| November 01, 2007 | Thursday | Shawwal 19, 1428 |
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Why democracy?
D.J. College: alumni’s view
Wake-up call for CAA
Patronised encroachments
The lost children?
Thank you PTCL!
Elements out to foster fear
DSL connection
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
DR Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article, ‘It is our war’ (Oct 21), should serve as an SOS to all our fellow citizens, especially to all our stock of liberal and democratic orientation.
Unlike the great loss of life we have so far suffered in the terrorist attacks linked with sectarian and ethnic strife, the attack on Benazir Bhutto’s procession is markedly different .It challenges the very ethos of our political culture now surging with our democratic aspirations.
The professor rightly complains that the attack ‘has not led to a full-throated condemnation of extremism’. In fact, the people all over the country do have great grief and anger that naturally goes with such an incident, but their sentiment is not being relayed to keep secure the political interest of dominant groups and influential lobbies.
On the contrary, the detractors of Ms Bhutto are engaged in an exercise to determine the payment made to each participant of the millions who were in the carnival and are also bracing up to declare the incident as a political drama. Compare the contrast with the Lal Masjid episode when our Urdu print and electronic media remained little short of declaring the real perpetrators of terror and crime as our holy saints.
Imagine for a moment the peasants of Okara military farm in the defiant role of Lal Masjid clerics or think of Mazdoor Kissan Party enforcing its writ in North Waziristan and settled areas from Bannu to Swat. What a hell would have then broken loose on the media.
It may be cruel to designate our Urdu media as reactionary and bigoted, nevertheless its role supportive of establishment and media trial of its opponents, especially the character assassination of the Bhuttos in most bizarre terms, remain legitimately open to questioning. In its current phase where the electronic media takes precedence, it has still not thrown off its yoke and continues transmitting hollow patriotism and obscurantism in all its detail under the influence of Ziaist lobby and its B team. It is not free to impart objective opinion but takes all freedom in playing to the gallery in its expediently bipartisan role.
The English news media is more responsible and objective in voicing the liberal opinion and is acknowledged for its progressive orientation.
We are fighting the war against terrorism on the two fronts. The one in which we are engaged on our western border and the other one, separately, throughout the length and breadth of the country. We can disown the former, which is distinct with the challenge we face from the forces of religious bigotry and fanaticism inside our homeland.
The latter is a war linked with our own history and in that we pick up its thread when it came first when our great Quaid was subjected to a terrorist attack by the bigots of a fascist party during the course of our struggle for Pakistan.
Second, it came to the fore in the assassination of our first prime minister. Later on it became more pronounced with the terror let loose in the name of religion by military dictator Zia and his B team who also committed the judicial murder of another of our prime minister. Then it came in full swing during the MMA’s rule in the NWFP.
In confronting the enemy at home, we have come a long way beginning with our polemics on the critical question of giving up the state of Pakistan under the suzerainty and control of theocracy to the resistance offered to the cultural and all other forms of tyranny, including the infamous Hudood Ordinance during Zia’s dictatorship.
No party other than the PPP remained on the forefront to singularly take on the forces of religious bigotry, extremism and fanaticism.
These are dangerous times when the forces of extremism and terror inside the country are gaining more and more political strength. We must carry out unitedly our war against obscurantism, religious bigotry, extremism and this time till finish as the mother battle to restore the Quaid’s Pakistan with all his ideals where everyone will be free to worship his own religion but it will have nothing to do with the business of the state.
AHMED RAZI SIDDIQUI
Karachi
I QUOTE below a letter, which I sent to Benazir Bhutto on June 26, 1989, when she was the prime minister, knowing that I might not get a response; most probably she would not even get a chance to read it.
I am sending this letter, through these columns now, hoping that she would read it and care to answer. Also, as I feel that this is an appropriate time to ponder over the questions raised in my letter, I would like to put the same questions to Nawaz Sharif, if he cares to answer.
“I am a staunch supporter and a dedicated worker of the PPP. I made my contribution, as best as I could, during the November 1988 elections. I am really glad that God Almighty accepted the sacrifices of the PPP leadership and workers and that by His Grace the party came into power.
“There is no doubt that policies of the dictatorial governments have brought the country’s economic conditions in all sectors to a point of disaster. As soon as the elections were over, I started putting my thoughts together, but have not been able to put them in the form of elaborate discussion papers because of heavy official and social preoccupations.
“While actions are being taken and will continue to be taken for improvement of economic conditions, it’s time we reviewed what change democracy has brought in the functioning of the government.
“Why do people want democracy? What is the difference between democracy and autocracy? Is it only the manner in which to get into power or is there a difference in the way the two types of government function? If the two types of government, after coming into power, should run the affairs of the state in the same manner, why should people want democracy and give sacrifices for restoring it?
“One of the many differences between autocracy and democracy is that people get what they do ‘by privilege’ in the former, whereas they get it ‘by right’ in the latter. Has this happened in the recent change of the government?
“In most cases, ‘privilege’ still seems to be the criterion for getting one’s due share. One of the examples is the recent announcement by the CDA, Islamabad, for allotment of residential plots in D-12 and E-12 sectors, the same old principle has been followed. A big percentage of plots have been reserved for allotment to privileged persons, be they in the class close to the government circles, professionals, persons living overseas or other classes.
“If any ‘class’ which deserves getting preferences over other for a residential plot in Islamabad, then that is the class of people working and living in Islamabad. Home is a basic necessity and the need is more acute for those working and living in Islamabad than those who are living overaseas and outside of Islamabad. Persons living outside Islamabad would like to get plots allotted only to sell them for higher prices and make money.
“I hope that you will please excuse my taking this liberty. I am doing so in right earnest, considering it my duty to point out to you if I feel that something is not in the ultimate interest of the party, though it may not look so serious.”
SHAHABUDDIN KHAN
Islamabad
I HAVE read with interest Dawn’s three reports by your correspondent.
Historically, the building belongs to the D.J. College which owes its existence to the efforts of Bulchand Dayaram and Daulatram Jethamal, the foundation stone of which was laid by Lord Dufferin, viceroy of India, on Nov 14, 1887 on a map prepared by architect J. Stratchan, the then secretary of Karachi Municipality.
At the time of making of Pakistan the Sindh Collegiate Board was running the D.J. Science College, D.J. Arts College, the NED Engineering College, B. A. A. Commerce College and S.C. Shahani Law College. The arts and the law colleges were illegally occupied by the so-called Sindh Muslim Education Society, the NED was handed over to Sindh PWD and the science and commerce colleges were taken over by the Sindh government under the able principalship of Prof A. L. Sheikh.
The engineering branch of D.J. College, started by principal Dr M.L. Jackson in its early years and housed in the D. J. compound, was transformed into a fully-fledged engineering college by the efforts of principal S. C. Shahani in 1922 and generous donations of a few philanthropists in obtaining its recognition from Bombay University. This suggests that the NED Engineering College was a part of the D.J. College.
The D.J. Sindh College had engineering classes, which matured into the NED Civil Engineering College in 1922. The NED Engineering College was housed in the same compound and governed by the same board of governors. The NED College has no separate building; it was housed in the rear portion of the D.J. College. No separate plot was bought for it.
The NED Engineering College was shifted to its new campus on Sept 30, 1975, and has become a university. The principal of D.J. College lodged the claim for the return of NED-occupied building at that time.
Later in 1992 the NED University filed a suit, No. 270/92, for declaration, possession and permanent injunction which was dismissed by the High Court by an order dated Sept 26, 2005. The NED University preferred an appeal, No. 271/2005, which is pending before the High Court of Sindh at Karachi. The legal ownership of the portion of building occupied by the NED University is yet to be decided by the High Court, and NED has no right to alter or make any additional construction.
Moreover, the building is protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act, which has prescribed rules if a person or institution wishes to carry out any construction work. The Act prescribes prison terms and fines for violators. No mandatory permission of the advisory committee for Sindh cultural heritage and subsequent approval of the Karachi Building Control Authority has been obtained.
CHAGHTAI MIRZA EIJAZUDDIN
Chairman, D.J. College Alumni Foundation
Karachi
THIS refers to the two letters entitled ‘Wake-up call for CAA’ (Sept 26 and Oct 14) by Abrar Ahmed of Faisalabad and Ahmed Bilal of Karachi, respectively. Mr Bilal has tried to picture the whole scenario regarding CAA advertisement No.15/2007 so simple and one dimensional, favouring only one particular section of our society.
Since the inception of Pakistan our government and public sector have been made hostage to a certain section of our society who thinks that they own this country and are the saviour of our nation.
With this mindset no new idea, planning and execution is possible unless suitably qualified people are inducted into every department of our society. The Civil Aviation Authority is no exception to the above fact.
The Civil Aviation Authority controls and regulates the civil and commercial aviation of our country.
Today’s technological developments pose great challenges to our CAA, which has still not come out of our colonial past.
For God sake, wake up and let merit and talent take control of our destiny.
The CAA needs people with commercial aviation experience, with sound knowledge and expertise to work on modern commercial jet aircraft.
Pakistan is strategically located on the world map and is situated in a very busy air corridor with all kinds of airlines of the world using our airports and airspace.
We need to upgrade our CAA to modern international standards. This can only be achieved if suitable and adequately qualified people are taken in all cadres of the CAA.
As evident by the different letters on the subject, it is the logical demand of our commercial aviation personnel to have their due share in the CAA’s new projected setup.
ZAHID MEHMOOD
Islamabad
WHILE the city district government of Karachi is finalising the phase of carpeting main roads, the dug-up service lanes and footpaths remain at status quo in entire Gulistan-i-Jauhar.
On the other hand, certain unscrupulous elements with the support of some dishonest officials are making illegal allotments of ‘patronised encroachments’ on road, service lanes and footpaths in blocks 15 to 19, particularly in the most commercial and thickly populated area between Jauhar Morr and Jauhar Chowrangi.
The encroachers, taking new possession of illegally allocated spaces, were in use and occupation of some space within the same area against payment of fixed extortions under patronage of evil genius people.
Tens of fresh flower sellers have permanently fixed their wooden khokas on the main road and footpaths around Jauhar Chowrangi, denying pedestrians of walkway across the roundabout.
On other side of Jauhar Chowrangi, toward blocks 13 and 15, several trucks, large buses, mini-buses, coasters, Suzuki vans, yellow cabs and autorickshaw drivers have possessed large space on he main road and service lanes as their parking lot, which is in their permanent use and occupation, causing narrowness of road space resulting in un-called-for congestion and traffic jams.
It is very interesting that there is a police checkpost, just opposite to this illegal parking lot, and the police officials posted here, instead of establishing writ of government, patronise these encroachments for their self-interest, inconveniencing public.
One old ‘encroacher’ disclosed that the rates of space vary as per its location. According to him, the organisers of encroachments charge Rs130 per space on footpath facing main road, Rs100 per space on service road, Rs80 on streets and Rs200 from restaurants for placing chairs and tables on footpath/service road for open sky food service from evening till late night hours.
In addition to ‘bhatta’ charge on a daily basis, they also receive free fruits, vegetables and each product from the encroachers as well as free food from restaurants for entire group.
The total amount of so collected ‘jagga tax’ is distributed among area-wise gangs and certain officials of the police for protection, Cantonment Board Faisal for using space and throwing garbage on green belt, the KESC for kunda electricity and KWSB for illegal water connection at some places.
It is most disappointing to note that these patronised encroachers have restarted damaging main roads and destroying the beauty of the area, as well as bringing a bad name to the government.
The chief secretary of Sindh and the director-general of Military Lands and Cantonments are requested to direct the relevant heads of the department under their control to arrange removal of these encroachments and take disciplinary action against officials involved in their patronising.
SYED MOHSIN RAZA
Karachi
Z. A. JALALI, quoting the BBC, informs us about the serious mental health problems of the children and women in North and South Waziristan because of constant and severe violence there which could cause long-term or irreversible damage (letter, Oct 4).
Columnist Peter Beaumount wrote in this newspaper (Feb 12, 2003) that about five years ago a Unicef-supported survey of the children of the Rafah region in Palestine, which was also accepted by it, said that they suffered from crying, speech disorder, regression, etc, because of years of violence (Isaeli) in the region and that the children may have withdrawn from the normal life because of constant sense of fear and helplessness.
For the sake of soon enough medical care of the Waziri children and women, let deeds take place for Islamabad’s wishes.
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
I thank the PTCL for providing telephone numbers 5027290 and 5027291 after several months of rigorous follow-up and a dozen visits to their exchange. However, these telephones seldom worked and have been out of order for more than a year.
I, request the PTCL to take the above telephones back and disconnect them altogether for I do not have enough patience to follow them further.
Further, telephone numbers 4505111, 450245, 4508777 and 450254 have been out of order for about four months and, consequently, I had to take a new connection to be in touch with the outside world.
NAVAID M. KHAN
Karachi
STATE Department official Tom Casey has been reported in the news (Oct 20) giving American views on assassination attempt on Benazir Bhutto on Oct 19 during her procession march planned up to the mussoleum of the Quaid-i Azam but intercepted by bomb blast at the Karsaz point on Sharae Faisal.
Mr Casey is quoted to have said: “Those responsible seek only to foster fear and limit freedom”. The accuracy in this American observation is commendable. Yes, it seems to be the act of those who consider their present political power as their throne which they will not share with anyone.
It is now obligatory on the president to take this matter into his hand to identify people of such attitude in the government and ensure the exposure of the elements responsible for this grave crime.
Terrorism in the country has progressed not arithmetically but algorithmically. Earlier one or two bullets used to be spent for the killing of a single target. Now it is a huge quantity of fatal explosives spent at one go to target a mob of people at a time. If the authority and initiative of the president is delayed in checking this trend today, it will grow to an extent that the terrorists will be encouraged even to take on an armed military contingent in their struggle to gain more power for themselves and seize freedom of the masses.
While a lot of criticism is dealt to the US on other pretexts in this country, this one accurate opinion coming from the US should be upheld and taken by the president as a guideline to start investigations in the right direction to reach the real culprits, cut their resources and power and expose them to the masses in order to provide safety of life and property to the common man.
M. M. Khan
Karachi
IN the second week of July, a DSL connection/modem was installed on my telephone No. 6643492. Right from day one it was not working and those who installed knew that.
Thereafter I made numerous complaints at 1236, spoke to the supervisor at 0333-3025665, spoke to the manager and wrote a letter to the GM on Sept 5.
But nothing happens. Every effort was made (from 17 to 1236 and others) to inquire about the telephone or fax number of the boss of Broadband (Pakistan) Ltd. But they say we are not allowed to reveal the telephone number.
Even President Musharraf has a website and he can be contacted but not the PTCL or Broadband boss.
TARIQ DURRANI
Karachi
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