| March 13, 2006 | Monday | Safar 12, 1427 |
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Inter-faith dialogue
Blocking of blogs
Transport problem
Waterfront project
‘Mega projects opposed’
Urban infrastructure
Perspective on India
‘Vision of democracy’
Earthquake relief
Basant
I WELCOME the statements by President Musharraf regarding President Karzai. As a Pakistani, I feel that over the past decades the establishment has made errors of judgment regarding post-1979 Afghanistan. Pakistan has paid heavily for these mistakes. One of which is the hosting of millions of Afghan refugees, that has put a burden on our economy.
Almost 80,000 Pakistani soldiers are guarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan border but instead of being thankful, the Afghan government continues to blame us. The Afghan government and the Americans need to do more regarding security; they only control a few major cities while the rest of the country is in the hands of warlords. Pakistan should set aside diplomatic niceties and start dealing firmly with the thankless Karzai administration and the Northern Alliance.
HYDER YUSAFZAI
Toronto, Canada
TALKING to the CNN on March 5, President Musharraf told off the Washington Post for lecturing us on democracy. For once, he was in a fighting mood and came out in his true element, six-guns blazing. Although I may not entirely agree with him on his take on the state of democracy in Pakistan, it was heartening to hear the president finally stand up to the preachers of democracy.
But his best comments were reserved for Mr Hamid Karzai, who was told, in no uncertain terms, to quit maligning Pakistan to deflect attention from his own inadequacies. He was also told to get a handle on his own country, its army, security apparatus, and warlords before criticising Pakistani security forces.
The Afghan government is an ungrateful lot. We have some 70,000 troops fighting what is essentially an Afghan and American war against terrorism in Waziristan, with the death toll mounting and no end in sight.
BRIG. SHER KHAN (retd)
Rawalpindi
THERE are very dangerous repurcussions to the bickering between the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is being used by America as a justification for its military presence in Afghanistan, on the grounds that America must stay to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It is also being used by America to pressure both governments to convert the Durand Line into an Iron Curtain, in order to prevent support from Balochistan and the NWFP for the Afghan resistance against Americans.
Such tensions are used to keep the Muslims divided and weak rather than unified and strong. We must rise above our petty differences and focus on the bigger issues.
Muslims must bring down barriers between Muslim countries, not strengthen them to fulfil the invader’s divide and rule policy.
DR. ABDUL WAJID
Lahore
IN HIS article “Balance in Islam” (March 3), Mr Haider Zaman has aptly described the importance of acquisition of knowledge and the principles of balance, justice and moderation in inter-faith dialogue.
Mr Zaman has referred to the Quranic verse 5:69, which is “For the (Muslim) believers, the Jews, the Sabians, and the Christians — those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good deeds — there is no fear; they will not grieve.”
The Holy Quran clearly defines its relationship with earlier scriptures by saying: “He has sent the Scripture down to you (Prophet) with the Truth, confirming what went before; He sent down the Torah and the Gospel earlier as a guide for people” (3:3-4).Indeed it urges the Christians and the Jews to practice their religion (5:68, 44-47). They are given the honorific title of ‘People of the Book’, and the Quran appeals to what is common between them; “Say, People of the Book, let us arrive at a statement that is common to us all; we worship God alone, we ascribe no partner to Him, and none of us takes others besides God as lords” (3:64).
The Quran forbids arguing with the People of the Book except in the best way and urges the Muslims to say: “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you; our God and your God are one [and the same]” (29:46). God addresses Muslims, Jews and Christians with the following: “We have assigned a law and a path to each of you. If God had so willed, He would have made you one community; but He wanted to test you through that which He has given you, so race to do good; you will return to God and He will make clear to you the matters you differed about” (5:48).
These are explicit statements which the Muslims involved in inter-faith dialogue must rely upon.
FAQIR AHMAD PARACHA
Peshawar
IN a recent development, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has blocked access to thousands of blogs and websites being hosted on Google Inc’s blogging hosting service — www.blogspot.com. The PTA issued a notice announcing the ban of 12 offending websites which were promoting the blasphemous cartoons on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) and one of the offending websites was being hosted on the domain www.blogspot.com which also hosts more than four million other blogs and websites.
In a misuse of the power entrusted with the Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE), it appears that the network administrator there has placed a block on the entire domain blogspot.com, hence blocking accessibility for viewing to all Internet users in Pakistan. Since the implementation of this blockade, no measures have been taken to correct this “error”.
As a result, it gives the impression of a deliberate attempt to censor the World Wide Web rather than an honest mistake.
Internet access is the key to the success of any business, and if the governing body of the Internet in Pakistan, the PIE, continues to create hurdles, this will ultimately discourage foreign investment.
A prime example of such mismanagement can also be found in the not-too-distant past when Pakistan was isolated from the World Wide Web last year for about seven to 10 days and this resulted in catastrophic losses within the industry which amounted to several billion dollars. At the time, the root causes of these loses were attributed to the inadequacies of the PTA .
We request the relevant Pakistani authorities and ISPs to take the requisite action to lift the ban on non-controversial blogspot.com web sites and implement reforms to ensure that such unfair bans do not occur in the future.
DR AWAB ALVI (Pakistan) and OMER ALVIE (UAE)
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the Karachi transport authorities to the problems faced by people residing in the vicinity of the U.P. Mor (crossing) in Surjani, North Karachi. A considerable number of people who live here work in offices located near Hasan Square, National Stadium, Navy Gate and Karsaz. But due to the unavailability of any direct transport on this route from Surjani Town, people are compelled to change two buses in order to reach their destination.
To help save precious time and money, the authorities are requested to kindly start a bus service from Surjani to main Sharae Faisal, via Nagan Chowrangi, Hyderi, Petrol Pump, Liaquatabad, Hasan Square and Karsaz.
RIZWANUL HAQUE
Karachi
I USED to travel to Islamabad from Rawalpindi every day by public transport. But now the conductor says that the wagon will only go to Faizabad. This is despite the fact that they have got a permit from the transport authority to provide transportation to Islamabad. This causes much misery to people who are then compelled to go to Islamabad via Faizabad. One wonders why the Islamabad traffic police will not take necessary action against those who are creating problems for the masses.
Dr ASHRAF JAFRANI
Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi
When VIPs are scheduled to move around Karachi, all major roads are blocked which causes people who are on their way to important appointments to suffer. A few months ago I got stuck in traffic because a VIP was passing through. I was going to Karachi University for an exam. When I finally reached the university I was 45 minutes late and the exam had already started.
I explained the situation to the examiner but in vain. Because of lack of time my paper didn’t go well. The authorities should arrange alternative routes for VIPs so that the entire city does not come to a standstill. Also, the traffic police should be instructed to allow ambulances to go through no matter what VIP is coming.
SHAHZEB SHAIKH
Karachi
APROPOS of the Karachi DHA PRO’s letter on the above subject, your readers may be interested in the following:
1. Beaches are protected by the centuries-old “doctrine of public trust”. No one can be allotted the ocean foreshore, and all citizens have an inalienable right to unfettered access to the public beaches.
2. One fairly effective way that the DHA has found to discourage lower-income families from coming to the Seaview beach is to drive away the vendors and ‘thela-wallahs’ who cater to them. Over 90 per cent of Karachi’s residents cannot afford costly burgers or ice-creams, but have to make do with ‘bunkababs’, corn-on-the-coli, sherbat and the like. Rid the beach of these vendors and you will rid the beach of the poor.
3. The DHA must publicize the names of the “prominent Karachi-based urban planners, architects and stake holders” who have conceived the waterfront development project (WDP). It must also put on its website the complete town-planning study that was undertaken to project the augmented populations and increased traffic/parking that the ventures would generate, the greater utilities (electricity, water, sewerage, etc) needed, and the mitigation measures proposed.
May we suggest that the DHA not “better” our beaches much more than they have already done? No construction must be undertaken on the seaward side of Beach Avenue. Let us leave a beautiful and natural legacy for our future generations, and resist the temptation to privatize and ‘commercially exploit a God-given resource that is the incontrovertible birthright of all citizens of Pakistan.
MRS AMBER ALIBHAI
General secretary,
Shehri: Citizens for a Better Environment Karachi
APROPOS of the PPI report “Mega projects opposed” (Dawn, March 8), we would like to clarify that the Asian Development Bank funded feasibility study under the Project Preparatory Technical Assistance (PPTA) titled “Sindh Coastal and Inland Community Development Project” is based on an integral approach which commenced in August 2005 and will be completed by March, 2006.
During the study period the consultants (international and local) appointed in various sectors of the economy undertook a series of physical inspections of coastal areas of Thatta, Badin and Karachi and conducted meetings with vulnerable coastal communities to find out their needs as well as issues so as to evolve a strategy to mitigate their vulnerability. Furthermore, this is the first feasibility to be designed through periodical consultative workshops held at Thatta, Badin and Karachi with participation by all the stakeholders, including representatives from the coastal areas.
The ADB PPTA team has to-date conducted seven workshops in the three main targeted coastal areas of Sindh that were attended by more than 350 representatives from affected communities, civil society and districts as well as provincial governments. These have been supported by more than 30 field trips to the targeted communities and extensive discussions with civil society organisations. The main stakeholders consulted and their views obtained were the IUCN, WWF, Badin Reconstruction Development Society (BRDS), HANDS, Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum (PFFF), Unicef, Aurat Foundation, Village Development Organisation (VDO), Thatta etc.
The apprehensions expressed in the news item are baseless. It is also pertinent to mention here that Technical Assistance is a multi-sectoral approach that has been launched to mitigate the extreme poverty in the area.
The Sindh government also expresses its concern over the negative attitude of some NGOs that seems to be aimed at hindering development activities being planned to alleviate the poverty of the coastal inhabitants.
The claim of such NGOs that project documents have been prepared without consultation with the coastal communities seems to be motivated. The issues of LBOD tidal link, disaster management, and fresh water downstream of the Kotri Barrage are not part of this PPTA and are beyond the scope of this study which were spelled out by the experts in all consultative workshops that were attended by same of the aggrieved individuals as well.
The Sindh government is committed to provide equal opportunities for all segments of society, more particularly the coastal communities, and fully supports the efforts of the ADB.
ADDITIONAL CHIEF
SECRETARY (DEV P&DD), Sindh, Karachi
THE Karachi city government has planned to undertake gigantic infrastructure projects in the precincts of Karachi. Numerous correspondents have time and again highlighted the chaos these ill-planned, ill-timed projects lead to.
Hats off to the citizens of this mega city who brave the conditions they are confronted with.
The incumbent city nazim did inherit half-baked schemes from the previous Karachi management. The pace at which the work is being done is painstakingly slow. At this speed the ventures in hand would not be completed when new ones would be thrust upon us.
Will those running the affairs of our city let Karachiites know the following about major/large projects at present in hand: 1. How many such projects are going on? 2. What were the completion dates of these projects? 3. What percentage of work has been accomplished? 4. Reasons for delay (inefficiency/funds, etc). 5. Estimated time of completion.
Unless this analysis is carried out dispassionately, the vision of our planners will stay blurred. A thorough brain-storming, without self-projection for political gains in mind, will be the appropriate manner to proceed.
My humble request to the city nazim is to let the citizens know the details of the points enumerated above. Instead of giving full-page advertisements for non-issues like privatization of solid waste disposal, highlight the status of all ongoing, incomplete and limping urban development projects. Please rid us of this menace before you venture into creating new ones for the hapless citizens of this city.
WG. CDR.(r) ARIF MAJEED
Karachi
TO PUT things in perspective vis-a-vis India being ‘an economic power house’ as the reason for special treatment by the US, the size of its economy barely equals that of Holland. There are equally unclear aspects concerning the nuclear treaty itself. As projected, nuclear energy will constitute only five per cent of India’s total power output after 20 years.
Since India is not obliged to open its nuclear facilities for inspection until 2014 and then too only partially, it has little meaning in terms of proliferation control. So why the charade? The only purpose it seems to serve is as a fig leaf for Indias admission into the ‘official’ nuclear club and separating its position from that of Pakistan. What it portends is definitely not sanguine for the latter.
President Bush defended the action at a press conference in terms of the US national interest. It was disappointing that President Musharraf did not take the opportunity to spell out some of Pakistan’s misgivings, as well as national interests, that are of just as much concern to its people.
K. HUSSAIN ZIA
Ontario, Canada
PRESIDENT George W. Bush shares the vision of President Musharraf on democracy. The pertinent question why the people of Pakistan don’t believe President Bush and also don’t support President Musharraf’s vision. An ordinary Pakistani doesn’t understand the game of power politics, the interests of America and its idea and ideals of personal liberty and freedom of expression and democracy.
Gen Musharraf has been trying very hard for the last six years to establish a workable democracy in Pakistan suited to the national interest. His most repeated claim is that he has empowered the people at the grassroots’ level. But the devolution plan has empowered nazims, not the people. Most nazims belong to political landed families or are rich and in politics to protect their personal interests.
Gen Musharraf’s democracy ensures that all powers are with him and he is the sole authority to decide the destiny of the nation. Opportunistic politicians and oligarchs are his supporters.
By holding free and fair elections in 2007 and allowing only honest politicians to participate, he can do a great service to the country and establish real democracy in Pakistan. That democracy will be acknowledged by all leaders of democratic countries, and provide political stability to Pakistan. In a democracy a country is governed through democratic institutions and not by unelected institutions, civil or military.
S. T. HUSSAIN
Lahore
REGARDING your editorial “Earthquake relief: second phase” (March 10), you are right in praising the agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, for the excellent rescue, relief and reconstruction work they did in alleviating the sufferings of the victims of the earthquake of October 8, in the Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas of Pakistan.
As a Pakistani-Canadian, I feel proud that our very own Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) played a significant role for 40 days with a highly professional 200-strong rescue team.
It is hoped that Canada will continue to play an important role in the second phase through the Canadian International Development Agency.
JALALUDDIN SYED HUSSAIN
Quebec, Canada
I SUGGEST kite-flying be banned for the whole year except for the night of Basant and the following day. To prevent loss of life I think people can stay at home for just a night and the next day which is a holiday. It’s just like President Musharraf said regarding the mixed-gender marathon, “those who don’t like it should shut their eyes”.
HASSAN ALTAF
Lahore
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