| October 14, 2006 | Saturday | Ramazan 20, 1427 |
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Promoting moderate forces
Dengue fever epidemic
Shooting at will
Price hike in Ramazan
PTCL’s discrimination
Misinterpreting Jinnah
‘One step forward, two back’
Saluting our cricket team
Oil spill
Liaquat Jatoi
Ball tampering and after
MQM in Punjab
Ruttie Jinnah
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
THE reply of Mr Saifuddin E. Contractor (letter, Sept 26) to my letter (Sept 16) is quite puzzling. First, I am of the firm opinion that Article 58(2)(b) was introduced by Gen Zia with an ill-motive, only to keep the civil set-up hostage to his manipulations. That he removed his own selected candidate on charges that later on were proved flimsy establishes my point. Moreover, it is the constitutional history of Pakistan that, due to interference in the judiciary, the executive commands have seldom been declared ultra varies.
In the constitutional petitions filed right from Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan's case, executive pronouncements were validated except in the case of Asma Jilani (when Yahya Khan already abdicated) and in a petition Zafar Ali Shah vs. the Federation of Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif's first tenure) when the apex court with majority verdict restored the prime minister.
So much so that in the case of Haji Saifullah vs the Federation of Pakistan, on the intervention of the then COAS Mirza Aslam Beg, which he publicly admits, the late Mohammad Khan Junejo was deprived of his legitimate right on the plea that elections were already in the offing. Thus the writer’s plea regarding the check available on the misuse of 58(2)(b) is unsubstantiated.
I fail to understand the writer's treating parliamentary majority as ‘brute majority’. If he is doing it only to defend insertion of the draconian article in the Constitution, I regret to say that probably he has no proper understanding of the spirit of parliamentary democracy. For a misdemeanour of a leader, removing the entire house is like punishing the entire nation.
In the parliamentary form of democracy it is the majority that is entitled to form government. However, to create checks and balances on the misuse of powers, an absolutely independent and free judiciary is a sine qua non without altering the character of the Constitution through superfluous arguments.
Therefore, instead of pleading for upholding executive interference in the affairs, the institution of judiciary should be made autonomous, free and completely independent from executive meddling; and in this lie our salvation. In the end, I once again reiterate that the Constitution of 1973 should be restored in the same form it was approved by the constituent assembly unanimously.
MANSOOR UL HAQ SOLANGI
Karachi
I READ with interest the news item (Oct 12) about President Musharraf's appeal to Pakistanis to vote for the moderate forces in the upcoming election. Well, like it is said, "better late than never"; the appeal is a welcome omen and should be supported. However, Gen Musharraf should realise that he and his policies have already done much damage to the moderate forces in the country, and it will be difficult to heal them in such a short time.
All these years, during his tenure of past seven years, the reactionaries had a field day in Pakistan where they were allowed complete freedom to pursue just about any cause that they wanted to. Be it a public meeting, collection of funds in the name of jihad, or a book launch eulogising suicide bombers (Jaanat ke Musafir was launched by Jamaat-i-Islami in July 2005), they had full freedom to do as they pleased without any check or hindrance from the establishment.
On the contrary, the moderate forces in the country, like the Pakistan People’s Party, were restrained and gagged and were never accorded the same freedom -- or even a fraction of what was accorded to the reactionaries.
In fact, all measures were taken to try to ward off and weaken the moderate elements by promoting the rightists instead. Ignoring and marginalising the leadership of the ARD and the selection of Maulana Fazlur Rahman to the office of the Opposition leader in the National Assembly is just one of the examples to quote from.
All these years President Musharraf laboured to complete what Gen Zia had left unfinished: that is to crush the Pakistan People’s Party. It is a welcome omen, however, that what Zia failed to realise in 11 years of his rule, President Musharraf has realised in seven years.
It is a good sign that he has now realised that it is important that the moderate forces in the country be strengthened. This is the only way he can rein in the extremists and reactionaries, and save the Quaid's Pakistan from being lost and destroyed.
SYED FAIZ AHMAD
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
RESIDENTS of Karachi are facing a serious health threat from the rapid spread of Dengue fever across the metropolis. Immediate and robust measures should be taken to deal with this public health crisis and to protect the people.
Local health-care authorities and professionals, as well as all forms of media, should collaborate in combating this scourge aggressively.
Public service announcements should be printed in all local newspapers and aired on radio stations and TV channels continuously to educate the masses about the disease, as well as the protective measures everyone should take to minimise the risk of contracting this disease. Media reporting of negligence or incompetence by public health officials in dealing with this type of epidemic is essential in promoting the safety and welfare of the general public.
Community leaders should contact the local health authorities to undertake fumigation of potential sources of mosquito breeding areas. Being informed, educated and actively involved in the pursuit of health, safety and well-being of everyone is our civic duty. City officials should be held accountable for their actions or inactions in carrying out their responsibilities as required.
EJAZ AHMED
California, USA
AFTER birth I lived in an atmosphere of ‘thanas’ which were headed by my father, who was subsequently awarded the coveted King’s Police Medal in 1932.
After graduation, I left home for work. During this period I knew very well the ins and outs of police life, which is very tough. Because of this, I had no difficulty in contacts with DIGs, SPs and down below.
For some years my sympathies with the police have diminished. Shooting at will is one of the reasons. It started with the unwarranted shooting of a business magnate outside the PIDC house some years ago. Recently the chief justice of Pakistan took suo motu notice of a killing by the police. The latest shooting occurred near the Aga Khan Hospital. How long will such barbaric acts continue for the chief justice to take notice of.
During the British rule only officers were allowed fire arms and shooting could take place only under the direction of the district magistrate. Once my father had to use his pistol after midnight to scare away a dangerous object that was a nuisance during nights. Next morning father wrote a note to his SP informing him of the use of a bullet.
Now I see police constables with rifles slung over their shoulders. Why are they allowed to shoot at will? In early days police constables could carry wooden batons or lathis (staves). Even when shooting was ordered, the gun-totters would shoot at the tyres or legs. Why this big change?
The present federal home secretary had been the IG in Sindh and he knows better of what is happening here. He is requested to consult his minister and draft a summary for the cabinet directing how to take corrective measures.
S. FARID AHMAD
Karachi
THE price of essential items has increased and become unaffordable for poor people in the holy month of Ramazan. Although the city government has issued a fixed price list to grocers, as well as to fruit and vegetable sellers, no one wants to follow the price list. And as a result, the people, especially the poor, remain at the mercy of the grocers and vendors.
Everything is being sold for at least Rs15 to 20 more than the usual rate. The prices of sugar, milk, meat, ghee and pulses were already increased before Ramazan.
According to a press report, the Indian government declared a 50 per cent discount on every item of daily use at the start of Ramazan, and the traders agreed with the government’s policy.
If they can arrange some relief for their people, why can’t traders and grocers in our country do the same? Every year the government promises to maintain prices in the month of fasting and to give a handsome package to the people, but when the month of Ramazan actually starts, it fails to keep its promise.
Now the time has come for the authorities concerned to take serious notice against those who are involved in the price hike, and those found guilty should be punished and fined appropriately.
MEHMOOD KHAN
Karachi
REFERENCE to the letter titled ‘PTCL’s discrimination’ (Oct 12), Rafique Zakaria has not captioned his letter correctly. Discrimination means any individual who is treated unequally based on his/her religion, national origin, sex, colour, age, weight, height, familial or marital status.
The US, which has the most comprehensive and broad-based federal and state statutes and laws in the world, came up with this definition. In short, the PTCL is fully justified in offering discounts to callers to those countries where they feel business opportunities as long as they are not in any violation.
ASIF A. KHAN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter (Sept 25) by Mr Liaquat H. Merchant. While conceding approbation to the text, I may say that Mr Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be a democratic state based on the essential principals of Islam. And in no way did he contemplate to be a theocratic state.
He abhored the rule of the state by the so-called priest class with a divine mission. To streamline the Muslims on a single platform, he desisted using the word secular due to expediency to free the Muslims from foreign rule and Hindu domination.
On the advent of Pakistan, he was much clear that he desired a secular, modern and democratic state where all citizens are equal and enjoy the same rights. They may belong to any religion or sect. Religion has nothing to do with the affairs of the state. Mr Merchant, its seems, has not clearly spelt out in his letter.
Mr Tahir Mirza, in his article, ‘The ideology Question’ (Sept 22), lends food for thought where the focal point in the Quaid's Aug 11 speech is a clear enunciation of his idea of Pakistan as a liberal democracy. Mullahcracy would not be tolerated by the silent majority in any case.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Aized Nasim under the caption ‘Misinterpreting Jinnah’ (Sept 21).
Mr Nasim begins his letter with a reference to Sharifuddin Pirzada’s remark that the “Quaid wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state”, and he ends with his apprehensions about Pakistan becoming a theocratic state. The problem is that the writer is unable to differentiate between an Islamic state and a theocratic state.
During the last 14 centuries there had never been any role model of theocracy in the countries ruled by Muslims, whereas theocracy thrived in the Christian world and it still exists in the form of the papacy in the Vatican City. The role model for the Islamic state existed all along in the form of the Caliphate. The Quaid was wise enough to envisage Pakistan as an Islamic state. He did not opt for a secular state.
According to the Quaid’s good wishes, Pakistan is now an ‘Islamic Republic’ as declared through the Constitution of 1973. Secularism cannot survive here and no law can be enforced in Pakistan that carries any semblance of secularism. Mr Pirzada was in the thick of Pakistan movement and he has correctly conveyed the Quaid’s message.
I am also a witness to the Pakistan Movement in New Delhi where Muslim members of the Indian Legislative Assembly were greeted with Islamic slogans by the Muslim employees of the Indian Secretariat.
Indian Muslims offered sacrifices for the sake of Islam, and that is the raison d’etre for an Islamic state. Pakistanis brought up and educated under western influence in Pakistan cannot appreciate the religious fervour of Indian Muslims who sacrificed much while waging the Khilafat Movement. Secularism was never their aim.
NASIM AHMED
Islamabad
IN his article 'One step forward, two back' (Oct 12) Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy has this to say about a woman alleging to have been raped, "Under the Hudood law, she is considered guilty (of fornication or adultery) unless she can prove her innocence.
Proof of innocence requires that the rape victim must produce 'at least four Muslim adult male witnesses, about whom the court is satisfied' who saw the actual act of penetration. Inability to do so may result in her being jailed or perhaps even sentenced to death for adultery".
This is contrary to fact, for there is no such provision in the Hudood laws. I would request Dr Hoodbhoy to do me a favour by quoting the provision in the Hudood laws, if any, which says that a woman alleging rape will be presumed guilty of fornication or adultery, unless she can produce witnesses in support of her allegation.
ASAF ALI SHAH
Lahore
I AM writing this letter in the wake of the violent actions threatened by India's extremist party Shiv Sena against the Pakistan cricket team. They have warned our side not to play in India, otherwise the pitches will be dug up.
The point is that if any other national team had been in their place, it would have packed its bags and left rather than play in India. In the end we, the Pakistani nation, should appreciate our players.
HUSSAIN FIRDOUS ALI
Karachi
IT is rather unfortunate that another oil spill has occurred in close proximity to the Karachi harbour. Although the KPT and the Sindh environment minister claim that there is no ecological damage, residents living near Seaview have witnessed some remnants of the spill, including dead fish that have washed ashore. But ,thankfully, at least the water fountain is still up and running.
HUSSAIN KAKAL
Toranto
COME on, Imrana Maqsood, stop making jokes about the poor minister (letter, Oct 12). He is already suffering a rigorous imprisonment by taking a responsibility for something he has no clue about. So, let’s demand his ‘tormentors’ to release Minister Liaquat Jatoi from this ordeal.
AFTAB S. ALAM
USA
THE ball tampering episode ended on Sept 28 with Ranjan Madugalle, the chief referee of the ICC, clearing Inzamam and Pakistan of ball tampering charges and banning Inzamam for four ODIs, which is the minimum penalty for bringing the game into disrepute. Now the PCB has written to the ICC to take action against Darrell Hair too for bringing the game into disrepute, which is also the wish of all cricket-loving people. And his removal from the elite panel of umpires for good will be a fair and just action.
But the matter should not rest here. A thorough analysis is needed, going to the depth of the whole episode to see if it was a unilateral action of Hair and whether this ugly and unpleasant incident could have been avoided. And even a cursory glance would show that the whole drama was expertly stage-managed by Malcolm Speed, by ignoring the repeated requests of the PCB not to appoint Hair in their matches and deliberately appointing him for the last Test match.
The CEO of the ICC, which post Malcolm Speed has been holding for a very long time now, should be a calm, cool-headed and totally impartial person and, instead of behaving like a dictator, should accommodate rational and reasonable requests of the member-countries. He should be capable of averting crisis instead of creating one, which Malcolm Speed did in the recent case. Malcolm Speed, besides being highly vindictive, has failed to demonstrate these qualities while holding such a sensitive office in the ICC. He needs to be replaced before it is too late.
S. NAQI HASAN
Lahore
THIS refers to the letter by Concerned entitled 'MQM in Punjab' (Oct 11). After the great divide of 1947, West Punjab hosted nearly seven million emigrants from East Punjab.
Since their language and culture are in complete harmony with those of their western brothers, the MQM, I think, will not be able to cause any ethnic divide in that province. It’s only in Sindh, that in the name of 'cultural diversity' the whole province has been turned into a melting pot of ethnic strife and hostility.
LIAQUAT THAHEEM
Karachi
THIS refers to Syed Raza's query (Oct 13) about the burial place of Ruttie Jinnah. I have had the chance of visiting her resting place. She is buried in the Khoja Ithna Ashari cemetery located at Nariyal Waadi, Mazgaon, in Mumbai. The erstwhile great star of Indian cinema, Meena Kumari, the tragedy queen herself, is also buried close by.
MAZHAR M. CHINOY
Lahore
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