Balochistan: cross-currents

DISPARITIES breed hatred and weaken the very foundations of civil society. In every walk of life — education, health facilities, social and economic progress — Balochistan is lagging far behind. All the four wheels of the federation are not moving at equal pace. Now these disparities are having serious political consequences.

Although the parliamentary subcommittee formed under the chairmanship of Mr Mushahid Hussain has presented its final report, even a formal announcement of the proposals is not in sight. Another subcommittee for constitutional matters under the chairmanship of Mr Wasim Sajjad is, unluckily, cutting a sorry figure. The status quo needs some fresh moves.

It is evident that all the attention of the government is focused on a transitory reconciliation over issues that need concrete and permanent solutions. The demand for provincial autonomy is as old as Pakistan itself. Unfortunately, we have always tended to freeze or camouflage things. This marginalization cost us dearly dissection in 1971.

Once bitten is twice shy. The earlier we understand the real nature of things, the better it will be. It is already too late to mend problems by ordinary therapy.

Even though there is peace after the negotiations, one cannot feel assured that there are no cross-currents beneath the surface.

If the government wants to find a durable and permanent solution to the problem, it should introduce a package in which employment for locals, education for all, spreading a network of health facilities and supply of safe drinking water occupy a prominent place. The politics of water resources, the NFC award, the operation in Wana, disputes over utilities and the benefits of mega projects, shaky democratic values and inter-tribal divisions and conflicts have provided ground for various forces to aggravate the situation.

A national dialogue is a must to evolve a consensus over all these factors which are providing fodder for disunity. Democratic and participatory decision-making and involvement of provincial government at all levels of planning and implementation must be adopted. The provincial-federal relationship must be strengthened and respected.

The government should know that it can achieve more by pursuing a persuasive and less abrasive course of action by engaging all the major players of the game in meaningful and productive talks.

TARIQ HUSSAIN
Lahore

Utilizing expatriate money

THIS is with reference to Mr Shahid Javed Burki’s article “Utilizing expatriate money” (April 19). Mr Burki has talked about the role government has to play as an intermediary between the expatriates and their homeland to lure foreign remittance.

He has proposed to the policymakers various corrective measures to create a conducive atmosphere so that those living and working overseas can remit their surplus money back home for some gainful use. He has, however, left an extremely important aspect unattended. This is the lack of credibility and imprudent financial discipline demonstrated by public institutions vis-a-vis the public exchequer.

That is why in the post-9/11 scenario the money remitted by expatriates from abroad due to insecurity created in the host countries has been mostly invested in the real estate instead of productive ventures. One result is the increase in real estate prices.

Mr Burki’s analysis about the failure of the governments of Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif, even for that matter the government of Z. A. Bhutto, to attract substantial remittances carries weight. But during those periods also, one of the major reasons behind lack of credibility and interest shown by the expatriates was mainly the government’s lopsided socio- economic approaches and extravagant use of public money.

ALTAMASH MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi

A hero in the making?

IN our part of the world, a villain becomes a hero and a hero turns into a villain very easily. And we are accustomed to it. Mr Asif Zardari is one such hero in the making. It is surprising how a trip from Dubai can turn an ordinary person into a frontline competitor.

The way the government has reacted goes to the favour of the PPP. Since long, the party was short of momentum. To return to active politics the party was in dire need of an event that could provide momentum to the party at the grass roots level.

When Mr Zardari was released on bail, it was presumed that it was the outcome of a deal between the PPP and the government. It is true that this is just the beginning of the end and its end will surely be a compromise between the two sides. But who will lose in this game of hide and seek? Surely, it will be the Chaudhris of Gujrat.

At this stage, they can slow the process of compromise by their influence in the establishment. But in the long run, they will have to step down to give way to the PPP which is the natural ally of General Musharraf. Ms Bhutto is aware of the fact that Mr Zardari cannot be a second Quaid-i-Awam. He has no roots in the public. People are not sympathetic towards him. But she can assert her decisions on the party through her husband and wait for an appropriate time to come back home to bring “real democracy” to the land.

If theparty leaderships can bring in a democratic culture, their parties can be a source of strength with the support of the public. The government should not obstruct rallies in the name of law and order so that the democratic process can evolve. In Pakistan, wrongs have been done in the name of law and order. It is the time politics was given a chance to play according to its own rules.

SOHAIL KHALID
Toba Tek Singh

Gulmohar city

I WOULD like to agree with Syed Sadaquat Hussain (April 22) referring to Dr Faridon Setna’s letter “Gulmohar city” (April 14) but want to add a word of caution.

We had holes dug outside our house in Karachi to plant trees when we were confronted by city government officials who said we had violated city space and if we did not fill up the holes, we would be booked. So after paying for the digging, we had to pay for the filling — without any trees as the end result.

The moral of the story: please make sure to take necessary permission from the city government before making Karachi a “Gulmohar” or any other kind of city.

S. BABAR
Karachi

IN the letter “Gulmohar city”, Dr F. Setna has suggested that we plant Gulmohar trees on roundabouts and in other areas.

We can also plant neem trees which are hardy, and will help cleanse the air. The many varieties of bougainvillea can add colour along the main boulevards, instead of the champa that is now planted along Korangi Road near Kala Pul, which requires a lot of watering in this heat. Even the indigenous keekar can be trained to form a graceful tree.

The city administration should think of these simple suggestions, for it is criminal to be depleting the already limited water resources when alternatives are available. Cantonment tankers are often seen watering plants at midday, when the sun’s heat does not allow water to be absorbed into the soil.

More plantation will not only provide shade and add beauty, but keep the environment clean.

AMREMRA ALI
Karachi

Sports medicine

THE Sports Medicine Association of Pakistan (SMAP), founded in the late 80s by Prof (Dr) Nishat Mallick, has a track record of successfully conducting sports medicine congresses, seminars and workshops in association with the Inter-

national Olympic Committee, the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine (AFSM) and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

Exactly three years ago on the night of April 26-27, 2002, Dr Mallick, the founding president of SMAP, was gunned down outside his house in DHA, Karachi, by unknown assailants. Unfortunately, his first and second death anniversaries went fairly unaccounted in the media.

Dr Mallick was by far one of the most dynamic leaders in the field worldwide, distinguished for his expertise and respected for his knowledge and the selfless services he had rendered, for which he was conferred the Sitara-i-Imtiaz posthumously last year. He was the 17th professor of sports medicine in the world and was elected unopposed as president of the AFSM, being the first and only person from Pakistan so far to have held this prestigious position. He is also the only individual to have become a member of the POA in its 57 years of existence.

In his lifetime, Dr Mallick had carved an important niche for Pakistan in the world with his pioneering contributions to this unique field. In his death he has made that niche indelible.

CHAIRMAN (PUBLICATIONS) SMAP
Karachi

Tradition or trade

THE existence of “piri-muridi” as an institution is very old in our part of the subcontinent. In the absence of a proper education system, people have no way but to rely on the so-called pirs for resolution of their problems. The charlatans among the “pirs” spare no opportunity to fleece every paisa from these credulous people. Surprisingly, the list of devotees also includes some ministers and bureaucrats.

At some shrines, people needing psychiatric care are seen tied with ropes and chains. Such scenes are commonplace in the courtyards of some of the mazars in Sindh and Punjab. Common people are robbed of both their faith and money.

I know personally a village in the interior of Sindh where a shrine was erected overnight. It was reported that the previous night a “baba” had come in the dream of a villager and ordered him to construct a tomb over his grave. However, the tomb has been built by the man not on his own land but on the land of his neighbour without obtaining the latter’s permission.

A vast majority of our people still live in ignorance because they are deprived of education. Only education can free us from the clutches of the so-called “pirs”.

PERVEZ AHMED SHAR
Khairpur

Shisha smoking

HOOKAH or shisha smoking is centuries old. It used to be limited to elderly villagers but in recent years it has witnessed a marked increase in urban areas. The shisha is different from the traditional hookah in the sense that besides plain tobacco, certain flavours and aromatic substances are added to the mix. Many restaurants in Karachi are now offering shisha to their customers and some newly-opened eateries are doing good business on this count. For youngsters, shisha use is exciting and trendy.

In a recent survey conducted in Karachi schools, it was found that over 90 per cent of children have experimented with this form of tobacco. This number included both boys and girls as young as five and six. The most tragic aspect revealed by the survey was that most of these youngsters were unaware that shisha smoke contains tobacco along with other flavours.

The research shows that shisha smoking can have serious health consequences. The smoke from the shisha contains hundreds of potentially dangerous substances, including carbon monoxide, charcoal, nicotine, arsenic, cobalt, chromium and lead. Nicotine and tar levels in the smoke from a single use of a shisha are roughly equivalent to those produced by 20 cigarettes.

Research has also shown that after 45 minutes of shisha smoking, expired air carbon monoxide and plasma nicotine levels, as well as the heart rate, are significantly elevated. Nicotine dependence may also result from repeated inhalation of tobacco smoke.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of shisha use. If they are present in any restaurant or home where a shisha is being used, they face an increased risk of lung infections.

There is an urgent need to educate the public about the dangers of shisha use. Our respected public figures, family physicians and concerned citizens as well as non-governmental organizations should come forward and warn the people about this spreading trend. Special programmes should be organized in schools warning children against the dangers of shisha use. The government must also introduce laws barring restaurants from serving shisha to under-age customers.

PROF JAVAID KHAN
Karachi

Transport problem

THIS has reference to the news item “UTS routes for Shah Faisal area urged” (April 2). Shah Faisal Colony is an old suburb of Karachi. Its old name was Drigh Colony. Between the 80s and 90s the transport system in the area was orderly. Some buses of the KTC and minibuses Y2 and F-7 were available for Saddar, Tower and Landhi. Later the F-7 mini-bus route was abolished for unknown reasons. In this period, vans began a shuttle service. Now they dominate the scene and pick-ups are plied without permit. Since the KTC became defunct, no new bus service has been started. However, transporters are now trying to start new minibus routes in the area.

Those who want to go outside the area to destinations like Tower, Saddar, North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Malir, Landhi, Korangi and Clifton have to use pickups to reach Sharea Faisal to get other transport. The Y-2 route minibus which is available for Saddar, Tower and Dockyard goes only up to Saddar in the afternoon.

One route passes through the Malir river-bed whose condition is very poor.

I request the city nazim to take steps to introduce a proper bus service for the people of Shah Faisal Colony.

FAZAL MAHMOOD
Karachi

Building delays

I AM an old man suffering from Parkinson’s disease besides a host of other diseases. I booked a flat, No. B-109, in Gulf Way Tower, Clifton, Karachi, and since 1990 have made considerable payment to the developers. The structure of the building is almost complete but construction work was stopped due to some legal hitches about eight years ago. I have learnt that the developers are not interested in following up the case in court as they see that prices have risen and it suits them that the allottees take back their money and the flats are resold at exorbitant prices.

My lifelong earning has been invested in this project, I am undergoing a heavy financial burden due to medical expenses and a large family to maintain and I am afraid if nothing is done, I will become penniless. Can the government help in such cases?

BASHIR AHMED
Karachi

Passport offices

IN the past, every district in Karachi used to have a passport office for the convenience of applicants. But now only the Saddar passport office is allowed to function with the promise of home delivery from the interior ministry.

Since a home delivery arrangement is not in place, the other option is to reopen passport offices in every district for the convenience of the public.

Will the authorities look into this problem?

MUSLIMUDDIN ALVI
Karachi

Woman prayer leader

DR Mohiuddin Waseem and Mr Muslim in their letters (April 8 and April 16) have expressed their views about the mixed congregational prayers led in New York by Dr Amina Wadud, a scholar of Islamic learning.

In this connection, I would like to recall that the late Dr Mohammad Hamidullah, a renowned scholar, had delivered some lectures on various topics at the Islamic University, Bahawalpur, in March 1980. These lectures were published in book form, Khutbat-i-Bahawalpur, by the Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad, in 1985. In reply to a question raised by a student pertaining to the point at issue, Dr Hamidullah had replied:

The “Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) had appointed Umm-i-Warqa as an imam of the mosque of her mohalla Ahal Darha. The muezzin was a male. The men also used to offer prayers under her imamat. Umm-i-Warqa continued to lead the congregational prayers till her demise during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA).

“This very fact is mentioned in Abi Daud and Masnad-i- Ahmad. In my view, a woman was allowed by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to lead the congregational prayers due to the exigency of the situation. This was, however, an exception and not a rule (pp 35-36, Third edition, 1990)”.

What the exigency of the situation was has not been described by the learned scholar. The fact, however, remains that a woman was once appointed as an imam by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

SHAIKH KHURSHID HASAN
Karachi

Situation in Gilgit

THE law and order situation in Gilgit has deteriorated to the extent that the administration is not able to keep peace despite deployment of heavy contingents of law-enforcers. The assassination of the former inspector-general of police, Sakhiullah Tareen, some time back is sufficient proof of the failure of law enforcement efforts.

There are a number of countries that have their interests in the area. So, the government must ensure that the agents of the mischief-mongers are hunted down and punished.

After the murder of Shia leader Ziauddin, more than 20 persons have been killed in terrorist attacks. Despite claims by the local government and police to hunt down the culprits, no one has been arrested so far. The situation has led to the closure of educational institutions, creating uncertainty about the future of students and their career. This is because employment opportunities in Northern Areas are few.

The government must reassess the situation and take steps that leave no room for anti-social elements.

M. A. AZEEM MUSTAFAVI
Karachi

Sixes & fours

WE still remember Miandad’s sixer against the Indians at Sharjah. Now we have Inzamamul Haq’s four on the Indians’ home ground.

Well done, Inzamam.

S. FARID AHMAD
Karachi