| April 26, 2006 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1427 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
‘Rise and fall of the CSP’
Rabies control
Little progress on TB
‘Principled stand’
Religion and politics
‘Cart before the horse’
High prices
Iran attack consequences
Thar express
Ariel Sharon
DR Shahid Javed Burki (article, April 11) is right in emphasising the interplay between politics and economics. However, in treating the history of Pakistan, he seems to have inverted cause and effect. He asserts that political instability was due to repeated economic crises when the fact is that it was the other way round. It was mostly the frequent martial laws and other negative political developments that aggravated economic difficulties, which a developing country inevitably faces.
Of course, this is an oversimplification, since history is a far more complex affair, but to reinforce my view, l give four instances where political mistakes or political events caused a major national setback, with adverse economic, political and social consequences. These were the 1965 war, the separation of East Pakistan, the encouragement of Islamic fundamentalism in Afghanistan and the atomic explosion in 1998.
The Third Five-Year Plan for 1965-1970 envisaged a massive transfer of resources to East Pakistan intended to alleviate the problem of growing economic disparity between the two wings. The Third Plan and the underlying strategy were aborted by the 1965 war. What was the economic compulsion for this misadventure? None. We are too deferential to the military to attempt an assessment of the economic loss sustained by the country because of the 1965 war. In my view, Dr Burki is not right in asserting that disillusionment with economic policies was the main cause of President Ayub’s overthrow. He was forced to abdicate for largely political reasons (Tashkent, denial of democracy, censorship, corruption, loss of confidence of the military brass)
The greatest disaster in Pakistan’s history, the civil war in 1971 and the violent separation of East Pakistan, was entirely a political failure. Even though East Pakistan had many economic grievances, the critical cause of separation was that the rightful share of political power was continuously withheld from the people of that wing because of the repeated promulgations of martial law by which a non-Bengali army was seen as dominating the political processes.
Dr Burki has stated that in 1977 Mr Bhutto ran into difficulties because his economic policy failed to end poverty and various regions were unhappy at the way Islamabad was treating them. It is true of course that big business and persons adversely affected by nationalisation were unhappy about economic policies but the public agitation against the PPP government was based mainly on political demands, i.e, free election and the establishment of ‘Nizam-i-Mustafa’. Economics did not figure prominently either in the themes pursued by the combined opposition parties or in the US displeasure, expressed by Dr Henry Kissinger.
The encouragement of Islamic extremism in Afghanistan, for the political purpose of acquiring strategic depth, was initiated and maintained by the military though the democratic governments acquiesced in it. The damage done by this policy to the political and social infrastructure and economy of the country has been enormous and continues to this day.
Lastly, the crisis of 1998 was due to the explosion of the atomic bomb and the consequent imposition of international sanctions. The country was in economic difficulties but nowhere near a breakdown. The problem was due to a political decision to explode the bomb and the adverse international reaction that followed.
Dr Burki’s article, unintentionally I am sure, helps the propaganda line of the present military government that martial law is essential for salvaging the economy. The government has undertaken a systematic campaign to demonise democracy by exaggerating its economic failures and often falsifying the record.
I hope Dr Burki will forgive me for recalling that when Mr Bhutto came to power at the end of 1971, Dr Burki had greeted him with an article in The Pakistan Times titled ‘GDP dethroned’. This posed a difficulty for some of us who were trying to convince our new socialist bosses that while pursuit of equity was very important, it could not be achieved without growth. It did not help that an eminent economist was stating that GDP (or growth) was a tyrant that was best removed from the economic scene. Since then Dr Burki has had a distinguished career in the World Bank and must have modified his views on growth. This illustrates the interplay between economic postures and political circumstances.
VASEEM JAFAREY
Karachi
THIS has reference to Anjum Niaz’s column on the above subject (April 9). One wonders as to why the writer is so upset and worried about the supposed downfall of the CSP.
Throughout the history of Pakistan, CSP officers have held sway over almost all the affairs of the country at different levels and positions. The question is what have they given to Pakistan in return for their more-than-handsome perks, and privileges.
Since the CSP officers have wielded and continue to enjoy unbridled administrative powers, you would have expected the country to have made remarkable progress and the lot of the down- trodden ameliorated under their tutelage. But, unfortunately, the situation is quite bleak.
The decline, decay and degradation in nearly every facet of life in Pakistan are a direct reflection on the performance of the CSP, of course helped along by other vested interests. The major responsibility for the present state of affairs is of the CSP officers’. If they had had moral courage, they could, being more enlightened, have guided, advised and influenced their political or military bosses.
Here is an example of how arrogantly these officers generally behave. Mr Aziz Ahmad was chief secretary of the former East Pakistan in 1948 and, according to his orders, no one was allowed to pass in front of his office, not even an East Pakistani minister. No wonder we eventually lost the eastern wing. And the remaining part of Pakistan is rated slightly above some African countries which have utterly failed and are at the bottom of any kind of international list on human development.
Of course we are right at the top of any list on, inter alia, terrorism, corruption and deaths and injuries caused by road accidents. This being the factual position, why all the hullabaloo about the imagined harm being done to the CSP? In stark contrast, at the turn of the 19th century and later, just over 1,000 British officers of the Indian Civil Service administered, with amazing dexterity and uprightness, all of India with a huge population of about 300 million people and what a great job they did.
RASHID AKHTAR
Lahore
I STRONGLY endorse the views expressed in the editorial of April 6 regarding rabies control. As rightly pointed out, the methods adopted to address the problem over the years (like the shooting down of pye dogs and the administering of the lethal chemical strachin) have proved to be absolutely futile. The agony and the pain suffered by the animals entailed in these methods is a sad reflection on our values and feelings as human beings and reveals an apathetic state of mind towards the plight of the creatures of the so-called lower species. These creatures like human beings must fit in the Almighty’s scheme of things and are entitled to our sympathy and care to the extent possible. It is unbecoming on our part as human beings to resort to any action which causes pain and misery to living beings.
In this context I would like to recall a campaign launched in Lahore around 1960, which was based on the administration of strachin to stray dogs. It drew vehement protests from many quarters because of the inhuman aspect involved. The campaign, needless to say, turned out to be absolutely useless, as indeed subsequent similar campaigns launched from time to time. More recently, the announcement by the previous nazim of Karachi that 100,000 pye dogs would be killed evoked strong protests from people.
As to the proposal that veterinarians should offer their services, it is not clear whether this is supposed to mean that they should volunteer their services without any remuneration. The prospect of paying veterinarians as also the other personnel who may have to be engaged by the authorities will have to be considered. The societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals and the city governments will have to join hands in formulating appropriate programmes to tackle the problem. Technical and financial inputs can also be sought from foreign societies, NGOs and donor agencies, who I am sure will be more than willing to help.
Furthermore, as indicated above there are many animal lovers in the country who would readily volunteer their services in whatever capacity they can. The need of the hour is to get down to the task straightaway.
KHURRAM AZAD KHAN
Islamabad
REFERENCE your editorial (March 25) and the letter from Dr A. Haye Saeed (April 4), preventive measures against TB are not being given due significance, and that is why the desired result has not been achieved from DOTS.
Prevention of any disease is better and much more cost effective than the treatment. There is an easy formula called SIR for preventing the onset of TB. This stands for:
S — Sensitise the public about the severity of the disease through the print and electronic media. Politicians must be induced to support the necessary budgetary allocations for this purpose.
I — Induce immunity against tuberculosis by providing good nutrition to low-income groups. Nutrition therapy is now coming to the forefront for various diseases. BCG vaccination supplements specific body resistance.
R — Reduce the reservoir of the tuberculosis bacilli by early treatment of open cases and close-wearing of masks and full proper disposal of sputum and promoting the habit of good hygienic living. Raising the literacy rate of the community will ensure better results.
Prof A. MAJID MEMON
Former principal,
Dow Medical College
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Principled stand’ (April 21). I would like to point out that in case of Afghanistan, Pakistan was the only country that fought for a peaceful solution till the very last. It tried to talk to the US and helped to delay the US attack on Afghanistan. It is true that Pakistan helped to create and support the Taliban. However, after 9/11 it also tried to achieve a peaceful solution through talks between the US and the Taliban. It was the Taliban who failed to grasp the opportunity.
Pakistan always opposed the US invasion of Iraq. Pakistan refused to send forces to Iraq and publicly denounced US actions in the country. Now in the case of Iran, Pakistan has taken the same principled stand of resolving issues through talks.
JAWAD HAIDER
Karachi
MR Kamran Iqbal (April 20) in his letter has questioned the general good that mankind has achieved during the past 500 years and has commented on various negative aspects which emerged as a by-product of the scientific progress made by the human race.
Every discovery or invention by mankind provides us with an equal opportunity to either use it for the benefit or the destruction of others. The discovery of allopathic medicines has resulted in the development of a new industry focusing solely on reaping profits for large multinational pharmaceutical firms, but on the other hand it has also resulted in saving millions of lives. Nuclear technology has resulted in the annihilation of millions when atomic bombs were unleashed on Japan, but the very same technology has also been harnessed to produce electricity and other useful utilities.
It is a known fact that adhering to hard-line religious values suppresses entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and lateral thinking. Had the western nations remained under the influence of the Church, the planet Earth would still be considered flat and the centre of the universe. Even today the leaders of the Catholic Church and many Islamic organisations are against the concept of cloning and genetic engineering, which will provide vital options such as transplantation during the treatment of some life-threatening illnesses.
Countries and nations that have managed to achieve a reasonable separation between religion and the affairs of the state have progressed both in terms of scientific discoveries as well as gaining political, economic and social awareness within the masses. Their scientific minds are not bound by centuries old values and traditions and therefore free to explore and utilise the vast untapped potential of the human mind. The head of the state in the UK is also head of the Church of England and Italy is the home of the Catholic Church. However both nations have progressed significantly in the fields of science and technology. India and China are fine examples of the emerging economic powers that have declared their states secular and communist, respectively, in spite of significant influence of religion and ideology on their social and political structures.
The quest for knowledge is embedded in Islamic values and teachings. But even to this day schools are regularly blown up in areas such as Afghanistan and Fata where there is excessive influence of orthodox religious values and hard-line clergy claiming to be the followers of Islam in its purest form. The slow or near-stagnant progress of any kind within these parts of the world is evidence enough how religion has unjustifiably been used to keep the common folk from achieving economic progress and political awareness.
Every religion encourages human beings to delve into the mysteries of the universe and to seek out further knowledge from everything that is around us. It is also a fact that a vast majority of religious leaders try to desperately hold back their followers from such attainments, fearing the loss of power over them as a result of such enlightenment.
Complete separation of religion and state might not be appropriate. However it is the shared responsibility of the state, the clergy and individuals to determine how they should work together in achieving a fine balance where scientific progress can be made within the confines of certain moral and ethical boundaries, resulting in the overall benefit of society and the human race as a whole.
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
Hillingdon, UK
THE points raised by Mr Asif Noorani in his letter ‘Cart before the horse’ (April 25) about the plight of Pakistanis visiting India and Indians visiting Pakistan are thought-provoking. There is total apathy on both sides, particularly at our high commission in Delhi.
The writer ought to have also mentioned about the poor arrangements made for Indians who visit the police head office in Karachi to notify their arrival and later their departure. There are no proper seating arrangements and no access to the people who have to have their arrival or departure stamped on their passports. A man takes the passports from the visitors and takes his own time to return them. However, if someone accepts the services of the touts roaming around the vicinity then for a couple of hundreds the job is done promptly.
Mr Noorani mentions the camp office that the Pakistan high commission held in Mumbai during the first half of the 60s (until the 1965 war) and again after the Shimla Conference. Let me add that similar camp offices were also set up in Hyderabad, Deccan. Why can’t such camps be set up now? Also why don’t we let the Indians start their consulate in Karachi? If we have not been able to find a place for our consulate in South Mumbai, why not find a place in the suburbs? How long are the two countries going to have this tit-for-tat relationship?
SHAMS SIDDIQUI
Karachi
MUCH concern has been expressed about oil and sugar prices but to no avail. The increase seems to have backing from the government. When the oil prices slipped to the bottom in the international market, the government refused to bring down domestic prices on the pretext that prices in neighbouring countries were still higher then ours.
Now wheat flour is surplus in the market and according to the law of demand and supply the price should have come down. But again the prime minister is strongly against a reduction in flour prices. So, whether it is oil, flour, sugar or other essentials, price increases have the blessings of government functionaries.
The formation of price control committees is a farce meant only to pacify the poor public.
SARFARAZ Z.A. ANSARI
Karachi
US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld has dismissed news that his country plans to strike at the nuclear installations of Iran. He dismissed it as a “fantasy”. The world remembers the pretext of weapons of mass destruction as the reason of the invasion of Iraq. The goal posts were changed to get rid of Saddam Hussein and “promote democracy” in Iraq.
Iran recently declared that its nuclear facilities are situated in deep bunkers, which cannot be destroyed by conventional bombs. This is a temptation for the USA to strikes Iran with cruise missiles carrying low grade nuclear weapons. The consequences of such a nuclear attack will be low grade radiation. It will create panic amongst the Iranian population with possible migration to Pakistan across the Iran-Pakistan border. In this scenario Iran might retaliate and attack US naval ships in the Gulf or it may try to block the American oil supply line by the siege of the straits of Hormouz. The danger would be aggravated if Israel joins the conflict.
Will Pakistan allow the US to use its air space and air bases or other military facilities? What will be role of Britain, a close US ally? How will Russia and China respond? Will India condemn the US, now a nuclear partner? Any preemptive strike by the US against Iran would have very serious consequences and further destabilise Middle East peace. One should not undermine the power of the Hezbollah whose resistance along Israel’s borders was so strong that it forced Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.
DR NASIR AHMED KHAN
Shropshire, UK
IN his letter Mr Salahudin Mirza paints a dim picture of travelling via the Thar Express (April 23). Travellers are stuck in transit for several days; this is indeed not acceptable. The travellers may consider boarding one of several daily trains leaving for Delhi, Mumbai, etc., and from there on make connections to Hyderabad and Sikanderabad. I will agree with Mr Mirza that it’s not the most pleasant way to travel.
J.D. SINGH
Ottawa, Canada
WHERE is Sharon now? Probably in a hospital being worked upon by his doctors. All kinds of tests are being done on him even as his brain cells are still alive. I wonder if President Bush enquires about his well-being.
MOHAMMAD RAFI
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.