| February 01, 2008 | Friday | Muharram 22, 1429 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Passengers detained
Doubting loyalties
Seafood industry
Degrading a noble man
Change of academic year
CSS exams
To quit or not to quit
Effects of globalisation
No DUHS website
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 author of Military Inc. has written a very insightful piece for BBC Urdu.com, arguing that Pakistan is ruled by a small elite that disregards the wishes and the best interests of its average people. A Pakistani would absolutely agree with the fact that Pakistan has been and still is ruled by a small elite consisting of feudal lords, military officers, industrialists and bureaucrats (and some nefarious clerics colluding with them). While this piece does a great job of painting a fairly accurate picture of the situation in Pakistan, it stops short of telling you how to change it and empower the ordinary people of Pakistan.
In a humble view of a Pakistani, the way to change is to let the middle class continue to grow in size and strength, as it has in the last eight years. According to Teresita Schaffer, a Pakistan expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, “The emerging urban middle class is very important to Pakistan’s future, but by themselves they are not numerous enough to swing elections or spearhead a major social movement.” The size of Pakistan’s expanded middle class is in fact debated.
Tara Vishwanath, the World Bank’s lead economist for South Asia, said five per cent of Pakistan’s 160 million people — or roughly eight million Pakistanis — appear to have moved from living in poverty to being part of the lower middle class between 2001 and 2004. She said data being collected this year was needed to confirm whether the increase was permanent. While there are no precise figures, Pakistani political scientists estimate the upper and middle classes may now include 10 to 20 per cent of the population.
A Pakistani believes that with a stronger and larger middle class, the elite will be forced to concede power, as has happened in many societies that have transitioned from feudal to industrial societies in the last 100 to 200 years.
India is, perhaps, the only exception to this rule. The reasons cited for this exception are many. But the two that come to mind immediately are:
a. India’s prime minister Nehru ordered and implemented real and extensive land reform that limited land ownership to no more than a dozen or two acres per family in India. This action emasculated the feudal class and freed the rural people to choose their leaders without fear of persecution. In sharp contrast to this, the feudal families in Pakistan own tens to hundreds of thousands of acres.
b. India is so vast and diverse that it is extremely difficult for any military to rule it for any period of time.
So the Indians have chosen to support democratic institutions, in spite of the fact that Indian democracy has not served the vast majority of its people well.
They have understood that the alternatives are far worse. So, as a general rule, transition to industrialisation being an essential component for democracy, the industrialists are a necessary evil to free societies from the clutches of the feudal system and let the average people become educated enough to think and act in their own best interest.
Z. A. HALARI
Via email
IN an era where no news is often very good, the item that brightened my day was about the detention and subsequent deportation from the UK of some of the Chaudhry brethren and friends.
Whatever the reason for their being picked up, I am delighted that some of those who occupy positions of power and pelf they absolutely do not merit and are thus a painful national burden, are occasionally ‘equally’ treated as many of us lesser mortals routinely are when in the attempt to travel abroad.
This nation and its honest and good people are suffering because of the antics of the mirs, pirs, fakirs, -zadahs and chaudhrys, both religious and secular and in or out of uniform.
Take your pick. At the drop of a hat these people take off for foreign recreational junkets largely at the nation’s expense or are proud to be citizens of countries they abuse and undermine while here.
And, many of them have quite a lot to hide under the ‘izzat’ of the ‘pugree’.
Today, the average Pakistani, like a leper, is shunned in most countries of the world.
Many of us who have the luxury of still being able to travel abroad squirm in humiliation at the mere recollection of being scrutinised by suspicious immigration officers or of being singled out for detailed physical search on presentation of the familiar green passport.
That the Brits issued an apology later is part of the inherent hypocrisy of our former masters.
Unless the international community gets into the act or there is a major diplomatic row, they wouldn’t bat an eyelid in remorse, irrespective of the innocence or bona fides of the victim.
Were a common citizen picked up and mistreated in the same way, it would merely be the way ‘the system’ works. And they wouldn’t get their visas back either.
Perhaps if the western world routinely treated most of our leaders in this fashion we might be able to divest ourselves of much of these parasites and move on to the true meaning of democracy.
And slowly regain our lost respect. Right now, five bucks bets that the Chaudhrys will not test the strength of their ‘injured reputations’ in a British court.
MERYVN HOSEIN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Ayesha Siddiqa’s article, ‘The foreign Pakistanis’ (Jan 25).
This article is ill-informed. There is nothing ‘rabid’ about the loyalties of Pakistanis living abroad.
These are honest sentiments of those that can see the country from a different perspective.
I have lived in the US for almost 30 years but I have yet to see a positive or neutral article on Pakistan in any of the local publications.
As a matter of fact, I challenge Ms Siddiqa to write something positive on Pakistan and see if she can get it published in any meaningful publication in the US.
The assertion that Pakistanis living abroad have their heads in the sand is misguided.
We see a nation that cannot unite on anything from celebrating Eid on a single day to the correct size of a ‘lota’, it is mind-boggling to see that it could come together in a couple of hours to burn the entire country.
From people whose opinions are not even entertained by Dawn, it is mind-boggling to see their detailed accounts published one after the other in New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor and Los Angeles Times.
From a nation whose request for economic aid is not heard by anyone, it is mind-boggling to see that ‘requests to cut off aid’ are entertained by everyone.
No one is suggesting that Pakistan has perfect policies and the government does not make mistakes but the concept that internal policies are wrong and, therefore, people are expected to burn property, kill anyone, explode bombs in mosques, have ‘lashkars’, keep private armies and can only accept the verdict of one judge is all nonsense.
Maybe there are no external hands behind all this but this level of destructive unity amongst Pakistanis cannot be explained on any other basis.
AMJAD WYNE
Washington DC
TO get the seafood industry out of trouble, since the day the export to European Union was banned by the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) which requested the European Union to de-list all Pakistani EU-approved companies, I suggest the following steps:
— The KFHA and the Sindh fisheries ministry should frame rules in the light of EU directives 852, 853 for minimum standards to be maintained on fishing boats, market halls and in establishments.
— The FCS should be told to ensure adoption of the standard operating procedure (SOP), hygiene and raw material handling as per EU directives 852, 853, as well as operation of market hall K-1 and K-2 according to these rules.
— The Minfal should check the establishments regularly and, if found complied, report to the director general of SANCO their names and numbers so that they can be approved at the standing committee’s meeting and published on their website (which will mean export is allowed).
— Other than Karachi, some of the landing sites like Ibrahim Hyderi, Miani, may be provided with auction halls to maintain standing operating procedures according to 852, 853.5. KFHA/FCS should maintain harbour and channel cleaning, and ensure supply of clean water and emergency generators for landing sites and market hall.
— Minfal should immediately write back to director-general of SANCO, giving action plan with completion dates and at the same time report about those establishments which are in compliance. This is a very important step awaiting MFD’s attention.
In the end it is requested that the management of MFD must be changed, as desired by all the stake holders, and a proper technical person should be made the director-general who should work independently of Minfal and can take quick decisions.
A fisheries board, headed by a private sector administrator, should be appointed to look after all matters of fisheries and all three departments that work under this.
SYED AKHLAQ HUSSAIN ABIDI
Karachi
THIS refers to the incident that took place with the most respected and honourable person of Pakistan, none other than Abdus Sattar Edhi, in the United States.
He was degraded by US authorities at New York. He was deported first and then, after cancellation of that deportation summon, interrogated at the airport and kept in custody for about eight hours.
Why did this happen? We all treat the people of the US as inhabitants of some supreme land. We consider them that they are really civilised and the most developed nation. They are a developed nation but lack morality. They have no regard for such a great man who has worked day and night for the poor, needy and destitute. It’s in the Guinness Book of World Records 2001 that ‘Edhi Foundation has the world’s largest ambulance service’.
This great Pakistani shows the beautiful face of Pakistan by his good deeds and simple outlook. He is a man of true character but the US authorities maltreated such a noble person.
As a Pakistani, I condemn this act of degradation by the US and suggest not to poke their nose in the work of such noble persons.
All Pakistani people must also condemn this act. This is the request of a student.
ASAD ASGHAR JANJUA
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of Sami Mustafa’s letter, ‘Change of academic year’ (Jan 27). He was of the view that August is appropriate part of the year to begin an academic year.
I have some stakes in this issue as I am associated with a government educational institution. I have some points to put before the policymakers and general readers on this issue.
— I believe that March is the most suitable part of the year to put the students under examination. If we start the academic year in August, it would force the students to appear for the final examination in May, which has very harsh weather. So, it would be better suggested from the students and human point view to start the new academic session in April.
It would let the students to focus upon their examinations comfortably.
— This point that students would forget whatever they studied before the summer vacation is false and bogus and past experience does not support it. We can keep students involved in studies through some home assignments and such other activities can be worked out.
— If the academic session would start in August, students would do nothing except wasting their time during long vacations. This has been observed at the beginning of ongoing session that students did nothing productive from June to mid of August.
Again this year the final examination of Grade VIII will start on March 25 and it will take two weeks to complete. So, what would student do for four long moths, before the beginning of the new session on Aug 15.
Our policymakers must try to devise some strategy to save the precious time of our generation. We do not have such arrangements as can enable our students to make their spare time productive. The parents have already conveyed their reservations regarding the beginning of the new session in August to the academic staff of various educational institutions.
— There is another side of this issue. Teachers need to be given some break to get refreshed and it is a fact that human beings cannot function as machines. This break could be provided from April 1 to April 10, before teachers could go for the new session. They would review the syllabus and chalk out the teaching strategies for the new session during this break. On the other hand, it would give students some time to get new books. This time students were unable to get new books until mid-September.
The future of our generation is at risk and our policymakers must not ignore this issue. A wise decision needed to be taken.
ABDUL WAHEED
Islamabad
THE FPSC has been established in Pakistan to select individuals on merits, particularly those who are highly talented and most suited to run the government machinery on a smooth pace, devoid of corruption and lethargy.
Last year in March, I appeared in CSS examinations held in Pakistan whereas my centre was the Public School, Sukkur.
I attempted the paper of English Composition and soon after reaching home, I took Oxford Dictionary and looked for the vocabulary given in the paper. However, I was bewildered to see that the words were not in that dictionary. Then I met my other colleagues who also complained of the same and advised me to write to the FPSC for the purpose.
It is pertinent to note that one of my friends hailing from Sukkur failed with 38 marks in English Composition. He was frustrated and depressed because it was his last attempt. As a result, he now considers himself no more important in society even though he has an excellent amount of knowledge with special regard to CSS subjects.
Another friend, who lives in Islamabad, secured a total of 757 marks while he was flunked in English Composition in which he was given only 39 marks, failing him with one mark.
He showed his mark sheet to all the students of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and they advised him not to sit the examination again.
As the next examination of the CSS begins on March 15, the FPSC should at least give the words available in the dictionary, enabling the candidates to cope with the paper of English Composition easily. It will be in the best interest of natural justice.
MIRANI RASHEED
Sukkur
REFERENCE to President Musharraf’s statement that once he knows the people of homeland are not happy with him, he will not wait a single day and resign without delay.
The president should just become the common citizen of the country for a day and do the following few things.
I am sure he will know the heart beat of people about himself.
— Just one day, travel in mini-buses the people of Pakistan use.
— Just one day, drive the car in the same city the same day our VIPS are moving.
— Just one day, stand in lines to get flour/sugar.
— Just one day, go to the police station and try to lodge a genuine FIR, just one day, go to any government office for some work you need done.
— Just one day, visit any government hospital.
— Just one day, be a lawyer and try to do a peaceful protest in favour of the judiciary.
JB
France
THE scenario of revolutions with alternative terms in science has sprouted up a tremendous chain of globalisation covering the entire world under its unavoidable consequence.
How influential it is in our country that is explicit by the enhancing demands of technological items.
Through their extensive exploitation, our cultural traits and values have reached the delicate point where they can fade away any day now since they are practised no more.
Zillions of citizens are engrossed with watching dramas, live and exclusive games, movies and so on, but are virtually unaware of what is going on in their own neighbourhood.
The sense of globalisation has made us mentally paralysed and comprehensively hectic with inexorable modern ‘demands’ as mobile, computer with Internet, TV cables, and a multitude of more technological items.
Even this revolutionary epoch has so adversely ravaged our day-to-day activities that we have well-nigh elapsed how to deal with social and cultural traits.
It appears to be a massive blemish on society if someone observes cultural values. No one wears turban any more, which used to be a matter of great splendour for the persons in society.
Gone are the days when people had sympathy and lent a hand to each other in compassion and brotherhood, but now there has sprung up religious and social aversion which can in no way bridge the gulf.
JAMEELUR REHMAN BALOCH
Turbat, Kech
DOW University of Health Sciences (International), University Road, Karachi, has almost 200 students – each pays almost $10,000 a year in tuitions and fees.
The college has collected billions of rupees from overseas Pakistanis. It is unfortunate to notice that this college does not have professional websites.
The website is often the first impression as it projects a distinct and positive image on those who view them and entice visitors to learn more about institutions.
The parents are completely blind and deaf for having no information posted on website about academic calendars, curriculum calendar, teaching affiliate’s name, education, phone numbers and email addresses.
The Internet facilities in the campus were provided in December 2007 but the college needs more computers. The college has a shortage of faculty and has hired new graduates who lack experience.
I request the vice-chancellor of DUHS and president of the Pakistan Medical Council, Islamabad, to look into the matter and take immediate action.
M. HAQ
Chicago
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.