| 30 October 2004 | Saturday | 15 Ramazan 1425 |
Investment by senior citizens
Problems of Khirthar
Invitation to Advani
Women doctors in DHA
Streamlining traffic
US presidential election
Misuse of taxpayer's money
Muslims and Nobel prize
PTCL's working
More of the same
ATM service standards
Woes of Chitralis
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Governments and unpopular leaders who rely on support of foreign powers remain in office as long as they serve the short-term national interests of these powers. Saddam Hussein remained in power as long as he served American corporate and political interests.
The Iran-Iraq war served to weaken both these nations and contributed to Israel's hegemony in the Middle East. Having served this purpose, he was an expendable commodity.
Afghanistan's elections have been welcomed by the Muslim world living under the yoke of military dictators and unconstitutional monarchies, supported by the US. America remains a silent spectator, whilst Sharon mercilessly kills over 150 Palestinians to avenge the uncalled-for killing of four innocent Israelis living in settlements located on occupied Palestinian land.
Both the US and Commonwealth support General Pervez Musharraf, who holds the offices of both president and C-in-C of the army. This is in violation of not only the Constitution but international democratic norms.
A rubber-stamp parliament has given assent to the holding of these dual offices by a simple majority, though this violates the very spirit of the Constitution and could not have been adopted by even a two-thirds majority.
These dual standards are viewed by the Muslim world as part of a systematic campaign based on religious, racial prejudices and vested interests of corporate America to take over vital natural resources.
The un challenge able military might of America and its prodigy Israel has unleashed a cycle of violence that breeds frustration and drives people to the edge. Driven by desperation, they in turn have resorted to irrational acts, which are detestable since innocent blood is shed on both sides.
This cycle of violence will end only when the civilized western world decides to undo all injustices, stops supporting dictatorial regimes in the Muslim world and takes concrete steps to usher in truly democratic, representative regimes to take over.
Injustices must stop and the civilized West has to be seen to act in a civilized manner. The moderate role played by the European Union is commendable. The Wild West policies adopted by Bush have made the world a more dangerous place to live in. Violence only breeds violence.
If the West were to spend a fraction of the billions it has spent on its show of force, and diverted it to promote education and set up democratic forms of government, the world would be more peaceful.
Corporate America's greed has played a role in isolating its citizens and making the world a more dangerous place to live in. Sanity must prevail and hypocritical, dual standards must be shed.
The rule of law must prevail and govern relations between different countries, cultures and ideological religious beliefs. No religion or faith sanctifies the killing of innocent men and women, even if it is in retaliation against such a senseless act of terrorism as the 9/11 tragedy.
GULL ZEE
Paris, France
Investment by senior citizens
At the 54th annual general meeting of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan, the State Bank governor advised thus: "It is a wake-up (call) for us to begin looking after the interest of the vast majority of small savers and mobilize and utilize their funds in a much better way than we have done so far."
He criticized the banking industry for its neglect of 28 million savers and depositors (Dawn, Oct 17). At a function for refund of savings deposited with the Taj Company, the prime minister advised the people to beware of cheats and robbers while investing their hard-earned savings (Dawn, Sept 29).
The government has now decided to convert the central directorate of national savings (CDNS) into an "authority" and has dropped the earlier proposal of making CDNS a "corporation" (Dawn, Oct 16).
Senior citizens of 70 and over who have for decades deposited their provident fund amount and commuted pension in post office special (Khas) savings accounts do not find the government's recently created two Behbood schemes convenient.
Postal savings accounts instead of being made as profitable as Behbood schemes have seen a sharp reduction in rate of profit and the recovery of 10 per cent withholding tax. Senior citizens will prefer to continue with their post office accounts.
Profits on such accounts should have been brought in line with profits on government employees' provident fund and Behbood schemes. The profit on postal accounts should be tax-free as account holders have experienced a great difficulty in filing income-tax returns 2003-2004 for refund of the 10 per cent withholding tax deducted from their profits.
The government should also make its holding in the OGDC and PSO available to them for investment.
H.A. HAJI
Karachi
Problems of Khirthar
There are many mountain ranges in Sindh such as Khirthar which includes Manghopir, Malir, Makli, Karoonjar, Gangotakkar and Rohri hills. The Khirthar range, measuring about 300km, stretches far and wide in the west of the province.
For the last many years the People's Doctors Forum (PDF) has been holding medical camps in different areas of Khirthar. About one million people who inhabit the area need immediate attention of the government, donors and NGOs in order to move on to the path of progress. For this they need:
a. Education, health, electricity, clean water, a network of roads.
b. Easy loan facility for livestock, handicrafts and other cottage industry.
c. Royalty of gas, oil, gypsum, uranium, limestone, coal, marble, etc.
d. Jobs in multinational companies.
e. The region be declared an eco-region to attract tourism.
f. Wildlife such as ibex, urial, mammals, birds and other species be protected under the international convention.
g. The highest mountain peak of Khirthar, known as Kutte Ji Kabar (the Dog's Grave), that is 7,200 feet above sea level, should be developed as a tourist spot. Also, Gorakh peak (6,568 feet above sea level) in Dadu district and other sites be developed for tourism.
h. Ranikot, which is a pre-historic stone fort, be declared a world heritage site by Unesco.
i. Lakes Manchhar and Hamal of the Khirthar region are being destroyed by the RBOD project through disposal of toxic waste into them. Both lakes must be saved.
j. Compensation amounting to Rs500,000 per house be given to the families who were evacuated from their houses (in Gabie Daro area, Larkana district) by the law-enforcement agencies in the "national interest".
DR KARIM KHUWAJA President, PDF,
Karachi
Invitation to Advani
Writing from Orlando, Florida, Prof Mukhtar Ali Naqvi has criticized Foreign Minister Kasuri for inviting L.K. Advani to Pakistan (Dawn, Oct 21). The professor seems to be unaware of the fact that in Pakistan certain things never change, including and especially the propensity of our policymakers to swing from one extreme to the other.
Mr Advani, who has a murky past in Hyderabad (Sindh), was prominent in the Ram Janam Bhoomi agitation, which culminated in the destruction of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.
In fact, he was present there at the time of the sacrilege on the transparently false pretext of trying to prevent the atrocity. Transparently false because if he was really against its destruction, he should have been the first to agitate for its reconstruction.
At present Mr Advani is head of the opposition BJP. It is common knowledge that the BJP is the front organization of Muslim-baiting and Pakistan-hating Hindu fundamentalist parties like the RSS, Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal.
I do not wish to be seen as opposing normalization of relations with India. But normalization should not mean going overboard. It must be pursued with moderation and maturity without losing sight of our national pride.
BIRJIS HASAN KHAN
Karachi
Women doctors in DHA
The Karachi DHA administration has recently issued orders to women doctors posted at their different schools/colleges to additionally work at the DHA Medical Centre during night hours to attend to emergency duties.
Considering the law and order situation in the country and especially for doctors, the orders for women doctors to perform night duties at the medical centre is irrational, particularly when there are no proper security arrangements to safeguard the doctors and other paramedical staff. During the day it is easier to call for help in case there is any untoward happening but in the night it is practically impossible.
Even otherwise these doctors' function in relation to emergency patients may not be very helpful as they will have to refer the patient, after first-aid, to specialists in other hospitals (as the medical centre does not have any specialist) and, in this process, precious time may unnecessarily be lost.
If instead of going to the medical centre, the patient is taken to a full-fledged hospital where specialist doctors would also be available, better care would be ensured. It is hoped that good sense will prevail and the DHA administration will review its decision.
ALI NAZEER
Karachi
Streamlining traffic
This refers to the letters "Streamlining traffic" (Sept 30 and Oct 18). Mr Ansari has pointed out common violations. There are challans for all these violations, with penalties.
The concern is why these challans are not being pursued and implemented. The suggested solution is that police constables should be made to operate like corporate institutions. Where we have a target, resources are provided to meet these targets, performers are rewarded and the non-performers are penalized.
In the current situation, police resources are there, rewards and punishments are also in place. The two things missing are targets and the political will to do the job.
In 1998 the police launched a traffic management project (TMP) and it was demonstrated beyond doubt that the available resources were enough to set traffic right. The TMP was implemented at Karachi airport and Sharea Faisal. Commuters even today remember those days. The police authorities know the details of the project and it is their political will which is under question.
S. JAMEEL HUSSAIN
Karachi
US presidential election
The US presidential election inches ever closer, and it will be a big election. Probably one of the biggest. Many people have decided that they will vote for John Kerry and many have decided they shall vote for George W. Bush. John Kerry would be the better president.
He has been through a massive war, fought to be a senator, and is all for the American way. Bush, on the other hand, has failed every company he has owned, has started a war that will simply not cease, and completely ignored the country's needs. Bush has become a warlord.
The effects of US government policies internationally are so enormous that some people have suggested - with more than a little justification - that every person on earth should get to vote in US presidential elections.
Why was the Spanish government replaced and the country's policy changed? Why do the French, the Japanese, the Russians, the Mexicans and the Canadians find it difficult to support the US in its war in Iraq? Why did the British and Australian governments have a hard time supporting the Americans, and how much political capital do they have to waste to continue that support?
There are many causes for the international hostility toward the Bush administration. Underlying it is a large question: is the policy of the administration now in power the cause of America's growing alienation from the rest of the world?
The war in Iraq stands out as the reason of all reasons - the height of the use of brutal force without the world's support and without authorization of international institutions.
But if they think that Kerry, as president, will do everything the Europeans want, they are going to have an unpleasant surprise. Kerry may even launch his presidency with some muscle-flexing, to make clear to everyone that the new American president is not less tough than his predecessor. My own feeling is that a defeat for Bush would create a pleasant atmosphere, let's say in American political culture.
Many analysts argue that the overall approach and tone Kerry would bring to US foreign policy would represent a striking contrast with Bush - and could lead to some substantially different results.
Some think the next four years of the war against terrorism will be defined by what happens next in Iraq. Will the US seek allies throughout the Middle East and the world to build support for pulling Iraq back from the chaos of a growing civil war or will it stay a failing course? This rethinking of strategy is the first essential step for the US to strengthen its hand in Iraq and rebuild its fallen image so that it can achieve its aims, not only of stability there but of attracting broad cooperation against terrorism.
UMER MUMTAZ
Rawalpindi
Misuse of taxpayer's money
I wish to draw your attention to the small and limited pocket of taxpayers and how direct and indirect taxes are squeezed from them - probably rounded up to the last rupee.
Nothing wrong with it; everybody wants to see the well-being of his country. But just observe where the tax money goes and how it is spent. Look at the organs of the state and the bullet proof cars and other perks of a jumbo cabinet, almost a substitute for the lower house of parliament.
Look at our defence needs, the council of corps commanders, almost a substitute for the upper house of parliament. Look at the lion's share taken away in the form of debt servicing.
And then as a final straw on the taxpayer's back, the pilferage and mismanagement in the execution of projects in the public sector leads to increase in the debt burden. And, finally, the sorry figure our stock exchanges cut. And by doing so, we remain poor like a church mouse.
ARIF QAMAR KHAN
Islamabad
Muslims and Nobel prize
Your editorial (Oct 8) has drawn two letters already. Mr Mahdi Masud (Oct 15) has given convincing facts that the superior performance of Jews is not based solely on their inherent ability but has been caused more by better opportunities available to them. Mr Manzoor H. Kureshi has also given cogent reasons for the present backwardness of Muslims (Oct 16).
Dr Abdus Salam, in his preface to Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy's book Muslims & science, has mentioned lack of interest of rich Muslim countries in science and the resultant inadequate financial support.
On several occasions in the recent past news has come that this issue was discussed at important international meetings of Muslims but so far no practical steps have been taken to remedy the situation.
This important issue can be brought to the attention of the government if half a dozen top scientists in Pakistan get together and submit a concrete proposal to the prime minister.
S. MUMTAZ AHMAD
Karachi
PTCL's working
I have received a bill for a telephone which has not yet been installed (number 4134460), showing numerous calls made during September. Several meetings with and letters to divisional engineer and letters to general-manager and director, revenue, have been without any result.
ABDUL AZIZ
Karachi
More of the same
I watched General Musharraf's PTV address (Oct 26) to mediamen invited at an iftar party by the information minister. After referring to the main issues - improving the country's world wide image, solving the Kashmir problem, water scarcity, Balochistan's law and order and moderating society - he came to the issue of the uniform which he said was needed to deal with all the above problems. He linked democracy and political stability with the uniform.
The bottom line in his oration was that only a man in uniform could deal with the nation's problems. He said his decision on the uniform was "not personal" as "greater causes and greater issues are involved".
In a way, he has thrown the gauntlet before the representatives of the people, the PPP and the PML-N, with the MMA tagging on as an "also ran". The type of people backing the general constantly remind us that mediocrity after all does need representation and that with friends like those, who needs enemies?
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
ATM service standards
I have been a Muslim Commercial Bank ATM card user for the last three years. Recently I have seen that many of the ATMs are routinely out of order, fail to dispense a receipt, and, more alarmingly, they sometimes debit your account without dispensing the cash.
I had to go through this ordeal twice in the last three months when the ATM failed to disburse cash but debited my account. I found out this mistake as I was going through the account statement and the amount was quite large and caught my notice. I filed a complaint on the required format, but it takes three weeks to a month for the bank to reverse the accounting entry.
A number of times I tried to take out small amounts and the ATM showed some error and didn't dispense cash, no receipt was printed, and I didn't bother to check the account balance. My advice to all ATM users is to always check their account balances if the ATMs do not dispense cash.
FARAZ HAIDER
Karachi
Woes of Chitralis
The people of Chitral district are in a difficult situation at present because of the recent snowfall. Many people have died, and there have been losses of crops, livestock and other properties.
Communication and power supply have been badly hit. It is time the government took immediate note of the miseries of the affected people and announced a special package for them. In the meanwhile, the government should start building the Lowari tunnel.
MOHAMMAD AFZAL
Chitral
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