| August 08, 2007 | Wednesday | Rajab 23, 1428 |
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Expectations from new VC
Another thorn removed
Environment made a joke
Unfair taxation system
Ahmed Shah Abdali Durrani
Saddar: filth all around
Join ICL and risk identity
Thanks to Bush ...
Hiroshima: Shinzo Abe’s apology
Clarification
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 president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has said the lawyers would now start a campaign to oust the military dictator. This is a laudable declaration even if it has been made in haste, and in the flush of the mother of all legal victories.
Before going on this errand, for that’s what the SCBA chief makes ousting a military dictator appear as an errand, he would do well to give the matter a good think job.
For one thing, unlike the chief justice in the recently-concluded case, there is no comparable political personality around whom a movement to oust the military dictator can be built.
Second, President Musharraf is unlikely to oblige the lawyers again, by posing in uniform before television cameras and photographers with the politician, while firmly advising him, or her, to go on a hike. In the unlikely event he does, chances are the politician, unlike the chief justice, may do just that, go on a hike.
After all one, when so advised, did go on a hike to London. While the other, on similar advice, took a hike to Saudi Arabia.
With the politicians, it would not be the same as the chief justice standing his ground before a dictator and giving the lawyers a cause, with himself as the personality, to convert into a movement, and take it to victory.
The politicians will buckle under slightest pressure, or fall for the temptation of the ‘accommodation’ offered by the dictator as he did to the chief justice, the lawyers will be left looking silly. It would be even worse if in the middle of the agitation the politicians cut a deal with the dictator. The SCBA won’t know where to look, leave alone where to hide.
The SCBA will be better off remaining far and aloof from the politicians. The day it ties any kind of a knot with the politicians, or their party, that will be its undoing as a moral force for a just society and rule of law.
Ousting a dictator, or preventing new ones from emerging, is the job of the politicians and political parties, supported and backed by the people. The political parties lack people’s support and backing. They lack a democratic psyche, when they lose an election, instead of becoming a democratic opposition, they begin to prod the army to move.
The SCBA will serve the national cause better, by finding ways to introduce the politicians, and political parties, to the basics of democracy and democratic behaviour, and ensuring they stick to it. If the SCBA is successful in this project, military dictators and military dictatorships will be things of the past.
S. KHALID HUSAIN
Karachi
WITH the appointment of the new vice chancellor, Prof (Dr) Nilofer Shaikh, a silver lining has appeared on the horizon of Shah Abdul Latif University that the university will improve the standard of education and will grow as one of the respected institutions of higher education.
It may be noted that Dr Nilofer Shaikh happens to be the first woman professor ever to be appointed as head of any university in Sindh and second in Pakistan after the appointment of Prof. Kaneez Yousaf as vice chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azam University by the ZAB government in the 1970s.
Undoubtedly, Prof Shaikh is a dedicated teacher and researcher. But she has inherited a university that is riddled with barrage of problems, ranging from low quality of human resources, growing financial indiscipline, corruption-ridden administration and highly politicised teaching community. Overall, these problems have undermined the growth of the university as one of the credible institutions.
Being a senior colleague and one of the indefatigable campaigners against continuous decline of educational standards at SALU, I hope that Dr Nilofer Shaikh would resolutely strive hard to promote education and restore the lost credibility of the university by taking right decisions in the interest of the university.
To realise this goal, the new vice chancellor has to take swift and drastic measures such as making efforts to enhance the quality of human resources, revamping the administration and purging it of corrupt and inefficient elements and holding them accountable for looting the university resources, establishing accountability of teachers and administration and improving the structure of governance.
If the measures mentioned above are not taken, I don't think there will be any tangible change in the academic environment of Shah Abdul Latif University.
MANZOOR ALI ISRAN,
Shah Abdul Latif University,
Khairpur
IT is enlightening news that Prof (Dr) Nilofer Shaikh has been appointed vice chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.
As Dr Shaikh has been serving the varsity since 1978, she must be knowing the problems facing it. She must cleanse the Augean stable to augur a new era of academic prowess.
She should also build a residential campus to provide its own environ of township and sane society, balance localisation with recruitment from other places to give campus a provincial colour on merit, with rigorous training in outside public institutes to create a comparative competence and provision of update infrastructures for research, computerisation of examination, etc, to save the state of rapid deterioration of Shah Abdul Latif University.
PROF. MOONIS AYAZ SHAIKH
Shah Abdul Latif University,
Khairpur
THE killing by security forces or suicide of Abdullah Mehsud (Noor Alam), a commander of local Taliban, has removed a thorn in the northwestern side.
His list of crimes, because of which his head money was five million rupees, includes abduction of Chinese engineers — murder of one of them — organising sneak attacks and suicide bombing on security forces and recruiting boys and young men into the Taliban group.
His accomplices were the local Taliban if they were inside Pakistan, and were the Afghan Taliban if they crossed over to Afghanistan. Such recruits brought angry accusation from Kabul that Pakistan was not able to stop its Taliban's infiltration.
But his presence in Zhob may give a wrong impression that other wanted Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives may be hiding in Pakistan's tribal areas. In fact, Afghan President Karzai (aided by the US and Nato forces, Northern Alliance and their friends in India) has been harping on the same string that Pakistan's tribal areas have become a safe haven for terrorists. They all had the same purpose which is now manifested by Washington's intentions to launch a blithely unilateral military incursion into Pakistan. We must denounce it in strong terms.
A thorn removed or some more added, Pakistan should announce that any single bullet fired into Pakistan from air or land would immediately revoke the alliance with coalition forces. In the fight against terror minus the strong arm of Pakistan, the US would never win against the Afghans. The erstwhile Soviet Union could not defeat them. They are our neighbours and we know them for centuries and Americans know them for a quarter of a century only.
M.K. NAQVI
Karachi
I HAVE recently returned to my country and have been working in Islamabad in the area of oil exploration. I am concerned with environment protection. One of the first things that I read on joining my first job was the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act which was enacted in the later half of the 1990s.
Every morning when I drive to work in the Blue Area, I need to pass an extremely large and extended hole in the ground where a huge new building project is coming up. My friends who live in F 8 and will come under the shadow of this complex have explained to me how this building will affect their lives and that of others in the city.
Further, I have read with interest some articles that have appeared in the press criticising this project, which is currently operating illegally as it has not undergone an environmental impact assessment and public hearing.
My friend fears that her ground water will be depleted due to the deep bore dug for construction work, and she complained about the terrible vibration when piling was in progress on the site.
And all this without the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) bringing the work to a halt or at least activating the environmental tribunal as is required by the Act, instead of just sending pointless warning letters to the builders, which I was told PEPA has done regularly since early 2006. Who are they trying to fool?
It is very disturbing that an EIA company with an American name, which did the long delayed EIA report while the Gulf builders continued to work on the site knowing that the act of piling, digging and any work on the site was illegal. In America, as over here, such a company would be blacklisted for working on a site and for a company which was involved in an illegal act.
Will PEPA use its teeth or tear up its valueless Act if it cannot use it on this blatant violation. A much delayed public hearing is no longer a way out.
The views expressed are personal and are not those of my employer.
DR FARHAT ULLAH KAMBAR
Islamabad
THE government has given unjustified tax exemptions to those who are rich and ought to pay taxes. No tax is levied on incomes made from stock market trading. As a result, those making incomes of billions of rupees do not contribute towards taxes.
As per the Economic Survey 2006 2007 ( Table 6.2), issued by the ministry of finance, aggregate market capitalisation of shares increased from Rs392 billion in 2000 to Rs3,569 billion in 2007 but the income of Rs3,177 billion was not taxed.
In contrast, citizens are required to pay tax at the rate of 10 per cent on their profit from savings deposits. This rate corresponds to tax slab of income exceeding Rs400,000 but not exceeding Rs500,000.
The tax authorities are not interested in collecting taxes from the richest sections of society. It is sad that speculators who have made incomes of thousands of billions of rupees in the real estate market are likewise exempt from tax.
People deserve fair and equal treatment. Those who are the richest ought to pay higher taxes and all unjust exemptions ought to be withdrawn. It is hoped that the authorities concerned will take action and make the tax system fair and judicious.
MUHAMMAD YOUNAS
Islamabad
IT is quite enigmatic to come across something ‘perfectly correct but at the same time lacking substance and accuracy’ as contended by Sardar Ahmed Shah Jan in his letter ‘Ahmed Shah Abdali Durrani’ (July 30), which is in response to your editorial, ‘Zahir Shah’s country’ (July 25).
Besides this uncanny statement, certain historical facts need modifications due to misplaced notions carried in the letter.
Nadir Shah who founded the Afsharid dynasty was Afsharid Turkmen by descent and not Persian. It was he who created the great Iranian Empire that briefly encompassed Iran, northern India and parts of Central Asia. He won battles against the Afghans, Ottomans and Mughals.
Looking to his growing influence, even the powerful Russia had to sign peace treaty with him. For his military genius, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia or the second Alexander. However, shortly after the assassination of this last great military commander of Asia, his empire quickly disintegrated. From the ashes of it was raised the Zand dynasty of Iran in the east and in the west Afghanistan extending up to the left bank of the River Indus with Mashed that came under Abdadlis. The Sindh though attained autonomy, yet remained a vassal state but Punjab remained under the control of Delhi.
Thus Ahmed Shah (1722-72) of Sadozai branch of Abdali tribe (others being Barakzais offspring of Muhammadzais, Musa Zais, Alikozais and Popalzais of whose offshoot is Sadozai) become the first emir of Afghanistan and founder of the dynasty of the Abdali tribe. It was after the murder of his benefactor Nadir Shah by his Qazilbash guards that assembly of Pashtun chiefs elected him in 1747 king of Afghanistan.
The new leader of Afghans changed his title from Khan to Shah assuming name of Durrani (pearl of pearls), bestowed on him by Pir Sabir Shah.
King Ahmed Shah Durrani during his 30 years rule invaded India for eight times. Excepting the fifth invasion when he fought against Marathas confederacy at Panipat, his remaining expeditions were against Muslim power in India. After each incursion, especially when he sacked Delhi, he took enormous booty to Afghanistan. He not only emasculated the Mughal supremacy thoroughly but made the Sikh community extremely militant and hostile, fighting with them in each expedition.
By his eighth and last invasion (1766) the Sikhs became so emboldened that even the baggage of Shah was not spared and plundered mercilessly. After the Shah left, Punjab finally came under the control of Sikhs who ruled there till the British took over in 1849.
Ahmed Shah left 23 sons. During next 25 years the royal princes plotted and intrigued at the possession of Afghan throne while their empire fell apart around them. Three different brothers briefly secured the throne, one of them twice, each soon falling victim to one another.
In 1818, Dost Mohammad Barkazai, youngest son of Payandah Khan Barakzai, in retaliation of his father’s murder challenged and defeated Shah Mahmud Durrani of Sadozais near Kabul and became first Amir of the Barakzai clan.
Now I leave it to readers to judge whether King Ahmed Shah was a ‘giant in the annals of military history and art of leadership’ and whether he was an empire builder who adopted policy of ‘conquest and appeasement and put together Muslim empire’ (as claimed by Mr Jan) or the person who turned out to be one of the major causes of the decline of Muslim rule in India.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
SEVENTY per cent revenue of the country is generated from Karachi. Karachi’s Saddar is the hub of commercial activity and provides business opportunities to millions of people. Due to lack of attention by authorities concerned, Saddar no more gives a clean and tidy presentation. Stagnant water, heaps of filth and garbage, gutter water, broken roads and traffic mess are some of the characteristics of this area.
If you visit the Empress Market, you will find every corner stinking with no proper management of the shops. There are encroachments and the narrow passages meant for people to use are occupied by small shopkeepers.
Zaibunnisa Street, once the showpiece of Karachi which was visited by Queen Elizabeth in the 1960s, gives a very dismal look.
It is time the authorities concerned launched a crash programme for uplifting and improvement of Sadder.
LT-COL (r) IRFAN HAIDER
Karachi
INDIA has raised an Indian cricket league (ICL). India has plans to attract top cricketers from other nations at a lucrative price. India has an eye on cricket bigs who are at the peak of performance or who hold promise to give honours to their country. Introducing the scheme of the ICL, India plans to buy our talent, existing and promising.
Inzamam, our top batting wizard, not yet finished, is already trapped. The glitter of gold is scintillating, indeed. The rest of our go-getters are on the list. Anyone left out of 11 will be roped in by the ‘spoilers’.
Just imagine the headache for the selectors of all cricketing nations, except India.
The creation of the ICL (Indian Cricket League) is based on unethical grounds and should not be approved by the ICC.
BRIG (r) A. Q. ANJUM
Rawalpindi
IT is unfortunate that in the recent meeting with US President George Bush in America Karzai mentioned about 85,000 children saved by George Bush.
As a Muslim he should have only thanked Allah for their safety and not Bush. In every other statement he mentioned great things done by Bush to Afghanistan. It really hurts that being a Muslim he considers Bush is remedy for all problems in his country.
ABDUR RAHIM
Karachi
PRIME Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe while apologizing to Hiroshima atomic bomb attack survivors reiterated Japan’s commitment not to develop Japan’s own atomic bomb. He must be aware that it was not Japan’s nuclear bomb which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki and caused death to hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese. Also that Japan’s commitment is not only not to develop Japan’s own nuclear bomb but also to non-proliferation, the only reason of stopping Pakistan’s economical aid by Japan after 1998 nuclear detonation, despite being Pakistan’s natural defensive reflex action.
Shinzo Abe’s qualified statement “Not to develop Japan’s own nuclear bomb” makes one apprehensive of Japan’s honouring its constitutional commitment, and to Arms Control Association as and when US-India Nuclear Agreement 123 comes up for vote in Nuclear Supplier Group. Will Japan exercise its veto?
AN ARDENT JAPANESE SUPPORTER
Karachi
APROPOS of the news item, Iran sentences two journalists to death (Aug 2), it is clarified here that the attorney of the defendants has said that these two journalists were not arrested on a charge of violating the Press and Publication Act or breach of civil and human rights cases but in fact the court has convicted them of involvement in subversive activities like spying and jeopardising national security.
More importantly, during the proceedings these convicts have confessed in the court that they were supplying arms and ammunition to a terrorist group in Iraqi Kurdistan some time back.
PRESS & PUBLICATION SECTION
Consulate-General of Iran,
Lahore
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