| June 21, 2006 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1427 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
‘Revisiting 98 nuclear tests’
‘Fundamentalist challenge’
Malaysian PM fined
Authorised agents affected
Nation needs a leader
‘The ultimate axis of evil’
Pensioners’ gratitude?
Service gratuity
Removal of banners
Korangi bypass
Sticking to the subject
Letters to the editor
Sweet dreams
THE Sindh budget for 2006-07 is one of the most controversial statements ever produced by the provincial government. Most of the figures used are unreal, with fudged statistics under different heads. Above all, it is an unconstitutional budget as it is presented without announcing the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. For the fourth consecutive year the budget has been made without the NFC Award’s announcement.
Again, the budget has failed in terms of granting any relief to poor people. In rural Sindh more than 50 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. A budget must ensure welfare of the poor and the middle class but the Sindh budget is anti-people and pro-elite. It does not provide for any strategy to control price while a very high general sales tax has been imposed which directly affects the working class and the poor.
There is no allocation of adequate funds to support employment generation programme and allocations for education, health, agriculture, irrigation and rural infrastructure and special allocations for women empowerment.
In Sindh people are facing drought which has resulted in serious water shortage for irrigation.
How can the government not realise the desperate situation in the province? It appears that the budget attaches little or no importance to agriculture when it allocates Rs1.36 billion only for agriculture and livestock sectors. The agriculture sector, the backbone of Sindh’s economy, is a picture of abject poverty. The inadequate allocation for agricultural development limits the expansion of vital agricultural services such as irrigation support and agricultural production loans.
Clearly, whatever growth has been reported has not translated into the well-being of small farmers and fishermen. Major issues of the Sindh coastal area such as degradation of fertile land, sea water intrusion and drastic reduction in fishermen’s livelihood and reduction of Indus flows downstream Kotri barrage have been completely ignored.
Health and education sectors have also been grossly neglected in the budget. Public health services remain inadequately funded. Funds allocated for grassroots development are nothing but rewards for local government units as concession for their loyalty.
SASSUI PALIJO
MPA, Thatta
THIS is with reference to Tariq Fatemi’s article (June 3). He has stated that Indian leaders saw tremendous advantages in exploding a nuclear device. I would argue that nuclear weaponisation has brought tremendous disadvantages to the subcontinent.
At the time of partition, the subcontinent was more advanced than South East Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Due to weaponisation, the subcontinent now ranks very low in terms of human development with a miserable record in literacy, basic health, etc. People from the subcontinent are using every possible means to migrate to other countries.
Meanwhile, countries like Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland and many others which do not possess nuclear weapons enjoy a respectful place in the comity of nations. The Soviet Union’s experience also shows that a nation’s real strength lies in a strong economy and development of human resources and not in having nuclear bombs.
Canada had the capability to build nuclear bombs in the 1950s but the Canadian government decided not to do so, with the result that Canada is in the position to dish out aid to the subcontinent and also accept migrants from India and Pakistan.
Going nuclear has made the subcontinent an insecure place to live. It is indeed tragic that India once went for nuclear weaponisation, Pakistan had to follow.
MAHMUD
Rawalpindi
I AM very disappointed to read the letters by Mr Tahir Mirza (June 18) and Mr Asaf Ali Shah (June 13) on the issue of Jinnah’s secularism. Unfortunately, the responses of both gentlemen are indicative of a mentality that pits Islam as the exact opposite of secularism. In fact the ideals of religious freedom, tolerance and equality are common to both.
There is no denying that after 1937 Jinnah spoke very consistently and clearly for Muslims and a Muslim identity. Before that he had championed secular Indian nationalism.
However, did this Muslim identity necessarily mean an exclusive attitude towards non-Muslims? This is where Jinnah’s secularism becomes important.
Apart from the speech in the Constituent Assembly, Jinnah made a genuine effort at making Pakistan an inclusive, pluralistic state. He even nominated a Hindu as the law minister of the new state, and it is a relatively unknown fact of history that Jinnah got a Hindu, Jagganath Azad, to write the first national anthem of Pakistan.
So essentially, the vision that Jinnah put forth would indeed be characterised as a modern secular democratic state but he seemed to also believe that this was completely compatible with Islam.
It is for the individual reader to decide whether Jinnah’s model is more Islamic, or the mullah’s.
Furthermore, I don’t see what is so wrong in characterising public service as true service to Islam. Is it not our belief that all that is good is Islam?
YASSER LATIF HAMDANI
Lahore
REFERENCE the letter ‘Malaysian PM fined’ (June 17), to me this news is significant because this has happened for the first time in a Muslim country. In western and developed countries it is not unusual for VIPs, or anyone for that matter, to be fined for breaking the law. The wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair was once fined for travelling without a ticket, the daughter of US President George Bush was fined for an offence, and so on. But in Muslim countries, majority of which are ruled by kings, shahs, sheikhs and dictators, no one dares charge any VIP even if they break the most sacred law of the country, the constitution.
I am reminded of two instances when a policeman doing his duty had to face a humiliating and punishing situation. A few years ago in Lahore a policeman stopped the car of a general, in which the general’s family was seated, for a traffic violation. This created such a commotion that the whole provincial government machinery was shaken and the policeman was taken to task for doing such an ‘awful’ job.
The second instance is a recent one involving Mr Amir Liaquat, the minister of state for religious affair when he was stopped by a policeman for travelling in a car with tinted windows as this is against the law. The minister, who is well-known for preaching Islam on TV, became so furious and felt so insulted at not being treated as a VIP that he contacted all the high-ups in the Sindh government and his party leadership for necessary action on this matter.
Respect for the law is essential in any country. As rightly said by Mr H. Pirzada during Supreme Court proceedings concerning Pakistan Steel Mills, “You cannot destroy the legal system. If the legal system goes, the whole country goes with it.”
A. RAHIM Michigan,
USA
THE old authorised PIA agents have made a tremendous contribution towards the growth of business for PIA since 1965. Besides selling tickets, they helped the Pakistani community in many ways. In 1971, when one wing of the country seceded, the reputation of PIA was adversely affected and passengers were reluctant to travel by it. PIA sought the help of the Association of Pakistan Travel Agents to restore the image of the airlines and get business for it.
All 34 members of the association responded positively and, motivated by the spirit of patriotism, they worked day and night to get business for PIA. Consequently, PIA agents in the UK and Saudi Arabia are responsible for earning substantial profits for the airlines even today. The happy relationship between PIA and its 34 agents was mutually beneficial and working smoothly.
Then all of a sudden PIA changed its policy without giving any reason. It has appointed nearly 40 additional agents, including some Indian agents. India has never designated any Pakistani agent to work for them. This action by PIA management amounts to ceasing the old and well-established relationship of trust. It means that in difficult times PIA agents will not make sacrifices for the national airlines and instead be attracted solely by financial considerations. In fact from now on the agents, with their network all over the UK, will divert their energies to selling cheaper tickets offered by PIA’s competitors that are operating on PIA routes. This situation is bound to affect PIA.
The action taken by PIA was unnecessary. The old and well established relationship between PIA and its agents should be restored, and the new policy abandoned as it will lead to financial losses for both PIA and its agents. The president and the prime minister of Pakistan should stop PIA from implementing this ill-advised policy.
SYED RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH
London, UK
WHILE the government is cheering their fudged numbers claiming they have reduced poverty, three innocent sisters from Khushab Sanna Naureen, Humaira Naureen and Rukhsana Naureen collectively ended their lives due to abject poverty. They were students of first year, third year and MA (final year) respectively. Their death is the collective death of our nation’s conscience. Why don’t we stand up against the such leaders as have increased poverty through their wrong policies?
I don’t know what was going through the minds of those young women when they took the deadly poison, but I know what though that is in my mind. This country needs a leader the likes of the second caliph who claimed he was responsible for even a dog, let alone human, who died in his reign due to scarcity of food.
DR GHAYUR AYUB
London
THIS has reference to Mr Irfan Husain’s article ‘The ultimate axis of evil’ (June 13), To group Pakistan’s civil war of 1971 with those of two American invasions of Iraq and one of Afghanistan; Israel atrocities on Palestinians; the 100-years old Russian brutalities on Chechnya as well as Serbian atrocities in Bosnia, is not only subjective in its substance but distortion of historical facts.
You have to refresh your memory of the devastation caused to the innocent children and civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki who suffered due to the aftermath of American atomic explosion. You have to go to Vietnam to investigate the effects of chemicals used by the Americans on the Vietnamese.
The seeds of the 1971 debacle were laid in the early years of the making of Pakistan, when Bengalis refused to accept Urdu as their national language. There existed a hatred on this count between Urdu-speaking Biharis and Bengali-speaking East Pakistanis. The situation was further aggravated due to West Pakistani bureaucrats and army officers, who were mostly Urdu-speaking. However, the bulk of defence forces’ lower ranks were Punjabis and Pathans.
In the year 1971 the military advance guard of the Indian army, in the guise of Mukti Bahini, massacred Biharis and West Pakistanis. The army operation under the command of the late Gen Tikka Khan was primarily conducted to save the lives of Biharis as the number of West Pakistani civilians was small and manageable. The Hamoodur Rahman Commission bears testimony to this fact. However, you cannot rule out the individual accesses in such a confusion.
Bismark remarked: “Fools say that they learn by experience, I prefer to learn by other’s experience.” The present COAS served as a major in East Pakistan in the civil war of 1971 and we expect that he will throw some light on this issue.
Also, the writer has conveniently forgotten the atrocities Indians have committed against Kashmiris.
LT-COL (r) RIAZ MOHIUD DIN
Karachi
IN the recent budget the government has conferred an additional increase of five per cent on those 80-year-old pensioners who retired in, or before, 1997. It means that a beneficiary has to be born in, or before, 1917 to avail himself of this special bounty.
I looked up the gradation list of the civil service of Pakistan, amended up to March 1, 1973. This was the last civil list, as the civil service of Pakistan was duly abolished in mid- 1973. I found names of only three officers who were born in 1917. They are: Mr Justice Anwarul Haq who retired as chief justice of Pakistan; Mr A.G. Raza who was chairman, Pakistan Insurance Corporation, in 1968-70; and Dr I.H. Usmani who was chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission as well as of Suparco in the 1960s.
All three are dead. It is very thoughtful of the government for allowing a special five per cent pension to its very old pensioners. It shows foresight as well as hindsight, mixed with a generous dose of compassion.
FIROZUDDIN AHMED FARIDI
Karachi
IT is a matter of concern for government employees that their payment of gratuity has been reduced from 70 per cent to 45 per cent to finally 35 per cent during the course of this regime. A peon retiring recently from Habib Bank after 30 years of service has been paid Rs2,300,000 after deduction of Rs250,000 as house building advance. He will also get Rs6,000 as monthly subsistence allowance in lieu of pension but a government official in BSP-16 drawing a pay of Rs9,400 a month has his service gratuity calculated at Rs391,000 only despite having 39.5 years’ service.
This vast difference in the payment of settlement dues is unjust because the government has reduced the rate of service gratuity from 70 per cent to 35 per cent whereas the employees were demanding payment at the rate of 110 per cent service gratuity. This reduction in payment of service gratuity has created dismay and disappointment among government servants.
It is hoped the the government will restore the old rates of service gratuity in order to eliminate the disparity.
M. A. HAKEEM
Sukkur
THIS has reference to Mr Javaid Anjum’s letter ‘Banners at crossroads’ (June 10), which is quite correct.
The city government has removed the illegal encroachment, hoarding and billboard throughout the city to keep Karachi beautiful and clean. But at Tibet Centre, Regal Chowk and many other places in Karachi a lot of banners are displayed. This gives a bad impression and looks very awkward.
We request the city government to immediately remove such banners from all over the city.
M. IQBAL SURYA & OTHERS
Karachi
THERE are three levels of roads along the Korangi bypass from Baloch Colony to Korangi. The RCC fence along two roads is broken at several places, apparently due to heavy vehicles falling down, damaging the vehicles and causing casualties. Since my last letter on March 4, long stretches of the fencing appears to have been mercilessly damaged, making this important road very hazardous.
It is, therefore, essential to make these roads safer by providing New Jersey-type barriers to prevent vehicles from falling down from the two higher level roads.
The top road deserves immediate attention on the bund as it is very narrow and without any safety devices.
The road authorities concerned are requested to take immediate action before some serious accident occurs on these roads, creating an uproar similar to the one that occurred after the infamous Bushra Zaidi accident in 1985.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
THIS has reference to the report ‘Ferry service need of the hour, says Arbab’ (June 11). The participation in the meeting organised by Safma was rewarding, as most of the speakers from both sides of the border expressed their sincere hope that the people will come together to promote peace and economic development in the interest of the poverty-stricken millions in the region.
I was, however, shocked at the leader of a local outfit who chose the occasion to eulogise and project his outfit, as if he was on a vote seeking campaign. It did not concern the visitors and locals if the name of a locality was retained or changed.
Participants, particularly those who mount the podium, should read the mood of the audience and stick to the issue for which the meeting has been organised.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
IN the Khaleej Times a reader had written that the Letters to the Editor page was a platform where grievances were brought to light for the authorities concerned to do the needful. One such reader had complained that no shade was provided for people queuing in the hot sun outside the British embassy in Abu Dhabi. The very next day the embassy installed huge umbrellas outside.
I read the Letters to the Editor page in Dawn very diligently. Some letters are very thought-provoking, such as the one written by Abdul Samad Khan (June16). If the authorities concerned have made a note of his complaint, then they ought to respond through the same page and reassure readers.
FATIMA SIDDIQUI
Karachi
THE Trading Corporation of Pakistan has reserve stocks of sugar and is importing the commodity by the shiploads. The sugar is being marketed by the utility stores at Rs27.50 per kg. Since there is a difference of Rs10 in the open market, the buyers rush to the utility stores which will sell the sugar only if other purchases are made.
The TCP could do better than to placate the public by selling a few tonnes through the utlity stores. They could arrange for mobile kiosks on trucks so that consumers can get the commodity at cost, thereby eliminating the middlemen.
The TCP is requested to reach out to the consumers if it is really sincere. Otherwise, we will assume that they intend to make candies and sorbet for themselves.
RAFI ADAMJEE
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.