| May 01, 2008 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1429 |
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Ending the truce offer
‘Blackmailers’ demand
What we want from Fata
Hindu community hails minister
Access to Justice Programme
Abuse of discretion
Cement cartel
Settling old scores
Pay your taxes
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
IF the PPP co-chairman has accused former chief justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iftikhar of politicising the judiciary, he is not far from the truth. The very fact that on the very first day of his trial he decided to walk to the Supreme Court and not go by car was a political move because he was aware of the consequences.
Aitzaz Ahsan was not discreet. The media was hell bent on spiting the president even at the cost of bringing the country a bad name. The judiciary issue was blown out of proportion in order to show to the world that Pakistan was on the brink of a civil war because of the judges issue.
Now where are those suicide bombers, whose sole aim was to target the Army, and its senior echelons. It was said that suicide bombers could be purchased for large sums of money and this money was used to buy suicide jackets which killed and maimed innocent Pakistanis as collateral damage. In order to take sides must we spite our face? If we really want an independent judiciary the answer does not lie in reinstating the judges who were removed by the president but in passing a constitutional package which makes the judiciary totally independent of the executive as it is in America and elsewhere in the world.
Asif Zardari’s comment is like that innocent little child who said: “The king has no clothes on.”
SARDAR AHMED SHAH JAN
Peshawar
(II)
MISBAH U. Azam in his letter, ‘Taking due course to reach decision’(April 27), has said that people have elected their leaders, Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali, and must trust them. It is strange that Mr Azam should call heads of dynastic parties as our leaders.
Samia Altaf, in her article, ‘Straws in the wind’(April 21), had rightly said the political culture of Pakistan was more like that of a monarchy than of democracy. In fact, keeping political parties undemocratic reveals a sinister design of disenfranchising the public-spirited middle class away from politics. Our political system fits the system of plutocracy which is defined in these words:
“Plutocracy refers to the rule or power through wealth or by the wealthy, where the degree of inequality is high while the level of social mobility is low.
“The wealthy have disproportionate influence on the political process, and a very small percentage of extremely wealthy individuals control the government, appropriating most of the financial benefits. These plutocrats also control the executive, legislative and judicial aspect of government.”
Delaying the restoration of pre-Nov 3 judiciary depicts the plutocratic mindset of the leaders who are naturally afraid of independent judiciary for obvious reasons.
The prime minister should have announced the restoration of the judiciary the day he ordered removal of their illegal incarceration. That would have been the due course and right decision.
S. FEROZ SHAH GILANI
Lahore
(III)
AS the time or the deadline for the restoration of the deposed judges is passing, tension is also mounting among the ruling coalition.
The successive meetings between the coalition parties’ heads is a sign of the gravity of the impending matter. The PPP seems to be showing extra caution which is but inexplicable after they have signed an accord in black and white. It seems quite obvious that not much homework is done and no modalities were either enshrined in the Murree accord.
But again these dithering attitudes on the part of the PPP raise certain questions. Isn’t that a masked establishment still has some reserves to hit back the democratic alliance or there are some hidden elements which are not interested in the independence of the judiciary?
People are committing suicides for poverty and some are compelled to sell their anatomy; the system in which we are living for decades may be breathing its last but the clouds of uncertainty and gloom are again gathering.
It is time our politicians struck a clear note and restored the deposed judges before it gets too late. Pakistan can only survive with a fair and impartial judiciary and it is hoped that the present coalition will acknowledge the voice of the masses.
RIZWAN AKHTAR
University of Punjab Lahore
THE Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has announced to end the ceasefire truce with the government, which is not a healthy sign. Although the truce offered by Baitullah Mehsud was unilateral, the cross-sections of society had welcomed this cessation of hostilities.
Tribal elders were negotiating with government officials as Mehsud’s men circulated a letter in Waziristan telling his followers to halt attacks on security forces. It means the trouble is expected to be visiting again as the militants might have gained enough reinforcement and regrouping during this time.
But it is unlikely that the government and security forces would not have left any stone unturned in consolidating the security apparatus and even cordon off the so-called militants who are being backed by enemy elements. That’s why the government has not budged to unacceptable demands of the militants which are meant to undermine the writ of the state.
Hopefully, this time the government would not allow them to let loose a reign of terror in the country.
However, this has to be seen in the context that the collaborators do not want peace overtures succeeding because stability in the country is not their aim. They must understand that if the threat of terror is once and for all extirpated, the world would be safe for good.
They must understand that the sovereignty of Pakistan cannot be put at stake for gaining their ulterior motives. Even in the hardest circumstances Pakistan has shown the resolve to single-handedly cope with the untoward situations, though the price had been too heavy.
And the country is capable of coping with any kind of eventuality without the help of any other country. So it is advisable for the government to be on guard against any move by the enemy elements to thwart its efforts for peace and stability.
ESCHMALL SARDAR
Peshawar
ON Feb 11 Tariq Azizuddin, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, disappeared, crossing the Afghan border. In the letter, ‘Envoy missing’ (Feb 24), I had expressed my concern that he was kidnapped which was a serious incident.
I had suggested that, following the example of British government which had sent a 20,000-strong military expedition from Karachi to Addis Ababa in 1842 to free the British ambassador held captive by Ethiopian king, Pakistan should also mount a military action to recover the Pakistani ambassador.
An ambassador is no small fry; he is a representative of the president and an agent of the government. There was already a military crackdown in Swat against Mullah Fazlullah’s disciples and terrorists who had cut the heads off the live bodies of at least 20 security personnel and shown around in the bazaars and streets of Matta.
Out of 300 of those security personnel still held by them, 247 of which were exchanged (the rest escaped) on Nov 4, 2007 with 25 of Taliban fighters; still seven hardened and notorious criminals who had big head money, however, were not freed by the government.
Now after more than two months, they have confirmed my fear that he was kidnapped by the Taliban; and after remaining braced for recovery bid by Pakistani forces the Taliban have come out with their ransom demands.
These demands would not have been made if the government of Pakistan would not have chosen to remain inactive after the Feb 18 election. The demands include the release of Mullah Omar’s right-hand man Mullah Obaidullah, the burqa-clad Maulvi Abdul Aziz Ghazi who was trying to flee Lal Masjid, and some Afghan and Pakistani Taliban — probably those seven butchers.
As always happens when Islamabad is not hard on terrorists, for whom our mullah maulvi-dominated society shrieks not to retaliate, the terrorists are reinforced by their own power and by the enemies of Pakistan, hence this arm- twisting.
The new government has already made known its willingness to negotiate with the Taliban and Afghan leaders on all issues. Much as I wish that the ambassador’s life be secured, I still want to ask a question: would it negotiate the release of the ambassador by releasing those hardened criminals whose hands are red with the blood of captive soldiers.
M.K. NAQVI
Karachi
BRAVE, courageous traditional inhabitants of Fata are nowadays under heavy clouds of uncertainty. They are the victim of a warped policy. They have a long history of sacrifices as they stood for the motherland with others to face any challenges against their country.
Military operation in Fata is misunderstood by most of us, as its actual motive was not revealed to the common citizen. How could the army be employed against its own people? It is a fact that the army’s backbone comprises proud Pathans on all the ranks of the army.
We just need to understand what we want out from Fata. Are we interested in throwing out all foreign elements, living there illegally? Or want development projects to support coaliation forces against terrorism? Or peace in the area with a secure border with Afghanistan?
Once we decide what we want to do, then the government will be able to take measures accordingly. The question is who will decide?
Our troops are just carrying out their duties and taking measures in the interest of the nation. It is time a line was drawn to finalise the objectives.
We must replace guns with pens in the hands of innocent children.
Job opportunities must be provided by establishing industries and tax-free zones in those areas; basic health and education should be provided at their doorstep; elders of the area should be motivated to stand for the present and next generations’ future.
We, being Pakistanis, want to be recognised as a civilised nation. Our foundation should be so solid that no foreign hands or intelligence agencies should harm us.
SHAFQAT SULTAN
Islamabad
THE Hindu community living in Pakistan welcomes the statement of Sassi Pelejo, Sindh minister for culture, regarding the handing over of the Hindu Gymkhana to the community so that they can have their cultural and religious activities in the said premises for the betterment of their people.
The minister has also stated that the NAPA, Karachi, may be shifted to some alternative place where they can carry on promoting their activities.
The Hindu community feels that she has taken the bold step and is proceeding in the right direction in order to give justification to this longstanding issue, for which the community has high hopes and expectations in the near future from the minister for culture.
RAMESH MANA
Co-Chairman, Pak Hindu
Welfare Association Karachi
THE Access to Justice Programme was introduced by the government with the cooperation, in the form of a loan, of the Asian Development Bank in 2001. One of the policy actions, which were to be taken under this programme, was the creation of an independent prosecution service at the provincial level.
Independent prosecution services have been established in Punjab and the NWFP, and it is under process in Balochistan. Necessary legislation for this purpose has been completed in all these provinces, and Criminal Prosecution Act has been passed.
The provincial government had also taken steps to initiate the programme by introducing a new department. To ensure the project, all the provinces have positively developed and taken steps to utilise the funds as provided.
The governments of Punjab and the NWFP have already started the programme by appointing the required officers and other staff through the Public Service Commission. However, the government of Sindh has not yet been able to develop the department or to appoint the required staff.
Since 2001, when funds were provided, the Sindh government has only published an advertisement through the Sindh Public Service Commission in November 2007 and has only conducted procedure, thereafter recommending the required candidates to the relevant department (Sindh Criminal Prosecution Service Department) for their appointments.
The Sindh Criminal Prosecution Service Department after the recommendation of Sindh Public Service Commission has put up a summary to the competent authority (chief minister), government of Sindh, for approval.
The competent authority approved the summary for the appointment of district public prosecutor and additional prosecutor-general (BPS 19) and deputy district public prosecutor and deputy prosecutor-general (BPS 18).
Unfortunately nothing has happened after the declaration of the results on March 3 by the Sindh Public Service Commission and recommendations for the posts of assistant district public prosecutor, assistant prosecutor-general and assistant director of monitoring, implementation and evolution (BPS 17), the summary of which has not yet been put up before the competent authority (chief minister), government of Sindh, for approval and appointment of 164 candidates.
As a result, the candidates who have qualified are looking forward to the department concerned to initiate the process of their appointments immediately.
AIJAZ
Karachi
THERE are reports in the national as well as in vernacular newspapers about the allocation of the seats of various disciplines in the recruitment of CSS candidates. It is reported that about 50 candidates having exercised their option in the CSS examination for the year 2007 for the Police Service of Pakistan, and having obtained sufficient number of marks in each and every process of the examination, thus becoming eligible to be assigned and allocated the police group service, are being considered for induction into DMG or the customs, indeed, against their option and bill.
This is a complete negation of the merit, as well as the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution. The suitability criterion being considered in violation of fair and judicious exercise of power, discretion cannot be used as a tool and means for arbitrary and unilateral exercise of power, authority and jurisdiction in the garb of suitability criterion.
The PSC must demonstrate transparency at every stage of selection. People of Pakistan will definitely expect judicious use of power from the Federal Public Service Commission in order to inculcate the spirit of merit.
MANSOOR UL HAQUE SOLANGI
Karachi
AS reported in EBR section (April 28), a team of Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has raided the office of All Pakistan Cement Association’s headquarters at Lahore and impounded records and computers containing data on cement production in the country. The action is reportedly taken so as to verify whether the manufactures have formed a cartel leading to increase in the prices of cement.
After privatization and especially with the previous regime’s lax regulatory control, the cement producers have formed a cartel and whenever they feel like have enhanced the price of cement at will. This unbridled and unfair increase in the price from time to time has made the construction activity extremely unbearable.
The action of the CCP will have a salutary effect on other cartels such as sugar and petrol. However, this admirable effort will be wasted if tax authorities (income tax, sales tax and excise) are not allowed accessibility to the said plethora of information.
I, therefore, request the federal revues authorities to approach the CCP for the impounded material and recover the unpaid of taxes, if any, from the cement producers.
At this juncture of serious financial crisis, recovery of unpaid taxes from this most vibrant sector of economy will be a great of help to the national exchequer.
RAFIQUE AHMED SIDDIQI
Karachi
Some old players are managing to be re-employed in the higher management positions in PIA after retirement, while some after having been retired prematurely with the connivance of some others, are trying to settle old scores with the ex-DMD, who terminated the jobs of 80 flight engineers which affected their families.
The whole operation was done with surgical precision, i.e. post retirement pay cheques and letters were prepared hastily in the darkness of the night by making staff working on weekends.
This mala fide, illegal and immoral practice proves that PIA can never recover as long as such incompetent people are in charge.
Allegedly some senior pilots wanted to be ‘promoted’ to B-777 from B-747 by any means possible, even at the expense of grounding the beautiful “Queen of the Air,” ie B-747 with zero liability.
They had the flight engineers retrenched whereas leaving the other employees associated with B-747 unscathed.
This whole unfortunate episode needs to be probed by the new democratic government to stop further damage to our flag, carrier and reinstate the employees forthwith.
DAUGHTER OF AN
AFFECTED FE
Via email
EVERYBODY has to pay taxes — even celebrities. And, if you don’t, you’re going to jail. Actor Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in jail, after being found guilty of tax evasion. As the Florida judge read the whopping sentence (which was the maximum), the people in the courtroom gasped, but Wes showed no emotion.
”I’m very sorry for my mistakes and errors. I apologise to my family, the court and the community,” the actor said. “I’ve asked the court to show me mercy and the opportunity to make things right.” He also had to pay $5 million — of the reported $41 million that he owes the government — at previous day’s sentencing.
No one is above the law. In the West are no such laws as NRO to rescue their celebrities. That is the beauty of their system. We Muslims also had this system in our initial period.
Once our Holy Prophet (PBUH), while announcing punishment to a woman of a prominent tribe, rejected the recommendation by his own adopted son and said that he would not spare his own daughter Fatima under similar circumstances. Golden rules of Islamic teachings are being practised by non-Muslims and they are enjoying the worldly benefits.
MIR TABASSUM MAIRAJ
Islamabad
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