| January 29, 2008 | Tuesday | Muharram 19, 1429 |
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Security of politicians
Who will guard the guards
Assembling JF-17
Alternative energy
Selfless sacrifice
Detecting suicide bombers
Lowly colonel
France’s double standards
A future course
A wish
Ex-servicemen’s statement
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
SARDAR Ahmad Shah Jan’s letter, ‘Belittling democracy’ (Jan 26), was a confused analysis of the editorial (Jan 23), in many aspects. The subject is very sensitive and demands some thought-provoking discussion.
First, he claimed that President Musharraf was the person who gave the freedom to the media. I object. Aristotle once said: “I may disagree with what you are saying, but I’ll protect your right of saying till death”. Even the sage like Aristotle used the word ‘right’ instead of freedom.
Our Constitution, to which Mr President has no regard — if he had, he might not have violated it time and again — also endows us the ‘right to know’ along with other fundamental rights.
In this way what the Pakistani media is enjoying is their birthright which they have got by dint of their sheer imagination and dogged will. They (media) must be appreciated for that. Moreover, the surge which the media industry has seen is the result of certain international developments.
Second, his question was ‘at the brink of what?’. Had he carefully studied the editorial, he needed not ask that question. The absence of democracy, introduction of draconian laws — give me a single reason for the promulgation of the law that allows the trial of civilians in the army courts — curbs on the media as well as on the judiciary, restrictions on free assembly, police brutality, ‘the disappearance’ of political and religious activists, grave law and order situation and assassination of a popular leader ascertain the truth that we are at the brink of destruction.
Third, Sardar Ahmad Shah favoured President Musharraf’s point of view on democracy when he wrote: “He (Musharraf) was not belittling democracy, he was telling them (West) about their double standards”.
I am unable to understand that a person who spent almost 40 years in an institution which works on the principles of command, order and force, how can he ‘introduce real democracy’? Democracy, in my opinion, is a behaviour rather than a system to be introduced. What an irony that a military person (r) is trying to tell the meanings of democracy to the inhabitants of Rousseau — the prophet of democracy.
Fourth, he(Mr Ahmad Shah) said: “We are desperate people”. I refute this idea. The struggle of lawyers and that of judiciary for the rule of law, the sacrifices of media people, the increased concern of civil society and of the students and the plea of common citizens for the rights are foretelling the truth that as a nation we are still alive.
As far as democracy is concerned, yes it is the panacea for all the ills that the country is facing today because it involves the people in the decision-making process. Instead of supporting one man’s obsession who always considers himself the only solution of the problem, we must raise our voice in favour of democracy.
OZAIR SIDDIQUE
Lahore
ANWER Syed in his article, ‘Security of politicians’ (Jan 20), has raised an issue that needed to be addressed by all concerned for a long time. I entirely agree with his views and urge the ‘silent majority’ of our country to raise their voice and stop being exploited by a set of political leaders who have been making fool of all voters and putting the regime under undue pressure all the time.
When they are entrusted with the responsibility of running the government, they fail to deliver and indulge in non- political activities. What the experience of the period from 1988 to 1999 of the elected governments has shown does not instil any confidence in the ability of our political leadership. Why should we share the cost of their security arrangements?
Why should all taxpayers be paying for the security of a particular group of politicians when their own security is not ensured in this country? Almost every household has suffered losses of human lives or valuables due to incidents of violence or robberies in the form of looting of houses or snatching of cars, jewellery, or mobile phones, etc.
What security did I have when a gang of four dacoits barged into my house and deprived me of all that I could earn in 30 years of hard work? This happened when a democratically-elected government was in power in 1997.
Each one of my children has been robbed of either jewellery or cash or other valuable on the roadside. I am sure ours is not the only family that has suffered these losses. What had the governments of the past done to eliminate this menace of robberies and looting on the roadsides from the country? Each one of those killed by the robbers while resisting the snatching of their valuables was a citizen of Pakistan.
Did the victims not deserve security? While all these lootings and killings were going on, not a single politician raised a voice on this issue either in the assemblies or in public since they were not concerned with such issues.
They had enough security at our cost. We never heard of any politician being robbed or looted by the dacoits. If they are really public leaders, they should not feel insecure going out without security personnel or living in houses without any police guards. Why should they pester the government for ‘fool-proof security’.
Their parties can afford billions of rupees in hosting meetings of hundreds of people in London or Dubai. Why can’t these parties arrange for security of their leaders under their own guidance?It is a pity that the voice of the common man is suppressed by the high-sounding rhetoric of our political leaders.
Our media, too, is inclined towards paying more attention to the judges and lawyers or the high profile political leadership than taking up the cause of the common man. The interest of the man on the street is often ignored. Thank you, Anwar Syed and Dawn for raising this issue.
MUNIR ASLAM
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the ongoing incidents at banks and other organisations where security guards, guarding the premises, are involved in theft and robberies. Primarily, the guards monitor security and technology supports them in providing secured operations. However, a burning question is being asked today: Who will guard the guards?
The core problems of these incidents are:
— Lack of security professionals designing and implementing electronic security for banks.
— Management not interested in investing in proper CCTV or other effective security system.
— Banks consider installing CCTV as a formality for insurance cover and the instructions given to them by the State Bank of Pakistan.
— Buyers do not possess sufficient knowledge; their buying decisions heavily tilt towards the cheapest solutions.
— No concept of remote centralised monitoring and the knowledge of alarms transmitted to the central monitoring station as soon as a branch system shuts down or an unusual activity occurs.
Is there recourse in this new scenario? Yes there is:
— CCTV recordings are effective in detecting and investigating crime and must be fit for the purpose and must be remotely monitored to prevent and detect intrusion.
— Ensuring that the digital CCTV system is capable of meeting the potential evidential quality of the picture.
— While buying a CCTV system, the buyer should specify and know the requirement of what they want to see and where.
— Management must hire security professionals or consultants to work out their requirements.
— Purchases should be made from an established and authentic dealer with a professional team of engineers and technicians.
— A system operator should be available and must act as soon as the alarms are raised at the central monitoring station. Aappointment of handicap people, specially the people on wheel chairs, are best for this job, this will not only help these people to get employed but will also fulfil the government requirement to employ two per cent handicapped people out of the total work force.
Now is the time to understand the needs of security in this growing terrorist world and stop the intruders and burglars by catching them red-handed by utilising the latest tech-
nology.
The managements of banks and organisations have to come up with proper planning and budgeting to cope with this ongoing problem.
BASIT KARIM
Via email
IT was thrilling news that Pakistan has started assembling the JF 17 Thunder fighter aeroplanes, jointly developed along with our great friend China, at the PAF Aeronautical Complex in Kamra.
One is both thankful and proud that our air force took up this unique challenge and has come out with flying colours. Having seen the many western sanctions imposed from time to time, it has been my longstanding dream that our beloved country gets freed from reliance on foreign powers for meeting its defence needs. Now, like Shakespeare, the PAF personnel who made this vision a reality can say: ‘We are such stuff/as dreams are made on ...!
To adapt Stoddard King’s words to express my sentiments:
There’s a long, long trail a-winding
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the JF17 is flying
And our brave pilot beams ....
My heartiest felicitations to the PAP chief and all the engineers, test pilots and other folks who did the nation proud. At the same time, I would appeal to those people who have been attacking the aeronautical complex to please realise the great job this facility is doing for strengthening the motherland.
There can be no quarrel with them. May there be peace in Pakistan.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
YOUR editorial, ‘Alternative energy’ (Jan 16), rightly points out how we should use alternative energy for electricity when the price of oil is rising all the time and making consumers bear the brunt.
With abundant natural reserves of coal, it is unfathomable why the government does not tap these resources. Many countries with such resources are generating coal for energy.
Let the private sector do it if they are unable to, to ease the plight of consumers who are faced with loadshedding or no electricity at all. The energy crisis must be dealt with common sense and efficiency on a war footing.
Wind power is being used in many countries, and Dawn TV showed a home run on wind power. Similarly, there are people using solar energy and one such case is of a German woman running her home and school/idara on solar energy in a village in Punjab.
So coal, wind power, water, solar energy should be tapped immediately for the benefit of millions of citizens of this country.
S. BABAR
Karachi
THE plane crash incident that occurred in the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Information and Technology is reminder of the fact that there still are people like Jahanzeb Amrez who are ready to sacrifice their own life in order to save the lives of the others. His selfless act has gained him a superior position in life hereafter, his sacrifice should not go in vain in this world either.
The PAF, besides honouring him for his courageous act, should also set up an inquiry as to what caused the mechanical fault in the plane so that accidents like these should be averted in the future.
A request to the GIKI staff and students is that they should do something for a man who sacrificed his life in order to save others. May Allah bless him and give patience to his family to bear this great loss.
SALEHA KHAN
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of Sqn Ldr (r) Ausaf Husain’s letter (Jan 22). He has made very useful practical suggestions for observing and identifying the would-be bomber.
However, I would like to emphasise that the process of identifying such criminals should start at a much earlier stage. These people live in our own mohallahs and deras. It is almost impossible for them to keep their heinous activities secret from their own neighbours, friends and families.
The only reason they can get away with their crimes is the sad fact that some of us secretly sympathise with them in the belief that such people are on their onward journey to paradise.
The nation needs to be awakened. The ‘paradisical’ image of the criminals needs to be unmasked. Why are the ‘ulema’ and political leaders almost silent about such issues? Why are our TV channels not showing banner slogans like ‘Suicide is a road to Hell’? Similar slogans should be displayed in all schools and madressahs.
KHALID A
London UK
IN an interview with the Wall Street Journal, President Pervez Musharraf said: “Please differentiate Pakistan from banana republics” where a lowly colonel can take over the state. “These things don’t happen in Pakistan” (Jan 25).
From this logic it would seem that the ‘lowly colonel’ has to wait for many years until he can stage a coup in Pakistan and become a ‘respectable general,’ turning it into a ‘qaydkhana’ (prison) republic.
T. AHMED
Karachi
ACCORDING to a report (Jan 25), French president Nicolas Sarkozy is anxious to confer a human rights award on Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi writer, who had angered the world’s Muslims by what they saw as her blasphemy. What is more, a Somali- born anti-Islamic female activist also shares the French award.
These moves can only hurt France’s relations with the Islamic world. They also contrast with the banning in France a few years back of a painting that had shown the 12 apostle’s of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) as scantily-clad women, since that was seen as something likely to inflame the feelings of the Christians. These double standards towards freedom of expression expose in general the West’s bias against the Muslims and their faith.
S. QADRI
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Shazia Marri’s letter, ‘Benazir, we will miss you’ (Jan 24). It is indeed a fact that there is no such replacement of the great leader like Benazir Bhutto.
But we, as her admirers and torch-bearers, should not think even for a minute that we have lost a battle against the mission that was carried by our great leader, rather we should get united and fight a war against the force which create hindrances on the road to democracy.
I do realise that after the assassination of Ms Bhutto the people who love and respect Pakistan have been hit hard. But it is time we shed our differences and got focused and exercised our right of vote and brought about a change in society.
QAZI NAZIM NAEEM
Karachi
A PHOTOGRAPH on Dawn’s back page of Jan 25 shows President Musharraf looking at the former US secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, with considerable awe and respect. It may be recalled that Kissinger is the same man who had threatened to make a lesson out of Z.A. Bhutto if Pakistan did not stop its nuclear programme.
Also, Mr Musharraf has been trying very hard for several years to grant diplomatic recognition to Israel, although Mr Jinnah was absolutely opposed to the idea.
The president had also hobnobbed with the Jews and addressed their organisation in the US a couple of years back, amid much hype.
How I wish he could look at and treat respectfully a poor compatriot of his, who gets beaten by the goons or stands in lines for many hours to buy a bag of flour or other edibles, with half the regard he has shown to the enemies of Pakistan’s strategic programme and the Palestinian Muslims.
ABDULLAH
Karachi
I WAS disappointed to read the statement of ex-servicemen of the Pakistan Army (Jan 23) who have demanded resignation of President Pervez Musharraf, especially at a time when the president is not in the country.
Their demand is all the more unfortunate and ironical because of the fact that most of these generals and other army, navy, air force retired officers at one time or the other have been a part and parcel of the previous successive military governments.
In my opinion other army rulers except perhaps president Ayub were worse than President Musharraf. At least at present ex-servicemen and opposition parties are enjoying the freedom to express their opinion, which they did not enjoy or exercise in the past.
Unfortunately, there is a trend among our leaders that they keep mum when they are occupying the ‘chair’. They speak after retirement and after enjoying all good things in life only.
Those who matter in our society, like ex-servicemen, should act when they are in power because they can then be effective and can arrest the decline and deterioration. Responding to your conscience when you have become powerless serves no purpose.
Again the issue of somebody being right or wrong, popular or unpopular, legitimate or illegitimate can only be decided through a free and fair election. The right of condoning or impeaching or even removing President Musharraf rested with first the voters and then the future parliament.
I still recall that when Gen Ziaul Haq hanged the popularly-elected prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, most of these retired army officers either kept quiet or sided with Gen Zia.
In my opinion Mr Musharraf did the right thing by joining the US war against terror after 9/11 otherwise Pakistan could have found itself in even a worse condition like in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to many, President Musharraf had no other option. He has done nothing for himself. He has given maximum freedom which is an essence of democracy. He has tried to put the country on the road to stability, progress and prosperity.
The office-bearers of ex-servicemen society at best should demand a free and fair election and leave other things which relate to the future of the country to the next parliament.
They should realise that by joining the US camp, President Musharraf has been able to neutralise both India and Israel which have been after Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
There was a time when India used to accuse Pakistan of sending ‘terrorists’ to Kashmir. The president has been able to successfully negotiate peace with India.
Similarly, Israel now is also not very aggressive against Pakistan. All these are signs of the success of President Musharraf’s foreign policy.
K. MURAD BEY
Karachi
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