| August 04, 2007 | Saturday | Rajab 19, 1428 |
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KESC: a plunge into darkness
Foot & mouth disease
Trustworthy media
‘Harmonious ties’
PhDs galore
Begum Ra’ana Liaquat
Point to ponder
Umra at public expense
Riba
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 is apropos of the letters, 'The enemy within', by A. H. Maker (July 28) and ‘Liberal v conservative’ by Asim Naseer Manj (July 24), as also the Washington Post comment, 'A timely victory in Turkey’ (July 28) and the article, ‘What Turks have rejected’ by Gwyne Dyer (July 26).
Mr Maker says that President Musharraf has said in recent speeches that he shares the same vision as the Quaid's. Actions are more important than words: I would like to ask all the supporters of Musharraf (which had included me until a few years back) several questions about Mr Jinnah.
a. Would he ever have exerted pressure on the CJ himself and through the intelligence chiefs to resign, for any reason, more so if the latter was seen as a potential roadblock to his future re-election?
b. Would he ever have put him and his family under home imprisonment and other restrictions and even ignored his manhandling and tearing of clothes, if not actually desired it? Would an attack on a media channel by the police ever be tolerated and, after expressing regrets and promising action within 24 hours, nothing happened?
c. Could the carnage of May 12 have occurred in Karachi?
d. Would the law-abiding and very humane Quaid ever let the police strip an innocent young man publicly right under his nose in Islamabad, who was simply protesting against the disappearance of his father? No head has rolled so far under our ‘moderately enlightened' president who claims to share the Quaid's vision.
e. Would the Father of the Nation have taken the blame upon himself for the extrajudicial killing of 80 seminary students in Bajaur for which the western media blamed an American drone? How about journalist Hayatullah, who paid with his life for reportedly photographing the US missile that had struck Pakistani territory, but the inquiry is kept secret?
f. Would he ever have let a COAS overthrow an elected government because it had decided to fire him?
This should set things in their proper perspective. The people of Pakistan, led by the Quaid's own fraternity of lawyers, have recently proved beyond any shadow of doubt that, despite their low educational level and accusations of extremism, they fervently believe in freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, a new consciousness and era has actually blossomed in Pakistan due to the fearlessness of the judiciary and the lawyers.
The lessons from the recent elections in Turkey, won by a bigger margin by Mr Erdogan's AKP, despite its Islamist roots, due to its excellent accomplishments in terms of economic development and democratic reforms, are apparent to all and have been acknowledged even by the western press. Thus, the WP noted (and Mr Dyer's views are similar) that:
“The success of the AK party both in the government and at the polls is demonstrating that political parties grounded in Islam cannot only thrive within a democratic political system but also help to strengthen it.”
The newspaper also noted how the militantly secular Turkish army effectively forced the elections by threatening to intervene in the political system but the results showed that the Turks didn't share the army's views and rejected its meddling. This is similar to conditions in Pakistan where most people have rejected the army- backed Musharraf's attempts to subjugate the judiciary and turn the parliament into a rubber stamp.
Contrast the current situation to that prevailing in 1999 and even until 9/11, when there was not a single suicide bombing or IEDs being used to kill with impunity. The AKP government in Turkey had shown in 2003 that democratic rulers could refuse to let the US utilise their airspace to launch attacks in Iraq, whose wisdom was confirmed by subsequent events and is unthinkable for Musharraf.
As is evident from Mr Manj's letter, the trouble is being caused equally by the westernised liberals and the religious extremists, both of whom are leading the country away from the moderate path prescribed by Islam. The Pakistani ethos needs somebody like Erdogan, who is close enough to Allama Iqbal's ideals. If the West helps us in this, instead of backing self-serving people, it, too, would benefit much.
A. ALEEM
Karachi
IN 1996 the residents of Karachi had witnessed the collapse of three basic civic agencies, the KESC, PTCL and the KWSB. At that time, a group of concerned citizens had decided to file public interest litigation in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against these utility services for failing to provide the services for which they were established.
The case was admitted for regular hearing in the court of Justice (r ) Ajmal Mian and recommendations relating to increasing power generation, maintenance and improvement of distribution systems, reduction in line losses and power theft and setting of complaint centres were approved and ordered by the court.
If only 30 per cent of those recommendations and suggestions had been implemented, there would not have been the need to privatise the KESC or the PTCL. There has been a marked improvement in the services of the PTCL after privatisation, but in the case of the KESC the situation remains pathetic.
Karachiites continue to suffer and the city, the industrial and commercial backbone of the country and once proudly known as the ‘City of Lights’, is once again plunged into darkness and is facing the worse power crisis in its history. The reason for the KESC’s privatisation was to improve its services and end the suffering of the citizens, but its services have not improved. And like every year a blame game is in full swing. Consumers accuse the new management and Siemens for failing to invest in the corporation, as promised, the KESC blames Wapda which, in turn, blames the KWSB and so it goes on. However, those who set up the privatisation deal are laughing all the way to the bank.
We had warned at the time of privatisation that power thieves and powerful interests within the organisation would let down the new management. Angry traders, representatives of the industry and citizens have started to protest outside KESC headquarters against massive loadshedding and power breakdowns. Protesters have threatened to withhold the payment of bills and taxes if the problem was not immediately and permanently resolved.
The CEO had tried to pacify the protesting crowd and had claimed that there was no load-shedding in the industrial areas. However, the protestors would have none of it, claiming that they had been hearing the same thing for several years, while the problem had deteriorated.
The chairman of the KESC Labour Union has also accused the Privatization Commission of violating the rules and regulations during the privatisation of the utility service and has demanded copies of the ‘sale-purchase deal’ and ‘terms of condition’.
The government must investigate and make public the terms and conditions under which the KESC was privatised and take stern action against those responsible for the suffering of the residents of Karachi. If they fail to do so, then they have no right to govern and we should demand their resignations. And if we don’t, then as the old saying goes: “People get the government they deserve”.
A.H. MAKER
Helpline Trust
Karachi
THE letter that appeared under the above caption (July 15) must have shocked the still surviving few old guard 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 this institute does not produce quality vaccines any more. What has gone wrong and where? What happened to the high tech centre of excellence that once was pride of Pakistan.
Most probably it also suffered from inattention and indifference of the government which 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.
It will be height of misfortune if such institutions are starved of essential wherewithal and new laboratories are established in Islamabad over their remains.
Other such well-recognised 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.
The gravity of matter, as evident from the letter under reference, 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 knowledgeable technocrat just does not get forgotten by default.
DR M. SAYEDAIN JAFFERY
Karachi
NEITHER the New York Times nor any other in the US media has the right to manufacture the consensus for political stakes. After the historical blunders of Afghanistan and Iraq wars supported by the same media, dominant media practitioners are not enjoying a reputation for a sophisticated intellect of convincing behaviour.
Projection of propaganda has been a typical skill of the media since the formation of Creel Commission that turned pacifist Americans into hysterics.
As a result, atom bombs changed Hiroshima and Nagasaki into ashes and then Vietnam underwent atrocities; further, Bosnia became a graveyard of innocent masses; in addition, atrocities in South Africa were swept under the carpet.
Here, it must be reiterated that Pakistani nation is more capable of tackling all issues. Further, the Pakistani media is much more responsible and trustworthy in reporting all matters honestly. In addition, we are proud of Pakistani forces.
As far as democracy and other issues of corruption are concerned, the all parties conference, representatives of Pakistani nation, has decided to restore democracy and deal with other issues. Certainly, we will resolve the problems.
The New York Times and other media need to re-establish their reputation as trustworthy and to report exploitations of humanity in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine honestly.
Incomprehensibly, intellectuals are learning nothing from history: history confirms that lie through the media’s teeth has no life, thereby justifying projection of propaganda as having its foot in the grave.
NASIR FAROOQ
Karachi
IT was a bright sunny day of Friday (March 9) when President Gen Pervez Musharruf in his uniform called upon Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to his camp office and asked him to tender his resignation showing his antagonistic supremacy, the CJ ignored the offer. The chief justice's refusal to surrender was unprecedented in the legal annals of the world.
Gen Musharraf filed a reference to the SJC. Later on, reference against the Justice Chaudhry proved fabricated with a lot of personal grudges involved.
After filing of reference, the CJ was deprived of using the facilities of telephone, television and other necessities of life. He was detained in a room and physically and mentally tortured.
A few evenings before, Gen Musharraf in his speech said: "Personal egos must not be a part where national interests were involved." He further said he had personal relations with the chief justice. "We have family ties and hope to maintain same harmonious ties in future."
I must make aware the CJ to beware of such harmonious ties.
MUHAMMAD MAHTAB BASHIR
Islamabad
THIS has reference to Samina Waqar’s letter, ‘PhDs galore (July 25). I agree with Ms Waqar that there is a difference between role of colleges and universities. However, I do not agree with her that for research one must hold a PhD degree. My question to her is: was there no research before the award of the first PhD? Even today many great researchers are there without holding a PhD degree. As a matter of fact research comes from our own desire and constant search for something new.
Most universities have a research programme in their MA/MSc teaching and some of the students do produce work worthy of publication in international journals.
It is wrong to think that if we have more PhDs in universities our standard of education would increase. The Higher Education Commission is beating the drum for more PhDs without looking at the real causes of lower standard of education. The real causes are neither the duration of teaching such as 16 or 18 years of teaching nor the qualifications of the faculty. The real causes are:
a. The calibre of students admitted to our universities is far below satisfactory. Hence we have to improve our lower level education, i.e., schools and colleges.
b. The number of students in a class is too large. A well- known theorem says that quality and quantity are inversely related. In order to increase quality, we must not have more than 20 students in a master’s class.
If these requirements are fulfilled, then quality will improve. In a class of 150 to 200 students even if a Nobel laureate teaches, he cannot do any wonders to improve the standard.
Ms Waqar is wrong in saying that a four-year degree programme would improve the standard, and her assertion that our MA and MSc are just equivalent to BA and BSc is also wrong. Many of our scholars after doing MA and MSc from here have done PhD from the world's renowned universities within three years. Dr Ataur Rehman is one of the examples.
I would like to suggest to Ms Waqar to visit universities of Pakistan and see for herself the pressure being shared by our teachers. We even do not recognise our students and are unable to remember their names, because of their large numbers, what to speak of giving them assignments / research problems and to review their work. Dr Babar Mirza, a noted biologist, when asked to give the number of students to be admitted to the MSc class, said: “I have 11 binoculars, therefore, I would admit 10 students only.”
Today 20 to 30 students are sharing one instrument. How can quality be improved?
I would once again emphasise that besides advocating the need for PhDs, one should advocate the need for reducing the number of students in a class and for facilitating the students, teachers and universities in research by providing lab facilities and equipment.
ZAHID MAHMOOD
Former professor University of Karachi
THIS is with reference to a news report, ‘Begum Ra’ana Liaquat’s biography launched’ (July 29). The report states that the (re -) launch of the new publication of the biography and speeches of the late Begun Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan (originally published in 1981) has been compiled by Mrs Laila Haroon Sarfaraz, present president of the Apwa.
Mrs Sarfaraz does provide able and dedicated leadership to Apwa at this time. However, the content of the book, both in its original version of ‘Challenge and change’ in 1981 and in its new edition published in 2007 by SAMA for Apwa, mentions the painstaking and laborious task of researching, compiling and editing of the book was rendered in 1979 - 81 under the supervision of the late Mrs Mehr Nigar Masroor, then vice-chairperson, information and research, Apwa. She also wrote the foreword to the book.
Mrs Masroor was one of our country’s most gifted artistic and cultural personalities whose contribution to choreography and the performing arts was outstanding in addition to her exceptional writing talent and other creative abilities.
During my own remarks at the book launching ceremony, I made specific reference to this valuable contribution by Mrs Mehr Nigar Masroor, a contribution that has enabled us to have a single, convenient source for material reflecting the rich ideas and varied work of a truly great woman of the world. Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, while being the wife of the first prime minister of Pakistan who gave his life in the service of our nation and who set a stellar example of integrity in public office, in her own individual right, made an enduring contribution to the cause of women’s development
The editing of the speeches reproduced in the book was conducted by a notable personality of his times who served the information sector of South Asia and Pakistan with distinction, the late F. D. Douglas, who also contributed the foreword to the book. As has been mentioned in the report, another important part of the book’s contents is the short biographical essay by Kay Miles, titled ‘Dynamo in silk’, which is an excellent narrative of Begum Ra’ana Liaquat’s unique personality and pioneering role.
JAVED JABBAR
Karachi
GUESS who has gained more from the apex court’s decision to set aside the president's reference against our lordship the chief justice, none other than our own general, Pervez Musharraf. Bravo! One more feather in the cap. And now Uncle Sam is happy that we (Pakistanis) are capable of solving our own problems. Bravo, too, Yankees!
IRFAN ALI KAZI
Sukkur
THERE is a story about Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz, who was the eighth caliph after Hazrat Ali to become the ruler of the Muslims in 99 AH and, due to his piety, was also known as Umar II.
One night, when he was busy in writing something pertaining to the business of the state, somebody came to see him in connection with a personal matter. The caliph turned off the oil lamp during that time because he did not want to use the officially supplied lamp for a purpose other than government affairs.
However, in Pakistan those in power keep dashing off to Saudi Arabia to perform Umra, often more than once, at public expense. For instance, a couple of our leaders have gone there in recent days along with a number of people.
ABDULLAH
Karachi
THIS has a reference to the Friday feature, ‘Riba, the forbidden fruit’, by Sidrah Unis (July 27). The gist, I could gather, is that the riba al- Nasi’a (RN) is in line with Islamic economic system, whereas the riba al-Fadl (RF) is not.
Both RN and RF are in vogue in society via the ‘Islamic’ and the ‘conventional’ banking systems.
As far as the question of the two systems’ legality is concerned, it was a settled law in 2000, which was got unsettled later and put on the back-burner for some unknown ‘earthly’ reasons.
Now it is, therefore, up to the SC to take suo motu action to settle an old judicial score at the earliest.
MOHAMMAD AHMAD
Karachi
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