| March 14, 2008 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1429 |
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Provincial autonomy
Importance of education
Appeal to SECP
Whom to impeach?
‘Oh I See’ = OIC
Farmers’ community need to be encouraged
Open letter to Baitullah
Potential challenges
Wrong remedy
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
I WAS disappointed to read your editorial, ‘Too limited a mandate’ (March 12 ), but I am tempted to respond as your paper has great respect and carries independent views. Your criticism refers to the narrow mandate, my meetings and a misquoted comment.
The mandate that I have been entrusted by the United Nations is limited to the issue of freedom of religion or belief. These are UN mandates that have been in existence for many years and their terms of reference are given by the international community.
UN Special Rapporteurs are required to remain within their mandates during official country visits; it is not appropriate for them to take any pleas, including from the media, to go beyond their terms of reference or to pursue other concerns that they may otherwise espouse.
UN Special Rapporteurs are also required to engage with all sides, including government officials, victims, perpetrators, NGOs and other members of civil society that have any relevance to their mandate.
It would be absurd for any UN Special Rapporteur to refuse meeting people on the grounds of criticism from fellow citizens or for that matter to expand their mandate because of their national or religious background.
We work in a truly professional way and must remain independent in our reporting. It is, therefore, crucial that while on mission we stay within our mandate and at the same time try to meet all players.
In this regard, as my report will reveal, I am meeting a wide spectrum of interlocutors and indeed a large number of NGOs in Gujarat which were fully aware of my official meetings, including with the chief minister there. It is ironical that the victims who met me in Gujarat were able to comprehend the nature of my visit while zealous Pakistanis seem to be unable to do the same.
Surely, the liberal and rightist in Pakistan cannot assume to themselves the role of guardians of all Muslims in the world and dictate to UN Special Rapporteurs who they should meet and how they should interpret their mandate. As a journalist, you will appreciate that a well-written report requires discussions with all sides in order to get the full picture. This is precisely what is also required of UN Special Rapporteurs.
Your claim that I had made comments on poll participation in Kashmir is misinformed. Throughout my visit I have made no comment on the general human rights situation in India except on my mandate. There was immense interest about the recent developments in Pakistan and in this regard there was great demand from the media for interviews and comments.
I turned down all requests for individual interviews on Pakistan and repeatedly excused myself from giving any comprehensive statements on these issues. Even on the insistence of the press I tried to be very succinct in my responses without having to snub them.
I did not make the comments on poll participation in Kashmir as reported by some sections of the press. On the contrary, when asked whether Kashmiris should take part in the next elections as Pakistanis recently did, I simply responded that it was everybody’s own decision and that it was a right of the people to decide whether to vote or not to vote. I repeated this position publicly on several occasions while I was still in Kashmir.
I hope that public opinion in Pakistan would allow an individual to perform his or her role in the international community in an impartial manner. Furthermore, the independence of the United Nations mandate holders is vital to the functioning of the whole system of Special Rapporteurs.
I have followed the recent press reports about my visit, including the ones appearing in Pakistan. I do not wish to offend anybody who has criticised me. At the same time I will in no way be pressured and I will continue to carry out my obligations in an independent and impartial manner.
ASMA JAHANGIR
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Via email
I DON’T know what was the feeling and reaction of people in general on Feb 19 but for me and most of my relatives, friends and acquaintances, it was a great day.
It was a change, though not complete, still the atmosphere was tremendous and the feeling was of a person who had recovered from some dangerous disease. The statements and deliberations of leaders of major parties are conciliatory, encouraging and pointing towards peace and harmony.
One of the main issues being mentioned by almost everyone is provincial autonomy, which was promised in the 1973 Constitution and which has been delayed equally by politicians in power and the military who conquer their own country intermittently. I believe that provincial autonomy itself is not the answer to all our ills, until the aspiration of the people are recognised and fully dealt with.
By giving autonomy to the present four provinces, we shall deprive almost 60 per cent of the population from benefits. The position shall remain the same as today as people of central Punjab shall enjoy the fruits while keeping people of so-called southern and northern Punjab hostage.
Similarly, people of Pukhtunkhwa shall keep people of Hazara, Chitral and other non-Pushto-speaking population, especially the southern part, as hostage. The case of Balochistan is different as no one will benefit because of a conflict between Pushtoons and the Baloch while the larger province shall benefit by becoming Chaudhry of the distribution of assets, eating up most in the process.
It is, therefore, requested that before introducing provincial autonomy, please make sure that the country is divided into more natural provinces based on common ethnicity, language, history, culture, heritage and natural boundaries such as river, mountains and streams, so that the poor who have been held hostage by the majority also enjoy freedom and liberty. Else, irrespective of autonomy or not, bigger provinces shall always strive to have a state within a state, the example of which we do have in the 80s.
IKRAM UL HAQUE
Lahore
THIS is apropos of the report, ‘Education key to fight terrorism’ (March 7), in which Governor Khalid Maqbool said: “Education is only answer to eliminate poverty and terrorism in the country.”
I totally agree with him that education is the only thing which can curb terrorism.
Education is like a candle burning in front of huge sun, education is the only source which takes one from earth to sky — an educated father recognises the importance of education and knows how to choose a bright future for his children — an educated mother knows how to bolster her children’s behaviour, and an educated girl knows how to handle her parents — an educated boy knows how to succeed in life.
In Pakistan, terrorism has increased because of scant attention paid to education. There is no doubt that Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. In 2004 the literacy rate in Pakistan was just 46.6 per cent.
It went up from 45 per cent in 2000 to 54 per cent in 2006, but still Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.
According to the Constitution, it is the state’s responsibility to provide free primary education.
From 1976 to 2001, the numbers of primary schools were doubled, but so did the population.
In 1996 only 3.5 per cent college-going population attended institutions for higher education and, according to the experts, for a successful democracy a country needs at least 60 per cent literacy rate.
Our new government has to pay much attention to education rather than ‘war on terror’, because educated people will be able to recognise the difference between good and bad, by smoothly moving towards democracy, it will be known as a peaceful country all around the world.
AMJID BOJAIR
Turbat
THROUGH your esteemed paper I want to invite the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Karachi Stock Exchange and the bank concerned to the following facts. I, along with my three family members, applied to the IPO of a bank and instructed in the application forms that on allotment our shares should be credited to our joint account with CDC.
To our surprise, shares of only two members of my family were credited to the CDC account and the other two physical shares were delivered.
In order to get the shares transferred to the CDC, it has to be verified by the registrar for which one has to visit the registrar’s office, stand in a queue to submit it for verification and then again visit their office to collect it.
The inconvenience caused to the applicant for no fault of his is very discouraging for the investors, especially for aged ones and the ladies.
I may add that several other investors are facing the same problem. I call upon the authorities concerned to take action against such share registrars and penalise them for disregarding the investor’s instructions.
In this particular case the registrar concerned, namely Technology Trade PVT (Ltd), should withdraw physical shares through newspaper announcement and directly credit the respective accounts of the applicants with CDC to save the investors from running from pillar to post for this.
GHULAM HANNANI
Karachi
LATELY there has been much talk of impeaching the incumbent president for his unconstitutional actions since October 1999 and more specifically during the last year.
Due to the maturity being demonstrated by the major political leaders today, and the understanding that has been developed that military or presidential interventions though having dubious constitutional cover are albeit on loose moral/ethical grounds, I suggest that a couple of cases be opened against the previous presidents of the republic.
For example, Ziaul Haq may be tried posthumously for instigating a coup against an elected leader and arranging his ‘judicial murder’ (which is the term holding currency).
Similarly, Ghulam Ishaq Khan may be tried, again posthumously, for his arbitrary dismissal of two National Assemblies and, lastly, Farooq Leghari for his betrayal of the nation.
I believe that if such cases are heard by the restored judiciary and verdicts given, apart from having justice done, will turn out to be the strongest possible deterrents against future coups, military or otherwise.
HASAN BIN HAMZA
Australia
THE great leader of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had once described the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) as an organisation which has the attitude of exclaiming on every event that impact the Islamic countries with expression of the words ‘Oh I See’, as if nothing had happened, may that be the events which were as important as follows:
1. The death and destruction of the Palestinian people;
2. The death and destruction of the Kashmiri people;
3. The war between Iraq and Iran;
4. The invasion of the US in Afghanistan;
5. The invasion of the US in Iraq;
6. The invasion of Israel in Lebanon;
7. The Sudan crisis;
8. The isolation of Libya;
9. The sanctions against Iran;
10. The plight of Muslims in the former Soviet states;
11. The plight of the Muslims in the US and its allied countries, where every one of them is under surveillance;
12. Lebanon crises;
13. Bar on Islamic countries’ investment in the western world at the behest of the Jew lobby, etc.
The entire Islamic bloc is under threat from one or the other quarter, in all most all the cases there are some major Islamic countries which are siding with those who are perpetrating atrocities on the brethren in religion, but there is no united voice to stand against such crimes.
The Islamic countries have the most talented of manpower, with nuclear technology and technology which can surpass many developed countries.
God has gifted them with natural resources that drive the wheels of industry and commerce of the world, yet the Ummah has the poorest of poor living amongst them.
There is famine and frustration, there is death and destruction, there is filth and favour, there is guilt and gloom, yet no one is bothered, and no one seems to take the lead to voice concern, all to please one superpower.
The Islamic countries should now put their heads together for an Islamic currency, or a currency which is kept as reserve as the falling dollar and fault in the US economy has a direct impact on countries pegged to dollar, there is inflation, and negative growth in almost all countries linked to dollar.
Oil wealth has given the Islamic countries a tremendous resource to become a power. The oil-rich countries should, as a first step, form an oil market/exchange in Dubai or any other country with rates announced and traded in a unanimous Islamic currency, to do away with the NY/London oil exchange, the rates should open from an Islamic oil exchange.
The single-most cause of frustration today in the Islamic countries is the backing of the US and its allies of Israel. A counter-political force as such should be developed to diplomatically counter the wealth and the resources Israel/Jews use to blackmail the US and the West for its ulterior motives.
Yes, we have seen that the Dubai Port was barred from investing in the NY Port, by a powerful Jew lobby. Yes, we know that the Muslims are now termed terrorist and rogue elements. Yes, we know that Al Qaeda and such other outfits may have tarnished the image of the real Muslim.
Yet, we must invest in the infrastructure and industry and invest in the world where basic resources are required to foster an industrial and agriculture bloc which can surpass the best of best. With concerted and concrete efforts the Islamic countries may one day become an Islamic nation. At least we should begin the process, instead of exclaiming ‘Oh I See’.
The Dakar Resolution should be a workable document touching the hearts of the Ummah.
DAWOODI MORKAS
Member, Islamabad Stock Exchange (G) Ltd
Karachi
PAKISTAN is an agricultural country and some areas are important for special crops. But the government does not pay attention to problems of such areas.
The farmers’ community of these areas must be encouraged to increase production of special crops.
Farmers often face a shortage of water even during the peak crop season due to which they fail to get maximum production that results in their financial loss.
For instance, the southern city of Tank in the NWFP is known for production of tomatoes and the land is highly suitable for this crop.
The tomato is transported from Tank to other major cities of the country, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar.
Unfortunately, the farmers of this city still face various problems, including that of shortage of water.
If the government pays heed to their demands, then it would help improve the agricultural growth in the area.
AKHTAR MUNIR BHITTANI
Islamabad
I AM writing this letter on behalf of Asia, wife of my worker who was killed in bomb blast on March 11 in Lahore. She believes that Baitullah Masood is responsible for the death of her husband, Arif. He was 29 years old and leaves behind four young children. She says:
“What kind of devil do you have inside you. You did not know my husband, the sweetest person on earth. He loved me, his three little daughters and a son.
“How am I going to take care of them? What am I going to tell them? They are too young to understand. You apparently are not a Muslim and don’t believe in Allah or the Day of Judgment.
“How are you going to explain that you have killed so many innocent people, made so many widows, and deprived so many little children of their father’s love? I hope that you have enough conscience left in you to think about these questions.
“We are not at war with you. Whoever is your enemy, fight with them like a man. Don’t take the cover of innocent women and children.
“You know that you will surely go to hell for what you are doing. There is still time to repent. God is very forgiving.”
ASIA, WIDOWED BY YOUR BOMB
Lahore
THE National Assembly session has been called on March 17.
The new government will face many potential challenges ranging from elimination of terrorism, economic development and political stability.
It hardly seems to be the case as the parties are already adopting a confrontational policy with President Pervez Musharraf.
While the president is looking forward to working with the new government, this does not seem to be the case vice versa.
This needs to be done in order to run the government amicably.
New realistic decisions need to be made and taken and that can only be done with the new parliament and President Musharraf working together hand in hand for the betterment of the country.
President Musharraf has shown in the past eight years that he can surmount one challenge after another and it would be wise for the new government to take heed from that experience and advice.
Both the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) have been out of power for some time and are little aware of the ground realities.
It’s time to face up to these challenges and that can only be accomplished with President Musharraf being there.
Realistic decisions have to be made keeping in view the ground realities.
ZULFIKAR SAEED
Islamabad
THIS is in response to the letter titled ‘Terrorism: causes and remedies by Anees Ahmad Khan (March 11).
The writer is oblivious to the cause and effect of terrorism in Pakistan.
His remedies would amount to a Gestapo state, where fear and hysteria will prevail. In addition, the writer gives conflicting messages.
He wants to cordon off all entry points to Punjab (Khairabad Bridge, Ravi Bridge and Motorways) maligning the citizens of the NWFP, who are already disheartened by the heavy-handed tactics of the central government.
Yet he talks about confidence-building measures and empowering the citizenry of Swat and Tribal areas.
In my humble opinion, there is only one cause of terrorism, and that is the killing of innocent Pakistani citizens by the very people who are supposed to protect them.
MAKAEL KAKAKHEL
Canada
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