| 03 November 2004 | Wednesday | 19 Ramazan 1425 |
Defence lands
Debating Kashmir options
Plurality of views
'Weaker' universities
Note for contributors
Teaching community
Tourism and pollution
Eid gift from PM
Dental moot
Conspiracy theories
Fast bowling
Economic race
Flyovers & parks
DHA and DHA
Residents' woes
Foreign exchange
'Easternization'
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This is apropos of Rifaat Hamid Ghani's article "To shed or not to shed?" (Oct 25).
General Ayub Khan, who assumed the rank of field marshal after remaining commander-in-chief for eight years and chief martial law administrator for six years, gave up his uniform in 1964. Political pandemonium broke out though he had given the country a constitution and civilian rule. We came close to committing political suicide. What else could he do? He handed the charge over to another man in uniform.
General Ziaul Haq was a smart one. He was appointed chief of the army staff by Z. A. Bhutto in 1976 just one year before his own overthrow by the same general, who subsequently had him hanged in 1979. Having dismissed an elected prime minister, Zia climbed the rungs of power in 1977, remained COAS for 12 years, president for 11 years and chief martial law administrator for seven years. Out of the three caps that he wore, he discarded only the CMLA's after the 1985 elections. Why didn't he take off his uniform? He had Ayub Khan's precedent before him. He could not rule without the COAS's cane.
It is the same nation that was ruled by Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Ziaul Haq. How can Pervez Musharraf throw away his COAS cap? Doves on the treasury benches and the opposition hawks will cease to fight and will oust him jointly with the help of the clerically-inclined parties unless, of course, another general stops them from doing so.
The political scene in Asia, where terrorism is rampant and Pakistan is the biggest victim, needs General Musharraf whose help in combating terror, as 'confirmed' by the US, is exceptional. The writer alleges that in doing so, he has messed up the country. I agree to the extent that he allowed a free hand, as did Zia, to the religious parties which have become a pain in the neck. He should have tightened the noose around the militant mullahs who are becoming belligerent by the day.
S. M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
( 2 )
The question is not whether the president can hold two offices. What is more important is whether we can trust the person who holds these offices. By giving statements contrary to his promise to shun the military uniform by Dec 31, General Musharraf has seriously hurt his credibility.
KHUSHNOOD ALI BAZ
Via email
Defence lands
This refers to Malik Siddique's letter "Defence lands" (Oct 17).
It is shocking to learn that the military authorities are openly misusing defence lands and are establishing schools, colleges, universities and other commercial projects there, without adhering to any rules, regulations and procedures as regards the use of such lands. Had any civilian officers such as military estates officers and cantonment executive officers done so, the National Accountability Bureau would have wasted no time to register a case and have them jailed and fined.
Are these officers above the law simply because they are in uniform? Even if they are to be dealt with by the oft-repeated so-called "in-built system" for offenders in the military, the public would definitely like to know what action has been taken against them by the military. After all, the military also runs on public money.
Military officers get away with major irregularities, and only a few get axed and that too with a mere retirement letter, with full benefits in contrast to the punishment awarded to civilian officers guilty of similar offences.
I am a great admirer of President Musharraf and would like him to succeed in his vision for Pakistan. If he ensures good governance and cheap and timely justice (something that this country has lacked ever since its inception), he will always be remembered as a sincere leader.
HASEEB ALAM
Lahore
Debating Kashmir options
Your editorial "Debating Kashmir options rationally" (Oct 31) is very well founded and a timely contribution to encouraging quiet and calm deliberations among those of our leaders who are driven by fixations even in the case of serious issues such as Kashmir.
However, it is not fair to say that it is our national psyche that any move to change the status quo meets with stiff resistance. People do opt for change if properly guided and motivated by sincere, rational and committed leaders. It is only those with vested interests who resist change and stick to the status quo.
After three failed efforts with dire consequences to wrest Indian-held Kashmir by force and practically no scope for a plebiscite in the changed geopolitical situation, new options have to be worked out. As stated by Mr Kunwar Idris in his article "From plebiscite to partition" (Oct 31), the solution that Gen Musharraf has outlined rather imperfectly and in an offhand manner should be viewed as just one of many alternatives to a plebiscite.
The debate that takes place in Pakistan and also in India and Kashmir might throw up some other solutions more practicable and also acceptable to all three.
M. SALEEM CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Plurality of views
This is with reference to Mr Muhammad Ilyas Khan's letter (Oct 18) in which he complained about 'offensive' programmes being broadcast by private TV channels and FM radio.
In this regard he mentioned a religious programme in English in which a religious scholar made comments on family planning which Mr Khan found offensive. In another instance, he accused the host of an FM radio station of condoning lax behaviour among youth. I may not share the views expressed in the two programmes, but I believe that just as Mr Khan is entitled to express his views, so are the hosts of the programmes mentioned.
Asking the government to put a stop to such programmes is no solution. People are intellectually mature enough to distinguish good from bad. Plurality of views is what democracy is all about. Attempts to stifle this culture would be counter-productive.
Next time Mr Khan find's something offensive being aired on TV, he has the choice to change the channel or switch off his set, instead of complaining to Pemra.
MUHAMMED IQBAL ABID
Karachi
'Weaker' universities
I am writing this with reference to an advertisement by the Higher Education Commission (Dawn, Nov 1) seeking application for HEC scholarships abroad under the MS/MPhil scheme leading to PhD scholarship "for the teachers of weaker universities".
I think the HEC has insulted the universities referred to in the advertisement, besides publicly acknowledging its own ineptitude.
These public sector universities are run from the taxpayer's money and the HEC owes an explanation and an apology to the entire nation in this respect.
If these universities are "weaker", why was a charter awarded to them in the first place?
The term "developing universities" should have been appropriate to avoid any embarrassment to the university authorities caused by the publication of this advertisement.
I would like to suggest that a GRE-type test should be conducted by an independent body, and not by the HEC, to award the scholarships concerned.
CDR (retd) NAJEEB ANJUM
Karachi
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Teaching community
The other day the president and the prime minister offered "salams" to teachers as a mark of respect to their profession, but neither of them has done anything for their welfare in society.
Deprived of all benefits of service, teachers are today appointed at the fixed wage of Rs4,200 a month and that too is often not paid to them on time. This amount is not even a pittance.
In future, EDOs and DEOs (education) will be replaced by CSP/PCS officers. This shows how fast working conditions for the teaching community are deteriorating.
Moreover, in contravention of the traditional policy, vice-chancellors are now being appointed by a selection committee, including the education minister. The new method will bring to an end the autonomy of universities, reducing them to the status of political lobbies.
In the past too, teachers were next to nothing. Forty years ago president Mohammad Ayub Khan came to Multan to muster support for his so-called 'Basic Democracy'. It was made compulsory for teachers to listen to the address by the president. Evaluated in the lowest rank of the government service, they were seated the lowest corner specified 'D' in the shamiana.
During the days of the Ayub regime in 1969, the police, under the supervision of duty magistrates, used to enter the premises of colleges without taking formal permission from principals and, on certain occasions, duty magistrates would openly abuse college teachers. The same treatment was meted out to teachers when agitation broke out against prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977.
University convocations are almost presided over either by the president or by the governors or even by ministers.
It is time the government did something concrete instead of paying lip-service to ameliorate the lot of teachers.
MIRZA GHULAM HAIDER
Multan
Tourism and pollution
Be it in the form of air, water or noise, the entire world community is facing pollution. Every year a huge amount is spent on pollution control.
As far as the situation in Pakistan is concerned, it is evident to all of us. We consider cleanliness to be part of our faith but don't do anything practical to check pollution. It is the need of the hour to pay attention to this problem if we want a clean and pollution- free environment.
If we want to promote tourism, we have to ensure certain requirements such as security and a clean environment. The pollution situation in the country is pathetic, especially at picnic spots, historical places, camping sites and trekking areas. Long- and short-term strategies are required.
SHUJAAT ALI JAJAD
Gilgit
Eid gift from PM
According to a news report (Dawn, Nov 1), Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will address the nation before Eidul Fitr to announce his priorities with regard to many problems, including the thana culture.
It will be an Eid gift to the nation if he also announces a reduction in electricity tariff. The proposal for a reduction in power rates for all categories of consumers was approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority a few months back, which was subject to notification by the federal government. The minister of water and power also gave assurances a few weeks back that he would make efforts for a reduction in the power tariff.
MUHAMMAD IQBAL
Islamabad
Dental moot
This refers to the letter by Dr Rajazz Naqvi (Oct 28). He has questioned the credibility of the local organizing committee of the 28th Asia Pacific Dental Conference.
Neither the ad-hoc committee nor the Pakistan Dental Association had approved the names of the chairman or other members of the committee. The chairman appointed members of the organizing committee single-handedly.
Elections to the PDA, Karachi branch, were held about six months back, but charge has not yet been given to the new body. The president of the PDA, Karachi branch, has been holding the office for six years though the tenure of his office is two years.
As a member of the PDA I ask the chairman of the local organizing committee and the president of the PDA, Karachi, to explain their positions.
CONCERNED DENTIST
Karachi
Conspiracy theories
With reference to Mr Nadeem Zafar's letter "Conspiracy theories" (Nov 2) about Osama bin Laden's recent admission that he had planned 9/11, there are many otherwise normal people who believe that all of Osama's tapes have been fabricated by Americans and the appearance of the most recent tape just before the US presidential election (meant to boost Bush's chances of winning) reinforces this belief.
SHAKIR LAKHANI
Karachi
Fast bowling
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami should take a leaf from Fernando of Sri Lanka on fast bowling. Generating speed is not the measure of a fast bowler if he cannot maintain direction and line and length. The coach can only give guidance and cannot perform on the ground; it's the player who is responsible for his own performance. It is a fact that our players always succumb to pressure.
What matters is the players' performance on the ground. It is time the PCB identified talent from among under-15/16 and invested in grooming them by imparting basic concepts of pace and batting technique. The PCB should not depend on any one player. One should be replaced whether one is a fast bowler or a top class batsman if one is not producing good results.
SARFARAZ ZIA ANSARI
Karachi
Economic race
It is said the past belonged to Europe, the present belongs to the US and the future will belong to Asia. If we don't pull our socks and control growing trend of violence and illiteracy, we shall lose the race of economic growth that's coming in.
AFZAL RAHIM
Islamabad
Flyovers & parks
Almost daily there are news reports about the Karachi city district government's plans to build more flyovers, underpasses, parks, etc. It has announced that it will make Karachi a model city of international standards.
The government should know that mere structures cannot make Karachi a model city. It should therefore not waste public money on such projects which will not benefit common citizens. It must change its priorities and solve the problems of frequent power breakdowns and shortage of drinking water.
Overflowing sewage, encroachments on footpaths, illegal bus-stands and wrong parking, daily hijacking of cars, motorcycles, etc., terrorism and sectarianism, daily muggings and robbery of valuables and money of people coming out from banks, in markets and at crowded places, violation of building rules by shopping mall and residential plaza owners - all these should get priority.
H.A. NAQVI
Lahore
DHA and DHA
I recently went to Lahore after a space of five years and spent some time in the DHA there. I was amazed and pleased to see the progress and wondered at the difference between the DHAs in Lahore and Karachi.
Lahore's DHA is clean even by international standards. There is no rubbish on roads and one does not see any overflowing gutters. There are no dug up roads and all footpaths are in place. And there are no trucks to be seen during daytime. Karachi's DHA might seem progressive by city standards, but why can't we learn from Lahore?
AKRAM M. SADIQ
Karachi
Residents' woes
I would like to draw the attention of the Sindh health department to the health problems being faced by residents of Baldia Colony, Hyderabad. This is one of the three areas located behind the central jail.
The population of these localities is about 30,000. The cantonment board area is adjacent to Baldia Colony and, in between the cantonment area and Baldia Colony, there is a huge dirty water pond which is playing havoc with the health of the people. For the last three years, a foul smell from the pond has been making life miserable for the residents. Further, it is a breeding place for mosquitoes. Despite many reminders, the municipal authorities are not interested in resolving this problem.
Will someone in the health department do the needful?
QAZI NAZIM NAEEM
Hyderabad
Foreign exchange
This refers to the letter (Oct 29) regarding Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves.
The government should allow the opening of bank accounts in foreign exchange for Pakistani citizens who are working abroad. If this order is in force again, foreign exchange will come to Pakistan and our forex reserves will increase significantly.
We hope the State Bank and the government will consider this matter as soon as possible.
IQBAL MEMON
Karachi
'Easternization'
In a section of the press it has been reported that 60,000 ballots are missing in Florida. So now it is the West's turn to 'easternize'.
MIR TABASSUM MAIRAJ
Islamabad
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