| September 10, 2006 | Sunday | Sha'aban 16, 1427 |
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Article 58(2)(b): dissenting view
UK visa delay clarified
We need to believe
Importance of Urdu
No room for debate
Pakistan Defence Day
New map of the US
Unknown unknown
CNG buses
Protocol
Cat and mouse
In this regard I may say that this article is worth retaining in view of our chequered political history. The then chief justice of Pakistan Sajjad Ali Shah in his judgment in the Mahmood Khan Achakzai case had observed that 58(2)(b) had not changed the basic contours of the Constitution but had shut the door on martial law forever.
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
IN one of his last interviews with the BBC’s Urdu Service in July, Nawab Akbar Bugti was asked why a peace deal between his tribe and the government had not been implemented. He replied: “They say that I am intransigent, I don’t listen to them, I don’t bow before them. They say that I should bow before them and salute them, and give up my weapons, and then everything will be all right.”
Nawab Bugti was killed because he did not bow. He opted to lay down his life fighting for his rights instead of capitulating. Gunships were used to silence his voice forever. His killing is reprehensible and condemnable. It is nothing less than a national tragedy.
This incident can be perceived as a message by the ruling establishment that it does not want to resolve political issues politically; it will use force to resolve them -– even if it means killing one’s own people, as it has been doing all along.
Nawab Bugti was one of those Baloch politicians who favoured political and constitutional solutions to Balochistan’s longstanding problems. His party, the JWP, has always participated in national elections. In the 1990s, the JWP had submitted a provincial autonomy bill in the Senate that called for addressing the question of autonomy and decentralization of powers.
Recently, he entered into negotiations with the government to find a political solution to the Balochistan issue. But the government did not seem serious. They tried to hoodwink him. He was left with no choice but to take a defiant stand. He became defiant because the government did not implement the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan. He became defiant when Chaudhry Shujaat Hussian and his team failed to honour the decisions reached with him. His death reminds us of another Baloch legendary Nawab Nauroz Khan who was deceived into negotiations and then hanged with his sons during the Ayub era. History is being repeated.
Ironically, those docile ones who align themselves with the establishment are termed patriotic, to be honoured with ministries, perks and privileges. But those who demand their rights are dubbed terrorists, to be tortured, jailed, imprisoned or killed. When a veteran politician like Nawab Bugti could go to such an extreme, imagine the state of those who are seething with anger, frustration and desperation.
Balochistan has been deliberately left underdeveloped for more than 55 years of Pakistan’s inception. It’s been deprived of its share of wealth and constructive development, leaving the people to lead a below-poverty life. Instead of addressing the causes of Baloch grievances, President Gen Musharraf now wants to pursue aggressive development in Balochistan and calls those who oppose it as anti-development.
Nobody is against development. In fact, it has been a longstanding demand of the Baloch. But the questions are, if the projects are said to be people-oriented, then why is the people’s voice being ignored in such a development? How can development of the Gwadar port and link roads (which are being executed by the federal government and would be placed under it) benefit the people? How will the garrisons being established in selected areas of Balochistan to secure expected foreign investments help develop Balochistan and bring prosperity to its people? Why shouldn’t the people be suspicious and see it as another plan to subjugate them? These are the kinds of questions that the government does not want to address. And which ultimately leads to violent reaction.
Nawab Bugti’s killing will be seen as an attempt to suppress the voice of national rights. The establishment is sadly mistaken if it thinks that killing Bugtis, Marris and the Baloch will suppress their voice forever. It hasn’t and it won’t. It will stoke the flames more ferociously.
It is an hour of shame for the government that is intimidating and killing its own people to achieve political objectives and secure the interest of the ruling clique. People will now see Gen Musharraf as a dictator who just wants to cling to power at any cost -– even if it means assassinating political opponents, violating the Constitution and putting the country’s integrity at stake.
KHURRAM MUSTI KHAN
Toronto, Canada
When the three pillars of the state — the executive, parliament and the judiciary — are at loggerheads, the government is unable to function in accordance with the Constitution. And when the president is disabled from preventing the crisis and averting the disaster of economic collapse of the country, there remains only two alternatives. First, display of street power resulting in massive bloodshed which seldom succeeds in dislodging the government. Second, military intervention proclaiming martial law.
We have witnessed this episode more than thrice and had a bitter experience. Marital law does not provide a panacea for our political ills. When the army chief assumes power, he either abrogates the Constitution or puts it in abeyance for fear of being tried for treason. In such a situation superior courts are placed in a precarious position and have to reiterate the doctrine of necessity.
To deter the extra-constitutional steps, it is imperative to retain article 58(2)(b) so that the powers of the president to intervene remain intact. If the president is satisfied that the government cannot function in accordance with the Constitution, he could suspend the government and assemblies for a transient period and make a reference to the Supreme Court and get it adjudicated as to his bona fide intent. The Supreme Court may either accept his plea for dissolution of the assemblies or dismiss the reference.
Supremacy of the parliament cannot be disregarded. Yet the fundamentals of the Constitution based on the Objectives Resolution cannot be altered. A brute majority in parliament cannot be permitted to bring about a despotic rule. The article is much needed at least for a decade till our politicians mature democratically in letter and in spirit.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THIS has reference to the letter ‘Delay in acquiring UK visa’(Sept 7). First, I am sorry that the applicant has had a bad experience with his application and delays. This is not normal. In 2005 the visa sections at Karachi and Islamabad received over 200,000 applications and there has been an increase of over 45 per cent in applications this year.
It takes time to bring in new human resources to deal with these applications. We are getting it right now with extra staff arriving to deal with the outstanding applications. All student visa applications made in Karachi before Aug 31 will be cleared by Sept 12. It is vital that all supporting documents are enclosed with applications, delays arise when documents need to be checked or the application is incomplete.
High Commissioner Sir Mark Lyall Grant’s statement on Aug 8 is correct. Ninety per cent of visa applications (non-settlement) are dealt with within the time (15 days) mentioned on the website. But at peaks in demand, such as student applications in July/August, processing applications will take longer.
We ask all applicants to limit telephone calls to the visa office to those that are urgent or specifically requested by us. Calling to ask how your application is progressing increases our staff workload, diverts our resources and can increase the processing times for all applications, including the present writer’s. The writer asked why a visa is required. A UK visa tells the immigration officer at a UK port of arrival: the purpose of the visitor’s travel; how long the visitor can stay in the UK; and the latest date that the visitor can enter the UK.
I am sorry that the writer and others have had to wait for decisions on applications.
HAMISH DANIEL
British Deputy High
Commissioner, Karachi
I WOULD like to bring to light an issue which has been the focus of my thoughts for some time. Recently, a company that manufactures baby formula has put on air an advertisement which, in my opinion, is disheartening and disappointing for certain people. Their slogan asserts the notion “Ek Din Koi Cancer Ka Ilaaj Dhoonde Ga” (Someday someone may discover a cure for cancer).
I am a cancer survivor and to me this statement implies that there may never be a cure for a disease which separates people from their loved ones much too soon. Not everyone can bear the pain I have felt during those trying times; both emotionally and physically; the feeling of hanging on through sheer willpower and hope. It is the hope that someday there will be a cure which guides cancer patients through the most challenging times in their lives.
I have a family that loves me and stood by me through tough times, and they sincerely anticipate a cure being found for a very cruel and unfortunate disease. This advertisement is being broadcast on every major local TV channel as well as radio stations across Pakistan, and I feel that it not only gives a feeling of aimlessness but succeeds in lowering a person’s morale. Our children are the future, and we are rapidly advancing towards a brighter future because of people who really believe that a cure is possible. I believe so too and it is this conviction that must be spread throughout the world, with no room for doubt or uncertainty.
NADIA S. JAFFERI
Karachi
THIS letter is in reference to the article by Intezar Hussain in the Sunday Magazine (Sept 3). It was music to my ears to find that there are still a few people around to fight for the importance of the Urdu language. It is a sad thing that our country is full of pseudo-intellectuals who seem to know just one side of the story, and that is their own side.
I am not too old and I left Pakistan when I was only 14, which was 10 years ago; however, I do know the importance of Urdu. The study of Urdu literature has given me the wisdom that I couldn’t have attained if I had memorised Shakespeare word for word. It’s a pity that we don’t realise that the writings of Manto can teach us humanities, while Ghalib in his collection of ghazals has discussed all the human emotions.
Furthermore, in many ways Urdu has left both Arabic and Persian behind in the collection of Islamic literature, which is extremely crucial for us as a Muslim nation. Last month when I visited Pakistan after a period of 10 years, I found the average person to be intellectually dead. I also realised that our nation is seriously lacking critical thinkers.
Khalid Ahmed said that Urdu writers in Pakistan have stopped being creative. His statement shows his limited study of Urdu. My suggestion to him is that he should pick up all the books by Mustansar Hussain Tarar and to watch every show created by Anwar Maqsood; he will find all the creativity he wants.
JIBRAN BAIG
Florida, USA
THERE should be absolutely no debate on the Hudood Ordinance. It should be abolished completely as it is against women and the freedom of thought and expression. The MMA has no authority to debate this bill. Their governments in Balochistan and the NWFP have, using illogical justifications, restricted education and medical facilities for women. Their strikes cause so much hassle for people.
I am an educated Muslim who has married outside my race and religion. I was continually harassed at my workplace when pregnant and had to leave the country with my husband because of this unholy ordinance. We were threatened by the police and a sectarian party, which caused immense stress and tension in our marriage and had we not left the country, we would have surely separated. Leaving the country saved my marriage.
This ordinance does not allow single women to live alone while men can easily do so. Many educated and talented single female friends of mine have migrated abroad because the police and the neighbours harassed them under the garb of the Hudood Ordinance. Several others like me who made their own decisions to marry outside their religion and race have migrated abroad too.
Thus this ordinance is draining Pakistan of the moderate, sensible and educated men and women. President Musharraf, himself such an enlightened man, should do away with this atrocious mockery of Islamic law.
Moreover, I have witnessed uncountable times how the Hudood Ordinance has protected the rapist and sentenced the victim. Pakistan is a male chauvinist country where ordinances like these help to further make the situation of women worse and take away whatever little rights they have and have no place in the law. Moreover, Pakistan was never made in the name of Islam. Jinnah made it so that Muslims could live in a separate state and be able to practise their religion, not interfere with it. The Hudood Ordinance gives an excuse to the West to criticise Islam, things that I’ve heard so many times here in Canada. Ordinances like these have badly tarnished Pakistan’s image abroad and the current debate has caused me considerable embarrassment even among my friends and relatives from Muslim countries like Turkey and Malaysia.
AN IRATE PAKISTANI
Mississauga, Canada
WE celebrate defence day every year in memory of the war which our nation fought for its survival. Yet, there are few people or rather elements who downgrade the achievement of our nation during that war. We fought as a single entity and I believe that we will do so once again if called upon.
Please project the bright side of the coin to your readers. Our newspapers are filled with the doomsday prophets with every columnist worth his salt lambasting the Pakistan government and its people. I am fed up with this. I salute my nation and am most proud to be called a Pakistani. Let us take pride in ourselves and in our country.
RAJA SHAHID NAZIR
Khushab
I AM reminded of a story I heard a few years ago from a Sikh friend who used to work in the Indian air defence during the 1965 war. He told me that there was a Pakistani pilot who would keep flying around even after the rest of his squadron had flown back. We knew he did not have any more bombs or ammo left. Maybe he was waiting to be challenged. This pilot was always the last to leave. “We came to know him well and often gave the clear siren with him still flying overhead, O bara dilayer banda si”.
I am sure someone in Pakistan air force will read this and know who that fighter pilot was. I want him to know that someone from the other side of the border still remembers him and he speaks of him in an almost affectionate way.
TARIQ K. SAMI, MD
Indiana, USA
IN response to Khurram Munir’s letter (Sept 8) I would like to say that irrespective of whether proposing of new boundaries in the Middle East or any other part is valid or not we must try to find out why this question arose in the first place. Few countries in this global village, including the US, are void of multiculturalism, yet people are living harmoniously in several countries without any major issues.
This is not true for the region under discussion. Since ages these areas have remained disturbed due to various reasons and one of these is religious and/or ethnic divide. If we had tried to settle our difference in more decent ways, we would not have led people to reach such conclusions.
Therefore, turning the tables will not change the way people think about us. We have to change our behaviour in the appropriate direction.
DR FAHAD J. SIDDIQUI
Perth, Australia
While reading an article on some Pakistani Americans’ visit to Israel (Dawn, July 3) I came upon the following: “Dr Atiq said the trip helped give him an understanding of the issues and the realities on the ground in Israel that he thought he knew, but realised during the visit that he did not know as well as he should have.”
The above statement is a case of “unknown unknown” as defined by US secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld. His words have since been rendered into a poem titled Unknown:
“As we know, / There are known knowns. /There are things we know we know./ We also know/ There are known unknowns./That is to say/ We know there are some things/ We do not know./But there are also unknown unknowns,/The ones we don’t know/ We don’t know.” —Feb12, 2002 US department of defence news briefing
S.G. JILANEE
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item on the Karachi Metropolitan page ( Sept 7) “City govt to introduce 250 more CNG buses”. I am quite surprised that when the previous city government introduced these buses for the first time in Karachi, the then provincial government put up every hurdle and spent all their energy in trying to ensure that the project would fail. Now the same bunch of people is trying to implement the same project with great pride. Only in Pakistan.
ASHAR
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
ACCORDING to a senior police official, the Afghan consul-general was robbed because he was moving in the city without ‘proper protocol’. So now we know how to beat crime in the city. Everyone should have a motorcycle escort and a police mobile behind him.
SHAKIR LAKHANI
Karachi
A NEWS headline read: ‘QUAID desired army under civilian government, says Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada’. I had to bite my tongue twice to believe what I was reading and then look up to the cloudless sky to see if it was pouring. Finally I started counting the signs of Doomsday.
All I can say is that the great constitutional lawyer is either trying to add his name in the list of the noble believers of democracy, or casting a bad omen on Gen Musharraf. In Urdu there is a proverb for people like him, “Nu sau chouhey khaa ke billi Haj ko chalee” (After eating nine hundred rats the cat went on Haj pilgrimage).
GHAYYUR AYUB
UK
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