| April 21, 2007 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 03, 1428 |
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Revolving doors
Whither police administration?
Sectarian threat
Implementing sharia
No consensus yet on Kalabagh Dam
Whereabouts unknown
Plight of a patriot
What we deserve
Why
We need an Obasanjo
Express and elevated
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 word ‘deal’ has recently created a furore in Pakistan’s political landscape and has come about to become the most frequently used word in the media. The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary lists 12 entries for ‘deal’ while Dictionary.com lists 19 results. Deal can be a verb used without object (to deal fairly), verb used with object (to deal in cars), a noun (best deal in town), a verb phrase (to deal the final hand) and an idiom. Most commonly used phrases with deal include ‘what’s in a deal’, ‘no big deal about it’, ‘big deal’, ‘wheel and deal’, and ‘deal or no deal’. Others include ‘cut a deal’, ‘done deal’, ‘no deal’, ‘raw deal’, and ‘square deal’ among many uses of this word.
With such a wide variation of the word, the uses of the word ‘deal’ are even more confusing. One can deal with an individual or an institution without making a deal. One cannot make a deal about something unless there is a deal. One can also deal without making a big deal about it. One can cut a deal without making a deal. One can have no deal until the deal is done. One can also wheel and deal at the same time. This is what deal is all about.
Now let us look at the word in the context of recent happenings in Pakistan. The rigmarole started when Dean Nelson, reporting for the Sunday Times, wrote: ‘She wanted a deal with the president but it would be premature to say if one was imminent. Her supporters are looking for confidence-building measures to convince them that Musharraf is acting in good faith. Top of their list is a demand that corruption charges against her are dropped, along with a constitutional ban on anyone serving more than two terms as prime minister”.
Ms Bhutto has categorically denied many times over a deal with the general. So have the vice- chairman, the secretary-general and the media spokesperson. The PPP has all long demanded that politically-motivated charges against the party chairperson be dropped (exactly as quoted in the interview), the elections be held in a fair and transparent manner under a neutral caretaker government and election commission so that true democracy is restored in Pakistan, and the ban on number of terms serving as prime minister must go.
The Constitution does not allow a president in uniform. The PPP is a signatory to the Charter of Democracy, which is more about good governance than about election alliances or grand alliances, and the PPP is committed to the Charter. The PPP is also against extremism and militancy in society. Therefore, it will not partner with those who advocate or have supported extremist and militant forces in the past.
So all the fuss being created both by the government ministers and their media managers is to somehow discredit the PPP by propagating rumours about a deal that is in the final rounds of negotiation.
However, if the final round is about dropping politically-motivated charges, about free and fair elections to be held under a neutral caretaker government and election commission, and about dropping the ban on two-term prime ministers, then it is unequivocally a victory for the nation. So what’s the big deal about it?
DR JAVAID LAGHARI
Senator, PPP(P)
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Jawed Naqvi’s article, ‘Revolving door for democrats, dictators and bankers’ (April 9) wherein he discusses Ashok Mitra’s book and takes a bird’s-eye view of South Asia’s relatively new republics. He makes a point about key figures in the Indian finance ministry since the Narasimha Rao days as being World Bank-backed appointees with the West’s blessings.
All of this may come across as a broad conspiracy by the West with ulterior motives of playing Big Brother to emerging countries. However, it is an indisputable fact that since the so-called stage-managed appointment of Manmohan Singh to finance minister in 1991 — which was a time of near bankruptcy of the Indian exchequer -– the liberalisation of the Indian economy occurred, followed by consistent economic growth exceeding five per cent a year, significant reduction of poverty, and the emergence of India as an economic powerhouse on the global stage. If all this is the result of backdoor politics and heavy-handed interference by the West, more power to them.
KRIP PUNJA
San Francisco, USA
WITH reference to Mr Naqvi’s column, some important clarifications must be made. Indira Gandhi may have been indicted on charges that seem silly but her crimes were not minor. Most people in high places take great care to cover up their major crimes and that is why they get caught with seemingly minor offences.
The emergency in India lasted 18 months but that short period was horrifying enough with countless cases of police brutality all over the country. Mr Naqvi should read the Shah Commission’s report if he thinks the emergency was a picnic. The reason why the effects of that period were not felt even more is because it did not last longer. Had it lasted, and had the people let it take root, the course of India would be something else today.
As for Mr Naqvi’s ‘eye-openers’ on economics from Ashok Mitra’s book, let me dispel some myths. Indians always knew that the socialist policies pursued by Nehru (and Bhutto, I might add) were doomed for abject failure. The populist measures adopted by Indira Gandhi were the main source of this failure. If it had not been for the Congress party, Indians would have abandoned failed socialism long ago.
B.K. VASAN
Chicago, USA
THE other day I experienced how loathe are our police to fight crime even when they are face to face with the criminals. The incident happened on one of the most busy roads of Karachi where I, my wife and my two-year-old son, all three on a motorcycle, were trapped by armed muggers near Aladin Park while on way to hospital.
Two young persons riding a Honda-125, without number plate, and pointing TT pistols signalled me to stop.
I had no option and had to stop as ordered. It was a busy evening with hundreds of people present there and thousands of vehicles coming to and fro and, interestingly, a police mobile of PS Sharea Faisal standing ‘vigilant’ just on the other side, but nobody, including policemen, bothered to intervene.
First they snatched my mobile set — the second cellphone handed over to the gunmen in a matter of two months — and then asked for cash.
I gave them Rs4,500, the total amount I had on me at that time. But they were not satisfied and said to my wife: “Aunty, hurry up ... quick ... quick...all your jewellery ... don’t get late ... I would not spare even your little kid ... See ... we are two with guns and two others standing in disguise... if there’s any delay, all bullets would be emptied on your husband and ... “.
In the meantime my wife had given them all her newly-bought bangles and was about to hand over her earrings when they moved on, leaving both of us to fall over our little child to shelter him, fearing any cruel bullet might ... God save him.
I would ask the police administration only one question: “What do police reforms mean? Were they introduced to waste national exchequer and create more crime dens in the city as everybody knows for a fact that almost all of the police stations have become abode of the crime rats?”
ALI AKBAR KHUHAWAR
Karachi
I DO not agree with Mahdi Masud’s prescription (letter, April 15) that sectarianism, being created through hatred or poisonous speeches and sermons in mosques, imambargahs and other religious or public congregations could be tackled by an iron hand. Instead it might create a worse reaction.
Apart from the show of force, their views to discourage obscenity reminds of the action of some of the survivors of the apartment house, which was demolished in Islamabad during the earthquake, when they had burnt their video items considering the calamity as Divine punishment. This was shown on TV, whose record can be replayed.
It is common knowledge that some ill-conceived people create such divisions or sects, by distorting some stories and interpretation of verses of the holy scriptures or even certain unconfirmed sayings or traditions of the holy prophets and their close companions, merely to acquire some worldly gains, or personal prestige in social life. This is strictly prohibited by Allah in S-2/11 in the words “Do not sell My Signs (Distorting My verses) for a small price. (worldly gain or ‘Samanan Qalila’).
Mere pontification and stray suggestions might not produce useful results. The best way lies in inter-faith and inter-sect dialogue in all sincerity between the religious scholars of various faiths and sects, with the soul aim to sort out the differences, strictly avoiding such divisions among the believers as enjoined by Allah in S-3, 64, 103, 105, in the words “Be not divided among yourselves… after receiving Clear Signs: for them is a dreadful Chastisement.”
In case they fail to rectify such differences, they are most likely to incur Allah’s wrath and retribution, for violating His clear guidance through the holy Quran. The government can try its best to enforce this process through its ministry of religious affairs, the Council of Islamic Ideology and political leaders, which they are very rightly trying to do.
SYED MOHSIN RIZVI
Karachi
GIVEN recent events, I’d like to share some thought with you. As you know, here in America, there is a community called Amish. The Amish believe in the past and live in the past. At least they have the character enough to refuse the usage of any modern facilities. They do not use electricity, automobiles or telephones. They still travel in horse-driven buggies, grow their own food, build their own houses, have their own schools and what not. They don’t bother anybody and don’t want to be bothered by anyone.
Our mullahs, on the other hand, would like to go back in time but still need all the modern facilities. They enjoy these facilities offered by the system more so than an average Pakistani. They don’t miss a single TV show and then they denounce people like Neelofar Bakhtiar. I don’t know how and when we will get rid of these close-minded people who, it seems, think that they are responsible for one billion Muslims.
I think Gen Musharraf should confine them and their followers to a small area in the middle of nowhere and let them implement all the sharia over there to their hearts’ content.
ASHRAF KAZMI
USA
APROPOS of Aziz Narejo’s letter ‘Decision on Kalabagh dam’(April 15), I would like to suggest that the Wapda chairman should be neutral on all controversial issues, particularly the Kalabagh dam, until the consensus has been developed among the provinces, but unfortunately he has turned himself as a party.
The people of three provinces, including Sindh, and also of the Saraki belt have many valid objections to the construction of the Kalabagh dam.
In this situation, the Wapda chairman’s statement favouring the KBD on every platform, such as in his speeches, workshops, conferences and seminars, is not only making the whole issue more complicated but also gives a clear-cut message that he is favouring Punjab by seeking the construction of the KBD.
It is a fact that the government, despite its best efforts, is not able to reach any consensus so far on this controversial project. Nevertheless, the Punjab chief minister has been openly saying that the KBD would be built in any case. This shows he is using this project as a ‘political stunt’ for the upcoming general elections.
In Sindh, the ruling party is not only silent on the issue in view of the upcoming general elections, they do not dare discuss the issue in public due to the possibility of a strong reaction from the people of Sindh.
However, the coalition partners in Sindh also oppose this controversial project. So, in this scenario, the question arises that if the government itself does not find any consensus, how would then the people reach any consensus?
Also, the establishment has so far failed to give any solid reason for building this controversial project. Previously it was claimed that the KBD would, on completion, be used to only store floodwater but after lack of rainfall for several years the reason for building it was suddenly changed and it was claimed that the KDB would be used for storage of irrigation water.
Later, when the sudden Indian-created flood had brought about ruination in Pakistan, which was the upper side of the proposed Kalabagh dam site in Punjab, it was strangely claimed that had the Kalabagh dam been built, the ruination that occurred (on the upper side of the KBD site) would have been avoided. How was it possible, particularly when irrigation water flows from the upside to the downside and not vice versa?
When rainwater had brought about ruination in Badin, Sindh, resulting in inundation, the president had during his tour of Badin said that had the Kalabagh dam been built, Badin would have not have been inundated but the fact speaks otherwise. The flow of water goes to the sea, i.e. to the lower side and not to the upside towards Punjab where the Kalabagh dam site exists.
The government should rethink its big dam strategy and build small ones instead as the latter are not only reliable but also make country economically strong and viable.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter entitled ‘Voices against injustice’ (April 19). Kudos to Dr Ahmed Jawed for raising the issue of Sonia Naz’s prolonged absence from her court hearings. Another related news item that appeared in Khaleej Times on April 14 mentions that the two policemen involved have been acquitted in the rape case involving Sonia Naz.
Mysteriously, the lady herself has not been heard in the news for a long time. Knowing our police mafia, this raises questions like if she has been prevented from attending her court proceedings. Her whereabouts are also not known.
As Dr Jawed has suggested, it is now the responsibility of the press to bring the facts in the open, including what had prevented Sonia Naz from appearing in the court if that is the case.
TANWEER ABBAS
Mississauga, Canada
WE have gone through the letter from ‘Still a patriot’ (April 17). The letter indicates that the writer appeared in the CSS examination in 2006 but did not qualify the same.
We shall be grateful if the letter-writer would kindly write to the Secretary, FPSC, with her/his detailed observations and objections in the specific question papers of the CSS examinations, 2006 and any suggestions she/he wants to give for improvement.
We look forward to hear from ‘patriot’ at the earliest.
SARWAR HASSAN KHAN
Director-General (E),
Federal Public Service Commission, Islamabad
THIS is with reference to Mr Tanweer Saqlan's letter (April 19). Gandhi once recruited soldiers for the British during World War I.
As for his love of freedom, he called off the India-wide movement in the wake of World War I because he feared the British were getting weak and Afghanistan could attack India. So, utilising a minor violent incident at Chora Chori, Gandhi called off a popular, subcontinenal movement - in which both Muslims and Hindus had participated.
Many Congress supporters, including Nehru, criticised the decision to call off the movement. In other words Gandhi preferred a continuation of British rule rather than an India freed by Muslims. This much for his love of freedom.
RIZWAN YASSIN
Karachi
WHY would Benazir return to Pakistan? Is there anything left in Pakistan that Bibi would like to destroy?
A SAEED
Karachi
IN the recent past, preparing for my term paper on the history of Nigeria I came to know that Nigeria was in no better conditions than Pakistan before 1999. Even though Nigeria is an oil-producing economy but due to unstable political conditions, successive military interventions in the government and cancellation of the constitution, in no times it had been miserably jolted.
But after the Obasanjo administration, an ex-uniform man who participated in elections as a civilian and won as president of Nigeria twice (1999 and 2003 and is a strong candidate for the 2007 elections being held on April 21), Nigeria has started paving its way towards real democracy.
Obasanjo took decisions like forcibly discharging retired military officers from civil services, enforcing the constitution without making amendments and not trying to increase his own powers, stabilising the economy by making foreign agreements. He led his nation to prosperity.
In the present conditions of Pakistan where the retired military men constitute almost 75 per cent of our civil services and more than 60 per cent of the lands of Pakistan have been dominated by our uniformed protectors, we desperately need an Obasanjo to lead us out of this state of lawlessness, dictatorship and totalitarianism or else we will be annihilated by these uniformed men and fundamentalist mullas.
SYED ATIF BUKHARI
Lahore
Ardeshir Cowasjee has very rightly outlined in his column, ‘Express and elevated’ (April 8), the objections raised during the public hearing on the much-criticised Karachi Expressway Project. He has referred to the presence of the Institute of Architects, Pakistan, at the hearing, which apparently criticised the project.
It is interesting to note the recent move of commercial architects who otherwise have supported many inappropriate and quasi-illegal projects in the city. A very prominent architect has promoted the construction of a real estate complex right at the edge of the beach in gross violation of building and zoning regulations.
Another high-flying architect is busy churning out design proposals for the islands of Bundal and Buddo, a real estate scam. Many of them are also busy plotting to pull down heritage buildings in connivance with the builders and unscrupulous investors to develop mediocre but self-profiting structures.
Thus one can find commercial architects running with the hares and hunting with the hounds, as and when it suits them. Our city has become a mess largely because of the misconduct and selfish advice of the professionals. Is the IAP listening?
ENGR I.R. KHAN
Karachi
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