| August 12, 2005 | Friday | Rajab 6, 1426 |
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Electoral fairness
A pathetic lapse
THE just concluded two-day conference of commerce secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi has covered more ground for boosting bilateral trade than expected in the prevailing circumstances. The decision to hold a meeting on shipping and aviation next month can be regarded as a major step towards building lasting economic and trade ties between the two countries. The geographical proximity of the two and the economics of establishing firm bilateral commercial links clearly suggest that an increase in the frequency of flights between the two countries, especially linking points of commercial importance, and the establishment of shipping services between Mumbai and Karachi would surely be mutually beneficial. Dovetailing this move is the decision of the two countries to exploit to their mutual advantage the complimentarities of their economies. Indeed, the two countries could sell to each other at highly competitive prices and also save on the transport cost of many of the goods and services which they now import from far-off lands at a very high cost. This has been proven by the recent emergency imports of food items from India to Pakistan where shortages of these items had sent their prices as well as the domestic rate of inflation soaring. The two commerce secretaries have agreed to identify such items and then exchange lists for study and how best to exploit these complimentarities.
A logical corollary is to establish firm banking, telecommunication and transport links between the two countries to facilitate an increased bilateral flow of goods and services. That is why, when in New Delhi in November 2004, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had proposed the establishment of bank branches in the two countries. The commerce secretaries did well to agree to act on this proposal expeditiously. Since most of the banking in Pakistan is now in the private sector, it would be advisable if the representatives of these banks visit India, meet their counterparts and also invite them over to acquaint themselves with the banking sector in each country and thus understand the culture of the financial sector in their respective countries before taking more concrete steps on this score. Meanwhile, the under construction fibre-optic link between Amritsar and Lahore is expected to be switched on soon. This will provide Pakistan with alternative connectivity to the rest of the world and help it cope with the anticipated increase in the use of telecommunication services that are expected to come with increased commerce with India. It would also lower the call rates bringing down the cost of doing business with India. Pakistan had suffered serious economic losses when about six weeks ago its single connectivity through a submarine cable was disrupted suddenly.
There is a significant difference in the tariff and non-tariff barriers between India and Pakistan, with the former keeping these two barriers at a much higher level than that of Pakistan despite the fact that New Delhi has already accorded MFN status to Islamabad. Perhaps in order to rationalize these differences and to remove those that create hurdles in the way of two-way trade, the two countries have decided to look into non-tariff barriers at a meeting later this year of the sub-group of a joint study group (JSG) which would also consider how their customs could cooperate closely to promote bilateral trade.
THE acting chief election commissioner has given several indications that he is ready to assert himself to ensure that the local elections beginning next week are free and fair. He says that action will be taken in instances where women are prevented from voting and claims that transfers and postings carried out in violation of the pre-election ban imposed on such moves have been cancelled. No details have been given, but that transfers and postings were made despite the ban reflects poorly on the federal and provincial governments and their ministers and minions. If people in government themselves violate basic guidelines, little can be expected from the candidates and the political parties and groups behind them. The opposition has been crying itself hoarse over the alleged irregularities, including coercion of voters and misuse of official facilities. Action may have been taken in some cases, but with just seven days left for the first phase of polling to start, much damage may already have been done and the pre-poll process subjected to manipulation.
Attention should now be concentrated on ensuring that the voting is honestly conducted and can be seen by everyone as free. This will help restore some credibility to the exercise and to the system of local bodies itself. The new system was meant to be both non-political and truly representative of the community. It has faltered on both counts. But that does not mean that it is beyond reform, and once the electoral fray is over, one hopes that serious thought will be given to making it more effective. If was futile right from the beginning to believe that local governments could operate in a political vacuum, and no one appeared to consider the possibility of councillors being elected who would be politically at odds with the provincial governments, as happened in Sindh, particularly Karachi. The political realities ought to be recognized and we should, nationally as well as at the local government level, stop running away from politics. Even the acting chief election commissioner has said he would recommend that the next local polls should be held with political parties participating. Much may depend on how honourably political parties, especially those in power, behave during the coming polls.
THE news that patients have no access to X-rays, ECGs and other labratory facilities after 2 pm at the Narowal district hospital is pathetic. The reasoning behind this seemingly inexplicable timing is that the hospital is understaffed and the existing paramedical and technical staff is only available in the morning. After they leave at 2 pm, those unfortunate patients who turn up cannot avail themselves of emergency services. Like so many people living in small districts and rural areas, those in Narowal too have to seek treatment at private hospitals which are usually expensive. The 2.5 million people there have been suffering for many years because of inadequate medical facilities in the district. In January, there was no technician to operate the generator for five days which put many lives in jeopardy. This kind of lax attitude prevalent in the country is most deplorable. In June, the federal health minister admitted that the state-run hospitals and dispensaries in Narowal district had been short of adequate medical facilities for the last four years. He did promise that deficiencies would be removed but unfortunately that has yet to materialize. This year saw a 65 per cent increase in the Punjab health budget but one has yet to see any visible results — certainly not in Narowal.
Narowal is just one example of how poor is the state of public health-care facilities in the country. By and large, people have little faith in state-run hospitals but they have no option but to avail themselves of whatever meagre facilities are there. The government cannot absolve itself of its responsibility to provide at least basic health-care to the people. Instead of periodically announcing plans for new hospitals or upgrading existing ones, it needs to ensure that the existing health centres are adequately staffed and equipped to meet the needs of the patients.