| September 7, 2005 | Wednesday | Sha’aban 2, 1426 |
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‘Our heritage at stake’
FTO Ordinance
‘Not all black, not all white’
Motorcar refund
New Murree project
Katrina aftermath
High cost of cement
Chinese admiral
Road accident victims
Fossil fuels
THIS is with the reference to your editorial “Talking to Israel” (Sept 4). If it was just a feeler to gauge public opinion on the controversial question of Pakistan’s recognition of Israel, the government has an answer — the Pakistani people are not ready to even consider the option.
Pakistan stood alongside Arab and Islamic countries in opposing the UN Partition Plan in the late 1940s, one that formed the legal basis for the establishment of the Jewish state. Within days after its creation on May 14, 1948, Israel requested Pakistan’s recognition. Since then, the request has remained unanswered. Instead, Pakistan always supported at all international foray, including the UN, the Palestinians’ right to their land and end of Israeli’s illegal occupation.
Even at the government level, Pakistan’s position has been more or less the same. In fact, South Asian Muslim opposition to a Jewish state dates back to the days of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the capture of Jerusalem by Gen Allenby. Under the declaration, Lord Balfour announced British support for a Jewish national home in Palestine. The Muslim League was quick to express its concern for the “safety and sanctity of holy places”.
But at home, the reaction of the religious parties was particularly antagonistic. “Presenting Palestine as solely an Arab issue is a heinous conspiracy of the imperialists and colonists aimed at disintegrating the Muslims and shattering the concept of Muslim unity. It is for the same reason the colonist forces are trying to portray every Muslim issue as regional or bilateral,” said Qazi Hussain Ahmad two years ago, reiterating his support for the Palestinian intifada or uprising.
The fact that Israel is trying desperately to push Pakistan for recognition is a sign that Israel sees this as a symbolic victory, crucial to its national interest — a formal recognition by Pakistan will give Israel a legitimacy it has only dreamed of in the past, and will effectively neutralize the moral opposition to its policies in the occupied territories. And it is precisely on these grounds and for that reason that recognition should be withheld.
It is a fact that its recognition by other Arab/Muslim countries has also come about because of arm-twisting by the US or military defeat at the hands of Israel, or crass opportunism on the part of the administrations concerned. On the other hand, Turkey’s recognition of Israel, according to publication, has given the latter strategic leverage over Syria, Iraq and beyond and its peace with Egypt and Jordan has enabled it to weaken the Arab alliance and fight itself out of a geographical noose.”
Recognizing Israel would have been problematic at any other point in time as well, given Israel’s racist colonial policies. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s ruling establishment has managed to paint themselves into a corner where Israel — directly, by way of its evolving relations with India, and indirectly by way of American pressure on Gen Musharraf — has all the cards.
UMER MUMTAZ
Rawalpindi
BEFORE readers read Mr Irfan Husain’s excellent treatise, “Our heritage at stake” (Sept 3) casually and forget it quickly, I thought I would share my viewpoint so that the readers are reminded of what Mr Husain has said so openly and lucidly.
The real line of demarcation in Islam is not between people professing different religions or belonging to different races or colours but between those who stand for truth, decency and justice and those who are ‘transgressors’ or ‘evil-doers’, irrespective of their formal labels. In emphatic and unequivocal words the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) has defined the ethical and moral principles which should govern the conduct of every Muslim: “He is not of us who sides with his tribe in aggression and he is not of us who dies while assisting his tribe in injustice.”
Indeed, the basic law of human relationships has been stated for all time by the Holy Quran clearly: “Cooperate in all that is good and moral but do not cooperate in sin and injustice.”
It is an absolute, unqualified injunction which rejects for ever doctrines like “My country — right or wrong” or “My religion — right or wrong” or “My people — right or wrong”. In the face of the supreme issue between right and wrong, justice and injustice, the ties of country, race or creed lose their hold and pale into insignificance. The Muslims’ offer of cooperation is to be open to all, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, who do good; it is to be withheld from all those who choose the path of injustice, even though they may claim formal affiliation to Islam.
In one of his Persian couplets, Iqbal defines the true ‘momin’ (man of faith) in words which epitomize the real spirit of Islam: “He is sword against unrighteousness and a shield for truth His affirmation and negation are the criteria for good and evil....”
ANWAR ABBAS
Karachi
THIS has reference to Mr Latif Qureshi’s letter “FTO ordinance” (Aug 20) in which the correspondent drew attention to pending representations filed by the tax department against the findings/decisions of the federal tax ombudsman to the president of Pakistan.
The president is the highest executive and does not have time to personally decide representations filed by the tax department. A section officer usually submits his recommendations to the president which the latter signs without hearing the applicants.
To overcome this problem, it was suggested by the correspondent that there should be a provision for an appeal or revision to be filed with the Supreme Court of Pakistan instead of the president against the orders of the federal tax ombudsman.
The Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance was promulgated on Aug 11, 2000 to provide prompt redressal of the taxpayer’s grievances at bearable cost. Therefore, the right of appeal with the Supreme Court instead of the president will not solve the problems of ordinary taxpayers.
The Central Board of Revenue chairman has already directed all collectorates/ commissionorates to examine the legality of pending cases. But so far we have not read or heard that representations filed on matters already decided by the president have been withdrawn by the CBR.
To reduce unnecessary burden on the president and prompt redressal of taxpayers’ grievances, it is suggested that urgent action be taken by the CBR to re-examine all pending representations made to the president. I am sure that this will reduce by 50 per cent the load on the president and will also provide urgent relief to taxpayers.
It is further suggested that
it should be ensured that before filing a representation to the president a review application is filed before the federal tax ombudsman under Section 14(8) of the office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance 2000, to be heard preferably by a larger bench of advisers to the FTO.
If such a review application is rejected, then it may be eligible for review by the president. As such, Section 32 of the ordinance should be suitably amended.
KHUSHNOOD A. KHAN
President, Sales Tax Bar Association
Karachi
AFTER reading the editorial ‘Not all black, not all white’ (Aug 29), it would not a be hasty generalization to say that not only Pakistani scholars “accept easy black and white explanations while narrating history” but also their counterparts in the rest of the Muslim world.
For that reason there is no democracy in the Muslim world after eight centuries of the Magna Carta. The deficit of free inquiry is so acute among Muslim scholars that an army general has to put forward his theory of so-called enlightened moderation to show the world the human face of the Muslim world.
The western media not only highlights the failure of governance from Morocco to Indonesia but also points out the deficiency of independent Muslim political thought. “Not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are Muslim” is the conclusion of western scholars.
There are a few in the West who have challenged this perception. If there were no Noam Chomskys (a Jew) or Edward Saids (a Christian), perhaps all the Muslims would have been dubbed as terrorists.
On the contrary, if we analyze western political thought, it is not only vibrant in preparing their people to face challenges but also criticizes the policies of their governments.
The Economist carried an advertisement signed by a galaxy of US scholars and politicians, including Prof Huntington, that the US intervention in the Middle East was meant only to safeguard Israeli interests.
Such criticism is a big lesson for Muslim scholars and Muslim governments.
MANZOOR CHANDIO
Karachi
THE news item about the hearing of bail application of one of Naya Daur Motors high-ups (Dawn, Sept 3) reminds me that I had paid Rs335,000 to the firm for a car in August 1996 (Rs49,000 was paid at the time of booking in February 1995 and the balance was paid in August 1996). I also paid Rs6,700 as CVT for the purchase of this car. Hardly one week had gone by after my making the final payment when the then government sealed Naya Daur Motors and its assets and funds were also sealed/frozen.
People like me were left without any consolation or information. It was later revealed that the funds were with the government of Pakistan, and in 1998 I got information through some sources that since the matter was referred to the (then) Ehtesab Commission, nothing could be done before this case was decided there. We were in Islamabad at that time but after the retirement of my husband we have moved to Karachi. Many of the people who booked cars must have died (I know two of such persons).
More than nine years have passed. Nobody in the federal government or the judiciary seems to be taking note of this matter. Had I put that money (Rs402,000) in the then defence savings certificates, it would have become more than Rs2 million. I (and many like me) have neither received a car nor any information on our deposits. Where should we go? Would the SHC take note of this also when the matter of the bail application of the Naya Daur executive comes up for hearing next?
SHAHJAHAN BEGUM
Karachi
THIS is in response to Mr Iqbal M. Chauhan’s letter “New Murree project” (Sept 5). The correspondent has presented the official stand of the Punjab government which is contrary to reality. Owing to the national implications of the project and the fact that it involves people’s money, it is important to make the general public aware of the facts.
Mr Chauhan says that only 2.17 per cent of the Simly dam’s catchment area falls within the boundaries of the New Murree project. But an International Union of Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCN) report on the subject submitted to the Planning Commission and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency says: “Owing to topography of the Patriata ridge, approximately 45 per cent area falls within the catchment area of the Simly Dam.”
The report further warns that the “development of the new township could result in catastrophes like loss of protective forest cover, resulting in more rapid runoff following storm events; higher peak stream flows; increased soil erosion; reduced groundwater infiltration; stream channel instability and increased sedimentation”.
Such adverse changes in watershed hydrologic conditions result in degradation of water quality for the population, particularly of the people residing in Islamabad. To avoid such compound disasters and to ensure supply of safe water for twin cities, the valuable Patriata forests have to be preserved.
The water concerns arising out of this project were also endorsed by the CDA at one of its meetings in June relating to the project. The CDA officials told the meeting: “The construction activity would not only pollute water but it will also cause water shortage in two major reservoirs, which cater to the needs of Islamabad and Rawalpindi”. So, the claim that the project would not affect run- off to Simly dam, which is a source of clean water to the twin cities, is also wrong
Mr Chauhan has very casually stated that the loss of some 200-year-old conifer trees, which act as sponges soaking up water during the rains/snow and releasing it later, would be compensated by planting saplings in the existing blank spaces. Apparently, this looks very impressive, but there are two important points to note. Some time back, in response to growing opposition to the project, a meeting was held in the Punjab House where talking to reporters the New Murree Development Authority managing director, Mr Azmat Ranjha, Punjab information secretary, Mr Temoor Azmat Islam, and NESPAK’s consultant Tahir Shamshad jointly said that designing and planning of houses had been undertaken in such a manner that the authority would “not have to chop even a single tree”. They further said that all trees in the project area had been numbered with steel plates to ensure their protection.
This difference in the statements from the managing director and the director of administration of NMDA clearly shows that people are being fed with incorrect information.
Even thousands of plants cannot make up for one fallen tree, because it takes many years to grow a tree. In this case the trees are some 200 years’ old. The government must act sensibly and preserve the natural beauty of the area.
R. FAHAD MAJEED ABBASI
Karachi
THE most powerful country of the world has been hit by a natural disaster. What we have been seeing and listening to on the news channels here is total anarchy and chaos following Hurricane Katrina. Shoot to kill orders have been given to scare off the looters.
People are angry and afraid. There is an incredible crisis there. The hurricane was tracked days before its arrival, yet no precautions were taken, and still after several days now people are waiting for help.
There is criticism coming from every corner as Mr Bush failed to help his people. This is the man who speaks for human rights. He believes in saving people of other countries from their dictators. He considers his duty to jail the rulers of other countries. The American troops may spend years and years abroad to control a crisis, but it is sad to see there’s no one to help the American people in need.
FILZA G. SIDIQI.
Wexford, Ireland
IN 1998, cement was selling at Rs180 per bag. Cement manufacturers formed a cartel and increased the price to Rs200 per bag and then to Rs220 and thereafter to Rs235 per bag. In June 1998, the price came down to Rs140 per bag and this continued till October 1998 when the cartel again increased the price to Rs240 per bag. In November 1998, the Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) took notice of this, and revated the price to the pre-October 1998 level. The MCA order was challenged by cement manufacturers in the Lahore High Court and after obtaining a stay order, cement continues to be sold at Rs245 without any justification.
Cement prices in Pakistan are much higher than in neighbouring countries like India, Iran and China. The government is earnestly requested to kindly allow import of cement from all neighbouring countries, particularly from India, on zero per cent customs duty since it is the only way to bring down the price of cement to an affordable level and break the cartel of cement manufacturers.
MUMTAZ
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee’s column “Admiral of the Chinese fleet” (Sept 4) in which Mr Cowasjee has informed his readers about the exploits of the great Chinese Admiral Zheng He.
The writer advises those interested in knowing more about the great admiral to consult Louise Levanthes’ book When China Ruled the Seas. In this connection I would suggest interested persons to also have a look at the July issue of the monthly magazine National Geographic.
KHALID IDREES
Islamabad
MANUFACTURERS, importers, traders, owners and drivers of vehicles pay income, sales, withholding and vehicle taxes, custom and excise duties, penalties, fines, ‘bhattas’, registration and driving licence fees, charges and surcharges, insurance premiums, etc. In short, federal, provincial and local governments, police and insurance companies earn billions of rupees on account of road transport.
Out of the amount of fines and penalties, a handsome share is distributed among the men of the traffic police. But the tragedy is that nothing is given to the bereaved families of those killed or to those injured in road accidents. Not to speak of compensation, even the funeral expenses and expenditure incurred on medical treatment are borne by the families.
On the other hand, compensation is provided to those who suffer in sea, air and rail accidents, as also those killed or injured in natural calamities. My 38-year-old son was killed by a bus on Oct 21 last year and FIR No. 472/04 was registered the same day in the police station of North Nazimabad Town, Karachi. But, despite the lapse of over 10 months, neither the driver has been arrested nor the owner of the bus interrogated.
Furthermore, I do not know under which pressure the bus was released after having been detained in the police station for one month. My son’s wife and five children aged between six-and-a-half-years and over 10 months wait for justice.
ABDUL RAZZAQUE SIDDIQUI
Karachi
AFTER the oil crisis of the early 1970s, Pakistan had started a programme to conserve oil and gas resources. Under the programme it was said that burning natural gas for power generation was almost a crime. The best use of natural gas was said to be “fertilizer production”, while big flashy, cars having high fuel consumption were placed on restricted list, curbed by very high import duties.
In search of alternative sources of energy, the Lakhra coal reserves in Sindh were examined. Unfortunately, Lakhra coal was found unsuitable at that time due to its high composition of associated sulphur.
Now technologies have been developed to use “coal water slurry” just like oil which drastically reduce the transportation costs, apart from ease of removing harmful contaminants like sulphur, by simple refining the coal slurry. A very strange phenomenon observed in this process is the high burning efficiency of the slurry as compared to raw coal. Consequently, the environmental impact of the process is much more acceptable.
In view of the above and the impending oil situation of the world, it is time we reviewed our oil and gas policies.
M. SAEED
Islamabad
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