| May 12, 2007 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1428 |
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Red rag to the bar bull
Work in Bagh must go on
PMS exam results
Pakistani alacrity and foreign leaders
Online edition
Apathy towards librarians
Travelling on the Motorway
Power outages
Taliban’s writ
Faulty website
US visa ordeal
Pensioner’s problem
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
REFERENCE Ayaz Amir's column, ‘Thy turn, beloved Punjab’(May 4), and Ardeshir Cowasjee's column, “A ‘global city’ vs the environment” (May 6), I would like to quote an excerpt from the address of the CJ as reproduced in Dawn Online issue:
"The nations and states based on dictatorship, instead of supremacy of Constitution, rule of law and protection of basic human rights, are destroyed. There is no more concept of dictatorship. These all are bitter lessons of history, and the nations which do not learn from history and repeat mistakes have to pay the price," Justice Chaudhry said in his address to a reception hosted for him by the Lahore High Court Bar Association.
May I observe that the majority of the Pakistani nation has been deprived of the concept of social progress for a long time. A nation which is mostly uneducated (not to speak of literacy), not willing to accept the harsh realities of the mortal world and always trying to find its own ways to even out emergencies (which are self-created) cannot learn the lessons it is required to.
In order to learn from history, you must at least have an objective view of history. We are, however, pretty good at moulding the happenings of the past in such a manner that there always exists a plausible justification for all mishappenings that either we have caused or which have nothing to do with us but we seem to take them as part of our business.
We accuse the European Union of imposing harsh restrictions on us, which is why we cannot engage child labour and pollute the environment endlessly, thereby making our products expensive and us unsuitable for world markets.
We claim that freedom of speech should allow us to even question the validity of holocaust and the inflictions caused by the Nazi regime on the entire European continent and well beyond. We are of the opinion that Pakistan is a country out of this world, which is why there are no homosexuals living in Pakistan and if ever someone considers becoming homosexual in Pakistan, he should simply be shot dead. It is a good thing that our penal justice system provides for death punishment... well, the US has it as well. Our perception of someone belonging to a good family is not based on the fact whether that person is hardworking or not, rather if he is working as a ‘teller-wascher" (i.e., kitchen helper) or as a ‘manager’ (These being excerpts from my conversations with some ‘high grade’ Pakistani students I have had the chance of meeting in Germany...they all being ‘promotions-studierende’, meaning doing doctoral studies, all at the costs of ministry of science and technology.)
Do you think, we can ever learn the lesson which have been due for a long time now? The first and foremost of those lessons being to start loving and caring for human life and the second one being to care for our environment so that our soil and water is not poisoned forever.
In the German constitution, there is a clause: "It is the duty of the state to cater for the well-being of the coming generations." The ministry for environment in Germany publishes this excerpt from the German constitution in each of its publications.
Maybe we could learn a lesson some time.
SYED ALI RAZA SHAH
Cottbus, Germany
LET us laugh a bit, smirk if you will, at the prevailing situation. Here we are: a general taking his uniform rather too seriously and as proof against anyone and anything. It is a time-tested GHQ-formula-mix for longevity and a perpetual ‘I’ and ‘ayes’ unsullied and undisturbed by the politicians and the provincial hordes. After all, Ayub doffed his uniform only after becoming a field marshal (a ‘lifer’ in uniform).
What battles and wars he won to merit that rank only the GHQ archives can reveal. Yahya had to be pushed out in his fatigues. Then Bhutto came out with the universal truth that generals could only be relieved of power if they got defeated in war. Zia, "the longest-serving army chief" remained untouched till the last.
Zia's colleagues alive (Jahandad Khan for one and MAB another) agreed that Zia did not take off his uniform for fear of ‘noose’. Once astride, "the noose syndrome" prevents the dismount but takes its toll.
With such a glorious track record, our commando was cocksure no one could touch him as long as he wore you know what to intimidate the rabble-rousers.
We, the civilians, do not dare touch even a policeman in his dark-grey for fear of "the long arm of the law." Please refer to Wasi Zafar, the lawman, for the real meaning of this quote, absolutely innovative he is. The Ides of March arrived on the 9th. That day, according to Barrister Kamal Azfar, the presidency was turned into a police lock-up (thana). Then the inevitable happened: uniform became the red rag to the bar bull.
That day on lawyers and the intelligentsia raised the bar for the power-brokers in Islamabad. The bar and the bench have made the politicians look redundant by opening up the core issues of rule of law and the legitimacy.
It is a different ball-game today. The old and fatigued system stands challenged for the first time in six decades of our history and it is about time. It is said that the general served the reference on the CJ. Truth is, it is the other way around.
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
I WAS disappointed to read that the United Nations is temporarily stopping its work at Bagh in Azad Kashmir. Along with group of Canadian physicians I worked in the aftermath of the earthquake in October 2005.
A large number of Pakistani health professionals in Canada served in the relief efforts and I remain in contact with several colleagues. They were equally disturbed to hear of the suspension of UN activities due the actions of some local miscreants.
More disturbing, however, is the apathy of the local authorities and the military to ensure law and order in the area so that reconstruction can proceed on schedule.
Although no compensation can adequately be made for the scale of the tragedy that occurred, I was very hopeful that, with political will and international help, devastated regions, such as Bagh, would not only be rebuilt but improved upon.
My experiences in Bagh reaffirmed my view that the Pakistani people are capable of surmounting any challenge and obstacle. Groups of people, both as part of official organisations and individual volunteers, cooperated on a grand scale during the earthquake relief efforts. I recall meeting folks who had travelled from as far as Quetta and Karachi to assist others in a moving show of national unity.
It is unfortunate that the zeal and wishes of Pakistan's populace is hampered by the weaknesses of our state institutions. Why can’t the government safeguard reconstruction efforts in the remote tehsil of Bagh and arrest a few local miscreants for real crimes?
M. MAHMOOD ELAHI
Brampton, Canada
THIS has reference to the recently-declared results of the provincial management services (PMS) examinations held in November/December 2006. First, it is almost impossible to believe that only 122 out of 27,000 candidates have cleared the written examinations. The results are in total contrast to the 2006 results of the CSS examinations in which 270 candidates out of 5,000 were cleared by the FPSC.
After their interviews, about 248 candidates were declared successful and, surprisingly, the number of candidates which belonged to Punjab is 192 (allocation has not been made yet). Now compare this result with the PMS examinations. Even an ordinary layman knows that the standard and criterion for the CSS examinations is tougher than that of the PMS in which students are required to appear in only five papers: English, Urdu, Islamic Studies, Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge: whereas in the CSS there are additional optional subjects of 600 marks.
My only question is that if students in Punjab can perform so well in the CSS examinations, why are the students in the same province unable to produce even the required number of candidates – 232 -- in the PMS examinations? The percentage of successful candidates comes out to be less than one per cent.
The results thus declared by the PPSC leave numerous questions unanswered in the mind of hardworking students who, after completing their education, look for decent and honourable careers.
Now who is responsible for their demoralising behaviour?
ZEESHAN BUTT
Lahore
WHILE driving on Faisal Avenue in Islamabad a few days ago, I could not help avoiding the big banner put on the Zero-point overpass stating “We Pray for Czech Progress and Prosperity”.
The Czech Prime Minister Topolanek was in Islamabad and the government was showing its alacrity with large welcoming banners. However, are such banner displays appropriate or even common in European countries when they have foreign statesmen visiting?
I think the Pakistani government has this tendency to exaggerate the welcome and greeting of foreign guests. More or less whenever a foreign leader or minister is in town (in particular from developed countries) there is a display of big picture placards, greeting banners, excessive display of foreign flags. It is this excessive display which sometimes gives many foreign guests the impression that Pakistanis are almost ‘begging’ for attention.
I have never seen a Pakistani head of state in any European state being given anything more than just a ‘normal’ reception: meaning the display of a few Pakistani flags and the security protocol, but not any excess display of alacrity.
ATILLA A. IFTIKHAR
Islamabad
I HAVE been reading the online edition of Dawn for the last several years now and I must say, Dawn has become a habit for me now. Whenever I feel the need to keep myself abreast of any development in the region, I know, Dawn is one source of information that I could always depend on.
I am writing this email to convey my appreciation for the hard work that the Dawn team puts in to produce such a fine quality newspaper with excellent news coverage and analysis for its elite readers.
By the way, I have never come across the column/feature named ‘50 Years Ago Today’ anywhere in the online edition. Where can I find that?
NARAYANAN MUTHUSAMY
USA
APROPOS of Anjum Shahid’s letter,‘Apathy towards librarians’(April 27), I am of the view that librarians at present enjoy much better position in respect of salary and status as compared to the past. They are placed at par with faculty in colleges. At the universities the librarians have an equal chance of promotion like teachers provided they meet the same requirements.
Some universities have already accorded Grade 20 to their university librarians. The private sector universities/institutes offer handsome salaries, depending on qualifications, experience and competency. The same could be said of specialist libraries. The National Library of Pakistan is headed by a professional director-general, supported by directors, deputy directors, assistant directors and sectional heads like any other government department.
However, there is an acute shortage of competent personnel for top managerial positions both in private and in public sector institutions. This is evident from the fact that only a dozen of our universities have succeeded in employing a full-time professional librarian.
Our library schools, too, do not have PhD teachers who can be appointed, as per the requirement of the Higher Education Commission, on the vacant senior positions of associate professors and professors. This has led to the absence of genuine leadership.
At present only three library schools out of eight are headed by a full-time chairperson. Why is it so? An answer to this could be found in a recently-published article, ‘Books and their keepers’ by Dr Syed Jalal Haider (Dawn Education, March 25).
The Pakistan Library Association has been trying to have a special cadre for librarians. At the recent conference of the association, held on March 26-27 at Islamabad, there was a lot of discussion relating to service structure and promotion rules and a number of resolutions were passed in this regard.
R. A. Samdani,
President, Pakistan
Library Association (Sindh)
Karachi
TRAVELLERS on the Motorway 2 have an upper speed limit of 120km for cars who travel only in the centre lane, except when overtaking. Slow-moving and heavy traffic vehicles like buses and trucks remain in the left lane and move to the centre lane only for overtaking.
Meanwhile, the centre lane is generally for cars, even slow-moving cars continue to move in the centre lane, as they are checked if they travel in the left lane. This is causing a lot of problems for smooth flow of traffic because of the following:
Quite a few cars move very slowly in the centre lane. This causes frequent obstructions to vehicles which have to overtake, which can cause accidents. Trucks and buses in the left lane have to wait a long time when slow-moving traffic is blocking the centre lane. A number of times buses have been observed to move into the third lane in order to overtake. Cars too are being seriously affected having to brake and manoeuvre for overtaking because of the slow-moving traffic.
It is suggested that a minimum speed limit should be indicated for the centre lane, which may be from 90km to 100km. Cars which cannot achieve this speed, may either be kept to the left lane, or they may not be allowed to use the motorway. Guidance from other countries may be sought where motorways have been in use for a long time.
COL S.M. WASIM RETD
Lahore
I HAD been very upset and angry at the long power outages and breakdowns in Karachi but only just realised that there could be a workable solution to the problem. I and many other Karachiites have been experiencing the ‘scheduled’ supply of water, i.e., one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.
We are accustomed to this schedule and no longer bother about it. The same should be done with power supply, i.e., one hour in the morning so that people can perform some important chores like iron their clothes etc. and one hour in the evening in which they can get things done during the precious gift of power.
Adopting this policy would not only eliminate the complaints but also we would be able to save energy which could judiciously be used at some VIP gatherings and quarters.
I hope the officials concerned would consider this solution.
S. KAREEM ADIL
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news that the Taliban have sent notice to the Christians of an area asking them to either embrace Islam or leave. The Taliban are not the founders of Pakistan and have no right to decide who can or cannot live in the country.
Pakistan is a democratic country and it is every citizen’s fundamental right to profess and follow his faith. The authorities should take notice of this and should make all efforts to oust them.
NASEER RASHEED
Lahore
WHILE browsing the Internet, I wanted to see the website of the Supreme Court Bar Association (www.scba.org.pk). The following message pops up every time: “Due to the non-payment of the maintenance charges this website has been blocked”.
The government has shamed itself and its country by acting in this manner.
FAISAL SHAMIM
Lahore
ON MAY 1, my family and I appeared before a counselling officer at the American Embassy in Islamabad for a tourist visa.
The officer rejected our application without asking us anything or offering an explanation and gave us a letter in which the reasons of refusal were mentioned. One of the reasons was:
“In order for a visa to be approved, applicants must satisfy the interviewing officer that they are entitled for the type of visa for which they are applying”.
The officer who interviewed us didn’t give us a chance to explain in order to satisfy her. How can anyone be expected to explain the situation in five minutes?
My father has served as a banker in Muscat, Oman from 1990 to 1993. We have also visited countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia as tourists and we took our old passports as proof that we have no intention of staying permanently in any country — but the officer didn’t even look at our old passports.
Moreover, why did the embassy call us from Karachi to Islamabad when they were not willing to listen to what we had to say?
All that the visa officer asked were questions already written in our application forms. If that was the criterion for making the decision, why cause us physical and financial trouble by calling us from Karachi?
I demand an explanation from the American ambassador about the behaviour of his interviewing officer. If he thinks it was fine, how is the visa process a fair one?
If not, then I feel our case must be looked at again and we should be given another chance on this same application.
A. ALI MEMON
Karachi
OLD pensioners suffering from acute arthritis have to face a great problem while visiting the National Bank of Pakistan, Haidery Branch, Karachi.
The flight of steps of the bank creates a great difficulty for them as there is no fence or railing which may provide a support to them to cross the steps.
I am an pensioner who is so much embarrassed in this situation. To climb the steps, I have to take the support of an electric pole, standing near the top step, which is quite risky, but there is no way out.
I, therefore request the authorities concerned to build a wall or fix a railing along those steps, just like we find in ABN Amro Bank, Shaheed-i-Millat Road. This will facilitate the visit of the old pensioners to the bank.
Hope, the authorities will realise the difficulties of the ailing pensioners and will solve the problem at their earliest convenience.
OLD WOMAN PENSIONER
Karachi
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