| December 14, 2005 | Wednesday | Ziqa’ad 11, 1426 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
‘Concession is not surrender’
‘GSP and the quake’
Aid, not weapons
Helpline 15
Clifton’s problems
PTDC Taftan motel
Corruption and inefficiency
Rail travel discount
Kalabagh dam
Investment in Gwadar
THIS is with reference to Shahid Javed Burki’s article “It takes two to hold back” (Dec 6). In yet another hyperbolical fling of the imagination, Mr Burki has informed us that “India is well on its way to becoming a major world power.”
Considering the nearly 400 million people in that country living in conditions of abject poverty, the extremely poor state of its infrastructure, the huge (and largely unproductive) recurring expenditure on military purchases, the socio-economic tensions inherent in the rigid caste-ridden Hindu society, the rise of Hindu fundamentalism, which has manifested itself, time and again, in bloody riots and violence against minorities like the Sikhs (remember 1984), against the Muslims (Babari Masjid and the Gujarat riots of 2002), and even against Christian missionaries, the enormous expenditure on military operations in occupied Kashmir in order to crush the legitimate struggle for self-determination of the Kashmiri people - all these factors which have social, economic and political dimensions, will have to be resolved peacefully before the vision of India as a “major world power” can be fully realized.
History is witness to the fact that no one country, even if it was a superpower, has helped another country to become a great power. Take the example of China which has become a great power by dint of its own efforts, and by following wise and judicious policies in the domestic field, as well as in foreign affairs. Japan is a country which is on its way to becoming a major power, and so are the EU countries, and these countries were, admittedly, helped by the US. But please note that US assistance was given with the specific purpose of helping these countries recover from the ravages of World War II, and in the hope that they would remain allied to the US. However, their ascent to big-power status was entirely due to their own efforts.
Mr Burki’s fascination with Amartya Sen’s book, The Argumentative Indian, appears to be misplaced. He believes in the thesis that “out of almost unending discourse that has gone on in India has emerged a system that serves its diverse people well”. But does it? Has a meaningful debate, or a discussion, or a discourse on various subjects really taken place? And if so, has the crippling discrimination against the Dalits really been removed? Have the conditions of the people living in rural areas, whom Nehru once called “this naked, hungry mass,” been redressed?
Have the causes of “starvation deaths” one hears about so often been eliminated? Has violence, and open and blatant discrimination against the minorities, particularly the Muslims, been eradicated? Have effective steps been taken to improve relations with neighbours, particularly with Pakistan with a view to resolving the Kashmir dispute? If not, what has this “unending discourse” been all about? And how has it served India’s “diverse people well”?
These are some of the hard questions to which Mr Burki should try to give honest answers.
Mr Burki is greatly impressed by a newspaper report that a large number of western companies are now holding their board meetings in Delhi and Mumbai. According to him, this will attract “foreign capital and the attention of the world’s largest corporations.” This, I think, is too optimistic a view. At best, these may be regarded as “gimmicks”, which have a hollow ring about them, just like the slogans of “India is shining” and “India is glorious”, which one often sees on the TV screen when watching Indian channels. No country has become “great,” or “glorious” or, “shining” on the basis of slogans. No matter how argumentative you are.
SALAHUDDIN K.LEGHARI
Lahore
THIS is with reference to Mr Kuldip Nayar’s article “Concession is not surrender (Nov 3)”. For one of Mr Nayar’s standing — former ambassador, former politician and a high-profile Indian journalist — it is gullibility to the extreme to say that Sirri creek and Siachen are the two main outstanding issues in the Indo-Pakistan imbroglio.
The word Kashmir does not appear even once in his lengthy discourse. Not even a passing reference. Mr Nayar surely cannot be that naive and treat us to his sermon, a la the ostrich parable.
Try putting it the other way round, Mr Nayar. Let us earnestly, sincerely and trustingly first find a resolution to the main problem that is the bane of our relations — and then notice the ease with which all other blocks fall into place, Sirri and Siachen included.
There are a number of wide-ranging proposals on the table. Pakistan has even deviated from the 55-year-old UN resolution, with full understanding of changing times and circumstances. India is the big brother, the senior of the family. Its resources are unlimited in comparison. Our Indian brothers continue to harp on similarities of our two peoples — appearance, language, the mass of the downtrodden on both sides and culture. Yes, culture. Such feelings are not totally amiss in Pakistan. If that be so, our cultures are value-oriented. It is incumbent on seniors in our values to take the lead, seek and indeed make avenues for peace all round.
India must distinguish itself in the role it desires and nature has bestowed upon it, to be a regional leader. Let it act in fairness to all and see how Pakistan responds.
WAHEED BHOMBAL
Karachi
THIS is in reference to the letter “GSP and the quake” by Salman Noor (Dec 1), where he has repeated the views stated earlier by another correspondent and to which we had replied.
It has been clearly stated that as the country’s premier earth science research organization, the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) is responsible for the study of geology of the country and this includes engineering and geo-hazard studies.
The GSP has never said that the study of earthquakes is not in its charter of operation. The GSP has published maps and reports demarcating the country’s seismic zones and these are available for the general public. A list of the GSP’s research publications on earthquakes has been posted on its website (www.gsp.gov.pk).
At present, the recording and observation of any seismic activity comes under the purview of the geophysical centre of the Pakistan Meteorological Department. In many countries of the world, collection of seismic data is entrusted with met. departments, while in some others this is delegated to other bodies.
The GSP is organizing an international conference which will be held in Islamabad from January 18-19 which will deal with the Oct. 8 earthquake and its implications, and with disaster mitigation. The specific themes of this conference will be: Active tectonics of the Himalaya and Western Collisional Belt of Pakistan, paleo-seismology and geotechnical engineering and space technologies for disaster mitigation.
ASIF N. RANA
GSP Museum Curator
Quetta
THIS refers to a letter (Dec 12) by three Swede humanists who have urged their government through these columns to convert the export of weapons to Pakistan into humanitarian aid so desperately needed for millions of earthquake victims now bracing themselves for a harsh, sub-zero winter. It is very touching to note that people around the world are more concerned about us than our own rulers. What was the initial response of our decision-makers to international and local objectors to the anomaly in Islamabad spending?
We were told that aid for the victims and defence procurement were two entirely different things. The deal with Sweden for reconnaissance planes was signed the very next day the tragedy struck. When the press and media criticized the explanation, the purchase of F-16 fighters was put off, not cancelled.
Now that peace with India is on the cards and a solution to the Kashmir problem is being sought through negotiations, why do we have to spend so much needlessly?
I think our government is being forced into the deal.
A few years ago, the US asked Poland to buy about a dozen F-16s costing a few billion dollars. As we know, Poland is smack in the middle of Europe under the Nato umbrella.
Poland has no hot borders, there were no funds and it had absolutely no use for those fighters. To facilitate the deal, a loan was provided through international financial institutions and Poland now has a mighty air force.
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
THIS refers to a letter by Munir Ahmed Ansari on ‘Helpline 15’ (Dec 10). I agree with Mr Ansari’s view to quite an extent but would like to highlight an incident which shows that there are still police officers who go beyond the call of duty in serving the public.
Late in the evening on Dec. 8, my brother-in-law, a senior doctor at the NICVD, Karachi, was shot in the abdomen during an attempted kidnapping attempt on Khayaban-i-Muhafiz in DHA. When the kidnappers reached Phase I in his car, they decided to throw him out from the vehicle. He lay on the road profusely bleeding. Some angel of a man called ‘15’. The person who took the call was sub-inspector Shabbir, SHO of Defence Police Station, who promptly got to Dr Saadullah.
The police official chose to ignore the normal procedure in which precious time is wasted in paper work and in calling for an ambulance and himself rushed the injured doctor to the emergency ward at the JPMC. His timely decision and action saved the doctor’s life and the doctor’s family from untold suffering. The SHO of Darakhshan, Mr Barakullah, also reached the JPMC on hearing of the incident and assured the doctor’s family that those behind the kidnapping attempt would be caught. The doctor is now recovering and will soon be back at the NICVD.
MOHSIN IKRAM
Karachi
ONE of the oldest Karachi localities, Clifton, was once seen as a prestigious place. Now one can see heaps of garbage everywhere with overflowing gutters.
The area is full of stray dogs roaming on the streets, which have big potholes and no lights.
Although water tax is paid, for years there has been no water supply in Blocks 2 and 3.
In the whole of Clifton we don’t have designated bus stops anywhere.
All kinds of big and small buses operate on Clifton roads, driven in an extremely rash manner.
The buses stop every 10 to 15 yards to pick and drop passengers on busy roads, thus creating a great hazard for other vehicles on the road.
The Karachi nazim is requested to give serious consideration to the problem of Clifton residents and issue orders for proper sanitation facilities, construction of bus stops and for supply of water in Blocks 2 and 3.
MUMTAZ KHAN
EKarachi
ALONG with a group of friends I recently travelled to Taftan on the Pakistan-Iran border. We had gone there to receive and welcome members of an expedition entering Pakistan on a charity collection campaign organized by CARE International.
On average over 200 foreign visitors enter Pakistan from Iran every day according to the locals. The very first place they reach as they enter Pakistan is a motel owned and operated by the PTDC. Here, they often stop for refreshments, and even an overnight stay or to exchange currency. More importantly, they come here for information about the country that they have just entered — quite understandable since PTDC means the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.
Sadly, this is the last place that they should be going to seek information. It is a filthy, unkempt place managed on contract by a person who serves as the motel’s chowkidar, cook, waiter, sweeper, doorman, telephone operator and the manager, all in one. The place is as run down as can be imagined — with broken washrooms, faded paint, broken doors, torn curtains, non-existent crockery and cutlery, dirty corridors, piles of junk stored at the indoor green area, and a horribly unhygienic kitchen.
The main gate of the motel seems to have disappeared — or maybe it was never there in the first place. Instead of spacious lawns, the barren land around the motel’s driveway is filled with plastic bags and assorted garbage. Not a single tree has been planted along the peripheral wall and the enclosure is home to a family of stray dogs.
Clearly, any traveller who enters Pakistan will have his or her worst fears — or preconceived notions — about the country confirmed. I request the management of the PTDC to ask themselves as to what kind of image of the country do such badly-run establishments give to foreign visitors.
Other PTDC motels, especially in the Northern Areas, are much better but that does not excuse what is going on at the Pakistan-Iran border.
TAIMUR MIRZA
Karachi
ZUBEIDA Mustafa has rightly asserted that “increase in corruption has ensured that the money being pumped into projects .... is siphoned off by dishonest functionaries” (‘Is it really health for all?’, Dec7). Although corruption is an issue and it’s recently manifested itself in its worst form, we are undergoing a terrible period marked by almost total collapse of the administrative machinery.
Development projects in the public sector suffer more because of inefficient administrators than because of corruption. Corruption has long been there and no country is 100 per cent free from it; however, a dishonest but efficient manager at least delivers something, has a basic level of managerial IQ and is far-sighted enough to cater in advance for future problems.
What are the people do if they are condemned to suffer inefficient managers who lack basic analytical prowess and leadership skills? This is the actual case with development projects in the country, especially in Sindh.
To the discerning, the chief reason is obvious: the position of managers and staff of development projects are generally filled by transferring civil servants, without subjecting them to a fair and transparent recruitment process. If ever vacancies are filled through open competition, the basic requirement of merit is very often brazenly disregarded.
We are suffering from the dual evil of corruption and administrative inefficiency in development projects.
The problem requires drastic surgery. Unless we start weeding out the deadwood from our institutions, the nation will suffer. History brims with evidence that nations that fail to govern themselves are condemned to be governed by others.
IMTIAZ BHATTI
Programme Officer,
Sindh Devolved Social Services Programme
Karachi
IN September the Pakistan Railways announced 25 per cent concession on tickets for senior citizens on some trains for all classes, including Awam Express.
I am a senior citizen and I tried once in November and then on Dec 5 to avail myself of the concession in the Awam Express in lower AC but the reservation office at the Hyderabad railway station declined to give this on both occasions on the ground that the PR head office at Lahore had not authorized them to provide concessional fare for senior citizens. But on Nov 14 I had travelled on senior citizens’ discounted fare from Lahore to Hyderabad in lower AC by the Awam Express.
I would like to know why this discrimination for senior citizens travelling from Hyderabad.
CH. NASEER AHMED
Hyderabad
MR Fatehullah Khan, former chairman of the Indus River System Authority (Dec 7), has given his views on the building of the Kalabagh dam.
I am not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of the dam, but it is indeed a serious matter when a responsible and technically qualified person like Mr Khan argues against the building of the dam. This requires serious consideration of those in authority. What is significant is that it has been stated that Wapda is determined to “misguide both the government and the public” to build the Kalabgh dam.
This needs to be probed and if found correct, those responsible need to be taken to task. It is not a small matter that a body like Wapda should he suspected of deliberately misguiding us when billions of rupees are involved and the fate of the country is at stake.
Three out of the four provinces of the country vehemently oppose the the dam. It stands to reason that the project should be given up and an alternative site as suggested by Mr Khan be adopted.
MAHER ALAVI
Karachi
IN his column on Dec 9, “A fever called Kalabagh”, Mr Ayaz Amir says: “From all the government hype and propaganda, you would think that the nay-sayers are opposed in principle to any big dam on the Indus. That’s not true at all. They say a big dam or indeed several on the mighty Indus by all means .... Sindhis, across the political spectrum, coming to see the Kalabagh dam as nothing less than a sentence of doom. With less water flowing down the Indus, they say, their ancient homeland will become dry while the Indus delta, home to a rich ecosystem, will shrink.”
Now, isn’t it true that Sindhis are opposed to the construction of any dam on the Indus, not just Kalabagh? Their objections are general in nature, not specifically aimed at Kalabagh.
Hence, the “nay-sayers” should consist of two categories — those who oppose the Kalabagh dam specifically and those who oppose all dams on the Indus, namely, the people of the Frontier and Sindh.
USMAN SHAHID
Denmark
WE endorse the views expressed in the letter “Investment in Gwadar” (Dec 9). We, with hundreds of investors, have been shocked to learn that the army establishment without reason or sufficient notice has acquired 5,843 acres of investors’ land in Moza Gurdani, N. Gurdani, S. Gurdani, and Moza Darbella.
If the government wants to promote Gwadar, such action should be stopped with immediate effect. The president, the prime minister and the chief minister must take remedial measures to restore the confidence of investors.
R.S. MIR
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.