| November 07, 2006 | Tuesday | Shawwal 14, 1427 |
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A state within a state
Islamabad traffic problems
Understanding the youth
A thankless nation
Karen Armstrong
Ban on Indian channels
Street crimes
Plea for pardon
Plight of PIA
PCB ban
Error
Thank you Prince Charles
Allaying India’s fears
Belgium Square
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
“WHERE th’ offence is let the great hammer fall”— (Hamlet 4.5.215). And indeed the hammer has fallen and Saddam Hussain has been sentenced to death.
Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki is a happy man because Saddam has gotten “what he deserves”. In 1980, Saddam Hussain’s government sentenced Nouri-al-Maliki to death, after which he remained in exile using the pseudonym Jawad. He returned home in 2003. “I am a friend of the United States, but I am not America’s man in Iraq” said Maliki on October 28, 2006 in Baghdad. “The croaking raven doth bellow for revenge” (Hamlet 3.2.256).
President Bush is a happy man because his daddy would have been a happy man. “After all this is the guy who tried to kill my dad”, said the former in 2002. “Thy father slew my father; therefore die” (Henry VI 1.3.46).
The war in Iraq began not in 2003, but in 1991 with the congressional resolution authorising George Bush Senior to liberate Kuwait.
Arundhati Roy in her essay Instant Mix, Imperial Democracy writes: “In August 1990, Saddam invaded Kuwait. His sin was not so much that he had committed an act of war, but that he acted independently, without orders from his masters. This display of independence was enough to upset the power equation in the Gulf. So it was decided that Saddam be exterminated, like a pet that has outlived its owner’s affection.” And so “Ambition’s debt is paid” (Julius Caesar 3.1.83).
Margaret Beckett, Britain’s foreign secretary is a happy woman. “I welcome that Saddam Hussain and the other defendants have faced justice and have been held to account for their crimes”, she said. Capital punishment is banned in Britain, as well as throughout the EU. “Policy...which works on leases of short-numbered hours” (Sonnet 124.9-10).
Malcom Smart, the Amnesty director for Middle East and North Africa, however, is not such a happy man. He has said that the proceeding failed to meet the necessary trial standards. The verdict came in two days prior to the US mid-term elections scheduled for November 7. Three defence lawyers were murdered during the trial, one of them was kidnapped one day after the trial began. The court was set up by US occupying officials who resisted calls for an international tribunal. Saddam was tried for his killing of over 140 civilians in Dujail in 1982. In April 1980 while he was killing Shiites, the US National Security Adviser Zbigneiw Brzezinski stated “We see no fundamental incompatibility of interests between the United States and Iraq”.
“All is not well, I doubt some foul play” (Hamlet 1.2.255).
SARAH KHAN
Islamabad
WE have just heard that the Iraqi court has sentenced Saddam Hussain to death by hanging for crimes against humanity. An American reporter from Baghdad, Michel Alex, said that for the first time a head of state has been tried for crimes against humanity by his country of origin under international law. He went on to praise the precedence as a warning for future such despots.
We agree that this is excellent news.
Now we must await the trial of George W Bush by the American courts for crimes against humanity and for the murder of over 5,000 more Iraqis and almost 3,000 Americans in Iraq. The same international law should be applicable to the American despot.
Let’s see if the American system and the American people have the courage and the stomach to do the right thing.
AYAZ AHMAD
Rawalpindi
SADDAM has been condemned to the gallows by the trial court. Having seen the trial coverage, the question arises: was that court capable of doing anything else? A fair trial requires collection and assessment of both sides of the reasons. Has the court evaluated the reasons which compelled Saddam to do, for what he is to be hanged?
History would ask these questions for which convincing answers should be ready. After all, a good number of Iraqis still support him and make ultimate sacrifices in his name. Hanging Saddam would just add fuel and went to their fire, which need to be quenched if Iraq is to exist and live.
M. SAEED
Islamabad
WHEN the Balochistan operation began, our president thundered on how he would not allow miscreants to attempt to establish a state within state. However, this government is itself guilty of this crime as it has encroached on the responsibility of governance which is the job of elected representatives.
It has allowed unscrupulous element to come through a rigged process of election and indulge in loot and plunder of the national wealth in exchange of supporting the illegitimate rule of one person. Who is then to blame for creating a state within a state?
The president blames criminals for creating a law and order situation but what about those in parliament who robbed banks of billions in the name of establishing an industry, then declared them sick units and got their loans written off?
Our president usually exhorts the international community to address root causes of terrorism, but neglects doing the same at home. He could have addressed the root cause of all ills by punishing the exploiting class but has not done so because he desperately needs the support of this coalition of the willing.
We must remain pessimistic for the coming years because the president will continue to expand his supportive base. And that means being more accommodating to the robbing elements.
GULSHER PANHWER
Johi district Dadu
ALTHOUGH the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has done a good job of bringing some sense of order to the madness on Islamabad roads, its traffic officers seem unable to fully enforce the laws. Such selective enforcement results in frustrations for law abiding drivers and undue reward for those who flout the laws right in the face of ITP officers.
A case in point is when hoodlum drivers create multiple additional lanes trying to get ahead of law abiding drivers who are willing to patiently stay in designated traffic lanes. On countless occasions I have seen that while ITP officers are present near by, they choose to look the other way and reward the law breakers. Many times I think of breaking the law myself as I feel stupid standing in designated lanes as violators go merrily past me.
If this is the quality of law enforcement that citizens of Islamabad can expect, then the ITP should publicly announce which laws it intends to enforce so that I too can break the rest of the laws with impunity. And if I still choose to follow the law, I will not be frustrated because I will be solely responsible for my educated behaviour.
RAHEEL SYED
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to a letter by Ms Shaikhali (Nov 4) in which she talks about a spoilt youth. As an adolescent myself, I listen to all types of music, provocative or not. While I can understand Miss Shaikhali’s concern about the language in pop music today I think it is important to debunk the myth that today’s youth are like sheep, following just pop culture. In fact, the youth is much smarter than today’s adults. If there was a debate between a respected politician and a 10-year-old child, I can assure you that the child would be able to see through the person. The youth can tell the difference between what is bad and good.
The same is true for the language in today’s music; the only thing ruining language is what they hear within the household or through their friends.
Artistes of such “provocative” music aren’t using offensive language in a bid to appear cool. Perhaps adults like Ms Shaikhali should actually try to understand what the artiste is trying to convey with their music. Many artistes deliberately use offensive words in a bid to liberate people and get them to rise against what they perceive as wrong.
SAADULLAH AWAN
Karachi
THIS is in reference to the letter on Ghulam Ishaq Khan by Osama Mustafa in which he has eulogised the late president’s services. However, he should bear in mind that we are a thankless nation, the most glaring example of which is the character assassination of Dr A Q Khan by none other than the president of Pakistan. In his book the president has portrayed the great scientist as a criminal and a demon with no acknowledgement to his achievement as a saviour of Pakistan.
General Musharraf is very fond of talking about principles. He has forgotten that here too, a principle is involved — a principle of the right to reply which has been denied to Dr Khan. Moreover, a regime which puts such a highly ranked man in a bunker does not have the moral authority to say that nobody is above the law.
DR TASNEEM AHMED
Rawalpindi
I WAS amazed at the number of people who thronged to hear Karen Armstrong talk. This showed not only a desire to satisfy that need for understanding religion, but the hope that those unanswered questions that ravage our hearts, minds and souls, might find answers.
It is amazing how the source of the ultimate source of this knowledge, the Quran, is there yet not everyone wants to run towards someone teaching it. This is because we are not truly objective. We want a particular interpretation of religion which suits us and the rest can be undermined quite easily as fundamentalism.
This is not to dispute Ms Armstrong’s message of peace but if we are truly willing to look for answers open-mindedly, sans pre-conceived notions, why just Armstrong and her likes?
The crowd guffawed in unison when Ms Armstrong commented that “religious people prefer to be right, rather than spiritual.” Can such pre-conceived notions and being attuned to misunderstand religious people lead us to bridge the gaps? And is not bridging the gaps what Islam is about?
FARAH ZAHIDI-MOAZZAM
Karachi
THERE are three schools of thought supporting a ban on Indian channels. One is scared of an Indian cultural invasion, some have political reasons linked to Indian atrocities in Kashmir and others talk of protection to local channels.
If one looks at the Indian cultural invasion issue, it is naive to believe that Indian culture is alien to Pakistan and can result in an erosion of cultural values. Historically, India and Pakistan were part of great Indus and Ganges valley civilisation, flourished on the riverbank of Indus and Ganges for thousands of years. Due to historical civilisational connections, people share and have common attitudes, norms, values, behaviour and customs. It is logical to believe that an Indus person shares cultural commonalities with Indians than invading Arabs and Englishmen.
It is naive to believe that there should be a media Iron Curtain between India and Pakistan. However, ironically on the other hand people are free to watch western soap operas and shows like Jerry Springer etc. Here I would like to ask if these Indian channels are invading our culture than are these Western channels providing cultural nourishment?
Secondly, there are people who believe that Indian atrocities against Muslims in Kashmir are a logical reason to put a ban on Indian channels and discourage Indian products. No one has forgotten US atrocities against innocent citizens, especially women and children in Afghanistan and Iraq, yet Pakistan is enjoying good relations with the US. If our ruling elite have so much concern of Muslim blood then they should disconnect ties with US in the pretext of atrocities in Muslim Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lastly, people talk of protection to local channels. Gone are the days people used to talk about protection. It is virtually impossible to put a ban on the media. Let the choice rest on the people while the government should fix the fragile infrastructure, create jobs, and provide safe drinking water etc.
FAIZA MUJAHID
Karachi
This is in reference to Sajjad H. Zaidi’s letter (Nov 3) in which he suggests that people be allowed to arm themselves as a measure to “curb” street crimes.
The answer to this crime rate is not in the distribution of guns; the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) method of dealing with crime is much more effective. I believe the implementation of these Shariat laws would bring down crime rate much faster than any other proposed solution. The severity of the punishment would act as an effective deterrent.
SHAHAN ARSHAD KHAN
Karachi
TIME is running out for the young British Asian, Mirza Tahir Hussain, due to be hanged, despite a high profile campaign to save his life.
The President who has the power to pardon any death sentence should seriously look into the matter of capital punishment and instigate a debate to abolish it. The death penalty is no longer seen as an effective deterrent and is increasingly being abolished around the world.
Throughout history it has been applied inconsistently. It has been used by people in power to execute political opponents and has been used disproportionately against the poor who cannot afford expensive legal counsel.
I am against the death penalty because it amounts to nothing more than vengeance. It suggests that it is an effective way to resolve a problem by killing a criminal rather than rehabilitating him/her. Life imprisonment without parole is an available alternative.
SIKANDER ALI ARSHAD
Stoke-on-Trent, UK
EVERYONE was shouting themselves hoarse over the purchase of B-777s when we could have bought used aircrafts at a much lesser price. But the bosses at Pakistan International Airlines and in Islamabad were very keen to buy these aircrafts probably to make their master in the US happy.
Now it is sad to see the fall from grace of our national airline. PIA is being used as a political employment agency. In my opinion, 50 per cent of the top heavy organisation and 33 per cent of the mid-level management of PIA should be sacked. Nowhere in the world is the ratio of aircraft and employees as large as it is in PIA.
Please save PIA. It is indeed a shame that our airline is being ticked off by the EU.
DR KHALID BUTT
Karachi
THE committee’s verdict on Muhammad Asif not being well versed in the English language shows Pakistan Cricket Board’s acceptance of its own impotence. An organisation as large as PCB must have made it a point to ensure that the team’s physiotherapists and doctors made the players aware on which kind of substances are banned and which are not.
In such a situation it would have been fitting if Pakistan Cricket Board had set up a separate enquiry and given a harsh decision against its doctors, officials and policy makers who failed to educate the players.
They are all responsible for the players lack of knowledge and so deserved similar verdicts as those received by the bowling duo.
HUSSAIN GULRAZE MIR
Warwick UK
IT was perplexing to note a glaring blunder on the part of the letters department on Nov 2, 2006. The letter “Another blow” was printed twice.
It is also surprising that there has been no expression of regret in this regard.
AMJAD HUSSAIN
Lahore
— The error is regretted. Editor
WHEN Prince Charles was expected in Lahore, each and every corner of the city was cleaned up. Even the road in front of Badshahi Mosque — which I have always seen as a heap of garbage — was washed two days before his arrival. Every road was polished where his car was expected to run.
I request Prince Charles to please come and visit each dirty corner of Pakistan once a year so that our country turns into a suitable living place within a few years.
IRFAN SHAH
Lahore
THIS is in reference to Kuldip Nayar’s article (Nov 3) in which he suggests that as a preliminary step towards solution of the Kashmir dispute, Pakistan should first “remove the military brass from Kashmir on its side and transfer it the same powers that New Delhi has given to the Indian held Kashmir (IHK)”. He has not, however, said anything about the withdrawal of over 700,000 Indian troops from the IHK.
The Pakistani president had proposed to the Indian government that both the countries should withdraw troops from the territories respectively held by them but there has been a negative response. Is there any justification in Mr Nayar asking Pakistan to unilaterally withdraw its forces from the areas under its control? Or does he want a unilateral withdrawal of Pakistani troops enabling India to occupy the respective territories like the un-manned Siachen it occupied in 1980s?
Mr Nayar also asks Pakistan to allay the fears in India that the ISI has the plans to disintegrate that country. Here Mr Nayar has played the blame game like the Indian foreign office. The past and the present history, however, suggests that it is not the ISI interfering in India but the Indian agency RAW and armed forces which had dismembered Pakistan in 1971 and their interference in Balochistan currently continues.
GHULAM MOHAMMAD
Karachi
A FEW years ago, a monument named after the long lasting Pak-Belgium friendship was erected in Saddar. The other day while I was passing that area, I noticed that the name of this site (Belgium Square) had changed. It now carries the name of a private bank and the plaque besides it features many other names, including the Nazim Saddar town.
According to rules and regulations, certain procedures have to be followed before a street or chowk’s name is changed. Usually the town administration issues a public notice and announcement in case there is any objection to the proposed change. One wonders if that was done in this case.
DR ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
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