| October 6, 2005 | Thursday | Ramazan 1, 1426 |
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President’s remarks
Lahore bridge
Police performance
Curbing hate speech
Role of area study centres
Role of area study centres
Nominations
Regulating testing labs
A welcome decision
‘Innocents abroad’
Traffic mess outside school
Bad TV show
THE government can save a lot of fuel and energy if it re-imposes an old law according to which shops had to close by sunset. I do not know what happens in the other cities, but in Karachi the wholesale and retail markets open late and close late in the night, usually by around 11pm. Some shopping malls have even started opening on Sundays and other public holidays.
This puts a lot of load on electricity and fuel. Such late closing is also not good for the shopkeeper’s family since by the time he returns home, his children would have gone to sleep. The next morning they will leave for school while he is asleep, after which he will get up and head for his shop. Where will he ever find the time to spend with his children if he follows such a routine
Those who think this to be a bad idea should also realize that opening a shop early and closing it early (relative to the opening and closing times followed at present) will not have much adverse effect on business. In fact, in all likelihood shoppers and consumers will adjust to the new times. Housewives should find early opening very convenient because with their children in school they will have a lot of free time in the morning to do the day’s shopping.
Countries in the West and in other regions like Southeast Asia follow such timings. All shops and businesses open early in the morning and close latest by 6pm. The economies of all these countries are booming.
WAQAS AHMED PAI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to a report in Dawn (Sept 17) which said the government was considering introducing an energy conservation plan.
Those of us who have been to western countries will know that most shops and businesses there close by about 6pm. People go home and have dinner straightaway and spend the rest of the evening pursuing their activities at home. Some department stores are allowed to remain open till 9pm for two days of the week. There may be some variations but by and large, compared to Pakistan, shops and businesses there open early and close early.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan one sees parents entering restaurants with children of schoolgoing age at 10pm. Also, go to any bazaar late in the night and you will find it filled with people, as if no one has a job to go to the next day. One can well imagine the productivity levels of those students and workers who have to get up early the next day.
The government should pass and effectively enforce a law which directs all shops and business to close by sunset. That is perhaps the best and most practical way to conserve energy.
ALI HAQQANI
Karachi
ONE statement of President Musharraf given to a US newspaper seems to have invited a disproportionately high amount of criticism from the general public and the media — many of whom have called him insensitive to Pakistani women.
Not one of these self-appointed guardians of women’s honour has written a word about Gen Musharraf’s good deeds such as his attempts to resolve the Kashmir issue, and the policies of his government to safeguard the rights of minorities, to expand press freedom, and fight social injustices.
In all fairness, one cannot expect him to go door-to-door and preach against the evil custom of karo-kari and rape. This is the duty of the so-called ulema but they have failed in this. They do not utter a single word against social evils but will not hesitate to come down on those who dare to challenge the draconian Hudood laws.
Let us get off Gen Musharraf’s back. He is fighting on several national and international fronts. Give him some breathing space. He is neither a religious reformer nor is he there to monitor the day-to-day deeds of the people.
Rape needs to be condemned but so does the way that the president been brow-beaten in the media.
SALEEM A. TAHIR
Michigan, US
THIS is with reference to President Musharraf’s comments in America on rape victims.
I grew up in Pakistan during the stifling Zia regime and for the period of “democratic rule” that followed it. Having lived in Canada for now almost 10 years, the lack of humanity and absence of basic rights for women in Pakistan is even more glaringly obvious to me. What’s sadder is the fact that probably the majority of people have become “accustomed” to the absence of justice in cases of rape. I shudder to think what the situation would have been in the absence of NGOs.
President Musharraf obviously regrets his faux pas. Something for him to consider to slightly amend his severely damaged image — penalize the rapists who have been caught and set up a foundation with a large amount of government funding for rape victims.
SEEMI MUSTAFA
Toronto
THE Garhi Shahu overhead bridge was completed by the Lahore Development Authority during 1998 under the direction of former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif with a promised life of 100 years. The project was taken up as a so-called fast track project by the LDA director-general with a commitment to complete it within three months.
Although the project was completed in a short period, the quality of work was criticized by experts at the very outset. The riding quality was extremely poor, particularly due to defective construction joints. The indigent deck slab, i.e., the superstructure, has failed only after seven years of its completion and the bridge has been closed for traffic, causing extreme hardship to commuters. Who is responsible for this catastrophe — the man who supervised and insisted on its completion in three months without observing the essential final setting time period for each stage of construction or the contractor who was subdued by unrealistic covenants of the LDA?
All mega city projects need proper site investigation, cogitation by experts and road users to decide final route/location, detail design and then execution through technical experts instead of bureaucrats.
I have doubts about the life of the recently-completed underpasses along the Lahore canal which have been built at exorbitant rates in three months, again as fast-track projects.
The Punjab chief minister may appoint a team of inquiry to look into the quality of work in all recently-completed mega projects in Lahore.
ENGR. M. KHALID CHEEMA
Lahore
THE police in Pakistan are getting more and more corrupt with the passage of time. The following is a true story:
My sister has been missing since April this year from her village of Sahoke, and no one has even reported her disappearance.
I live in Hong Kong and have tried to contact all my relatives and no one knows what happened to her. There is a possibility that her husband and sons may have killed her and thrown away her body somewhere.
I reported the case to the Naushera Virkan police (part of Gujranwala district) and asked them to investigate the matter through a formal letter that I sent to the area DSP on June 8. I have been calling to ask for the investigation results almost every week, and the DSP and the sub-inspector keep telling me that they are “making queries and investigating the case” but I have not heard anything tangible so far.
I also checked with the SHO concerned in July, and he said what could the police do, especially since they had no funds to launch an investigation to look into my complaint. I complained to the DSP, and he asked me to wait for the results of the investigation.
Now, almost four months have passed since my report to the police. The DSP, to whom I had written in July, has been transferred to another area while the sub-inspector apparently investigating the case keeps on avoiding my phone calls. In fact, I came to know of this after his subordinate told me so quite bluntly on the phone that he did not wish to speak with me.
The only conclusion that I can arrive at is that the police have been paid off by whoever has harmed my sister.
ABDUL GHAFAR KHAN
Hong Kong
IN a recent address to the officers of the police, President Musharraf was quoted as having said that that anybody imparting extremist views or inciting hatred and provoking people to wage jihad should be put behind bars.
After the meeting in Turkey between the foreign ministers of Israel and Pakistan, the MMA staged a rally in which a large number of children also took part. These children were holding banners which read “Death to Israel” and “Jews are the enemy”. Doesn’t this come also under the definition of hate literature?
And what about the sermons given in mosques every Friday? I have personally witnessed an imam of a mosque asking the congregation to pray that God bring his wrath on America, Britain, India and Israel. I was so disappointed by this that I don’t ever feel like going to that mosque any more even though it is very near my house.
I ask the president and the police of Abbottabad as what are they doing to check this hatred being spread through the misuse of mosque sermons. If something as straightforward and obvious as this cannot be sorted out, then principles like that of “enlightened moderation” will be meaningless.
MURAD MALIK
Abbottabad
MR Tanvir Ahmad Khan in his scholarly analysis on foreign policy formulation in Pakistan “Policy making problems” (Sept 26) has appropriately laid his hand on the gray areas of the subject. He rightly suggests that major foreign policy decisions even during the “democratic” eras were mostly taken outside the precincts of parliament. However, during his short tenure, Mr Z.A. Bhutto allowed involvement of the representative body to some extent and that could be observed during the bilateral negotiations with India and the Shimla agreement, a historic accord.
Since Bhutto himself was a keen student of international affairs, he knew the importance of the role educational institutions, such as universities could play in framing sound foreign policies, particularly in view of the dynamics of world affairs.
It was in 1973 that through an act of parliament that “area study centres” were established in all public-sector universities of the country. The objectives were to engage in high-level teaching and research; conducting MPhil and PhD in relevant disciplines; promote cooperation in inter-disciplinary relationship with other research establishments; establish faculty exchange programmes with national and international academic institutions/ universities; conduct research in particular field as assigned by the federal government, etc., and organize conferences, seminars and refresher courses; and finally provide information and data of the research studies to the benefit of the ministries concerned .
The management, supervision and overall control of the affairs of the centres was carried out through a board of governors consisting of chairman (vice-chancellor), a secretary (director of the centre) eight members, including five directors one from each centre and representatives of education, foreign affairs and higher commission. Moreover, to run the affairs in a way to achieve the above task there was established an editorial board, expert/evaluation committee, and international advisory committee comprising academic experts, local as well foreign.
The areas allocated to the centre are: Area Study Centre for Far East and Southeast Asia at Allama I.I. Kazi Campus, Sindh University, Jamshoro; Area Study Centre for Europe at Karachi University; Area Study Centre for South Asia at Punjab University, Lahore; Area Study Centre for Middle East at Bolan University, Quetta; Area Study Centre for Central Asia at Peshawar University and Area Study Centre for America at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
Unfortunately most of the centres did not rise to the desired expectations as they failed to produce work of any significance. This is mainly on account of half-hearted interest shown by the authorities concerned as not only have they failed to provide adequate funds, they do not appreciate the modern concept of policy-making. Regardless of lack of organizational support, the Area Study Centres of Karachi University and Peshawar University made efforts and did produce some standard work that could have been of benefit in policy formulation.
The need for structured support of educational institutions, i.e., universities and special institutions, engaged in the scientific study of history and present-day issues is most vital for determining future choices and formulating successful foreign policy as has been rightly stressed by the writer. Therefore, if all Area Study Centres are re-activated, the government can utilize their services while formulating policies.
ALTAMASH MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
MR Tanvir Ahmad Khan in his scholarly analysis on foreign policy formulation in Pakistan “Policy making problems” (Sept 26) has appropriately laid his hand on the gray areas of the subject. He rightly suggests that major foreign policy decisions even during the “democratic” eras were mostly taken outside the precincts of parliament. However, during his short tenure, Mr Z.A. Bhutto allowed involvement of the representative body to some extent and that could be observed during the bilateral negotiations with India and the Shimla agreement, a historic accord.
Since Bhutto himself was a keen student of international affairs, he knew the importance of the role educational institutions, such as universities could play in framing sound foreign policies, particularly in view of the dynamics of world affairs.
It was in 1973 that through an act of parliament that “area study centres” were established in all public-sector universities of the country. The objectives were to engage in high-level teaching and research; conducting MPhil and PhD in relevant disciplines; promote cooperation in inter-disciplinary relationship with other research establishments; establish faculty exchange programmes with national and international academic institutions/ universities; conduct research in particular field as assigned by the federal government, etc., and organize conferences, seminars and refresher courses; and finally provide information and data of the research studies to the benefit of the ministries concerned .
The management, supervision and overall control of the affairs of the centres was carried out through a board of governors consisting of chairman (vice-chancellor), a secretary (director of the centre) eight members, including five directors one from each centre and representatives of education, foreign affairs and higher commission. Moreover, to run the affairs in a way to achieve the above task there was established an editorial board, expert/evaluation committee, and international advisory committee comprising academic experts, local as well foreign.
The areas allocated to the centre are: Area Study Centre for Far East and Southeast Asia at Allama I.I. Kazi Campus, Sindh University, Jamshoro; Area Study Centre for Europe at Karachi University; Area Study Centre for South Asia at Punjab University, Lahore; Area Study Centre for Middle East at Bolan University, Quetta; Area Study Centre for Central Asia at Peshawar University and Area Study Centre for America at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
Unfortunately most of the centres did not rise to the desired expectations as they failed to produce work of any significance. This is mainly on account of half-hearted interest shown by the authorities concerned as not only have they failed to provide adequate funds, they do not appreciate the modern concept of policy-making. Regardless of lack of organizational support, the Area Study Centres of Karachi University and Peshawar University made efforts and did produce some standard work that could have been of benefit in policy formulation.
The need for structured support of educational institutions, i.e., universities and special institutions, engaged in the scientific study of history and present-day issues is most vital for determining future choices and formulating successful foreign policy as has been rightly stressed by the writer. Therefore, if all Area Study Centres are re-activated, the government can utilize their services while formulating policies.
ALTAMASH MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS refers to a news report (Oct 1) which said that the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) had authorized its president to nominate four members for the press council.
When a political leader is authorized by his party to do the same thing and nominate someone, he is criticized in the press for having dictatorial tendencies.
He is also rebuked for not taking such decisions democratically.
Well, the same kind of tendency is now seen in the press industry.
KHALID RASHID QURAISHI
Karachi
MY father is a prostate cancer patient. He was operated upon and his prostate was removed but he had metatases in his bones. For that he has to have regular bone scanning and prostate-specific antigen levels tested. Recently, he experienced a severe chest pain. We got his PSA level tested from a well-known testing lab in Karachi (receipt no. 0509 122675) on Sept 15 and it turned out to be 0.21, which is within normal range. We concluded that the pain was merely a muscular one and gave him pain killers. But there was no relief. We then got his bone scan done and learned that he had developed a new metatastic spot in his last left rib.
We re-did his PSA levels, but this time from the laboratory of a leading hospital and his reading came out to 4.68. In my family, there are four doctors, so we were quick to realize the importance of re-doing our father’s tests. But someone not well-versed in the medical field would have taken the reading of the first test as final and the patient may well have suffered.
It would be very good if the ministry of health were to focus its attention towards regulating and checking what goes on in the country’s testing labs.
SIDRA ATEEQ ZAIDI
Karachi
KARACHI’S as the venue to host sixth South Asian Football Federation Cup Championship from Dec 8 to 18 is a welcome decision. Fans are happy. This proves that Karachi is a safe, ideal place and hub for sports activities. Fans love sports and sportsmen.
Recently international events were held here successfully. Players and officials have expressed their full satisfaction over the arrangements, hospitality and fans’ discipline. Even an official has desired to stay here. This is most encouraging thing.
Football is a popular game of Pakistan. Definitely this championship will play a vital role in promoting the football activities in the country. Moreover, relationship between the participating countries will further strengthen.
SOHAIL AHMED SAQIB
Karachi
APROPOS of Mr Kuldip Nayar‘s article (Oct 1) characterizing Mr Natwar Singh as a babe in the domain of foreign affairs, would he consider himself as an entered apprentice in his own field of journalism because he and Mr Singh both have spent over half a century in their respective professions?
I. R. SIDDIQI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the parking mess that is created outside one of Karachi’s most prestigious schools every afternoon in the Boat Basin area.
The parking situation is getting out of hand. I have been fortunate enough to have gone only a few times to drop or pick up my sister but because of those few times I may yet die of a heart-attack before I reach 30. Cars waiting to pick up students are double- and even triple-parked in front of the school and also on the other side of the road, directly facing Boat Basin.
This results in a complete slowdown of the traffic passing through on both sides of Boat Basin every afternoon. Furthermore, with all the endless road digging going on in the Clifton area, the last thing that one needs is a huge traffic bottleneck in this place because this is one of the only routes left for those who wish to travel to Defence or many parts of Clifton.
The drivers are uneducated but the parents aren’t, so why can’t they tell their drivers not to break the rules? It’s as simple as that.
FARIHA TAYYEB
Karachi
AS a viewer I must express my deep concern over the deteriorating standard of programmes being telecast on our private channels.
Here I would like to draw attention towards a comedy talk show that is aired on one private channel.
On most occasions the level of jokes is cheap and vulgar, so much so that one feels quite uncomfortable watching the whole programme and eventually switches channels. I request the gentleman who writes the script for this — a well known name — to be a little careful with what is being passed off in the name of comedy via this show.
SARAH HARIS
Karachi
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