| 29 October 2004 | Friday | 14 Ramazan 1425 |
U-turn on Kashmir?
Can Americans imagine this?
Cricket team's performance
Salimuzzaman Siddiqui
Problems of Hyderabad
Investigating the 1965 war
Invitation to Advani
October surprise
NHA
Request to Punjab CM
Foreign exchange
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The US presidential elections to be held on Nov 2 are important not only for Americans but also for the people of the Third World because White House policy determines the scope of war and peace in global politics and of course shapes the future dynamics of international economics.
George Washington, the founding US president, in his farewell address to the nation, said: "... The nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations, has been the victim."
It is a paradox that the nation that did so much to articulate and codify political and human ethics in its foundation documents has so consistently resisted the effective functioning of an international framework to protect these principles and values. For the last 59 years, war, not peace, has been the cornerstone of US foreign policy. With unfailing consistency, US intervention has been on the side of rich and powerful nations at the expense of the poor and the needy.
Historian Professor Arnold Toynbee, analyzing the US role in world politics, remarked in 1961: "America is today the leader of a world-wide anti-revolutionary movement in the defence of vested interests. She now stands for what Rome stood for. Rome consistently supported the rich against the poor in all foreign communities that fell under her sway; and, since the poor, so far, have always and everywhere been far more numerous than the rich, Rome's policy made for inequality, for injustice, and for the least happiness of the greatest number."
The Cold War provided a perfect excuse for US-backed western governments (the North) to plunder and exploit the Third World (the South) in the name of freedom, rig its elections, bribe its politicians, appoint its tyrants and, by every sophisticated means of persuasion and interference, stunt the emergence of young democracies in the name of democracy. Instead of strengthening democracies, US leaders have overthrown numerous democratically-elected governments or other populist regimes in developing countries whenever these nations gave evidence of putting the interests of their people ahead of the interests of multinational corporate interests. But the post-Cold War era, explicitly the post-9/11 world, represents a mega unipolar world order - the complete Americanization of the South - and out and out control over the Third World's resources by the US-driven North (G8) on the pretext of globalization and the US-led war against terrorism.
Nevertheless, Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, who enjoys the backing of 80 per cent American-Muslim immigrants, needs a libertarian modus operandi to counter the Pentagon conservatives' policies that are anti-peace, anti-humanity and anti-justice, particularly in the case of the Islamic world. If this does not happen, the developing countries will have no choice but to face yet another war at the hands of the US, which will benefit US corporate interests.
S. Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
U-turn on Kashmir?
The Constitution, sanctity of parliament and rule of law have all been sacrificed to enable General Pervez Musharraf to retain his military uniform and the office of president. He has now announced that a plebiscite is no longer a viable option for resolving the Kashmir issue. It seems that the blood shed for decades by Kashmiris and the martyrs of our gallant armed forces have been to no avail.
What is the role of the National Assembly and the cabinet that has over 69 ministers when major policy decisions and shifts are made by men in uniform. Is this why we became independent? Our founding fathers must be suffering in their graves. The Quaid-i-Azam desired Pakistan to be a modern, democratic, welfare state in which sovereignty would rest with the people. He desired all institutions of the state to be subservient to the constitution and elected civil government. He could never have visualized that his dream of Pakistan as a modern democratic country would evaporate and we would become a banana republic.
Our principled stand on a plebiscite and the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir, as envisaged in the UN Kashmir resolutions, should not have been altered and subjected to the whims of an authoritarian ruler. The people of Kashmir and the members of parliament elected in free and fair elections alone have the right to make major policy changes.
SHAHZAD KHALIL
Sialkot
Can Americans imagine this?
Mr M. Shahid Alam, professor of economics at America's Northeastern University, has proposed to Americans what he calls "a modest exercise of imagination". Actually it is a nerve-shattering fantasy for them.
Imagine waking up tomorrow in an upside down world, one in which the history of America's relations with the Arabs is inverted. Iraq is now the global hegemon, the world's richest democracy, a beacon of freedom; Iraq and the Arab democracies dominate the world and what was once the US. Imagine that the Arabs have used their power to replace a United States of America with 44 nominally independent states with most of them run by despotic Iraqi surrogates. The details of this imaginative exercise depict the world environment of today in an upside down scenario.
Mr Alam wishes Americans could imagine all this for only a few seconds, which in turn, he thinks, will change the way they think about what their country, together with its 'democratic' ally, Israel, has been doing to the Arabs. Would they recognize in their imagined pain, in their imagined humiliation, in the imagined wars and destruction imposed on them, the real wars, occupations, massacres, ethnic cleansing, tortures, bombings, sanctions and assassinations endured by the Palestinians and Iraqis for more than eight decades?
M. SALEEM CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Cricket team's performance
After the poor batting performance in the final of the triangular tournament, once again the Pakistan cricket team failed miserably in the first Test match played in Faisalabad against Sri Lanka in favourable conditions.
There was already a lack of staying power, but it now seems to have completely gone. There is not one batsman who can stay on and play out the day with a strong defence and a steady approach which are the essence of Test cricket.
The days of Hanif Mohammad, Majid Khan, Mudassir Nazar and even Shoaib Mohammad, it seems, are long gone now as the players when it comes to batting seem to be in a hurry of some kind to play their strokes and it appears that they take a Test to be a one-day match.
There was a wonderful chance for the Pakistan team to win second place in the ICC cricket ratings by defeating Sri Lanka in the two Tests, but they let the first one slip away, and the worrisome thing is that if Sri Lanka can outplay us in this manner, what would be the outcome against stronger teams such as the West Indies, Australia, South Africa or England for that matter?
We are short of planners, short of patience and lack the basis on which a strong winning combination can be built. The need is to create a sense of responsibility and accountability within the team.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Salimuzzaman Siddiqui
In response to Mr A. G. M. Gheewala's letter (Oct 22), I have to say the following:
Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui was no doubt an eminent scientist and devoted worker. He spent his whole life in research of herbal medicine. The drug quoted by Mr Gheewala is perhaps alkaloid called Ajmaline and Serpajmaline. This was a time in 1962-1963 when I was attached, as a research fellow, to the pharmacology department of the PCSIR. The laboratory at that time was situated near PNS Shifa. Two of us were appointed, myself and another doctor from the then East Pakistan. We were offered research fellowship by a pharmaceutical firm to work on these indigenous plants.
Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui later isolated another alkaloid called Chalksine and Isochalksine. There was a beautiful laboratory established by a German pharmacologist named Dr R. Dininger, who after a few years left Pakistan. Our work showed that these drugs, i.e., Ajmaline and Serpajmaline and later Chalksine and Isochalksine, did have some effect on lowering the blood pressure but they could not compete with many synthetic and other drugs already available in the market at that time.
This is why they could not stand the test of time. I am not sure whether hakims are using it or not.
PROF ISHTIAQ AHMED KHAN
Principal, Baqai Medical College, Karachi
Problems of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, the second biggest city of Sindh, has been suffering from a shortage of potable water. A few months back contaminated water claimed the lives of more than 40 people. Another problem facing the people is the increasing pollution, with growing traffic hazards all around. Also, the old fort, once a landmark of the city, is nearing its end. Most of its walls have collapsed while the remaining ones have developed cracks. Thousands who live inside the fort have caused it great harm in the last several years.
The city's zoo (Rani Bagh) also has now only a few old animals that look sick. However, the museum is in good condition.
As the city has no five-star hotel, its residents stand no chance of organizing/witnessing an international cricket match according to the requirements of the International Cricket Council. Nevertheless, a big cricket stadium is located here that once hosted an international one-day match.
Then getting transport for Karachi is a great problem. Tickets are not easily available at the lone bus station.
The provincial government should pay attention to the development of this neglected city.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
Investigating the 1965 war
This is with reference to the letter "Investigating the 1965 war" by Col (retd) George L. Singleton (Oct 12).
I appreciate the sentiments of the US officer and thank him for his concern and remarks about Pakistan. He has very affectionately mentioned the name of Gen George Rhulen.
I was doing a course at Fort Sam Houton, Texas, US, in February 1970. One day while purchasing some articles at Post Exchange, someone came close to me and said: "Assalamo Alaikum." As I looked around, the gentleman introducing himself said: "I am General Rhulen, the base commander. I was chief of USMAAG (United States Military Assistance Advisory Group) in Pakistan."
The general invited me to see him later in his office. It was a pleasant meeting. As he talked of his Pakistani friends I could appreciate his sentiments for our country. One of the notable names he mentioned was that of Maj-Gen Jehan Zaib who was in Quetta in those days. On my return I happened to attend a reception for a visiting Iranian general where Gen Jehan Zaib was also present. I conveyed the wishes of Gen Rhulen to him. "You know, after Kutch in 1965 as we moved our tanks towards the borders, the Indians raised a lot of hue and cry about the use of American Patton tanks against them. Some of the aerial photographs of our armour were sent to Rhulen for comments by American intelligence.
"His comments were simple. The tanks were not deployed for battle, but carrying out routine exercise. We had not taken off the caps from the barrels of the guns. A tank in battle zone should be ready to fire. Consequently, a number of ships we were expecting to bring important equipment and ammunition came to Pakistan despite a threat of being diverted. Rhulen was a great friend of Pakistan."
This is what transpired between me and Maj-Gen Jehan Zaib. In an era when there is so much anti-American sentiment in the country, it would be worthwhile to appreciate the services of an American gentleman like Rhulen.
I do not, however, agree with the colonel on two points. First, the role of the American ambassador in Pakistan. It is unbelievable that the Americans did not know of the Indian plan to launch a massive attack on Pakistan on Sept 6, 1965. As a member of Cento and Seato we deserved to be forewarned and the Indians also told not to attack us. In fact, I find a remarkable similarity between the 1965 war with India and the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and the 1990 Gulf war as far as the American attitude towards the aggressors is concerned.
Second, as regards his point about the Soviet Union's desire for getting access to warm waters and its role in creating a war hysteria for purposes beneficial to the USSR regime in 1965, I vividly remember that despite their closer relations with India, Soviet prime minister Kosygin wrote similar letters to both president Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then prime minister of India, in 1965. And whatever people may say, Tashkent was the best solution for a weak country like Pakistan which had all sorts of sanctions imposed upon it. It is regrettable that our relations with the people of the Soviet Union had not been as friendly as they should have been, even in the field of education, science and culture.
BRIG (retd) KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi
Invitation to Advani
Mr Siddique Malik (letter, Oct 26) has supported the foreign minister for his official invitation to former deputy Indian prime minister L.K. Advani to visit Pakistan. His letter was in answer to the legal question raised by me as to whether an absconder could be extended an official invitation. Instead of touching on the main point, Mr Malik talked about the secular credentials of India and the prospects of Mr Advani becoming prime minister. The supposed secular character of the constitution of India is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Mr Malik may be reminded that a non-bailable warrant for the arrest of Mr Advani still stands. He was facing charges for a criminal conspiracy to assassinate the Quaid-i-Azam. Six of the 18 under-trials were convicted and sentenced and the rest, including Mr Advani, escaped to India. All of them were declared absconders and non-bailable warrants for their arrest were issued. Charges against them still stand and if any of them enters Pakistan, the warrants can be executed.
If Mr Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri wants Mr Advani to visit Pakistan, he should have first asked the provincial government to cancel the warrants and drop the charges on legal grounds. Judicial administration is a provincial subject and the government of Sindh has the power to drop the charges against any accused on tenable grounds.
PROF MUKHTAR ALI NAQVI
Orlando, Fl., USA
October surprise
With the US presidential elections around the corner, the American electorate is expecting an October surprise to tip the scales for Bush or Kerry.
The October surprise may come in the form of producing the trump card of Osama bin Laden or likewise an unprecedented attack by Al Qaeda on US soil. In the case of the Spanish elections, the Madrid train bombings by Al Qaeda just a few days before the polls overturned the almost certain victory of Jose Marie Aznar.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
NHA
A stretch of 33 kilometres between the Lilla motorway interchange and Khushab is not only narrow but also mostly full of potholes. It is problematic for vehicular traffic from Lahore, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad to take this route to Khushab for onward journey to Bhakkar, D.I. Khan, Mianwali, Bannu, etc., and vice versa.
The National Highway Authority may like to carry out a survey of traffic to and from Khushab to ascertain the desirability of widening and carpeting this 33-km-long road to increase traffic on the motorway.
ARSHAD MEHMOOD
Rawalpindi
Request to Punjab CM
Please permit me to bring the plight of thousands of daily travellers on the Mianwali-Talagang Road and the Mianwali-Khushab Road to the notice of the Punjab chief minister.
Scores of heavily-loaded trailers daily ply on Mianwali-Talagang Road for up and down country transportation of bulky goods. Overturning of trailers on sharp bends is now quite frequent, which blocks the road from several hours to days but the authorities concerned have so far proved incapable of solving acute problem. For example, on Oct 11, I was forced to travel from Mianwali to Rawalpindi via the Khushab and Lilla motorway interchange because the Mianwali-Talagang Road was blocked near Moosa Khel for two days, with no end in sight.
On the Mianwali-Khushab Road I experienced one of the most horrible road journeys of my life. The road has been reconstructed several times since 1947, and every time it develops potholes after a short period, thus providing a continuous source of massive corruption at the cost and comfort of taxpayers.
Now, an over 30-km stretch of this road is covered with loose crushed stones, posing a risk. Only a small stretch of the compacted road is being taken for final finish at a snail's pace through the most expensive, outdated and substandard road construction technique.
The existing road, with over knee-deep thoroughly compacted crushed stone base, can be carpeted with modern technique now being used by the NHA and NLC with a much better durable top finish at a less cost in less time with minimum inconvenience to thousands of daily road users.
ENGR. ARSHAD MEHMOOD
Rawalpindi
Foreign exchange
The Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992 was amended in December 1999, and the amendments authorized tax officials to question the source of incoming forex, even from overseas banks.
Consequently, the fear of these officials forced numerous resident Pakistanis, including former expatriates, to keep forex in overseas banks. This includes the money transferred abroad from local banks for fear of being frozen in the future. Now that we need enormous foreign exchange to boost our economy, it is not in our interest to force resident Pakistanis to keep their forex in overseas banks.
I appeal to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to allow return of forex transferred abroad under the same Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992 which was applicable at the time of its transfer abroad, and also reconsider restoration of this act in the national interest.
GHULAM MUHAMMAD
Rawalpindi
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