| September 01, 2006 | Friday | Sha'aban 7, 1427 |
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Promoting tourism
Perks and privileges
Virtues of pedestrian facilitation
The best defence
Construction at Hindu Gymkhana
Trying to make ends meet
No room for second opinion
PTCL’s clarification
Signals at flyovers
Moral victory
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
NAWAB Bugti’s death is unfortunate but this was writing on the wall. For the last several years Mr Bugti wanted to be treated democratically but always used violence to blackmail successive governments. Due their weakness or love for democracy (if it exists) these governments and the establishment kept on giving in to Mr Bugti’s demands, usually related to his personal gains. He ruled his tribe and treated his neighbors with an iron hand, but always expected himself to be treated otherwise. This happened to an extent that it became the way of life for the Nawab. He did not realise that one of these days there will be a stronger head of the state and hence a stronger establishment. If only he would have waited till the end of Musharraf’s era he could have continued his tactics for years to come.
SHAKIL AHSAN
Calgary, Canada
“NO controversy in face of death”, these were the Quaid-i-Azam’s famous words in his condolence message on the violent death of Mahatama Gandhi on January 30, 1948.
President Musharraf’s reluctance to condole the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti at the hands of the law enforcing agencies (LEAs) would appear to be in breach of the customary expression of sympathy for the bereaved family a kind word for the deceased.
Regardless of the aggressive, anti-establishment behaviour and role of the late chief of the Bugti tribe, he served the state and the government of the day as a federal minister of state for defence, provincial governor, chief minister and an elected member of the National Assembly.
Rather than pray for the soul of the departed, the president announced his government’s resolve to continue the operation in his telecast address to the nation from Murree. I knew Mr Bugti rather well and found him to be a rocky Baloch, a gentleman and a gracious host.
BRIG A.R.SIDDIQI
Karachi
I have been reading the articles and letters in this newspaper on the killing of Akbar Bugti. I am appalled by the short memory that Pakistanis have. If you ask the people rioting on the roads what did he did for Balochistan or its people, I am sure that they would not be able to name one thing.
He got along with the Nawaz Sharif government because he was promised a lion’s share in the revenue from oil if it were to be found in his province. Would he have spent a penny on his region?
I am appalled by the way the opposition in Pakistan is using his death. Just reading about your politicians further solidifies my belief that politicians all over the world are blood suckers.
What Pakistan needs is economic development, stability and internal security. You can amass hundreds of bombs but will not attain stability unless there is order within the ranks.
CONCERNED READER
Germany
AFTER a gap of eight years I took my family to Swat to enjoy nature for a few days. The experience proved to be horrifying. There is one whole ministry, I don’t know with how many people, sitting in Islamabad to improve tourism. These are the people who are working without any aims and objects.
The points which are understandable even by a common man are not properly dealt with what to talk of more sophisticated goals.
Everybody knew that this year, due to the last October earthquake, the Kaghan valley would almost be closed for visitors owing to collapsed infrastructure. Swat remained the only choice. No action was taken to make this route ready for travellers. The road condition right from the mountain range of Malakand up to Kalam was terrible. The said road has been under construction for the last six years and will probably remain so for another six years.
The worst part is that this is not a stretch of a few kilometres that you have to bear. It is spread well over 100 kilometres. Starting from the climb on mountains separating Malakand, the road is paved with sharp river stones deadly for your tyres.
It would be hard to believe but is a fact that the mountain range as you climb has 70 speed breakers in a stretch of one kilometre, as counted by me. It would be a world record.
The one and the foremost thing is to improve access to these areas. If we are not able to even look into this simple aspect, then what else we should expect from the people sitting at responsible posts.
Secondly, the peak season for tourism in North Pakistan is from April to October. During this period, there should be some news bulletins for the intending visitors to guide them for these areas covering the temperatures, weather warnings, road conditions and other related information. One is left totally ignorant about these things.
Thirdly, the PTDC has increased charges for their motels to a level that they are no more affordable. A ‘kabana’ double-bed cottage costs Rs3,622 a night at Naran. Other private hotels follow the same pattern making the stay extremely costly and unaffordable for a middle class family. The PTDC is in a way acting contrary to its goals.
Every now and then we hear statements from the higher-ups that tourism would be treated as industry and we will do this and that. Practically we are doing nothing more than paying lip-service.
Our traditional bureaucrats will not be able to do anything until a tourism lover is made to lead the organisations like the PTDC and at the ministerial level. We should stick to simple targets rather than going for difficult ones straightaway.
There should be some accountability of those who are responsible for the rot.
DILAWAR HUSAIN
Karachi
ACCORDING to a news item (Aug 25), Indian MPs gave themselves a 50 per cent raise, thus increasing their salary from Rs8,000 to Rs12,000. They also get free rail and air travel, telephones, secretarial stuff, housing in New Delhi and other monetary allowances.
Now let us look at the salary, perks and privileges Pakistani MNAs enjoy. According to a letter (June 30), our MNAs get salaries, perks and privileges as follows:
- salary per month Rs120,000 to Rs200,000.
- expenses for constituency Rs100,000 per month.
- office expenditure Rs140,000 per month.
- travelling concession (Rs8 per km), Rs48,000.
- daily BETA when Assembly meets Rs500.
- free train travel — First class (A/C), all over Pakistan for any number of times.
- charges for business class air travel (with spouse or PA) free for 40 trips/year.
- rent for government hostel anywhere — free.
- electricity cost at home: free up to 50,000 units
- local call charges: free up to 170,000 calls.
Considering the above, the estimated total cost for each MNA per year amounts to Rs32 million.
Further, according to Mr Sultan Ahmed’s column (Dawn, Aug 10), monetary benefits and privileges of amazing proportion are sought by the legislators, which include pension for ex-prime ministers like those given to presidents. Ministers also want such pensions. Former members of the national and provincial assemblies who have occupied their seats for three years, are to be provided such pensions. Also two offices for every member — one in Islamabad and the other in the constituency — are to be provided.
Diplomatic passports for them and their families plus medical facilities and residential accommodation for the families are also sought.
Pakistani legislators should have mercy on the poor masses. They should take a lesson from Indian MPs and stop taking undue perks and privileges which amount to the loot and plunder of national wealth.
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
RECENT rains had a strong impact on the routine urban life in Karachi. The most visible was the complete breakdown of transportation network. Flooding of major and minor roads due to rain and sewage water caused break down of passenger cars and other vehicles. Over-congestion due to chaotic mobility patterns caused long standing traffic jams.
Mobility of common people was constrained to such an extent that, on many corridors, vehicle movement came to a complete halt. The only way people could move was by walking. A survey of various city streets showed that the footpaths were broken down, encroached upon, ill-maintained or entirely non-existent. The people had to rough it out to reach their respective destinations. They were generally complaining that if government agencies cannot build technically sound roads, it can at least keep provision for safe pedestrian movement all across the city.
City development work in Karachi is generally disregarding the pedestrian movement. Whereas the emphasis remains on developing signal-free roads, pedestrian crossings are nowhere to be found. The middle class and the rich, who move in fast whizzing automobiles, are given enormous preference in development priorities.
The poor and lower-income groups are under constant danger of being hurt while attempting to cross the streets or walk at the edges. This amounts to a grave social injustice which is dividing our society.
The city district government of Karachi must respond to this issue without any delay by preparing/revising the planning standards of roads/streets, project design and execution mechanisms. If injustice persists without any relief, we may slowly end up in an urban crisis nobody would be able to resolve.
DR NOMAN AHMED
Karachi
THE ICC’s charge against Inzamam of bringing the game into disrepute by refusing to take the field against England was very well defended by almost all the leading British newspapers as reported by your reporter Kamran Abbasi (August 22). He also quoted the views of several former England captains, including Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Mike Gatting, who have refuted the allegations against Inzamam.
No matter what the ICC decides, there is ample evidence offered by these experts regarding who was really responsible for the debacle. I congratulate Mr Abbasi for collecting and presenting all the above-mentioned information which is the best defence for Inzamam.
MAS
Karachi
HINDU Gymkhana, the property which has belonged to the Hindu community since pre-partition days, has been taken away by its occupants in bits and pieces. Whatever was left was handed over to the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in order to build Pakistan’s soft image at home and abroad.
The government’s decision to establish such an academy is correct as it was the need of the hour to develop culture, sports and tourism all of which was ignored all these years. But why must it be done at the cost of property which belongs to the Hindu community? The person to whom the property has been handed over can afford any huge place where such academy can be established. Meanwhile the Hindu community is without any place to hold their social and religious activities.
Even without any place of recreation or a playground the community has produced two national level test cricketers Anil Dalpat and Danish Kaneria. Apart from cricket the community has also contributed in other sports and cultural activities.
It should also be mentioned that after the formal inauguration of NAPA on the February 1, 2005 the person responsible had even changed the name of the Hindu Gymkhana to NAPA. It was only after a big hue and cry by the representatives of the community through the print and electronic media that the original name was restored.
This matter was been raised in the national and provincial assemblies by MNAs, MPAs and advisory council members time and again over the past many years. The struggle to get back the Gymkhana is going but without any consideration from the government so far. The government is fully aware of this genuine demand but it has not made any decision whatsoever in this regard.
The Hindu community living in Pakistan are very upset and pained at the treatment being meted out to them in connection with the Hindu Gymkhana. The fact remains that the minorities are equal citizen of Pakistan and as such they involve themselves in all national activities as and when the need arises.
In view of this unsettled dispute, the person concerned in NAPA should immediately refrain from carrying out further construction because firstly they are not the owner, and secondly it is a protected heritage site which belongs to the Hindu community as it is evident from its name.
RAMESH B. MANA
Co-chairman,
Pak Hindu Welfare Association
I WOULD like to invite the concerned authorities like WAPDA, Sui Gas, WASA and PTCL to seriously ponder over the plight of employees. A sizeable portion of Pakistan’s population works in the public sector.
For this class to live with slim salary is almost impossible as the price- hike has already broken their back. Their plight is worsened when they have to discharge utility bills in the last dates of the month when they are unable to even manage their kitchen expenses.
Resultantly they have to discharge the bills after the due date with fines. The matter does not end here, for they also have to pay visit to related office to get payment registered made after the due date of bill. If they don’t do this the dues of previous months are added to the dues of current month bill.
This entire process involves wastage of a huge amount of time and also disturbs the employees’ peace of mind. Is it not possible for the concerned authorities to look into the matter and revise the schedule for utility bills payment to provide some relief to employees?
The last date of payment should be the 10th of the month. This revision will enable them to budget for the month when they will have the actual figures under the different heads of expenditure.
In this way they will not suffer in terms of fines and the related bill correction complications can also be avoided.
MOHAMMAD ZUBAIR
Lahore
MY accolades to I. A. Rehman for his article ‘No room for second opinion’ (July 27), for being desirous of our government having second opinion for some of our national problems and also for their solution. Try to better than yourself cannot be a bad message.
I am reminded of the famous words of Francis Bacon who, in his essay ‘Advancement of learning’ (1605), wrote: “We see, then, how far the monuments of wit and learning are more durable than the monuments of power or of the hands”.
Even earlier, our religious commandment to embark upon journey to far-off China for learning includes as much for more than one opinion than henceforth known, as for new or better ideas, extended wisdom or the truth.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter “Faulty phone” (August 30) regarding telephone number 6331995. We would like to clarify that the problem had already been rectified on August 28 before publication of the letter. The telephone line is working satisfactorily as confirmed by the owner as well as our office record.
SALEEM KHAN PRO-STR III
Karachi
THIS IS to draw attention towards installation of traffic signals at the flyover of Shaheed-i-Millat Road (linking Baloch Colony and Korangi Industrial Area) whereat frequent disruption of electric supply results in dire inconvenience to the commuters as no traffic police personnel are posted either at the spot.
Perhaps this is the only flyover in this zone which has traffic signals to control traffic from five different directions.
During peak hours vehicles are seen stuck at the flyover for at least 20 to 30 minutes without any movement. I am afraid that this may become the only flyover in the world which wil cave in due to the traffic load.
Yet another point of amusement is the flyover at Shah Faisal Colony, which has underneath a one-way traffic signal operating at normal duration, resulting in loss of thousands of working hours of the public and of those proceeding to the airport, and that too without any justification.
At least this unique traffic signal can be removed for which, I think, no proper approval from high-ups would be required.
While almost the whole of the city is experiencing restructuring, I think it would be appropriate if remedial measures on a priority basis are taken with regard to both the signals to give some relief to the public.
NASIR M. CHANDNA
Karachi
CAPTAIN Inzamamul Haq has done Pakistanis all over the world a great service by refusing to play on unsubstantiated allegation for ball tampering and cheating.
I feel proud that we had a principled stance and it is useless to play under an umpire who is utterly biased and prejudiced.
The PCB should immediately sue the ICC and Darrell Hair if they do not apologise to not only the Pakistan cricket team but also the whole nation. Enough is enough and let the diplomacy take a back seat.
MIR MUHAMMAD ALI
Karachi
THE whole nation is proud of Inzamamul Haq’s decision to take his team out of the field. The decision was right and just.
Whether winning or losing, one should not compromise on the nation’s pride.
The Pakistan Cricket Board must now make strong remonstration to the ICC against the biased umpiring of Darrel l Hair.
Upon the team’s return, the whole nation should go to the airport to welcome their cricket heroes as they have won a moral victory.
TAHMEED SADIQ
Lahore
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