| July 18, 2005 | Monday | Jumadi-us-Sani 10, 1426 |
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High cost of visits
Good governance
Dancing with the Taliban
Youth hostel
Restructuring of OIC
London blasts
Issues of identity
Bank defaults
IT’S an established fact that the curriculum of medical institutions always plays a central role in healthcare. From a patient’s viewpoint academic medicine for research leading to better health-care services, education of medical students, and leadership in patient care, research and education are essential elements. But times have changed both for the medical profession and the medical curriculum in Pakistan. The mounting hindrance to contributing to scholastic medicine and challenging financial, political, consumer and technology trends are grounds for concern. Academic medicine has to do better to survive as a leading player in the healthcare infrastructure.
The International Campaign to Revitalize Academic Medicine (ICRAM), a global initiative to develop a new vision for academic medicine, deserves praise for timely planned introspection and action. Patients have had a fundamental role in the crusade from the start and will carry on contributing. Is that satisfactory? Certainly we in Pakistan can’t afford to hang around for the results of this strategic process. We should insist more from policy makers and academic medical centres now.
Stalwarts at medical institutions and the ministry of health and those at the helm of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) should examine old models, think outside traditions, and ask themselves why and how academic medicine will recover in the face of curtailed wherewithal, departmental lack of correspondence, increased competition and emergence of potentially disagreeing driving forces. These are challenging scenarios. Without questioning predetermined and rigid concepts and redirecting the spotlight on the revitalization of academic medicine there is very little chance of any change.
There are many parallels for change within academic medicine. A national level policy of “thinking globally and acting locally” and patients have a fundamental role in initiatives to increase research funding and development, improve medical and patient education, and empower patients. The patients are the ultimate voice in a healthcare infrastructure. The World Health Organization’s belief is that all stakeholders must be integrated at every juncture, beginning with the formulation of a proclamation on the need for change, an incorporated vision and mission, foundation concepts, and objectives. At the same time funding bodies must be encouraged to tender ideas. A national steering body is necessary for implementation of evidence both within and across the country, to motivate stakeholder groups, guide funds for national development, and highlight significant accomplishment. Patients must be incorporated as a stakeholder in all strategic and action groups because without this revitalization of academic medicine will remain as elusive as it is now.
DR TALLAT H. ABID
Karachi
THIS is in response to Argentine ambassador Rodolfo J. Martin Saravia’s letter (July 13). The ambassador writes that the trips made by the president and prime minister can serve to change the country’s negative image and the misperceptions about Pakistan that exist in the world. One hates to burst that bubble but one doubts that visits by the president or the prime minister are going to change the perception of what the rest of the world thinks about Pakistan and its people. That onus lies squarely on the shoulders of its citizens.
The state of affairs is so sordid that even Pakistani sportsmen, especially squash players, are not granted visas to compete in tournaments held in European countries and no one from the foreign office or the prime minister or president is concerned about that. Would the government of Argentina stand by and do nothing if their soccer or tennis players were not granted visas?
The majority of the population of Pakistan is uneducated and they have no idea how their future and that of their children is being mortgaged by the very men and women who claim to represent them and ask for their vote in the pseudo-democracy that exists in Pakistan. The issue of the money spent on these trips, which the envoy so eloquently side-stepped, can be better spent elsewhere. Education, healthcare, better roads, electrification of villages, cleaner environment are a few of the areas that come to mind.
The day the ambassador’s letter got published, Pakistanis woke up to the news of the horrific train crash near Ghotki. The roads leading to the site of the accident are so bad that it took the emergency personnel an hour to get there. One of the reasons for this crash is that Pakistan Railways maintains a manual system of signals in remote areas. Are steps being taken to overhaul and make this mode of transportation more robust? One doubts it. Exorbitant amount of taxpayers’ money is spent on foreign trips ferrying relatives and sycophants of high officials, which should be spent instead on improving the infrastructure around the country so that when disasters happen damage can be limited and affected citizens can be provided better care.
As far as the statement about MoUs being signed is concerned they are just that — memorandums of understanding with no promise to follow up on them and no penalties to pay if one of the parties backs out of that commitment. Does an MoU carry more weight when a president signs it? A minister of state could have done that, with a little fanfare for his ego of course, and that too without leaving Pakistan.
Mr Ambassador, do you feel the despair of the people of Pakistan that Mr Anwar Syed and others like him try to convey through their articles? There is a dichotomy between the words and the deeds of the rulers of Pakistan, and that adds to the frustration.
F. GHADIALI
Via email
THIS has reference to Mr M. M. Rab’s letter ‘Good governance’ (July 9), wherein the correspondent has aptly identified various factors that are invalidating the much-trumpeted perception of good governance. The most fundamental and significant constituent of any healthy and vibrant society is its system of justice.
Unfortunately, over the past 50 years this system has gradually been eroded, less by default and more by design. Our system of justice has got its first jolt from the top when the verdict of the Sindh Chief Court on the constitutional petition filed by Maulvi Tamizuddin, speaker of the Constituent Assembly, against the controversial interpretation of constitutional provisions by Ghulam Muhammad was reversed.
Thereafter, prime minister Z. A. Bhutto did away with certain guarantees ensured to help the higher judiciary maintain impartiality and independence.
More shattering blows were inflicted by not only successive authoritarian regimes but also by the so-called popular and highly mandated governments. As a result, the system has become so expensive, cumbersome and time-consuming that litigants instead of approaching the courts try to settle cases at a personal level.
To attain the status of a healthy and enlightened society we have to make the judiciary completely independent of executive interference, so that not only is justice done but is seen to have been done.
The importance of the judiciary as an institution in making society fair and egalitarian is best illustrated by an incident relating to Winston Churchill, then prime minister of England. This was during World War II when England was experiencing the German blitzkrieg.
The bombardment was so intensive that in the city of London hardly a single building was left untouched. In those emotionally distressed moments where even survival of the state was at stake, the prime minister, replying to a query from his desperate colleagues, said that “even in such trying circumstance if our courts are dispensing justice, then our country will survive”. Good governance is corollary of a just society.
ALTAMASH MANZOOR
H. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS has reference to Mr Irfan Husain’s column ‘Dancing with the Taliban (July 9), the writer seems to suggest that Muslims settled in foreign countries should stop performing certain religious acts that distinguish them as outsiders, in order to pose less of a threat to their western hosts.
If merging in with the crowd is the supposed solution to the many problems faced by them, one wonders how far they would have to go in an ever-changing world. In a quest to conform to standards set by people who as yet have no fixed norms, where would we finally stop? Sure, take off those long, oppressive loose clothes, throw off that hijab... and then gradually move on to practically no clothes, perhaps? Outraged gasp... no, of course not, there is a limit to everything... but my question is, who sets these limits?
True, physically obvious displays of your religious beliefs can cause problems in places where you are part of a minority, not least in getting jobs.
I am aware that the concept of striving to rise above the average, so that you are sought after despite these seeming peculiarities of behaviour/dress, etc., is idealistic, at least in positions like waiting tables and as receptionists.
However, they are not flamboyant tattoos or outlandish piercings that hippie types might conceal or take off in order to secure decent jobs. They are an integral part of our person, our identity, our very being.
To quote Mr Husain, “When economic reasons drive people to emigrate, logic demands that they remain open to change in order to better their lives.” If his idea of change entails being tolerant of other cultures/religions, well and good — but wait, that isn’t change at all, for that is exactly what Islam preaches. If, however, it means going against basic injunctions like practising purdah and keeping a beard, well, we need to remember that there are certain absolutes that no practising Muslim can ever disregard. Maintaining a balance between your religion and worldly matters is all fine, but forsaking your fundamental beliefs would ultimately lead to your being ‘Muslims’ only in columns marked ‘Religion’ on forms requesting your biodata.
SALMA J. HAIDER
Karachi
FOR tourism, youth hostels are one of the best ways to stay economically. But in Pakistan the youth hostels are neglected. Their condition is deplorable. It seems that the state is least bothered about both local and foreign tourism potential.
Recently we happened to stay at the Bhurban youth hostel and it was a disappointing experience. The bedsheets were dirty and the pillows were filthy. The blankets did not appear to have ever been dry-cleaned. There was an acute shortage of water and it was available only for a short time. The toilets were seldom cleaned and without water one can imagine the situation. Electricity bulbs were missing in the rooms and toilets. There were no mirrors in the bathrooms. There were no hooks even to hang clothes on. The folding cots were mostly broken.
I wonder if the minister and secretary concerned have ever stayed in the hostel even for one night. It would be an instructive experience for them to do so.
KHAWAJA NAVEED AHMED
Lahore
A RESTRUCTURING of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is being discussed. The organization may be renamed as “United Muslim World”. Here are a few suggestions to help make the organization vibrant and effective to protect Muslims all over the world.
“United Muslim World” member states should demand the implementation of the UNSC resolutions regarding Palestine and Kashmir and abstain from attending the sittings of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council until the world body ceases to be used as a tool against the Muslims.
“United Muslim World” should demand thorough investigations in the cases of the destruction of the US embassies in Africa and the 9/11 tragedy, to be examined and presented in a court of law. Two Muslim countries have been occupied and hundreds of thousands of innocent Muslims have been brutally killed and maimed for life. Thousands others are being tortured in notorious jails around the world by the USA.
Western journalists are churning up false stories against Muslim states, placing them in the international print media, video/audiocassettes of dubious nature are shown to the world, known and unknown Muslim names are cited as those of leaders of terrorist organizations claiming to be behind crimes like bomb blasts. A “Muslim world media” should be organized to follow up on these false stories and investigate and uncover the “motivated blame games” against Islam and the Muslim world.
“United Muslim World” should establish a Muslim lawyers’ wing and engage lawyers of credible international repute to take up the case of each Muslim arrested and detained for being “suspect” for having links with one or the other terrorist groups (most of these groups in fact are the “brainchild” of spy agencies like the CIA, Mossad and RAW). Hundreds of Muslim youths are allegedly being “disappeared” to be used as “suicide bombers” by these very agencies.
There is no dearth of highly qualified dedicated men and women of courage and conscience in every sphere of life among the Muslims of the world. We only need to get organized and provide a united forum for these men and women to work for the emancipation of the Muslim states of the world and take the Ummah towards peace, progress and viable economy.
Z. AHMED
Rawalpindi
THIS refers to British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s statement, “the world must deal with the causes of terror” (Dawn, July 10).
This statement comes as a surprise as previously the stance of the British prime minister was stark, stiff and hard. The same view is always emphasized by President Pervez Musharraf at all times and almost on all the occasions when he meets western leaders.
One recalls the same words when the Pakistani president visited the UK the last time. Recently, Prime Minister Blair said: “The underlying reason for terrorism must be pulled up by the roots.” This also appears to echo what Gen Musharraf said some time back, but these suggestions were never taken into consideration at that level before.
Now such belated comments are coming from the head of the UK government. They were overdue — ever since the loss of innocent lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What was the fault of those 50 plus innocent lives that were blown up in the recent London bombings? Nothing but the wrong policies of their leaders.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, Canada
FOR many Pakistanis, London has become a second home. There is much hospitality and warmth there.
The horrendous attack on innocent people has been condemned the world over. What condolences one can offer to the bereaved families? A minority of insane intellects have hijacked nations. The majority stands frustrated as the edifice of suicide bombings is difficult to demolish. Whatever the cause, no religion permits terrorism.
Fear of reprisal against Muslims in London and elsewhere has become imminent. Whether Muslim outfits or others are involved has yet to be determined. Killers are on rampage and this can be witnessed even in Pakistan. A fanatical minority is on a killing, dacoity and bombing spree. Londoners should understand this as well. Muslims in London and elsewhere must cooperate with all communities to fight terrorism.
SAIFUDDIN E.
CONTRACTOR
Karachi
WHATEVER happened in London is an act of terrorism and whosoever has done it are terrorists; there should be no doubt about it. London is a loving city and Londoners are loving people. Why must such a beautiful city of so many good people be targeted in the name of religion?
Pakistanis are living there as a respectable community and one would request President Pervez Musharraf to make a visit to London to condole with the British government.
Our religion is a religion of love and peace and whosoever is preaching his own brand of Islam are the worst enemies of this religion.
SHAKIL AHMAD KHAN
Khartoum, Sudan
MR Anwar Syed, in his article “Issues of identity” (Dawn, June 26), says: “The Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch and Pakhtun identities have existed for hundreds of years. But Pakistan is only 58 years old, meaning that we still have to get used to the idea of being Pakistanis.”
I am afraid this line of thought is not right. The history of a land and its people is a continuous process. Pakistan did not come into being in 1947, or in 1940, 1857 or 712. The land, its people and its civilization existed since time immemorial. Moenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila bear witness to the existence of earlier civilizations, as do the Lahore Fort, the Badhshahi Mosque of the Mughal era, and the schools, colleges, universities, museums and legislative assembly buildings of the English period. The Aryans, the Buddhists, the Greek, the Muslims and the English played pivotal roles in synthesizing the Indus Valley civilization into an independent nation called Pakistan.
The present post-1977 Pakistani generation has no knowledge of the history of this land. Textbooks give a badly distorted history, leaving an impression that Pakistan is co-terminus with the Islamic conquest of the subcontinent.
People should not be deprived of the knowledge of the true history of their country and that of the world at large. A sense of history inculcates a sense of belonging. In the absence of this knowledge we will continue groping in the dark about issues whether we were implanted here from Arabia, Central Asia, Iran or India and do not actually belong to this land. Our history needs to be re-written correctly as our strength lies in its continuity. Only then will we be able to get used to the idea of being Pakistanis.
FAQIR AHMAD PARACHA
Peshawar
YOUR attention is drawn towards a letter by Mr Naushad A. Vazir (July 13) in which CIB has been described as “Credit Intelligence Bureau”. The correct term is “Credit Information Bureau”.
MUBASHAR AHMAD
Jhang
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