| September 18, 2006 | Monday | Sha'aban 24, 1427 |
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Monsoon and Hub River Road
World Bank pressure
Judging a soldier’s performance
Concern over harassment
Education budget
Registering FIR
Harnessing tidal power
Quota for Haj
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
AS the first anniversary approaches of the devastating earthquake which brought havoc in the northern regions of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, it is hard not to notice the human, religious and psychological impact it had on us.
Immediately after the earthquake I read numerous remarks in the media, where as a reflex the people of Pakistan were being blamed for the natural disaster, claiming that if they were to live their lives as dictated by the so-called religious scholars then such a catastrophe could be avoided.
The question to them is how can you stop these natural disasters which are a part of Allah’s geophysical laws that govern this universe? They have occurred since the conception of the earth and will continue to do so until the end.
If they were to understand geology, then their grey matter might just grasp that Kashmir lies in the area of collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
The geological activity born out of this collision is also responsible for the birth of the Himalayan mountain range. Secondly, why does the same earthquake have no casualties in Japan while they kill about 40,000 in Iran and over 100,000 in Pakistan.
The answer is simple: they have recognised and learnt the science of earthquakes and have devised buildings which can withstand such a phenomenon.
Moreover, they (and most of the western world) have the most sophisticated rescue operation equipment and teams who can respond within minutes and minimise the damaging effects of disasters. Therefore, it would be right to say that buildings are more of a killer than the earthquake itself.
In a country where more than one-third of the population lives below the poverty line, it is a crime to spend money otherwise. I hope we realise in time that jihad (literally meaning “to struggle”) can be waged against poverty, illiteracy and corruption as well rather than against innocent civilians all over the world. It is high time we should stop looking at natural disasters in a theocratic way and try comprehending them scientifically.
How many Islamic countries rushed or could arrive and help at the scene in Pakistan. Not many. We didn’t even have bulldozers or other earth-moving equipment to deal with such abrupt calamity. Due to our incorrect interpretation of religion, we didn’t have that many trained rescue dogs whereas foreign teams that came have proved that these animals were helpful in locating survivors.
Now just for a second imagine a similar natural event occurring in a city like Karachi. Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. If we do not pay attention to such amenities now and carry on as it is, then we are knowingly heading for another great disaster, only this time we will not be able to put all the blame on God. Confucius said: “Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and stars.”
DR YASIR ABBASI
Nottinghamshire, UK
THIS letter particularly refers to the much-trumpeted initiatives/concessions being offered for the last seven years to local and foreign investors for setting up industries in various areas of Pakistan.
I have been working in the Hub industrial area for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, the agencies concerned forgot to provide a long-lasting support infrastructure for quick and easy movement of man and material. The basic necessity of a good road was never fulfilled. Some half-hearted attempts were made to patch up and repair the shabby Hub River Road. But this road was never up to the standard of a highway as claimed by the National Highway Authority.
Recently a part of Northern Bypass was opened up at Shershah to allow traffic movement and this eased the travel miseries of people like me. It took us just 20 minutes to reach our destination through this road and everyone heaved a sigh of relief after 20 years of agony.
But alas at the very first shower in the area, this part of the road was closed by the NLC for reasons best known to them. The resultant was a daily ordeal of four to five hours due to traffic blockade at the Mowach Bridge. The muddy track at this particular juncture turned into a pool of water, causing heavy vehicles to slump into ditches. It was always our luck if we passed through the area avoiding gaping holes under the rainy water. The traffic police despite their best efforts were helpless as the so-called RCD Highway had just vanished at this place.
To add to our misery, the road adjacent to the Naval Colony also got damaged during rain. This was another blockade after the Mowach. The traffic going from Shershah to the Hub and back was stuck for hours without any relief in a short distance of three to four kilometres. The industrial workers remained stuck in the traffic jams for hours on a daily basis and many industries had to close down their activities due to lack of staff. So much for government initiatives for industrialists.
Surprisingly, the amused NLC employees watched this agony of civilians gleefully and kept the Northern Bypass road closed every day. They were least bothered about the happenings around them. There is no harm in saying that they intentionally kept the road closed fearing its collapse due to vehicle movement during showers. Such standard of road construction can only be accepted in our country. It is also expected that this road will remain closed during every rainy season due to the above-cited reasons.
Our state spokesmen are never tired of claiming every facility for the local and foreign investors. I would request them to visit the Hub industrial area through RCD Highway. I am sure they themselves will never even think of investing in this area after just one visit. On their way, they might also meet many foreign visitors on this road swearing never to return to our country.
We can only request the president, the prime minister, chief ministers or anybody who is somebody to visit the Hub industrial area in private vehicle, without any escort. He will then experience the agony of travelling a mere distance of 20 kilometres in four to five hours. This is only possible in our country where we spent almost 30 per cent of our daily time on roads, thus wasting the vital working energy and valuable fuel.
Is there anyone bothered about taking some initiatives to overcome this colossal waste of national resources?
M.Z. JAFRI
Karachi
A NEWS story in Dawn (Sept 14) reported that the “World Bank wants Pakistan to use its two billion on annual assistance effectively”.
It was further reported that Dr Salman Shah, prime minister’s adviser on finance, is going to attend the Columbo conference of the Commonwealth Finance ministers from Sept 15 to 21, where he is going to discuss these matters and seek additional assistance from the World Bank to start new development programmes.
The story seems to conveniently ignore that Pakistan which had been receiving billions of dollars of foreign aid for education has failed to provide adequate funds to scholars for conducting their academic activities.
In this context, I should like to bring to the notice of the World Bank and all authorities and individuals concerned that the officials in education and relevant departments have failed to keep a close check on the misuse of or non-payment of the assured and ‘bonded’ scholarships of those scholars who are sent abroad for education to improve their academic qualifications, which in turn go to improve the functions and effectiveness of education and vocations.
I have it on very good authority that the Islamabad-based government departments and institutions have not been providing regular scholarships to several of these students with the result that they are unable to continue their educational instructions.
They are facing problems in paying their educational dues and even feeding their families who are not covered by scholarships but are inevitably dependent on these scholars.
Such scholars are not in a position to maintain their families in view of the irregular payment of scholarships. Very often they have to fall back on their savings which puts them in dire circumstances.
The World Bank and government departments which disburse scholarships are legally and morally bound to monitor these cases and provide remedies without delay to save them from hardships.
WAJAHAT HASAN
Islamabad
THE taste of pudding is in the eating. A soldier is judged as good or bad in the light of his performance in war. Our history of war is replete with instances where officers with excellent peace-time careers have displayed dismal performance in the war. It means that our system of assessment in the academies, schools and colleges of instructions and units need revamping.
Again, giving away gallantry and other awards to deserving officers and men needs revisions for various reasons. On many occasions these awards are given to those who least deserved. At times these awards are bestowed on those who, otherwise, deserved disciplinary action for act of cowardice or poor performance. These glaring drawbacks are detrimental to the making of a good national defence force.
The wars of 1965 and 1971 and the adventure of Kargil must be thoroughly investigated in order to find our mistakes and to take remedial measures to ensure that these are not repeated in future. Lot many bald-headed, wrinkled- faced, grey-haired, retired generals are visible on the electronic media. They are heard talking about strategies, tactics, and politics on regional and international issues. We are anxious to hear from them the deeds and misdeeds of 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as of the Kargil adventure, for the reasons mentioned above. We have had enough of philosophies of strategies.
The defence forces of Pakistan cannot be representative of Pakistan unless they are represented by all the provinces. Let Sindh and Balochistan give their share for the defence of motherland.
LT-COL(r) RIAZ MOHIUDDIN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mr Stephen P. Cohen’s letter ‘Concern over harassment’(Aug 26). In the first instance, the professor’s change of opinion about high standards of the country’s premier institution he formed during his sojourn 30 years back caught me with bewilderment. Unfortunately, this transformation about an institution of higher learning is prima facie based on a few letters concerning some individual and not founded on any authenticated sources.
However, if compelled at all to demonstrate such concern about one of our oldest institutions, he could have searched sources, i.e., by browsing its website or by allowing the university one more honour by revisiting it to see the vast improvements that occurred during these 30 years.
Although I don’t want to put myself in any controversial situation, for the sake of disparaging remarks about the university’s standing that I am compelled to present the facts to make the record straight.
During these 30 years the Sindh University, Jamshoro, has turned into a modern educational institution, equipped with sophisticated scientific appliances and highly qualified faculty. Originally starting with two faculties — Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Humanities — the university now has six more faculties: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Law.
A number of new/modern disciplines, such as have Public Administration, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Arts and Design, Telecommunications, Environmental Sciences, Information Technology and Biotechnology, have been added.
While many have been provided opportunities to do MPhil and PhD, a number of students are being sent abroad for higher education.
The four-year BS programme has also been introduced to meet the international requirement for higher education. Also, a number of centres and chairs have been established to promote research activities related to science, arts and humanities.
Pakistan Study Centre, Southeast Asia Study Centre, Sindh Development Scientific Centre, International Woman Development Centre, CRDC, Institute of Sindhology, Allama I.I. Chair, Pir Hissamuddin Rashdi Chair, Seerat Chair and Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi Chair have also been established.
There is already a centre of excellence in analytical chemistry. The department of geology has been upgraded as a centre for pure and applied geology. Research journals of science, arts, Pakistan Studies, Islamic Studies, Southeast and Far East Study Centre and departments like Sindhi, English, Urdu, political science, etc., can be mentioned to present a picture of achievements the university has made in its duty of spreading knowledge and providing society with a competitive and dependable manpower.
The university has been organising international conferences and seminars regularly to increase educational activities.
Moreover, new buildings with adequate facilities have been added to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students. Financial help has been increased for the deserving poor and needy students. The central library remains open till late hours to facilitate students and scholars.
Now the university has been connected with Internet facility, which has been made available to students/scholars free of cost. The university has not only gained confidence of students and parents, it is also recognized as a leading educational institution in the country.
I would like the university to invite the learned professor to be its guest and witness himself the expansion and excellence this institution has achieved since his last trip.
Prof (Dr) KAZI KHADIM HUSSAIN
Former Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Sindh, Jamshoro
EVERY government should know how to deal with the vicissitude of socio-economical patterns of society. Today’s post-industrial societies demand more educated and skilled professionals to ameliorate the economy of a country. But unfortunately Pakistan lacks such strategies as can iron out all the problems with the educational process.
The irony of the situation lies in the fact that, on the one hand, the government raises vociferous slogans of ‘parha likha Punjab’ and, on the other hand, it has reduced about Rs5.28 billion reserved for the education sector. This deduction would deprive 60,000 students of higher education.
President Gen Musharraf made a statement that four per cent of the GDP would be reserved for education but 2.8 per cent would be used or may be less. It is a clear manifestation of the convoluted psyche of our politicians. This surely is an irksome situation for students who belong to middle class families for whom this increment was a ray of hope as it could provide them scholarships and better facilities of education as per the international standard but still their dreams are just dreams.
In the lead article published in The Tribune, ‘The two Punjabs: a study in contrast’ (May 14, 2000), the contrast of India and Pakistan literacy rate was mentioned in these words: “The literacy rate in Indian Punjab is 58.5 per cent, more than double the rate for Pakistani Punjab (24.5 per cent). Male literacy in Indian Punjab, at 65.7 per cent, is about double the rate in Pakistani Punjab — 33.5 per cent.
In terms of female literacy, Indian Punjab is almost three-and-a-half times better with 50.4 per cent compared to Pakistani Punjab’s 14.4 per cent”.
In order to keep pace with the progressive world, our politicians should act wisely as it is the only way to curb the internal social conflicts as well as external problems. The government should promote a hasty rethinking at the department of education as our country is in dire need of it.
AMNA FAROOQ
Lahore
THIS is with reference to the news item “Police accused of backing ‘rapist’” (Sept 13). It shows how helpless people can be when the police officer refuses to register an FIR. Police high-ups should take notice of this high-handedness of the SHO concerned in Buner district and register an FIR without any further delay. I would also request the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court to take notice of the issue and order the police to register an FIR immediately and arrest the culprit.
ARSHAD MAHMOOD
Islamabad
PAKISTAN’S need for more electricity will continue to swell rapidly in the future. In South Korea electricity is being generated by harnessing tidal power. Some years ago during my visit to South Korea I was told by informed persons from the power sector that tidal power was being generated at suitable sites along the coastline.
At that time power-generating machinery imported from the then Soviet Union had been installed at tidal power generation stations and power produced at these centres was a sizable percentage of the overall electricity produced in South Korea.
I recall having submitted a short note on the subject to a functionary in the then Benazir Bhutto government.
I suggested that the government should get details of this method of electricity production from South Korea. Tapping solar power for electricity has been a success in some parts of California.
I am also reminded of the possibility of using electricity- generating units in old ships which can be bought cheaply through Greek ship-owning firms and installed in Karachi. Instead of giving power supply jobs to foreign firms which seek huge profits, the government can explore cheaper alternatives.
In fact, in past years the government tried to encourage electricity generation by using wind power.
Will the government or any relevant agency tell the public what possibilities are now available? Electricity shortage can be dangerous and the government should make alternative arrangements from right now because oil is becoming increasingly expensive.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
ACCORDING to a news report (Dawn, Sept 7), the Haj quota for members of Parliament, ministers, governors, chief ministers, speakers and Senate chairman has been prescribed by the ministry of religious affairs. The names provided by them will not be included in balloting. The report further states that the ministry has sought five names of intending pilgrims each from members of parliament, 10 each from minister and minister of state, 15 each from Senate chairman speaker, governors and chief ministers. Bravo the religious ministry for creating a VIP culture in Haj pilgrimage too. The intending pilgrims will now be running after the quota holders.
It is a fit case for the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the matter to stop this discrimination.
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
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