| December 14, 2007 | Friday | Zilhaj 3, 1428 |
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Wanted – principled politics
Climate change
Kosovo versus Russia
US activists
Politics of Fazlur Rahman
Iranian embassy’s clarification
Putting on record
Feudal mindset
General (retd)
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 in response to Amjad Bhatti’s article, ‘The anatomy of protest’ (Dec 1). The writer has painstakingly analysed the ongoing protest and has raised some serious questions.
We must appreciate his good effort but as far as the question of public participation in this protest is concerned, he has certain doubts and is reluctant to call it a social movement.
It might be partially true that the movement, as the writer says, is largely viewed as an elites’ and intelligentsia’s movement. I wonder that in the view of Mr Bhatti the protesting groups like lawyers and journalists have failed to widen their struggle by not touching broader questions of governance and the everyday concerns of society.
My viewpoint is that we must keep it in our minds that these are professional people and it was necessary to speak first in legal or professional parlance. It is their right. But it has been witnessed that they have rather gone far beyond their professional limitations.
The firm attitude of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and the way of showing retaliation by some prominent lawyers against Pervez Musharraf gave inspiration to the masses to a great extent.
Many slogans that truly reflect the masses’ retaliating action against dictatorship have been raised in the protest gatherings of lawyers, journalists, civil society activists and students.
These people began to attain public support. Pervez Musharraf and the establishment timely apprehended this phenomenon turning into a large movement having the support of almost all segments of society. This was the reason that the army (rule) came into motion.
I am not convinced that only the professional approach of lawyers like Aitzaz Ahsan and TV anchors like Talat Hussain and Hamid Mir has angered the government, causing imposition of emergency, curbing of media and pressing the press. Emergency-cum-martial law was imposed, judges were deposed, lawyers were detained and tortured, human rights activists and some political figures were arrested and journalists were baton-charged not just because of their professional and personal (economic) interests, rather they directly or indirectly began to give projection to miseries, problems and demands of society.
Such type of resistance was not acceptable to the government. If the emergency had not been imposed, I am sure, only further four months were sufficient for their protest for taking shape of a massive movement. And it could have set a unique example for the first time in our political history that semi-political, social and professional groups filled the vacuum of political leadership.
In short, the positive role of the masses in this constitutional crisis, political anarchy and social unrest should not be misconceived. People at large have been protesting and will continue protesting against tyranny, injustice and suppression in the ‘given’ circumstances. Need is to analyse their protest from a different perspective.
RIAZ HUSSAIN
Islamabad
THE citizens of Pakistan are in a serious mood for change – a change in what defines politics and leadership. We are sick and tired of self righteous, self-serving leaders and believe passionately in the potential of Pakistan to stand tall amidst the nations of the world, if only we have honest and sincere leaders who can adhere to principles and serve the nation rather than serving their own vested interests.
In the current political scenario, members of civil society, including lawyers, human rights activists, media personnel, students, teachers and intellectuals are making their presence felt and it is hoped that their sentiments can be felt by the various politicians who must finally rise above their personal agendas and not disappoint us for the umpteenth time.
Only a part of the APDM seems to have risen to the occasion by boycotting the sham elections but their principled stance will be effective if Benazir Bhutto and other parties also show solidarity with the common aspirations of civil society and refuse to give legitimacy to all this delusional drama of the current establishment.
We wish the president had chosen to step down gracefully rather than sticking to his guns, and making civil society the target of his self-righteous wrath and annoyance. Eight years of power should have been enough.
Perhaps he can still redeem himself in the eyes of the nation if he can understand that enough is enough.
The citizens of Pakistan desperately want the strengthening of institutions, especially institutions which provide justice to the public and not simply the strengthening of individuals who can make or break the destiny of this potentially great country.
Not only the people of Pakistan, but people all over the world are in need of a change from the power politics of greed and oppression to the leadership of large-hearted and high-minded statesmen and associated intelligentsia who genuinely want to see the ‘global village’ prosper under a just world order.
The US in particular has to undo its ‘big bad bully’ image and not just live but let live as well. Aggression will only fuel more violence and hatred and it is time American citizens woke up to the ugly path their leadership has set them upon. Material wealth is not the only thing that defines greatness whether in individuals or in nations.
It is time that the US stopped playing a negative role in our politics as well, and have faith in the high-minded aspirations of so many citizens of Pakistan. That in effect will be the only way to a more lasting remedy to what they perceive as ‘terrorism’.
MANY CONCERNED
CITIZENS OF PAKISTAN
THE letter of Aisha Khalid, ‘Climate change’ (Dec 6), highlights the effect of climate change on children’s health. The climate change is causing cyclone, flood and drought frequently, leading to disastrous effect on agricultural productivity.
The climate change is causing deficiency in food production, leading to the increase in the prices of food items which, in turn, is affecting the physical and mental health of the middle class and the downtrodden.
It is predicted that we are about to face an enormous challenge concerning food security, environmental conservation and preservation of genetic resources of plants and animals.
The pertinent question is: how are we going to fight out the rapid and hostile climate change? There are some soil-borne beneficial micro-organisms (fungi and bacteria) which help plants by increasing nutrient supply, enhancing water relation and in tolerating higher soil temperature, particularly in impoverished farm fields.
The arid and semi-arid regions of southwest Pakistan stands in dire need of cultivating a mass of symbiotic fungi (mycorrhizas) and bacteria (rhizobias) for biological phosphorus and nitrogen fixation, respectively, and its application in impoverished farm fields to raise farm productivity. India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are making use of these beneficial micro-organisms (bio-fertilisers) for the sustenance of crop plants under adverse agronomic and climatic conditions.
It is time we took out the experiments from laboratory and planned and evolved a strategy to cope with the challenge of climate change under farm field condition in our national interest.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Professor of Agriculture University of Karachi
RUSSIA has been opposing the declaration of freedom from Serbia by the much-tormented people of Kosovo and, more importantly, its recognition by the international community, on the grounds that it would set a precedent for other breakaway regions in the world (Dec 11).
The real reason for Moscow’s opposition to the imminent event appears to be two-fold. First, its need to stand by the Cold War era ally Serbia, which it also considers necessary to challenge western influence in the region.
Second, its own unstated fear that freedom for the Albanian Muslim majority of Kosovo is likely to strengthen the desire of their co-religionists in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, etc., to break away from Russian occupation.
In order to pressure the West, which had fought against Serbia — the remnant of the former Yugoslavia — to prevent it from ethnically cleansing the Kosovars, like it had done with the Bosnians and to protect western strategic interests in the Balkans, the Russians have also been dropping the hint of backing Georgia’s rebel provinces in seceding completely.
This fact is also troubling Georgia, the post-Cold War ally of the West, causing a rise of tension with its former imperial master Russia.
Moscow should realise that if it retaliates against the western powers that wish to see an independent Kosovo, by recognising the two Georgian provinces, the West, along with the 55 member-countries of the OIC, could support a declaration of independence by the Russian Islamic territories of Chechnya and others. In the end, it will be the bigger loser.
They are also reminded of Lenin’s stress on not usurping any republic’s freedom as well as of Abraham Lincoln’s words: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God cannot long retain it.”
For the same reasons, Serbia should give up its stubborn approach of denying freedom to Kosovo, even though the latter may be militarily weak, by accepting the reality, just as it had done in case of Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia, all of which had formed a part of Yugoslavia along with Serbia.
K. NAQSHBANDI
Karachi
ONE was very saddened to read how shabbily the two American peace activists, Ms Medea Benjamin and Mr Tighe Barry, were treated by the Pakistani authorities and finally deported (Dec 6).
Having seen things for themselves, hopefully they will convey our message: The Pakistanis aren’t enemies of the Americans but have been their great friends and are still potentially so. But, like other Muslims worldwide, they have been badly hurt by and are furious at, the policies of the hawks in Washington.
The visit by these friends from afar was like a breath of fresh air and one wishes them peace and happiness in life. “The firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity. Iron is most strongly united in the fiercest flame.”
IBNE INAYAT
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Dr Khurrum Shaukat Yusafzai’s letter, ‘Politics of Fazlur Rahman’ (Dec 10). We may have a memory shorter than the proverbial one. History, however, does not forgive, nor can it be obliterated by time or by those who shove highly sensitive issues under the carpet.
Every surviving person who was involved in the Pakistan movement during the 1940s feels with pain that our history is repeating itself in a form that will be devastating for coming generations. Those who never accepted it are now out to destroy it with vengeance. It is a grave matter of now-or-never, if our so-called senior citizens did not come out of their self-imposed isolation and put their shoulders to the wheel, at least for the sake of their own progeny. Do we not remember that:
a. The struggle for independence was aimed at the survival of Mussalman and not of Islam, which does not need a land with borders to exist. If the movement was in the name of Islam, as is being given out now by the mullahs, they would not have opposed it en bloc.
b. The ‘deeni’ ulema dubbed Pakistan as ‘Kafiristan’ and named the Quaid-i-Azam a ‘kafir’, which they still do.
c. The reverend Mufti Mehmood, father of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, while sitting in the chair of the chief minister of the NWFP and enjoying all the perks and privileges bestowed upon him by Pakistan, is on record to have declared: “Thank God, we did not participate in the ‘gunah’ of establishing Pakistan”(can be confirmed from archives of newspaper of the time he was chief minister).
d. Not a single maulana or ‘deeni alim-turned-politician’ has during the last 60 years ever visited, nor will any visit, the Mazar of the Founder of this country, even as a visitor if not to pay homage or offer Fateha. Being the nazim of Karachi, Nematullah Khan had no option but to accompany the governor there only once.
e. The only option left to protect this besieged country from falling into the ditch of theocracy is to administer the oath of every elected office to the new incumbent, viz, MPA, MNA, senator and nazim at the Mazar of the person who enabled him to reach that office, or else watch your children being eventually engulfed by the dark waves of gloom and ignorance.
DR M. S. JAFFERY
Karachi
APROPOS of Anwer Syed’s article, ‘Students unrest in Iran’ (Dec 9), I want to bring to your notice that only after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that our country was liberated from the domination and subjugation of the world-devouring powers.
The students of the universities in Iran played a crucial role, created history in the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, thwarted all the evil plots of the enemies of Iran aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Revolution.
During the eight-year-long (1980-1988) imposed war the students of Iran voluntarily went to the war fronts to defend the integrity and sovereignty and thousands of them attained martyrdom in this sacred defence.
During the last 28 years, the students in Iran have constantly played a decisive role in defending the ideals of the Islamic Revolution, democracy, freedom, equality and sovereignty. The universities in Iran, which enjoy the highest standards of education in the world, and its teaching staff and students have created international records by indigenously developing the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and brought the Islamic Republic of Iran among the leading countries in the fields of nuclear technology, nano-technology, information technology and stem cell research technology.
With the scientific achievements of our university students, the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in various essential food crops like wheat and now our country has emerged as the exporter of wheat.
The university students of Iran are the most liberated and democratic students in the world and they are free to openly express their feelings and grievances. But some of the hegemonic powers, with their blatant interference in the internal affairs of our country, want to create unrest in our universities.
However, during the last 28 years, the enlightened, anti-imperialist and revolutionary students of Iranian universities have successfully fought against all the evil conspiracies of the enemies of Iran and they are enlightened and capable of defeating the conspiracies in future.
The era of imperialism, oppression and subjugation of the world by the hegemonic imperialist regimes has come to an end, and the world, in the near future, will witness the establishment of a ‘New World Order’ based on real democracy, equality, justice, fraternity, peace, ethics and spirituality.
DR HYDER REZA ZABET
PRO and Press Attache Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamabad
MR MUSHIR Anwar wrote in his column, ‘Life and Letters’ (Dec 12) that he doesn’t know of anyone who declined Ziaul Haq’s invitation to his government’s writers’ conference. It was either 1984 or ’85 when I was working in London that I received a call from some army officer, whose name and rank slips my memory, speaking from the Pakistan High Commission, inviting me to the conference and saying that I would receive a first class return ticket to Pakistan, would be put up in a three- or four-star hotel, with a car and driver at my disposal for a week, and that the government would also consider giving me a state award, etc.
I didn’t want to be part of that so-called writers’ conference, nor desired an award, so I made my excuses and left it at that.
I have never publicised this fact, but since Dawn is in my view a newspaper of record, I thought I might put Mr Anwar right on this point.
ABDULLAH HUSSEIN
Lahore
THIS is in response to the letter, ‘Passing the buck’ (Dec 12), apropos of your editorial, ‘Feudal strangehold’ (Dec 9). I have no qualms with your views on the issue. One thing I would like to add is that it is not only the question of their owning big chunks of land or businesses. This is in fact the mindset of the political class that is to blame.
Feudalism is the mainstay of almost all the political parties. Even if someone doesn’t own land, his behaviour and dealing with his people will be no different from that of a true classic feudal. The same is true of bureaucrats and military personnel. They too look down upon the general public and consider themselves some superhumans.
But I could not take the point expressed by Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto. He places the blame only on military and civil bureaucrats vindicating the ‘so-called’ feudals. But I ask of the honourable Sardar, who is responsible for giving in political space to them? Who bends his knees before the army for a space in power game? Who believes that complying with top generals is enough and that there is no need to go to the public in an election? Who manipulates the bureaucracy to suit their ways? Who uses the out-of-the-law ways to get the legal/illegal from the district/tehsil bureaucracy and thus make them realise their importance?
Sir, it is the politician whom you call ‘so-called’ feudal and whom you set free of this blame of political mess.
TANVIR SHAHZAD
France
ALTHOUGH the general has retired from the army, yet he will carry the rank with his name. His name will also keep appearing in the news and the press every now and then. It will, therefore, be in the fitness of things that as the president of the country his name and rank are written correctly, which would be ‘President General Pervez Musharraf (retd)’.
Most people write (retd) or simply (r) after the rank which is not correct.
Also, the use of ‘Mr’ for him, which most people would like to do just out of spite, if nothing else, is a little out of decorum for a retired general. In the army, ‘Mr’ is used for the subalterns — second lieutenants and lieutenants. However, there are occasions when (retd) is to be written after the rank such as on invitation cards: Colonel (retd) and Mrs Habibullah request the pleasure -------, (Colonel is retired, not the Mrs!) or, when the retired officer happens to be a practising professional, such as Brigadier (r) Dr Syed Amer Ali, etc.
The federal government protocol officer will do good if a circular to this effect is issued to all.
COL RIAZ JAFRI (retd)
Rawalpindi
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