| October 19, 2005 | Wednesday | Ramzan 14, 1426 |
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The Indian attitude
Nobel Peace prize
EPA role
A ‘gesture’
‘Koh-i-Noor again’
Destruction of trees
The Sydney audience
Energy saving
Car buyer
I am proud to be a Pakistani
Karachi Stock Exchange
Blocked road
EARTHQUAKES generate totally different sets of forces gravity and such forces can cause a total collapse of buildings if not taken into account.
I dread to think of what could happen to Karachi if such a quake ever struck it.
Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee and NGO Shehri have been crying themselves hoarse to draw attention to this vital aspect of structural safety, namely, seismic resistivity with respect to speculative multi-storeyed buildings.
A large number of such unauthorized buildings were being considered for regularization when this issue was raised at the then functioning KBCA oversee committee. However the committee was dissolved before its recommendations could be implemented and these unauthorized structures later approved on payment of regularization fees.
I don’t think even a single such structure has been vetted for structural safety, both in design and in actual construction.
If a major catastrophe is to be avoided in future the then the KBCA should take the initiative in conjunction with recognized professional bodies to vet the design and construction of all such buildings, beginning with those that are over four storeys in height.
Let us act before it’s too late.
SALEEM THARIANI
Karachi
KINDLY allow me to share in the grief which our Pakistani brethren are subjected to. We in India have been through a spate of natural calamities over the last decade, and have learnt some lessons. Because of that India has developed a kind of expertise in disaster management, and I would earnestly request the powers that be in Pakistan to accept the support extended by India.
The people are in distress and they need immediate assistance. Let helping hands join from across the border.
UMESH BHAWALKAR
Mumbai
IN view of the unprecedented disaster that has struck our country, let us as a nation have an austere Eid. Only the most heartless and hardened souls would proceed with illuminations and celebrations. We need to show solidarity with those thousands and thousands of our compatriots who have lost their all. We want them to know that the whole nation is with them in their hour of suffering.
ZEHRA RIZVI
Karachi
I AM saddened and grieved by the tragic loss of lives in Pakistan. I cannot find words to express my sorrow for the thousands of children who got buried in the rubble and who will never return to their parents. The people of Greece stand with the people of Pakistan in these testing times. May God bless all humanity.
G. APOSTOULOPULOUS
Athens, Greece
I WAS among those who reached the site of the Margalla towers immediately after the earthquake. Among many of the survivors of the still standing portion of the towers was a foreign couple which was stranded in the topmost apartment of the building.
Amazingly, instead of shouting and waving, they were busy knitting a rope out of bed sheets and within minutes the man had lowered his wife to the apartments below.
Soon after, the child (hardly an year old) was sent down. The most inspiring part of the story is that the man, after the fire brigade arrived, sent his wife and baby down and remained on the roof of the lower apartments to help other people who couldn’t come down.
This was a time when aftershocks of the quake were still taking place and there was every possibility of the remaining tower also falling.
Not only did he not panic, he also helped and rescued other people. I tried getting the name of the gentleman but in such situations it becomes difficult to reach a person. He deserves our salute and our gratitude.
ZAHID QADEER
Islamabad
I WOULD like to convey the heartfelt sympathies of the Indian people for their Pakistani brethren affected by the earthquake. I pray that those who have lost relatives have the strength to cope with this tragedy.
DR HRISHIKESH SHENOY
Leeds, UK
AS Mr Irfan Husain (Oct 15) in his column “Challenge and response” says: “...this was perhaps Pakistan’s finest hour. Not since the 1965 war have we Pakistanis shown so much unity and sense of purpose”. He also said: “Sitting miles away from the scene of the disaster, it is easy to criticize the relief effort”.
What has not been surprising either is yet another biased article by Mr Kuldip Nayar. As usual, he has stuck to half truths. Pakistan did not “spurn” relief from India and has accepted aid, but wanted nothing to do with the Indian army entering our terrain — and for obvious reasons.
And speaking of “spurning”, Mr Nayar has not had the courage to mention that India itself, even a week after the quake hit, refused to let Unicef enter its affected areas. Why has he not mentioned the fact that India has refused to open telecommunications lines from occupied Kashmir to Azad Kashmir, which could have allowed relatives to find out about their loved ones. Why doesn’t he compare the tepid response of the ordinary Indians to the remarkable response of ordinary Pakistanis?
Indians writing to Pakistani newspapers, thinking along the lines of Mr Nayar, should ask themselves the same questions as well. Would they have allowed Pakistani troops into Occupied Kashmir if the situation had been reversed?
As sad as it is, politics will always play a part in any situation, and this is no different. Keeping in mind the track record of the Indian army and intelligence, everything from fake hijackings to fake encounters with Pakistani forces, it is not that difficult to imagine that India would use this situation to its advantage. Indian readers like Niraj (letter dated Oct 15) and others should put themselves in our shoes before being so quick to criticize us.
SAIMA ABBAS
Karachi
WHILE announcing the award of Nobel Peace prize 2005 to the IAEA and its Director-General Muhammad ElBaradie, the Nobel committee described the work of the agency as of incalculable importance.
Established in 1956, the IAEA aimed at controlling the supply of uranium and specially to monitor the expansion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. But the introduction of NPT in 1968 witnessed the failure of nuclear watchdog.
Secondly, the agency failed to remove the criticism between the East and the West which have been blaming each other for vertical proliferation. Thirdly, the overt admission of Israel to have an atom bomb remained living evidence of the agency’s inability to make the Middle East a nuclear- free zone.
Most importantly, the role of the IAEA and its leadership in Iran’s nuclear issue although was satisfactory to some extent, the question needs to be answered is: why could the agency not convince the US and the EU of the fact that Iran would use the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and nothing else?
The sole achievement of Dr ElBaradie was that he had been advocating diplomacy and pleading the UN for more time for inspection. Why didn’t Dr ElBaradie dare tell the UN Security Council that it was all okay in Iran with regard nuclear weapons?
After looking into the performance of the IAEA and its leadership, one is unable to find the agency’s work of incalculable importance, the Nobel committee has found as a merit of award.
After the award, the concerns of Iran and the countries around Israel have been increased. This has also put into doubt not only the credibility of the IAEA but also that of the Nobel committee itself.
MOHAMMAD YOUSUF
Islamabad
ACCORDING to a news item (Oct 14), the chief justice of Pakistan ordered a halt to the Islamabad housing scheme, near the Margallas, and expressed displeasure at the role of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, which had given a “no objection certificate to the project sponsors without any environmental assessment.
Referring to the qualification of Asif Shuja, director-general of Pakistan EPA, who is a mechanical engineer, the chief justice observed: “I am sorry to say that you were posted there.” It is a pity to note that the EPA is headed by a mechanical engineer. The job of mechanical engineers is in factories where they repair machines.
In Sindh, the direcror-general and the director of provincial EPA are non-technical persons and it is unrealistic to expect any constructive work from them. The director-general is a PCS officer while the director is a medical doctor. This is a cruel joke. Environmental engineering is a specialized field worldwide. It has assumed intense significance in view of the rapid pollution of the environment. This problem can only be solved by people who are qualified in the field of environmental engineering.
The federal and provincial authorities are requested to remove the non-technical persons from Environmental Protection Agencies and staff these bodies with people qualified in the field of environmental engineering.
BILAL AHMED
Karachi
A well-known fast food chain of restaurants selling chicken products had published an advert according to which Rs 10 of every ‘combo’ meal sold in October will be donated to the earthquale relief fund.
The ad also says that this is a “small gesture” on the company’s part. Indeed it is a very “small gesture”. In fact the right adjective to describe it would have been “miniscule” or perhaps “meaningless gesture”. It is Ramzan and the ad appeared on Oct. 12 which means that there will be just 19 days left. And it’s only on a kind of meals — combos. Surely, the company cannot expect to raise too much money through this.
MUNIBULLAH
Karachi
MR Hafizur Rahman in his very fascinating article “Kohinoor again” (Oct 12) has unveiled and cleared some historical distortions about the ownership of this magnificent and most sought-after diamond whose worth was evaluated in Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan’s rule as “adequate enough to feed the world’s entire population for six days”. He was right in saying that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did claim possession of this precious stone on the basis of its ownership by the last Sikh ruler of Punjab that is now part of Pakistan and not as natural successor to the last Mughal emperor.
As regards narrative about taking custody of this priceless gem by Sikh Maharajah Ranjit Singh by means of changing headgear with exiled King Shah Shuja, there is another, equally strong account.
According to this version, Shah Shuja after fleeing Kabul along with wives, children, retainers and others had thrown himself at the mercy and hospitality of Sikh maharaja who had acquisitive eye on this precious stone.
There Shah was literally made prisoner by the Lahore government, placing sentinels around his camp. He was intimidated so much that reluctantly he handed over Koh-i-noor to Ranjit Singh in exchange of Rs5,000 and a pledge of help to regain his lost throne.
The episode of acquiring Koh-i-noor by Queen Victoria from his adopted godson Maharajah Dilip Singh (son of Ranjit Singh and not his grandson as narrated by the writer) is also very interesting. Although after fall of Sikh power, with other possessions, this diamond also came into the custody of East India Company on March 29, 1849 under Article Three of the instrument of surrender and was, therefore, presented as a matter of reverence to sovereign of British Empire: yet much more was required to be done to legitimize its proprietorship.
It was for this reason that a drama was enacted under the express desire of Queen Victoria. It was during the portrait session of Dilip Singh held in the royal palace that Queen Victoria all of sudden handed over the recently renovated gem by the diamond cutters of Holland to him, asking whether he recognized it and is it now improved?
Dilip Singh after examining the diamond with curious expression initially puzzled but with long struggle moved towards her majesty and with deferential reverence placed in her hand the famous diamond with these words: “It is to me, Ma’am, the greatest pleasure thus to have the opportunity, as a loyal subject, of myself tendering to my sovereign the Koh-i-noor”.
With these words, Koh-i-noor, “mountain of the light” (name given by Nadir Shah of Persia), after being excavated from the mines of Golconda and passing through many vicissitudes finally found resting-place in the basement of “Jewel House” of the Tower of London.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
A WELL-known land developer is destroying the Takht Pari forest near Rawalpindi’s DHA phase 1. This sector is surrounded by beautiful hills covered with tress. But a month ago the developer started cutting the trees and bulldozing the hills, thus causing an irreparable loss to the natural beauty of the area.
This is being done just to provide the land to the DHA in order to extend its Phase 1. This will also deprive the poor farmers of their land. Nobody is there to stop them.
This illegal practice is still going on and can be seen from Sector E of DHA Phase 1 near the Fauji Foundation hospital and Lawyers Colony. I request the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of this.
And by the way, the staff of this developer openly tells whoever asks them what they are doing that nobody can stop what is happening. I have taken some photographs of the cutting and these can be seen at http://www.lahorerealestate.com/modules.phpname=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=920
A LAWYER
Rawalpindi
ACCORDING to a report, Robert Fisk, one of the few journalists who sought — or has been permitted — to address the University of Sydney on Oct 5, presented an honest account of events in US-occupied Iraq (Oct. 12).
Australia, as we know, is a western entity except that it is a next door neighbour of Asia. The combination of the East and the West creates a unique opportunity for it to serve as a bridge between the two civilizations and becoming an important player for peace in the world.
What Australia needs to know is that Asia is becoming assertive by the day and Australia needs to listen as much to the East as to the West. Let Fisk be the first such speaker amongst many more to be invited.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
I WOULD suggest that Pakistanis save energy by adopting a number of steps such as running their airconditioner in a closed run for 20 to 30 minutes and then shut them off. The room will be cool and they don’t need to turn on the fan. The coolness of the room should remain for at least two to three hours. Also, they should use energy-saving light bulbs; they should only switch on electricity where they are sitting in the house.
As for shopkeepers, I truly sympathize with their plight in balancing family and business life. However, I suspect many of them — especially in the main residential areas — keep their shops open longer to beat increased competition. Unfortunately, this only means more electricity being consumed.
SALMAN JAFRI
London, UK
I had booked a car (of South Korean origin) back in November 2004 and delivery was suppose to take place in March 2005. However, now it is October and I have not yet received my car. The company continuously makes one excuse after another.
First it was an engine problem, then a technical default and so on. Now if I call them they keep giving me a delayed date and they also do not put me in touch with anyone in the senior management.
It appears there is no way to protect the rights of the citizens or their hard-earned money from car manufacturers. I doubt the government will even take notice of my plea.
A BUYER
Karachi
I AM a doctor and I’m soon leaving for the quake-hit region. Although I have been hearing people talking about the black marketing of items and the selfishness being shown by a few in the aftermath of the quake, I want to tell the readers of your newspaper that there still are people who are making valuable contributions to the relief effort.
I will mention just two examples. I went to a surgical shop in the Saddar area of Karachi to buy some surgical equipment worth Rs1,500 and when the owner of the shop came to know that I was personally going to the quake-hit region, he gave me goods worth Rs3,500 for free.
In another incident, I went to a shop in Clifton to buy torches and batteries, and told the shopkeeper to give me as much a discount as he could since I was going to take these things to the quake-hit region. You would be surprised to know that the owner of that small shop gave me 11 torches and two full boxes of batteries for free. In both these instances, the shopkeepers were not rich people.
People have also been approaching our team of doctors and giving us medicines worth thousands of rupees to take to the affected region. I have never seen this spirit and this sort of positive attitude by Pakistanis in my entire life. I wish to say out loud: “Proud to be a Pakistani”.
DR ALI ASGHAR
Karachi
THE Karachi Stock Exchange has its official Website “kse.com.pk”. This website provides current market data, including market fluctuation.
The results of different companies are announced in the Stock Exchange. The present website also has a feature for “announcements”.
Usually after the closing of the market the website carries announcements for the day’s transactions. It is suggested that the announcement on the website should be given simultaneously with the market announcements so that the small investors may be upto date and can benefit from the latest information of the stock exchange.
This should pose no problem as the stock exchange has sufficient IT facilities.
M. NAZAKAT ALI KHAN
Karachi
A MULTISTOREY plaza is being built in Lahore since the last one year facing Kalima Chowk, Ferozepur Road. First the owner occupied the slip road at the corner by dumping construction material on it and then destroyed the sewer underneath.
That has completely blocked the turning from Garden Road to Ferozepur Road. The Lahore Development Authority and the Punjab government have failed to get the slip road vacated.
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
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