| July 19, 2007 | Thursday | Rajab 03, 1428 |
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Lal Masjid
Undue haste
Aircraft hijacking: hostage survival
A menace
Flood damage
Crisis at home
APC achievement
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
IT is amazing that people like Moin Ansari (‘Maligning feudalism, July 9) still endorse feudalism in this time and age. Feudalism has been the root cause of the decay of the western civilisation during the mediaeval times and the reason for tens of millions of Indians to be mired in poverty for over tens of generations.
Land reforms in India were not prompted by Sardar Vallabhai Patel's policies against the Muslims, but by an earnest attempt to undo centuries of injustice. Mr Ansari cannot be farther from the truth when he mentions that only Muslim landlords lost their jagirs. Wealthy Hindu landowners lost out too. It abolished absentee landlordism in India and ensured that the tillers of the land received a fair compensation for their work. The green revolution in India that followed land reforms almost tripled India's food grain output within a short time.
To defend feudalism with Zimbabwe as an example makes a mockery of modern-day analysis of economics and science. Mr Ansari recommends that the current feudals in Pakistan need to be encouraged to double or triple food production by simply diverting the Indus. What happens then to the environment around the Indus delta when water stops flowing and increases salinity of the water? Can dams be built overnight? How will the peasants benefit?
A country can only be made stronger and viable by making its population independent-both economically and socially. This has been proved time and again by recent history (India and China). No country can uplift its masses by encouraging feudalism. It’s time people like Mr Ansari took a reality check and started living with the times.
BRIJESH PRABHAKAR
Peoria, AZ
WHILE reading about this much beleaguered world (July 16), I feel we've missed the point in a cloud of emotion, polemics, apologetics, navel gazing and the blame game, all of which feature in the correspondence printed to date.
Social cleavages, conflicts and morality apart, our focus should be on enhanced agricultural production in terms of yield in kilograms per hectare (or, more traditionally, maunds per acre) to address our burgeoning population. To achieve that, we need to drastically curb wasteful agricultural practices – often perceived as synonymous with ‘feudalism’.
To this end, we need to examine whether smaller holdings and humane corporate farming produce higher yields. Current indicators point in this direction.
As far as cultural elements formerly patronised by the aristocracy are concerned, they must now become the responsibility of the state, civil society and corporate sector endowments, with concomitant tax relief for services rendered.
DR ADAM NAYYAR
Islamabad
ONE can only partially agree with Moin Ansari, as he suggests that '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 of India (July 9).
Leaving aside his interpretation of how feudals provide key food supplies to the masses, I would confine myself to the matter of Congress and feudalism in undivided India. Indian National Congress was a multi-class party.
It was the sole organisation that provided a forum for mass political struggle against colonisers. Supported and funded by Tata’s and Birla’s, it was divided on two major political lines of right and left wing. Nehru, though influenced by M. K. Gandhi, did not necessarily plot against Muslims, as a large number of non-Muslim landlords belonged to Bengal, Uttar Pardesh, Bihar, and Rajisthan. In fact, Indian National Congress negotiated pacts with All-India Landholders Association against the Bihar Kissan Committee during the period of 1937-39, when it formed its ministries. Gandhi advocated non-violence.
On many occasions he stated that conflict between peasants and landlords would lead to destabilisation of national movement, and ultimately British colonisers would benefit from it. In one of public speeches he says: “ If the zamindars harass them, I would ask my kisan brethern not to fight with them but adopt a conciliatory attitude.”
Gandhi was insistent that peasants must abide by all government laws, must obey to work day and night, and pay their rent to zamindars. Feudals, as an unproductive social group, were extension of the British Raj in rural India, and provided key support to right-wing leadership of Congress.
Leaders like Sardar Vallabhbai Patel, Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad made several attempts to adjust Congress with the landed aristocracy of that time.
Like our society, debates were being made as to identify the basic and primary conflict of Indian society of that time. Marxists (M.N.Roy and others) were of the view that basic conflict of Indian society was that of its class structure, and that conflict would be resolved in the course of freedom struggle. Gandhians propounded a totally opposite view: they presented Indian National Congress as a classless political entity.
LIAQUAT THAHEEM
Karachi
FOR six months, it was a laboratory in the making.
The black clouds of confusion, maladministration, lawlessness and terror that covered the capital forthe past six months have given rise to many conspiracy theories.
There are people who think that the imams of the mosque were initially the accomplices of the government and the drama was staged for two types of audience: international and domestic.
There are analysts who think that the Musharraf government got what it wanted-continuation as president in uniform and economic and military aid from America.
The Taliban phenomena in Afghanistan and its spill-over into Pakistan are perceived in the West (particularly in the US) as a big threat to their interests in the region.
Whenever the government sees the West getting weary of the current setup in Pakistan they would stage a real drama: be it in the shape of Taliban in the tribal belt or the MMA factor in the settled area.
The Lal Masjid drama was staged right in the middle of the capital, they say, to make the West believe that the threat of an extremist takeover of nuclear Pakistan is real and that the current setup is their only choice.
On the domestic front: it is election year (both for the president and parliament).
There are constitutional issues relating to the presidential election which would require a tame CJ, who turned out not to be so. So he was referred to the Supreme Judicial Council.
The popular support for the CJ and the independence of judiciary gave a platform to the fractured opposition to initiate a movement against the government. As a result a multi-party conference was called in London.
The MPC had the potential to forge an effective alliance against the government. The climax of the Lal Masjid drama coincided with the MPC. As a result: all the cameras were focused on Lal Masjid and the MPC got little or no attention. Thus the MPC was a total failure.
There has been continuous debate in the West, particularly in the US, as to whether the Musharraf government has the capacity to prevent the extremists from taking over nuclear Pakistan. A practical demonstration of their abilities would satisfy the West. For six months the imams and students were allowed to grow big and transform the mosque and the madressah into a fortress. Then came the time to test and show the world the abilities of Pakistan's SSG (Special Services Group).
The lab was ready, the experiment was conducted and the weapon was tested successfully for the benefit of the international audience. Time will tell what the domestic audience will think of it.
Whether it was a stage-managed drama or a miscalculated drive by the imams one thing is sure, the event would have grave future consequences for the nation.
TAHIR ZAMAN
Karachi.
IT is most respectfully submitted that Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) had conducted written tests for the posts of Medical Officer in 2005. The SPSC had declared results of the written test in the end of 2005.Immediately thereafter the Sindh CM had cancelled such results on the stated ground of alleged corrupt practices.
A few months later, statedly a deal was struck and the SPSC was allowed to hold viva voce test on the basis of so black listed/ cancelled result.
A few weeks thereafter final results were announced in which quite a good number of candidates who had qualified the written test were declared fail. Such a litigation is said to be pending in the Sindh High Court, while the so declared successfuls have been issued appointment orders.
Now again the posts of Medical Officers are being filled in, on contract basis by the Health Department, Government of Sindh, during a pre election era and the Honorable Court can very well imagine the Transparency and Merit or lack of both in the ensuing interviews to be conducted in undue haste for reasons best known, on 30-7-2007, without written test, which could provide objective evidence.
It is therefore humbly requested to kindly consider, not to allow the Sindh Government again to play havoc with the rights of the meritorious candidates and to consider to stop the proverbial "pick & choose".
It is further requested to kindly consider to direct such selection process to be conducted solely through such members of the College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan(CPSP) Phase II DHA Karachi, who do not belong to the province of Sindh (being outside the influence of Sindh Government) under the control of the CPSP.
This time also, I am one of the applicants and do not expect justice and or selection on merit.
Sir, I regret my inability to be present in the Hon'ble Supreme Court at Islamabad due to financial reasons.
DR.NIMY
Karachi
AIRCRAFT hijacking is the take-over of an aircraft, by a person or group, usually armed. In most cases the pilot is forced to fly according to the order of the hijacker. Aircraft hijacking is extremely rare, but does happen. It is well to consider how you should react if you end up in a hostage situation. Any traveler could become a hostage, whether he or she is traveling within his or her own country or anywhere in the world by any airline.
Noise, commotion, and possibly shooting and yelling may accompany the physical takeover of the aircraft by the hijackers, or it may be quiet and methodical with little more than an announcement by a crewmember. Either way, how you and others react during these first few minutes of the hijacking may be crucial to the outcome.
Once the takeover of the aircraft has occurred, passengers may be separated by citizenship, sex, race, etc. Your passport may be confiscated and your carry-on luggage ransacked. The aircraft may be diverted to another country. The hijackers may enter into a negotiation phase, which could last indefinitely, and/or the crew may be forced to fly the aircraft to a different destination. During this phase passengers may be used as a bargaining tool in negotiations, lives may be threatened, or a number of passengers may be released in exchange for fuel, landing/departure rights, food etc. This will be the longest phase of the hijacking.
To minimize the possibility of being selected for special attention by the hijackers and to maximize your ability to survive a hostage situation, here are some suggested guidelines to remember:
a. Stay calm and encourage others around you to do the same.
b. Do not challenge the hijackers physically or verbally. Comply with their instructions.
c. If shooting occurs, keep your head down or drop to the floor.
d. If you are told to keep your head down or maintain another body position, talk yourself into relaxing into the position. You may need to stay that way for some time.
e. Be aware that all hijackers may not reveal themselves at the same time. A lone hijacker may be used to draw out security personnel for neutralization by other hijackers. f. Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a long ordeal with possible verbal or physical abuse, lack of food and drink, and unsanitary conditions.
g. Blend with the other passengers. Avoid eye contact with hijackers. Don’t draw attention to yourself with sudden body movements, verbal remarks, or hostile looks. h. If addressed by the hijackers, respond in a calm tone of voice. If interrogated, keep answers short and limited to nonpolitical topics. Minimize the importance of your job. Give innocuous reasons for traveling. Never admit to any accusations.
i. Do not attempt to hide your passport or belongings. If you are carrying both an official passport and your personal passport, give your personal passport in response to a general demand for identification. Confirm your military status if directly confronted with the fact. In that case, be prepared to explain that you always travel on your personal passport and that no deceit was intended.
j. Use your time wisely by observing the characteristics and behavior of the hijackers, mentally attach nicknames to each one and notice their dress, facial features and temperaments. Also note their nationality and language they speak while talking to each other or using cell phone etc. Occupy your mind by memorizing this information so that you can report it after your release. k. If the hijackers single you out, be responsive but do not volunteer information.
The following guidelines apply in the case of a rescue operation. The rescue may be similar to the hijacker’s takeover – noisy, chaotic, and possibly with shooting. The rescue force is re-taking control of the aircraft.
a. If you hear shots fired inside or outside the aircraft, immediately take a protective position – put your head down or drop to the floor.
b. If instructed by a rescue force to move, do so quickly, putting your hands up above or behind your head.
c. If fire or smoke appears, attempt to get emergency exits open and use the inflatable slides or exit onto the wing.
d. Once you are on the tarmac, follow the instructions of the rescue force or local authorities. If neither is there to guide you, move as quickly as possible away from the aircraft and eventually move towards the terminal or control tower area.
e. Initially, the rescue force may have no way of knowing whether you are a hijacker or a victim. They may treat you as a hijacker or co-conspirator until they can determine that you are not part of the hijacking team.
Cooperate with local authorities and officials of your country’s Embassy, Consulate or other agencies in relating information about the hijacking.
SQN LDR (R) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
THE curse of Talibanisation of Pakistani society is the bitter harvest of Pakistani rulers’ failed domestic policies. If as a nation we fail to provide quality secular job-oriented education, job security, health facilities, social justice and hope for a better future, we will have to deal with bitter results of our follies.
A change is possible only if we stop spending billions on missiles, nuclear weapons, tanks, submarines and F-16 aircraft. The meagre resources must be diverted to building and developing schools, universities, research laboratories, producing teachers, developing agriculture and respecting the supremacy of the Constitution and the judiciary.
We don’t have a constitution to speak of, no quality educational institutions or means of livelihood for millions. The slogan ‘roti, kapra aur makan’ is but a dream for millions in this unfortunate land.
Uneducated and unemployed youths who see no future for them in this land are easy prey for the misguided and intellectually bankrupt clergy. Give the youth quality secular education and they will not go to madressahs. Give them books and tools to make a dignified living, they will not take up arms. Give them a bright future and hope, you will not have any Lal Masjids.
SALEEM A TAHIR, MD
Livonia, Michigan, US
THE district of Kambar-Shahdadkot in Sindh has seen the worst floods of its history. All the villages and towns are inundanted. Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless. This calamity could have been avoided if timely action had been taken. This havoc has come due to the inefficient district nazim and his administration. The need of the hour is to help the affected people. The poverty stricken area is further hit hard due to inefficient government as only favourites are rehabilitated.
The people of area appeal to higher authorities that the work of rehabilitation be given to the federal government and under the army so that everyone be treated impartially.
TARIQ CHANDIO
Kambar
WE have a crisis at home and all these leaders care for is President Musharraf and the elections.
While all the political leaders are away in the UK running propaganda against the president, I want to ask them what did they do for the country except criticise someone who has actually done something?
Pakistan is not a property or an inheritance passing from one hand to another. It’s a country and we are the people that should matter to everyone.
If these leaders could use constructive thinking and find a way to help the government improve situations like law and order, flooding in Sindh and Balochistan and all the other issues of unemployment, poverty, power outages, etc, instead of their wishful thinking about getting rid of President Musharraf.
YUSRA IKHLAQ
Illinois, USA
A VERY huge representation of the opposition group at London is indeed an unprecedented affair. They talked over all issues that Pakistan is currently facing. According to them, to say that a consensus has not been achieved is a gross misperception.
Of course, when such a large number of people with different frames of minds interact. there is bound to be some divergence of opinion. So some disagreements on disputes like resignations from the National Assembly or provincial assembly was bound to occur. It cannot be attributed as a failure.
The government is propagating that the London conference was a fiasco which is only wishful thinking. The patent reality is that there is very wide sense of commitment that military rule will not be accepted anymore. The mistakes of a political party can only be readdressed through a political process.
The army is never the solution to a problem. They are very good in professions but their involvement in the political affairs of the country is always harmful to society. The Hafsa brigade is a gift of Gen Zia, who created this menace of extremism or religious fanaticism in society. It is always the political culture which provides stability and resilience to the country. We are very vulnerable only because we don’t have a truly democratic order in our society. Terrorism cannot be eliminated through state terrorism. It is a fatal mistake to undertake operations like the one we encountered at Hafsa and Lal Masjid.
The APC may become the harbinger of new ethos in this society which we are all looking for. The APC was a success and not a failure as nothing could be achieved in one attempt, no matter how sincere it may be.
One great achievement of the APC is that organisation like the MQM has been criticised for the May 12 killings. The process of the dissent has started and it will gradually build up.
MEHWISH ASHRAF
Dhoke Ratta
Rawalpindi
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