| February 9, 2006 | Thursday | Muharram 10, 1427 |
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Voting rights
KaraFilm festival
Water: the coming crisis
Flawed approach
Import of food items
Health for the poor
Non-payment of relief
Clifton cantonment
Appeal to HEC
Lavish spending
AFTER the mischievous publication and republication of the blasphemous sketches of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in many European countries that have incensed the Muslims all over the world, the offenders seem largely unrepentant. They keep stressing that freedom of expression is a sacred right of the western peoples, which allows them to publish such material or speak their minds.
Over a year ago, two incidents had happened in Britain that show the selective application of this western principle. In one case, during Mr Blair’s election campaign, the Labour Party had published an ad that showed the then leader of the opposition, Mr John Howard, who is Jewish, as a pig with wings but having Mr Howard’s head. The British Jews reacted angrily, saying that a pig is considered unclean (non-Kosher) under Jewish dietary laws, hence this was an insult to them for which those responsible must apologize. Mr Blair had immediately done the needful.
In the other episode, the mayor of London had likened the Jewish reporter of a British newspaper who had been pestering him, to a “(Nazi) concentration camp guard.” This, too, had caused uproar in the Jewish community and it had wanted him to retract his words. The British premier had also joined them by asking the mayor to apologize. However, when it comes to the Muslims, the western leaders and the media are generally quick to apply a different set of standards.
Likewise, a couple of years back, the then prime minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohammad, had caused a storm in the West by criticizing the Jews, although his words were true and he had also praised the Jews for their many positive accomplishments. Similarly, there was an outrage in the US and Europe when the Iranian president recently suggested that the Holocaust did not actually occur and that Israel should be shifted to Europe or Alaska, etc. In fact, many other people, including some American Jews, have since long expressed their doubts about the Holocaust.
Why is the right of freedom of expression not available to others? The Al Jazeera office in Afghanistan had been “mistakenly” attacked by American forces and its reporter injured around 2001 after coverage had been given by the news channel to the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, in addition to presenting the western viewpoint. Recently, there has been a news leak that Mr Bush and Mr Blair had discussed the possibility of bombing the Qatar-based channel’s headquarters as a punishment for exercising its freedom of expression.
However, when US Gen Boykin and some evangelists had insulted Islam, its Prophet and even their God (Who is actually the same for everyone) over a year ago, neither Mr Bush nor anyone else had reprimanded them or asked them to apologize.
Western newspapers that have published the sacrilegious cartoons have displayed their utter ignorance about the real nature of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, the intolerance or violence this implies is completely false, as can be seen by just a couple of sayings of the esteemed Messenger: “When the bier of anyone passes by you, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to your feet.” He had also asked his followers to help the oppressed people, whether they be Muslims or non-Muslims.
If the media personnel had taken the trouble to educate themselves about Islam and its Prophet, their misunderstanding and resultant stereotyping, leading to the needless bitterness and turmoil we are witnessing today, would not have occurred. At the same time, one would like to advise those Muslims who have resorted to violence to shun it and, instead, present the truth about their religion in a wise, peaceful and friendly manner by following the Holy Prophet’s teachings in letter and in spirit.
ABDUL ALEEM
Karachi
IT’s a little ridiculous that a whole country/people are being demonized for the actions of one newspaper. And that too when that paper has apologized for any offence it caused. It’s not the Danes or Danish products that should be protested against for causing this controversy. It’s the media in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, etc., that distastefully want to cause gratuitous offence by reprinting material that has already visibly hurt the sensitivities of a large portion of the world.
But then again, its easier to boycott a few packets of milk and cheese than French military equipment or German aid.
SHAHZEB K. RAO
New York, US
SINCE independence people have been moving into Karachi (Sindh province) from all parts of the country to earn their livelihood. There is nothing wrong about this as it is allowed under the law of the land. However, certain checks are necessary on such influx of outsiders to avoid economic, social and political complications in the region.
The present situation reveals that economic, social and particularly political problems exist as these outsiders have been free to occupy unauthorized land in Karachi. We see a large number of katchi abadis enjoying facility of gas, electricity, water and even telephone while civic amenities in most of the authorized localities are poor.
They have obtained NIC and domicile of Karachi as well. Thus they have double voting rights — one at their native places and the other at their workplaces. During the regime of Muhammad Khan Junejo many katchi abadis were regularized with a clear direction that no further katchi abadi would be allowed, though it still goes on increasing mainly due to the support of political vested interests who are using them as their vote bank.
Serious consequences of this trend are before us. In Sindh and Balochistan nationalist parties are making a hue and cry that they are being converted into minority. This political unrest is dangerous for the federation.
In order to ensure political stability in the country, it is essential that parliament should frame a law to streamline voting right under which everyone should elect MPA/MNA in the constituency of his own native place and not at any other constituency. The system of postal balloting must be rationalized effectively.
The situation is aggravating day by day. The federal government is requested to pay due attention to it and pass the required law at the earliest before it is too late.
RIAZUL HASAN KHAN
Karachi
APROPOS of Ms Rehana’s letter “KaraFilm Festival” (Jan 27), I would like to briefly discuss the basic difference between commercial movies and parallel cinema.
She has very rightly pointed out that the cost of an average Pakistani film is around Rs10 million. She must also be aware that roughly Rs5 million of which is shared between major super-stars and minor performing artists. Over Rs1.5 million between the director, technicians, song, dance and fight instructors, etc. Shooting costs, inclusive of outdoor, indoor acts, costumes, props, film raw material and hiring of equipment, average at about Rs2 million. The balance of Rs1.5 million goes towards taking out at least 20 release prints and promotion of film through print and electronic media.
On the other hand, such expenses are not involved in experimental or parallel cinema. In this genre of film-making one does not need a superstar cast. Songs and dances extravaganzas are not required. Bloody fighting scenes and blowing up of cars, etc., are not needed. Huge sets, costumes and expensive props, celluloid films raw material for shooting and release of film, hiring of several 10 KVs, other lights and 35mm cameras, etc., are not necessary.
Experimental films are usually shot on 16mm camera or on DV, Digi Beta or Bela SP. Mostly on location having professionally matured but relatively unknown cast. Emphasis of such films lies on reality, creating of awareness on multi-dimensional social, religious, political, economic and cultural problems. Not on unrealistic glamour.
Yes, Ms Rehana is very right that in a specified situation the cost of one single-page advertisement is close to Rs500,000. Therefore, it is all the more relevant that financially resourceful individuals, large-scale national and multinational companies must come forward and support those young boys and girls who are endeavouring to produce meaningful experimental movies at a cost of Rs500,000 only.
NAQI MUSTAFA
Karachi
I REFER to Shahid Javed Burki’s article “Water: the coming crisis” (Feb 7)). Mr Burki in advocating the Kalabagh dam as being critical for the nation’s well-being negates himself when he quotes from the British Raj in the 19th century that “most of those who surveyed and planned the canals, dams, and bridges were army officers with little or no specialized training ...”
This statement is true to this day as far as the general is concerned otherwise Mr Musharraf would not have attempted to violate the rights of the lower riparian, i.e., Sindh.
The cardinal principle of the river water law that has emerged out of centuries of intra-national as well as international litigation on the issue is that the party on the upper side of a river (legally known as upper riparian) has no right to withdraw or divert water from the common river if it causes loss or injury to a party on the lower side (legally known as the lower riparian).
Mr Burki is of the opinion that the Kalabagh dam was opposed by the three provinces on a political basis rather than the ground realities that the dam would of accelerate the desertification and soil infertility in Sindh as a result of which the overall agricultural production would eventually decline.
Building Kalabagh, Skardu or even Bhasha for that matter would not solve Pakistan’s water crisis. The fact remains that the irrigation system of Pakistan is extremely inept with a maximum efficiency of 36 per cent of the diverted water reaching the crops. That essentially means that of the 105 MAF of water diverted, almost 67 MAF of water does not reach crops. Therefore a rationale decision would be to first concentrate on maximising the efficiency of the irrigation system by lining the irrigation canals rather then polarising the country’s four provinces by building controversial dams.
ASAD PALIJO
London, UK
THIS refers to the letter “Flawed approach” by Khalid Chaudhry (Feb 6).
While I agree mostly with the contents of Mr. Chaudhry’s letter, in particular with the western media’s double standard in dealing with issues like blasphemy and sacrilege of Muslim place of worship, I think our approach in dealing with this issue is also flawed.
I would like to disagree in particular with the firebrand preachers who advocate a violent response to such acts of disrespect. Let us go back and look at the life of the Holy Prophet. He was ridiculed, harassed, insulted, and even assaulted on occasions.
How did he react to such incidents? He did not retaliate to violence with violence and insults with insults. He showed kindness and affection which turned his enemies into friends.
When the Holy Prophet showed patience and tolerance on such occasions, who are we to react to such incidents by burning property and issuing threats to non-Muslims?
There is an attempt to label Islam as a religion of hate and violence. Muslim are being provoked to act violently to prove and negate the whole philosophy and the base of the religion of peace. So far the enemies of Islam have succeeded in their ulterior designs.
Today, we can win over our enemies and forge a better understanding of Islam if we can exercise some patience and display tolerance.
TANWEER ABBAS
Michigan, USA
IN describing Pakistan as a country, it is said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and 60 to 70 per cent people are engaged in agricultural activity to get their livelihood from farmlands.
The news item that we are running short in staple food (wheat) by two million tonnes annually and in cotton (which is the major source of foreign exchange) by 14.28 per cent and other agricultural commodities listed by Mr Mubarak Zeb Khan (Feb 3) show that the import bill has gone up by 44.5 per cent which is shocking and hurts the pride of an agricultural country.
For uplift of education, the Higher Education Commission has been formed for promoting knowledge in arts, science and technology at higher levels. Similarly, we stand in dire need of forming an agricultural commission to increase the productivity both in quality and in quantity so as to gradually reduce the import bill and subsequently do away with the import of agricultural commodities.
Pakistan has fertile land, largest canal water irrigation system and a very strong manpower (peasantry). I had written in these columns on the role of farm research (Feb 6, 2004) and on the need to have more agricultural institutions (Nov 20, 2005) for increasing food production. I would like to know from Dawn’s readers what further steps are required to be taken to increase agricultural productivity to reduce the import bill and eventually do away with the import of food items before we go down the drain as an agricultural country.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Professor of agriculture,
University of Karachi
EXECUTIVE check-ups do help the more affluent to detect silent killer ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, also lung diseases (through X-rays ), etc., at a stage where timely corrective action can be taken. The poor have to wait till disease has hit them and it is too late and expensive to react effectively.
We read of the statistics for various Asian countries and the progressive increase of such diseases, but I have not come across details of preventive measures being adopted. Could some knowledgeable source on health in Pakistan answer the following questions:
1. Are there any government or NGO initiatives in hand to provide village to village hospital or mobile dispensary lab checks the disorders mentioned above?
2. Are there any educational awareness programmes in villages concerning the above.
3. Are there any welfare organizations willing to undertake such programmes?
4. Are there any individuals willing to promote such initiatives?
ARDESHIR JEHANGIR VICCAJI
Karachi
I WANT to convey to higher authorities that the relief that was promised to many quake victims has not been received. The earthquake epicentre was across the Line of Control and as such houses located in villages nearby sustained total or partial loss.
The houses where some portions had fallen were in dangerous position and it was likely that due to numerous aftershocks they would totally collapse. Also the weather was getting cold and snowfall was expected soon when repairs would become impossible thus leaving affected persons at mercy of harsh winter and heavy snowfall.
Fearing total loss of houses after the aftershocks, some affected people undertook essential repairs of their homes. Government teams visited villages after more than one month when it was very cold and hundreds of aftershocks had already occurred. The survey teams in some cases carried out casual examinations and did not record damages sustained by repaired houses. It is sad that the amount of Rs 25,000 announced by the government as compensation was denied. The government has also not set up any forum to register grievances in cases where deserved relief has been denied. The higher authorities are requested to take a sympathetic view and arrange for payment of relief in all cases to quake-affected people.
ARNAB MALIK
Islamabad
BLOCK 8 of Clifton, Karachi, is nowadays riddled with overflowing gutters and garbage. Solid waste can be found everywhere, as the Clifton Cantonment Board does not collect it any more. However, the CCB collects the conservancy charges and it is still not doing its job. Block 8 remains in unhygienic conditions.
I urge the executive officer of the CCB to visit the area and see for himself the mess created by overflowing manholes and solid waste.
UZAIR HUSSAIN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Prof Atta-ur- Rehman, chairman, HEC, “Standard of education” ( Feb 5). We appreciate the commendable job done by the Higher Education Commission to improve the standard of education in the country, especially the recently published ‘parents alert’ in newspapers.
However, on behalf of the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), I would like to the HEC’s attention the state of the architecture and town planning programmes run under HEC-recognized universities and institutions. Two cases in point are the architecture programmes held without getting accreditation from PCATP. The architectural engineering programme, which runs under the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, failed to get accreditation from both the Pakistan Engineering Council and the PCATP.
The department of architecture established at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, never applied for accreditation with PCATP and thus the future of the students there is uncertain to say the least. PCATP has received a number of letters from these students seeking clarification about their future but is unable to take action against them.
Please note that we have already put these cases before the HEC, but nothing has been done so far. Therefore, we would request the HEC to kindly take notice of this matter.
T. SADIA FAZLI
Registrar, Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners,
Karachi
IT seems Pakistan is not the only country that spends lavishly and unnecessarily on the personal comfort of few individuals or to project a “better image” to the outside world (KPT fountain, special VIP planes, etc). There are others, even poorer than Pakistan, which indulge in similar luxury and are accountable to none. Sudan is one.
Recently, Gen Hasan Al-Bashir of Sudan decided to buy a luxury yacht, built to order in Slovenia, for $4.3 million. The yacht was shipped to Sudan and then had to be towed overland to the River Nile in time for the African Union summit conference that was held in Khartoum a few weeks ago. The general was hoping to impress the African leaders by ferrying them up and down the river for evening soirees.
The New York Times, in a story dated January 31, laughed loudly at this wasteful luxury by one of the poorest countries of the world. Some image building!
AZIZ AKHMAD
New York, USA
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