| 03 August 2004 | Tuesday | 16 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 |
Kashmir: India's basic position
'Losing the high ground'
Pakistanis executed in Iraq
Exhibition ground
Water distribution by Rangers
Troops for Iraq
Banks and shares
Violent channel
Indigenous people
Corruption
Changes in dates
Dirtiest place in town
Karo-kari
Role of urban planning
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The local government system under the 'Local Government Ordinance 2000' is a system of governance consisting of many parts and functionaries - Government and elected. There are news and discussions on media (print and electronic) as well as seminars, public debates etc regarding the worthlessness, weakness, impracticality and failure of this system.
But it seems that the National Reconstruction Bureau and President Musharraf still do not admit or perceive these facts. It is perhaps due to the reason that they were the architect of this system.
Many writers are very vocal and severely criticize the system to the extent that if this system is not scrapped and the old system revived, it will become a risk to the already deliberately weakened administrative structure leading to functional anarchy and total haphazardness.
They argu that the superficial working of the districts (a system within the administrative body) is due to the momentum of the old system, which was at quite resonance with our socio-cultural conditions and well organized having potential to handle the crisis.
The common man had always looked forward SDM and DC for the redressal of his grievances mainly against police, qabza groups, officials, hoarders, price hikers, black mailers, exploiters etc, but now there is no focal person in the districts. These officials, at least, were supposed to be impartial and representatives of the state.
In my view, the critics of the new system are wasting their energies because the NRB and President Musharraf themselves want the present rollback. They do not intend to cure the disease making the body weaker over the period. What happens if the disease or syndrome is not cured? Surely the answer would be death.
The various parts (offices and officials), functions (rules of business) and all other structures are so haphazardly placed that the system cannot work. It cannot give unity out of diversity.
It is badly ill. It is an example of height of mismanagement and disorder. It is heading towards its natural death, if not cured; and this will not be due to any 'external' factor but because of its internal weakness and immune deficiency.
JAVED AKHTER MAHMOOD
Multan
Kashmir: India's basic position
In his column (July 31) Mr Kuldip Nayar writes that Pakistan has no claim over Kashmir other than its Muslim majority. His article omits the topographic and economic imperatives, which are succinctly summed up in an old geography book - OHK Spate: India and Pakistan: A General and Regional Geography (London 1954:381-2).
"Leaving these legal and moral issues aside, it would seem that if economic geography should count for anything, then Pakistan's case is stronger than India's. The importance of Kashmir water to Pakistan for both irrigation and power is obvious; Kashmiri timber was also very important to west Punjab, and conversely had its main outlet there, since exploitation depended largely on rafting down the rivers which all flowed into west Punjab.
The Sialkot sports goods industry used Kashmir willow and resin. The import of salt for the Kashmir tanneries is also more costly from India than from the Salt Range mines, and Pakistan would obviously find it easier to supply the food deficit than would India. Oil is essential for the valley, and Pakistanis claim that the natural supply would be from Attock or southwest Asia through Karachi."
The natural links of Kashmir are mainly with Pakistan. All roads are difficult to maintain, but the Jhelum route is really the only all-weather one. It is only 298km from Srinagar to Rawalpindi, 402km to Amritsar, and the Indian route is badly snow-bound (or at least impeded) for three months on the Banihal Pass, while its sub-Himalayan stretch lies athwart the drainage of an area notoriously liable to gullying and land slips.
Fruit and timber were the largest exports from Kashmir, and while Pakistan has far more potential resources in temperate fruits than has India, the timber situation is the reverse.
I do agree with Mr Nayar's conclusion: let there be free trade. Yes, let commerce roll, and we shall see the old Rawalpindi-Srinagar route restored once more as the trade artery of Kashmir.
DR ADAM NAYYAR
Islamabad
'Losing the high ground'
The column by Mr Irfan Husain 'Losing the high ground' (July 24) was a very moving one and vividly described the double standards demonstrated by the Muslim world in condemning the tyrannical and barbaric atrocities meted out against innocent civilians by the so-called "Jihadis".
He also has a rational view of the ground reality in Kashmir where the media's double standards encourage militant outfits in carrying out acts in the name of religion and in turn defaming and obscuring the whole cause.
He very candidly admits the covert support in the form of logistics, arms and training, given by fundamentalist groups in Pakistan to these militant outfits, though the government denies it repeatedly.
A struggle for independence is never against your own people as it is happening in Kashmir where the minorities have been flushed out of the valley in the name of "ethnic cleansing".
One cannot recall of a freedom fighter during the British Raj who would have gone to this degree against his own people. The excesses committed by the Indian security forces cannot be condoned. But that does not prompt everyone to pick up arms under the umbrella of religion or freedom. Remember, an eye for eye would leave the world blind.
JITIN MANGLA
Baroda, India
(2)
I must appreciate your efforts in printing the article, 'Losing the high ground' by Mr Irfan Husain. I must say that it made for a good, realistic and introspective reading. It truly projects the role the fourth estate has been responsible for playing.
I have had occasion to interact with some of the Pakistani students who came to study in the UK. After spending a year in their company I understood that many of our concerns are similar and common, viz, poverty, dirty politics, illiteracy and unemployment.
I would really like to tell my friends in Pakistan that we in India are learning not to share the same vision as our politicians when it comes to Pakistan and I request them to reciprocate. We are wonderful neighbours and it is beyond my reckoning as to why we cannot be friends when our respective people are friendly.
VISHAL KATARIYA
Pune, India
Pakistanis executed in Iraq
Dawn's headline of July 29 "Pakistanis seized in Iraq executed" was tragic. The Iraqis have killed them for the crime of employment with a firm working for US forces. They have sent to us a message that Pakistani troops are not welcome.
To dispatch troops to the embattled country will be a suicidal decision. Some other Muslim countries like Bangladesh, Morocco and Malaysia are also set to make the same mistake as Pakistan.
Pakistani troops in Iraq, whether invited by the UN, the US or the Iraqi unrepresentative government for whatever duties, will be considered by Iraqi people as a reinforcement for the US occupying forces.
What about the political fall-out? If we send troops to please the US or the US-planted unrepresentative Iraqi government, the Iraqi people's foes will be our friends and their friends our foes.
What will be the position of Pakistan - the first nuclear power in the Muslim world? It is time we thought seriously and soberly like a responsible and respectable country. We must weigh which condition suits Pakistan, a friendly Iraq or a bitter enemy.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
(2)
The execution of two Pakistani hostages in Iraq is deplorable. It is obviously out of disgust and desperation that the Iraqis made this move. They seem to be doing this to weaken the strangle hole of the coalition forces, who are there much against the will of the Iraqi people.
The country is torn by a worsening law and order situation and there are embedded feelings against the Americans and all others who have or are siding with the Americans in ruining their country. Iraqis can be won by love and help by the peace loving countries and the end of American domination.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Exhibition ground
One can only take a cue from the Punjab government which has extended all possible help to the private sector for setting up a new exhibition centre and fair ground in that province. The proposed exhibition centre will take care of international and national events held in Lahore and in Punjab.
In Karachi, the exhibition centre set up by the Export Promotion Bureau looks as it has been set up in a cluster of warehouses. There are no proper facilities that go with such a location and the planning that has gone into this centre leaves a lot to be desired.
That is why a number of exhibitions have been cancelled for Karachi owing to the location of the centre and also the kind of facilities available there. In the most recent case, the Made-in- India fair venue was shifted from Karachi to Lahore on the grounds that the Karachi exhibition centre was located in a sensitive part of the city and that since it had no hotel of its own, exhibitors would have to travel long distances to get to the venue every day. There were also issues with the size of the exhibition centre as well as the facilities and technology that the Karachi venue can give.
It is hoped, at least for Karachi's sake, that a new exhibition ground will be set up in the private sector that will incorporate the latest facilities that are usually offered with such a project.
ISSAM ZAMAN
Karachi
Water distribution by Rangers
Rangers have been providing drinking water to the general public and commercial users in Karachi for quite some time. I am a resident of Defence Authority in Karachi and there is a water shortage. So I am a regular user of water from the Rangers.
There was a time when you would call in the morning around seven o'clock and get water tanker by the evening. But in the recent past, there is an acute shortage of drinking water from the Rangers-managed system for the general public. These days you can't get a water tanker simply by making a phone call.
I went personally to the hydrant at 5.45 in the morning to enlist my name. The serial number given to me was 31. I was informed that I would get a tanker by the evening. When I inquired at night, I was informed that the tanker will not be provided, due to short supply of water.
The next day I again went to the hydrant in the morning and inquired about a commercial tanker. I was surprised that it is available in and there was no shortage of water as such.
I recorded my name and address to the commercial contractor and got the water in two hours. (Rate of a commercial tanker of 2000 gallons is Rs700 as against Rs375 for the general public from the Rangers).
There are three types of tankers that offered by the Ranger water system, i.e., 1,000 gallons (Rs 275), 2,000 gallons (Rs375) and 3,000 gallons (Rs550). Usually the 2,000 gallon tanker is in maximum demand and is very difficult to acquire. This is due to its economical rate. It is suggested that the rates be revised as follows: 1,000 gallons Rs250, 2,000 gallons Rs400 and 3,000 gallons for Rs550.
This will minimize demand for the 2,000 gallon tankers. It is also suggested that Rangers should acquire more tankers to meet public needs. It is further recommended that the Defence Housing Authority should provide tankers to its users on payment. They are already providing water to residents in areas where there is no supply.
S.K.M. JAMIL
Karachi
Troops for Iraq
The ambiguous decision that we might send our forces to Iraq if the Iraqi government asks us for help and if other Muslim countries are also sending their forces and if parliament approves of it, if, if, if - what will happen if all the ifs come true? The Pakistan Army will be killing and getting killed, attacking and getting attacked by fellow Muslim Iraqis.
The Iraqi leader, Ayad Allawi, is not a legitimate representative of Iraq. His reins are in America's control as well. Are we as a nation so uncertain, vulnerable and dependent on all these ifs? India and Russia have bluntly refused the proposal - no ifs considered.
The allied forces have confessed that they have failed to recover nuclear warheads as the initial reason to attack Iraq was. Thousands of innocent lives, young and old, were lost on an assumption which is yet to be proved. It means the allied forces simply invaded Iraq and captured it without any reason and to sustain this unjust seizure, they want our help.
It is time our army generals revitalized their faith in themselves and their nation and turned down the allied external pressure.
SAMINA KHAN
Karachi
Banks and shares
During the recent submission of applications for PPL shares the MCB branch at Al Hilal Society, opposite the old Sabzi Mandi in Karachi, laid down that there should be a minimum balance of Rs32,500 available in one's account to submit an application for shares of Rs27,500 for both government salary account holders and non-government salary account holders.
It refused to accept the share application if the account balance was less than Rs32,500. Because of this, many people couldn't submit their applications. In my opinion, the bank has the right only to deduct the Rs50 per month penalty for accounts where the balance is less than Rs5,000 for non-government salary account holders.
JAI PRAKASH
Karachi
Violent channel
I would like to bring to the attention of PEMRA the airing of a channel "Hyper-X" by one of the leading cable operators. It is supposed to be a game channel, and all day long we see violent images of people using guns and other weapons to kill others as part of some game that is played on this channel.
This is most unacceptable as it promotes violence amongst children. It is my request that this channel be stopped at the earliest.
NASIM GHANI
Karachi
Indigenous people
August 9, 2004, will mark the end of the Decade of the Indigenous People, the decade of those people who made this earth of ours a habitable place for us. How many people of this world recognize and acknowledge this ignored segment of society? Sadly, not many.
MAHVUSH HUSAIN
Karachi
Corruption
There are big advertisements in the newspapers these days, asking us to "come join NACS and help eradicate corruption". "Come", where? "Join NASC", but how? Is there a membership process? The ads do not even have a postal address.
M. IQBAL-UR-REHMAN
Karachi
Changes in dates
The dates for the meeting of foreign ministers of India and Pakistan to discuss the all-important issue of Kashmir and security have been shifted to September 5 and 6 in New Delhi. The postponement of the core issue in itself is an undesirable development, yet more important and significant is the choosing of the dates - Sept 6.
Sept 6 is a red-letter day in Pakistan. We observe it to pay homage to our shaheed who gave their blood in the 1965 war when India invaded our country. It is a national day. On our calendars it is Defence of Pakistan Day.
India chose this day to talk peace when we the Pakistanis should be eulogizing our national heroes who laid down their lives so that Pakistan could live. This could be an innocent coincidence and not a psychological contrivance, but our government should have been mindful of the importance of this date.
BRIG (RETD) A. Q. ANJUM
Rawalpindi
Dirtiest place in town
One of the dirtiest places in Karachi is the area between the NIPA flyover and Aladin Park in Block 11, Gulshan-i-Iqbal. The roads and passages provided beneath the flyover are in a horrible condition.
The whole area is littered with filth and dirt. There are cesspools of sewage, which are a source of foul odour. One can hardly pass through this area without putting a handkerchief on one's face.
On both sides of Rashid Minhas Road in this particular area, gutters are overflowing. The affected portions of the roads have become muddy, slippery and breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects. This is posing a great hazard to the health of the residents.
The water supply lines in this area are also mostly choked and broken. The valves controlling the water supply to the houses and apartment complexes (including Erum Homes) are not only defective, but without proper chambers. The dirty water penetrates pipelines and pollutes the drinking water.
The nazim Karachi and the managing director, water and sewerage board, are requested to please visit this area and take timely action to alleviate the sufferings of the residents.
SH. KHURSHID HASAN
Karachi
Karo-kari
The recent opposition to the much-awaited karo-kari bill paints a very bleak picture of the current state of parliament and the mental deterioration of our clergy. The sufis of the subcontinent must be turning in their graves on seeing these brutal attacks being carried out everyday on innocent women.
It is very unlikely that the prime minister would take any concrete steps to stop this heinous evil as he and some of his companies are part of the some system.
ADNAN WAQAR
Via email
Role of urban planning
Urban planning plays a very vital role in the social, economic and environmental development of a city. But in Pakistan unfortunately not much attention is paid to this. There is a lack of public participation at all levels and this has affected how our cities are taking shape.
So many proposed projects are pending in the courts due to the objection of public on the government projects. The cases in the courts have been running for decades against departments. Many mega project have failed because thay have been imposed without knowing the public's needs and desires.
MUHAMMAD SHAHID MUGHAL
Hong Kong
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