| 19 January 2005 | Wednesday | 08 Zilhaj 1425 |
The mullah-military nexus
TV episode
Judges' salaries
Indian films
Future cricket team
A form of child labour?
Thatcher and Lynne Cheney
Controversy over F16s
Wastage of uplift funds
The Eighth Amendment
'Changing attitudes'
Support to rape victims
PIA schedule change
Religion column
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I write with reference to Mr Kunwar Khalid Yunus's letter "Two-nation theory" (Jan 11). He naively inquires why we cannot bring back the 200,000 Pakistanis from Bangladesh but are ready to accommodate millions of Afghans in Pakistan.
The so-called sympathizers of "stranded Pakistanis" always make this issue very simple whereas in fact it is extremely divisive. The Bihari population is around half a million and not 200,000 as he has mentioned.
The only reason people like Mr Yunus support the Bihari issue is the desire to increase the numerical strength of Urdu-speakers for elections. Bangladesh is a Muslim country and people are as much Muslim as us. Why is that Biharis refused to become a part of them?
As to Afghan refugees, no doubt Afghan refugees came, but this has not been beneficial. Pakistan has suffered heavily. Apart from that, there has been cultural and linguistic ties and human movement between the areas constituting Afghanistan and Pakistan for centuries.
We do not come across such cultural and linguistic similarities or cross-border interaction between Biharis and rest of Pakistan. A new generation of Biharis has grown up that knows nothing of Pakistan or even its national language, Urdu.
KHALID MAHMUD
Atlanta, GA., USA
(II)
This refers to the letter "Two-nation theory" by Mr Kunwar Khalid Yunus (Jan 11). It is true that partition was a traumatic experience for all communities of the subcontinent. But after over 57 odd years there is no point in discussing its merits and demerits.
It is a fait accompli and we have to live with it. India and Pakistan have existed independent of each other and formed their distinct national and cultural identities. All this cannot be undone now.
The task ahead is to undo the acrimony that has resulted between two countries after partition. The disputes are to be resolved by understanding each other's emotions, sentiments and difficulties. If the Indians are not willing to part with one of their states, whatever its legal position may be, then their sentiments should be respected.
Practical solutions to problems that can satisfy all must be found. The task should not be left to governments; rather, it is to be found by people, intellectuals and philosophers. After all, it is our future which is at stake. Governments may come and go but we, the people, shall always remain.
SANJAY SAXENA
Dehradun, India
The mullah-military nexus
This is apropos of Maulana Fazlur Rahman's speech on the role of religio-political parties in peace and development at a seminar held at the Peshawar Press Club (Dawn, Jan 10).
After achieving independence, Pakistan faced numerous problems; such as economic problems, delay in the preparation of the Constitution, refugees, the Kashmir dispute, division of assets as well as administrative problems. The death of the Quaid-i-Azam left a leadership vacuum which was filled by a strong civil bureaucracy and an organized military force.
Religio-political parties were engrossed in their own restructuring. General Ziaul Haq introduced significant changes in the 1973 Constitution, and after establishing the Shariat court, added numerous Islamic provisions to the existing laws with the support of religious parties. Shariat court judges were appointed by the general himself, so he could issue decrees and commands.
One would not be wrong in believing that when it was President Pervez Musharraf's turn, the MMA helped him strengthen his position as president and COAS, enabling the general to legitimately endorse the 17th Amendment and thus paving the way for the establishment of the National Security Council.
If the military is accused of interfering in the democratic system of our country, the religio-political parties can definitely be held responsible for smoothing its way. How can we then - the hapless people of Pakistan - justify Maulana Fazlur Rehman's speech on the role of religio-political parties in peace and development?
SAMAR HUSSAIN QADRI
Karachi
TV episode
This has reference to the Sunday, Jan 9 episode of PTV weekly musical Duniya Meri Jawan Hai in which several erroneous claims were made. The film "Aath Din" was not produced by Malika Pukhraj as was claimed in that episode.
It was produced under the banner of Filmistan Limited in which several literati of those days enacted different roles. They were playwright Saadat Hasan Manto (who also wrote its script), poet Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and short story writer and critic Opendar Nath Ashk.
If my memory has not failed me, the late Malika Pukhraj produced four films from Bombay - Kajil, Dak Bangla, Chaar Din and Jag Beeti. Another wrong assertion was made about the film Zeenat.
The presenter claimed that qawwali was introduced for the first time in that film by Shaukat Husain Rizvi. The fact is that in the film Zeenat it was for the first time that a female trio sang a qawwali. Earlier, only male singers had sung qawwalis for films.
The female trio which rendered the qawwali comprised Noor Jehan, Zohra Ambalewali and Kalyani. Playback singer Amirbai Karnatki (one time singing actress) did not lend her voice to that qawwali.
Hafeez Khan, composer of the film Zeenat was not 'an unknown music director' as claimed. When he provided music to the songs (including qawwali) for the film Zeenat he had already established his credentials as a composer.
The blockbusters for which he composed scores (jointly with Mir Sahib and Rafique Ghazanvi) among other movies included Sohrab Modi's Pukar and Sikander. He was called Khan Sahib instead of Hafeez Khan.
SAEED MALIK
Lahore
Judges' salaries
One thing that both the Labour Party and the Conservatives in the United Kingdom always agree upon is that the independence of the judiciary must be upheld. And to ensure this, judges in the high courts and above are paid higher salaries than any civil servant or minister in the UK.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) gave our government $350 million for the 'Access to Justice' programme which is meant for improving the judiciary in almost every way possible - through classes, seminars and workshops.
This is a good idea as far as the judges of the lower courts are concerned. For the Supreme Court and the high courts this money should be used to pay better salaries to their judges.
It was learnt that Lord Chief Justice Woolf, who recently announced his retirement, was drawing a salary of 240,000 pounds a year. In our terms, it translates into over two million rupees a month which is about 22 times the amount of money our judges earn.
The first step to maintaining quality justice and independence of the judiciary in our higher courts is higher salaries for the judges. This is not just to prevent temptation but also so that our judges can lead comfortable lives which will in turn solicit better quality work from them.
Low salary should cease to be the reason why many intelligent and honest lawyers do not want to be judges.
HYDER ALI KHAN
Islamabad
Indian films
Dawn's New Delhi correspondent has reported that President Pervez Musharraf has been presented with a copy of the Indian film Mughal-i-Azam. The film produced by the late K. Asif was acclaimed as one of the greatest films made in India.
Unfortunately the film has not been shown in Pakistani cinemas because of a ban on screening Indian films. Paradoxically, Dilip Kumar, the legendary hero of Mughal-i-Azam was decorated with the highest national award, the "Nishan-i-Imtiaz".
The decision to ban Indian films had disastrous effects on the Pakistani cinema. Indian films had provided popular entertainment to millions of cinemagoers. The Pakistani audiences were denied a view of their matinee idols on the screen. Their interest in the cinema waned and this led to the closure of many a cinema hall.
Our decision-makers lost sight of the fact that Indian films have kept Urdu alive among the common man in India. The Indian film industry has been a source of livelihood for a large number of Urdu poets, storywriters, artists, directors, etc. Indian films would not only revive Pakistan's cinemas but also give an impetus to our film industry by opening up a vast Indian market.
SYED AFZAAL HUSAIN ZAIDI
Islamabad
Future cricket team
Only those who demonstrated supreme skill, fighting spirits, and exuded energy and enthusiasm in the Pakistan-Australia Test series should form the nucleus of the future Pakistan cricket team.
Danish Kaneria, in the company of Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Aasim Kamal and Mohammed Asif, stands tall and is a role model for the failing and falling seniors to emulate.
The PCB should pick one or two players from these youngsters and groom them fast for captaincy which, at present, is not in the best hands. Appointing youth in leadership should not scare the Pakistan selectors if they keep in mind South African Smith at the age of 22 replacing the great Polka as captain.
ILYAS ANWAR
Islamabad
A form of child labour?
I would like to bring to everyone's attention the fact that children are being made to endure physical and mental hardships by society. They are made to carry inordinately heavy schoolbags and mental burden in the shape of unrealistic pressures in schools.
This is a form of child labour as the children do what they are told. Please treat children as children and not as beasts of burden. They have a right to enjoy their childhood and grow freely.
SWALIHA HASSAN
Karachi
Thatcher and Lynne Cheney
Years ago, British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, during a state visit to Saudi Arabia wore an awkward, long and thick dress that looked more like an overcoat. The sight of her being covered in this manner, in the desert heat, coupled with a semblance of a headscarf to which she did not look accustomed, made her look outrageously silly.
It sent an uncomfortable signal (from freedom lovers' point of view) that even the Iron Lady had to surrender to the norms of the men of Saudi Arabia. Contrast this with the December 2004 visit to Afghanistan by Lynne Cheney who accompanied her husband, the vice-president of the United States, to the ceremony in which Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai took the oath of his office.
One saw her on TV, seated next to her husband and in the midst of some of the world's most rigid men, without any symbol of hypocrisy, appeasement and enslavement on her elegant personality.
If a woman of her own free will (and no other factor) wants to wear a headscarf, I would scream for her right to do so. I condemn the Turkish law that forbids female government employees to wear a headscarf while at work.
Likewise, I condemn the French law that prohibits female students to wear a similar garment while attending classes at French public schools. Even in America, from New York City to a small town like Elizabeth town, Kentucky, some Muslim women are under terrible social pressure not just from men but also from fanatical Muslim women to dress up excessively.
For those who cherish freedom, it is disturbing to see women being forced to relinquish their freedom, self-esteem and dignity in this manner.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY., USA
Controversy over F16s
US Congressman Frank Pallone issued a statement in New Delhi, saying that F16s would be used against India (Dawn, Jan 16). Reportedly, the Indian Air Force is equipped with large numbers of fighter jets that are more capable than the F-16, especially the Russian SU-30 MKI.
India also has highly superior military aircraft, such as the Russian Mig-29 and SU-27, and French Mirage 2000, the British Jaguars and Sea Harriers, which are comparable with the F-16.
Being added to the Indian arsenal are sophisticated Phalcon AWACS from Israel that use American technology and British Hawk fighter-bombers. India is now focusing on American weapons system such as the Patriot missile.
What is India going to do with all these toys - display them on national days? Pakistan will do just the same; there is no cause for concern. Better still, both India and Pakistan, and for that matter the West and the East, should stop wasting resources on weapons and use the money for the betterment of mankind. 'Bring in the light, and the evil goes out in a moment.'
LT-COL (retd) SYED AHMED
Ontario, Canada
Wastage of uplift funds
The Lahore Development Authority/city government has spent public money on carpeting and improving a section of the road at Hussain Chowk and Firdous Market.
One lane has been occupied by construction material of an under construction building for which the officials concerned must be on the take to turn a blind eye, and the left-turn slip on the Firdous Market crossing is under water from a leaking underground water main which has destroyed the road.
Who is responsible for the waste of taxpayers' money? Will NAB take action against apathetic public officials who are not doing their duty?
AHMED RASHID VINE
Lahore
The Eighth Amendment
Mr Anwar Syed's column (Jan 9) has offered details of various clauses of the 1973 Constitution as amended from time to time under duress of military dictators. According to basic justice, anything done under duress of any kind is not worthy of judicial recognition.
The question, therefore, arises, can such amendments ultimately survive an independent judicial scrutiny, as and when such a situation arises? The writer has, however, not commented on the legality of the Constitution itself, which was adopted by only half the assembly, elected in 1970, without a fresh poll, after the country was dismembered in 1971.
SYED MOHSIN RIZVI
Karachi
'Changing attitudes'
Dawn's editorial "Changing attitudes" (Jan 6) must have jolted our political leaders. Politics in our country is the highest paying vocation, free of hassle, stress or hard intelligent effort. To enter into politics no formal education is necessary. A feudal seminary or establishment support can be enough.
However, if one is academically qualified, particularly with foreign degrees, it adds to feathers of one's cap in the eyes the poor masses. Our third successive generation is passing through the suffocating scenario of clan politicians with diminishing hopes of being citizens of a republic.
GHEEWALA A.G.M
Karachi
Support to rape victims
Members of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA) are gravely concerned about the assault and gang rape of a woman physician in Sui, Dera Bugti District. We not only consider it the most heinous crime against a woman physician but also against the entire humanity.
We were further concerned about the lukewarm attitude of the local government officials towards this criminal incident. However, more recently, the appointment of a judicial tribunal by the provincial government is a step in the right direction and we anxiously await the findings of this tribunal.
APPNA members are available and keen to provide any support to our colleague for her rehabilitation and re-integration into society. We urge the government of Pakistan to provide the victim all financial and legal support as well as security, for her to recover from this ordeal.
We also urge the government of Pakistan to ensure adequate security to other women physicians serving in the rural areas of Pakistan.
HUSSAIN MALIK
President, APPNA, Via email
PIA schedule change
I travelled with my mother and three-month old daughter from New York to Karachi by PIA on Dec 8, 2004. I specially chose the direct flight to Karachi because of the short travel time.
I had booked the flight two months prior to departure and re-confirmed it as well, but till the day of the departure I was not told that the flight had been re-routed via Lahore. We were informed of the change at the airport and - please note - without a word of apology.
I would just like to get a few simple explanations. Why were we not informed of this change beforehand? Why was the 'only' direct flight to Karachi chosen to be re routed to Lahore when all other flights during the week go through either Lahore or Islamabad in any case? Were some VIPs or cargo so important that they justified inconveniencing all passengers on board?
And, last of all, why have we not received an explanation from PIA yet, even though two other letters to the editor (Jan 1 and 5) have been printed on the same issue?
AN IRATE PASSENGER
Karachi
Religion column
Those who are crying for retention of the religious column in new passports are well advised to direct their energies towards moral rearmament of their co-religionists till they deserve to be called genuine followers of Islam.
LT-COL (retd) KHALID MAHMOOD
Abbottabad
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