| December 18, 2007 | Tuesday | Zilhaj 7, 1428 |
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Trial for the nation
Plight of a scientist
Perpetual life of suffering
Decimate the neocons
PPP manifesto
Problems in new IPO
A slice of Pakistan
General (retd)
Price of paper
‘Ghar ki laundi’
Hard to take
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
AFTER passing nearly half a century, Pakistan’s Foreign Office showed at last its sign of diplomatic pubescence when it digressed from its Middle East policy, by espousing Israeli resolution on agricultural issue.
There is a misapprehension that the Muslim world shores up every issue sightlessly for the Arab world. This could be fairly said for Pakistan, but Pakistan is not the whole of the Muslim world. We are a part of it, while the Arabs never vocalise the Muslim world.
In Palestine, a substantial population is Christian, and yes there were Palestinian Christian leaders too, closely affiliated with Yasir Arafat. George Habash was one of the Palestinian Christian leaders. Ms Hannan Ashravi was another.
Arabs always talk of the Arab world, first. The Muslim world was secondary to them and in the Palestine question such mindset was no exception. And don’t blame them for that; because it is a real nationalism. Arabs are one nation; while Muslims are not, they are part of it. A nation can be multi-religious.
Most of Arab leaders thought that Palestine is an Arab issue; it was our Foreign Office which consciously was confusing every Arab issue with the Muslim issue. I wonder why our Foreign Office did not take up other also important Muslim issues.
The question of Mindanao Islands (almost 90 per cent Muslim population) who are fighting against the Philippine government is more than one hundred years old. Same is true with some of Russian regions and Myanmar’s Armani Muslims.
Did we ever lodge a protest with the countries concerned? During the Taliban regime, the population of northern Afghanistan (100 per cent Muslims) was massacred, but we never bothered to utter a word.
For some Muslim regions we are siding; and for some we are not. I hate to say that it seemed that we were using Islam and Muslim brotherhood selectively — for the political purposes only.Today what is happening in Afghanistan and in our certain northern regions has a direct bearing, because of it. I think it is time to further revise our other regions’ policies. South Asia is on top of it.
Thorny issues are simmering in South Asia for the last 60 years. Let us have an independent foreign policy of non-interference and peaceful co-existence, live and let live, especially with our neighbours.
What have we benefited by supporting the Arab World for five decades, except the worst manifestation of extremism and fanaticism in the country which would take another one hundred year to root it out?
And what we have achieved through our South Asian foreign policy, barring poverty, economic and educational backwardness, ignorance and false pride were brought to our masses.
KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Karachi
THERE wouldn’t be a person alive who could say that she/he has never undergone difficulties in life, particularly in having to face abusive people. But, the well-known American psychiatrist and self-development expert, Dr Wayne Dyer, has provided a very interesting perspective on the subject in his book, ‘Your Sacred Self’.
He argues that everyone who comes into your life in any capacity is valuable. The petty tyrants are just as important as those folks who provide you with encouragement and support. This is so because through those tyrants, whom we judge to be unfortunate and evil, some of the most important lessons in life can be learned.
Dr Dyer has given several examples. For instance, the bully in your life, pushing your fear and panic buttons, may prove to be a blessing in disguise by causing you to learn how to rely on your own wits and transcend this petty tyrant’s behaviour. The thief who cons you out of your money could represent a divine lesson teaching you to let go and not be attached to your things.
The good doctor continues: “All people, and I do mean all, are in your life to teach you valuable lessons. Don’t ignore those lessons. Get the message … and move on …, ignoring them guarantees that more of them will appear in different bodies later on in your life”.
Thus, the experience of being deserted by spouse might teach you to be independent. This type of situation may introduce you to the loving presence within. Perhaps you will learn the difference between aloneness and loneliness, discover your real self and love it. Even physical abuse may have a powerful lesson in it. We may discover that we are more than a physical body and no one can reach our inner self with their blows.
These lessons can and should be applied to the current situation in Pakistan where most people seem to be very upset and unhappy with the bullying and the unconstitutional and unlawful actions of the present regime led by president Musharraf.
The situation should make us realise the necessity of standing up for our rights, getting united with fellow Pakistanis in the struggle to make the incumbent understand the hurt and damage being caused to the nation and the people and how it is unacceptable for us.
Most of us don’t have anything against him personally, but he must learn to respect the people’s will. The latest poll by the International Republican Institute and the statement of the American lawyers as well as the decision by the National Law Journal of the US to deem Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry as the lawyer of the year — the first time any foreigner has been given this award — should leave no doubt in his mind about what the whole world, not just Pakistanis, are thinking of him (Dawn, Dec 14).
Above all, those who consider themselves to be political leaders should work for the country’s betterment, rather than for their individual or party interests. Leaders like Benazir Bhutto and Fazlur Rehman, more than anyone else, must understand that tolerating or, worse still, supporting a dictator now will ensure that more of them will keep appearing in our lives, as explained by Dr Dyer. Thus, there is nothing to be gained by not learning to deal with this situation right now, instead of prolonging our trials indefinitely by refusing to face it.
Q. IQBAL
Karachi
IN a society where parliamentarians and VIPs are able to secure high perks and fringe benefits, year-on-year, the minimum monthly wages of Rs5,000 are allowed to unskilled workers. Scientists remain the most neglected people in this regard.
It is a pity that despite tall claims made by the government in recent years to have improved the lot of scientists in the country, ground realities reveal that not much has been done in this direction.
A case in point is the Pakistan Science Foundation’s recent advertisement inviting applications for the post of research associate from the candidates having MSc/MPhil degree in experimental solid state physics, with post-MSc research experience. Sadly, the post carries only Rs5,000 lump-sum per month without any allowance etc. whatsoever.
Likewise, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council is currently appointing, through an open competition, research fellows, having MSc/BSc (Hons) degree in agriculture, at Rs8,000 (fixed) per month.
It is unfortunate that these government research organisations equate a highly qualified scientist with an unskilled worker. In contrast, take-home salary of even a vehicle driver working in these organisations is Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 a month, who is also entitled to housing, medical, transport and other allowances.
HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
I AND many of your readers must have been shocked and grieved by the sight of a pathetic picture/scene in your paper (Dec 14) of a woman in Kolkata carrying on her back her crippled husband, with both legs amputated, and begging in order to survive for a living.
Such a pathetic sight should immediately draw the attention of the West Bengal government to provide a timely financial assistance and adequate shelter to alleviate the suffering of a woman and her husband.
The poverty-stricken West Bengal is highly populated. The majority suffers from poverty, diseases and ignorance and it is tragic that India, being a welfare state, cannot do much to alleviate such suffering of its people on account of lack of resources or fund.
The curse of defence expenditure both in India and in Pakistan deprives the majority of people of basic needs and keeps them permanently in poverty and ignorance.
But it is the duty of a wealthy human being anywhere in the world to rescue the helpless people who live a life of perpetual suffering in spite of the fact that nature is indifferent to such suffering of the people throughout the world.
A.S. PINGAR
Karachi
IT is not about carbon emissions or climate.
This is a 20th century phenomenon of the neocons: the biological misnomers, architects of environmental and climate disasters.
Their lust for fortune achieved through new and newer products, bizarre media pro-motion: no matter how it destroys ecology, human life by atom bombs on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, fake war of WMDS etc.
Adding to the disasters was socio-cultural degradation through promoting terrorism, sex, violence, consumerism, manipulation of stocks, estate, money, commodity markets to skyrocket prices, eg oil from $10 a barrel to $100 to bloat their reserves at the cost of half empty 90 per cent coffers of the world. Decimate the neocons’ instruments of business to save the world.
ZEENATE NOOURE JEHAN
Karachi
THE PPP deserves appreciation for their right decision to participate in electin-2008.
The five-point manifesto launched by the party focusing on education, employment, environment, equality and rule of people is no doubt impressive but what about corruption which is number one problem of the country. The fact cannot be denied that without waging a war against corruption there will be no change, no reform and no viable progress in the country.
If the PPP and other parties are really determined to do something for the people, they ought to include ‘fight against corruption’ as the top point in their manifesto. The job is difficult, especially for the PPP, but there is no other way out. Will the parties dare to do it?
MUHAMMAD YASIN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the letter of Muhammad Ahsan in these columns regarding the problems he faced in the IPO lately announced by the HBL. While addressing Mr Ahsan’s specific issues, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Central Depository Company and its functions to the benefits of other readers. I am writing with the hope that this will help all those out there who are either new players of the market or planning to make their debut.
The CDC is a depository, which was established in 1997 to provide efficient and cost-effective solution to record and maintain electronic portfolio of shares and to transfer ownership of securities without physical movement of shares certificates.
Securities in the Central Depository System (CDS) are held in electronic form, which eliminates the risk of lost, forged, damaged and duplicate share certificates. Over the last 10 years, the CDC has brought about greater operational efficiency, reduced risk, lowered cost and impeccable security for its customer across Pakistan.
To provide retail investors’ direct access to depository/custody services to investors, the CDC initiated Investor Account Services (IAS) in 1999. Under this service, investors can open account directly with the CDC to enjoy complete control over their securities portfolio.
IAS has received a remarkable response due to its benefits of secure, reliable, efficient and cost-effective services. To provide benefits to more and more investors across Pakistan, the CDC drastically reduced its annual fee for Investor Account Services from Rs3,000 to Rs500 for individual account holders and from Rs5,000 to Rs2,000 for corporate accounts.
To an individual account holder, the CDC IAS Account costs around Rs50 a month (Rs. 41.6 to be precise) and in this price account holders can not only subscribe as many numbers of public offerings as they want in their CDS account but also get direct credit of their corporate entitlements like bonuses, rights, etc.
Investor Account Services also allow a maximum of four persons to share a joint account which, in real terms, reduces the annual cost per person even further. The CDC has also been continuously reducing its custody and transaction charges since its inception. Over 70 per cent reductions in both the charges have been announced by the company over the years for the benefit of the small investors.
Investors can now directly have their entitlements credited into their accounts. The process of IPOs and other corporate actions has thus become totally hassle-free for the investor. In the event of an IPO, investors can directly obtain shares into their IAS account or sub-account (a CDC account maintained with broker) by simply providing account details in the subscription form and can easily avoid hassles of verification of transfer deed.
Once the shares are credited/parked in the account, they can be transferred instantaneously. Whereas, in case of opting for physical share certificates, investors have to go through lengthy processes of verification from the registrar, subsequent deposit in CDS through a third party (stock broker) and, lastly, the issuer’s approval before he can finally transact his securities. Usually this process is longer than the post-IPO hype in the security’s market price and the investor loses the opportunity of earning instant healthy returns.
As for the account opening process in the CDC, investors need to simply fill out an account opening form and submit it along with attested copy of CNIC.
AIJAZ ALI SHAH
General Manager (Marketing & Customer Support Services) CDC,
Karachi
FLOUR prices go up.
Hike in petrol price proposed.
Suicide blasts rock Quetta.
Embezzlement of Kashmir funds alleged.
Punjab hit by gas, power loadshedding.
Moody’s downgrades outlook for banks.
Gas crisis persists.
Protest against black marketing of flour.
Car theft at all-time high.
Bureaucrats want judges’ perks.
Memon assures conditional removal of ban on TV channel.
Ex-speaker, ministers still enjoying official protocol.
Electricity breakdown in interior Sindh.
LHC blocks oil contract for ex-minister’s firm.
Some 1,300 acres of railway land encroached upon.
I suppose this is what they mean by ‘Pakistan First’.
RAANA SHAH
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the letter written by Col Riaz Jafri (Dec 14) about the use of the title general (retired). He has pointed out correctly that the use of ‘Mr’ is reserved for lesser humans such as all civilians and spouses.
We have had enough of titles but no ‘mard-i-momins’ as Allama Iqbal wanted us to be.
Let us make a start after 60 years of independence to address each other with first names as happens in the first world, and cut out the formalities. After all, what happened to the erstwhile ‘nawabs’ and ‘maharajas’ is a good example not to go that route.
SYED SHARFUDDIN
London
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the authorities towards steep high prices, of all sorts of paper and paperboard in the local market.
Paper is vital to education. The government has increased and allocated a considerable sum for education but has placed paper and paperboard in the maximum custom duty slab. Due to overall scarcity of forest, bans on wood logging in Indonesia has created a shortage of wood pulp. High freight is also one of the factors to raise international prices of paper from 25 per cent to 60 per cent which, in turn, makes school books, copies and export packaging material costlier.
The previous government, in an attempt to confront high sugar price in the local market, had allowed duty-free import and subsidy to stabilise prices. The government must act and take appropriate steps to reduce the duty to maximum 10 per cent, instead of the current 25 per cent, so that local prices of paper come down.
MUHAMMAD ANIS
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Dr Rauf Parekh’s column, ‘Killing Urdu on state channel’ (Dec 11).
Now I know why they called Urdu ‘hamarey ghar ki laundi’ (our very own maid servant) – and how she was treated.
Some readers will recall the translation of Mirza Ghalib’s verse into English that made the round in Karachi University many years ago: Thhi khabar garm ke Ghalib ke urenge purze;/dekhney hum bhi gaye thhe pe tamasha na huwa.
This couplet was translated into English thus: “News was hot that the spare parts of Ghalib will fly; I also went to see but the show was postponed!”
Or Dagh Dehlavi’s line ‘Hazrat-e-Dagh jahan baith gaye baith gaye’ was translated as: “Mr Spot where sat where sat!”
Our TV announcers and anchorpersons alternatively use the crutches of English and Urdu in their discourse, but all credit to the translator of the above verses for not using even a single Urdu word in the above translations.
S.M. SHAHID
Karachi
IT is difficult to comprehend what is happening in Pakistan. When I look at the course of events unfolding in Pakistan, I lose my heart. As a Kashmiri, Pakistan flows in my blood and we want Pakistan to be stable and a model democracy, a progressive and developed nation.
However, this will not be possible till the army doesn’t go back to the barracks and the corrupt politicians are not thrown out. Let enlightened and sincere persons come to the forefront and lead Pakistan to peace and prosperity.
DR FAYAZ HAJRA
Kashmir
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