| 23 December 2004 | Thursday | 10 Ziqa'ad 1425 |
What Fata people want
Petroleum, diesel prices
Secularism and democracy
Lata and Asha
BBC and militants
Faisal Mosque restrictions
Religion column
'The lessons of 1971'
Wedding meals
Transport for college
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This refers to the news item "Woolmer puzzled by Pakistan psyche" (Dec 20). The cricket team's dismal batting display, which was not totally unexpected, unfolded and exposed in the starkest manner the claims about coaching, training, approach and fitness of the team when they played the first Test against Australia at Perth.
I fail to understand the puzzlement of coach Bob Woolmer as he is the one endowed upon the responsibility of coaching the team and he is the one taking heavy pay cheques to do that. So we should be the ones who are entitled to be "puzzled" and not him.
We, enthusiastic fans and followers of the game, are extremely disappointed by the weakest of the batting performances from the Pakistani side and cannot straightaway find out and pinpoint the cause of the batting line-up's soft shot selections, especially from veterans who have 40-plus Test experience.
Senior players include Younis Khan who played his 30th Test. Nobody at this point of his career can explain to him how to negotiate a spinning ball from Shane Warne when his team was at 108 for 4. Yousuf Youhana was playing his 54th Test.
How could one tell him, or Abdul Razzaq for that matter who was playing his 31st Test, that playing a ball with the open face of the bat is not advisable in any environment, let alone against the Australian bowling attack?
Glenn McGrath as many other good bowlers did not wave any magic wand to take Pakistani wickets. What Australian bowlers basically do is just follow on one consistent path - pitch the ball within the range of the off-stump and just short of a length and wait and then cheer.
To add insult to injury, this time McGrath and others at some point did not even do that but got their reward nonetheless. I believe Pakistani batsmen tried to overcome this weakness in practice, but still in the major game at Perth they came back to their old habit of trying to reach the ball outside the off-stump.
Pakistan's top and middle order must take lessons from the performance of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami who batted their way out at the end when the last rites had already been read out to the side in the first innings.
Pakistan should bounce back in the second Test at Melbourne, starting from Sunday. And the onus is on senior players to lead the way. Even a defeat with honour can be accepted but at least a fighting spirit should be displayed and not puzzlement.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, AB., Canada
(II)
Messrs Inzmamul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq should stand down to atone for the shame that the team's performance in the Perth Test has brought upon itself and Pakistani cricket lovers.
Performance and performance alone should merit a place in the national team. Isn't it time the selectors at least said they are sorry for their incompetence.
MAHMOOD SAEED
Karachi
What Fata people want
Apropos of the news item "Honorarium likely for members of Fata councils" (Dawn, Dec 21), one fails to understand for how long the government will keep the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas enslaved under the FCR.
Now despite the voice raised by lawyers, human rights organizations, tribesmen and the media against the FCR, the government intends to further hoodwink them in the name of "tribal councils".
One would like to ask: aren't these councils the same as the Malik and Khan system run by the all-powerful political agent, an appointee of the government? Fata inhabitants know best the utility of this system and that of the "tribal councils" which would be serving political agents only instead of the tribesmen.
Another nail in the coffin is the proposed honorarium to be paid to the council members at a total cost of Rs25.4 million annually. In documents of the treasury and planning and development departments of Fata, one would find thousands of schools, uplift projects and so on. But it would be worth asking the planners and policymakers what exactly the need of the Fata people is and how they could be brought into the mainstream life of the country.
A tribesman would certainly say that he wants education and job opportunities in his own area so that he does not have to travel hundreds of miles to the port city of Karachi or go abroad for doing petty jobs to educate his children and earn a livelihood for his family.
The planners should seriously think about the "tribal councils" and the money to be earmarked for giving "honorarium" to the honourable members, and instead plan to establish training institutes in each tribal agency so that those who cannot afford going to school or educate their children could send their offspring to technical centres and make them skilled citizens.
One can easily say that Rs25.4 million would cover to some extent some financial heads of such technical institutes in each of the seven tribal agencies. It is time the government became serious about tapping the natural resources in the tribal areas, which are rich in mineral and gems.
SAFIULLAH GUL
Karachi
Petroleum, diesel prices
In response to Senator Farhatullah Babar's letter "Increase in petroleum, diesel prices" (Dec 19), we would like to clarify the mechanism of the fortnightly price review.
The prices of petroleum products - motor spirit, HOBC, kerosene and LDO - are determined by the Oil Companies' Advisory Committee (Ocac) through a formula agreed upon by the ECC, details of which are then sent to the relevant personnel in the petroleum and finance ministry and the process is audited at the end of the year.
The pricing of HSD, which is a deregulated product, is done independently by oil marketing companies (OMCs), again according to the formula agreed upon by the government of Pakistan. Hence, the question of the companies having "huddled up like a cartel" does not arise.
The margins of the OMCs in the early 1990s were a meagre 0.5 per cent and did not attract any investment. An improvement in the margins, which are however still less than those in the neighbouring region, has resulted in high retail standards at par with those in the international market.
Taxation is and will remain the prerogative of the government and any tax collected on behalf of the government by the oil industry is directly passed on to the government. Thus, we fail to understand how the oil industry has benefited from the imposition of taxes by the government, as stated by the senator.
All over the world, refineries regrade kerosene and diesel according to market requirements, and the diesel available in Pakistan meets the PSI specifications. There is, therefore, no question of its being dumped on OMCs or refineries.
Additionally, since the government put a freeze on local oil prices, the OMCs and refineries have helped the government sustain the POL prices and today the industry is carrying a huge deficit in terms of price differential claims, with significant financial impact on the cash flow of the oil marketing companies.
The fortnightly pricing as announced by Ocac is available on the website www.ocac.org.pk.
ABID SAEED IBRAHIM
Secretary General, Ocac, Karachi
Secularism and democracy
This is in response to Mr Anil Khan Luni's letter "Secularism and democracy" (Dec 18) in which he concludes that "the only way we can have true democracy and a population which is enlightened is by having a secular set-up".
I have come across this same argument on earlier occasions in Dawn and other forums, and every time I feel that it is akin to saying that only frequent rain will make the desert bloom.
Quite indisputable, but unfortunately a desert is a desert in the first place because there is no chance of rain. Pakistan is a nation formed on the basis of a religious identity.
Therefore it has never been nor ever will be a secular state. The only other state similarly defined by religion is Israel, and it displays the same contradiction of a state founded by a secular leadership that is nevertheless compelled to discriminate amongst citizens on the basis of religion.
If any of us cherishes dreams that our country can become secular, I'm afraid they are only deluding themselves. Or else they honestly believe that we are a nation of some 160 million-odd intellectuals. Otherwise how can one expect a nation brought together and motivated by religion to magically metamorphose into a secular entity?
SHEHZAD S. SHAH
Karachi
Lata and Asha
Reference Mr Darius Kakalia's letter (Dec 17), once again I am at a loss to understand why he is so obsessed by the Guinness Book controversy. And why the words 'unmatched' and 'memorable' continue bothering him so much.
Was I writing an essay on Lataji that I should have presented the "flip side" of her personality as well? I just wanted to point out a lapse noticed in Mr Saeed Malik's article and therefore restricted myself to that only.
I would like to reiterate that in my humble opinion, Ashaji (who I am privileged to know personally and am very fond of) is unarguably one of the most accomplished and versatile playback singers in the subcontinent. She is also, according to V. Nerurkar's book Swarasha, the most recorded singer in the world, with over 8,000 songs to her credit.
Having said that I would like to ask Mr Kakalia a simple question. Does he consider Ashaji a better singer than her elder sister solely on the basis of the number of songs she has rendered? Numbers become immaterial when it comes to careers of such great artistes.
To quote an example only two ghazals (out of the eight or nine numbers he was said to have recorded) immortalized Master Madan. Likewise Sharaafat Ali's one solo "Jab tere shehr se guzarta hoon" (Waada) has kept his memory alive even after half a century.
SULTAAN ARSHAD
Karachi
BBC and militants
This is with reference to the letters by Mr Muhammad Abd Al-Hameed (Dec 12) and Mr Asad Siddiqi (Dec 19) on the above subject.
I agree with the main thrust of their letters that the western media (the likes of the BBC, Fox News, CNN, and not the alternate western media which strongly opposes and rebuts these news channels) give a view of Muslims which is exaggerated and prejudiced, but to say that they should know better and understand Islam makes you feel as if we bear no responsibility.
The IRA or Timothy McVeigh never claimed that what they did, they did in the name of Christianity. When our 'leaders' of Islam openly praise the Taliban regime, or when Daniel Pearl, The Wall Street Journal reporter, was brutally murdered because he was a Jew, or when Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda allegedly killed people in the name of Islam, how many sincere efforts were made to rebut all this? How many sincere efforts were made to show the world that this was not what Islam was all about? In these circumstances, what is the western media supposed to do? Under what moral authority can we blame it for not understanding Islam? In a world where actions are louder than words, no one will understand Islam unless we make them understand it.
As regards Mr Siddiqi's reference to Mr Edward Said, let me say something else Mr Said had said: "The gradual disappearance of the extraordinary tradition of Islamic ijtihad has been one of the major cultural disasters of our time, with the result that critical thinking and individual wrestling with the problems of the modern world have simply dropped out of sight. Orthodoxy and dogma rule instead."
KHURRAM HANEEF
New Jersey, USA
(II)
Most of the people who have complained of the BBC's attitude towards Muslims fail to understand that it is an instrument of British and western policy. That is why, for example, it dwells only on certain aspects of the crisis in Darfur and never mentions the occupation of a quarter of Muslim Azerbaijan by Christian Armenia that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children and the eviction of more than a million Muslims from their homes.
This is also why the killing, rape and torture of Kashmiris by the Indian army does not bother its conscience, and that also is the reason why the frightful human rights situation in Chechnya has dropped from its radar screen.
The BBC, CNN, Fox News, etc., do not exist for the benefit of the natives, least of all Muslims. Regardless of any claims to the contrary, Muslims have been designated as the new enemy of the West.
It seems to be the job the western media to demonize them in the eyes of the world, even Muslims themselves. Truth, honesty, justice, fair play, objectivity, etc., are journalistic myths. People who believe in them must also believe in fairy tales.
PARSHOTAM DAS TANDON
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Faisal Mosque restrictions
Last Friday I took two European Muslim guests to show them round the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. It proved to be a most embarrassing experience. We arrived just after the end of the Friday prayers, which I thought would be a good time. But as soon as we reached the mosque gates through which the worshippers were being ushered out, the security police from within the mosque started pushing us out forcibly and most unceremoniously.
I protested and said I had foreign Muslim guests who wanted to see the mosque and also to offer nafl prayers. The security personnel paid no heed to my protest and just kept pushing us out. When I asked them as to why they were denying us access, they gave no satisfactory answer.
When we made our way out, we found that the shoes of one of the guests, which had been left at a designated place, had been stolen. What was worse was that they were special shoes fitted with an orthopaedic device.
They are impossible to replace in Pakistan. Had the police been deployed to safeguard the property of worshippers rather than for pushing them out of the mosque, perhaps they would have served a better purpose.
I wish to ask the religious ministry whether the police at the Faisal Mosque are authorized to deny entry to worshippers at any time of the day. If yes, does it not contravene our religious freedom and our human rights?
DR SAEED A. DURRANI
Islamabad
Religion column
There is an ongoing debate on a new passport format where the government proposes to drop the column for religion. The Jamaat-i-Islami, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and so many other religious parties are demanding retention of this column.
This column was introduced by Gen Zia's government to discriminate only against the Ahmadis. Other communities like Christians, Sikhs and Hindus have distinct traditional names which are easily recognizable unlike those of Ahmadis.
The issue raised by religious parties that President Musharraf is working on an agenda to convert Pakistan into secular state due to this decision looks to me absurd and ridiculous.
A Pakistani immigration officer can easily recognize through his/her computer console if the passport holder is an Ahmadi, Christian or of any other faith. So one can be barred from going to Saudi Arabia or any other country, depending on the law of that country.
There is no such Pakistani law which prohibits Ahmadis from travelling to Saudi Arabia. If Saudi Arabia wants to bar Ahmadis or any other community and faith group from entering the country, it can itself introduce laws and visa application forms requiring people to detail their religious affiliations.
MIRZA IMRAN AHSAN KARIM
Islamabad
'The lessons of 1971'
Mr Saleem Chaudhry's letter "The lessons of 1971" (Dec 21) is based on a right perception of our society, but wrong knowledge about facts on the ground. The bell has been tied round the neck of the cat.
There is already a movement for organizing the masses to elect their own leaders from their own ranks as an alternative to replacing the existing socio-political set-up. It is making good progress - as good as is possible in the face of hurdles correctly pointed out by Mr Saleem Chaudhry.
MASUD MUFTI
Islamabad
Wedding meals
Numerous letters have appeared in these columns as regards the Supreme Court verdict upholding the ban on wedding meals. Many have welcomed it but a few have called it unfortunate.
I am unable to secure a copy of the judgement. But what I could gather is that the apex court has upheld the ordinance promulgated by President Gen Pervez Musharraf in 1999 and notified in the gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary Part-I, dated April 17, 1999. This ordinance was to remain in force for two years. The period has probably been extended.
Therefore, the Supreme Court on its own has not imposed a ban on wedding meals; it has affirmed that the ordinance is valid and extends to the entire territories of Pakistan.
While reading the ordinance, one sees gross discrimination. It makes clear that the middle and lower strata of people are targeted. The rich having palatial bungalows are free to feast their guests within their premises. This is sheer discrimination and infringement of the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Besides, thousands are rendered jobless. The catering business has suffered greatly. Poultry prices have shot up. I contacted a poultry outlet owner in Clifton, Karachi, who said that because of the restriction on serving food at weddings, poultry farm sales have come down and, therefore, poultry farmers have raised their sale prices to make up for their losses.
I suggest to poultry farmers, caterers and auxiliaries to jointly evolve a strategy and file a petition in the Shariat Court, praying to the court to declare the ordinance null and void.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
Transport for college
Karachi's College of Textile and Polymer Engineering is situated on the road linking Brooks (Godam) Chowrangi and Korangi Crossing in the Korangi Industrial Area. However, no public transport is available to the college from Saddar, Quaidabad or Gulshan-i-lqbal.
As a result, more than 600 students and faculty members are facing an acute problem each day. Many industrial units are located on this stretch of road and women workers and girl students have to cover this distance on foot. I would like to propose to the authorities that:
a. Buses for routes 17-A, 17-D and 17-K and minibus for route S-2 could be directed to include Brooks Chowrangi to Korangi Crossing;
b. The coach service could be told to turn left from Brooks Chowrangi on the way to its terminus at Qayyumabad and return the same way.
ABDUR RASHID JOHAR
Associate Professor, College of Textile & Polymer Engineering, Karachi
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