| 09 March 2005 | Wednesday | 27 Muharram 1426 |
KPT officers' housing society
Bill on euthanasia
Motorcycle helmets in Islamabad
Expat 'experts'
Medicine packaging
Women seats in assemblies
PIA aircraft fire
Human rights record of US
Hydro-electric power
Seeing red
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The points raised by Mr Khalid Chaudhry in his article "UNSC reforms and Pakistan" (March 3) expose the blatant contradictions between official policy and individual statements - they may be our foreign minister Kasuri speaking in Japan or our enlightened President Musharraf talking to Berlusconi in Italy.
When leaders at this level in our own country deviate so much on pivotal issues like revamping of the UN Security Council, how can we expect to build a consensus on the proposal presented by Mr Chaudhry for the Muslim world that has a population of 1.5 billion, the largest single grouping of people constituting one-fourth of humanity? However, Mr Chaudhry appears to have forgotten the popular verse of Allama Iqbal Dil giney jaatey hain maidaan main taadad nahein (It is courage which counts in the field, not numbers).
The veracity of Iqbal s' concept is crystal clear from the influence wielded by a tiny group of human beings, Israelis, against one-fourth of world's population, divided and splintered on ethnic, sectarian, extremely contradictory socio-political and economic systems under the rule of despots, military dictators, kings, tribal chiefs and a host of democratic leaders, all driven by simple personal security and self-interest.
Can we expect to get one seat of the UNSC for the OIC in such a situation, particularly while India, Brazil and South Africa are serious contenders? Likewise, the points about Pakistan being the second most populous and the only nuclear power of the community are least likely to find favour with those who matter, notwithstanding the personal relationship with the president of the only superpower of the world today.
Neither can the Saudi Arabia, despite its oil wealth and religious prestige expect much support from the major powers to be on the panel of permanent members of the UNSC on behalf of the OIC.
So, how does Mr Chaudhry expect to galvanize enough support for his proposal of having a list of eight countries occupying the UNSC slot for one year by rotation?
Is it not pertinent in the era of enlightened moderation envisioned by Gen Musharraf, to work out well-founded strategic plans to promote and guard our national interest for all concerned to follow in letter and in spirit to avoid unnecessary gaffes, embarrassment and consequences thereof? Think tanks need to be constituted by a group of intellectuals of the highest calibre, impeccable integrity and the highest degree of self-denial without any consideration for their political leanings, race, creed and even religion. They need to be just patriotic Pakistani possessing all the essential traits listed above.
M. SALEEM CHAUDHRY
Karachi
KPT officers' housing society
Reference "Mai Kolachi off limits for developers" (Dawn, Feb 16), the news item quoted a directive issued in 2001 by the then chief executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf.
The facts are as below:
a. President Musharraf during a visit to the KPT on May 23, 2003, on a presentation made by the KPT and to a reference made about Mai Kolachi development, had remarked that the "decision about development of KPT Officers' Co-operative Housing Society cannot be reversed now", and directed that the area be beautified.
In pursuance of the president's directive, a green belt has been constructed by the society. A sewerage treatment plant is also being designed, which will greatly improve environment of the area.
b. The marshy land measuring 130 acres was allotted by the KPT board of trustees to the KPT Officers Co-operative Housing Society during 1989-90. The federal government sanctioned 99 years' lease.
After obtaining all necessary approvals from the KDA, the Environment Protection Agency, government of Sindh, development work was started. As the plots allotted to the KPT officers were transferable, some of the plots were transferred in other names and necessary sub-lease was registered by the sub-registrar, Sindh, thus earning sizable revenue for the Sindh government.
c. The land had to be reclaimed through substantial investment upon construction of a sea retaining wall and making arrangement for channelling of treated sewage drains deep into the sea, which was made by the society. The land was marshy and its allotment did not endanger the marine life environment or the ecology of the city according to studies undertaken.
d. The development of the society land has greatly improved the environment. The channelled flow of sewage through a nullah has largely reduced the pollution of sea. Regular cleaning of the bed has reduced the odour around the Mai Kolachi bypass.
e. The Sindh chief secretary conveyed through his letter dated April 21, 2001, that the chief executive, during a representation made by the DHA on 14-4-2001, had desired cessation of any development work in the area.
The Sindh government also posted a police force at the site to ensure that no development work should be undertaken. The society contested these directives. The High Court of Sindh granted status quo to the society with the instruction that no coercive action shall be taken by the defendant, viz the government of Sindh, Member (LU) Board of Revenue, government of Sindh, etc. Thereafter, the police force was removed and the development work resumed.
f. Now again, action has been taken to stop the registration of mutation, etc, which is not in line with the government policy of making the environment investment-friendly and the prime minister's policy of development of land bank of Karachi. This one-sided action has created unrest among KPT officers and others who have purchased plots.
CAPT MAHMOODUL HAQ
Member, Managing Committee, KPTOCHS Karachi
Bill on euthanasia
This is with reference to your news item on Mar 6 on "euthanasia" (assisted dying). After it became legal in varying degrees in Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland, the campaigners for euthanasia have been trying their best to make it legal in Britain.
Broadly, there are two groups supporting the bill - one which wants to make it more or less mandatory for terminally-ill patients, and the other which while advocating its introduction argues for stringent rules and wants to make it absolutely voluntary. Realising the deeply divided views of advocates and opponents of euthanasia the ruling labour party has decided to take a neutral stand.
It would be interesting to note that the opposition to the bill and raising public awareness against it is led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and a very powerful pressure group, the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) which, though basically an anti-abortion organisation, forcefully rejects any move for legalizing 'assisted dying'. This society has a very strong Muslim presence among its members since it initiated a Muslim chapter some 15 years ago.
In our campaign for the sanctity of life - unborn or terminally-ill - we are supported by many major faiths. We firmly believe that since "we do not create life, we have no right to terminate it; it is no better than killing a person in broad daylight".
We base our campaign on the Quranic principle: One who kills (one), kills the entire humankind and one who saves a life, saves the entire humankind.
SYED FAIYAZUDDIN AHMAD
Leicester, UK
Motorcycle helmets in Islamabad
Hats off to the Punjab government for bringing about a law that makes it mandatory to wear motorcycle helmets on the road. The implementation of this law also appears to be going well with traffic police issuing hundreds of challans in the first few days of the measure's enforcement.
With Rawalpindi also observing this law, the city of Islamabad should now follow with a similar law for the capital territory. When doing so, some of the minor issues that came up in Punjab, like the increase in helmet prices, must also be addressed.
To start with, we need an estimation of the total number of motorcycles in Islamabad, the number of new motorcycles per month, and a rough percentage of motorcyclists who do not wear helmets. This simple calculation would provide an idea of the number of motorcycle helmets needed in the capital.
The next step would be to visit the major retail shops selling helmets in the city and estimate their inventory and ascertain their suppliers. This would help in enforcing a fixed price ceiling for helmets when the demand goes up.
The two-month awareness period is definitely a good idea. Motorcyclists without helmets should be given literature regarding why they need to wear helmets, where they can purchase helmets from and for how much. The literature should also include the fines they would face for not wearing a helmet when the law is enforced.
QAMAR MOEEN MALIK
Islamabad
Expat 'experts'
This refers to the letter from Saadia Khan (Mar 1). Most of us in the US do express our concerns through the media about socio-economic issues in Pakistan, our homeland. I think there is nothing wrong in voicing our concerns on human rights, the justice system and healthcare and expressing our sympathy with victims of gang-rapes and child abuse.
Although for most of us America is our adopted country, it does not mean that we should stay away from social and political happenings in Pakistan. If Saadia Khan had any knowledge of the contributions of Chinese-Americans and Indian-Americans in rebuilding their countries of origin and bringing economic growth, she would probably not have written this letter.
Help us in rebuilding Pakistan and open our hearts and minds to criticism and suggestions. Our letters are not an expression of our "expertise" on Pakistani issues but a means of sharing our experiences with the Pakistani who has not yet had the opportunity of gaining experience from the West. Nation-building is teamwork; everyone should join this team and rebuild a happy and prosperous Pakistan.
DR ASHRAF KHAN
NJ, USA
(II)
I think a good point has been made that on being treated as second-class citizens immigrants should voice their opinion on the injustices being meted out to them for being Muslims or for that matter Pakistanis.
However, if we are being treated worse than second-class citizens in our own countries, then why bother about being second-class citizens elsewhere? Even as second-class citizens, we get more respect and dignity here than a citizen of a Muslim country gets in his own country. When was the last time in Pakistan a traffic policeman pulled you over for a traffic ticket and addressed you as "sir" or "madam"?
I. K. BARECH
Oregon, USA
Medicine packaging
With reference to the letter "Medicine packaging" (Mar 1) by Mr Shahid Amin, I feel it is my ethical responsibility to show both sides of the picture to the reader. I also have some reservations on some of his comments.
Before comparing prices with India or Iran, one must know that the quality of our products is well-recognized and considered better than Indian products or those of Iran. In case of any doubts, it may be verified from the Drug Control Organization (ministry of health) that our manufacturing capability is far better than India's.
Also as a specialist physician I have seen many times that when due to constraints, I prescribed an Indian drug, in 90 per cent of the cases I had to get my patients bac to local brands of similar generic products. This is not an issue of multinational or national companies; it is about high Pakistani manufacturing standards.
Moreover, the pharmaceutical sector is a leading business sector and our ministry has a very strong system of controlling drug prices. Sometimes even a meagre profit by the companies is questioned.
In addition, we have to accept that the industry is in a developing stage. India is self-sufficient in raw material, while more than 90 per cent of the Pakistani industry is importing raw material by paying high foreign exchange.
In the case of the antibiotic which Mr Amin mentioned it is not to be sold by any proper chemist in loose form from an open bottle i.e., one or two tablets. If Mr Amin is buying his medicines from some unqualified chemist, I would advise him to get rid of him and report to the local chemists' association.
Mr Amin also mentioned fake drugs. Probably he is unaware that this is a most serious and important issue for all concerned with the industry - not only manufacturers but the ministry of health, chemist associations, FIDs, drug-testing laboratories, etc. A review of some newspapers will show the level of concern of not only pharmaceutical companies but also all people dealing with healthcare products.
DR MOHAMMAD AHMAD
Bayer Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd Karachi
(II)
Mr Shahid Amin is not quite clear about his subject - whether he is complaining about the high prices or inappropriate packaging vis-a-vis the stability of drug or tampering of products by chemists or is concerned with fake drugs.
As a medical professional, I have encountered fake drugs - a copy of a multinational's research product. I also read in the newspapers of many such incidents. 'Fake drugs' should be checked.
However, the issue is, who is going to take the responsibility? It's beyond any doubt that a mafia is involved. Tampering of packs (especially of capsules and tablets available in bottles) is also an issue of concern.
One of the reasons for chemists opening bottles and dispensing medicines in small quantities is the purchasing power of our people. Usually when we prescribe a drug for a certain duration, the patient tends to buy a day's dose.
I would suggest that the prime minister should intervene and take all stakeholders into confidence to tackle all such issues as directly influence the health of the people.
I am sure that we would all like to get medicines of high quality and for this we should monitor manufacturers, check fake drugs, inculcate good pharmacy practices, etc.
DR HASAN THARANI
Karachi
Women seats in assemblies
The decision to increase women's representation in the national and provincial assemblies has been welcomed by women and women organizations of the country as well as by men having a soft corner in their heart for women, especially women who are subject to subjugation by their ignorant fathers, husbands, brothers, sons and even worse by those who have poor or no authentic knowledge of women's status in Islam.
In two and a half years of this government's tenure no positive change in women's affairs has yet been noticed, even in the Hudood Ordinance which purely relates to them.
On a more positive note, any legislation passed henceforth will have the approval of a greater number of elected women members, as against the laws approved before by assemblies with less representation.
If one wonders why President Gen Pervez Musharraf's decision on greater women representation in the assemblies was not opposed, the reason appears to be simple: the male members are optimistic that they can always mould decisions in their own favour and to their advantage.
CAPT KHALID S. HAQUE
Karachi
PIA aircraft fire
This is regarding the fire which broke out in the undercarriage of PK789 at Manchester airport on March 1. PIA's 777s were involved in similar incidents in May 2004 and two in June 2004.
The report pointed out a wrong type of grease being used by the airline to lubricate the undercarriage that was thought to have caused a fire when the brakes heated upon being applied on landing.
Manufacturer Boeing warned in 2001 that excess grease also needed to be cleaned from the brakes in order to prevent a fire. A thorough investigation should be launched against those responsible for the maintenance of this aircraft. Also, if the airline did not have the "expertise" to maintain such an expensive and sophisticated aircraft as the 777, why did they purchase it in the first place?
ALI MUJTABA
Islamabad
Human rights record of US
In recently published reports, the US has criticized many countries, such as India, Pakistan, Russia, et al, for their human rights record. I wonder why it did not mention its own record and that of the UK for actions in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.
VINIT JOSHI
Mumbai, India
Hydro-electric power
WAPDA is paying huge amounts to the NWFP for hydro-electric power produced by the Tarbela and Warsak dams. Both historically and legally, the rivers are the property of the federal government. Legislation regarding hydro-electric power plants built and run by Wapda is the domain of the federal government under the Constitution.
No royalty, therefore, becomes due to the province in which a hydro-electric power plant is located. Payment of royalty to the NWFP on hydro-electric power plants in Tarbela and Warsak is a big hurdle in the construction of the Kalabagh dam the royalty for which would go to Punjab in line with past practice.
If payment of royalty for hydro-electric power plants to be built by Wapda in the country is discontinued, one of the hurdles in the construction of the Kalabagh dam would be removed.
Moreover, small hydro-power stations were built on some canals during the British era. Can't we build similar power stations at every 50 to 100 kilometres on perennial canals to provide cheap electricity?
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
Seeing red
The multi-million-rupee gate being built at the Sindh Hilal-i-Ahmar complex in Clifton, Karachi, has got me all worked up. I asked the contractor and he said that the ornamental gate, which serves no purpose other than looking beautiful, cost about Rs12 lakh.
For a charitable organization like Sindh Hilal-i-Ahmar, how does one justify this expense? Especially at a time when thousands are suffering in Sindh alone for want of medicines and food, following rains and other disasters.
AZIZ AHMED
Karachi
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