| December 10, 2006 | Sunday | Ziqa'ad 18, 1427 |
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Pakistan-Afghan relations
Cellphone snatching
Great minds
Home truths
These income inequalities
Unfulfilled promises
Pension hassle
Breach of contract
Spy vs spy
Telephone repaired
Al Jazirah
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 article,‘Uneasy ties with Iran’(Dec 6), by Mr Muhammad Ali Siddiqi, a member of the Pakistan media team which recently visited that country, describes with sensitivity and insight the state of Pakistan-Iran relations as “inexplicably cold, notwithstanding the fund of goodwill which exists amongst the peoples”. While reporting on “the keenness of Iran’s leadership to reach an understanding with Pakistan on regional issues, especially Afghanistan”, Mr Siddiqi senses that “something stands between the two countries and things do not move”.
The need for restoration of the erstwhile close and trusting relationship between the two countries has been stressed by this writer a number of times in your op-ed columns. Since the early years of Pakistan, the affinity of geo-political interests between the two countries had been mutually recognised. The deterioration of Pakistan–Iran relations during the 1990s stemmed largely from their divergent interests in Afghanistan and their conflicting postures towards the anti–Iran Taliban, as also from perceived competition over economic opportunities in Central Asia.
Pakistan’s support for the Taliban was consequently exploited by India as a means of policy convergence with Iran over Afghanistan. On Iran’s part, the importance of political and economic cooperation with a major power such as India was enhanced by the US drive to isolate Iran economically. At the same time the upsurge of sectarian terrorism in Pakistan created misgivings in Iranian minds about the availability of a level playing field for furtherance of Pakistan-Iranian relations.
The hope that with the end of Pakistan’s support for the Taliban in the wake of 9/11, a main source of friction and mistrust between the two countries, would be removed has regrettably not been realised. The highly intrusive US role in Pakistan since 9/11, side by side with increasing US hostility towards Iran, is one complicating factor. While Iran could not be oblivious to the significant upgradation of Indo-American ties, there is apparently an assumption in Tehran that India is better placed to resist US pressure on issues relating to Iran, than Pakistan is.
The other factor which has again raised walls of mistrust is the recent resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and in Pakistan’s border areas amidst a welter of western accusations about Pakistan’s role in this context and in respect of Pakistan’s alleged strategic objectives in Afghanistan.
While a number of high-level and other visits (including visits by President Musharaff, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Khatami) have been exchanged and proposals mooted for accelerating cooperation in economic, cultural and other fields, there has been little concrete progress. While the gas pipeline is a major project, its outcome is uncertain. The Dawn article states, inter alia, that “the shockingly low-level of trade ($400 million) and the absence of any worthwhile economic cooperation testify to the absence of political warmth between the two countries”. None of the problems involving trade, airlines, banking, etc, where progress is apparently held up, is intractable if the political will happened to be there.
The potential for economic cooperation with Central Asian states and the prospects for transit routes involving, inter alia, gas and oil pipelines are varied enough to permit mutually beneficial cooperation as long as regional states do not become a cat’s-paw in the hands of outside powers.
As for Afghanistan, it should not be beyond the bounds of diplomatic ingenuity for Pakistan and Iran to work out a common approach. Establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan is a basic interest of both. What is more, the immense potential for economic and security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan should not be lightly disregarded at the altar of differences over their Afghan policies.
At the same time Pakistan should not be chary of trying to use its long-standing ties with both Iran and the US with a view to defusing their present estrangement, specially at a time when the US administration is being strongly pressed by political circles in America itself to renew contacts with Iran over Iraq and related issues.
MAHDI MASUD
Karachi
THE editor of Newsweek, Mr Fareed Zakaria, has written in a Washington Post article that Pakistan needs to abandon its search for 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan (Dawn, Dec 5).
He claims that top Pakistani military officers believe they require some sway over events in Afghanistan to create a strategic depth. However, this is a mechanistic view from the Cold War era when Afghanistan and India had tilted towards the Soviet Union, he argues, and has gained ground, as both these countries have become pro-America.
Mr Zakaria noted that some in Islamabad believed Pakistan should help drive western forces out of its northern neighbour - even establish a pro-Pakistan Taliban government over there. He also revealed that during the Bush-Karzai-Musharraf meeting in September Mr Karzai warned the Pakistani president that if the US were forced to leave Afghanistan, Kabul would ally far more closely with India and Russia, which would not be in Islamabad's interest.
The first argument is quite illogical: how could Pakistan seek strategic depth in a Kabul tilted towards Moscow? It was only when the mujahideen and later the Taliban wielded power that such a notion could be entertained: As far as Mr Karzai's warning to Gen Musharraf is concerned, the Afghan leader should consider several realities.
The first one is that Pakistan not only helped reverse the Soviet occupation of his country at a tremendous cost to itself, it also serves as a buffer for Afghanistan against India's expansionism. Looking at the fact of India's occupation of Hyderabad state, Kashmir, Goa and Sikkim, among others, it is very plausible that had India managed to overrun West Pakistan during the 1971 war, there would have been nothing to stop it from ultimately extending its territorial ambitions across the Durand Line.
Thus, if Moscow had not occupied Afghanistan, India would have done that, however much it may be wooing Kabul otherwise: the Afghan president should realise that every neighbour of India has grievances against it. Even now, if New Delhi were to succeed in breaking this country up by fomenting trouble in Balochistan and Sindh, the end result would still be the same. Relying on America isn't a good idea either, because it doesn't hesitate to ditch its allies, as happened in Lebanon, when that suits its interests. The US has no love lost for the Muslims, be they Afghan, Pakistani or Arab, as is evident to everyone; it is only to grab the Central Asian petroleum reserves and contain Russian and Chinese influence in the region, as also curb the Taliban-Al Qaeda combine that it has ventured into Afghanistan.
If Pakistan had not protected the Afghans, Mr Karzai would probably still be residing in the US. He should think in terms of the long-term interests of his compatriots as also of the Ummah. It would be much better for Mr Karzai to include the moderate Taliban in governance - they are after all his compatriots - thereby ending the bloodshed in his country. He should also get allied with Pakistan with its millions of Pathans, and the time-tested friend China, rather than India, which has had no compunctions in betraying Iran over its nuclear row with the West.
This would lead to fraternal relations with Islamabad, trouble-free access to the Arabian Sea, increased trade with both these neighbours as well as financial, political and technological support by China. While doing this, it could still retain its relations with the US though the latter is losing out in the Middle East, Central Asia and even South America.
One hopes our Afghan brethren will see the spirit of goodwill, manifested over the decades, that we have for them just as we have for all Muslims. And, as neighbours, we have greater mutual rights and responsibilities. If the Durand Line divides us, ties of blood, religion and culture join us.
KHALID NAQSHBANDI
Karachi
THIS is in response to the letter ‘Cellphone snatching’ (Dec 5). I am highly grateful to Mr M. Syed Alam Khan for his sympathetic letter in response to the agonising ordeal I had to face after the snatching of my cellphone.
Next morning I tried to meet the administrator of the DHA and the DIG police, traffic. At both places I was turned away in humiliation. I felt much more depressed as if I was a third grade citizen of a least developed country ruled by civil and military bureaucracy in which a common man has no place to say his genuine grievances. I have written registered letters to DIG traffic (1082) and the DHA administrator (1083). But so far I have received no response.
I again want to know from the DHA administrator whether they have allowed lifting of vehicles through their own system. I would also request the DIG police to take action against the corrupt police inspectors.
Cellphone snatching has now become a national epidemic. Being the director of community affairs, Rotary Club of Karachi, Kehkashan, I will follow this issue to its justified course.
In the end I am thankful to the readers of Dawn who phoned me and sent me SMS which were a source of great consolation to me.
DR IRSHAD AHMED SETHI
Karachi
IN his article ‘Acting against common sense’ (Dec 1), Mr Tahir Mirza quotes from a recently published article by eminent journalist-lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, “Why Pakistan is not a Democracy” in the volume ‘Divided Democracy’ (2005). Noting the importance and commonality of the social problems in the Indian subcontinent, he refers to the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 1927 known as the Sarda Act [Central Legislative Assembly Debates, Volume V, p.4419 (Delhi: 1927)].
Dewan Bahadur HarBilas Sarda [1867-1955], the author of this bill, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah [1876-1948] were contemporary and members of the Central Legislative Assembly. Mr Sarda was the leading member of the Arya Samaj (established in Lahore in 1891) and Mr Jinnah the President of the Muslim League. Mr Jinnah supported the bill even when there was stiff opposition from many other Muslim religious leaders. Truly, great minds think alike in terms of service to humanity.
Please note that my great-grandfather’s name was not correctly reported — it should read: Dewan Bhadur HarBilas Sarda.
INDER SARDA
Kingston, Canada
THIS refers to the article ‘Looking away from poverty’ by M. J. Akbar (Dawn Internet edition, Dec 5). Mr Akbar has touched the right chord. It is true that for today’s so-called upwardly mobile Indian middle class, poverty is a thing which exists in the statistical data of the government.
On any given day, people are more aware about the Sensex index during the hour than the poverty index during the year.
Mr Akbar has pointed out that the “new Mother India” has 10 arms containing Sensex printout, mobile phone, cheap air ticket, etc.
The eleventh arm is also coming up — holding the Indo-US nuclear deal. No doubt that there has been tremendous success on the economic front in the country during the last few years which is appreciated by all and sundry, there is also a dark side to all this success.
Prices of commodities have increased many times during the last two to three years, thus crushing the poor man. City traffic has become more chaotic and the cities have become more polluted.
There is acute shortage of electricity and drinking water everywhere. Before India aspires to become a ‘superpower’, it should aspire to become a nation which is able to provide a decent standard of living to the majority of its citizens. Otherwise, it will remain a country of hype and hoopla rather than any substance.
SANJAY SAXENA
Dehradun, India
MR Shahid Javed Burki’s article ‘These income inequalities’ (Dec 5) is a disappointment as he has not done justice to the subject. After discussions on the Chinese example of dealing income inequalities, Mr Burki has revealed that the last three years’ healthy increase in income per head of the population of Pakistan has translated into some reduction in the incidence of poverty and income inequities.
This statement is far from the truth. Also, his statement that about 5.82 million jobs were created during the last two years as compared to an average of just over one million in the last three years is also wrong. Nevertheless, according to the Gini co-efficient formula of measuring inequality, the writer has found no extreme inequality of income but what worried him was increase in inequality in urban rather than in rural areas.
I am positive that Mr Burki’s deductions are based on information provided in the official printed statistics, which is least reliable, and the formulas which are applicable only where facts are accurate lead him to believe in a rosy picture. Before giving findings, it would have been appropriate that he should have ascertained the figures from independent and impartial sources such as NGOs whose publications are available on the Internet.
The fact is that for the last so many years the creation of jobs in the public sector, as well as in the private sector, is almost negligible — in the public sector because of privatisation and golden hand-shake schemes, as well as allowance for appointment of retired senior civil and military bureaucrats, and in the private sector due to induction of technology-intensive industries.
The one million jobs allegedly created in the last three years and 5.82 million jobs created in two years, totalling 6.82 million jobs, mean that there is no job scarcity in the country. Then why are suicides by people on account of unemployment reported daily in newspapers? I request the writer to enlighten the readers about the above jobs in the various sectors and as well as about the details of the lucky ones to whom employment was provided.
I also take exception to his claim that there is reduction in income inequality and incidence of poverty. It is, on the contrary, a known fact that because of unchecked rise in the day-to-day consumer goods, utilities and petroleum products the purchasing power of even middle and lower middle classes has eroded. This has resulted in the rise of incidence of poverty and not its reduction.
I request Mr Burki to refer to the index of consumer goods that appear almost in every paper so as to see how the middle class has been impoverished. So much so that a thin distinction created between lower and upper middle classes has now been eliminated and this white-collar class has been turned underprivileged. What to talk of having a place of abode, now they are even not able to clear utility bills and afford reasonable education for their children.
I am sorry to say that Mr Burki’s analysis of the socio-economic sector of the country is academic, based purely on official figures prepared by those sitting in cosy offices. I suggest a man of his calibre must not rely merely on these cooked-up figures, instead he should himself visit and see the woes of people living beyond the municipal limits of a few big cities of the country.
DR ALI AKBAR M. DHAKAN
Karachi
THE politicians had promised to provide Sui gas to Khawaja Farid Colony, Alipur Road, Muzaffargarh. But as soon as they got elected, they left the area in the lurch and consequently this locality remains without gas.
I request the prime minister to call to account all politicians in power regarding the fulfilment of promises made during vote-mongering and to institute a permanent body to prevent them duping simple folks. I also request that Sui gas may be provided to Farid Colony and its adjoining homes immediately.
Furthermore, the law and order situation in the vicinity of this locality has deteriorated sharply. For two consecutive days during November, armed dacoits looted a hotel and a petrol pump near this colony and remain at large. What is the use of all the patrol police and elite force when such incidents are common in Muzaffargarh?
MEHMOOD AHMED
Muzaffargarh
TO draw pension from the National Bank, Muzaffargarh, is a difficult task. There is only one counter here for all pensioners. Hundreds of these old and infirm people have to stand in long queues each month from morning till evening with quivering knees and shaking hands and even then fail to get their dues at the end of the day.
The government is requested to deposit the retirement allowance of each pensioner in the bank of his choice on the first of every month from where he should be able to draw it at leisure. Old people deserve to be treated with some extra kindness.
MUHAMMAD AYYUB
Muzaffargarh
I OPENED an account with Ava drinking almost three months ago by depositing Rs1,000 as security for supply of two bottles weekly. The account number given to me and confirmed is 218985. Failure on the part of Ava to deliver the bottles forced me to request for closure of the account and refund of the deposited amount. The cancellation number for refund of the amount given by Ava is 698.
For the last six weeks now the amount still remains outstanding. Assurances given by two employees of their customer services division have led to no avail.
SYED MAHDI MUSTAFA
Karachi
THE death of an ex-KGB spy due to nuclear homicide has outstripped the James Bond book ‘From Russia with Love’ by Ian Fleming.
The death of Alexander Livinento is shrouded in mystery. The Scotland Yard is groping in the dark to arrest the accused.
Thankfully this modus operandi was not thrown at the doorstep of Al Qaeda. However, western politics can take an ugly turn to blame Muslim terrorists.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item ‘Subscribers complain of dead phones’ (Dec 7) regarding telephones 6646597 and 6622249.
The PTCL would like to clarify that after publication of the news the officer concerned visited the customer’s premises and fixed the cable the same day.
SALEEM KHAN PRO STR-III
Karachi
WHY cannot we see the English Al-Jazirah? Our masters would be unhappy if we allow it.
DR CH. GHULAM RASUL
Karachi
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