| August 10, 2007 | Friday | Rajab 25, 1428 |
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A tale of two lands
Pessimistic mindset
60 years of Pakistan
Some good deeds
Employing domestic servants: security
Can the Arabs see?
Ex-cricketers
Potter fraud
Doctors on TV
Is Obama naive?
Third class citizen
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
IN recent weeks, many American officials and politicians have adopted a very threatening posture towards Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The latest of these include presidential hopefuls Barack Obama (Democrat) and Tom Tancredo (Republican) as also the Underof State Nicholas Burns.
In case of Pakistan, their warning is of attacking areas inside the country in order to eliminate Al Qaeda and the Taliban, while Saudi Arabia is being accused of working at crossto the US plans in Iraq by aiding the Sunni militants.
Mr Tancredo has even suggested the collective punishment of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims by bombing their holiest sites of Makkah and Madina, if the militants launch another attack on his country. When Osama bin Laden' (OBL) talks of similarly punishing the ordinary Americans for the doings of their government, then it is seen as terrorism.
Anyway, what the Americans (or anybody else) don't seem to have realised is that the petrifying fear of being targeted by an Al Qaeda nuclear bomb or other WMDs is the retribution for having dropped two atomic bombs on the innocent civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a punishment for Tokyo's warmongering. A staggering 200,000 Japanese had been vapourised or perished in those attacks. They also killed 3 million Vietnamese and a million Muslims. Ironically, a current hit by the American singer Justin Timberlake says, “What goes around comes around". The arrogance of power had kept the US leaders of the time, as it is doing now, from remembering this truism.
As far as Mr Obama is concerned, only a few days back he was publicly sparring with Hillary Clinton, saying that unlike her, instead of refusing to talk with such 'enemies' of the US as Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea, he would be willing to meet their leaders (Dawn, July 30). Why is he using a different standard for the Taliban and Al Qaeda?
Some people argue that these terrorists are a totally different breed who aren’t amenable to reason. They are reminded the Taliban are willing to talk, while that OBL had been a CIA man until the end of the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. His only quarrel with the US surfaced when he objected to the US servicemen and women in the Holy Land (Saudi Arabia) wearing immodest dress or engaging in objectionable behaviour, due to which he wanted American forces to be withdrawn.
Similarly, the Taliban, who had been financially supported by Washington until about 1999, were willing to hold a trial of OBL themselves under Islamic laws or in a mutually acceptable Muslim country, if the US provided evidence of his wrongdoing. Furthermore, they had totally eradicated opium and established peace in Afghanistan, while their strict version of Islam could have then been moderated over time. However, the Americans arrogantly refused to listen and, instead, launched a massive attack on their country. Thus, both these entities are selfdemons of the US.
Mr Burns is, on the one hand, calling Pakistan a `friend' whose sovereignty they respect, but on the other has also threatened to attack it. How can you both respect and violate a country's sovereignty?
Another argument being advanced without proof is that the US intelligence agencies have determined that OBL and Taliban leadership have moved to Pakistan and established safe havens over there, from where the Al Qaeda is supervising the insurgency in Iraq.
If I say that OBL has recently moved to Mexico or Cuba, minus his Turban and beard but with a WMD, which he plans to deliver personally to his enemies, the Americans will certainly ask for proof. That is precisely what Islamabad also wants.
Personally, I still believe that most Americans are good people who don't deserve to be subjected to terrorism. However, the problem is that, as citizens of a democratic country it is their responsibility to keep their government from making unfair policies, such as the occupation of Iraq against the advice of many European and Muslim countries. The result of this has been the lessening of the Americans’ security. If they now also enter Pakistan, they will probably manage to create millions of suicide bombers, who will make life even more painful for the US and its allies.
K. CHAUDHRY
Karachi
With some 30 years of banking experience behind him, my brother was, till late working as an external auditor for a leading Gulf based bank that has an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis on its staff.
While conducting audit of a local branch in Islamabad, my bother detected serious irregularities including fudging of figures in the bank's 'un-reconciled account'.
Before he could dig deep, he was asked to stop. Lucrative offers that later turned into threats notwithstanding, the auditor reported the matter to his management maintaining that he cannot be disloyal either to himself or to his organisation.
But instead of being valued for his rectitude and for helping the institution, his services were rudely terminated.
In another land called USA, my son–in-law, who recently joined a Bank of America was declared the 'number one banker' for his outstanding breakthrough sales performance.
The management did not take into account his Pakistani descent nor did it discriminate to acknowledge his labour, honesty and perseverance.
One is reminded of the great banking empire that the late Agha Hasan Abedi had put together in 72 countries and that had nearly 100 per cent of its staff as Pakistanis.
One morning auditors walked into the bank's London office to bring down the empire amidst allegations of massive fudging of accounts and other malpractices.
There may be numerous factors that make the US or Europe's domination in the global financial market today. But one aspect perhaps precedes all others; their institutions value people with character and concurrently apply rule of law without discrimination.
Former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz had to step down from his position after he was known to have extended monetary favours to his girl friend
Today the Muslim world bleeds from disrespect for the sublime and inviolable values of Islam. In strongly preserving values like, courage under odds, honesty and moral uprightness while the societies in the west continue to prosper.
Muslim world cannot attain 'falah' so long as it continues to show contempt for justice.
COMMANDER (r) M. AZAM KHAN
Lahore
MOHAMMAD Ahmad's letter, "The national mindset" (July 21) points to the prevailing pessimism among Muslim intellectuals of Pakistan and perhaps the entire Muslim world.
Any cultural anthropologist will tell us that mindsets or world views cannot be changed in a hurry. It takes generations. One starting point for bringing modernity to Muslim societies will be to overhaul religious education.
School curricula must include liberal arts courses in comparative religion, world and Islamic history, sociology and anthropology, political science Islamic law, science, and theology. This will expand the mental horizons of the younger generations.
Unlike Christianity, Muslim societies do not have a hierarchy of priesthood, nor do they provide for a livelihood to the graduates of the madrassas. The latter must change.
Numerous verses from the holy Quran and pronouncements of Prophet Mohammad emphasise respect for both Christianity and Judaism.
The paradigms of western societies operate at an entirely different level and often are interpreted as western intrusions of western societies upon Muslims.
The infamous speech of Pope Benedict, the Danish cartoon controversy, and the banning of hijab for Muslim school girls in France are cases in point.
The Pope expressed regrets that Muslims misinterpreted his intent and were misguided enough to be offended by his words. He did not regret the insensitivity of his utterances nor did he acknowledge the bloody history of Christianity.
While the "freedom" to wear hijab for Muslim girls was taken away, the Europeans invoked the "freedom" of the press in defense of the offensive cartoon making the ethnocentrism of the Europeans so blatantly obvious.
The West and Islam must engage in a meaningful dialogue which requires looking both inward and outward.
KHWAJA A HASAN
Wadsworth, IL. USA
IN RELATION to the upcoming 60th anniversary of Pakistan's and India's independence, BBC has been running been running a series of documentaries (mostly covering India).
While BBC has a bias towards portraying India in a favourable light, glossing over the problems faced by the 800 million people not part of the up and middle class, the documentaries are not far off from the truth.
Watching the images, it was ironic to note that the country founded by the dhoti wearer is entering the 21 century as a confident Nation in control of its destiny, led by men who place national interests at the forefront.
On the flip-side the Nation founded by an articulate, sophisticated man has regressed to the brink of barbaric tribalism (rural and urban) along religion, ethic and racial lines.
While it should be a time to celebrate, I'm not sure if there is anything to celebrate. Perhaps it is a time for sombre reflection, to learn lessons and make a determined effort to put the wrongs right.
Leaders shape a nation but people select the leaders, so really is it our collective fault that we are in the predicament that we are in.
Perhaps we should stop blaming the politicians and the generals and the Americans and the Indians and take a bit of individual responsibility. We are unlikely to sit at the top table anytime soon but we can make a start by at least joining the mainstream. Live and let live.
ARSALAN KAMAL
United Kingdom
THE other day I received a phone call from Sindh Chief Minister House from the CM’s doctor. This time instead of requesting for a dental appointment for the CM or his family, the government doctor requested that “a non-believer has converted to Islam and CM Sahib has requested you to undertake his complete dental treatment urgently as he is in pain, and send the bill to CM for payment.”
Thinking that some opposition member has shifted loyalties to the government benches and hence this largesse, an appointment was arranged.
The next day I was surprised to see a teenage villager at my clinic along with the CM House doctor. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was a common villager who had recently converted to Islam with a newly acquired beautiful Islamic name, and our good CM had undertaken upon himself to impart Islamic teachings to him, through a teacher, and also take care of all his needs. He had multiple dental problems and his treatment bill came to more than Rs100,000 which was also going to be happily taken care of by the CM himself.
In these times when we spare no opportunity to criticise our rulers at the drop of a hat, I feel such good deeds with no political angles should be appreciated also.
DR MAHMOOD SHAH
Karachi
THE news regarding domestic servants who runs away after committing theft, robbery, rape or murder in their employer’s house are often published in the newspapers. In many cases domestic servants have been found involved in child molestation and child abduction. Sometimes professional criminals also seek employment in houses purposely for their vested interested.
Domestic servants are generally employed to work on full-time basis and also made to stay in the employer’s house for convenience of the employers and become part and parcel of the house and gradually come to know about every thing in the house. People while employing domestic servants generally do not ask them for their identifications. In case a domestic servant commits a crime in the house and runs away then it becomes very difficult for the police to trace him without having any means of his or her identification and correct home addresses.
In this regard the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) have provided excellent information on their web site: www.cplc.org.pk, that in accordance with Rule-15, Part-I of the Sindh Government Gazette, June 3, 1999 “Registration of Domestic Servant”, every employer shall have his domestic servant registered with the Police Station concerned on payment of Rs. 20/- within 15 days of his appointment in accordance with Form “B”. This form can either be obtained from the area Police Station or it can be downloaded by opening the web site of the CPLC.
On receipt of said Registration Form, the SHO of the Police Station shall maintain the record of each domestic servant in quadruplicate; one copy shall be retained at the Police Station, one copy shall be transmitted each to District Superintendent of Police Office and CPLC which shall computerize the record and one copy shall be provided to the employer duly stamped and signed by the SHO.
The employer shall inform the Police Station within seven days of termination of or quitting of the service by a Registered Domestic Servant. However, non-registration of domestic servant by the employer with Local Police Station shall make the employer liable for abatement if such domestic servant is found involved in any offence at any stage.
Similarly, to ensure that National Identify Card of domestic servant is not fake it can be verified from the local NADRA office.
By following the above suggestions you will not only create deterrence for the dishonest and criminal minded domestic servants but also minimize the risk of becoming a victim to them.
SQN LDR (r) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
SALE of arms is big business, in bonus comes the espionage benefits and employment of citizens on greasy oil money. Compare the $30bn American grant to Israel with the $20bn sale of arms to Arabs.
It is all for one cause, they claim: to contain Iran. Earlier there was Iran-Iraq war and sale of arms to Iraq for the same cause, to contain Iran.
Then there was Iran-Contra affair. America must be grateful for the existence of Iran. Blind may see but can the Arabs see?
A.S. NIZAMANI
Hyderabad
IT is a fact that the game of cricket is declining and the reason is not the game itself but the persons involved in cricket matters, directly or indirectly. The sports governing body can be counted as a major reason for its decline and performance. However, what are the ex-cricketers doing? It is well known that criticism comes from former cricketers after the failures -- whether it was World Cup 2007, continent vs continent idea, best team vs rest of world idea, new laws in one-day cricket etc.
Former cricketers like Ian Chappel, Imran Khan, Michael Holding, Ian Botham, Nasir Husssain etc. should see and observe the matters involved in ICC and make suggestions to rectify the flaws.
MANSOOR RIAZ
Karachi
FOR many weeks now Pakistan, like many countries around the world, has been gripped by the Potter mania. On the morning of July 21, however, many fans in Multan (including myself) received an appalling and disgraceful surprise.
My mother rushed to the bookstore that day to get me my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It took me till the morning of 22nd to finish the book and by that time I was in no doubt that I had been swindled! Somebody had written a fake Book 7, had hundreds of copies printed and then distributed it throughout Multan and God knows where else. I prove my suspicions with the help of www.mugglenet.com. They have a section on their site about the confirmed information on what JK Rowling had herself admitted would happen in the last book. My copy however had none of those details.
I was shocked to find later that many other people had been fooled like me into buying false copies from many of the most famous book stores of the city. I think that fraud on such a large scale is certainly worth investigating. Owners of respectable bookstores should also ensure, before stocking books, of their authenticity.
TOOBA ALI
Multan
FOR the past couple of years it has become common place to find doctors who come up on TV channels and advertise their medicines that claim to do miracles. Not only these doctors appear regularly on TV, they have made their place in newspapers. They challenge people and offer a money back guarantee.
Their claims for curing ailments are so high and seemingly so true, that no advanced technology can beat them. Thousands of poor and ignorant people waste their money on them especially in rural areas and slums of Pakistan where plunderers trap people as it can be easily done due to lack of medical facilities in those areas. The people who are harmed due to such doctors cannot even complain due to lack of awareness, education and money.
The ministry of health should keep a check and balance on these people that grow like weeds all around us. While all the ministers, cabinet, national assembly and parliament have access to the best hospitals in the world, most in the ailing nation have nothing to look up to except God.
SONIA J. SHAIKH
Karachi
IRONICALLY indeed, Obama fearlessly reiterated that he would attack Pakistan come what may should he become the President of USA. I think he is really oblivious to the fact that Pakistan is a nuclear country and knows how to protect itself when faced with a calamity.
Why did the people of Pakistan not react strongly to his remarks? Whenever any incident takes place — like the judicial crisis, May 12 or Lal Masjid — we find thousands of people on the roads raising slogans and taking out strikes/protest throughout the country. What about the private TV channels who take views from people across the country? What are their feelings on the remarks of Mr Obama?
Until and unless we start thinking about the prosperity and protection of our beloved country, no country will come to protect us in any case.
We must learn lessons from those countries which have already been attacked irrespective of any cause. Certain visible examples are before us which show how the US and its allies have played havoc with these countries. That should no longer be tolerated by us.
RASHEED A. MIRANI
Old Sukkur
THE other day a DawnNews TV staff was manhandled and assaulted, while on duty, at the UN office. We, Pakistanis, are in fact third class citizens in our own country.
Life has become more miserable for a civilian living in Islamabad. After the recent threats of suicide bombing, the civilians are just not allowed to enter the Naval and Airforce colonies located in the E-sectors, whether travelling in a car or otherwise, visiting hospital or on shopping, or simply jogging.
H. SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
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