| 20 February 2005 | Sunday | 10 Muharram 1426 |
'The Merchant of Menace'
Park in Malir river-bed
Stopping citizens on road
Governor at UET
Population growth
A suggestion for PIA
Peshawar Road
Changing times
A Pathan Odyssey
PMDC affairs
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According to a news report, Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has suggested that the proposed gas pipeline linking Iran, Pakistan and India should also be extended to China since the latter two countries will be major buyers of gas due to their rising energy needs (Dawn, Feb 15).
This move would lend political security and urgency to the $4.5 billion project. "We should look beyond a national gas grid. Asian gas industry players should come together to form an Asian gas grid," he said, because the region had 55 per cent (of the world's) gas reserves.
Iranian representatives present at the deliberations lauded the minister's suggestion and said: "The pipeline is required by everybody. All partners need it and this is an assurance for safe delivery."
Interestingly, in an article written nearly four years back, "Gas pipelines to China and India" (Dawn, Encounter; April 28, 2001), this writer had made pretty much the same suggestions, in an attempt to not just address India's security concerns, but also to benefit Pakistan, China and our Middle Eastern friends as well. It should be instructive to reproduce a few parts of that write-up.
It would be in the supreme interest of China (considering the insecurity of shipping these through the Indian ocean via the choke point of the Straits of Malacca) to consider laying oil and gas pipelines from the Middle East via Pakistan on to its western border for further distribution. There could be two channels to bring these into Pakistan, one from Iran and the other from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi/UAE pipelines may cross the Persian Gulf into Iran from the narrowest point around Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE and then continue along the Makran coast.
Pakistan could earn billions of dollars a year from the transit fee, taxes, etc. in addition to which its own supplies could be pumped through these or separate pipelines, thus effecting large savings...
A consortium of China, Pakistan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE could be formed for the implementation of these projects. The advantage for India in this kind of arrangement would be manifold.
One, since China's own pipelines would be traversing Kashmir and thus be relatively vulnerable to any Indian offensive, the Chinese may reinforce the Pakistani guarantees to India by some of their own. Two, the economic interests of the Middle Eastern exporters would ensure that their supplies to India are not disconnected at any stage.
Three, the accumulated goodwill and understanding likely to be created between Pakistan, India and China over time by this collaboration would lead to additional joint ventures, better relations and peace throughout the region. By any account this would be a win-win situation for the 40 per cent of the world's population that resides in the participating countries.
I had also given reasons why India had no need to worry about the security of its gas supplies and had also pointed out the possibility of linking up with the envisaged Turkmen-Pakistani gas pipelines.
It seems that the time for this idea has finally come. The Pakistan government should follow it up because there are huge financial and other dividends in it for all concerned.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
'The Merchant of Menace'
This refers to Bill Powell and Tim McGirk's cover story in Time magazine, Feb 14: In 1967, an American navy ship specializing in electronic eavesdropping was sunk along with all its crew in east Mediterranean by Israeli aircraft on suspicion of spying on Israel.
President Lyndon Johnson dared not penalize Israel because of the fear of what happened to President Kennedy, and also because America considered its relations with Israel much too supreme to put at stake. Hence, Israel was forgiven.
After President Musharraf pardoned Dr A. Q. Khan, there is no valid reason whatsoever for the Americans to look upon him as a "The Merchant of Menace" anymore, particularly when he has literally been completely incapacitated.
Coming to the title concocted by two learned columnists who tried to be rather poetic in the introduction of the article, Albert Einstein is the first physicist on whom the title of "The Merchant of Menace" should be conferred.
The second should be Dr Oppenheimer who was the chief of the Manhattan Project. And the third should be President Harry Truman who ordered the bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in spite of learning that Japan was ready to surrender.
Others who deserve the title are those Americans who leaked nuclear secrets to the Soviet intelligence from time to time. The list can possibly go on forever. Then why is Dr A. Q. Khan, a very important hero of Pakistan which has been America's most faithful ally, being witch-hunted?
JALAL AHMED
Via email
Park in Malir river-bed
Mr Nayyar Iqbal Raza (Park in Malir river-bed, Feb 13) desires to convert the dry river-bed of the Malir river into a man-made forest. He has also reminded us that Karachi Nazim Naimatullah Khan had indicated about a year back that he intended to convert the dry river-bed of the Malir river into a lively park.
The Malir river is, in fact, a hill torrent. Beyond the bridge on the Superhighway across it, it divides into two forks. Each fork has a very steep bed slope. A hill torrent brings flash floods when there is heavy rain in the catchment.
In 1977 the Malir river brought down a super flood with very high velocity which washed away everything which was in the river-bed and also inflicted heavy damage on the population along the river, as well as some damage to Drigh Road PAF base.
Again, in 1978 a similar flood but of lesser intensity was brought down by the river. In 1977, more than 300 persons were washed away one afternoon. The flood was caused by heavy downpour in the upper catchment of the river.
At the time when it was raining in the Malir upper catchment, there was sunshine in Karachi and nobody suspected that such a heavy flood would come down the river. People were taken by surprise and more than 300 persons were washed away and lost their lives. Properties worth millions of rupees were damaged. Oil drums of the refinery were seen floating in the sea.
The Sindh government assigned Wapda to plan flood control scheme for Karachi. Wapda prepared a comprehensive plan, which consisted of three components, namely two dams in the upper catchment, channelling of the Malir river and construction of bypass channel to avoid flooding of populated areas.
Work was carried out by the KDA. Only channelling part of the river was done. The study carried out by Wapda showed that 25,000 to 30,000 cfs flood passed on that fateful afternoon.
An unobstructed bed width of about 2,700 ft. was required to pass this flood safely. Since the bed was encroached upon at several places, the flood stage increased, severely damaging properties around it. It was also concluded that the Malir river has a wet cycle of about 25 to 30 years.
In view of what has been studied and learnt in the past I would like to warn every person concerned with the development of the Malir river that it is very dangerous to play with nature.
The Malir river-bed should not be encroached upon, otherwise floodwater would find different routes to flow down to the sea. Damage in that case would be colossal.
IQTIDAR H. SIDDIQUI
Karachi
Stopping citizens on road
What do you do when a policeman signals you to stop? Some of us stop while others do not. Four boys who did not stop when signalled to do so, while driving at night on Zamzama Blvd in the DHA, Karachi, recently underwent an ordeal as they were fired at by some trigger-happy cops trying to stop them.
Though they eluded the cops, one of the youngsters was hit by bullets. The boys went to the nearest clinic which told them to proceed to a government hospital as this was a bullet case.
The hospital informed the police station which, to cover the firing, lodged an FIR of an armed encounter with criminals who had fired on them, and then came and arrested the boys while the injured one was operated upon.
The Defence Associations Coordination Committee (DACC), when contacted by parents, informed the area police officers that the boys (two were students) belonged to respectable families. The boys did not own a pistol nor knew how to shoot.
The DSP (investigation) assured that justice would be done but the very next day the police took the boys to court and obtained remand. Panic-stricken parents pleaded for justice. The matter was brought to the attention of the DIG (operations) but no relief was provided.
DACC was advised that if the boys were sent to jail as soon as remand was complete, they could languish for an indefinite period awaiting justice. DACC then contacted the CCPO Karachi who after listening to the episode inquired from the DIG (investigations).
DACC appreciates the CCPO's quick understanding of the whole incident that people at times do not stop when signalled by the police but that doesn't make them criminals. Criminals do not fire on the police just like that and then head for government hospitals. In addition when an area residents' association is vouching for them, cognizance must be taken.
DACC and the parents are thankful to the CCPO for providing justice and releasing them. Unfortunately, the boy who suffered bullet wounds died a week later. Although the police prosecutor later submitted to the court that there was no case against the boys, the court had not found time to finish legal proceedings.
If they had been moved to jail, they could have rotted for months until a hearing could be concluded. Everybody can draw his own conclusion but all responsible parents must also think twice before allowing their children unlimited freedom at night.
AZIZ SUHARWARDY
General Secretary DACC, Karach
Governor at UET
Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool visited the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, a week ago. He stayed there for six hours and visited many departments and hostels.
His visit was pre-planned, so each and every corner that was a part of his visit was polished and cleaned. Students had not seen their university so neat and clean before. The areas that were not included in his visit beg attention.
What is the outcome of such VIP visits? If such people are not allowed to see the real condition of the country, how can they understand the problems of the people?
SAAD AHMED
Via email
Population growth
In his letter "Population growth" (Feb 10), Mr Saalim Salam Ansari talks about the necessity to educate the people of Pakistan to adopt a "one-child" policy as in practice in China.
It should be borne in mind that such a drastic population control policy comes with monumental risks for the nation. First of all, the socio-politico-religious factors that affect the success of family planning policies should be considered seriously.
In the absence of unconditional support from local leaders, no politician would venture into a plan that would pit him or her directly against religious/tribal leaders. The pertinent question then becomes, "Who will bell the cat?"
Secondly, the effects of population control and the results vary on a regional basis. In a country such as Pakistan, where several provinces have grievances - whether genuine or perceived - against the largest province over a small and diminishing political space, how will a decrease in population of the smaller provinces affect their political influence on the future course of Pakistan? If anything, it may exacerbate the situation resulting in further alienation and resentment against Punjab, with consequent political fall-out for the nation and the region as a whole.
Thirdly, given society's preference for a male progeny to "further the family name", selective foeticide may become the norm. Such practices are prevalent in rural India where the services of women's clinics by unscrupulous physicians have skewed the sex-ratio of the population unfavourably.
The long-term impact of a fall in the number of girls and young women (in relation to their male counterparts) is not completely understood by these societies. Chances are that any species with a lop-sided sex-ratio will not be viable in the long run.
Finally, while a diminishing population growth is desirable, the current state of the West, especially western Europe, provides for an interesting case study. The increase in the average age of these nations with decreasing youth population has such nations actively looking to "recruit" populations from outside to protect their economic health. Recent articles predict a similar predicament for China whose labour availability is expected to fall steeply when the "one-child" generation enters adulthood.
While there may very well be other drastic impacts on society, family planning and its practice should be considered very seriously by governments and policy makers in the South Asian region.
But, blind devotion to a future super-power and their public policies should not be the reason to enforce them in one's own nation. A more suitable policy for Pakistan could very well be a modified form of the ones in practice in India or Sri Lanka, which rely on awareness creation, women-empowerment, accessible first rate primary healthcare, affordable contraceptives and, most importantly, adult education.
RAVI SIVASANKARAN
Billerica, USA
A suggestion for PIA
This is with reference to the letter from GM (Public Affairs), PIA, Samina Parvez (Dawn, Feb 10), in response to mine, "A suggestion for PIA" (Jan 31). It is heartening to see a prompt response by the representative of our great national carrier. However, ostensibly the circumstances have not been considered in their true spirit, as none of my concerns have been addressed.
1. Plenty of seats were still available on the PK300 on Dec 31, 2004, and the revenue passengers, reporting between 0600-0615 hrs, were denied boarding.
2. Out of the 46 unconfirmed passengers accommodated on the subject flight, most were PIA employees, ie non-revenue passengers who were accommodated 'out-of-the-queue' by the staff.
3. When the counter closes at 0625 hrs, ie 35 minutes before flight time, and the last passenger boards the aircraft at 0657, it should be a matter of concern for the management.
4. There were not many flights being processed at other counters during 0600-0625 hrs on Dec 31, 2004.
5. The GM (Public Affairs) PIA has presumed that even 10 counters may not cater for the unconfirmed passengers. On the contrary, I believe that two to three counters can comfortably process all unconfirmed passengers reporting 45 minutes before flight time. Such presumptions should be avoided. I am sure if the flights are full, more revenue would be generated.
Above all, criticism should be taken in a healthy and positive manner to improve the system and not to defend the staff and organization. If all procedures and measures were considered flawless, the great national carrier would be running into unprecedented profits.
SAFDAR JAH
Karachi
Peshawar Road
I would like to request the chairman of the National Highway Authority to take notice of the big patch on Peshawar Road, Rawalpindi, at the place of newly-built underpass opposite (CNG station).
Many vehicles are damaged every day due to a large portion of the road remaining unmetalled. This is extremely dangerous. This place has been like this for the last two months.
AFZAL KHAN
Rawalpindi
Changing times
In 711 AD, a Muslim general travelled all the way from Iraq to Sindh to punish a culprit. Rogues of Raja Dahir had held some Muslim captives and their honour was at stake.
Today, Muslim generals are trying to save a culprit who has violated the honour of a Muslim lady doctor. What a change!
LUQMAN ALBUQRAQUE
Islamabad
A Pathan Odyssey
My hats off to Mr Aminullah Khan Gandapur (A Pathan Odyssey, Feb 18). He has quoted facts and figures meticulously to put the record straight. The referendum had given victory to Pakistan; Dr Khan had lost his majority in the House; the British Governor - the newly appointed Lock hart in place of the supposedly pro-Muslim Olaf Caroe - sought clarification as to how the Khan ministry should be treated, because there was fear of anarchy when independence came. By keeping quiet, Mount batten wished the Khan ministry to continue.
Yet, in spite of declaring that he would resign if the Muslim League won the referendum, Dr Khan refused to resign. The Khan ministry had lost politically and was bankrupt morally. It had 15 supporters in a house of 39, and the new governor sought instructions from the Pakistan government, which advised dismissal.
Mr Gandapur's knowledge of the era is amazing. His letter has shattered the myth of falsehood surrounding the allegation against Mr Jinnah's action, which was politically and morally justified.
RIZWAN YASSIN
Karachi
PMDC affairs
This refers to Professor Nirmal Das's letter "PMDC's accountability" (Feb 8). The PMDC is a registered body and has no business accrediting institutions in the private or public sector.
Accreditation of institutions, teaching and training protocols should be the responsibility of an independent accreditation body. Likewise, the universities and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) should confine themselves to the certification process and should not be involved in accreditation.
To improve standards of teaching and training in the medical and dental professions, it is vital that each of the three processes associated with professional education, namely accreditation, certification and registration, are the responsibility of independent institutions.
Since accreditations through inspections is a lucrative business, the PMDC, CPSP and the universities are all accrediting private sector institutions enthusiastically and repeatedly to fill their coffers with money on the excuse of maintaining standards.
It is about time that the federal government implements a sensible policy about medical and dental education. Amending the PMDC Ordinance only is not going to solve the problems of falling standards in the medical education, the money-making practice of certifying and registering bodies and the consequent suffering of private sector medical and dental institutions in this country.
DR GHULAM NABI
Hyderabad
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