| 04 June 2004 | Friday | 15 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Fee increase by CPSP
A student's appeal
Unprotected residents
Wasting water resources
Horner's syndrome
Powers of tax ombudsman
Suggestions for budget
Unauthorized billboard
Non-supply of water
Murder in mosques
Quaid's portrait
Coal miners' working conditions
Tuck shops in schools
Praying in privacy
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One would like to congratulate Dr Manmohan Singh on becoming prime minister of India and also express appreciation for his assurance of continuing the peace process with Pakistan.
While various reasons are being cited for the shock defeat of the BJP in the recent elections, a very important one is being overlooked. It was the BJP, led by its hawkish elements, that had unnecessarily made India go overtly nuclear. One can vividly recall the nightmarish time six years back when, after suddenly conducting five atomic explosions, people like Mr Advani had immediately started rattling the nuclear sabre over Kashmir.
Perhaps the strategy was to coax Pakistan into going nuclear, which would be followed by the inevitable western sanctions with disastrous consequences for its economy. Fortunately, we did manage to survive that.
But the terror unleashed by this utterly irresponsible action of India's rulers, which Pakistan was compelled to counter by its own tests and rhetoric, has only added enormously to the worries of 1.4 billion South Asians, 1.2 billion Chinese and the rest of the world.
The other retrograde step taken by the BJP was the destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992, leading to rioting, loss of lives and polarization of the Hindu and Muslim communities.
Finally, there also was the pogrom in Gujarat where over 2,000 Muslims were brutally killed and many more underwent severe trauma, with no accountability for Mr Modi and his accomplices. All these things were bound to have their karma.
According to a recent British Medical Journal report, the people of India, Pakistan and other subcontinental countries are in poor physical and mental health. In Tamil Nadu, suicides account for nearly 25 per cent of all deaths in young men and up to 75 per cent of all young women.
Given the fact that Dr Singh is a gentleman with moderate views and cognizant of the importance of economic development for his impoverished compatriots, one hopes he would give serious thought to the suggestions that follow:
1) No-war pacts be signed with China and Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan would then no longer need nukes or huge defence budgets. Given the significantly improved relations with the two neighbours, it should not be difficult for India to do this. Even if China is unable to renounce its nuclear option until its relations with the US improve sufficiently, the moral pressure on the Big-5 nuclear powers may very well lead to their disarmament.
2) The Kashmir issue ought to be quickly resolved. The poor Kashmiri people have already suffered immensely for 56 years. Please give them a break and earn their good wishes and prayers.
The economic and social benefits this will generate will do more for India than keeping them subjugated. Emerson had so wisely said: "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." To make the process transparent, international human rights organizations should be allowed access to Kashmir.
The premier, being from a minority community, would be able to empathize with Pakistan which being only one-seventh the size of India and having felt cornered since 1947 has much to fear.
KHALID CHAUDHARY
Karachi
Fee increase by CPSP
This is with reference to the news item "PMA concerned over fee increase by CPSP" (Dawn, May 19). The Pakistan Medical Association has rightly expressed its concern over the exorbitant fees charged by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan.
It is gross injustice with poor postgraduate students. Four workshops have been made mandatory for postgraduate students. Having attended the workshops and paid Rs34,000 to the CPSP, I firmly believe that all these are nothing but a means of extortion.
A majority of postgraduate students come from middle and lower middle class families and are not paid by the respective teaching hospitals, despite promises to the contrary. We have to work for low-paid part-time jobs to make our livelihood and pay the huge amount to the CPSP from time to time in the name of workshops, registration and dissertation, to mention only a few.
As per convention, a postgraduate student is charged 20 per cent of his pay as examination fees in the UK, but it is the other way round here. The CPSP is not a teaching institution but an examination-conducting body, and thus has no right to fleece poor students.
The recruitment of a large number of executives on fat salaries, perks and privileges is wholly unjustified while we, the poor students, have to bear the brunt.
Dr ABDULLAH
Karachi
A student's appeal
Through these columns I would like to submit the following for consideration of Federal Education Minister Zobaida Jalal:
a. I and six other children of our family are studying in various classes (from Class I to XI) at Thar Higher Secondary (pvt) School, Naokot, Mirpurkhas.
b. I belong to an extremely poor 10-member family including a divorced mother and a widowed sister.
c. Being poor we do not have our own house and live in a rented house, paying a rent of Rs1,000 per month. Having no male family member to support us, I and my sister hardly earn Rs2,000 a month by doing various jobs. However, we require at least Rs5,000 a month to make ends meet.
d. As we are under heavy debt because of spending huge money on our studies and sustenance, no money lender is willing to give us a loan, even on interest. Consequently, it is beyond our power to meet the expenses of further studies.
I have been encouraged to go through the contents of your letter published on the Education page (Dawn, May 16) under the heading "The minister replies", as well as the news item "Poor students should get scholarship".
Keeping in view the above facts, I would request you to sanction scholarship or stipend worth Rs2,000 a month to enable us to continue our studies.
SAIMA MEMON
Class XI, Thar Higher Secondary School, Naokot
Unprotected residents
I am a resident of Karachi's Liaquat Colony, Street No.4, Wali Mohammad Yaqoob Road (Memon Society, Khadda). For the last few months the residents of the street have been the target of dacoits, especially those living in the two buildings in our lane.
On the night of May 28 two armed robbers deprived my elder brother of a mobile set, NID card and about one thousand rupees in cash inside our building. Almost every night the criminals lie in ambush to rob any residents of the two buildings or the passersby.
A few days ago some robbers injured the sweeper of our building in an unsuccessful bid to loot the residents. The sweeper had to be hospitalized. A number of times the residents foiled robbery attempts.
Through these columns I would appeal to the police to give our street protection and save us from the robbers who loot who at will. I also appeal to the city nazim to instruct the Liaquat Colony nazim to play his role in restoring law and order in the area. I also appeal to the KESC not to resort to frequent and prolonged loadshedding as this helps the robbers.
AFFECTED RESIDENT
Karachi
Wasting water resources
Water is a basic need. Nature has a unique system called the water cycle whereby saline sea water turns to rain and snow which flows along as rivers. It is we humans who disturb nature by depleting ozone levels, contaminating and obstructing river beds with dams.
We in Pakistan have failed to maintain our only river which is the lifeline for agriculture and domestic consumption. Many industries upstream flush toxins and effluents with impunity.
Sanctuaries like Manchhar and Haleji which were heritage wetlands have turned saline due to non-availability of fresh input, resulting in conditions similar to the Dead Sea. The Delta region is losing mangrove forests in which various fishes and shrimps breed; vast tracts of fertile land have turned into dustbowls due to invasion of sea water.
Recently the irrigation department made the blunder of diverting Manchhar water into the Kotri channel hoping the mixed water would do well for agriculture, forgetting that the same may be consumed by the people of small towns, who are unaware of boiling or decanting.
The watercracy should drink the water they supply to experience the agony of the death and disease they propagate.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
Horner's syndrome
A 27-YEAR-OLD man from Khanpur suffered from cold in the head and pain in the left side of the nose. After about two weeks he also developed drooping of the left eyelid and blurring of the vision in the left eye. After receiving initial treatment for about a month locally with little success, his doctor advised him to be taken for specialist treatment to Karachi.
His constricted pupil and drooping of the upper eyelid suggested it to be a case of Horner's syndrome. His symptoms and X-ray showed para-nasal sinus and enlargement of the left ethmoidal sinuses. His chest and blood CP were normal.
Horner's disease is not very common. There are a number of symptoms in it due to a disorder of the sympathetic nerves in the cervical region. The syndrome consists of constricted pupil, drooping of the upper eyelid and an absence of sweating over the affected side of the face.
The treatment requires specialist attention as its management is rather difficult in small towns and clinics. While the young man and his people were leaving the hospital, their eyes were lit with joy and happiness at his recovery, which they said, was not possible in their home-town.
DR RAFIQUE AHMED MIRZA
Karachi
Powers of tax ombudsman
This has reference to the letter "Powers of tax ombudsman" by Mr Chaman Lal Oad (May 27). Mr Oad's speaks just as a taxation officer would reply to a taxpayer when the taxpayer is crying hoarse for justice.
I would like to ask six questions from Mr Oad regarding his letter: First, the institution of FTO having been created in 2000, how did it take more than three years for the CBR to get clarified or "corrected" the jurisdiction of the FTO from the president, especially when the FTO had by this time disposed of about 4,000 complaints - which is on record?
Second, FTO Saleem Akhtar is an ex-judge of the Supreme Court and has adjudged numerous cases of tax disputes. Did he need this clarification? Or was he unclear about his jurisdiction for about three years after taking charge?
Third, about 90 per cent of the differences that arise between the department and the taxpayer are with respect to the substantive provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance.
If these substantive provisions are taken out from the jurisdiction of the FTO, then is there any sense in portraying an image of the FTO as a body that has been created to look into the "mal-administration" of the department?
Fourth, Mr Oad has not detailed any "procedural deviations" which fall in the jurisdiction of the FTO and as to why the CBR has not issued any circular as to what specifically constitutes the jurisdiction of the FTO, to make the issue of jurisdiction clear and transparent for everyone.
Fifth, as compared with going through the grooves of CIT appeals, tribunal and high court, on the one side, and going through one-window redressal of the FTO, on the other, which is more economical and quick?
Sixth, is it just and proper that the highest executive should pronounce a favourable judgment on the summary of another executive body without an iota of taxpayers' participation or representation? After all, it is the taxpayers who pay the taxes.
Has the institution of the FTO been created for the department or the taxpayers? Sadly, this country has no culture of taking into account the aspirations of the ruled.
TAXPAYER
Karachi
Suggestions for budget
I am not an expert on national financial matters but if the NFC problem is what I understand it to be, I have a simple solution for this: The central money pool has to be divided among the four provinces on an equitable basis, acceptable to all the four provinces.
The problem arises because the provinces demand different bases for this division. Punjab wants it on a population basis, Balochistan on an area basis and the NWFP and Sindh on revenue basis.
If my assumption is correct, the solution is that the pool money should be divided in three equal parts and each portion should then be divided between the four provinces in proportion of (1) population, (2) area and (3) revenue.
In case the demands of Sindh and the Frontier province are different, then the pool money will have to be divided in four equal proportions and then allocated on the basis of population, area, revenue and whatever is the basis of the Frontier's case.
RAIS AHMAD
Karachi
Unauthorized billboard
Some persons erected an illegal 20x40 feet billboard in front of my residence No. 271 R. A. Lines, at about 2am on May 18, without my permission. This bungalow is already covered from three sides by multi-storied buildings and now this board has covered the entire frontage of my house and has blocked the view, air and sunlight.
The next day about 1am when the same persons (numbering 10 to 12 people) again came to work further on the billboard they quarrelled with my watchman and warned him against creating hindrances in their work. They also said they had permission from the city nazim for erecting the billboard but failed to show any document in this regard.
As an old citizen of the city I have been living in the house for the last many years without any problems/hindrances and now if the authorities concerned for the sake of few thousand rupees have started issuing permission to erect giant size billboards to block the frontage of private residences, then only God can help the citizens of this city.
SHAIKH NASIM AHMED
Karachi
Non-supply of water
We, the 48 residents of Bath Island Apartments located at Mohammad Ali Bogra Road, Karachi, have not been getting water from the KWSB for the last one month. The matter was brought to the knowledge of all responsible officials of KWSB, but they have turned a deaf ear to our complaints. We are forced to buy saltish water from the tanker mafia or at times from donkey-cart wallahs at great cost. The city nazim should intervene.
RESIDENTS UNION
Bath Island Apartments, Karachi
Murder in mosques
It was very painful for Pakistanis abroad to hear the news of murders in the name of religion. This has to be condemned by all religious leaders. People have to stop giving donations to organizations and individuals preaching hatred; otherwise the country will move towards total chaos.
The government should take control of all mosques and appoint properly qualified imams. Politically correct statements are not working.
PERVEZ RASUL
Oak Brook, Illinois, USA
Quaid's portrait
A large hand-painted portrait of the Quaid decorates the front entrance of the nine-floor Customs House building in Karachi, just beside the two elevators. The colours of this portrait have faded. The portrait needs immediate attention to restore it to its original condition.
If the customs officials are too engrossed in collecting money (revenue) to take necessary action, the Sindh or the federal government department concerned must rush to restore it.
GHEEWALA A.G.M.
Karachi
Coal miners' working conditions
This has reference to the news report "15 killed in Balochistan coalmine explosion" (Dawn, May 26). Most of the miners working in coalmines in Balochistan are from Swat.
These poor people work in extremely harsh conditions as mine owners do not abide by the mining laws and the inspectorate is least bothered about taking legal action against the owners who openly violate rules and avoid taking safety precautions.
As a result of the negligence, there are frequent accidents and precious lives are lost. People at the helm of affairs, instead of taking action against defaulters, feel pleasure in announcing compensation.
I request Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to set up a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the severe and inhuman conditions in which miners are working and order action against those who violate the law.
QAZI ABDUL WAHEED
Karachi
Tuck shops in schools
I want to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards a very serious matter. Most schools, especially private ones, have their own tuck shops. These shops are full of unhygienic food items. Children complain of stomach problems after consuming the items.
Secondly, these shops also sell confectionery items, like toffee, candy, biscuits and lollipops, but most of these are substandard and contain dangerous colours like red, orange and pink.
The government should take necessary measures to force school owners to proscribe such items as are injurious to children's health.
IFTIKHAR MASUD
Lahore
Praying in privacy
The government has given a great piece of infrastructure in the form of the motorway, well equipped with posh rest areas and mosques, but it has overlooked the need for a separate little space where women-in-travel could pray in privacy rather than in the presence of men and their most annoying gazes and stares.
The present arrangements for women merely consist of small enclosures within the mosque with small pieces of cloth instead of proper curtains. These enclosures certainly do not serve the purpose of complete privacy.
A separate small prayer room for women adjoining the mosque along with a separate restroom would be enough.
HUMA JEHANGIR KHAN
Peshawar
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