| 30 May 2004 | Sunday | 10 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Juvenile justice system
Taking on extremism
Powers of tax ombudsman
Pakistan's C'wealth membership
Bomb blasts in Karachi
Demolition of Abu Ghraib
Pillage of Karachi
Pensioners' plight
Increase in Haj fare
Cricket club's plea against encroachers
Transparent US democracy
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
This concerns the letter by Mr Ameer Buksh Bhutto, "Cost of disregarding social customs" (May 27). Many of his arguments are well taken and one can understand his stance concerning laws and regulations of the country, which curb tribal authority and go against socially entrained customs. This too especially since a large portion of our society till today remains affiliated with one social group or another and likely holds his viewpoint.
However, one cannot help but oppose some of his contentions. He belittles the importance of law and the constitution by saying that "social change cannot be legislated by law" and "laws cannot impose a certain morality on society". These are not the sole purposes of law in the first place. The law is there to ensure a viable society. In our case, our founding fathers had envisioned a society based on equality, freedom and justice for all and our constitution in its spirit respects these principles.
Tribal rules and regulations on the other hand are customs handed down the generations which in the days gone by were enacted to preserve the tribe alone. By virtue of this fact alone they are obsolete and the sooner they are done away with the better.
The situations which arise when a judgment is passed by a court of the land against the will of a tribe, such as the reported incidents in Ghotki, are more the doing of tribal leaders who cannot see their power over the people wane. Their sense of entitlement would vanish if their subjects were to demand their constitutional right of equality with them and thus they continue to nurture the tribal structure.
This keeps them in power. Rather than urging the rest of the country to give up the rule of law, one should convince the rulers and leaders of the tribes to break from tradition and stop using their 'subjects' to kill, abduct and wage wars on their behalf.
Education and enlightenment are necessary. But it is also vital that equality and justice be provided to each citizen via a standard law throughout the country. Any system of jirgas that sanctify rape to preserve the 'honour' of a tribe is faulty and any tribal council which sanctifies 'honour killing' is wrong. This must cease immediately without waiting for social change to come from within which may take decades (if at all).
MUBASHIR KHAN
Indianapolis, IN., USA
(2)
I am writing these lines in response to Ameer Buksh Bhutto's letter of May 27. Mr Bhutto must know that racial segregation in schools all over America was eliminated by a court order. Change from enlightenment and education does happen but the cost may be many lives.
It is naive to wait for such a change. The Indian tradition of sati was also eliminated by the passage of a law. People changed their attitudes later.
RAZA HAQUE
Jackson, Michigan, USA
Juvenile justice system
Mr Nabi Bakhsh Narejo ("Juvenile justice system", May 28) has noted the need for proper rehabilitation of underage offenders (young criminals). He is right on target.
I served by appointment of the governor of Alabama for a six-year term, which ended in 2000, on the Alabama Department of Youth Services Board (i.e., juvenile jail system and reform school reeducation programmes) and its concurrent board of education.
In this respect, I would suggest the following to the government of Pakistan:
1. The country needs a remedial or "special education" programme as the core and purpose of jail time for juvenile offenders.
2. This juvenile reform school system must operate apart from the adult prison system. Its purpose must be reform, basic education, learning to read, write and basic core subjects, coupled with the teaching of a technical skill which a young boy or girl can use to make a living once his or her sentence has been served.
3. The government must set up sex-segregated juvenile reform school "jails". No mixing of boys and girls on the same campus should be allowed.
4. Find trained and capable staffers to use in reform education and rehabilitation.
5. Finally, the family unit is often at the core of juvenile crime. Undereducated parents may breed undereducated children. Brutal or cruel parents may breed mean, harmful juvenile criminals. Family values, as in our western Christian focused society, are just as important and meaningful in your Muslim core centered belief system. All faith systems are good in that all teach values and constructive attitudes to help, not put down young people, as they struggle to exist in a very tough and hard world.
Good luck to Mr Narejo and all associated now and in the future with a better juvenile jail and reform school reeducation system in Pakistan. Classroom education/ reeducation is the core of success, not harsh punishment. It is never too late to teach values and technical vocational skills to such youths.
GEORGE SINGLETON
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Taking on extremism
Every now and again, President Musharraf makes a stirring speech warning against the evils of extremism and fundamentalism. He also periodically urges re-evaluation of the laws promulgated during the Zia regime which trample on women's right and debase Pakistan's image in the world.
However, this noble talk is seldom followed up with concrete action which is well within his power to undertake. On the contrary, his politically expedient understanding with the religious right makes one wonder whether he really considers extremism to be the greatest danger not only to the economic viability of the country but to its very existence. Unfortunately, the Pakistani public displays the same ambivalence.
According to a PEW poll, more than 70 per cent of Pakistanis consider Osama bin Laden to be a hero. One of the respected columnists for this esteemed newspaper refers to Osama bin Laden with the prefix of veneration, i.e., Sheikh. A great deal of this attitude is undoubtedly provoked by the unwise policies of the Bush administration which elicits strong anti-Americanism around the world.
However, to extrapolate understandable anti-Americanism to condoning the acts of terrorists or not being alive to the dangers that they pose to Pakistan is truly myopic.
Pakistan stands to gain a great deal from a strong alliance with the United States, even when it means at times swallowing one's self-esteem. In contrast, dismissing the threat of extremism and of 'so-called terrorists' may prove to be suicidal for Pakistan as the recent bombings in Karachi indicate.
One hopes that President Musharraf will follow his convictions with solid actions to stop the onslaught of fanaticism in Pakistan.
M. HAIDER
New Jersey, USA
Powers of tax ombudsman
This is with reference to the letters (May 23 and 27) under the above headline.
Kindly note that the president of Pakistan has already resolved the issue of the jurisdiction and upheld findings/ decisions of the federal tax ombudsman in the following representations filed by the Central Board of Revenue:
i) The decision dated 08/11/2003 on CBR representation C.No. 4(823)TO-I/2002 dated 27/11/2002, filed against the decision in Complaint No.823-L/2002 wherein it is held that the matter envisaged under Section 9(2)(b) relates to plain assessment etc, not tainted with any of the traits of maladministration defined under Section 2(3) of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance 2000 (XXXV of 2000). Conversely, the inference would be that where such assessment etc are tainted with any of the traits of defined maladministration, the bar on jurisdiction envisaged in clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 9 not be applicable.
ii) The decision dated 15th May, 2004, on CBR representation C.No. 4(271)to-I/2003 dated 29-07-2003 filed against the decision in complaint No.271/2003 dated 03-07-2003 wherein it is held that if the facts on which assessment proceedings are initiated do not exist, the bar under Section 9(2)(b) would not apply. It is also true that determination of proper facts is part of assessment proceedings. The FTO has found that the basis on which the regional commissioner has selected the return does not exist. Accordingly, the president has rejected the representation filed by the CBR.
KHUSHNOOD A. KHAN
President, Karachi Sales Tax Bar Association
Pakistan's C'wealth membership
The recent lifting of restrictions on Pakistan's participation in the councils of the Commonwealth is welcome.
To describe this development as Pakistan's readmission to the Commonwealth is absurd because Pakistan was not expelled, nor was its membership terminated. Barring it from sitting in the councils of the Commonwealth was not tantamount to expelling it from the Commonwealth or terminating its membership.
There is eminent justification for President Musharraf's rejoinder to the unwarranted comment of the Commonwealth secretary-general, Don Mckanon. It is not for the secretary-general to lay down the conditions for membership. The ministerial group which looked into Pakistan's case prescribed no such conditions.
Whether President Musharraf retains or gives up the uniform of C-in-C of the Pakistan Army is Pakistan's own internal matter and it is not the concern of the Commonwealth. The president's stand in this regard is justified and the secretary-general should not badger him on this issue.
The Pakistani leadership has taken the country on the democratic pathway, and the Commonwealth can monitor the results without affronting the Pakistan nation.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
Bomb blasts in Karachi
The car-bomb blasts outside the Pakistan-American Cultural Centre in Karachi on Wednesday show the hatred that people of one school of thought in this city have against the policies of the US government. The question arises: how long will the US-led war against terrorism continue in Pakistan? How many more people will die in similar terrorist activities in our country which has become a close US ally in the war on terror?
It is unfortunate that our foreign office has never asked the American administration to move its consulate from Abdullah Haroon Road. Nor has the US consul- general been asked to shift his residence from Fatima Jinnah Road on which the bomb blasts took place.
During the last one decade, a number of countries have shifted their consulates to safer locations. Russia, China and Kuwait have moved their consulates into new buildings. But the US government is adamant that it will not shift its consulate and the residence of its consul-general, posing a constant security threat to people living in the area and causing great inconvenience to commuters due to frequent closures of Abdullah Haroon Road and Fatima Jinnah Road.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
(2)
The bomb blasts outside Pakistan-American Cultural Centre resulted in the death of one policeman and caused injuries to about 34 people, mostly mediamen. The incident indicates that our law-enforcement agencies have failed to guarantee protection of life to the citizens of this country. The area where the blasts occurred were under close surveillance of the law-enforcement agencies. Despite the presence of many policemen and barricades preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering this area, terrorists managed to get there and plant bombs in two vehicles.
The reason for this failure is the VIP culture that exists in our society. Private vehicles with tinted window glasses are seen moving freely. The bigger the vehicle the more difficult it is the for the traffic police to stop and question the driver.
I travel on Sharae Faisal twice daily and see numerous four-wheelers with tinted glasses. I have also seen high-ranking traffic and civilian police officials on this road but none of them has the courage to stop and question the owner about the tinted windows. Because they know that the moment they stop such a vehicle, the driver will rush out of the car only to ask them: do you know who I am?
A day after the PACC bombings, I saw a four-wheeler with tinted glass rushing towards Clifton. The vehicle overtook my van and disappeared near Metropole Hotel. I can quote the registration numbers of numerous vehicles that I see everyday on Sharae Faisal. Is any of the law-enforcement agencies interested in taking action?
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
Demolition of Abu Ghraib
Shutting Abu Ghraib is purely a token gesture to fool us into thinking that the torture and suffering inflicted by the US ends with the destruction of the prison. The US will just create new, more advanced and efficient low-profile torture houses in Iraq that people will not know about (this time the mistake of letting photos be taken will not be repeated). And guess who will pay the construction costs? The Iraqi people.
What about the other torture houses that we know about (Camp Delta, Bagram, etc.)? What will happen to them, and why are they not also closed? And what about the prisons run on behalf of the US by proxy puppet governments?
HAMID NIAZI
Sheffield, UK
Pillage of Karachi
This is in response to the letters "Pillage of Karachi" by Mr F.H. Punthakey (May 12) and "Shifting of capital" by Mr Muhammad Atif Khan (May 9).
The shifting of the capital was one of the blunders that Ayub Khan made. The reasons are:
1) When the capital was shifted from Karachi, the people of the then East Pakistan asked if the capital had to be shifted, why not to Dhaka? Dhaka was a developed city and was the strongest contender to be the capital of Pakistan after Karachi at the time of independence. This increased the feeling of deprivation in East Pakistan.
2) The economic condition of the country was unstable. At the time of independence several hundred million rupees which belonged to Pakistan as its share in the division of assets of united India were not transferred to Pakistan. We were weak and in desperate need of financial support. At that moment the decision to change capital was, therefore, premature, unwise and costly.
I can only dream of the good old days of Karachi, with Mr Punthakey sitting on a bench, gazing at the sea, with a cool breeze striking his face, wishing that time could stand still. Remembering those beautiful moments, even the toughest soul can cry.
FURQAN AZIZ
Karachi
Pensioners' plight
We, members of the Retired Professors' Association, Government College, Faisalabad, want redressal of our grievances.
The ever-increasing cost of living and inflation has hit hard pensioners who do not have the means to make ends meet.
The recent announcement that the salaries of government servants will be increased in the coming budget does not mention any increase in pensions of old pensioners. They deserve the same consideration.
It is requested that they should be granted a reasonable increase in their pensions commensurate with their needs, service and the rate of inflation. They should also be granted an additional pension out of their contributions towards the Benevolent Fund which is admissible to widows after the demise of their pensioner husbands.
PROF ALHAJ MUHAMMAD YAQUB SHEIKH
Faisalabad
Increase in Haj fare
An increase in the Haj fare by 20 per cent will yield about Rs700 million as additional revenue from pilgrims in the year 2004/2005 for PIA.
Perhaps the high-ups in the government are aware that 20 per cent to 30 per cent discounted fare is offered to pilgrims in India each year to lessen their financial burden.
M. ASIF DAR
Karachi
Cricket club's plea against encroachers
Multi-storeyed residential apartments are being constructed in a playground between Blocks G-1 and G-10, Federal Capital Area, Karachi, that will deprive the area's children and youths of their only playing rights.
The ground is earmarked in the planning map as a playing ground. It is at present in the use of a cricket club, affiliated with the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA).
The KCCA itself uses the ground for practice sessions for Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 players. Hasan Raza, Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi and Basit Ali (Test cricketers) had played and practised in this ground when they started playing cricket.
This ground is also used for social gatherings and marriage ceremonies as a community centre.
In the past, attempts to usurp the playing rights of youths were made but thwarted owing to hectic efforts by the area people. The builders' mafia had attempted to raise a residential complex on the ground in the late 1970. The people of the area had resented the attempt to construct the complex in 1978. On the request of the residents, the then martial law administrator of Zone 'C' had issued orders on December 28, 1978, to stop construction of the structure.
Once again construction of the flats by the builders' mafia has been initiated and the area people now again are running from pillar to post to get the illegal construction work stopped. The residents and players appeal to President Musharraf, Prime Minister Jamali, sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad to save this ground for the children and youth of the area from the PWD authorities.
S. BAQAR RAZA
Karachi
Transparent US democracy
One must admire the transparent American process of accountability conducted by the Senate armed services committee, which summoned Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the top army brass to answer questions in respect of the abuses committed on Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib.
The inquiry was televised by the BBC and CNN and those who witnessed it must have admired the functioning of American democracy and its method of investigation into the abuses.
The Americans have not suppressed the prison abuses as we do in Pakistan, where we daily witness abuses committed in private and state-run jails - besides cases of gang-rape and deaths in custody.
Similarly, the mass murders and rape in the then East Pakistan in 1971 have been forgotten and no one has been held responsible.
Are we ever to practise the process of accountability to prove or demonstrate that we are good Muslims?
A.S.PINGAR
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.