| 13 June 2004 | Sunday | 24 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Law and social customs
Better phone service
Cricket and senators
Zamir Niazi
Questions about Wana operation
PLAB exam for doctors
SNGPL: customer care
Cheers for Iraqis
Bureaucratic indifference
Applicants' dilemma
Computer colleges
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
There is a perception that madressahs are producing extremist elements on a massive scale, causing sectarian unrest which subsequently leading to the deteriorating law and order situation besides causing other problems. The government has said a lot about reforming these Madressahs but it looks like the government is confused about how to go about it.
The madressahs did not grow overnight. It took decades for them to take roots in a particular section of the society and it will take time to reform them. The government cannot close down these madressahs simply because they can create problems. These institutions provide food and shelter to a large number of youths belonging to the poorer sections of the society besides educating them in disciplines of their own choice.
Some 20 to 30 years ago, children were mainly educated in government schools but when successive governments started investing more money in acquiring arms and ammunition besides spending it on luxuries for bureaucrats and elected officials, education was neglected.
When private schools were allowed to fill the yawning gap, people belonging to the low-income group had two choices. They could either let their children go without education, increasing their vulnerability to bad influences or they could send them to madressahs, where at least they were given a semblance of education besides being looked after and fed without any cost to them.
The government, it seems now, is left with no other option but to invest heavily in new government schools that provide free education and accommodation to the children. When the people have an alternative, only then will the trend to send children to Madressahs diminish, which will in turn weaken them. Then and only then will the government be in a position to impose whatever reforms it has in its mind to bring them in the mainstream educational system.
Can anyone be really sure if within the next decade a large number of these madressahs will not have militias of their own and make attempts to establish their own rule. They are already ruling part of our land in FATA.
It seems highly likely that a war would have to be fought in Pakistan against extremist elements, yet we are doing nothing to eliminate the actual threat.
TALHA MAJEED KHAN
Lahore
Law and social customs
Mr Ameer Bhutto's article and the letters that have followed have initiated a serious discussion on a very crucial subject.
The tribal leaders can change the entire system and bring their people rapidly to live in the modern world. An instance is provided by the case of the Memon community of Kathiawar, now settled in Pakistan. It was a subjugated and backward community in pre-partition days. Its women had been denied the right of inheritance.
When Sir Syed Ahmed Khan gave his call for modern education, some of the Memon elders, on their own accord, came forward and established schools and colleges in Kathiawar.
Junagadh was already been a citadel of free education up to graduation at the expense of the state under the supervision of the Nawab.
With promotion of education, age-old traditions were either challenged or outrightly discarded. Today the Memon community living in Pakistan and India is considered to be an outstandingly educated class and is conspicuous by its presence in the media, industries, politics, education, health, etc.
How all this happened? It happened at the behest and will of the community chiefs. The Dawoodi Bohra and Ismaili communities, the followers of Syedna Burhanuddin and the Aga Khan, are spread all over the world and their spiritual leaders are devoted exclusively to the uplift of their communities and also undertaking philanthropic work for people at large.
A simple question would be: has so far any tribal leader of Sindh come forward to emulate the transformation of the aforesaid communities by their leaders?
GHEEWALA A.G.M.
Karachi
Better phone service
The performance of Thatta's main telephone exchange, which is located at Makli, is pathetic. The officer in-charge, SDO (telephones), is mostly absent from his seat and there is a shortage. The condition of the exchange's premises affects visitors' sensibilities. Heaps of garbage are visible inside the building, which houses sensitive communication equipment. Seating for the visiting subscribers is also inadequate.
The only supervisor present at his post complained that he was putting in extra duty hours to run the entire exchange all by himself.
Incidentally, the exchange provides telephone subscribers the only link with other exchanges of the district besides providing mobile phone connectivity, which, for some reason or the other, remains ineffective over here.
The security at the exchange is ineffective considering its sensitivity as it links coastal as well as border areas with the rest of the country.
During the visit to the exchange, it was also learnt that the exchange gets a limited sum for fuel for running its own generator during Wapda's power breakdowns. Repairs could not be carried out because of a shortage of equipment and unavailability of experienced technicians.
A majority of telephones usually remain out of order in Thatta city as the wires and poles are very old and often fall down, disconnecting phones. Even if the telephone line is operative, the noise in the phone line hinders Internet connectivity, frustrating subscribers by constant disruptions during web browsing or downloading files.
Despite the wide publicity about the PTCL's new connections, the applicants are frustrated as they go to and fro between various offices for days at end just to get a demand note and later, to get the connection installed at their premises.
There is a dire need for improving the performance of the telephone exchanges in Thatta district.
DR MUMTAZ AHMED UQAILI
Thatta
Cricket and senators
It is a great pity that we do not enjoy a game unless we are winning it. But this is juvenile thinking and a sign of immaturity. And this is exactly what happened during and after the home cricket series against India. In retrospect, well before the start of the series the experts of the game had very conveniently predicted that the Indian team was going to win the series since it was the better of the two. So it happened.
India won both the one-day and Test series. As a result, the PCB came under undue but severe criticism from all quarters. But it proved to be the last straw when top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were asked to appear before the Senate standing committee on sports and explain the whys and wherefores for losing the series to India.
And the manner the meeting was conducted by members of the committee was simply disturbing. They behaved like a thanedar trying to extract a confession from a thief. There is no example of top officials of the Australian or the England cricket team appearing before a parliamentary committee or before an individual and explaining the reasons of losing the Ashes. Unlike us they take victory and defeat in the true spirit of the game. Can one ask the worthy members of the committee about their own contribution to the promotion of the sport in Pakistan?
As a matter of fact, it is always easier to criticize than to do some thing constructive. We should learn to take victory and defeat in our stride. By over-reacting victory we only make a laughing-stock of ourselves.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
Zamir Niazi
With the death of Zamir Niazi, journalists in Pakistan have suffered a major loss. Mr Niazi had meticulously chronicled the travails of Pakistani journalism in the Zia and post-Zia era and was a keen analyst of issues of current affairs and society. As journalists and as Pakistanis, we have a lot to learn from him in terms of his dedication to work and his attention to detail. Despite his illness, Mr Niazi was able to produce books that serve as a record of a particularly difficult time for Pakistan.
His books are valuable points of reference for many researchers working on a diverse collection of topics relating to Pakistan. The best way to honour his memory would be to take up from where he left and start writing on issues that form the larger picture.
It is said that many Pakistani journalists who otherwise produce reams of information in their lifetime in the form of stories, articles and news reports shy away from compiling them in book form. This robs others of a chance to have a number of major events in the history of our country written down in a form that would serve as a ready reference, different from what our official historians want us to know of a certain period. I hope such publications start appearing in the not-too-distant future.
KAMAL SIDDIQI
Karachi
Questions about Wana operation
Certain questions persist in the minds of the people about the Wana operation. Firstly, why did the federal government order a premature ceasefire on the eve of the last military operation in Wana this year?
Secondly, why did the truce fail necessitating the second Wana operation?
Thirdly, what is the role of the NWFP governor in the handling of the Wana crisis?
Lastly, did not the onset of the second Wana operation testify to the fact that the governor failed to fulfil his responsibilities as an agent of the centre?
If the answer is yes, a capable governor be appointed to handle the affairs in Wana as soon as possible.
There is an urgent need to put an end to this conflict and bring foreign militants to book but with finesse and not through the use of force.
SHAHID ANJUM BURKI
Peshawar
PLAB exam for doctors
The Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) is an examination which is conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK and several other countries to provide a medical work force for Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
In recent months, it has been subjected to much criticism from the media and health agencies because of the alarming increase in the number of unemployed doctors overseas. Being a doctor in the UK, I want to provide facts to Pakistani doctors aspiring to take the PLAB examination.
The UK is a small market that is already flooded with unemployed doctors from India (51 per cent), Pakistan (21 per cent) and the remaining from Sri Lanka, Burma, Africa, and three per cent from European countries. About five years ago, there was a small supply and demand gap, but that has long been filled. At present, there are extremely limited opportunities in categories, including anaesthesia and general practitioners.
Often doctors are engaged in honorary clinical attachments here for an average period ranging between eight to 10 months after which they either go back or start doing odd jobs to pay off their debts. The prospects of fresh graduates, who have completed their house jobs, are extremely slim. Everyone who wants to take PLAB examination should consult their clinical mentors for most recent updates. Please try to at least do at least two-year basic medical/surgical training after the completion of house jobs and try taking Part 1 of the Royal College's exam of your chosen specialization.
After coming to the UK, engage in clinical attachments and try to get as much involved as you can, as up to 90 per cent of the post-PLAB doctors get their GMC registration number through a 'locum' or a short-term post in their clinical attachments. Also, it is one of the ways to extend your visa, which is only granted for up to six months.
Please be very clear about the GMC statement that "Passing PLAB does NOT guarantee you a job and it might take weeks or several months before finding a suitable job". Also note that after passing PLAB 2 the visa status remains the same (usually visitor) and GMC does not register a doctor until and unless he/she comes up with a substantive 'locum' or a temporary job offer.
The GMC is currently reviewing its regulations for registrations of overseas doctors but so far has not come up with any suitable plan for utilizing the backlog of nearly 12,000 unemployed overseas doctors here in the UK. Things were different nearly 15 years back. But now, so many young Pakistani doctors come to the UK and later regret their move. This is not to discourage anyone but is simply to provide factual information regarding the UK's health system.
DR DANIEL MUKHTAR
London, UK
SNGPL: customer care
Offiicals of the SNGPL Lahore did not deliver the monthly bills for February 2004 to a large number of consumers in the Wapda Town here. The failure to deliver the bills was attributed to a contractor.
When contacted, an SNGPL representative said that the amount billed for February would be included in the bills for March without the addition of a 'late payment surcharge'. Press statements and news items also appeared to this effect in various dailies of Lahore.
Then came March. Bills were received on around May 12 with the due date being May 14. Contrary to the assurances, 'late payment surcharge' for February was included in these bills.
The public was, however, advised to get the surcharge amount deleted by visiting SNGPL's office. This was supposedly to be done by the public by taking a day off, spending over Rs100, (in my case for a surcharge relief of Rs35) in the scorching heat of May.
SNGPL has got the best of brains and a good sales and management team but the simple issue under consideration was not handled in an appropriate manner.
Should we expect from the SNGPL to make amends and to provide a refund for the surcharge amount by adjusting the same in the bills for April 2004? I have already paid the bill under protest on May 14, the indicated due date.
MERAJ AHMAD
Lahore
Cheers for Iraqis
Two articles ('The Bush Orthodoxy is in Shreds' by Sidney Blumenthal and 'The Fall of the Vulcans' by Timothy Garton Ash) (Dawn, May 28) contain insightful analyses of the Iraq situation, especially with reference to the American and British attack on that country and its occupation by coalition forces.
The authors correctly predict the coalition's defeat, both moral and military. No doubt the coalition forces are looking for a way out and some face-saving. Cheers for Iraqis who resisted occupation, belying the coalition's expectations that the Iraqi people would welcome them with garlands.
It is hoped that after the exit of the occupation forces the Shia south, the Sunni north and the Kurdish west would form a federation and work for the rebuilding of their country.
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
Bureaucratic indifference
If someone asked what was the cost of being a law-abiding citizen of Pakistan, a common response would be constant mental agony at the hands of our ruling bureaucracy. Recently, I accompanied my company lawyer to attend the hearing of a case before the customs appellate tribunal where I realized how indifferent one could be towards the needs of the helpless taxpayers.
Not only that the tribunal assembled late, the representative of the sales tax department did not bother to turn up. Cumulatively, the precious time of around 50 people (lawyers and representatives of various companies) was wasted without any tangible result.
The lawyer of one of the companies objected when given the next hearing date that his case was being adjourned for the 35th time for one reason or the other.
How can a country progress where people are generally indifferent towards the importance of being on time, be it in government departments, be it in the judiciary or be it at wedding ceremonies?
SAAD USMAN
Karachi
Applicants' dilemma
This is the third time that I have applied for the job of an airhostess in PIA. Each time besides spending money on attested testimonials, photos, sending documents by registered post, every candidate is required to send a postal order or demand draft amounting to Rs500 which costs at least Rs550.
The first time, PIA officials had called me for 'Grooming Test' but the result was not intimated. The second time they did not even call me to appear in a test. This is the third time and only God and PIA officials know how the candidates will fare. It seems the results are already determined in these tests.
My family belongs to a rural area of Sindh and my father, being a progressive and enlightened man, did everything in his powers to provide us with a good education, especially for my two sisters and me.
He developed our confidence and urged us to adopt a realistic approach in life. But when I think in retrospect, there appears to be no merit anywhere and instead nepotism and corruption reign supreme in every sphere of our lives. And now, when I think of my father's lectures and discussions on role models, honesty and morality, I think they were just empty words.
I made hectic efforts to get the telephone number of the PIA chairman and personally requested him to kindly let me know the reason for not selecting me and not sending even an acknowledgement letter the second time. I told him that the airline officials should at least tell applicants how they fared in their tests. They deserve at least this much.
WAQARUNNISA
Islamabad
Computer colleges
Computer colleges have mushroomed in Lahore, especially in New Garden Town. Some of them have even gotten themselves recognized under different names by the authorities which enables them to award degrees. Such colleges, in a bid to increase their profit, have started retrenching their staff, most of whom had qualified from these colleges.
This is being done on the pretext of recruiting foreign-qualified staff in their stead. Even government-run universities engage their old students as lecturers, although the professor-level posts do go to Ph.D holders, and many of those lecturers are eventually sent abroad for doctoral studies.
The government is requested to prevent these computer colleges from sacking their locally-qualified teachers and instead to create opportunities to send them abroad for higher education.
This is how these private colleges can be turned into institutions of higher learning. Firing teachers with four or five years of teaching experience is not only unjust but also against the academic spirit such institutions.
GAUHAR ALI
Lahore
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.