| December 04, 2006 | Monday | Ziqa'ad 12, 1427 |
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Hydel profit
Dr A. Q. Khan’s health
Bill that aggravates family feuds
Permanent solution
Is someone holding India hostage?
Lest we forget
Garbage collection
Sylhet referendum
Riots in Maharashtra
Worthless education
Admissions to MBA closed
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
OFTEN Myanmar and Pakistan are cited as the only countries ruled by military juntas (Thailand has joined their ranks recently).
After the end of the Cold War, it was assumed there would be no room for dictatorial regimes to survive as neo-liberalism emerged triumphant over communism. The end of communism as competing ideology was heralded as “End of History” by US scholar, intellectual and writer Francis Fukuyama, which purported that capitalist liberal societies are the end-product of the historical process.
However, that has proved to be mere neo-liberal wishful thinking and now the world is being overtaken by Huntington’s theory of ‘Clash of civilisation’ where the Chinese and Muslim civilisations are mainly cited as main challengers to the economic, technological and cultural domination of western or Christian civilisation.
In the post-Cold War period, the emergence of civil society as strong force to push for the democratic reforms and establishment of democracies in the formerly communist countries of Eastern Europe and around the world was hailed as victory for the democratic forces.
Sadly, civil society has suffered severe setback after 9/11 and state again is emerging as a strong force in the global politics, and life under the oppressive military regimes is becoming more of what Thomas Hobbes says “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short,” where civilian liberties are being crushed under the pretext of war against terrorism and extremism.
However, in the sea of democracies, there are certain black spots (military dictatorships) and some of them are aided and abetted by the West, even now. And it holds true that under the military-dominated rule, social marginalisation, economic inequalities, suppression of political freedom and trampling down of human rights and rampant corruption are natural corollaries. In most cases, military-dominated societies are marked with sharp contrasts — on the one hand, there is a class which lives a life of opulence and ostentation and, on the other hand, there is a class that lives a life of misery, hopelessness and despondency.
Recently I was terribly struck by life in Myanmar, marked with huge contrast, after watching two video films on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com).
The first video was based on a leaked ‘home video’ of the wedding in July of Thandar Shwe, the daughter of the junta’s senior general, Than Shwe. The video now available on YouTube http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=DJxREGhmA]c) revealed a ceremony suffused with classic nouveau riche bad taste, more reminiscent of aristocratic Versailles than of one of the poorest countries in the world.
On the other hand, the other film showed the reality of Myanmar: misery, marginalisation, death and destruction. It contained extensive footage of Karen villagers on the border between eastern Myanmar and northwestern Thailand.
According to footage, the Myanmar military has burned 4,000 villages in eastern Myanmar in 2006 alone. The Karen’s armed struggle, the longest-running fight for independence in the world, has been going on since 1947. It helps to make Myanmar the most conflict-ridden country in Southeast Asia.
In Myanmar the army has been ruling for a long time. A mass execution of student protestors in 1988 first brought international attention to the oppressive regime and led to a democratic election during which the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who is in prison for more than 11 years, won 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats. However, the dictatorship refused to cede control, imprisoning many of the democratic leaders and further tightening its control.
Thirty-nine Democratic members of parliament have since died in prison and another 17 are still imprisoned.
Some peace activists and pro-democracy campaigner’s blame French giant Total for supporting Myanmar regime for its oil and gas interest.
Total Oil is the fourth largest oil company in the world and one of the biggest foreign investors in Myanmar. Its joint venture with Myanmar’s dictatorship earns the military regime hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
Widespread rights abuses have been associated with the Total pipeline, including forced labour, torture and rape. Also, tougher European Union sanctions against Myanmar have been blocked by the French government in its effort to protect Total’s interests in the country.
In this sense YouTube has exposed more of the truth of Myanmar today. Behind all the fine words and all the fine jewels, the Myanmar people continue to suffer the depredations of a criminal regime.
MANZOOR ALI ISRAN
Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur
THIS is with reference to Mr Khaleeq Kiani’s report about hydel profit from Wapda to the NWFP (Oct 10).
Having been aware of some of the problems faced by Wapda and unnecessary political pressures applied on this great organization, I wondered how they are going to pay the huge amount of Rs110 billion.
So, I tried to get information from here and there and also wrote to the present chairman, Mr Tariq Hameed.
I was amazed to hear the chairman who personally called on my mobile and said that Wapda is already in the red as the cost of the oil during the past three years has increased by 110 per cent and that of the gas by 33 per cent. (It may be noted that at present we are generating 50 per cent of our power by natural gas, 34 per cent hydro, 16 per cent oil, 3.3 per cent nuclear and only 0.2 per cent coal).
It is stated in Mr Kiani’s report that the tribunal’s award is binding and cannot be challenged in any court of law. Wapda’s arbitrator Javed Akhtar has criticised the AGN Kazi formula and also stated that the tribunal has gone out of the terms of reference as it was not required to adopt 10 per cent annual growth. Under the circumstances it is worthwhile to discuss and deliberate on this issue.
Tariffs on electricity in Pakistan are already highest in the region. Any further increase will seriously affect the lives of our citizens directly and indirectly. We have not been able to complete any major power generating project since the year 2000. How is then Wapda expected to make payment worth billions of rupees?
Some people in this country have lived and thrived on regional politics.
It is time that saner elements and all the provinces consider the implications of impending power crisis and join hands to ensure that Wapda’s present economic crisis is resolved and such useless formulas as are divorced from ground realities are abandoned.
PROF KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi
IT’s great news that Dr Abdul Oadeer Khan’s surgery for prostate cancer has completely eliminated the malady since the malignancy was only confined to the gland itself, as reported by the ISPR (Dawn, Nov 26). One would like to thank the authorities for that.
However, the report also revealed that the scientist had developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involving the left calf vein, which has been overcome through medical treatment. This problem, whereby a thrombus (blood clot) forms inside the vascular system, can be dangerous if the clot or its parts travel and get lodged in a critical location. Its causes include: (a) reduced blood flow, such as through prolonged bed-rest, long air travel or lack of exercise; (b) changes in the blood, e.g., thickening by dehydration or medicines; (c) damage to blood vessel wall, e.g., by injury or surgery.
There had been a report some weeks back that Dr Khan’s post-surgery medications had increased the blood viscosity. Besides that, his confinement resulting in lack of exercise could also have had an effect.
There are two sad facts that cannot be ignored. First, that his security is paramount, lacking which he would be kidnapped in no time by some foreign agency. Therefore, the government seems justified in confining him at home, unless a better solution is found. Second, that the authorities only appear to act when complaints about his illness somehow leak out.
Thus, as in 2004, there also was a problem in June 2005, when, after complaints of his heart trouble being ignored, he was attended to, only to result in a controversy. His personal physician said he underwent angioplasty whereby two stents (small tubes) were placed inside the heart (June 20, ’05), but the ISPR said he only had angiography.
Even if the government has been right, it has, unfortunately lost much credibility not only due to such incidents but, more importantly, due to statements and actions regarding many unrelated national and international issues, e.g., the Bajaur bombing. So, it would be in the government’s own interest if healthcare of the nation’s hero is made transparent by allowing, in addition to his family, his own doctor, lawyer and some opposition lawmakers to keep meeting him regularly and reassure the Pakistanis he’s being looked after very well.
Restrictions on his movement may be unavoidable but, otherwise, he should be helped in every way to have stress-free and comfortable life with sufficient exercise and fresh air. The nation has forgiven Dr Khan even if he was involved in any wrongdoing and there should be no reason for him to undergo any other difficulty.
A CITIZEN
Karachi
WITH reference to the bill regarding under-age marriages which are performed to resolve family disputes, I am very proud of the federal cabinet for finally realising that women should not be treated as commodities. However, a bill that states women have rights to a divorce after they reach puberty blatantly overlooks the emotional and psychological trauma faced by the victim.
Public policies should be geared towards eradicating the root of the problem, not towards finding an alternative solution that pacifies the fundamentalists and alleviates the government’s conscious.
I fail to understand why the obvious solution that involves banning marriages of pre-puberty girls cannot be implemented.
Is it the fear of MMA legislators, fear of our chauvinistic society or simply lack of consideration that is preventing justice?
I urge Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to consider the consequences of a divorce on 13-year-old girls, who will definitely never be allowed to wed again. The authorities concerned need to focus on drafting realistic policies that actually protect the rights of the citizens involved.
FATIMA KAKAL
Toronto, Canada
MORE and more Pakistanis are being extradited to the US and the UK under the pressure of Washington and London.
A better thing would be for them to give green cards to our rulers and their families and nuke the rest of us. This would put to rest the many fears of the West forever, which considers every Muslim adult and even a child as a potential terrorist: they hide behind every bush and every home could be a lair.
The only other permanent solution is for all of us to unite and make sure no puppet of the West comes to power in the next elections, if we are not to pass our days in a state of mental torture and unhappiness.
AGONISED
Karachi
MR Jawed Naqvi has posed a multi-million dollar question in his article ‘Is someone holding India hostage?’ (Nov 27).
The same kind of question ‘who murdered Liaquat Ali Khan and with whose help?’ remains unanswered.
There are circumstantial clues which have some affinity with the factors mentioned by Mr Naqvi in his article. For example, soon after the death of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan started accepting foreign aid, both civil and military, on a large scale and also allowed foreign bases for use by one cold warrior against the other. It was also hinted at the time that the murderer of Liaquat Ali Khan was in the pay of a foreign intelligence service.
Invasion and assassination are now the standard method of bringing the recalcitrant(s) to heel.
This kind of gory game would continue until countries like Pakistan, India and China get together, forgetting or resolving their differences as European countries did before forming the common market, especially as the fire is raging right at our doors. Economic gains are important but far more important is the prevention of instability created by foreigners to maintain their hold on this region.
In the long run when relations are cordial and friendly, regional claims become irrelevant. The common danger which is devastating Iraq and Afghanistan is more important to be resisted than to play diplomatic tricks on each other.
India will soon find itself widely and deeply infiltrated once it allowed foreign agencies to co-ordinate action with Indian agencies to fight the so-called ‘terror’ which has been used so devastatingly against Iraq and Afghanistan. It is time India woke up to this danger of domestic elements, being used by foreign agencies.
The generation which has survived since 1947 has been witness to the political upheavals and destruction of institutions following the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan. The common theme running through all regimes since has been their abject subservience to foreign powers. All the sensitive and strategic branches of the government were either infiltrated by the so-called experts and advisers or manned by the stooges as state documents released after the mandatory embargo would show. The above thumbnail sketch is a picture evident to any observant witness.
E. HASAN
Karachi
AS a tailpiece to Mr Cowasjee’s eulogy of Prof Salam, the following episode may be of interest to readers. In the 1980s Unesco was in bad shape.
The US had walked out because of serious differences with the director-general who was a Senegalese with a distinguished academic background. When his term came to an end, the Italian prime minister wrote a letter to Gen Ziaul Haq saying that Unesco needed a new director-general who should be an eminent personality of international repute.
He suggested that if the Pakistan government proposed the name of Prof Salam, the European Union would support his candidature.
Gen Zia thanked the Italian prime minister and said that he would propose an even better candidate.
He then proposed the name of Sahibzada Yaqub Khan who had recently been the ambassador to France.
When an election was held for the post, Sahibzada Yaqub could not garner enough votes. Many of us felt that if the name of Prof Salam had been put forward, the outcome might have been different.
BIRJIS HASAN KHAN
Karachi
A NEW garbage collection and disposal point has been constructed near Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block-11, close to Safari Park. When loaded trucks of garbage pass by the corner of the Safari Terrace/Safari Park’s boundary wall in Block-11 emitting obnoxious smell every 20 minutes to half an hour, it becomes impossible to concentrate on anything.
This newly-constructed garbage point poses many health hazards to Safari Terrace FL16 (KDA scheme) residence and adjacent residential places. Children playing on the newly-constructed road at the corner of Safari Terrace FL-16 and Safari Park can get crushed under the wheels of the garbage trucks. Prayers are also disturbed on account of offensive smell at a nearby mosque.
I would request the city fathers to immediately remove this garbage collection point.
DR ARIFA FARID
Karachi
APROPOS of the news report 'Veteran leader Mahmoud Ali passes away' (Nov 18), there is mention of referendum in Sylhet in 1946. This is not correct.
The referendum in Sylhet was held in August 1947 under the Indian Independence plan announced on June 3, 1947 and accepted by the Congress and the Muslim League. This is to put the record straight.
ASLAM HUSAIN
Karachi
YOUR report captioned ‘Riots after Ambedkar statue vandalised’ is accurate and correct. I live in Maharashtra and I know what is happening here right now. Truthful information is what the people of Pakistan need to know about India.
PAWAN KUMAR
Pune, India
THIS is with reference to the news item entitled ‘US $100m for education for Pakistan’ (Dec 1). If Pakistan is getting this aid for developing community colleges in Pakistan, then God help Pakistan. On the one hand, the US is offering help to India in the most advanced fields (space and nuclear) and, on the other hand, it is offering Pakistan help to develop community colleges, and an expert in that field is to visit Pakistan shortly.
Does the education minister know that the standard of community colleges in the US is no better than that of the colleges in Pakistan? In this country, community colleges are considered to be the lowest rung on the ladder in terms of the standard of education. Anyone who doesn’t qualify for any other university or college ends up in the community colleges. These are very cheap with no worthwhile labs and other facilities. To the best of my knowledge, these are not even rated. The teachers are primarily very low-grade and are mostly part-timers. I have attended a few short courses in them and know about them. Also, these colleges are owned by the counties and sometimes the cities.
Why couldn’t Pakistan aim at the standard of education imparted at the Ivy League colleges or private colleges, or if nothing else, then the state colleges? There is no dearth of knowledge or resources in this country.
If Qazi Sahib is trying to help Pakistan, let him at least try to aim high.
ABDUL R. KHAN
Arlington, Texas
THE BA and BSc results at the University of Peshawar were announced almost a month ago.
The university administration has completed the process for admission to MA and MSc, admission to MBA is closed not only at the University of Peshawar but at other prestigious government institutions as well.
Since the said university has not yet announced BCom results, students seeking admission to the MBA programme who have the appropriate background in business education are unable to do so due to the laziness of the examination department.
The director of admissions at the University of Peshawar is, therefore, requested to release the results of BCom students as soon as possible.
SUBHAN ULLAH
Peshawar
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