| July 31, 2007 | Tuesday | Rajab 15, 1428 |
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Saving our heritage
From death cell
Plot to kill Hitler
Extremists in the mainstream
PSO shares
Foot & mouth disease
Jinnah’s irony
Awaiting gas
Exotic animals at Lahore Zoo
Different outlook
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 caption of Dr Akhtar Hasan Khan’s article, ‘Growth at the expense of agriculture (July 16), sends a wrong message to development planners, particularly when it is written by an ex - federal secretary of planning. The concept of growth of one sector at the expense of another appears to be fundamentally wrong. One sector should, and does, support the growth of the other.
Dr Khan rightly mentions that "China, despite having a very heavy industrial weight (46 per cent as compared to about 27 per cent in India and Pakistan), has been enjoying a growth rate of more than 10 per cent for more than two decades because all sectors — agriculture, industry and services — are growing at almost the same rate."
However, the next sentence, "In India and Pakistan, low growth in agriculture is dragging down the overall GDP growth and preventing the alleviation of grinding rural poverty prevalent in both countries", fails to take into account the contribution of industrial and service sectors towards the development of China's agricultural sector.
Growth and productivity improvement in agriculture depends on scientific research to develop disease resistant, higher - yielding seed varieties. This work is mostly done in scientific laboratories, which is a service sector.
Development of better agricultural implements, tractors, and harvesters are the contribution of industrial sectors towards productivity improvement in the agricultural sector. So are the water pumps and electricity used therein.
Weather satellites (an industrial, space science and telecommunications sector product) that help predict the weather render invaluable service to the farming community.
Sorting, grading and packaging machines add value to the agricultural produce. Heavy transportation and cold storage equipment open newer market and preserve fruits and vegetables over a longer period of time. These again are contribution of the industrial sector towards improving the income of the farmer.
One factor never mentioned by our economic thinkers and planners is the foreign exchange cost content of our agricultural produce. Not only the imported fertiliser and insecticide cost but also the foreign exchange cost content of domestically produced fertilisers and insecticides must be offset against the agricultural sector income to arrive at its true contribution value to the economy.
Even the water flowing into our agricultural canals have foreign cost content as the canals and their overhead dams are built with the design and engineering assistance and construction supervisors of foreign countries using imported machines and materials. Development of independent design and engineering capability within the service sector of Pakistan would not only expand its service sector but would also reduce costs in its agricultural sector through use of lower cost local expertise providing higher returns to the agricultural workers.
Looking at the global agricultural picture one could easily observe that agricultural farmers are more prosperous in industrially advanced countries. Industrial and service sectors have made positive contribution towards improving yield and productivity in those countries' agriculture. Look at the US, Canada, Europe, South Korea and Japan.
HUMAYUN ZAFAR
Toronto, Canada
MOHATTA Palace Museum is one of Karachi's most prominent buildings that truly embodies the city's proud culture and heritage. It is one such place that I visit quite often.
These days it's exhibiting the ceramic traditions -- Tale of the Tile -- in which the ceramic traditions of Pakistan from Sindh and Punjab and the Indus Valley region, old and new, are on display. Beautifully placed on glass shelves and walls of the gallery are the hand - painted tiles, eating vessels, filigree windows, and other pots and objects.
While exploring the different parts of the palace with my friend, we accidentally got on one of the roofs of the place. There I was stunned to see the leftover pieces of tiles and other pottery lying in the open sun, crammed on each other, covered with dust. It was a distressful site. Unfortunately, not only that but the pictures that were displayed in the exhibition called "Karachi under the British Raj" are kept in a shed, which is open to the sky. Again the pictures are all over the place and not kept well at all.
The reason why I'm concerned about these artifacts and pictures is that because these are the assets of our country that are not safely placed in a well - maintained storage and are likely to get ruined in the open sunlight and especially with rain coming down, they tend to get damaged. Also the chances of the pieces being stolen are quite high.
Since a lot of the people are not aware of their significance they might not look into this matter, but actually these are valuable pieces that should be restored and stored in a secured way.
So all you art and history lovers and architects out there, please help respond to such state of affairs so that we are able to protect our heritage from being completely destroyed.
NAJIA G. SIDDIQUI
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter ‘From death cell’ by Suhail Fida (July 15 ). First of all I am amazed at the courage and persistence of the prisoner. It delights me that such people do exist in our country. Mr Fida is an example for all those who think they are helpless and have lost all hope in life.
I thank Mr Fida for sharing his achievements with us and would like to read more such letters of courage and determination by people of Pakistan.
SAMEEA ZAFAR
Karachi
I write to say that what he has accomplished is absolutely amazing and not a ‘small achievement’ as he puts it.
His attitude in the face of such adverse circumstances will surely instill courage in the hearts of those in similar or worse situations. May he continue to add to his remarkable achievements.
SANJIV DORAISWAMY
Chennai, India
SOHAIL Fida's has undoubtedly shown his commitment to learning while living in a jail, especially the death cell.
Only a few prisoners among millions across the world accomplish such kind of arduous task.
Common sense urges that he will definitely be an innocent person because those who kill people never transform jails into universities; only virtuous people can do so.
I, therefore, appeal to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to look into his case and seek relief for him, if possible.
Sohail Fida is a source of inspiration for millions of youths and deserves to be honoured.
ASAD ALI SHAIKH
Karachi
ARIF A. Abbasi in his letter “Plot to kill Hitler” (July 27) has very rightly said that if the assassination plot to eliminate Adolph Hitler had succeeded the world scenario would have been quite different.
But equally true is the fact that history is full of such ‘ifs’. Here I am reminded of Blaise Pascal (1623-62), a French philosopher, who on the implication of ‘if’ of history had once said that ‘had the nose of Cleopatra flat the world map would have been different: but that was not to be”.
Notwithstanding above historical inferences Mr. Abbasi while fortifying his thesis has also made some inaccuracies of facts which, to keep the record straight I would like to correct.
He has included in the list of intriguing murders of history some distinguished names which include Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher.
He was, however not murdered but he died of the plague in Vindobona (now Vienna) on March 17, 180.
Similarly Peter the Great or Peter-I (1672-1725), tsar and, later, Emperor of Russia, who is linked with the Westernization of Russia was also not assassinated but he died at the age of 53 mainly on account of urinary affliction which he was enduring for the last so many years.
According to then eminent physician Professor Hermann Boerhavve the Emperor could have been cured if decease was not concealed and prescribed medicines were used in time. On receiving the news of his death Professor exclaimed “My God! Is it possible?
What a pity that so great a man should have died when pennyworth’s of medicine might have saved his life!” His death nevertheless was hastened by an incident when during winter travel Emperor jumped in the icy waters of river Neva to save the marooned soldiers.
The most enlightened and courageous Muslim Queen who ruled Delhi’s orthodox Sultanate was known as Razia Sultan and not “Razia Sultana”.
The latest studies have proved that she offered her life valiantly in the battlefield alongside her husband Malik Altunia on October 13th 1240 fighting the forces of his arch adversary Bulban who later became Sultan himself.
ALTAMASH M. KURESHI
Karachi
IT seems nowadays that more and more extremist groups are cropping up and taking over mainstream politics.
An extremist is a person or group of people whose main purpose is to violate common standards of ethics. They are against the government and find their own means to handling situations. Their actions are seen as irrational, counterproductive and unjustifiable. A person is labeled an extremist when they choose to advocate violence against the social body.
Most recently these sorts of actions have been seen in the Lal Masjid conflict. The purpose for the seems completely unjustifiable yet these students and their leaders see or saw their cause as above all logic. They began to carry out violent actions against the public because their actions were going against their theology of Islam. It seems that without any sort of physical attack on the enemy, their purpose will not be fulfilled. The end of extremist groups doesn’t seem to be near and as long as they remained the world will see no peace.
S. KALHORO
Hyderabad
DUE to the Supreme Court’s intervention the privatisation process of the Pakistan State Oil has, for the time being, been delayed. There is no dispute on privatisation but only on if a local bidder is entitled to participate or not.
There are two views on privatisation. The first one is that due to increasing complex internal administrative affairs and external situations the governments world over today have no time to effectively look after such financial public sector projects, hence these be given in private hands or autonomous status.
The second view, which also has much weight, is that why to privatise units giving golden eggs and, more particularly, if these are at all to be privatized, why these should go into foreign hands. This is also a very valid convincing point.
In Pakistan, however, this phenomenon has, to some extent, reached a seriously thought - provoking point that privatisation proceeds are mostly utilised to meet increasing deficits.
Another issue, but a very genuine one, is up to what level involvement of foreigners in our financial markets is safe. And the third point, which recently some people very rightly raised, is that with the speed of sale of our national assets what will be left if tomorrow really a bad need does arise.
Some views, however, are that this privatisation is nothing but merely a modern tool in place of East India Company to make the developing countries salve through finance which tightens the grip more without much expense and struggle compared to the wars.
We are often given an example that even the British privatised their British Telecom and the British Petroleum. But what we are not told is that the British government distributed the share application forms by placing them on petrol pumps, by insetting them as pamphlet sheets in newspapers delivered at home, in offices and general stores, thus privatising the two giants to its own public, thus retaining the national assets.
Now that the Supreme Court of Pakistan is taking much interest in public issues. I most respectfully pray to the court to consider that the PSO shares be exclusively sold to the general public in the following manner:
a. Five hundred shares each to old pensioners who are being discriminated in pension.
b. Five hundred shares each to all those retirees who are getting less than Rs5,000 a month pension.
c. Five hundred shares to government and private sector employees drawing less than Rs8,000 a month salary.
d. For retired persons the government may direct the banks to give two/three months advance pension to these retirees enabling them to subscribe and this loan may be deducted in some installments, if possible.
This way the national asset will remain in the hands of the nation and these real domestic shareholders will, in this high cost of living, get a yearly dividend which, in practical term, will be an annual relief to them from the government in recognition of their services. These citizens can then label this income as it may please them.
For example, one may take it as a bonus; one may pay his electricity bill and feel the government has exempted him from payment of electricity once a year etc.
Since the privatisation is being done for the interest of the country and its people, as is claimed by the government, then it is in the best interest of people that such type of people from lower segment get real feel of participation and get some annual relief. It may increase a little paperwork at the initial stage but in today’s high tech computers it is nothing compared to collective interest of the common man.
JAVED
Karachi
THE letter that appeared under the above caption (July 15) must have shocked the still surviving few old-guards who served at the Veterinary Research Institute, Lahore, a world reputed research Laboratory who are pioneers of Tissue Culture technology in Pakistan for Research and production of Live virus Vaccines, including the one mentioned above. It is unbelievable that the Institute does not produce quality vaccines anymore.
What has gone wrong and where? What happened to the high-tech center of excellence that once was pride of Pakistan? Most probably it also suffered from inattention and indifference of the government who failed to maintain standards through sustained updating of its high-tech and crucial imperatives in terms of personnel trained in specific technology, sophisticated equipment and high-priced specific chemicals and reagents, etc.
Other such well recognized Research Institutes that exist in each Province are reported to be suffering from lack of basic requirements that could sustain their competence and quality of contribution towards national development.
This matter calls for a dispassionate and in-depth monitoring of the situation so that the technological criteria are met with and livestock and poultry owners do not lose faith in their proficiency.
It is hoped the issue raised by a very senior and knowledgeable technocrat, just does not get forgotten by default.
DR. M. SAYEDAIN JAFFERY
Karachi
MR. Jinnah would be turning in his grave as he looks over Pakistan in 2007. 60 Years ago he struggled to give the Muslims of the subcontinent a separate homeland where they could practice their religion freely.
Ironically, he never knew that religion would be the main reason that would strain the country 60 years later. I leave it on the reader to deduce the moral of the story.
M FAISAL JAN
Peshawar
GAS connections have been extended to all my neighbours but I am still without this facility. My application (Registration No is 2366/11) is dated Nov. 18, 2006 whereas the demand notice was deposited on Mar. 8, 2007.
I request the Sui Northern Gas pipeline authority in Swat to extend the connection to me, especially as the required time of three months after depositing the demand notice has expired.
MUHAMMAD RIAZ
Thana
IT is sad and disturbing to read about the sudden death of tigers at Lahore zoo. This sort of tragedy could be prevented by simple hygienic and medical practices by expert and trained zoo veterinarians such as controlling ectoparasites using new safe monthly treatment.
I feel that veterinarians in our veterinary schools are not given basic training of exotic medicine. Just reading a book does not train a professional unless there is extensive practical and field exposure. One veterinarian should be sent abroad such as to San Diego zoo in California. This zoo has finest training facility and training leads to board certificate of American vets. It takes about two to three years to complete the training with a cost of about Rs150,000.
This investment by the Lahore or the Punjab government will be good in the long run. The newly - trained veterinarian is able to train new veterinarians in the zoo and also start a new course for the senior year vet students at the University of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry in Lahore.
In turn, this will also increase interest of new vets to become zoo veterinarians to serve and provide professional care to zoo animal.
M. AKHTAR CHAUDHRY
LA, California
IRFAN Husain in his column “Changing Outlook (July 7) highlights the tragic course that Muslim radicalism has taken under the influence of fundamentalist writers such as Qutb and Maudoodi.
It is sad that there are no efforts underway to preach or even define what mainstream moderate Islam is. The radicals and fundamentalists can quote passages selected out of context from Holy books as well as from the works of writers such as Qutb and Maudoodi justifying violence and coerciveness. There is no corpus of easily accessible knowledge that advocates and emphsises the mature point of view that sets limits to what individuals can do, prohibits the taking of innocent lives and deplores privatization of jihad.
A moderate school of Islam would encourage greater tolerance of and respect for other religions, freedom of thought and freedom of speech, freedom to pursue one’s religion and to observe one’s religion in the manner of one’s choosing without any outside coercion. It would also advocate equality of women, and would update sharia laws while continuing to adhere to the basic sharia principles of equality, fairness and justice.
What is needed is to give it distinct structure and cohesiveness with a view to counterbalance radical fundamentalism.
GHULAM MOHIYUDDIN
New York, USA
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