| May 25, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1427 |
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Sold for peanuts
Water resources
Unplanned humps
Elections in 2007
Bane of our economic crisis
PMDC working
Qibla direction
Power failures
Seeking security
FROM the escalating US-Iran standoff over the nuclear issue, it is clear that Washington has failed to learn anything from its past dealings with religious and ideological hardliners.
The lesson driven home from the intensive raids on Afghanistan by the Tomahawk cruise missiles in 1998 and the full-scale attack in 2001 is that people like Mullah Omer don’t bow before any worldly power, though they may not have any oil or the military strength to blockade the Persian Gulf, like Iran. Osama bin Laden and his associates did not yield one bit to the American pressure, nor did President Kim Jong-Il of the cash-strapped and energy-starved North Korea or Dr Castro of Cuba.
In the current crisis, the US, along with Israel, had started to threaten Iran with the possibility of conventional and nuclear strikes and, given the international pressure against that, has only reluctantly started supporting the EU3 and Russia in their diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue. As was to be expected, rather than backing off, the Iranian leadership and public have become even more defiant and further advances have been claimed in the enrichment of uranium.
Perturbed by this development, the US is making moves to reopen the A.Q. Khan case (May 22) in an attempt to ferret out more details about the Iranian programme, as was already hinted by the New York Times (April 18).
It may be recalled that a study carried out by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security had shown that Iran had been quietly making its own gas centrifuges at a facility called Kalaye Electric, established near Tehran in 1995. This operation was subsequently moved to Natanz in 2002 (April 5, 2005). The report had also contradicted media speculation that the country was using nuclear fuel supplied by the Khan network and, instead, revealed that uranium fuel gas was imported from China to test the centrifuges between 1999 and 2002. So, if the Iranians have now graduated to the sophisticated P-2 or something more advanced, it isn’t an unanticipated or earth-shaking event.
Another noteworthy thing is that an Iranian official, Mohammed Saidi, who had been negotiating with the EU had claimed nearly a year ago that “Iran masters [sic] nuclear technology and, in two years, can attain (nuclear fuel) production” (May 5. 2005). This shows that the capability was already within grasp and it was merely expedited presumably to win greater political support at home.
Besides, as pointed out by President Musharraf, all the other nuclear powers, too, had bought whatever they required from the underground market or spied for information (Aug 25, 2005). Israel, that is said to possess up to 400 atomic bombs, had been secretly supplied 20 tons of heavy water by Britain nearly five decades back that had enabled it to make nuclear weapons, according to Whitehall documents discovered at the Public Records Office (Aug. 5, 2005). Apart from that, a former Israeli premier had publicly acknowledged the French help. India has been overtly and covertly buying components and equipment from the US, Israel, South Africa, Europe and Russia. However, nobody is probing either of them. Hence, the West should end its blame game about Iran and concentrate solely on the ground realities.
As has been repeatedly emphasised by the president, officials, analysts and ordinary people, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is a national hero and nobody would be allowed to bother him. It must be noted that trying to do so risks driving Pakistan up the same path as Iran, more so given the existing resentment against the military action in Waziristan, which is seen to be at Washington’s behest, and the preferential treating being given to India, especially in nuclear-related matters. The Khan network is a thing of the past and the file should remain permanently closed; as also noted by our foreign office.
It would be far more prudent for Washington to soften its approach towards Tehran and respond positively to Mr Ahmedinejad’s overture, instead of talking about attacks or regime change. The US should engage with the Muslim world in an honest quest to resolve the Palestinian problem in a just and equitable manner, which will modify Iran’s attitude about Israel.
A PAKISTANI
Karachi
THERE is something very seriously flawed about the privatisation process that has been taking place. Pakistan Steel Mills has been sold for a price which is less than that of two Boeing 777s that PIA has just bought. The real estate which forms part of the Steel Mills project is alone worth over $850 million. Habib Bank with the largest number of branches in the country was sold for peanuts, while the private sector Union Bank has negotiated to sell 66 per cent of their shares to SCB for over $500 million. The government had to bend over backwards to sell the PTCL to Etislat , on terms and conditions acceptable to them. We have sold real estate on The Mall in Lahore to a Saudi billionaire at a price which is far less than what it could have fetched. Why are we in a hurry to sell all our assets to rich Arabs at half the price that they could have fetched?
After all, the government privatised the KESC in the hope that things would improve. Look at the mess that the KESC is in now. Without the rule of law, electricity theft cannot be eliminated, especially if the provincial government is sympathetic to those who are guilty. There are now rumours about sale of PICIC to a group which has been declared bank defaulters.
It is a universal principle that whenever a commodity or an industry is sold below its actual market price, the buyer usually ends up trying to make a profit in a hurry. He may then abandon his investment, having not only recovered his part but made a handsome profit. After all, if you sold a Mercedes Benz for the price of a Corolla, you would treat it like one. This also lends credence to rumours that there is more to the privitisation deals than meets the eye.
The declared objective of privatisation was to generate enough cash flow to pay off debts. What we are witnessing is the reverse. The state spends more money to make the project attractive for selling than what it actually receives for the sale. It does not make sense. There has to be a Catch 22.
I. BUTT
Sheffield, U.K
THIS is with reference to the article “A major asset sold for peanuts” by the former chief justice of Pakistan, Mr. Sajjad Ali Shah (Dawn, May 20).
The gist of the article is that the government has sold the Pakistan Steel complex at a throwaway price to a consortium of private parties, bypassing the related rules and regulations and that this has infringed upon the rights of the citizens of Pakistan.
Quoting a number of provisions of the Constitution, Mr Shah informs readers that this is a serious situation which calls for invoking the writ jurisdiction of high courts by the citizens to stop this questionable transaction. He says that this is a matter of great public importance of which the Supreme Court should take suo motu notice.
Why wait for the Supreme Court to exercise its suo motu jurisdiction? Informing the general public about their rights and enjoining them to move the courts to get the requisite relief is all right, but it would be more commendable for the former chief justice to lead by example.
KHALID IDREES
Islamabad
THE recent drought conditions in the country shows that our sources of water are drying up whether it is due to less rain or insufficient melting of snow. The fact is that reservoirs in our country are seldom filled though it is said that their capacities have been reduced due to silting. These conditions do not persist for one season but continue for years. Therefore, it is hard to believe that mere building of new reservoirs will solve the problem.
It is time a long-term strategy to improve the condition on national level was chalked out. As the average rainfall in the country is very low, a long-term plan should be adopted to bring tracks of barren land under forestation. In this plan, the land near the rivers or where water can be made available should be taken first. Help, if necessary, could be taken from world experts in this field. No doubt, this is a very long-time plan but beginning should be made without any loss of time.
The project itself does not need huge amounts of foreign exchange and can be carried out with public-private participation. Some days back, there was some talk of finding a big underground reservoir of pure water in cholistan. Such sources of water should be tapped for the people living nearby. Further we should have a large province-wise plan to find out underground sources of water and to exploit these sources for the benefit of the people of the area.
Other plans such as dredging of rivers and building of small reservoirs where water is available should also be carried out in a planned way. All these measures, with effective utilisation of water by lining the canals and adopting the sprinkle irrigation system, should give a big boost to our country in improving our economy and providing comfortable living to our people. Let us pray that our government and the political parties leave aside their differences and work for the betterment of the people.
A. H . HASHMI
Lahore
UNPLANNED speed-breakers in the Karachi city are playing havoc with the lives of motorcyclists and motorists. Roads are full of these speed-breakers, all different in sizes and shapes being built at short distances. Rightly terming these badly-erected speed-breakers as ‘car-breakers’ or ‘neck-breakers’, many motorists have complained that besides occasional injuries, the chassis of their cars have to suffer damage.
People have become immune to this phenomenon and they show no surprise when they see a newly-carpeted road or street defaced with ugly and asymmetric speed-breakers. There were in all 283 speed-breakers on 32 major roads of the city. Of these, about 170 were dangerous and substandard, according to a survey conducted, in March 2002, by ex-city government’s transport and communication department with the cooperation of the police department. The department had made some recommendations to the city government and town administrations, but nothing was done in that regard.
Technically speaking, a six-inch-high breaker could give the desired results and help save lives, but people often find more than double the height with the width half of the car’s body, which actually kills their cars.
The main purpose of speed-breakers is to save people from rash drivers. However, due to unusually high slope of these speed-breakers, numerous motorcycles skid, especially at night, resulting in injuries to many riders. Will the authorities concerned look into the matter?
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
THIS refers to the chief election commissioner’s news conference about the forthcoming general election, wherein he said that the elections would be the fairest ever in the Pakistan’s history.
I am concerned about the yardstick by which the commissioner measures the fairness of elections. Can he explains what does he really mean? There is a lot in his statement to suggest that the election will be another attempt to subvert the Constitution. I hope the president will take an honest step to clean the mess made by politicians.
The country is a shambles in all respects, with incompetent people at the helm of affairs. I hope that good times are on the way.
SALIM KHAN
Mardan
IN 1947 two independent countries, India and Pakistan, came on the horizon. Both these nations gained independence from their colonial masters, through a constitutional non-violent political struggle waged by the Congress and the All-India Muslim League. Creation of Pakistan was unique in recent history, a testimony to the political acumen of its founding fathers, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and scores of others. India adopted a democratic system of government and started building a sound infrastructure. It had an industrial base to start with, which it used judiciously. It confined its resources to developing human skills by laying a network of schools, colleges, universities and hospitals. The varied culture of its people and their languages were harnessed to bring about a change.
The Congress started off with disbanding princely states and acquired the vast tracts of land given by the British to those who had collaborated with them. It refrained from show of opulence in the lifestyle of those who were chosen by the people to govern. Imports of luxury goods were banned and emphasis was put on local manufacture of consumer items like car and watch. They made a basic car Hindustan, which is being used till to-date. The shape remained the same, while improvements in engine technology were adopted.
Emphasis was put on development of dams, industries, roads, bridges and provision of jobs to the millions of unemployed. It was only after 50 years of hard work, having indigenously developed their own industrial base, that they have opened their markets to foreign goods.
Pakistan had no industrial base to start with. The Quaid wanted the new state to adopt a constitution, which was to be framed by its constituent assembly. He died very early and those who succeeded him delayed the constitution, which is the foundation on which a sovereign state can be built. It is needless to state that all this was done for shortrange personal agendas.
Pakistan inherited a strong military, which from its infancy refused to acknowledge the fact that it was now an army of an independent country, and not a colonial army whose task was to tame and enslave the natives.
We had a sound education system with colleges of repute like G. C. Lahore, and F.C. College. In the mid-50s our planning commission was placed under the stewardship of employees of the World Bank and other donor agencies, which tailored our economic policies to rely on imports of finished products, instead of technology transfer. The country soon became an importer of basic consumer items ranging from automobiles, two-heelers, tractors and watches.
The new class of overnight quick-rich Muslims, who fraudulently filed bogus claims to gobble the vast evacuee property left behind by an affluent Hindu population, had by virtue of their wealth become politically active. The new state had also failed to confiscate lands and titles given by the British to those who had helped them enslave India for over 200 years. The desire for an opulent lifestyle of these people had by the 60s been adopted as an economic policy.
Thereafter, our economic policy has always been framed by those on deputation from donor agencies based in Washington. They come here for short stints, only to return to their parent organisations. After 59 years we still lack a sound industrial base. Our rulers lead a lifestyle paid for by the state, which can be the envy of emperors and head of states in the First World. Look at No.10 Downing Street and compare it to the Governor’s House, what to talk about the Presidency or the Army House.
Our education system, health, law and order are in tatters. We were created to function as a modern democratic welfare state, instead we are a country under dictatorial rule. We have no sense of direction. Our national interest is defined by our rulers, to prolong their illegitimate rule. It keeps on changing with the dictates of the man in power. Without democracy and rule of law, this country has a dark future. It is time we took stock of our follies and worked together to put this country back on track.
T. MALLICK
Lahore
AS A registered medical graduate of more than 30 years’ standing I was shocked to read a news item (Dawn, May 21) about hooliganism on the occasion of the 106th session of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.
I have been watching and vouching the working of the PMDC since 1973 when as a young doctor I first came in contact with this organization. I was impressed the way doctors had been treated with respect and the procedure adopted by officials of the council to handle their problems. I felt proud to a member of such an organisation.
I have been reading and listening about the working of the PMDC for the last few years and noticed deterioration in the affairs of the council. The doctors feel difficulty in getting their routine work like renewal of registration certificate. Some time it takes more than six months to get registration and renewal of the certificate.
I had also attended a few meetings of the council in one capacity or the other and found the meetings were smoothly conducted with dignity and honour and there was never any cause for complaint to anyone. But now I fail to understand why such a situation as reported in your newspaper was created and who was responsible for the chaos. I understand that there had been no session of the council during the last two years. As a result of which, medical profession and medical institutions are suffering.
May I request the health ministry to take cognizance of the happenings in the PMDC and immediately appoint a high-powered committee to pinpoint the root-cause of the present situation in the PMDC and rectify the wrongs.
DR MASUDA KHANUM
Karachi
THIS is just a reminder that the direction of ‘Qibla’ can accurately be determined on May 28 at homes, workplaces and mosques with the help of sun shadow method. The sun reaches exactly on top of Haram Sharif on May 28 and July 16 every year. Precisely at 2:18pm Pakistan Standard Time on May 28 it will be midday at Makkah when the sun will be on top of the “Khana-i- Ka’aba”. The shadow cast by a vertical stick or other object at the time will show the required direction.
AHSANUL HAQ
Karachi
MUCH has been said and written about power shutdowns in Karachi but it seems the KESC has turned a deaf ear. Power failures/breakdowns continue unabated at regular intervals both during the day and the night for prolonged periods, at times stretching over six to eight hours daily.
This situation is nerve-racking, forcing the people to resort to street violence. The tussle between the KESC and Wapda and their buck-passing shows their inefficiency and non-professional approach. After privatisation, the KESC was expected to show a better performance but instead a state of helplessness and despondency prevails.
What are authorities doing in this regard? Where is the accountability? The Sindh governor and the city nazim must intervene to put an end to the misery of the people who pass sleepless nights to let them work better the next day, to let the students prepare for their examinations with their rooms lit and to give comfort to the old, the sick, women and children in this hot and humid weather.
LT. COL. (RETD) SARFRAZ AHMED KHAN
Hub
I APPRECIATE the suggestions made by S. Ausaf Husain (May 14). My own concern is that we are all looking for cures to protect ourselves from snakebite. Shouldn’t we be looking for the snakes that live amongst us? Shouldn’t we also be looking for those who feed these snakes?
KHALID A.
London
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