| May 19, 2006 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1427 |
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Death in German custody
Malir housing scheme
Poor man and strikes
Air fare increase
Sindh University
NAB and oil prices
Bank robbery
Past mistakes
Failed state?
Wasting electricity
Water shortage
AFTER over a quarter century the US has decided to remove Libya from a list of state sponsors of terrorism, a favourite phrase America employs to describe those who refuse to adhere to the ‘Washington rules of game’. Libya will also be omitted from a list released later this week of nations that fail to cooperate with anti-terrorism efforts. The United States will upgrade its diplomatic office in Tripoli to a full embassy. One hopes that this move is sincere and will serve as founding stone for better relations between the US and the Muslim nations across the globe.
The announcement came as the West is making a fuss about Iran’s desire for nuclear facility that many countries posses. Although the United States is not dangling the promise of normal diplomatic relations in front of Iran, it has pointed to Libya’s decision as an international example.
Clearly, they hope that other states will see Libya’s experience as a model to emulate. By taking Libya off the terrorism sponsorship list, the Bush administration clears the way for broader economic ties with the oil-producing nation during a period of record-high gasoline prices in the United States. American oil companies stand to gain in competing for access to oil reserves in Libya by the restoration of normal diplomatic relations. American oil companies were banned from operating in Libya for 18 years until 2004 when President Bush lifted most restrictions on doing business there. This freed companies with oil and gas leases to go back to work there and compete with European companies.
The Libyan example is clearly being used as a diplomatic manoeuvre to bully Iran into falling in line and, under the weight of sanctions by both the US and the UN, to abandon its nuclear and other weapons programmes. But what the Bush administration fails to understand is that as a sovereign nation Iran has a legitimate right to secure itself. It cannot ignore the imminent threat from countries that already possess nuclear weapons. Unless the US also destroys its own nuclear arsenal it is unethical for it to compel other nations to give up nuclear ambitions.
Dr A. R. COLACHAL
New Delhi, India
THE death of Amir Cheema in the German police custody has generated serious legal and moral questions. It is extremely important for Germany to initiate discussion with family members of the deceased through the government of Pakistan and try to allay their misperceptions and misgivings.
It is equally important for Pakistan to come clean on the issue and clarify whether consular access to Mr Cheema was denied. Pakistan must raise this issue with the German government in the light of Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which both Pakistan and Germany are parties.
The Convention rests on centuries of accumulated experience. Pakistan in this case must seek redress in two categories of rights: for violations of rights owed to it, and also in the exercise of diplomatic protection in the light of the breach of duties owed to its national. Pakistan can ask courts to adjudge and declare that:
1. Germany, in arresting and interrogating Amir Cheema, violated its international legal obligations to Pakistan, in its own right and in the exercise of its right of diplomatic protection of its national, as provided by Articles 5 and 36 of the Vienna Convention; Article 5 (e) of the Vienna Convention includes protecting the interests of a sending state’s nationals and providing consular assistance to nationals of the state as among the consular functions protected by the Convention. Article 36 implements certain provisions of Article 5 (e) in the case of detained nationals.
2. Germany has acted in violation of obligations owed to Pakistan under Article 36, sub-paragraph 1 (b), of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The authorities in Germany detained a Pakistani citizen without advising him of his right to consular assistance or notifying Pakistan consular officers of his detention.
(3) Germany is under an international legal obligation not to apply the doctrine of ‘procedural default’, or any other doctrine of its internal law, so as to preclude the exercise of the rights accorded under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention.
(4) Germany is under an international legal obligation to carry out in conformity with the foregoing international legal obligations any future detention of or criminal proceedings against any other Pakistani national in its territory, and that, pursuant to the foregoing international legal obligations, the German government must accept that:
(a) Any criminal liability imposed on Amir Cheema and the treatment meted to him was in violation of international legal obligations and is void, and should be recognized as void by the legal authorities of Germany;
(b) Germany must accept full responsibility and compensate the deceased family.
(c) The German government should provide Pakistan a guarantee of the non-repetition of such illegal acts.
AMIR MOHAMMAD KHAN
Islamabad
THE Malir Development Authority, Karachi, announced a housing scheme, MDA-1, in 1997 for the low-middle class and low-income people. Applications were invited for 400, 200 and 100 square yards fully developed plots with all basic facilities such as roads, water supply, electric and gas and the amenities such as school, playground and community centre.
The price of the plot advertised and mentioned in the brochure was Rs468 payable in 60 monthly instalments. The price included cost of land and all development expenses. In addition to the above, allottees were required to pay service connection charges to utility companies such as the KESC, the SSGC, the KWSB ad the PTCL individually when such connection was required and also lease and documentation charges as was the case with all the housing schemes of the Karachi Development Authority.
Recently the MDA has started advertisement campaign in local newspapers with photos of all those that matter in Pakistan, i.e., from the city nazim to the president of Pakistan, asking the allottees to pay a further amount of Rs365 per square yard as utility charges. This huge amount (Rs2.08 billion) at the rate of Rs130,000, Rs65,000 and Rs32,500 for 400, 200, 100 square yards, respectively, is required to be paid in full by June 15, failing which plots will be cancelled. Challans have been issued to some of the allottees. The MDA has not mentioned which of the utility company has demanded what amount and for what services.
As is the practice in the all the MDA schemes, and with other housing authorities, the owner/allottee of the plot pays directly to the KESC, the SSGS, the KWSB and the PTCL at the time of construction of the house. The same is also mentioned in the brochures of the MDA housing scheme, MDA-1.
Sir, this is yet another attempt to fleece the general public. I request the city nazim, the indh chief minister and the governor, as well as the prime minister and the president, whose photos are displayed in the advertisement demanding extra, unjustified payments to stop the MDA from collecting the same.
ALLOTTEE
Karachi
RECENTLY Karachi has been in the grip of frequent strikes which stop almost all productive activity in this once-thriving city. It is strange that nobody cares for the daily wage workers who form a sizable population of the town and who suffer greatly due to these strikes.
These hardworking people toil all day for meagre income to keep their family afloat. Now anyone can call a strike as it is very simple. Just burn a couple of vehicles the night before and send tough guys to force shopkeepers to close their shops.
Transporters, who form the biggest mafia of the town and operate a service which is not fit even for animals to use, join in the strike to safeguard their interest thus compounding the misery of the citizens. A majority of workers cannot reach their jobs while in hospitals helpless patients suffer without anybody, specially the leaders who called for the strike, bothering about them.
Most employers have to pay regular employees their salary for being absent due to strikes. In April alone a whole week’s salary was paid by our organisation for not working for the period of strikes.
As authorities look at the suffering of the common man as silent spectators, one can only look towards courts to come to the rescue of daily wage workers and the sick. They should ask the organisation calling the strike to deposit a nominal sum of Rs20 million as compensation for distribution amongst those who suffer loss of earnings or disruption in healthcare.
DR NIZAMUL HASAN
Karachi
THIS has reference to the news item (Dawn, May 13) that the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines has increased fares on international routes by over 20 per cent.
It seems strange that PIA has made an arbitrary decision without referring the increase of fares to the National Assembly or the Senate. There is no justification for the increase of fares as Pakistan is getting oil from the Middle East at a subsidised rate.
Hundreds of Pakistani students travel during summer vacations when schools and colleges are closed. A majority of them travel to meet their parents abroad or come back to their homes in Pakistan. The increase in rates has unsettled the budget of parents, passengers and young students.
Instead, PIA should try to lure additional passengers by slashing rates during the summer. Airlines operating in Southeast Asia, including Singapore airlines and Malaysian airlines, are offering attractive deals to tourists. Singapore airlines has offered a 50 per cent discount on fares to Australia. The competition over international routes is growing, resulting in lower fares for international travellers.
KHALID M. KHAN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Agha Shahabuddin’s letter “Founder’s day” (May 11) wherein he referred to the founder’s week programme organized by the University of Sindh, on April 9, at the Jamshoro campus to pay homage to Allama I.I. Kazi, the founder of this institution of higher learning.
This occasion was commemorated by scholars and academicians of this mother institute who delivered talks on the Allama’s vision as one of the great scholars and thinkers of 20th century.
Agha Shahabuddin has, however, shown reservations about the Allama’s position as founder of the Sindh University. He has, therefore, proposed to hold a workshop to discuss this issue of historical significance.
In order to keep the record straight I would like to add that in 1936, when Sindh was separated from Bombay, educational institutions of this province had remained affiliated with the Bombay University for about 10 years on the advise of Allama Iqbal and Allama Yousif Ali, then principal of Islamia College, Lahore. The Sindh University was established in 1947 at Karachi and its first vice-chancellor was Prof A.B.A. Haleem, ex-pro- vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Subsequently, after four years, it was decided that Karachi University would be established with A.B.A. Haleem as its first vice-chancellor.
As a result, in 1951 Sindh University was relocated to Hyderabad and Allama I.I. Kazi was made its vice-chancellor. Thus while the Allama was the second vice-chancellor of Sindh University, he is the founder of the Sindh University situated in Jamshoro.
In 1951 when the Allama took charge of the establishment, no proper building was available to house the academia. Therefore, at first the university was located in Nao Vidyala High School (of the evacuee trust property) building opposite the sessions court in Hyderabad.
It was the Allama who conceived the idea of a university township on the pattern of Oxford and Cambridge. For this he selected an exceptionally picturesque and salubrious site with the bank of the river Indus, on one side, and a serene landscape of hilly terrain and green meadows of Jamshoro. on the other.
During a short stay of eight years, with selfless and persistent efforts and meagre resources, the Allama converted his dream into a full-fledged modern university with 24 teaching departments. His selection of teachers was not less significant as the list contains the names of distinguished persons like Dr N.A. Baloch, Dr Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Dr N.A.G. Khan, Dr Nabi Bux Kazi, Ali Nawaz Jatoi, Agha Taj Muhammad, Dr Ahmed Bashir et al.
I agree with Agha Shahabuddin’s proposition. The Sindh University should arrange a workshop at the national level at the new campus in Jamshoro, with the collaboration of other universities and the Higher Education Commission. Not only do Allama I.I Kazi’s services rendered for the cause of education necessitate countrywide recognition but far more important is the need for acknowledging his distinguished life and philosophical works to which most have become oblivious.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news (Dawn, May 16) that NAB has accused the ministry of petroleum of creating a lobby to put pressure on the government to shelve the ongoing inquiry into the fixation of oil prices over the last five years.
I am surprised that the ministry of petroleum is interfering in the investigation. The ministry looks more inclined to protect the interest of a few rich people and the multinationals rather than being concerned for the large population within the country is affected by the increase in oil prices.
It is suggested that profits and returns on investment of all oil companies should be reviewed through their annual reports for the last five years. One will notice the huge profits they made due to the increase in oil prices. It looks like the ministry was influenced by a multinational in 2001 when it started to link the mark-up of oil companies as percentage of the oil price at the expense of the people of Pakistan.
It is recommended that the ministry de-link the margins as percentage of the oil price. Instead a new formula should be worked out
CONCERNED
Canada
THIS is with reference to the news item “Rs10 million cash, valuables robbed” (Dawn, May16). According to the police report, cash, jewellery and ornaments worth Rs2.8 million were missing from the eight bank lockers. The security guard was also missing when the bank staff arrived at their office in the morning. A similar incident took place on Dec 31, 2005 wherein the so-called security guards robbed a private bank of Rs16.5 million. It was later revealed that the ID card of one of the security guards was a fake.
It is suggested that the CNIC of all security guards be verified by Nadra’s Verisys system. On July 11, 2005 the former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan raised the issue of enlistment criteria for security agencies during a meeting with the Pakistan Banks Association. However, the order has so far not been executed.
The State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Banks Association should implement guidelines for all security guards to be hired by the banks without further delay.
ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
BOTH Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have admitted that they made mistakes in the past. They say that if they regain power through the democratic process, they will not repeat these mistakes. I want to know how the nation will recover the losses it suffered due to their mistakes? They will both have to repay the losses we suffered over the 10 years of their ‘democratic rule’. Only then can they talk about the future.
IJAZ TABASSUM
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
WE may not be a failed state to the extent that US Foreign Affairs magazine would have the world believe, but we definitely have a very serious collapse of law and order in our country.
How can any government fail to notice snatching of mobiles and mugging taking place on busy roads during daylight hours in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi? All this is happening in the presence of police constables, who stand at every major traffic signal stop. The ease, with which gangs of robbers operate in this city, raises doubts about the credibility of law-enforcement agencies and their political masters.
If video cameras were installed on all major roads in the city, these gangs would have been caught by now. The cost incurred in the installation of security cameras is minimal when compared to the loss of investor confidence that has deprived this city of billions of rupees in revenues. Karachi must once again have the peace and tranquillity it enjoyed during the late the 70s and the early 80s. If Karachi continues to suffer, it will be a great loss for all of Pakistan.
AHMED ALVI
Karachi
PEOPLE have been writing and giving arguments whether ours is a failed state or not. I think, and many will agree with me, that we failed on Dec 16, 1971 when we lost half of our country.
PROF ISHTIAQ AHMED KHAN
Karachi
While electricity shortages are playing havoc with daily life, the street lights on main Khayaban-i-Ittehad in Karachi remain switched on during the day. As a regular passerby I witness this every day and fret at the authorities’ negligence in this serious matter.
How much effort does it take to responsibly switch off the lights in daylight hours? I request the authorities to take prompt action in order to lessen the plight of load-shedding.
Mrs MEHBOOB
Karachi
WE, the residents of Clifton Block-2, have been facing a complete stoppage of water for the last three months. A visit to the pumping station revealed that the water is regularly pumped for two hours twice a week. When asked if any valve is malfunctioning, the operator showed ignorance. He further suggested that water is scarce and as such we should offer rain prayers as suggested by the prime minister.
It is feared that water is being channelled to a few sacred cows. We request the water board to attend to our complaint.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
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