| June 16, 2006 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1427 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Acid-treated ginger
Military commercialization
Pardoning a murderer
Waiting for justice
Russian roulette
Musharraf’s option
Streamlining KESC
Kashmir problem
Discrimination
‘OK to board’
The cost of misrule
ACCORDING to a news story (June 11), three Arab prisoners were found dead in the notorious Guantanamo Bay facility in Cuba. Recently there had been reports that many prisoners had been trying to commit suicide. But, the US army, in an obvious attempt to ward off international criticism about its grossly inhuman treatment of the inmates, had been giving a different twist to the events to make them look like a conspiracy.
The first statement, issued by the US Southern Command, about the incident only says deviously: “(The prisoners) were found unresponsive and not breathing in their cells by the guards,” instead of acknowledging that they had committed suicide. Next day it got revealed that the three had actually hanged themselves with clothing and bed-sheets (Dawn, June 12). What is worse, instead of being remorseful, Rear Admiral Harry Harris, commander of Guantanamo, machiavellianly said: “I believe this was not an act of desperation, rather an act of asymmetric warfare waged against us.”
The gentleman needs to be asked as to why the same report states that there have been 41 suicide attempts since the camp was opened in January 2002? These poor prisoners obviously wanted to draw the world’s attention to the horrible plight of all inmates and gave up their lives in the hope that the others may receive better treatment. America’s hawks act so callously and then wonder aloud why they are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the Muslims.
However, there also are Americans who are fair-minded and one such person from the Centre for Constitutional Rights, Mr William Goodman, declared the three dead men are “heroes for those of us who believe in basic American values of justice, fairness and democracy.”
Sgt. Erik Saar, who was a former member of the US military intelligence and had worked at the prison for six months, had written a very revealing book, Inside the Wire. In it he had said that official statistics showed there had been only 32 suicide attempts at the camp till that time, but the actual figure was much higher (Dawn, May 19, 2005).
He had further stated that out of the 600 or so prisoners (of whom some were arrested when only in their mid-teens) there were no more than a few dozen ‘hardcore terrorists’ while a large number were ordinary civilians. He also conceded that what he saw over there had changed (for the worse) his attitude towards the camp and his country. These facts prove that the American troops have been lying about the real occurrences at the facility.
As if all this was not enough, the massacre of 24 Iraqis at Haditha last November by the Marines, who tried their best to conceal it, preceded by the abuses at the Abu Ghraib, Iraq and in Bagram, Afghanistan, leave no justification for excuses by the Americans. In fact, some US military officials have alleged that the torture and degrading treatment of prisoners was carried out under instructions from generals and their civilian bosses.
In spite of all this, President Bush and other leaders are complaining that Muslim extremists are waging a very successful propaganda campaign against America. The reason for its success is that it is based upon truth, not lies, in contrast to American disinformation about nearly every aspect of their so-called war against terrorism.
M.Y. KHAN
Karachi
THE news regarding contaminated ginger by your reporter Syed Irfan Raza (June 14) is of grave concern to all of us. The citizens of Pakistan are already braving adulteration in many edible items, as well as polluted water. And now there are these contaminated vegetables too.
I have noticed that other vegetables like ladyfinger and cabbage are also contaminated, as they are soaked overnight in water mixed with bleach and lemon juice to make them look fresh and clean the next morning.
Besides this, one can observe green leafy vegetables being thoroughly washed in drain water before being supplied to vendors.
On behalf of all the citizens of Pakistan I would request the authority concerned to take serious action against the people involved in this heinous crime, otherwise this form of slow poisoning will cripple us physically, as well as mentally
MRS G. AMIN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the report on acid-treated ginger. At last the administration has taken notice of the racket, though it has been going on for a long time and it is a countrywide phenomenon.
The question is why should it be necessary to treat ginger in the first place? They don’t do it in India. They don’t do it in Bangladesh. Why in Pakistan? Acid treatment not only destroys the many medicinal properties of ginger in its raw state, but also makes it hazardous for health.
This is a crime. Hopefully the Karachi administration would follow the example set by Islamabad in eliminating the practice and penalising the culprits.
S.G. JILANEE
Karachi
IN the past some articles and letters on commercialisation were published in some newspapers but in vain. Now, I am shocked to see an advertisement on June 2 from the CMH, Lahore, for some civilian teaching staff for a medical college in Lahore with the facility of 1,000-bed CMH military patients for teaching.
It will be a commercial project on military land at the cost of military patients in addition to medical services in the armed forces already operating partially on the commercial concept, including the army medical college, Rawalpindi.
Obviously, other military hospitals at various locations would like to open similar medical colleges. If this trend is not checked, there would be no justification for stopping army aviation from opening civilian flying clubs, engineering units from opening commercial workshops or teaching institutions and supply units from opening driving schools for civilians.
China realised the folly of management of crucial projects by the armed forces, and stopped it in favour of only its assigned professional role. In fact, there is no justification for our armed forces’ involvement in commercial projects when bulk of the poor taxpayers’ money is allocated to the armed forces while no funds are left for basic necessities of life for common citizens, including the 40 per cent living below the poverty line.
It is hoped that the top brass will examine this undesirable commercial trend and find a suitable remedy to maintain an honourable lifestyle for the professional armed forces.
RAJA M. AFZAL KHAN
Gujar Khan
ACCORDING to a news report (June 6), an anti- terrorism court suspended the hanging of a murderer till further orders, after the victim’s family — the widow, her son and four daughters — appeared before the court and pardoned the convict.
It is further stated that the convict (Saeed Moeez), belonging to Mohajir Quami Movement, had murdered a shopkeeper (Mirza Aziz Baig) on July 14, 1999 when the latter had refused to pay him Rs3,000 as extortion money.
According to another news item (June 8), the judge of anti-terrorism court suspended the hanging of yet another murderer (Ali Nawaz Khoso), till further orders. It is stated that the murderer was condemned to death for killing three young brothers during bungled house robbery on Aug 21, 1998.
The fourth brother of the victims was critically injured. The murderer, with two other accomplices, had barged into the house of the victims at night. The victims’ family, their mother, three sisters, surviving brother and widow of one of the brothers, appeared before the court and had pardoned the murderer.
Both the convicts committed unprovoked cold-blooded murders for monetary gains. Their appeals to the High Court, the Supreme Court and mercy petition to the president have been dismissed.
It must have been painful for the mother to pardon the murderer of her three sons and similarly the widows to pardon the killer of their husbands.
In a country where law and order sparely exist, it is not uncommon to get the convicts pardoned by the victim’s family under the threat of ‘dire consequences’.
How can the judicial authorities concerned ensure that the victims’ families pardoning the convicts are doing so of their free will, and not due to threats from the convicts’ families?
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
JUSTICE delayed is justice denied and justice denied is justice absolutely forgotten. Looking at the state of the country, it does not surprise one that 10 years have passed by since the lives of a prominent lawyer and his young son were taken in front of their house. Advocate Nizam Ahmad and his son Nadeem Ahmad were murdered on June 10, 1996.
To this day, the case has not been solved and no convictions have been made. Their case is a clear example of where the country’s judicial system is heading.
Although the case has been transferring from court to court, several times, the final decision has yet to be made. People, who know the country better, knew better not to have high hopes about a quick and just resolution. Many of their close friends and even family have lost hope over time that justice will ever be imparted.
It is difficult to estimate how many other families continue to get affected by the rampant violence and lose their dear ones, knowing that nothing will ever be done about this injustice.
It is unfortunate to be part of a country where the judiciary is simply unable to impart justice; where the leaders shamelessly fight for power and where the common man continues to die on the street, unnoticed and unworthy.
FAIZA AHMED
San Jose, USA
THERE have consistently been editorials in Dawn about the need to form better relations with Russia, and to go out of our way to do so. But why should we? It is clear that the Russians prefer to deal with India.
They brutalise the Muslim Chechens, they ravaged Afghanistan, and would have invaded Pakistan to get to Gwadar if the covert insurgency didn’t work so well. The Russians don’t want to be friends of Pakistan, so there is no point running after them. Just stick to China, work on the economy, and try and make peace with India. Keep it simple.
FAHD PATEL
Washington, DC
ONE of the wisest acts of Gen Mohammad Ayub Khan was to relinquish his army command and appoint his chief of staff (COS) Gen Muhammad Musa as the army chief soon after the proclamation of martial law in October 1958.
Almost simultaneously he had one of his closest confidants and senior cabinet ministers, Lt-Gen Mohammad Azam Khan, to get the cabinet request Gen Ayub to accept the exalted rank of field marshal in recognition of the services rendered towards national defence and security.
Ayub gained two big advantages instantly by this single clever manoeuvre. For one, since there is no retiring age set for a field marshal, he could stay in uniform as an officer ‘on the effective army list’ for perpetuity.
Second, he could, as president, function both as the military commander and head of the state. In his latter capacity he could head a political party and participate in the electoral process like any other bona fide Pakistani as a voter and a candidate.
His candidature for president in the 1964-65 presidential elections was challenged in the supreme court for his ineligibility to contest elections as a serving officer. It was, however, overruled on the grounds that an officer holding the rank of field marshal ‘on half-pay’ was eligible to participate in the electoral process.
Practical wisdom demands President Musharraf to chart a similar course for himself. That should help him save the honour and dignity of his military uniform, as well as to proceed with his unfinished task of nation-building and economic development.
A general’s uniform has never before been exposed to such unsavoury public comment. One mass-circulating Urdu daily carried a full colour photograph of a headless body complete with the insignia of the general’s rank and medal ribbons.
Elevation to the rank of field marshal helped Ayub to assume the leadership of the Muslim League (Convention) without shedding his uniform. If the president must choose to stay in politics and in uniform at one and the same time, it would be mainly at the cost of the uniform, a price he would be unwilling to pay as a soldier.
The Ayubian option can serve as a useful precedent. This is in spite of Musharraf’s known dislike for any comparisons being drawn between himself and his predecessors. He would insist that he is no Ayub, no Yahya and no Zia. But like Ayub, Gen. Musharraf should use his powers to save both his military face and political legitimacy.
BRIG (retd) A.R. SIDDIQI
Karachi
THE KESC has been under private, nationalised and military managements but with each change in management it has slid deeper into the abyss. Prior to Z.A. Bhutto’s nationalisation it was a fine utility company providing acceptable service and a profit-making entity regularly paying dividends to its shareholders.
After nationalisation its well-entrenched workforce and management have misguided its top bosses by diverting their attention to only one thing, that is ‘kunda’.
The result is that the KESC’s generating and transmission systems have become museum pieces and will remain so because even now, with a German CEO, scant attention is being paid to these two vital segments.
‘Kundas’ exist even in a city like Mumbai where the entire transmission system is underground. The ‘kunda’ system in Karachi exists with the active connivance of the KESC staff. The KESC must first get rid of the corrupt elements from within its own ranks, shed excess staff, slash overtime and other perks before it focuses on ‘kundas’.
What can the German CEO do when his corrupt staff is prone to logging up unwarranted overtime and fraudulent medical benefits?
RAFIK AHMED
Karachi
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Nasir Siddique for writing about the ‘Kashmir problem’ (letter, June 6).
I agree with him, why should Pakistan commit suicide if Iran and Iraq want to. Why can’t we be wise like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. They are also Muslim countries like us. Turkey is a member of Nato and also will be part of the EU shortly.
Why should Pakistan be the sacrificial lamb, whether it is Afghanistan or Kashmir? Today Karzai is abusing us, tomorrow some leader in Kashmir will curse us. What did we get from Afghanistan? Only refugees and AK-47, which turned our beautiful country into the Wild West. Perhaps, something similar is in store from Kashmir in future.
We should be worried about our children, our infrastructure, our roads, our drinking water problems and not waste resources on these insolvable issues.
NAZIR SHEIKH
London, UK
ON May 10 I left Karachi for Sukkur on PK-392 at 3.30pm. Ten minutes after take-off, the curtain was drawn between the economy plus and economy class as a standard procedure.
To my utter surprise snacks, drinks and tea were served in the economy plus class and only drinks were served in the economy class.
The difference between the two classes were always of more comfortable seats and better choice of food and crockery only, but this time no snacks were served in the economy class.
This has never happened on any other flights. Can PIA explain Why it felt that people sitting in the front and the rear have different eating needs?
All passengers have to be treated equally as far as food and drinks are concerned. Paying extra money for travelling in a better class only entitles travellers to more comfort not food. There should no discrimination between passengers.
DANYIAL AHMED
Karachi
THE directorate of migration and passport, Karachi, has currently enforced the carrying of visa photocopies by passengers with seal reading ‘OK to board’ affixed by airlines or the travel agencies. This mandatory condition is applicable to all passengers originating their journey from Karachi to foreign countries, specially in the Middle East, where their entry visas are available upon arrival and not stamped on passports from foreign missions in Pakistan.
As per standing instructions, the seal ‘OK to board’ must be signed by designated officials with their readable name and designation and a copy should be available with immigration at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi. However, this regulation is not being implemented as there is always a short-cut available, such as a few travel agents with connivance of some immigration officials are managing clearance of passengers on their travel even on forged visas while innocent and genuine passengers are being harassed and denied travel by immigration at JIAP.
I intended to travel to Dubai (UAE) by PIA on May 27. I had all the required travel documents with me and the airline issued me the boarding card on its flight but immigration officials denied me the exit stamp on my passport on the argument that the name of the person writing ‘OK to board’ is illegible. They humiliated me and caused me mental and financial loss. I later retrieved my original visa paper from Dubai and managed to travel the next day.
The president is requested to take corrective measures in the set-up of the Pakistani immigration and improve it on international standard.
ZAIN-UL-ABEDIN KHAN
Karachi
MR Najmuddin A. Shaikh is right about the cost everybody has to pay for Afghanistan’s misrule (June 7). The price Pakistan is paying is no less than the Afghans themselves.
The fallout of the civil war among the cross-sections of the Afghan brigand society and the war between Allied forces and Taliban or Al Qaeda operatives is abundantly clear in Pakistan’s Waziristan and Balochistan.
There are some other costs we are paying also — gun culture and heroin imported through deserters we so ‘lovingly’ call refugees who now refuse to go back.
Sending back the refugees would be a lesson to President Hamid Karzai who is dishing out accusations that Pakistan is responsible for Afghan troubles. Is Pakistan responsible for Afghan brigand society? Pakistan helped Karzai to get elected president. How ungrateful can one can get.
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
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.