| April 26, 2008 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429 |
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Shaukat Aziz’s role
Bull in a china shop
Beware of aid and free advice
Consumer associations & courts
Lecturers’ fate
Roots of nationalism in Sindh
Summer school fees
Double trouble
Suicide
Minorities’ rights
Ban on arms
APROPOS of Humera Alwani’s letter (March 1), as well as of Sqn Ldr (r) S. Ausaf Husain’s (April 17), I would like to inform the readers about the good work done by the ministry of labour in collaboration with the ministry of women development and the ILO.
They had held technical consultation workshops in different cities of Pakistan. The objective was to discuss with the stakeholders and seek their input on the draft code of conduct prepared with the sole contribution of Action Aid Pakistan and their interactive partners.
To finalise the draft so developed, the national technical consultation workshop was held on Aug 22, 2002 in the ILO building, Islamabad.
At that time Owais Ahmed Ghani was the federal minister for labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis. Dr Attiya Inayatullah was the federal minister for women development, social welfare and special education. Both the ministers, federal secretaries and senior officers belonging to these ministries had taken part in the workshop.
Amongst other participants — mostly female NGOs dealing in human rights, women issues and labour matters — the writer and Ehsanullah Khan, chairman of Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP), were also invited.
The code was a detailed document that had defined the gender harassment, procedure for lodging a complaint, protection to the female lodging the complaint, procedure for investigation, and action against the accused, etc.
WEBCOP comprises representatives of employers and workers and deals with matters relating to industrial growth. The interest of the two stakeholders, i.e. employers and workers, depends on the survival and growth of the industry.
We, in WEBCOP, felt that the draft code was a well-drafted document. However, it was prepared keeping in view the laws applicable to government employees. In industry various labour laws are applicable. There is a law called Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968. Besides other things, it provides a detailed procedure for dealing with the cases of misconduct, including punishment to the person committing act of misconduct.
The draft code had certain conflicting provisions which if not removed could cause legal problems, ultimately benefiting the harasser. We pointed out such discrepancies. The draft code of conduct was accordingly modified.
WEBCOP has conducted workshops for raising awareness amongst the employers and workers. It has also awarded 10 employers and 10 trade unions every year for voluntarily implementing this code of conduct in their industry.
So far several organisations have been awarded out of the many nominations received every year from the organisations claiming to have implemented the code in their organisations.
I fully agree with the writers. The workplace should be free from any kind of harassment, particularly relating to the gender. It is an important matter. In my opinion the media should also support WEBCOP in promoting awareness amongst the employers and workers about the existence of code of conduct and its voluntary implementation at workplaces where the two genders are employed. The code of conduct document can be made available on request.
A. H. HAIDRI
Additional Secretary-General,
Sindh Chapter (WEBCOP)
IN his column, ‘The beat of a different drummer’, Irfan Husain has questioned the explanations given by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz regarding electricity and wheat shortages that have been plaguing the country (April 19).
Mr Aziz reportedly said, first, his government had underestimated how fast the economy would grow and, therefore, did not invest in increasing the power generation capacity.
Second, regarding the food prices, he observed that wheat storage and distribution are a provincial issue, and he allowed the export of 800,000 tons of wheat last year, as there were adequate stocks.
It may be recalled that in an earlier statement from London (BBC, Feb 1), he had blamed some ministers for having provided an exaggerated estimate of wheat production due to which he had sanctioned its export.
However, he had also admitted that the then Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Illahi had opposed this move in a letter to him warning that the commodity should not be exported, otherwise it would cause a big problem.
The ex-premier even went to the extent of acknowledging that if he had heeded Mr Elahi’s advice, the wheat crisis would not have occurred.
It is clear that the two statements contradict each other. Would it be too much if those who are suffering because of his blunders expect Mr Aziz to return to Pakistan and clarify things, at least for the sake of his reputation and, better still, to prevent a recurrence of such problems.
As a patriotic Pakistani, he is also expected to help out the newly-installed government by giving any useful advice and also by trying to bring in investments – not loans – if possible, because there is such a dire need for finances at this critical juncture.
The present government is requested to follow up on this suggestion because the poor Pakistanis at least have a right to know what actually happened, besides which the former prime minister may bring some money in.
ADIL ABDULLAH
Karachi
JUST when we were beginning to feel comfortable with our new and unexpectedly welcome new prime minister, we are rudely hit with the news that somebody else is gunning for his post.
Whatever the future may ultimately hold, he is a gentleman who represents the people with dignity, is receptive to their moods and voices, and has created a sense of hope. The same cannot be said for many leaders, would-be or otherwise.
One fails to understand why prime ministers should be changed unnecessarily just because someone feels like taking over.
The many goals on the prime minister’s 100-day list may seem ambitious without even being comprehensive, but they acknowledge the enormity of the ills accumulated over the past decades that demand remedy, and mark a much-needed effort towards that end which now threatens to be scuttled.
We have more immediate problems to attend to than prepare for a change of prime minister that only raises misgivings.
It may take time, but steps have been taken to seek out safe solutions, such as calming the unjustly and inhumanly attacked groups in the north, or wresting away the territorial control of Karachi by groups where even TV satire dare not name sacred cows.
What we can do without now is yet another bull in a china shop.
NAJMA SADEQUE
Karachi
LEADERS of developing countries, who have convinced themselves that they cannot
manage their economy without the help (aid) and guidance (conditionalities) of international financial institutions, can never get out of either the ‘debt trap’ or chronic poverty of their masses.Recently, Bangladesh recognised this truth. The finance adviser is quoted in Amar Desh as saying: “The World Bank and IMF are not lenders. They are international loan sharks” (‘Truth dawns on adviser’, April 19).
Our economic managers should take notice. The Asian Development Bank (a sister institution of the World Bank) is now luring Pakistan into giving up the gas pipeline project with Iran and instead take up Turkeministan-Afghanistan pipelines. This project became the favourite of IFIs when the American company, Unocal, was in charge.
For years, we have been in the midst of an energy crisis and a gas pipeline would have alleviated considerably our shortage of fuel and electricity. First we spent years in chasing the Turkeministan project, which could never take off in view of the war conditions in Afghanistan.
As for Iran-Pakistan pipeline, our neighbour India has managed to delay its execution by its on-again off-again attitude towards this project.
It will be tragic if we continue to dither or worse still we get sidetracked by the ADB.
H. N. AKHTAR
Karachi
IT is in response to the letter, ‘Bridle the cartels’ (April 17). If manufacturers form ‘cartels’ or associations to safeguard their interest, why do consumers not set up consumer association and consumer courts to protect their valid interests? It is the law of nature that those who do not care for themselves are not helped by God either.
It is a fact that an individual effort carries no influence against a collective struggle. Consumers’ welfare and safety can only be protected when there are consumer associations and consumer courts all over the country.
Once we take note of the affairs and the judicial system of the country, it appears that there is no law to protect the interests of the consumers – no authority or body exists in the country that can check the exploitation by the profiteering manufacturers in the garb of cartels.
In the golden days of yore, there used to be a department called Bureau of Supply and Prices running under the supervision of the government which safeguarded the interest of the consumers. Under its domain, no company or manufacturer dared to increase the price of its products without the permission of the bureau.
For what reasons, I don’t know, the consumer-caring department has been brought to an end. Those who want to increase the price of their products/services they do it without considering the interest of the consumers.
I request the consumers to consider campaigning for the establishment of consumer associations and consumer courts all over the country so that a pressure group is developed to protect their interest.
SYED MANAZIR-UL-HAQ
Karachi
THE sword of Damocles hangs over the head of 860 ad hoc lecturers in Sindh. Since their appointment in 2005, every six months their access to salary is impeded till the next extension summary is issued by the Sindh education and literacy department. Now four months have already lapsed, yet the government hasn’t released their relief package in the form of salaries. One wonders how they are making both ends meet in this era of ever rising prices.
Although the affected lecturers knocked at the door of the education department for regularisation and release of their salaries, their cry, to their great dismay, fell on deaf ears. Neither their salaries have been released nor is the bill for regularisation tabled in the provincial assembly.
Now the new minister of education, Pir Mazharul Haq, should avert the state of discontentment among lecturers by issuing them easy access.
HAMEEDULLAH LASHARI
Khairpur
THIS is apropos of Zulfiqar Shah’s article, ‘Roots of nationalism in Sindh’ (Encounter, March 30), wherein he has divided the phenomenon of Sindhi nationalism into four periods: two each pre- and post- partition.
He has, however, failed to appreciate that unseating of Talpurs by the British and even second ‘Hur Movements’ did not evoke any nationalistic feelings amongst the local populace.
The Talpur being non-local Baloch tribe, which by force of arms displaced the indigenous Kalhora monarchs, the British control, therefore, brought only changes of master, and the Hur revolt of the second period (1930-43) was an extension of the first Hur movement of 1890, response to which was restricted to the devotees. Hence it didn’t stir up nationalist trappings as such.
Mr Shah is, nevertheless, right that the separation of Karachi and taking away of Sindh’s provincial autonomy by imposing the most unfair scheme of One Unit raised nationalistic feelings in the people of Sindh.
Similarly, the crisis that erupted on Benazir Bhutto’s assassination was its exact manifestation. Similar nationalistic response was the hallmark when Zulifkar Ali Bhutto was overthrown and executed through a sham judicial trial.
There are some errors of facts which too need to be corrected. For instance, Mir Sher Muhammad Talpur of Mirpurkhas had an encounter with Charles Napier in 1843 and not 1857, in which he lost to the British forces. He, thereafter, went into self-exile.
After traversing Sindh, he left for Balochistan and then for Afghanistan where he stayed for about 10 years. During the Anglo-Sikh wars he lived in Lahore.
Finally, he came back and settled in Mirpurkhas under protection of the crown. He was endowed with a jagir and British pension. Mir Sher Muhammad died there and was not executed through cannon mouth at Rambagh, Karachi, as maintained by Mr Shah.
At Miani armies of Khairpur did not join against alien forces as Mir Ali Murad Talpur of Khairpur committed treachery and dispossessed his elder brother, Mir Rustam Khan Talpur, of crown with the connivance of the British.
This was the reason that the Khairpur state remained autonomous under British protection. Even after independence it remained a princely state until annexed by the government of Pakistan. His elder brother, octogenarian Mir Rustam Khan, however, with great tribulations was able to take shelter in Hyderabad and was ultimately exiled to India along with other member of the ruling clan after they were defeated in Miani.
Sir Bartle Frere did not take over charge from Gen Charles Napier. It was Mr Pringle R. K. who succeeded Napier in 1850 and subsequently was replaced by Frere, as commissioner, in 1851.
ALTAMASH M. KURESHI
Karachi
I AM writing in response to Muhammad Masood Asghar’s letter (April 25) regarding summer fees charged by schools.
I think it would be pertinent to point out that school fees charged reflect the cost of nine months that the school is actually in session. This cost is spread, only for the parents’ convenience, over 12 months so as not to pose too great a financial burden on them. This is the standard practice in all schools, be it in Pakistan or abroad.
Parents must understand that schools have to honour their own financial commitments. Even when schools are forced to shut due to disturbances in the city, teachers still need to be paid. Teachers’ salaries, rents, utilities have to be disbursed for the entire year, whether the school is in session or whether there are vacations. Therefore, the recovery of the entire academic year’s fee is justifiable.
Also, I find it hard to believe that any reputable school would ruthlessly lay off teachers to avoid paying their summer salary, especially when good teachers are in such short supply.
M. J. AS’AD
Karachi
Summer brings a season of examinations with it and in Pakistan a season of loadshedding too. Nowadays, examinations for every age group are going on and loadsheddings too.
I don’t understand why examinations are held in May, as previously these used to be held in March. And, as a result of loadshedding, two per cent grace marks are given but the point to ponder is that this year we have shortage of electricity throughout the four seasons.
HINA
Karachi
I WONDER if the PM by giving Rs200,000 to the relatives of the woman who killed herself and her two kids in Lahore is motivating other mothers to kill themselves and their kids too?
The government and the citizens both have equal moral obligation to feed the poor. Please don’t let anybody commit suicide because they don’t have means to eat.
LAIQ AZAM
USA
THE lynching of Jagdeesh Kumar, a Hindu worker, by his colleagues, outside his workplace is an eye-opener for all of us. Reports indicate that it was a case of blasphemy, but the matter must be investigated thoroughly by independent sources. The irony is that neither any human rights group nor the media has taken up this matter seriously. In this day and age this kind of behaviour is despicable.
Islam teaches us tolerance. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) was a model of tolerance. Jinnah, in one of his speeches, said: “You are free to go to your mosques, you are free to go to your churches and you are free to go to your temples.”
The white portion in our national flag signifies the minorities. It is the duty of the state and indeed of all of us to protect and safeguard the lives and property of non-Muslims. These minorities have played a vital role in our progress.
Their contributions in sports, economics and other fields are praiseworthy. Our religion does not permit us to kill anyone just because he or she doesn’t agree with us. We must try to win others’ hearts through our deeds and actions.
JAFFAR
Lahore
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
APROPOS of the article, ‘Banning carrying of arms’ (April 22), I think banning carrying of ‘licensed’ weapons would further widen the gap between a law-abiding citizen and anti-social elements, as such elements do not need licences to carry weapons.
Miscreants brazenly carry weapons and deprive us of our cars, mobiles, valuables, etc., in broad daylight, whereas the common man would be deprived of the only power he has left to secure himself and his family.
Security is the primary concern of every citizen after the recent incidents of violence in the city. Unless the law-enforcement agencies guarantee security for everyone, which in turn is practically impossible, every citizen has the right to protect himself and his family.
Instead of banning the carrying of licensed weapons, there should be stricter controls over the issue of such licences to individuals and a thorough background check should be done before any licence is issued.
FAISAL ALVI
Karachi
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