| 07 November 2004 | Sunday | 23 Ramazan 1425 |
Customs duty on software imports
Honour killings
'Donors need to confirm'
Note for contributors
Kashmir - possible options
Sheikh Zayed
Pakistan and Bush's re-election
Protesters' detention
The neo-cons' win
Undermining Iraq's cause
Extending help to Nepal
Need for a flyover
Sacred duty?
To send a letter to the Editor
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With the declining physical condition of Yasser Arafat, the question of succession has become crucial. Although Arafat's successor cannot yet be identified, power groups that will produce him are well-defined.
The next leader cannot come from the opposition group (Hamas). Moreover, the PLO's founding generation (Abu Jihad and Abu lyad all close to Arafat's age) has almost disappeared from the scene. And the Intifada generation is far from being ready to assume power.
But Fatah is still by far the most important political movement in the Palestine Authority and has a strong interest in uniting around a single candidate for leadership. Fatah officials (of the PLO executive committee) have the inside track in choosing Arafat's successor and are bound to play an important role in the post-succession era, thereby ultimately controlling the political infrastructure and mobilizing Palestine Authority supporters.
Constitutionally, Palestinian Authority Speaker Rawhi Fattouh will be Arafat's designated candidate at least for 60 days after which new elections are supposed to be held.
Nonetheless, three main candidates appear for succession. The first is as the current Palestine Authority premier, Abu Ala (Ahmad Qorei), who has an economic orientation. His nomination will please some among the West Bank and Gaza commercial elite - the "notables". He might also be favoured by democratic oppositionists and the young, highly educated middle class. Elsewhere, though, such a candidate who seems to appeal to western correspondents is far less attractive to the masses and power-brokers. Second stands Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the former premier of the Palestine Authority.
He has impeccable PLO credentials being secretary and third Fatah member after Arafat and Qadumeh of its executive committee. But in contrast to Qadumeh, Abu Mazin transformed himself by returning to the West Bank and becoming the chief Palestinian negotiator with Israel. And the third one is none but Marwan al-Bargouti, head of the Fatah Higher Council on the West Bank and leader of the Fatah activists group, who owes his public and political prominence to personal rank and services in the organization. This group is conspicuously absent from the cabinet. And Marwan al-Bargouti is at present in an Israeli prison.
Ostensibly, all three of the main candidates are pragmatists and determined to continue the diplomatic process and ready to make peace with Israel. They could retain the current leader's goal of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Apparently, Abu Mazen has projected himself as a more appealing candidate than others to succeed Arafat.
Some argue that the post-Arafat era may unleash centrifugal forces, sending the Palestinians in different directions - West Bankers and Gazans, refugees and Palestinian citizens of the two key neighbouring states, namely, Jordan and Israel, all asserting their own interests. Others believe that a post-Arafat Palestinian identity within Jordan and Israel may very well complicate politics in those countries. The bottom line is: beyond any feelings of insecurity, doubt and vulnerability, the Palestinians need to find a befitting successor to Arafat. As many nations have discovered throughout history, finding a successor to the founding father is the true test of their ability to survive.
S.Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
Customs duty on software imports
The cbr chairman should look into the matter of unannounced imposition of 25 per cent customs duty on software products by the customs authorities. Earlier, software products were imported under HS code 9934:0000 and were exempted from customs duty and sales tax. The HS code was omitted and replaced in the budget announced on June 12, and since then the situation as regards software import has become quite ambiguous.
Customs officials at the airport are not sure which HS code is applicable to software products. They have now started working with the idea that 25 per cent customs duty should be levied. They do so considering software a re-playable recording, and for establishing their own point of view the appraisers go into the intricacies of how the software is read by playing devices.
Such inferences are wrong and show either their inadequate knowledge about software or a wish to grab illegal gratification from importers, who are caught unawares. It is also interesting to note that CBR officials in Islamabad are not aware of what is going on at Karachi airport.
The government should educate the CBR and customs officials so that they should understand the applications of software, its significance in the national economy and the difference between major categories of software, such as operating systems, application software, educational software and software used in microprocessor-based industrial machines for automatic operation.
The recommended exemption from customs duty and sales tax on IT/computer-related products should also include software. At present there is no customs duty on the import of computer hardware/parts and if "software" is subject to customs duty/sales tax, the real essence of promoting information technology in Pakistan will simply fade away.
Imposition of customs duty will result in stoppage of software imports. In the absence of business software, use of personal computers will be substantially reduced, resulting in complications in the long run and it will have a negative cascading effect on the national economy. The domestic software industry is still in its infancy and it is very unlikely that there will be any production of patented world-class software for general business and educational use in the near future.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
Honour killings
It has been reported in the Sindhi-language newspapers of Pakistan that a 50-year-old lady and mother of eight children has been killed in the name of honour. The victim has reportedly approached the local police station for protection, but, as the police system is, the lady's complaint was not given any heed. It fell on deaf ears.
She was murdered by the brother of her husband. Her body was found cut into many pieces. A case will be filed against the killers. On the basis of Diyat, Section 299 of the Pakistan Penal Code, the heir of the victim is allowed to forgive or ask for compensation from the offender. As the heir of the victim is the husband and the offender his brother, the above-mentioned provision can be invoked and the matter will be settled accordingly. Only her children will remain to mourn her death.
Honour killing is a ruthless expression of a tribal society. It is a routine custom in some parts of Pakistan. Every now and then a woman falls victim to this heinous tradition. Although she is killed in the name of honour, the motive behind the killing is more than just honour. It is either settling scores with one's rival or to obtain the woman's share in the family property.
Another purpose of this tradition is to keep the centuries- old societal status quo intact. This tradition is a form of intimidation for women. It is a social lever for all those who dare to defy the system. The traditionalists know that woman can be the biggest and the most effective agent for social change. Honour killing serves to deter this in a tribal society fearful of any change.
It is most disturbing to know that in this age of science and technology, people still practise this heinous crime and roam free.
FAUZIA WAHAB
MNA & Coordinator, Human Rights Cell, PPP, Karachi
'Donors need to confirm'
I am a regular donor. After seeing a number of billboards, I rang up one organization. I am sorry to say that I was highly disappointed. They had no convincing evidence of any welfare activity, though they are registered by the Sindh social welfare department.
I am afraid the department does not properly check organizations before and after their registration. This is why too many organizations have been registered. It seems this number is increasing. I regret to say that the expression "social welfare" has become a business. Many organizations are misusing this facility.
Through these columns I can only request the donors to ascertain their performance and audit reports before donating money.
It is about time the government took steps to end this exploitation by the so-called welfare organizations. It should make a thorough inquiry before registering any organization, and after that the social welfare department should follow their activities.
S. AHMED
Karachi
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Kashmir - possible options
President Musharraf has initiated a debate on Kashmir and identified seven regions with cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic characteristics that can be arranged in various combinations for formulating options. This classification has aroused some fear among Kashmiris who feel that such an approach may lead to a division of the state, which is not a favoured option with them. The dominant popular sentiment of the majority as reported by our media is of a "unified independent Kashmir".
The initial response to Musharraf's proposal in Kashmir is therefore mixed. India has cold shouldered the proposal. It feels such a proposal should come through formal diplomatic channels and not through the media. On plebiscite, it feels the UN resolutions are outdated.
While considering possible options, the will of the people of Kashmir is of paramount importance and has to be kept in sharp focus. They have made enormous sacrifices, are wide awake now and are not willing to be taken for granted.
A few possible options that may be considered are: (a) a plebiscite, (b) the LoC as a permanent border, (c) Musharraf's proposal, (d) an independent Kashmir and (e) a condominium.
Of these, a plebiscite is not acceptable to India, and the LoC is a non-option both for Pakistan and Kashmiris. Of the remaining three options, reaction to the Musharraf proposal is muted as its implications are not clear at this stage. In the absence of a hypothetical model, a detailed evaluation is not possible. In any case, people of Kashmir are averse to the idea of division and so is India.
The two feasible alternatives left are: independent Kashmir and a loose condominium. Media reports from Kashmir point towards the former as the overriding priority of the majority who are prepared to make even more sacrifices to attain it. This demand is gathering momentum and has the potential of developing into a powerful movement. India is against it and may suppress it. Condominium is only conceptual at this stage and needs to be studied more thoroughly by Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris. This option envisages a loose arrangement granting maximum autonomy to Kashmir, reviving its old political system, constitution and prime minister. Revival should be preceded by simultaneous demilitarization of the state and ridding it of militancy, softening of travel restrictions across the LoC and, finally, an accord between India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir to determine the extent of say each will have in the affairs of the state.
This option may emerge as the most palatable one to all the stakeholders in the long run. The proposal, however, needs dispassionate evaluation.
President Musharraf has initiated the debate with good intentions. Political parties and critics should appreciate the underlying concept and support the move. No one is giving up anything or abandoning any stand at all at this stage.
It is surprising the proposal has neither been discussed by the National Assembly nor the Senate in their current sessions. Even now it is not too late and a special session may be convened for this. The proposal should also be discussed in the Azad Kashmir Assembly.
LT-GEN (retd) S.M.H. BOKHARI
Rawalpindi
Sheikh Zayed
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who had been guiding the progress of the United Arab Emirates as its president since it was founded in 1971, died last Tuesday. He was the ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1966 and played a major role in the conceiving of the concept of the federation. He used to dress simply and was a man of action and resolution. He had a sure touch with the Bedouins.
He enjoyed and deserved the confidence of his fellow rulers and citizens alike. since the UAE was established, it has successfully passed through a transformation from a backward country to one of the fastest developing countries in the world, and has done so without the accompanying social, political and economic disruption that has marred the development process in so many other countries.
PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
Pakistan and Bush's re-election
Many a question arises in the wake of George W. Bush's re-election as president of the United States. Will the world dwell in anarchy and war or will it be a better place? The history of the last two Bush regimes shows us that it is more likely to be tumultuous.
It is the need of the hour that our nation acts wisely and warily in the aftermath of Bush's victory. It's lamentable that a fugitive like Osama Bin Laden is a hero in the eyes of Pakistanis, but Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam is not given a modicum of respect because of his religious disposition.
Sectarianism, ethno-centrism, nationalism and other superficial issues dominate our lives while the so-called infidels are engrossed in research and development. No wonder the US and Israel shared all Nobel prizes in science this year.
Muslims need to rise to the occasion and unite as they cannot survive by swimming against the tide. We gain nothing by denying the reality that America is the most powerful country in today's world. Otherwise, forces which are trying to defame Islam and its followers will be calling the shots. Jews, Hindus and Christians would like to see Muslim regimes crumble one after another in the manner the Ottoman Empire did after the First World War.
MISBAH NOMANI
Karachi
Protesters' detention
In his letter "War protesters' detention" (Nov 6), Mr Muhammad Riaz writes that "last month in Washington more than 250,000 took part in a protest rally. But on Oct 29 when a religious group planned protest rallies in some big cities of Pakistan, the organizers were arrested before the protest rallies could be taken out."
This highlights the difference between a democratic set-up and the one that isn't but claims to be.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY, USA
The neo-cons' win
Conservatism, extremism and militancy have won the election in America. It will not be out of place to say that an American version of our MMA has carried the day. But as the same poles repel each other and opposites attract, this phenomenon is likely to occur not only in our country but all over the globe.
After all, humanity at the present stage of its evolution is already late in deciding which way to go.
RASHID QAISRANI
Lahore
Undermining Iraq's cause
This refers to Mr Rafiq Ahmed Siddiqui's letter "Undermining Iraq's case" (Nov 1).
According to an independent study carried by the Lancet magazine, the Iraq war has killed at least 100,000 Iraqis.
Mrs Margaret Hassan's fate as it stands is painful to read about, but then what about the 100,000 Iraqis? Iraq's cause was undermined as soon as the country was invaded, and the reality is that the source of the problem lies not with the militants but with those who invaded it.
SOHAIB SANDHU
Surrey, UK
Extending help to Nepal
The criticism of Raja Zafarul Haq (Dawn, Nov 4) of the prime minister for offering training facilities to Nepalese security forces is unwarranted and uncalled for. India desires that its immediate neighbouring countries should always be in turmoil. To defeat India in its nefarious designs, if Pakistan extends support, it will be in the fitness of things.
KHURSHID HUSSAIN
Scarborough, ON., Canada
Need for a flyover
There is great traffic rush at the intersection on Karachi's Randle Road and Garden Road. On one side is Makki Masjid and on the other Anklesaria Nursing Home. It is difficult for pedestrians to cross the road. Traffic policemen and signals are insufficient.
The city government should build either an underpass or an overhead bridge there.
DR ZIA-UL-HASAN
Karachi
Sacred duty?
I always wonder why our government servants or VIPs need a dedicated person (driver or peon) to carry their briefcase. Can anyone explain the logic?
PROF (DR) IRFAN ZAFAR
Islamabad
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