| October 09, 2006 | Monday | Ramazan 15, 1427 |
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Corruption in the Third World
Muslims & religion
PCB chairman
Never forget
A matter of image
8-A buses stop plying
Highway Code 1965
Sword of honour
Haj quota for sale
PMA in the line of fire
Telephones out of order
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
THIS has reference to Mazhar Butt’s letter ‘Wrong fishing policy’ (Sept 29) Perhaps the writer is not aware that most maritime countries have progressed by modernising their fishing fleets -– our obsolete wooden boats won’t do. The clash of interest between local fishermen and deep-sea trawler operators in this respect was the result of wrong fishing policy.
In recent years very few deep-sea trawlers have been operating, as the writer himself has claimed that the contribution of deep-sea trawlers is very small in the total fish exports. The devastations caused by these trawlers naturally cannot be so colossal.
The fact, however, remains that while 100 per cent catch of deep-sea trawlers is exported, only 17 per cent of the local fishermen’s is exported. Moreover, deep-sea trawlers are not responsible for sea pollution, which is caused by industrial wastes, especially toxic chemicals dumped in coastal areas.
The use of katranets (mosquito-net type) by coastal fishermen has also caused destruction of our fish resources. If Mr Butt is pointing out the devastation caused by tuna long liners, his observations to a great extent can be true.
In 1992, during the IJI government, the then food and agriculture minister, with his joint secretary, came to Karachi. He called a meeting for the exploration of tuna fish resources, to which I was also invited. Earlier in 1983-84 I had conducted a survey, with the help of my Korean fishing partner, of tuna fish resources existing in our water. At that time we were already involved in bottom trawling with a Korean company. The research and feasibility report was prepared by me about nine species of tuna existing in our waters.
In good faith I handed over this feasibility report and the photographs of tuna species to the minister at the said meeting, purely in the national interest.
There at that time existed no policy about the exploration of tuna fish. However, after one month I was surprised to know that as many as 60 licences had been issued for the operation of tuna long liners to four companies reportedly owned by favourites. This was done in the name of tuna stock assessment survey without any policy. These long liners operated for three years. The owner of these long liners was a Taiwanese and the fish buyers were Japanese who bore the total expenditure. The Japanese reportedly made the agreement that they would only buy yellow fin tuna above 42kg weight. As a result, all the fish catch of other species and even yellow fin tuna below 42kg was dumped in water causing wastage of millions of tons of fish, which also resulted in unprecedented water pollution.
After these unfortunate three years the whole generation and existence of tuna fish species vanished in the Arabian Sea, especially in our waters. This only reappeared in some quantity after tsunami.
Now despite this disastrous experience, instead of punishing the culprits, the ministry of food and agriculture has again called new applications for tuna long liner in the name of Pakistani flag vessels to operate in high seas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e., EEZ) of Pakistan.
It appears that the same people have again become active, including the said Taiwanese. As a pioneer of deep-sea fishing industry, I consider it my responsibility to caution the government against the revival of the old racket. How can a Pakistani buy a long liner costing about $5 million to $10 million? How will he bear the huge operational expenses?
When we have not fully utilised our own fishing area and using the old-styled wooden boats, how can we be in a position to operate successfully beyond our EEZ. Here I would also like to remind that in the past one company was given a loan of Rs40 million by the Banker’s Equity in the name of Pakistan flag. One has a right to know about the fate of these vessels purchased from this loan. Even I was offered a loan of Rs120 million by the Bankers Equity which I refused. Now the government is again planning to allow reportedly 26 long liners for operating in international waters. I fail to understand the logic behind this and who is behind all this.
I appeal to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to conduct an inquiry into this whole matter, and action be taken against those who caused an irreparable damage to our fish resources owned by 150 million Pakistanis. Such people are again out to make illegal money at the cost of national exchequer.
K. MURAD BEY
Karachi
THE World Bank has identified corruption as the greatest obstacle to economic and social development in Third World countries, including Pakistan. By the blessing and culture of protecting the guilty and the corrupt by the omnipotent and immune establishment, Islamic Republic of Pakistan is among the top 10 corrupt countries of the world. This is only due to the insatiable greed and avariciousness of the rulers of our country. It is evident that corruption has undermined development by distorting the rule of law and weakening the institutional foundation on which economic growth depends. Its fatal effects are clearly visible in our society.
The detrimental effects of corruption are especially severe on the poor who are hardest hit by economic degradation and decline. They rely on the provision of public services, and are least capable of paying the extra costs associated with bribery, fraud, and the misappropriation of economic privileges.
Corruption in Third World countries sabotages policies and programmes that aim at reducing poverty, so attacking and eliminating corruption is essential and critical to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goal and World Bank’s overarching mission of poverty reduction. It is believed that an effective anti-corruption strategy builds on five key elements: increasing political accountability, strengthening civil society participation, creating a competitive private sector, institutional restraints on power, and improving public sector management.
To reduce the corrosive impact of corruption in a sustainable way, it is essential to go beyond the symptoms to tackle the causes of corruption. Since 1996, the World Bank has supported more than 600 anti-corruption programmes and governance initiatives developed by its member-countries. Unfortunately, in our country, which is entirely dependent on the assistance of the UN and World Bank, no programme has materialised except exhortations and tall claims in the halls of power in Islamabad.
PROF M. A. QAYUM
Sukkur
IN her article ‘So the pope is human too’ (Magazine, Sept 24), Ms Maheen A. Rashdi has quoted a message posted on the BBC website’s viewer gallery.
It says: “The reason Christians endure criticism and Muslims throw a fit every time someone looks at them in the wrong way is that they (i.e. the Christians) are far more secure in their faith and just don’t care what other people think so much.”
The person has got the analysis wrong. It is not that the Muslims feel less secure in their religion, but they revere it more and have a greater sense of honour and shame (though some of them have it in excess.
A few examples will illustrate the point. The French soccer team captain Zinedine Zidane had said that his mother and sister had been insulted by the Italian footballer, as a result of which he lost his temper. Thus, his sense of honour for revered female members of the family had made him to react.
Many years back, a British cricketer had said insulting words on the field to a Pakistani umpire about his mother. The umpire was furious and warned him to be exceedingly careful in these matters because it can lead to serious consequences in this part of the world.
Last year, there was the story of the British diplomat who had said something similar to the son-in-law of the nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, when the young man had reprimanded him for violating the traffic rules.
This had resulted in a brawl (after which the diplomat had made some false allegations to prove his innocence but some bystanders had witnessed the scene and revealed the truth).
It is quite natural for the Muslims to react to insults against all that they hold dear, including the Prophet (peace be upon him) or the religion, due to the love and respect they have for them, not because of any insecurity.
In contrast, the Christians in the West, especially Europe, have become very secular-minded and irreverent, as is often lamented by the same officials of the Vatican who are now lambasting Islam and its founder.
One suspects such persons are envious of the attachment and reverence the Muslims feel for what they consider sacred. In fact, the Muslims are equally respectful of all the other prophets from Adam down to Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all), which shows their confidence. Actually, it is some other people’s shakiness that appears to be driving them to attacking Islam.
ADIL ABDULLAH
Karachi
THE new PCB chairperson is a doctor and I believe a nephrologist (kidney specialist). That is good in so far as nephrologists are meticulous professionals who have to pay a lot of attention to detail in caring for their patients. Good luck to my highly accomplished senior colleague in this assignment.
However, I cannot help thinking that if a doctor was to be heading Pakistani cricket at this point, it should’ve been a psychiatrist. In any event a psychologist/psychiatrist must be involved with the team at all times and certainly be available to ward off impulsive, damaging decisions that have far reaching detrimental consequences for both player and team.
Such a professional’s role would be as important, if not more, as the coach. This view is further reinforced by the article in Dawn (‘Moment of madness’, Oct 7) describing Younis Khan’s actions as a moment of madness.
In fact, over the last few years, one can recall several such moments involving a variety of players both on and off the field.
The cricket team needs professional help to handle the enormous stress, sorting out their complexes and keeping a positive frame of mind. This is genuine advice and not an attempt at ridicule.
DR ARSHAD AHMED
Karachi
THE date October 8 holds painful memories for the people of Pakistan. However, it was in the aftermath of the earthquake that the true character of the people of Pakistan was tested. Aid came pouring in from the poor as well as from the rich and we all did the best we could, but still a lot needs to be done.
Winter is just around the corner and thousands of families with young children still need our help and support.
Let us once again make a sincere effort this Ramazan and help those in need in every way we can so that memories of the past do not haunt the survivors once again this Eid.
TALHA PERACHA
Virginia, USA
THIS is with reference to the letters published on Sept 28 and 29, regarding the publishing errors found in the book In The Line of Fire. Speaking from a publishing background, it is quite often the case that we editors don’t know the extremely miniscule details of texts. Although it is our responsibility to see to it that the text is coherent and clear, as a matter of trust the responsibility over detailed accuracy is usually bestowed upon the author, who after all is the one writing the book. This is especially true given the prestigious calibre of authors who are experts in their profession.
The errors pointed out by letter writer Ms Huma are miniscule since the dates vary only by one day. Let me emphasise that dates, correct quotes, issues of plagiarism are all faulty errors of the expert writing the book -– in this case the author. If publishers were experts — on Pakistani history so to say — why would they need to pay outside authors to compose the text? That’s why authors usually have researchers working for them who do the fact-checking.
Concordantly, issues pertaining to flow, grammar, sentence structure, and jacket design are all errors that fall within the domain of the publisher. Not many people understand, but if there are fact problems or plagiarism, the issue should be taken up with the expert who has written the work.
Gen Musharraf brings a unique perspective to the market, especially since there is no other sitting president of Pakistan more qualified to write about the ‘war on terror’. The book is number four on Amazon’s Bestseller List, and the Pakistani people should maintain their country’s new image and be exuberant that their positive regional importance has been outlined poignantly to the American thinking circles.
The larger issue at hand is why Gen Musharraf even published his memoir in the United States. The argument here is that it was meant for a different audience, an audience which seldom hears about the accomplishments of Pakistan against terrorism. Unfortunately, a key trait of Pakistanis is to disparage people who have gained international recognition, such as Abdus Salam. Instead of cynically searching for factual flaws, this seminal work should inspire Pakistani analysts to publish their own perspectives, rather than scorning whatever little has been accomplished already.
WAMIQ JAWAID
New York, USA
I WOULD like bring to the notice of the Sindh public transport authorities that 8-A buses, operating from the PIB Colony to Keamari via Saddar and I.I. Chudrigar Road have stopped their service due to restrictions on plying buses on I.I. Chundrigar Road.
Following the stoppage of 8-A buses, commuters from the localities of PIB Colony, Martin Road, Jail Road, Jamshed Road have been facing a great difficulty in reaching Saddar. This was the only bus which used to ply from the PIB Colony to Saddar, while there are buses of five different routes, such as 5-C, 4-L and 6, that ply from Teen Hatti to Saddar.
If these buses are diverted from Teen Hatti to Jail Road, to Jamshed Road and then to their normal route toward Saddar, thousands of PIB Colony commuters will get much relief.
Hopefully the authorities concerned will do the needful.
NAYAB RAZA
Karachi
ACCORDING to the Highway Code 1965, the third rule for correct course through the roundabout is as under: “When turning right, approach the right-hand lane; yield to the traffic coming from the right; use the right-turn indicator before entering the roundabout and maintain this signal in the roundabout; change to the left turn indicator at the exit and leave as indicated by the solid line.”
This rule is being bypassed at Kalima Chowk on Ferozepur Road. I don’t think anyone in the law-enforcement agencies has read the booklet of Pakistan Highway Code.
I myself have observed many escape fatal accidents in the morning rush hour when there is no traffic light working and no traffic police available. And one can’t see the traffic coming from the opposite side when turning right.
I would like to ask the authorities to ensure that the correct rule is implemented immediately in order to avoid any major accident.
MAZHARUL HAQ KHAN
Lahore
THIS has reference to Brig (r) K. N. Iqbal’s letter ‘Sword of honour’ (Oct 4). The analysis and conclusion drawn by the author is lop-sided. If pilot officer Sara Amin has been awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour, it only shows that she was the best in that group of 36 cadets. Casting aspersions on the induction of other batch-mates, especially the males, is undermining the best overall performance of Sara, besides inferring that flaws exist in the selection process of flight cadets in the PAF.
If this remark had come from anyone who had not been through the armed forces academies, it could have been condoned but coming from a retired brigadier is simply not comprehensible.
The PAF has always worked for the ultimate standards in grooming its workforce at all levels of operations and this inculcation starts at the initial stage in the PAF Academy, Risalpur, for the pilots.
Sara, you have made all Pakistanis proud and there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that you were on top of your batch and deserved that position.
WG-CDR ( r) ARIF MAJEED
Karachi
THE ministry of religious affairs, zakat and ushr has issued a fresh list of 189 new Haj group organisers for 15,000 pilgrims.
There were over 1,900 applicants; less than 10 per cent applicants got approval for the Haj quota for December, while the remaining 90 per cent have no idea what the criterion was.
We would like to know how the successful applicants were chosen, and on what grounds the other applicants were rejected, for they never received a phone call or letter informing them of the details.
It seems that other things were required apart from complete documentation. The whole process of selecting new Haj group organisers is completely non-transparent.
Most of new Haj organisers do not have experience of providing these specialised tours and they are selling their entire quota for Rs15,000 to Rs25,000 per person.
Who will be responsible for the extreme hardship which will be faced by the innocent pilgrims?
FAISAL AMIN
Karachi
I AM thoroughly amused that between the three of them, Gen Musharraf (In the Line of Fire), Lt-Gen (r) Ali Kuli Khan (Dawn, Oct 4) and Col (r) Ihsanullah (Dawn, Oct 5) cannot decide whether the cadets shortlisted for selection to undergo training at Sandhurst were four, five or six.
This is proof enough that the alleged petty nitpicking is not an exclusive preserve of us civilians.
SHOAIB MIR
Lahore
MY telephones both of residence No. 6647516 and clinic No. 6641821 have been out of order for the last about eight weeks. Numerous complaints lodged in this regard were of no help.
May I hope the PTCL would do the needful?
DR ANEES H. MALLICK
Karachi
MY telephone 5052819 has been dead for more than two months. All my complaints in this regard have so far drawn no response from the PTCL.
MOHAMMAD BINYA ANSARI
Karachi
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