| April 27, 2007 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 09, 1428 |
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Thanking blackcoats
Community policing
Tennis players
Man-made crisis at KESC
Denigrating Pakistanis
Options for CSS exams
Pakistan at a crossroads?
What good governance?
Apathy towards librarians
No deal
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
I WELCOME your editorial (April 23) on my article (April 16) as it triggers a debate on this important subject. Let me make three submissions. First, my article was an analytical research piece and not intended as advocacy for policy change. I am no longer a policymaker but a humble student of economic development, who believes that we should inform and educate the public at large about the facts and analysis rather than confuse them with subjective opinions.
Our intelligentsia has the perception that we owe everything to the US largesse and the moment it is withdrawn we would be in deep trouble. I wanted to disabuse them of this widely-held notion with the help of objective facts and analysis. I realise that policy formulation is a more complex process that takes into account many factors and interests into consideration but the data and analysis are the staples for this process. I am not for the moment advocating any change in our policy but presenting the costs and benefits of this policy.
Second, there are many countries in the world which have excellent economic and political relationship with the US without receiving any official assistance that is tied to the narrow political interests of the US. I believe that we should decouple our official assistance and strengthen other economic relationships with the US on the pattern of these countries.
I argue that we should intensify our trade, investment and technology transfer with this superpower without being constantly threatened by the editorial writers, think tanks and congressmen. I am a great believer that we can benefit from this kind of relationship. The US administration and the people have been more than helpful to us and we should continue to reciprocate with warmth and friendship.
Third, I do not foresee any downgrading of our credit rating or any other adverse impact if we decide at any point of time that we would unilaterally, respectfully and politely forgo the $750 million of Congressionally-appropriated aid. The international financial markets and domestic investors would consider this as a sign of strength of the economy as the uncertainty and unpredictability associated with this aid will no longer be an issue in their minds.
Our external debt ratios are projected to come down further despite the trade and current account deficits (these are by no means worst: we had much larger deficits in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s) and the Gulf states have excess liquidity looking for higher returns. There are very few countries that can provide 20-25 per cent annual returns with four-year payback period. If the economy continues to be stable and growing, the foreign direct investment flows and international financial market access will not be much of a problem. I hope that this letter will help to further advance the debate on the issue.
DR ISHRAT HUSSAIN
Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, Karachi
MY favourite lawyer joke goes like this:
You find yourself trapped in a room with a murderer, a rapist, and a lawyer. Your only hope is a revolver, with two bullets left. What do you do?
Shoot the lawyer. Twice.
Over the past few years I became stuck with lawyers in a family case and this joke acquired a new meaning. Thus when a banker friend told me that as a policy banks avoid issuing credit cards to lawyers (and police officers), he did not have to explain why.
Over the past two months, however, my sentiments for the blackcoats, despite blackguards and turncoats aplenty amongst them, have undergone an about-face. All of a sudden and out of the blue the lawyers poured into the streets creating exactly the kind of ‘mayhem’, ‘bedlam’, ‘pandemonium’ that was needed to rouse us from the state of unconsciousness we as a nation had lapsed into.
All the rallies, ‘jalsas’,‘julooses, strike calls, ‘go-slows’ and all the rest of the disruptive and asinine shenanigans of the religious parties and of the consortiums of convenience of the ‘bearded gentry’, of any faction of the Muslim League or the PPP, individually or collectively, cannot match the bearing on national consciousness of the lawyers’ protest.
Little wonder, then, that all the political parties, and none more than the party of the redoubtable Qazi Hussain Ahmad, tried to gatecrash the lawyers’ campaign but were promptly cast out by the blackcoats.
The good Qazi, when he tried to use prayers as a ruse to commandeer the lawyers campaign on the first day of protest, was well advised that the place for Friday congregational prayers was the mosque, not Constitution Avenue.
Perhaps for the first time in the country’s history it has been driven home in no certain manner and terms to the present rulers, and those who will follow, that no longer would anything, but rule of law, will be tolerated.
If the rulers fail to ensure rule of law, the legal fraternity will, and the people are with it. Next time around, and here’s hoping there will be no next time, it will not be only the lawyers pouring into the streets.
Henceforth, as well said by the blackcoats’ spokesmen, it will be uniform versus uniform, the khaki versus the black, if the rule of law is not followed.
Thank you blackcoats.
S. KHALID HUSAIN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of your editorial, ‘A promising proposal’ (April 18), referring to the Karachi city government’s initiative to introduce community policing. The proposal envisages recruitment and deputation of municipal inspectors in all 178 union councils, duly empowered to enforce municipal laws and take action in case of default.
Please allow me to differ. There are already age-old municipal laws, rules/regulations and if implemented honestly and diligently, there is no need to enforce another set of laws,that would cause confusion.
By the way, where will one find such noble virtues as foreseen by you in the editorial in any political party operating? As you say, the key to the project’s success is honesty of purpose in the recruitment, the process to be completely transparent and free of preferential consideration, political affiliation should have no bearing on who is hired in whatever capacity. The moral character too will be important.
Will the city government, which is in control of a party, be able to rise above the party interest? Produced below is an extract from an article of Dr Noman Ahmed (Dawn Magazine, March 25) under heading ‘Corruption unending’: “The ethno-political party that controls the CDGK is an example. Its sympathisers and workers have been alleged to use fascist tactics to collect regular amount from shopkeepers, businessmen, industrialists, hawkers and transporters, etc. These operations have let loose a reign of terror which has badly affected the business and financial potential of the city.”
There is a real danger that community policing may become yet another avenue for graft, harassment and intimidation.
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
IT is unfortunate that Pakistan has not been able to produce world class tennis players. There are several reasons for this. Although Pakistan has produced tennis players at local levels, for instance, Asim Shafique, Isam-ul-Haque Qureshi and Nida Wasim, but they have been unable to make good at international level. In my view, the following steps could be helpful in promoting the game in Pakistan:
a. Tennis should be started at the grassroots’ level.
b. Local coaches should be trained under the supervision of foreign coaches like Tony Roche (coach of Roger Federer), Jimmy Connors (coach of Andy Roddick) and Gullermo Villas (helping the Argentine Davis Cup team)
c. Also ex-players and current tennis players should be invited to Pakistan to help boost the game and encourage our players.
d. The government needs to provide ample funds to help the tennis federation establish the game on sound footings.
e. Condition of the tennis court should be improved, as well as new ones should be built.
f. All types of courts should be built including clay courts, indoor courts, hard courts and grass courts.
g. The tennis federation should establish links with Spanish, French, Australian and South American tennis federations to send talented players to their academies to hone their skills.
h. Encourage international tournaments in our country as this will encourage competition at the highest level.
HAMDAN SIDDIQUI
Karachi
THE metropolitan city of Karachi, once known as the city of lights, has turned into a rudderless ship with no chartered path. Karachi was once the hub of economic and industrial activity, now it is marketing imported generators, batteries and emergency lights. People are facing power breakdowns every day. The recent change of guard in the KESC has also failed to provide any relief to the public.
Thinking minds, therefore, believe that the sale of the KESC to a foreign buyer is only a concocted paper deal perhaps on the lines of PTCL and Pakistan Steel. Thanks to the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Steel Mill deal did not go through, while the PTCL’s assets transfer has been stayed under orders of the Sindh High Court.
It is, therefore, very pertinent that the honourable chief justice of the Sindh High Court take suo motu notice of the grave situation created by the KESC in inflicting a severe blow and damage to economic and commercial activity of the city of Karachi. The power crisis has also affected the life of common man who is unable to get medical aid and allied facilities. Not to mention the effects on the students’ academic pursuit apart and tremendous loss to electronic gadgetry.
As such it is a rightful demand of the citizens of Karachi that notice be taken of the KESC’s total failure to cater for the need of the people, while the fact is that the power tariff is very, very high as compared to other countries of the world. There is no justification for the KESC to victimise Karachiites for no fault of theirs. Furthermore, the privatisation deal should be reversed.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
MR Ardeshir Cowasjee has commenced his tribute to the late IBA faculty member, Prof Ardeshir L. Spencer, by noting that we Pakistanis are “Living amidst the uncouth yahoos and rowdies who greatly outnumber us” (April 15).
Then, he goes on to note that Prof Spencer had maintained that the (Pakistani) people reproduce like rabbits .... I remember having seen an American actor tell a Mexican man in a TV play a couple of decades back that “You Mexicans breed like ...(a certain type of insect).” It had been quite shocking for me because I thought that regardless of their religion, human beings shouldn’t be likened to insects or animals.
Now, it is even more upsetting that people of my own country have been branded as such. During the mid-70s, I sometimes used to visit a close friend of mine who was studying at IBA’s Karachi University campus. Once, he had introduced me to Prof Spencer, who had been nice and polite, after which I ran into him a few more times.
He was also quite at home amongst the students and could sometimes be seen in the cafeteria. He had a reputation for being a good, dedicated and tough teacher, besides which he didn’t look like anybody who could say unkind words about others. Having been brought up to respect elders and teachers, I always addressed him as ‘Sir’ and never said anything disrespectful about him even in his absence.
In the ensuing years, the fertility rate of Pakistani women has gone down from about six to nearly four, which is quite significant. Besides, a couple of reports in Dawn last year had shown how the Indians, despite their billion-plus population, are looking upon it as an asset, rather than a liability. Therefore, it seems very unlike Mr Spencer to have held the view ascribed to him. Even if he had communicated such a notion, Mr Cawasjee could have paraphrased it to convey the former’s disapproval of overpopulation.
As far as the columnist’s observation about Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz having never found the time to visit his benefactor in over seven years of ministership is concerned, perhaps Mr Aziz’s requirement of security personnel or being busy kept him from doing that. It could also be that he may not have cared, but everybody isn’t alike. I, and many others, whom I know, always show reverence and consideration for our teachers no matter when and where they had taught us. Even students senior to us get esteemed.
He has also noted the philanthropy of some of the members of his Zoroastrian community in Karachi, including the setting up of the BVS Parsi High School. It may be mentioned here that one had studied at an engineering college in Karachi set up by one Muslim family out of the 22 richest ones of Pakistan (the Dawoods). It had beautiful, clean and well-maintained premises; the tuition fee was subsidised greatly, with the owners spending about ten times as much from their own resources not only on our education but also on providing delicious, inexpensive lunches.
Admission on 80 per cent of its seats used to be on merit, irrespective of religion, on an all-Pakistan basis and it had a very good academic standard and an exemplary, peaceful atmosphere until education was nationalised by Z. A. Bhutto’s government. After graduation, several of my batchmates won prestigious national and international scholarships for higher studies overseas. Since Mr Cowasjee tends to focus only on the philanthropic works of his own community, this should provide some balance.
A READER
Karachi
I FIND less logic and more frustration depicted in Mushtaq Jatoi's letter about the CSS exam timetable (April 16).
Being a CSS officer myself, I understand the magnitude of stress a candidate feels while attempting two papers daily and that too without any breaks except Sundays. But Mr Jatoi's distribution of candidates attempting CSS examinations into privileged and non-privileged groups on the basis of subject selection seems totally absurd.
As per my personal experience and interaction with my colleague officers, candidates attempting CSS examinations are more likely to choose subjects that are easy to prepare, supportive to other subjects of their choice, for which relevant books and preparation guidelines are easily available, and in which, according to hearsay, they are likely to score more.
Political science, for example, is likely to be opted for by a candidate who is also opting for constitutional law, international relations, and public administration as all of these are interconnected with each other and also help in preparation for twocompulsory subjects, current and Pakistan affairs.
Similarly, botany is the likely choice for a candidate who is also opting for agriculture and forestry.
It is ridiculous that a candidate can opt for subjects which, according to Mr Jatoi's interpretation, show his or her affluence.
I do agree with him on the point that all the social science subjects are usually crammed together on the first few days of the examination. It would be preferable if they could be spread out evenly over the examination schedule.
M. FARRUKH RAFIQ
Islamabad
I FOUND your editorial, ‘Bangaladesh at a crossroads’ (April 20), very interesting. I think it is time Pakistanis thought ‘Pakistan at a cossroads". With Lal Masjid brigade you don`t need India or Gandhi family to split current-day Pakistan into pieces.
Although I am an Indian and should not worry about Pakistan but my friendship with many Pakistanis makes me want to say:
Wake up to reality and see your motherland getting torn apart, not by the US, India or Karzai but your own mullas and hand-in-glove intelligence agency.
I do not know how many Pakistanis would like to live in a world where there is no music or cinema or sports but only public execution at unused stadiums with a gallery full of long-bearded men for the weekend entertainment.
SHYAM
California, USA
LAND is dug and immediately filled up to level and make the ground solid with rollers and heavy machines for the construction of road. But during the tenure of the ex-city nazim, who got Rs143 billion for this purpose from the central government, all Karachi roads were dug and were never filled up for a long time which now look like graves dug for Karachiites at some places.
But during the tenure of the present city nazim, who has received about Rs109 billion from the central government, repairs of roads are done by way of putting dust on the roads to fill up the holes and leave them as muddy and dusty to make the faces of Karachiites dirty and ugly. What good governance?
DR ALI AKBAR M. DHAKAN
Chairman, Sindh Development
Foundation, Karachi
EVEN early civilisations recognised the importance of books and established libraries; some so great they are mentioned as examples. It is unfortunate that the services of a librarian are not acknowledged in our country, because he is considered merely a keeper of books. Librarians are neglected people having no respect in our society.
A librarian possessing a master's degree in the relevant field is appointed, through the Federal or Provincial Public Service Commission, normally in BS-17. But there is no separate department or ministry, no service structure and grading formula for librarians, and they retire in BS-17. On the other hand, almost all other departments have proper service structures and promotion rules for employees. Why this step-motherly treatment to librarians?
The government should designate librarians as library officers or library directors, and there should be a proper grading formula for them.
I hope the authorities concerned will ponder over the idea and help end librarians' victimisation.
ANUM SHAHID
Karachi
DR Javaid Laghari (letter, April 21) did not mention another usage of the term deal. When used along with the preposition "with" it turns it into a powerful tool.
General Musharraf has successfully employed this tool right from 1999 against Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.
He also dealt with Javed Hashmi and progressed to Nawab Akbar Bugti. He recently told the mullas of Lal Masjid that he would deal with them.
SHAFAAT RASOOL
Karachi
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