| 19 June 2004 | Saturday | 30 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Cable car for Islamabad
'It's time to stand up'
'In response to allegations'
Opposition and treasury
The language barrier
A student's appeal
Reflectors on Sharea Faisal
By-polls in Jhang
'Incorrect' phone bill
Cleansing
Pensioners' case
No-Smoking Day
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Following on from Dr Daniel Mukhtar's observations ("PLAB exam for doctors", June 13), I would like to make a few comments with regard to the opportunities available to non-UK graduates, especially to those who originate from the subcontinent.
Projected figures by the General Medical Council (UK) indicate that around 9,000 doctors will appear for the PLAB Part II examination this year (2004-2005), out of which the highest proportion (between 65 and 70 per cent) will be from India, the next highest batch from Pakistan and other countries thereafter in much smaller proportions.
Kindly note: these percentages are based on historic data and are not accurate figures. However, with regard to unemployment among overseas doctors, unfortunately there is no reliable data available anywhere that demonstrates the percentage of the total number of junior doctors who have passed the PLAB examinations and are still unemployed, set aside accurate figures indicative of their countries of origin.
A majority of doctors who wish to come to the UK are not aware of different types of jobs available within the health service and should consider the following:
1. Those wishing to obtain postgraduate qualifications within their chosen medical or surgical specialties such as MRCP (physicians), MRCS (surgery) among various others, and want to complete their prescribed "specialist" training in the UK will require an "approved" hospital job which must be recognized by the local postgraduate medical education dean of that area.
Such approval is clearly stated in bold lettering in a job advertisement as "The Postgraduate Dean confirms that this placement and/or programme has the required educational and dean's approval". One can check this at www.bmjcareers.com under Jobs section.
There is a fierce competition for such posts as nearly all or the vast majority of UK graduates apply for them. When overseas doctors (outside the European Union) obtain such a job, they are given a "Permit Free Training" (PFT) visa status.
This allows them a period of four years to complete their training and go back home. Without obtaining such jobs, doctors cannot complete specialist training and become consultants in the UK. Also, these four years do not count toward permanent residency rights or citizenship.
2. Doctors who wish to only gain experience within the UK for a few years with the intention of going back and do not desire to become hospital consultants can apply for jobs which are called "Trust Grade" jobs although they are not approved for their educational content. Duties, salary and in-house study leave entitlement, etc, are exactly the same as of those doing "approved" training jobs.
3. Clinical attachments do provide an opportunity to gain familiarization with the health setup in the UK and also in the majority of cases allow attache to gain a reference from a supervising consultant.
Doctors should, however, bear in mind that in the UK job references are provided "in confidence" to the potential employers as opposed to an open letter of recommendation as practised within Pakistan and other countries.
Gaining a reference does not necessarily mean it will be a positive one towards the candidate. Therefore, while doing a clinical attachment or even during jobs, it is advisable that emphasis should be laid on improving one's personal attitude as well as showing excellent clinical skills.
Friendliness and politeness towards staff and colleagues, respect towards the western culture within Britain and socializing out of work with colleagues - all help in gaining confidence of the entire ward and subsequent opening up of job opportunities within the same hospital.
4. Faiths and personal beliefs are very well respected within hospitals and the health system just as Pakistani or Asian doctors in general expect their faith to be respected; they are equally expected to show the same courtesy towards others' belief.
Being present in a western culture, overseas doctors are expected not to try and impose their personal religious or social views on patients or colleagues from similar backgrounds.
There have been instances where doctors have faced disciplinary actions due to lecturing fellow Muslim or Asian patients against certain social customs, to which as a liberal society they are entitled.
Doctors contemplating the idea of coming to the UK can access useful detailed information about the UK and the medical market from various articles, amongst mine, published in the British Medical Journal's "Career Focus" this year. This can be found at the following website free of charge:
http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com
and
http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/328/7454/250
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
London, UK
Cable car for Islamabad
This refers to your editorial "Cable car for Islamabad" (June 1), welcoming this highly controversial project. Three days earlier, the CDA had published a notice (Dawn, May 28) inviting bids from prospective parties which have experience in undertaking such projects.
It is unfortunate that your esteemed newspaper gave its editorial support to this project which is inconsistent with the objectives of the Margalla Hills National Park and, if implemented, will cause adverse environmental impact.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has already issued a letter to the director (environment), CDA, reminding him that under Clause 22 of the Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1947, it is mandatory for the proponents of any such project likely to have an environmental impact to follow the procedure laid down in the relevant regulations.
However, the prescribed procedure has not been followed. The agency has also directed the CDA to comply with the provisions of the PEP Act, 1947. This too has not been done. Section 12 of the act prescribes the following mandatory conditions:
"No proponent of a project shall commence construction or operation unless he has filed with the federal agency an initial environmental examination or, where the project is likely to cause adverse environmental effect, an environmental impact assessment, and has obtained from the federal agency approval in respect thereof."
In addition, the proposed project violates section 28(4) of the Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance, 1979. It is obvious that an attempt is being be made to bulldoze this project through without proper environmental examination or environmental impact assessment.
The Margalla Hills Society, which has been fighting the battle for the protection and preservation of the Margalla Hills National Park for years, has always opposed this project on environmental grounds and will continue to do so.
All those who love the Margalla Hills and want to protect its pristine environment should get together and resist the installation of cable car in the National Park.
ROEDAD KHAN
President, Margalla Hills Society, Islamabad
'It's time to stand up'
This is with reference to the article "It's time to stand up" by Mr Mahdi Masud (June 17). His argument is apt and thought-provoking when he questions as to why the government is not prepared to take some risks for safeguarding the citizens of Karachi at a time when it deems it imperative to conduct an operation to flush out militants in Wana at US insistence.
Karachi, once a city of lights and tranquillity, has fallen victim to terrorism and persistent acts of subversion, largely as a result of the ill-conceived policies adopted by us somewhere else.
It is, therefore, only in the fitness of things if this metropolis with the potential to emerge as a world class mega trade centre is cared for at the earliest while paying attention to other parts of the country.
After all, Karachi has been in the field of fire for too long now and any further deterioration in law and order carries the risk of undoing everything that the government boasts of, particularly the strides that Pakistan is said to have made lately in rejuvenating the economy.
As if the situation in South Waziristan, Karachi and other parts of the country is not disturbing enough, the government has expressed its willingness to send troops to Iraq, as reported in this newspaper the same day.
One fails to fathom the logic of this decision when the government is already finding it hard to meet the challenges at home. Obviously, the anti-American sentiment that is partly to blame for the current chaos is most likely to be further fuelled by such a move.
And if this cooperation with America is the price we are required to pay for the grant of major non-Nato ally status, it is simply not worth paying. There are other implications of this decision as Iraq still continues to be in the grip of a fierce battle between the Iraqis and the occupation forces.
AFTAB AHMED SAHTO
Karachi
'In response to allegations'
This has reference to Qazi Hussain Ahmad's rejoinder to Mr Javed Jabbar (June 10). The JI leader has gone off on a tangent and tried to sidetrack the issue. One would like to know clearly how an examination board can influence syllabi or curricula. What is its charter? Is this board any different from other such organizations as are operating in the country?
Instead of analyzing these issues, Qazi Hussain Ahmad has asked a question: "Can the worthy writer cite any example of a Muslim country to match the outrageous genocide of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq? Can he bring another example from a Muslim country to match the torture and rape of Iraq's people by the US troops?"
He is a learned man. He must surely have read Muslims history where internecine strife was common and Muslims killed Muslims by the thousands without any compunction.
If he does not want to refer to mediaeval history, he must surely be aware of the number of Muslim Bengalis killed during the military action in the late-lamented East Pakistan.
The whole world called it genocide and Shaikh Mujib said the number of those killed ran into hundreds of thousands. When questioned, even Gen Tikka Khan admitted to the death of at least 30,000 unarmed civilians. Reports about rapes during the military action were also widespread. One can dispute the figures, but these incidents did take place.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad should also know how many Muslims were killed by Muslims during the Iran-Iraq war which lasted over eight years. And, finally, how many Afghan Muslims were killed by the Taliban who were self-styled champions of puritan Islam? These are just a few examples from recent history. Instead of blaming others, one should try to be rational and open-minded.
AHMAD JABRAN
Karachi
Opposition and treasury
According to a news report dated June 17, opposition members in the lower house have criticized the recent budget proposals. Their view is that the budget has been prepared to suit the needs of landlords, big businessmen and army generals.
It is heartening to know that our National Assembly has castigated those who wield real power in our country as it is rarely been done in the past. However, this debate also raises some questions.
One may ask if there has ever been a government in Pakistan that has not worked for the benefit of the ruling class. Also, the opposition benches are no exception as their record is no different from the present rulers.
The surprising thing would be if the government had taken steps to benefit the common man. Both the treasury and the opposition are birds of the same feather.
MISBAH NOMANI
Karachi
The language barrier
In your editorial on the federal budget (June 14), you have emphasized the need to remove the language barrier that divides the rulers and the ruled. You also underline the fact that the present system is producing "illiterate graduates lacking in skills that would entitle them to well-paid jobs".
In my opinion, the decision during Ziaul Haq's regime to make Urdu the medium of instruction in high schools and colleges was the basic reason for the sharp decline in educational standards.
Without first putting in place an elaborate organization for translating books from English into Urdu, that fateful decision consigned in one stroke both teachers and students to a substandard and retrogressive learning process.
One has to look at the experiences of Japan, Russia and China to realize what a momentous task it is (especially in the initial stages) to build a dependable and ever-expanding storehouse of translated books and journals from all over the world.
We can learn from India and Sri Lanka because not very long ago we were in the same position. English was a legacy that we shared in equal measure. The system that we inherited then worked well for us, too.
Witness the many luminaries that we are justifiably proud of: Dr Mohammad Iqbal, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Zafarullah Khan, Bokhari, Abdus Salam and Ahmad Faraz, to name only a few.
Not that Urdu suffered as a consequence of our attention to English; on the contrary, our best known Urdu poets and writers are the richer in style and substance for their exposure to western thought and literature.
Several decades of decline in standards is clear proof that we are ignoring the challenges of globalization at our very peril. Due to the fast pace of scientific and technological progress, the world has shrunk, metaphorically speaking, into a village, and all aspects of our life are affected by global trends. English has become for all practical purposes the lingua franca of the world.
We would be inflicting an irreparable damage on the youth of the nation if we continue or reinforce the existing neglect of English in our schools and colleges. If India could use English as an asset or as a skill in the global marketplace, why shouldn't we be doing the same?
Instead of relegating English, the government and leaders in Pakistan should move without delay to promote the learning of English from primary school up, and to ensure that English once again becomes the medium of instruction in high schools and colleges. This is the only appropriate measure that would bridge the gap between the rulers and the ruled.
ZIAUDDIN AHMED
Germantown, MD., USA
A student's appeal
This is with reference to the appeal by Saima Memon (June 4). Saima has requested Federal Education Minister Zobaida Jalal to grant a stipend of Rs2,000 a month to her and six other schoolchildren of her family.
While appealing to the minister that Saima's request should immediately be attended to, I request people who value education, philanthropists, and especially those educated and wealthy mothers who have daughters of Saima's age with her desire to learn, to help out this poor family.
Just 100 remittances of Rs100 or 50 remittances of Rs200 will take care of not only their fees, but also their household expenses and paying off existing loans.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
Reflectors on Sharea Faisal
Recently the City District Government, Karachi, has installed reflectors on Sharea Faisal. Two things need to be noted in this respect.
First, reflectors are installed on highways, not on city roads, and second, if reflectors are to be installed on city roads, they should be small. The reflectors installed on Sharea Faisal (from Awami Markaz to FTC) are so big that they are damaging vehicle tyres.
AHMED ALI MEMON
Karachi
By-polls in Jhang
The by-election for the National Assembly seat (Jhang) is going to be held on June 20. Thousands of posters with the photos of candidates can be seen on every wall of the city. All billboards are covered with them. The glue used to paste posters is so strong that they cannot be removed without damaging the boards.
The damage done is in thousands, but nobody bothers about it. Where is the code of ethics for the candidates issued by the election commission? Which government department will make up for the damage done to the boards?
NISAR AHMAD SHAMS
Jhang
'Incorrect' phone bill
I have received a bill for May for my phone 5670838. It shows overseas calls made in February and March 2004. I do not have any record to verify them and have brought this anomaly to the notice of the relevant staff of the PTCL billing department, Karachi, but they have expressed their inability to correct it. What am I supposed to do?
BRIG (retd) ASIF RASHID
Karachi
Cleansing
This refers to the report "Musharraf wants speedy disposal of terror cases: Police to be cleansed of political influence" (June 16). When will the army be cleansed of politics? That would be the day the nation will start making progress.
KHALID HAFEEZ
Hackettstown, NJ., USA
Pensioners' case
The government introduced Pensioners' Benefit Account and Widows' Behbud Account to benefit pensioners and widows. Unfortunately, these schemes yield less than 10 per cent.
Here are some suggestions to make them more effective: The period should be enhanced for life and not have a limit, which currently stands at 10 years. Income tax exemption on profits given by the schemes should be restored. Their rate of profit should be increased to 15 per cent. The profit on the schemes should be indexed to inflation.
If a pensioner or widow closes the account after 10 years, the deposited amount should stand doubled so as to maintain its purchasing power. Defence saving certificates used to yield a profit of 340 per over 10 years. Even in 2001, an investment of Rs100 yielded Rs375 over a ten-year period.
M. Asrarullah
Karachi
No-Smoking Day
Pakistan has taken some commendable steps regarding tobacco control like phasing out tobacco advertisements on the electronic media, directing the cigarette manufacturing companies to print health warnings in bold letters on 30 per cent area of the pack, outlawing cigarette sales to under-aged persons, banning smoking at public places and signing the UN convention on tobacco control.
The ban on tobacco ads on the electronic media should be institutionalized so that no one can change the policy. A recent survey in the West has shown that media advertising is a major source of temptation for youths to indulge in smoking.
RAZIM KHAN
Islamabad
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