the travelling time has been reduced.
But heavy traffic and rains have caused this road to become a nightmare for vehicular traffic as huge potholes have emerged, causing extreme hardships for regular commuters. These potholes are so deep that fully loaded trucks can overturn and fall on passing cars.
Both the bridges are also in a deplorable state and the one that divides Gadap Town and Bin Qasim Town is broken and a huge crater has formed owing to negligence of the authorities. It is also unsteady.
The NHA charges a toll tax of Rs15 from cars and Rs30 from trucks, which amounts to a large sum generated daily. Where all this money is going is anybody's guess as no repair work on this road has been carried out for the last two years.
I hope the authorities concerned would look into the matter and take early action in this regard.
SHAHBAZ LATIF
Karachi
Faulty traffic signals
I want to draw the attention of traffic officials towards two faulty traffic signals on Sunset Boulevard (DHA, Karachi), one near the Altamash Dental Hospital going towards Phase IV and the other going towards 9th Sunset Street, Phase II Ext.
The problem is that if a person coming from Clifton towards Korangi Road wants to go right, the traffic light is not visible unless one goes within 15/20 feet to the signal.
I hope the officials concerned will take immediate action.
T. JAFFER
Karachi
Political parties
I was shocked to see the news item that a new political party named Pakistan People's League has been formed. We are already burdened with 102 political parties registered with the Pakistan Election Commission, and now one more is there.
ZAFAR MALIK
Lahore
Indian show
One wonders why the Indian business community has decided to stage its 'Made in India' exhibition in Lahore instead of Karachi. Given that a number of exhibitions are held in Karachi without much problems, I urge the Indians to reconsider their decision.
ASIFYA KHAN
Karachi
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