| 02 November 2004 | Tuesday | 18 Ramazan 1425 |
Invitation to Advani
American politics
'Plots and patronage'
Menace of billboards
Civic problems
Violation of humanitarian laws
'Ignoring national heroes'
Sindh and Karachi
Kutchi abadis
Protecting the mangroves
Conspiracy theories
Kashmir issue
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This refers to the news report "Civilian death toll in Iraq 100,000" (Oct 29).
The study estimating civilian deaths in Iraq was published in the Lancet (www.thelancet.com) this week. Those in the medical profession know that this scientific journal is one of the most reliable with only the most authentic and stringently conducted research ever making it to publication.
In addition to other findings the study concluded: "Making conservative assumptions, we think that about 100,000 excess deaths or more have happened since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Violence accounted for most of the excess deaths and air strikes from coalition forces accounted for most violent deaths."
It is interesting to read this research publication keeping in perspective Mr Bush's and his team's repeated assertions of how humane and altruistic they have been in ridding the world of Saddam, freeing the Iraqi people from a tyrannical ruler and bringing hope of democracy to a repressed nation.
The latest figure of Iraqi deaths of 100,000-200,000 is all the more shocking because till now the estimated civilian death toll was 13,000 to 15,000 (www.iraqbodycount.net); itself a huge number. The current study by far surpasses this estimate.
The authors of the study conclude their original paper by saying: "US General Tommy Franks is widely quoted as saying 'we don't do body counts'. The Geneva Conventions have clear guidance about the responsibilities of occupying armies to the civilian population they control. The fact that more than half the deaths reportedly caused by the occupying forces were women and children is a cause for concern.
In particular, Convention IV, Article 27 states that protected persons ''..shall be at all times humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against acts of violence'. It seems difficult to understand how a military force could monitor the extent to which civilians are protected against violence without systemically doing body counts or at least looking at the kinds of casualties they induce."
Richard Horton, one of the editors of Lancet, comments in the same issue of the journal: "A vital principle of public health is harm reduction. But harm cannot be diminished by individual members of society alone. The lives of Iraqis are currently being shaped by policies of the occupying forces and the militant insurgents.
For the occupiers, winning the peace now demands a thorough reappraisal of strategy and tactics to prevent further unnecessary human casualties. For the sake of a country in crisis and for a people under daily threat of violence, the evidence that we publish today must change heads as well as pierce hearts."
MUBASHIR KHAN
Indianapolis, IN., USA
(2)
Civilian casualties in Iraq have been estimated at 100,000. We should ask the US government if these deaths are sufficient compensation for the 3,000 or so Americans killed in the 9/11 attacks. And if not, then how many more lives will it take to satisfy their desire for innocent blood?
ZAIN MANKANI
Karachi
Invitation to Advani
I agree with Prof Mukhtar Ali Naqvi (Oct 21) that Mr L.K. Advani is a sworn enemy of Pakistan and it is wrong to invite him to Pakistan.
The learned professor also reminds us that Mr Advani was one of the 18 people who were involved in plotting to kill the Quaid-i-Azam in 1947 and was one of the 12 absconders. This makes the Indian politician a fugitive who should be brought to justice and not invited to a country whose founder he wanted to kill. I do not think that such a person will be welcomed by any patriotic Pakistani.
I may also remind readers that it was Mr Advani who was the chief architect of the Babri mosque's destruction in 1991 and scuttling of the Agra negotiations in 2001. Both these disasters prove his anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistani views.
In the backdrop of the ongoing peace-making efforts, it is good to invite India's intelligentsia and politicians, including screen idols, instead of people like Mr Advani.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
(2)
This is with reference to Mr Muhktar Ali Naqvi's second letter (Oct 29) on the subject of Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri's invitation to Mr L.K. Advani to visit Pakistan.
Mr Naqvi has again raised the matter of the outstanding arrest warrant against Mr Advani that was issued decades ago for the latter's alleged "criminal conspiracy to assassinate the Quaid-i-Azam". The reason behind Mr Kasuri's bold move is to encourage India-Pakistan relations to stay on a positive track. Mr Naqvi's question "whether an absconder could be extended an official invitation" is redundant as the matter stands overridden by the complexities of international relations.
The warrant may be a provincial matter but for the sake of smooth functioning of international relations and to avoid embarrassment to Pakistan, I am sure that no provincial official with this warrant in hand will and should be allowed to come near Mr Advani during his stay in Pakistan. Therefore, Mr Naqvi's concern that the warrant "can be executed" is totally unwarranted.
This invitation is not the first time a country has overlooked certain stigmas attached to the personality of a prospective foreign guest, and this was exactly the premise of my previous letter (Oct 26).
It was in this context that I made a passing reference to Indian secularism and the possibility of Mr Advani becoming prime minister of India. Mr Naqvi's assertion that this mention is "irrelevant to the point at issue" indicates that he wrongly perceived it as the main plank of my argument.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY, USA
American politics
It is very discouraging to notice that even in a great country like America, politics is becoming increasingly polarized. American politicians see things in either black or white. They are either on the left or the right. Any policy or suggestion made by the Republicans will meet an instant storm of criticism from the Democrats. There is no ideological coherence in clinging on to every proposition made by your party and fervently opposing your opponents' every stance.
In order for progress to take place we need to respect each other's views and realize that whatever our opponent proposes is not necessarily always wrong. Senator Kerry needs to acknowledge that many of President Bush's policies have benefited Americans, and President Bush needs to accept the fact that many of the changes that Senator Kerry wants to see in future American policies are likely to be beneficial to Americans.
Moderation is necessary for progress, and this is true not only for America but for every country in the world. Politicians need to stop seeing things in only black and white. They need to realize that being moderate is not a sign of weakness and accepting that your opponent is correct on a certain issue is not equivalent to accepting defeat. Progress can only be achieved if we bring together all that is good from both sides instead of vehemently criticizing what our opponents have to say and stubbornly defending our arguments for the sake of preserving our ego.
SAAD AHMED KHAN
Karachi
'Plots and patronage'
Your editorial (Oct 30) on the above subject is very appropriate, advising the government "to play an interventionist pro-poor role and allot land to the underprivileged rather than gift it to a favoured few".
What the previous prime ministers did for allotting plots is not surprising. It is now common knowledge as to what extent one can go to get power, money and assets. It is sad that the beneficiaries include retired military officers. The armed forces are a symbol of respect and pride for us. They are custodians of our country and have taken the oath of sacrificing their lives. Their involvement in such plot affairs is disturbing.
What the public expects from the present government is something different - something involving self-sacrifice, something which no one has dome before, for instance, a pro-poor, public-focused government which is demonstratively simple in living and humble in leadership.
In Karachi 50 per cent of the population live in slums or katchi abadis. During their many visits to Karachi and other major cities, our president and prime minister can visit these slums. They can hear the poor and give them hope and sympathy.
ENGR A. RAHIM
Karachi
Menace of billboards
All over the civilized world outdoor advertising has been abandoned, but for us it seems like a newly-found passion. Billboards are having a negative effect on the city of Karachi. They have destroyed its landscape and skyline and mitigated the beauty of the tree-lined streets. They are perched on buildings and look so hideous and dirty that one feels they need maintenance and a coat of paint. These boards have turned Karachi into a forest of advertisements.
According to an estimate, there are 1,200 billboards in Clifton alone. They totally clutter the place, hide buildings and shops and loom over your head like demons. This sad state of affairs has affected not only Karachi, but the entire country. Even the scenic beauty of hill stations has fallen prey to these hideous billboards. At the moment, Islamabad is the only city somewhat protected from the onslaught of outdoor advertising.
I feel that all concerned citizens should form a forum from which to launch a protest against this practice in order to save our cities.
SOBIA AMAN
Karachi
Civic problems
The entry point to Hussainabad (Gidu) residential area, adjacent to the main gate of the Wapda water wing office in Hyderabad, has been completely encroached upon on both sides of the main metalled road, leaving no space on the sides for pedestrians. Daily wagers earners and now donkey carts and mini-truck owners have been constructing houses, with open drains and ditches overflowing with waste water.
Gidu is also a victim of enormous noise pollution created by the rising number of vehicles - trucks, tractor trolleys, buses, etc. - with high-pressure horns.
Again because of the broken Kotri approach road, traffic from and to Kotri is diverted via Gidu Road. Most of the traffic from Latifabad Unit No. 4 also adopts the route via Gidu, adding to the chaos and increasing the risk of accidents.
It seems the local government does not regard Gidu (Hussainabad) as a part of the city and treats it rather as being on the outskirts as demonstrated by the shifting of the Thatta coaster stand from the Haider Chowk area to the main entry point of Gidu.
The people of the area have approached all relevant quarters but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
DR NOOR MUHAMMAD MEMON
Hyderabad
Violation of humanitarian laws
The increase in international armed conflicts in the recent years has brought international humanitarian laws in the limelight. The present-day international humanitarian law has grown from two main sources: the Law of Geneva, i.e., a body of rules which protect victims of war, and the Law of The Hague, i.e., provisions which affect the conduct of hostilities.
Reference needs to be made to the 1868 Declaration of St.Petersburg, the preamble of which says: "... the only legitimate object which States should endeavour to accomplish during the war is to weaken the military forces of the enemy." This shows the international community had started to realize that the purpose of war was to overcome enemy armed forces, not to destroy an enemy nation.
The Hague Convention No.IV of Oct 18, 1907, respecting the "Laws and Customs of War on Land", as well as the annexed Hague Regulations, is of significance because it imposed limitations on means and methods of war. It forbade employing poisonous weapons, arms, projectiles or materials calculated to cause unnecessary sufferings, bombard undefended towns and villages and ensure that prior to sieges and bombardments, all necessary steps were taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded were collected, besides other prohibitions.
The Additional Protocol [I] of 1977 which supplements the Geneva Conventions of 1949 brings together the laws of Geneva and of the Hague which until then had developed separately. It prohibited indiscriminate attacks and employment of means of warfare which cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment. It emphasized that attacks shall be limited strictly to military objects.
As is the case with every rule of law, the provisions of international humanitarian law are the result of a compromise, i.e., weighing of conflicting interests. The conflicting interests of military necessity and humanitarian considerations are taken into account prior to the formulation of humanitarian laws. Thus, there can be no deviations from these laws.
But what we find in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq is that grave breaches of humanitarian laws have been committed by the United States and its allies. Undefended town and villages have been attacked. The use of cluster bombs is tantamount to indiscriminate attacks as they cannot discriminate between civilians and military personnel.
The ICRC warehouse in Afghanistan was bombed twice. The first bombing could have possibly been a result of a mistake but not the second one. The altitudes at which US planes fly make it impossible to differentiate between civilian and military convoys. This has led to a large number of deaths.
It is difficult to implement humanitarian laws in a unipolar world, but they are a step in the right direction. These laws expect us to behave like humans even during times of war.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
'Ignoring national heroes'
In his article "Ignoring national heroes" (Oct 30), Mr Kuldip Nayar has made a mistake which needs to be corrected as a matter of record. Remembering the leaders of different countries of South Asia, he writes that "Tajuddin in Bangladesh were killed in jail during the life time of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman".
Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was assassinated in a bloody coup with all his family members except his two daughters who were out of the country, on Aug 15, 1975, by coup-makers. Though these usurpers seized state power, they were afraid of the wrath of the people and felt insecure. So they murdered in jail almost all the leadership of the Awami League, including Tajuddin, Nazarul Islam, Qamar-uz-zaman and Captain Mansoor. This heinous crime was committed in November 1975 about three months after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
ABDUL KHALIQUE JUNEJO
Karachi
Sindh and Karachi
Mr Manzoor Chandio ("Karachi: a unique mega city", Nov 1) has reminded me of the fact that in 1948 Sindhi officers posted in Karachi were asked to opt between service in Karachi and service in Sindh. All Sindhi officers opted for Sindh. My father, a police officer, was one of them. He said: "Karachi is no more for Sindhis'."
Sindhi officers posted in Karachi were asked to move away to Sindh. My father was moved from Karachi to Shikarpur.
HALIM BROHI
Karachi
Kutchi abadis
The residents of GRW 406-408 Shahabuddin Colony, Lasbela market, Karachi, have been living there since 1953 and regularly paying all charges and taxes.
On Dec 23, 1976, the then Sindh chief minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi announced that 75 colonies had been regularized and that the KDA had been asked to grant lease to the occupants (the report appeared in a section of the press on 23.12.1976). The list of these colonies included Shahabuddin Colony. Although 28 years have passed, nothing has been done in this regard. Rather the position remains as it was in 1953.
To our great astonishment, in 1982 the colony was deleted from the list of kutchi abadis for reasons not known to us as no intimation was given to us.
Now as the Karachi city district government has lately decided to grant lease to the dwellers of kutchi abadis, we request the city government to consider our case sympathetically.
WAHEED UDDIN SIDDIQUI
Karachi
Protecting the mangroves
Your editorial "Protecting the mangroves" (Oct 19) is of great importance for the economy of Pakistan. You have advised exploring alternatives for the subsistence of people living on the coast so as to restrain them from felling mangrove trees (hatcheries for fishes and many other economic activities).
In this regard I would like to say that mangrove vegetation grows in saline soil but requires frequent injections of sweet water for its sustenance and propagation. It is an intrinsic requirement of mangrove vegetation that it must be flushed with sweet water at least twice annually for maintaining a balanced ecosystem for the benefit of all life forms inhabiting it.
In the absence of sweet water in the deltaic region from the river Indus, the threat to mangrove vegetation is a real one.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Adjunct professor, University of Karachi
Conspiracy theories
Soon after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon, there were numerous conspiracy theories floating about among Pakistanis, blaming everyone other than Muslims for this attack. The recent videotape from Osama bin Laden confirms that Al Qaeda was behind these attacks.
While the world has a perfect right to disagree with US policies, both domestic and foreign, there must be a balance in our opinions.
NADEEM ZAFAR
Memphis, USA
Kashmir issue
Had options like the present one for a solution of the Kashmir issue been proposed by a Pakistani prime minister instead of a military president, we could have expected another Kargil-like adventure.
MAHBOOB IHSAN
Islamabad
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