| April 11, 2008 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 4, 1429 |
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Revival of higher education
Joke of the year
Non-domiciled SPSC chairman
Why, pray, Agha Shahi Avenue
Sweet water reservoirs of Sindh
Flight of capital
Nadra: shifting responsibilities
New PTCL local rates
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 recent provocation in the Sindh Assembly was part of a conspiracy to derail the process of democracy. Such events are created to generate distrust in our political institutions and thereby undermine credibility of our leaders. Be cautioned, it can damage the consensus-based political process in the country.
Politics of intimidation is rampant around the world but it generally serves the interests of the powerful. As a result, the ordinary people get discouraged from participating in politics and governance.
Analogically, the world system is based on politics of conflict; however this conflict-based system is highly injurious for Pakistan.
Accordingly, the assault on Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim is part of a grand conspiracy. We must understand such subversive activities to topple our toddler democracy.
Politics of vendetta will have highly damaging impact on communities. Our politics will fail to attract bright people, which is need of the time. Our politics is at stake and we have to improve our political system by inducing natural maturity to our politics.
Politics of intimidation leads to conflict and the resulting internal conflict can engage the institutions of governance with each other. As a consequence, the country will not be able to face the challenges coming from the outside.
Accordingly, the avoidance of internal conflict is extremely important for our politicians and the newly-formed governments. At this juncture of our political history, the politicians and the new governments are advised to play maturely. They must not fall victim to ‘intimidation’ and ‘provocation’.
The politics of intimidation in the present geopolitical environment is dangerous for the country. Events as the one that happened in the Sindh Assembly can trigger a chain of conflicts among political workers, which can induce negative forces in our emerging system. This is the objective of some unfriendly forces within and outside the country.
Political stability in the country is counter-productive to their interests. The politicians, the establishment, and the relevant agencies are advised to take note of it.
Politics is usually a partisan activity and most of the politicians cannot claim complete virtue. All the stakeholders in the government and public must not harm the larger social and economic interests of the nation.
This is very important at this stage of Pakistan’s geopolitical history, as the country is in a process of shifting its foreign policy significantly. It is taking a new look of itself as a new, strong, and respectable nation in the region.
The media plays an important role in the politics of intimidation. Certain television channels tend to promote politics of conflict and intimidation. This is highly counter-productive for the country.
The electronic media may like to note the importance of covering events like that happened in the Sindh Assembly. They must address the issue of ‘effect’ on public and Pakistani politics. It remains a moral duty of our worthy journalists to safeguard the national interests of Pakistan.
This country has learnt a great lesson and installed consensus-based governance after suffering from the politics of intimidation and conflict through its 60 years’ long history. This very important turn in our political history must not be lost.
The regional geopolitical conditions have provided a great chance to this country to progress and prosper. Every Pakistani must understand the circumstances through which this country is passing and we should disregard periodic intimidations inflicted upon this country.
PROF MUHAMMAD HAFEEZ
Institute of Social & Cultural
Studies,University of the Punjab
Lahore
DR Pervez Hoodbhoy, in his article on HEC programmes (April 9), says Rs400 million has been spent on buying a Pelletron Accelerator for Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU). He has his facts wrong.
The project cost approved for the equipment by the government was Rs166 million and the building cost Rs75 million, under a collaborative project between National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) and QAU.
The project was endorsed by the director of the National Centre for Physics (NCP), QAU vice-chancellor and NESCOM chairman Dr Samar Mubarakmand before being considered for funding by the HEC.
A symposium was held in September 2005 in Islamabad, attended by over 120 leading physicists of the country, to discuss the purchase of the accelerator. The physicists almost unanimously rejected the objections raised by Dr Hoodbhoy, and instead endorsed the purchase.
Prof Riazuddin, head of the NCP, wrote to Prof (Dr) Atta-ur-Rahman on Sept 10, 2005 and recommended “the purchase of the Pelletron Atomic Accelerator and the Experimental Physics Labs, which are part of the accelerator facility, as already approved by the HEC and the Planning Commission. For these two projects, funds should be released as soon as possible.”
Prof Riazuddin had copied this letter also to Pakistan’s nuclear scientists Dr Ishfaq Ahmad and Dr Samar Mubarakmand. A copy of this letter is being placed at the HEC website (http://www.hec.gov.pk/profriazuddin/).
Further, the recurring and development budget of all 60 public sector universities together is about $500 million — an average of $8.3 million per university annually. In any good South Asian university it is 80 to 100 times higher.
Dr Hoodbhoy’s objection that Pakistan is spending too much on higher education is not correct.
Of the national education budget of Rs253 billion for the current year, Rs33 billion is being spent on higher education and Rs220 billion on lower level education — a ratio of 7:1 in favour of lower level education. International norms are about three for lower education versus one for higher education.
The budget for higher education needs to be doubled and the overall budget for education needs to be tripled. Pakistan spends only about two per cent of its GNP on education while Unesco has recommended at least six per cent for developing countries. The HEC salary structure for Tenure Track System is a contractual basis of appointment in which candidates are evaluated after three years and then after six years before being given permanent jobs. Only about three per cent of university teachers have benefited from this facility because of tough eligibility and selection process. Dr Hoodbhoy has himself applied to QAU for a higher salary under the new tenure track system.
AYESHA IKRAM
HEC deputy director
Islamabad
THE statement of Dr Salman Shah, former finance adviser to ex-prime minister Shaukat Aziz, that the “new government inherited sound economy” (April 3 ) can at best be taken as joke of the year.
Your editorial, ‘An indictment’ (April 3), is a correct depiction of the messed-up economy the outgoing government has left for its successor. The manipulated figures of growth in GDP and reduction of poverty have also finally proved to be fudged as in the case of highly exaggerated forecasts of wheat crop, which not only proved to be an invention but latter on exporting a sizable amount at much less value and allowing those who were in power to hoard whatever was left and make unlawful gains at the cost of the poor proved to be a disaster creating an unprecedented ‘wheat crisis’ in the country.
Dr Shah believes that fiscal deficit ranging from 5.5 per cent did not matter in view of the record global crude prices and massive subsidy offered by the government. He has given the example of India where deficit is eight per cent. He has, however, failed to appreciate that India is also affected by the global rise in prices, yet it is the second fastest growing economy of the world after China, i.e. with growth of 8.5 per cent. Moreover comparison with India where figures are not fabricated, a hallmark of our previous regime, is obviously out of place.
Dr Shah’s expectation of a tax revenue of Rs1,000 billion for the current year and the so-called foreign exchange reserves of $14 billion is nothing but deception. The people know that more than 60 per cent of the revenue is coming from indirect taxation, a fine manipulation of the previous regime to shift the burden of taxation from the rich to the poor for which Shaukat Aziz and his team should be given tribute.
What the previous regime can be credited with was the creation of a nova riche class of industrialists, stockbrokers, estate dealers and oil companies and, of course, bankers, who are seen thriving on the state patronage. The letter of Rafique Ahmed Sidiki, ‘Perks for bank executive’ (April 3), is a case in point.
Before giving such fly-by-night statements Dr Shah should better have read the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest report which is discussed in detail in the above-mentioned editorial.
DR ALI AKBAR M. DHAKAN
Karachi
I WAS taken aback knowing through Badar Jatoi’s letter, ‘Role of caretakers’ (Feb 11), regarding the appointment of a non-domiciled person as chairman of the Sindh Public Service Commission.
As a resident of the province, it is my fundamental right to demand justification from the Sindh government for appointing a person domiciled in other province on a vital post, i.e. chairman of the SPSC: a constitutional body created to conduct examinations and tests for determining eligibility of candidates from Sindh appearing for various competitive examinations and selecting them to serve the province.
I entreat civil society of the province to mobilise public opinion and get this unfair act undone immediately as Sindh is not short of persons eligible to hold office of the chairman. The appointment, which is unprecedented in history, if not reversed, will set an example for further such infringements and will also create misunderstanding and extreme dislike between the people of the provinces.
A CONCERNED CITIZEN
Via email
THIS is apropos of Kamran Sahfi’s article, ‘Why, pray, Agha Shahi Avenue’(April 1). One has to say with regret that whilst such illogical utterings may please the PPP ‘jialas’ and its leadership, it has no value for the nationals of Pakistan at large.
The CDA’s thinking in naming an avenue after Agha Shahi is correct and must be appreciated. This thinking recognises the excellent zeal and devotion with which Agha Shahi served his country, often during difficult times.
Perhaps the writer should try to find out from Dr Qadeer Khan as to what role Agha Shahi played in Pakistan’s nuclear programme. It is also well-known that Agha Shahi, with Z. A. Bhutto, played a key role in China’s admittance to the UN, which was done to thwart the move by India and Bangladesh (then) to ask the UN to try Pakistan Army for alleged war crimes in former East Pakistan.
Upon admission to the UN, China vetoed Bangladesh’s admission for a few years till the war crime trial effort by India lost the momentum. It seems to me that, unfortunately, the writer does not have a clear sense of the role that patriotic people like Agha Shahi played in Pakistan’s development.
G. M. CHAUDHARY
London
THE international pages of Dawn ( April 1), under the heading ‘Sunset’, carry a captivating photograph of a lake located on the outskirts of Minsk, capital of Belarus (once republic of ex-Soviet Union). The picture was taken at twilight showing beautiful setting of the sun with ducks dipping in the serene, calm and sparkling waters of the lake overshadowed by a lush green forest.
Our country is also endowed with hundreds of sweet water reservoirs spread over right from lake Saiful Malook in the Himalayan K2 mountain to Keenjahr in the lower plains of Sindh. Unfortunately, we have failed to preserve our heritage and an important source of life.
Especially in Sindh, where most of the big natural lakes are located, over a period of time these have been turned into salt water lagoons. For instance, Manchar is the biggest shallow water natural lake of Pakistan, situated in Dadu district.
It is a vast natural depression flanked by the Khirthar hills in the west, the Laki hills in the south and the river Indus in the east. At the time of heavy rainfall the lake extends northwest with the result that it covers an area of about 100 square miles. Indeed such a large natural body of fresh water is a major resource in an arid region.
Manchar has been substantially supporting various economic activities. It provides a livelihood for a large number of fishermen, irrigation water for various crops and aquatic plants including lotus.
It could have also contributed a lot in boosting up the tourism industry if its beautification was properly maintained. However, for various reasons the lake has been degraded.
Human activities have changed significantly the original regime of the lake. Such activities include construction of Right Bank Outfall Drainage, bringing saline water from Balochistan that has not only destroyed the lake but is now a source of poisoning the Indus when its water is released during monsoons.
Similarly, the Haleji Lake, located in Thatta, was originally not as big but during World War II the then British government decided to increase the capacity of this lake by having a feeder canal from the Indus. It thus grew to 2kmx2kmx0.25km.
This lake, besides being a major source of water supply to Karachi, is an ideal refuge for wintering and home to thousands of birds. However with total neglect this refuge for waterfowl has also turned into a pond of saline water full of weeds.
Another sweet water lake is Hamal, some 400km north of Karachi. It is a natural depression spread over 10,500 hectares extending from Shahdadkot to Naseerabad in Balochistan. Water sources of the lake include hill torrents and a surface drain.
The lake supplies people in the surrounding villages with water for drinking and domestic use. Release of poisonous water of the Hirdin drain into the Lake has contaminated water to the extent that people living around the lake are prone to water-borne illness.
Lake Keenjhar is located in Thatta district, a big source of water supply to Karachi.
However, it is the only water reservoir where some tourist attraction has been established. More development work for saving this reservoir from impurities is still required, otherwise this lake will also turn into wasteland.
Since the country is facing severe shortage of water, it has become all the more imperative to take appropriate measures to protect these sweet water reservoirs from contamination. The government may appoint a team of experts to survey all the lakes and recommend appropriate suggestions without delay.
MANZOOR H.KURESHI
Karachi
INVESTMENT in properties started declining with the government declaration last year to hold the polls in 2008.
On March 9, 2007 when Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was removed, investors started selling their properties unaware of what was in store for them.
At the same time the property market in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman was booming and investors from all over the world were seen investing in the three emirates of the UAE.
Pakistani investors also thought it feasible to invest in the UAE. So, with others, Pakistani builders and constructors purchased land in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman for commercial and residential projects.
The political uncertainty then in our country made Pakistani wealth to flow out to the UAE. The UAE nationals who had invested in the property market of Karachi and other cities sold their properties and took the investment back to the UAE property market.
The other major reason for our declining property market was the law and order situation, specially the suicide bombing syndrome.
An extreme scare was created when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on Dec 27 last year. This created a fear among the property investors who decided to quit.
Although a coalition government is now formed following the election on Feb 18, investors are not inclined to bring investments back to Pakistan due to one major reason: the rate of return on investment in the UAE is much higher.
Moreover, as long as there is political uncertainty, such as the unresolved issue of the judiciary, neither the local investor nor the foreign investor will want to invest here.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
WHERE to lodge a complaint against Nadra, Hyderabad. There is a queue procedure to pass through in order to get an NIC to prove the nationality. These activities start with a token fee of Rs180 for urgent issuance of NIC, snapshot, and the data entry process.
The most ignorant staff is appointed at (Nadra) Hyderabad office. They even do not understand the communication in English, nor are they able to file the correct data of the applicant.
My cousin applied for her NIC at Nadra, Hyderabad. It looks like that she is going through a competitive examination. She visited Nadra office and went through the required formalities for NIC on Feb 27.
In a space of 15 days she got her NIC on March 12 but unfortunately the address was incorrectly stored.
On asking one of the staff members sitting at Nadra in Hyderabad for such carelessness and mistake, he said it was a sheer mistake of the headquarters in Islamabad.
She again went through the same process on the same day for the correction of her address on March 12, and with a gap of 22 days she received her NIC back on April 3, but again the NIC had committed the same mistake.
I wonder why there exists such miscommunication between the Nadra headquarters and its branches located at different places that result in such blunders.
The staff appointed in Nadra, Hyderabad, and the staff sitting in the headquarters in Islamabad do not have any communication. There is no account of delay and there is no one taking this responsibility.
I, therefore, draw the attention of the authorities concerned to record my complaint against Nadra for committing blunders and causing delays.
NUSRAT KHAN SHAHANI
House No. B-41, Alwahid Town, Qasimabad
Hyderabad
APROPOS of an advertisement (April 1), the PTCL’s decision to introduce the new local rate of Rs 2/2 minutes, reducing the time by three minutes, is too harsh and is likely to cause embarrassment to the government, which is already considering ways and means to provide relief to the people.
Ill-considered and anti-customer decision to cut down the time for local calls is unlikely to fill the coffers of the PTCL. The company ought to offer attractive and friendly terms to customer to favourably compete with the cellphone industry if it wishes to be economically as strong as it was a few years ago.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
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