| 08 March 2005 | Tuesday | 26 Muharram 1426 |
Managing CPSP affairs
Next US targets
The murder of history
'Facts about the crisis in Balochistan'
'American folly'
Lack of transparency
Wheat crop hit by new disease
Sporting grounds
Super Highway
New telephone connection
Grace marks
Police 'tax'
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This year's International Women's Day (March 8) theme is about gender equality and the advancement of women. On this day, messages from the president, prime minister, chief ministers, governors and ministers would signify the importance of women's issues.
The UN secretary-general in his message says that gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation and there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.
These messages sound idealistic and do not touch the heart of the real problem. In this country, women issues are not merely about power relations between men and women; they are largely about security and survival. Women want to live in dignity and free from fear.
FOUZIA RAHMAN
Karachi
(II)
Yet again the ruling party is reluctant to ensure that the perpetrators of karo-kari are treated as murderers because they claim it goes against religious injunctions. And yet again a young woman was raped and paraded naked in the village of Dera Ismail Khan in the MMA-governed province.
And yet again the perpetrators of this crime are unpunished (Dawn, March 1). And most probably will remain unpunished given the sentiments of our lawmakers as evidenced in the National Assembly a few days back.
As the world prepares to observe International Women's Day, Pakistani women have little to observe. In this context, it was with some satisfaction that we read your editorial of March 3 highlighting the dual policy of the government in promoting women's rights internationally but hesitant to ensure justice for women in the country. Please continue to do so.
WOMEN ACTIVISTS
Karachi
Managing CPSP affairs
This has reference to Dr Nadeem Ahmad's letter "Managing CPSP affairs" (March 5). Since the establishment of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) in 1962, the CPSP council, subject specialists and supervisors of the trainees have been reviewing the duration, contents and the methodology of the system of training and evaluation to ensure that the standards as mandated in the charter are in conformity with international standard.
The objective is to ensure production of specialists in different branches of medicine, so as to cater to the needs of the country. The matter of the duration of validity of "pass status of FCPS-I" was reviewed for quite some time with the objective that the knowledge acquired through FCPS-I examinations was fully utilized during the training programmes of FCPS-II.
The issue was deliberated upon with more than 2,000 trainees, fellowship supervisors/examiners and members of specialists faculties. The recommendations were developed after about two years.
The CPSP council/ committees decided in September 2001 that the duration of validity of "a pass FCPS part-I" would be three years from the date of passing this examination plus the duration of the fellowship training programme, that is, for a three-year programme the validity is six years and for a four-year programme the validity is seven years.
The decision was communicated individually to all candidates, repeatedly published in booklets, CPSP's monthly bulletins and displayed at CPSP Website. Moreover, the decision has been implemented since September 2001. Senior teachers from all over the country and eminent subject specialists from 18 other countries are participating in the evaluation system of the CPSP.
Every candidate who passes FCPS-I is required to register with the research and training monitoring cell of the CPSP within one month of the commencement of the training.
At present more than 6,500 candidates are being trained all over the country in more than 116 institutions under the supervision of 1,114 CPSP-approved supervisors.
The validity of FCPS-I done in 1998 and 1999 has already been decided. The candidates who passed FCPS-I in 1998/1999 and have completed all training requirements duly scrutinized by the college have been allowed to take up part II examinations within the current year.
The CPSP council has appointed a committee headed by the adviser on examinations to the CPSP, who happens to be a senior teacher, former principal of medical colleges, and a former dean of the university, to scrutinize and look into the cases pertaining to the validity of "pass status of FCPS-I" not covered under the above decision on the basis of scrutiny of documents.
Only a few candidates who failed to join the training or failed to complete the eligibility requirements for part II examinations even after lapse of more than eight years of passing FCPS I will finally be affected.
ATHER HUSAIN
Senior Executive Officer, CPSP Karachi
Next US targets
The director of the Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America, Prof (Dr) Mohammad Islam of the Quaid-i-Azam University, in his keynote lecture in Khairpur on "Foreign policy of the USA in the second term of President George W. Bush", said that Americans wanted to see "tyrannical" regimes like Iran and Syria to go and its next target would be Pakistan, as the Bush administration is waiting for an appropriate time and has not recognized Pakistan as a nuclear state (Dawn, Feb 27).
In the light of the aggressive US foreign policy that has been adopted by the Bush administration and that has led to the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, it is quite clear that George W. Bush is preparing to attack Iran. After Iran, the US will target Syria; US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has already warned Syria to stop its support for anti-Israeli militants.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, George W. Bush had made it clear in his televised speech to the world that "you are either with us or against us".
President Gen Pervez Musharraf opted to cooperate with the Bush administration in fighting terror and thus Pakistan became the US first ally, which has not only strengthened the general's own position in the country, but his role has been appreciated in the world.
But the US government is pressing Pakistan to allow an American representative to directly question Dr A. Q. Khan to determine the extent of his network's activities, as the CIA believes that Dr Khan had passed secrets and equipment to a host of "rogue nations".
In another move, the Bush administration has taken a clear position on the uniform issue of President Musharraf. The US State Department wants Gen Musharraf to end his "dual role" as president and chief of the army staff.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has expressed the hope that the 2007 elections in Pakistan will be open and meet international standards with full participation of all political parties.
The Bush administration is keeping a "close eye" on all political developments that may take place from 2005-2007, and at the beginning of 2008 the US would like to see Gen Musharraf quit one of the offices.
In case the general prolongs his tenure beyond 2007, there is then a possibility of Bush increasing the pressure and using the nuclear issue as a pretext.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
The murder of history
This has reference to Mr Hafizur Rehman's "Murderers of history" (March 2) wherein he mentions Ziaul Haq's anger at the mention of Bhutto's name. Bhutto's ghost haunted him so much that every April 4 his DMLA's/governors would tremble at the prospect of an unexpected gathering anywhere in the country.
Once Begum Kulsoom Saifullah had a huge dinner in her house on April 4, the death anniversary of her husband. Governor Fazle Haq phoned her and when she explained, Fazle said: "You must be careful, it is martial law."
Once in the New York council's library, the first book that Zia picked up, a smiling Bhutto hit him in the eyes and he threw the book on the floor, shouting: "Don't you have good books here?" Here are a few more historical nuggets:
Ayub, the first "emancipator", made us believe that after achieving "basic democracy," he had not lost Kargil (He hid the news; obviously what we didn't know, we didn't protest) and that we had won the 1965 war.
Yahya, our second deliverer, presented the next bit of virtual history on Dec 16, 1971, when apparently our forces agreed to a cease fire with the Indians in Dhaka, he were told it was the next best thing to a victory.
Zia's illusion of Islamization went in tandem with illicit 'marketing' of drugs and guns and, most lethal, sectarianism. (Ejazul Haq recently said that the government meant to root out sectarianism; the sins of the father are visited upon the son.)
For Zia, the loss of Siachen did not matter as according to him even grass didn't grow there. The silent majority was supposedly with Zia then, as it is now with Gen Musharraf. We don't murder history, we massacre it. A country that has no history has a twisted present (as we stand witness to it) and no future.
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
'Facts about the crisis in Balochistan'
The article by Qazi Faez Isa was excellent, very informative and very helpful in understanding the so-called insurgency in Balochistan. This should stop all the bickering and noise about an impending crisis of the proportion of the former East Pakistan.
Let roads, schools and hospitals be built in these neglected parts of Balochistan, and all remnants of the fossilized system be wiped out. We have read the rhetoric of General Musharraf, "They would not know what hit them and from where...." But other than the fact that the cantonment and railways, bridges and other telecommunication are constantly being hit, so far we don't know who is hitting them and from where.
MALIK. W.
Las Vegas, USA
'American folly'
This refers to Mr Singleton's comments (Mar 3) in response to my letter "American folly" (Feb 24). I appreciate his views but he may consider the following:
1) The US undoubtedly is a superpower and a free nation but President Bush is misusing this power and ruining the image of the US in the Muslim world.
2) The "cleaning up" of Afghanistan and Iraq is proving too costly for the people of these countries due to heavy loss of life. Innocent people are being killed on a daily basis and the infrastructure of both the countries is totally destroyed. Poppy is being cultivated on a much larger scale in Afghanistan than it was in the reign of the Taliban.
3) It may be recalled that Osama bin Laden was given training by the US during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. But when the millionaire turned against them, he was branded a terrorist. So, we can say that the biggest "terror threat" is one of American origin.
4) The US government must realize that it cannot "enforce" democracy in a country. To do that, you have to win the hearts of the people by kindness, not by dropping bombs on marriage processions.
5) The BBC frequently uses the words "Islamic terrorism" and "Islamic extremism" that cause a great pain in the hearts of Muslims. If this is the case, then what about the massacre committed by Adolf Hitler? He killed millions of innocent people without any cause. This is a profound example of "Christian terrorism" and "Christian extremism". My point is that one doesn't throw away a whole basket of eggs because of one rotten egg.
6) Islam as a religion guarantees freedom of thought, expression of faith, equality, fraternity, justice and tolerance. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has laid down the best example of these qualities for mankind.
He is known as the most successful politician and army commander in history due to his brilliant leadership and administrative qualities. He is the only person in the world who as commander of an army never actually killed a person himself. That is the main reason why Islam is the fastest spreading religion in the world.
7) Undoubtedly, we are blessed by the Holy Books but the need of the hour is to resolve all differences and disputes through peaceful negotiation as indicated by God in His Book.
If this is not done, millions more will die in the "war on terror", as many will become orphans and perhaps even more will go hungry. Let us pledge to live like brothers and make this world a better place for our future generations.
MUHAMMAD BILAL NASEER
Quetta
Lack of transparency
Mr Noman Ahmad's article in EBR Weekly (Feb 28) has raised some very pertinent points, relying on URC research, regarding Karachi's mega projects of the KCR, Lyari Expressway and Northern Bypass, etc, alleging non-transparency in planning, design and adjustment, without consulting stakeholders, and concealment of information, especially regarding justification and feasibility, etc.
As a senior citizen with over 55 years of association with transportation projects, I entirely agree with his concerns and have to add that revitalization of the KCR is not part of the approved Karachi Mass Transit Master Plan, duly notified by the federal government in 1995 and no feasibility study has been done so far.
As a matter of fact, the 1991 master plan report had recommended the service to be discontinued. How this scheme is being processed, costing billions of rupees, is not clear.
Provision of two additional tracks along the main line from the KPT Pipri marshalling yard is actually a century-old plan of the old North Western Railway for which even land was acquired in 1860s, when the railway was built.
This important project has been deferred time and again, apparently to serve the interests of road carriers, which has caused billions of dollars' of loss in the shape of import of higher quantities of diesel oil consumed by trucks as compared to rail.
This is apart from the huge wear and tear and additional investments in the entire national road network, including Lyari Expressway and the Northern Bypass, etc, leading to high mortality in road accidents.
Thus 80 per cent of the entire freight from the KPT to upcountry, which was earlier carried by rail, has been transferred to road, causing a huge loss to the railways. This can be reversed if these two additional tracks are constructed with modern signalling and repairs are made to about 30 diesel locomotives, acquired under the Pipri Marshalling Yard in the 1980s.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
Wheat crop hit by new disease
This refers to the article "A new wheat disease" (Feb 28) which says that 20 per cent of wheat plants suffered from whitening of the heads. The whitening is caused by stem-boring insects.
The wheat heads attacked by these insects do not bear grain. The upper part of the infected plants can be detached easily from the lower part of the plants. Such damage is observed more in fields where wheat is sown after rice harvesting. It cannot be said that a new disease has appeared in Sindh.
DR S. A. JAMIL KHAN
Former director, Crop Diseases Research Institute, Karachi
Sporting grounds
I recently visited Rawalpindi, my hometown, after 15 years in the UK and was amazed to see the cricket ground adjacent to the Chaklala Airport, where we used to play cricket, turned into an army housing scheme.
In a country where we are already short of sporting facilities and parks, such an act is highly undesirable, and that too by a respected organization like the Pakistan Army. I appeal to our armed forces not to get carried away by the real estate boom and spare these sporting grounds which are much needed by our youth.
MOHAMMAD AKHTAR
London, UK
Super Highway
I want to draw the attention of the National Highway Authority to a significant issue. I am a frequent traveller on the Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway. The upgrading of the highway started in January. Currently, a seven-kilometre patch (upcountry side) is being uprooted and construction work is in progress near Hyderabad.
Near the construction site, there is only one beacon light provided at either end to warn passengers to slow down. This is totally insufficient. In the recent past, some reflectors were placed along the roadside near the construction site.
The maximum allowable speed limit on the Super Highway is 110km for light vehicles and this makes the situation worse after dusk near the place where the construction is taking place as the reflectors are inadequate to warn the travellers.
The Nawaz Sharif government had offered to take control of the Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway by labelling it as a motorway instead of constructing a new one, but Sindh did not agree to the proposal for fear of being deprived of much its revenue.
Keeping in mind that the NHA generates Rs3.2 billion revenue per annum, the absence of proper facilities - such as the inadequate number of beacon lights - is glaring. I hope the authorities concerned would take immediate notice of the situation.
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
New telephone connection
I had applied for new telephone connections vide registration # 501-605 & 606 on March 20, 2004, at the time when the PTCL was providing telephone connections within 24 hours and had also set up camps for the purpose.
I was promised I would get the connections on/about Jan 20, 2005. Since then I have been calling on Karachi PTCL officials at their Landhi office, but to no avail.
NAVAID M. KHAN
Karachi
Grace marks
I am shocked to know that the vice-chancellor of the Punjab University has allowed five grace marks in each paper for those who failed in the MA English Part I examinations.
That is hardly the way to improve the knowledge of English or, for that matter, of any other subject. As things stand, those with a master's in English can hardly write two correct sentences in the language. I know that as I have had the experience of interviewing such characters.
ASHFAQUE NAQVI
Lahore
Police 'tax'
A new practice among policemen posted in the Defence Housing Authority in Karachi is charging Rs500 per under-construction house every month. They turn up on motorcycles fitted with a siren to claim their levy which ends after the house is completed and a "completion levy" is given one final time. Since no arrests have been made, one wonders with whom and where the money ends up.
RASOOL BAKHSH
Karachi
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