| January 6, 2006 | Friday | Zilhaj 5, 1426 |
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CNG prices
Clifton roads and FWO
Internet service
Joining the army
School holidays
Super Highway
Hatim Tai
Passport agents
Frere Hall incident
Postal charges
Bank robberies
PTCL wireless phones
Equal opportunity?
Wrong comparison
Extravagant ways
Wedding meals
IT appears there are no checks and balances in the working of the House Building Finance Corporation, though we have heard much about “good governance”.
Being an HBFC client, I submitted post-dated cheques signed in favour of the corporation against my monthly instalments. But much to my chagrin, a few months after depositing the cheques I received a threatening and embarrassing letter from the HBFC, dated Sept 19, 2005, saying that my cheque had been dishonoured by my bankers.
The letter was from the HBFC’s district/zonal manager, Unit-1, North Karachi, but without the name of the official. It said: “Whoever dishonestly issues cheques towards repayment of finances or fulfilment of an obligation which is dishonoured on presentation, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.”
Shocked, I contacted my bankers, National Bank of Pakistan, who confirmed that no cheque had been dishonoured and provided me with a bank statement showing a sufficient amount in my account.
I went to the HBFC district office when the clerk at the unit told me that since I had proved that I had sufficient funds in my account, the HBFC would send on my cheque.
I wrote a letter on Oct 1, 2005 to the manager of the unit office mentioning the whole episode and urging him to make sure that such uncalled for letters would not be posted in the future. I asked the official to issue me a letter clearing me of all charges, which he refused to do.
Yet another shock was in store for me when I received another threatening letter (dated Dec 20, 2005) signed by the district manager, Unit-I, informing me that my cheque had “bounced”. I was advised to clear the same within three days, otherwise the prime minister’s relief package facility would be withdrawn in my case.
I appeal to the prime minister, who has also served as a banker, to take action against inept HBFC officials. I believe mine is a fit case for the banking ombudsman for suo motu action.
M. RIAZ USMAN
Karachi
ACCORDING to press reports, the standing committee on oil and gas of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has decided to increase CNG prices by Rs2 per kg with effect from Jan 1, and a letter signed by the chairman of the committee has been circulated to all CNG filling stations in the country.
May I ask the chairman as to who has empowered him to increase CNG prices in the country. Does he have a mandate from the government of Pakistan to do this? To my knowledge, the FPCCI is an apex trade body of business community and not a state authority. The role of FPCCI and its standing committees is to act as a bridge between the people, businessmen and the government of Pakistan and not to take unilateral decisions on the recommendation of its committee members, who all are owners of CNG, petrol and diesel filling stations in the country.
The owners of CNG stations are already charging more because their staff charges on the basis of round figures and returns no change.
Additionally, owners of CNG stations have asked their employees to charge 2.5 per cent more from customers paying by credit cards.
The government should provide relief to CNG customers; otherwise the owners of CNG filling stations will gradually increase the price by the end of 2006 to an extent where vehicle owners will switch to petrol or diesel, increasing environmental pollution.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
IN Clifton’s block 8, on Khyaban-i-Jami road, Karachi, expansion and repairs are being carried out at fair speed. It has been learnt that the work has been entrusted to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).
The FWO has twice damaged the water pipeline which provides water to complexes known as Jason and Salmina apartments. The residents have thus suffered great agony for days together. When the workers were questioned, they said that they were government employees and were not answerable for any damage caused.
The FWO is an autonomous organization with retired personnel of the armed forces. Even otherwise any agency that causes damage to a basic utility such as water is accountable and has to repair the pipeline at their cost.
The high-ups in such agencies should direct persons working on such projects to undo any damage caused. They should also provide phone number for complaints.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
I WANT to bring to notice of the consumer protection organizations, especially those formed by the Supreme Court and High Court bar associations, to the injustice committed by PTCL and Paknet ISP together.
There are thousands of internet users in Pakistan connecting to Paknet through PTCL lines. Although PTCL on the face of it charges local call rates for an internet call, this is a fallacy because faulty landlines and networking problems make internet connectivity poor and the link is severed several times during each session. If a user engages in two sessions a day, his monthly telephone bill shows more than 360 local calls instead of 60 for no fault of his.
Then, during December and June when the books are to be balanced, PTCL and Paknet enter into some sort of an alliance whereby Paknet is so rigged that its connection becomes even worse and is disconnected more frequently, swelling the PTCL’s balance sheet on the plus side. The internet dial-up telephone call even in the advanced countries like the US is free, which is why internet can be kept on 24 hours there which makes it a really useful service.
To make matters worse, the PTCL’s WLL internet service has not yet been started in remote areas like Muzaffargarh although the company is constantly advertising that such a service is operative throughout Pakistan.
Customer protection organizations are requested to press the PTCL to declare the internet dial-up call free to rectify this injustice.
MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH
Muzaffargarh
THIS has reference to Mr H. N. Khan’s letter “Joining the army” (Jan 3).
I for one plead guilty to having served the Pakistan Navy for 40 years. During this time I fought two wars against heavy odds and also had the opportunity of availing myself of the best of all that the service had to offer. I enjoyed all the perks, privileges, plots in housing schemes, navy-backed enterprises, a lion’s share in civil jobs, etc., etc., etc. Opportunities in civil contracting came my way and as a retired officer I had not one but two postings as an ambassador. What more can a navy person ask for?
However, if reincarnation were possible, I would like to have the opportunity to return to this land as a “civilian” who also enjoys perks and privileges. I would be required to go through life not having to shoulder any responsibility and neither would I have to make any decisions other than going back to a cosy bed every night. Yes, let us call a “spade a spade”. The very thought of re-living life as a civilian is exciting. Life would be utter and pure bliss.
VICE-ADMIRAL (retd) SHAMOON ALAM KHAN
Karachi
I WRITE with reference to Mr Mukhtar Alam’s write-up “Students in the lurch” (Jan 1) as regards the reopening of some schools on Jan 2 after the winter holidays. I would like to say that Mr Alam should have been more specific and said that the school concerned was the one whose ownership belongs to the family of a person holding a high position in the government of Pakistan. If law-makers become the law-breakers, the nation will have scant regard for the law and law-makers.
There is yet another school in Karachi which in defiance of the order of the government will reopen after Eidul Azha. If schools do not become disciplined, the education system will suffer. This should provide food for thought for those who are responsible for education in the country.
A.M. SAYIED
Karachi
I HAVE been travelling on the Super Highway between Karachi and Hyderabad for some time now. Last year construction started midway towards Hyderabad. A long portion of the road was dug up and then without this being completed, another portion was dug up.
To make matters worse work is progressing only at a couple of points on the entire dug-up stretch of the highway Traffic is travelling on a single track which creates many hurdles. I request the authorities concerned to look into this and expedite the remaining work.
HASAN KAZMI
Karachi
APROPOS of Mr Manzoor Hussain Kureshi’s letter (Dec 20), I would like to add a corollary to his reading of Hatim Tai and his daughter Safia whose name has eluded the correspondent.
During March 630, corresponding to the Islamic month of Zillqadh, Hijri nine, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) deputed a force under Hazrat Ali (R.A.) to discipline Adi ibn Hatim Tai, who was persecuting Muslim missionaries. The news of the oncoming army to Tai, prompted Adi, the potentate of Beni Tai, to flee with his household for safety to Syria. In the confusion of the abrupt departure, Adi’s sister, Safia, the daughter of Hatim, was left behind. Bereft of their leader, Adi, the Beni Tai surrendered without resistance to the army led by Hazrat Ali. Safia, along with the elders of Tai tribe, was taken prisoner.
In conformity with her status of a princess, Safia was brought with dignity by Hazrat Ali to Madina. After being formally presented to the Prophet, Safia declared: “Apostle of Allah, my father is dead and my brother Adi has sought refuge in the mountains. I cannot ransom myself and it is to thy generosity that I turn for deliverance. My father was an illustrious man, who freed prisoners, protected the honour of women, fed the poor, consoled the afflicted and never turned down any demands made on him. I am Safia, the daughter of Hatim Tai.”
To Safia, the Holy Prophet replied: “Thy father had the virtues of a Mussalman.” Then turning to his companions in attendance, he asserted: “If I were permitted to seek Allah’s clemency on one who spent his life in idolatry, I would pray to Allah to redeem the life of Hatim. Oh Safia, thou art free. Thy father was a very kind and humane person. Allah loves and rewards the merciful.”
The Beni Tai never forgot the gracious treatment extended to their princess Safia during her brief tenure in Madina where she was lodged at the frugal house of Bibi Fatima. Beni Hashim were to find their staunchest supporters among the Beni Tai. On Sept 24, 680, (Zilhaj 24, Hijri 60) when Imam Hussain and his faithful brother Hazrat Abbas were leading their caravan towards Iraq, it was at Zibala in the heartland of Beni Tai that the grandsons of the Holy Prophet were informed about the martyrdom of their brother-in-law, Muslim ibn Aquil, in Kufa. Several companions of Imam Hussain and Hazrat Abbas who fell at Karbala were from the Tai tribe.
Minstrels in the subcontinent have through ages extolled in their verses the charity of Hatim Tai and the justice of Nuserwan. Hatim is a common name among Bohri men.
MOHAMMED AZIZ HAJI DOSSA
THIS is in response to the report “Passport seekers still being fleeced” (Jan 2) by Tahir Siddiqui. The story is not exactly accurate or perhaps it talks only about the Saddar passport office. The situation is different at the Awami Markaz where agents are not only very active but actually do help in processing applications quicker. The role that they play is to get a lower token number which means a shorter wait. I saw this myself when I applied for my machine-readable passport and given the opportunity can identify the culprits within the “customer service” department at the Awami Markaz office.
Moreover, I had an exchange of harsh words with one of the “officers” inside the passport department as he processed his relatives’ application who had just arrived and called him on his mobile. The officer tried to calm me by saying: “Sahib, ek paanch minute ki deri se kya farq parta hai?”( What difference does a five-minute delay make?)
We might have the latest technology but this country’s poor citizens will continue to be victims of such people.
FAISAL ALI
Karachi
I READ Mr A. Ahmed’s letter ‘Frere Hall incident’) (Jan 4) with great interest. President Gen Musharraf’s government in Islamabad should be extremely concerned about this incident., especially in view of the fact that many foreign aid workers and expats are involved in earthquake relief.
If the country as a whole is to attract more volunteers to help in its aid and development work, tourists and other visitors, it will need to have better signposting and a more open and transparent way to instruct visitors. Violence, as the saying goes, is never the answer and as in this case, highlights some deeper-seated problems within the country.
DELWAR HUSSAIN
London, UK
I VISITED the Cavalry Ground post office, Lahore, the other day to mail a few New Year cards abroad. On inquiry about the charges I was told that the rate for New Zealand was Rs.36.00 per 20 grams. One of my envelopes weighed 22 grams for which I was charged double the amount.
On my protest that excess weight should be charged at a per gram rate, the postmaster told me that according to government orders the charges doubled if the package weighed even a gram more than the stipulated 20 grams. This is sheer fleecing by the postal department. The authorities should immediately revise the charges in a sensible manner.
RAFI NASIM
Lahore
THIS is with reference to the news item “Second bank robbery in two days” (Dawn Metropolitan Dec. 31). Armed suspects took away Rs3.13 million from a private bank and private security guards robbed another of Rs16.5 million. They also held the bank manager and other staff at gunpoint. It was later revealed by the DIG operations that the ID card of one of the security guards was fake.
The Pakistan Banks Association had conducted a meeting with all security agencies on July 11, 2005, to finalize criteria for hiring security agencies. The SBP governor in that meeting had said that the criteria should be simple and include independent verification of the guards.
What became of these criteria? At the very least, the recommendation of the SBP governor needs to be implemented.
ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
HAVING exhausted all hope of getting a landline telephone connection in Karachi, I decided to apply for a PTCL wireless phone. I went to the Defence Telephone Exchange and purchased a ready-to-use V wireless PTCL line. Since than, I have found out a number of interesting things that I find myself duty bound to report.
It is actually a one-way message conveying system. Only one party’s voice is carried through at any given time, either of the caller or the person at the receiving end.
One can use only PTCL calling cards on the wireless line. The system does not have call waiting: the only feature that is there is CLI.
As for the 24-hour free help line, calling it is an experience to remember. When I called I had the unpleasant experience of speaking to the rudest and most un-cooperative customer service person I could imagine.
MUHAMMAD AAMIR SAEED
Karachi
I HAVE noticed that increasingly employers advertising for various positions add a statement about being an equal opportunity employer. However, in the same advert they then go on to give an age limit. Isn’t this a contradiction?
Any employer that uses a criterion such as age cannot claim to call himself an ‘equal opportunities employer’.
DR N. PARVEEN ALI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to excerpts from The Memoirs of Sir Sultan Shah Aga Khan III published on Page K of your National Weekend Advertiser (Dec. 25). The title of the piece was “Mr Jinnah, The Aga Khan and Benito Mussolini”.
Mussolini was a fascist dictator who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943. He centralized all power in himself as the leader of the fascist party. Jinnah, on the other hand, was a true democrat, inspired by the British system of parliamentary democracy, and succeeded in creating a country by the power of the vote. Can we find a parallel between Mussolini and the Quaid and call it a tribute to the Quaid?
NAZAR AKBAR
Karachi
THE MQM claims to a be representative party of the poor but on the ground the story is quite different. Karachi’s newly elected nazim has two expensive cars at his disposal. In addition, his official residence has reportedly been renovated at a cost of Rs4.4 million.
One fails to understand why a party which has its roots in the general public does not respect the people’s mandate and instead chooses to follow an extravagant path?
NASIR KHAN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the ban on wedding meals by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. While the motive is laudable, I feel that it would be difficult to implement the measure fully. I suggest that a small tax should be levied, either based on the number of attendees (exceeding the limit) or the amount spent on wedding feasts that exceeds the limit. This way, both those wanting to celebrate a marriage and the government will be satisfied.
RAJESH RAO
Bangalore, India
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