| December 31, 2005 | Saturday | Ziqa’ad 28, 1426 |
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Secularizing education
Restive Balochistan
‘Seeking alien interference’
President’s statement
Big storages and Sindh
Taxis sans meters
Solid waste management
University Road
London bombings
Minorities & Constitution
‘Sikh in army’
THIS is with reference to Mr Muhammad Abd Al-Hameed’s letter “Punjab vs other provinces” (Dec 28). It is a fact that provinces in Pakistan have suffered much at the hands of its rulers since the creation of the country in August 1947.
When East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was with us, it constituted 56 per cent of the total population but was it compelled to seek independence from the 44 per cent population of West Pakistan (now Pakistan). Why? If East Pakistan had to be separated from Pakistan, why had its people waged a struggle for Pakistan? Obviously, they were forced to seek independence after the 1971 massacre owing to the attitude of the Punjab-backed establishment. It is sad that we have learnt no lesson.
During the One Unit era the four provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, the NWFP and East Pakistan suffered greatly. The struggle of East Pakistan itself proved that it was neglected to the extent that it had to wage a bloody war for independence. In West Pakistan, three provinces also struggled hard for the abolition of One Unit which caused injustices to them as it was imposed on them.
As for the claim that Punjab voted Mr Z. A. Bhutto into power, Mr Abd, to some extent, is right but I want to ask him: was it possible for Nawaz Sharif to become prime minister (twice) without the vote of Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP?
Also, the accusation against Bhutto of creating ‘the Senate to neutralize Punjab’s majority in the National Assembly’ sounds nonsensical. In most countries there are two houses of parliament. However, the lower house in Pakistan is very powerful like in other countries. So it would not much affect Punjab whereas in the US the upper house is very powerful.
Shaikh Mujibur Rahman too had pleaded for only one House, according to the draft of the constitution prepared by the Awami League after winning the general election in 1970. G M Syed differed with him and pleaded for two houses. One should not rely on presumptions when facts are otherwise.
Again, the displeasure being expressed over the issue of royalty on hydro-electricity and natural gas being given to two provinces is without logic. It is a general practice in many countries of the world. There is nothing wrong about this though Mr Abd has complained that the two provinces have not made any investment in producing gas and electricity but get royalty on their sale.
During the days of Mr Nawaz Sharif national resources were spent on building the motorhway in Punjab. Even the amount earmarked for the proposed port at Keti Bunder was diverted, resulting in sea intrusion, ruining 2.4 million acres in Sindh.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
IT is a matter of great concern not just for the religious parties but for moderate, Islam-loving Pakistanis as well that the government appears intent on secularizing the educational system of the country.
A couple of years back verses from the Holy Quran were removed from some science textbooks although they were pertinent to the subjects. After that, material relating to the important Islamic concept of jihad was omitted, although it could have been explained to the students that jihad not restricted to fighting against an enemy. Now, there is the disturbing news that the procedure of offering “namaz” (ritual prayer) is being deleted from Islamiat textbooks.
In addition, matter on all or most Islamic personalities has been removed from the prescribed books while a poem about — believe it or not — George W. Bush and topics on western heroes were reportedly included in the curricula (Dawn, Dec 24).
This is both ludicrous and deplorable and will be unacceptable to the people. These changes and some of the past statements of the federal education minister, Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, appear to support the observations made by Prof S. Sayyid in his article “The dilemma of articulating a new identity” (Dawn Encounter, Dec 3).
The writer states that a section of the ruling establishment sees Pakistan as a new Turkey in waiting. However, it is noted that Kemal Ataturk carried out his reforms without popular sanction — just as they are forcibly being done in Pakistan at America’s behest — and included intense de-Islamization. Turkey was thereby cut off from its history and its auto-colonization occurred.
By supporting the American “crusade” against Islamism) under the pretext of “enlightened moderation”, putting forth a “soft image” and moves to secularize Pakistan, our rulers are endorsing Washington’s imperialist designs, which amounts to putting America, rather than Pakistan, first.
Someone properly qualified for the job and mindful of the Pakistanis’ sentiments should be made federal education minister. Gen Qazi has much unrest amongst his compatriots by his unilateral decision to hold composite examinations for the SSC/HSC and the attempts to secularize education.
AHSAN-UL-HAQ
Karachi
THIS has reference to your editorial “Restive Balochistan” (Dec 16). Much has been written about the emerging problems in Balochistan, but corrective measures on the part of the government have yet to be taken. Continuous bomb blasts and rocket fired ensure the presence of an air of uncertainty in the province.
There has been a great hue and cry among the nationalist parties in the province for their provincial rights enshrined in the constitution. Unfortunately, the government has centralized power, thus denying the federal nature of the Constitution.
Balochistan is the richest province in terms of natural resources but the poorest economically. If its people were skilled and the natural resources were fully utilized, the fate of the province would have been different. There are multitude problems in the province that need to be looked into and corrective steps taken instead of empty slogans and tall claims made by successive leaders.
The Musharraf regime made more promises to its people than any other government, yet no attempt was made to address the problems of the province politically. Though a committee headed by Mushahid Hussain came up with valuable suggestions which highlight the issues that the Baloch have been angry over, there is no surety whether these suggestions will be acted upon or not.
In Balochistan there have been several cases of disappearance of people who raised their voice for their rights. It is the need of the hour that the government should bring reforms in the province so that its people are satisfied. Reforms in the education and economic sector are direly needed. To get quality education is the dream of every citizen. Except for a few bigger cities, education seems a completely neglected sector throughout the province. As a result, its literacy rate is the lowest as compared to other provinces.
The people of the province should be trained both technically and educationally, thus freeing them from dependence. Furthermore, more industries should be set up, and incentives should be given to businessmen.
ASIFA GHULAM RASOOL
Turbat
I CONGRATULATE Dawn for its editorial ‘Seeking alien interference’ (Dec 25) which rightfully states;: “Way back in the ‘70s, opposition leaders visited foreign embassies in droves to seek help against Mr Bhutto’s undemocratic policies, and during the PNA movement both the government and the opposition agreed to let the Saudi ambassador mediate between the two. During the political era (1988-99), Mr Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto never considered it beneath their dignity to visit Washington seeking a regime change in Islamabad, and within the country both of them, besides religious parties, begged army chiefs to ‘do their duty’ and remove the democratically-elected government of the rival. Of course, the army chiefs never hesitated to oblige. But after ‘doing their duty’ they chose to perform what has become their other duty — ruling the country for a decade or more. Let the ARD politicians and all others note: the first principle of politics is to fight your own battle. Seeking foreign interference will only make things worse for the country.”
I would like to add that the politicians must look unto themselves for failure of democracy and imposition of army rule in Pakistan. If they push the country’s economy towards the brink of bankruptcy to serve their own self-interests, then the army will be welcomed by the general population to save them from the loot and plunder of politicians. Corruption in politics cannot foster democracy. Democratic institutions cannot be built by the corrupt politicians.
We must purge politics of the self-seeking feudal politicians and induct new leadership which holds national interest dearer than personal interests and believes in ruling in a democratic manner rather than through force or coercion. Only then can we hope to create an environment for democracy in Pakistan.
HUMAYUN ZAFAR
Toronto, Canada
THIS is to draw attention to the statement by President Gen Pervez Musharraf on the controversial Kalabagh dam.
Addressing a select gathering of journalists and intelligentsia in the Governors House in Karachi, President Musharraf said: Punjab would topple any future government which dared to halt the construction of the Kalabagh dam once work on it was undertaken, reminding the audience that no political party in the country could form a government without support from Punjab. (reported in a section of the press on Dec 12).
The statement confirms the apprehensions of political forces that the democracy Gen. Musharraf claims to have introduced is not genuine.
The elections that his regime conducted and monitored were farcial and democratic institutions have not been allowed to become truly functional. Constitutionally guaranteed provincial autonomy is non-existent in the four federating units.
Instead of upholding the law of the land whereby water issues should be decided according to agreement between all the federating units, the general threatening unconstitutional building of the dam in violation of provincial water rights. Such statements force resentment and fuel secessionist tendencies. Already the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is active in Balochistan.
There is a concern that such imprudent statements could provoke elements in other provinces.
Even a strong supporter of the military regime, Senator S.M. Zafar has admitted that there is no democracy in Pakistan at present and there is a need to end one-man rule in the country Dawn, Dec 21).
FAUZIA WAHAB
MNA and Coordinator of PPP Human Rights Cell
Karachi
The economy of Sindh is heavily dependent on agriculture. The only way to improve the water supply position is by construction of big storages. The biggest beneficiary of big storages on the Indus system would be Sindh and simultaneously the biggest loser in case storages are not constructed would also be Sindh. This position is well-known to Sindh’s intelligentsia.
Sindh knows too well that no storage big or small can be created on the Indus in its provincial limits because of its flat terrain. These storages only be created in the north. However, benefits to Sindh from any of these storages would always be in the form of availability of additional water to the province. As Sindh has no control on the location of the storages, it does not gain anything by involving itself in the controversy about the location of the storages. The important thing about which Sindh should worry is the availability of the quantum of its share of water supply. Therefore, Sindh should strive to ensure that it receives its improved share of water at its borders. Anything less should not be accepted. Guarantees about the share of water should be obtained, if at all, from the federal government. The measurement of additional water can only satisfactorily be ensured by the use of the telemetry network, which has already been installed at all the three of the barrages in Sindh. Sindh should, therefore, strive to make the system work and depend on it.
Another important thing for Sindh is the distribution of its share of water judiciously and fairly among all its canal systems and their “khatedars” in the upper and in the tail reaches, because most of the tail reach “khatedars” are crying for water. This situation can also improve only by the use of automatic telemetry systems installed on the canals. Sindh should know that while it is fighting for its share of water from the federal government, it also has an obligation to ensure fair distribution of water to tail “khatedars”.
In the 21st century, Sindh cannot afford to remain backward specially in the irrigation field. It has to depend on hi-tech systems and solutions. This is the time when Sindh can demand, insist and get hi-tech systems for metering and monitoring of its water supplies, at barrages, canal headworks and even on their tails.
IQTIDAR H. SIDDIQUI
Karachi
A large number of auto-rickshaws and taxis, to the dismay of commuters, are plying in Karachi city without the mandatory fare meters. In the past, the traffic police used to check driving licences, fare meters and speeding on the road in surprise checks. It persuaded the drivers to abide by the law. But such surprise checks are rarely seen now and the drivers feel free to do what they like.
In case, autorickshaw and taxi-drivers are not happy with the officially fixed fare, their grievances should be resolved. But in no circumstances should their be allowed to take the law in their own hands.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
IT was indeed great to see the full-page advertisement in Dawns Dec 19 issue calling for tenders for solid waste management system for the first time, which is the first solid step in this field. It is hoped the task will be undertaken on an emergency footing and started without any further delay.
Karachi has become a garbage dump endangering the lives of millions of people living in this once flourishingly clean city. Diseases, sickness, illness can only spread if this situation is allowed to continue. Defence Society has a considerably good garbage system and we hope the rest of Karachi will follow suit.
Door-to-door collection is a must and an end to the garbage disposal dumps is vital so that the roads are free of scattered filth. A system of allowing garbage to be collected and separated and recycled, using those who collect it now, away from the city is necessary.
S. BABAR
Karachi
I WOULD like to press the danger bell about the possibility of vehicles overturning in the midst of deep craters and potholes created by the accumulation of sewage on certain portions of Karachi’s University Road. It has become a virtual death trap.
It appears that there is none in the Karachi city district government to come forward to remedy the very serious situation being faced by vehicular traffic.
The most dangerous spots lie between Mosamyat (Meteorology) and Safoora Chowk, particularly in front of the Habib Bank branch, Shamail Complex, Hena View, Nabi View, Rizwan Housing Society.
Little does the city government realize the importance of a main artery like the University Road. Important institutions like the NED University of Engineering, Karachi, and the University, Ojha TB Sanitorium are situated on this road.
Besides, the University Road serves as an important link road to Malir cantonment, Kiran Cancer Hospital and numerous residential areas. The suffering of the people who have to use this road, this being the only link road, can be well imagined.
GHOLAM HASNAIN
Karachi
THE British government has rejected calls for a public inquiry into the London bombings on July 7. Instead, it says will appoint a senior civil servant who will produce a “definitive account of what happened”. Given government actions to date, it is highly unlikely that such an account will be anything of the sort.
One would have to ask if the family of Jean Charles de Menezes would be happy if the government had suggested that no inquiry be undertaken into his killing, rather a senior civil servant be asked to write an essay on the day’s events? In fact that was exactly what did happen when the government’s top police chief, Sir Ian Blair, broadcast the day’s events to the nation. His version of events was later rubbished by the public and the media, as being full of lies and discrepancies and clearly designed to fulfil a political goal.
It isn’t just the public that considers that the government’s words are not worth the paper they are written on. MPs have recently demanded the government investigate claims that the CIA has been using British airports in the illegal transfer of prisoners to places of torture around the world. The same MPs have dismissed as “worthless” the home secretary’s assurances that there are no records of the CIA undertaking such actions on British soil.
It is clear that western democracies are not as “accountable” as they make out to be. Rather they have a plethora of tactics and means by which they can shirk from accountability.
IMRAN HAMEED
Lahore
MR FAIZ Gul Awan thinks that minorities are being discriminated against because the Constitution of Pakistan bars them from becoming head of the state (Dec 24). I think it is not discriminatory.
The Muslim and Jewish communities in the US are strong minorities but none of their members can aspire to become president of that country. Their constitution requires the aspirant to be a Christian just as Pakistan’s Constitution demands the aspirant to be a Muslim. That’s the way it is, Mr Awan.
Admittedly, a member of a minority could have become the president only if the country was secular, like India. Secularism has nothing to do with religion, nor is it against it. It only separates politics and diplomacy from religion for better governance.
S. M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
This refers to the news item “Sikh in Army” (Dec 20). It is certainly a welcome bit of news, but Harcharan Singh will be commissioned only after successfully completing the prescribed course at the Pakistan Military Academy.
As for selection of a Hindu, there was with us, attending the first PMA course in 1948, Gentleman-Cadet Dutta, from East Pakistan.
YOUSUF ALI
Karachi
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