| October 24, 2006 | Tuesday | Ramazan 30, 1427 |
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In defence of Turkey
Substandard vaccine
Who’s to blame?
No one goes hungry
Modarba affairs
Dengue fever
Traffic jam at Jauhar Mor
University ranking
Public faith in NAB
Humanitarian pressure
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
IT seems like the new map of the Middle East, as revealed in the US Armed Forces Journal a couple of months back, is close to becoming a reality, and that too without any tantalising efforts by the US or other non-Muslim nations. Muslims themselves seem to be in a hurry to deliver a redrawn map to the wider world.
Just consider the example of Iraq, where it is not the US armed forces that are primarily responsible for the spilled blood of hundreds of Muslims on a daily basis.
Shias and Sunnis are fighting a turf war over resources and power, inevitably leading to a civil war like situation.
This would eventually lead to the break-up of Iraq as proposed in the map released in the journal article. Kurds, one of the major moderate and non-extremist Muslim ethnic groups, would also get their share of land, away from the rest of Iraq.
It is also inconceivable that the world’s superpower and its ally, i.e., the US and the UK respectively, could not allocate sufficient resources to major combat theatres such as in Iraq or Afghanistan. Till a decade or so back, their military doctrine dictated the readiness for at least two simultaneous major engagements in different parts of the world involving standing up to the might of the Soviet armed forces and those of its ‘iron curtain’ allies.
The apparent deception in portraying themselves as being thin on the ground and not being able to adequately cope with the insurgencies in the two countries can be understood as it has given a false sense of achievement to insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. This allows the withdrawal of the allied forces, so that the invaded countries can easily descend into chaos and ultimately civil war.
The situation in Balochistan, which was mentioned in the article, has been developing at a fast pace, with some tribal lords and their families seeking to continue their feudal dominance over the common rural folk even by means of engaging with foreign courts of law.
Again, any escalation in the situation, both politically and by military means, could translate into a change in boundaries along ethnic and cultural lines, exactly as described in the map.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that the US or the UK would not have to dedicate too many military resources in order to ensure that the map become a reality. Muslims themselves shall carry out their agenda and that too rather quickly.
Whether its Afghanistan or Iraq, the only factor allowing the allied forces to stay there is the sectarian violence and the death of one Muslim at the hands of another. Should such mindless massacre cease to exist, it would become extremely difficult for the US forces to remain on their soil.
Perhaps it is now time for Muslims to appraise their actions and see the benefit in harmonious living; both within the Muslim community and beyond.
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
Hillingdon, UK
I READ with interest the article ‘Armenian genocide is no secret’ by Robert Fisk (Oct 17). Mr Fisk is among the most respected writers and I enjoy reading his columns. Currently I am also reading his book “The Great war for civilisation”. However, I have serious reservation about information on which he has relied and which makes the backbone of the current article.
If the data is corrupt or manipulated, the article loses its credibility. As the so-called Armenian Holocaust happened a long time ago, i.e. in 1915, information has to be obtained indirectly. This is not the same Fisk visiting Shatilla and Sabira camps where the massacre of about 3,000 innocent Palestinian children and women occurred between Sept 16 and 18, 1982 under the guidance of Aerial Sharon, then defence minister of Israel.
Just as Europe is trying very hard to keep Turkey away from the European Union, it is also actively engaged in defamation of Islam and Muslims. The recent French law against deniers of Holocaust is just another move to corrupt the minds of innocent people.
France’s hatred toward Islam and Muslims can also be seen by its ban on headscarves for Muslim girls. France prevented a democratically-elected government to take power in Algeria which has resulted in the death of over 70,000 Algerians by the puppet military regime
Today over 35 per cent Americans firmly believe that 9/11 was an inside act, and these Americans include many professors who have even sacrificed their jobs to be able to tell the truth. Even the Jewish Holocaust was grossly exaggerated and was aimed to force Jews to go nowhere but to Palestine and create state of Israel.
There was written agreement that any Jew who reached Haifa, Israel will get money for his claim for property, etc., in Germany. The fact that laws are made to curb freedom of expression and putting people behind bars for saying what they believe without insulting anyone shows the inherent weakness. It also exposes the fact that lawmakers are deliberately trying to spread falsehood.
I request Mr Robert Fisk to keep the above facts in mind. Islam does not permit even killing of animals and crops of enemies. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) categorically prohibited killing civilians, women and children. Moreover, courts mean nothing in countries like Pakistan and Turkey where the military controls them and they endorse every act of the ruler.
PROF (DR) ANWAR UL
HAQUE Islamabad
THIS is regarding your report about substandard vaccine against hepatitis B. (Sept 26).
It is a matter of concern when billions of rupees are being spent on running a programme. However, it is not known as to who was the supplier and manufacturer of the vaccine. If the manufacturer was WHO/Unicef-approved, the vaccine could not be substandard.
There was a possibility of improper conditions of transportation or storage of vaccine which led to its deterioration. What adverse effects were noticed has not been mentioned in the report.
Of many good things which the ministry of health has done, immunisation of all children under five years against hepatitis B is an important, desirable and effective tool to curtail the morbidity of the disease.
Reports like this, though important, are likely to create an environment of mistrust amongst consumers. Such reports should preferably be followed up so that the facts are known to the affected in its entire perspective.
May I state that an opinion was expressed in these columns in May 2001 that to have a sustainability of the programme, an indigenous manufacture of vaccine is essential. Earlier in 1998 I had met the director of the NIH who told me that they were very close to an agreement with a French or Chinese firm for manufacturing the vaccine locally.
This project was subsequently shelved (Dawn, May 1, 2001). On July I requested the present director of the NIH to provide some information on this issue. All what he told me was that even when all formalities were completed, it should take minimum of two years before any production could be made.
As stated earlier, I reiterate that to cut the overall cost of the programme and to be more self-reliant, we should urgently consider the manufacture of vaccine indigenously.
DR KHALID HASSAN
MAHMOOD Karachi
WE vote along ethnocentric lines that allow politicians to do as they want. We reject the idea of democracy and allow military dictators. We think the only way to solve the problem is to make everything ‘Islamic’ and that will solve everything. We don’t vote at all. We don’t expect any accountability because we’ve never had it. We sit and criticise the system and its corruption, but we happily pay bribes when it benefits us.
We sit around and blame the CIA, RAW and the Jews for everything. We say the government doesn’t do anything, while we do anything to avoid paying taxes. We refuse to invest money in our people, because we believe India is a bigger threat than illiteracy, poverty and disease.
We allow foreign powers to dictate our policies so we can buy weapons. We criticise the West for its immoral ways, yet we would run away there if we had the chance. We are willing to sacrifice long-term change for the sake of short-term stability. We are not willing to make a change, because it might negatively impact ourselves. We are not willing to sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of society. Everyone is only worried about their family, community, sect, job, business, factory or NA seat. Those that try to make changes only do so for the sake of their worldview — whether it is Islamic, liberal, socialist or whatever.
We all blame the politicians, the military, the mullahs, the feudals, the business community, the Punjabis, the MQM, the Indians, the westernized liberals, the Americans and the Jews. It’s never us that is the problem. And that’s the biggest problem of all.
ALY LALANI
New York, USA
HUNGER is of two types — hunger for food and hunger for power. Hunger for food is prevalent amongst people of low-income groups whereas hunger for power is confined to high-income groups. People who are unable to meet both ends get involved in prostitution, sale of organs or begging. Thus they do not get hungry and get something to eat. For those who do not wish to lose their dignity, suicide is an easy way out. The ever-rising incidents of fathers killing their children and then committing suicide prove this point. Again no one remains hungry.
As far as hunger for power is concerned, the best way to satisfy such a hunger is to join the army. Luxurious cars, palatial mansions, and whole bunch of people clad in uniform saluting wherever you go is a dream come true for many. Of course, it is not considered wrong if an army man, even after availing himself of such facilities, joins a high-ranking post at civilian departments.
After all, they are the defenders of the country and there is nothing wrong if they also defend their own interests. Army men are not the only ones who suffer from such hunger. Politicians and bureaucrats share the same. The bureaucrats remain satisfied as they are always in power irrespective of the fact that the government is dissolved or not. They do have lots of work to do as heavy responsibility lies on their shoulders for ensuring that the politicians selected by the army are elected by the people.
Politicians get ousted from power but they should not complain as the rate at which assemblies get dissolved, everyone gets a fair opportunity to satisfy their hunger for power. Therefore, one can conclude that in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, no one goes hungry.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Lahore
IT is a pity that most people do not know how to com-
pare companies’ (especially Modarbas’) capital gains with KSE100. For the benefit of all those who invest in Modarbas, these companies (or funds) have to declare 90 per cent of their income as cash dividends, otherwise they have to pay taxes.
When a company or Modarba pays dividend, the share price is adjusted downward by the same amount as cash dividend on the first ex-dividend date. For example, if a company or Modarba declares Rs2 per share as dividend and the share trades at Rs10, then on the first ex-dividend date, the share will open at Rs8 and not 10.
On the flip side of the comparison, the KSE100 is a total returns index, and cash dividends do not decrease the KSE100. For example, the OGDC is the largest capitalisation company in KSE100 basket. If the company pays Rs10 as cash dividend, then on the first ex-dividend day the OGDC will be adjusted down by Rs10.
If this ‘reduction’ is allowed to affect KSE100 then it would go down sharply. But because KSE100 is a total returns index, this does not happen. So while on the one hand we have dividend paying Modarbas being adjusted downward each year, KSE100 does not move downward because of dividends by basket companies.
And the Modarbas, Mobashir H. Shakil has named (Oct 20), are all almost regular dividend payers. First Equity Modarba paid 42.5 per cent in 2004, First Habib Bank Modarba paid 16 per cent in 2004 and then 13 per cent in 2005, BRR Int. Modarba paid 14 per cent in 2004 and 11 per cent in 2005. First Habib Modarba paid 20 per cent in 2004 and then 15 per cent in 2005. (Cash dividends for only 2004 and 2005 are known).
Finally, those who choose to invest directly in the stock market and not through mutual funds must bear all the risks related to their decisions together with rewards. Modarbas are known to all and sundry as highly risky investments except for larger ones that are backed by banks and other financial institutions.
MUHAMMAD AASIM
MAQBOOL Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Mobashir H. Shakil on the above subject.
One of the Modarba companies listed, namely First Equity Modarba, enjoys the dubious distinction of turning its nine months fabulous profit into huge annual loss for the two consecutive years.
It is a fit case for the SECP/KSE to order a forensic investigation into the accounts of the Modarba, as there is a possibility that the company may be maintaining duplicate sets of accounts as was done by its sister concern, Crescent Standard Investment Bank Ltd.
MOHAMMAD HANIF RAVDA
Karachi
DENGUE [pronounced den’ gee] and Dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by one of four closely related but antigenic-ally distinct virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus [DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, DEN-4.] The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, the aedes aegypti, important transmitters or vector of dengue virus.
Infection with one serotype confers immunity to that particular serotype only and not to others, thus after DF/DHF one can get infected with any of other three serotypes. DHF is a more severe form of dengue and caused by same viruses, if not treated properly its mortality is high, otherwise with good management mortality is less than one per cent.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains, especially eye pains, nausea and vomiting and rash. Younger children have milder illness than older children and adults. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, or dengue hemorrhagic fever. Analgesics with acetaminophen should be used and aspirin avoided. It is recommended that patients rest, drink plenty of fluids and consult a physician. There is no vaccine so far.
Items that collect rainwater or are used to store water, for example, plastic containers, drums, buckets or used automobile tyres, pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers should be emptied and scoured at least once a week. This will eliminate mosquito aches and larvae.
Doors and windows should be screened. Insecticides should be used regularly. Beware that these mosquitoes bite early morning or early evening only. Coordinated community efforts to increase awareness about DF/DHF are required to prevent an epidemic.
DR ABDULLAH JAN PATHAN
Islamabad
EVERY day Karachi’s Jauhar Mor witnesses a worst type of traffic jam several times in the day, particularly in the afternoon when people are on their way home from work.
I would request the city nazim, DIG (traffic) and officials of the Traffic Engineering Bureau to witness the situation themselves and devise ways to provide immediate relief to the public on a permanent basis.
The Karachi Building Control Authority should also have looked into the ground reality while according approval to the various commercial plazas at the two entrances to Gulistan-i-Jauhar, i.e., Safari Park and Jauhar Mor, which have now choked the passages of the major residential area of Gulistan-i-Jauhar.
Even ambulances do not find way easily while rushing to hospitals carrying patients in emergencies, thus reflecting our indifferent attitude towards human lives.
ZAFAR IQBAL MALIK
Karachi
THIS refers to the recent publication of university rankings by the HEC. Although the HEC duly mentions the ‘inherently controversial’ nature of such rankings, it fails to explain how the rankings will lead to an improvement in the quality of education. Can the HEC respond to the following questions:
a. Is there any research-based evidence that rankings can be used as an instrument to improve the quality of education? In fact, much evidence based on academic research points to the dysfunctional nature of such rankings.
b. Is there any evidence say in North America, England, etc, that university rankings are done by agencies responsible for promoting the quality in education? Have such global agencies and universities not expressed grave concern about the seriously misleading nature of rankings?
c. Even if for argument’s sake the methodology used by the HEC is a reliable indicator of the university quality, would it not have been better to work with the weaker universities to strengthen them rather than expose their weaknesses publicly which can only further damage their position?
SYEDA NAIMA FAHIM
Karachi
YOUR paper carried a news item ‘NAB recovers over Rs5m from former PMDC secretary’ (Oct 20). This and previous such news items reaffirm the public’s faith in NAB. However, I like to remind NAB that it has taken a considerably long time to share the outcome of its probe into the embezzlement of investors’ money by the management of Askaria Town, Islamabad.
The probe started some four years ago. As of today NAB has still not shared the outcome with the thousands of affected people (including me) who are eagerly waiting to hear about refund of their lost money. May I request NAB to kindly expedite its action and refund the amount invested by many of us in the hopes of getting a plot in Islamabad?
HAIDER BHURGRI
Islamabad
THE case against Mirza Tahir Hussain seems so flimsy that it is unlikely he would have been convicted in any civilised country, let alone sentenced to death. Perhaps the powers in Pakistan are afraid of being accused of capitulating to ‘western pressure’.
Appeals for his release are humanitarian, not western. If this young man is executed on the basis of doubtful circumstantial evidence, Pakistan would again end up with a black eye.
I appeal to all Pakistanis to continue to press the government to do what would be just and release the man. He has suffered enough.
JAMAL H. KHAN
Charleston, USA
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