| February 19, 2008 | Tuesday | Safar 11, 1429 |
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Benazir as I saw her once
Kite runner
Scant nationalism
Lessons from the neighbour
Message for the Edwards
New poll by BBC
Defective management
Optimism
Ordinary citizens
Speculations
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
IN these cold months which are almost four to six months of the year in central and northern Pakistan, what we need to do is find a long-term solution to our gas shortages that become very severe during this time. Also, gas being a limited natural resource should be used efficiently.
One possibility is the large-scale implementation of solar heaters that are now available in Pakistan. They are a little expensive in upfront cost (approximately Rs20,000 quoted by an Islamabad solar supplier) and not affordable for everyone. What can be done however, to relieve the consumers is that the Sui Northern especially, and also Sui Southern, can launch a programme to buy and install solar geysers in every home, office and factory nationwide on an instalment basis, for example in 20 payments of Rs1000 each included in the monthly consumer’s bill.
Since it is a new technology, they should also provide a 10-year warranty of support at a nominal fee of Rs100 per month. This support is necessary for the launch of a new technology and will only be possible through the support of well-trained technicians of the gas company having the right equipment and resource in every major city of Pakistan, which is already in place in the most part with them.
The exact number would have to be worked out with regards to what profit the gas company may make but one thing is for certain, the gas shortage crisis in winter would be substantially eliminated, while saving our precious natural gas through its efficient use.
Consumers would also be happy as their bills would be even less then now after they have paid the initial instalments. We would also help in saving some forests that are chopped ruthlessly to be used as firewood by locals, and instead a sustainable plantation of trees and orchids can be reinitiated throughout the country, especially in the northern areas of Pakistan.
The planning departments, along with the gas company, should study this in detail and offer the much needed relief by subsidising this programme for a few years to make it affordable nationwide. Transfer of technology should also be an important aspect, and companies offering this product encouraged to assemble and eventually fully build these solar heaters and geysers and its related products locally.
This approach will certainly lead to the Planning Commission accomplishing its goal of 30 per cent energy efficiency in the near future, at least in the gas sector, if all SNGC consumers are upgraded to this solar geyser technology.
Z. H. EFFENDI
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Aitzaz Ahsan’s article, ‘Benazir Bhutto as I knew her’ (Jan 29). I just want to pay my regard to Mr Ahsan for writing such a memorable article, which is a source of inspiration for generations to come. After reading his article, I would also like to share my very childhood experience.
I was hardly a primary school student when I had a chance to see Ms Bhutto at the home of ex-senator Ali Nawaz Shah at Hyderabad. Being a child and less concerned about the scenario, I had a glance of Ms Bhutto who waved her hand to the people around her and smiled at me. That valuable smile of hers is still a priceless treasure for me. I wish I were politically mature to understand the slogans of Jeay Bhutto then. The charismatic outlook of Ms Bhutto, high class support of the middle class and unmatched scene of shouting slogans compelled me to inquire about her from my father as to what it was all about.
In brief, my father told me that she is the daughter of a man who gave his life for his country and its people. Being a child, I could not comprehend the essence of my father’s message.
But today after almost 19 years I now understand what my father wanted me to know at that time. Today I have realised that the sound of that slogan that echoed into my mind was not just ‘Jeay Bhutto’. Today for me it is an ideology of courage, determination, self belief, fortitude to fight against injustice.
Above all, it is evidence of sincerity and sacrifice to this land. Many innocent people are being targeted for just raising this slogan. But to me this slogan is not just a political slogan, but more of courage to fight for the rule of law and democracy.
I recall the last address of Ms Bhutto in which she clearly said that ‘it is our country and we will safeguard it, and that our life is ever dedicated to this land’. She knew her life was in danger, but she had decided to return to this land. Great people always fulfil their promises as she did. She gave her life to this nation.
Therefore, now after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto the concept of Bhuttoism is well understood to the whole world. To me Bhutto is not just a caste, but the name of ultimate sacrifice for the cause of justice, righteousness, belief in bringing about a change and fight against the corrupt system.
QAZI NAZIM NAEEM
Karachi
THIS is with reference to a news feature about ‘Kite Runner” (Jan 17) by Beatrice Khadige.
In an attempt not to be left behind by his Tajik rivals in maligning the Hazarahs of Afghanistan, Khaled Hosseini, a Pashtun of Mohammad Zai clan, has come up with a trashy novel titled ‘Kite Runner”. Nowadays for security reasons Afghanistan and the goings-on therein are a hot subject for the western world. No sooner a book hits the bookstalls, it sells like hot cakes. But in the case of ‘Kite Runner’, the discerning readers were sadly disappointed for its contents convey nothing but violence, vulgarity, prejudice, and malice against Hazarahs.
Despite their mutual hatred, the Mohammad Zais and Tajiks have made a common cause against the Hazarahs. The driving force behind the anti-Hazarah campaign is the apprehension caused by the planned introduction of a new order under which the West wants to introduce democratic values in Afghan society so that every section of the population could join the national mainstream.
Mohammad Zais and Tajiks are aware that on a level playing field, pound-for-pound the Hazarahs are more than a match for them and may excel them in every field of life.
Hussaini degrades himself by inserting in his book a totally out of context incident of rape of a Hazarah teenager by a Pashtun man solely to shame Hazarahs. However, he does not realise that he has divulged a perverse trait considered as macho among his clan. Pederasty is the norm among the affluent. Keeping an entertainment boy known as ‘Bachchaa Be Reesh’ is a status symbol.
Under the would-be democratic setup, it is hoped that the Hazarahs would be able to wrest their rightful civil rights that were officially denied them during the unjustly harsh and tyrannical rules of late Mohammad Zai kings, Nadir Shah, Zahir Shah and Sardar Mohammad Dawood.
The same Zahir Shah who stunned the international community, especially the Muslim Ummah, by his stubborn opposition to Pakistan’s request for UN membership followed by years of virulent anti-Pakistan propaganda.
This attitude contrasted sharply with the humiliating volte face committed by the last ruler of the Mohammad Zai dynasty. Sardar Mohammad Dawood got himself invited to Pakistan during the premiership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to muster Pakistan’s support against the pro-Soviet elements who had penetrated his government.
The Hazarahs look eagerly to the western powers and international human rights organisations to forestall a repeat of the denial of their civil rights under the New Order which it is apprehended might be dominated by Mohammad Zais and Tajiks to the exclusion of Hazarahs.
H.B. ALI
Quetta
THIS bears reference to Mah-e-Arsh Khan’s call for revival of nationalism (‘Scant Nationalism’, Feb 15) as panacea for the apparent apathy of the general masses towards one of the most difficult times in our contemporary history as a nation.
While the writer’s plea is timely and most relevant in circumstances, we should, nonetheless, not forget that we all share an equal responsibility for this want in nationalistic feelings. We were, somehow, misled to believe that Islam and Urdu -- the two extensions of nationalism in our part of the world – will help keep us united forever as a strong nation-state.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and we saw our Muslim brothers and sisters in East Pakistan opting out to separate in 1971.
Given the social, cultural and linguistic diversity of the people comprising Pakistan, unity could have been carved out by establishing a true federal polity on modern democratic principles that could well have provided our nationalism some solid foundations.
The pervasiveness of disruptive forces like terrorism, extremism, sectarianism and parochialism in our society reminds us of the harsh reality that our failure to evolve a strong nation-state is, in fact, our failure in federalism.
However, lessons of history are what we learn from and, Insha Allah, we will learn from our mistakes. Our nation has the will and capability to respond to the call of our times because we all believe that ‘Pakistan comes first’.
On another note, for all those who have made a hue and cry with such prophesies as ‘failed state’ ’balkanisation of the state’ ‘bleak future’, should be reminded that Pakistan is neither a ‘sick man of the region’ nor some ‘worthless piece of territory’ on the map of the world. Its internal disorder and chaos notwithstanding, with the kind of ‘geo-strategic’ location it enjoys, nobody in the world can either afford or allow its disintegration as otherwise that can spell serious repercussions for the international system as a whole.
We should be indebted to nature which has bestowed us this blessing. The only way to pay back is to rise to the occasion and contribute our best to save our country from the ‘dangers from within’.
T.S. MARWAT
Kohat
THIS is apropos of the letter by Wajiha Shahid, ‘Drawing lessons from India?’ (Feb 11), and stating that Indians are aggressively following western culture in styles of dressing etc. I would like to point out that some amount of imbibing of other cultures is inevitable in a global economy and even my Pakistani brothers and sisters are not aloof from this.
However, the Pakistan President is invariably dressed in a smart western suit most of the time, not only during his visits abroad but even when meeting fellow Pakistanis within his own country. In contrast, the Indian prime minister always dresses in a white kurta-pyjama in India and a ‘bandh gala’ Indian design suit when on trips abroad.
The Pakistan president should set an example of national pride by dressing more in traditional Pakistani clothes rather than dressing like the western heads of state, then the Pakistani people will see him as more of their own president rather than a representative of Mr Bush.
RAGHAV UPADHYAY
London, UK
ACCORDING to a report, former US Senator John Edwards has decided to pull out of the White House race, when he trailed in third in the Florida vote (Jan 31).
The multimillionaire presidential hopeful had championed the cause of the poor and the middle class but, sadly, his populist approach failed to work well enough. Significantly, he made this announcement in a poor section of New Orleans, still devastated by the 2005 hurricane Katrina.
Another important fact is that he and his wife Elizabeth had earlier said they were determined to carry on in the race despite a shock diagnosis last year that the lady had incurable cancer. Even though, he has dropped out of the race but I do salute the courage and dedication shown by the couple in spite of the devastating news of her illness.
What the world needs is such leaders who love their fellow citizens and, better still, all of humanity. Even though I am a (middle class) Muslim and all of us are supposed to be ‘terrorists’, yet I love people regardless of their nationality or religion and sympathise with the two, while praying for her.
Many years back, during a visit to the US I had read a best-selling book titled “Love, Medicine and Miracles” by the well-known American doctor and writer of several popular works, Bernie Siegel, MD. If memory serves, he was originally a pediatrician but through some profound experience had taken up the treatment of cancer. Despite being an allopathic practitioner, he was open-minded enough to use alternative medicine as well, if there was some benefit to be had.
In the cited book, he had given some case histories about patients who recovered from cancer. The crucial fact is his observation: “There is no such thing as an incurable illness; there are only incurable people.” This is also in line with a saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that for every illness there is a cure.
The couple is strongly advised to read that book as well as “Cancer and Vitamin C” by Ewan Cameron and Linus Pauling. I have seen a cancer patient cured to the extent of 70 to 80 per cent on a long-term basis just by using Vitamin C in large doses. Above all, Ms Edwards and the family must not lose hope, which is the best tonic. Another thing to remember is Dr Siegel’s words: “Diseases can be our spiritual flat tyres — disruptions in our lives then seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way.”
After she gets well, as I hope she will with determination and faith, they can perhaps work on promoting global understanding and peace, just as I am trying to do from here, or help find an inexpensive cure for cancer and other maladies.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
THE BBC has conducted a new poll in which 1,476 Pakistani adults were questioned. These polls sometimes catch me by surprise. First of all they do not represent the view of the whole nation, i.e. 160 million Pakistanis. Second, the way a question is posed is a question within a question which will most certainly evoke a negative response.
Why then is so much importance being given to these polls when they do not reflect the truth of the matter?
The situation in Pakistan has improved since President Musharraf came to power eight years back. We have a strong economy and there is an element of political stability. Progress is being seen on all fronts.
How can people say that President Musharraf’s election was not fair when it was the National Assembly, Senate and the provincial assemblies which voted for him?
The allegation that the government was involved in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is biased; what proof is there that the government was complicit in its involvement; none whatsoever. It is better not to rely on hearsay, but to give strong evidence of this accusation.
This I believe is defamatory in nature. President Musharraf is popular and let him do the job which he has set out to do, that is Pakistan comes first.
AMIN SULEIMAN
Rawalpindi
Recently, I boarded the Rawalpindi bound Margalla Express from Lahore, a non stop train imported from China, on a confirmed ticket. The overcrowded train departed at 6:45pm. During the travel, I stopped a hawker, probably a railway employee, to inquire about the delay in the train’s departure. He told me that the train’s cabin was being re-adjusted, which was the reason why the train, supposed to leave at 6 o’clock, left at 6.45p.m.
The G.M Railway was travelling on the train, and so his personal cabin was being equipped as his personal cook, kitchen and peon were also traveling. His cabin therefore had to be attached, he added. The train reached one hour late at the destination, Rawalpindi.
Will passengers like me prefer to travel by the railway again? Is the railway’s management sincere about its department?
Who is responsible for the losses incurred due to ineptness and inefficiency of the Pakistan Railways?
A G.M was reason of delay of hundreds of people in a developing nation. Who is responsible for this time loss? How can we progress then?
IRFAN AHMAD ROHEELA
Lahore
THE Indian cricket team won the one-day match against the world champions in front of their home crowd the other day. This is only the second match they have won out of the 18 they have played so far against Australia (Feb 11).
The Indian team is just like ours physically and the performance is also similar. While we are champions in pulling people down, Indians are just the opposite, at least in cricket. They hired gora commentators, bought a slot on the sports channel and started showing old matches which India had won. This was going on for the last couple of years. At the end of each programme the commentator would talk about performances and tried to create that josh and walwala in the cricket-crazy nation, which is the basic requirement for victory at any front.
It is just like training for kids for greatness: you tell them brave stories of Hazrat Ali, Rustom and Sohrab, Daastan Amir Hamza, Amir Taimur, Akbar, Genghis Khan, Alexander and others so as to tell them that they can do it too. In parallel you constantly ignore their failures and keep on saying something like ‘Bahut paiyara beta heh’ and ‘Bahut achcha beta heh’. Dhoni and his team is the product of this training, grooming and pampering.
We can try this approach too not only for cricket but for also businesses, politics.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
IT is great that the British government decided to apologise to our erstwhile ruling party’s leadership. This was a major triumph for the foreign office, the secretary-general of the ruling party and party elder Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to bring them to their knees. Perhaps, the potential investors may soon be provided an all-paid trip.
However, for us ordinary Pakistanis not much will change. I recommend to the British government to also issue a general apology to all other Pakistanis who have been snubbed and treated with contempt at the high commission and at UK airports. Let it not be said that the British sense of fair play is gone. They may then win more friends than this redundant lot.
A. AHMED
Karachi
THE article, ‘Goods and Bads of Zardari’ by Amir Mateen is more speculative and mysterious. At this critical juncture in the political life of our country, where articles published in esteemed newspapers help form general opinions and widens understanding of the reader, such speculations are not worthy enough to be given space.
When the writer develops his arguments, why is he shy of disclosing the names of the characters involved and the reasons of criticisms of the characters moving around Zardari?
SHANEELA NIZAMANI
Hyderabad
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