| 16 July 2004 | Friday | 27 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Tourism & hotel management
Afghan minister's remarks
'Illiterate yet moderate'
Kashmir: an American's view
'Searing indictment'
Industrial plots' scam
Politics and politicians
TV licence fee collection
Midnight meals
Dwindling profit rates
PM changes
Preparing for rains
Allotment of plots
BBC Hard Talk
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The appointment of our ambassador to the US, Mr Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, as the UN secretary-general's envoy in Iraq has been welcomed by the Pakistan government, but the intelligentsia see it from a different angle.
The situation in Iraq is still very fluid and unsafe for foreigners. Iraqis are full of vengeance and whenever they find an opportunity, they attack allied forces.
A number of militant groups are operating in Iraq. It is generally felt that after the killing of former UN envoy Sergio de Mello in Baghdad last year, no one was willing to become UN envoy in Iraq.
Mr Kofi Annan found it very convenient to exploit the position of President Pervez Musharraf as one of the best allies of the US in the war against terrorism and selected Mr Ashraf Jahangir Qazi for the most dangerous job.
It is, therefore, not a tribute to the professionalism and competence of the Pakistan diplomat that he has been selected for this challenging job; he has been made a scapegoat.
Now the next step will be that this envoy will request the Pakistan government to send troops to Iraq as a peacekeeping force. Since this request will be considered as coming from the UN, the Pakistan government will consider it favourably. Therefore, people feel that Mr Ashraf Jahangir Qazi's appointment as UN envoy in Iraq is part of a bigger US game.
MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore Cantt
(2)
It was first asserted that Mr Jamali wasn't resigning, but then it was known that he had. Similarly our government claims to have made no final decision about sending troops to Iraq, but it appears that it has.
The government seems to please the US only because it thinks it is in its own interest to do so. However, it is, as always, a US conspiracy to reduce Pakistan to a state stripped of its sovereignty.
I can't help wondering how our government after being acquainted with the US army's treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison and the massacre of Iraqis can send troops to Iraq. Consider this: when the lone superpower can't protect its troops in Iraq, how come our troops will be safe there?
SUMAIRA KHALID
Lahore
Tourism & hotel management
This has reference to Dr Khalid Murtaza's letter (June 30). I would like to appreciate what Dr Murtaza has said and draw your attention to an advertisement published (Dawn, May 7) for 'Expression of Interest' for leasing out the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
The advertisement was published by the federal ministry of minorities, culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs. A few questions arise about the transparency of the leasing process:
1) Do the functions/responsibilities of the ministry of minorities, culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs mentioned in the rules of business fixed by the establishment division allow the leasing of the institute?
2) Is the ministry authorized to lease out on its own an institute which is governed by a board of governors without getting approval from it?
3) Can the advertisement published for 'Expression of Interest' be converted/assumed for calling of bids?
4) Why is the institute not being handed over to a private company/firm through the privatization commission?
It seems that a decision has already been taken to favour a particular party, and now all efforts are being made to cover it up. I urge the president, the newly-elected prime minister, the privatization commission chairman and the NAB chairman through these columns to ensure that the institute is not leased out because it will not promote tourism, nor will it benefit our youth.
Second, if it is so necessary to seek the private sector's help in running the institute, it should be processed through the privatization commission to safeguard the interests of the government, the general public and the employees of the institute.
The NAB is requested to ensure that no embezzlement is involved in the process of the leasing of an institute worth not less than Rs40 billion, because it is possible that some qabza group may sharpen its teeth to swallow it with the help of black sheep in the ministry.
ASIM ZAFAR
Islamabad
Afghan minister's remarks
This refers to the report "Abdullah seeks more action from Pakistan; Curbing alleged infiltration of militants" (July 15). While the Pakistan government is doing a great job in ridding its territories of terrorists across the country, including the tribal areas, it is very strange to see Afghanistan Foreign Minister Dr Abdullah Abdullah pressing Pakistan for more action and levelling allegations against our country.
One wonders what the Afghan authorities really want from us. Haven't our soldiers been killed by terrorists trying to cross into our country? Have we not always taken care of millions of Afghan refugees? If the Afghan authorities think that they have some magic wand by which we can get rid of all these terrorists in a flash, then they should share it with us.
The fact is that Pakistan has been combating terrorism tooth and nail and has in the process sacrificed a lot. It has been facing a terrorist backlash in many parts, especially in Karachi where terrorists killed over 60 people just in the month of May. President Musharraf has been twice attacked since December last year.
The Wana situation is not black and white. We have to tread very carefully, and the Afghan government should be sensible enough to understand this. Their own country is still in a mess and it's foolish of them to accuse us and try and shift the blame.
Why don't they ask their new best friend, the US, for more? And if our neighbour continues this tone, maybe we should stop helping them altogether. Enough is enough. Everybody is suffering due to terrorism, and blaming us will not solve anything.
SAIMA ABBAS
Karachi
'Illiterate yet moderate'
This is with reference to the article "Can he succeed?" by Ardeshir Cowasjee published in Dawn on July 11. He says: ".... of this over-populated country, home to some 160 million people, the majority of whom are unenlightened, immoderate, illiterate and bigoted ...."
Apart from the unacceptable arrogance behind this comment about the people of Pakistan, there is also sheer ignorance and bias. There are several examples to show that bigotry is not necessarily the child of illiteracy.
Some of the most literate and educated societies have produced some of the worst cases of narrow-minded prejudice and excesses, and of racial and religious discrimination such as of blacks in South Africa and the US, of Jews in Nazi Germany, and of Arabs in Palestine by Israel.
In most of the villages of the rural areas and the kutchi abadis of our cities in Pakistan, co-existing with illiteracy and deprivation are some of the highest levels one can find of tolerance, balance and wisdom.
In certain respects there also exist repressive beliefs and practices but these do not prove a direct connection between illiteracy and bigotry. There are other causative factors which are present in educated societies as well.
Does freedom of expression mean the freedom to distort truth and try to insult a whole nation, in fact, one's own nation?
JAVED JABBAR
Karachi
Kashmir: an American's view
Recent letters to the editor about Kashmir have hit on many good points and ideas. What remains is for the three parties - Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris - to settle the Jammu and Kashmir dispute peacefully, with all the various Kashmir independence movement groups sitting down together.
Pakistan at high government level(s) has recently seemed to suggest this. India seems to be talking with Hurriyat leaders bilaterally, while Pakistan to us outsiders looks to have little control over extremists.
A new free and independent nation of Kashmir, with the right of dual citizenship with either Pakistan or India, seems implicit, according to some letter writers. A neutral third party to help police Kashmir's national security matters seems inevitable, as religious differences keep troubling the waters.
A free and independent Kashmir must have freedom for and respect of all faith systems. The foregoing suggests a secular, free and independent Kashmir. Religion-dominated politics is a sure recipe for failure of the entire peace process.
GEORGE L. SINGLETON
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
'Searing indictment'
In your editorial "Searing indictment" (July 12), you mentioned that "even before 9/11, the cabal in the White House was itching for a regime change in Iraq". While this is true, it implies that the Bush administration invented the idea of regime change in Iraq, which is not true.
In 1998 Congress passed the "Iraqi Liberation Act" which specifically called for a regime change in Iraq. Invasion was one of the options, but president Bill Clinton wanted to continue the policy of containment while preferring a military coup to topple Saddam as opposed to invasion.
Ahmed Chalabi urged president Clinton that the only way to topple Saddam was to invade Iraq, but president Clinton denied it. Then the Bush administration came along, and the rest is bitter history.
KHURRAM HANEEF
New Jersey, USA
Industrial plots' scam
Various newspaper reports (including columns by Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee on June 6 and 20) revealed attempts to allot SITE plots (meant for small and medium enterprises) in Karachi to a favoured few (political and bureaucratic high-ups).
Although the offer of plots was advertised and applications were accepted after raising routine objections in which our bureaucracy specializes, giving an outward impression of transparency, the computer selection programme was reportedly manipulated in a crude way to achieve the desired result of giving plots to the chosen few.
Now when the news has leaked and balloting declared null and void, the authorities are mysteriously silent on two important questions: one, who were the culprits in the scam and what action is being taken against them (this must be reported by the authorities to the public), and, two, what preferential rights will be given to the plot applicants whose deposits were returned by SITE as being 'unsuccessful'? This should be individually intimated to each applicant.
The interesting part is that all the successful applicants were individuals from the interior of Sindh, with no interest in industry or business. This incident proves that except for big national or multinational companies/groups, industrial plots have seldom been allotted to a genuine industrial investor.
This has resulted in industrial plots being controlled by the big business groups or influential qabza groups and, therefore, small and medium enterprises, which are keenly interested in expanding their units on their own land, are unable to do so.
On rented premises, they find it risky to invest their funds because they are at the mercy of the landlord. Moreover, plot ownership is essential for getting long-term finance for industrial projects.
If the government wants to promote SMEs, the big groups having a large number of industrial plots which they cannot use should be required to pay a non-utilization fee which would compel them to either use the plots or sell them.
The government should carry out a survey of all the countless sick or inoperative units and allot such plots to SMEs interested in setting up units or expanding existing operations. These two measures would increase the availability of land for promotion and expansion of small and medium units, which would help generate employment opportunities.
PLOT APPLICANT
Karachi
Politics and politicians
People are nowadays not at all interested in politics, and the blame rests with our politicians. The fact that politicians are constantly changing their loyalties goes down very badly with the masses.
A clear illustration of this was seen during the India-Pakistan cricket series a few months back. The big screen of Lahore's Qadhafi Stadium showed one of the federal ministers sitting in the VVIP lounge. As soon as people saw him, they started shouting "lota, lota". It was very sad to see all this, especially with Indian spectators also present in the stadium.
I think that it's time we learnt from our past mistakes and brought about positive changes. We should have consistency in politics. The sudden replacement of personalities like the recent change in prime ministers has done no good to the country.
It has only worsened Pakistan's image abroad. I hope that stability comes sooner than later in our politics, and we can hopefully see a government completing its tenure.
KAMAL KHAN VIRK
Lahore
TV licence fee collection
It is hoped that the introduction of a new mechanism to collect the TV licence fee through electricity bills will not only ensure that every TV owner pays the fee but also makes the collection process easy and convenient.
Under the new system the TV fee will be charged from all consumers consuming more than 100 units. Personally, I had reservations over this criterion as this axe (though wrongly dubbed) could fall on even some non-TV holders.
However, it is a relief to learn that anyone with no TV set but with power consumption of more than 100 units will not be required to pay the fee if he submits an application along with an NIC copy, and that the person will have to face a fine if verification proves otherwise.
This check and balance system will hopefully generate the required results and revenue.
NOSHEEN HAIDER
Islamabad
Midnight meals
Whenever there is a wedding or a valima party, it is almost midnight before the meal is served. People do not realize how bad it is for health. In 1995 the government had taken a very good step to force owners of halls and lawns to switch off their lights by midnight, which forced the people to be punctual.
The government should once again lay down a time limit to end the nuisance.
MUHAMMAD ADNAN ALAVI
Karachi
Dwindling profit rates
Our present finance minister and future prime minister, Mr Shaukat Aziz, claims to have earned $12 billion reserves. During the time of our former prime ministers, the reserves were not as much as they are claimed to be now but the profit rate for savings certificate was 16 per cent and 18 per cent and there was no withholding tax.
Thanks to Mr Aziz's policy, the profit rates have been reduced to 6.50 per cent and a 10 per cent withholding tax has been imposed. In the past a savings certificate was issued with six coupons, but now it has been replaced with a cheque book - another extra burden and wastage of time of the people as well as of the NSC staff.
GULZAR AHMAD
Islamabad
PM changes
In the 1950s our prime ministers used to be changed so often that once Pandit Nehru (then Indian PM) quipped: "I don't change my dhotis as often as Pakistan changes its PMs."
Taking a quick look at the recent changes, aren't we replaying the 1950s - not a very pleasing scene?
CAPT (retd) M. BASHIR KHAN
Rawalpindi
Preparing for rains
When I got up in the morning on July 12 I smelled a pleasant fragrance. It was coming from the earth after a drizzle. Everything looked clean and fresh and captivating - the birds chirping, the flowers smiling, the trees and plants dancing.
It made me think about picnics and all fun the rainy season can provide, but suddenly another thought crossed my mind and made me shrink. What about flooded roads, naked electric wires lying in the streets, stranded vehicles, traffic jams, accidents, etc? One question kept arising again and again: are we ready? Have the city government, the KESC, the traffic police and all other related bodies made any coordinated effort in advance to deal with all eventualities? Or will they pass the blame on one another this year too?
There is still time to prepare a joint strategy to combat the problems that rains cause in our cities.
SYED NUSRAT ALI
Karachi
Allotment of plots
Federal government employees who were never allotted any plot in Islamabad were declared eligible to apply for plots in the G-14 sector, Islamabad. Accordingly, forms along with the prescribed amount of share money were deposited by eligible employees.
Now we have learnt that the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation is not entertaining applications from employees of the Pakistan Railways in the 72 per cent quota. This is injustice. Some railway officers are approaching courts of law, and others are still undecided about what to do.
I request the minister for works and housing and the secretary/chairman of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation to intervene and issue orders to entertain applications from employees of the Pakistan Railways.
M. A. QURESHI
Pakistan Railways, Lahore
BBC Hard Talk
In the BBC World's "Hard Talk" on July 14, while talking to an Arab-French writer, Mr Tim Sabastian commented: "Your Islam is in chaos." The BBC can see 1,500 Israeli Jews killed by Palestinian suicide bombers and can advise us to modernize Islam, but it cannot see 150,000 Palestinians murdered by Israeli tanks, gunships and F-16s and dare not advise the Israelis to civilize their outlook.
Among all the authentic religions in the world, Islam is the youngest, most modern and nearest to nature. It is people like Tim Sabastian who are sowing the seeds of hatred and racism.
TAHIR NADIM
Rawalpindi
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