| November 21, 2005 | Monday | Shawwal 18, 1426 |
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Military control
Nazim elections
Tax administration
Absence of a chess club
Disturbing stories in textbooks
Pakistan’s victory
Electricity bills
A cry for peace
Worst disaster
New phone
Donation cheques & couriers
Land use
Pakistanis
REFERENCE is made to Mr Khalid Naqshbandi’s letter titled “AWACs deal” (Nov 16). I fully agree with his assertion that we cannot compromise on our defence preparedness. Therefore, the deal with Sweden for six early warning systems should go through without hindrance because, as Mr Naqshbandi says, without it “the PAF would be a sitting duck against any possible Indian Falcon AWACs-controlled warfare”.
The writer says that the Indians have been drawn into peace parleys for 57 years but with no outcome. They are wary of negotiations because they know they have a weak case on Kashmir and every second dispute with Pakistan. When they did enter into negotiations, they stalled using delaying tactics.
But let me disagree with Mr Naqshbandi about postponing of the F-16s’ acquisition. I also disagree with the president who has decided to delay the purchase. The warplanes are a necessity. I agree the present calamity is huge. The world community is helping and will continue to help. But the jets are also necessary.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
AS a concerned citizen, I am alarmed by the duplicity of the government. We all know the magnitude of the Oct 8 disaster, which has left over 86,000 dead and millions injured, wounded and homeless, the tough terrain and merciless weather adding to their difficulties.
On the one hand, we are requesting the world at large to help as much as possible to rehabilitate the millions of homeless. Yet, on the other hand, we are indulging ourselves in a buying spree, spending one billion dollars on the import of early warning systems from Swedish companies. This should have been put on hold for some time until the earthquake crisis settled down.
No doubt our defence requirements are important, but at this crucial moment there are more urgent things we need to spend on. I am surprised that the human rights champions that they are, the Swedish are not stopping this contract.
I request the president to take serious note of this issue and put it on hold until the hundreds of thousands of our homeless have been settled and their lives restored to normalcy.
ABDUL FAHIM
Islamabad
IN his article (Nov 18), ‘National security vs natural clammily’, Mr Jamal A.Khan has rightly remarked: “No country can choose its neighbours, none can persuade its adversaries to desist from taking advantage of its internal and external weaknesses”.
There is a saying: “Ground forces without protection from the air will not prevail over an adversary having these essentials.” The Pakistan Air Force must acquire the AWACS and F-16s to counter the threat to our army and navy in any future conflict against India. The Indian leaders have publicly advocated pre-emptive military action against adversary nations. The finger of course points at on us. Therefore, “even at this time of our national crisis our guard against unexpected military confrontations must not be lowered to such an extent that it invites aggression”.
AMANULLAH KHAN
Karachi
IT was indeed a very severe earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Kashmiris and people residing in the NWFP. Millions have been rendered homeless. As if this tragic natural calamity was not enough, the complete paralysis of an incompetent and corrupt government machinery further aggravated the woes of the helpless millions.
A military regime that took pride in the army’s unmatched capabilities to run the affairs of every state enterprise found itself lacking in performing a task that all uniformed services are expected to deliver in times of natural calamities. They were too busy in managing Wapda, the Railways, steel mills, banks, civil aviation, universities, DMG civil bureaucracy, police, KDA Building Control Authority, real estate development, etc., while their designated constitutional role was neglected. The credibility gap between the rulers and the ruled made matters worse.
People have not forgotten the role of Zia’s ruling elite, who gobbled billions of dollars given as humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees. The judicial inactivism of the establishment amounts to its abetting this crime or the state machinery being perceived as partners in crime. Those who inherited the plundered billions unfortunately were found suitable to be given important political assignments by a regime that promised the people good governance, justice, law and order and swift clean accountability. No wonder than that there is this wide credibility gap that even a tragedy like this earthquake has not been able to bridge.
Perhaps in hindsight the regime will realize the folly of giving key assignments to retired khakis, who failed to qualify for promotion to higher ranks on merit within the uniformed services. The crisis management team headed by a retired army officer was not to be seen at all. It is time for our men in uniform to go back to the barracks, and confine themselves to rigorous training that would prepare them for the sacred task of defending our geographical boundaries and coming to the aid of civil government.
IJAZ AHMED
New Milford, New Jersey, USA
THE tussle that was witnessed between some bigwigs to grab tickets for themselves or their favourites for the nazim elections was indicative of how powerful, gainful and influence-wielding the chair of a nazim must be. We are living in an era of influentials, who have a stranglehold on the political, administrative and financial affairs of the country.
The impression conveyed to the average citizen by the electronic media during the election campaign was that quite a number of contestants did not belong to the constituency they sought election from. They were as such aliens, intruders or outsiders by any measure. When Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi got elected from Kot Adu, Aitzaz Ahsan had designated him as a member from a “borrowed” constituency.
It was observed that official meddling in selecting nazim candidates was overbearing, and all tools available to the administration were made use of to impose their favourites. It looks certain that such meddling will become more pronounced in future elections and the trend to impose supportive outsiders, so they can cling on to the reigns of absolute power, will be more striking. This drift must be arrested at the earliest.
The rulers were so vociferous about the last local body elections being transparent. Yes, they indeed were. The rulers evaluated transparency on the basis of their adopted motto: see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. The public perceived transparency visibly, vocally and audibly.
M. AYYUB
Karachi
THE CBR chairman seems to have brought about a few changes in the tax administration. However, the crucial question is: do these policy changes get reflected in implementation or, as always, they remain just pious hopes?
Policy reviews in many fields have been undertaken earlier in Pakistan. Voluminous reports and recommendations at considerable cost have been prepared and announced with great fanfare. Hardly any got implemented.
The reason for their grounding is not far to seek. It is this bureaucracy of ours. The Pakistani tax assessees, therefore, continue to suffer the same old callous and insensitive treatment at the hands of the lower echelons of the CBR with whom they have to deal with, no matter what the changes.
I can give my own example. I have received demand notices for recovery for past years as far back as 1991 and not by one ITO/DC but by every successor despite the fact that each time my tax adviser has supplied proofs (copies of paid challans) for the amounts demanded. Recently, I received a notice for payment of arrears for the year 1987-88 (apart from a few subsequent years).
Where would one want to go? To the brick wall. I am not looking for individual redress. The situation is too hopeless and the malady is too deep.
Even if an odd case or two get redressed, it is not the answer, because one cuckoo does not make a spring, and we are living in a jungle.
A. KHAN
Lahore
THE present “chess-lessness” of Karachi is dismaying.A great modern city boasting an energetic and educated population of 15 million has no place, no facility, no club for the great number of chess enthusiasts who find themselves forced to slake their thirst by playing — hastily and stealthily — in homes, offices, and shops, or on footpaths.
A few years back an energetic police officer, a railways executive and the sport-loving director of an international food chain had pooled their efforts to set up a chess club, ushering in a glorious era for Karachi chess. But now, with the closing down of that outfit, this city’s bewildered players — are roaming about like lost souls.
The railways executive and the director of the food chain have quit the scene, but luckily the energetic police officer, having served up his mysterious furlough, is still around, and possibly with greater clout. I shall hereby request him, to rescue us from this “chess-lessness”, especially since our own chess masters and ranking players (a perfectly lethargic bunch) are unable to do anything for their own good.
A. QAVI SHAKOOR
Karachi
ON Nov 12, Dr Jaffer Ahmed of Karachi University said: “School textbooks in Sindh have been cleaned of bias under pressure from the country’s civil society and foreign aid donors”.
My teenage daughter is a student of O’levels at a school in Islamabad and read the following passage in her new textbook: “A 13-year-old girl is given in marriage to an old man in exchange for some money. The girl innocently accepts her fate, unaware of what marriage entails. She is happy to get new clothes and jewellery but that night the people in the village hear her screaming. Later she goes to her mother’s house and falls in love with a villager of her own age [here the author explains how her sexuality, which was suppressed by brutal beatings, is aroused]. Her brother finds out about her affair and kills her.”
This passage is extracted from the textbook “Stories from Pakistan” in which almost every story is shocking and disturbing. Enlightened moderation needs a saner definition.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
HATS off to the Pakistan cricket team for putting up a good show on the final day of the Multan Test at a time when it needed to produce its best. This is just the kind of team spirit that is needed for the Pakistan team to establish themselves as world beaters.
Having said that, it would be fair to state that the team must now expect a very strong fightback from the visitors in the remaining two Test matches. The England cricket team has all the potential of not only squaring the series but ending up winning it. They did it against Australia after having lost the first Ashes Test when they bounced back to turn it all around in the remaining Tests. And let us not forget they were in control of the match most of the time and actually were favourites up to the fourth day of the Test.
The Pakistani players must aim at winning the second Test and take the series instead of adopting defensive tactics and aiming at a draw.
The victory in Multan has proven once again that our bowlers are match winners if they are given a reasonable target to defend, and the fact that England are not comfortable against leg-spin when it comes to handling it on slow and turning subcontinent pitches. Hence inclusion of Shahid Afridi in the playing 11 in the second Test could be a viable consideration.
Let us hope that Inzamam’s men are able to demonstrate the same spirit and intent in the remaining matches and come out on top.
KAMRAN A. SHAH
Karachi
THIS refers to the Multan cricket Test. There were three atrocious umpiring decisions, i.e., Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan and Trescothick, all going against Pakistan. TV, for reasons best known to it, failed to show the replays of those decisions, whereas the uprooting of Bel’s on a no-ball must have occupied the screen for a considerable time. It may be recalled that during the World XI and Australia series the umpire concerned was rated as the worst by the players and the media.
A commentator, as the word suggests, is a person who makes comments explaining and criticising whatever happens on the field. It is a shame that our commentators (English), except for one, do the explaining only in rosy English but are shy to criticize or highlight suspect or wrong decisions. I remember that the commentators during the Ashes would raise hell if a decision in their opinion was wrong but they are keeping mum for obvious reasons — silence is gold and if one gets it free why refuse.
I wonder as to how a bowler with an average of 48 or so could qualify for a berth in the national team.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
THERE is a great public outcry against the Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company (HESCO) for issuing inflated bills to bona fide consumers in Larkana in order to cover up line losses. This menace of bogus billing is going on without any check and control by any authority.
It is the right of every consumer to get billed according to the energy consumed according to the meter reading. I am a senior citizen and have been trying to get a revised bill issued against my closed premises 1887/B Pakistan Chowk Larkana (Account No: 06521-002 3570 Jinnah Bagh subdivision Larkana). I wrote to the letters section of this newspaper on April 10 and 12, 2004. I have also lodged a complaint in person before the Regional Customer Service Centre HESCO, Larkana as per receipt No: 1572 Dt: 25.07.2005 issued by the counter in charge of the cell.
Is there any competent authority at Hesco’s headquarters in Hyderabad as well as at Wapda in Lahore to look into the matter?
M. ANWAR CHANNA
Larkana
THIS is with reference to the ongoing violence in Iraq. We read news about it everyday, yet we don’t seem to care much about it.
Law and order is the responsibility of the occupying force. The continued presence of American forces will only invite more violence. A sudden evacuation of US troops will create another vacuum.
The solution lies in handing over military charge to the UN. Every country should send its troops under the UN and a UN-appointed military command must be set up under the political government of Iraq.
ZEESHAN AHMAD
Lahore
Let’s be honest. The worst natural disaster in Pakistans history was the Bhola cylone that killed 500,000 East Pakistanies in 1970. Forgetting the past might be very convenient, but it has left us so unprepared for the present and the future.
So many deaths are happening in Pakistan just because we dont know how to manage this disaster. Is our ineptitude forgivable?
Imran Jalil
Sharjah, UAE
I HAD applied for a new telephone connection on August 20 under receipt # 223/08-0280/005 dated 20/08/005. On receiving no response from PTCL after several verbal follow-ups, I wrote a letter on September 15 to DE Phones explaining the situation. That also fell on deaf ears.
ZAKIA KHATOON
Karachi
During the earthquake crisis, a courier company offered free delivery of donation cheques to the Edhi Foundation. I submitted a cheque to the courier’s Gulistan -i- Jauhar branch. The cheque number was 5807890 drawn on MCB, Maisam Plaza branch, Gulshan-i-Iqbal dated October 10, 2005.) When on October 31 I saw that the amount had still not been debited from my account, I called TCS customer service and was told that since there is no receipt issued for such donation cheques, there was no way they could track it and if in the process some cheques had been misplaced, they couldn’t help it.
Can the authority concerned look into this matter and let me know the correct status?
SYED ARSHAD HASHMI
Karachi
THIS IS with reference to an advertisement (Nov 9) released by the military estate officer (MEO) inviting EOI(expression of interest) for two plots in prime locations of Karachi as follows:
1. 16.5 acres on M.A. Jinnah Road located between Capri Cinema and Parsi Colony.
2. 1,800 square yards located between the Zoo and Makki Masjid.
The ad goes on to state that “both the sites are suitable for multi-purpose commercial activities/residential complex.”
I wonder how the MEO decides about land use in Karachi. Should it not be the CDGK/KBCA which should decide this depending on the needs of the city?
Another pertinent question is that shouldn’t the land be handed back to the CDGK/ Sindh government if it is not required for the use of the military/armed forces.
Finally, if and when the land is auctioned/sold, where will the money be utilized?
I look forward to responses from the Karachi CDGK, the Sindh government and the GHQ.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
A NUMBER of Pakistanis living in the Middle East, Europe and North America did not return to Pakistan when their efforts to be relieved of their jobs (in civil as well as military departments) proved unsuccessful. They had gone abroad either on deputation or for higher studies. Instead of returning to Pakistan in time, they preferred to stay on.
These Pakistanis are sending foreign exchange to their relatives, thus contributing to the country’s foreign reserves, but they cannot visit Pakistan to meet their families for fear of disciplinary action.
I suggest that all such Pakistanis be pardoned through a judicious financial deal.
XYZ
Karachi
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