| June 09, 2007 | Saturday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1428 |
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Musharraf’s logic
A dismal situation
All about destruction of Iraq
Homoeopathic drugs versus steroids
Road safety
Pakistan & the peace index
Armed forces, politics and criticism
Lines from Homer
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
IRAN and the US have a history of sour and bitter relations right from when the revolution broke out in Tehran, and Iran seized American diplomats for 444 days. Iran initially was the linchpin of US security apparatus in the Middle East but, after the revolution and the overthrow of Shah of Iran, the US decided to support Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran in 1986. During the 1990s Iran diplomatically and militarily supported Hamas and Hizbullah. While the US declared them terrorist organisations.
The September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US presented Iran and the US with a rare opportunity to pursue a common objective -- to wipe out Al Qaeda and the Taliban from neighbouring Afghanistan. Both the countries failed to capitalise on this. In 2003 America launched the Iraq invasion. I believe that America made a grave mistake by toppling Saddam. He was controlling Iraq very effectively though not benevolently. But now Iraq has become a magnet of attraction for extremists.
It now serves the purpose of Al Qaeda and has provided them with a new battleground and a galvanising and recruiting factor. This is a gloomy picture of what is now called American misadventure in Iraq. The US was in a very triumphant mood in 2003 and did not listen to anyone who suggested otherwise. This US-led invasion played directly into the hands of Iran, strengthening Iran and rejuvenating Al Qaeda.
Iran is accused of militarily supporting the so-called terrorist outfits. The Iranian president speaks of wiping Israel off the map of the world. I postulate that from the emerging situation in the Middle East, Iran and the US can end up becoming allies to each other provided that America stops bullying Iran and Iran shrugs off its militaristic tone.
On several key issues of foreign policy the US and Iranian interests coincide with each other. A stable and democratic Iraq is in the interest of both the US and Iran because Shias by virtue of their population would be in the driving seat, Iran would be in a much more comfortable position with the Shia-led Iraq.
On Afghanistan, both nations have an interest in the stability of the Afghan state. The present regime in Afghanistan is friendly to Iran and also an ally of the US. There are a few stumbling blocks in the way of better US-Iran relationship. Both nations share a history of sour relationships and hostilities. Iran still remembers the bitter and ferocious war it fought with Iraq which was actively supported by the US while the US put stringent sanctions on Iran.
Iranian ambitions for nuclear technology and its support to Hamas and Hizbullah annoy the US. The USA’s bullying and intimidation to Iran is turning the latter into an uncompromising foe. All these irritants have the capacity to ruin the prospect of cooperation between two countries.
The US must understand that the issue of nuclear technology is a very nationalistic one. But if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, then other Arab states in the region will have no choice but to follow suit. It will lead to greater nuclear proliferation.
The US needs to water down its hardline tone towards Iran to help bring Iran closer into the US fold as Iran is a fairly modern Islamic state with expanding middle class and advancing democracy.
Commonality of interest alone does not ensure cooperation between two nations. Wise and courageous leadership play a very crucial role in bringing the nations together. America should stop its bullying tactics. Walking into Iran would not be a joy ride for America. Aerial bombing of Iranian nuclear sites will also not work. So, the US should try to court Iran. Iran has legitimate national security interests to pursue in Afghanistan and Iraq which, fortunately, are identical to the interests of the US in the region. Both countries did occasionally cooperate with each other in the past. But what had been an ad hoc cooperation should be turned into a good relationship and better understanding of each other.
ALI WASEEM CHAUDHRY
Kharian
ABOUT a year after coming into power, Gen Musharraf had once publicly said that he has been brought into this position by Allah and implied that people should accept it as an act of God.
It would be obvious to him that just as there had been others before him occupying that chair, there is bound to be somebody else whom Allah will elevate to that position. From recent happenings, it appears that such an event is unfolding itself these days. As they say, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Not just the Pakistanis but some of our wellwishers in the West are also saying he should quit. But, this is something the president doesn’t seem inclined to do at all.
If he has such a firm faith that Allah wants him to continue ruling over the country, then he should confidently resign from both his offices, form an independent caretaker government to hold fresh elections and contest a National Assembly seat. In case he is truly destined to become the president again, he will win the seat and get elected to the coveted post, come what may.
By this means he would prove himself to be wise, a possessor of exceptionally strong faith and someone who really puts Pakistan first, instead of creating chaos in the country and leaving only when he is forced to do so. By that time much more blood is likely to have flowed onto the streets and irreparable damage done to this poor country of ours. Most of us don't have the money or the visa to fly across to the US and live there happily ever after. Pakistan is all that we got – he should have mercy on us.
IRFANULLAH
Karachi
IT starts in the gloomy twilight each day soon after Fajr prayers -- 15th through 25th of each month -- and continues till midday; they come one by one, men and women, worn out, bespectacled, bent in shoulders and dressed poorly. Moving slowly, silently and gloomily, they come and queue up in front of a bank. By 9am when the bank window opens, there generally are 50 to 60 people in the queue.
None below 60, and some as old as 80-85, they come walking, but some on buses, rickshaws, taxis and some even on donkey carts. Those amongst them who are weak or disabled and cannot afford to stand for long hours just sit down on the dirty floor, lower their heads and doze off. Others idly watch the two-way traffic on the road or quietly smoke or chew paan. Apart from the old age, which itself is a malady, most of these wretched souls are sick, suffering from a variety of diseases.
Seen from a distance, they look like horde of beggars awaiting alms but none has a begging bowl. Instead, each person holds a green card in his/her hand. Come closer and you will find that they are not beggars but respectable people, mostly from white-collar and lower middle class; honest people who have toiled all their lives in mills and factories, offices and warehouses, to make both ends meet.
They are the ones who have sweated blood in the line of duty, built, strengthened and stabilised trade and industry, thereby facilitating the government earn huge revenues, and they are all here to receive their monthly EOBI (Employees Old Age Benefit Institution) pension – a meagre amount of Rs1,300 -- being the compensation from the government towards their life-long labour and struggle.
I have no idea of the situation that prevails at other NBP branches where EOBI pension is disbursed but the crowd at NBP, Rahimabad branch, depicted here presents an awfully pathetic picture. Despite sincere efforts made by the bank staff to quicken the process, each person has to spend at least two to three hours in the queue to get Rs1,300 which, taking into account the prevailing back-breaking inflation, is simply peanuts.
Besides, making old and sick people, including women, wait for so long out in the scorching heat is simply too much for them to stand and something must be done, and done quickly, to provide them some relief.
Through these columns I request the ministry/authorities concerned to consider making arrangements whereby EOBI pensioners could obtain their pensions from private commercial banks, as was done till the recent past. The government should also consider raising the amount of pension from Rs1,300 to at least Rs2,500 a month.
S.A. SHAH
Karachi
APROPOS of Khaleej Times of May 25, the president of the United States (front page) is showing his warning finger that Iraq must repay for the sacrifices of the US soldiers.
Mr Bush, in the first place, who asked you to send your soldiers to Iraq? You sent them on the basis of lies that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. You baffled innocent people of the United States that if you don't send your troops to Iraq, Saddam Hussein would kill the entire population of America in a few minutes by using chemical and biological weapons.
You invaded Iraq illegally for the lust of oil, although your own people objected by taking out rallies. You now have the audacity to warn that Iraq must repay for the sacrifice of the US soldiers.
Iraq must repay. For what Mr Bush, their country and their old heritage of centuries are being destroyed at the hands of your soldiers?
Repay for what, for being humiliated at Abu Ghraib? or for the killing of thousands of innocent Iraqi people, including women and children?
Every day average 100 Iraqis are being killed, at least four family members are on average associated with each person who is killed. Which means, you are destroying 500 lives every day in Iraq, and you want repayment for this. What a shame.
Iraqis must pay for all disastrous things you are doing to their country, this is ridiculous, rather preposterous. Are you not ashamed, Mr Bush?
Front page of Time Magazine (April 23) refers to: ‘The greatest fighting force in the history of the world".
According to Time Magazine, yours is the strongest army in the world, but it is at the breaking point in the hands of a few ill-equipped Iraqi insurgents. I wonder what would happen if the entire Muslim nations of the world really get united.
You keep on telling Musharraf that Pakistan is not doing enough in fighting the insurgents.
Pakistan has lost 7,500 soldiers in Waziristan while fighting the terrorists, whereas the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq is 3,000, who is doing more? If Pakistan is not doing enough, you are doing less than enough.
And even after doing all disastrous things, do you have courtesy to at least meet or write letters to the families of American soldiers killed in Iraq, for your greed of oil, to apologise to them? Now what a shameless person you are, Mr Bush.
Remember, one day we all have to answer to God, Doesn't your currency says: "In God We Trust"?
ABBAS ALI MOHAMMED
Karachi
THIS has reference to the letters (May 20) by Batool Raza and by Wajeeha Karim (May 30) about the possible mixing of steroids in homoeopathic medicines and some brands of toothpaste. Being homoeopath, I would restrict myself to homoeopathy but like to suggest that, besides the steroids, such toothpastes should be checked for local anaesthetic since it masks pain and hypersensitivity.
No advocacy is available in homoeopathic literature for the use of steroids. Using steroids is tantamount to making principle and ideological clash with the homoeopathic philosophy. The amazing fact in manufacturing of homoeopathic medicines with potencies above 12C is: once they are made, their medicinal ingredients can't be traced by any modern scientific methods.
Yet, interestingly, many of the medicines can be steroids positive. Even imported ones and given by reputable homoeopaths. So any judgment for steroids traces would be biased or prejudiced in the light of the following information:
— Basically, lactose and alcohol are two most commonly used vehicles in the manufacturing process. If the test performed is the ‘colorimetric method’ using tetrazolium blue salts, it will always show false positive results for steroids traces. This is because lactose (milk sugar) imparts a strong colour with tetrazolium blue salt and if alcohol used in this method is not completely free from aldehyde, it will also interfere with the reaction and impart some characteristic colour. Hence the results can be false positive. I am not sure if this is the same with the toothpaste brands in questions, so they should also be checked for other definitive/alternative tests before any allegation.
— Another test available for steroids traces in homoeopathic medicines is the Liberman Buchard test (thin layer chromatography and UV absorption method) which if testified will not give the same results as given by ‘colorimetric method’. So before making a claim regarding presence of steroids in homoopathic medications, one must find out what testing procedures were adopted.
— For a genuine homoeopath, there is no question of mixing steroids into homoeopathic medication since it is against the law of homoeopathy. Homoeopathic remedies are immune response generators whereas steroids are powerful immune suppressors.
— According to homoeopathy, suppression is "just keeping the lid down of the boiling kettle" and does not affect a cure. None of the homoeopathic literature advocates the use of steroids, whereas the same has been justified and amply used in allopathy.
— One of the many methods to reduce the menace of steroids is to educate the public. People should know the clinical picture induced by steroid consumption. Long-term use of steroids may lead to facial puffiness known as moon face, weight gain, stomach ulcers, increase in appetite, hypertension, diabetes, leading to even renal failure.
— Besides, patients should realise that steroids are not the key for all locks but for sure is a lock on ‘medical wisdom’ due to their strong suppressive abilities and fancy, but temporary recoveries at the cost of prolonging illness in majority of cases.
Steroids suppress the immune system causing the original disease pushed further into the other bodily organ system as they take up the burden of the suppressed immunity. Hence, years later, new disease symptoms in other organs may appear which may apparently be unrelated to the original illness according to allopathic thinking but not according to homoeopathic understanding.
It would be impossible to find a single patient using genuine homoeopathic remedies with any of the steroids-induced symptoms. People do not need to be afraid of genuine homoeopathy and honest homoeopaths who follow closely the principles of let like be cured by like. In fact, countless patients have benefited from the beauty and purity of homoeopathic philosophy of treatment.
DR ABDUL QADEER KAWAN
Karachi
ROAD accidents are the second major cause of death in the country and third in the world.
I appreciate the efforts of the media for projecting the first United Nations Global Safety week observed (April 23-29) in Pakistan and all over world.
Road safety is a very important issue to be addressed, and the media can play a very important role in creating awareness regarding road safety.
I request you and all the leading regional, national and international media (print, electronic and Internet) to please give a special portion of space and time in the print and electronic media as space and time given to different subject like fashion, art, culture, sports, business and other subject on a daily or weekly basis. For example, a Sunday newspaper carries lots of pages. If a portion is allocated to the road safety issue, in which awareness is given to a particular group, stakeholder, i.e., pedestrians, motorcyclists , drivers of cars, trucks and buses to improve their knowledge of road rules and also to communities and agencies which I hope will serve this noble cause of saving life.
I also appreciate the efforts carried out by different government agencies in creating awareness about road safety and, of course, hat off to the motorway and the highway police for their efforts in road safety, but we all must have to contribute to create awareness to protect precious lives and save loss of millions of rupees in accidents.
KHAN BAHADUR SHAHBAZI
Peshwar Cantt
A NEWS item (May 31) saying “Pakistan near bottom of peace index: study” did neither have me jump from my seat nor leave me gasping for breath. However, it did raise certain questions in mind :
— How unbiased was the study towards the western bloc?
— How biased was it towards the Islamic bloc?
— Did it focus its attention on the corruption perpetrated by the western bloc in the more benign states?
— When you quietly work up instability in some one else’s territory, doesn’t it reflect the concealed corruption in you?
Yes, I agree, corruption is rampant in my country but place an advanced country in the given conditions and you are in for interesting revelations.
NAEEM SULTAN
Karachi
ADDRESSING a news conference here the other day, Minister for Information Durrani made it clear that the government was annoyed over the live coverage of a recent seminar at the Supreme Court in which several fiery speeches were made, punctuated with anti-government slogans (June 1).
Furthermore, “at one stage Mr Durrani got emotional and said the armed forces of Pakistan have embraced martyrdom whenever the country faced any threat. Be it an ordinary solider or a general, the commitment to the defence of Pakistan is immeasurable. We cannot, therefore, let the defenders of our frontiers be maligned and defamed, the minister said”.
While agreeing that the defenders of the frontiers should not be maligned and defamed, I would like to request them to stick to their profession and mind their own business as per their oath of office: “(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful), I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that I will not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever and that I will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in the Pakistan Army (or Navy or Air Force) as required by and under the law. (May Allah Almighty help and guide me. A’meen)”.
However, if the armed forces insist on participating in the political process, then they must be prepared to accept the consequences.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
HERE are a few lines from Homer. Aren’t they relevant?
But other gods had gathered in the great hall of Olympian Zeus. Among them all, the father of gods and men was first to speak.
Zeus addressed the gods:
“It’s disgraceful how these humans blame the gods.
They say their tribulations come from us, when they themselves, through their own foolishness, bring hardships which are not decreed by Fate.”
This was the lot of poor Olympian gods, and their complaint.
This is the lot of our poor demi-gods and their oft-uttered complaint!
DR MAQBOOL AKHTAR
Faisalabad
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