| March 28, 2008 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429 |
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Time to reconcile
Baloch grievances
Festival of truth and justice
Oil prices
Rejoinder to Mazari
Tragic death
Expectations from Gilani
Consumer societies
Nadra’s working
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
WE grew up in an era symbolising integrity and altruism. My shining moment came when I had a brush with death in the 1965 India-Pakistan war. But our romanticism with idealism came to sudden grief in 1971.
We are witnessing the familiar political scenario: flashback of anti-Ayub and anti-Z. A. Bhutto wheel-jam agitations. It was full of fire and fury then as is the drama being enacted now. It did not signify anything then; will it signify anything now?
The triumphant leadership are already telling people not to expect quick solutions to their problems.
It is the calculated manner in which poor souls are being conditioned to this type of defeatism that makes countrymen wonder: is there any silver lining for the future?
Going by his electioneering slogan, “It’s the economics, stupid”, Bill Clinton went on to beat the father of all Bushes. Yes, we can overcome the challenges ahead.
A firm commitment to hard work and simple living. Greater stress on reduction of wasteful expenses and tight monetary policies will give a jump-start.
The emerging leadership must show their resolve to be sincere in solving the problems. Injection of additional funds in social sector, education and health are the need of the hour. As a starter, there is no better way than by taking the following steps:
a. Expenses on houses of the president, prime minister, Senate chairman, governors, chief ministers and others are curtailed to half, saving thereby millions of rupees every month.
b. Allowances/perks and privileges to MNAs/MPAs should be curtailed to half, again saving millions every month.
c. The number of ministers should be limited at both the federal and the provincial level. A large number ( 40 at the federal level already being whispered) does not give a good message to the impoverished populace.
d. The prime minister’s visits abroad should be based on diplomatic necessities rather than on holiday jaunts; the number of accompanying delegation should not exceed five to 10 (former premier Shaukat Aziz set all-time bad example by spending billions on such visits).
e. Bullet-proof cars should be for the president and the prime minister only.
f. Auditor-general at the federal and the provincial level should be appointed with the consent of the opposition and for the fixed tenure of service. Every quarter he should submit to parliament any financial irregularities by any ministry/department. This will ensure financial discipline among the ruling elite.
It is very tempting to oversimplify the inherent tyranny of institutions and corrupt leaders. But such black and white thinking will lead us nowhere. I, who once romanticised with the valour and industry of Pakistani people, now their moral fibre and work ethics are ridiculed openly.
Travelling between my hopeful youth and cynical current self, I ask myself: will the new leadership match up to the challenges ahead?
Long ago I read and was struck by the message of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in his essay, Umeed Ki Kiran (Ray of Hope) in which he urges not to despair or lose heart. Salaam Pakistan.
WG. CDR (r) MUSHTAQ AHMED
Doha, Qatar
WHILE the voices of democracy coming from our homeland are very refreshing, there is concern about the long-term impact of the actions of the PML(N) on the PPPP-led government in the centre.
These concerns arise from the way the PPPP has been put on notice with respect to the reinstatement of the judiciary, public voicing of reservations about the respected president of the PPPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, and the statement by Nawaz Sharif about his ongoing reservations for the MQM, despite the latter being democratically elected representatives of the people of Karachi and Hyderabad.
The PPPP needs the support of the MQM to strengthen its hold on Sindh in the face of dissent within its own ranks, particularly from the supporters of the Makhdoom of Hala.
Also, for smooth running of the Sindh government, the PPPP has no choice but to mend fences with the MQM and it is in the interest of the MQM as well to live in peace with the PPPP.
Another point of concern is the extreme hard attitude adopted by the PML(N) in its dealings with the US, which stands to create a serious headache for Prime Minister Gilani and the PPPP.
While the integrity, sovereignty and Pakistan’s national interests must be recognised in shaping domestic and foreign policies, it is also a fact that Pakistan is heavily dependent on the goodwill of the US for its financial stability and prosperity through ongoing industrialisation and a vibrant agriculture sector.
This dependence is both direct as well as through world financial institutions and also through our friendly countries, including some Muslim ones, on whom the US can lean to make the life for the PPPP-led government difficult.
It is also a fact that we are surrounded by a very unstable Afghanistan, on the one hand, and a traditional competitor, on the other hand, a country with whom we fought three wars and which enjoys a most-favoured- nation status in its dealing with the US.
Nawaz Sharif would be well advised to let the neophyte PPPP-led government function and also to mend fences with the MQM and not to provoke the US unduly. By acting pragmatic, he would be able to serve the Pakistani interests well.
NADEEM ZAFAR
United States
THIS is apropos of Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur’s article, ‘Is a rollback possible?’ (March 24), in which the writer mentioned Sardar Attaullah Mengal’s words: “The situation in the troubled provinces would remain the same until the colonial perception of the rulers changed and basic issues such as provincial autonomy were addressed.”
I agree with him that as long as the provincial autonomy is not given, the situation will remain the same.
Since the independence of Pakistan, Baloch people have been demanding their rights but every government neglected them and rather launched operation against them.
The latest insurgency started when Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti moved into the mountains to challenge the writ of the government, after the March 17 disaster in 2005 when an operation was launched against Bugti and Marri tribes in which more than 70 Baloch, including women and children, were killed by the military.
There is no doubt that Balochistan has great natural resources, but for more than 60 years its people have remained deprived of these.
Sui gas was discovered in 1953 and was supplied to Punjab in 1964. It arrived in Quetta in 1986 after the federal government built a corps headquarters.
Balochistan just receives 17 per cent of its total gas while the remaining 83 per cent goes to Punjab and other provinces. Pakistan is receiving Rs90 billion income from Sui gas in a year. From the Sandak project, Balochistan is just getting two per cent royalty. In Pakistan’s 20 most deprived districts, 18 belong to Balochistan.
The Punjab poverty rate is 25 per cent while Balochistan’s 88 per cent people live below the poverty line.
Punjab’s male literacy rate is 60 per cent and female 50 per cent whereas in Balochistan the male literacy rate is 34 per cent and only 17 per cent females are literate.
When the Gwadar port received its first cargo ship on March 14, carrying 73,000 tons of wheat from Canada, the same day 10 buses arrived in Gwadar carrying labourers from various parts of the country.
This is despite the fact that President Musharraf has repeatedly said that the Gwadar port is for the Baloch and the local people would be given opportunity to work.
Enough is enough. Autonomy must now be given to the provinces so that this country is saved from further destruction.
Asif Ali Zardari himself has promised that he will give provincial autonomy once his party takes charge of the government. It remains to be seen whether he will act upon his promise or not.
AMJID BOJAIR
Turbat, Kech
HOLI, the Hindu festival of colours, has just ended. Historically speaking, it originated thousands of years ago. A raja called Harnakash worshipped god so much that he was granted boon which meant that he could not be killed by any arrow or sword.
He became so overwhelmed with power that he told everyone to worship him and started calling himself the god. He was once informed by his astronomers that the reason of his death will be his son. So he developed hatred for his son from the day he, Parlahad, was born.
As Parlahad grew up, he preached that his father cannot be worshipped. This annoyed the raja very much and he planned to kill his son. He asked his sister Holka to take Parlahad to the pyre and burn him to death.
His sister was also like Harnakash himself because she could not be burned as she wore a Rakshik (protective) shawl that she had been granted. The day came when everything was set to burn Parlahad by his aunt Holka but as she reached the pyre, a strong wind started blowing, the Rakshik shawl flew from Holka and fell on Parlahad and so he was spared. Raja Harnakash was stabbed by a nail as no sword or arrow could kill him.
The burning of Holka is celebrated as Holi. It is a two - day celebration: on the first day a bon fire is lit in which flour ‘ladu’ with red thread are made. Even in the fire, the thread remains intact. This signifies the truth is ever-lasting, no matter whatever happens.
On the second day colours are sprinkled, sprayed in whatever manner and way one can easily lay one’s hands on.
This is a gesture of extreme happiness and joy which is shown in colours. If someone colours you red, that means that if it comes to life, “I can sacrifice my life for you.”
Rituals do not necessarily have to be repeated every time Holi comes but the real essence is to fight for the truth and justice. This route can be long and tedious, but eventually success is achieved.
May this Holi bring you all the happiness you have ever dreamed of, and give you the courage to forgive people’s mistakes.
PUSHPA VALLABH
Karachi
SYED Muslehuddin in his letter, ‘Rising oil prices’ (March 27), has suggested an ‘easy solution’ to the dilemma of oil prices.
His solution is: “The government should freeze the rates at the present level for buses and scooters, and issue coupons based on their monthly average consumption, and pay subsidy only on this quantity, which will not be more than five per cent.”
That sounds good but I would like to know how monthly average consumption will be determined or is it already determined by Mr Muslehuddin to be five per cent.
Moreover, to get the coupon everyone will have an incentive to lie to satisfy the criterion to get the coupon.
In fact, people with scooters can get the coupons, fill their tanks and then sell that petrol at a higher price (still below what pumps are selling at) and make some profit or just simply sell the coupons. How would you control this?
And what about people who indulge in creating fake coupons? Forgery is not new in the world and it’s definitely not unknown in Pakistan.
Since the Iraq war, the oil prices have increased three-fold.
Since oil is traded in the international market, there is nothing much a government can do to control its price.
The government should stop subsidising and reduce military budget and perks of military officers. This is the single most important thing.
Spend that money on education. In 25 years we’ll be better off if we are educated. There is no quick or simple solution to our problems.
Prices can never be controlled (whether it’s oil or food or any other commodity). It’s a fact we should learn to live with.
IMAD QURESHI
Chicago, USA
(II)
WITH fuel prices rising, we need to come up with efficient fuel saving ways, which saves us fuel as well as electrical power. This can be achieved by working extra 1.15 hours daily at our offices and taking Saturday off to compensate.
This one day off will avoid one extra run going and coming back to and from office once every week, thereby saving fuel cost of cars, motorbikes and public buses.
Also, by having offices closed on Saturdays, power can also be saved. This saving does not require any detailed analysis as it is quite logical and the government can decide this without much deliberation.
ZIAUDDIN SIDDIQUI
Karachi
APROPOS of Sirdar Sherbaz Mazari’s letter (Feb 21) I would like to say that his allegation of rigging in the NA-210 constituency is not correct.
Shehryar Mazari, son of Sirdar Sherbaz Mazari, was contesting on the PPP ticket with the support of Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani while Nasrullah Khan Bijarani (winner) was contesting on the PML (Q) ticket with the support of Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari, a well-known politician and district nazim of Kashmore/Kandhkot.
The fact is that Sirdar Mazari is permanently settled in Karachi while his son Shahryar Mazari has never lived in Kashmore and is alien to its people.
It will not be out of place to say that district nazim Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari, who supported Nasrullah Khan Bijarani, has done much for the people of the constituency. This in turn was able to win support for Nasrullah Bijarani.
Sirdar Mazari’s allegation that rigging was done through the influence of the district nazim etc is not based on facts as Nasrullah Bijarani won the election with the support of a good team that is well connected with the people of the constituency.
I assure Mr Mazari that Mr Bijarani will play a constructive role for the rights of the people of Sindh, as well as for the overall welfare of the country.
GHAZENE BIJARANI
Karachi
PLEASE accept my condolences regarding the tragic death of Khalid Mahmood.
The people of South Asia should work to ensure that basic human rights are granted to both citizens and visitors to their countries. Let us hope and pray that such a tragedy does not occur again.
I would also like to express thanks to the government of Pakistan for taking the humane step of releasing Kashmir Singh.
GURDIP SINGH
United States
THE long-awaiting period of the nation for the nomination and election for the premiership has ended.
It was the dream of Benazir Bhutto to challenge and end the status quo that has been prevailing for the last 60 years. She wanted to bring the common people into the main stream.
This is also the first time that two big political parties launched their election campaign by using the slogans like changing the system and free judiciary in Pakistan.
The people want to see a powerful and influential parliament, free judiciary, autonomous provinces, better law and order situation, economic growth and foreign policy whose benefits reach the gross roots.
Let us see they keep their promises and whether Prime Minister Gilani proves himself being the catalyst on behalf of the nation and the political alliance that has been formed to do so.
TURAB ALI SOOMRO
Sindh
IT is time we started building and creating ‘consumer societies or forums”, as unfortunately consumers have no say in society. It is the sellers who rule the roost, without any let or hindrance. They treat us in any way they like.
We pay full amount for the goods we buy but these are never up to the measure or worth their quality. This is unacceptable to us.
We are against such cheating. It is time to change and stand for our rights.
AZHAR KHUWAJA
Karachi
Letter from Ms Zahra published in these columns (March 27) compels me to share my own experience.
Nadra issues CNIC for a variable period, i.e. around 10 years based on some absurd algorithm. My CNIC was issued on Jan 21, 2002 with Dec 31, 2007 as the date of expiry.
I went to Nadra swift centre in G-8, Islamabad, for renewal on Jan 1, 2008. Since I knew that attestation of my application would be required, I took one of my colleagues along with his office stamp.
Upon the recommendation of the staff at the window, I deposited an urgent fee of Rs180. The staff asked me various questions while the data was being entered. Except for the change in temporary address, there was no change in my details. Since, Nadra has a modern online database system, this should not have been required.
When it came to amending the temporary address, the staff frantically tried to locate my residence from a pull-down menu. I live in a model village, and it was not there. It was shocking to learn that there was no provision to enter the location manually.
After spending 10 minutes fiddling with the various options, the staff member informed me that it was not possible to enter my present address, and that I should retain the address where I lived for more than five years ago.
The application form was finally printed out ... and I was shocked to see that I had been listed as ‘blind’. I pointed out the mistake to the staff member who said that I should write down ‘mazoori: koi nahin’ with my own pen, and refused to correct the mistake, stating that they get limited supply of paper and it would be useless to print out another form.
I signed the application and my colleague signed and stamped the form for attestation. I was asked to check after 20 days.
I called the automated helpline phone. The reply came that information was not available for my entered CNIC number and that I should talk to staff.
Finally, my call was connected to the operator who informed me that I should check after some days. I called again after several days and got the same reply.
Later on I spoke to a friend who had previously worked in the Nadra head office. He called someone in Nadra and informed me that Nadra had withheld the issuance of renewal of the card because the form was attested on the same day as of issuance of the form.
He tried several times and, finally, sought help from the Nadra chairman’s office, informing that the applicant had to travel abroad and needed to have a valid CNIC.
Even the chairman’s office was helpless in dealing with the excessive automation. The final solution came when the form was re-scanned and renewed CNIC issued on Jan 31.
ABDUL SATTAR
Islamabad
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