| January 08, 2008 | Tuesday | Zilhaj 28, 1428 |
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Universities harvesting corruption
Do what needs to be done
NWFP matters
Ray of hope
Embrace our special stars
A showcase of events
Murder of a hope
Back to barracks
Strange logic
Looting let loose
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 word ‘hospital’ comes from the Latin ‘hospes’, which refers to either a visitor or the host who receives the visitor, and ‘hospitalia’, an apartment for strangers or guests, mediaeval Latin ‘hospitale’ and the Old French ‘hospital’. It crossed the English Channel in the 14th century where it was taken to be a home for the infirm and down-and-out. It was in the 16th century that ‘hospital’ only took on its modern meaning as “an institution where sick or injured are given medical or surgical care”.
The hospital is a place to heal and get back to health but when the hospital environment and equipment, used for therapeutic purposes in intensive care units such as mechanical ventilators, serve as permanent home for deadly bacteria, then one needs to be extremely watchful.
I recently admitted my octogenarian parent — a cardiac patient – with complaint of intermittent low-grade fever in the chest medicine department of Karachi’s reputable hospital. Although investigations continued for six days, the cause of fever remained undetermined.
On one fateful evening the patient suffered massive stroke and was taken to ICU. Hardly after a few moments as normal procedures had to be exhausted, my family was handed a note written on the spur of the moment. The note required an approval for placing the patient on ventilator. The doctor said that the patient’s heart would not work beyond 0400 hr.
Next morning the patient regained consciousness and was able to communicate by writing on a piece of paper.
Unfortunately, the patient had caught an infection by a bacterium known as acinetobacter, transmitted through the mechanical ventilator. The acinetobacter is resistant to antibiotics. Persons most at risk of difficult-to-treat acinetobacter infections are those who are old and those treated in intensive care units.
We were told that the ventilator would be removed after further improvement in heart condition. Almost, full week passed but to no avail. Finally, the honourable cardiologist informed us to prepare for any eventuality as the moment ventilator is taken off, the patient will expire.
Unaware of ventilator problems, we consulted other doctors, which yielded results. A young doctor working elsewhere consoled us by recounting experience of his elderly father treated in the same hospital, the way he saved his father from the agony of being on a ventilator once, and enjoyed his association later for several days.
We decided to shift the patient to another hospital. There, young enterprising doctors removed the ventilator after taking due care.
I request the regulatory agencies and civil society organisations to inspect healthcare facilities which numbered 1,000 alone in this city as revealed in a report (Dec 21), and ensure enforcement of rules on infection control factors, adequate ventilation and sunlight.
I would also urge the health department to issue directives to hospitals to offer literature to patients and attendants on the benefits and hazards of ventilators so that elderly patients like my parent can be saved from suffering.
S. BUKHARI
Karachi
I AM writing this in response to the growing disparity of Pakistan’s so-called ‘higher education’ institutions. The focus of the media (what little media we do have left that is) seems to be on the political instability of our nation.
What we fail to realise, however, is that this volatility is a product of corruption within the universities themselves.
Students no longer need to work hard to attain a pass, as they can simply bribe their way through.
Professors turn up to classes but don’t actually teach their students and lecturers allow students to write their own questions for an examination as they cannot be bothered to put in the effort themselves.
So what is the price that we pay for allowing corrupt students and professors a free ride at university?
Simply put, we produce more and more corrupt individuals, with the few decent individuals suffering as a result. They leave university and compound the already fragile political atmosphere of Pakistan with their ‘cheating and bribery skills’ that they ‘learned’ at university.
Yet the solution to this problem, and by extension the level of corruptness in Pakistan, is relatively simple.
Monitoring professors and lecturers is a must, to ensure that students are moving through their education fairly, instilling the right kind of morals into our students of today.
It is only by removing these poor excuses for educators that our country stands a chance of not only improving, but competing on an international level in terms of grand excellence at university level. I only hope my words reach the ears of those concerned.
NEELAM MURTAZA
Karachi
THE first prime minister of a fledgling Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, was assassinated in 1953 at the venue that today bears his name. Almost 54 years and a few days later the youngest and first woman Muslim prime minister was murdered at the same, now infamous, venue. In the case of Liaquat Ali Khan it was, ironically, apparently an Afghan national killing a single man.
In the case of Benazir Bhutto and the many yet unknown who died in that blast, the yet unidentified assassin has already been linked to the imbroglio that has arisen from our role in the continuing tragedy that is Afghanistan. In 1953 the country was just coming out of the pangs of its traumatic birth. Today it teeters on the terrifying brink of being a failed nuclear state and likened to the Afghan catastrophe. Either way both murderers represented forces, religious or secular, that have opposed Pakistan from its very creation to its vanishing hope to be a democratic member of the comity of developed nations.
Despite the considerable murkiness in her past and the long gap in exile, Ms Bhutto remained the leader of the largest national political party of the country. Her return to the country and the incredible human outpouring and national reaction to her sudden and tragic death bear testimony to her popularity. And as a twice elected prime minister she had the charisma, intelligence, charm and, sadly, considerably more guts than most of the male leaders the country has produced.
I am not a supporter of the PPP and, under normal circumstances, would not have voted for her party the third time around. However, I laud the courage she showed in coming back ostensibly to fight for me and the majority of moderate people of the country against the forces of bigotry, ignorance, extremism and fundamentalist militancy. This too is more than most of the male leaders the country has produced. That she tragically died in that cause, however the deed may have engineered itself, gives me strength to want to fight on, with my vote and whatever means I can, for the sake of our children’s future.
On Dec 25 even as our president was waxing eloquent about continuing “to make headway with the vision of the Quaid” and deposed CJP Chaudhry mourned the “vision forgotten,” the Pope many thousand miles away included us in Pakistan in his prayers for those living in the “tortured regions” of the world.
Two days later Benazir Bhutto has tragically proved both the CJP and the Pope right. May her soul and those of the innocents who died with her rest in peace. We can only hope and pray God to grant our leaders, who claim to love Pakistan and to know what is best for us, the wisdom to now actually do what needs to be done. If they can open their minds to the Quaid’s vision, they can help us move out of the tortured region that is Pakistan today.
MERVYN HOSEIN
Karachi
I AM surprised to see that there is not a serous outcry by the people of Pakistan regarding what has been happening in the NWFP. Either the people don’t bother about them or they are half dead.
Every day there are events in which people are dying. I do not even see any letters in these columns regarding this matter.
Even if somebody does write, that is only from Peshawar, because they live there. Are we really attached to each other with a true sense of belonging?
Or we don’t care about those people living up on the north as long as the south is peaceful, but don’t forget that it might be your turn tomorrow. It is time people spoke against the policies of this government and wrote to the newspapers and came out of their houses.
AJMAL KHAN
UK
THIS is apropos of Niaz Muhammad Khan’s article, ‘Villagers help train passengers’ (Jan 1).
While many passengers of various modes of transport were harmed and their properties vandalised on Dec 27, it was heartening to know that there were incidents where such passengers were helped generously.
The people of Jalal Mari proved the fact that every cloud has a silver lining. Moreover, I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and honour Ismail Brohi, who leads Jalal Mari, for generously providing food and shelter to the train passengers, even though his villagers are not that well off.
The fact that women passengers were given shelter in the huts and were treated honourably shows that education and literacy has nothing to do with respecting an individual, especially a female. In contrast, women drivers, passengers and even workers were harassed and ill-treated in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s ‘metropolitan city’.
ANUM JAMAL
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the letter by Qamar Safdar, ‘Chasing the stars’ (Dec 28). I have to agree with him that when it comes to discovering a ‘problem’ or a certain ‘learning disability’ in a child, whether it being in your own or someone else’s child, the real ‘problem’ is actually of denial, responsibility and caress which lacks in our society and culture, understanding and communication within parents, teachers and the educational system as a whole in the country.
All these factors are the vital issues that have to be taken into account when dealing with special needs of children and their guardians.
Living in New York, as an elementary teacher and a Reading specialist, I have gained a unique and personal connection with Special Education students in both public and private school systems.
Over the past four years of my teaching career, I have worked with students, ages 5-9 years old, which have been diagnosed with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities. It has been an enlightening and extremely rewarding experience to see children in need progress and develop the basic skills for survival.
I agree with Mr Safdar that the film, “Tarey Zameen Par” by Amir Khan, should raise “burning issues” with the educational system and support for ‘inclusion’ children in a school environment.
I hope the film opened a new and positive attitude towards the acceptance of children who have learning disabilities and questioning who should be accountable for all the turmoil within the educational system.
One way of solving these issues is by looking at the key role of teachers, parents and the school administration to become proactive about the need of any child that appears to be struggling with any academic, social and/or emotional problems at school and/or at home (also known as the no child left behind act).
If a teacher notices inattentiveness or carelessness with work provided by the student/child, it is their responsibility to communicate with the parents and the school, and vice versa to resolve the problem. Once again, it is revealed in the movie that the teacher utilises the many resources around him to help the child read and write and become accepted in the school and at home.
It is our duty to support members in our society so that they receive and find ways to facilitate their needs. There is a private school in Karachi called “Markaz-i-Umeed” that does exist and facilitate children with special needs. Although it is a small candle that is burning, I am hoping that one day its warmth and light will spread its care, love and support to those who are really looking for help, specially the deserving children and parents.
Yasmin Alvi
New York
TURNING over the inner page of Dawn on the Quaid’s birthday, I was pleasantly surprised to witness a flow of colourful illustrations that had an instant impact on me. The realistic portrayal of a landmark event in Mr Jinnah’s life has been incredibly well designed and effectively presented. It exemplifies the saying: “The best of men are but men at best”. The need of the hour is to pay heed to the message that the Quiad was conveying to us.
I congratulate Dawn on introducing a showcase of landmark events that will contribute to awakening a sense of ‘national pride’ and motivate us to move forward. In this age of graphics, illustrated portrayals like these are necessary to acquaint the young generation about the personality and character of ‘the Father of the Nation’. I will be waiting for ‘episode 2’ of the series. My suggestion is that the next topic be ‘Need for Unity’.
Dr Irfan Ahmed Khan
Karachi
BENAZIR Bhutto has gone and left us in the lurch. They have taken her away from us, as they did earlier in the case of her father and brothers.
They have murdered her and murdered our hopes. A part of me has been taken away from me. These murderers have dealt a body blow to the polity and federation of Pakistan.
We loved Benazir Bhutto for she represented a break from the past.
However, our hopes were dashed after she was turned out from the Prime Minister’s House in 1990. Yet we awaited her return in 1993. But they thwarted her again.
They fed us the false news to demonise politicians and civil society. Who are ‘they’? They are the establishment of Pakistan that has never believed in the dictum: all power to the people.
She said before her arrival in Pakistan after eight years of exile that she was concerned that the security establishment could target her by using the Taliban/Al Qaeda as pawns. Today that has happened.
Benazir Bhutto once said: “The wheel of history turns. And it turns not just for individuals but for nations.
And as the wheel of history turns for children of the Partition, I hope we bequeath to them a better future than our own bitter past”
MUBASHIRA BABAR
KHAWAJA
Lahore Cantt
I FULLY agree with the views of Mrs Nargis Rahman (Death of a leader, Jan 2) regarding Benazir Bhutto and her cruel assassination.
However, I will add that while the political parties worth the name should contest the forthcoming election, all the politicians, big and small, should unanimously demand reinstatement of the dismissed judges and withdrawal of the military from the country’s political life altogether.
The poor people of Pakistan pay taxes for the salaries of the troops to defend them against enemies, not to rule over them.
JALALUDDIN S. HUSSAIN
Canada
ADDRESSING a function at the Quaid’s mausoleum on Dec 25, President Musharraf said: “There are certain quarters where threats are being given that these elections will be rigged.
There are threats by those who may be losing (elections). Otherwise they have no right to criticise before an event and try to undermine the government (sic) that the elections will be rigged” (Dec 26).
I have two questions: First, how did he judge before the SC came out with the verdict on his case that it would go against him and pre-empted it by imposing the emergency and sacking the judges?
And, second, how does he know that important leaders of the opposition apprehensive of rigging in the polls are going to lose the elections?
AHSANULLAH
Karachi
ON the evening of Dec 27 I was busy on the Internet (in Larkana) when suddenly my neighbour came shouting that Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated outside the Liaquat Bagh Stadium at a rally in Rawalpindi. The news startled me.
I quickly opened websites of the BBC and CNN to confirm the news. I was shocked as the Pakistani nation had lost a brave democratic leader. Once the news spread in every nook and corner of the city, the people came out from their houses to protest on streets and main roads. Firing began; explosions could be heard all around us. My family members and I were literally confined to the house.
After two hours, I saw through the window some persons passing by my house who were unknown to me, had a bundle of guns and all kinds of new weapons. We locked all doors and windows and prayed to Allah for peace and security.
The following day I found that a coffin carrying the body of Benazir Bhutto was brought to Naudero for burial, so I tried to go to Naudero with my friends to attend the funeral ceremonies of my beloved leader. We tried to hire a taxi but couldn’t find even a donkey cart; hence we could not get convenience to go to Naudero.
We remained in the city’s main market, Pakistani chowk, where we saw that all the roads and streets were full of people. They did not look protesters, but more like rioters who were engaged in breaking the closed shutters of gates and looting everything that was lying inside the shop. These persons did not look like real mourners. They looked very happy to loot without any hindrance because there was no law, no police force or army to control the situation.
These persons looked like those who snatch mobile phones, motorcycles and valuable things at gun-point; while exploiting the circumstances as they pretended to be mourners, while they looted unashamedly.
Government and private banks were looted; ATM machines were broken open to pick out money, as these looters took out the treasury and lockers. The banks were then set on fire.
We also visited other areas to see the city’s condition. In the cloth market, most of shopkeepers were standing outside of their shops, holding the holy Quran, and praying God to save their shops. They said their shops were not safe and that last night most of the shops were broken open and looted, mostly jewellery shops were wiped out. Computer shops, mobile markets, weapon shops were broken and looted. The tallest building of the Larkana city, Insurance Life, was completely destroyed as after looting the building was set ablaze. Another beautiful building, the City Bakery, was also not spared. The owner of the bakery implored the rioters to take everything away but spare the bakery. He also told them that he was a strong supporter of the PPP but rioters did not listen to him and after looting, they set the building on fire.
All this time, I noticed that these rioters did not belong to the People’s party but seemed criminals as they were given a free hand to do such activities to defame the workers of the party.
Now there are reports in newspapers that cases of rioting have been registered against persons who had left the opposition party and joined the PPP. This shows clearly that political revenge has been taken. The real offenders would not be caught. On the contrary, the circumstances will be further exploited to destabilise the country.
It is our demand that the government should take action against the police who failed to curb the rioters at the time of the incident and make inquiries to arrest the real offenders.
PEER MUHAMMAD
KHUHAWAR
Larkana
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