| 19 August 2004 | Thursday | 02 Rajab 1425 |
'Losing the initiative'
Fuel wise
Bakhtawar Park
State Bank clarification
Appeal to DIG Traffic
Democratic self-rule
Life savings demonetized
National song
Need for a hospital
Tragedy in the making
Congress & the minorities
Test status
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'It was not appropriate to publish Mr Kuldip Nayar's article 'Pakistan and Indian Muslims' on Independence Day. Of late Mr Nayar's writing and thinking are becoming ever more prejudiced and he is losing the credibility he once enjoyed among his Pakistani readers.
Unfortunately, he is unfolding his prejudices at a time when India-Pakistan relations show all signs of improvement. The Quaid-i-Azam, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Liaquat Ali Khan, Vallab Bhai Patel and a host of others had an admirable common trait. They were all faithful to their convictions. At least it is difficult to charge them with deceit.
The Quaid set out to achieve safeguards for the Muslims of the subcontinent (as opposed to Pakistan and India) starting with the demand of a 'not very strong' centre and culminating in the demand for Pakistan.
He achieved his objective in the best possible way available to him. This admittedly involved some suffering and some gains. The demand then for not a very strong centre from Jinnah may look sinful to Mr Nayar, but that is fast becoming a de facto reality in India today.
The Quaid and Pandit Nehru were both very liberal in their views but whereas Pandit Nehru was then a young and vigorous revolutionary, the Quaid was more contemplative like Mahatma Gandhi.
Pandit Nehru was a deeply emotional person. I have personally seen him cry on the stage during the communal riots while on other occasions I have also seen him shouting in rage at the very crowd he was addressing.
Sometimes on such occasions he would say something unintentionally, but which in consequence would dismantle an agreed position! Mr Nayar and all of us should learn to love and respect such wonderful leaders (together with their failings) who finally achieved independence from British rule.
As for his take on Kashmir, the term 'timeframe' was quickly clarified by Pakistan to mean 'not open-ended'. Perhaps both are inappropriate terminologies. But surely India and Pakistan can progressively increase their efforts both in terms of the number of meetings as also the levels at which these should take up the issue till it is resolved. Such efforts will be indicative of a genuine rather than an evasive attitude to resolving the problem.
Mr Nayar's twisted vision of the past may undergo some change if he cares to read once again The sole spokesman by Ayesha Jalal, which is one of the most well-documented books covering the period. Hopefully, he will have a better understanding of what Jinnah wanted to achieve and what he was forced to accept.
DR MOHAMMAD SAMIUDDIN
Karachi.
'Losing the initiative'
Your editorial 'Losing the initiative' (August 15) expresses our true feelings but it is only a mild reproach for the thousands of illegal murders and tortures committed by the most 'civilized' government on earth.
However, I disagree with your view: "There is a great rage sweeping the Muslim world that is directed against the West but which also threatens the governments of Muslim countries."
You are right about the wild rage, but it is against the specific policies of only two western governments, and even within them of a few specific individuals in power. There is no rage against the 'West' or the 'western people'.
Sir, how can we forget the unprecedented demonstrations of the millions of our Christian brothers in America, Britain, France, Australia, Spain, Italy, and other western countries against the attack on Iraq? We also remember, recognize and highly appreciate the refusal of France, Germany and other western countries to join in this illegal venture.
At a time when we Muslims were paralyzed and confused as to what we should do, and were shocked into silence and inaction by the hoax of 9/11, our friends in the West spoke out and forcefully for Muslims and the Muslim countries, and for peace and justice, against the policies of their own governments.
Millions of them came out in the streets with banners and placards, and held unprecedented demonstrations even though there was no organization or institution instigating or motivating them to go out into the streets, and they had nothing personal to gain.
I consider the whole of the West as my friend and only blame the misguided policies of a few governments in power. The modern age is the age of communication and dialogue. This is the path everyone needs to take, including the American forces in Iraq.
JALEES AHMED FARUQUI
Karachi
Fuel wise
The price of crude oil has crossed the $45-mark and is poised to touch $50 in case of supply disruptions. It is not unusual for oil prices to reach new records as, for instance, the cost of gold cannot be the same as was prevalent 20 years ago.
It is matter of great satisfaction that the beneficiaries of the oil boom are Muslims. These producers should carefully manage their windfall revenues and preferably invest in new industries in other Islamic states instead of depositing their money in western banks which prosper on interest-free deposits.
In Pakistan the prices of oil products are set to increase sharply. As we are blessed with vast deposits of natural gas, the government should subsidize import of CNG kits. Gas can be extensively used in all vehicles, including buses. This measure will substantially lower the oil import bill and arrest spiralling inflation.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
Bakhtawar Park
Earlier this year, as part of a group of citizens interested in honouring the memory of one of Sindh's most able civil servants, Mr Abdullah J. Memon, I visited the offices of the Saddar town nazim with a proposal to have a park dedicated to Mr Memon.
Under the Adopt-A-Park Scheme floated by the city government, citizens of an area can propose to the city government that they are willing to sponsor the upkeep and maintenance of the park provided the park itself is not changed in any manner and that the park is not used for any commercial purpose.
While discussions were under way, the town nazim told us that the park could not be to be named after Mr Memon, since "we do not have a policy of naming parks after people."
Having said that, the whole idea of sponsoring a park fell through and we started looking for other means in which to carry out our objective. Keeping this in mind, I was surprised to see the other day the town nazim helping to inaugurate a park named after Ms Bakhtawar, the daughter of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
I would like to know whether the policy has now changed and also under what scheme was the park named after an individual?
INAM REHMAN,
Karachi.
State Bank clarification
This is with reference to Mr Iqbal Haider's letter 'Appeal to SBP governor'(August 14). It is clarified that mobilization of deposits by banks through lottery schemes is banned under SBP regulations and other relevant laws of the country and no bank is involved in mobilizing deposits through such schemes. The State Bank has strictly prohibited banks from mobilizing deposits through prize schemes and this prohibition has also been enforced effectively.
The 'Crore Pati-PDF' scheme is not a lottery scheme of the Bank of Punjab for mobilizing deposits. This scheme has been launched by the Punjab government for the Punjab Development Fund.
The Punjab government has appointed the Bank of Punjab as their banker and collecting agent for this scheme. The BoP is only collecting proceeds for the Punjab Development Fund and crediting the same to their account. Besides the BoP, the MCB and ABL are extending similar services for this scheme.
Hence, no violation of SBP regulations and other relevant laws of the country has taken place as banks are not mobilizing deposits for themselves but working only as collecting agents for the Punjab government for its development fund.
SYED WASIMUDDIN
Chief spokesman Public Relations Division, SBP Karachi
Appeal to DIG Traffic
A number of letters and suggestions have been appearing for the DIG Traffic with regard to regulating traffic in the city but it seems that this officials do not seem interested in taking any action.
First of all, the issue of under-age driving has reached unimaginable proportions. This needs to be checked strictly. One way to do this is to station police officials at the elitist schools in the city so that they can catch under-age drivers.
Another issue is the nuisance of laser lights which has been increasing in the city for some time now. These bright lights installed by some drivers are blinding for both oncoming traffic as well as those behind.
This is a major traffic hazard and can be eliminated along with tinted glasses if there is a major check-up done over the next couple of weeks. A good place to start would be Sea view on Sundays.
Then there is the problem of vehicles driven without proper lights at night. On many occasions I have seen motorcyclists driving without headlights at night. This is most dangerous as nobody can see these motorcycles from a distance. Such an offence should be made punishable with a jail term.
The DIG should also lead a campaign for people to follow lanes, particularly when stopping at traffic lights. Campaigns do work, provided the traffic police put their heart into it. Take for example the line at traffic lights. Most vehicles now do not cross that line for fear of challan. This is very encouraging for the traffic police.
Another campaign should be for public transport to change over to CNG within two to three years. Like Delhi, Karachi's pollution can be cut substantially if this is done. In this, the police seek the help of the judiciary and the government.
SEEMI KHAN
Karachi
Democratic self-rule
On August 11, 1947, the Quaid laid down his vision of a modern democratic Pakistan. He believed and told the future legislators of Pakistan that religion was a matter of personal faith and had "nothing to do with the business of the state". He said: "In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state - to be ruled by priests with a divine mission".
After the creation of Pakistan on the basis of the 'two-nation' theory, the state was to function as a democratic entity, with power vested in the people, and all institutions of the state being subordinate to the will of the people expressed through their elected representatives. Self-rule was what propelled the League to attain for the Muslims a sovereign independent nation- state.
The Quaid tried to ensure that his vision is achieved, by formulating a constituent assembly, with the task to formulate and approve a constitution, which in his opinion was the foundation on which a modern state could have been built.
He very clearly thereby emphasized that it is not even for him, or for that matter any other institution, to formulate, amend or form a constitution. All those who believed in the ideology of Pakistan had ample time and opportunity to migrate by 1952.
The foundations of Pakistan were laid in 1906 when the Muslim League was formed in Bengal and the dangers confronting Muslims were for the first time talked about on a political platform.
Although Muslims living in Muslim minority areas played a great role, the dream of Pakistan could not have matured without the support of those who lived in the areas that later constituted Pakistan, i.e., East and West Pakistan.
Nations exist only on the basis of territory and cannot be built or defined on paper alone or in the vision of men of intellect. No individual or political party or group of people had the moral, or legal authority to tamper with the Quaid's vision of a modern democratic Pakistan.
After the death of the Quaid, the task of completion of a constitution was delayed. Therefore, the allegations that this was intentional hold some ground. Vested interests perhaps wanted to have a constituency of their own.
The Pakistan ideology as laid down by the Quaid was tampered with and till today this continues. A politicized civil bureaucracy, trained by the Raj to rule India, was party to this conspiracy.
The 1958 martial law effectively disenfranchised the majority Muslim population of East Pakistan, and those who lived in Pakistan. It was the last nail in the coffin of Pakistan's ideology, as specified in the Quaid's August 11, 1947, address.
It ultimately led to the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971. In a way the people of East Pakistan were more loyal to the Quaid, and their support to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah in the 1962 election is a proof of their ideological commitment. Democratic self-rule alone will guarantee the survival of Pakistan and the sooner this is done the better it would be.
T. A. MALIK
Lahore
Life savings demonetized
This refers to two news items on the Business Pages (Dawn, August 8.) One is "Inflation, deposit rate gap widens" and the other is "Fauji group to bid for PSO, U-Fone."
In a related news item, it was disclosed that the number of shareholders in Pakistan has increased from 70,000 to 4,70,000 in the last two years. Credit for this goes to the government which wants to pass on benefits through its fiscal policy to the common man. It was also revealed that out of 7,57,633 applications received for PPL shares, only 2,05,750 would get 500 shares each.
Consequently, over 60 per cent of Rs21 billion received with the applications would return to the banks to add to their already bloated coffers to lend for the purchase of cars and property.
The government's exercise of disinvestment of 15 per cent of holding of the PPL has neither added appreciably to the number of shareholders nor was it able to absorb the liquidity of banks from which the depositors receive negative return on their life's savings.
Without the restriction of period of transfer of initial allotment, these 200,000 odd certificates of 500 shares each would be sold, and thus the number of shareholders would remain more or less the same.
H.A. HAJI
Karachi
National song
Pakistan Television organized an independence day programme "Salam Pakistan" on August 14. This programme reached its climax when the national song "Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon, Tu Bhi Pakistan Hai".
The president and his family were among others who were humming the tune with the singer, as this remains one of the most popular national songs of the country. But at the end of this song, the compere announced the wrong name when he declared that the song was written by Mr Jamiluddin Aali.
The song writer is Sehba Akhtar.
ALIYA AZAM
Karachi
Need for a hospital
The proposal by Dr Saleem Ullah in these columns (August 11) to build a hospital on the site of the old Sabzi Mandi in Karachi deserves serious consideration.
Although the area has now been earmarked for a public park, a hospital would serve a very useful purpose. It will provide the much-needed health facility to people living in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Sharfabad, Bahadurabad and the societies.
The Sindh governor and chief minister will hopefully give this serious consideration.
DR RAFIQUE AHMED MIRZA
Karachi
Tragedy in the making
Hazrat Ali's shrine has been desecrated. The deep slumber of the Muslim world has actually led to this. Is no tragedy big enough to jolt them awake? Iran and Pakistan excepted, no other Muslim country has dinounced this assault on the holy shrine strongly enough.
This time, Iraq's Sunni ulema have also declared a 'jihad' against the invaders. Even some government ministers installed by Mr Paul Bremer have resigned in protest.
US forces have entered the "Haram" of the shrine with the permission of the puppet governor of Najaf. It remains to be seen if the US forces, which have assured that they will not destroy the holy sites, keep their word. Their past record does not give much hope.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
Congress & the minorities
This is with reference to the article 'Congress and the minorities' by Asghar Ali Engineer (July 24). In 1929, an All Parties Conference was held in Calcutta. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, representing the Muslims, offered to forego separate electorates if the Hindu majority would agree to elections on a joint electorate basis with reservation of seats for Muslims. His proposals were however turned down.
In India's current dispensation, the country's Muslim population (15 per cent of the total) has a mere three per cent representation in both houses of parliament. India's political parties should ensure that the Dalits, Muslims, and other minority groups be given greater representation, especially at the grassroots level.
JALAL AHMED
Karachi
Test status
Bangladesh beat Pakistan only once in the 1999 World Cup and got Test status very easily. On other hand, Kenya has beaten the biggest teams of the world like Sri Lanka, India (twice), the West Indies and Zimbabwe but still haven't got their Test status.
When we compare the two teams, Kenya's record is much better than that of Bangladesh. Out of 64 matches, Kenya has won 12 and lost 50 matches, with an average of 19.35.
On the other side, Bangladesh has won just five matches out of their 86 matches at an average of 5.49. Kenya has also beaten the world's best team, while Bangladesh has not.
After getting Test status, Bangladesh has not won a single Test match. But the point is that a team like Kenya, which has won several matches against big teams, is still out of the reckoning and hasn't got its Test status yet.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
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