| 28 February 2005 | Monday | 18 Muharram 1426 |
Foreign banks and the SBP
The Iraq imbroglio
Agricultural scientists
Sports policy
A tale of two elections
Apprenticeship rules
Revenue offices
Education city
Bitter pill
Pasni tragedy
Engineering board
KU hostels
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This is with reference to the recent (Feb 16) unpleasant incident in the Senate where a couple of senators from the NWFP referred to their province as "Pakhtunkhawa", which was strongly objected to both by the leader of the house and the Senate deputy chairman, who also hails from the Frontier.
There has been a longstanding demand by our nationalist friends up north for the renaming of the North West Frontier Province, which is indeed an odd name, compared to those of our other provinces. They seek to call it "Pakhtunistan" or "Pakhtunkhawa" on the basis of the Pathan or Pakhtun ethnic majority of the province. However, most Pakistanis, including many from the NWFP itself, are opposed to this because they are wary of the traditional pro- Kabul stance of the nationalists who are perceived to identify more with Afghanistan than with Pakistan.
Another argument given is that the other three provinces got their nomenclature on an ethnic basis. This is largely untrue, as will be apparent from the following facts.
"Punjab" means "(the land of the) five rivers" and has thus not been derived from its inhabitants, the Punjabis. Likewise, the words "Sindh" in Hindi and "Sindhu" in Sanskrit mean "the sea"; the province obviously got to be known as such due to its proximity to the sea and to the mighty Indus, and its natives were called Sindhis.
Kashmir derives its name, according to tradition, from the "Khasi", a people who lived in the northern mountains of India several centuries before the Christian era. The present-day Kashmiris are thus known from their state. That leaves only Balochistan as being designated after any of our ethnic groups.
Given the damage that ethnicity and sectarianism are causing to the nation, it is not necessary or desirable to rename the NWFP on an ethnic basis, especially because there are some other groups also living there, including the Hazaras and Chitralis. So, instead of having heated arguments or quarrels, it would be far better for our brothers and sisters in that province to resolve the issue peaceably.
Several names are being proposed here, all except two of which have been coined by me. They begin with an alphabet already contained in the word "Pakistan" and, hopefully, would also cater to the linguistic considerations and socio-cultural norms of the people.
These are: 1) Alamaniys (that which provides safety or refuge), 2) Karimia, 3) Karimzar (last 'a' is pronounced as in car, 4) Khyberan, 5) Kohistan, 6) Noorasia, 7) Nooristan, 8) Salaam wal, 9) Sarhadan (last 'a' as in Pakistan) and 10) Torkhaman (last 'a' as in no. 9).
Instead of calling the province as merely 'Khyber' or 'Sarhad' as suggested by some, the forms used here are, in my opinion, more substantial and relatively unique.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Foreign banks and the SBP
There are times when wonders on whose side the SBP really is. Let us consider the facts: banks in Pakistan, in particular foreign banks, made the most profits in the past year. These were record profits which were based more on investments in the stock exchange and less on routine bank charges and earnings.
Foreign banks are guilty of poor service to customers accompanied by extremely high charges. Take the example of a leading American bank which has also the leading credit card operation in the country.
This bank changes the last date for submission of credit card dues without giving a proper time frame to customers. When complaints are lodged, these are ignored. Heavy fines are imposed on those who bypass the last date due. Complaints to the State Bank yield silence.
Foreign banks also charge excessive amounts for transfers, for issuance of cheque books and other ancillary services. It is easy for the SBP to say that one can change his bank if that is the case, but my question to the SBP is - why does it not take action instead? Isn't that one of its jobs as the regulator of the banking industry?
Now for the icing on the cake. The SBP is appointing an ombudsman who will hear the complaints of the public about banks and their services. This appointment comes after banks ignored the SBP's advice to set up complaint cells to address public grievances.
The ombudsman selected is the former head of a foreign bank. How can we expect justice from a person who comes from the same lobby that is exploiting the people?
IRSHAD KHAN
Lahore
The Iraq imbroglio
The results of the elections held in Iraq on Jan 30 have been announced. The United Alliance, led by cleric Ayatollah Sistani, has emerged as the largest. Although the elections were held following the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq by the USA and the UK and the Sunni population had neither cooperated nor taken part in the elections, it would be the right moment for the occupying powers to leave.
There has already been a colossal loss of lives and property in the occupied territories and the declared aims and objectives of the invaders could not materialize, except for the psychological satisfaction that the invaders had by trouncing Saddam Hussein.
Although no peaceful future of Iraq is prophesied even after withdrawal of the occupying powers and some in-fighting will ensue, we hope that it is the right of the people of Iraq to decide their future without outside dictation and ceaseless intervention.
In addition, the uncalled-for continuous usurpation will only strengthen the view that the occupying powers have grander designs of change of governance in Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia and beyond, and want to use Iraq as a springboard. An exit at this stage will not only save many lives but would give at least a partial legitimacy to the elected representatives.
M. GULZAR KHAN
Rawalpindi
Agricultural scientists
The rate of special pay for supervisory posts of agricultural scientists has not been revised even once. Consequently, the existing rate (Rs150 per month) is the same as it was in 1978. This rate should be revised as and when the scales are revised.
Agricultural scientists are playing a leading role in mobilizing land, water and crop genetic resources through their research, extension, water and irrigation management services. As a result, our national economy has been able to achieve the sustainable target of food security, exploiting export potential and promoting industrialization.
Instead of encouraging them through incentives and other benefits, these scientists are being ignored. The Pay and Pension Committee, 2004, is preparing recommendations pertaining to the salary/special pay of public servants. In this connection, a sub-committee has also been constituted for reviewing all special pays and allowances at the national level.
Agricultural scientists wish to put this old issue before the committee for favourable consideration on a priority basis. For the coming scheme of Revised National Pay Scales, 2005, they propose the rate (Rs2,000 per month) of special pay for supervisory posts in BS-17.
MUHAMMAD FAROOQ SARWAR
Faisalabad
Sports policy
This refers to "Committee meets on Saturday" (Dawn Feb 22). The executive committee of the Pakistan Sports Board has formed a committee to change the clause of the sports policy that restricts the tenure of office to two terms of four years each.
The committee, which is supposed to protect the interest of national sports, has taken an anti-sports decision. The expected amendment will bring back those do-no-gooders who currently stand disqualified.
The executive committee hopefully knows that a majority of federations and associations have already held their elections under the present policy and the International Olympic Committee, has also restricted the period to two terms.
Gen Arif, before taking over as president of the POA, had hailed and commended the sports policy and hoped that it would get rid of deadwood and self-seekers. I fail to understand the reason for a change of heart. I trust that he realizes that doing away with the trust clause is not in the interest of national sports or his personal interest.
Those who ruled for three decades are only loyal to their personal interests. The executive committee of the PSB would do no service if it succumbs to the pressure of vested interests. We request the president, who had approved the policy, to direct the committee to desist from changing it.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
A tale of two elections
Mr Imran Sayed in his letter (Feb 15) states that "there is little argument" that Afghanistan and Iraq are better off without the Taliban and Saddam Hussein. Yet he goes on to say that he is against the US occupation of those two countries and supports the Iraqi resistance because he views the current conflict in those regions not as a war against terror but as a war against US imperialism.
So even though there is little argument, by his own admission, that Afghanistan and Iraq are better off now than they have been for the last 20 years, Mr Syed would prefer the Iraqi resistance to succeed in ousting the United States military from Iraq and establish an - judging from their current behaviour and tactics - illiberal and violent regime in Iraq.
This is because he, stands for the Muslim world's "triumph" over what he calls the imperialist ambitions of the United States, no matter how base its methods of doing so may be.
Perhaps he would argue that there is something intrinsically noble about the Muslim cause that somehow justifies tactics such as the beheading of innocent civilians and the filming and distribution of that gruesome act, but that would be a difficult argument to make.
R. WASEEM
Durham, NC
Apprenticeship rules
The Apprenticeship Rules 1966 were framed in pursuance of the Apprenticeship Ordinance 1962. The purpose of the ordinance was to promote, develop and regulate systematic apprenticeship programmes in industries and to secure certain minimum standards of skill for the trainees. Most industrial undertakings are operating the apprenticeship scheme. However the following three provisions are unrealistic and need to be amended:
a. Rule 24 prescribes the formula for fixing stipends apprentices. The rule provides five levels of stipend, starting from "not less than 40 per cent" of skilled worker wages in the concerned trade/occupation in that establishment and goes up to 80 per cent.
If this rule is strictly followed by the industry, the apprentices should be getting a monthly stipend of between Rs8,000 and 10,000 in the last stage of their apprenticeship.
In reality, there is hardly any company which pays more than Rs3,000 pm a month as stipend. The reason is understandable - when the minimum wage of an industrial worker is Rs2,500 pm, how can you expect any company to pay more than double this amount to a learner? I, therefore, suggest that this rule should he amended whereby the companies should be at liberty to fix any stipend for their apprentices, which should not be less than Rs1,500 a p.m.
b. Rule 25 provides that the working hours, leave and holidays for an apprentice shall be the same as for other employees in the undertaking. This is all right far as working hours and holidays are concerned, but allowing the same amount of leave to apprentices as given to employees causes severe impediments to training.
In most cases the leave allowed to employees is much higher than those prescribed by law due to the negotiated settlements reached with the employee unions over a long period of time.
Under the law, the apprentices cannot form their own union, nor they can become members of the employee union. Allowing them leave over and above the law, at the expense of the employer, reduces the time available for their training. The apprentices should only be allowed leave as provided under the Factories Act 1934 or the Shops and Establishment Ordinance 1969, as the case may be.
c. Rule 26 provides that discipline shall be governed by the code of discipline prevalent in the undertaking for other workers in accordance with the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance.
The disciplinary procedure applicable in the case of workers is quite cumbersome and time-consuming. Making employers follow the same procedure in the case of apprentices, who are enrolled only for two or three years, forces them to ignore cases of in discipline on the part of apprentices, which is also not a desirable situation.
The Balochistan Apprenticeship Rules 1987 contain simplified rules in disciplinary matters, which the other provinces should also adopt.
PARVEZ RAHIM
Karachi
Revenue offices
The offices of the Karachi EDO and sub-registrar situated in the old DC East office next to the Civic Centre in Gulshan-i-Iqbal have now become a centre of attention following the cases being lodged against some of its officers in the Imtiaz Shaikh affair.
What I find worrisome is that officially the government has "sealed" some offices in the building and as a consequence of this, some entry and exit points have been closed.
The problem is that public dealing continues in most of the offices in the building and as a result of the closing of some floors, people have to actually go to the roof of the building and through a narrow passageway before they reach some offices on the first floor.
In one instance, one young man fell from the narrow passage, as on one side there is no wall, and hurt himself. As hundreds of people visit the building on a daily basis, my appeal to the Sindh CM is to allow the building to be unsealed while the offices that are under suspicion can remain shut.
MASOOD AZIZ PANWAR
Karachi
Education city
The much talked about link road that will connect the upcoming Education City to the Super Highway is yet to be completed despite several years and many promises from various governments about its early completion.
It is my request that this road be built at the earliest as it will ease traffic congestion on the National Highway and allow for greater mobility of the area residents.
I am under the impression that this area will become one of the most prestigious areas of the city after a number of high profile projects are executed here in the next couple of years.
NADIA AZIZ
Karachi
Bitter pill
So, the European Union has at least succeeded for the time being in conveying to President George W. Bush the message that he should learn from history and avoid another misadventure against Iran. Unity amongst European Union leaders is the hallmark of the change in American imperialism's plans.
They have also asked for a review on Iraq, to which President George Bush has agreed, and this may lead to a return of sovereign status in which oil and its revenue will be the property of Iraq. A very difficult pill for the United States to digest, which is going for colonization of world resources to secure the dollar.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Pasni tragedy
I have read Dr Saifullah Nizamani's letter "Pasni tragedy" (Feb 15). He has linked the Pasni Shad Kaur dam tragedy with the Kalabagh dam. The Pasni dam is a small reservoir to store rainwater whereas the Kalabagh dam project is different.
Engineers all over the country and foreign experts have recommended it, but it has been politicized by some people. Maybe, they don't know that the feasibility of KBD was prepared before the Tarbela dam, and the World Bank was ready to construct Kalabagh on the Indus River. Our engineers had urged president Ayub Khan to build Tarbela with the help of the World Bank and the Kalabagh dam through our own sources.
Engineer B. A. Malik (a UN/WB expert) had pointed out in an article published in 1998 that without the construction of the Kalabagh dam and other dams, the country would be terribly short of water, affordable power and food grain.
Now we are seeing the real picture. We have no sources to store rainwater and melted snow which is going waste into the sea. The government is in a position to start the project if it wants to.
ZAFAR AMAR
Lahore
Engineering board
Recently the Engineering Development Board (EDP) recommended to the federal government to increase duty structure on equipment used in the installation of the mobile phone network.
Ironically the federal government accepted the recommendation and the revised duty structure was enforced. However, when the mobile phone companies raised a hue and cry, the government withdrew the decision.
But many questions arise. Is the EDP really working for development of engineering? What step have they taken to rescue the consumers from the plunders by the cartel of automobile assemblers?
SAIFUR RAHMAN
Karachi
KU hostels
The manner in which it houses its foreign students should be a matter of concern to Karachi University. Since the International Hostel has taken over by the Rangers over 10 years back, foreign students are housed in the regular dormitories which are in a filthy state.
The furniture is broken and there is no cleanliness. No one maintains the rooms or the dorms and students do this on a self help basis. The toilets are dirty with only six in working order for over 200 students. There are no showers and most wash basins are broken.
It is our appeal to the KU authorities to ensure that things are improved otherwise these are the memories we will take back with us to our respective countries after the end of our studies here.
INAM AL-RASHED
Karachi
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