| March 09, 2008 | Sunday | Safar 30, 1429 |
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Why the media hype?
Not an obsolete system
Lack of care
Noah’s Ark
Renaming NWFP
A day is not enough
Planning in advance
A query
Nine lives of top cat
Musharraf’s good points
Spy’s release
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 caretaker government has recently raised the prices of petroleum, as well as made several appointments in different ministries and national organisations, all without consulting the upcoming leaders of the government.
As a matter of principles, no caretakers ever enjoy any constitutional rights or authority to take such a large-scale economic and political measures. At best, according to the nature of their assignment, they can and should only look after the situation as it prevails on a daily basis, hold a free and fair election and hand over power to the elected government.
It is sheer ill luck that the caretaker prime minister has violated all the rules and regulations and awarded himself unprecedented perks for the office of Senate chairman.
The PIA chairman has been appointed recently, and reshuffling in the administration from the district coordination officer’s level to those of mukhtiarkar, tapedar, district police officer, station house officer, session and civil judges, registrars of Sindh and Punjab high courts took place about the election period, all in clear violation of the law of the land that forbids a caretaker government from taking any such measures.
Although, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan, all transfers and postings should remain suspended before and during the election time, the government resorted, throughout the country, in general, and Sindh, in particular, to transferring and reshuffling of officials. Even the chief secretary of Sindh, Ejaz Qureshi, was changed after three days of the announcement of the election schedule, which shows caretakers’ nepotism.
Even former Sindh chief minister and other ministers are still enjoying the police escort with full protocol, though after the dissolution of the provincial assembly they are no longer entitled to such privileges.
After the election similar violations were again started by the caretakers though the government has no business to make political appointments or provide extensions or grant itself privileges at the cost of the taxpayers’ money when the entire government is running on deficit financing.
Being a citizen of Pakistan, we have serious reservations, in principle, about appointments, extensions and perquisites granted to itself by this caretaker government, especially when non-development expenditure cuts are needed to give relief to the poor. These all are unmandated decisions and we strongly condemned it.
HUMERA ALWANI
Former MPA, Thatta
AS a layman, with rudimentary understanding of how the government works, one is astonished at the hype created by the electronic media about the differences between the PPP and the PML(N) on the modality of restoration of democracy. Conceded that the amendments made by President Pervez Musharraf carry no legal validity and that the pre-Nov 3 judiciary can be restored by just an executive order, the question arises as to who will issue the executive order in question. Obviously, President Musharraf is not going to do that; only the executive which takes over as a result of the recent election can be expected to do that. However, the new executive cannot come into being until the following constitutional steps have been completed:
· The new assembly takes the oath;
· The election of the speaker and the deputy speaker is held; and
· The new leader of the house is elected and takes the oath as prime minister.
In other words, no executive order to restore the judiciary can be issued before reaching this point of time and once we reach this point of time, it would hardly matter if the desired end is achieved by the prime minister (‘the executive’) by seeking a resolution of the parliament or by passing an executive order himself (if he chooses to give priority to the restoration of judiciary even before he chooses a cabinet).
So both of the alternatives can be availed of around the same point of time on the very first day the National Assembly meets but in any case we have to wait till the parliament becomes functional. If that be the position, what is this whole media hype about?
The only issue on which the PPP and the PML (N) may be holding different opinions is the fate of judges appointed after Nov 3 and the modalities of tackling this riddle.
One wonders why the media can’t put forward this whole position in simple words for the common viewers instead of confusing everybody about the intentions of democratic political parties.
RAHAT NASIM MALIK
Via email
I WOULD like to respond to a letter this week on international qualifications (’An obsolete education system’, March 5).
Currently, the Cambridge International A Level is taken in over 90 countries. Students who take it win places at universities worldwide, including the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. Students like its flexibility compared with more prescriptive diploma-style qualifications which say you must study subjects you may want to drop.
Cambridge International A Level is not just growing in Pakistan. It is more popular around the world than ever. New schools are joining around the world in countries as far apart as the US, New Zealand and Malaysia.
So the mistaken claim that ‘A Level is obsolete in the UK and, therefore, obsolete outside it’ shows some muddled thinking.
Cambridge International A Level is independent from the UK A Level. They have different structures. Throughout the different sets of changes that the UK government has made to the UK A Level, University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) has taken an independent line, defining what suits international students by reference to university authorities.
This independent line has proved an educational success. Universities tell us how impressed they are with Cambridge International A Level students because not only do they have a deep understanding of their subject, they can also apply their knowledge and think critically and creatively.
Universities also recognise the consistent international standard of Cambridge International A Level. They know that as part of the University of Cambridge, a world renowned educational institution, we have education and the development of successful students at the heart of what we do.
For the sake of completeness, it’s worth setting the record straight on O Level. Cambridge International O Level is recognised by universities because successful students develop an excellent grounding in their subject, and because the content is uptodate and relevant to the latest developments. Cambridge keeps modern International O Level uptodate and it is every bit as relevant to students today as alternatives such as GCSE.
WILLIAM BICKERDIKE
Regional Manager, Pakistan
University of Cambridge
International Examinations
Cambridge
I WAS shocked to read Iffat Ali’s letter (March 7) regarding her son being beaten up and the school taking no responsibility for it. Since my daughter studies in the same school, I totally stand by her and demand that the administration should take full responsibility for what happens inside and outside the school premises. Until a student is handed back to his/her guardians at ‘chutti’ time, it is every inch the responsibility of the school to make sure that no harm comes to them.
If some parents don’t teach their children any sense, then they become a threat to other children who come from families where discipline and values are given more importance than money.
It is the utmost responsibility of the school to stand up to such parents and let them know that a good institution stands for good moral values, discipline and character-building of the students above anything else.
Unless such high-profile schools stand their ground, they are creating monsters who are taught that they can get away with any wrong thing that they do, and hence they become a menace to our society. No wonder, the social fabric of our society is deteriorating so fast.
SANA FARHAN
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of Ashfak Bokhari’s article, ‘Creating an agricultural Noah’s Ark’ (March 3), which is thought-provoking.
In Noah’s Ark, millions of seeds from around the world have now been stored in Arctic Ocean to protect the diverse kinds of seeds (plants) from the effect of global nuclear warfare.
In the event of a nuclear warfare, the global seed vault in the Arctic Ocean will remain secure as its design covers the worst scenarios of global warming (very high temperature and flooding of the whole land mass of the earth).
This strategy, however, does not take into account other life forms (animals and mankind) which also may be totally destroyed in such a cataclysmic catastrophe.
Therefore, a pertinent question arises who will take care of the stored plant seed vault if the mankind also perishes in such an event.
For the perpetuation of animals and mankind, a diverse seed (gene) bank of animals and mankind should also be created in Noah’s Ark which will remain in a state of suspended animation till the return of conducive environmental conditions on the globe after the nuclear warfare.
Seeds (containing germ plasm of plants, animals and mankind) are the beginning and end of life on the earth.
A seed of each species produces many a seed for the perpetuation of its own kind (species) before it dies.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Department of Agriculture,
University of Karachi
THIS is apropos of Dr Ahmed Awan’s rejoinder (March 1) to your editorial (Feb 28) and the demand of the major winner of polls in the NWFP, i.e. the Awami National Party, regarding the renaming of the NWFP.
A little reflection will show that as are families, villages, towns and provinces, so will be society and the country. If the comprising units are well ordered, well instructed and well governed, they will become the springs from which go forth the streams of national greatness and prosperity – of civil order and people’s happiness.
One had noted with sadness the previous insistence of the ANP at renaming this northern province of our beloved Pakistan, which gives us our identity, as ‘Pakhtunistan’ or ‘Afghania’. However, given the widespread opposition to these names because of the centrifugal tendency they represented and which was no secret, the party made a minor change by proposing another ethnically-oriented name, ‘Pakhtunkhwa’.
While hardly anyone is opposed to giving the NWFP a new and appropriate nomenclature, what most Pakistanis seem to agree upon is that it should not be named after any one ethnic group. If the ANP had been named ‘Awami Provincial Party’ or ‘Pakhtun National Party’, their demand would signalise a limited representation, but being a national party, it must think and act on a countrywide basis.
The supporters of ‘Pakhtunistan’ and ‘Pakhtunkhwa’ have been arguing that the other provinces like Punjab and Sindh have been named after Punjabis and Sindhis, respectively, so why should anyone object to the NWFP being designated after the Pakhtuns.
However, a number of writers and correspondents have explained through this newspaper that Punjab was not named after its inhabitants but after the five rivers (punj aab) that flow through it. Similarly, Sindh has been named after the big river or the sea.
In an earlier letter (Feb 5, 2007), I had suggested 10 names, which may please be considered seriously and a vote can be arranged in the combined provincial and national legislatures to select the most popular one.
These are: (1) Alamaniya (that which provides safety or refuge: it was created to sound like Allemaigne, the name for Germany that is pronounced similarly), (2) Karimia, (3) Karimzar (last ‘a’ is pronounced as in car), (4) Khyberan, (5) Kohistan, (6) Noorasia (to sound like Malaysia), (7) Nooristan, (8) Salamwal, (9) Sarhadan (last ‘a’ as in Pakistan) and (10) Torkhaman (last ‘a’ as in No. 9, to remind us of the brotherly Turkmenistan).
These names begin with an alphabet already contained in the word ‘Pakistan’ and would also cater to the linguistic considerations and social norms of the people. If four brothers reside in one house and one of them wishes to name his newly born child, would not the loving and fraternal way be for him to invite his other brothers to suggest some names so that the best one could be chosen, instead of telling them to mind their own business?
It may be noted here when the cities of Punjab were renamed from ‘Lyallpur’ to ‘Faisalabad’, ‘Montgomery’ to ‘Sahiwal’ and ‘Rabwah’ to ‘Chenab Nagar’, they were not given any ethnically-oriented names such as ‘Punjabipur’, ‘Punjabiwal’ and ‘Punjabinagar’.
The ANP and others desirous of an ethnic name for the NWFP should draw inspiration from this and try to cement the people of Pakistan, instead of dividing them.
Leaders of the allied PPP and PML (N) are also urged ‘to consider these unifying suggestions sympathetically for the greater good of the nation. A Pakhtun lady, who was my mother’s physician, had also fully backed the names suggested herein and the arguments given.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
WOMEN’s Day 2008: another regular day during the year assigned a message recognising women as a separate entity and the fact that many injustices and challenges are faced by women on the face of this planet. One day beckoning to all that women should be given special attention, their needs should be addressed and they should not be segregated from males.
My point herein is that the rights of women have been infringed upon and subjugated for centuries. Therefore, the impact of these centuries is still very strong: one day is not enough to mark the significance of women while a patriarchal society and male dominance still pervade their issues.
In Pakistan, women’s rights have been a hot issue for decades and much work is being done on the topic. Still to date there are many gaps, as many women are still denied rights, many don’t even know of their rights and many are denied justice upon reporting violation of their rights.
Women don’t need just one day of celebration but consistent work addressing their needs throughout the year.
YUSRA QADIR
Islamabad
THE recent announcement by the Pakistan government officials who are dealing with the Iran gas pipeline was a breath of fresh air. The officials announced that they would only be buying gas from Iran in the summer time and storing it into empty gas wells for use in the winter.
They have based this decision on the fact that Iran is having problems with gas pumping to Turkey now due to the severe cold weather. Therefore, the Pakistani officials do not want to end up in the same situation that Turkey is facing right now – no gas supply in the winter.
We should all really appreciate this work and decision by the officials. This is the first time that I have read our officials thinking about the business deal in advance. This is how planning should be done.
I only wish that the officials involved in the planning of the wheat production and supply should think like this as well.
SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER
Peshawar
I WOULD like to ask Asfandyar Wali what prompted him to nominate Mr Hoti as the next chief minister of the NWFP.
Apart from the young man being his nephew, he is a first timer, lacks experience and is son of Azam Khan Hoti.
How does Asfandyar Wali avoid the possibility of allegation of nepotism, which is a major cause of bad practices in politics in the country. After all, the ANP enjoys the reputation of being a principled party.
TARIQ MAHMOOD
Peshawer
Mr Q.F. Isa (March 5) has beautifully written about President Pervez Musharraf's nine years in office on the basis of a common myth that a cat has nine lives. In fact, the period would further extend for another nine years after its full completion as the stars portend that the honeymoon between Zardari and Nawaz Sharif which has not yet began would soon break down after the formation of the federal cabinet.
The coming events have cast their shadow as the two giants are divided on the issues of the restoration of the dismissed Judges of the Superior Courts as well as on validating the past illegal acts of the President and sharing power with him. Therefore, there is a likelihood of the repetition of the events of August 6, 1990, April 18, 1993, November 5, 1996 and October 12, 1999 which brought about the dismissal of the Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif governments.
Our legal leaders like Aitzaz Ahsan and Munir Malik would be disappointed at the repetition of the past dramas of our history. They would witness the formation of king party with greater strength which would play a greater mischief, and it would be a pleasure for the President, too, to see a repetition of events.
A.S.PINGAR
Karachi
SKANDAN from Bahrain has suggested President Musharraf in his letter published on March 7 to cross over the Radcliffe line and come to Delhi, his home town, and head a country where there is too much democracy.
A brilliant idea, his parent and the entire nation will be proud of him and the Indians after years of democracy will get the taste of dictatorship. A word of caution though —Musharraf loves power more than anything else and hates any ‘kabab mein huddy’ types.
FARAKH MALIK
Karachi
M. D. Tahir of the Lahore High Court Bar Association has filed a petition against Ansar Burney, caretaker federal minister, for giving protocol to convicted Indian national Kashmir Singh, pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf.
This man was convicted of espionage. Many Pakistanis are missing and their families are really in great anguish because their own state's agencies have done these illegal acts. Mr Burney what have you been doing for such a long time?
Please do your job which requires immediate action. We all must raise our voice against such cheap publicity.
ABDUL QADER,
Karachi
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