| January 20, 2008 | Sunday | Muharram 10, 1429 |
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Private security lapses
Statements by US hopefuls
Fearful generation
Energy conservation – the only option
Pakistan forever?
President’s reply
Education issue
Worst year for Pakistan
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
UNARGUABLY, the challenge that is ruining Pakistan today is the threat of terrorism and extremism. Unfortunately, we have failed to identify our enemy. In order to defeat the terrorist we have gone bizarre in attacking the militants in our tribal belt. The recent increase in terrorist attacks all over Pakistan on our law enforcement agencies is the reaction of our flawed strategy.
The mistake in the fight against terrorism is that we have only emphasised on the use of conventional military force. As the US is paying the price for its intervention in Iraq, Pakistan is facing the same in Waziristan. Only in Waziristan, our 800 soldiers have been killed so far.
It is pivotal for us to hunt down the subversives. We need to understand the objectives they want to achieve by suicide bombings, intimidating our people, burning factories, ambushing passenger buses, derailing trains and creating fear and panic in our daily lives. Clearly, terrorists are using these acts of barbarism to disintegrate Pakistan. As a result of these cowardly acts, they want to overthrow the government, damage the economy, move Pakistan away from the path of democracy by killing its political leaders, tarnish Pakistan’s image as a progressive country and label it as the most dangerous place in the world, disharmonise its provinces and create sectarian tension through sectarian violence.
Pakistanis have to find out the beneficiary party of all these heinous acts. We need to know whether the beneficiary comes from within the country, outside the country or is it a combination of both. We know that mainly the threat comes from within the country, particularly from our tribal belt with Afghanistan, but certainly the external influence cannot be ruled out.
The indoctrinated terrorist may come from within and outside the country, but it cannot be denied that its sponsors and trainers are mainly external sources. The extremist indoctrination and sponsorship for explosives has to be stopped. This is the root of terrorism that has to be cut.
The cause of terrorism in Pakistan is mainly poverty, lack of education, unemployment, almost every past successive government’s wrong policies and a feeling of deprivation and despondency among people. If people are well - educated, employed and earn a decent living, then they would never be indoctrinated and reject the extremist masterminds. The reason that we find most terrorists from our tribal areas or small towns is because of lack of educational facilities there. Most people in those areas are unemployed and have nothing to do; as a result, they are easy targets and vulnerable to be indoctrinated in the hands of forces of evil.
Pakistan cannot rely on the use of military force alone. Pakistan has to secure the victory against terrorism by psychological warfare also. This is exactly what Malaysia did when it fought a war against subversives. They won the hearts and minds of the people. This is what we have to do according to our environment. It took Malaysia 20 years to finally defeat the terrorist.
In our case too it may take years for our victory against terrorism, but ultimately we will secure a formal surrender of terrorists. The government should make long - term planning that the children without guardians are taken care of and they don’t go into the wrong hands.
The short - term policy to address the issue of terrorism is to start the process of negotiation in the tribal areas. If there is a strong will and determination to resolve the issue peacefully, then there is no reason why we can’t resolve this problem without a military action. It is also necessary that Pakistan should review its foreign policy in its fight against terrorism.
We have to develop our country and simultaneously address all the causes of terrorism. Extremism has to be renounced, radicalism eradicated and sectarian violence must be stopped. It is only then that we can win the war against terrorism and make our country a progressive Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
BILAL MASOOD
Karachi
APROPOS of your editorial, ‘Private security lapses’ (Jan 8) and a report, ‘Guards loot Rs150m of exchange company’ (Jan 7). The biggest-ever dacoity in the history of Karachi took place at H & H Moneychangers on Jan 6, in which two security guards of a private security company deployed there looted Rs150 million.
According to a report published in a section of the press on Jan 7, there were lapses on both sides. The H & H Moneychangers did not inform the police beforehand about the delivery of such a huge amount of cash to them from the airport, even though they were supposed to do so for security purposes. They also informed the police about the dacoity a good 15 to 20 minutes after the incident took place.
Moreover, security cameras at the building where the robbery took place were not operative. The security company had no proper record of their guards who were involved in the robbery. A copy of the NIC of only one of the accused guards was found in the company’s record during the investigation by the police.
Similarly, no references were mentioned on the guard’s application form, nor the company had their addresses.
It is also mentioned in the said report that the previous government had tried to initiate a policy to curb the involvement of security guards in crimes by cancelling the licenses of security companies that inducted guards without background checks. But interestingly the suspended licences were restored within two to three days, even though the security companies in question still had not conformed to the background check requirement.
Another report in a section of the press revealed that getting cadres recruited in security companies is a regular modus operandi for revenue generation used by some militant groups and criminals’ gangs. Their cadres and associates are encouraged to join security companies. As soon as they are posted at financial institutions such as banks, moneychangers, etc, they start getting information out to their bases. The ‘leaders home back’ then formulate a plan of actions, and the institutions are robbed within two to three months. This has been true for all the nine major bank robberies of the past few months.
The robberies in the banks and financial institutions have sparked controversy among the police, banks and private security companies, who hold each other responsible for exposed and ineffective security system. But basically it is the responsibility of the private security companies to ensure that guards deployed by them at the banks and other places are reliable, their background is checked and addresses including addresses of their references are correct.
Similarly, security companies are required to keep the original national identity cards (NICs) of their guards verified by Nadra and discharge books of ex-servicemen verified by their respective ‘formation’, in their custody. It is mandatory for the security companies to get their guards’ character and antecedents verified by their respective police stations and from police special branch.
Security companies are also supposed to get NICs of their guards verified through the Nadra’s Verisys System available in All Pakistan Security Agencies Association’s (APSAA’s) office for this purpose. But many security companies do not avail themselves of this facility. Similarly, the Sindh government has also laid down certain do’s and don’ts for private security companies in the Sindh Private Security Agencies (Regulation and Control) Ordinance-2000 and Private Security Agencies Rules-2001. But these are not followed by many companies in letter and in spirit.
SQN LDR (R) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
TWO Democrat Senators have issued statements regarding Pakistan: one by Senator John Kerry who states that Musharraf did not provide Benazir Bhutto with adequate security protection. The other statement being made by Democrat presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is that she would try to get Pakistan’s nuclear assets under American and British supervision if she becomes the next president. First, in relation to Senator Kerry’s assertion that Ms Bhutto’s security was not adequately provided is absolutely wrong. Ms Bhutto was given a choice by President Musharraf and those in the government to choose a superintendent of the police of her liking for her protection, which she duly did. She handpicked the police officials herself for her protection.
Second, Mr Kerry fails to understand the dimensions of Pakistani politics and security considerations. There was no need for Ms Bhutto to raise her head from the vehicle during the procession itself when leaving the rally. This lapse of security was on her part. After all, nothing happened to Amin Fahim or Naheed Khan who were also travelling with Ms Bhutto.
Ms Bhutto was provided with all the security arrangements befitting her. If there was a lapse, then her own security personnel within the PPP should also be held accountable.
Hillary Clinton’s statement regarding the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets is again unfounded. Pakistan has a strong chain of command regarding its nuclear facilities. Even India, our neighbouring state, has expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s nuclear safety. Hillary Clinton should concentrate on her elections and chances of success by addressing what concerns Americans, and not matters that Pakistan is capable of looking after.
Both US senators should concentrate on their own domestic fronts before drawing foregone conclusions.
AMIN SULEIMAN
Rawalpindi
I am 16 years old and am studying in O level. I am a regular reader of Dawn.
I want to ask President Pervez Musharraf as to why are the citizens facing numerous problems? Why are we deprived of basic necessities of life? Is the flour being smuggled?
The problem of electricity hinders our studies. Keeping heaters and boilers in our houses is of no use when gas is not available. We are fearful of stepping out on roads and entering shops. The suicide bombers are engaged in merciless killing of innocent people. Poor people cannot afford high prices of commodities like flour and pulses. Illiteracy is increasing day by day. There is no management in government schools.
The immense difference between public hospitals and private hospitals shows the failure of the government. The great fight for power amongst our political leaders severely affects the country. No democracy exists in Pakistan.
The political climate of Pakistan is polluting day by day. The Quaid did not want to see Pakistan become a military dictatorship regime. The government should take strong measures to prevent such perils so that we may live peacefully in our country without any fear.
The Quaid said firmly: “Government officials are servants of people, not the rulers of the country.” It is time we resolved these problems and created peace, harmony and love among citizens of our country.
JANNAT ASGHAR
Faisalabad
YOUR editorial, ‘Conservation by all’ (Jan 13) really highlights our present predicament. Unscheduled power loadshedding and low gas pressure for hours (SSGC says there is no real problem, it is only due to large number of gas generators coming on line as if the gas companies do not know that gas generators are not allowed on ‘domestic’ gas supply) are the norms.
Who is going to enforce basic energy conservation? Even the then prime minister’s approved directive of Nov 2006 has been ignored in totality as this would have stopped all ‘ad hoc’ gas connections to industries and large building complexes unless they met minimum efficiency requirements.
If this action was initiated 14 months back, we would be close to basic solution of both our power shortage and natural gas crisis. Major conservation measures would have achieved some of the following milestones by now:
1. Power sector: Enormous natural gas is being wasted in conventional steam power stations, running at only 33 per cent net efficiency. If all these power plants were ‘re-powered’ with gas turbine for combined cycle operation, 50 per cent extra power (totaling at least 500 MW extra) could be generated without any additional gas. Since the ‘directives’ covered requirements of efficient combined cycle operation, no power plant should have been allowed gas connection if operating at less than 50 per cent net efficiency. Wapda’s infamous ‘rental’ simple cycle power plants and Karachi’s Defence Cogen Power Plant, with the world’s least efficient combined cycle design, should be refused gas connections under this directive till required efficiency is achieved.
2. Steam generation: In spite of very clear directives to encourage cogeneration so that gas is not used for ‘normal’ inefficient steam generation in any sizable industry (knowing that about four MW power can be generated free of gas fuel cost if the industry generated about 10 tons / hr steam at 10 bars pressure with conventional boilers).
So many industries, including specialised sensitive units, consume much more than 10 tons/ hr steam so one can estimate how much ‘free’ power is available from such industries. Estimates very from 1,000 MW to 2,000 MW additional power, without any extra gas supply if all such steam requirements are co-generated in an efficient process.
Normal textile units generating only 10 to 15 per cent steam through gas engine waste heat and the balance 85 to 90 per cent with conventional boilers do not fit into qualified cogeneration facility requirements.
3. Large central airconditioning systems: There are literally hundreds of large inefficient airconditioning installations covering buildings for offices, hospitals, hotels, airport terminals, etc., besides various industrial process requirements.
The conventional approach is to use gas-fired absorption chillers which, unfortunately, are the world’s least efficient heat transfer machines with Coeff, of performance averaging only 1.0 Vs COP of four for even simple split type airconditioners. So all such systems are not only wasteful but in terms of our energy scenario simply unaffordable and yet all such installations are given gas connections without any problem.
If the SSGC could only show a properly-designed cogeneration system, perhaps in their own head office building, they would be in a better position to influence other clients to chose efficient technologies for the country’s and their own long-term gains.
There is a vast potential for energy conservation in such building complexes and we should have had a directive to enforce standard energy codes in such installations quite some time back.
We need to conserve energy and the energy professionals need to follow available conservation measures without any further delay.
AAZA
Karachi
I WISH it was Pakistan forever — without the question mark. However, it almost seems as if there is a call for the dismemberment of Pakistan, in the world press on an organised basis, as it has reached a crescendo that hasn’t been noticed in the previous decades.
The air is rife with the stench of despicable predictions painting a doomsday scenario in which Pakistan is a failed state. ‘Expert’ after so-called expert is telling us that we will fail as a nation and state. Reading all of this actually makes my heart bleed. Only having been out of Pakistan for six months, I am scared for Pakistan, for my eventual loss of identity. If there is no Pakistan, where will we all be?
The government of the day needs to step up urgently. There is no time to lose. A national government, with representatives from all provinces and parties backed by a fully neutral army (sans the political cell in the ISI), is the need of the hour. There is no time for personal whims or egos.
I humbly implore President Musharraf that if you are not allowing a national government to be formed due to some misperception of being humbled, please note that this action will certainly make you a giant of a man far apart from the pygmies that came before you and continue to surround you. History will be kind to you.
HASAN BIN HAMZA
Adelaide, Australia
I WAS watching the president’s weekly briefing on Jan 17 in which an attendant asked about his textile factory that were put to fire by a mob on Dec 28 after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. To my shock, in spite of accepting the failure of the government or the security agencies, the president replied that during the last six years the textile industries have earned huge profits. So what if some sort of loss had been done!
You should share the loss with the government.
What logic is this? Is it appropriate for a president of a country to answer like this?
M. ASIF HUSSAIN
Lahore
THIS is in response to Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s two recent opinion articles appearing on Jan 2 and Jan 12.
There have been a number of letters, appearing in these columns, that seem to outrightly oppose the views of Dr Hoodbhoy on the HEC and their funding mechanisms. Although, I disagree with some points raised by Dr Hoodbhoy, there are a number of very valid points that have been raised in his articles.
For instance, how can you raise the standards of higher education without giving assistance to and raising standards of constituent colleges? After all, the basis of our university education is the college education.
Secondly, how can conceptual education be imparted to students who are used to rote learning, without understanding the basic principles? Some of these students end up in the same colleges as teachers and carry the system forward without actually thinking how they are harming the future of Pakistan.
It is not necessary for the HEC or other authorities to take full cognizance of all that Dr Hoodbhoy has written. However, the authorities should think about the basic points that have been raised by him.
FAHIM QURESHI
GC University, Lahore
THIS is with reference to Bilal Ahmad’s letter, ‘Moderate Islam’ (Jan 17). The founder of Jamaat-i-Islami gave credence to the doctrine of jihad as the central tenet of Islam. Political ambitions were the real force behind the propagation of this ideology. The aspirations of these so-called ‘torch-bearers’ of Islam have brought Pakistan to its current dismal state.
They have set Pakistan on a course which is in sharp contrast to the path envisioned by the Quaid-i-Azam. Pakistan was never an ‘Islamic Republic’ until 1956 when the Constitution was amended to incorporate this term. Ever since, Pakistan has spiralled on a downward journey.
The menace of extremism, sectarianism and intolerance that we witness today is a result of the aspirations of such religious parties that have brought Pakistan to a point that we celebrated 2007 (60th year of independence) as the ‘worst’ in its history in terms of violence and bloodshed.
MANSURA BASHIR MINHAS
Morgantown, USA
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