| July 12, 2007 | Thursday | Jamadi-us-Sani 26, 1428 |
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Verbal pyrotechnics
JUI(F) chief’s allegation
Who says there is freedom?
Islamic banking
Ayub’s diaries
Double danger
Five pc penalty for SME
Correction
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
THIS refers to the report, ‘Why do we have to fight missions impossible’, datelined London, by M. Ziauddin (July 6). In it, he has wondered why some Pakistanis have become so involved in incidents of terrorism, which has resulted in difficulties even for the expat community in Britain that has turned into victims and perpetrators at the same time.
When trying to analyse this problem, we invariably tend to focus only on our own faults but ignore the external factors that led to militancy not just in Pakistan but among the Muslims worldwide. First, let’s see what would have happened if the former USSR had not invaded Afghanistan.
There would have been no jihad there, no Osama bin Laden, no Al Qaeda and no Taliban. Furthermore, there would have been no militancy in Pakistan either and, at the end of the day, the US would have found no need to attack our northern neighbour in 2001. There may not even have been 9/11 itself. So, the mother of all troubles was the Soviet Union's expansionism and military action.
In the absence of these primary precipitating elements, it seems entirely plausible that things in Pakistan may not have been much worse than they had been prior to December 1979. Did we have a drug culture then? No. Almost nobody had even heard of the drug called ‘heroin’. Nor did we have a Kalashnikov culture.
Who is to be blamed for all that? Certainly not the poor, long suffering Pakistanis, who were a peaceful people, unless provoked, more involved with making a living and with visiting the shrines of the Sufis. Instead of preaching jihad or spreading Talibanisation, as they are now doing in reaction to the West's attempts to impose its hegemony and culture, they had been living peacefully.
A good approach would be to consider the situation of the 1960s and then trace the various developments that occurred subsequently. Until about the 1969 ouster of Ayub Khan, there had been considerable economic progress and the law and order situation was quite admirable – they were indeed the "good old days".
However, things started to change in the '70s. After the loss of East Pakistan, much despondency and uncertainty set in and there were political disturbances after the 1977 elections in Bhutto's era. Yet, there were no signs of militancy. Real trouble only began after the advent of the Afghan war. On the one hand there was the large-scale activity by the US and its allies, both western and Muslim, to mount a jihad against the Soviet forces; on the other there was a retaliation by Moscow's and Kabul's intelligence agencies to destabilise and punish Pakistan by causing bomb blasts and aiding the rebels in Balochistan.
In addition, the proxy wars by Iran and Saudi Arabia also started, with the aim of increasing their influence over here by using the sectarian differences. All said and done, the Afghan problem, without any doubt, was by far the biggest cause of promoting the jihadi culture and militancy. The numerous social, economic and security problems that cropped up due to the presence of millions of refugees along with the arrival of drug and gun syndicates only worsened the situation.
The US most selfishly walked away immediately after the defeat of the USSR and left both Afghanistan and Pakistan to fend for themselves in the aftermath without the means to do so.
Nevertheless, there has not even been one word of regret uttered by Russia or America to date for all the troubles they caused here or in other places like Chechnya and the Middle East. Besides, we must not lose sight of the fact that all this business of holy wars started exclusively as a result of the repression of Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya and elsewhere, in the second half of 20th century.
The fact that the US has already attacked three Muslim states and is wanting to go after Iran has convinced many Muslims of its designs against them. It would only be fair that those who perpetrated all the injustice and violence against the Muslims must be held responsible first and foremost.
A. RASHID
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Maryam Musharraf Shah’s article, ‘Verbal pyrotechnics’ (Magazine, July 8).
The young lady has bitterly criticised people of her parents' generation (the ‘50-year-olds’) for referring to the days of their youth as being a golden age and recalling the many good things from that era, while berating the ways of the present-day youngsters.
Ms Shah also argues that the contemporary youngsters are smarter because if the previous generation invented the cellphone, "we invented text messaging". She also claims that "in my mother’s time sociology was not a subject. But I study it ... and let me assure you that we are merely evolving." I can recall that there was a fully-fledged Department of Sociology at Karachi University some 30-35 years back and most of its students were girls.
The older generation is not as dumb or ignorant as she presumes. Besides, there is no substitute for experience and wisdom. As Henry Ford said: "You take all the experience and judgment of men over fifty out of the world and there wouldn't be enough left to run it." Mere evolution may be dangerous, as the global warming phenomenon has shown: we must evolve towards something indisputably better.
As far as inventing the cellphones is concerned (text messaging is a part of these, which the youngsters learned to use very efficiently), people of earlier decades had invented the telegraph, radio and television: then, after many decades came along satellite communication and mobile telephony. Yet, hardly any of today's fifty-year-olds behaved insolently with the earlier inventors because this is an ongoing process and cannot proceed without each link doing its job. Progress only results because the earlier folks did their bit – otherwise there would be no text messaging today.
After one to two generations, people may have bionic vision and hearing, the cloak of invisibility and the power of teleportation or at least of flying through the air. They may also have devices worn on their heads or implanted inside that could enable them to communicate directly through thoughts, rather than verbally or by text messages, with anyone. To them, the ‘smart’ kids of today would seem hopelessly antiquated.
However, the writer is correct in admitting that "we have problems with drugs and alcohol and the notorious dating game” and "an overwhelming majority of young people who drink only do so because their so-called liberal parents have a liquor cabinet at home."
This is a sobering thought and something those ‘liberal’ folks of the previous generation must account for. How can they expect their children not to do something that they themselves have been doing? The well-known American psychiatrist, Dr Wayne Dyer, had written in one of his books that children largely adopt the traits of their parents. And, just by observing a kid one can get a good idea of its parent’ nature.
But Ms Shah needs to note that contrary to what she appears to think, concepts of Islam can't be tailored according to one's needs but are ordained from above, its values are eternal and its teachings of benefit to the young and old alike.
M. ALI
Karachi
SPEAKING at the multi-party conference in London, JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman took a swipe at Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. He asked whether the man who had taken an oath under the PCO refused to resign in his own interest or in the interest of the independence of judiciary (July 8).
He has conveniently ignored many facts. The CJ had annulled the sale of Pakistan Steel, which is probably one of the greatest irritants for the government. In addition, he also took a very strong notice of the 'disappeared' persons and had been sternly taking to task the agencies and officials concerned, which was reportedly another unbearable action for the powers that be.
Then, he had also put a ban on kite-flying at Basant and, when President Musharraf declared his intent of going ahead with the celebration and the Punjab government tried to get the SC decision on kite flying reversed, Justice Chaudhry refused to do that because of the risk of people getting killed by kite strings. He said that the authorities could remove the ban only on their own responsibility.
All these things clearly show that the CJ had already been striving for the public good though he knew this was annoying the government and could only invite its wrath.
The Maulana has tried to cast aspersions on Mr Chaudhry, which is a shame and can only undermine the nationwide struggle for the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and restoration of civilian governance.
The JUI leader is apparently trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hound. Your columnist Ayaz Amir has been repeatedly pointing out in his recent columns that both Benazir Bhutto (who boycotted the MPC) and Fazlur Rehman were insincere and were playing a double game by appearing to oppose Musharraf but were covertly trying to stay on his right side. He seems to be correct, after all.
WASIM RANA
Karachi
ARDESHIR Cowasjee, the well-known columnist, has once again repeated that even the dire opponents of Gen Pervez Musharraf admit that there has never been so much freedom of expression as there is today. He cites in support the ever-growing number of TV channels.
Some TV programmers who are very senior journalists also say the same and praise Gen Musharraf for allowing such freedom of expression.
Since the mid-90s, the number of channels has been increasing the world over and the electronic media spreading with huge speed. Gen Musharraf recognised this and in case doors were not opened, these channels would have been installed in India or Dubai airing Indian-dominated coverage. Thus, he had to open door for this technology which was in his favour.
Dr Safar Mahmood last month said that the government should be thankful to channels which showed May 12’s events in Karachi live. Had live coverage not been there, it could have created more rumours leading to ethnic fighting all over the country.
Had we not had our own channels, knowing the Indian and European tendency against Pakistan, can anyone argue that those foreign channels would have given 15 minutes coverage to the events that day? This is perhaps why Gen Musharraf allowed these private channels to mushroom in Pakistan.
There is, however, another hidden purpose for this so-called freedom of expression. There has always been a hard stick on freedom of expression. However, in old days this stick was carried by the police who used it against those who wrote against the government.
Najam Sethi was arrested during Nawaz Sharif’s government for his outspoken words. Gen Musharraf took extra advantage by allowing more freedom of expression so that he could know who speaks against him but this time the stick has changed.
Now people are made to disappear, their families told their loved ones are on jihad and only when some Justice Iftikhar takes courage, then do the missing persons return home.
ZAFAR M.
Nowshera
THIS is with reference to the letter headlined ‘Islamic banking’ by Saalim Salam Ansari (June 22). One of the core advantages of Islamic banking is that, unlike conventional banking, it operates on a profit-sharing basis, which forges a closer link between real economic activities that create value. Islamic banks are expected to be more enterprising and risk-taking than their conventional counterparts.
It is especially in this sense that Islamic banks should aspire to play a catalytic role in stimulating economic development. Islamic finance allows for more potential innovations that are in congruence with the Quran and Sunnah. Above all, the growth of Islamic banking will help to create a better distribution of wealth in Pakistan and the Islamic world.
It should be noted that the remarkable achievement of Islamic banking is that it has planned to establish some Islamic commercial banks and Islamic financial institutions in countries where Muslims are a minority and their population is only 10 per cent of the total population.
An estimated 300 Islamic banks and financial institutions have been established all over the world and holding $300 billion in assets that are predicted to grow to $1 trillion within the next five years.
Today we have six fully-fledged licensed Islamic banks and 13 conventional banks with licences to operate dedicated Islamic banking branches, together having a network of 157 branches spanning 24 cities across four the provinces of Pakistan.
The total assets of the Islamic banking industry are around Rs117 billion, which accounts for a market share of 2.9 per cent. Similarly, the market share of their deposits and financing and investments stands at 2.7 per cent and 2.4 per cent, respectively.
Although our Islamic banking industry is no more than a small drop in an ocean and is passing through its age of infancy, the roots of Islamic commercial banks have spread over everywhere in the world.
The Islamic banking has become one of the fastest-growing industries not only in the world but also in the region. In Pakistan, Islamic banking is expected to grow rapidly to achieve a 12 per cent share of the banking industry by 2012.
The reason behind this phenomenal growth is the fact that Islamic banking is based on ethical practices and promotes honesty, transparency and fairness. It has far-reaching benefits, which can be enjoyed by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Mr Ansari has welcomed the Islamic banking and said interest-free modern banking is the need of the time but he has raised the question of instrument or product prevailing in the market is not in its true spirit.
He should know that the Islamic banking product, e.g., Murabaha, Musharakah, Ijarah and Diminishing Musharakah, is the approved product by the Shariah scholars in its true essence.
He said the banks or bankers are looting innocent people of Pakistan in the name of Islamic banking. This language does not suit the writer. As a banker I know the existing comprehensive Shariah compliance framework ensures that all the products and services of the Islamic banking are in accordance with the Shariah. The Shariah advisers of Islamic banks are highly qualified scholars and well versed in Shariah, law, accounting and banking affairs. I urge the Shariah scholars of Islamic banks to take due notice of these allegations and prove otherwise by their words and deeds.
ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
APROPOS of Ali Yahya Khan's letter (June 14), I agree with his views, but he has got some of his historical facts wrong. He says Gen Eisenhower was the American president during World War II, which is not correct.
Eisenhower became president in 1952. His son, Brig John Eisenhower, served in World War II and in the Korean War.
Harry Truman, who was president from 1945 to1952, narrates the following incident in his memoirs: ‘‘I was riding in car with Eisenhower on his inauguration day. He was to become the president within hours.
‘‘He questioned why his son has been called away from his military duties to attend the inauguration ceremony in Washington.
‘‘I replied that the President of USA (Harry Truman) has decided that it is appropriate for your son to attend the ceremony".
In Pakistan, the president's son (Gohar Ayub) was ADC to the president, enjoying the luxuries of the President House rather than the rigours of the battlefield.
Regarding Air Marshals Asghar Khan and Nur Khan, many feel that the Pakistan Army was unlucky not to have Army chiefs of the same calibre and stature as of the two air marshals.
This applies more to Gen Yahya than to Ayub. I owe no apologies to Ali Yahya Khan for saying this. Also no apologies to Gohar Ayub.
KHALID A
London UK
CAPT (r) Gohar Ayub was a liability for his illustrious father, being one of the reasons for Ayub Khan's unpopularity in his later years as president.
From the first carnage in Karachi to stories of his business acquisitions, Gauhar did Ayub no good.
One of the circulating jokes was about Ayub complaining to him of the rumour factories in the country to which Gohar is said to have remarked: “Shall I buy them?’’
That was Gohar’s intellectual reputation in those days. That may have been unfair but it would appear from his decision to publish Ayub's diaries that he remains a liability for the latter in death and for his memory.
From what we have seen so far, the diaries are Ayub Khan's very personal opinions in a certain state of mind in his old age. Unless he willed them to be published, they should not be.
Does a son have a right to reveal aspects of a person's personality and opinions that may be best kept private?
A. AHMED
Karachi
BEFORE 9/11, there were neither suicide bombings nor attacks on army personnel taking place in Pakistan. However, as a result of President Musharraf’s eager prosecution of America's war on terror and other agenda, all these things started occurring here and creating another Iraq.
What is worse, Chinese citizens are also being targeted – although the western ones would be expected to draw fire.
This is something totally unexpected and, along with the rapidly rising attacks on the military and the public hostility this signifies, is extremely dangerous for us and our relationship with our most trustworthy friend China.
The writing on the wall is absolutely clear: all the policies of Gen Musharraf have been backfiring.
If this country carries even a whit of importance for him, he must quit and let some properly elected representatives of the people handle this nightmarish situation. I don't belong to any political party and my loyalty is only to Pakistan.
IQBAL
Karachi
NEW levies of five per cent, including one per cent special surcharge (regulatory duty) and additional four per cent income tax, have been imposed in the new budget with effect from July 1 on the import of apparel machinery, allied equipment and parts thereof.
Commercial importers cater to the demand of small and medium-sized enterprises and this burden of additional five per cent is going to be passed on to them.
Before the budget, the income tax levy was only one per cent but now it is five per cent. We suggest that the new levies of five per cent should be reduced to one per cent income tax only and also the new levy of one per cent special surcharge should be waived on import of apparel machinery, allied equipment and parts thereof by commercial importers.
ASIF ALI RASHID
Karachi
IN the letter, ‘Kidnapping and hostage survival’ (July 11), there are some typographical errors. First, the CPLC was established in the 80s and not 90s.
Second, our website is www.citi-help-line.com and not just www.citi.
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