| August 11, 2006 | Friday | Rajab 15, 1427 |
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White paper on Kargil
Old age no obstacle to Fokker
Karachi hostage to criminals
HEC and reforms
Daimler-Benz plant
Deaths in Mardan
Renewal of US passport
August 14 celebrations
OIC rhetoric
IT has caused us deep sorrow to see in the July 7 edition of Dawn an article written by Anwer Mooraj titled ‘Castro: the end of an icon?’ whose content we consider inadequately researched.
Evidently, the sources of information of Mr Mooraj are neither reliable nor trustworthy. The statement that “the people of Cuba are still largely impoverished and educational standards are abysmally low” shows the author is not well-informed about Cuba and the social development achieved by the Cuban revolution in the last 47 years.
Cuba has probably the best human development indicators amongst all of the developing countries, even better than some developed countries.
The government of the Republic of Cuba places the greatest importance on its citizens’ full enjoyment of the human right to education. Quality education which respects cultural identity and which includes values and principles that foster solidarity, social justice, mutual respect, patriotism and a profound knowledge of humanity’s historic, cultural and artist heritage have been the clear guidelines followed in developing Cuba’s educational system.
In 1953 Cuba had only about 6.5 million inhabitants; more than half a million children did not attend school and more than two million people were completely or functionally illiterate. Only half of the school population went on to secondary school; there were 10,000 unemployed teachers; about 550,000 children aged between six and 14 — almost half the total number — did not go to school.
The population over the age of 15 had an average educational level of less than three years of primary school. One of the first measures taken by the revolutionary government was the eradication of illiteracy and the creation of the conditions to ensure free, good quality universal education at all levels, the results of which are clearly seen in Cuba’s achievements in this field.
If one takes the advances in the educational field into account, the goals set out by Unesco for 2015 have already been met. These results notwithstanding, and in order to continue improving the Cuban educational system, new educational strategies have been developed which have further empowered administrators, teachers and students to act as the protagonists of educational changes.
More than 17,000 young people from more than 110 countries are studying various subjects in Cuba, most of them at the higher level.
We would like the readers of your esteemed daily to ask the question: how is it possible that a country “largely impoverished and with educational standards abysmally low” was able to send 2,500 doctors to Pakistan to attend to the victims of the terrible earthquake of October 8, 2005? For your information these Cuban doctors, who remained for seven months in the most remote areas in the northern part of Pakistan, attended to 1,743,244 patients which represented 73 per cent of all the patients assisted after the earthquake. Also, the Cuban government has offered 1,000 free medicine scholarships to Pakistan. The doors of our embassy are open to exchange opinions and objective information about Cuban reality.
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of the news item regarding the white paper on Kargil (Aug 6). Certain facts and figures mentioned in the document are exaggerated and belie the ground reality. The white paper claims that the “Indian government knew about the Kargil plan in June 1998, about 11 months before it was launched and it had made preparations to turn the battle field into a deadly trap for Kashmiri freedom-fighters and Pakistan.”
Perhaps the authors of the white paper have not done their homework properly. The aim of releasing the white paper seems to be an attempt to defame Gen Pervez Musharraf and tackling national security issues in an amateurish manner.
In his recently released book on the 1999 war, Kargil: From surprise to victory, the former Indian chief of the army staff, Gen V.P. Malik, has asserted that Pakistan’s successful intrusions were the outcome of “a major deficiency in our system of collecting, reporting, collating and assessing intelligence”.
Praveen Swami, a noted and respected Indian journalist on Indian defence matters, wrote in The Hindu (April 30 and May 5) “that Gen Malik’s assertion has created furore among the intelligence community and raised controversy.
“Much of the controversy revolves around a secret note personally signed on June 2, 1998 by the then Director IB, Shayamal Datta (a departure from normal practice).
“The note warned of the training of Pakistani irregulars in the Kargil sector after nuclear tests at Pokhran. Mr Datta’s note mentioned that ‘Pakistan military activity had been noted along the LoC in the Kargil sector’ and sent the marked copies directly to the prime minister, home minister, cabinet secretary, defence secretary and the DGMI, bypassing RAW and the joint intelligence Committee”.
In an interview to Indian defence consultants on June 25, Gen Malik pointed out that strategic decisions are taken by the cabinet committee on security and chiefs’ of staff committee on the basis of assessment, and not on individual reports.
He further said that the “June 1998 note had no mention of Pakistan army’s preparation for a military attack by infiltration. The note was written on June 2 or 3 1998 while Gen Musharraf planned and initiated the war after mid-October 1998, after he took over command of the Pakistan army. How can a military action be perceived six months after it was decided and initiated by Pakistan?”
One of the astounding occurrences was Gen Malik’s visit to the Czech Republic and Poland from May 10 to May 20, 1999. On the same premise, Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore in February 1999 would not have taken place had he known Pakistan’s intentions in June 1998.
As regards the casualties on both sides of the border quoted in the white paper these are also incorrect.
According to the book A ridge too far — war in the Kargil Heights 1999, written (with official sanction of the Indian army) by former Capt Araminder Singh, who is currently the chief minister of Indian Punjab, the casualties on the Pakistan side was 597 killed as opposed to the 3,000 casualties cited in the white paper.
Indian casualties are estimated to be 499 instead of 474 as quoted.
It is about time this blame game came to an end. We should learn to discuss such important issues academically and intellectually as our semi-literate nation cannot afford to be fed on political rhetoric and gimmicks alone.
CDR (r) NAJEEB ANJUM
Karachi
I WAS amused to read the letter of Capt S. Afaq Rizvi (July 23). He writes that the air crash at Multan had nothing to do with old vintage of the Fokker fleet. Perhaps he believes that “old is always gold”.
If this is so, then why the flying clubs in Pakistan discarded Tiger Moth and Auster aircraft. Way back in 1964, flying clubs dumped the old vintage aircraft and imported Cessna-150 for training purposes. The Battle of Britain was won over English Channel, the Victor was ‘Spitfire’ (RAF), the vanquished ‘Luftwaffe’. The Spitfire can now be seen in the British Museum only.
For some time Tiger Moth, Auster and Cessna-150 remained in operation simultaneously, but the flying members were attracted towards the new and modern machine. Then PIA discarded the workhorse Dakota, although it was a wonderful flying machine. President Roosevelt had gifted a Dakota aircraft to the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdul Aziz, who was more than delighted to receive this.
In modern-day scenario, will the present monarch of the kingdom feel amused if George Bush doles out a Dakota to him?
Fokker aircraft are routinely flown between Islamabad-Gilgit. Due to altitude ceiling they return to Islamabad quite often as they encounter clouds, why can’t PIA induct modern aircraft which can fly higher than the mountain and make journey safer on this route. When the Fokker zigzags in the KKH valley, it is a terrifying experience, they call it thrilling. When it crosses a peak, one feels that it is struggling to clear it.
The distance between the peak and the Fokker narrows dangerously. One feels it is a close call.
I am amazed to read Capt Rizvi’s remarks that “an airliner, in fact, never really gets old.” When a lion and man can get old, why can’t a frame of a steel and alloy get old? Aging is a natural process, it is not abstract in character but is a visible phenomenon.
We always hear that old and rickety oil tanker falls apart in high seas dumping millions of tons of crude on the shores causing oil slick and enormous ecological problem.
Human traffickers generally use old barges which sink off the coast of Italy and elsewhere drowning unsuspecting immigrants.
One may ask why ‘Titanic’ sank, one may also recall that in a movie named ‘Titanic’ a man after seeing its enormous size had exclaimed that “even God can’t sink it”. Perhaps God heard it.
Lastly, when human beings retire at the age of 60 in the subcontinent and at 65 in the US, it is because human machine gets tired, old, organs fail, reflexes depress. When human beings are not indestructible, flying machines are only their inventions.
SAFIR A. SIDDIQUI
Karachi
APROPOS of Mona Waseem’s letter ‘Karachi hostage to terrorists and criminals’ (July 18), I should say that deterioration in the law and order situation in Karachi for the last about six months should be a cause for concern.
But, sadly, nothing has been done to protect the common citizens from these criminals who now literally have freedom of crime.
Every morning newspapers publish reports about a number of persons having been murdered, kidnapped or robbed by some individuals, terrorist groups or dacoits and, also, hijacking of vehicles and snatchng of cellphones at gunpoint, robbery, house-breaking and gang- rapes.
Murder of leading personalities and extortion and senseless violence without any apparent motive except to terrorise common people have too become an everyday event. Under such a situation, common citizens are not sure whether they will return home safely or their house will be safe from criminals. But it seems that the authorities concerned have become insensitive to these reports.
The political bribery condoning criminals has also worsened the situation. Our police are not incompetent and can control these crimes if employed without any political influence or pressure.
The government should also realise that criminals are always armed with illegal weapons while their victims are unarmed and have no defence against their adversary. Therefore, either they are compelled to surrender to these criminals or get shot by them if they resist. Hence criminals have no fear and they hunt their prey easily.
The situation can be brought under control if the citizens are allowed to carry their licensed firearms for their protection (except in the prohibited areas) in accordance with the law for ‘right of private defence’ under Sections 96 and 97 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
This will induce fear in criminals and they will think twice before pouncing on their targets.
The police and members of law-enforcement agencies in plainclothes should hunt down criminals. Criminals when caught should be punished under the law expeditiously without any fear or favour.
SQN LDR (r) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
THE role of the Higher Education Commission has been under constant but constructive debate for the last couple of months, tempting opinions for and against from scholars, educationists and the commission authorities.
Recently Mr R. R. Alvi’s ‘HEC and reforms’ (Aug 8) while expressing satisfaction over the Higher Education Commission’s emphasis on requiring PhD for appointment to the post of associate professor and professor has at the same time considered more credence to this ‘label’ as a basis for such elevated positions not so advantageous.
He mentioned names of teachers like Prof A.B.A Haleem, M. Habib et al who were although not PhDs yet they earned great fame in their subjects and outshone in the academic world.
I am in agreement with Mr Alvi that for achieving distinction in the advanced seat of learning it is the academic excellence and research work of a person and not just a degree. He is also correct that the above-mentioned professors, who were not PhDs, had their names carved at the zenith of academia. However, the fact is that such outstanding individuals have achieved distinction because of sheer hard work and their intellectual superiority. They are, however, counted as exceptions and, therefore, cannot be made the basis for undermining the importance of research scholars.
Similarly, those who have acquired doctorates through shady means are also exceptions that require vigilance and strong action for adopting such deceitful activities. I also do not subscribe to Mr Alvi that the HEC is stifling public sector universities. On the contrary, it has not only furnished them with enormous financial support but has tried to put across discipline and educational uniformity in this sector.
However, if bringing financial discipline and educational uniformity is construed as synonym to “trace passing autonomy”, then of course it can be debated.
Here I would like to refer to the ‘HEC replies’ (June 7) wherein Dr Rashid Mateen of the HEC has elaborately explained the issues raised in the article ‘Taking stock, resuming course’ (Dawn Education page, May 28). The programmes initiated by the HEC to produce 1,000 indigenous PhD scholars from local universities and 1,100 from foreign universities annually in various disciplines, while maintaining transparent international standards, is undoubtedly an arduous task.
Since I have been reading with keen interest the points of view on the performance of the HEC, I have nothing but to appreciate that it is for the first time in the history that significance of higher education is felt for this once totally neglected field of scholastic activity as till recently the country has been able to produce about 250 PhDs annually as compared 5,000 produced in India.
The world at present has been abridged to the level of a global village and those who are not capable and well-informed are bound to be relegated to the dustbin of history. If the country is determined to make advancement and participate in today’s competitive world, then it has to produce scholars in every field of knowledge.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
THE Punjab government’s decision to allocate hundreds of acres of fertile and irrigable land belonging to small farmers to set up a car assembly plant near Sheikhupura defeats all wisdom.
Why didn’t the government consider locating it in vast tracts of rocky land near the salt range across Bhera? There is plenty of water available from the river, besides the land is non-perennial and only depends on seasonal scant rainfall. Planners and bureaucrats who travel abroad at taxpayers’ expense would know how townships and cities spring up near large manufacturing plants and universities that are set up in desolate places.
Instead, our wise men choose overcrowded areas and fertile land to set up industrial units. One surmises only two possibilities: either our planners have deep stakes to line their pockets, or they are devoid of any common sense and wisdom. In both cases, they are unfit for the positions they hold.
PROF FAJUNE PIRZADA
Lahore
MY heart goes to those who were engulfed by the unkind waves of Kalpani nullah in Mardan. It was one of the saddest days in the history of the city that caused the death of many dear ones. No doubt one will never forget this event for its gravity in terms of loss of precious lives.
This is a time when we need to think in the right perspective and to use this sad occasion for a coherent effort to restore losses by working together for the right strategy. Instead of blaming each other for the havoc, one must set to work out what went wrong. One thing is clear that it was a natural disaster. If we accept this and move on, we may find a much better way to stop this kind of destruction.
Politicians should not use the agony of the people for their political objectives. They should take the responsibility of being irresponsive to the common person’s cause on the street. We can turn this occasion for a change in our minds and deeds.
ASAD ULLAH
Mardan
THIS is with reference to my letter ‘Renewal of American passport’ (Aug 6). Since then my daughter submitted a written statement, along with her application for passport renewal, that she wears a headscarf as a religious requirement and requested them to accept her picture with a headscarf. They accepted the picture and her passport renewal application is now being processed. I am grateful to the US consulate for making this provision for her.
RUKHSANA KHALID
Karachi
PREPARATIONSS are being made to celebrate Independence Day on August 14. Less than a year ago we lost over 80,000 precious lives and hundreds of thousands were injured and rendered homeless in Kashmir. Furthermore, Lebanon is burning and hundreds of unarmed civilian men, women and children are being killed by Israeli forces. The excesses of Israeli forces are continuing and there is every likelihood that the situation will aggravate further.
Under these conditions it does not appear right that we illuminate buildings and hold functions at the state’s expense. In order to show solidarity with Kashmiris, Palestinians and the Lebanese, this year we must celebrate our independence in a dignified but simple manner. The money so saved should be sent to Kashmir and Lebanon.
UMAIR ASIF
Karachi
THE OIC meeting in Malaysia, according to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, has sent a “clear message that the Muslim world is unanimous in condemning” massive killings of people in Lebanon (Aug 5).
If the Muslim leaders were really sincere in their concern for the Lebanese and the Palestinians, they would have gone beyond rhetoric by cutting off diplomatic and trade relations with and oil supplies to Israel.
Syria and Iran have shown that even the Americans can’t do anything if some countries are courageous and determined. How much more powerful an effect a joint action of the Muslim world would have had upon the situation is easy to see.
S. QADRI
Karachi
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