| 11 September 2004 | Saturday | 25 Rajab 1425 |
Pakistan's formation
Trouble in Nepal
Income tax returns
Bachelor's course
America all praise for Pakistan
Denationalization controversy
Ministers on probation
Karakoram Express
DHA schools
Halogen lights
No woman from Sindh in cabinet
Law and order situation
Madressah syndrome
KU website
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
What condolences can one offer to a mother whose child has bled to death in her lap, or who can comfort a mother whose child is critically wounded and has had his limbs broken in a terrorist attack? How can one share the grief of parents who have lost their most precious things in life - their children? What good is there in condemning the Beslan school massacre when the dead cannot be resurrected?
Yet condemn we must this horrendous crime. How can anyone conceive the idea of holding children hostage to free a nation? Who are those people that can rationalize and justify the carnage in Beslan? Is this crime any less than the death of half a million children in Iraq, the gassing of the Kurds, the Sabra-Shatila and My Lai massacres, and the regular aerial bombings of the civilian populations of Palestine and Iraq?
And that there should be such a trivial expression of horror and revulsion from the world's Muslim communities. That the attacks have reportedly been perpetrated by Muslim dissidents (inappropriately described as 'Islamist hostage takers') should have brought stronger denunciation from the Muslims.
The tepid empathies of political leaders and Muslim clerics create serious doubts about their stand on the rights of the oppressed of Kashmir, Afghanistan, Palestine and Iraq. It casts an ominous shadow over Muslims in today's world.
The responsibility to control the power-house of rage against the innocent should be undertaken by the leaders of public opinion, and the ulema of every Muslim sect should pronounce in clear terms fatwas against terrorism - however just the cause.
It is time the UN and the governments of powerful nations played an honest role in world affairs. In our dangerously polarized and nuclearized world, it is in everybody's interest to ensure that no one is wronged or exploited.
For this breeds monsters who cannot be controlled or destroyed even by the mightiest of the mighty and who let loose a madness of destruction, as was seen in Beslan last week.
The torment of the images of the frightened, terrified faces of wounded schoolchildren of Beslan will haunt us all our lives.
NARGIS RAHMAN
Karachi
(2)
In Russia last week about 338 people were killed in an school massacre. It is feared that 200 people are still missing. At the start of the crisis, officials mentioned 400 hostages but later the figure turned out to be 1,200. At one stage it was stated that Chechens were involved, but a few hours later the authorities said the hostage takers included Arabs, suggesting the hand of Al Qaeda.
It is strange that Al Qaeda has tentacles all over the world, and any event which is unexplainable is conveniently left at its doorstep. In my view Al Qaeda is a mythical monster which has become the whipping boy of the world. It is unlikely that one terrorist group is capable of wreaking havoc in every corner of the world.
Islamic countries should collectively ask the UN to condemn states which are tarnishing the image of Islam to cover their own lapses and shortcomings.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
Pakistan's formation
In a private TV channel discussion a few days ago, a participant asserted that Pakistan had not come into being through a democratic process. If not through a democratic process, how did Pakistan come into being? Were there two different processes for the transfer of power to Pakistan and India? Elections were held under the same criteria and the same rules for both the All-India Muslim League and the Congress and the results of the elections were accepted in the case of both by all concerned.
I am completely unable to understand why both the British government and the Congress conceded Pakistan if there was no mass support for its demand. What was the force behind it?
I do not know about the other provinces; my experience is limited to Allahabad where I lived and Lucknow which I visited every second month or so during 1937-47.
I was an ordinary but personal witness to the growth of the Muslim League from strength to strength among all sections of the community until it became its sole representative just as the Congress became of the other.
Off and on Mr Jinnah is often held up as a good lawyer - certainly an improvement on Mr Nehru's "mediocre lawyer from Bombay" - but a poor statesman. The difference between a politician and statesman is that a politician thinks of the next election, a statesman of the next generation. How many generations did Mr Jinnah not think of when he led the struggle for Pakistan and how many generations will not benefit from Jinnah's Pakistan?
S. IRTIAZ HUSAIN
Karachi
Trouble in Nepal
The situation in Nepal has become very worrisome. The Maoist rebellion in the country has claimed 10,000 lives since 1996, with half of the casualties occurring in the last two years alone. The recent blockade of the Kathmandu valley by Maoist rebels must have been agonizing for its 1.5 million residents, who had to face a shortage of food.
It is suggested that either a UN Security Council meeting be convened to find out a viable solution of the problem and to keep that beautiful country from turning into a Himalayan tragedy, or Nepal's three neighbours - China, India and Pakistan - should send their troops there, if acceptable to the Nepalese government, to restore peace.
As regards the killing of 12 Nepalese workers in Iraq, one can only express one's profound sorrow and regrets. It had nothing to do with Islam, for the terrorists had recently killed two Pakistani Muslims as well.
The fact is that the killings were a source of embarrassment for the Muslims, a great majority of whom are opposed to such acts. No Nepalese has been treated like that in Pakistan or in any other Muslim country.
One sincerely hopes our good friends up in the Himalayas will never have to face a similar tragedy again. One also hopes that they will be able to overcome their internal problems soon and lead a peaceful, happy and prosperous life.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Income tax returns
According to some economists, income tax is like a poison for developing economies because it tends to further drag down the most basic asset that these countries lack in the first place - individual talent and productivity.
It also strangulates the entrepreneurial spirit of potential economy builders, and affects their motivation. Another difficulty for our citizens is the attitude of tax officials, who use their discretionary powers to harass taxpayers for personal gain.
According to a medical study, retirement from service is just like coming off a drug addiction; most retirees who engage in no activity after retirement die within four years. That is why many retired government servants, especially professionals, start their own businesses.
But although their annual income from pension exceeds that from business, income tax officials in Muzaffargarh label them as businessmen and ask them to submit their annual tax returns in the income tax circle for businessmen instead of the salary circle where they had been submitting their returns all their lives.
Unfortunately, the business income tax circle with its vast discretionary powers is like a wild jungle where they get bogged down, becoming miserable at the fag-end of their lives.
The CBR authorities are requested to have pity on retirees and allow them to submit their returns with the salary circles.
KARAM ILLAHI
Muzaffargarh
Bachelor's course
Our honourable policymakers at the education ministry have come up with a proposal which is highly detrimental to the interests of those seeking education. It calls for extending the two-year bachelor's degree course (after intermediate) to four years to bring Pakistan's educational standards at par with international standards and to help our graduates enrol themselves in postgraduate programmes in foreign universities. I disagree with the proposal.
Don't our educationists know that the government of India before partition was run by ICS officers? The same is the case with Pakistani bureaucrats. We, senior citizens, were also educated under the same system and have never looked back as far as ability is concerned.
The relevant authorities should raise the standard of education rather than extend the period for acquiring bachelor's degrees. Let us not add to the misery of poor students who for financial constraints can hardly afford to graduate. As for those going abroad for studies, it would be better for them to obtain a master's degree at home, studying for the same period.
RAFI NASIM
Lahore
America all praise for Pakistan
The government and the people of Pakistan were repeatedly praised in speeches at the Republican National Convention in New York City on August 30 by Senator John McCain, a US medal of honour holder who served seven years in a North Vietnamese POW camp during the Vietnam war. Likewise, the former New York City mayor praised Pakistan as America's staunch ally in the war on terrorism.
Pakistan, in this humble westerner's view, has turned a corner in many respects. It is on the way to a rational resolution of the Kashmir dispute with India. Old-age pensioners are now being paid on time. The country's infrastructure is under renovation.
A goal set by President Musharraf for more and better public schools and healthcare centres is now moving forward, albeit slowly. And efforts to tame and bring under the federal government's authority the tribal areas is showing signs of success.
Congratulations to the government and the people of Pakistan for joining the rest of the world in a progressive manner.
GEORGE L. SINGLETON
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Denationalization controversy
Apropos of the news item "New denationalization controversy?" (August 31), can someone explain exactly what the president of the Catholic Association, Herbert Fernandes, is saying? If the Catholic Archbishop of Karachi, through the Catholic Board of Education (CBE), is not the owner of St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's colleges, then who is?
The CBE operates 56 schools (18 English medium, 38 Urdu medium) in Karachi, and, before nationalization in the early 1970s, ran the two colleges. The contribution of the Catholic Church to education in the city has been significant since 1860s.
The premises of the colleges belong to the Catholic Church. The government continues to pay rent to the Church, and the Supreme Court has ordered return of the properties to the original owners. The Catholic Association is certainly not representative of the Catholics.
ROLAND DE SOUZA
Karachi
(2)
When I was five years old, I was told by my father that I was to be sent to St Joseph's. The moment you stepped inside this impressive set-up, you had the feeling that you were truly in an educational institution, and not into a moneymaking machine in the garb of education.
Not only were the fees very reasonable but the whole atmosphere was charged with the spirit of seeking knowledge. The credit for this went to the nuns of St Joseph's College who served us with dedication and love combined with an excellent administration.
Even if they charge a fee of Rs1,000 per month today, this will be nothing as compared to present-day private educational institutions, which charge Rs100,000 only for registration and admission.
It was not fair to take away this institution by nationalizing it. The government should return to the Catholic Board what is rightfully theirs.
SURIYA HALEEM
Karachi
Ministers on probation
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is reported to have said that he will review the performance of cabinet ministers every three months. This is a laudable idea as no one should take his or her office for granted. It appears he is going to lay down tangible objectives for each ministry and will judge performance on the achievement of these objectives.
Judging from the past performance of some of the old hands, it is expected that unless the prime minister changes his mind, some heads are likely to roll every three months.
Even if he has to discontinue the practice later, he must do it after the first three months. I am certain the president will support him. This will establish his credibility and put his cabinet in working mode. This will also give a chance to others who want to work and deliver. Management by objectives is a prerequisite for good governance.
We would also like to know the objectives he has set for himself for the first three months. This information is necessary to evaluate his performance as prime minister. Accountability must work both ways.
S.M.H.BOKHARI
Rawalpindi
Karakoram Express
Last week I and my wife travelled from Lahore to Karachi in the airconditioned parlour class of the Karakoram Express. Our carriage was at the rear of the train and away from the platform.
We found ourselves unable to climb up the straight steps to enter the carriage. A railway attendant advised us to enter the train by getting into a carriage that was alongside the platform. Even this was steep and my wife almost lost her balance.
Why didn't the people concerned ensure that the bogies are not higher than the platform? Why is the last bogie of the train not stationed along the platform? Why should we spend billions to buy carriages which do not suit our platforms?
MIR AFZAL KHAN
Karachi
DHA schools
Of late the Defence Housing Authority, Karachi, has started penalizing teachers and students of the DHA School by announcing a six-day week instead of the five-day week.
Parents protested and got the two weekly off-days restored, but the DHA high-ups made it mandatory for teachers to attend school also on Saturdays. Now without students, they have to come to school and find ways to remain occupied.
Moreover, the school hours on Fridays have been extended from 12 noon to 1pm, making it difficult for students, teachers, parents, van drivers and others to reach home in time and prepare for Friday prayers. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will look into this matter and do justice to the affected teachers.
PRO BONO PUBLICO
Karachi
Halogen lights
This is regarding the excessive use of halogen lights in cars in Karachi. Nowadays, it has become more of a status symbol, especially for teenagers. The icy, blue lights are used either to show off their cars or their money, or to be prominent among the 'coolest' peer group in school. The lights in themselves don't contribute to better driving but are simply used as an add-on accessory.
On unlit roads, they may also lead to accidents as drivers are momentarily blinded when these lights are flashed. I suggest to the city government to look into the matter and ban these lights in the best interest of the public.
MALIHA HYDER
Karachi
No woman from Sindh in cabinet
With the inclusion of three advisers the other day, the size of the federal cabinet now stands at close to 60. As far as the male-female gap is concerned, the new cabinet does not at all reflect the fact that women make up half the population, and around one-sixth of both houses of parliament.
What is worse is that the cabinet does not have a single member who is a woman from Sindh. The one federal minister is from Balochistan, one adviser is from Punjab, four ministers of state are from Punjab and one is from the NWFP.
Sindh finds no women representation in the cabinet, either via the MQM or the ruling PML. If the MQM saw it fit not to put forward a woman, then the ruling party should have at least, in place of a male candidate, put up a woman from the province.
IMAD AHMED
Karachi
Law and order situation
The double road of Shadman Town, Sector 14-B, North Karachi, facing the rear of the Sakhi Hasan graveyard, has become a den for criminals. Here, residents and passers-by become victim of dacoits every now and then.
In the last few years many a household has been robbed. The hijacking of cars and motorcycles has become a norm. The latest trend is of looting money, mobile phones and other belongings from pedestrians.
There are two main reasons for the prevailing situation: one, there is no proper lighting and, two, the boundary wall of the graveyard is broken at several places and its height is merely two-to-three feet on average.
Criminals lurk in the pitch darkness of the graveyard and strike frequently. The city government must make proper lighting arrangements and raise the graveyard boundary wall to a standard height.
ENGR. M. ZAFAR IQBAL
Karachi
Madressah syndrome
I agree with Mr Kunwar Khalid Yunus (Sept 7) that the madressah culture was encouraged by General Ziaul Haq. This shows how our military and religious leadership did not hesitate in sending men from the madressahs to fight in Afghanistan in the name of Islam while sending their own children abroad to study, work and live in comfort.
It is a pity that such leaders proclaim themselves to be "protectors of Islam" from liberals and the Muslim Ummah from infidels.
ASHAR J. KHOKHAR
Leeds, UK
KU website
I recently visited the KU website www.ku.edu.pk, and was surprised to learn that, besides many hyperlinks of the listed faculties, no link has been given for the faculty of medicine.
Notice of this should be taken by the KU administration or the web-master because the dean's office is still working and many examinations are being conducted.
ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
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.