| December 17, 2006 | Sunday | Ziqa'ad 25, 1427 |
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We do need the army
Call for rescue
Cut in HEC budget
Two-nation theory
Demo for Israel
New train to Karachi
Minimum balance
Deaths unjustified
Our country’s 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 Dr Tariq Rahman’s article ‘Who should head a university?’ (Nov 5). The writer has candidly analysed the issue regarding appointment of non-academics (military men and bureaucrats) as CEOs (vice-chancellors) of the public-sector universities and the impact of such appointments on the academic and administrative life of universities.
However, in universities of garrison state like Pakistan, riddled with corruption and sleaze, appointment of non-academics as VCs is guided by security considerations rather than the desire to improve quality of teaching and research. Maybe the appointment of a military man as the CEO of Balochistan University was made to handle the situation on the campus after the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
The appointment and third extension of the retired bureaucrat, as the CEO of Sindh University, Jamshoro, is largely believed to be a part of the establishment’s move to control nationalist elements in the university, regarded as a political nursery of Sindhi nationalist politics by the agencies. The present incumbent was first appointed by the Zia regime in the wake of the MRD movement, and now by Gen Musharraf’s dispensation.
Dr Rahman is right in a sense that the present paradigms of higher education invariably draw inspiration from colonial educational models of the British Raj where the educational system was intended to perform two main tasks. First, it was to create faithful ruling elite who would serve the interests of colonial rulers. Second, it was to produce a class of lower-level local functionaries to help in daily administration.
So, clearly education, unlike in the UK, was not thought of as a means of promoting democracy or spreading egalitarianism, or increasing social mobility. On the contrary, its role was to maintain the status quo, to strengthen the ruling class, to make them wiser and better rulers to reinforce the ideology upon which power of the elite rested.
Education has, therefore, remained subservient to feudal-capitalist structures. Its professed goal of development of full physical and intellectual capacities of the people, to make them autonomous, free self-reliant entities, and to help them to earn their livelihood with dignity has never become fully part of the educational strategies.
Educational policies of the post-colonial overdeveloped state dominated by civil-military oligarchy have crushed the liberating function of education and whatever educational policies were designed from time to time they reflect the interest of the elitist class.
At the moment, the system of higher education, based on elitist ideology, is producing educational apartheid in Pakistan where there exists dual educational system right from primary to higher education. On the one hand, there are elitist institutions where only the offspring of the rich can study and, on the other hand, children of the poor are getting education of inferior quality from the poorly-managed public-sector universities.
To further strengthen the elitist education, new specialised universities, in collaboration with some of the industrialised countries, in different industrial cities are being planned with exorbitant fee structure. These universities will be producing the new engineers and new managers for the new businesses in the elitist economy of Pakistan where 20 per cent population consume 80 per cent resources and 80 per cent population live on only 20 per cent resources.
The HEC policies tend to further widen the gap between educational standards being imparted by public- and private-sector universities. For example, overemphasis of the HEC on PhD faculty under its ‘quality assurance’ has resulted in the proliferation of culture of plagiarism and ‘cutpaste PhDs’.
I endorse the idea of Dr Tariq Rahman that the HEC should take drastic measures to reform the colonial practices in the field of higher education to get rid of public and private divide by improving the standard of education. Steps such as good management, appointment of a VC on merit, curtailment of political interference and introduction of iron-handed accountability are necessary to be taken. If we don’t do so, we are bound to doom as a nation.
MANZOOR ALI ISRAN
Shah Abdul Latif University
Khairpur
APROPOS of Mr Tariq Mahmood’s letter (Dec 6) in reply to Mr Saifuddin Kamran’s (Nov 18), asking if we need the army, I was reminded of an old friend’s remark: “Previously the army was for the country, today the country is for the army.” His argument was based on the ground of defence and other special colonies for the retired naval and air force personnel on prestigious land in many cities. Such lucky persons are entitled to have such a plot in almost every city, while for the big bosses sky is the limit. As compared to this, generally the few colonies for the retired employees of other civilian jobs have no comparison. Of course, these persons are entitled to only one such plot in the country.
Mr Mahmood has also answered his own question that “we do need defence of the country”, through general draft of young men for military training. This is precisely what most western countries have done in the name of compulsory national service, selecting such trained persons as reservists, attached to the particular branch or profession of specialisation. They receive their ranks, uniform and other essentials to be kept in trim for use in any emergency, while working in their civilian profession. They are required to attend short exercises in their units twice a year to keep them in trim. The cost of such training is also retrieved through utilisation of this vast manpower in competitive contracts.
Thus hardly 20 per cent full-time personnel are needed, while in any emergency, full strength is achieved at 24 hours’ notice, reducing the cost of defence personnel by 80 per cent. Here it is worth mentioning that in the early Muslim defence wars every able-bodied believer voluntarily joined the force, which defeated the two main superpowers of that time, who attacked them, namely Persians and Romans.
Therefore, I entirely agree with the writers of the above letters that we should adopt this reservist system and save nearly 50 per cent cost of defence, utilising this for development, poverty alleviation and, of course, huge $36 billion debt retirement, avoiding any more loans.
Perhaps the next election manifesto should form this as a vital issue, instead of the oft-repeated jargons of development, women emancipation and army rule violating the country’s Constitution. The last issue will automatically end by adopting this system.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
WITH the demise of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an era came to a close. For us, who served him in various capacities at His Highness’ Department in Pakistan (DPA) for three decades, it was a monumental personal loss because of his graciousness and generosity throughout our association.
Our loss has, however, been compounded now by the closure of the DPA and the news that the settlement being paid to employees who are being laid off is far from generous, and not even close to the compensation paid out in the form of golden handshakes not just by multinationals and foreign banks, but even by local institutions.
It has also been intimated to us that even the vehicles we were given and have used for years are to be taken back.
For many of us who served His Highness Sheikh Zayed al Nahyan faithfully and at close quarters, we feel a great sense of betrayal and despair. The best years of our lives are over and starting again will require courage and resources.
We hoped the latter would be forthcoming when we learnt the DPA was scheduled for closure.
However, the sums reportedly allocated are so paltry that for us it will be akin to starting from scratch. This, we are certain, is not what Sheikh Zayed would have wanted.
As such we appeal to the ruler and crown prince of Abu Dhabi to come to our aid. We are sure you are unaware of our plight for we cannot conceive you would allow such an injustice to be perpetuated.
EMPLOYEES OF DPA
THE news article about the cut in the Higher Education Commission’s budget (Dawn, Dec 4) runs counter to the government’s avowed aim to raise the standard of education which has fallen abysmally low according to international level.
The reported decision of the ministry of finance to cut the budget by Rs4 billion has come as a surprise to scientists, technologists, researchers and educationists who had seen a silver lining in the offing for the first time due to painstaking efforts of Prof (Dr) Atta-ur-Rehman, the former federal minister of science and technology and now the chairman of the HEC.
The acquisition of higher knowledge will no doubt raise the scientific manpower which has become engine of economic development in every field. No country can make economic progress without making necessary input in a field even under financial constraint.
The quantitative and qualitative scientific manpower will not only give a fillip to raise the academic standard and lifestyle within the country but Pakistan, as a leading member of the OIC, is expected to act as a fore-runner in raising the educational standard of those Muslim countries which stand in dire need of economic development through knowledge.
I would, therefore, like to request the government to rescind the reported decision about the curtailment of the HEC budget as it runs counter to the successful completion of the objective of the HEC on account of financial constraint.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Karachi
THIS refers to Abdullah Khan’s letter (Dec 14). The two-nation theory advocated that Muslims and Hindus were two separate nations which could not stay together. In that sense Mr Khan is correct since Bangladesh formed a new country and did not merge with India.
However, the underlying assumption in the theory is that Muslims are a monolithic people and that the ties of religion transcend culture, language and local traditions. This assumption was negated by the creation of Bangladesh.
Another point is that India has more Muslims that Pakistan. Barring a few (though major) instances, a majority of Muslims seem to live in India peacefully and enjoy rights that are not given to people of other religions. So does this not weaken the two-nation theory?
ANSHU DEWAN
Bartlett, USA
‘THE God’s People Fellowship of Pakistan’ staged a demonstration on Dec 10, demanding of the government to recognise Israel so that they could visit the holy sites located there (Dawn, Dec 11).
The participants reportedly included various Christian religious personalities, social and political activists and lawyers who were holding ‘David Stars’ (sic) and placards. They lamented being deprived of visiting the holy sites in Israel since the creation of Pakistan.
The participants would know very well that the Muslims also have one of their holiest sites over there but they, too, have been unable to visit the place. The reason for the non-recognition of Israel by Pakistan and many other Muslim countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran and Saudi Arabia is well-known. It is intriguing that for 59 years we never heard such a demand but, as the presence of the Star of David appears to show, it is being done at the behest of some Jewish lobby now.
Recognising Israel -– something that the Jewish state desperately appears to be seeking from a leading Islamic country like Pakistan -– would amount to condoning its illegal creation through undemocratic and terrorist means; occupation of Arab lands and the driving out of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. Worst still, its brutal treatment of the victims, as is now happening in Gaza, and of the other Muslims, as in Lebanon.
Only two weeks back, there was a report, “Old Palestinian women ‘rush to martyrdom’” (Dawn, Dec 5). One 72-year-old woman revealed: “They (the Israeli soldiers in Gaza) took my four-year-old grandson . . . who has Down’s syndrome. They shook him and yelled, ‘Where are the guns?’” Now he is traumatised and wets the bed every night.
Another 70-year-old lady, Fatma Najr, was one of the women who was intentionally hit and injured by an Israeli bulldozer, while two had died. Three weeks later, she blew herself up near Israeli soldiers, wounding two. She had 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, being a sweet-faced woman whose stories of generosity were famous in the locality who used to play with the local children and also give them sweets.
One of her grandsons was 18 when the Israelis killed him for throwing stones at them. His brother attacked a soldier with a knife and was shot 72 times due to which he lost a leg and also became paralysed.
This most tragic story should make everyone grieve for her and strive to understand why the old and kind-hearted woman became a suicide bomber. One never recalls these “God’s People” ever showing a shred of sympathy or holding a demo in support of the Palestinians.
They have also forgotten so quickly how Israel had pulverised Lebanon just a few months back while the Muslims, in particular, and the fair-minded of the world, in general, watched helplessly in horror. Millions of American-supplied cluster bombs were dropped and nearly a million Lebanese, including Christians, were driven out of their homes, while over 1,000 were killed.
One senior UN official, Jan Egeland, had sombrely quoted a woman’s mournful appeal: the Israelis should at least let them collect the bodies of their dead for burial because the dogs were eating them!
It is such a shame that some people are demanding the recognition of that barbaric state in spite of all this. Protecting lives or saving human beings from this brutal treatment should give the intending pilgrims great joy and earn for them more rewards than a pilgrimage done at these poor people’s cost.
ABDUL ALEEM
Karachi
THIS relates to the report (Dawn, Dec 13) about running a new train between Rawalpindi and Karachi. Starting new trains is all very well, but what about the old ones?
Some members of my family and I had the misfortune of travelling from Larkana to Karachi by Bolan Mail on Dec 10. This was necessitated by the total collapse of PIA services to Sukkur and Moenjodaro and the tiresome seven-hour car journey, which are the alternatives.
On our arrival at the Larkana railway station, we found the local staff a bit nervous. The reason became clear when we boarded the train and entered the six-berth first class compartment, which had been booked for the six of us. Although they had done all they could to clean up and disinfect the compartment, they had failed to achieve the impossible.
Suffice it to say that the filth, squalor and the state of ruin and disrepair that the compartment was in indicated that no one had ever bothered to make it fit for even transitory human occupation. Resigned to spending the night in what was a virtual torture chamber, we did not know that the worst was yet to come. As the train moved out, it began to shake, rattle and roll making such alarming sounds as if about to derail, which it actually had a few days earlier. We sat up throughout the cold night and were nervous wrecks on arrival, only grateful to have made it alive. What is the use of running new trains when old ones are junked.
SARDAR MUMTAZ ALI BHUTTO
Karachi
HABIB Bank, Bahadurabad branch, has recently started deducting Rs50 per month from the accounts of salaried persons (salary deposited in their accounts each month by their employers) for not maintaining the minimum balance of Rs10,000, claiming compliance of the order issued recently by the State Bank.
It is not justified as many a salaried person earns less than Rs10,000. Asking him to observe the so-called bank rule is a cruel joke. The bank should either refuse to open and operate such accounts or stop charging Rs50 from small account-holders or those who are not in a position to maintain the minimum balance but are directed by their employers to open accounts in order to draw their salary.
The authorities concerned are requested to clarify the position.
MUHAMMAD RIZWANUL HAQUE
Karachi
IT was recently reported that several children and adults died at the Services Hospital due to poisonous anaesthesia gas. It was also stated that the anaesthesiologist continued to use the gas even after the death of his first patient, causing several more deaths before the gas was discontinued. No further news has appeared in Dawn regarding the investigation of the matter.
This reflects the callous and careless attitude of medical professionals towards their patients. They never account for personal mistakes and if the patient dies often say, “It was God’s will”. Most hospitals do not analyse the causes of death which result from the mistakes of anaesthesiologists, surgeons, wrong medications, improper and inadequate management of patients.
In western countries, every death in hospital is carefully scrutinised to determine the cause and responsibilities of various medical professionals involved in the care of the patient. They learn from these mistakes to avoid future happenings. The responsible staffs are duly warned, sometimes suspended and even stopped from carrying out operations and management of patients in cases of gross negligence.
In this case, it appears a serious mistake was made by some hospital professionals. The matter should be thoroughly investigated until the persons responsible are identified. The hospital administration should not be allowed to hush up the whole matter. Newspaper reporters have a great responsibility to keep the news alive till a fair inquiry is carried out.
Similarly, in the spirit of public service, lawyers have responsibility to providing free consultation to the grieving families and taking the guilty party to court, including hospital administration, medical professionals and manufacturers of the poisonous gas. We, as a society, cannot advance unless we can account for our responsibilities and mistakes.
NORA SAEED
Lahore
I WISH to commend your newspaper for giving due consideration to important health issues facing our nation. There appears to be a fresh editorial policy for which Dawn deserves praise. Child specialists across Pakistan would be especially grateful for your front page, above-the-fold headline story highlighting the critical issue of high child mortality in Pakistan. Such attention and advocacy for Pakistan’s children can make a lasting difference to our country’s future.
DR ANITA ZAIDI
Karachi
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