| April 14, 2008 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1429 |
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Sense and non-sense
American interference
Benefits of air quality
Flight engineers
A need for uniform education system
Politics of blood
Justice Rasheed
Renaming the NWFP
Justice Iftikhar
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
IT is often said, at the risk of being a cliché, that true democracy is a messy thing and I think what we have witnessed in the last few days exemplifies the same to perfection.
I admit that what happened to both Arbab Rahim and Dr Sher Afgan was shameful and disgraceful. It is also admitted that the manner in which Dr Afgan was roughed up could have been fatal to his life. Furthermore, the damage caused to the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of judiciary and upholding of the rule of law may just be irreparable.
However, the question that springs to my mind is whether these events were wrong or not? Nay is the answer that my mind returns to me with an echo that despite it being shameful and disgraceful and (potentially) fatal, it wasn’t wrong.
This is actually a not-so-beautiful face of real democracy but is democracy nevertheless. The frustrations and anger of the people of Pakistan who have been subjected to years of dictatorship and who have suffered many a hardship and majority of these who cannot afford two square meals a day will be vented out in some manner, be it peaceful or otherwise.
We now live in a country where the will of the people is stronger and more forceful than the scrupulous desires of the government.
The prime minister, federal ministers, MNAs (and likewise in provincial assemblies) are and always will remain the representatives of the people.
If these representatives enjoy the benefits of their offices at the cost of a large portion of the hard-earned money of the people who drive buses and rickshaws, make tea at offices, clean windows, sweep the streets or even those who teach at colleges and universities, then they should also be held accountable to the same.
If they have a right to speed through the streets with their armed bodyguards while all traffic lights behind and in front of them for miles to come are closed in anticipation of their arrival, making those who put them in power wait for their exit, then there are no riders or qualifications annexed to these rights; not anymore.
If a chief minister or federal minister during his tenure acts in any manner that is contrary to the laws, contrary to the popular will of the people who installed him in his position of authority, then he should be held accountable by the relevant authorities.
However, in the absence of these very authorities, it is the people who should then be the judge, the jury and, if need be, the executioner of their very own representatives.
The incidents of the last two days should be a clear and vivid signal to those now gradually climbing the path to power. They are to respect the mandate of their electors under all and any circumstances. There can be no excuse for not doing so.
OBAIDUR RAHMAN KHAN
Karachi
IT was shocking and shameful to know that a private television channel does not treat the Sindh Assembly incident as ‘anokha’ (unusual).
The channel in order to condone and justify the dastardly incident was showing footage of such incidents in the assemblies of other countries.
KHAN. A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
ONE was very relieved to note that both Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have said in separate interviews that they will revisit the country’s strategy for dealing with militancy (March 23).
Mr Zardari, in particular, gave the irrefutable argument that “when you have a problem in your family, you don’t kill your family members, you sit and talk.”
Further, that “after all, Britain also got the solution of the problem of Ireland. So what’s the harm in conducting negotiations?”
This is in stark contrast to Washington’s nonsensical approach of trying to prevent the Pakistanis from resolving the issue through negotiations.
It has also been changing its colours like a chameleon as far as the issues of democracy and of the deposed judiciary are concerned, among other things.
Besides employing double standards, the US administration has been trying to interfere in our internal matters and pressuring the politicians to work with Mr Musharraf.
When it wants to bomb areas within Pakistan, it simply goes ahead, but when it comes to the question of supporting the restoration of the higher judges and, indeed, the whole edifice of the judiciary, which the Pakistanis yearn for, then they say it is an internal matter of the country, since it would weaken their ally Musharraf.
Our new leaders should take a bold stand in consonance with our national interests, abandon the pro-American policies that pitted the army against the civilians, promoted militancy and suicide bombings where none existed before Mr Musharraf’s collaboration with the US that began even before 9/11. M. Ziauddin has revealed this last aspect in his article, ‘The Pentagon connection’ (Supplement, March 23).
It is also shockingly clear that the Americans lose not even a minute in blackmailing their so called allies, as is evident from a report about the six member-countries of the UNSC, including Pakistan, which were threatened and cajoled into submission to keep them from voting against its impending invasion of Iraq (March 24).
Washington has started treating Pakistan like its colony, as was also apparent from its recent wish list to suspend the application of Pakistani laws to their personnel operating here.
It also takes the Pakistanis for its fief, one example of which is the dash to Islamabad by two senior State Department officials who asked Nawaz Sharif to work with President Musharraf even when things have changed so much immediately after the induction of the new PM.
Mr Sharif has very rightly refused to do that, as noted in a report in a section of the electronic media (March 25). It is time Pakistan’s new leadership showed America its proper place and restored the nation’s dignity.
M.P. CHISHTI
Karachi
IN your editorial, ‘American impatience’ (March 27), you have rightly noted with obvious disapproval the ‘indecent haste’ with which the two senior US State Department officials arrived in Pakistan to meet various leaders and other persons such as the tribal notables.
Actually, no Pakistani that I have talked to as yet has expressed anything but anger about this and seen it as an unwelcome attempt to manipulate things in Islamabad and brazenly interfere in the tribal areas.
The analysts and former diplomats interviewed by various media persons, including from the VOA and the BBC, have also voiced their concern about this American move.
One analyst observed that the new premier had not even had an opportunity to breathe, as it were, after his election, when the two gentlemen arrived (March 25).
The major reason why the officials came in such a hurry when nobody over here seemed ready to meet them apparently is that the new prime minister and other leaders have not even had the opportunity of being briefed by the various ministries, notably the foreign, defence and interior ones, and would not be aware of the various issues involved.
As the former foreign secretary, Riaz Khokhar, pointed out to the BBC correspondent (March 26), Mr Gilani would not even know what sort of oral or written agreements President Musharraf may have made with the Americans regarding the war on terror and related matters.
Thus, it is clear that this was a clever attempt by the US diplomats to strike at a time when our new leadership hasn’t even done its homework.
Our leaders must not allow the Americans to insult us by treating us like their subordinates who are at Washington’s service instantly.
There is no need for our politicians to be overawed by the supposed ability of Washington to decide who is going to rule over any country.
S. KARIM
Karachi
AS pointed out by F. H. Mughal’s letter (March 16), in London relying on the report of ‘Clean Air Initiative for Asia (March 2008)’, ADB says that 1,888 extra years of life were saved, out of a population of seven million, by imposing heavy congestion charge to minimise the number of vehicles entering the central business district, thus reducing air pollution.
It is not difficult to compare the difference in the air quality of London and the congested areas of Karachi like Saddar and M.A. Jinnah Road, which appear to be on fire, with heavy smoke rising, if observed from the Quaid’s Mazar at about 11am.
Judging from a layman’s point of view, it could be at least 500 per cent higher.
Under such conditions, one can imagine the number of human lives being endangered in Karachi per annum due to such a high level of air and other environmental pollution, as compared to London.
This could be about five times higher or over 20,228 years of lives being lost per year, taking into account the population difference.
This figure could be further revised, as in London the air quality is considerably improved, due to about 80 per cent traffic being served by electric-powered underground tube trains, while in Karachi rickety buses, two-stroke rickshaws and such vehicles constantly pollute the air all over the city with smoke, leaving substantial black mark on the lungs, as on the shirts of commuters.
In view of the above observations, the new government must seriously take up the question of introducing subway rail networks in Karachi, Lahore and other cities, as initiated by ZAB in 1974, through the Rapid Transit Cell, created under the federal ministry of communications, to save human lives being imperilled due to its absence.
The reports are available and can be easily updated. Besides this, the rising oil prices and high inflation have further justified urgency of such actions, along with introduction of other methods of power generation: air, solar, besides hydro.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
PILOTS are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes. Most are airline pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers, who transport passengers and cargo.
The pilot and the co-pilot, often called the first officer, share flying and other duties, such as communicating with air traffic controllers and monitoring the instruments.
Some large aircraft have a third pilot, the flight engineer, who assists the other pilots by monitoring and operating many of the instruments and systems, making minor in-flight repairs, and watching for other aircraft. The flight engineer also assists the pilots with the company, air traffic control, and cabin crew communications. New technology can perform many flight tasks, however, and virtually all new aircraft now fly with only two pilots, who rely more heavily on computerised controls.
Before departure, pilots plan their flights carefully. They thoroughly check their aircraft to make sure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
They also make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly. They confer with flight dispatchers and aviation weather forecasters to find out about weather conditions en route and at their destination.
Based on this information, they choose a route, altitude, and speed that will provide the safest, most economical, and smoothest flight.
Why sack PIA flight engineers? They are the best trained to take the right-hand seat as co-pilot. In the US, there are many pilots who began as flight engineers. PIA should not waste talent.
IJAZ MIR
Malaysia
HAVE we ever considered why we as Pakistanis do not agree or stand united on any national issue, whatsoever?
In my opinion there is one major reason for it, i.e. there is no uniform education system with clear and defined national goals and requirements.
Time and again, many concerned educationists have reminded the nation of the importance of a uniform educational system which is developed on national lines to achieve national goals of progress, prosperity and solidarity.
Their suggestions, however, have proved only a cry in the wilderness and those who are at the helm of public affairs and hold the ruling sceptre are not ready to pay heed to such a core issue which is decimating the nation every day.
There remains no doubt that the ruling lot, that ends up grabbing every source and resource of the nation, actually does not want to rid the nation of this vicious circle that continues to produce generations with indifferent minds, unable and unwilling to reconcile on any issue.
And this is because those who matter have been brought up and educated on a different curriculum, seeking different set of goals without much regard for the objectives for which Pakistan was created.
The fall of Dhaka in 1971 was reflection of this aberration from the basis of Pakistan.
If we really want to resolve our day-to-day issues – sectarianism, political and social dichotomy, the widening gap between the poor and the rich, and lack of national consensus over various socio-political and economic issues in the country and want to avoid a polarised society that is bound to lead to total destruction, we will have to form a uniform national education policy and set up such public sector schools where the children of both the rich and the poor are educated under one roof.
The sooner we realised the gravity of the situation and the ills that have been created due to multiple systems of education prevalent in the country and introduce a uniform system of education to meet clear national goals, the better.
Otherwise, the chasm that has been created between the rich and the poor, the reign of terror that has set in, the events of looting and snatching that have started and the murmuring of the poor that has taken the form of open threats will continue to rise and expand.
Therefore, to avoid an untoward situation, those who are at the helm of public affairs must understand the need of a uniform education system.
TARIQ MAHMOOD HASHMI
THIS is apropos of your editorial, ‘Politics of blood’ (April 10) and the chaos in Karachi of April 9, including the burning to death of at least five people.
You have observed that there have been dozens of targeted killings of political workers after the Feb 18 election. The majority of these, it may be noted, belong to the smaller parties.
One would like to ask why is it that (a) there were no killings outside Karachi throughout the judicial crisis that began on March 9 of last year? (b) On the evening of May 12, after nearly 50 people had died in the mayhem in Karachi and the CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry and his lawyers weren’t allowed to enter the city, President Musharraf had declared at a PML(Q) public meeting in Islamabad that his supporters had demonstrated their strength.
And (c) the killings have once again occurred in Karachi – 13 have died by the time of this writing – during demonstrations in support of Dr Niazi, a man from the president’s camp.
M. AHMED
Karachi
THE first chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Rasheed, was invited by the first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, at a dinner. Justice Rasheed refused to accept the invitation, arguing that tomorrow if any citizen of the country lodged a complaint against the prime minister, it would be heard in his court of law.
“Hence, to be impartial, I cannot accept the invitation of being your guest at the dinner at your residence”, Justice Rashid said.
In this perspective (which has been lost), the visit of deposed chief justice Iftikhar to the residence of Asif Zardari, apparently for offering Fateha, for 45 minutes is not justified.
If the new government reinstates Justice Iftikhar and tomorrow if Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan pleads the case of Asif Zardari in the Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar will find himself in a difficult situation.
Justice is important but the perception that justice is being done is more important.
Although nothing has been declared as to what was discussed in the meeting, the public would be justified in thinking that the deposed chief justice went for a ‘deal’.
Deposed Justice Iftikhar in the past took a wrong route for a noble cause by leading political rallies and now he again went to a place which is restricted for judges. He is fighting a legal battle in an ‘illegal’ way.
HASAN ABDULLAH
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Nazir Alam Khan’s letter, ‘Renaming NWFP’ (April 10). The writer has given three fictional options, i.e. Hazara has three categories of people:
*Those who speak Pushto
*Those who speak Pushto and call themselves Pathans.
*Those who speak Hindko but call themselves Pathans and in their domicile too it’s mentioned Pathans.
So, if approximately all the Hazarewals call themselves Pathan, a big ‘no’, sir, because here we are discussing a very sensitive issue of altering the identity.
Certainly Hazarewals have been pushed against the walls as far as provincial matters are concerned.
One wonders how we can label Hazarewals as Pushtuns. Sooner or later, Hazarewals are going to demand a separate province of their own if things moved on the same lines.
The proposed name of the new province will be Hazaristan, comprising Haripur, Abbotabad, Havalian and Mansehra.
The provincial capital would be Abbottabad which will be accessible to all the locals of Hazara.
TAHIR IQBAL JADOON
Islamabad
APROPOS of Nazir Alam Khan’s letter, I would like to make this clear that it’s not only the people from Hazara who would be opposed to the name of Pakhtunkhuwa but most of the people in the Pashto-speaking areas are also opposed to this political stunt of the name change of the NWFP.
I am from Hazara and am a Pathan by a tribe and am totally opposed to the change of name of my province from the NWFP to anything else. I like it the way it is and suits fine to me.
If somebody wants to do a change in the name or identity of any province, there should be a referendum, and the people favouring the name change know it pretty well that a referendum will be never approved.
So stop pushing the name change and do not make it a national or provincial crisis and try to focus on the steps that can bring more economic freedom and more jobs to the people of the province as a whole.
SHAUKAT
Canada
TEARS of joy welled into my eyes upon seeing the photograph of a very happy Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and his children on Dawn’s front page, following their release under Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s orders (March 25).
If the justice and sagacity displayed by our new leader can be sustained, Pakistan will progress by leaps and bounds and terrorism will disappear.
May God bless Gilani. He has filled the hearts of Pakistanis with pride and hope. One also wishes that the promise about the restoration of the deposed judiciary gets fulfilled soon.
K. PERWAIZ
Karachi
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