| December 14, 2006 | Thursday | Ziqa'ad 22, 1427 |
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What is a ‘moderate’ Muslim?
Doping committee decision
Cellphone snatching
Revising the textbooks
Dismantling Services Hospital
Peace in Iraq & Afghanistan
Military in coal mining
Whither CPLC?
Parking on Club Road
Karzai’s tears
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 president has recently asked the petroleum ministry to review the formula approved some years ago for price fixation of petroleum products. The Supreme Court is also seized of the matter, and the government can benefit from its advice. The price formula has been at the root of all the problems relating to price fixation mechanism.
A report (Dawn, Dec 5) indicates that oil marketing companies (OMCs), refineries and transporters have been earning billions. According to statistics compiled by a consulting group, namely Individual-Land, the OMCs have been earning Rs1.63 per litre as commission on petrol since March 5, 2005 against Re0.52 per litre ruling in November 1999. This represents 213.4 per cent increase. The retailer’s margin increased to Rs1.87 from Re0.345 per litre for the period under review.
As regards the retailer’s commission, it is not clear as to why a separate levy ranging between seven and 10 paisas per litre is charged by petrol pumps in Karachi over and above the prices notified by the government.
Petrol is usually supplied from refineries to upcountry depots through trucks. Freight charges on this count increased to Rs2.15 per litre from Re0.49 per litre for the corresponding period.
As regards diesel, the OMCs’ commission increased to Rs1.57 per litre since March 2005 as against Re0.204 per litre in November 1999. This represents an increase of 669.61 per cent. Freight on transportation of diesel rose by 95 per cent to Rs127 per litre as against Re0.65 during the same period. Petrol/diesel, etc., is taken by trucks to upcountry depots of OMCs. According to the media, this work is done by the NLC. Once this cell was part of the army and enjoyed exemption from all government duties on imports and all local taxes.
One does not know if this situation still exists. If so, then consumers are paying excessive charges on account of freight as well as on account of exemption from taxes. This needs to be reviewed and transportation work entrusted through an open tender not only to the NLC but also to others through an advertisement. To reduce the cost of maintaining depots, other petroleum products should also be pumped through pipelines as it is being done in the case of crude for the Parco refinery.
Although the government makes separate deals with foreign oil producers on the price of crude, for costing purposes it raises debits against OMCs on the basis of international crude prices. It’s not known as to what arrangement the government has with the OMCs in this regard.
However, it is understood the government assures a minimum return of 10 per cent on equity to the refineries. In the case of Parco it is understood that the minimum return of 25 per cent on equity has been guaranteed till 2008. This acts as a disincentive to efficiency and one is not surprised that the OMCs and refineries are making use of these guarantees for giving huge profits/dividends to their shareholders.
About the Attock Oil Refinery, it appears to be the main consumer of indigenous crude. It is not clear, however, as to why it is considered prudent to supply crude to it from a far distant place like Badin rather than from nearby oilfields. Here it may be said that it would not be advisable to treat the indigenous crude in the same way as foreign crude. Consumers should get some advantage of local crude, but this is not happening now.
The pricing issue needs examination. Fortnightly changes are no answer. Rather refineries should be charged for crude at actual prices, and market forces should be allowed full play in fixation of retail prices on the basis of the actual cost of crude.
The government should continue to negotiate crude purchases from foreign suppliers on easy terms, and the benefit accruing therefrom should be transferred to the consumers. OMCs should have the liberty to fix their retail prices on the basis of actual cost of the crude and should hold these prices for three to four months.
There is no justification for increasing administration expenses, commissions, freight expenses on a fortnightly basis, etc. These should hold for at least one year.
Moreover, government levies should be approved by parliament at the time of passing the budget.
MOHAMMED ANWAR KHAN
Karachi
THE western world divides the Muslim population into either ‘moderate’ or ‘extremist’. The general impression in the West is that the civilised world can deal with ‘moderate’ Muslims so they need to be encouraged and supported as opposed to the fundamentalists and extremists. This approach has some fundamental flaws and it is bound to fail.
The western use of the word ‘moderate’ is based on the comparison between mild, moderate and severe. This is not mere semantics but the implication here is that ‘moderate’ Muslims do not follow Islam in its ‘severe’ or pure form and have rather incorporated many ‘modernised’ or ‘western’ concepts — hence these people are more acceptable.
On the other hand, ‘extremist’ Muslims, according to the western, view follow Islam in the ‘severe’ or pure form and have not incorporated the modern, western or scientific concepts — hence they are potentially dangerous to the West.
The underlying concept is that ‘pure’ Islam in its complete form without western influences is a problem. The reason that the West will not be able to win Muslim hearts and minds with this approach is that it attacks the religion of Islam. Muslims sooner or later realise this western vision and of course they cannot imagine being traitors to their religion. They do not want to be ‘half Muslims’ or the so-called ‘moderate Muslims of the West’ so they turn into hardliners which they think is the opposite of the ‘moderate’ vision of Islam. Apparently western efforts to make them ‘semi-Muslims’ only help to fuel their conviction to be ‘pure’ Muslims.
The fact, which the western world is yet to accept, is that Islam is not a hostile or dangerous religion. It has been deformed by the uneducated leadership and masses over the past few centuries and hence we see an aggressive, confrontational side now. True spirit of Islam is that of peace, tolerance and that of civic responsibility. It actively stimulates scientific research and is very progressive.
The way for the West to deal with the Muslim world is to support the Muslims in the in-depth study of Islam. They need to help the Muslims in finding themselves. This should be done both in the West by supporting Islamic think tanks like Zaytuna Institute in the US and also by scholarships for studying Islam in the Muslim countries themselves.
Currently Islamic study is not financially feasible for the youth but if there is a market for this skill, then I am sure true spirit of Islam will come out in society. I think this investment will lead to long-term harmony and peace between Islamic and western civilisations. The current western policy of dividing Muslims into ‘moderate’ or ‘non-pure’ and ‘fundamentalist’ or ‘pure’ Muslims is counter-productive and is never going to work.
DR SYED ASAD ALI
Nashville, USA
THE recent decision by a three-member appeal committee against ban for doping of our two fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, is quite surprising. These players have been cleared of the charge of taking health-increasing medicine levelled by the previous committee.
According to the three-member appeal committee, the two players did not have awareness of the health-increasing medicines and were also not given any advice by the PCB in this regard.
In contrast to this, the previous committee had clearly mentioned in its report that the two players, especially Shoaib Akhtar, had attended so many seminars about health-increasing medicines and they were well aware of the side-affects of the said medicines and also the PCB had given them a list of precautionary measures, with translation in Urdu.
It seems that the decision has been taken on a political basis, with pressure coming from influential quarters. Shoaib Akhtar’s first statement after the doping issue on his official website was that the president had told him not to commit himself on this issue anymore, which in itself is an admission of what would be the decision in this case.
However, to impress the International Cricket Council (ICC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the international media, the two fast bowlers were first punished and then at the appeal stage were acquitted.
The ICC and WADA should intervene and do justice to the game of cricket.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
THIS refers to Sayyad Alam Khan’s letter ‘Cellphone snatching’ (Dec 5). Japanese ninjas, Chinese triads, Indian Parthis and similar fraternity in all countries indulge in petty thieving to senseless killings, snatching necklaces, cellphones, ladies’ and gents’ purses and valuables, robberies big and small . They are professionals and learn these tricks from their childhood from their elders.
Many among Parthis are well-educated. They take a solemn oath in the presence of some deity/devta or other personality seeking blessings for success in their profession. Salary earners among them give off their wages to the poor freely, because they cannot use the money earned by wages for themselves.
Only money earned ‘professionally’ (snatching etc.) can be utilised for personal or family expenses. All the above may be hearsay only, but from reliable sources.
Outwardly, thugs appear as the very pictures of refinement, in manners and deportment. Robbery is their chosen profession and they excel in it. And it runs in the families.
It can be no wonder if they infiltrate the police forces too. As Mr Khan says, nothing can stop the determined criminals, specially when they are well-versed in electronics too. Law and order authorities can do only so much and we must assist them by taking good care of our cellphones.
This letter is written at length to emphasise concern.
M.KRISHNAMACHARY
Mumbai
THIS is with reference to your editorial ‘Revising the textbooks’ (Dec 9).
The comment that “with the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 the two-nation theory receded into the background as it lost its rationale” reminds one of a similar statement made by
Mrs Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India, who had remarked that with the creation of Bangladesh the two-nation theory was drowned in the Bay of Bengal.
The underlying fallacy in this statement and in your editorial is that the creation of Bangladesh was not a failure of ideology or of the two-nation theory; rather it was the result of the failure of the myopic politicians of Pakistan belonging to both the wings who could not forge a just, equitable and democratic dispensation acceptable to all. Had Bangladesh merged into India in 1971, then perhaps one could have confirmed the demise of the two-nation theory.
But since it did not happen, it would be a travesty of facts to say that the two-nation theory had lost its rationale. Interpreting the two-nation theory in this fashion will mean that the huge sacrifices that were rendered for achieving Pakistan were a mockery.
ABDULLAH KHAN
Peshawar
THE detailed reports ‘Dismantling of hospital to create problems’ and ‘Shifting of samples from Services Hospital risky’ (Metropolitan, Dec 11 and 12) about demolishing Services Hospital, that too within a few months of the sale of famous Mid-East Hospital for developing a commercial plaza, have distressed many a conscientious citizen of this medically- starved metropolis. I have failed to understand why authorities are bent upon dismantling an age-old medical centre which has been successfully catering to the needs of thousands of provincial government employees since 1948.
I fully agree with the reports that doing away with such a key institution of public sector will severely harm the government’s programme to provide maximum medical facilities to the people at large. If this undesirable decision is carried out, then there will be left only one Services Hospital in the whole of the province, i.e. at Hyderabad, with a mere OPD.
Notwithstanding the Services Hospital’s significance, constructing a multi-storeyed complex to house a modern trauma centre on the city’s busiest road with highest ratio of atmospheric pollution is highly ill-advised. Looking to the congested and jam-packed location with same facilities of water, sewerage, electricity, etc., when population of the entire city was 0.350 million (now more than 10 million) there should have been ban on further multi-storeyed constructions in these areas. Even otherwise addition of a complex will add to the misery of not only residents of the vicinity but will prove to be antithesis of the purpose for which a well-established institution is being scarified.
A well-envisaged modern trauma centre not only requires a clean atmosphere but also needs easy approaches so that patients in severe agony may not die while being carried to the centre on account of road blocks which have now become a daily affair either owing to VVIP movements or some political or religious events.
I request the authorities not to proceed in haste and reconsider their decision in the interest of the public as it will not only benefit thousands of middle and lower middle class white-collar provincial government employees but will save the important records/reports from damage as well as a historical building from destruction.
The suggestions given in the reports for procuring the site of Sea Breeze Hospital or the Roti plant area are quite sensible and practicable to establish a most viable and modern trauma centre.
MANSOOR-UL-HAQ SOLANGI
Karachi
MR Qutbuddin Aziz’s letter (Dec 5) has offered the mature advice to initiate dialogue with the liberal and highly educated Taliban to end the long exercise in futility and massacre of innocent people on both sides. I would like Nato, the US and the UK to start similar and sincere dialogue with the saner people to end similar long conflicts in Iraq, ‘Palestine, North Korea, Kashmir and Northern Ireland too.
It is now proved beyond any shadow of doubt that the 9/11 event was not possible to be achieved by Osama, Taliban, Iraq or Palestinians, as this required very hi-tech expertise and collaboration with ground and satellite electronic systems, besides scientific placement of explosives in the Twin Towers to enable these to collapse vertically, apart from jamming all the hi-tech electronic surveillance systems in the sensitive areas of New York and Pentagon where even a bird cannot reach without being detected.
Such a high expertise could only be available in a highly advanced country and not in the caves of Afghanistan, Iraq or any other Muslim country, being attacked with furious vengeance of Christian and Judaic religious wars. The 9/11 Commission has miserably failed to identify the real culprit and has only miserably tried to offer their highly biased conjectures about half literate young Arabs, who were apparently made scapegoats in this sordid affair.
It is hoped the world will see the light and start dialogue in right earnest with the persons concerned, who have roots in the people.
S.H. RIZVI
Karachi
REFERENCE Dawn news of Dec 11 regarding coal mining in Balochistan: it’s regrettable that our rulers are trying to provoke the already angry Baloch by involving the army in mining natural resources and coal deposits of Balochistan.
These policies of involving Rangers and military in natural resource extraction and exploitation have already proved a failure in Sindh and Balochistan. Before 1970 when Lahore was the capital of West Pakistan, all major coalmines of the province were awarded and allotted to non-Baloch settlers like Parachas, Hashmis and Shaikhs and now khakis are in control of Balochistan coalmines. A committee headed by a military brigadier or colonel will raise more concerns among the unhappy Baloch who accuse Islamabad and military of exploiting their natural resources. We have not learnt any lesson and are pushing the Baloch to the wall.
NISAR SINDHO
Karrachi
I ENDORSE the findings listed by the writer in his letter ‘Whither CPLC?’ (Dec 3). I have had a similar problem and instead of registering an FIR or helping me do so for culpable crimes committed against me by my adversary, the CPLC played an utterly negative role and I, as a complainant, am now being victimised to face false charges of ‘badmashi’ sections of the PPC in the court.
To my complaints in the matter, of which police complaints are on record, the CPLC has not lifted its little finger to assist or respond. This shows the CPLC is not only patronising the police but is also a partisan and nepotistical body of vested interests.
MAZHAR BUTT
Karachi
IT IS little realised by the authorities concerned that closure of Club Road for parking of vehicles for a long time has been causing immense hardship to people who come to work in the congested commercial area close by. The area remains the hub of intense activity from morning to midnight and houses Karachi Gymkhana, PIA office, government offices, etc.
A large number of vehicles can be seen all the time huddled together in the side lanes, leaving a very narrow space for traffic movement. Some time, one has to wait for a long time before driving ahead, Similarly, thousands of members of the Gymkhana are facing difficulty for want of parking space. The club is now compelled to build an underground parking lot at much expense and extra financial burden on members.
Therefore, it will be good that limited parking is allowed by the side of the Gymkhana. As an extra precaution, cars with Gymkhana sticker and chauffer-driven are allowed parking by the Gymkhana compound wall. To be sure, no ugly incident has occurred in the said area due to parked vehicles.
M. ALEEM SHAIKH
Karachi
I AGREE with Talha Bin Hamid’s letter ‘Karzai’s tears’ (Dec 12). But why are we surprised? Stalin famously observed that gratitude was the defining trait of dogs, not men. It’s time to give Mr Karzai his three million countrymen back with their problems, and end the Afghan transit trade which is responsible for wrecking our economy.
There is no rule of morality or law which requires us to endlessly pay for those who spend their time spitting at us.
SAEED GUL
Chicago, USA
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