| June 19, 2006 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1427 |
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Helping the disabled
Surviving city’s mega projects
Increase in pension
‘Laughing at ourselves? Difficult’
Crimes against women
Ambassador in Washington
Flawed laws
Export-import
Dearness allowance
Overpass at Landhi
Investor confidence
COL (r) ZARIN Khan’s letter (June 9) has necessitated bringing out hard facts about DHAs. Since he has narrated the creation of DHAs starting from Karachi, some light must be thrown on the factual position and working of Karachi’s DHA and its godfather Clifton Cantonment Board.
While it is true that Karachi’s DHA plots were allotted to army officers for residing in Karachi, it is wrong to say that this idea was fulfilled by the allottees. In fact, 95 per cent (majority) of the army officers disposed of their plots to civilians at market price, while they were given these prized plots at throwaway prices. In fact, this was a scheme to give monetary benefits to retired army officers, most of whom have their permanent abode in other provinces and shifted back to them after retirement.
Regarding the efficiency and model administration of the DHA, I would like to give only one example of water supply. The DHA and the cantonment board have miserably failed to provide regular and sufficient water to its residents even after lapse of more than four decades of the DHA’s creation, let alone the condition of roads, streetlights and garbage lifting.
The tall claims of the management of the DHA and the cantonment board have become a joke amongst the residents. Everybody knows that the oversized managements of these organisations have been created and expanded from time to time to accommodate retired army officers. The majority civilian residents have no representation in controlling the affairs of the DHA/cantonment board.
Karachi is a mega city and the DHA forms a small portion of it. The civic problems of Karachi are gigantic, but the elected civilian city government is doing a great job despite all odds, political problems and financial strains. The reason is very clear. They are the elected representatives of the people and enjoy support of the masses, whereas the management of the DHA and the cantonment board are controlled solely by army officers, nominated or appointed by the government/army.
The element of debate, criticism, and consensus is conspicuous by its absence in management of these organizations.
Col (retd) Zarin Khan’s contention about processing and banking charges is also exaggerated. Such charges form not more than 20 per cent of the application fee of Rs5,000. In fact, banking charges are one per cent or below in such collection processes. The remaining 80 per cent will be pocketed by the DHA, Lahore, which amount would be (astronomically) high in the colonel’s own words.
In all fairness, Lahore’s DHA should have given details of plots to be allotted to each category, including civilians and the maximum amount of application should have been around Rs500. This could have removed the impression that Lahore’s DHA is bent upon minting money from innocent applicants.
SHAUKAT RIZVI
Karachi
IT is an irony that we are called special persons, but are not treated as such. I would urge the Sindh government to take immediate notice of the plight of the disabled persons who are the poorest among the poor. They need more and more assistance from the government.
Despite the quota of two per cent jobs for the disabled in the Sindh government departments, no appointment is being made.
I have done my B.A in International Relations from the University of Sindh, with an extra qualification in computers. Although I applied in many departments like forest, post office, health, revenue and National Accountability Bureau, I was not called for any interview or test.
Later when I approached the executive district officer (rehabilitation centre for the disabled persons), Hyderabad, about a job, he said, “there is a ban on jobs”. But I see many other people being appointed. Can someone explain why this is so?
Also, there is no proper system of distributing funds among disabled persons. So they generally do not get funds at all. Most officers do not prefer to make known information about the disbursement of funds which they apportion among themselves.
Once I approached the nazim of UC 7, Latifabad, for funds to set up a business. At first he was willing to provide me with the money but later he excused himself on the plea that he was in a crisis and asked me to visit the DCO, Hyderabad. From the district coordination officer’s office I moved on to the district zakat officer and then to the executive district officer. But the two officers had no power to sanction the amount I needed. The district zakat officer can give up to Rs5,000 and the executive district officer up to Rs10,000, while I needed Rs300,000 to set up a business.
I think disabled persons should be given at least Rs500,000 loan and that too without interest so that they can stand on their feet.
The government has decided to make separate identity cards for the disabled persons but this is not enough. If the government really wants to do something for the disabled persons, it will have to provide them jobs. This will be a real help for the disabled.
MUNAWAR ALI RAJPUT
Hyderabad
IF you conduct a survey of Karachi, you will be driven to the conclusion that city authorities have caused more problems for the people than they have prevented. In fact, the entire city has been so badly damaged, that it gives the look of a war-torn city or a city ravaged by an earthquake of high intensity.
One is at a loss to understand what the necessity and urgency was to start so many development projects at the same time —- many of them in close vicinity —- ignoring altogether the work which was left unattended and which was due to be carried out, specially with regard to repairing and carpeting the already battered roads and side lanes, removing f heaps of debris lying alongside many roads and dismantling the faulty speed-breakers which are a common sight all over the city.
The desirability of the so-called mega uplift projects at Karsaz, National Stadium, Civic Centre, Liaquatabad, Gharibabad and Nazimabad is open to question. Besides facing numerous problems and acute hardship people fail to find any rationale behind the schemes. The roads in and around these areas were among the finest roads in the city which the city authorities have so mercilessly destroyed in the name of development work.
The flyovers at Liaquatabad and Nazimabad are underutilised. That the present government is adding two more flyovers and three underpasses in the same areas is a shocking venture, besides creating un- surmountable problems for the people of the areas.
Unfortunately, the overzealous city nazim shows no regard for the people’s plight and continues to plan more projects before completing the ongoing ones. The other day he was heard saying on electronic media that he is a ‘God-fearing man’. Agreed. But is there any person in Pakistan who would say he is ‘not a God-fearing’ person? So, his statement does not solve the people’s problems. I hope that the nazim will realise the suffering of the people and reassess the whole situation, especially with regard to the digging of the roads, and streamline his work in order to achieve his goal.
M. ATIQUE AHMAD
Karachi
ON June 5 the government announced an increase in pension by 15 to 20 per cent. The maximum increase of 20 per cent has been given to those who retired before May 1977 and the post-May retirees have been given 15 per cent increase.
It is obvious that the government, in its profound wisdom, has divided the pensioners into two categories as against the existing three, i.e., before May 1977, between May and promulgation of new rates and post-promulgation.
Category one, those retiring before May 1977 being the most affected, should have been given the maximum raise of at least 100 per cent, to bring them up to about 20 per cent of the pension of those retiring after the promulgation. Their new pension would still be less than the junior commissioned officers. The government may have to make arrangements to deliver the new pension at the permanent address of its former employees.
Caterory two consists of those who retired between May 1977 and the promulgation of the new rates of pension. This under- privileged class has been lumped with the privileged ones of the post-promulgation retirees. They are the next badly affected group whose pension is above 30 per cent of the post-promulgation retirees. This category deserved an increase of at least 50 per cent in their pension so as to come up to about 50 per cent of the third category. It is pertinent to point out that a lieutenant-general retiring in 1980 would still be getting less pension than a captain who retired a couple of months ago. That is a blatant travesty of justice.
Category three includes post-promulgation retirees who have benefited the most and an increase of 15 per cent would add a handsome amount to an already inflated pension, which is about 100 per cent more than the first two categories.
Thus disparity continues but we hope the government will review its decision.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
IT is not striking that in the list of evils mentioned by Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee (June 11) from overpopulation and corruption to robber cartels and illiterate fanaticism, there is not even a passing reference to our military’s intransigent reluctance to subdue itself to democratically elected civilian dispensations.
It is not striking because Mr Cowasjee looks towards individuals and not institutional systems to deliver. This is an undemocratic attitude. Individuals do not deliver; systems can. However, very unfortunately, individuals toppling systems and individuals being blamed by media and intellectuals for the rot in our country and also for the failure of democracy have given rise to personality cults -– a trend which serves the powers that be better.
Although Mr Cowasjee made himself amply clear when he states that “there is nothing else visible on the distant horizon that can possibly be better than he (Musharraf) at this particular moment in time”, I would ask one simple question of him: How long a moment does ‘doctrine of necessity’ necessitate for a dictator?
M. UMAR FAROOQ
Multan
Please refer to a series of editorials on social ills like exchanging of women for cattle, vani (exchanging of women for women), karo-kari (killing of women on the pretext of honour), and jirga decisions compensating women for crimes committed by their menfolk.
It appears from all editorials that all these social ills are customary and being endorsed by society at large.
The fact is that women are facing ancient as well as newly-created forms of discrimination. In ancient times, women were considered superfluous and feeble. They were stigmatised as ill-fated due to many reasons. In rural areas it is still important whether a woman gives birth to a boy or a girl.
Newly-created crimes include women’s stilted portrayal in the media and easy availability of guns. The state has failed to control licences and permits for guns which mostly are given to men.
A report issued by the Amnesty International on the occasion of the International Women’s day said: “Women are also increasingly in the line of fire from the multi-billion-dollar international trade in small arms”.
A representative of the South African-based International Action Network on Small Arms said: “Women are silent sufferers in the proliferation of small arms. This is the scandal against the human race”.
Another pertinent question raised in these writings is that crimes against women continue unabated since they have been protected by several laws and court verdicts.
While evaluating all social ills, one thing should be noted that at present changes are taking place in society. Powered by education, new classes are emerging and the civil society is limiting the role of misogynist feudal lords and tribal chieftains. The clash between forces in favour of the status quo — the state, clerics, ‘pirs’ (spiritual leaders), ‘mirs’ (plutocrats), sardars/waderas (chieftains), zamindars (landlords) — and forces of the change — the intelligentsia, the press, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations, entrepreneurs and professional — is compelling the old institutions to fight for their survival.
It has rightly been pointed out that karo-kari cases are unlikely to motivate the government into any kind of action. For that reason not a single karo-kari murderer has been properly prosecuted and perpetrators punished. The most important thing in this connection is that how the state is responding to women’s empowerment. It is a recognised fact that an empowered woman faces fewer crimes than a disempowered one.
MANZOOR CHANDIO
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mr Aslam Minhas’s letter ‘Ambassador in Washington’ (June 7).
His insinuating remarks about Gen Ziaul Haq’s death and the role of Maj-Gen Mahmood A. Durrani are incorrect and baseless. I had served in the same armoured division where Durrani served as a brigade commander. I found him to be a professional person, a thoroughbred gentleman and too good an individual who would not even think of unnecessarily harming anyone, leave alone his mentor.
A field demonstration of M-I Abram tanks took place in the Bahawalpur area under the command of a corps commander, another veteran of armoured warfare.
I was in command of a unit at Rawalpindi when Gen Ziaul Haq died on August 17, 1998. His body was kept in my unit for a few days before burial. During that period I met many senior officers. One lieutenant-general who attended the exercise and narrowly escaped travelling in the same plane told me that Gen Durrani had invited many officers, including the president, to have lunch with him at Multan. Some officers who had earlier accepted the invitation preferred to travel with the president and met with their unfortunate end.
I do not know from where Mr Aslam has collected the information that Maj-Gen Durrani was insistent on his call that it would be “politically expedient and diplomatically desirable for the president to witness the exercise”. But I have very definite reason to believe that in the normal working circumstances of that nature it was armoured corps directorate at the GHQ and the corps headquarters at Bahawalpur which were responsible for all arrangements for the exercise.
Any contacts made by Maj-Gen Mahmood A. Durrani with the president were of a personal nature and regarding the invitation for lunch. This is demonstrated by the parting words he spoke to the president: “Sir, Aap khud bhi nahi arahe hain aur logon ko bhe sath le jarahaen hain”.
May I suggest that we may spare Maj-Gen. Durrani and pray that he becomes a successful ambassador for Pakistan.
BRIG (retd) KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi
THE Hudood ordinances was hastily drawn in 1979 during the martial law regime of Gen Ziaul Haq, and it has not been reviewed by the parliament despite the recommendations of prominent jurists and scholars well versed with Islamic doctrine and law.
It is said that there are flaws in the ordinance from the standpoint of Islamic norms. For instance, rape and adultery have not been distinguished. A commission headed by Justice Majida Rizvi had submitted its recommendation years ago but our legislators are engaged in power politics rather than serving the nation’s interests.
Although earlier governments had appointed a committee here and there, their recommendations appear to be lying in cold storage. Our parliamentarians must find time and resolve all such issues as early as possible. The Holy Quran lays great emphasis on dispensing justice with complete objectivity, and without any delay in correcting the serious flaws that are repugnant to Islamic ideals.
SHAH NAWAZ KHAN
Karachi
“THE US outsources torture to countries like Morocco, Jordan and Syria” (May 24). This appears to be the latest addition to its list of invisible exports and imports.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
NOTWITHSTANDING the claim of the government about improvement in the economy of the country, a dearness allowance at the rate of 15 per cent of the pay of all employees of government has been allowed.
What about the employees in the private sector, that is, those who are working in the private organisations? Do they not deserve the same benefit? Admittedly, some of the employees in private institutions are drawing a monthly salary of six figures but there are many other employees who draw a very small salary. The government should have thought about them as well and made it mandatory for the employers of those whose annual salary does not exceed Rs300,000 to give dearness allowance equal to 15 per cent of their salary every month like the government employees.
On the issue of the proposed dearness allowance one important point needs confirmation. Will the allowance be exempt from income tax? If not, the very purpose will be defeated. It is hoped that necessary confirmation on this issue will be given through a government notification.
It is also hoped that the government will not grudge the administrative order required so that dearness allowance can be availed by the employees of all private institutions as well.
A.M. SAYIED
Karachi
THE driving surface of the overpass bridge at the railway junction in Landhi is in a deplorable state. Constructed three decades back, the wear and tear has completely worn the road out. Steel expansion joints are standing bare to sustain the thumping force of wheels carrying heavy loads. Further deterioration may result in a serious accident and immense damage to the structure.
All that is needed is to lay a layer of wearing course which can be done overnight. The department concerned should wake up from its hibernation.
RAEES AHMAD KHAN
Karachi
I AM surprised by the fact that Pakistani newspapers have missed out on a news item which appeared in the media in the UAE on June 6. An investment of about $20 billion is being made in Karachi by Dubai’s real estate developer Limitless, which is a state-owned company.
Please publish this news item in Dawn so that people can be confident about investing in Pakistan, especially Karachi. The huge investment shows confidence in the opportunities available in Karachi.
WAJAHAT MEHDI
Dubai
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