| February 06, 2008 | Wednesday | Muharram 27, 1429 |
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Tribute to our fallen soldiers
Fluid political situation
Research scholar’s appeal
Gathering of rudiments
Pivotal role of Pakistan
Safety issue
Pakistan’s bomb
Time for redressal
Battered agriculture sector
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
THIS is a propos of M. K. Naqvi’s letter , ‘Baitullah warns govt’ (Jan 28). He has presented Waziristan as a problem creator for Pakistan but has not looked at Pakistan as the problem creator for Waziristan. A neutral analysis will show there was no dissent or anti-military feelings in Waziristan or in Fata as a whole before 9/11.
We and the government were on the same wavelength. The men in Khaki had always been given a red-carpet welcome in Waziristan. The locals were proud of the Pakistan army. But unluckily the cordial environment changed when the army turned their guns against the locals to appease America.
We jumped so credulously into the US bandwagon, taking part more actively in the war on terror than US itself. Mr Naqvi asked a question about the jurisdiction of Waziristan. We did say that indeed Waziristan was and would remain part of Pakistan, as we promised the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, on his first visit.
Now look at the other side of the issue. For the last 60 years we have been asking the government of Pakistan the question Mr Naqvi asked, i.e. our status in Pakistan. Why is Fata not yet a part of mainstream politics, and is still ruled by the British law (FCR) which is a highly inhumane law? This law is rui generis and existed nowhere in the world. Isn’t it bizarre that a territory being part of us but administered by the British ‘black law’?
Are we impotent enough to orchestrate a policy through which Fata can be amalgamated with the rest of the country? I daresay, with my humble apology, that Mr Naqvi is oblivious of the ground realities, and such slanderous remarks will further augment the chaos and ferocity. A comparative analysis is always welcome, for that we need to look at both sides of the coin.
Antagonism and dissent is the natural outcome of myopic and imported policies, there were no Baitullah and Abdullah before 9/11 and no suicide attacks in Pakistan. We had seen the amputated and maimed bodies of our dear ones, dying in our laps, wounded by the bullets of gunship and artillery fired indiscriminately at our homes, while we were sleeping, fasting and praying. Is this humanity? Is this our job to defend armed forces against attacks or vice versa?
Schools and colleges have been closed for the last two to three years. Who is responsible for their future, Bush, Musharraf, Mr Naqvi or Pakistan as a whole? We had been made scapegoats in major powers’ rivalry. What happened after Dec 27, people have burnt transport vehicles, banks, railway stations, post offices. Did they come from Waziristan? We called it emotional reaction. We do agree with this philosophy, as what is happening in Waziristan is the outcome of extreme sense of deprivation.
And further fuel was added to this deprivation when the major source of income of Waziristani people, i.e. heavy transport, was obliterated in Sindh when more than 50 per cent of their trucks were set on fire. It was a deliberate action. Is there any kind of government in Pakistan to get hold of those perpetrators, where most of them were cohorts of those political parties which were occupying chairs of power in the so-called PML (Q) government and their acolytes.
The need is to advocate negotiations and abjure coercion as a tool of policy. We should work diligently to conciliate the government and military to turn swords into ploughshares.
Let the tribals be a part of mainstream politics. Address their grievances. We need love and sympathies of Pakistanis, not antipathy.
We are made refugees within our own country by our own government to appease Mr Bush and the likes. We allowed the army to investigate our homes but not at the price of sanctity of our families. After that things were running smooth. But our government genuflected even before foreign pressure was forced upon.
After that our cooperation was supplanted by self-defence, which is the basic right of every individual. That external pressure has done its job and consequently made us brothers-turned enemies.
God bless Pakistan
RAHIMULLAH WAZIR
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad
AS the number of Pakistani casualties in Waziristan increases every month, I find it morally outrageous that no form of tribute is being paid (or has ever been paid) to the fallen soldiers. Even if one does not agree with their mission, one must empathise with those who have had the courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Newspapers should pay their tribute by publishing the pictures of fallen soldiers after every milestone in the war like the New York Times does for the fallen American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. It should state as a matter of public record their names, ages, hometown, rank and cause of death. These people deserve to be recognised for their service to the country and should not be confined to the shadows of anonymity.
Peering into the eyes of these men will, hopefully, rouse the conscience of the otherwise apathetic Pakistani public and force them to acknowledge the human suffering and loss caused by military elite. It will also serve to expose the fact that the greatest purveyor of violence today is their own government. Maybe then the nation can finally see who its real heroes are.
ZOHA SIRHINDI
Nottingham, UK
THIS is apropos of Dr Mubashir Hasan’s article, ‘A political meltdown’ (Jan 31). I was his student in the 1950s, in Engineering College, Lahore. His usual clarity of thought is abundantly clear in the present article. He cares for the people from the depth of his heart and ventured into politics for that very reason when the PPP was founded at his Lahore residence.
He warns about a ‘meltdown’ of Pakistan as a nation state. He was once a teacher of ‘Fluid Mechanics’. I wonder whether he can, as an elder statesman, provide some guidance so that the present ‘fluid’ situation makes Pakistan a ‘melting pot’ for a new and stronger model.
I respectfully urge Dr Hasan to convene a think tank with subcommittees to look into the following national ailments:
— Mutual mistrust amongst the provinces and the possibility of subdividing bigger provinces to create a more stable federation.
— Breakdown of law and order.
— Mini-states created by warlords with their own lashkars.
— Ample and uninterrupted supply of arms, drugs and funds.
— Usage of religion as a political tool.
— Ulterior designs by foreign powers.
— Brain-washing of youngsters.
— Corruption and profiteering.
— General feeling of hopelessness.
I do believe that all is not lost and our nation can rise to the occasion, provided the national psyche is channelled in the right direction. I would like to mention some of the shining examples on our national scene:
— There is a large work force employed by Edhi Foundation. Their devotion and commitment is exemplary.
— The spontaneous national response to earthquake appeal took the nation to dizzy heights of glory.
— The generosity of common people is evident in the charitable work of SKM Hospital and other similar organisations.
— The resilience of the common man in the face of hardship and adversity is legendry.
— The selfless dedication of members of organisations like Tablighi Jamaat are unquestionable. Their energies can be redirected to more constructive avenues such as eradication of bribery etc.
— We have a new breed of journalists and lawyers who are ready to be the future torch-bearers.
— And, finally, we overseas Pakistanis are ready to play our part to take Pakistan to greater glory.
Let us all avoid the ‘meltdown’ and make the current events a ‘melting pot’ that will give birth to a great nation.
KHALID A.
London, UK
I AM a Spanish lady. I did my PhD in Oriental Languages. I have strong emotions for Persian and Urdu.
I was in Iran last November for a conference on oriental languages. There, during discussions with different delegates, I came to know that a small portion of a legend, Persian poetess Quratul Ain Tahira’s masterpiece work had been translated in Urdu by some poets , but I want the translation done by classical poet Tabish Dehlavi , which is considered the best.
I have tried to get the translation from different sources but failed. Now through these columns I would request the readers to help me procure a copy of Tabish Dehlavi’s translation.
MARIA ELENA MARTINEZ
Spain
Mem89@msla.com
RETIRED generals, air marshals and admirals have bunched themselves against the president, also a retired general. This must be the reaction of an uncalled-for and unfair remark of the president on some newly-retired generals, which is regrettable.
The question is why has the conscience of the old guard pricked them now, after 50 years? Agreed, it is never too late, but their demands: quit office, restore the judges, democracy and change of chief election commissioner: sound more malicious and personal, than national or on principles. By doing so, they are themselves pulling down our serving brothers in uniform.
I wish they had same feeling about democracy and judiciary when they were in the chair and eating the country. They rather enjoyed the fruit of the verdict of ‘law of necessity’.
I am a retired serviceman, (of pre-partition era), I had the same feeling about them when you grabbed power and ruled the country. I suggest to them not to pick on the ‘lone’ general, rather they should go to the polls and wait for the people’s verdict.
HASHMAT A. KHAWAJA
Islamabad
HISTORIAN and theologian Karen Armstrong has stated that the fate of Pakistan is pivotal to the world’s future. This is viewed by her particularly in how the future of Pakistan, and how it balances the need for Muslim symbols with secularism needed to run a modern state, will be important for the future of the world.
I agree with this statement more or less and people in the West should also understand the pivotal role Pakistan is playing in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan is the only country in the world today that is actively combating forces of terror.
Under President Musharraf, we have shown a strong resolve to counter these measures being launched by extremists. The West and the outside world have to understand the situation prevailing in Pakistan, rather than being blunt about statements such as we are not doing enough is entirely wrong.
We have suffered more at the hands of these terrorists and are actively engaged in fighting them and to a great deal have succeeded also in handing over some major terrorists by apprehending them.
At this critical juncture, the world should support Pakistan and thereby come and see the situation themselves.
By criticising us and making blunt remarks will not help the situation at hand.
I don’t see any leader criticising people in Afghanistan like Karzai who are completely inept in handling the situation in their own country.
People should follow what Ms Armstrong has said and understand that Pakistan has a pivotal role to play in the world’s future.
AMIN SULEIMAN
Rawalpindi
LAST week at dusk I decided to go for a walk around my house where I’ve lived for the last 38 years.
For most of my childhood, I’ve cycled around the block and friends have walked freely early in the morning and late at night but have never felt unsafe. This smug feeling, however, of being secure in my own neighborhood is lost.
A friend and I were walking in the street along the house when I noticed two men on a motorbike go past us. I wouldn’t have noticed them, but then they kept on going up and down the lane. Unfortunately my friend who is asthmatic carries a small bag for her inhalers and a bit of emergency change; it is this bag that caught the fancy of these men.
We had almost completed our walk when about 10 steps away from my house they silently crept from behind and demanded everything we had whilst threatening to shoot (though no gun was displayed). He was given the bag and went on his way. Stunned for a while I noticed a motorist passing by who as I understand had witnessed it all but decided to be a silent spectator. I stopped him to ask why? “Miss, they have guns you know so...”he said and sped off. No more good Samaritans around I guess. The area is Defence phase 1 behind the DHA head office. So much for their surveillance.
I would advise people to try and walk in secure areas like parks and clubs and not carry any valuables with them, especially mobiles, cash, credit cards or jewellery.
AN OBSERVER
Karachi
BBC Security Correspondent Gordon Correa states that political instability in Pakistan raises a number of troubling questions of whether Pakistan’s nuclear assets could fall in the wrong hands.
The matter is being also extensively debated in the US presidential elections where Democrat hopeful Hillary Clinton said she would try to get Pakistan to share the responsibility for the weapons with a delegation from the US.
People in the West need not worry about the security of our nuclear arsenal. Whether they want to believe it or not, our assets are very secure. There appears to be a state of mistrust in the major capitals of the world. Despite statements issued by India who have expressed confidence in the security of our nuclear arsenal, there is still a lot of harping about the crying wolf.
This is not the case at all, Pakistan has a strong command system and this ensures that our nuclear weapons will never fall into the wrong hands. People today are still reluctant to accept the fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power. We are a responsible state.
Our nuclear assets are secure and will be. People from all over the world should trust and accept this fact rather than making speculation about the insecurity.
ZULFIKAR SAEED
Islamabad
AS an American who has a deep affection for the Pakistani nation, I would like to propose some steps that the United States of America should do to redress the damage it has done to Pakistan:
— Nominate Pakistan for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, recognising it as a premier Muslim nation of the Islamic world.
— Insist that the Kashmir dispute be settled according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and insist on India and Pakistan reaching a deal within two years.
— Recognise both India and Pakistan as nuclear powers and offer Pakistan a similar arrangement as it did India in civilian nuclear energy.
— Stop the harassment of Pakistanis at US airports immediately.
— Treat Pakistan as an equal partner and ally the same way as the US treats European countries and Japan.
Respect for and empowerment of people leaves a lasting imprint upon them.
PAUL A PETERS
USA
THE experience of past 60 years of the existence of the country shows that except for a brief interlude of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s stewardship, when rural areas which cater for more than 65 per cent of the population got a little uplift, the priority of remaining governments remained always tilted towards its metropolitan part.
Not only old infrastructure of urban areas has been maintained but most of the development funds were pumped into creating new ones at the cost of rural areas, condition of which, due to dearth of resources, has gradually deteriorated. The contrast because of the widening gap between the two has now become so palpable that our rural sector cannot be considered a part of the 21st century world.
It is the agricultural sector which produces bread and butter for the country and is also a great source of foreign exchange earning through export of cotton, wheat, sugarcane and rice.
But agriculture has been paid no attention. Before the partition this part of undivided India was identified as bread basket of the subcontinent. It is, however, on account of the government’s lopsided policies of abandoning the entire agriculture in favour of crafty trading, commercial and industrial sectors, the country has been brought face to face with the dread of food scarcity
The severe shortage of wheat flour etc is a proof of collaboration of business class and the bureaucracy, which in connivance with some politicians supplied highly exaggerated figures of wheat production which resulted in its export even before the full crop was harvested.
Taking advantage of this, the unscrupulous traders purchased good quality wheat from farmers at less than the support price fixed by the government and hoarded the entire stocks. These stocks were later smuggled to Afghanistan onwards. The entire profit earned through this illegal commerce, which must be in trillions of rupees, has been pocketed by a privileged few. As a result, the country is forced to import wheat at the double price, causing immense loss to the national treasury.
In the instant case, farmers were not only deprived of lawful return on the crop but were also left at the mercy of the food department, whose minions in connivance with businessmen made millions of rupees in supply of gunny bags. For instance, empty bags were sold to private parties for Rs50 per bag and then picked from the same parties with three kilos of dust in each bag.
For improvement of the wheat crop, however, I have the following suggestions: Support price should be at Rs600 a maund; wheat should be picked from source, i.e. field; gunny bags should be ensured to farmers: its supply negotiated in February and made available in the end of March; instead of other subsidies, better price should be given to farmers and produce can be subsidised for consumers/mills.
Also, subsidies in the fertiliser sector should be rationalised and proper checks should be applied. A exemplary punishment should be awarded to food department officials involved in cheating the government and the farmers.
Also, the government should stop comparing Pakistan with India, European countries or the US as they give more than 100 per cent subsidy to their farmers, even electricity is free. Besides, the card system is introduced for diesel, fertilisers, etc . Moreover, crop buying is also insured instead of letting loose food department’s wolves on cultivator to snatch their hard-earned livelihood, leaving their families to suffer.
DR ZAHID HUSSAIN JATOI
Mehar, Dadu
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