| May 29, 2007 | Tuesday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1428 |
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Secularism in Turkey
The maker and the shakers
Shipbuilding, not breaking
1857 celebration
Natural justice
Time to stay?
A dignified exit
Women’s rights
The loss of a legend
Inflation woes
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
THERE are numerous real estate agencies and real estate agents operating in the Country, with an annual turnover of properties that are sold and rented in the open market worth billions of rupees.
Thousands of people are earning their bread and butter through real estate brokerage business but the government has not paid any heed to regulate this business.
Regulating real estate brokerage business will greatly help real estate agency owners as well as estate brokers who are generating revenues for the government, by conducting real estate deals between property buyers and sellers, tenants and landlords.
The government earns a handsome amount from citizens who buy or sell properties and pay capital value tax, affix revenue stamps on the conveyance deeds, pay registration charges to area registrars and taxes to local governments.
The government should acknowledge the services rendered by the real estate agency owners and real estate brokers by issuing them real estate business licences.
I would like to emphasise on two types of licences: (1) estate agency’s licence and (2) estate broker’s licence.
The estate agency licence should be issued for the owners and operators of estate agencies, whereas, estate broker’s licence should be issued to individual estate agent and broker, who works for an estate agency or work as a freelance estate broker.
It is unfortunate that there are no colleges or universities in the country, which can conduct real estate brokerage business examinations and award a certificate, diploma, bachelor’s or master’s degree to a student, who would like to choose real estate brokerage business as his or her career.
But until such time the colleges or universities start teaching the subjects of real estate brokerage business, the government should accept people working in the real estate brokerage business as ‘professionals’, as this is purely a technical field and people related to this profession are successfully conducting real estate brokerage deals.
There are also uncounted retired armed forces officers who have either established estate agencies or have been working as real estate brokers for a long time.
Time has come for the government to pay attention to real estate brokerage business so that services of real estate agency owners and real agents should be acknowledged and recognised as professionals.
The SECP can play a significant role in drafting proper laws to protect the interest of the government, investors, buyers and sellers, tenants and landlords of the properties.
The finance minister should be requested to introduce a law to regulate real estate brokerage business by issuing licences to real estate agency owners and individual real estate brokers from the coming fiscal year 2007-2008.
An announcement in this respect by the finance minister in his budget speech 2007-2008 would be welcomed.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
IN his rejoinder (May 16) to Jalal Ahmed’s letter of May 11, Arshad Saeed says he found Mr Ahmed’s questioning of the support for secularism in Turkey as being offensive.
Also, that if the policy of secularism did not have the support of the Turks, it couldn’t have lasted this long.
Mr Saeed further stated that he has lived in Turkey for several years and has been greatly impressed by the Turks’ love for Pakistan and its people.
He should note that criticism of a political or economic system of a country does not show a lack of affection for its practitioners.
If I don’t agree with communism or capitalism, it doesn’t mean I hate the Chinese, Cubans or Americans and others.
The love that the Pakistanis and Turks have for each other is historical and not based upon passing ideologies or systems but on something deeper and eternal, i.e. Islam, which had led the South Asian Muslims to give all kinds of support to their Turkish brethren during the 1920s war of Turkey’s liberation.
I have had Turkish friends and the mutual love was palpable regardless of whether they were Islamists or secularists. Many years ago my father had visited Turkey and, on seeing his green passport, the customs official had waved him right through the airport lounge without checking luggage (or asking if he was a secularist), saying, “O! a Pakistani brother.”
Nevertheless, if the Soviet Union was able to impose its ideology on the Muslims of the Central Asian Republics because of its military strength, the same was thrown off when the constraint ended after the USSR’s disintegration.
Islam was covertly preserved and carried forward mainly by the Naqshbandi Sufis of these republics, just as has been done in Turkey by them.
The point is, the secularists were not in the majority, and Ataturk could impose the system upon Turkey only because of the military.
According to a recent report (Dawn, April 24), 62 per cent of the Turkish women wear headscarves and a survey by a think tank, Tesev, showed that 59 per cent of the Turkish men believe Muslim women must cover their heads.
This should leave no doubt what most of the Turkish men and women desire. You can’t force people to accept a military leader or an alien system against their wishes.
QAMAR IQBAL
Karachi
MOST of us must have enjoyed reading Ardeshir Cowasjee’s column, ‘The maker and the shakers’ (May 20). He has very beautifully and impressively summarised the long political history.
In other words, he has summed up rather refined the whole ocean of this history in a ‘small cup’ of his column.
As was expected, he has hardly spared any Pakistani ruler except Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Like some of his other columns, he has also started this one with the mention of Father of the Nation from whom he always seems to get his inspiration.
All these years we have greatly benefited from his knowledge, wisdom, serious thoughts decorated with his satirical remarks and his self-coined phrases.
In fact, he has devised a unique style of his own. I believe every Sunday most of the readers like me after scanning the news rush towards Cowasjee’s column.
He was very right when he wrote that democracy has never been there in Pakistan, so no question arises for its restoration.
He has also been very forcefully and consistently writing on the need of preserving environment without being discouraged by the fact that in the present age of commercialisation he is fighting a losing battle.
Rampant corruption by politicians has also remained one of his favourite topics.
Our nation unfortunately has been deliberately kept deprived of basic facilities like education, health, drinking water, electricity and a decent environment to live in, so in the presence of this ignorant lot every system, even democracy, is corrupted and misused and failed to achieve its purpose.
Ardeshir Cowasjee has also been writing on population explosion describing it as an atom bomb. He has also been providing us valuable information through his writings about the great services rendered by ‘unknown soldiers’ of the Parsi community, to which he himself belongs.
This way he takes us sometimes to a completely new world.
However, the main contribution of Ardeshir Cowasjee has been his true portrayal of the thoughts of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
It was because of him we happen to believe that the Quaid-i-Azam was liberal and secular himself and wanted to make Pakistan a modern secular state.
K. MURAD BEY
Karachi
YET again our neighbour has forayed into an area which has till now been the domain of only the most advanced nations: shipbuilding.
The Shipping Corporation of India announced the other day that it has plans to become a national shipbuilding entity, along with being a formidable commercial carrier, offering the fastest transit times from India to the US east coast and in line with some of the giant, worldwide carriers in the trade.
The company will be working with international shipyards to ‘make bigger vessels of global standards’ with their shipping ministry planning to set up one mega shipyard each on the country’s east and west coasts.
And this is just when we were beginning to absorb the news of giant aircraft manufacturing rivals – Boeing and the Airbus setting up shop to use India as an outsourcing location in order to ‘reduce costs’ and build 'better plane technology' for their 787 Dreamliner and A380’s.
Should this serve as a wake-up call for the Pakistan government, ministry of ports and shipping and/or PNSC which has been reduced in stature to a ‘tramp’, break-bulk vessel operator?
FAISAL BUKHARI
Madison, NJ, USA
THE 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence fought against the British rule passed rather quietly in Pakistan, but celebrated befittingly, on May 10, in India. This war was mostly confined to some parts of Punjab, North India, Central India and Bengal, namely, Delhi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Bareilly, Benaras, Jhansi, and Bihal.
Some tribes of Punjab, including Sikhs, true to their salt, sided with the powerful and in return rewarded with titles, jagirs and privileges which they are still enjoying in our part of Punjab.
As a consequence of this rebellion, Muslims belonging to these areas were mercilessly executed and discriminated. This sense of discrimination, and sense of loss gave rise to the idea of `Two-nation’ theory, in the subcontinent.
This `Two-nation’ theory is still valid, though Pakistan has been split into two separate but deep-rooted Muslim states.
It is ironic that our government has been spending billions of rupees to celebrate Jashn-i-Baharan (Basant festival), and Wadhi festival, but remained very lukewarm toward celebrating this glorious chapter of the great struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent.
ABID MAHMUD ANSARI
Islamabad
WHAT is natural justice? What is ‘natural’ about the idea of justice, fairness, compassion, forgiveness, or reconciliation? Are these ideals the product of delusion or fantasy?
Is not any form of intervention in natural systems, any intercession in the processes of supply and demand, any type of intrusion in the mechanisms of the law of the jungle, the principle of the survival of the fittest, ‘unnatural’?
Is exploitative, viral opportunism not in keeping with natural justice, that is, justice as we see it played out in the natural realm?
Why is it desirable that we modify our instincts to the point that we are pure rather than covetous in heart, merciful rather than condemning, forgiving rather than revengeful?
Where are the indications in the material realm that these modifications to feral instincts accord with natural law or natural justice?
If we are instinctively hateful or vindictive toward people with different ideologies, identities, or beliefs, if we see fit to discriminate on the basis of genetic stock, is this not more in fitting with natural law than the golden rule, the neighbourliness described in the parable of the Good Samaritan?
Where in the natural realm is the idea supported that meekness, mercy, purity in heart, or poverty in spirit is just or worthy? Where in the natural realm is it desirable to be transparent, truthful, or accountable?
Our gravitation away from self-interested, materialistic instincts towards higher and nobler aspirations, even at considerable cost to ourselves and at the sacrifice of personal comforts, is what has defined civilised progress, our spiritual, cultural, social, and political development.
The humility that truly refined the august beings are able to demonstrate not only towards all fellow human beings but towards nature and the natural realm is evidence of a state of living and being exalted not in personal success or acquisitiveness but in shared sacred ultimate purpose, potential, and destiny.
While it is common for corporate interests to describe salaried workers as being overvalued, the reality is that all of the people, thanks to whose labour we are able to live in comfort and convenience, are remarkably undervalued.
The cheaper commodities and higher profits that come at the cost of reduced salaries and poorer working and living conditions for those who work to provide those services constitute a material advantage unworthy of truly civilised people.
‘‘These people...it’s no mystery where they come from. You sharpen the human appetite to the point where it can split atoms with its desire. You build egos the size of cathedrals. Fibre-optically connect the world to every eager impulse.
‘‘Grease even the dullest dreams with these dollar-green, gold-plated fantasies until every human becomes an aspiring emperor, becomes his own god. Where can you go from there?
‘‘As we’re scrambling from one deal to the next, who’s got his eye on the planet?
‘‘As the air thickens, the water sours, even bees' honey takes on the metallic taste of radioactivity and it just keeps coming, faster and faster.
‘‘There's no chance to think, to prepare. It buys futures, sell futures, when there is no future.’’
‘‘Devil's Advocate’’ (1997)
BRUCE TERRY
Australia
THIS has reference to Taimur Khan's letter (May 22) in which he describes himself as a patriotic Pakistani youth, who against the wishes of his family and friends opted to stay in Pakistan instead of settling abroad.
He goes on to say that ever since the suspension of the chief justice and the May 12 incident in Karachi, he is now disillusioned with the general and in his own words: “I have decided to apply for immigration and look for a future elsewhere.”
He has probably not heard the proverb, 'Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.' As a young Pakistani student studying in the UK, I have found life here much tougher than it is at home.
Moreover, I have also felt discriminated against because of my nationality and race. I long for the day when my studies will end, and I will go back to my Pakistan.
Mr Khan is not the only one disheartened by Gen Musharraf's recent policies. Everyone is worried about the sorry state of affairs.
You cannot let one man take away your hope and patriotism. It’s not his Pakistan, it’s our Pakistan, the people's Pakistan. If we, the educated youth, the future of this country start packing our bags and leaving, we will be doing a great injustice to those generations whose sacrifices have enabled us to become what we are today.
SAAD DURAIZ ,
Hatfield, UK
AFTER reading Ayaz Amir's column, ‘The day of the sector commanders’ (May 18), as a Pakistani-Canadian living in a far-off land, I must unhesitatingly say: the army and their supporters should prepare for a dignified exit, before they are removed violently.
Let a caretaker government, under an impartial election commission, organise the next general elections, under the provisions of the Pakistani Constitution.
Then the political party/parties which win, can rule for the next full term. Pakistanis must allow grassroots’ democracy to evolve slowly and painstakingly.
JALALUDDIN S. HUSSAIN
Canada
IT IS important to understand the value of women in society and the importance she deserves in it, particularly in a male dominated one. I have a suggestion for textbook boards which is to enter a section on women’s rights in the syllabus of primary education.
It can cover women’s rights in Islam and in the Constitution of Pakistan. This will help curb heinous crimes against women in this country.
TOFIQUE NIZAMANI
Badin
AT about 10am, May 13, a small ultra-light plane, flying from Ankara to Tabriz, went off the radar screen, and so did the light of a thousand eyes.
As Brig Zakaullah Bhangoo embraced eternity, he left behind a void that can now only be filled by memories of him -- memories of his nobility, his selflessness, his extreme courage in the face of danger, adorned by a self-effacing grace that lit up his presence.
And, above all, there is the memory of the privilege of just having known the man.
From nursery to O' level, he was a Lawrence College boy, and the pride of his alma mater.
For more than 30 years he was the uncontested ace chopper pilot of the Pakistan Army. At the risk of his own, he saved more lives than the next 10 chopper pilots put together. And he also made lives.
I know of at least six deprived families whose children he put through school and college.
For those of us on whom he showered his friendship, and now bereavement, there is tragic solace to know that when he left us, he was accompanied by Michael Newman, one of his best loved friends, whom it was my privilege to know.
My friendship with Mr Newman was short, but I can safely say that it was because of the brigadier to have befriended a man of Newman’s high character and rare warmth, who is a great loss I rue, and with whose family I share my grief.
To Zaka's family I can only say that we all must surely make our bow, but the brigadier did so in flight, the way he would most have wanted to do it.
He was indeed a legend, but more than that he was the consummate officer and a gentleman. As his generous memory abides with us, may his soul rest in peace.
SAEED AKHTAR MALIK.
Rawalpindi
THERE was a time when Pakistan was about to be declared bankrupt due to insufficient cash flows. We were literally begging one institution or another in search of money that would keep our economy rolling.
Now, in the aftermath of 9/11 and subsequent ethnic-political pressures on Pakistani expatriates settled in the west, there is an abundance of cash in the form of remittances, loans, so much so that we are unable to handle this money. This has resulted in a phenomenal increase in inflation.
The people invested their hard-earned money in the real-estate sector, thus causing the prices of plots and cost of construction to sky-rocket. But what other choice could they ponder on? The government has lost its credibility for its wrongdoings in the past three years. What a pity.
KASHIF ALI
Lahore
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