| November 18, 2005 | Friday | Shawwal 15, 1426 |
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‘No middle ground’
Yearly visit to Israel
NED test
Earthquake relief
Under-invoicing
Indian Muslims
System’s reform
Youth’s role
Karachi’s traffic mess
National service
Karachi underpass
Critical juncture
Kalabagh dam
THE collapse of the Margalla Towers would have serious implication for the future of high-rise buildings in Pakistan. A lot has appeared in the media about this tragedy. The public, in general, believes that the collapse was due to:
a. Substandard construction
b. Faulty design of the structure
c. Its erection on the area subsequently approved by the CDA (i.e., 50 per cent covered area, extended to 75 per cent).
In order to ensure the safety of the scores of high-rise buildings since erected and before thinking about putting a ban on future high-rise buildings, we need to have a thorough probe of the matter. We have now an opportunity to unravel the reasons for the collapse of this tower by close examination of the structure, floor by floor, during the process of dismantling the adjacent block. Over the past 40 years I have had the opportunity of close association with structure, design and construction of some highrise buildings in this country. I am of the firm opinion that since the tower came down right in a vertical direction, the failure was due to the crumbling of the central columns (maybe due to under-designing or due to the addition of two floors, the load of which was not accounted for).
The authorities asked to submit a report are requested not to bank only on the assessment of the official report (as such reports are often put together in a casual manner without going into the nitty-gritty).
The framing of a new code of construction has been announced but our problem remains one of implementation. During a recent debate held at Hanna Lake in Quetta where engineers, scholars, architects and geologists were present, it was revealed that the Quetta building code was so far very effective — but only for 20 per cent of the buildings. The remaining 80 per cent were stated to be katcha/ordinary type for which no permission was sought. It was also stated that such type of construction was bound to collapse during an earthquake of an intensity greater than 7.0 on the Richter scale.
It may be mentioned here that in Islamabad and its surrounding areas cracks have developed mostly in schools and buildings constructed in the government sector and by some private developers. The emphasis, therefore, must be on implementation. Had the high-rise buildings in Islamabad been constructed under vigilant supervision and with the specification/code in vogue in mind, the damage would have been limited to minor plaster cracks between the “filler” masonry and the RCC frame which could be easily repaired.
It is, therefore, suggested the authorities may ask for a couple of independent reports from different firms that have well-reputed structural engineers. If we were to restrict the height to five floors, we will be wasting expensive land and if we undertake further designing keeping in mind the seismic zone g/5 to g/10 (mgn 7.8) instead of g/10 and g/15 (mgn 5-6.8) or provide isolators/padding under the foundation, the cost of construction will substantially go up.
It is hoped that the report would be very carefully prepared without focusing on any scapegoats, otherwise our structural engineers would lose confidence and may start designing unnecessarily expensive structures.
M.A. MASOOD
(Ex-senior director, Building & Works, ADBP),
Islamabad
IN his article “No middle ground” (Nov 12) Mr Irfan Husain while dilating on “the return of the caliphate” has rightly remarked that achievements of the European Union and the United States as political and economic unions, in very secular settings, cannot be equated with the caliphate. The caliph was not only the temporal authority but was also considered the spiritual leader of the Muslims. Therefore, yearning for its revival in the present-day world is asking for the moon.
The account as to how the institution of the caliphate moved from the Abbasids to the Ottomans is also fascinating. It was after the destruction of Baghdad at the hands of Mongol hordes in 1258, as has been quoted by Mr Husain, that refugees of the Abbasid lineage who survived the havoc were able to reach Cairo, which at that time was under the rule of the powerful Mamluks (Caucasian slaves).
After the fall of the Mamluk dynasty at the hands of the Ottomans, a descendent of the Abbasids, namely, Sultan Ahmed-II, travelled to Kech Mekran and then to Sindh. The Abbasids or Daudpotas of the former princely state of Bahawalpur claim to be their descendants.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
MAULVI Ajmal Qadri, chief of the JUI (Q group), has disclosed that he visits Israel and takes 100 to 150 people along every year (Nov 7).
He didn’t say since when he has been going there and on what travel documents he travels to Israel.
The second part of his disclosure is more important. He says that secret contacts with Israel have been going on since 1971. And also that there is trade between Pakistan and Israel through Jordan the volume of which is around one billion dollars. He didn’t say which country this trade favours.
He believes that direct trade will provide us with cheaper goods; which means that if Israel is recognized and diplomatic relations are established, trade would be favourable and imported material would cost less.
If there had been no earthquake in northern Pakistan on Oct 8, there was a possibility of an important move from Islamabad after Eid. But things have changed.
If at present we are doing business with Israel through Jordan, and if we establish diplomatic relations and the volume of direct trade increases to three or four billion which benefits Pakistan business-wise as well as politically, I think there should be no harm in recognizing Israel. We should not make recognition of Israel conditional on the establishment of the state of Palestine. It will come with the passage of time.
S. M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
I WAS one of the thousands of candidates that sat for NED’s test on September 25. As a student of an air force college, I found myself facing a difficult situation. Since thousands of people were appearing for the test, there was complete mayhem at 8 o’clock in the morning as the place was jam-packed with cars, and there was no traffic police on hand to guide the people. Students getting out of their cars and buses gathered in front of the main gate which was closed and the people were pushing and using inappropriate language.
The students had to sit under a tent with a 100-watt bulb hanging right above our heads. To add to our misery, there were no fans. Then there was the deafening noise of the “songs” being played by MMA workers just outside NED’s gates.
The disturbance made it impossible for students to concentrate. There was no discipline even in the University’s premises, with students talking between the tests and some cheating right in front of the invigilators.
As a government institution, NED should be better than the others for it is Karachi’s best engineering university. The authorities should look into the matter.
AL-HAMRA KHAN
Karachi
MR Latif Qureshi’s suggestion (Nov 12) that people contribute five rupees every day for earthquake victims sounds good but finding a suitable location where the amount can be deposited on a daily basis could prove to be a problem. The government should consider keeping sealed ‘Quake Relief Boxes’ in places of worship, educational institutions, all branches of banks in every city and at hotels, hospitals, courts, airports and railway stations. This way one can voluntarily drop in whatever one can.
One may recall that when the former East Pakistan was hit by cyclones and floods, a nominal tax was deducted from us in West Pakistan and no one resented it.
Prior to it, a nominal tax was also compulsorily deducted at various sources under the head of ‘The Quaid-i-Azam Refugees Relief Fund’ for the rehabilitation of the refugees during independence. Nobody resented that either although it continued for years.
Can’t we revive these taxes under a “Relief Fund to Rehabilitate Quake Victims” for three to five years? Undoubtedly, it will add to the aid we are receiving from abroad or generating at home. Most people would be happy to pay for a stipulated period as it is necessary for the rehabilitation of the homeless, the orphans, widows and the handicapped.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
SPEAKING at the quarterly conference of collectors of customs in the last week of October, the chairman of the Central Board of Revenue said that “major problems confronting customs were under-valuation and misdeclaration.” He asked the collectors to “carry out a study for evolving a strategy to reduce” the twin menace. Surprisingly, the emphasis here is on reduction and not elimination.
Under-valuation is commonly referred to as under-invoicing. The strategy to root it out is to introduce a law empowering the customs authorities to acquire any incoming consignment, irrespective of whether or not it is suspected of or actually involves under-invoicing, at the landed cost plus the percentage of gross profit which the importer had declared in his last income tax return or any other valid basis determined by the legislators.
The importer would thus get in cash exactly what he would have received through open-market transaction as claimed by him in an official document, namely, the income tax return. The importer would have no justification whatsoever to allege unfairness. Such consignments could then be auctioned.
The proceeds fetched through transparent auctions will also unveil the magnitude of tax evasion. As for misdeclarations, the entire consignment should be confiscated.
M. AYYUB
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Dr Avanti Seithi (Nov 8) in which he asks why Muslim countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and Pakistan are not progressing. Could he tell me how India is progressing? Half of its population lives in utter poverty, and 500 million of its people are illiterate.
One reason is that India needs a two-aircraft carrier navy, has ordered another 150 jet fighters from Britain in addition to its existing fleet, and has developed nuclear weapons. This has kept India poor.
Poverty will be greatly reduced if India cuts its defence expenditure by half. China is not going to attack India, nor does Pakistan have the resources to do so.
JAMAL LAKHANI
Karachi
THERE are strong rumours that at times President Gen Musharraf finds himself out of place in the present political system which has failed to deliver.
Parliamentarians may put the blame on the induction of the 17th amendment which has clipped the wings of the chief executive.
However, the parliamentary system’s failure cannot be fixed solely on this account. Whether one accepts it or not, parliamentary democracy does not suit the genesis of the people of Pakistan.
This was perhaps at the back of the mind of the then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto when he was contemplating amending his own 1973 constitution and introducing a presidential form of government in Pakistan.
This paved the way for General Ziaul Haq’s takeover in 1977. He converted the system of governance into ‘adhocracy’, which led to the growth of ‘mediocracy’ in every walk of life under the banner of Islamization and democracy. Now this killer earthquake has exposed the hollowness of the much trumpeted devolution plan and grassroots democracy designed by the ill-conceived National Reconstruction Bureau.
The plan was modelled on a German one, which in itself is a problem, because what may work in Germany might not suit Pakistan.
The need of the hour is not only to change the parliamentary system to a presidential one but to return to the old local government system and administrative set-up with deputy commissioners in districts and commissioners in division, with the powers of governors going to lieutenant-governors, who should be political appointees to head every divisional unit.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
WHAT the country’s youth have done for the earthquake victims is worthy of praise. They have devoted themselves to help the affected people and are working voluntarily with paramedical staff and rescue teams.
I have read and listened to stories about the freedom movement and the 1965 war and the participation of young people. People are comparing the spirit of the youth of 1965 with today’s youth. My grandfather who participated in the 1965 war says that he has seen the same spirit in today’s youth.
Now I know that these young people are the real heroes as they have devoted their lives for the earthquake devastated people. They have shown the real face of heroism and are the real builders of the nation.
Although the whole nation responded in this hour of need, the spirit of the youth was simply marvellous. However, we have just started this journey and need to rehabilitate people, rebuild cities and go further ahead. Through our diligence, we shall reach our goals. It is time to prove that whenever the country has fallen on bad times, Pakistan’s young people have confidentially faced the challenge. And, it’s time to prove that we are not a crowd but a strong nation.
SAIMA KARIM
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mr Farhan Anwar’s letter (Oct 4 Oct) and Mr Mumtaz A. Piracha’s letter (Nov 15).
In the late 1990s a traffic management programme (TMP) was launched in Karachi by the then DIG, and a few concerned citizen. It was a wonderful example of police and citizen cooperation.
The programme was started at the airport and extended to the entire Sharea Faisal. In just one year the annual challans from this sector greatly improved.
The hard facts of the programme were:
(a) The same police staff delivered
(b) The motivation level was high as senior police officials supported the programme
(c) Police officers and constables were assured that if they did their job, no VIP would be able to harass them.
(d) Thirty per cent of the fines collected were spent on the police.
The reason that today’s traffic is in a mess has been correctly analyzed by your correspondents but the basic reasons are lack of commitment on the part of police officers. Implementation of traffic law has to be across the board.
S. JAMEEL HUSSAIN
Karachi
THIS has reference to Mr Qutbuddin Aziz’s letter (Oct 31) on training of civil defence volunteers and the president’s proposal for disaster management volunteers. It is submitted that in many countries, including America, this is achieved through compulsory national service for young men of certain ages for a period of about two years.
Such persons are given concise education courses besides besides basic military, vocational, disaster management and other relevant training. After completing the training, they are either directly selected for suitable jobs or are allowed to complete their education. The period of their absence does not affect their education as they get adequate credits for such courses.
It is will be appropriate such compulsory national service is introduced at this stage for young men who are mostly unemployed and will be keen to join.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
COMPLETION of Karachi’s Schon Circle underpass is praiseworthy. Somehow the people expected that this new landmark will be an antidote to traffic congestion in the Clifton zone, because a colossal amount of money was earmarked for this project. But unfortunately the underpass has failed to create the desired impact, probably because the planners disregarded the fact of traffic clogging in its surrounding area. A realistic appraisal of the road strip between Teen and Do Talwar reveals the following main bugs:
Teen Talwar as a swarming chowk is an obstacle in itself. Unless it is integrated into the overall plan, it will not be possible to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic in this sector. The next hindrance is posed by people crossing the road on foot, as there are no overhead pedestrian crossings.
It will not be out of place to inject another dose of money (small as compared to the existing expenditure of Rs170m) for refinement of the venture.
HUMERA SHAH
Karachi
TODAY Pakistan stands at one of the most critical junctures in its history. While the devastating earthquake has exposed many of Pakistan’s weaknesses, it has also demonstrated the nation’s unified resolve to overcome this great crisis.
Men are sometimes masters of their fate and history is replete with examples of how nations backed by the power and resolve of their people rose from the ashes, overcoming despair, devastation and defeat. The time has come for the making of such a Pakistan.
Many like me are fully confident that the people of Pakistan can and shall overcome this great challenge with confidence, dignity, courage, patience and trust in God. We are also fully aware that despite our full commitment to all international obligations, the world community has not been very generous in assisting Pakistan in its hour of need. It is in this background that the nation’s leadership has now to galvanize, synchronize and revitalize the national spirit of self-reliance.
DR M.A WAJID
Karachi
TO address Mr Imran Khan Sial’s concern (Nov 13) about the flow downstream of Kotri, 35 MAF or even 50 MAF will not do any good as long as it remains a sporadic flood flow.
It is only when the flow has been regulated by a dam that it will become effective, in which case only 10 MAF will be sufficient, the remaining will be stored by the dam and not allowed to go to waste.
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
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