| June 22, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 25, 1427 |
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Waiting for information
Return to democracy
Indonesian stand on proposal
Short films contest
Sindhi monthlies
Quaid’s great grandson
Malaysian PM fined
Devaluation ruled out?
Karachi-Bhuj air service
‘Aasaan’ now made difficult
Ordeal of paying MVT
Renaming station
THIS is in reference to the letter ‘Shining Pakistan’ (June 20). Although the points highlighted by Mr Ijaz Tabassum about investments being made in Pakistan are valid, the question still remains why the people of Pakistan are not willing to believe it? The reason is very simple. The masses are not benefiting from the investments being made in Pakistan. In fact, the privatization of national assets was initiated in order to pay off or reduce the huge loans, but instead the loans have increased. So the question is that if Mr Tabassum is such a firm believer in ‘Shining Pakistan’, why does he not pack his bags and come to live here? After all, actions speak louder than words.
YASIR JUMANI
Karachi
WHEN there is electricity shortage, continuous unannounced loadshedding, rampant thefts, etc., what reason is there for optimism based on shining statistics? Those living within the bubble of privilege gauge Pakistan’s booming economy by new dealerships, chain restaurants and stores, or highly paid jobs for elite college graduates.
It’s difficult to dispute numbers, and especially those that represent nothing short of outstanding growth on paper. However, the common working class and those below the poverty line continue to suffer. To them it is of little consequence whether GE or Daimler Chrysler plans on investing billions.
The common tax- paying workers, struggling to find a decent paying job, don’t care if it’s Pervez Musharraf in power or Benazir Bhutto, they just want to escnjoy the basic amenities. Provide more reliable electricity, clean water, affordable schooling and a safe environment for children to learn and play, maybe then the level of optimism will increase.
TAIMUR KHAN Boston,
USA
EITHER Mr Tabassum is daydreaming or the people of Pakistan are fast asleep. The massive investments that have taken place in billions of dollars never witnessed under people’s representative governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Such investment figures can even embarrass this unelected government. They have never made such tall claims.
If the billions of dollars are really pouring into Pakistan, then may I ask: “Where’s the beef ?” Why is it that the general masses are not receiving any benefits from these investments? The fact is that no real DFI (direct foreign investment) has taken place over the past six-and-a-half years. The reality is that the masses are becoming poorer and a few are getting super-rich.
The common man is fed up with high inflation and lawlessness. The ‘educated’ MNAs have turned out to be the most impotent and they represent a lame duck parliament that has passed no serious legislation unless it suits the military. Gen. Musharraf has made a mockery of the Constitution and what we see now is military supremacy over civilian institutions. Pakistan is shining yes, but only at the GHQ and at the palaces of the most corrupt and largest cabinet ever.
UROOJ HUSSEIN
London, U.K.
NOTWITHSTANDING the fact that over three months have passed since the final result of CSS 2005 was declared, the allocations of the successful candidates have not yet been announced. This is really disturbing for the successful candidates, most of whom have left their old jobs in the hope that their training will start soon. This delay is also against the new policy of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), whereby the final result, along with the allocations, was to be announced within six months of the written examination.
There might be some tenable reasons which have delayed the final allocations, but it is the duty of this prestigious institution to inform all the stakeholders about the reasons of the delay along with the date on which these allocations will be finally announced.
This is not the first time the FPSC has exhibited a dereliction of duty in keeping the candidates informed about the happenings at the FPSC. Last year the former chairman of the FPSC announced at a press conference that the syllabus of the CSS examination would be changed starting 2006, but later when the decision was reversed, the FPSC did not bother to inform the candidates. The same is happening now, as no one knows what the syllabus will be like for the examinations that are to be held in 2007.
I request the newly appointed chairman of the FPSC to please take cognizance of this matter and direct all the authorities concerned to at least make the public conversant with the decisions that are of concern to them.
NAUMAN QAISER
Lahore
THIS has a reference to Syed Faiz Omar’s letter ‘Return to democracy’ (June 18). He has very correctly elucidated the reasons why real democracy cannot come to Pakistan in the near future.
Feudal lords, jagirdars and cartels cannot be eliminated. They are very well established in all walks of the country, including but not limited to the executive, legislative and judiciary. Any number of reforms may be introduced; still these reforms can come through the help of these feudal lords, jagirdars and cartels with whom the leadership remains closeted. Why should they do something that weakens their position and is detrimental to them?
At the time of the partition both Pakistan and India had a once- in- a-lifetime opportunity to propose constitutions and forms of government that could introduce democracy, fundamental rights, etc. Had Pakistan taken a path similar to that of India with some modifications leaning towards the Muslim faith, there would have been a flourishing democracy in Pakistan today. For example, if Nepal misses the chance to introduce democracy now, then it will miss it for many decades to come.
The subcontinent is not known for producing many revolutionaries. Nor do the rulers of this continent respect any revolutions. There cannot be any drastic change in Pakistan in the near future. As the people of Pakistan are very open-minded and outward-looking, hopefully a ‘return to democracy’ will become irrelevant for Pakistan one day.
AGNI JANDHYALA
Maryland, USA
WITH reference to the report ‘Indonesia refuses to cut duty on kinno import’ (June 15), I would like to clarify the points raised by Mr Mubarak Zeb Khan. It is not correct that the Indonesian trade officials have flatly refused the proposal to include kinno in the preferential lists for reduction of customs duty, for consideration under the PTA.
The meeting between Indonesia and Pakistan was held on June 13 and14 in Islamabad on Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) as a follow-up to the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership (FACEP) that was signed by both ministers of commerce of Indonesia and Pakistan in November 2005. The meeting is not final, and there will be a series of meetings, including the next one which is to be held in Indonesia in August 2006.
During the recent TNC meeting, Pakistan proposed to have PTA on fruits and vegetables, while Indonesia suggested including agriculture as well as manufactured goods in the PTA. As far as the kinno matter is concerned, I would like to mention that under the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), it has been agreed that a low rate of duty will be imposed on Mandarin products imported from China to all Asean countries, which is a joint policy of Asean and not the Indonesian policy alone.
At the aforementioned TNC meeting, Indonesia in fact offered a reduction of five per cent on the current tariff for Pakistani kinno earlier than the Indonesian schedule, and on Jan 1, 2009 the tariff will be 10 per cent and after a few years it will be five per cent and then 0 per cent.
I would appreciate if correspondents would contact the relevant officials from both sides (Indonesia and Pakistan) for proper information before commenting on such issues.
YUYUN KAMHAYUN
Counsellor, Indonesian Embassy, Islamabad
AS the representative of the Royal Commonwealth Society, UK, in Pakistan, I invite Pakistani filmmakers to join a competition for making short films on the Commonwealth and related themes and submit to the society in London initial entries based on the scenario of or a short film on relevant theme of between 30 and 90 seconds. In 2006, the theme will be:
The Commonwealth: respecting difference, promoting understanding. Thereafter, up to 15 applicants will be short-listed by an independent selection panel and awarded 1,000 pounds each to assist in the production of the finished film. Judging of the short-listed films will take place in October and the awards announced and presented at a gala awards ceremony in November. The winner gets 2,500 pounds and a trophy. And other awards will be made. The winning entries will, from January 2007, be broadcast Commonwealth-wide, particularly on the Commonwealth Day.
The 53 member-nations of the Commonwealth, including Pakistan, stretch from the Pacific to sub-Saharan Africa, with 1.8 billion inhabitants, each unique in their cultural, social and religious beliefs and economic status.
Information regarding applications is available at www.rcs.int.org/vision. The closing date for applications is Friday, July 28.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item regarding closure of Urdu and Sindhi monthlies Izhar and Paigham, the only literary magazines of the government of Sindh(June 1).
Society and intellectuals had an impression through these magazines that the Sindh government gives importance to literature in addition to politics.
Moreover, these magazines were projecting a good image of the government by providing its activities through news, articles and photographs.
If the government or its adviser thinks that these magazines are not properly projecting the government viewpoint, they should re-define the policy and give proper advice and control these magazines through advisers appointed for the magazines rather than stop its publication. In this regard the government should reconsider its decision.
JAMAL NAQVI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Quaid’s great grandson’ (June 20) which states that Mr Neville Wadia is the Quaid’s grandson. Mr Neville Wadia is in fact the Quaid’s son-in-law (Dina Wadia’s husband). Dina and Neville Wadia’s son’s name is Nusli Wadia, who is the chairman and majority owner of Bombay Dyeing, a major Indian textile company. It is his son, Ness Wadia, who is the Quaid’s great grandson. He is managing director of Bombay Dyeing and also happens to be romantically involved with Bollywood actress Preity Zinta.
IBAAD HAKIM
London, UK
IT is very well-known in Mumbai that the Quaid’s only grandson Nusli Wadia and his two sons reside there and are wealthy and prominent industrialists and philanthropists.
Mr Nusli Wadia’s mother, who is the Quaid’s only progeny, is reported to be living in New York City. This could have easily been verified by checking with your esteemed columnist Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee who knows the Wadias personally. There must be a compelling reason that Mr Nusli Wadia and his sons prefer to live in India as Indian citizens rather than in Pakistan, the country that their great ancestor created.
It is also puzzling that Nusli Wadia and his sons appear not to have claimed the Quaid’s house in Mumbai as their inherited property and then gifted it to the people of Pakistan or maintained it as a museum in memory of the Quaid.
P. HARIMOHAN
New York
MR Nazim F. Haji (letter, June 17) hopes and prays that a day will come when the rule of law and its enforcement will not spare even the prime minister of Pakistan.
Well, I would keep my hope and expectations a little more modest. I am hoping and praying that a day will come when a policeman can ticket a colonel of the army for breaking the speed limit without the fear of losing his job or transfer to a remote and desolated area. I am sure my expectation is still too unrealistic.
ABDUL MAJID JAFFRY
California, USA
THE prime minister while defending the budget presented a few days ago in the National Assembly declared that there would be no devaluation of the rupee (‘PM rules out devaluation’, June 16).
May I ask the PM that if the printing of notes of higher denomination, the fabulous increase in the prices of utilities and services and sky-rocketing rise in the price of real estate are not devaluation of currency, then what is it?
M. H. SOLANGI
Karachi
IN his letter (June 14) Mr Suleman Bande Ali has advocated air service between Karachi and Bhuj. Air service operated on this route before and after partition. On March 1, 1958 I travelled on this route along with my brother and our wives. We returned after a few days by the same air route.
The distance being short (about 200 miles), the time it took and fare we paid for air travel was far less than on other routes. Rail distance from Karachi to Khokhrapar is more than 200 miles. There are quite a large number of people, both in India (Kutch, Gujarat, Kathiawar, Varodra and southeast Rajasthan) and Pakistan (Badin, Thatta, Tharparkar, Hyderabad and Karachi) who would prefer this route to other routes.
Any air company, including PIA, could earn a good income running flights between Karachi and Bhuj. India and Pakistan are continuously making efforts to develop people-to-people contact, help separated families to be reunited with relatives, encourage travel and, above all, promote confidence-building. The proposed route will be convenient, cheap and quick for citizens of both countries. It will also reduce the congestion and difficulties encountered by travellers at Zero point on the Khokhrapar route. Both governments should, therefore, think about air service between Karachi and Bhuj.
ROCHI RAM
Karachi
THIS has reference to Mr Suleman Bande Ali’s letter. I have been to India seven times in the last 20 years and every time I applied for a visa, I always included the city of Bhuj in the column of places to be visited because my aunt lives there. Despite fulfilling all necessary requirements, the Indian embassy has never granted me a visa for this city on the pretext that Bhuj shares a border with Pakistan and for reasons of security visa cannot be issued.
Thousands of people in Pakistan belonging to Memon, Ismaili, Vohra, Khatri and Ghanchi communities have relatives in cities like Anjar, Bantva, Bhuj, Dhoraji, Jetpur, Kutiyana, Morbi, Vasawad and Kutch but it is always a Herculean task to obtain a visa for any city in the Indian state of Gujarat.
When the governments of the two countries are talking of promoting people-to-people contact, why restrict people from visiting cities in Gujarat? A Karachi-Bhuj air service will indeed benefit a large section of people, particularly from Sindh.
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
I AM a customer of the ‘Aasaan’ prepaid telephone service which was introduced by PTCL a few years back. Pre-paid cards worth Rs500 and Rs1, 000 were available in local market, but for the last two months they have disappeared from shops for no apparent reason. Persistent inquiries have been answered only with some rumours.
On inquiry from the PTCL I was told that the prepaid ‘Aasaan’ card is available in a shop near the Teen Talwar roundabout in Clifton. The problem is that people living in F.B. Area or Gulshan-i-Iqbal will have to spend a good amount on transport in order to buy an ‘Aasaan’ card.
Meanwhile telephone charges between Bombay and Delhi have recently been termed local charges.
Therefore the moral of the story is that the more facilities you provide to the customers, the more likely they are to utilise them. PTCL, please move forwards and not backwards.
PROF. MOHAMMAD ABDUL BATIN
Karachi
THIS is to bring to the notice of the relevant department the difficulties faced by an average citizen in paying motor vehicle tax (MVT ).
The citizen has to make a number of trips with only hope on his side. Because anything that can go wrong does go wrong at the MVT-designated collection centres of the National Bank of Pakistan.
Either the system is down due to a communications link failure, or there is an electricity outage or the person is missing from his seat. A combination of these factors at different times of the day translates into an ordeal.
Can we request an official of the motor and vehicle excise office to make a round of these branches during a working week and assess for himself the problems an average citizen is facing just to pay tax. And please make the visit incognito for better results.
ASAF MARUF ALI
Karachi
CHUTIANA is a railway station nearly 76 kilometres from Khanewal on the Faisalabad-Shorkot Cantonment junction section. I have been wondering about the origin of the town’s name.
It would appear that it is a distortion of the word Chaitanya, the name of a leader of the Bhagtee movement, Saint Chaitanya Swamy.
If my assumption is correct, I would request the Punjab government to rename the town ‘Kot Chaitanya’. The railway station code CUN could remain the same.
ASLAM HUSSAIN
Karachi
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