| March, 24 2005 | Thursday | 13 Safar 1426 |
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Allotment of Clifton beach
‘Library law’
A flawed price formula
‘US visa ordeal’
Managing CPSP affairs
NAB and corruption
No more minibuses
The murder of history
Foreign experts
Commentary over PTV
Expressway
Construction
In his article ‘Politics and public interest’ (March 13), Prof Anwer Syed writes: “A particular class of notables in our society, namely, the ulema, has been able to get the ruling elite to write into our successive constitutions and laws a progressively expanding commitment to implement their version of a good society.”
It is unfortunate but true that of all the differerent classes wielding political influence in Pakistan, conservative groups have consistently outperformed the so-called ‘liberals’ or ‘moderates’. This, despite the latter’s superior educational and intellectual strength.
The ‘ulema’ group with its vocal and sometimes violent foot soldiers has created a real or perceived ambience of superior street power. Thus even strong military governments are held at bay from institutionalizing progressive changes.
The persistence of the fossilized blasphemy and Hudood laws is one example of such a case.
In many an instance, the liberal media has been attacked by the ‘ulema group’ (sometimes through physical violence) and, not surprisingly, genuine criticism of many unacceptable state of affairs has become muted.
On the other hand, independent of such awesome attacks by the liberals, the ulema are free to speak their minds from the pulpit and write whatever they wish in their newspapers and publications.
Thus, political activism is very much alive in the ulema’s flock in contrast to the moderates. One example of this is evident in the number of street protests against any possible changes in the blasphemy and Hudood laws.
The ‘military group’ is another faction that has succeeded in suppressing liberal opinion. Such is its influence over liberal thought, that after decades of wrongdoing and worthless governance by the military, even now many consider its interference in the political process as justified.
MUBASHIR KHAN Indianapolis,
USA
This refers to Mr V. A. Jafarey’s letter “Allotment of Clifton Beach” (March 17). The writer’s assertions are based on lack of information.
Waterfront development the world over is seen as the showpiece of a city, mirroring the life and rhythm of its people. The Karachi project has not only the potential to bring a qualitative transformation and uplift of the Clifton beach but it envisages huge foreign investment in the country, creation of employment opportunities and a boost to national economy.
The project will contribute to the economic and social development of Karachi and Pakistan as a whole. The DHA is thus making a concerted effort to give the Karachi beach a face-lift for benefit of the citizens of Karachi who will soon see a real qualitative change in their lives and in their concepts of relaxation, style and fun.
The assumption of the correspondent that the common man would have no place in the glittering world of five-star hotels, private lagoons, shopping plazas and other urban Montessoris in the envisaged developed beach is contrary to the facts.
The maximum area of the beach front will be open with free access. The development of natural sand beaches of international standards and the construction of amphitheatres, promenades, jogging tracks, children’s park, water park and marina jetties, etc., in various zones is not fantasy but reality. The common citizen would have ample opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of natural beauty and the bounties of the sea. The rules and principles of environment protection, coastal conservation and town planning according to stringent national and international standards are in-built components of the project. Moreover, all the project designs are in accordance with contemporary by-laws and standards of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The allegation that unspecified investors are undertaking the projects is incorrect. It may be recalled that the beach front has been divided into seven zones according to the nature of the terrain and condition of the sea and, accordingly, each zone has been separately advertised in the media. Consequently, investors from Dubai, the UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and America have shown interest in investing in this project. The financial, structural, legal and contractual aspects of expression of interest have been evaluated at the DHA executive board in a most transparent manner to award the project strictly on merit.
It is also reiterated that the DHA is a statutory independent body established through a presidential ordinance. DHA projects do not need the approval of the provincial government or the KDA.
PRO, DHA
Karachi
This refers to Mr Najeeb Anjum’s letter “Library law” (March 12). He writes, “I strongly feel that the education authorities are to be solely blamed for the prevalent decline in reading habits all over the country.”
As a student, I feel that teachers are also responsible for this situation. I agree that the government should take some positive measures, but only a teacher can inculcate reading habits in students. In Mr Anjum’s own words, “I vividly recall my school and college days in Larkana when during classes we were encouraged by our teachers to participate in literary pursuits.”
I would like to ask Mr Anjum that as principal of Sir Adamjee Institute, does he think that teachers are committed to this duty? Do they encourage their students to participate in literary pursuits? If not, then why blame the government?
He has also stated that “in mid-60s conscientious citizens and teachers, including my father, established a children’s library...” Now, where can the new generation find such conscientious people?
Many intellectuals have personal libraries with thousands of books, but the question is “how do they use them? Do they lend these books to students? Do they arrange some literary sittings at their homes for young people?”
It is regretted that personal libraries are mainly being used to “get pictured with them”. So, let us not blame anyone. We are all responsible for it and we should take care of our responsibilities.
MUDASSER AZIZ
Karachi
Reference your editorial “A flawed price formula” (March 17), it would be too much asking the petroleum ministry to disclose the formula provided to OCAC and publish the last working carried out by it in arriving at the increased rates of various petroleum products on March 16.
Surely, the people have a right to know how much extra money the government and the oil marketing companies are collecting due to the increase in oil prices. The percentage of their share may be static but if there is no cap on the amount received per unit, these two recipient stakeholders will be minting at the cost of the miseries of the people.
While on the subject, I was taken aback to read the MQM’s proposal (March 17) to the government “to allow smuggling of diesel from ‘neighbouring countries’ for some time to improve the prevailing situation and to provide some relief to the people”. Instead of making such odd proposals, I would like to advise the MQM representatives in the federal cabinet to propose a reduction in the profit margin of the oil marketing companies and the taxes collected by the government on this count.
I would also like to suggest a crash course for Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on “political economy” to divert him from his present “banker’s mindset”.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
This is in response to the letter “US visa ordeal” by Mr Ahmed Ali Memon (March 21). Just because people who get US visas do not write about it does not mean that the US embassy is not issuing visas. Just take a look at the packed flights of all airlines to the US and you will know that. I myself visited the US along with some friends after 9/11.
We got our visas without any problem and in less than a month. American officials as well as the general public, whenever and wherever we encountered them, were really civilized and helpful. We always felt welcome, safe and secure.
In those days, when everyone expected racism and religious discrimination, especially in New York, all we received was plenty of hospitality and cooperation. We will never forget the courage of the American people, especially the people of New York. They have every right to safeguard their interests and give visas to individuals who fulfil all their requirements and meet all their criteria.
JAMAL A. N. DAUDPOTA
Karachi
This refers to the letters under the heading “Managing CPSP affairs” (March 14 & 15):
It was the 96th meeting of the CPSP council held on Sept 2, 2001, which after detailed deliberations and consultations with trainees, supervisors and subject specialists decided as under:
“All candidates who passed the FCPS-I examination in 1998 or earlier must get registered with the RTMC by 31st March 2002. They are required to appear at least once in the FCPS-II examination on completion of the period equal to the required training in their speciality which shall be counted from 31st March, 2002, failing which the result of FCPS-I examination shall become null and void. This condition will also apply to those candidates who are already registered with the RTMC and have not made any attempt at the FCPS-II examination till 31st March, 2002.”
On account of this decision, candidates who had qualified at the FCPS-I, irrespective of the date of qualification, were allowed to rejoin the training programmes for FCPS-II. The claim that the decision was retrospective is not correct, as hundreds of candidates who wanted to complete their training were inducted into regular training programmes, in cases even after a lapse of 10 years of passing FCPS-I.
The contention that FCPS-I once passed should hold for life is incorrect. The FCPS-I is not a qualification but is, in fact, an entry examination for joining the training programme leading to the FCPS-II examination. Moreover, the knowledge acquired of applied basic medical sciences in the chosen discipline becomes the foundation for learning clinical skills and concepts. There is no known system of education in structured competency- based education which permits the notion of a lifetime. Even at the MBBS level, an interruption of training for long period will render the previous examination null and void, according to PMDC rules.
The impression which is being given that hundreds of candidates of FCPS-I are affected is not based on facts. Those who passed FCPS-I in 1998 with three years’ training programme but did not re-register, as required, and after a lapse of six years had their FCPS-I already rendered null and void in March, July and November, 2004. There is no candidate on record who qualified in 1999 and completed all requirements for FCPS-II and had his FCPS-I validity declared null and void.
The 117th CPSP council meeting allowed relaxation in the validity period for more than one year to facilitate the applicants of the March, 2005 examination, who had qualified in 1998/1999. In this connection reference is invited to CPSP letter No. F.1-3/Exam-2005/CPSP/632, dated March 2, 2005 and letter No. F.1-3B/Exam-2005/CPSP/401, dated March 4, 2005, which states:
“On scrutiny of all documents, if they are found to be in order, you will be allowed to appear in the immediately following examination and informed accordingly. For such cases, following decisions have been taken by the Executive Committee of CPSP.
“1. The candidates who have passed FCPS-I in 1998 and 1999 and have applied for the March 2005 examination after completing all requirements for appearing in FCPS-II examination will not be required to apply again for the next allowed examination.
“2. The fee already paid for March 2005 examination will be carried over for the next allowed examination.”
From the above, it would appear that the CPSP does not obstruct those who want to acquire postgraduate qualifications on merit as per the existing CPSP rules. In fact, an additional period of six months to two years has been allowed in relaxation of the rules to enable candidates to take up at least once the FCPS-II examination on completion of all eligibility requirements.
Moreover, as clarified earlier also, a committee has been formed to review all cases where appeals have been lodged for consideration on an individual basis. The committee is headed by the adviser on examinations and its members include senior medical teachers.
ATHER HUSAIN
Senior Executive Officer, CPSP,
Karachi
NAB exhorts the public to raise their voice against corruption, claiming itself to be the people’s partners in combating corruption. So, the thrust is upon the people to perform the major job to enable NAB to function.
Corruption is not seen or written on the sleeves of the corrupt. It is to be felt with eyes open. The ministers and their associates living a lavish life are there to be watched. Government officials living beyond their legitimate means are seen everywhere. NAB cannot do anything about this nor are the people groaning under inflation in a position to raise their voice against corruption.
Corruption is not a new phenomenon in our country as NAB is trying to establish. It has been a fact of life since Pakistan came into being. But it was not so rampant in the beginning because the men in the government, as well as the politicians, were honest and they never thought of becoming business tycoons by sneaking away public money. Today it is public money on which everybody has his eyes. Therefore instead of asking people to come to the rescue, NAB should start to awaken the conscience of those who practise corruption as if it is their basic right.
GHEEWALA A.G.M
Karachi
I read with great concern a news item (Dawn, March 12) that the Sindh transport department is seeking to lift the ban on issuance of route permits for minibuses.
This is particularly disturbing as it would only increase the traffic congestion in the city because the city nazim is working on a plan to put more big-size buses on the roads and to phase out minibuses.
It is also shocking to note that as many as 3,500 minibuses are plying on city roads without any route permit. The question arises as to why the traffic police have not taken any action against these vehicle owners.
The city government is requested to resist this move of the transport department and save the people of Karachi from more accidents, more traffic congestion and the resulting chaos.
NAJAM
Karachi
As an old-timer who took part in the Pakistan Movement in the mid-40s, I was really saddened to read Aslam Minhas’s letter “The murder of history” (March 8), in which he has come to the conclusion that Pakistan is a country that has “no history, a twisted present and no future.”
Frustration with the failures of our past military rulers is certainly justified, but considering the positive achievements of the present dispensation and the promise of a democratic future, such abject pronouncements of doom serve no useful purpose, political or otherwise.
The democratic ideals of the late Z. A. Bhutto are still very much alive and I am not alone in foreseeing the emergence even in 2006 of a strong “people’s government” and an even stronger and prosperous Pakistan.
S. ASIF MAJEED
Karachi
This is apropos of the correspondence on “foreign experts”. There are three major kinds of “foreign experts”, including expatriates. The first are daringly visible and surreptitiously invisible but most influential planted intelligence agents. I cannot say much about them but I will know them anywhere. Pakistanis don’t.
The second kind comprises “losers” who lack a proper profession, carry fake credentials, and cannot find permanent jobs. They cannot pass licence exams abroad and are always leaning on friends and relatives; some become ministers in Pakistan. These are the most incompetent and most harming to Pakistan’s interests. This is the kind Dawn’s readers are writing about.
The third kind is of professional experts by virtue of their credentials, experience and sincerity. They are frequently not available to thankless Pakistanis and are being utilized by others. They generally do not read Dawn.
DR (PROF) YAMEEN ZUBAIRI
USA
If you cannot speak proper English or Urdu, call a snickometer a clickometer, do not know the field positioning of 7/2 offside and its relevance to the game of cricket and last but not least have played cricket but bear no knowledge of current game plans and can even quarrel with a well reputed ex-manager of Pakistan cricket team about how cricket should be played — congratulations, you are an automatic choice for the position of a compere in PTV for the current Indo-Pakistan cricket series.
PTV bosses, please spare a thought for the cricket lovers of this country and find someone more suitable and less irritating than Mr Waqar Ahmed.
DR TALHA M. SIDDIQUI
Via email
I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned the pathetic condition of the Shaheed-i-Millat Expressway, Karachi More than 50 per cent of the railing has been broken or smashed due to accidents.
Although at bends, navigational signs have been placed by some charitable organization, there are no border markings on the sides to help avoid head-on collisions.
Recently, there was an oil spill from some heavy vehicle on the expressway. All commuters will appreciate if some measures are taken to clean up the oil and put barriers on both sides of this expressway.
NASIR HUSSAIN
Karachi
Karachi’s PECHS is a residential area and there is no room for specific construction of offices and commercial enterprises. Furthermore, under the rules and regulations of the society a multi-storeyed structure cannot be raised on a 300-sq yd plot for any office premises.
But a three-storeyed office structure has been built and reportedly more storeys are to be built. The KBCA and the society office should look into the matter and do the needful before the structure gets a regularization certification.
A RESIDENT
Karachi
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