| February 25, 2008 | Monday | Safar 17, 1429 |
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In hot pursuit
The question of spirit
Nawaz’s sense of humour
Beyond pseudo-democracy
Bomb threat management
Thai man burnt alive
Drawing a clear line
Lawlessness
People’s verdict
Open letter to new leaders
Good for nothing
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
APROPOS of Mubarak Zeb Khan’s report, ‘Subsidy fails to boost textile exports’(Business pages, Feb 20), it is true that the volume of textile and apparel exports from Pakistan has failed to register impressive growth during the past two years. It is, however, also important, rather critical, to consider what the impact would have been on the industry if the current subsidies had been withdrawn earlier.
It is rather an unfortunate fact that we have not exactly been able to create a ‘customer-friendly’ situation within Pakistan over the past few years whereby genuine customers from western markets feel inclined, or at the least even comfortable, visiting regularly for their business needs. Compared to the situation prevailing in our closest competing countries such as India, China, Turkey or even Bangladesh, it is no short of a wonder that our textile industry has even been able to hold its own share in international markets during these trying times.
Any responsible member of the textile fraternity in Pakistan will have no qualms in correctly stating that we have the wherewithal to compete with the best producers out there without the aid of any subsidy whatsoever. Creating a national context, environment and image that is customer-friendly is, however, something beyond our immediate control. While any form of subsidy or support cannot be continued indefinitely, it is also extremely important to understand that the present conditions act as serious impediments in the efforts of our textile industry to compete on equal terms with our neighbours.
Reaching conclusions on the basis of an incomplete consideration of the factors at hand will definitely prove disastrous for all concerned. Reports such as the one appearing on your pages can, therefore, be correctly considered misleading and thus hinting at conclusions not supported by a fuller review of the factors involved.
Given the fact that the textile and apparel industry in Pakistan is one of the largest sources of employment for our skilled and semi-skilled youth, it also follows that any negative consequence of such a decision will naturally not be confined to just the industry itself but will be felt on a much wider scale in both economic and social terms.
NIZAR NOOR MOHAMMED
Karachi
BEHIND the enclosed boundaries of Lahore College for Women University, yet another drama is taking place. It’s the recent ban on cellphones.
The entire uproar was caused by a pornographic video (which was made by a cellphone) that is circulating nowadays in Lahore.
The girl in that video was alleged to be the student of LCWU, and although I can understand that this might be very upsetting for the authorities of our college, under no circumstances does this give them an excuse to place a ban on cellphones.
The video under question was made outside the premises of the university, and to this date it is not even established if she really was a student of LCWU or not.
If viewed from another perspective, this situation is quite comical. The minds of the LCWU authorities seem to operate on an entirely different level, for they announced the ban on cellphones in the evening of Jan 29, and started snatching away the expensive gadgets when the girls set their foot in the institute the very next day.
January 30 was by far the most ridiculous day in the history of all colleges. Imagine 7,000 students running for their lives (and for their cells) and the discipline squad ‘arresting’ them left, right and centre. And that is not all. The head of the discipline committee thought it appropriate to conduct body search of the students, in her quest to seize as many cellphones as possible. She is lucky we are in Pakistan, a place where no rules are implemented. In any other country, she would have been sued for that.
In the light of the recent events in Pakistan, it is crucial for students, rather everyone, to have a means of communication with them. Parents tend to hyperventilate when their children do not reach home at time. Quite obviously, this important point was not even considered by the ‘moral police’ of Lahore College for Women University.
It appears to me that our elder generation has yet to understand a basic fact about the younger ones: you tell us off from doing something, and we’ll go right ahead and do just that.
The university should be concerned only with the academic pursuits of the students; their parents and guardians are responsible for their moral and ethical training. For the life of me, I cannot understand just why our institute is determined to control every single aspect of our lives. Whatever a student does outside the university premises is her personal matter.
The results and the faculty of LCWU are still among the best ones in Lahore, but because of these ludicrous rules and regulations that are being imposed on the students of LCWU, this formerly-prestigious institution is rapidly becoming a laughing stock.
RABEEA AKHTAR
Lahore
JAWED Naqvi’s tribute, ‘The question spirit’ (Feb 14) on the approaching 200th birth anniversary of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), a British scientist, who laid the foundation of modern evolutionary theory with his concept of the development of all forms of life through the slow-working process of natural selection, is well-timed and admiring.
Although the ‘theory of natural selection’ is so far to be proved, yet it was Ibn Miskawaya, (932-1030), a renowned Muslim philosopher and historian, who in his famous treatise Al Fawz al asghar has propounded the evolution theory.
Ibn Miskawaya, whose actual name was Abu Ali Ahmed b. Muhammad b. Yakub, was both philosopher and historian and is known to have practised the two disciplines with competence and with resolve.
With the ascendance of Buyid dynasty (961-1039), Iraq and Persia witnessed renewed intellectual activities which produced a generation of scholars such as Ibn Miskawaya (J. L. Kraemer, Humanism in the renaissance of Islam). The cultural revival during the Buyid age has admitted that intellectual activities of the Buyid period in many of its aspects contributed immensely to the humanism and Renaissance in the West.
Interestingly, Akhwan al-Safa (a book referred by Ibn Miskawaya) and Al Fawz al asghar, written by Ibn Miskawaya, where theory of evolution was discussed in detail were never confronted by anyone when these were published. Even during the subsequent period of more than 800 years both these books have remained unchallenged as claimed by Dr Muhammad Hameedullah (1908-2002), a great Islamic scholar of our times, in one of his 12 famous lectures he delivered in Bahawalpur University during 1980. These lectures contain immense knowledge on Islam and at present are available in a book form titled Khutbat-i-Bahawalpur.
According to Dr Hameedullah, Charles Darwin after completing his medical studies was inclined towards religion. He, therefore, got admission in Cambridge where ‘Comparative Religion’ was taught as a subject. To understand Islam, Darwin also learned the Arabic language. In his letters, which are now printed in a volume, Darwin has mentioned names of his Arabic teachers in great reverence. The above two books were on the catalogue of Cambridge University.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS refers to the Asif Noorani’s letter, ‘Nawaz’s sense of humour’ (Feb 21). The writer appears to have gone to extra length to slam Mr Sharif for telling an ethnic joke. While I, too, would not have narrated such a joke, but given that, like the Sikhs, for former PM is also Punjabi and they would know very well that he has no malice in his heart for them, besides which it emphasised their value of sticking to a commitment, nobody would have minded it.
However, there have been many occasions when TV or radio comperes have told ethnic jokes but I never recall Mr Noorani having criticised them for it. Given also that just because of this minor incident he has implicitly opposed Mr Sharif being considered for the premier’s post once again, perhaps there is some kind of prejudice at work.
It should be realised that the ex-PM has emphatically said that the new head of government must be from the PPP, which illustrates that he is a selfless, chastened and wise person, whatever his past mistakes may have been — which leader hasn’t made mistakes? He has also demonstrated his democratic spirit and sense of justice clearly by demanding the restoration of the deposed judges, which some other leading politicians have failed to do despite the fact that, according to opinion polls, most Pakistanis want it to be done.
M. ALI
Karachi
THE Pakistani nation has rejected the pseudo-democracy which was working under the shadow of Army martial law government and once again provided a great chance to the democratic and political parties. The whole nation proved them selves that they need the real democracy and a democratic system in Pakistan.
Now the ball is in the court of democratic parties. All the democratic parties are advised to remember the past eight dark years and also remember that what the government did with them and with the whole nation. They are, therefore, requested to unite against the undemocratic policies of President Musharraf.
M. MAQSOOD KHATTAK
Karak
RECENTLY certain schools and organisations in Karachi and Lahore received bomb threat calls causing a lot of panic and chaos at these places. But when the bomb disposal squad searched these places, all calls turned out to be bomb hoaxes. It is natural that when a bomb threat call is received, it cannot be assumed as a bomb hoax. Hence it is bound to spread scare among the people present there.
However, if any organisation or school has no knowledge about the action to be taken by them on receiving information about a bomb at their premises, the situation can turn disastrous. People during such a situation start rushing out of the building haphazardly and a stampede-like situation is created.
Some people also start using their cellphones in the building where the bomb is suspected which is dangerous, or they start doing things which can otherwise make the bomb to explode if at all it is there.
The bomb threat is generally received on telephone, therefore it is necessary that people should know what to do when receiving a bomb threat call. The person receiving the call should remain calm and composed. It is essential to ascertain the validity of the threat as quickly as possible.
Let the caller finish his message without interruption. Be sure to take down the message exactly as stated and note the time of its receipt. The person receiving the call should try to extract information from the caller such as: when is the bomb set to go off, what type of bomb is it, where is the bomb located, when was it placed, why was it placed, who is calling and how can he be contacted?
Also try to note the caller’s accent: local, regional or foreign. Similarly, the caller’s voice: is it calm, slow, loud, nasal, raspy, lisp, ragged or disguised? Such information about the caller will be of great help to the police.
The person after receiving the bomb threat call should immediately inform the head of the organisation or the security in charge quietly to avoid panic in the area. Then the bomb disposal squad and the emergency police should be called. People present in the building/area should be evacuated to some safe area quietly with instructions to observe the following precautions:
a. Keep all doors and windows open to minimise the effects of detonation in the building in case a bomb explodes.
b. Not to touch any suspicious object, unattended bag, parcel, etc.
c. Not to use telephone/cellphone, intercom, megaphone or wireless set in the building/area where a bomb is suspected because the bomb may explode due to the effects of its electronic waves.
d. Not to switch on or switch off any electrical/electronic gadgetry such as ceiling fans, air conditioners, heaters, TV/radio and blow siren/hooter as saboteurs/terrorists might have connected its wires with the explosive device purposely.
e. People on upper storeys should be evacuated through staircase and not through lifts.
Organisations and schools should hire the services of a security expert for preparing a bomb threat management plan for them which should be tested and practised from time to time to make all the employees/students familiar with it.
Also, lectures on bomb threat management and precautions to be observed should be arranged in all organisations and schools in the country by inviting experts on the subject.
SQN LDR (r) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
IT was horrifying to read that a 46-year-old Buddhist man was shot and then set ablaze as he tried to escape an attack by suspected Islamic separatists in Thailand’s Muslim majority south (Feb 20).
One would like to condemn this gory incident in the strongest possible terms. At the same time, one would like to appeal to the people responsible for the act not to spoil the good name of the Muslims and their religion by violating all the Islamic and humanitarian laws governing wars.
They are reminded that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had strictly forbidden the killing of non-combatants, including the elderly, the women and the children. It is not allowed even to destroy the enemy’s crops and vegetation. Likewise, there is simply no room for mutilating a body, much less burning a live person.
Once, after a famous warrior of the non-Muslims had been killed in a battle with the believers, his comrades approached the Prophet and offered much wealth in exchange for his body. In response, the Messenger of God told them that he doesn’t sell bodies: they can take it away (for free). This should make his humane approach absolutely clear to everyone and motivate the Muslim combatants to treat their opponents accordingly.
K. NAQSHBANDI
Karachi
I WOULD like to congratulate the PPP and the PML(N) for the well-deserved victory in the election. But I would like to remind the PML-N that the only reason it was able to grab seats in urban centres (especially in Islamabad) was because of its clear and very strict stance on the restoration of the judiciary and the exit of President Pervez Musharraf.
No step short of the restoration of the judiciary will do Nawaz Sharif, even if that implies the PML(N) sitting on the opposition benches. We do not want the PML(N) to compromise with the PPP on these key issues since those who opted for PML(N) rather than the PPP did so because they were aware of the ‘NRO-infested’ compulsions of Asif Ali Zardari.
It’s about time a clear line was drawn between dictatorship and democracy even if that means a direct confrontation with a usurper.
AISHA QADIR
Islamabad
LAWLESSNESS prevails when lawmakers and custodians of law openly violate laws of the land with impunity.
If it is correct, we should identify those responsible instead of blaming those who are forced to react.
RAJA M. AFZAL KHAN
Gujar Khan
PRESIDENT Musharraf has been trying to dodge the reality confirmed through many independent and reliable surveys by experienced organisations that he has become extremely unpopular amongst the Pakistanis, most of whom want him to resign.
The outcome of the recent polls should have convinced any reasonable person of the veracity of this finding, which is also the opinion being expressed even by the US media after the polls. But Mr Musharraf apparently has switched off his faculty of reasoning and is in no mood to abide even by his own commitment that if the people want him to go, he wouldn’t delay it by a day.
On the contrary, the situation in Pakistan reflects Voltaire’s words: “Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others to persecute those who do reason”.
There’s an Arab saying: “Clothes when new make you swagger, when old make you ashamed”. Mr Musharraf’s uniform is not just old, it’s gone, so he must show some humility instead of exhibiting arrogance.
One wonders what else remains that could convince the president to accept the facts? Perhaps the only way remaining is that 51 per cent of the eligible voters, i.e. some 45 million Pakistanis, would have to visit the president’s house to tell him they don’t want him.
A. HAKIM
Karachi
WHAT the Pakistani public wants is to live a decent and peaceful life, where life and property are safe.
We need to declare an emergency in the education and health sector and war on corruption.
We need to do away with the corrupt feudal system. We need to have respect for the law. And all our processes must be strongly anchored in integrity. Nepotism, favouritism and cronyism should be meted out with the heaviest punishment as should corruption in any form, shape or size. We have no time to lose.
Our problem is a serious crisis of governance and corruption which has been institutionalised. Those who brought this country to this state should be punished. Do not give him free passage.
Allah has given this opportunity to you, Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali, to put affairs of Pakistan in order.
Please do not let it go fruitless. Learn from your mistakes and make this time a landmark in history that will remember you.
IJAZ MIR
Malaysia
APROPOS of the reported results of national and provincial assemblies, it can be now safely said that the people even with a low turnout have rejected the incompetent and corrupt elements with overwhelming majority. They lost because they did not do any good for the countrymen.
A question though arises: who did patronise them and why at the great cost of the nation? A price a commoner is paying through his nose and with great hardships.
The new assembly may put this question to the president that when he knew that they were ‘good for nothing’, why did he continue to befriend them for such a long time?
MRS N. ZUBAIRI
Lahore
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