| 25 February 2005 | Friday | 15 Muharram 1426 |
AKU Education Board
'A dam at Skardu'
Negotiate we must
Bank service charges
Pakistan cricket
Academy of arts
Number-plates of cars
Indian visa
Economic charge-sheet
Islamic extremism
War of words
Karachi buses
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As the situation in Balochistan seems to be getting from bad to worse, it is worth examining how we have come to such a pass. At the time of independence, Balochistan was a territory administered by the agent to the governor-general. The AGG was a senior officer of the ICS or the political service, but not of the rank of a provincial governor.
Balochistan was a scarcity area and received subventions from the centre. In the post- independence period, Balochistan became a province with a governor and provincial government.
In the area which is now Pakistan the British ruled by buying the loyalties of big landowners, tribal chiefs, peers and waderas. This was done by means of land grants, monetary rewards and assorted benefits and privileges. But all these elements remained under the strict control of the imperial masters. The British were successful because their administration was honest, competent, insulated from politics and force was used sparingly and intelligently.
In the post-1958 period the governments that assumed office have all tried to assemble the same coalition that the British had used so successfully. Their highest aim was self- perpetuation. It escaped their notice, however, that times had changed.
The print and electronic media had spread far and wide and people could not be kept in ignorance. Ultimately, the denial of rights to large sections of the population would turn the country into a collection of warring groups.
The riches that were discovered in Balochistan did not alleviate the poverty of the Baloch masses. They went into the pockets of tribal chiefs and were frittered away in other ways. It is worth asking how the Baloch nationalists acquired the sophisticated weapons about which a tribal chief recently boasted. They are not cheap.
Our Baloch brethren and especially the youth must know that in the poorer areas of the provinces and in the slums of our cities there is as much grinding poverty as in any part of Balochistan. The problem of poverty and deprivation is nation wide.
The solution, however, does not lie in the Kalashnikov or the rocket launcher. The democratic and patriotic elements of all the provinces must come together on a political platform and fight the exploitation, corruption and obscurantism of a government based on force and not consent. It is tragic that after more than half a century of our freedom we are as far away as ever from the progressive ideals of the Pakistan Movement.
BIRJIS HASAN KHAN
Karachi
AKU Education Board
As an educationist and professional teacher, I feel disturbed by the campaign against the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKUEB) by certain groups and individuals.
The campaign is grossly misinformed, misdirected and damaging to the cause of improving the quality of education in the country. Misinformation comes from the false premise that the AKUEB is authorized to assume the overall responsibility for conducting examinations at the SSC and HSC levels throughout the country.
The fact is that the AKUEB has been set up as a parallel examination board just like many other similsr boards in Pakistan, along with O and A levels. As such, affiliation with the AKUEB is wholly the choice of a school. In fact, there are quite a few schools which offer both matriculation and O level streams as options.
The second false premise of the campaign against the AKUEB is that it is aimed at secularization of the curriculum. The fact is that the examination syllabi of the AKUEB (drafts of which have been widely distributed among interested schools and educationists) are entirely based on the existing curricula developed by the government's Bureau of Curriculum. These curricula are used by all the authorized examining boards and textbook publishers in the country.
Teachers, school heads and educationists who have attended the various meetings organized by the AKUEB, and in some cases contributed to the development of the syllabi, clearly understand that the setting up of the AKUEB offers a hope for some much-needed reform in the educational sector in Pakistan.
Given the present pathetic state of our exams at the SSC and HSC levels, the products of which are found unfit for consumption, not only by private institutions but by the government's own engineering and medical colleges, one fails to understand the rationale behind the opposition to the AKUEB.
If those leading the campaign against the AKUEB are sincere about the cause of quality education in Pakistan, they should choose one of the following options:
a. try to get their facts straight (in which case they may ironically find themselves actively supporting AKUEB);
b. set up their own examination board based on their ideals and values;
c. develop productive mechanisms for bringing reform in the existing examination system.
The interesting part is that actually all three options can beadopted together, as they are not mutually exclusive.
TAHIR JAVED
Karachi
'A dam at Skardu'
Reference the editorial "A dam at Skardu" (Feb 20), there are a few things that I agree with, such as the constitution of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
It has also suggested that the Kalabagh dam issue needs to be settled through a consensus and those who stand for the Kalabagh dam need to have Sindh's and the NWFP's fears removed by presenting the critics of the project with facts, statistics and hydrological data.
However, it is not just the two provinces mentioned by in the editorial but also Balochistan that has shown strong reservations against Kalabagh, leaving us with three out of the four provinces opposing the project, which is 75 per cent of Pakistan.
The editorial also suggests that those opposing the dam should come forward with technical facts and solid data to buttress their point of view. The situation is that whenever the federal government sees strong opposition rising from the provinces, President Gen Pervez Musharraf visits these places to placate the people without talking to those opposing it or getting their views on the issue.
For everyone's information, the 1991 accord, an official document signed by competent authorities and a system that can be held accountable, was discontinued by Gen Musharraf in 1999 and he used the 1994 ministerial meeting for the wrong move.
On the other hand, the people opposing the project are doing so on the basis of technical facts and solid data. Moreover, the irrigation department of Sindh has failed on numerous occasions to provide the total requirement of all Sindh canals during Kharif and Rabbi.
There needs to be a detailed study on reservoirs - conventional and carryover. People should be given access to unbiased realities, allowing them to make decisions themselves.
No new reservoirs should be constructed unless the fears of the lower riparian are allayed. All opposition members in the Sindh Assembly, representing the majority of Sindh, should be taken into confidence regarding all major issues and given technical facts as to why the federation is favouring the Kalabagh dam when millions of Pakistanis are opposing it.
SHAZIA MARRI
Karachi
Negotiate we must
Mr Muhammad Ali Siddiqui has asked a question: "Will Sharon negotiate?" (Dawn magazine, Jan 16). I will answer it, or try to. Mr Siddiqui thinks that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would sit with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas across the table and negotiate without reaching an agreement - and even if an agreement is reached, he would "prolong the process by obfuscating fact, focusing on non-issues and reopening settled issued."
One notes in the present gloomy and suffocating atmosphere a fresh air of pleasant surprises from Iraq and India. American forces in Iraq are in contact with insurgents for overt or covert negotiations. Have they realized that they cannot crack the Iraq nut?
And from New Delhi comes almost the rueful admission that despite four wars India could not manoeuvre Pakistan (into relinquishing the idea of settling the Kashmir dispute), and that, for peace and good-neighbourly relations, they are negotiating. I am keeping my fingers crossed to see if they let the negotiations succeed on Kashmir and the Baglihar dam.
When last week North Korea withdraw from the six-nation negotiating forum with a threat to the US that if it was attacked, the US would meet with an indefensible force, the US administration asked the other five members to bring it back to the table.
Here is my answer. Now the wind is blowing from the other side. Like all sensible nations which believe in peaceful co- existence, the obdurate and belligerent countries have also realized that negotiations are the ultimate way out of logjams. If Israel and India have realized it, let's see if they translate it into reality.
S. M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
Bank service charges
Commercial banks are not obliged to debit any savings bank account of its account-holder without authority for any charges as no mandate was given at the time of opening of such accounts.
What extra service is the bank giving to its client that service charges are being collected every month for not having maintained a minimum balance? The whimsical idea of a minimum deposit in savings accounts fixed by banks should be immediately re-scheduled by the State Bank of Pakistan and it may be fixed at a maximum of Rs1,000 by all banks, including foreign banks, without any discrimination.
There was a time when there was dual control over the monetary system, with the Banking Council and the SBP. With the departure of the Banking Council, the SBP is the sole authority to control banks and the monetary system. The percentage of savings in the country is low.
On top of it, banks are squeezing huge sums from savings account-holders. In this way banks will earn over billions of rupees every year without any effort while the SBP is a silent spectator.
The SBP must intervene to force banks to refund the service charges recovered from its clients so far. Besides, banks are charging a high commission on the issue of pay orders/ demand drafts, and are creating many other irritants. The SBP must intervene to remove these irritants.
KHODA BUKHSH
Karachi
Pakistan cricket
This refers to Mr Jahanzeb Syed's letter (Feb 14). I agree with him that there were no surprises but would like to add that the failure of the top order is not entirely due to incompetence or lack of talent in the youngsters that we tried.
The cricket board has to take substantial blame for not providing good bouncy wickets in the country which makes it very difficult for our batsmen to adjust themselves on such pitches abroad. I do not know why Shoaib gets the blame every time Pakistan loses.
He was the best bowler in the series till he broke down with a hamstring injury. How come not much is being made of injuries to other fast bowlers like Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Shabbir and Mohammad Akram?
Shoaib has brought glory to Pakistan cricket, he is mentioned in the Guinness book for bowling the fastest ball in the history of cricket, and brings a lot of joy to people who watch him play and who cannot forget the standing ovation he got at Melbourne (or was it Perth?) when he came in to bowl after an absence from cricket a couple of years ago.
How many cricketers from Pakistan can boast of getting a standing ovation from the Australians? Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Majid Khan maybe. But who else? I look forward to seeing Shoaib in full flow against the Indians next month.
MOHSIN IKRAM
Karachi
(II)
It was intriguing to read Inzamam suggesting that even a half-fit Sachin Tendulkar should play for India whereas he only wants a 100 per cent fit Shoaib Akhtar in the Pakistan team.
Who is Inzamam trying to please by giving such statements? Does he realize that even a half-fit Shoaib will make both Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar recall the unplayable yorkers they received in Kolkata from Shoaib on Pakistan's last tour?
Fit or not, Shoaib's presence in Pakistan's line up always gives the opponent team something to think about. As Steve Waugh said in Kolkata last week, Shoaib is a "top bracket world class performer".
A. ZAMAN
Chicago, Illinois
Academy of arts
On Feb 1 President Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi. The decision taken by the government to build Pakistan's soft image at home and abroad through this academy is a right one as it is the need of the hour to develop culture, sports and tourism to project the country's image.
However, as the place originally belonged to the Hindu community in Pakistan, the government should have considered offering them an alternative plot.
As this has not been done so far, the Hindu community expects the government to expedite the grant of such an alternative place/amenity plot to them to build their own gymkhana to carry out their social and religious activities.
RAMESH B. MANA
Former senior vice-president, Shree Surti Meyavat Rajput Panchayat, Karachi
Number-plates of cars
The campaign to check non-standard number-plates and tinted glasses has kicked off very well in Lahore from the first day of Muharram. I was also checked for this offence.
The behaviour of the DSP and his staff of Mughalpura police station was polite and just. The Mughalpura traffic police team penalized me, and I willingly paid the penalty. However, I have the following questions to ask from the police authorities and the board of revenue:
1. Why doesn't the BoR issue standard number-plates as is done in the NWFP, Sindh and Baluchistan?
2. Why cannot police arrange to collect fines on-the-spot as is being done by the motorway police? In the present system, the public is forced to waste time by going to the Mughalpura police station after depositing the fine in a bank.
3. Seizing car documents or driving licence and then collecting them from a far-off police station is an age-old system. When will it be done away with?
GROUP CAPT (retd) GULTASAB KHAN
Lahore
Indian visa
Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh on his visit to Islamabad last month ago had stated that Pakistanis over 65 and under 12 years of age need not apply for visa at the Indian high commission as they would be issued visas at the Attari checkpoint.
However, on inquiry just a few days back, the Indian high commission said that the statement of the foreign minister had no value unless a notification to that effect was issued by the ministries of home and of external affairs of the government of India, and that not only such a notification had not been issued so far, but there were no prospects of it being issued in the near future.
This leaves us wondering whether we should believe in the authenticity of ministerial statements or not.
SALAHUDDIN MIRZA
Karachi
Economic charge-sheet
In defiance of all democratic traditions and precedents, Shaukat Aziz was chosen last year by the president to lead the nation to prosperity and progress. However, there are no visible signs of advancement in this direction. On the contrary, the economic situation is worsening day by day.
Inflation during the seven months of the current financial year (July 2004-January 2005) rose to 8.76 per cent, compared to 6.83 per cent registered last year. Total currency notes issued amounted to Rs737,597,824 million by the end of January 2005, compared to Rs631,243,381 million during the same period last year.
The domestic debt stood at Rs2,033 billion as on December 31, 2004, compared to Rs1,979 billion as on June 30, 2004, and until last month (January 2005) the government had borrowed Rs54 billion from the domestic banking system.
Likewise, foreign loans were over US$36.7 billion by end December 2004, as compared to US$33.0 billion for the same period in the preceding year, placing Pakistan as the 14th largest foreign loan borrower in Asia and the fifth largest in the Islamic world.
On top of it all, the trade deficit during July-December 2004 was the highest ever at US$2,409 million compared to US$244 million in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
As a multiplier effect of the above adverse situation, prices of commodities, utilities and basic necessities are soaring every day, making the life of the common man unbearable.
To rub salt on our wounds, the only pastime our so-called representatives have is how to increase their perks and privileges. Yet another 15 per cent hike in their perks and privileges shows crass insensitivity and indifference to the plight of the toiling masses.
HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
Islamic extremism
The United States and Europe have lately agreed on the need to renew their trans-Atlantic security vows to confront "Islamic extremism". The term "Islamic extremism" is being used so much by the so-called "peace organizers" that it seems that no other religion has followers who are extremists.
One can only wish the term should be changed from "Islamic extremism" to "religious extremism" because by saying "Islamic extremism" it translates into gross violation of the sentiments of all Muslims, and this is also a kind of extremism.
MUHAMMAD ANWAR JAVAID
Okara
War of words
There is a war of words going on between Iran and the US. Both are showing their diplomatic skills. But at the same time it seems that the US has made preparations to attack Iran. Will America attack Iran?
The situation on the ground does not seem to suggest this. More than 60 per cent of the people of Iraq are Shias, many of whom are followers of Sistani who helped America to hold the recent elections there. Then the US is facing tough resistance in Iraq. How could it attack Iran in such circumstances?
M. AKRAM SAQIB
Sahiwal
Karachi buses
Green buses (route No. 19) from Safura Goth to Tower via Gulistan-i-Jauhar and Gulshan-i-Iqbal comprise a good addition to the Karachi transport. For reasons of obvious safety and comfort, most of the commuters from Gulistan-i-Jauhar to Tower prefer green buses to the notorious minibuses.
But the number of trips made by the buses is barely adequate to satisfy the needs of the commuters. It is, therefore, requested that the authorities concerned should consider increasing the number of trips.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
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