| 18 July 2004 | Sunday | 29 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Dow University
Hudood ordinances
Fence along LoC
Road to Baghdad
Pensioners' case
QAU website
Shaukat Aziz's claim
Robberies in DHA
Request to FPSC
Defence budget
Denial of admission
Unlawful detentions
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This is with reference to Ms Zubeida Mustafa's article "Anatomy of numbers" (June 23).
Those of us who are familiar with the history of economic development experienced by developed countries know well that their development programmes would have never succeeded had they not cared to control their populations, right from the very beginning during the 18th and 19th centuries. Even the Asian giants - China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia - rigorously pursued population control during the past half a century.
But in the case of Pakistan, one is appalled to note that those who matter in government have failed to realize the impact of the worsening demographic situation. According to the 2003 World Population data-sheet of the Population Reference Bureau, Washington DC, the rate of natural increase (excess of births over deaths) of the population in Pakistan is 2.7 per cent. The same for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is 1.7, 2.2 and 1.3 per cent, respectively. At this rate, Pakistan's projected population for 2025 and 2050 will be 249.7 million and 348.6 million. These are frightening figures, indeed.
In a country where the literacy rate is less than 40 per cent and society is a slave to age-old customs and social practices, it is almost impossible to check population growth through current family planning practices for the simple reason that they will never be observed.
The vast majority of our population (66 per cent) is rural. Add to this those millions living in kutchi abadis in urban areas. They too are migrants from rural areas in the NWFP and Punjab in particular and are characterized by large families. It is estimated that 35-40 per cent of Karachi's population live in kutchi abadis.
As regards the projection of 348.6 million people in 2050, it clearly means that the population will have more than doubled by that time. For those who talk of poverty reduction without giving much importance to reduction in population, it is necessary to point out that man does not live by bread alone. As the population increases, we not only need more food but also increasing supply of potable water, improved underground sewerage, more houses, more schools, more teachers, more textbooks, greater transport facilities, a well-maintained road network, more hospitals, more doctors, more nurses, more parks and playgrounds and more cemeteries. In short, for a population which gets doubled in less than 50 years, it is an uphill task to meet the diverse needs detailed above.
The problem becomes more serious when it is realized that the vast majority of people lives in some 100,000 villages scattered throughout the country. These villages in general have neither schools nor hospitals and, in most cases, have no access to public or private transport. Worse, most have no work to do to make a living. Often, the only course left for them and their families is to migrate to cities in the hope of finding some work which may help them eke out a living. Right now, several hundred women who came with their families from the depressed areas of southern and central Punjab are working as domestic servants in various Karachi areas.
The rate at which our population is increasing presents all signs of a dreadful future marred by death, disease and destruction. One can safely predict an alarming increase in riots, especially riots over inadequate water supply, thefts and robbery, carjacking, bank robbery, burglary, frequent use of weapons, bus and train accidents resulting in loss of lives, mass murders and other crimes.
Nature maintains a balance. For that, people must suffer death and destruction. This is what is happening now. That is nature's response to the population explosion.
DR QAZI SHAKIL AHMAD
Director of Research, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, Karachi
Dow University
In the past few weeks, much has been written on the issue of medical universities and the state of medical facilities in Pakistan. Setting up medical universities will help produce better doctors if quality education and an educative environment are ensured. In this regard, progress is being made at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. But there is always room for improvement. Here are a few areas where changes will be appreciated.
1) When we entered this prestigious institution, we dreamed of regularity after two years of haphazard studies in intermediate colleges. We just forgot that we had been admitted to yet another government college where the quality of lectures would be poor and we would have to depend on ourselves. Our acquaintances are surprised to hear that we just go to college three days a week. Teachers should be paid after checking the attendance of students during their lectures. Special lectures from visiting doctors should also be conducted so as to impart clinical experience.
2) The labs should be updated. Practicals should be designed to impart clinical knowledge. Basics like BP, injections, CPR should be known to a student within six months of admission. We are being taught analysis of urine samples in the second year, which is the job of technicians. We should be taught how to configure a urine/blood report. As it is said, Dow graduates have a thorough knowledge of theory, but practically they are no better than graduates of other medical colleges.
3) Reading rooms in the library have been renovated. But many rare books are not available in the library. The number of regular course books (which are issued to a number of students daily) should be increased.
5) The administration itself should be allotting clinical groups. Since everyone doesn't have the same amount of confidence and potential to form groups, it becomes a painful experience for many. It just adds to wastage of time on part of students. If LUMHS and other universities can allot groups alphabetically, why can't we?
If these problems are taken care of at the level of non-clinical studies, students can concentrate on their studies with more enthusiasm.
SANA A. K. DUHS,
Karachi
Hudood ordinances
I have a few simple questions of the government and the ulema. When Hudood laws were enforced initially, what was the state of our society and administration? When a thief had one hand and one foot amputated, who provided for him? And what was the calibre of the prosecutors, investigators, witnesses and judges?
How can you apply the Pakistan CrPC and the Evidence Act in Hudood crimes? Where is the provision for allowing lawyers in Hudood cases, or for endless adjournments? Are our law graduates who become magistrates and civil judges qualified to decide cases under the Shariah? Is there any provision in the Shariah for appeal, or clemency being granted by the head of state after a qazi has pronounced judgment? And so forth.
There are many examples of how the blasphemy law has been made a hash of, the most glaring being the case against the late Dr Akhtar Hameed Khan.
Do impose Shariah law, by all means. But please be true to yourselves and others. First prepare the ground for it; prevent falsehood, false cases, false evidence, and corruption among the players involved.
S.G. JILANEE
Karachi
(2)
The prime minister's statement in Dawn of July 12 says that proposals for revision of the Hudood laws have been sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
It is suggested that expert opinion is also sought from the faculty of shariah and law and the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of the International Islamic University, Islamabad. Besides the laws be got vetted through the courtesy of the ministry of religious affairs, Saudi Arabia, as well Jamia Al Azhar of Egypt, and then presented to the federal shariah court from enactment through parliament.
This is absolutely necessary to exercise maximum caution that the laws do not violate any of the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
ENGINEER GHULAM SARWAR
Islamabad
Fence along LoC
On the one hand India is having peace talks with Pakistan, and on the other it is running into an arms race and is also raising a fence along the LoC. This approach is not going to facilitate the peace talks between the two countries. A change is, therefore, required in the thinking of the Indian leadership as regards the fence. Lasting peace cannot come if such a cryptic policy is adopted by any of the two countries.
Similarly, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's rejection of the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calling for dismantling portions of the disputed wall is equally a threat to peace efforts in the Middle East. Peace-loving nations are called upon to ensure that Mr Sharon's obduracy to keep the wall intact is not sustained.
Both India and Israel should be persuaded to desist from unilateral actions that are obviously a threat to peace talks between India and Pakistan and Palestine and Israel.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Road to Baghdad
Mr Ayaz Amir is not known for accurately reading the crystal ball. Time and again, he has made predictions and emotional forecasts about significant world events which have turned out to be totally off the mark. The lack of dispassionate and critical analysis makes it imperative to take his pronouncements with considerable scepticism.
However, in his latest column he offers absolutely the right advice to the powers that be. Siding with the United States in the 'war against terrorism' is one thing, as it is as much in Pakistan's interest as that of the United States, but to be cajoled into offering our young men as cannon fodder in the quagmire of Iraq is quite another.
President Musharraf should cite the possibility of greatly inflaming the public opinion if this step were taken and politely but firmly request to be excused from providing this service. This will also go a long way in disproving the canard that every action on his part is dictated by the United States.
M. HAIDER
New Jersey, USA
Pensioners' case
Thanks to Dawn, a discussion has been generated on the above issue following the publication of my letter on April 29.
In view of the rising cost of living, the importance of taking steps to provide relief to widows, pensioners and elderly people cannot overemphasized. It is becoming increasingly difficult for large segments of our society to make ends meet. The problem is getting compounded because of longevity of life.
After steady and sharp drops in profits on national savings schemes, the government has introduced two schemes - Pension Benefit Account (scheme) and Behbood Registration Certificate - which ensure better profit rates. Limitations of these schemes are: (a) more than one million rupees cannot be invested in anyone of these schemes, and (b) these cannot be availed of by all widows, pensioners and elderly people.
The pension benefit scheme can be availed of only by retirees from the federal government service or from autonomous corporations of the federal government and their units. In the case of widows, there is no age restriction. However, for Behbood registration certificates for the elderly, it is necessary that the certificate holder should be 60 years' old or above. Each of these schemes yields a profit of Rs841 per month on an investment of Rs100,000. Those who are able to make the maximum permissible investment of Rs2 million in two schemes will earn a profit of only Rs16,820. This highlights the need for introducing more and better schemes, especially for widows, pensioners and the elderly.
It has been pointed out that if one cannot produce a pension book, one can buy Behbood certificates provided one is 60 years and above. In this connection, it may be clarified that the scheme for Behbood certificates for the elderly was introduced long after the pension benefit scheme. It may be easy now for investors to choose between the pension benefit scheme and the Behbood registration certificate scheme, but this choice was not available for a long period after the pension benefit scheme had been launched. Many of the investors may even now like to avail of both the schemes, but they may come across the hurdles of needing a pension book or serving in projects which have been privatized.
It is suggested that we should also try and introduce a new clause in both the schemes, allowing the spouse/son/daughter of the account holder to operate these accounts. If this is not done, we may land ourselves in litigation, particularly in the case of Behbood certificates after the death or even before the death of investors.
The rule in the pension benefit scheme is that whatever investment is to be made in this scheme, subject to the limit of one million rupees, it should be made in one go. The rationale for this rule is not clear. It is suggested that staggering of investment in this scheme should be allowed. If this rule is also being followed by some NSS centres for Behbood registration certificates, this is not correct, according to my understanding. This again highlights the need for a close examination of all rules and details of the two schemes.
MOHAMMAD ANWAR KHAN
Karachi
QAU website
The Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, is known as a well-furbished and spruced up institution, but its website has not been fully developed. It cannot be accessed from Sindh. Hence those living in the interior of Sindh have to travel to Islamabad to check merit list for admissions.
It is hoped that the vice-chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azam University will realize the difficulties of students from Sindh and make the website available to them.
RIAZ HUSSAIN
Larkana
Shaukat Aziz's claim
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has proudly claimed collection of Rs510.6 billion in taxes during the year ending June 30, 2004, and hopes to collect Rs580 billion during the current fiscal year. But he has not mentioned the unprecedented increase in the cost of living after October 1999.
The designated prime minister, basically a banker, is trained in money collection. He should now learn that success of the government is judged by improvement in the quality of life of the people and not by the amount of money squeezed out of them. He should also be conscious of the fact that the French prime minister's reckless and merciless taxing of the common people to meet the requirements of foreign debt-servicing and luxuries of the king and nobles triggered the French Revolution in 1789.
NASRULLAH KHAN SHINWARI
Peshawar
Robberies in DHA
I live in Phase VI of Karachi's DHA. A number of robberies have taken place in this area, which may not have been reported.
I know two people who have been robbed of all their money and valuables. From the way those who committed the crime talked, walked, dressed and had their hair cut, it was apparent that they came from a disciplined body of men.
My question is: who is responsible for our security, the DHA or the Clifton Cantonment Board, the interior minister or the local police? Registration of FIRs have failed to deter the culprits.
CONCERNED RESIDENT
Karachi
Request to FPSC
The Federal Public Service Commission holds examinations for numerous grade 17 posts in different government organizations and departments. For quick scrutiny and checking of papers, it often takes a single test, including general knowledge, everyday science, mathematics, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies, English and intelligence testing questions in the form of MCQs.
Many candidates whom I personally know were quite eligible for the posts they applied for, having an excellent academic background and knowledge of their subjects, but failed.
It is requested that MCQs covering all subjects should not be included in a single test for these posts.
IMRAN AZAM RAZA
Lahore
Defence budget
Before the hawks in our defence establishment start making a big issue of the 23 per cent increase in the Indian defence budget for 2004-05, they should be reminded that notwithstanding this increase India still spends 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence as compared to 5.5 per cent spent by Pakistan.
The country will be better off to keep its focus on health, education and rural development and to maintain a logical and down-to-earth approach when negotiating with India on the issue of Kashmir and other matters. These are not days and times for an emotional approach to national issues.
SHIRAZ SACHEDINA
Karachi
Denial of admission
My daughter appeared for the test conducted by the National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (NUCES) for admission for BCS at FAST, bearing the Roll Number 03827.
She got 76 marks in the test and already had 10 As in her O levels. She did not get information of her selection in time to complete the admission formalities. The relevant offer letter is dated July 9, stating that "the admission formalities should be completed before July 15, otherwise the seat would be given to another candidate." This letter was given to the TCS courier on July 14 and delivered to my daughter on July 15 at 2pm when the time limit was almost over.
Will the NUCES management be courteous enough to explain?
M. SAYEED
Via email
Unlawful detentions
I would like to mention that it has become a common practice for law enforcement and other 'agencies' to illegally pick up someone and keep him in custody subject to interrogation. This is totally unethical and unfair according to the law and fundamental rights.
We have seen this odd and unfair practice in the case of Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed, and a few days ago a high court lawyer, Sohail Hameed, also disappeared in similar fashion. No one is taking any responsibility and no one is ready to say where the detainee is.
Those responsible for such practices should be discouraged, and courts should rule that this is unlawful abduction.
DR ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
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