| May 20, 2008 | Tuesday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1429 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Testing times
Majaaz postage stamp
Plan to conserve power
Futile exercise
A factual error
Attention PTCL
A short honeymoon
Four-nation theory
Mob justice
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
FINALLY the wrong has been undone and the executive power of the Sindh Public Service Commission has been restored to the chief minister as required under the Act as stood before it was mutilated in 1999.
It is reported that the provincial government has on its cards reorganisation of the commission which was formed by the outgoing regime without giving due regard to the fundamentals enshrined in the Sindh Public Service Commission Act 1989 and against the aspirations of the people of Sindh.
Since a fresh opportunity has arisen to reform the organisation, it is, therefore, imperative that while restructuring the present set-up the vital role the commission plays in recruiting officials from BS 11 to 22 and significance of advice given to the government relating thereto be kept in view.
To ensure transparency and merit in appointing the chairman and members, requests may be invited from the eligible candidates in accordance with the criterion set by the Act.
After shortlisting, the aspirants found most suitable should be interviewed by a high-powered selection board headed by the minster of education, two government nominees and vice chancellors of at least two public-sector universities.
The existing shape of Sindh Public Service is a derivative of the Bombay Sindh Public Service Commission which has since been modified to a larger extent to meet the needs of the province.
During the period when the commission was having jurisdiction over Sindh and Balochistan, there were two members to assist the chairman, who was either a retired judge of the high court or an ex-civil servant of upright and impeccable character.
The members, however, were invariably educationists/scholars like Dr Muhammad Ali and Dr Akram Ansari, both professors from the English department. However, at present the SPSC is composed of a chairman and 10 members but ironically with no notable educationist.
Under Section 2(3) (4) of the SPSC Act not less than one half of the members shall be persons who have held office in the service of Pakistan for not less than 20 years, including at least five years in BS 20, enjoying outstanding career and eminence in their profession.
The remaining half shall be taken from the private sector from amongst eminent persons having a minimum age of 45 years and representing liberal arts and sciences, with bachelor’s degree and sufficient practical experience in the relevant field.
In view of the SPSC’s functions, i.e. conducting examinations and tests for recruitment of suitable candidates for the posts of BS-11 to 22, it is crucial to include sufficient numbers of eminent educationists in the commission.
Looking at the vital role a pubic service commission plays in attainment of good governance by supplying suitable stock of officials to the government, creation of an independent, vibrant and transparent commission, an institution worthy of trust and above suspicions, will be a great service of the present regime to the province and its people.
ISHA M. KURESHI
Karachi
I HAVE been reading with much interest the articles written by Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur in recent months about the various domestic issues and have been impressed by his candid and intellectual approach.
Therefore, it was very surprising to see him dump objectivity and resort to emotionalism, like small-time ethnic politicians, in his piece, “Testing times,” of May 13.
He has been sarcastic and severe in his criticism of the move by the Pakistan Air Force and Suparco — the space and upper atmosphere research entity-to set up weapons and missile — testing range in a part of Balochistan.
Mr Talpur has also been extremely cynical and disparaging of the attempts by Pakistan to fulfil its minimal requirements of modern weapons such as airborne early warning radar systems, notwithstanding the fact that it is exceedingly difficult to meet these requirements due to sanctions and other impediments to their procurement.
Worse still, he has not considered the mind-boggling and huge Indian spending on buying a terrifying array of state-of-the-art fighter planes, tanks, submarines and other things worth tens of billions of dollars, along with transfer of technology, that are largely Pakistan-specific.
While lambasting the Swiss government for resuming the export of arms to Islamabad, he sarcastically says, “This is how the civilised Swiss decide to reward positive developments (regarding return to democracy) by bringing more death and destruction to the region. Sweden too, ... felt no compunction in ... (selling) its SAAB 2000 AEWC aircraft.”
It is regrettable how the writer has totally ignored the dismemberment of Pakistan by India in 1971 and, not content with that, forcing us into a race by exploding a nuclear weapon in 1974, besides the occupation of Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and many other territories such as Goa and Sikkim, showing its lust for expansionism.
Aren’t Pakistan’s independence and freedom dear to him?
He has also made it appear that the defence organisations and the government are biased against the people residing in the areas being sought for the testing ranges by referring darkly to the “exploitation of areas inhabited by minority nationalities”.
Logically enough, it is standard procedure in all countries to test deadly weapons in remote, uninhabited or sparsely peopled places so as not to endanger habitations and by shifting the few people living there to other locations.
Thus, India had tested its atomic bombs, of all the places, in the Rajasthan desert at Pokhran, even though it is closer to the Pakistan border, but Mr Talpur didn’t say a word against that.
He knows very well that Balochistan has only about seven million inhabitants while its area is the biggest of all provinces, which makes it the obvious choice.
One mustn’t say such illogical things that will cause hatred for the government or the armed forces.
However, I do readily concede that the PAF and Suparco should try to ensure that the environmental concerns expressed in the article are properly addressed and an alternative site found, if necessary.
Having said that, the safety of the Pakistanis certainly takes precedence to that of the eagles, lizards, ibex and other creatures mentioned in the write-up.
AHSANULLAH
Karachi
WHEN I first read Jawed Naqvi’s article, ‘Meet Majaaz the Muslim’ (May 1), I was angry that the postage stamp released by the Indian authorities depicts Asraarul Haq Majaaz as a Muslim rather than as an icon of Urdu literature. However, when I actually had the opportunity to look at the stamp, I felt equally angry with the writer of the article for distortion and far-fetched imagination.
It is to the credit of the government of India that it recognised the genius of Majaaz and released a stamp in his honour. I hope the government honours other greats of the Urdu literature, whom Jawed mentions in his article. Indeed if the writer deleted the postage stamp story, the article would be an excellent piece on the history of Urdu literature and its unmatched contribution to the shaping of a secular India.
The backdrop of Majaaz’s impressive photograph on the postage stamp is old Lucknow near King George’s Medical College, overlooking the Bara Imambargah. Yes, the Teele wali masjid meenar is there but not as a mosque but as a symbol of historic Lucknow.
There are only a few things with which Lucknow can be associated and nothing can symbolise Lucknow better than the landscape in the postage stamp; it is more than Kutub Minar in Delhi or Chaar Minar in Hyderabad. The lines (Bakhshi hain humko ishq ne wo jurratein Majaaz; Dartey nahi siysat-i-ahl-i-jahaan se hum) which adorn the stamp surely depict Majaaz as a fearless revolutionary and not as a religious person.
What would Jawed Naqvi wish in the background, the Charbagh Railway Station, the Residency or the liquor shop where Majaaz was abandoned by his friends to die?
DAYA VARMA
Quebec
AS reported recently, the country will face a shortage of 4,000 MW power during this summer. The federal government has decided that all markets will close by 9pm. Moreover, clock will be moved forward by an hour from June 1 till the end of August to save energy during the peak summer season.
According to the government plan, shops should be closed on Fridays and offices on Sundays. In Pakistan all multinational companies are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and non-corporate offices remain open on the weekends.
Business concerns which remain in contact with western exporters and importers remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, except for those offices which export their products and commodities to Muslim countries where Fridays are observed as complete holiday.
Two weekly holidays, according to Wapda, will save from 850 to1,000 MW electricity, but the idea of Saturday and Sunday holidays has been rejected by the government.
Sunrise and sunset timings in summer and winter in Pakistan do not have the similar impact of the UK where in summer the sun sets about 8.45pm, and in winter about 4.30pm.
The best way to conserve energy is to open all shopping centres at 8am and close at sunset. Furthermore, there should be no holidays on Fridays and all offices and shops should remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
This will provide an opportunity to people to take rest on the weekends after working five hectic working days.
Parents can pay more attention to their children and can take care of their personal needs and problems and at the same time can also go and visit their relatives.
The energy conserved from shopping plazas and commercial centres during the weekend holidays should be passed on to the people who face severe loadshedding at their residences.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
(II)
APROPOS of the letter, ‘Two-day weekly holiday’ (May 11), the writer has very thoroughly explained the frightful implications of our going back to the failed five-day working week system.
Experimenting with it one more time will be a sheer recipe for a disaster as far as the common citizen’s daily life is concerned.
The other aspect must not be ignored which relates to energy requirements. Savings from closed offices will not be equal to the electricity that will be used by workers enjoying extra holidays with their families. That also means a lot of additional petrol requirements.
One more thing relates to the poor man’s financial dilemma that has led to the frequent suicides.
Extra free day at home for him inevitably means more expenditure that his family will end up indulging in. Why do we want to inflict more misery on our citizens who belong to this category in the overwhelming majority?
Considering these arguments, we must stay with the present arrangement of five-and-a-half working days per week.
It is not that we abhor extra holidays but keeping the national interest in mind, we cannot afford to not work for two or three days every week.
It will simply ruin our already depleted national productivity. We must not change to the proposed system of a two-day weekly holiday.
DR UZMA JABEEN
Taxila
I AGREE with Ahmed D. Bayat’s letter, ‘Baggage screening’ (May 17). The writer has brought into limelight a very important problem faced by passengers on arrival at airport in Karachi. The re-screening of the baggage after it is collected, put on the trolleys and only a few steps further, passengers are asked to unload the trolleys.
Surprisingly, there is no rationale for this. At every airport the baggage is checked, scanned and then embarked on the plane. Without passing through an X-ray machine, no bag can move forward and approach the plane. The passengers see the luggage only after their arrival at the destination. Then how on earth does the question of the presence of any prohibited item arises?
I request the authorities concerned to take this matter very seriously and make an effort to eliminate this pointless action. Women travel many times without their husbands, and with children accompanying them, which is also a task in itself. Taking the baggage off the belt without any help and then mounting it on the trolley is also a struggle.
The re-scanning that has no apparent logical or analytical reason becomes very annoying and bothersome, especially for women travellers.
FILZA G. SIDIQI
Ireland
I WOULD like to point out a factual error in a report published by your correspondent Mudassar Raja on May 17.
The report on Saadat Hasan Manto’s trial and conviction says that “Manto was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment and a penalty of Rs300. The high court revoked the sentence of imprisonment but retained the penalty”.
This is not correct. The case never went to the high court. It only went to an additional district and sessions court judge, Inayatullah Khan, who not only overturned the conviction, handed down earlier by a first class magistrate, but also ordered the fine to be refunded.
AZIZ AKHMAD
USA
IN spite of repeated reminders, my phone, 481 3284, remains dysfunctional. I had complained to the PTCL, and their staff informed me that I must change the instrument. I changed the instrument two months ago, but still the person at the other end cannot hear my voice. Will the PTCL kindly help?
SUBSCRIBER
Karachi
THE Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), with diverse political philosophies, had only in the recent past joined hands to ‘strengthen democracy’. Unfortunately, the events led to the first crack, thereby the PML(N) tendering resignations of their MNAs and parting ways in the centre.
Is this what they call democracy? It is the Pakistan People’s Party that has garnered majority, besides being a national party, as they have won seats in all the provinces. In all fairness, it is the prerogative of the major political party to call the shots.
In case of no consensus, by adopting a threatening attitude, and that too so soon, seems childish.
It is all the more heartening to learn that the PPP leadership has kept PML(N) resignations pending and is again making a last-ditch effort to bring them back in the cabinet.
Pulling out of the National Assembly in their very first encounter raises the vital question: will they keep on threatening on other issues too during the next five-year period?
The citizens, so to say, 160 million plus people, ponder as to how this party propagating democracy is, in fact, becoming dictatorial.
Let this also be clear that if the two parties could not agree on modalities regarding the judicial crisis, how can the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief say that the people of Pakistan have been betrayed and saddened due to the statement.
Moreover, politicians state that they are working for and in the larger national interest, which is perhaps mere words and playing with the poor people’s hopes and lives.
Much bigger issues have raised their ugly head and it is time they were taken into account so as to stem a slipping economy. Economic power is the key to success, while the rest will follow.
A CONCERNED SENIOR CITIZEN
Karachi
THE two-nation theory was the basis for the partition of India in 1947.
Sixty years down the road, we are witness to a ‘four-nation theory’ the basis of which seems to be that the people living in different provinces of Pakistan are separate identities and should have autonomous land holdings for the safeguard of their political, cultural and social rights. We somehow seem to have lost most of it, if not all.
DR IRFAN ZAFAR
Islamabad
THE week between May 11 and 17 has showed a distinct change in the lives of this country. People of Karachi torched five dacoits in two different incidents. A dacoit was severely beaten by the people in Lahore. In one of the incidents, a dacoit had visiting cards of the policemen.
The police chief in Karachi ordered citizens not to take law into their hands. Such an order was never addressed towards the dacoits. It is also ordered that citizens should hand over the dacoits to the police.
The question is: what have the police done for the citizens before to curb the crime? I believe, it’s the police which have brought the situation this far. An ordinary citizen does not trust the police anymore. This day had to come some day and it’s there.
SHAHEENA ALI
Karachi
(II)
RECENTLY in Karachi, in an incident of dacoity, two dacoits were literally burnt by the mob. This is a sad reflection on our society in which people have been forced to take law into their own hands.
On the other hand, the dacoits who were not born as such were also victim of this unjust society.
This seems a virtual clash between two kinds of people in society. Some may be blaming the dacoits while some may be siding with them for their ghastly act.
But the real dacoits who have looted the wealth of this country are relaxing in the cool villas in Spain, America or Dubai.
No one thinks about them how they have enjoyed and are still enjoying the loot. I think time is fast approaching when real dacoits will be taken to task.
So my countrymen, do not burn people alive, ask for a change of system by bringing an honest judicial system where everyone, big or small, gets justice.
KHALID RASHID
Rawalpindi
(III)
AN angry mob of civilians burnt three robbers to death earlier this week, with a similar incident taking place again on Saturday. This reflects the growing frustration of common people with the lack of police action against street crimes and is only likely to increase as people start taking the law into their own hands.
What is most ironic is that the police have already arrested those suspected of killing the robbers while an SHO has been suspended. If only such swift action was taken against the real criminals then, the people would not have to resort to such violence.
MONA TOWFIK
United States
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.
