| 28 July 2004 | Wednesday | 10 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 |
A glimpse of their world
Kargil commission
Bad times for British Muslims
Civil society and Pakistan
British right-wingers
US visa for doctors
Clarification
'National interest'
Alternative candidate
Contract lecturers
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
The president's statement during his recent meeting with the Indian foreign minister, on the need for tangible engagement towards a settlement of the Kashmir issue and the inadmissibility of keeping Kashmir on hold while changing the landscape of relations on other issues, was an essential corrective to the lop-sided development of the peace process.
The president's reference to a 'reasonable timeframe' in the context of conflict resolution on Kashmir was not an attempt to impose any deadline but reflected, on the one hand, an awareness of the increasing trauma of the long suffering people of Kashmir and, on the other, Pakistan's refusal to allow Kashmir to be sidelined by the rush of events and exchanges in different fields, more in line with India's known priorities. There is nothing uncalled-for about 'a reasonable time-frame', unless the intention is to shelve the issue indefinitely.
That there has been so far no substantive flexibility in India's stand on Kashmir is reflected both by the need felt by the president to strike the note which he did during his meeting with the Indian foreign minister and by the negative reaction of the Indian government to the call by the president for tangible engagement on Kashmir within a reasonable timeframe.
The president's statement was clearly called for in view of the prevailing impressions in political and other circles in India that Pakistan had called it a day on the issue of the right of self-determination for the Kashmiris and that while negotiations on Kashmir, as part of the composite dialogue process, could drag on indefinitely as a sop to Pakistan susceptibilities, the rapid change in ground realities, resulting from numerous CBMs and exchanges in many fields, would effectively consign Kashmir to the back burner of public consciousness.
Even after more than a hundred cross-border goodwill visits by civil society and political figures, many CBMs and a few substantive agreements, there has been no discernible move forward on the Kashmir issue.
Over a thousand people have been killed in occupied Kashmir since the Islamabad declaration of January 6. While both parties had made adjustments in their postures, it was Pakistan which had made the significant shifts which had made the reconciliation of January 6, possible - Pakistan relaxed its earlier condition of tight linkage between initiation of far-reaching CBMs and discernible progress on Kashmir by allowing CBMs to get off the ground on the understanding that timely steps would be taken towards a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
In spite of repeated Indian professions of peace and goodwill, however, not once has any Indian spokesman, political or bureaucratic, spoken of the possibility of a substantive change in the status quo on Kashmir.
While durable peace in the interests, inter alia, of economic and social development, should remain an unconditional priority, full normalization of relations with India is another matter and must be linked to discernible, tangible progress towards the achievement of a just solution if Kashmir is not to be put on the back-burner indefinitely.
MAHDI MASUD
Karachi
A glimpse of their world
This refers to the article 'A glimpse into their world' (May 23) by Irfan Samo. It is encouraging for those who work in mental health (like myself) to see mainstream papers giving space to discussion and coverage of such issues.
The writer has quoted the example of six patients with their possible diagnosis and aetiology. Zahido is called "mad by birth"; Farhan is said to have become 'mentally retarded" when he was a student in (which seems quite unlikely).
Wazir, a postgraduate in physics, is said to be a source of entertainment to other students in the library and is said to have "gone out of his works" because he had a failed romance. Mohammad Baksh Mandool, a half-naked man collecting stones, scares everyone because they think he may throw stones at them.
The author says that he had to take appropriate measures to save himself from another patient, Qamar Soomro. Mr Soomro, a student of a degree college, the writer says, "frightens you, throwing fists and kicks at you".
Meem Dingloo is a "dangerous pagal" while Imam Ali was a celebrated body builder until 'fate contravened'. Luckily no aetiology was speculated in the last three cases. It appears that Zahido is a special child.
Farhan fell ill at the age of 20 and because of his age is less likely to be retarded and may be psychotic. The diagnosis of the other three patients mentioned by the writer could also be untreated schizophrenia.
The article is neither sympathetic to nor tolerant of those who suffer from such symptoms. In fact, it depicts them as being dangerous persons. Everyone knows that a large number of such patients seen walking about on the streets are not so violent or aggressive as depicted in the article. The writer also does not seem to be aware of the distinction between special children (retarded) and untreated psychotic disorders.
Perhaps a greater service could have been rendered had the author taken the four patients he wrote about to the department of psychiatry at the Chandka Medical College or the Civil Hospital in Sukkur. It is a shame that for special children there is no facility of any consequence in that area.
PROF S. HAROON AHMED
President, Pakistan Association for Mental Health, Karachi
Kargil commission
Kargil is once again in the news with the recent statement by Mian Nawaz Sharif alleging that he was not informed of the operation and that even when subsequently briefed, all facets of the operation were not divulged to him.
Predictably, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has contradicted this statement. If Mr Sharif is believed then the obvious question is what kind of prime minister was he that had no control over his COAS, who on his own could undertake an operation that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of disaster.
No premier worth his salt, with all the agencies at his command, will allow that to happen. It appears that the operation had his tacit approval and had a political objective.
Our top army leadership is thoroughly educated in the art of warfare and is well versed with the methodology of planning and execution of war. Planning an operation in its entirety from the beginning to the end is second nature to them. It appears that Kargil was undertaken on the explicit orders of the government to attract world attention to the somewhat dormant Kashmir dispute.
The selection of objectives and the quantum of force applied by the commanders confirm this premise. It is obvious that the aim was not to capture the Valley, otherwise the selection of objectives, quantum of force and direction of its application would have been different
It is normal for defence forces to carry out a detailed post-mortem of an operation after its conclusion. This is done by debriefing the commanders to see if the operation went according to plan and if not, what went wrong and how could that be avoided in the future.
This appears to have been done for Kargil as well. No useful purpose will therefore be served by instituting a judicial commission at this belated stage. The foregone conclusion is that this was a classic example of failure of the political leadership at the highest level.
LT-GEN (retd) S.M. BOKHARI
Rawalpindi
Bad times for British Muslims
I am glad to read in newspapers that people do appreciate the efforts put in by the UK government aside from social and political bodies to make Britain a country where religious and ethnic minorities are not only accepted but integrated.
There still exist problems with regard to this integration but this is due to the rigid behaviour of certain Islamic groups who would like to see every woman in Britain wearing the hijab and every man sporting a beard.
This is not likely to happen in the foreseeable future and this can be vouched from the recent voting trends here. One of candidate in an election was an English lady recently converted to Islam, but she could not win the seat.
South Asian migrants make up 20 per cent of the total population in this constituency and Muslims about 10 per cent. But they still did not vote for her. I appreciate that writers like Mr Iffat Idris laud efforts and resources put in by the UK government where Muslims are in a minority.
They need to campaign for the religious minorities in Pakistan as well. The centre which Mr Iffat Idris mentioned was built with the help of the British government (financial and moral).
Why can't we have such an attitude towards religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as well? Muslim pupils study the Holy Quran and Islamic studies in schools in the UK. Will the education authorities in Pakistan allow pupils from the religious minorities to study their own religion in schools and colleges in Pakistan?
The UK education authority provides resources and encourages schools to arrange activities according to the pupils' social and religious background. Will the education authorities do so in Pakistan?
ASHAR J. KHOKAR
Leeds, UK
Civil society and Pakistan
Whenever a social, economic or political order evolves, it always evolves around an unwritten understanding of give and take between society and the individuals who make up that society. No person will readily surrender his freedom without the understanding that in the bargain he gains more than what he has lost.
Primarily, it is individual security which he bargains for, at the cost of personal freedom. On the one hand he surrenders some of his rights to whatever institution he becomes a member of and, on the other, he gains some guaranteed protection and assistance such as would make his individual existence easier and more comfortable.
The primary principle of individual liberty is gradually and progressively sacrificed at the altar of society. It often happens that as it grows society becomes more authoritative.
Apparently every new law aims to balance the right of the individual on the one hand with the rights of society. Because of corruption, our legislators fail to remain loyal to the rights of the individual which are gradually encroached upon by an increasingly authoritarian state.
Hence, the urgent need for our parliamentarians to realize their responsibilities and to act in a manner that respects the rights of the people who voted for them and to think about their interest rather than passing laws that only serve to further the authority of the state, often at the expense of individual freedom.
GUL ZAMAN KHAN
Peshawar
British right-wingers
In response to Mr Ashraf Ali Khan's letter (British Right Wingers, July 24), I would like to clarify a couple of important issues. It is true that the BBC did broadcast a documentary about the British National Party's activities and its vicious views regarding Islam, Muslims and Asians in general.
However, contrary to the views perceived by Mr Khan, the BBC did not show this programme to "fan hatred" against Islam, nor did it praise the BNP in any shape or form.
Instead, the documentary was a result of several months worth of tedious investigative journalism, which revealed to the public the true racist attitude of BNP leaders and members.
The BBC journalist, Jason Gywnne, risked his life while living in the Bradford area undercover, working for the BNP for several months posing as a racist football hooligan, capturing the extreme views of various BNP high-ups through hidden cameras and microphones.
This he achieved through the help of another BNP area organizer, Andy Sykes, who had decided to pay heed to the voice of his conscience and wanted to bring such hate-filled views out into the open.
By airing this programme, the BBC has not created hatred against Islam; instead it has helped shatter the false image that the BNP has tried to portray whilst indulging in hate filled activities against Asians and blacks, especially Muslims.
Another comment made in the letter, as to whether Muslims have the same rights as Christians, is also worth responding to. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the UK, as it is in the West generally.
In the UK, most new mosques are being established within old churches. Muslims are allowed to purchase churches which are being closed down due to lack of attendance.
In contrast to whatever is happening in France and Germany with regard to banning of the hijab and other religious headgear in schools, there is freedom here to follow one's religious attire and it is common place seeing girls wearing the hijab or boys wearing Sikh turbans.
Racism does exist in Britain as does within every society, but the way racist views and ideas are condemned in letter and in action by the government, media, industries and general public is commendable.
Although the British may be perceived as "racist", it is literally shocking when a comparison is drawn between race-related incidents in the UK with those occurring within Pakistan.
Racism is not only meted out against immigrants from Bangladesh and Afghanistan within Pakistan, but is prevalent along the lines of sect, such as Shias and Sunnis. Similarly, lives have been lost during violent clashes between rival ethnic groups as we have seen in the past in Sindh.
I praise the BBC for its bold professionalism, which has now resulted in the closure of the BNP's central accounts by one of the leading banks, the arrest of over six senior members of the BNP and a renewed investigation through the Crown Prosecution Service of various old cases where they were marked pending due to inadequate evidence.
All this may very well herald the end of the BNP's political future within Britain and they may never be able to compete in general elections.
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
UK
US visa for doctors
My brother, Dr Syed Wasif Hussain, applied for a J-1 visa at the US embassy in Islamabad on 5th August, 2003. At that time, the visa officer informed him that his application required additional processing. In simpler terms it meant that his application would go through the clearance procedure of the US government.
Now even after the lapse of about one year we haven't received any response from the embassy. Numerous telephone calls were made to the embassy in Islamabad and the only response from there was that the embassy had no information about the application's clearance status.
The hospital in the US that offered residency training to my brother was kind enough to renew his contract this year. However, if the US authorities continue to delay the processing there is less likelihood that the hospital would renew the contract this year.
After having gone through the struggle of passing the USMLE exams and competing in the rigorous US environment to obtain a residency training offer, this visa processing delay is causing much anguish and pain not only to my brother but to my entire family as well.
I appeal to the US embassy to try and help us in this regard.
SYED SOHAIL JAVAAD
via email
Clarification
This refers to the news item published regarding irregularities amounting to Rs29.5 billion related to the Memorandum for Departmental Accounts Committee (MFDAC) on account of Wapda for the year 2001-2002 (Dawn, July 24).
A copy of the MFDAC was received in Wapda on December 29, 2003 from the ministry of water and power, Islamabad. Replies/comments on most of the cases included in the MFDAC have since been submitted for audit.
These comments will be discussed in the DAC meeting as and when held. A fair number of audit observations are likely to be settled when the DAC is satisfied with the explanations provided.
In the remaining cases, action will be taken in the light of the directives of the DAC. The final picture as to the correctness or otherwise of the audit observations will emerge when the report will be discussed by the DAC.
Till then, the report is based on audit contentions which may not have adequately taken into account the executive point of view. It is worth mentioning that there is only an increase of 14 cases from 2001-2002, which is 2.75 per cent. Also out of 393 paras relating to the MFDAC, the DAC discussed only 65 paras and replies relating to rest were found acceptable to audit.
MUHAMMAD ABID RANA
Deputy Director, Public Relations, Wapda Lahore
'National interest'
This refers to Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee's column "Truly in the national interest" (Dawn July 25). I fully endorse the view that it should be made compulsory for children to commit to memory passages from the Quaid-i-Azam's speeches, so that they know what their leaders and governments are meant to deliver, as per the wishes of their country's founder.
And of course not those "censored" versions of speeches which crept into textbooks much later. I never remember my teacher of Pakistan Studies ever discussing the founder's statement which must be quoted and remembered. "...In the course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the state."
Reforms must rightly start from madressahs and prescribed textbooks to usher in an era of "enlightened moderation".
DR OWAIS ALI FAROOQI
Buffalo, USA
Alternative candidate
The mainstream English press has missed out on an important story. One Dr. Amber Shahzad has filed his nomination papers from Attock constituency to contest the by-elections against our PM-in-waiting, Shaukat Aziz.
Dr Shahzad has a point to prove. He says that the powers that be are going to rig this election anyway so why not let him in on the slot. He has promised (unlike Jamali who used to speak against his boss in his sleep) to appoint Shaukat Aziz as his adviser and a PM in waiting.
According to him General Musharraf should not take any chances. What if Shaukat Aziz fails to deliver? Where would General Musharraf find another figure-fudger in such a hurry? It is better to keep Aziz here but in line and for emergency use only. Now where would you find such a selfless soul to serve the people of Pakistan in this hour of need?
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
Contract lecturers
The Punjab government is running a multi-million rupee campaign about the strides it is making in the education sector, but this does not reflect in the manner in which it treats its teachers.
As many of us are on contract, we are deprived of an increase in pay and at the same time we can be posted to remote areas to serve. All contract doctors have been made permanent and teachers being recruited in Sindh and the WFP are be-ing hired on permanent basis. Why are we treated so badly?
M. HUSSAIN
Daska
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.