| 25 January 2005 | Tuesday | 14 Zilhaj 1425 |
'Bush-Rice confessions'
Divisions within a nation
The status of Kashmir state
Indus Waters Treaty
Car prices and delivery periods
American foreign policy
What breeds corruption
The spirit of sacrifice
Unrest in Sibi
Poverty and arms race
Domestic cricket
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This is with reference to the letter "GRE for PhD candidates" (Jan 21) by Mr Amin Naim regarding the Higher Education Commission's (HEC) decision to make GRE mandatory for admission to PhD programmes run by Pakistani universities.
Readers of the letter might get the impression that the decision was taken on the "recommendation put forward in two excellent articles by Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy".
The articles (Jan 3-4) were not the first time Dr Hoodbhoy and many others raised the issue and made that and other recommendations to the decision-makers in the country's education sector.
It will, however, be a bit depressing to know if this indeed was the reason behind the HEC's decision: why cannot the HEC invite Dr Hoodbhoy and others, perhaps with different points of view, to actually participate in shaping the future policy for higher education? Why is it that newspaper articles or informal contact with scholars are the only means available to the government for making such policy decisions? And, if there are real scholars and domain experts (preferably on the HEC's payroll) behind these decisions, why do we not hear about them and their recommendations in the form of some white papers and/or feasibility reports? We have definitely heard, at least in one instance, of a scholar losing his government consulting job for speaking his mind out on the subject.
There is need for a professional approach to problem solving and system development. People in the administration must understand that the problems require domain expertise, an appreciation for dissent, an unbiased analysis of the situation, evaluation of multiple alternative solutions, a clear strategy for implementing solution(s), and mechanisms for monitoring the progress, again by the domain experts, in order to initiate a process of education reform. One five- or 10-year static plan is not going to fix anything.
The GRE requirement may not be the (only) answer to the problem. I am sure people who "discover the art of publishing in research journals without doing research" can also learn the art of taking standardized tests of any kind that are thrown at them.
ABBAS ZAIDI
Fairfax, VA., USA
'Bush-Rice confessions'
This refers to the editorial "Bush-Rice confessions" (Jan 21). At the inaugural ceremony of his second term, which, according to an estimate, cost $40 million, and its concurrent events and happenings around the US, President Bush made further promises for spreading "freedom in the darkest places of the world".
On a TV show, a presidential historian made a joke about President Bush's second-term ceremony. He referred back to in the days of the Vietnam war when secret service agents, with help of other agencies, used to throw itching powder from helicopters on people protesting and holding banners and placards to disrupt their protest. This is expected again.
The president admitted that his policies had added to the already established hatred against the West and strengthened Muslim extremism, and that attacking Iraq was a 'mistake'.
Isn't it ironic that a president and commander-in-chief of the US armed forces makes a "mistake" of this magnitude and still manages to be re-elected for another four years to make more mistakes?
Ms Condoleezza Rice's acceptance that the US was unprepared to attack Iraq when it went ahead with this step and that the US did not have "the right skills" for dealing with the post-war situation is really implausible.
Weapons of mass destruction? No comment. The US government hoodwinked its own people and the rest of the world, with the connivance of the UK. WMDs were bound never to be found, and they knew it in the first place. Messing up with intelligence data is no problem for regimes like these.
While the Iraqi people are still paying the price nearly two years after the invasion, chaos is expected. The UN should come forward and try to take the situation under its control and then bring about a democratic change and groom a fresh leadership from within Iraq.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, AB., Canada
Divisions within a nation
This refers to the letter "Why we are divided" (Dawn, Jan 18), by Syed A. Mateen. While most of his observations are true, some of the points raised are debatable. The division of a nation into factions holding different beliefs is not retrogressive in itself.
The current partisan divide within the US is a prime example. Republicans and Democrats practice cut throat politics, but the basic tenets of democracy, including respect for election rules and the will of the people are generally observed across the board.
This has led to an overall successful system of governance. The same goes for democracies all over the world. In Pakistan, unfortunately, and to a large extent due to the military's repeated incursions into politics, the development of institutions (parliament, judiciary, etc) that can support a viable and lasting system has been lacking.
Strong institutions, even groups with widely different views, can work towards mutual goals through political discourse. One often hears this argument justifying military rule - "What have political parties given to the nation?" Well, what has the military given to the nation? Politicians can claim (as they do with some justification) that when in power they are hampered by the powerful military, causing them to fail. What excuse did the past omnipotent military rulers have for their failure?
Gen Musharraf's mistakes will similarly come to light when the long-term results of his dictatorial policies become evident (which they will). Musharraf can do a lot to help the country.
He can leave politics to the politicians; let them strengthen institutions so that the will of the people can be followed through the vote. He can (through personal example) encourage the military to demonstrate professionalism and dignity by sticking only to its vocation. Unfortunately, if he is anything like his predecessors, this may be too much to ask for.
MUBASHIR KHAN
Indianapolis, USA
The status of Kashmir state
Mr Sanjay Saxena's brotherly letter (Jan 19) will be very much appreciated in Pakistan, except for one thorn in Pakistani hearts that he has failed to remove. Public opinion in a democracy like India could play a powerful role in moulding political thinking in India vis-a-vis Kashmir.
Mr Saxena writes: "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."
His presumption that Kashmir is one of the states of India hits Pakistanis like a bolt. India has no right to claim Jammu and Kashmir despite all the juggleries of Mr Nehru during 1946 and 1947 to lay claim to Kashmir.
In the process of political dishonesty, Radcliffe even took away the Pakistani land of Gurdaspur district to provide Indian military access to Jammu and Kashmir. In brotherly love, could Indians not part with a land that does not belong to them?
Pakistan and India, working together in brotherly love and affection, could emerge as a new superpower in the coming decades. Having killed 90,000 innocent Kashmiris, would the Indians' conscience not prick them to peacefully vacate Jammu and Kashmir?
I am looking forward towards brighter days when our Indian brothers would come out on the streets of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kanpur, Hyderabad and Madras and shout forcefully: "Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan ka hai, haqdar ko haq lotao" (Jammu and Kashmir belongs to Pakistan, return the land to whom it belongs).
HUMAYUN ZAFAR
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 was wrong. It was a sell-out by the military dictator Ayub Khan. The people of Pakistan had no role in it - especially the people of Sindh and the Seraiki belt. They were not even consulted before reaching the treaty was signed. It is they who have suffered the most as a result of the blunder.
The 1945 water agreement - the only non-controversial Sindh-Punjab water agreement - gave the lower riparian province of Sindh 75 per cent share in the Indus waters and 25 per cent share in the waters of the other rivers in the Indus River System that included the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej, the rivers given away to India.
A province having such a great stake in Indus River System waters didn't have a single representative in the Pakistani team that held negotiations with India for six to seven years prior to signing the 1960 treaty.
It was against all norms of law to reach a major treaty that affected the economy of a great number of people without making them a party to the negotiations.
Now that a number of water and legal experts in India are calling for re-opening and re-negotiating the Indus Waters Treaty (Dawn, Jan 20) and when India is accused of violating the treaty, Pakistan should demand the three rivers back. The people of Sindh and the Siraiki belt should have a prominent role in any decisions on this grave issue.
AZIZ NAREJO
Via email
Car prices and delivery periods
This refers to the letters by Capt (retd) Ghulam Shabir and Mr Mumtaz Piracha (Jan 12) on the issue of car prices and their delivery periods. As an industry analyst I would like to share my views on the subject.
Car demand has risen exponentially over the last two years mainly due to good macroeconomic management and a sharp decrease in interest rates. This sudden upsurge was not anticipated by car manufacturers, thus creating a supply-demand gap, as an increase in production capacity requires heavy investment and technology transfer.
Taking advantage of this gap between supply and demand, some investors and resellers of cars started booking more than one car for sale on 'premium' to customers who were not willing to wait for delivery. This further aggravated the situation.
The situation now is such that all manufacturers are on a crash programme to increase production capacity. In the last two years Pak Suzuki has increased its production capacity from 50,000 to 90,000; Indus Motors has increased its capacity from 18,000 to 37,000; Honda has increased capacity from 15,000 to 30,000; Dewan Motors has also announced plans to go into double shift and increase its capacity later.
Although the government of Pakistan has recently liberalized import of new and used cars, the situation has still not changed much as even the prices of imported cars have been increased and premiums are being charged on them. Similarly, car manufacturers are taking measures to discourage non-genuine customers. One company in particular has taken several measures, which include:
- Detailed scrutiny of booking forms, customer details and NIC copies.
- Only one vehicle against one NIC.
- Only new NIC is accepted.
- NTN number, bills, etc., to match the NIC address as secondary evidence.
- Compulsory registration in the name of the NIC holder.
- Payment draft must carry the name of the NIC holder.
- Mystery buyer surveys.
The automobile industry has given several suggestions to the government to discourage investors. These include development of a long-term and consistent policy to further encourage investment in this sector so that production capacities can increase, this being the only long-term solution to delivery problems and premiums.
Also a legal framework and its transparent administration have to be provided by the government to stop middlemen from reselling cars. Car manufacturers, the government and consumers are all stakeholders in the automobile industry as it is a major source of revenue, employment, investment, import substitution and technology transfer. They need to realize their responsibility and fulfil it.
Car manufacturers on their part should make further expansion in capacities, the government should provide a conducive business environment and long-term stable policies, and consumers should insist on buying cars only at the official retail sales prices announced by the manufacturers.
If all stakeholders make a concerted effort, there is no reason why locally manufactured cars matching global quality standards cannot be available to consumers at competitive prices without long delivery periods.
HISAMUDDIN RUSTAM
Karachi
American foreign policy
President Bush's inaugural speech sounds like a warning to autocratic rulers, particularly in the Muslim world. With some semblance of democracy in Afghanistan, Palestine and now Iraq and with a change of heart in Libya, it appears Bush feels rejuvenated and ready to use the political capital that he claims to have accumulated.
US foreign policy has typically had dual standards, a different set of rules for autocratic friends vs autocratic foes. This may have helped the US in the short term but has seriously hurt its credibility over the last many years.
9/11 with its perceived US vulnerability, the pledge to fight an indefinite war against terror, a friendly government in Afghanistan, the removal of Saddam, the humbling of Gaddafi, the death of Arafat, the re election of Bush and a stronger hold on both houses of Congress by the Republicans - all this should raise concern in many parts of the world, including Pakistan.
One gets the impression that everyone at our foreign office believes that Pakistan is not vulnerable (for now), and I am sure this is being conveyed to the presidency, but every day one sees US senators on TV and in the press showing concern about Pakistan's nuclear status and how a device could find its way into the wrong hands.
I think the presidency needs to consider how long Bush can resist such pressure and why it is in the interest of Pakistan for the world to see real power in the Prime Minister's House.
NADEEM ZAFAR
Memphis, USA
What breeds corruption
In Pakistan, as long as the government does not get to the root cause of corruption, it will never be able to weed it out, no matter how hard it tries. The people of Pakistan are generally not corrupt by nature but their morals tend to get corrupted under circumstances that breed corruption.
A typical government employee earns at most anything between Rs7,000-15,000 a month. But the cost of educating his children, utility bills, expenses on groceries, etc., exceed his income. Hence, in order to meet the deficit, he has no choice but to turn to corruption.
To end corruption completely the government would have to increase the salaries of all government employees to a level where current inflation does not affect their living conditions. Also it would need to provide cheap or free education as well as medical and health facilities to the public.
This will cost the government a lot of money in the first few years, but most certainly it will help end corruption. Also, the government can create a database for tax collection and collect taxes at source.
SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER
Peshawar
The spirit of sacrifice
The tendency of showing off is gradually dominating the spirit of sacrifice on Eidul Azha. How else would anyone explain buying a goat for around Rs50,000? The amount spent for buying animals for sacrifice could be given directly to the needy. That would serve as a better gift than a little meat.
The poor nowadays have way more to worry about than just their food - rent for their dwelling, education for their children, clothing, etc. A change in perspective may also bring down the high prices of animals bought for Eidul Azha.
JIBRAN SARFRAZ
Faisalabad
Unrest in Sibi
The inclusion of Lehri in Sibi district has caused unrest amongst the local population. It is pertinent to note that Lehri was not a part of Sibi when former governor Amirul Mulk Mengal abolished four districts.
But when the current provincial government cancelled the action on the directives of former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali, it was included in Sibi district. More than 250 people who demonstrated at the Sibi Festival were arrested and had to celebrate Eid behind bars.
I wonder why the government does not take the people into confidence prior to making decisions. It is hoped that the issue will be amicably resolved and the detainees immediately released.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
Poverty and arms race
Answering a question during a recent interview with The Toronto Star, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the problems of mass poverty could not be solved overnight.
He said: "What they (poor countries) need to ensure is that they have effective strategies working on the ground and at the grassroots level to deliver some of the basic social services."
Of India's nearly 1.07 billion inhabitants, an estimated 400 million are below the poverty line, and 75 per cent of them live in the rural areas. On the other hand, of the world's 100 most rich and influential people of the year 2004, three belong to India and one of them, the Wipro chairman, is reputedly the world's fourth richest man.
The fact is that India is throwing away billions in taxpayers' money to acquire sophisticated weapons systems and test-launch missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads up to 1,560 miles and forcing its immediate neighbour Pakistan into an arms race.
Acquiring sophisticated armaments at enormous cost from Russia, Israel and western markets and indigenous production of weapons of mass destruction by India and Pakistan will neither lessen hunger nor quench the thirst of their impoverished populations. Both countries must stop spending taxpayers' money on amassing destructive toys and use it for the provision of basic social services.
LT-COL (retd) SYED AHMED
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Domestic cricket
Last week I went to watch a domestic one-day cricket match between Karachi Dolphins and Multan Tigers at the National Cricket stadium, Karachi. Surprisingly there was no announcement banner/signboard outside the stadium through which one could come to know about the ongoing match.
All except the 'Players' and 'Javed Miandad' enclosures were closed, due to the absence of a ticket checker. It became quite difficult for people to know about the status of the 'lucky draw'.
Neither the electronic nor manual scoreboard were working. Due to poor administration some of the people came for the first half but left early. After the conclusion of the 'Man of the match award' ceremony, one of the officials refused to conduct the 'lucky draw' contest for this particular match, but gave in after pressure from some attendants.
The idea of revitalizing domestic cricket in Pakistan is excellent and much needed, but so far proper marketing and administration are lacking. On the whole, it was an embarrassing experience.
MANSOOR A. KHAN
Karachi
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