| May 20, 2006 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1427 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Sindh University
Chartering democracy
Allotment of plots
Pakistani prisoners
Alternative energy
Getting a passport
The dangerous puff
Reward for informants
Air fare increase
Karachi carnage
Life-saving drugs
Gutters oozing sewage
Collective punishment
Traffic signal blackout
Rawal Lake
THIS is with reference to the article ‘Crisis in the Muslim world’ (May 18), in which Shahid M. Amin has provided an analysis of US policy concerning Muslims. The writer has provided a number of examples to give the impression that the US is sympathetic towards Muslims.
While it is good to be optimistic, it is equally important to be realistic. Every country watches out for its own national interest. The US inclination towards Muslim countries has never been without reason. In the case of Pakistan it is very clear that the US interference in 1999 over the Kargil conflict was due to the fact that both India and Pakistan are nuclear states and the US did not want any mishap in the region. Pakistan only receives diplomatic and economic support from the US when it becomes a ‘front line state’; otherwise the US has always shown a cold attitude.
Also, take for example the so-called US support against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in1979. The US did not help Muslims, rather it pursued its own interest. The US, in fact, wanted to curb the growing influence of communism in the region, which would have been a direct threat to American dominance. For the sake of its own interests the US has played havoc with many Muslim countries.
SAIMA ALI
Sialkot
I WOULD like to pay tribute to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad whose firm stand has instigated dialogue against unjust policies of the western world towards Muslims. His criticism of the state of Israel is based on historical facts and that cannot be disputed. What he says is supported not only by the Iranian nation but by Muslims around the world.
One wonders why Iran is being pressured to stop its peaceful civil nuclear programme while Israel and other countries already possess atomic bombs, ready to be used. What Israel is doing vis-à-vis Palestine is the worst example of insulting a people’s mandate. Palestinians elected Hamas as their representative to run the affairs of the country in a free and fair election.
Adding to the miseries of the Palestinian people are America and Europe who are supporting Israel in all respects to undermine the Hamas government. Where are impartiality and the respect for democracy? In this world all things are manipulated on the principle of ‘might is right’.
ISHTIAQ LODHI
Leeds, UK
MR Manzoor H. Kureshi (letter, May 19) has elaborated on the role of Allama I. I. Kazi in the founding of the Sindh University as we at present know it. I would like to add that when Allama Kazi returned from England to assume the office of vice-chancellor of the university in 1951, the institution, which had been in existence since April 1947, was serving as an examining body only. Furthermore, at that time only five colleges and 34 high schools were affiliated with Sindh University.
It is also important to note that as Karachi was the capital at the time, Hyderabad was the provincial headquarters for Sindh. As such the university was soon converted into a full-fledged centre for higher education that awarded master’s and doctoral degrees in its various faculties and disciplines. The faculty of education started work as early as September 1951.
Within four years the grant of the university had increased from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 on the Allama’s insistence to the then governor of Sindh, Justice Din Muhammad. A national workshop on the subject, as originally proposed by Agha Shahabuddin, would indeed be most appropriate in deliberating on the vicissitudes undergone by the university over the last half century, particularly following the resignation of Allama I. I. Kazi from his office in 1958.
DR GHULAM NABI KAZI
Islamabad
THIS is in reference to the letters to the editor printed in your newspaper for and against the ‘Charter of Democracy’. Some people are cynical about corrupt politicians as though the military government is full with angels.
I would like to remind them that most of those who are occupying the cabinet seats in the present government are the same ones who were originally either in the Sharif or Bhutto government. What can one expect from the government full with such opportunists?
Even if politicians are corrupt, a military government is no solution. In fact, it makes matters worse. Let democracy take root in the country and
let the people of Pakistan decide who their leader should be through free and fair election. If a leader is corrupt let, the people decide his or her fate.
Corruption is no excuse for scuttling democracy. Some people in Pakistan support the military just out of personal interest while other gullible take it as solution to Pakistan’s problems and I am happy to note that a majority of Pakistani people support democracy and will never vote in favour of the military. A military man may be good at masking the problems but not when it comes to finding solutions. Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto deserve congratulations for showing maturity and vowing to fight against military rule.
SHAKEEL NIZAMANI
Toronto, Canada
THE allotment by the government of small plots (80-120 square yards) on the Superhighway, Karachi, is commendable. More and more plots should be allotted and developed.
Houses built on these plots will go a long way in reducing the housing shortage. If these plots are developed and infrastructure is provided, the government of the day will always be remembered and praised by the people.
As a civil engineer I advise people that instead of buying flats in multi-storied buildings they should build houses on these plots. Building houses under personal supervision is a bit time-consuming. However, such efforts are highly beneficial in the long run and the ownner’s hard-earned money remains safe and secured.
Compared to a flat in a multi-storied building, a house has a number of benefits such as it is more open to air and light,it offers more privacy, an open roof makes future extension a possibility and it is much safer in the event of an earthquake.
FAROOQ FAZAL
Karachi
GUANTANAMO is in the news again. The Pentagon, the American defence department which controls this torture cell on the Cuban soil, has released a final list of 759 detainees of assorted nationalities — 29 of them Pakistanis.
The interior ministry of Pakistan claims, according to Dawn’s report (May 17), that they are 35; they have not been provided with the identity of seven or eight prisoners, it says. It does not add up. If you include those seven or eight, the tally of languishing Pakistanis will come up to 36 or 37.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao has announced that out of the 29 detainees, eight will be released soon. The same day, according to an
AFP report from Washington, the Pentagon’s press officer, Geofrey Gordon, quickly denied any immediate plans to release any Pakistanis.
Why this controversy? How and why did the interior ministry announce the release — or possible release — without confirmation from the US defence department, or at least from its ambassador? The immediate retort to our interior minister’s assumption leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
THE promulgation of Alternative Energy Ordinance (Dawn, May 14) is good news.
However, If the government is serious about introducing and advancing the cause of the AE system and its use, it only has to look at the import duty structure on the CIF value for AE imports, i.e., photovoltaic 35 per cent, windmill 35 per cent, hydroelectric 35 per cent, non-electric system 55 per cent.
Add to all these bank charges, freight, clearing and forwarding transport to the site and, last but not the least, installation charges. These add up to a grand total of 50 per cent to 55 per cent and more on the imported AE systems.
The AE board may come up with its own rules and regulations but without the participation of the private sector it is a no-win situation. The private sector is the only hope for reviving the AE system, provided the government cancels the import duty on AE system in the next budget. Only then will the AE system be attractive to the nation and the private sector will play its part.
CH. AZIZ WALI MOHAMMAD
Karachi
APROPOS of Mr Farzal Ali Muhammad’s letter (May 16) I would just like to add that one would be very lucky if the process of final validation at the passport office takes just 15 minutes. In my case it took exactly 45 minutes as the computer would not display the token numbers in the right order.
I had a two-digit token number and was anxiously awaiting my turn, when the number announced prior to mine was a three-digit one. It took the angry protests from those waiting in queue to get the officials to fix the problem.
I request the authorities to look into the working of this important department. They should streamline the process of issuing passports so that the public does not have to suffer unnecessarily.
TALAT RAHIM
Karachi
I agree with the views expressed by Sarah Lyall on smoking shisha (letter, May 11). The World Health Organization report on shisha hazards, released recently has also raised concerns on this growing epidemic in the developing countries. Shisha also known as hookha or water pipe is a century-old habit but until recently the elderly people living in villages were its main users. Unfortunately in the past few years its use has markedly increased in major cities of Pakistan. Shisha is different from traditional hookha in the sense that instead of plain tobacco it is used mixed with certain flavours and aromatic substances. In a survey conducted last year by the Aga Khan University it was observed that over 90 per cent of children have experimented with this form of tobacco. This included both boys and girls as young as six years old. The sad part of the survey was that most of these youngsters did not know that shisha smoke contained tobacco.
The research conducted on shisha use has clearly shown that it has serious health consequences, particularly on the lungs, heart and food pipe. Its smoke contains hundreds of potentially dangerous substances including carbon monoxide, charcoal, nicotine, arsenic, cobalt, chromium and lead.
At the usual shisha smoking session, which lasts for over an hour, the smoke inhaled contains nicotine and tar equivalent to 100 cigarettes. Research has also shown that after 45 minutes of shisha use air carbon monoxide, plasma nicotine and heart rate are significantly elevated. Nicotine dependence may also result from repeated inhalation of tobacco smoke.
Smoking is also linked to increased risk of cancer of the lungs, mouth and urinary bladder. It is also some evidence that it may also decrease the sperm count in men. Regular users have lung functions approximately 25 per cent lower than those who do not use this.
One study has also shown that shisha use increases the risk of tuberculosis. Using shisha in restaurants or at home where children are present increases the risk of pneumonia, asthma attacks and sudden infant death syndrome. There is an urgent need to educate the public about the dangers of shisha.
PROF JAVAID KHAN
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item “NAB’s formula of rewarding informants” (May 17). NAB has announced the incentive of an award worth 20 per cent of total recovered money for those who provide correct information about corrupt practices.
This appears to be a good move on the part of NAB but what about the cases already registered with them? I happen to be a complainant and have provided them all information and proof required. NAB has recorded my statement, yet so far no action has been taken based on my compliant.
The delay raises doubts about the commitment of NAB to eradicate bureaucratic corruption, especially from educational institutions. Recently President Musharraf himself admitted that corruption exists in educational institutions. Corruption in universities has taken an ugly turn due to inadequate monitoring by the Higher Education Commission of the large funds being provided to them for promoting research.
DR M. ANIS GORAYA
Khairpur
THIS is with reference to the letter “Air fare increase” by Mr Khalid M. Khan. (May 19).
Airline fares fluctuate in accordance with the prevalent market competition or on the basis of considerable peak season and low seasonal variation. This is true for all airlines. The current exorbitant rise in fuel prices has forced the airlines of the world to increase their fares, in order to survive. Thus, like other airlines which have had to increase their fares, PIA also made a nominal increase in fare.
CAPT. HASSAN JAFFERY
General Manager, Public Affairs & Communication, PIA, Karachi
THIS refers to Professor Anwar Syed’s article ‘Karachi carnage and after’ (April 23). The writer gives the impression that security could not have been provided to the large gathering at Nishtar Park. This is not true. Most major religious and political gatherings in the country are not provided security by the government, but the organisers arrange for security themselves.
The threat of suicide bombings is difficult to avert. However, in the case of pre-scheduled gatherings, they can be averted by frisking people who come to the event. At major religious gatherings in Iraq entrants are frisked by a volunteer security force. In addition to the deployment of volunteers, scanners can also be installed. The probability of suicide attacks on gatherings can thus be reduced or perhaps even eliminated.
Dr MAHNAZ FATIMA
Karachi
I AM with Mr M.A. Rahman (May 4) when he draws the attention of the authorities to the uncontrolled price hike of life-saving drugs which are now going beyond the reach of the middle-class.
The prices are now raised quietly, contrary to the past practice of prior announcement in the press. It appears that the government has given a free hand to multinational pharmaceutical companies to make revisions to their brands on their own free will whenever they want to fleece the suffering patients.
A RAUF SOZER
Karachi
THIS is to bring to the notice of the authorities that for the past few days the gutters near Jason VIP Apartments in Karachi’s Clifton Block 7 have been oozing out all kinds of sewage, including human faeces. The empty plot used for Thursday bazaar has also been inundated. This is all due to the fact that the main sewerage line in the area has been choked due to the repair of roads.
The situation has made life miserable for the residents of Jason VIP and the adjoining complexes Marine Drive and Jason Condominium. We are all suffering as we cannot enter our homes without stepping into the muck.
The service roads in the area are being laid out and, therefore, the authorities should look into this matter prior to the construction of the roads. It would be a waste of precious resources to dig the roads up again to clean the sewerage lines. This complaint needs to be addressed at the earliest opportunity to avoid more complications and to save the residents from facing further ordeals.
BANU HALAI
Karachi
IN some countries the practice of collective punishment is still being followed in spite of the fact that they are banned under the international law.
The newly-elected UN Human Rights Council needs to take up the matter with the respective countries for discarding such primitive rules from the colonial era.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
THIS concerns the closure of traffic signals followed by manual signalling. Usually a number of constables control the traffic, while a few stand with cellphones taking dictation about the expected VIP movement. At certain points like the Teen Talwar signal the traffic moves in eight directions making manual control impossible. This creates a chaos which is a recipe for accidents. As soon as the entourage passes, the police force melts away leaving the commuters to fend for themselves.
It is suggested that the VIPs reduce their engagements and preferably travel alongside the regular traffic. They should demonstrate democratic values by serving the electorate with dedication.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
IT is with extreme panic that we saw pictures of the parched cracked soil at the bottom of the Rawal Lake. We hope that the nation will wake up to reality and try conserving the precious water that is available. I have one suggestion to the Capital Development Authority in this regard.
This is the prefect opportunity to take advantage and do some dredging of the floor of the Rawal Lake. If we remove the silt along with all the rotten bones of dead animals, etc., we will increase the water capacity of the lake enormously. The clean lake floor will be a bonus. I am sure with three or four bulldozers the CDA can accomplish this job in just a few hours.
RAHATULLAH BAIG
Rawalpindi
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.