| July 09, 2007 | Monday | Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1428 |
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Consumer’s rights & automobile industry
Maligning feudalism
Reap what you had sown
Selling national assets
Globalisation and e-swindling
Kidney sales
Road building
ABL pension
New Islamabad airport
Transport for women
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
THE present spell of torrential rain in the aftermath of cyclonic activity due to extreme atmospheric low pressure was devastating. The loss to life and property is almost unfathomable. The worst hit was the coastal belt of Balochistan and the city of Turbat. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, Mardan, Peshawar, Muzzafarabad, Rawalakot have also received an unprecedented amount of downpour. About 800,000 people are displaced in Balochistan alone. Thousands of people are affected in other parts of the country.
The crisis has almost transformed into a natural calamity of national level. Armed forces have moved in to carry out relief and rescue operations in areas which are marooned.
The torrential rains have almost had the effect of Noah’s deluge which was all-encompassing from valleys to prairies or even to the hilltops. The crisis is multiplied due to the flash floods in rocky gorges of Balochistan and the swelling up of rivers in Punjab and the NWFP.
This brings us to the second lesson which has to be drawn from this calamity, i.e., enhancement of storage capacity to cater this riverine dilemma.Pakistan at present has two main dams for water storage and power generation. We are also passing through the worst energy crisis. The shortfall in power generation oscillates between 1500 MW and 2500 MW which is 15 to 20 per cent of our total power generations.
If this gap continues, it will grow to 40 to 50 per cent by 2012, meaning thereby that the country will have an average loadshedding of 10 to 12 hours with no electricity for industrial or even civic requirements.
We will have darkened cities, blacked out towns and drab boulevards.
The water shortages will also turn agricultural lands into dreadful arid zones. Water vision given by President Musharraf is vindicated by the present crisis. In Balochistan had we made dams on the Hari River, the Kech Kaur, the Nihing River and other hill torrents, the disaster would have been minimised. We have three main rivers, i.e., the Chenab, the Jhelum and the Indus. We have absolutely no site for dams on either the Chenab or the Jhelum due to the plain terrain and non-availability of even nominal dam heads and reverse water slope areas.
The only choice left is the Indus. On the Indus we have sites like Katzara, Basha, Kalabagh, Akori and Munda. The most suitable site is of Kalalabagh, because of two reasons: one that monsoon accounts for 70 per cent of water in Pakistan while glaciers make up for just 30 per cent. Basha and Katzara sites are glacier-fed whereas the Kalabagh site is unique as to receive both the sources, it receives monsoon rains as Swan and Harro rivers.
Moreover, the Kabul, Swat and Chitral rivers also confluence into the Indus. Kalabagh is the site where 90 MAF of water flows. The ‘Water Vision’ given by President Musharraf was the right step in right direction. Due to political bickering between the provinces we are losing our future at a very fast speed. Our slide downwards is almost torrential.
Yearly we are losing about 35 to 40 MAF of water as runoff. Due to global change in weather this loss might be increased due to unpredictable weather patterns. It is time we rose above the political ramifications and took decisions in national interest.
ABID LATIF
Bahawalpur
THIS refers to Reyan Ali’s letter (June 24) regarding the recently-announced car policy. Like every patriotic citizen, I also wish for the prosperity of the country and spur in its economic activities. Mr Ali’s letter can be termed a nice description of the slogan ‘Be Pakistani and Buy Pakistani’.
But similar responsibility lies on the shoulders of the local car manufacturers or other business entities. In a race to earn profits, they should also ensure the best possible product for their countrymen so as to lure them to do away with anything or product not Pakistani.
Mr Ali seems to have ignored a fact that such notions about locally-manufactured automobiles is not a mere propaganda but based on experiences of a considerable number of consumers that cannot be overlooked.
In a bid to support the local automobile manufacturers, he has somehow set aside the consumer rights aspect that enjoys far greater importance in the developed countries and need special attention locally to join the same league.
I would take the liberty of quoting the former US president, John F. Kennedy, here:
“If a consumer is offered inferior products, if prices are exorbitant, if drugs are unsafe or worthless, if the consumer is unable to choose on an informed basis, then his dollar is wasted, his health and safety may be threatened, and national interest suffers.” (1962)
I as a consumer supports the government’s decision to import used cars. It just boosts competition, which forces the rivals to follow the standards and fulfil the requirement of consumers’ satisfaction.
If we compare the local manufactured cars with imported used cars, everybody is aware of high quality standard of imported cars. Whenever the question of prices arises, much is trumpeted by the local car manufacturers about aftersales service etc.
I myself am a victim of tall claims made by our beloved ‘local’ car manufacturers. I bought a locally-made 2005 model car of Japanese origin and not later than a month I started experiencing a left drift, which was so severe that it often made me think of driving below 60. Some of my friends also shared similar experiences while using Japanese and a Korean brand, the aftersales service remained a lip-service only.
Had the performance of our local car industry been satisfactory, people would never have thought of opting for used imported cars. Now with a five per cent withholding tax, the soaring prices will only prove to be a burden on potential buyers and I support Mr Ali in his demand to reconsider the policy.
Competition in any trade sector must benefit the consumer who is supposed to be the prime concern for every company, however it has been observed that besides the telecom industry no other sector has given any relief to the consumers. I guess the government should consider introduction of a regulatory body to safeguard the interests of the consumers and the car manufacturers as well.
SALEEM MAHMOOD
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter by Dr Tanvir Hussain Bhatti on democracy and feudalism (July 2). The blame game continues. Industrialists think it is fashionable to malign feudalism in Pakistan. Tall comparisons are made with India. Traditionally Muslims of the subcontinent did not engage in business. They were either courtiers or landowners. The socialist Nehru abolished the land holdings in India not because of some lofty Marxist or Gandhian motives, but rather it was a Patel-led conspiracy to destroy the Muslims in India. Most of the land holdings were held by the Muslims.
By destroying the land holdings of the Muslims, the Islamic centres of excellence in Delhi, Lucknow, Agra and Hyderabad were brought down. With no opportunities in employment or education, the Muslims of India were pushed to the ghetto and slums of India.
If feudalism is so bad, then one needs to learn from the Mozambique horrors which stemmed from the abolition of large land holdings. The result was a sharp decline in food production, mass starvation and general chaos. Pakistani feudals for all their faults have kept a steady flow of food to our growing population and made it more or less self-sufficient in rice and wheat with huge exports in cotton. This is the backbone of our economy.
The Pakistani industrialists have failed to capitalise on an export-based economy as pioneered by Korea, Taiwan and China. The Indian industrialists simply implemented a failed policy of import substitution and did not participate in the world market for decades.
Penury in neighbouring India had a huge impact on our economy. The BJP government was thrown out because it failed to look into the problems of rural India. The Indian IT field only impacts about six million Indians. The other billion eek out a living on farms with low productivity.
Pakistan has to encourage its feudals into doubling and tripling its productivity in food and cotton. No magic formulae will make Pakistan prosperous. Huge dams should redirect wasted water of the Indus to Balochistan and it must increase its arable area by developing the vast deserts of Pakistan.
MOIN ANSARI
Parsippany, NJ, USA
THE Ghazi brothers have shamed not only Islam but also embarrassed Pakistan. The man claiming to be the standard-bearer of Islam’s Shariat proved to be a fake who tried to escape wearing a burqa.
He has been defying the government for a long time now. For the last six months he became belligerent. He ordered his disciples to take over the children’s library. The `burqa brigade’ of Jamia Hafsa, according to Ardeshir Cowasjee, took to the street, joined by the male students of other madressahs, raided an alleged brothel, kidnapped two policemen, made merry, had a good time by threatening shops selling CDs, VCD sets etc.
Abdul Aziz established in Lal Masjid a Shariat court. Then the boys and girls raided shops, burned CDs and VCDs, abducted four policemen, then abducted some Chinese nationals. They went around the streets of Islamabad stopping cars and threatening men not to wear ties and intimidating women drivers not to drive as it is not allowed in Islam.
After the Chinese nationals’ abduction and a stern warning from Beijing to guarantee safety of its nationals, the federal officials moved in, though a bit late.
Still the government which got the release of more than 1,200 boys and girls from the Masjid and madressah, earned the admiration for not storming the rebel hideout. (This is by the time 5pm, July 6).
I ask the government that you have shown exemplary restraint, now do not waste time on Abdul Rashid’s gibberish and flush out the rebels and terrorists holed up in there who are using women and children as human shield.
M.K. NAQVI
Karachi
IT seems that the present government is bent upon selling each and every asset of the country, among which the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is rumoured to be next. The PSO is the largest oil marketing company in the country which controls almost 70 per cent of the market share. It has around 3,500 retail outlets which makes it the leader in the sector. It paid a 75 per cent payout to its shareholders last year.
Why then is the government so keen to privatise the state-owned profitable assets? The government is planning to divest a 51 per cent stake of the PSO, which means that the management will also be transferred. As a layman what I understand is that a part of the country’s deficit is being met by selling the state-owned assets but this aspect will not prove fruitful in the long run. What when all the assets are sold, there are no more assets in the country?
In the Bhutto era, Pakistan saw a mass nationalisation programme whereas the Musharraf government is doing the opposite. Pakistan is bearing the result of the Bhutto era until today, so when will the effects of privatisation bring benefit to the common people? Or are the stock market and a few individuals going to be the beneficiaries of this show?
SAMIR A SHIWANI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the thought-provoking article, ‘Clash of globalisation’ (June 22), wherein Shamshad Ahmed has comprehensively discussed pros and cons of this much-trumpeted phenomenon, particularly in view of historical perspective.
I fully agree with him that unless the process is appropriately managed, it will create aspiration only for consumption patterns and lifestyles that cannot be sustained socially, culturally, politically or environmentally. The worst affected will, of course, be the underdeveloped countries that have already suffered from multidimensional ailments such as weak institutional base, inappropriate infrastructure and underused human capital as well as natural resources due to lack of basic social requirements such as education and health care.
The globalisation has also created opportunities for international swindlers who approach via emails by offering various extremely lucrative incentives and riches to the credulous people. In my family alone almost every second member has got a message that fortune is awaiting his nod along with payment of some amount in dollars or just identifying his or her bank account number to the cheater.
The swindlers have contrived various subtle schemes with terrific ingenuity that sometimes even highly educated people are trapped. One such offer recently made to a friend of mine was that in some African country an oil minister who had made millions of dollars illegally has died heirless and the amount is lying unclaimed and that his (my friend’s) name is chosen to be his successor through a draw.
He was told that now he is the only legal heir of this great fortune. After the official formalities are fulfilled, he will be one of the richest men of the world. The only requirement now left is his bank account number which is essential so that the millions of dollars can be transferred to him.
Similarly many fake companies with apparently bogus “world class credentials” have cropped up who choose names of a few ‘lucky’ from the world; and even you may happen to be one to get a bumper prize.
The only requirement is to make payment of certain amount in dollars; thereafter, the huge sum belonged to one of the selected and obviously in the end nobody gets the anticipated reward.
There are also reports that frantic calls, of course phony, are delivered through emails to the friends and relatives of some high dignitary/official who is travelling abroad, requesting in his name immediate financial help as he has lost his wallet containing money, valuables, passport, etc.
Thus with the start of globalisation, millions of people have been fleeced through e-swindling and this process is getting more momentum as there are no serious checks yet evolved to stem this nuisance. Even many of the so-called foreign companies, apparently doing lawful business, are busy in this thuggery by making very eye-catching advertisements through print and electronic media, as well as placing hoardings and neon-signs on roadsides offering everything under the sun. This baneful aspect of globalisation also needs to be taken care of in right earnest.
ALTAMASH M. KURESHI
Karachi
THE title of your editorial,‘Illegal kidney sales’ (July 4), seems to imply that kidney sales can also be legal.
By the way, why are kidney sales illegal? A noted doctor-turned-columnist of a Lahore daily recently expressed the view — one which is echoed in the editorial — that the removal of one kidney has no harmful effect whatsoever on a person's health. The same doctor had a year ago recommended that donors should be compensated with an amount that represented the prevailing market price of a Toyota Corolla.
Under the circumstances a man in need of money — so acute that it may be inducing suicidal thoughts — should be allowed to ‘donate’ his kidney in return for suitable ‘compensation’.
Moreover, as suggested in the editorial, not only should renal patients managing satisfactorily on one kidney be dissuaded from acquiring a second transplanted one but also efforts should be made for removing popular misconceptions about cadaver donation.
However, the recent cases of unauthorised removal of kidneys are reprehensible, and seem to have been driven by the demand for kidneys from foreign nationals, the so-called "transplant tourists". This is a criminal practice, and an exemplary punishment should be given to offenders.
Asad Siddiqi
Lahore
I DO not find any big change in the Karachi city’s condition, particularly in its roads, though tall claims are made in this regard by city fathers. Their claim to make the city rival, rather excel, Singapore seems preposterous .
This is a fact too that handling of roads is not the job of the city nazim but of the NHA or the FWO as far as our country is concerned. These two departments are doing a wonderful job in constructing road links across and within Pakistan.
Thus the NHA should be tasked to modify the roads, widen and then beautify our main roads up to four tracks each. The NHA already has all the expertise to take over the road-building task.
AZHAR
Karachi
WE, the pensioners of the Allied Bank Ltd, appeal to the management to raise our pension equal to the scale announced by the government for public sector employees in the new budget. It may be put on record here that we have not been given any increase in pension in the last one decade though the bank has earned extraordinary profits.
JAN MUHAMMAD KHASKHELLI
Hyderabad
NOW that the construction of a new Islamabad airport has been approved, it is imperative that an appropriate name is decided for this, through solicitation of public views.
Most countries have opted to honour their national leaders by naming major airports in the country after them. Leonardo de Vinci (Rome), Charles de Gaulle (Paris), JFK (New York), Dulles Int. (Washington) and nearer home, Indira Gandhi Int. (New Delhi).
In Pakistan we have followed this tradition and we have Quaid-i-Azam Int. (Karachi) and Allama Iqbal (Lahore).
I suggest that the new airport at Islamabad be named after Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first prime minister, the most trusted lieutenant of the Quaid. His sacrifices and services for the creation and consolidation of Pakistan are too well-known to be recounted again.
KHALED A. BAAKZA
Karachi
NOWADAYS Karachi is facing a lot of problems but I think the biggest of them for poor and middle class women is transport.
Thousands of girls going to schools, colleges and universities, as well as women working in offices, shops, factories, etc., have to cram themselves in overcrowded buses etc. Before they begin their journey, they have to wait at bus stops for a long time undergoing a lot of physical and psychological stress.
A bus service for women only should be immediately started so that travel for them becomes a little easier. NGOs and the private sector can join hands and try to make it a reality.
AMRA IBRAHIM
Karachi
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