| 30 April 2005 | Saturday | 20 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426 |
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Quality PhDs
DCET principal
VIP movements
NIT units
Road repairs
Public suggestions
Car purchase on cash
Lyari library
Gulmohar city
Clarification
Ground realities
Anti-white book
Clifton chaos
Education in Sindh
THE situation in Balochistan is indeed preoccupying. The fact that the Baloch people were left out of the development undertaken in other parts of the country cannot be denied. But by whom? If the government did not do its job, did the sardars and chieftains oblige? As chiefs of their tribes, they were as much responsible for the neglect. Nevertheless, the sad fact of the backwardness of Balochistan is there and this must be rectified as soon as possible.
It is imperative that this should not be done by doling out jobs and increasing the royalties of the sardars and the chieftains. It is really no farsightedness to give jobs to persons who are not yet qualified for them. Instead of any progress, this will only lead to regression. Nor does the solution lie in increasing the royalties for the sardars. This will only postpone the problem for a decade or two before the chieftains come up with new arms, perhaps purchased from the royalties given to them.
As I see it, from the point of view of an educationist, the primordial step is to open schools and hospitals in the province. The government should fund the opening of good schools in all small towns, and good colleges in all big towns. Similarly, for the common people, hospitals should be opened in big towns and dispensaries in all small towns. By spreading education among the masses, and caring for the health of the common people, it will be within a generation that the qualified Baloch will be vying for not only provincial but for posts at national levels as well.
Personally, I doubt the sincerity of the feudal lords. They are all clamouring for jobs and royalties. Not one of them has demanded opening of schools and the spread of education. If they have, then I owe them my apologies.
In the province the writ of the state must hold sway and should not be abandoned to the feudal lords.
MUSTAYEEN AHMED KHAN
Angers, France
APROPOS of Dr K. M. Larik’s letter (April 12), I feel that a dissertation abstract and dissertation index on the pattern of University Microfilms An Arbor, Michigan, USA, be framed on what ever research work has been done in Pakistan since 1947 in order to avoid duplication and plagiarism in research.
While I was vice-chancellor of the Sindh University, the above proposal was forwarded to me by the writer in his capacity as dean, faculty of arts, which was endorsed by me and sent to the chairman of the University Grant Commission but no development in this regard took place.
I am confident that Prof (Dr) Atta-ur-Rehman, chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and ardent research scholar, will do something tangible in this regard. The matter is of utmost importance but entails a real hard task on the part of the HEC to accomplish.
A few cases of plagiarism and duplication in research were reported to me during my tenure as VC and that was simply a painful phenomenon. Research is a pursuit of truth for innovation and creativity and, as such, it should not lack candidness and integrity.
An honest researcher builds a social contract with the reader and the community and creates an ethos that will lead them to trust the researcher, to guard against researcher’s biases in collecting and reporting evidences and, above all, avoid plagiarism. Therefore, the researcher carries dual responsibility towards the selected reader and to society. This creates the ethics of civil communication and compels the researcher to develop the range of moral or immoral choices. The immoral choice leads a researcher to plagiarism.
Since most of faculty-supported research in the areas of humanities and social sciences is done at the department level of the universities, no faculty be allowed to work on MPhil/PhD degree unless he/she has not successfully completed the basic course on research methodology. Unfortunately, writing research paper at undergraduate or graduate level in a Pakistani university is almost non-existent. Perhaps, the HEC should begin conducting research methodology workshop on each campus every three months in order to create pools of researchers.
PROF (DR) NAZIR A. MUGHAL
Karachi
THIS is to endorse the views expressed in the letter “DCET principal” (April 21) regarding Dr M. Saleem Chaudhry, the slain principal of Dawood College of Engineering and Technology.
It is regrettable that a month has passed by but nothing has been found out about his killers. What is worse, the late principal’s wife had, in an interview with Dawn, reported that she too had started receiving threatening phone calls like her husband had before his murder. But, the police had taken no notice of her complaint, despite her appeals to the president and the prime minister.
She further said that no steps had been taken to provide any financial relief to her three daughters, two of whom are students. This as very sad. Dr Chaudhry had spent 31 long years teaching in DCET, although he had the opportunity three decades back to settle abroad where he could have provided a far better life to his family, yet nothing has been done to mitigate their financial difficulties.
He had helped produce thousands of engineers for this impoverished country. President Musharraf should grant a suitable compensation for his family, ensure their protection and get the investigation expedited. How this senior educationist’s case is treated will have a significant impact on the future of education in Pakistan.
If heads of universities and colleges or teachers feel their own security and the future of their family will be threatened in trying to enforce discipline, why would they risk their lives or lose a chance of migrating overseas?
S. QADRI
Karachi
ON April 19, I was driving along with my friend on the Mall, Lahore, at around 10am when all of a sudden we were motioned by some policemen to move to one side of the road. I kept driving in the left lane when again the policemen frantically motioned me to move my car further left. There was no more room on that side of the road. My friend observed that someone important must be about to pass by, which is why we were being “driven up the wall”. We were the only ones on that particular stretch of road and the rest of the traffic was held further back from where we had entered.
The policemen looked upset but I just kept driving on the extreme edge of the road thinking there was enough room for the VIP and his cavalcade to pass, and also that I too had the right to drive on the road. Four cars with blaring sirens — and loaded with armed policemen — passed by in high speed, pointing at us as if we were saboteurs. Closely trailed by three more armoured vehicles, a black car with heavily tinted glasses zoomed by so fast that we could not even see the VIP. The last of the cavalcade drove so close that at one point I thought they were going to run into my car with their guns pointing at us. My friend looked worried and said, “You could have gotten us killed…”
I may not be a supporter of the Pakistan People’s Party but one image from 1977 has left an impression on my mind. We were on a roadside when Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto passed by and he had his car’s windows down. I was only a child then but he stopped his car to meet me along with some grown-ups who were standing by.
I would certainly like to know the worth of the person in that black car that makes us common citizens feel worthless.
MRS A MAHMOOD
Lahore
APROPOS of the observation made by Dr M. Iqbal (April 13), it may be clarified that the prevalent pricing system, i.e. the forward day, has been introduced with effect from Aug 18, 2004. It is neither a new concept nor exclusively adopted by NIT. Other major mutual funds are already using the same system.
It was adopted keeping in view the interests of long-term investors, with the approval of the board of directors and all the relevant authorities, i.e., the trustee and the SECP. Also, one month’s notice was published in all major newspapers, and unit holders were communicated through the chairman’s review in the annual report of 2003-04.
The system was adopted to discourage speculative investors who treated NIT as a stock market and not a mutual fund, i.e., in the event of the stock market falling heavily, the speculative investors, in order to protect them against that fall, started making short-term investment for capital gain on that day. The previous day pricing system also provided a loophole, which could trigger a free fall in the market. As such these speculative unit holders were earning more and more at the cost of real and long-term genuine investors, by way of getting capital gain on short-term investment.
The forward day pricing system resisted the speculative element, and investment in NIT continued for a longer period, which would help NIT to give the best possible return to its unit holders.
PRO, NITL
Karachi
PEOPLE living close to Karachi’s Korangi industrial area road and the ones using it to go to Landhi, Port Qasim, Steel Mills and beyond were excited when they read the city government’s plan to repair this road.
The expectation grew even further when a lone tractor a part of the katcha pavement for road extension work starting from the English Biscuit Factory for about a kilometre. This happened about six months back.
With ever-increasing traffic and road construction work carried out in the other parts of the city, this 13-kilometre road segment from Hino Chowrangi to Dawood Chowrangi, Landhi, seems suddenly overloaded. A sewerage overflow inundates the road.
Big potholes filled with sewerage, traffic jams, blaring horns, traffic rule violations follows. There are several semi- permanent, small sewerage lakes on this important artery now.
People are waiting for the day when this road will be repaired. To quote Ghalib:
Aah ko chahiye ek umr asar honay tak
Kaun jeeta hai teree zulf kay sar honay tak
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
ACCORDING to a ‘public notice’ (April 22), the executive officer, Faisal Cantonment Board, Karachi, has invited public suggestions regarding construction and road repairs in the fiscal year 2005-06 within the limits of Faisal Cantonment. It is a happy augury.
I would like to suggest that a few sheded bus stops, with public conveniences manned by a male / female caretaker to charge, what is approved, for the services utilized by an individual, may be provided in the various blocks of Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Karachi, that fall in the limits of Faisal Cantonment. The bridge provided on the circular railway, adjacent to the hilltop lawns in Block-17, has become risky owing to lack of repairs and its face-lifting is needed to guard against pedestrian and motor traffic accidents.
The service lane in front of the Kassim Complex is always inundated owing to overflowing gutter. Not only the bad sewerage is to be repaired but part of the lane that has been damaged in order to facilitate the pedestrian and other traffic.
Tree plantation is needed not only for beautification of an area, but it also keeps the atmosphere clean. Trees like ‘kachnar’, ‘bottle palm’, gold mohar tree’, ‘ashoka’ and ‘amaltas’ should be planted and maintained in blocks, that are within the limits of cantonment board.
Most of the roads and the streets in Gulistan-i-Jauhar are not yet named or numbered to facilitate the strangers to find their destined address without much rambling.
A subway is also necessitated in front of Rufi Paradise or Rufi Lake Drive in Block-18, for safe crossing of the road in peak hours. The cantonment board is also requested to see if it can help flat complexes to build small children parks with lots of playthings. Space is readily available in Rufi Lake Drive, where once there was a small park for children and women.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
SOME people are reluctant to buy cars through leasing companies and prefer to pay cash and save the mark-up amount.
The other day I visited an authorized dealer and inquired about the price of a car. I further told him that I would like to pay cash. His reply was that cars were available for sale only through leasing companies.
I fail to understand as to why the public is compelled to buy cars only through leasing companies and pay the mark-up amount. This is unjust. I would request the car firm to authorize its dealers to sell cars both against cash and through leasing companies. Other automobile assemblers should also follow the same practice.
I would also request the production ministry to investigate the matter and direct the automobile assemblers to offer their products both on cash and through leasing companies.
S.W.A. MAULAI
Karachi
IT is heartening to note that higher authorities concerned are now paying attention to the problems of Lyari. During his recent visit to Lyari, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, be-sides announcing a substantial amount of fund for Lyari town, expressed his desire for promoting sports and other social activities in the area. In this regard the past performance of Lyari town administration has been very much disappointing. For example, Lyari Text Book Library is the only general library in the area, but due to the negligence and apathy on the part of the Lyari town administration and the town nazim, the library has been facing many problems for quite a long time. Complaints concerning library affairs have been constantly ignored or unattended. Lack of funds cannot be an excuse for apathy and negligence.
Beside new standard books and proper sitting space, etc., the library needs proper management, and punctual and qualified staff. A lot of unnecessary and unwanted books are added to the library junk market located at Khori Garden, Karachi. Therefore, a thorough inquiry into the whole affairs of the library by the governor’s team is welcome. Such surveys of all local or provincial government -managed libraries will no doubt improve their working further.
MUMTAZ MAHAR
Karachi
I MUST join all those who are supporting mass scale plantation of Gulmohar in Karachi (letters, April 14, 22, 27). In the UAE, the desert of yesteryear has been converted into oasis by cleverly using the local date palms, planted all over the place and beautifully landscaped. Many Pakistanis who have visited the UAE must have marvelled at the appropriate use of date palms.
Similarly, a choice must be made by doing good research as to which tree is most ideal for Karachi. This must be planted in abundance in the city and private homeowners should also be encouraged. Surely with a little effort Karachi, too, would become a green city.
SHAHBAZ S. AZMI
Dubai, UAE
THIS is with reference to the letter by Dr Mehtab Ali Shah, “Menace of fake degrees” (April 25) which seem to give the impression that Dr Isa Daudpota was sacked for writing articles in the press about fake degrees. The COMSTECH secretariat wishes to clarify that the contract of Dr Isa Daudpota, former project leader of CFTC, was not extended beyond December 2004 based on his performance.
The COMSTECH secretariat evaluates the performance of all employees at the end of each calendar year and the decision on extension of their contracts is made on the basis of performance evaluation.
AFTAB HUSSAIN ZAIDI
Director Administration, COMSTECH
Islamabad
THIS is in response to the news item in Dawn: “Fazl assails US policy of war and exploitation” (April 26).
The maulana should not politicize the issue but see for himself the ground realities in the light of his address to members of the Sukkur District Bar Association: “In order to save its dwindling economy (sic), the United States is trying to occupy oil and other mineral resources of the Arab world.”
What dwindling economy? Comparisons should be realistic. Is the comparison being done with the Middle East, Europe or Asia? Who seeks aid from the World Bank or the USAID and other such agencies? People are still arriving in the US in large numbers.
If the economy was as bad as the maulana claims it to be, why would people still make efforts to come to America? Perhaps to escape the intolerance that people like the maulana have shown towards the women, the educated and the weak, etc.
MAIRAJ A. KHAN
Connecticut, USA
IT is a matter or concern that a book, which depicts white people as the work of the devil, written in Urdu has appeared in Norway and is being sold clandestinely in Oslo.
Bigotry and discrimination are not restricted to people of any particular race or religion and there are people everywhere who are quick to stereotype others. Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are well-known examples, as also anti-Americanism since 9/11.
Nevertheless, in view of the fact that this book is published in a language identified primarily with Pakistan, it is crucial for this country to join the Norwegian investigation into the affair. If its publisher can be traced, the government should take strict action and ensure such acts of sick minds aren’t repeated.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
IT is a pleasure to see extensive road development taking place in Clifton, Karachi. On the main road an underpass is under construction, other roads connecting Park Towers are being carpeted, and the Mai Kolachi road is undergoing expansion.
Commuters are forced to use side streets and detours which are potholed and choked with traffic. Traffic often comes to a standstill with long-body trailers and supertankers exacerbating the situation.
Since the underpass could take at least six months to complete, positive steps should be taken at once. Heavy vehicle movements should be restricted on these roads and diverted to the coastal seaview road. Traffic police should be deployed at points where bottlenecks occur to ensure normal flow at peak hours.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
THE biggest obstacle to education in Sindh: “5,000 government schools closed down due to shortage of teachers” (April 24) — Sindh Education Minister Hamida Khuhro. Response: “All government schools to change their uniform from yellow to light blue” (April 24) — Sindh Chief Minister Dr Ghulam Arbab Rahim.
NAEEM SADIQ
Karachi
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