| December 05, 2006 | Tuesday | Ziqa'ad 13, 1427 |
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Women’s Protection Bill
Peace in Afghanistan
Has anything really changed?
Cellphone snatching
Denying PTV history
Water price
Residents’ woes
AIOU working
Disposal of tax appeals
Where are the trees?
Linguistic future
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 refers to the rejoinders, ‘Accepting ground realities’, by Anand K. Singh and S. Ravi (Dec 1) Mr Singh writes: (1) Where did I come up with the figure of nine million Muslims being massacred at partition, (2) India has fought more wars than Pakistan; if India could recover from them, why couldn’t Pakistan?
Also, (3) India wasn’t responsible for the crackdown on the Awami League in East Pakistan; (4) Pakistan flounders because of the army’s hold on the polity, the recurrent coups and lack of maturity in running organs of governance and other institutions and (5) How can a partition 50 years ago cause poor mental health today?
Answers are in same order: (1) Mr Singh didn’t read my letter carefully: one million Muslims were killed -– which is widely quoted. Nine million was the number of refugees who fled India for Pakistan. (2) Given the one-seventh size and resources of Pakistan, if India spent, say, Rs100 per person during the wars, Pakistan had to spend about Rs30, making recovery more difficult.
3) While India wasn’t responsible for our crackdown on Awami League, it certainly was for instigating and participating in a guerilla war under the cover of Mukti Bahini, followed by a full-scale invasion. But, Mr Singh probably found it awkward to acknowledge this. The saddest ground reality is that India hadn’t accepted the two-nation theory and wanted to break up Pakistan; this was proved by Mrs Indira Gandhi’s triumphant declaration after the fall of Dhaka that the two-nation theory had been sunk in the Bay of Bengal. Even last year a BJP leader had publicly said that his party doesn’t accept that theory.
(4) I agree the army rule isn’t desirable but the army’s magnified importance due to India’s animosity and some of our politicians’ irresponsible behaviour led to that. Hopefully, the right lessons have been learned by all and further interventions won’t occur. US support for dictators in Pakistan and elsewhere also encourages and prolongs their rule. But, if India had been kind to us and Kashmiris, the militarism would not have occurred.
5) I didn’t say it was only the events of partition affecting the mental health of contemporary Pakistanis. If Mr Singh had read attentively, he would have noticed the British Medical Journal’s (BMJ) tracing of the “dramatically poor health, both physically and mentally” not just of Pakistanis but Indians and other South Asians as well, to the various events and factors of last three decades.
If affairs of 30 years could have a bearing, why not of 59 years back? My point was that our troubles started even before the time-frame given by the BMJ. Besides, familiarity with the psychological illness called ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’ (PTSD) would show that severe or prolonged stress could have life-long effects. Furthermore, the hosting of four million Afghan refugees and resultant huge economic, social and security problems for 25 years is unlike anything any other nation, including India, has ever experienced. It’s like India hosting 28 million refugees with all the problems for that long. Be honest, Mr Singh, wouldn’t it have affected us enormously?
Lack of space allows shorter comment on Mr Ravi’s letter. The growth of religious extremism in Pakistan is closely related to the Jihad in Afghanistan against Soviet occupation; repression in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, etc., and the current “war on terror”. Besides, religious fundamentalism has increased in every major faith worldwide. However, in Pakistan they never killed minority members by the thousands, unlike the Hindu fanatics in India, nor do they threaten Indian cricketers when playing here.
The poverty and poor economic growth of the 1990s can be related to the corrupt governance, the after-effects of hosting the Afghans and the extra expenditure on defence after India broke Pakistan up and initiated a very expensive nuclear arms race.
M.Y. KHAN
Karachi
THE MMA’s response to the passage of the Women’s Protection Bill is unwarranted and perplexing. Expressions such as ‘free sex’ and ‘pleasure houses’ being uttered by the worthy leader of the opposition, as also similar sentiments by a learned MMA member during the Senate discussions are unfortunate and most unbecoming.
We have to be cognizant of the varied interpretations of the Divine Revelations [Quran] in a ‘situational context’, to fulfil the fundamentals of ‘justice’ [adal] in the establishment of “enjoin(ing) that which is right ....and forbid(ding )(controlling) that which is wrong”.
It is to be noted that: (1) The words/terms “shuha’dah”, “shah’datu” and “shah’adat”, with their syntax/contextual variations, have been used for ‘witness(es)/(ing)’, ‘evidence’ and ‘affirmation; and (2) the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave utmost priority to ‘justice’ in the compliance of ‘laws’ and ‘observance’ what was decreed for the ‘momineen’.
Obviously, in those days, the foremost and only ‘evidence’ was that which was personally observed (witnessed). In the many Ayahs where the above terms are used, ‘seen’ or ‘eyesight’ is neither implied nor interpreted. With reference to “casting aspersions or dishonouring chaste women”, it has been specifically mentioned that four “shuhad’a”/”shaha’datun” be given/obtained. This is the pertinent Ayat [24:4], which is probably causing misgivings to the MMA and their angry [unwarranted] retorts that the Women Protection Bill is “ ....against the Quran and Sunnah ....”.
The MMA has conditioned itself that four ‘male witnesses’ are a must for the provenance or countenance of being ‘unchaste’/’lewd’; and the calumny of adultery’/‘fornication’ or ‘rape’.
In this day and age, there are various means of providing four ‘evidences’ or ‘shahadat’: DNA tests, medical examinations, polygraph, photo/electronic signs or even psycholegal examination, etc. Of course, the ‘eyewitness’ or ‘personal observation’ is a prime evidence, easily verifiable and subject to interrogative ‘techniques’.
The condition of four witnesses for ‘adultery’ has rightly been done away with. (Hopefully, the condition of only ‘male’ witnesses in other matters would also be reconsidered, in the light of what has been Ordained in the Quran, Allah Willing.)
BRIG (retd) MATEEN M. MOHAJIR
Karachi
A NEGOTIATED settlement with the Taliban seems to be the most sensible solution to the Afghanistan imbroglio.
The British seemingly know more about the history of Afghanistan than their American cousins who are so new to this difficult terrain.
Alexander and his Greek legions could not conquer Afghanistan. The British in the heyday of their colonial prowess fought three bloody wars against the gun-totting Afghan rulers and failed. The Soviets battled for years to occupy Afghanistan and failed eventually.
The Moghuls who knew and understood the Afghan mind and psyche more closely than either the British or the Russians tolerated for decades a virtually independent Afghanistan and respected its Afghan rulers. President Bush’s armies have reached a dead-end in their misguided adventure in Afghanistan.
Perhaps the British should now bestow a bit of their old wisdom on Washington and pull the chestnuts out of the fire. If the British could negotiate an Indian settlement with their sworn antagonist, the belligerent Indian Congress, in the Second World War, why can’t the Americans engage the accredited representatives of the Taliban in negotiations in Kabul to draw up an exit strategy for the US to end its military involvement in Afghanistan.
The Taliban, when they ruled Afghanistan, had many highly educated Afghans who were even then friendly with the Americans. The Taliban foreign minister, Mutawakil, during his Islamabad visit, soon after the Taliban had harmed a Buddha statue, did contact some US officials there.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
LAST week I was unfortunate enough to go to the passport office in Saddar, Karachi, to apply for a machine-readable passport as it is now required by a number of embassies for issuing visas. The moment I got to the gate of the passport office I was bombarded with various inquiries and offers like “Ji sir, passport banwana hai?”, “Sub kaam hojayega baghair kisi problem kay, “Baghair line ke token dilwadoon ga” “Sirf aaday ghantay may sara kaam hojayega”.
Regarding myself a good citizen, I went inside without assigning this ‘huge’ task to any ’suitable’ ally. I joined the queue to make the payment and I saw at least five different people doing the same without getting in the queue. They were agents making payments for their ‘clients’. When I protested I was greeted with threatening guestures.
On my turn I asked the cashier why he was accepting applications from the people who were not in the queue. He didn’t even bother to reply; he just didn’t say anything. I think for him it was a matter of routine to ignore lunatics like me who make similar noises every other day.
Once inside the actual passport-making section, I also saw agents bringing people into the queue without the required token number. Previously I had the impression that the queue numbers are assigned by the system and no operator can access the information on his own. Now I have my doubts.
Again, when I inquired what was going on, there was only silence. Even though I don’t think that anything will be done to correct the situation, I thought I should at least share my experience with the other good citizens of Karachi.
S. P. KHALIL
Karachi
I HAVE great sympathy for Dr Irshad Ahmad Sethi (letter, Dec 1) who lost his cellphone and later met with the ‘consequences’ for wrongly parking his car in haste.
Mobile snatching has become commonplace in Pakistan, Karachi being the worst hit. It is becoming an extremely profitable business because of the easiness to handle the victim and unserious attitude of the police. Many measures like the Anti-Mobile Phone Snatching Unit, Rescue 15 and Mobile Tracking system have been taken, but none of them has curbed this menace.
Earlier, the chairman of Pakistan Telecommunications directed mobile operators to install the Equipment Identity Register system which enables a stolen or snatched cellphone to be blocked through its International Mobile Equipment Identity which offers a unique number to every cellphone in the world. But this, too, has not borne fruit yet. So far, nothing seems to stop the determined criminals from this crime.
The government must take this problem seriously and take some practical steps to provide security to the helpless people. The law-enforcemnt agencies should also take preventive steps to improve the situation.
M. SAYYAD ALAM KHAN
Abbottabad
NOVEMBER 26 is a red letter day in the history of the Pakistani media scene. It is the day when the people of Pakistan way back in 1964 first saw the ‘moving’ picture step in to their living room. Since then television has become not only an integral part of our lives but also a partner that makes us laugh, or cry, keeps us abreast with the world at large, informs us, educates us and, above all, entertains us. Such are the expectations of the viewers from the media.
These expectations then turn into huge responsibilities for the media to be honest, to be fair, to be non-partisan and, above all, to be dignified in its presentations and programming. This onus of responsibility becomes even more pronounced when we look to the state-owned media or the public broadcaster. But on Nov 26, on the occasion of the 42nd birthday of PTV, which was celebrated with great pomp and show, this public broadcaster not only failed to be fair, honest and non-partisan but also denied its own history.
As a retired PTV director of programmes I found the whole scenario not only embarrassing and lacking in taste and dignity but also lacking in paying due credit to the professionals who spent more than 40 years of their lives building up the image and integrity of this organisation. One would not expect this from the previous management which was entirely made up of non-professionals brought in from the mobile phone industry and as ‘consultants’ on heavy packages and who had no clue on how to face the challenges of the private channels. The result was obvious. PTV sank to its lowest ebb and the persons themselves were shown the door.
But this present PTV management has risen from the ranks. They surely must remember those mentors and role models. Who launched PTV World? Who launched PTV National? Who launched AJK TV? Who launched Khwateen Time? Who formed partnerships of PTV with international donors? Who launched PTV drama, documentary, and other competitions? Who held back against the onslaught of the private media sharks? The list is endless. No mention was made of any such professionals who have also been awarded the highest awards of excellence for their work by the government of Pakistan itself. It is a pity when great organisations such as PTV are hijacked for personal gains by pygmies who rewrite history and deny their own past. One can only feel sorry to have once been their colleagues, their teachers, their benefactors. It is time to move on.
MONEEZA HASHMI
Lahore
I WOULD like to share the information collected by me with the users of water bowsers for residence purposes in Karachi. The information is very interesting and at times mindboggling.
I live in the Defence area and purchase at least two double water bowsers every week from Muslimabad hydrant from the Rangers for Rs325 per bowser of 2,000 gallons. God bless them.
If by any chance in emergency you are short of water and require some water for your house, you have to call Ghulam Nabi water services. They have their water hydrant next to the hydrant controlled by the Rangers. When you call them, they will give you the time and date they can provide you the water bowser. The price for 2,000 gallons bowser is Rs950-1,000.
The other option is to call the NLC water bowser service. They will provide you 2,000 gallons for Rs1,100. The third option is the open market. Pay as much as you can.
The other day I thought that in order to reduce the usage of water at my residence I should use sewerage treated water provided by the DHA for the lawn. The price of 850 gallons was Rs300.
Now it is for the readers to evaluate the price difference.
DANYIAL AHMED
Karachi
AS a resident of Christ Church Compound, Nishtar Road, Karachi, I would like to bring to the attention of relevant authorities that since the rains a couple of months back a lot of water has accumulated in our compound which causes a lot of problems for residents as accumulated water usually results in the breeding of mosquitoes and other insects.
Another point that I would like to raise is the condition of roads that lead to our compound and also the sewerage system and the garbage collection in our area all need drastic improvement.
Hope the relevant authority would look into these problems before the coming Christmas festival.
SIMON SOLOMON
Karachi
I HAVE worked as a tutor at the AIOU, regional campus, Karachi, for course 554 from January to April. The semester ended over six months back but the remunerations have yet to be released by the university. Would someone at the Islamabad main campus care to look into the matter?
SQN LDR (R) AGHA KHALIL AHMAD
Karachi
THIS has reference to the news report, ‘CBR to dispose of 12,000 tax appeals’ (Nov 16). According to this report, Mr Abdullah Yousuf, chairman, Central Board of Revenue (CBR), while presiding over the meeting of the I3th National Tax Conference, informed the audience that he had held a meeting with the chief justice of Pakistan for ‘disposal’ of the remaining tax appeals.
In addition, Member (Legal) Mumtaz Ahmed Sheikh said that a strategy was being evolved in collaboration with the appellate tribunals aimed at ‘disposing’ of 90 per cent of the 12,000 appeals pending at the tribunal level.
It is very interesting to note that the stress is on ‘disposal of appeals’ and not on ‘decision in appeals’. Probably none of the speakers at the meeting could discern between ‘disposal of appeal’ and ‘decision on appeal’.
However, I am giving below the meanings of the two words used in the report, and leave it to the authorities concerned to comprehend what harm is being perpetrated on the taxpayers:
1. Disposal: control; command; an orderly arrangement; a getting rid of; management; administration.
2. Decision: the act or result of deciding; promptness and firmness in deciding; determination.
REHAN HASAN NAQVI
Hon. Adviser,
Asia Oceania Tax Consultants’ Association
Karachi
RESIDENTS of Clifton and Defence will notice new roads being laid out while old ones are widened. Even the Jehangir Kothari Parade has been given a new look. But the one thing that seems to have been overlooked is the need to line the roads, footpaths and green belts with trees. In fact, there is no space left for trees to be planted, tiles seem to have been used to cover up any free space.
The lack of greenery gives a very deserted and cemented look to the surroundings. The only concession to greenery is on Submarine Chowk and further down on some other roads where someone with clout is making quite a packet by supplying gigantic cement pots that have been planted half-heartedly with bougainvillea trails. I request the city nazim and the governor to look into this matter seriously and come up with a practical and quick solution to turn these roads into shady avenues.
SHEHLA SHABBIR
Karachi
RECENTLY, while skipping through the cable channels, I came across the Cartoon Network which is widely being watched by many children in Pakistan. One important thing to notice is that all the cartoons being aired have been dubbed into Hindi. I think one can easily understand where this will lead our children.
SYED WASIQ ABBAS
Karachi
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