| March, 17 2005 | Thursday | 06 Safar 1426 |
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‘Allotment’ of Clifton beach
World Consumer Rights Day
A Pathan Odyssey
Indian arms stockpile
Momentum of national rejuvenation
Tackling milk prices
KPT’s jet fountain
Mobile phone robbers
President’s uniform
EQUAL employment opportunity (EEO) is the assurance that all employment-related actions are based on objective, non-discriminatory criteria. State and federal laws and regulations prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, etc.Equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone on any pretext. The EEO speaks of the equality of every human being while considering a candidate before, during and after employment.The EEO anti-discrimination protections apply to all of the terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment and selection, promotions, testing, training and development opportunities, hiring, transfers, work assignments, discipline, compensation, discharge, performance evaluation, working environment and other conditions of service.
Affirmative action is an effort to undo the unfair practices of the past in various organizations. It is a means to level the playing field for women, individuals with disabilities, underprivileged classes and minorities as a logical step towards equal employment.
Pakistan’s law makes it obligatory for employers to follow EEO principles. Affirmative action, however, is expected to be implemented as a voluntary component of the EEO policy.
The EEO does not, in any circumstance, mean that the managers should hire unqualified candidates in breach of merit. This is only a mechanism to avoid unfair practices and biases during employment process.
In Pakistan there are many cases which show that women are discouraged from working. It is not considered good for them to go outside and work. Many employers hesitate to hire women.
In Pakistan, for every 100 men in the labour force, only about 21 women are economically active.
Pakistan’s Constitution puts a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex in appointment in “the service in Pakistan”, provided the performance and functions of the job can be carried out by, and is deemed suitable for, both sexes.
The federal government introduced a new labour policy in 2002 empowering labour courts to order reinstatement of illegally dismissed workers or award reasonable compensation in lieu of reinstatement.
The federal and provincial governments have also made legislations about the provision of two per cent quota for special (disabled) people in the employment in all departments.
It is my hope that people understand their rights and seek legal redressal when they are faced with discrimination. It is only then that the system against discrimination will actually start to work.
ABDUR RAFAY
Islamabad
THE Clifton bay, the only view of the open sea easily accessible to the common residents of Karachi, and the Clifton beach were exposed to sewage disposal, oil spills, floating wrecks and urban encroachments in the past. The few kilometres of the Clifton beach that remain are now threatened with extinction by a Rs1.5 billion project of the Defence Housing Society, described in a report in a section of the press (March 1). If the news report is correct, the project, undertaken by unspecified foreign investors, will be launched in the next few months. There are many questions and issues, relating to the project which should cause concern not only to the residents of Karachi but in view of the principles involved to the country at large.
First, has the project been approved by the provincial government or the KDA or the agencies responsible for the environment or protection of the coastline? Obviously not. Perhaps the DHA is exempt from operation of all rules and laws pertaining to town planning, coastal conservation, etc.
Secondly, why has the project not been notified for public information and comment? In case of commercialization of residential plots, the neighbour’s consent is necessary. Can a whole beach be handed over to developers without consulting those concerned who, in this case, are the people of Karachi.
The news report states that the “beach has been allotted” to the DHA. This is extraordinary. Can national beaches be allotted to private housing societies? Will we learn one day that K2 and Nanga Parbat have been leased to some tourism corporation?
In countries promoting tourism, seaside resort development always excludes the natural beach from building intrusions. If such a beach allotment has been made, which authority has sanctioned it and on what terms and conditions, as regards price, etc.?
The DHA and other ambitious beach developers should heed the warning of the ruined casino on the Clifton beach which has passed from birth to death without enjoying the benefit of the interval of life.
The Clifton beach, despite the mutilation it has undergone, remains a free publicly-owned area for the enjoyment and benefit of the less affluent. The details of the project are not available but in view of profusion of luxury buildings proposed, the area left for the public beach would be minuscule. Where would the common man be in the glittering world of five-star hotels, private lagoons, shopping plazas, high-rise buildings and other urban monstrosities? What happens to the traditional donkey cart races, the congregation of youths on New Year’s Eve and lakhs of common visitors who go to the Clifton beach for innocent enjoyment of sea breeze, the sandy beach and a view of the immemorial Arabian Sea.
I hope that better sense will prevail and the project is abandoned for good.
V. A. JAFAREY Karachi
THE World Consumer Rights Day is observed on March 15. This year the theme of the WCRD was “Consumers Say No to GMOs (genetically-modified organism)”.Genetical modification of food and seed is now technology which poses many environmental, biological and health risks.The United Nation Environment Programme defines prime monitoring as the type of biology which used to alter genetic material of living cell or organism in order to make them capable of producing new substance or performing new function”. Unlike natural breeding, this kind of forced breeding breaches the natural barriers and combines genes of distant species, i.e., from animals to plants, which is impossible naturally.
Furthermore, genetic modification cannot be termed a precise operation. Precision of the location where the trait is inserted cannot be controlled by the available scientific tools and knowledge and it is the location of the genes which governs its effects. This is the main reason for unexpected results. It can also destabilize the way DNA replicates, transcribes and recombines. Scientific knowledge is yet to go a long way to know about the effects of such destabilization.
The value of scientific research cannot be overlooked, including biotechnology to improve people’s life and environment. However, development based on scientific research is incomplete if not subjected to the stringent testing, conforming to regulation necessary for the safety, and having proven benefits before being marketed. At present, GM foods do not pass those tests.
Pakistan is lacking far behind in biosafety guidelines which is yet to be implemented. Furthermore, national safety standards like labelling legislation, liability agreements against potential damage caused by GMOs and in broad term comprehensive consumer protection laws are still to be enacted.
MUHAMMAD ANWAR
Research Assistant, Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad
THIS refers to Mr Amanullah Khan Gandapur’s letter “A Pathan Odyssey” (Feb 18). The writer’s assertion that the Congress won only 16 seats out of the total of 38 Muslim seats and Dr Khan Sahib’ ministry had the support of 30 MLAs in a house of 50, including 12 non-Muslim members is incorrect. “The Muslim League lost badly with only 17 out of 38 Muslim seats” (Jinnah of Pakistan by Stanley Wolpert, page 256). The NWFP was the only Muslim majority province in India where the Muslim League failed to capture the majority of Muslim seats in the 1946 general election. Dr Khan Sahib’ government had the support of 33 members in a house of 50, including 12 non-Muslim and not 30 as stated by the writer. The non-Muslims’ percentage in the Frontier province was eight per cent and not six as stated by him.
The writer’s statement that 11 minority members in the legislature crossed the Wagah border before Aug 22, 1947, also lacks in authenticity. Many non-Muslim MLAs, including Mr Mehr Chand Khanna, a minister in Dr Khan Sahib’ dismissed cabinet, migrated to India much later.
If, according to Mr Gandapur, Dr Khan Sahib’ ministry had lost the majority support in the legislature and its strength was reduced to 15 in a house of 39, then why was the democratic procedure to dislodge the ministry by tabling a no-confidence motion not adopted? Instead reliance was placed on the unconstitutional dismissal through the governor for which there was no provision in the constitution in force at that time, i.e., Government of India Act 1935 as amended by the Indian Independence Act 1947.
R. R. ALVI
Lahore
INDIA has finalized a deal with the US to purchase the Patriot missile system. It is by no means the final deal. There are many others in the pipeline. Why is India, a nuclear power, purchasing the most modern weapons? Against whom is she stockpiling arms and ammunition? On the one hand, India is engaged in negotiations with its neighbours and, on the other, it is accumulating sophisticated weapons. There is a composite dialogue going on between India and Pakistan. There are negotiations about negotiations between India and China. In spite of this, India is trying to set off an arm race in the region.
Surely, there are far-reaching objectives behind it. What else could be the purpose other than to establish Indian hegemony in the region? India wants to show its importance to the world to become a permanent member of the UN, knowing that the US is the key player which can help it to achieve this goal. Self-defence cannot be an excuse for getting the latest weapons.
M. AKRAM SAQIB
Sahiwal
IT speaks volumes of the traits of some Pakistani columnists who take a pessimistic view of national affairs. As President Pervez Musharraf, clad in Pakhtun dress, was trying to marshal the support of the people of the NWFP for the Kalabagh Dam, he was subjected to scathing criticism by a politician-cum-columnist known for his anti-army bias. Gen Musharraf’s Kalabagh campaign comes on the heels of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s Iran gas pipeline talks, which goes to prove that both leaders want to change Pakistan’s fortunes.Both have worked in tandem to lift Pakistan economically and positioned it strategically in the post-Sept 11 world.
Things may be short of one’s expectations, but nevertheless are moving in the right direction. Why then to throw a spanner in the works?
What is more important, enlightened moderation, a dam, provincial harmony, solid foreign exchange reserves, economic growth, end of terrorism, peace with India or a farce of democracy that this country witnessed during the rule of Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mr Nawaz Sharif?
Put simply, at this juncture, should the Pakistani nation be seized of the non-issue of Musharraf’s uniform?
Put to a lay person, he will, probably, answer in favour of continuation of Pakistan’s transformation, under the stewardship of President Pervez Musharraf, regardless of his attire.
Put to some “enlightened” writers, they will plead for the exit of President Pervez Musharraf to pave the way for the re-entry of the hordes of plunderers who bled this country white during their misrule.
In any case, at a time when the straws in the wind indicate a softening of hearts across the political divisions, why must the atmosphere be spoiled?
There is a background to this change in political scene. The opposition political parties are in disarray over the issue of mounting a campaign against President Musharraf. The MMA wants the ARD to formulate a joint strategy with it to make such a movement effective.
The ARD has its own political goals and objectives, not the least being the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, which in fact lies at the centre of its every political move and action.
Even among its component parties, differences exist. This was manifest in Nawaz-Benazir meeting over the question of siding with the MMA in its so-called movement, when both met in Jeddah.
Why do they lack support? Pakistan’s economy is improving, so are its other sectors. It cannot be said that everything is hunky-dory, but what can be safely said is that things are moving towards betterment.
Pakistan’s parliament may not be the best example of a working parliament, because of the intransigence and puerile attitude adopted by the opposition parties, nevertheless it is working, and nobody can deny this fact.
Our turbulent history tells us that for the purpose of smooth democracy, we need to have a system in which no friction is caused by the jousting for power between the offices of president and prime minister. This is where the NSC steps in to rectify this anomaly in the system.
And this is where President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s personal rapport figures in the power equation. Pakistan today is much better placed than where it was in 1999.
H. B. SHEIKH
I READ with interest the discussion on official milk rates. The government is taking a very short-term view of the problem. It is treating the symptoms and not attacking the root of the problem. The major cost of milk in the peri-urban area of Karachi is the cost of the buffalo. The cost of the buffalo is Rs45,000. During the lactation period of approximately 305 days, the buffalo produces an average of 2,750 litres of milk. At the end of the lactation period, it will be sold for Rs18,000 to the butchers. The difference adds Rs9.82 to the cost of milk. The other costs add Rs14.44, raising the cost to Rs24.26 per litre. These actions will not only increase the number of the available buffaloes, but will also substantially increase the average milk production per buffalo, if proper breeding programmes are followed.
It will bring down the cost of buffaloes, increase milk production and resultantly decrease the milk prices.
AFZAL H. DOSSANI
Karachi
IT is appalling that the KPT or the KPT-induced sponsors (March 9) are spending Rs224.37 million on a 500-foot jet fountain, to be anchored in the severely polluted, sewage-infested sea in front of Clifton. In a country where half of the children do not have access to education, the KPT is wasting a huge amount on a frivolous fountain. This is like washing one’s linen in the public, as all the fountain is going to spray in the refreshing Arabian sea wind is a jet of Karachi’s sewage, industrial heavy metals and remnants of the Tasman Spirit’s black oil.Shouldn’t these funds be spent for a higher purpose? We should take heed from Mukhtaran Mai’s who has spent Rs0.5 million of her compensation money on a school in her village.
FASEEHA
Staten Island, New York
MOBILE phone snatchers are on the rampage knowing well that the hapless and defenceless citizens are in no position to protect themselves because of the police. The government has miserably failed to curb and control the menace of phone snatching and has further abetted these criminals by not allowing easy and free access to arms to the public and also by banning the carrying of arms by people. If phone snatchers are confronted by armed victims, there will fewer cases of snatching.
HABIBUR RAHMAN
Karachi
A SERIOUS misunderstanding had developed between former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Gen Pervez Musharraf over the Kargil conflict. Owing to lack of proper understanding between the two, Mr Sharif decided to get rid of his COAS before the completion of his tenure. If Gen Musharraf would have been allowed to complete his tenure and retired honourably, the present situation of wearing the uniform by the president should not have arisen. Mr Sharif misread the situation. The Kargil adventure was undertaken because of violation of the Simla agreement. After the occupation of Siachin in 1984, the Indian army started a regular campaign of interdiction of supplies along the Neelum valley on Muzaffarabad-Kel Road in 1992. Subsequently, Pakistan had to build an alternative bypass to continue its supplies to the Kel Sector. In 1994 the interdiction caused intensive damage and sufferings to the civilians because of which the Neelum valley road had to be closed.
India continued targeting civilians on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir side of the LoC. In early July 1998 there were very heavy civilian casualties in the Neelum valley when the Indian troops pounded many villages.
The Pakistan army could not take this lying down and had to give a suitable reply to the Indians by capturing some high peaks in the Kargil sector and hampering their supplies on Dras-Kargil Road to Siachin.
Whether this adventure in Kargil was correct or otherwise, it is part of history. If Mr Sharif had not dashed to Washington and given in to the US pressure to withdraw troops, we would have been in a better bargaining position with India regarding the Kashmir dispute.
The existing situation in the country demands that the president should stay in uniform until 2007. To end this letter, it would be worthwhile to state that nobody has occupied the seats of the president and prime minister forever.
SQDN LDR (retd) RAJA
MUHAMMAD SABIR
Jhelum
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