| April 19, 2008 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1429 |
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Amir Hamza in the land of Qaf
Flour and electricity shortage
Unsavoury events
Law and order
Wasteful expenditure
Time for an environment minister
SPSC chairman
Iraq war
Anti-semitic comment
Universities for Larkana
First Muslim woman speaker
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 innocuous power of the people comes with flying colours by removing the most unpopular government in Pakistan’s history whose foundation was laid on the referendum. The world depicted it as “the first fraud of this century” committed by a Muslim country.
As a corollary, a president was imposed on the poor Islamic country to wage war of others on the arsenals of Pakistani blood.
The present political scenario in Pakistan, following the selectively rigged and manipulated election, reveals that the PML(Q) candidates, who were only a group of looters, found themselves in abject isolation and willing to follow their old course of changing political affiliation.
The treatment meted out to the former chief minister of Sindh and the former federal minister reveals the mood of the people of Pakistan.
The president, whom they voted to power on the promise of new life, has left them in the lurch. The people of Pakistan categorically admonished them not to vote for his majesty but, as usual, they ignored the wishes and eventually paid the debt of nature.
The president shrewdly played the theory of discard after use. They could not comprehend the future politics, rather relied on votes of angels.
But this time the poor people, armed with power of vote, altered the political scenario. The majority of the legislators did not realise that they would be discarded after use.
In future political scenario they will stand in the queue to meet the person whom they voted to power but the interest has changed and new realities have emerged.
The voters of the electoral college were repeatedly implored by civil society and the apex court to wake up from the deep slumber of personal interest, otherwise history will remember and reward them in the way they act.
Now the leaders whom the poor people of Pakistan have bestowed the mandate to change their lives should not accept these legislators, rather cases should be initiated against them on the charges of plunder and tarnishing the Constitution of Pakistan.
Otherwise, they will again plunder the country in the near future.
PROF (DR) ABDUL QAYUM MANGI
Sukkur
BRAVO, Irfan Husain (reference ‘Amir Hamza in the land of Qaf, April 12). You have revived an era bygone with its many happy movements used to come through book reading, a trend which, sadly, is on decline, more particularly for the books having oriental background and settings of countries, including India, Pakistan, Persia, China and Arabia.
This epic of fantasy lands, characters, splendid courts, tales of chivalry has given many of my likes immeasurable happiness, joy and has been making priceless reading material.
The adventures of Amir Hamza and his fellows and rivals are so interesting that one may have to read it many a time without getting bored.
In comparison to what may be described as its more recent substitutes like Harry Potter, the Dastan-i-Amir Hamza comes out far superior in tenor, substance, richness of the characters, ambience and the events.
As rightly pointed out by Mr Husain, sadly, our new generation even does not know about it, much less to be expected to have it read.
It may not be an exaggeration that the most interesting of the stories are the stories of kings, queens, princes and princesses and the splendours of courts which take you away from the humdrum of daily life reviving the mind and enriching the soul.
The lament expressed about the young generation’s oblivion of this epic is well-placed.
The young generation without having read the books like Dastan-i-Amir Hamza and others like it does not even know what great reading pleasure they are missing as compared to the stories from the West which they likely take, as superior to ours, a sad trend set in their minds, of late.
I recommend that the young generation should also read pearls of our literature like Dastan-i-Amir Hamza abridged and rewritten in ‘salees’ Urdu by the late Maqbool Jahangir in a very interesting style.
With its translation by Farooqui, our English-speaking society, particularly students of English-medium schools, can also be blessed by joyful reading of the masterpiece.
Thank you, Irfan Husain, for bringing to light a gem of our literature which is now almost forgotten and resting in archives instead of finding its place as a must for our homes and schools alike.
RAJABUDDIN
Karachi
THE biggest problem of this country today, after law and order, is the shortage of flour and electricity. We are told that it is being smuggled to Afghanistan, rather this ‘act of beneficence’ has been going on not only for the last several years but even now.
The million-dollar question is: who is standing on the borders? Will the one who is controlling those who are standing on the borders come on air and tell why those standing on the borders are so beneficent to allow the smuggling and keep their own people hungry? He should not only tell why the smuggling can’t be stopped, but also ensure that it is really stopped.
This government raised the support price of wheat which is a good step, but did they consider that, on the one hand, they are benefiting the agriculturists (who don’t have to buy flour as they keep stocks of wheat after the harvest and don’t feel the pinch of the prices at which the flour is sold) and, on the other hand, they have made things difficult for consumers who buy flour, mostly in towns and cities.
The government should have given subsidy on flour and ensure its fair price. Mere announcement that flour would be available in utility stores at a specified price is not enough. Everyone can’t go and stand in the queue outside those stores. Flour should be the most commonly available commodity in the country.
Everyone knows that electricity is scarce. This is because it is not being (a) conserved and (b) produced enough. The prime minister should come on air and tell people that in view of the shortage of electricity we have to resort to loadshedding. He should take people into confidence to conserve and accept the loadshedding.
A full media campaign should be started through all newspapers, radio and TV. We still remember Begum Nusrat Bhutto being shown on TV putting off the extra lights of the Prime Minister’s House.
Unfortunately our people have not learnt to save when it is abundant and accept the reality when it goes off, due to scarcity (and resort to violence).
When electricity is being supplied, our homes and shops are fully using it, markets glowing with bulbs of high power. When they are advised to conserve, they say: “Why should we? We are paying the bills?” And when it goes off, they start grumbling and abusing the government. They should be trained to conserve.
At the same time loadshedding should not be irksome. Specific timings should be specified so that people plan their lifestyles accordingly. Although, in Islamabad and Karachi, the timings of loadshedding are published in newspapers, the timings are not adhered to, which is irksome.
ZAFARUL HAQ MEMON
Karachi
FIRST the incidence with Arbab Ghulam Rahim, then the incidence with Sher Afgan Khan Niazi and now the incident of Multan: we are seeing some highly charged but quite unsavoury events enough to rattle any setup.
The situation is enervating more for the Pakistan People’s Party and its leader Asif Ali Zardari than anybody else. This is because the PPP is the leading coalition partner, and Mr Zardari obviously is the kingpin in today’s setup.
So, heavy responsibility rests on Mr Zardari’s shoulders and, of course, on the shoulders of his party colleagues to face the situation statesmanlike, and efficiently, to move towards calmer and quieter waters.
The People’s Party should realise, and hopefully they realise, that their success and the success of the system of democracy greatly (and probably only) depends on their way of politicking. They should give enough time to think about the happenings, and find out plausible and acceptable solutions. They should sit together, and put their heads down to face the situation with maturity and aplomb.
Asif Ali Zardari, considered “the friend of friends”, is seemingly going out of the way again to oblige his friends, flaunting all rules and regulations. Mr Zardari himself, and the People’s Party at large, must be cautious about the grave consequences of such ‘antics’ on his part. Previously, there could not be any documented proof of such ‘antics’, but this time around the situation would be entirely different.
The media has a very heavy responsibility to keep Mr Zardari posted about situation in a clear-cut and focused manner without being overly diplomatic about the truth on ground.
They should keep on reminding him that people have voted anti-establishment forces on the clear question of deposed judges and Mr Musharraf himself. He should not let this waste on ambiguity and opportunism to gain maximum mileage.
SYED SAYEF HUSSAIN
Karachi
LAW and order, especially in Karachi, has been turned into a nightmare for all Pakistanis for decades.
The citizens of Karachi are disturbed, some are planning to leave the city while others are waiting for their turn because everyone is fed up and upset by being hostage to law-breakers.
I wonder how all roads to the airport after midnight on May 12 last year were blocked and people fired upon.
It once again happened on April 9, in which 60 vehicles were burnt and about 12 lawyers were killed within a few hours.
People are afraid as there is no shelter for them. The government and the media should play their rightful role and provide safety and freedom to all.
MUHAMMAD MUSLIM
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Dr Kazi Khadim’s letter, ‘Wasteful expenditure on training’ (April 5), wherein he has rightly pointed out the futility of huge expenditure on post-entry training of senior bureaucrats beyond the age of 56 years.
The previous provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh in order to gain sympathy of bureaucracy have also increased the huge burden on the exchequer by allowing them extra perquisites from Dec 1, 2007.
For instance, the Sindh government, vide notifications FD(SR-III)5/1-2208 and FD(SR-III)10-2008 dated January 4 and March 1 of 2008, has allowed the following extra facilities to the officers of grade 17 and above.
1. For utilities of water, electricity and Sui gas Rs30,000 per month to secretaries and special secretaries.
2. Chief secretary/additional secretary/principal secretary to governor and chief minister unlimited amount on the above utilities. This facility is also available to officers awaiting postings which in given condition continues beyond one year.
3. Cellphone bills from Rs1,000 to Rs4,000 per month from grades 17 to 21.
Although public servants are already enjoying various emoluments and facilities on which the government has to spend billions of rupees, this extra reimbursement will create extra burden which will cost extra billions in times to come.
There is no rationale in allowing such huge perquisites to senior officers when the entire nation is going through an economic crisis that has forced the prime minister to cut expenditure of PM’s House by 40 per cent.
I still recall that the late Akhtar Ali G. Kazi, on assuming the office of the chief minister of Sindh, the first thing he did was to return the entire fleet of 22 vehicles stationed in the CM House for protocol, but one to the pool and stopped serving refreshment and meals to the guests at the cost of public money which in the last incumbent’s days cost in millions to national kitty.
Another example of austerity is the late A.G.N Kazi who as SBP governor surrendered all airconditioners, retaining only two to be utilised in the bedroom and the drawing-room.
Mr Kazi was the first Sindhi ICS officer who for family affairs always used his personal vehicle, an old Hillman. As a deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, during the Junejo government, he was one of the few officers who opted for 800cc vehicle.
I hope the authorities will reconsider their decision to provide extra perquisites which otherwise will cost billions to the national exchequer.
RAFIQUE AHMED SIDIKI
Karachi
THE environment and energy sectors are crucial for not only the economic growth but also for survival of human beings. The environment and energy are part of the PPP manifesto but now it is high time to translate the manifesto into action.
While ministers for various departments have been taken in the Sindh cabinet recently, unfortunately an environment minister has not been rendered.
It appears that the elected members of the assembly are not interested in the ministry of environment, which is given high priority in the PPP manifesto.
Sindh has numerous challenges in the environment and hence it is imperative that a competent minister for environment is appointed to tackle these challenges.
The implementation of the environmental laws in all sectors and strengthening the weak environmental agency with public participation can provide a safe environment to the people of the province and this can happen only with the political will.
NASIR ALI PANHWAR
Jamshoro
THE Sindh governor has appointed Javed Ashraf as chairman of the Sindh Public Service Commission. This is disappointing because the powers to appoint SPSC chairman rests with the chief minister.
It is also learnt that the former Sindh chief secretary, Javed Ashraf, does not have the domicile of Sindh.
According to the Sindh Services Act, a person cannot become Sindh Public Service Commission chairman unless he/she bears the domicile of Sindh province.
Therefore, the appointment made by the governor is not only illegal but also it does not fulfil the requirement of merit.
So, the appointment of the SPSC chairman should be made by the chief minister and for such appointment a well-deserved senior bureaucrat from Sindh should be appointed, who fulfils the criterion of merit.
The SPSC is an institution which selects hard-working, competent and meritorious candidates for appointment as officers in different cadres of the government. So, in order to continue the merit policy, it is essential that the head of the institution should be appointed on sheer merit rather on political influence.
The prime minister should intervene in the matter and order the chief minter of Sindh to appoint the SPSC chairman from the province of Sindh.
SHAHZAD S. AKTHAR
Hyderabad
MR Dawoodi Morkas’s letter, ‘Iraq imbroglio’ (April 16), reminds me of a famous piece of Urdu poetry: ‘Iss saadgi pe kaun na mar jaaye khuda”. Since the Iraq war, the price of oil has jumped from less than 40$/barrel to a whopping 113$/barrel and is expected to rise even further.
Of course, the biggest beneficiaries are the oil-producing Arab nations and their multi-billionaire sultans and kings.
Why should they want a solution to the Iraq crisis? In the prevailing scenario, this seems to be the only answer to Mr Morkas’s question.
MUHAMMAD RAZAULLAH QURESHI
Malaysia
ON April 13 there was a show on CNN (South Asia) on Democratic Party’s presidential nominee hopefuls’ faith. Earlier in the day or the day before both Ms Clinton and Mr Obama had participated in a faith dialogue as part of the ongoing string of such forums for the voters to know the candidates’ views and perceptions on a wide range of issues and subjects.
A few minutes into the programme, the news presenter had a Washington Post’s reporter join her in from a different location. As expected, the news presenter asked the reporter about American people’s apprehensions on Obama having Muslim roots from his father’s side and went on to say while putting her question to the reporter, “Obama’s been ‘accused’ of being a Muslim, well to some (people) it’s an ‘insult’..”
I find her choice of words to be not only irresponsible, ill-chosen but also derogatory and anti-Muslim. The fact that she was running the show in capacity of the programme’s only news presenter, she could definitely have opted for better words to ask the same question, like “Obama’s Muslim background which majority of the Americans don’t seem to be comfortable with…”
Although she meant to tell her audience the general perception in American society toward the Muslim faith, my question is, if she were to get her point across in a CNN show on Christian Americans’ known less favourable view on Jewish people in the US, would she ever say something like, “Americans’ hatred for the Jewish people”?
Such a comment would have been labelled anti-Semitic and resulted in her termination.
I have great respect for the United States as a nation but careless or perhaps carefully intended statements made by people like her would only fuel hatred in the minds and hearts of people of other faiths and particularly Muslims around the world.
I ask Dawn to help me register my objection with CNN, I strongly believe CNN owes an apology to all the Muslims and I demand that the newscaster be suspended by CNN as an apologetic gesture.
ALI JAWED
Karachi
LARKANA is the fourth biggest city and division in Sindh, having five districts in it. The population of the division is around 10 million.
Ironically, there is no university in this division in this modern era of science and technology. Students from Larkana and other surrounding districts go to other cities to get higher education.
Larkana, the home town of the PPP, has been ignored for 11 years for political reasons.
I would request the federal minister of education, the chairman of the HEC and the prime minister to take some steps to establish a general university, a university for women and an engineering university so that the people of Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Qamber, Dadu and Sukkur districts can get higher education and contribute to progress of Pakistan.
ZUBAIR AHMED
Larkana
DR Tashmukhamedova Diloram is the speaker of Uzbekistan’s parliament (Oliy Majlis). She is the first woman speaker in the Muslim world. She was elected speaker on Jan 23, 2008.
Dr Fehmida Mirza, speaker of the National Assembly, is the second speaker in the Muslim world. She was elected speaker on March 19.
DR AHMAD RASHID MALIK
Islamabad
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