| July 13, 2008 | Sunday | Rajab 9, 1429 |
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Commission on Human Development
The long march
Aid and development
Beware of strobe lights
CNG price fixing fiasco
Hats off!
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 recent bomb blasts in Islamabad and Karachi seem to be a prelude to a symptom of a bigger malaise. The blasts in Karachi (July 6) can be a warning that more of them – even deadlier ones, can be in store. It can also be linked to the warning by Baitullah Mehsud of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) that “if the security forces operation continue, people will see Sindh and Punjab turn into furnace” (June 29).
TTP spokesman Maulvi Omer has threatened to carry out deadly suicide attacks in major cities to avenge the killing of people by our security forces. This threat came after a US drone fired ‘Hellfire’ missile on July 8, on a house in Khar adjacent to a women’s religious school (Madressah Lilbanat) and, according to Maulvi Omer, Pakistan is supporting the US-led strikes on its territory.
The Taliban have already indicated their presence in Karachi by distributing leaflets in Shireen Jinnah Colony and at Mauripur truck stand, as well as by pasting leaflets at the entrance of the main mosque of the area. They warned the transporters and drivers of brutal consequences if they persist with trucking supplies to the ‘Christian army’ in Afghanistan (June 26).
According to a report (July 10) in a section of the press, the process of Talibanisation in Karachi is under way as armed extremists from tribal areas have started entering the city.
Talibainaisation, as well as extremism, is gradually increasing in the NWFP. Besides TTP, there are several other armed religious groups like Lashkar-i-Islam, Ansarul Islam and Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkir, which have established their writ in the area under their control. Now a new group of the Taliban has emerged in Ustarzai town of the Kohat area under the name of ‘Haidri Taliban’ and has started warning the people of Ustarzai to follow their code (July 7).
The Pakhtuns living on the two sides of the Durand Line have never considered themselves as two separate nations and no amount of force can inculcate that feeling in their minds. America’s use of force in Afghanistan and setting up of a puppet government there had already generated a lot of resentment in the Pakistani tribal belt.
Against this backdrop the Pakistani military started its operation against militants in their own territory to indirectly support the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. This has fuelled the emotions of the Pakhtun tribes to new heights. It is not very difficult now for the TTP to recruit young blood into their ranks, train them and utilise the way they like: either to fight US and Nato forces in Afghanistan or send them on suicide bombing missions anywhere in Pakistan.
Military operations in the Khyber Agency and elsewhere were necessary after the militants broke agreements in a pattern that has been seen often in the past. The need for the state to grasp back something of its receding writ was, of course, urgent. A failure to do so could have resulted in anarchy and even a possible threat to Peshawar itself.
Prudence and common sense, not alarmism, should be our guide in trying to anticipate the nature of future terrorist threats. The intelligence situation needs to be assessed. Only timely information can help ward off the bombings and other terrorist threats.
Similarly, the areas that have become militants’ stronghold must be blasted with sensible yet strong massages regarding religion, morality and humanity. Ulema and clerics who oppose militancy can play an important role in designing this message, which should be delivered by people who command respect in their areas.
Alongside these steps, schools should be set up in such areas as harbour seminaries where militants are trained, welfare services such as free clinics, shops for food on subsidised rates and job opportunities in the settled areas can play a very important role in breaking militant stronghold over minds of the people. Besides, a short-term military operation there is an urgent need before a full-fledged plan of action.
SQN LDR (r ) S.AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
THE Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition has announced it will establish a Commission on Human Development. The major task of the commission would be to create jobs for the youth across the country. However, for the last few days it has been noted that some criticism has appeared in the news media over the decision of creation of the commission. Such criticism seems to be based on traditional view of recruitment.
Establishment of such commissions is not a new phenomenon. In many developing and developed countries human development and employment commissions have been set up. In various states of the US and Canada there are such commissions as facilitate the unemployed to get jobs in public and private sectors.
In today’s modern world human development from recruitment, skill development and capacity-building perspective has assumed a central stage in social development. Therefore, it should not be dealt through traditional bureaucratic recruitment processes which in many ways require a new approach.
As a matter of fact, in Pakistan, for a decade or so there was ban on recruitments in the provinces. Therefore, a big number of youth with degrees are running from pillar to post for seeking the job. A large number of youth has crossed the age limit and many have been committing suicide due to their inability to get a job.
Second, in routine youth who cannot have proper information about the jobs mostly remain neglected due to red-tapism and bureaucratic procedures in case of absence of such dedicated entity.
Third, when countries face emergencies, then routine ways of resolving the problems cannot work. In such situations some extraordinary measures are required. India established its Commission on Human Development in 1964 and so was the practice in many other countries.
According to Economic Survey 2006-07, the number of working age population is continuously increasing. This has shown a marked increase from 48.5 per cent to 57.2 per cent between 1981 and 2006. This is a phase of demographic dividend which calls for more and more involvement of youth into productive activities.
This cannot happen without providing employment opportunities. Therefore, setting up of the commission is a timely act. It is imperative to strengthen the newly developed Commission on Human Development through facilitation by removing all hurdles in its way and making its processes transparent and accessible to everyone.
Besides, it would be appropriate to broaden the scope of the commission by including capacity building, on-job-trainings, continuing education, etc. The commission be provided clear mandate with required resources so at to ensure its outputs. A mechanism may also be devised to make its progress open to public.
DR TALIB LASHARI
Islamabad
THE first long march has been concluded with no significant result and would be repeated to achieve its final objective.
The long march this time will confront parliament in Islamabad, although this prospect is viewed in some quarters as nugatory and delusive.
To reinstate the deposed judges, it is insignificant to coerce parliament to do what it judiciously cannot do. To postulate on this count is viewed as naïve in spite of the cluster of senior jurists’ backup. Even a simple resolution in the assembly is not mandatory for reinstatement.
A retired judge of the Sindh High Court, Rasheed A. Razvi, was of the view that a resolution in the assembly would give strength to the prime minister. I wonder if it is so.
The prime minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, did not table any resolution in the assembly when he announced categorically the release of all arrested judges. What pains him now (is it the high officiating person of his party?) to order the nullification and revocation of the illegal and unconstitutional declaration on Nov 3 which he (President) himself has termed it so.
The so-called constitutional package is a mockery which, it is said, is directed to reduce the tenure of the deposed judges and to forestall judicial activism detrimental to justice and equity.
It is felt that it would be sagacious and judicious to lead the long march to the prime minister’s secretariat and confront the PM, persuading him to announce the revocation of the unconstitutional declaration of Nov 3. This would automatically culminate in reoccupation of the judges’ respective seats according to their seniorities held by them before the declaration of the extraconstitutional emergency by an unconstitutional president in November last year.
In the face of rumours that Pervez Musharraf may leave the presidential office, yet it has to be seen if the PPP government would be agreeable to reinstating the deposed judges. It is feared that by doing so the PPP may have to face judicial activism which may not be convivial to them.
Therefore, the question mark still remains to be answered. This imbroglio can be resolved by intellectuals with clarity of mind.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THROUGH his article, “Aid and Pakistan’s development” (July 9 ), Shahid Javed Burki has touched a festering wound this nation is afflicted with. He is right that peaks and troughs noticed in the trajectory of growth followed by Pakistan were mainly foreign assistance-induced.
The roots of our socio-economic malady go deep as far back as the creation of our country as have been correctly analysed by Mr Burki. Immediately after independence, those at the helm of affairs, instead of relying on own resources, chose to align with the capitalist bloc — the western world — for seeking its assistance. Consequently, what we accomplished with their help during these 60 years of our existence as a sovereign nation is a history not worth emulating by any civilised nation.
The reliance on foreign aids/loans to run even the kitchens has not only reduced our vigour and competitiveness but has made us totally dependent on others at the cost of national self-respect and dignity.
The evils created by the dependence on western credit are innumerable. However, I would list a few which have changed the national character from a hardworking and self-reliant nation to one always looking towards the West for help.
1. Incursion of ostentatious lifestyle: At the time of independence, western clothing was restricted mostly to government services class, that too without any exhibition. Now this lifestyle has become symbol of status. The designer suits are so common that even petty officials feel proud of wearing extremely costly foreign clothes which are otherwise beyond their ostensible means of living.
2. Persistent involvement of the World Bank/International Monterey Fund through ‘reforms’ and ‘structural adjustments’ in the affairs which destroyed time-tested established institutions such as system of federal taxation and district management. Now the businessman-friendly federal tax organisation is celebrating achievement of one trillion targets by taxing the poor and exempting the rich. The administration is left to the sole domain of unrestrained police shenanigans and nazims are left to enjoy the development budgets.
3. The taxation which not only generates revenue to run the affairs of country but is also an instrument of bridging the gap between the rich and the poor through fiscal measures. This law has been changed to facilitate the affluent at the cost of middle class who has been almost eradicated, leaving ultra rich and extremely poor in the field. Even the trickledown theory of the West has been thrown into backburner.
4. Agriculture, the backbone of the country, being producer of food and provider of employment to 60 per cent population, has been neglected and left at the mercy of market forces, which benefited the middlemen, industrialists and the trader.
5. The iniquitous system over a period of 60 years has culminated into marked dissimilarity between the ruler and the ruled. The difference is palpable from their clothing, living style, vehicle they drive, festivals they celebrate and the areas they live. So much so that expenses made on one marriage function of a privileged person can suffice to run the kitchen of a poor household for the whole year. What most regrettable is that the rich do such lavish expenditure with the patronage of the state apparatus.
6. Education, especially in the public sector, which caters for the needs of the underdog has been left with paltry budget. Private sector schools available in urban areas, being extremely costly, can be afforded only by the children of the wealthy whose destination, given an opportunity, is to serve either Europe or America but not the motherland.
Mr Burki, while concluding his article, has raised a valid question about the future impact on Pakistan’s economy in case American aid is once again declined. In that case our leadership, instead of bothering about aid, which has been a source of miseries more than any positive impact on society, should break the begging bowl and try to lean on own resources.
However, for that first they have to turn away from ostentatious way of living as the dictum goes: “Charity begins at home”.
SHAFIQUE ANSARI
Dubai
THIS is apropos of the strobe lights that citizens of the city have installed on the rear of their vehicles; they start flashing when the brakes are applied.
Do the traffic police not realise what a hazard this can be? All around the world, whenever strobe or bright lights are used, people are warned that bright flashing lights are in effect and, therefore, should beware.
On the other hand, the traffic police are only concerned with issuing challans and fining those who have two inches of their vehicles’ front wheels on the zebra-crossing or those who break a red light. By the way, nowhere is the former a violation but then this is Pakistan. Anything is possible.
I request the traffic police to try and be more positive with traffic laws and regulations. By just hiring educated recruits and equipping them with fancy uniforms, motorbikes and vehicles will not improve anything. Kindly look into issues such as vehicles with the flashing strobe lights.
The strobe lights could cause a driver to have a seizure or an epileptic fit and swerve their car into the traffic police booth or drive into an innocent soul walking on the side of the road.
JEHANGIR FIROZ
Lahore Cantt.
THIS is apropos of duo by Prof Muhammad Iqbal and Engineer S.T. Hussain (July 5). I could not agree more with the professor with regard to making a calculation mistake in the age of computers. The good engineer’s complaint is well directed and tells the truth about increasing the miseries of the common man instead of reducing them which should have been their aim. If I was in charge of that department which made the mistake, I would have sacked its staff.
This fiasco shows two integral parts of our thinking pattern and resultant monkey-like behaviour – not thinking before leaping; and making mistakes without ever being ashamed of them. Those who made this mistake never knew what this nation of looters and cheaters would do to the gas buyers.
I fail to understand why the ministry of petroleum or any other department cannot enforce the right pricing? Are they incapable of doing that? Perhaps yes. The government cannot even control or arrest the flour crisis in an agricultural country like Pakistan.
In slightly more than 100 days of this new government we have seen 10 more crises and none of them seems to come near solution. If the state of miseries of the common man persists for a second 100 days when the people will be shrieking under the burden of rising prices and non-availability of essential item, I can believe the assessment of the US media that another general election in Pakistan would be held sometime in 2009.
M.K. NAQVI
Karachi
While travelling via bus from Quetta, it is a common routine for passengers to stop for the security check at the Uthal checkpost. The buses queue there and normally wait a painful two to three hours while the security personnel check the buses and the luggage manually.
However this time, I was really happy when my luggage was checked through a screening system which was not only convenient and reliable but also enabled us to take off from Uthal within 10-15 minutes.
Finally some sense prevailed. Hats off to the person who got the bright idea to install the screening machine there. This has not only saved the passengers some precious time but also is a lot more reliable than the manual checking.
DR KHWAJA ALI SHAHID
Karachi
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