| 24 September 2004 | Friday | 08 Shaban 1425 |
Pre-emptive strike doctrine
Improving health-care
A visa seeker's ordeal
Water supply and Rangers
Consumer rights
Shah Alam Gate market
'The most correct nation'
Traffic rules violation
Contaminated water case
Responsibility of teachers
Of diplomacy and poetry
Dual citizenship
Selected lecturers' appeal
Democracy in UN
Indo-Pakistan dialogue
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It seems that every time we take a tentative step forward, we take two steps firmly backwards. Inzamam's decision to bat first against the West Indies after winning the toss was another bad decision to add to the many classic blunders various Pakistani cricket captains have made over the years.
What possessed Inzamamul Haq to do this is mind-boggling. Also, who gives a youngster his first international start in a semi-final match of a championship? If Inzamam had no confidence in Imran Farhat, why didn't he move himself up or give Afridi the spot?
The difference between good teams and great teams is a matter of making right decisions at the right time. Clearly, our team is as talented as any in the world, but raw talent only takes you so far. Why don't we ever do the right thing to shine and make the nation proud?
Now, I don't want to see Inzamam fired because this team needs some stability. But clearly he should not make any strategic decisions by himself.
OMAR MOONIS
New York, USA
(2)
Inzamam's decision to bat first on a bowler-friendly pitch will be widely castigated in the coming weeks. The batsmen did manage to see off the new ball but underestimated the Windies fielding which resulted in two crucial run-outs. The manner in which the whole team fell apart just comes to show how unpredictable the team is.
Coach Bob Woolmer is an experienced campaigner and needs to revamp the batting line-up. The top three batsmen of our team are probably the most fragile in the world. Experienced bowling line-ups can rip them apart in a matter of few overs.
It's high time the number three spot was given to someone who is technically proficient. Asim Kamal has the temperament and the skill to assess the movement of the new ball. The upcoming Pakistan tri-series is the right time to try him out before the team heads down under.
JAHANZEB SYED
Karachi
(3)
The Pakistan cricket team's defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final proves once again that our cricketers do not learn from past mistakes. Batting first after wining the toss on a dicey wicket followed by an aimless and inept batting display was nothing but a replay of the 1999 World Cup final at Lords and the 2001 Natwest Trophy in England.
Are we really improving under the new management?
BRIG (retd) SALAHUDDIN
Via email
Pre-emptive strike doctrine
The article by Mr Jonathan Clarke, "An ominous US model" (Sept 22 ), makes a realistic analysis of the Bush administration's childish approach towards the war on terror. He rightly says: "Our post-9/11 policies invite Russia and others to rely on warfare."
The American and British media are coming to this conclusion now, while the rest of the world has been saying since the day President Bush decided to attack Iraq that his policies as regards the war on terror are wrong.
The doctrine of preemptive strikes has done more harm than good to the world: it has made India, Israel and Russia (all occupiers) more aggressive and their forces are now ruthlessly killing more and more people in Kashmir, Palestine and Chechnya, respectively. This doctrine has also boosted the arms race, thus making the world more dangerous than ever. Moreover, movements to get legitimate grievances redressed are termed terrorism. Affected people have, therefore, picked up guns to register their protest against these nations.
Any resolution against Israel is vetoed by the US, and hence the latter supports Israeli terrorism against Palestinians. America is aiding terrorism by providing Israel with military and financial aid.
Bush claims that militants do not respect life but he forgets to explain why they take extreme measures. Militants, including suicide bombers, are frustrated with the dual policies of the US and other world powers.
SHAH AFFAN
Toronto, ON., Canada
Improving health-care
Currently, master of public health and master of management courses are available for FCPS and MPhil community medicine at the Institute of Public Health. This institute needs more budget, staff and teachers. Pakistani scholars from outside may be invited and more classes for different sub-specialities may be started to meet the requirement.
If the departments of this institute such as Food and Nutrition wing are improved, analysis of food in the streets, hotels and restaurants will become easier. Similarly, an advisory council may be created to advise pregnant mothers, children and others about how to prepare food.
So this department would become very important and could help prevent malnutrition disorders. The departments of maternal child health and dental health are effective in health education to check child mortality and dental diseases.
There is need to strengthen all the preventive aspects of cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, kidney disorders, joint problems, ophthalmology, HIV, AIDS, etc., and this institute should become an advisory cell for health matters. There should be clinics where old people could be taught keep-fit exercises.
PROF (DR) M.A. SOOFI
Lahore
A visa seeker's ordeal
I was invited to a neurology congress at Paris (Sept 4-7) and an epilepsy congress at Bangkok (Aug 28-31). Believing that getting both visas (in the same period) may be nigh impossible, I was pleasantly surprised to learn from the French embassy in July that they would be gracious enough to keep a photocopy of my documents and not retain my passport which can be used for the other visa. This sounded too good to be true.
It was advised that for formal submission of documents, a personal appearance at Islamabad is mandatory, for which an appointment should be sought through the given email address.
I appealed to be excused a personal appearance at Islamabad, giving an account of my bona-fide professional status and my numerous previous visits to attend medical congresses in Europe and the usual jargon of being a busy doctor.
To my delight a prompt email reply came the following day from the visa office. The one-liner reply said: "You can send someone to Islamabad with your application."
I pursued the matter. A number of emails were sent (as per instructions), but I am still waiting for that auspicious day when Mr Visa Officer would allocate a date and time for me to submit my documents.
We all appreciate that they are very busy people. But what adds insult to injury is a 'catch-22' situation one is caught up in, i.e., before one applies for a visa, one has to pay up the non-refundable congress and hotel dues, etc. In my case this all went down the drain.
PROF HASAN AZIZ
Karachi
Water supply and Rangers
It was indeed a welcome decision to place the supply of water through tankers under the Rangers to lessen exploitation of the general public by an all powerful tanker mafia in Karachi. However, over a period of time the tanker mafia seems to have made some inroads into the system.
The Rangers have provided two phone numbers - 9231295 and 9230383 - for booking water tankers. The first number remains busy the whole day, so it is very difficult to book your requirement on that number.
The second number remains busy in the early hours, and if you luckily get through after 11am and wish to book a water tanker for 2,000 gallons costing Rs375, the standard answer is that all big tankers have been booked and only 1,000-gallon capacity tankers can be booked for Rs275 each, i.e., Rs550 for 2,000 gallons. The relevant authorities are requested to remedy the situation.
MUSHTAQ QURESHI
Karachi
Consumer rights
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is trying to restrict mobile companies from reducing tariff. But is there someone out there who can protect the rights of hapless consumers likely to be affected by this decision?
As a mobile phone user I don't care who the service provider is as long as I get uninterrupted service, and I am always looking for price benefits that suit my pocket.
Users of cellular phone services are growing by the thousands. Both phone sets and service standards have improved and consumers feel comfortable using this mode of communication.
To make phone services affordable and accessible to the common man is a welcome move. So why should the PTA infringe upon the rights of consumers when it comes to tariff reduction?
SYED WASEEM BAIG
Lahore
Shah Alam Gate market
Shah Alam Gate, Lahore, one of Asia's bigger markets, is under threat. Old buildings there are being demolished to set up commercial markets. The new plazas are without proper ventilation, security and parking. A lot of problems are being caused by scattered building material, which is blocking roads and creating much difficulty for pedestrians and residents.
Parking problems are increasing day by day. The Shah Alam Gate is not a totally commercial area. A lot of families still live there. Moreover, environmental pollution is making the situation grim.
S.M.K. TIRMIZI
Lahore
'The most correct nation'
Austrian economist Murray N. Rothbard, already referred to by one of your correspondents ("'Rothbard Doctrine' and US policies", Sept 8) proposed to the US in the last decade of the 20th century that in its capacity as the sole superpower, it has the right to believe that it is politically the "most correct nation" in the world.
It should, therefore, in due course "invade the entire world" to convert it to its own line of thought regarding its political philosophy comprising democracy, freedom and multiculturalism.
His words have proved prophetic in the post-9/11 period. The attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq and threats to Iran and North Korea seem to be a move in that direction.
Having gained a foothold in the Middle East and Gulf and after stabilizing its position in Iraq and Afghanistan, it may be tempted to move forward to pursue the Rothbard Doctrine of "invading the world".
As a first step, it would like to neutralize the so-called 'axis of evil'. At this stage, its interests will come in clash with those of Russia and China and a complex scenario may emerge.
America's latest move of lifting its ban on the export of nuclear and other strategic raw materials to India and its willingness for strategic and technical collaboration with it will upset the strategic balance in South Asia. Also, the sale of 5,000 'smart bombs' to Israel is an ominous development that cannot be ignored. It is intended to send a strong signal to Iran. These steps are intended to strengthen the position of Israel and India in the Middle East and South Asia, respectively.
The ultimate US aim is to establish them as regional poles of power in their respective areas of influence. We have to carefully watch these developments. America's concept of deterrence has undergone a change after 9/11, and it is no longer worried about conventional enemies alone.
Al Qaeda has no country and no fixed borders to defend; it is everywhere and the US finds itself vulnerable to its attacks both within the continental United States and outside.
Its wrong perception that Al Qaeda and Islam are synonymous puts it in an unenviable position of seeking help from the Muslim countries, with Pakistan topping the list.
Pakistan must, however, keep its own national interest in mind and demand reciprocal concessions from the US. As allies in the war against terrorism, we have the right to ask for gunship helicopters, F-16s and satellite communication systems to effectively fight this menace.
S.M.H.BOKHARI
Rawalpindi
Traffic rules violation
Will motorists realize that stopping at the red light is not tantamount to breaking the law? Eight out of 10 times while stopping at the red light on Karachi's Defence roads, I am honked off the road by the car behind me for rightfully stopping.
In all my years of driving I have hardly seen any traffic police on busy roads and intersections of Defence. It is no wonder that the crossing of the Khayaban-i-Mohafiz and the Khayaban-i-Shaheen witnesses accidents every now and then.
SARAH SALMAN
Karachi
Contaminated water case
This is apropos of the news item "Charge-sheet submitted in contaminated water case" (Sept 3) in which the investigation officer has included my name for supplying contaminated water to Hyderabad residents, and has declared me an absconder.
I am only concerned with the water supply to Hyderabad tehsil city, and I have nothing to do with the filter plant and water-testing laboratory which come under the control of the filter plant treatment division. Whatever I have received from the filter plant, I have distributed it in the city tehsil area.
I have been performing my duties regularly and have not availed myself of a single casual leave for the last six months. The senior investigation officer has neither contacted me nor recorded my statement.
MUHAMMAD BASHIR AWAN
Executive Engineer, City W/s & Sew: (M) Division, HDA, Hyderabad
Responsibility of teachers
It is sad to witness students coming out in the streets to protest against the denationalization of two colleges in Karachi. Parents send their children to these institutions to learn values that would help them become better human beings rather than turn into street protesters. Teachers should refrain from using students as this is no service to education.
Also, the property no matter whom it belongs to must be returned. I feel that the government's decision to return the two colleges is a noble one.
DR A. R. CALEB
Karachi
Of diplomacy and poetry
This is apropos of the letter "Of diplomacy and poetry" (Sept 19) by Mr Mahdi Masud regarding the exchange of Urdu couplets in meetings of Indian and Pakistani diplomats.
The Indian side is reported to have recited the following couplet in reply to a Pakistani complaint of delay in solving the Kashmir dispute:
Kuchh nahin tau kam se kam khwab-i-sehr dekha tau hai
Jis taraf dekha na tha ab tak udhar dekha tau hai
S. P. JAIN
New Delhi, India
Dual citizenship
With our honourable prime minister Shaukat Aziz declaring on a private TV channel the other day that he has given up his permanent residence status (green card) in the US, don't you feel that other parliamentarians should follow suit?
We have a few MNAs some of whom are ministers holding dual citizenship. It is my humble suggestion to such parliamentarians to give up their dual citizenship and be proud to use the Pakistani passport. It would be interesting to know how many of our ministers hold dual citizenship.
BAKHTIAR ZAIDI
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Selected lecturers' appeal
It is regrettable that the results of 741 lecturers declared successful in various subjects by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has been cancelled by Sindh Education Minister Hameeda Khuhro on the grounds that the selection of these lecturers was made in an illegal manner.
I and many others successful candidates belong to lower-income groups, so there is no question of our getting any illegal support to get selected as lecturers. The SPSC made our selections on merit.
The majority of those who were declared successful possess teaching experience in private institutions, where there is no room for inefficient teachers. Thus, cancellation of the results is tantamount to denying merit its due place. We appeal to the minister to review her decision and immediately issue posting orders so that justice is done.
ALTAF AHMED MALIK
Ghotki
Democracy in UN
Every year the annul UN General Assembly session becomes an important occasion for all nations and leaders to meet and gather support for their policies from other countries and leaders. This year, too, various countries are lobbying to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
I suggest that these countries should work to abolish this tradition of having an elite group of permanent members. It has not made our world a safe place to live and it will not do so in the future.
The best strategy is to abolish the veto power, as well as the UNSC, and let democracy rule the world body. As the majority of the UNSC permanent members claim to be democratic, why not allow democracy in the UN?
ASHAR J. KHOKHAR
Leeds, UK
Indo-Pakistan dialogue
After 9/11 Pakistan and India were persuaded by the US to have a bilateral dialogue on various issues, including Kashmir. It is clear that India, for obvious reasons, does not want any immediate decision on Kashmir. It is better placed than before, and the US secretary of state has already spoken against fixing any timeframe for Kashmir.
The Indo-Pakistan dialogue undoubtedly is between two unequal parties. Pakistan being a front-line ally of the US in the war against terror should expect that America may throw a bit of its weight on Pakistan's side to balance the dialogue scale so that all disputes, including Kashmir, may be resolved equitably within a reasonable timeframe.
DR ZAINAB RIZVI
Lahore
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