| January 23, 2006 | Monday | Zilhaj 22, 1426 |
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Bajaur attack
Decision on Kalabagh
Preserving green areas
‘Not quite back to square one yet’
Child beggars
‘Religion is a collective matter’
KPT fountain
‘A strange demand’
Indian consulate
Hill park episode
Too many holidays
Packaged milk
Obligations
Some weeks back the Karachi Port Trust showed a similar lack of discretion between private and public money by sponsoring an individual’s birthday advertisement in national newspapers.
I was disappointed to see that Zubeida Mustafa (“Early learning in mother tongue”, Jan 18) opting to rely on the experience of sub-Saharan African countries like Chad and Mali to support her views. Rather, she should have referred to South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya all of whom have made tremendous strides in the teaching and learning of English. I can say with confidence that in all the three countries English is taught from Class I onwards and it is also the medium of instruction for science and mathematics.
Amazingly, the writer did not refer to the experience of the sub-continent itself to which she and her readers belong. The system that produced luminaries like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Robindra Nath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Muhammad Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Professor Salam is the same that taught English from the primary stage. The author has argued that since we do not have a sufficient number of qualified English teachers, it would be counter-productive to introduce English from the primary stage. That may be true for many of the state-run schools but may not be true for the large and growing number of English-medium private schools. In any case, this state of affairs was created when the teaching of English was downgraded by a dictatorial regime some 25 years ago. Since then it has ceased to be the medium of instruction in high school and even at college level. The harm done has to be corrected rather than perpetuated.
Special training on a massive scale should be organized to increase the available pool of qualified English teachers. We should also learn from the experience of India with whom we have so much in common. Could they have advanced so far ahead in science and technology if the local language rather than English was made the medium of instruction in schools and colleges? Out- sourcing of jobs is a growing phenomenon in the world economy today, and India has the lion’s share in this branch of economic dispensation. There is no doubt that India’s achievement is to a great extent due to a conscious effort to promote the learning of English at all educational levels. Again, in this age of the Internet (which in effect represents a gigantic explosion of knowledge) maximum advantage can be derived by those who have a good grounding in English.
Those of our countrymen who have but scant knowledge of English can hope only to scratch at the surface of the limitless possibilities offered by this miraculous medium. We should not handicap our teachers as well as students in a field that is of the utmost consequence for national development (i.e., education). This is exactly what is happening in the present system. We do not have an elaborate organization to translate thousands of books and journals (dealing with the sciences and also in other subjects like economics and business management ) with the result that both teachers and students are unable to increase their knowledge by reading the latest writings on the subject of their concern. How can they benefit from the books in English when they have not been well-grounded in this language?
In the final analysis the decision is ours: do we want to gravitate downwards, which is an easy option, or do we want to pull ourselves towards higher goals?
ZIAUDDIN AHMED
Germantown, MD, US
SENIOR Republican US Senator John McCain has said: “It’s terrible when innocent people get killed.... We regret (the killing of Pakistanis in Bajaur). We understand the anger that people feel, but the United States’ priorities are to get rid of Al Qaeda.... We apologize, but I can’t tell you that we wouldn’t do the same thing again” (Jan 16).
The US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice, hasn’t shown any remorse at all but only defended the raid that took 18 lives. We must ask them, would the airstrike still have been carried out if there a possibility of innocent Americans, rather than Pakistanis Muslims dying? Earlier on, it was the same story first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq, where thousands of our co- religionists, including many attending wedding parties, have been wiped off, which was labeled as “collateral damage”.
This American arrogance will turn Pakistan into another Iraq very soon if our spineless puppets-of-rulers, who are quick to bully their own people but anxious to please Washington, do not come to their senses.
The unreliability of US intelligence has been proved a number of times, the most glaring example of which is its bad reporting on Iraqi WMDs. Before that, it had failed to detect India’s five nuclear tests in 1998 and now it’s this incorrect report about the presence of an Al Qaeda leader in Bajaur.
The twisted US logic applied to the Islamic world, of which there are many examples, only increases support for Osama bin Laden. In the end it won’t be the US leaders and lawmakers who will suffer but their innocent compatriots. Isn’t it time the people of America took notice of their rulers’ folly and brought it to an end?
ANGRY PAKISTANI
Karachi
THE president seems to have backtracked on the Kalabagh dam issue because of the pressure from the MQM. Bhasha dam is a feasible project as well but considerable work has to be done before the technical parameters are finalized. The height and type of construction have to be reviewed, keeping in view seismic activity in the area after last year’s earthquake.
Opponents of the Kalabagh dam had created a phobia whereas on technical grounds, it should have been chosen over Bhasha. The role of the media has regrettably also not been positive on this issue. Many non-issues and irrelevant controversies became intertwined with what was mainly a technical issue.
The issue should have been discussed and debated by professionals and experts and their recommendations should have then been implemented.
QASIM IQBAL KHAN
Lahore
PEOPLE in Punjab know that their compatriots in the other provinces have grievances with the establishment but this should not translate into anger and resentment against the people of Punjab.
We welcome people from all over Pakistan with open arms. Some parties based in other provinces have recently opened their offices in Punjab as well and that is a good sign. However, their hard stance against the Kalabagh dam has disappointed many in Punjab.
IMRAN MALIK
Lahore
I READ your newspaper daily on the Internet and I felt that I should write to you about the green areas both in Islamabad and in London. During my recent visits to Pakistan, I was very impressed with Islamabad being a planned city with several green areas in it. However, during my most recent visit, I have been horrified at the virtual slaughter of trees in all old sectors of Islamabad.
On my return to London, I did some research on parks and found there are 151 parks in Greater London — some dating back to the 19th century. Some are large like Hyde Park (360 acres) or the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew (132 acres), which is is 250 years old, and well-known for their diverse flora. Some are small, like gardens and landscaped open spaces. Most of the parks contain wildlife like birds, squirrels, wildfowl, etc., and they have woodlands, wetlands, water gardens as well. In spite of the development needs for roads and housing, every inch of these parks is considered sacred. The same is the situation in all the beautiful capitals of the world such as Paris, Bern or Tokyo. The F-9 Park is the only large green park in Islamabad but, according to future plans, it will be turned into a fun-fair area with fast food outlets, tram rides, etc.
Governments of civilized countries have been looking after their parks for over two centuries while we destroy what we have in just 50 years. The government should maintain spaces and beautify and preserve them. Let us hope Islamabad will not be deprived of its “lungs”.
FAHIM NASIM
London
THIS has reference to the article “Not quite back to square one yet” (Jan 14). Mr Kuldip Nayar blamed Pakistan mainly for not making the peace process between India and Pakistan a success. He said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would agree to demilitarizing Kashmir if President Pervez Musharraf were to put an end to cross-border terrorism.
First, President Musharraf, I assume, cannot make sure that not even a single person will be involved in terrorism henceforth. If he had had such control over the country, people would not have tried to kill him, as has been the case.
Second, it is evident from the way the Indian government is dealing with the so-called peace process that its aim is not to let go of Kashmir. The two countries cannot come to terms with each other ever because their motives and interests are poles apart.
Hence, it is better not to blame anyone and refrain from increasing the animosity already present between the two nations.
MAHRUKH AHSAN
Lahore
CHILDHOOD is an important part of one’s lifetime experience. It is the most important and impressionable period of learning. Although children have many rights, in developing countries these rights are often denied. Children are made to work or forced to beg when they should in school.
It is unfortunate to see that children are begging in the country in greater numbers. This is backed by some unscrupulous persons who run a business of using innocent boys and girls to beg.
The aim of many organizations and NGOS is to abolish this practice and it has to be a continuous process which ensures that the problem is removed from its roots. We should help these children by providing them education.
The government should take appropriate measures to eradicate begging by children since these minors need special attention.
M. MUMTAZ HUSSAIN
Karachi
I REFER to S. Qadri’s letter “Religion is a collective matter” (Jan. 19). Even if I were to accept his theory that religion is a collective matter, may I ask him, where is this sense of social responsibility when so many are being raped by the minute in the land of the pure? Where does our collective honour evaporate when innocent women are murdered in the name of ‘honour’?
If religion is a collective matter why can’t young women bring up charges against their own parents for forced marriages? And if religion is a collective matter why is domestic violence not a crime in Pakistan? How are raping, murdering, discriminating, forcing women into marriages, considering their testimony as half that of men or considering them lesser human beings not collective matters?
Secondly, he seems to have a serious issue with the line that ‘if a woman does transgress, it is a matter between her and her Maker, and not to be adjudged by a family member or a mullah’. Between the lines, he advocates the theory that male members have a religious obligation of keeping their female relatives in check so that they maintain proper moral conduct. This is what he translates as “haqooqul ibad”. Ostensibly he considers any violation in this regard as a violation against the state itself, where the state machinery should join hands with male relatives to bring women’s conduct in line with their obscurantist perception of Islam.
Thanks to the obscurantist interpretation of religion, a favourite tool of governments and clerics alike, one can have the masses believe anything in the name of religion. Religion is a sacred cow which few dare touch much less study. We the poor masses should at least have the right to analyze the information dished out to us by clerics as sacred truth.
It is unfortunate that all discussion about Islam should revolve around a woman’s dress and her morality. For God’s sake, Islam has clear injunctions about individual responsibility and makes no distinction on the basis of gender.
Social reality must be taken into consideration while making laws (be they religious, social or scientific). It is unjust to expect 52 per cent of the human population (women) to follow laws that need to be redefined according to the needs of time. People need to study religion with an open mind. Perhaps in the process of overemphasizing the rituals, we are undermining the true spirit of Islam.
SOBIA FAYYAZ
Toronto, Canada
BY building a superfluous and irrelevant water fountain, in the middle of the sea, at a cost of Rs225 million, the Karachi Port Trust has demonstrated a 1lack of conscience and common sense. One could understand this if it happened in mediaeval times, when kings used to indulge in such ostentatious displays. However, for a public sector organization that is riddled with inefficiency, outdated equipment, poor cargo handling systems, archaic procedures, and coal littered all over its berths, such artificial self-glorification using taxpayer’s money is criminal.
What is wrong with our state institutions? Are there no rules on how taxpayers’ money is to be spent? Why can’t it be spent on improving that organization’s efficiency and productivity.
The handling of cargo at Karachi port is reported to be 1.5 times more expensive than at Mumbai, 4.5 times more than Colombo’s and 19 times Dubai’s. The extra cost is ultimately passed on to users, making Karachi port one of the least desirable destinations in the region. One must understand that Karachi port cannot become a modern,
efficient and cost-effective port by building the tallest fountains or sponsoring newspaper ads.
NAEEM SADIQ
Karachi
JANUARY 15 was the day the KPT inaugurated the fountain at Karachi Port. We, the residents of Marine Blessings, Clifton, fail to understand what a 620-ft high fountain, paid for by taxpayers, has to do with Pakistan’s vision.
SULEMAN BHURA
Karachi
YOUR editorial ‘A strange demand’ (Jan 16) has created some confusion. It informs the readers that “the leadership of Baloch people has been monopolized by powerful sardars who themselves have no interest in the welfare of their people” and later on it
says that the said Baloch “looking to powers outside Pakistan can cost the Baloch leaders the sympathy and understanding that exists in the other three provinces for their cause and undermine their just struggle for rights and for the economic uplift of Balochistan.”
Could you please clarify — are the sardars not interested in the welfare of their people but they are fighting for the economic uplift of Balochistan? Isn’t that a contradiction?
DR (MRS) NASEEM ISLAM
Karachi
THERE are only ten or 11 days left for the re-opening of the Khokrapar-Munabao rail link with India but there are still no signs that the Indian consulate in Karachi will re-open any time soon. This is necessary if those living in Sindh are to benefit from the new rail link.
One suggestion is that until the consulate re-opens, visas should be given to Pakistanis on arrival at Munabao.
MRS AYESHA MIRZA
Karachi
I AM a frequent visitor to Karachi’s Hill Park where I go for my morning walk. Last Friday, I found a group of men there burning wood to make their morning tea. They were also using the open space to wash themselves and to relieve themselves.
Who let this happen? I was prompted to write this after reading in your newspaper on Jan. 15 the Sindh governor’s reported directive to the government to provide recreational facilities for people in all parts of the city. Forget building new facilities. Who will protect and save the ones that already exist?
M. ASIF DAR
Karachi
THE city government of Karachi has declared another holiday on Jan 23 on account of the urs of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi. This is the sixth time in the past few months that the city and provincial governments have given extra holidays which were not mentioned at the beginning of the academic year.
May I request the president and prime minister to take note of the actions of officials against those in Sindh who seem determined to destroy the education of our future generations?
If we do not stop these unscheduled holidays now I would not be surprised if political party leaders’ birthdays are also declared as local holidays.
MRS KHAN
Karachi
EVERY now and then there is a self-created short supply of milk and then milk becomes available in the market at enhanced rates. This has been going on for the last several months. As a consumer I apprehend that big companies first extract milk powder and powder for coffee milk and then whatever is left is supplied as milk in the market.
I have come to this conclusion because of the continuously deteriorating quality of packed milk. Previously one or two tablespoons were sufficient for a good cup of tea and now you have to add approximately half a cup of milk. I wish the PSQCA or some other Government agency looks into the quality of products being supplied and the rates they charge for the same.
M.A. SYED
Islamabad
IN reference to Mr Qadri’s collective obligations letter (Jan. 20), does that also include burning churches and schools?
ABRAHAM HAQUE
Des Plaines, IL, US
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