| 18 October 2004 | Monday | 03 Ramazan 1425 |
Democracy and development
UN's credibility
Reforms in judiciary
Streamlining traffic
Kelley's victim
Pemra's role
New building in front of DMC
Management by objectives
Health insurance
Potential hazard
'Slashing LPG prices'
Pakistani property in India
Arrangements for dope test
Prepaid cards
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Mr Bhai Khan Solangi observes in his article "Biological control of natural enemies" (Dawn Economic & Business Review", Sept 27-Oct 3) that in Pakistan farmers spray toxic chemicals (pesticides) on cotton, vegetables, oilseeds and fruit crops. The use of pesticides has boosted production but many chemicals have caused resistance in pest species. Moreover, intensive and indiscriminate use of pesticides has caused a myriad of diseases, not to speak of environmental pollution. He recommends employing natural enemies to control the pests.
In Vietnam there have been successful trials to control the vector of dengue fever - certain species of mosquitoes - by natural enemies that feed on these insects. Due to resurgence of dengue fever in Singapore, researches from its environmental ministry are studying aquatic natural-born killers called "mesocyclops" which are one-mm-long creatures that kill mosquito larvae breeding in stagnant water.
Scientists fighting malaria are preparing the ground for one of the most audacious attempts ever to wipe out disease: genetically modifying the entire mosquito species in the wild. In laboratories around the world, there is increasing confidence that scientists will acquire the ability to spread a synthetic gene throughout the population of dangerous mosquitoes, making it impossible for them to pass malaria to humans. The transformed malaria-carrying mosquito, still a bloodsucking nuisance, would no longer kill within two to 25 years of releasing the fist GM insects. when no other food was available."
Associated with natural enemies, there is a potential inherent danger of ecological imbalance when a foreign species, known to be a useful competitor in its native land, is introduced into a new environment for biological control. More than 25 years ago, catfish from the subcontinent was introduced by the Iraqi government to combat the molluscan intermediate host of schistosomes. In its native country, the food of the fish is mainly snails.
In southern Iraq, in the irrigation as well as in the drainage channels, the fish survived well and flourished. In the absence of almost no competitors, predators, or exploiters, they are present almost in every suitable habitat. The normal size is even bigger than in its native India. In southern Iraq, the stomach contents of the fish contain snails but of secondary importance. Thus, the role of fish in control did not turn out to be successful as it was thought to be. At the same time, it has taken over as the predominant species, endangering the local fauna.
More than 30 years ago, Dr Alam Khandkar introduced a fish tilapia, Tilapia mossambica, from Africa into Venezuela to feed on mosquito larvae, but this foreign fish in a foreign soil wrecked havoc on the local fauna and flourished more than in its native Africa.
PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
Democracy and development
I am rather puzzled by Prof S. M. Naseem's article on "Democracy and development" (Oct 11).
The major thrust of almost the entire article appears to be on projecting Prof Amartya Sen's view that development without democracy (as in East Asia) is inherently undesirable, inefficient and if at all effective in the long run, only feebly so.
However, in the last paragraph, the writer appears to agree with his expatriate Pakistani friend that if a government (such as the current Chinese government) is undemocratic but taking the country forward on the path of economic and social progress, then it should be supported in the hope that democracy and political freedom will come at a later stage. As this is diametrically opposed to Prof Sen's views, it is not clear which view the writer really supports.
The writer himself not only supports the expatriate friend's views but feels that there is now plenty of concrete evidence to show that democracy does start penetrating a society after it has been reasonably developed and industrialized.
Thus, the dictatorial regimes of South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore have not only transformed their societies from extreme backwardness to a pretty high level of development and industrialization in a generation's time, but, during the last 10 to 15 years, started evolving indigenously (perhaps due to pressure from grassroots level) perceptible democratic norms which are bound to grow further with time. These will be more deep-rooted and long-lasting than the democracy imposed from the top in most of the Third World states (such as Pakistan and African countries) by the colonial powers immediately after decolonization and independence.
DR ANSARUDDIN SYED
Quetta
UN's credibility
Mr Omar Kureishi dwelt at length on and devoted much of his article to different subjects not concerning the headline (Oct 5). Finally, when he did come to the point, it was found that it was only a passing remark. It only meant that the Americans look the other way and avoid talking about Israel terrorizing its neighbours. This is how Israel wins no matter who loses elections in America.
I could add another dimension to it, a side which loses all the time - the UN. It has always been on the receiving end when the US is disinterested. It lost its credibility when its resolutions on the Palestinian problem were trampled upon by Israel, and on the Kashmir dispute by India. Kashmir became a Gordian knot because the erstwhile Soviet Union vetoed UN resolutions many a time on India's behalf.
If tomorrow a friend of the US - not Pakistan, mind you - ignores UN resolutions, nobody could or would do anything about it. But if any country not closely connected to the US, particularly a Muslim state, bypasses the UN, it will be galvanized into action at the behest of America which will come out with force to lead the punitive horde. Iran and Sudan are the next prospective victims.
Mr Kureishi's last question needs a befitting answer. No, it does not matter if Iraqi men, women and children continue to die every day in the same ratio as that in Vietnam. What matters is that sometimes US soldiers also die. That for the Americans is intolerable. American boys should be recalled home and other countries' soldiers, especially of Muslim states, should replace them to kill Iraqis and get killed instead of US personnel.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
Reforms in judiciary
The federal minister of law, justice and human rights like his two predecessors has announced plans ("Another court at federal level under study: Wasi", October 6) that will neither be launched nor pursued and will be left for others to follow.
He says he "is doing nothing new but trying to make the past judicial reforms see the light of day. The government is pondering the establishment of a federal court to reduce the workload on the superior courts".
Is this just a thought or a conviction? Some sort of announcement was made in December 2001 that within a week a decision to reduce the load on the higher courts (4,000 appeals were pending at the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court) would be announced to provide swift justice by increasing the pecuniary powers of Islamabad district judges from Rs50,000 to Rs2.5 million. But all cases still remain frozen and the only progress for facilitating speedy justice during the second law minister's tenure was what a Dawn headline said: "District judges' pecuniary jurisdiction being raised".
The third law minister (Dawn, September 28 and October 6) announced establishing a just society. It is a noble thought, but is it justice to hold 4,000 appellants hostage for three years?
SIKANDER
Islamabad
Streamlining traffic
With reference to the letter "Streamlining traffic" (Sept 30), I would like to say that the real problem is the unruly behaviour of bus drivers who are compelled by bus owners to deliver a certain amount at the end of the day, thereby forcing drivers to speed and violate traffic rules to collect passengers.
Some strict measures will have to be taken to ensure observance of traffic rules by motorists. I suggest the following:
1. A penal rate of fine should be imposed so that owners themselves restrain drivers from speeding.
b. No bus should be allowed to stop anywhere except at the designated stops.
c. No bus should be allowed to stop to pick up passengers at road or street turnings and road crossings, especially those with traffic lights.
d. Overtaking and parallel parking should be checked.
e. There should be a clearly marked lane for buses.
f. Speeding should be a penal crime, especially when it results in injury/death and/or damage to another vehicle.
h. Motorcyclists, who are more exposed to fatal accidents, frequently break traffic rules. They speed and zigzag. There is a need to make them observe all traffic rules without any exception.
F.H. ANSARI
Karachi
Kelley's victim
The Spectator magazine recently assigned Vicki Woods the unenviable task of reviewing the latest muck-raking saga churned out by the indefatigable Kitty Kelley. This time Kelley has directed her unwelcome attention to three generations of the Bushes, starting with the US president's grandfather in her book unimaginatively titled The Family.
After wading uncomplainingly through more than 700 pages of turgid prose, Woods admits to being shocked by only one. "The shock: George W found the verb 'lacerates' in a thesaurus and used it for the noun 'tears' in a school essay: 'The lacerates ran down my cheeks.' He was at top-of-the-league Andover prep school at the time and aged 15. I mean, not 10 or anything, 15." Kelley earns full marks, if for nothing else, then for her dogged pursuit of the least-known trivia about her chosen victims.
ASAD SIDDIQI
Lahore
Pemra's role
Last week, I sat in front of the TV and saw a programme being broadcast by a Pakistani religious channel that is popular in both Pakistan and the region. In this, the speaker (a religious leader) said that contraceptives were against Islam and that Muslims should "have as many children as possible" since Allah would "take care of all of them". I was surprised that such a message was coming at a time when the government was trying its best to limit the rate of population growth. What is surprising is that the government allows such misguided religious programmes to be broadcast without taking any notice of the damage they cause.
Similarly, as I was driving, I had the opportunity to listen to an FM radio station. In a discussion on the programme, the host of the show appeared to be condoning lax behaviour among youth.
In the press I noted that Pemra has launched an anti-obscenity drive and I phoned their hotline to complain about these two programmes which I feel are both a case of exceeding the limits set for media freedom because they abuse this privilege. However, every time I phoned the Pemra hotline, either the official concerned was busy or on a break. So much for Pemra asking the public to report irregularities.
It is my considered opinion that Pemra has not fulfilled the role it was formed for. The only role it plays is being high-handed with small cable operators, and that too for a couple of days after which it is business as usual. Pemra needs to work towards monitoring content that is broadcast not to stifle the freedom of the press but to check the accuracy of statements being made.
Also, Pemra should take more interest in seeing to it that consumers are not cheated, particularly by bigger cable operators. In my case, I was offered a package by a very well-known cable operator which also offers Internet connections and has its own broadband set-up. When I signed on, the company promised a number of channels. Six months down the road, these channels have changed with many children's channels no longer being broadcast.
And the ones that are being relayed are being done in Arabic, which my children do not understand. When I complained to the chief of this organization, his response was quite childish. He told me to "go away". I have since then made several complaints to Pemra which has also turned a deaf ear. One wonders where next I should go to have my grievances heard.
MUHAMMAD ILYAS KHAN
Karachi
New building in front of DMC
We, final year students of the Dow Medical College, Karachi, appeal to the city government to immediately intervene and stop the construction of a five-storey building in front of the college.
This building will destroy the facade of our college and cover the open space which we all need. Please help us.
FINAL YEAR STUDENTS
Dow Medical College, Karachi
Management by objectives
Our prime minister has asked all his ministers to prepare smart objectives for their ministries which will be reviewed by him every quarter. It appears that the prime minister is planning to run the country on the principles of "management by objectives". He has demonstrated practising this in the finance ministry with excellent results. One hopes to see similar results by all ministries.
May I suggest that he should seriously consider undertaking agricultural reforms as one of his objectives? India did this, with good results, immediately after they became independent.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL
Karachi
Health insurance
Health insurance provided by private sector companies ceases in most cases on the attainment of the age of 60 years regardless of medical history. This is one more bad news for senior citizens.
The rules should be amended so that insurance companies are required to continue insurance up to the age of 65 in all cases, more so where the health of an individual is sound.
In civilized countries, health insurers are required by the law to accept 20 per cent senior citizens, regardless of age, including the "uninsurable". This may be considered, too.
IQBAL M. NAZAR
Karachi
Potential hazard
I recently visited the historical Makkli graveyard located near Thatta. A large number of people come daily to pay homage to Mai Makkli at her grave. Her grave is adjacent to a 16th-century tomb without a roof and whose walls have also started crumbling. Followers of Mai Makkli have fixed a few girders on an ad hoc basis to stop the walls from falling on the grave.
I request the local administration and the Sindh archaeology department to dismantle the dangerous tomb before it collapses and precious lives are lost.
TAIMUR RIZWAN
Karachi
'Slashing LPG prices'
Your editorial "Slashing LPG prices" (Oct 2) suggests deregulating of prices.
The fact is that LPG prices have already been deregulated in the past four years, as a result of which domestic producers have been free to mimic rising international prices rather than basing prices on their local production costs.
Unfortunately, this is a typical example of deregulation and liberalization hurting consumer interests in the absence of a strong and informed regulatory authority.
MOHAMMED RAJPAR
Karachi
Pakistani property in India
A property in India belonging to a Pakistani national was declared 'enemy property' and vested in the 'custodian of enemy property' by the government of India in December 1971.
A Pakistan citizen cannot be termed enemy subject after the Shimla agreement. But the Indian custodian still continues to take over possession of properties as the relevant notification has not been withdrawn by the government.
The government of Pakistan is, therefore, requested to take up the matter with the Indian authorities for restoration of the right of ownership of Pakistani nationals.
SOHAIL IFTIKHAR
Karachi
Arrangements for dope test
This is with reference to two news item "No dope test arrangements" (Sept 29) and the letter "National Games" (Oct 3).
According to the organizing secretary for the 29th National Games: "We do not have any doping control arrangements. It's too expensive an exercise and we cannot afford it."
I should like to point out that facilities do exist for such testing at the HEJ-Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi.
Qualitative testing of steroidal hormones and related doping compounds can be carried out simply by thin-layer chromatography in minutes even at the sports stadiums concerned. Kits can be prepared for this purpose. Quantitative analyses require expensive spectroscopic instruments but these are available at the HEJ-Research Institute of Chemistry.
Perhaps, the Pakistan Olympic Association needs to seek the institute's help. Nothing is more important than national honour and certainly we are capable of holding international sports events.
PROF (DR) G. A. MIANA
Rawalpindi Cantonment
Prepaid cards
This is about a prepaid card (No.000056596848) worth Rs625, which I bought on Oct 2 from a PCO in Kharadar, Karachi. After scratching the card, I asked the shopkeeper to feed the number in the mobile. He tried several times to do so, but the mobile did not show any credit balance. When I asked him why the card was not showing a credit balance, he referred me to the main dealer in Kharadar from where he had bought the card.
When I inquired from this dealer, he further referred me to the Mobilink office. When I approached this office, located near Mehran Hotel, an office assistant told me that the card was blocked at somebody's request made on Aug 2.
It appears that false/ stolen/ lost prepaid cards are sold out at some shops in the city and nobody takes any action.
MUHAMMAD KALEEM
Karachi
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