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| January 11, 2008 | Friday | Muharram 01,1429 |
An impractical suggestion
Lahore’s LPG woes
Umar’s outstanding contribution
OTHER VOICES - Pushto Press
HAZRAT Umar bin Khattab (R.A.) occupies a unique position not only in the annals of Islam but in the history of the world, which is vividly manifested by placing him at 51 among the 100 most influential persons in history by Michael H. Hart.
FEARS that the elections may be rigged are anything but unfounded. Equally credible is the concern that polling day may be put forward yet again if the floundering king’s party remains incapable of getting its act together, which in large part is dependent on how far the establishment and its minions can move the goal posts, portable as they are. The two opposition powerhouses, the PPP and the PML-N, have gone public on more than one occasion with charges that pre-poll rigging is under way as we speak. It is no secret that the supposedly neutral caretaker governments now in place are little but an extension of Mr Musharraf’s PML-Q coterie that was in power until Nov 15. Unofficially but clearly the old regime is still calling the shots. Transfers of choice government functionaries to key constituencies, moves that are illegal now that the election schedule has been announced, are apparently taking place as a matter of course. PPP activists are being picked up across the country, particularly in Sindh, on the flimsy grounds that they were somehow involved in the riots and looting that followed the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27. The PPP alleges that its polling agents are among those currently being targeted in the nationwide swoop, something that does not bode well for transparency come Feb 18.
Whatever the worth of his words, the PPP’s figurehead co-chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned of the country’s disintegration if the polls are rigged. We need not look any further than the 1970 election. It may have been fairer than most but failure to honour the outcome severed Pakistan for all time to come. A repeat performance could be even more catastrophic. No outrage, the suicide bombing yesterday outside the Lahore High Court being a case in point, should be deemed reason enough to further delay the polls.
The people of Pakistan have been pushed to the wall and are now at breaking point. Forget what Senator Joseph Lieberman is saying. Listen instead to the people. Any further foul play from this point on could provide the spark that sets this tinderbox of a country on fire. But then, ominously, the Musharraf dispensation has never been averse to doing the wrong thing. By his own admission the president acted illegally on Nov 3 - and, as others will readily point out, also on Oct 12, 1999. In between the now retired general’s predilection for tailoring ‘democracy’ to suit his personal interests took this country to the brink of implosion. Although the president may not be the most popular man in Pakistan today - not just in the cities but also in his fantasy rural stronghold - he can still salvage something out of the ruins. He can ensure that the next polls are free and fair so that the people of Pakistan can reclaim society and politics from the usurpers who will no longer be tolerated.
IT may be very tempting to do so, but it would not be right to scoff at Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro’s call to the people to limit their use of private vehicles. The energy situation in Pakistan is so precarious that all measures have to be considered. True, the prime minister’s suggestion does appear somewhat far-fetched in light of the fact that the government itself has promoted easy leasing for the thousands of new cars that are unleashed monthly on roads that no longer have the capacity to bear the increasing burden. Also, the public transport system is deficient and projects to expand it, such as the Karachi Circular Railway, seem to be making no headway. The result is heavy traffic, consisting mostly of private vehicles, on the roads causing not only traffic jams but also pollution as there are no checks on those who flout environmental laws with impunity. Besides, there is much pressure on fuel resources and a growing oil bill at a time when international prices are skyrocketing. Therefore, there is no doubt that the prime minister’s suggestion on how to save energy is sound - if one does not take into account the factors that militate against it.
In fact, in the current situation, it might be useful to look at more practical suggestions for conserving energy and, at the same time, cutting national and home bills. In the transport sector, the greater use of school buses in large cities will certainly reduce the early morning rush. Operating a car-pool system whereby parents take turns to drop children living in the neighbourhood to their schools, especially if these are located near each other, can also work wonders in reducing both the load on the roads and the pollution caused by noisy, smoke-emitting vehicles. Perhaps, the more challenging concept of walking or cycling to work or school - as it is done in many countries - may not appeal to many because of cultural constraints, the long distances involved and the absence of pavements and cycle tracks. But this measure would have its benefits, including those of health. What is of immediate need, however, is to educate the public - and not only in the context of transport - on how limited energy resources are in the country, especially when we do not seem to be exploiting new fuel reserves or taking steps to conserve what we have. Getting people to understand how the wasteful use of energy will impact on the future of our children is the foremost step towards mobilising the public to cooperate in endeavours to conserve our resources.
AT a time when the prices of most essential commodities are showing an upward trend, it is not strange that the price of liquefied petroleum gas has also spiralled up. But the official explanation that global market conditions are responsible for this trend hardly holds true for the exorbitantly high price of LPG obtaining in Lahore - as high as Rs125 per kg in some neighbourhoods. This is deplorable because the fuel is present aplenty in the market and its supply is not disrupted at all by the bad law and order situation. The retailers complain that some distributors in the city are charging almost double the normal price. The distributors on their part blame LPG marketing companies for setting and keeping the prices so high.
In an apparent acceptance of the distributors’ version, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Friday announces that at least some of the 64 production and marketing firms were overcharging. The authority noted that prices being charged by these companies were unreasonably higher than those officially notified. Now the district government in Lahore, after consultations with OGRA, has announced that LPG will be sold at Rs64 per kg. It has also promised to intensify its crackdown on the profiteers. It now remains to be seen if the authorities succeed in enforcing this price. The fact is that the authorities do not have any mechanism at their disposal to enforce OGRA’s writ. It relies on local police for enforcing the prices it fixes but seldom gets the direct handle on the policemen actually doing the job. It is this vast gap between price fixing and enforcement which the profiteers are exploiting to make unjustifiable gains. Unless something is done to plug the gap, people in Lahore and elsewhere in the country will remain exposed to those manipulating the market for their own benefit.
On his embracing Islam, the Muslims hitherto offering prayers in concealment, began to perform prayers with him openly in the Holy Ka’aba. The Quraish who knew him as the most inveterate enemy and relentless persecutor of the converts, seeing this radical change in him were totally astonished, bitterly depressed and completely shocked; but it happened to be the occasion when Hazrat Umar earned the epithet of ‘al-Farooq’ which henceforth became an integral part of his name. He, since then followed the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) steadily and resolutely as a devoted disciple.
After conversion to Islam he remained in Makkah till migration to Madinah, where during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), he participated in almost all the battles. At the conquest of Makkah the Holy Prophet himself took oath of allegiance from males and he was blessed to take oath from females.
On the occasion of battle of Tabuk the Madinese Muslims, despite severe hardships, contributed whatever they could towards the sinews of war; he volunteered half of what he possessed.
During the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) he had been an active member of Majlis-i-Shura, Consultative Council, and performed as Qazi but it is worth mentioning that during his tenure of about two years not a single case was registered for hearing.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) on his death-bed after consulting prominent Companions and finding the general consensus in favour of Hazrat Umar (R.A.), nominated him as his successor.
Assuming as Caliph he addressed the people, “O God! I am stern, soften me; I am weak, strengthen me. Verily Arabs are (like) headstrong camels, whose nose-string has been given in my hand, but I will lead them on the (right) path.”
At the time of his installation as Caliph the Muslim state internally was tranquil but externally Muslim armies were engaged both in Syria and Iraq. On subjugation of Syria at the hands of Muslims, the Byzantine Emperor, Heraclius had uttered, “What an excellent country this is for the enemy.” When Jerusalem was besieged, its Patriarch appealed for peace and agreed to surrender but only to the Caliph, on which Hazrat Umar (R.A.) taking only one attendant reached there setting a noble instance that the victor in deference to the wishes of the vanquished undertook a long journey unescorted and without any sort of pageantry.
It was during his caliphate that the Muslim state of Madinah founded by the Holy Prophet and consolidated during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) emerged as an Empire, the largest of the then world; Syria, Jerusalem, Egypt, Iraq and Persia, mainly, had come under the sway of Islam.
For good governance of the vast Empire a mechanism most suited had to be evolved. It was he who formulated a policy to streamline the administrative set-up yet not found; it was based on sound footing and was progressive.
At the centre, eminent and notable Companions comprising the Shura were consulted on all occasions concerning the state affairs. In day-to-day working he was assisted by Hazrat Usman (R.A.) and Hazrat Ali (R.A.). “He divided the conquered lands,” says Ameer Ali Syed, “into compact governorships, so as to enable his lieutenants to develop the resources of the countries in their charge.”
The whole Empire was divided into provinces which were subdivided into districts. Each province was under the charge of Wali (governor) who was responsible for administration at the provincial level.
For smooth management of the finances, an institution of Diwan was established to maintain the record of the receipts and expenditures. He also constructed buildings for Bait-ul-Mal, public exchequer, at the centre as well as at the provincial headquarters. At district levels Amils, Revenue Collectors, were appointed.
It was he who established the ‘institution of judgeship’ and appointed Qazis on regular basis. The Qazi had to be an adult, male, free Muslim in the full possession of his physical and mental faculties as well as a scholar thoroughly conversant with the Islamic law and having an irreproachable character. The incumbents were highly paid and held in high esteem.
He paid his full attention for dissemination of education; for the purpose he secured the services of certain prominent Companions and deputed them to promote the teaching of the Holy Quran in the conquered lands. They were also handsomely paid. Further elementary schools were also founded in such territories where salaried teachers were appointed. Likewise the Imams and Moazzins of the mosques were appointed and their salaries were paid from Bail-ul-Mal.
He organised the military on sound lines. The standing army was maintained on regular basis and the soldiers were paid salary. The army was composed of infantry and cavalry. The cities founded in the conquered lands also served as cantonments.
The credit goes to him that he regulated the Hijrah calendar starting from the first of Muharram of the year during which the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) had migrated to Madinah.
He, for the first time, introduced the system of ‘accountability’ and during his caliphate he himself was the Mohtasib. He had initiated the policy of obtaining details of assets of the state employees and if anyone was found to have amassed wealth beyond known means, he was taken to task. He listened to the complaints against the state functionaries on the occasion of Haj.
During his caliphate the cities of Basrah, Kufah, Fustat and Musel were founded and the state revenues were liberally utilised for building mosques, office buildings, military barracks, hospitals, roads, bridges, caravan-serai, posts, prisons and canals. The canal connecting the river Nile with the Red Sea, the ‘forerunner of the Suez Canal’ was cleared and renamed ‘Khalij Amir al-Mu’minin’ through which navigation from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea had become possible.
During his caliphate, spread over more than ten years, he strictly followed the noble path set by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He was a paragon of simplicity, austerity and piety.
Hunger, darkness prevail in the country
HUNGER and darkness have turned the situation after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto into a nightmare. Many people lost their families and homes owing to the riots that broke out soon after the assassination. The country is in a constant struggle with itself as the people face a shortage of flour, electricity and suffer from the low pressure of gas.
Economic output is suffering due to these shortages. Flour is a staple food in Pakistan and its shortage has left many starving. Load-shedding has been increasing every year but has increased manifold over the past two weeks, making it very difficult for people to carry on with their daily routines. The NWFP has been severely hit by the crisis despite its large contribution to hydropower. Shortages and the low pressure of gas have led to many deaths in the northern areas.
Despite all the hardships the people in the north and other areas of Pakistan are facing, the government does not seem to take much interest in or care about the current situation. This lack of consideration could lead to rebellion as the general public can find no other alternative to get the government’s attention. The people might start coming out on the streets in large crowds for strikes which might further cause the situation to deteriorate. We urge the government to immediately take note of these unbearable conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the NWFP. New policies to resolve these problems need to be introduced and worked on, such as the import of flour, the production of electricity and new plants to produce more gas. — (Jan 6)
Kurram Agency thirstyfor peace
THE situation in Kurram Agency has made worse the already poor social conditions prevailing in the NWFP. Militants and security forces continue to exchange heavy fire despite the truce efforts by local elders. Some 321 people have been killed and 700 wounded in the crossfire between the forces and the militants since Nov 16 2007. Considerable loss of life has already taken place. But the bloodbath seems to have no end. Severe harm being inflicted on citizens and property is being regularly reported from the area.
Intriguingly, the situation in the once peaceful valley of Parachinar also seems to be deteriorating. There is curfew in the area for the last two weeks. The area remains cut off…and hence no transport of goods and food supplies has taken place since the imposition of curfew. The shortage of resources, mainly food supply and basic necessities, has added to the woes of the people of Parachinar and the rest of Kurram Agency.
The peace process in Kurram Agency and the Swat valley has been further worsened by the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. As a result, the people of Kurram Agency have started migrating to the provinces of Paktia and Khost in neighboring Afghanistan. Almost 900 families are reported to have migrated to Khost and Paktia recently.
The Afghan government has welcomed these refugees, considering them as their own brothers but due to the terrible economic condition of the country, Afghanistan may not be able to accommodate any excessive flow— (Jan 6)
— Selected and translated by Khadim Hussain