| March, 15 2005 | Tuesday | 4 Safar 1426 |
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Corporal punishment
‘Slow and hazardous’
Fire in multi-storey building
House rent
Managing CPSP affairs
N-dimension of Pakistan-US relations
KPT officers’ housing society
Airport tax
Mohatta Palace
Safe play place
Working of PCSI
Democracy
OVER 20 million people in Pakistan suffer from some kind of physical disability. There is also a growing number of senior citizens. Any one of these people can tell you what an ordeal it is for them to visit many an office, go out for a meal, shop or even decide to enrol in a multiple-storeyed institution.
The reason for restricted mobility is the appalling lack of amenities for the physically-challenged. The Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, has no provision for either ramps or elevators as mandatory for all public-use buildings.
To correct this abysmal shortfall, I submitted in the Sindh Assembly the ‘Sindh Building Control Ordinance (Amendment) Bill 2004,’ the amendment being that the construction of ramps and elevators be made mandatory in all commercial buildings in order to make all parts of a building accessible to people with physical disabilities. The senior minister, Syed Sardar Ahmed, who can be counted as a senior citizen, opposed the introduction of the bill. The flimsy grounds for opposition were that there was no need to change the law, and instead, ramps and elevators can be included in the general guidelines issued to the department concerned, making their construction advisable, but not mandatory.
In terms of providing adequate facilities for the physically-challenged, Pakistan is a long way behind other nations and fails miserably to come up to international standards. There are no special transport facilities, parks, or reserved parking spaces.
Instead of progressing, our policies show a definite regress, as the quota for import of duty-free vehicles by people with special needs has been cancelled. This proves that the government has no interest in addressing the issue. Even countries like the UAE, in our close proximity, have greater realization of the special needs of the physically-challenged.
In a society where we do little for people with disabilities, the government’s opposition to a bill seeking to provide them with unhampered mobility, thereby increasing opportunities for their progress, is disgraceful that will have damaging long-term effects.
SHAZIA MARRI
MPA Sindh
THIS is in reference to a news item titled “Boy, 6, brutally beaten in school” (March 10). Generally, such issues are not handled in the way these should be and they are not so uncommon too. Being myself a victim of light (relative to this case) beatings by a schoolteacher makes me feel the pain of such children.
Unfortunately, it’s not just a problem with a one class of schools but it has deep roots. Students of many reputed schools are solely at the mercy of mentally sick, hence professionally incompetent, teachers. Children, especially boys, feel it shameful to tell such stories to their parents when they return home. In cases where parents somehow get to know such an incident, they are threatened with expulsion of their children.
The police are not an option in such cases because most of these better schools have top-ranking government officials’ children who would do anything to save their child’s future, just as the not-so-powerful ones keep quiet after a complaint to the principal as they have no other option except have their children expelled.
The second most important reason for parents not taking adequate measures is the start of a vicious cycle on the part of the teacher which includes repeated poor grades, even failing the child in a subject.
I would recommend that a separate child protection act should be added to the law at least for Sindh because most of such abuses take place here. Implementation would be the greatest challenge. Skin marks go away in a few weeks but the marks on the mind haunt forever. Special parameters in the act should provide victim complete protection from any retaliation or victimization by the school administration. The child in the news item definitely needs mental rehabilitation to get back to that innocent and carefree state where a six-year-old child has the right to be in.
HURT SOUL Karachi
YOUR editorial “Slow and hazardous” (March 1) is a sad commentary on the level of gross negligence governing the state of affairs of our country.
The editorial quotes a report issued by the government’s own task force that “over 70 per cent of Pakistan’s road network is in a poor state of repair and maintenance. It estimates that Pakistan is losing about Rs320 billion annually, or nine per cent of GNP, because of poor quality of transportation system.”
The editorial rightly states that the government must put into place “an efficient network of roads and highways and ensure the quality of work done as well as proper maintenance”, which is long overdue.
The editorial was followed up by the prime minister’s own statement “Improvement of roads topmost priority” (March 2). The prime minister has further stated that “no compromise should be made on the standard of roads, as the country needs more roads with the growth of economy” and that he has issued directives that plans for construction of roads should cater to the country’s future demands.
It’s laudable to spend billions of rupees on the Lyari Express and the Northern Bypass in Karachi. But it would take only a fraction of that investment to make the Southern Bypass (currently the only artery connecting Karachi Port to the National Highway) at least a bit tolerable for its users. The current state of disrepair / neglect of the Southern Bypass (i.e., Korangi Industrial Area’s main road 8000) reflects the degree of negligence by the National Highway Authority.
MUNIR BANA Karachi
A FIRE incident took place on March 5 in Mehdi Tower, a multi-storey building located near the Sindhi Muslim Society traffic intersection on Sharea Faisal in Karachi. According to the investigation, there was a short-circuit in the basement which later on travelled to almost all the floors. Hundreds of people were trapped. Most of them had taken asylum on the roof of the building and, finally, evacuated by the fire-brigade department.
There is only one snorkel with the fire brigade department and that too, according to reports, was under repair at the time of the incident and was ultimately used in the rescue operation. Luckily, no casualty was reported.
According to the fire chief, there was no fire alarm and hydrant system inside the building.
Karachi, with many highrise buildings and residential apartments, badly needs an effective fire protection system. The fire chief has suggested that builders should come to his department to seek guidance about installation of fire protection systems. I suggest builders be bound by the law to place a proper fire protection system, including fire extinguishers, in their highrise projects.
Moreover, there must be an evacuation plan, to be made jointly by the city government and the office-bearers of residents’ associations. Installation of smoke detectors inside the buildings can also be helpful. The city government should also arrange at least two more snorkels for the fire brigade to meet the growing requirements of the city.
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
RENT in Islamabad is sky-rocketing. The minimum rent is in the range of Rs6,000-12,000 per month for a low or medium-class neighbourhood, the next range is Rs13,000-25,000, depending upon the area and number of rooms, and the highest slab starts after Rs25,000 and can go up to Rs100,000, in some cases Rs150,000. To this, add a minimum 10 per cent increase every year if one wants to live under the same shelter, otherwise one has to pack up stuff and move out.
I wonder how a public servant is able to pay that much rent. Market sources suggest that rents in the last five years have increased more than 100 per cent in some cases. They cite many reasons for that. One of the main ones is the greed of landlords and property dealers. Also, too many people chasing too few shelters. The property dealers manipulate the rent hoping to fetch more commission.
I think ‘greed’ and ‘need’ are two different things. This is happening right under the nose of the federal government. New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world, yet it has effective rent controls. The landlords are not allowed to charge what they demand and they all follow what the law allows them to demand.
I wonder if any law exists that gives equal rights to the tenants in Islamabad.
SYED ASAD HUSSAIN
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to Mr Ather Husain’s letter “Managing CPSP Affairs” (March 8). The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) is supposed to be a revered centre for awarding postgraduate degrees and diplomas to doctors in Pakistan. As a member of the college, I regret to say that instead of helping the trainees the college only creates obstacles and hindrances in their process of achieving postgraduation.
Recently, the CPSP has nullified the FCPS-I of hundreds of candidates. Till the year 2001, there was nothing in the rules of the CPSP that allowed it to invalidate the FCPS-I, and once attained, it remained valid for life. Mr Hussain has only mentioned a part of the clause which was printed in August 2002 and he has omitted the other relevant part which reads that “all candidates who passed the FCPS-I in 1998 or earlier must get registered with the research and training monitoring cell (RTMC) by December 2002, and appear at least once in the FCPS-II on completion of the period equal to the required training in their specialty which shall be counted from December 2002, failing which their FCPS-I will become null and void”. But even before this period lapsed, that is December 2005-6, more than 400 candidates were left stranded with notices of termination of their part-I.
The CPSP contends that it informed the candidates but most of them did not receive any notice of this. In the same clause, it further says that “trainees who could not complete the training within the stipulated time on account of circumstances beyond their control will be considered on an individual basis”. Now the CPSP is refusing to consider even those candidates who, like me, were unable to complete their training due to valid medical reasons like suffering a heart attack, road accidents, malignancies and chronic diseases.
I endorse Dr Nadeem Ahmed’s proposal to have a governing body to supervise the affairs of the CPSP, and I appeal to the minister of health to intervene personally in this matter and help the hundreds of doctors who would like to complete their postgraduation and serve their nation, but are being discouraged to do so by the country’s only centre for postgraduation.
AN AFFECTED CANDIDATE Karachi
(II)
WITH reference to Dr Nadeem Ahmed’s letter (March 5) and its response (March 8) by Mr Ather Husain, Senior Executive Officer, CPSP, I would like to highlight the plight of not just a “few” but many of the affected candidates.
A number of candidates are being affected, mainly those that passed the FCPS-1 exam in July 1999. They had the notion that for a three-year programme, their FCPS-1 would carry a six-year validity period, as mentioned by Mr Husain in his response as well.
Mr Husain assures us that these candidates after being “duly scrutinized” by the CPSP committee would be allowed to take up the FCPS-II examinations in the current year. But that does not seem to be the reality.
These candidates, with just a few weeks left for those appearing for the March 2005 attempt, are facing an ordeal of going through the process of providing the research & training monitoring cell (RTMC) of the CPSP with details of their training, something which should have been demanded at an earlier date.
The RTMC as well as the examination section at the CPSP have been misleading candidates that none of the FCPS-1 candidate of the 1999 batch has any chance of appearing in the current year’s FCPS-II examinations, which appears quite contrary to Mr Husain’s response.
What really boggles the mind is that why a candidate of July 1999 (FCPS-1) is not being allowed to sit for the FCPS-II March 2005 examination (since the validity of the FCPS-1 is supposed to last six years at least for a three-year programme)?
Such candidates are being treated on an individualized basis by the CPSP, since their parent institutions where they have completed their training have failed to stand up for
them. It is time that these institutions’ academic councils and postgraduate training authorities shouldered responsibility and ensured that their candidates are not deprived of their rights.
At the recent CPSP convocation, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was quite excited to be at the CPSP. If things do not come under control, I am afraid the excitement will be shortlived.
I hope Mr Ather Husain understands that this should put the futile debate to rest.
DR SAJJAD ALI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to MR Tayyab Siddiqui’s article “Nuclear dimension of Pakistan-US ties” (March 10) in which he says: “Pakistan played a pivotal role in this war and was rewarded by American largesse. President Musharraf was hailed for his personal contribution in making Pakistan a front-line state, despite strident domestic opposition.”I agree with the writer’s viewpoint. This is not the first time after 9/11 when Pakistan has extended full diplomatic and political support to the US. It has been doing so almost since independence.
Now, Pakistan, under the leadership of President Gen Musharraf, is supporting
the US despite stiff resistance from Pakistan’s clergy. Even two assassination attempts have been made on the president. Pakistan’s role against international terrorism and hunting down Al Qaeda activists cannot be underrated.
The US administration has to extend full assistance to the government and it must not create any difficulty for Pakistan’s nuclear programme. It has to provide the F16 aircraft for which an agreement was signed in the 1980s.
MANSOOR ALI SHAHANI
Karachi
THE letter KPT officers’ housing society (March 9) reminds me of those precious plots which were allotted to the trustees of Karachi Port during 1996-97, at a negligible cost, to seek favourable decisions.
Being one of the trustees then, I was perhaps one of those few who refused to accept such an allotment. One wonders how much money those trustees, who accepted such allotments, made.
SYED MOHSIN RIZVI
Lahore
A RETURN ticket to Mumbai from Karachi costs Rs12,000 but government taxes take the figure up to Rs18,000. May I ask why the Pakistan government has levied such high taxes on air travel?
The latest tax has been imposed as a means to
earn revenue for the Civil Aviation Authority. In
my opinion, the CAA is an inefficient bloated organization that can be safely privatized so that the common air traveller does not have to pay such phenomenal amounts to keep it afloat.
SHAHID SHAKUR
Karachi
THE exhibition “Jewel in the Crown” at the Mohatta Palace was a good experience. It was quite assuring to see that the palace, a pre-Independence property which now houses the assets of the Jinnah family, is quite well maintained and its original glory restored.
The beauty of the palace is doubled by resplendent works of art. Antique utensils and chattels have adorned the palace, and it also has the Rolls Royce used by the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah himself. The gardens of the palace are filled with exquisite portraits of Mr Jinnah, ranging from those of his childhood to his last days.
This place creates a mind-blowing picture of our elegant heritage, and the exhibition has attracted the young and old alike. No doubt, it is the most happening exhibition in the metropolitan city of Karachi.
SANA HASHMI
Karachi
THE Zamzama Park, Karachi, is alive with the laughter of children, including that of my own child. My fear is that this laughter may lead to tears and tragedy.
Due to poor maintenance the play area has become
dangerous. There are protruding nails, worn-out tyre swings and slides with their support bars jutting out of the ground, etc.
The relevant authority is requested to inspect the park facility and repair/replace these dangerous items so that parents can relax and watch their children enjoy playing in this delightful park.
NAGINA FARUQUE-ZAMAN
Karachi
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the prime minister to the pathetic situation prevailing in the Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute. This organization was established to introduce cotton classing and grading so that our products could fetch a better price in the international market. Unfortunately the way it is being managed does not speak of any commitment on the part of the ministry of textile industry.
Under PCSI’s rules, the organization must be headed by a competent agricultural scientist having a PhD degree but an ad-hoc arrangement has been made in which a junior officer, with a BSc degree, is the head.
Moreover, the organization’s employees are working in a highly discouraging atmosphere. They have not got any promotion in the last 16 years.
BAKHTIAR AHMAD
Karachi
WHILE reading your editorial “Corruption and good governance” (March 9), I was surprised to note your comment: “Also, democracy does not have a built-in mechanism to keep the corrupt out.”
In fact, through free and fair elections under an independent election commission, democracy is the only system of government which has a built-in mechanism to weed them out the corrupt.
If I may add, good governance is only possible when the judiciary of a country is independent. Without an independent judiciary and an independent election commission, all talk of transparency, enlightened moderation and good governance is a load of hogwash.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
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