| March 03, 2007 | Saturday | Safar 13, 1428 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Bush — a redeemer president
Mass transit systems
Nerves of steel
Sexual harassment
Kidney Hill
Living with kidney transplant
Pre-Islamic history
Plight of citizens
Iranian leader’s visit to Saudi Arabia
Tallest buildings
PIA’s ageing fleet
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
All of us would remember that the ‘Brahimi Report’ (2001) became the final blueprint for the change that the world community sought to bring about in Afghanistan. This report was well-thought-out and made some sensible, time-tabled recommendations. However, as usually is the case, the most complicated portion of giving shape to such blueprints lies in the meticulous planning of its execution. The vital elements subsumed in such implementations are:
i. The ongoing flexibly imaginative thinking surrounding the unpredictable nature of the transition phase, supported by continuous critiquing, this is sometimes even more complex than putting the blueprint together.
ii. The identification and taking on board of a committed ‘critical mass’ (respected opinion-setting forces) of indigenous stakeholders.
iii. The choice of a leader-cum-manager of stature and calibre to lead the change and manage the ‘management of change’.
I fear that, altogether, these three elements have remained dissonant with the demands of the monumental change envisaged. Though that was what was, the current situation is at least flashing a bright, amber light that a mature focus on what should and can be done is rather urgently called for. ‘Experting’ the experts would indeed be presumptuous. Nevertheless, there can hardly be any harm in expressing a few thoughts which one may, in all humility, feel could be of use.
Regarding the first element, unquestionably, the inherent unpredictability has more than overtaken the original planning. This would suggest that it may be advisable to constitute a suitably representative review committee, headed by Mr Brahimi again, under UN aegis. Following upon the recommendations of this committee, a standing monitoring body should be created to help steer an un-hasty, graduated but purposeful course through the deep and dangerous, uncharted waters which inescapably must lie ahead. To be purposeful this body must receive unstinted support of the world community.
It would appear that enough soul-searching was not done to identify and win commitment of the indigenous ‘critical mass’ without which no plan can even hope to get off the ground. This is a tedious and demanding undertaking. Whatever the time and effort needed, it is imperative that this be done.
It would be advisable that this is done with the help of academically-anchored professionals conversant with the history, traditions, geographical nuances, culture and economics of an inertia-bound tribal society being asked to leap-frog into the 21st century.
To be unerring in the choice of a ‘change-leader’ is the sine qua non of the whole exercise. The required incumbent would have to be something of a Metternich and Bismark combined. Indeed the personality profile would have no room for volatility. Instead, the hallmark will have to be empathetic patience and more of empathetic patience.
M.J.AS’AD
Karachi
THIS has a reference to a Reuters’ news item: ‘Bush fixated on judgment of history” by Stev Holland (Feb 21) wherein it is learnt that many in the current crop of historians are already prepared to declare Mr Bush’s presidency a failure. One of them, Columbia University Professor Eric Foner, surmises: “Mr Bush is likely to join mediocre presidents….” He went on as far as that he gave the title of his article: “He is the worst ever”.
I wish to ask Mr Foner whether he took into account the deeds of Nixon, the famous Watergate scandal fall guy, while arriving at his superlative.
Mr Carter adjudged him as a fit case for trial under US Lugan Act, but he spared him following in the footsteps of the late Mr Ford in order to save the future presidents from certain historical stigmas.
Had Mr Carter acted judiciously during his watch, it would have saved the planet from his evil designs, especially the tortures he gave to his own nation afflicting it with ‘Islamophobia pandemic’. Please read the letter ‘Nixon’s deeds’ (Jan 12).
Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter’s treatise: ‘American endangered values – America’s moral crisis’, should be analysed as the primary source material by history enthusiasts. Another source material by 30-year-plus experienced former Republican strategist Kelvin Phillips’ book, American Theocracy – the peril and politics of radical religion, oil and borrowed money in the 21st century, may come handy for the researchers and the world’s elite ‘think tanks’. The author related the radical religion to the American evangelists’ pursuit of power, politics and money.
However, if someone has inclinations to have clear insight into the world’s most misunderstood religion, I would recommend him to read the collection of famous Edinburgh lectures delivered in 1990s and compiled by a distinguished multilingual German scholar, the late Annemarie Schimmel: “Deciphering the signs of God – A phenomenological approach to Islam.’’
Mr George W. Bush has a life-time chance of deep redemption if he has an earnest desire to go down in history as the best president the US has ever had.
MOHAMMAD AHMAD
Karachi
THE February 22 issue of The Review (Dawn Feb 22) mentions that mass transit should exclude the use of private vehicles. World Bank experts evolved bus convoys on exclusive busways to serve up to 20,000 persons per hour/direction (pphpd).
The first mass transit systems in London and Paris are underground rails serving up to 60,000 pphpd. Hong Kong metro is partly elevated. The 1974 master plan envisaged a metro spine for Karachi to serve 40,000 pphpd demand, later refined by rail experts, as basement level subway, under the old tramlines, avoiding UG utilities, on movable ramp-bridge, initially using KCR trains or used cars from Canada.
The 1990 WB study recommended 87km busways as six priority corridors for Karachi. It offered to finance implementation of six km segment from Old Exhibition to Karimabad, after engineering and feasibility by the consultants.
This offer was not utilised due to demand of direct LRT and concerns by some stakeholders. If this was implemented, even as busway in 1991, with built-in rails on the structure as planned, by now the entire length could have been implemented, as LRT on a BOT basis, after retrieving the infrastructure cost through toll.
During the past 16 years, several BOT attempts for LRT on Corridor-I have failed, leaving the largest city of over 15 million people dragging the rickety buses and mini-buses, forcing the masses to suffer in tortuously overcrowded and extremely hazardous public transport.
Based on the experience of 1985 riots, this extreme frustration amongst the masses could lead to another general uprising of much higher dimensions, at any time with consequent intolerable economic and financial losses.
In view of this historical background, as implementation on BOT has failed, due to high cost and consequent unaffordable fares, the only practical way left is to implement some of the corridors as toll expressways by private sector, for easy conversion as rail metro, after the infrastructure cost is retrieved through toll in a few years, thus enabling implementation through BOT at lower cost and affordable fares, fabricating carriages and systems locally, under licence to further minimise cost and fares.
While reviewing the 1990 plan we may also review the 1975 subway metro plan as ordered by CCI in 1975.
S.M.H.RIZVI
Karachi
THE Pakistan cricket team is leaving for one of the toughest tours in their history. On the one side, they have been able to assemble only the weakest of bowling attacks and, on the other, the recent debacle in South Africa haunts them.
The key to success in any encounter is confidence and the ability to sustain one’s nerves under pressure.
The New Zealanders followed the same principles last year when they faced Australia and emerged victorious. World Cup matches are no ordinary ones: they demand nerves of steel.
Pakistan has succeeded in the past and they can do it again now. They just need to forget their recent problems and focus on playing cricket.
Winning and losing is part of the game, but losing heart is not. In recent years team unity has been the essential feature of any winning side.
Although on paper they might look strong, we have seen the Australian, English, Indian, and even the South African team fall like a pack of cards when pressure is exerted on them accordingly to plan.
All we as a nation can do is pray that Pakistan will register this World Cup as one of their most successful ones.
May our team perform (or at least try to perform) to the best of their ability, as God only helps those who help themselves. Good luck, Pakistan.
EHTASHAM SHAHID
Islamabad
A COUSIN of mine went to the Nadra office in order to have her CNIC made. The data entry operator kept her waiting for 45 minutes while four people who had come after her were relieved early.
The operator asked unnecessary questions and prolonged the interview deliberately. His voice was toned down intentionally.
When my cousin complained of inability to comprehend his voice, he suggested that she move her chair closer.
He then continued to move his chair closer at intervals. My cousin felt his proximity when his had brushed against hers.
On looking down she saw that the operator was toying with the corner of her dupatta. I would like to request the relevant authorities to look into the matter at the earliest.
ADEEL H. AKBARI
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee’s column ‘Kidney Hill’ (Feb 25). The story is not based on facts. In fact, Kidney Hill is piece of land that lies in an area commonly known as the Karachi Cooperative Housing Society Union Area.
KCHSU comprises 24 cooperative housing societies. This area has a total of 1,175 acres, which were handed over to KCHSU by virtue of a licence agreement signed by none other than the governor-general of Pakistan in 1954.
KCHSU was to develop this land for the rehabilitation of displaced people who came to Pakistan. The owner of this land is the federal government which grants the lease of all the plots in the area, and not the provincial government.
The 1966 notification issued by the defunct KDA that Mr Cowasjee is quoting is only a notice and not an approval of a scheme.
In other words, for any scheme to be an approved scheme, the defunct KDA was required to issue a notification inviting objections from the common public. After the objections are entertained and cleared, the proposal is put up to the provincial government for a formal approval to make it an approved scheme.
The notification of 1966 did not mature. It was, therefore, reissued in 1969. In 1969 again it met with the same fate. The reason that the notification did not get the formal approval of the provincial government was that the land of Kidney Hill was not the property of the government of Sindh.
It was technically owned by the federal government and before the provincial government could approve the scheme, it was of vital importance that the process of acquiring the land was to be accomplished.
The defunct KDA never did that. Therefore the claim of Mr Cowasjee that this piece of land was amenity/park is not true.
In 1973, KCHSU allotted this land to one of its members, the Overseas Cooperative Housing Society.
OCHS paid the premium of Rs100,000 to the federal government and submitted a layout plan, which was duly approved by the ministry of works, Islamabad, and sub-licence between KCHSU and OCHS was registered in 1979. Subsequently, OCHS allotted plots to its individual members and handed over possession to them.
The federal government received premium price and ground rent from individual members also.
It was then that the defunct KDA/KMC forcefully tried to make a wall around this area and hence the dispute.
This dispute has been in the courts for over 20 years and the land is in the custody of the Sindh High Court on the request of OCHS. The cost of chowkidars is also being borne by OCHS since 1991.
During the tenure of Jam Sadiq the Sindh government tried to construct a police station on one acre of this land. Till to date that police station is incomplete as the court did not allow that.
To resolve this long outstanding issue, the Sindh governor constituted a committee and after many marathon meetings between all parties an agreement was reached for an out-of- court settlement. OCHS which had a claim on 62 acres, and had not surrendered a single inch in more than two decades, agreed to surrender 42 acres for park and amenities and settled for a meagre 20 acres for its allottees whose vested right had been created way back in the 1970s.
Mr Cowasjee’s claim that 120 plots have now been created is baseless.
CAPT. AIJAZ HAROON
Hon. Secretary, Overseas Coop Housing Society, Karachi
As March 13 approaches, I wish to share my experience of having a kidney transplantation operation that I underwent 22 years ago, i.e., on March 13, 1985.
My mother donated the kidney and the operation was conducted at Charring Cross Hospital in London. I write this to assuage the apprehensions of many affected individuals.
By the grace of God, I am having a very happy married life with two children that we were blessed with after couple of years of my transplantation operation.
My husband has provided enormous support to me throughout these years to endure a balanced life. We have travelled widely, including a few stints of staying abroad. We also performed Haj about four years back. There has been no effect on my husband’s job because of my frequent visits to hospitals at different intervals.
Rather, he has been progressing very well in his profession. In addition, my mother is living heartily without any medication.
The news of selling/buying of kidneys in different parts of the country is very disturbing. Also, I am not certain about the legislation of donating organs, including its timeframe. Whatever it takes to legislate, the government must decide promptly, following suit of other developing countries.
Also, those requiring kidney transplants and having donors within their near and dear ones/families may consider my experience to emulate.
MRS NUZHAT HAMID
Karachi
THOSE who say their history starts from Makkah and Madinah ought to know better. The Quran is full of historic events and teaches us how we should be inspired by our past and learn to be better human beings, spiritually and socially.
Thus our history starts from the day Allah created this world, not from where the MMA says.
It is very disappointing that religious leaders associated with the MMA are playing such a damaging role in national politics and the social development of Pakistan.
The progressive-minded but silent majority of Pakistan should not allow the loud and angry minority of obscurantists and extremists to impose their negative ideology of hatred, anger and narrow outlook on Pakistan.
SIRAJ NARSI
Canada
IT is unbelievable that some of our leaders consider the teaching of pre-Islamic history to be un-Islamic.
Must we bury our heads in sand like ostriches and start believing that the world did not exist before the advent of Islam? Even the holy Quran teaches us the history of the Pharaohs.
KHALID A.
London, UK
SHOULDN’T security personnel — which include the police, rangers and army — point their weapons either downwards or upwards while travelling in their respective mobiles, rather than pointing them at the innocent citizens? Ordinary citizens feel threatened enough already.
H.M. HASSANALI
Karachi
THIS refers to media reports (March 2) that the Iranian president will be paying a visit to Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
This is a very good opportunity for the leaders of two leading Muslim nations to come closer and forget their differences for the sake of the unity of Muslims.
Both countries have great influence in the Muslim world and if they sincerely try for the unity of Muslims, there is no reason that Muslims can be treated as they are in Iraq (both Shias and Sunnis).
After all, we are all Muslims and believe in one God, all the prophets of God, all the books of God, the seal of prophethood Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Day of Judgment.
Our differences are theoretical and historical with no practical effect on our everyday lives.
To keep on fighting and dividing our strength because of the issues recorded in the history is not a wise strategy for making progress in the world.
I would request the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran to play their role and try to create practical unity among frustrated Muslims around the world. This would be the greatest achievement of the time.
MEHDI RIZVI
Pickering, Canada
AT the recent opening ceremony of the Bagh Ibne Qasim, President Musharraf announced his ambition to construct one of the world’s tallest buildings in Karachi.
Would it not be wise to learn from the recent accident at the PNSC building and ensure that our cities have the infrastructure in place to handle fire emergencies before risking the lives of hundreds of people and putting them in such tall buildings with absolutely no safety net in place?
ADNAN KHALID
Richmond, USA
WHY is the CAA allowing PIA to land its unsafe planes in Pakistan when the EU has banned it from landing the same in any of the 27 European countries?
Is it because the CAA can only bark and not bite, or is it because Pakistan has a different safety standard than the rest of the world?
ZAIN AFRIDI
Islamabad
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.