| May 10, 2008 | Saturday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429 |
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Making parliament sovereign
Role of multinationals
People deserve better
Setback to development in Sindh
Political future
Beyond the blame game
Without goals
President’s office
CAA’s clarification
Cheap food: a myth
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
WHAT began with ‘minus-one formula’ and then came to be known as ‘fixation of CJ’s term for three years’ has finally assumed the shape of ‘retention of PCO judges’. Fallacy is the visible thread of continuity within these three manifestations. That is why each one has backfired.
The ‘minus-one’ idea was brought out on the premise that the noble cause of strengthening the independence of the judiciary should not be linked to (chief) justice Iftikhar. However, the wizards coming out with this idea were not aware of the historically proven fact that certain human beings and the movements they create eventually become inseparable. Can we de-link Che Guevara from Bolivian identity or Nelson Mandela from South African history?
There can be many examples of this phenomenon. Likewise, it is (chief) justice Iftikhar who symbolises rather personifies the independence of the judiciary in this country.
The second idea of fixation of the CJ’s term for three years is even more fallacious. Nowhere in the world, the term of the CJ is fixed for any duration. It is so because the CJ is not an elected office. It is true that non-elected chief election commissioner got a fixed term of three years as per Article 215 of the Constitution but that is only because of the specific nature of his job, which is all about elections.
A permanent chief election commissioner might be frowned upon by other parties whenever the term of an in-power party is over. Nevertheless, Article 168 about the auditor-general of Pakistan is silent with regard to his term because term fixation is done for the elected office only.
The third idea about retention of the PCO judges even borders on absurdity. Why did lawyers and civil society take to the streets everywhere on March 9 2007, and continue to do so by now, if the PCO judges were to be retained ultimately? Lawyers see raising of the number of judges from 17 to 27 as an attempt to usurp the apex court. They believe that PCO judges are renegades and their retention would be identical to our acceptance of ‘atoot-ang’ stance of India on Kashmir. That is how none of the above ideas have worked.
Indeed, every snare has happened to be too short to entangle the lawyers’ movement. In our history, this singles out to be the first-ever indigenous, spontaneous, middle class-driven, intellectually-equipped and emotionally-charged movement. Unlike other movements, the leaders and the led ones in it ply on one and the same intellectual plane.
Hence, hoodwinking of the led by the leaders is simply unthinkable here.
That is why all Iftikharophobic moves are found not wetting but whetting the heat of this movement.
MUHAMMAD WAQAR ASLAM
Quetta
IN our democratic system we call parliament sovereign, but there are a number of decisions that have been taken unilaterally by the federal or provincial government departments, corporations, autonomous and local government departments without referring the matter to parliament or the respective provincial assemblies.
For example, the PTCL, which works under the federal government, revised its tariff from time to time without referring the matter to parliament. Similarly, prices of oil and CNG have been revised by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority from time to time without referring the matter to parliament.
Prices of wheat, rice, milk, vegetables and other commodities of daily use are also increased from time to time without any reference to the National Assembly or the respective provincial assemblies.
If the federal or provincial government departments can take unilateral decisions and raise the prices of various consumer products or services, then is there any need for federal government or provincial governments to give subsidy to these federal or provincial government departments which are responsible for the price hike in the country?
People elect assemblies so that their elected representatives should be able to legislate laws for the benefit of the common man. But in the light of unilateral decisions taken by federal government and provincial government departments and various trade associations, which work under the umbrella of federal or provincial governments, it seems that these government departments and trade associations are more authoritative and sovereign than the national and provincial assemblies.
If commodities and services go on costing more and more while people’s income/salaries do not increase in proportion to the inflation, then there is no other alternative left for the common man but to earn money through illegal means or commit suicide.
So, what is the role left for the National Assembly or provincial assemblies if they cannot legislate laws to control the price hike? People want that the price hike issue should invariably be referred to the assemblies before any government department or trade association decides to increase the price of a commodity or the cost of a service. All this to uphold the welfare of the common man.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
MULTINATIONALS, though regarded as a threat to local competing firms, have a role to play in countries like Pakistan. First, they bring in investments which add to our foreign currency and if the output from the plant is exported, further foreign exchange can be earned.
The major important benefit that Pakistan’s economy will enjoy due to the operations of multinationals is that such businesses will create more employment opportunities.
As a result, the demand for other commodities will increase the GDP. Similarly, the standard of living will also improve.
As multinationals are usually large firms, they arrange training programmes for their employees that improve the quality and efficiency of our labour force.
Management expertise in Pakistan is also improving as compared to the past because of these multinationals, who also create competitiveness in the market as local firms have to bring their quality and productivity to international standards, as is witnessed in the telecommunications market. Tax revenue to the government also goes up with the sales or profits made by these firms.
SANA SABIR
Karachi
THIS refers to your editorial, ‘People deserve better’ (May 7) and an excellent piece by Amir Mateen.
Almost many days have passed since the PPP and allies took charge of the throne in Islamabad. Needless to say that the early days of any government are the true indicators of its future. So far it is really depressing. It appears we have not learnt anything from history. Has Rehman Malik forgotten the fate of Saifur Rehman?
The rulers must understand that the media has sharpened and created a better political understanding of public at large. It’s no more a small news item which appeared in the press the following day of an event, whether read by some or all. News is flashed on screen the moment it is found and reaches all corners of the country.
The PPP must understand that it is the last time they have capitalised on the Bhutto factor. People want their problems to be resolved and not empty slogans. It is becoming increasingly evident that these objectives cannot be achieved with people like RM at the helm of affairs. The co-chairman of the PPP must act now because it is now or never. You have aptly said: “The people deserve better, much better.”
M. IRSHAD JAN
Karachi
THE chief minister of Sindh during his recent visit to Khairpur reviewed the performance of various ongoing schemes of the district government offices. On his return to Karachi, he has surprisingly directed all the administrative secretaries to stop development work on those schemes of the district where the work progress is only 25 per cent or less. The CM also issued orders, through an open circular, No. DS (CORD) CMS/40/ 2008 dated May 2, to reassess the feasibilities. Such instructions are reportedly in the offing in respect of other districts as well.
At the fag-end of the financial year, when billions of rupees have already been pumped in by the nation-building departments into these schemes, this unpopular decision of stopping work, on the plea of review, will cause enormous loss to the national exchequer.
Besides, it will create unremitting disillusionment in the people of the areas where these schemes are being carried out. Sudden halt of works will also generate unemployment in the districts as thousands of families are having their livelihood through these schemes.
Works on these projects were started after carrying out proper feasibility studies by the departments concerned, spending millions of rupees. As development is an ongoing process, it is in the larger interest of the people of this province that the schemes already initiated should not suffer because of change on the top.
The present government has five years to go and thus they can better plan the new projects ahead instead of hampering the ones already started. On the contrary, authorities administering the development schemes may be pushed to complete the same within the period assigned so that the funds allocated are spent appropriately and in time.
SHAFIQUE ANSARI
Dubai, UAE
AS of today the following scenario best fits our political future: Pervez Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari cannot afford to reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhary. The May 12 deadline passes without event.
The Pakistan Muslim League (N) is forced to quit the coalition. The lawyers, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (Qazi group), the PML(N), the TI, society as a whole take to the streets. Everything comes to a standstill and there is chaos.
Mr Musharraf is happy, the Americans are delighted, Mr Zardari goes away to enjoy his billions and Mr Kayani takes over to bring peace and prosperity to the nation and promises elections in 60 days.
HAROON PARACHA
Karachi
THIS is apropos of your editorial, ‘Beyond the blame game’ (May 4), wherein you have exposed the blame game of the opposition, lambasting the successor government for rampant inflation the hapless masses are facing. In fact, it is the opposition which, while in saddle comfortably for the long five years, has left the entire socio-economic edifice crumbled through scant attention to the misery of people and total misrule.
Until the last day in power, their cronies were eulogising economic success through the print and electronic media though their failure was palpable in every walk of life.
The mismanagement of state affairs by the previous regime, however, does not prevent the present government from adopting pro-public economic polices. For instance, the burden of rise in oil price can be met by taxing the rich, stopping wasteful expenditure by government functionaries and by restraining the oil companies from their rapacious extortions as discussed at length in the letter by Shafique Ansari, ‘A question to finance minister’ (April 30).
The prices of essential goods, such as wheat, rice, sugar and pulses, can also be brought to optimum level. For achieving this target, exports should be allowed only when the requirement of the county is satisfied and then only excess be allowed for sale abroad. Besides, to stop smuggling of grain, strict anti-smuggling measures should be adopted irrespective of the position of the persons involved. It is common knowledge that many implicated in the heinous crime of smuggling, hoarding and profiteering have now taken shelter under the wings of the present setup. These enemies of the country and its people should be exposed in the media and their movements watched.
I fully endorse your suggestion that it is incumbent upon the present regime to take to task the smugglers, market manipulators and creators of artificial shortages and learn a lesson from the previous regime’s inaction against these hoodlums, which become the chief cause of their ignoble defeat in the election.
QAZI BASHIR AHMED
Hala
MANY a Pakistani ‘student’ is busy counting quid whilst simulating to be in the UK for seeking contemporary knowledge via the state-of-the-art techniques. These Pakistani nationals are throwing their latent grey matter and intellect to the dogs by finding a way of livelihood through continual visa extensions with the help of some colleges in the UK which do not bother about the requisite attendance and grant fake admissions.
It seems as if these students were blindfolded with no goal to achieve. The distressing fact is that most of these students, working in the UK are of very good cognitive abilities but they may not serve Pakistan because of our poor management, I daresay no management, in terms of employment for the unemployed.
Neither can they serve the UK as they are seldom employed for a work they already have earned a graduation or post-graduation degree in. The plight of Pakistani students in the other countries around the world, including America, is even bleaker.
I, through these columns, request the authorities concerned to endeavour to call a halt to this practice by creating a series of job opportunities in the country in all existing fields with a supplement of introducing new arena of employment.
S. M.M.BUKHARI
London
THE office of the president of Pakistan is a neutral one and should not be politicised at any stage.
As Pervez Musharraf, prior to becoming president, was not a political worker of the PML(Q), he should remain neutral much though the PML(Q) leaders would try to drag him into petty politics.
If the president will keep harmonious relations with the new coalition government, I do not see any possibility of parliament impeaching him.
A PAKISTANI
Karachi
APROPOS of Sumayya Farrukh’s letter, ‘Airport blues’ (May 6), we would like to clarify that renovation work at Jinnah International Airport, along with other airports, is being carried out in accordance with the requirements of the respective structures. There is a certain amount of cooperation required from the passengers so as to keep up the pace of renovation along with the routine flight schedules. Such renewals are required from time to time to keep abreast of the rapidly changing needs of our consumers. The CAA director-general has taken strong notice of the absence ofairconditioning in the jetty bridgeways and has ordered the department concerned to put on airconditioning round the clock. Moreover, schedule for jetty inspection on a daily basis will be handed over to the technical department for upgradation of airconditioning and removal of any fault.
The CAA has also started ‘Mystery Shopper Service’ at all airports of Pakistan which help airport services management to figure out the problem areas at the terminal premises.
We are well aware of the problems stated in the letter and I assure all that we are looking into these matters as we go along. However, we sincerely feel for the inconvenience of the people, caused by the ongoing work. We are hopeful that soon the renovations will be completed.
PERVEZ GEORGE
Public Relations Manager
Civil Aviation Authority
Pakistan
THE world is experiencing an all-time rise in the prices of food commodities. In the last six months food prices have soared 45 per cent, and 75 per cent since 2000. Analysts express fears that the food shortage may get worse, resulting in a slow and silent disaster. According to a survey report, out of the total world population of 6.6 billion, more than 854 million are undernourished. An FAO report reveals that there are at least 37 countries facing severe problem to supply cheap food to their citizens.
One, however, should not take the impression that food production has gone down or the Malthusian fears of population growth surpassing the food supplies have come true out of blue. Or the ‘green revolution’ which ensured sufficient food production in the past two decades has disappeared. The fact is that there is still enough food available to feed the people in the world.
According to a study of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the current food production in the world is sufficient enough to feed a population of 12 billion. It can, therefore, be safely said that the problem is not of sufficient availability of food, it is rather the non-availability of edible items on cheaper rates.
In the last two decades of the 20th century — 1980 to 2000 — the global population rose from 4.4 billion to 6.3 billion, while food production increased 50 per cent. The FAO’s study suggests that total food production will grow annually at the rate of 1.5 per cent through next three decades. Which is pretty high than the present population growth of 1.3 per cent a year.
The alarmingly soaring prices of food can be attributed to a combination of different factors, including reduced production due to climatic changes, increased consumption of meat and dairy in emerging economies, higher cost of energy and transport.
Another important factor of increase in food prices is utilisation of certain crops in energy sectors. With the depleting energy resources, many countries in the world are now fast replacing plantation of traditional crops with bio-fuel crops. Corn, rice, wheat, oats, sorghum and barley are famous bio-fuel crops. All these crops serve as good sources of ethanol. As such, if the fuel value of grain exceeds its food value, then utilisation of bio-fuel crops in the energy sector would also go up. And, as the price of the oil rises, so will the price of food.
The World Bank has expressed its apprehensions that the present food price inflation is not a short-term phenomenon but is likely to continue for more years to come. The above account of rising prices of food items and the reasons responsible for the same demand some short-term and long-term measures to address the problem.
The estimates of World Food Programme suggest that that at least an amount of $ 1.2 billion to $1.8 billion is required to address the crisis of rising prices of food as a short-term solution. However, if the food requirements of the world in the 21st century are to be met, then a new ‘doubly green revolution’ has to be introduced. Such a revolution can only be possible by successful use of biotechnology, ensuring smart environmental management and adopting sensitive social policies, across the world.
H. ABDUL MAJID BALOCH
Quetta
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