| May 25, 2007 | Friday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428 |
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Ayub Khan versus people
May 12 must never be forgotten
Lal Masjid getting its way
Uncared-for antiquities
Denigrating Pakistan
Façade of moderation
Innocence lost
Safety in Pakistan
President’s reference to Nawaz
India bashing
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
“AL Qaeda operating from Pakistan’s tribal areas, training and guiding the extremists in the UK: our top priority is to ensure that it does not happen again,” said the British high commissioner at the Peshawar Press Club (May 11).
This is alike Bush-tight, this time for the state of Pakistan. Let us briefly examine our guest’s top priority vis-à-vis our possibility of a quick-fix of Al Qaeda problems being faced by the UK for the last many years so that it does not happen again.
To start with, I shall reproduce the opinion of two top western experts about Al Qaeda.
The International Institute of Strategic Studies, London, regards it as a “potent transnational organisation which would take a generation to dismantle” (Dawn, May 20, 2003).
Further, “Al Qaeda is an enemy which holds no territory, is unconstrained by rules of warfare and respects no laws of morality”, so opined Dick Cheney (Dawn, Oct 24, 2003).
So a question can be, as to how can one make such an organisation to behave otherwise and in earnest too? For argument’s sake, even if they are tamed or done with otherwise, their new generation is quite a possibility as assured by the IISS, and seen in many countries.
For exclusively pinpointing our tribal areas for British terror problems, in fact little or none is known about Al Qaeda operating for one or two countries for such a long time as no other country where terror acts have been committed have blamed them as such.
Besides, as a matter of abundant precaution against terror acts, all of us, UK included, should not forgo the possibility that the terrorists can call for guidance or seek help from Al Qaeda in many other countries though it may not have surfaced yet.
The high commissioner has also said that our tribal people are training the extremists in the UK. If this be verbal, what can one do about it?
Regarding terrorist training camps on our side of the Pakhtun belt, how to remove our doubt about their existence when the satellite-masterful US was never seen keen to release any of their image, though it would have been to the West’s advantage in creating a favourable world opinion for its cause of fighting terrorism.
What matters most for fighting terrorism lies somewhere else. More often than not, Bush and his friends appear to be in the centre of nowhere.
The reminder is that the killing of mosquitoes does not eradicate malaria: we do not know what we want, but we are ready to bite someone to get it.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
THE highest army rank of field marshal is rarely awarded to generals by the government in recognition of many spectacular victories in the battlefield to their credit.
Gen Ayub Khan awarded this rank to himself while being the president of Pakistan, without any exposure to battlefield for Pakistan.
As field marshal, he fought the 1965 war without any planning, and the Indians were stopped at a short distance from Lahore and Sialkot cities by shear courage and sacrifice of our sons of the soil in the armed forces.
Worthy readers should know that he lost even the much-trumpeted 1965 war because he lost his objective of liberating the occupied Kashmir, and the Indians won by achieving the then Indian prime minister’s warning to Pakistan to keep its hands off Kashmir.
Astonishingly, the ‘phoney’ field marshal succeeded in bluffing the nation through media campaign and, consequently, the bluffed nation underrated the enemy, became complacent and paid a heavy price in 1971.
However, the field marshal can be credited with conquering his own country in October 1958, with merciless flogging to suppress his compatriots, with abrogation of the 1956 Constitution, followed by violation of his own 1962 Constitution by handing over the power to Gen Yahya Khan in March 1969 instead of the East Pakistani speaker of the National Assembly, resulting in break -up of Pakistan through a humiliating military defeat.
Also, he wrongly claimed credit for all the major industrial projects started earlier by the PIDC but matured after October 1958. Further, he surrendered national sovereignty to US policies in return for personal gains and US aid to contain the Soviet Union.
He must also be created with creating the 22 richest families, including his own, at the cost of his compatriots, with leaving behind diaries of doubtful credibility for those to read who can afford to waste time, and so on.
GHULAM MUHAMMAD
Rawalpindi
APROPOS of Maheen Rashdi’s piece, ‘May 12 must never be forgotten’, I should like to say that it was forceful and forthright, which even infused new hope and morale into an old man like me -- I have seen 78 winters -- to roll up my sleeve, willing to march against those who criminally resorted to killing and maiming so many of my fellow citizens.
But then the saner side took over and told me that it is going to serve no fruitful purpose.
When the people did not shed a single tear when half of this country was gone, the inner self again shook me to ask: "In the annals of military warfare, is there an example of 90,000 trained army personnel surrendering and its general placing his cap and pips before the victorious Indian army?
It took several years and the army was back again to rule us. Will you raise your voice to protest against the killings of the fellow citizens?
The guilty have the gall to produce a film showing the vanquished challenging the victors. They expect us to believe, and why not?
Because no less a person than the president of the country is defending them?
The inner self asked: "Are you going to shed your tears?" Of course, they all believe that we, the people, have neither the brains nor the intellect, for all have gone to them.
They must remember that one day those who used the sword shall most certainly die by it. I pray and hope that this comes sooner than later.
Films can be made to show falsehoods in the guise of truth. But we know the truth live on TV. The killers were visible and what was more terrible was to see the law enforcers take a drive in front of the AAJ TV, and a large number of flat dwellers came, they saw and they retreated.
The only hope, and that also a lame hope, is that the people of Karachi shall remember to use their vote properly. Here again, if the polls are held as earlier, then the devil shall descend to fill the ballot boxes, so help us God..
MAHER ALAVI
Karachi
A DRAMATIC scene occurred in Islamabad and people for the last several weeks have seen interesting things happening.
Massacre in Karachi, the return of the CJ from Karachi without addressing the bar, the suicide bombing in Peshawar are the major instances that appeared in the country, changing the shape of political and economic scenario of Pakistan.
But again the recent dramatic appearance of the local Taliban in Islamabad is more than interesting, people have now made a belief on this particular aspect of Pakistani politics that here might is right and that we, particularly the Pakistani people, are living in pre-state era (where the law of jungle prevails and law and order situation is at the perils and every person has its own theory of imposing its own say on the state affairs).
The anti-terrorism court in Islamabad was in one way or the other compelled to bail out the local Taliban in lieu of releasing the four police officials, where, as a result, two police officials were released and two are still in confinement with the local Taliban.
The situation is totally tense, the Lal Masjid administration has made a state within the state, the government has totally ignored what is going on in its neighbourhood areas, citizens are genuinely afraid as life and liberty, which are a fundamental rights of every citizen, are being taken away in these circumstances.
The government writ to enforce law and order seems to be an illusion. If the situation is not controlled through negotiations or otherwise, a time will come that people will opt for a civil war.
NASIR KAMAL YOUSAFZAI
Mardan
THE organised theft of the country’s cultural possessions, as pointed out in your editorial, ‘Uncared-for antiquities’ (May 18), is a great challenge to civil society.
The incessant robberies for the last many years, mostly without detection, have deprived the nation of its prize heritage systematically and the more worrying aspect is that whenever there is some timely recovery, no mastermind is caught, rather some minions are apprehended, as pointed out by you.
The theft of artefacts is an old, organised and high-profile profession, successfully employed by the resourceful, especially where institutions are lax either for corruption or lack of ownership in society.
In developed countries such outrageous thievery, for instance consignment of 625 pieces of antiques worth millions of dollars intercepted at Port Qasim, would have shook the entire edifice of civil society, rolling many heads.
However, here, besides lodging an FIR against some low-level operators, no serious action has ever been taken.
Third World countries have become a haven for antique thieves because of loopholes in the system.
Recently I have come across a report that these law-breakers have evolved very sophisticated methods to appropriate the public treasure.
In some big cities antique thieves, with the connivance of museum employees, use to take photographs of the historic objects and develop replicas in such an artistic manner that no ordinary eye can differentiate between the original and counterfeit.
Thereafter, with collaboration of the employees they replace the fake with original ones and very conveniently shift the genuine article to some lucrative foreign market for sale.
Therefore, in addition to proposition given in your editorial, this aspect also needs to be looked into by the museum authorities in right earnest.
ALTMASH M. KURESHI
Karachi
THREE letters on this subject have appeared in these columns: two by ‘A Reader’ who wishes to remain shrouded in anonymity and one by Ms Qamar. The ‘Reader’ is most offended by Ardeshir Cowasjee’s remarks on population growth with reference to Prof Spencer’s annotations of “reproduced like rabbits”.
Actually in its correct Englishness the expression commonly goes as “breeding like rabbits”. Mr Cowasjee has been polite enough to tone it down and not offend people’s sensibilities.
With reference to population, the ‘Reader’ may look at a website called ‘World Population’, which provides very meaningful statistics. Its analyses show that populations in the developed world double themselves in 800 years (the slowest being Austria which would take 2,000 years), while the ‘bhooka-nangas’ of the developing world manage to double theirs in 50 to 100 years; Pakistan takes the cake and does it in 25 years.
How would one describe this exceptional performance which we Pakistanis (one-third living under the poverty line) seem to be doing with a passion. I leave the choice of suitable expression to the ‘Reader’ to fill the blanks: “breed like … … … ”.
It is universally accepted that all writers, critics and historians in their description do add their personal opinions, which at times may seem exaggerated but unless we give them this latitude, most such writings would become insipid narrations with inventories of events and tabulations.
The ‘Reader’ seems to be even more upset by the mention of philanthropy of the Zoroastrian community by Mr Cowasjee in his columns. How unfortunate. In fact, this is something which every Pakistani is very proud of. The philanthropic contributions of this miniscule community which forms less than 0.0001 per cent of Pakistan’s population are innumerable.
The contributions of the Zoroastrian and the Hindu community towards this land have been amazing and distinctly evident. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dyal Singh College, Dyal Singh Public Library, Spencer Eye Hospital, Sobhraj Maternity Home, Lady Dufferin Hospital, and Sir Jehangir Kothari Parade and Sir Kavasji Katrak Band Stand at Clifton are just a few from a long list.
As Pakistanis, our heads should hang in shame if we have not accorded due respect and recognition to their contributions. The two prestigious educational institutions of the country, Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw University of Engineering and Technology and Dayamal Jethamal Science College have audaciously been reduced to being officially addressed as NED University of Engineering and Technology and D.J. Science College with students leaving the portals armed with professional degrees yet clueless of the benefactors.
How would the ‘Reader’ react if his engineering college in Karachi was reduced to being officially called D. Engineering College?
The last 20 years, however, has seen increasing participation of Muslim community in social work, which is extremely heartening. Being a social worker myself, who has been involved in a number of fund-generating exercises, I can testify that whilst the Zoroastrians continue to contribute at the same pace, Muslims have now started to contribute substantially.
My mind always questions as to why these communities should be doing so much of social work? It appears that, at least partly, it is linked to their belief in `after-death’ association of the ‘soul’ with this world, viz., ‘reincarnation’ among Hindus and ‘revisit of soul’ among Zoroastrians.
Maybe these two communities thus would like to leave a memorable mark on this earth for their ‘soul’ to ‘see’ on its return. The Muslims, on the contrary, believe that after death their ‘souls’ go to heavens/hell without any link with this earth. I would appreciate if someone can correct me, in case my perception is wrong.
PROF HASAN AZIZ
Karachi
THE government’s election campaign has been launched through 'Istekaam-i-Pakistan rally'. The president is keeping his fingers crossed for the success of the moderates. However, enlightened moderation demands that the bloodshed in Karachi be stopped. It also demands that democracy be restored in its pure form. The truly enlightened moderates demand that the ruling party should not be inclined towards the military. The inclination of democratic institutions towards one department is something extreme -- and who wants extremism to take control?
The idea of enlightened moderation demands that the rule should be 'of the people' instead of bloodshed 'by the people'. The 'yes sir' policy should be replaced with 'listen sir' policy and the decisions on the highest level should be made wholly and solely by parliament. The enlightened moderation demands that there should be dialogue instead of monologue which has been undertaken in the past years.
SALMAN QURESHI
Islamabad
I AM writing in response to the letter that highlighted the abduction of a nine-year-old by Frontier Constabulary men in Balochistan (May 22). What have the state of affairs in Pakistan come to? Is General Musharraf still trying to diagnose what is wrong with his country? Why are people up in arms? Why are the NWFP and Balochistan in a state of civil war?
The intelligence agency/security forces lead abduction of children, killing of innocent people, disappearance of people and registration of false cases against those that complain (Justice Iftikhar). It has resulted in a sense of insecurity among citizens.
General Musharaf was our hope, but we can once again see that the saying "absolute power corrupts absolute" holds true. He might still have the support of vested interests within and outside Pakistan, but he has lost my respect.
AMIR GILL
Mississauga, Canada
THE front page photograph in the May 23 issue of Dawn shows the deputy prime minister of Italy visiting Pakistan foreign office in Islamabad with several heavily armed personnel of the Italian special force.
This only shows how safe Pakistan is and how much they trust our security force.
A. ZUBDA
Lahore
PRESIDENT Musharraf, who desperately wishes to be seen as a statesman, always proves to be everything but whenever he addresses a public (read rented) rally. This was amply demonstrated when he was addressing a rally at the inauguration of new Balakot city, where he exclaimed: “I visited Khana-i-Ka’aba six times and each time its doors were opened for me. No such thing happened for Nawaz Sharif”. How petty-minded can one get? Why the need for such comparisons?
Gen Musharraf should remember that the standards of piety and closeness to God are not based upon visiting religious places in greater number of times. If a Haj of 80,000 people was accepted because of the pious deed of one good man, who didn’t even perform Haj, surely God has different ways of measuring piousness that we cannot comprehend. President Musharraf should refrain from making such petty comments, as they do no good in promoting his already dwindled image.
AZMAT K. QASURI
Kasur
I AM a regular reader of Dawn and its letters’ section. I always come across letters’ which are constantly bashing India for something or the other.
Why are we still living in the past? What good is it going to do to our future? Are you going to cultivate hatred against India or the civilisation as whole?
Why do we care what happened 100/200/300 years ago and even for that matter last year or yesterday? Is it going to take the pain away from our underprivileged people? We have to forget the past. Forget about whether freedom of Kashmir is going to give relief to the common man and start working on building the future.
The solution will automatically come about once we raise our level of understanding. We must reduce the suspicion about each other. Instead of putting ego on the front, let’s try to work on better things.
SUNIL S.
Alabama, USA
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