| March 02, 2007 | Friday | Safar 12, 1428 |
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HEC’s mega projects
A blessing in disguise
Geneva accord
People need action not promises
America’s cavalier attitude
PIA’s ageing fleet
Fata’s special status
Last-minute jitters
Dick Cheney escapes attack
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
APROPOS of your editorial ‘Organ law or an eyewash?’(Feb 17), I would like to highlight areas of grave ethical concerns about the Transplantation of Human Organ and Tissue Ordinance 2007.
If promulgated in its current form, the Ordinance will negate its own stated objective -– “to curb this (buying and selling of kidneys) menace and the exploitation” of the most vulnerable in our society. It will only serve to provide legal cover to many of the current unethical transplant practices in Pakistan.
In the case of ‘living donors’, the Ordinance extends the norms of carefully selected genetically-related donors to ‘non-blood relatives’ and defines these as not merely spouses but all relatives by marriage. Under ‘close blood relatives’ the Ordinance includes ‘wet mother or her children’. Not only is this a novel interpretation of a ‘blood’ relative, but it also automatically legitimises as donors every offspring of any woman who has served as a wet nurse.
Of utmost concern is the clause that sanctions the use of ‘non-relative’ donors in the case of “threat to life of an end-stage renal disease patient.” This is problematic both scientifically and ethically. Scientifically, ESRD does not constitute urgent threat to life and such patients can live for decades on renal dialysis.
In contrast, there are no such alternatives for patients who have end-stage liver and cardiac diseases and truly face a life-threatening situation requiring deceased donor organ transplant programmes. This is not addressed in the Ordinance.
From an ethical standpoint, the group most vulnerable to exploitation consists of non-related donors.
We have only to look at villages in Punjab and hospitals in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The Ordinance cites as safeguard an ‘Evaluation Committee’ that will ‘satisfy itself’ that the donation is ‘voluntary’.
The ineffectiveness of this measure is clear from the Indian experience. A similar provision in the Indian transplant law was transformed into a backdoor for enrolling the indigent as ‘donors’ aided by massive corruption in the committee.
India is moving towards removing a loophole which the Ordinance is set to introduce in Pakistan.
The Ordinance states that an “amount of compensation payable to donor shall be recovered from the recipient.” It also proposes a regulated ‘pool of voluntary donors’.
How is this any different from the shameful situation —– the ‘gurda piris’ of Punjab full of ‘voluntary’ donors of bonded labourers and the poorest of the poor -– that prevails in our country?
The only difference is that this Ordinance would legalise an abhorrent practice which it professes to eliminate.
Finally, the ministry of health claims that the Ordinance was developed “in consultation with all the important stakeholders, including the World Health Organisation.”
Many ethical transplant surgeons and institutions, including SIUT, have openly expressed concerns about the Ordinance.
As a member of the WHO group working on updating its Guiding Principles for Tissue and Organ Transplantation, I know that cash benefits or financial gains in acquiring organs remain unacceptable to WHO.
So who are the stakeholders who were consulted, and what was the consultative process that was undertaken with WHO?
To ensure that this important document is ethically sound and effective in achieving its stated goals, increasing concerns of Pakistani stakeholders — the public, civic society members and physicians — must be addressed.
DR FARHAT MOAZAM
Chairperson, Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi
I REFER to the Higher Education Commission’s response (Feb 23) to Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article titled “HEC’s unconvincing mega projects” (Feb 10) and Dr Hoodbhoy’s rejoinder (Feb 28).
While the HEC’s efforts to catapult Pakistan’s engineering and technology education system into the 21st century are admirable, Dr Hoodbhoy’s concern about the quality of teaching and costs involved cannot be ignored. The HEC is fortunate in being able to have access to required funding under the Musharraf regime’s campaign to upgrade Pakistan’s higher education system and the required infrastructure.
The HEC needs to develop criteria to measure social and economic return on the funds it invests in the mega projects. Utilisation of foreign faculty will, no doubt, cause a heavy drain on foreign exchange reserves in the first five years.
What return in terms of foreign currency will these mega projects generate in the next 10 to 15 years? How does the HEC propose to rid itself of dependence on foreign experts, foreign faculties and foreign textbooks in subsequent stages?
When will the HEC developed projects bloom into fully independent and creative education system matching the standards of Ivy league schools of America, Europe and Japan? Standards achieved by IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) can be cited as an example. A longer-term perspective needs to be developed.
The HEC also needs to take into account the work environment available in the country where knowledge and know-how of highly educated graduates can be utilised.
It may need to work closely with the ministry of industry and production to encourage creation of knowledge-based organisations in the public and the private sector to create appropriate job positions for the upcoming graduates.
Universities should be able to promote applied research ideas of their engineering and PhD graduates into business enterprises in cooperation with the government and the private sector industrial houses.
Applied research can generate cash flow in the near future whereas return on basic or theoretical research may need a decade or longer to transform them into applicable cash-generating ideas.
HUMAYUN ZAFAR
Toronto, Canada
THIS is with reference to a report carried by Dawn in its issue of Feb 23 about a meeting of the executive committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) held at Karachi, criticising, inter alia, the ban on government advertisements for Dawn and some other newspaper.
I am a regular reader of Dawn and, of late, I had noticed that it was carrying fewer advertisements in its issues than what had been the case not very long ago. Personally, I was happy with this development and ascribed it to a deliberate policy of the paper’s management. I had absolutely no idea that this development was due to a ban on government advertisements for Dawn.
Dawn is the most prestigious English newspaper of the country. It acquired this reputation and stature as a consequence of following a policy of independent reporting, avoiding sensationalism and publishing quality syndicated articles. Another factor which lent maturity to this newspaper was that it had struck a balance between unadulterated commercialism and requirements of quality journalism.
The quantum of advertisements it used to carry not so far back in the past was just the right proportion. The time I am talking of was when the front and back pages of the newspaper were considered almost sacrosanct and would not carry purely commercial advertisements.
For the last couple of years, commercialisation of all activities, initiated both by the government and the private sector, has become rampant. Among other things, this had spawned a flood of advertisements in newspapers, majority of which are shoddy and tasteless. Most newspapers in the country fell prey to this storm of commercialisation and there was a fierce competition among them to get more and more advertisements.
The situation has now come to such a pass that these days even three-fourths of front and pack pages are covered with advertisements. For some time, Dawn managed to keep itself away from this race to some extent but then the attraction for advertisements proved too much even for Dawn and it yielded to the temptation.
Ban on government advertisements for Dawn, if this is true, has come as a blessing in disguise for its readers as nowadays they have more access to quality reading material and reports rather than having to encounter tasteless advertisements. As the cynical among us would say, some time even bad things for some result in good things for others.
KHALID IDREES
Islamabad
APROPOS of a news item, ‘US rejects Kabul tirade against Pakistan (Feb 13), and a forlorn Pakistani’s rejoinder (letter, Feb 18), I wish to say that the treaties and the accords, as per diplomatic norms and practice, are negotiated between the stakeholders after exhaustive deliberations at various levels of governments and societies.
But it is justifiably apprehended that slipshod treatment was meted out to the Geneva Accord and, as a result, the Soviets and their stooges extorted the maximum concessions out of it.
However, the acknowledgement of the ‘mistake’ by the US secretary of defence, vide: “....After the Soviets left Afghanistan, the US made mistakes....”, though after a lapse of 18 years and two months long period, is nevertheless the most heartening sign having the potential of heralding the much-sought-for peace in the region; but the spring offensive resolve shows that long-nurtured obduracy would only boomerang.
The whole world knows about the Soviet’s global atrocities, especially the decade-long carnage in Afghanistan.
It was nothing but the sheer good luck that the indigenously-developed (primarily by the Pashtun tribes) rebuttal with the volunteer pan-Islamic peoples’ help (the US came in at the time when the victory was not far off) reversed the evil tsunami.
Should we call it Americans’ magnanimity to have unilaterally pardoned and freed the Russians from the gallows?
Or would it not be a better option to eulogise the ‘Mujs’ profusely for showing marvellous restraints in freeing their tormentors for the achievement of better tomorrows? Nations have short-lived memories. The American nation must be told to recognise these ‘Mujs’ soonest.
Reliance is made on Mr Tariq Fatemi’s, a former ambassador, eyewitness account. He states vide his oped piece ‘New tremors in Pakistan-US ties?’ (Feb 3): “....President Reagan hailed them as the world’s true heroes and compared them with America’s founding fathers.”
The world ‘Muj’ entered the American political lexicon, evoking the picture of brave freedom-fighters who stood as the only barrier between godless Marxism and man’s quest for freedom.” Reagan, who gave the world economists the word coined after his name Reaganomics, was not a man of rhetorics; hence the Mujs’ accomplishments are solid historical facts which must not be ‘neglected’ [(as per Mr Gate’s statement it was neglected then (Feb 13)] at any cost now.
If the global atrocities of the perpetual perpetrators could be condoned, though mistakenly, by the US and they go scot-free then, there are all the earthly reasons available for the outgoing US administration not to go it alone hurrying up an Armageddon for the sake of their election strategy than to ignore the present-day jihadis’ ‘aberrations’ magnanimously. Try it for the surest land-slide victory God willing.
MOHAMMAD AHMAD
Karachi
WHILE one appreciates the assenting statements of Indian and Pakistani leaders, the statements of condolence and sympathy cannot bring back the human losses and cannot deliver contentment to those who lost their loved ones.
How long this peace process will continue? When will the governments of India and Pakistan resolve their differences? And, when will the governments of both the countries provide security to their people from the acts of terrorism seen over and over again?
After every dreadful incident, the leaders of India and Pakistan promise to punish the culprits and eliminate terrorism. Yet, the leaders of both the countries failed to provide anything but hopes and inspirations.
The game of peace and threat has been the part of the diplomacy process between the governments of India and Pakistan for the last half a century.
From Ayub Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Ziaul Haq and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan to Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in India, the leaders of both countries have been vocalising the need for peace and harmony, signing accords, initiating peace proposals and affirming their resolve to settle geopolitical disputes.
Yet, the mistrust, threat and inflexibility still stand. All their memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been found to be the manifestos of self-interest and the interest of the parties in power.
Both countries should show confidence in themselves and each other to move forward, work together closely, launch practical step to complete their process of resolving issues, as soon as possible.
The proposals and plans can only be transformed into successful implementation when the leaders of both the countries think in the interest of the people of the entire region, the stability of the entire region and work within a clear cut-time frame.
The years-long process of talks and negotiations must now deliver the accord. The leadership of both India and Pakistan should show courage and ability to put forward the plan on the basis of ‘give and take’ by the parties involved. Options like:
a. Declare both India- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir as an independent state with no control of Pakistani and Indian administration but international monitoring forces until Kashmiri themselves are able to establish their own security forces.
b. Both India- and Pakistan-controlled parts of Kashmir should be provided real liberty to have their own governments with no interference of India and Pakistan. Both the parts of Kashmir would have soft border allowing easy transit and trade between two parts. The details on the settlement must be worked out by all three parties: Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Indians.
d. Hand over both parts of the Kashmir to a joint Indo-Pakistan administration and so on.
These options or any other, one can only hope that the leaderships of both the countries should realise that the time is running out and delay in finding the resolution will only help those elements who don’t want the people of both the nations to live in peace and harmony.
SYED ATIQ UL HASSAN
Sydney, Australia
THIS refers to the letter ‘Japan and the US’ (Feb 17) by Kataoka about the cavalier attitude of the United States of America towards Japan.
We should know for we have been subject to the same treatment. But the twice atomised Japan is the greatest victim of unwarranted nuclear attacks.
An ‘accidental’ president Harry Truman (he became president upon death of Roosevelt and did not seek election on the expiry of his term in office) A-bombed a country that was seeking to surrender for months but the Japanese ambassador in Washington was not given the time of day by Truman.
Japan then tried to communicate its intention through the Vatican’s foreign affairs in charge (later to become the Pope) but to no avail.
To this day the Japanese give a wide berth to Americans on social occasions and in the street.
Robert S. McNamara (defence secretary under JFK, but a statistics officer during the WWII) admitted in a taped interview before his death that 80 per cent of all major Japanese cities had already been destroyed by American incendiary bombs and that there was no need for targeting Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Harry Truman died unrepentant. The funny thing is that Truman is regarded as the best president ever in the Wild West today.
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
PIA has a surplus of employees that it needs to cut down. It also needs to work towards replacing its ageing jets.
The European Union is taking the right step by banning Pakistan International Airline’s ageing fleet.
PIA may have some of the best pilots, but that doesn’t mean that a pilot can salvage the airline.
Safety is essential if PIA wishes to improve its image. This is an opportunity for PIA to take action by concentrating on its weaknesses and regrouping as a new company.
Having said all that, maybe it is time for PIA to be privatised into a corporation.
Air Blue may very well become the number one airline in Pakistan, and that will definitely disappoint the state-run airline.
PIA must improve its technology and use innovative methods to improve its reputation as well as remain a strategic player in Pakistan’s airline industry. A big ‘Thank you’ to the European Union.
MUNZIR A. NAQVI
Georgia, USA
I FULLY agree with Mr Bokhari (letter, Feb 28) that Fata should not be given special status. Tribal areas have become a focal point for all the criminals and terrorists. The same criminals and terrorists are given shelter by the local people and tribal leaders.
Kidnapping for ransom is rampant these days and a number of local citizens from Peshawar have been kidnapped and killed for ransom. Believe me, the same tribals feel proud in committing these heinous crimes.
They are all Pakistani citizens and so they should also abide by the rules and regulations of the state. There shouldn’t be any special quota in jobs for them or for anybody else.
Everyone knows that you can buy anything illegal there ranging from a pistol to antiaircraft guns, liquor, cannabis, heroin and stolen car parts.
I don’t understand why the government is too helpless to enforce its writ in those areas. The war on terror will never be complete until the government includes the tribal area into settled areas.
I appeal to General Musharraf to take this issue seriously, otherwise history will never forgive him. He is a brave man and we expect him to take a bold decision in this matter.
ASIM
London
IF what Inzamam says about the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif is true, then it is indeed a sad preface to the upcoming World Cup. Pakistani cricket fans don’t have much left to expect from our team which simply does not work as a unit.
Just when the team needs its total strength to be intact, players are busy highlighting their importance by showing last-minute jitters about their participation in the World Cup. Frankly, this long-awaited cricket tournament is becoming quite a dreaded one for us Pakistani fans.
MARIAM ALVI
Karachi
IF the United States, with all its resources, cannot secure the Bagram airport base (which has a total perimeter of perhaps a few kilometres) against intrusion by a terrorist, how can Pakistan, with its limited technological resources, be expected to effectively police 2,500 kilometres (most of it difficult mountainous terrain) of its border with Afghanistan?
BEMUSED
Karachi
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