| August 22, 2008 | Friday | Sha'aban 19, 1429 |
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Shedding NAB employees
Hypocrisy of leaders
‘Best teacher’ award?
Admission to medical colleges
University administration
Abject surrender
Coalition on judges’ issue
Domestic tourism
You too, Nato
Eating rats
No more hero worshipping
Austerity measures need to be enforced
Education a tool for change
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
DESPITE the fact that the name of Asif Zardari is being tipped as the next president of the country, according to political quarters it is strongly desired that the next president should be from a smaller province, and the National Assembly should not forestall the wishes of the people.
I feel that a matured politician who has retired from his party and is of high integrity and honesty, commanding respect of the nation, has to be considered for this slot. Balochistan and Frontier provinces have remained neglected and sidetracked for a long time and it’s time now that the two should be taken on board to appease their people. A conspicuous feature of the president is that he represents the entire federation and has to be unbiased.
Alternatively, it is also under consideration that a retired supreme court judge could be installed in the presidency. It is opined that former supreme court judges Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim and Nasir Aslam Zahid are most competent as they are held in high esteem due to their impeccable integrity. They hold an unblemished track record. They are apolitical persons and have no axe to grind.
Nasir Aslam Zahid joined the Sindh High Court in 1982 and remained its chief justice from 1992 to 1994. When he was on the bench, he granted relief to many, many litigants who were prey to servitude and hardship by government agencies.
Law-enforcement agencies were aggrieved by his verdicts which led to his transfer to the Shariat Court for two years. He was not taken back to the Sindh High Court as chief justice but consigned to the Supreme Court. After his retirement he was engrossed in social problems of the people and devoted to judicial education. At present he is working to aid children and women languishing in jails. He feels pain at the people’s afflictions.
Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, a former judge of the Supreme Court, remained on the bench of the Sindh High Court and the Supreme Court for almost 10 years. During his tenure as judge of the Sindh High Court he granted relief to Benazir Bhutto during the rule of Gen Ziaul Haq.
He was not short of granting relief to various persons against law-enforcement agencies. He too was transferred to the Supreme Court and preferred to resign as he would not take the oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) of Ziaul Haq.
He was made governor of Sindh by Benazir Bhutto which he reluctantly accepted as it was a complete deviation from his profession. He was appointed attorney-general of Pakistan. It is said that he had a clash with Sharifuddin Pirzada who had bypassed Mr Ebrahim’s appearance in the Supreme Court.
On matter of principle he resigned. When Farooq Leghari was president, he was made law minister. Elections were on the way but he resigned sensing a foul play being in the offing.
He did not feel complacent in such a situation and preferred to relinquish his post. He argued the case of Nawaz Sharif before the Supreme Court for his return from abroad and was successful.
It is for the politicians to decide the candidate for presidency keeping in view the aspirations of the people.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THIS is apropos of news report that NAB may shed another 200 employees (Aug 18).
The director-general of NAB, Punjab. highlighted the fact that the Bureau’s operations were suffering due to financial constraints imposed by the present government.
I would like to set the record straight by referring to an earlier news item with respect to NAB’s plan to sack over 1,500 employees (Aug 7).
It is noteworthy that despite the prime minister’s instructions in his maiden speech to armed forces chiefs for the withdrawal of their officers from civilian departments, till date partial withdrawal of forces personnel have been ordered but not a single officer of the Air Force or the Navy has been withdrawn and neither has the Naval Chief nor Air Chief has made any such announcement in this regard so far.
There is misrepresentation in the press report that NAB is further downsizing its employees.
However, the earlier report itself quoted that the present strength of NAB officers is 453, out of which 287 are working on a regular basis, 106 on a contractual basis with hefty salaries and 37 officers are serving on deputation from Navy and Air Force.
It is worth mentioning that there were reports published in various newspapers a few weeks ago that NAB has laid off the civilian officers on the pretext of downsizing, whereas the contractual retired influential army officers and their near and dear ones have been retained on hefty salaries on senior positions who are enjoying all the perks, privileges and resources.
Therefore, NAB should first of all end this cronyism and nepotism and in principle lay off the costly influential contractual fleet of officers on deputation in order to put its house in order.
In future NAB may try its best to conduct inquiries/ investigations on merit and may not be allowed to be used as a political tool by anyone and maintain its image of a fair, impartial and independent accountability institution in the true sense.
Moreover, it must be remembered that it is because of NAB that the image of Pakistan from the second most corrupt country in the world has improved in the comity of nations.
Thus, it is imperative for the government to strengthen this institution with appropriate amendments.
AMANAT ALI LAGHARI
Karachi
ALTHOUGH it is not astonishing to see through the hypocrisy of our former president who has always said and believed that he is the only most sincere man for Pakistan on the face of this earth, his own statements in the media reveal the actual truth.
In a few news reports, the former president himself admitted that a few of his friends left him in the last days by quoting that when he approached Chief Justice Dogar through a very prominent lawyer to get a stay order from the Supreme Court against the impeachment motion announced by the ruling coalition to oust him, the CJ regretted. This disappointed him because he believed in the independence of the judiciary. Doesn’t that sound like a joke?
On the one hand, the former president has always emphasised that Pakistan is his first priority: “Pakistan comes first”. Then why has he left the country even after knowing that there would remain a political chaos in Pakistan after he resigns from his office?
He has stated that it was suggested to him to cancel the National Reconciliation Ordinance and restore the deposed judges before his resignation but believing that he is always right he did not act upon the advice, knowing that the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would become a big problem for Asif Ali Zardari and this, of course, would pose another problem for the people of Pakistan to whom Mr Musharraf is so sincere.
He just left the issue as it was, though he was in power to take the appropriate action favourable to his beloved country. I don’t know if his patriotism also reminded him that not addressing this important issue will bring little prosperity to this country.
Honestly, we the people of Pakistan are now sick and tired of hypocrisy on the part of our leaders. They keep changing their statements.
I wish and pray that the law of perjury is strictly implemented and the offender is awarded the strictest punishment so that people think twice before they speak.
KHURRAM SHAHZAD MUGHAL
Via email
(II)
THE article ‘Musharraf must face an open trial’ is an eye-opener. Some charges levelled are very serious and have undermined the sovereignty of the country. Will Musharraf or some one for him dare deny them?
If not, then Musharraf and others must be put on trial; otherwise Pakistan’s democratic future and indeed its very existence could be in jeopardy.
ZAHID KHAN
Karachi
UNIVERSITIES, which are considered higher seats of learning, have also become a source of favouritism.
According to a news report in a section of the press, the ‘best teacher’ award for the year 2007 has been given to a person who has been working for the last four years as controller of examinations in the University of Sindh.
Such irrational decisions create feelings of deprivation and discouragement in the faculty, which may affect their performance adversely. The sufferers are the students and society at large.
The authorities recommending such names ought to explain their position on this decision.
S. SHAH NAWAZ SHAH
Tando Adam
I AM writing on behalf of all A level students and I am sure a lot of people out there can relate to what I am going to say now.
Just because we choose to follow a different system of education doesn’t mean we should be denied the right to admission to medical colleges in our own country.
It is not that we are denied the right, but there are a lot of things that go against us in the process. All students should be given equal treatment, regardless of the stream of education they choose to follow.
I talked to a mediaperson who mocked me that A level people have more resources so they deserve to be treated this way. I’ve realised that that is how a lot of people in the country see it.
According to him A level people have no right to study in universities and colleges in Pakistan, especially medical schools, and they should go abroad for higher education. But not every A level student can afford education abroad, contrary to popular belief. Some of us are from middle class backgrounds too. So, isn’t it unfair to us?
For example, the equivalence formula for conversion of O/A level grades to matriculation/FSc marks is very unfair. Ten per cent marks are deducted for no reason. The percentages are not taken into account when converting the grades. We end up losing a lot of marks in this way.
The entry test for admission to medical colleges is absolutely absurd. How can a test that is entirely based on rote learning judge whether you are good enough for a medical college or not?
I can write with feeling because I went through the entire process last year and it’s torturous. After working hard for two years, getting good grades ( I got straight A’s), I could not get into a medical college because of an absurd test. My grades were equated to 921/1,100, even though I had very high percentages in all three of my subjects.
The entry test should be entirely abolished and there should be a separate quota of seats reserved for A level students.
SADIA MOHSIN
Via email
KARACHII University has been turned into an Orwellian circus by the people running it. Your report that students’ week at Karachi University was cancelled due to ‘security concerns’ (Aug 18) is one of the long list of administrative failures by the leadership of this institution.
Not long ago, after the beating of their own professor by the Rangers, one heard a perverse argument from the University administrators that it needed paramilitary forces to keep ‘security’ on the campus.
It appears that these forces and the administration are now incapable of even assuring conduct of the most basic extracurricular activity on their campus. Karachi University deserves better.
It is time the current vice-chancellor and his team allowed someone else to run the affairs of the university. The ministry of education should take note.
R. MATIF
London
TARIQ Fatemi, in his article ‘Abject surrender’ (Aug 4), eloquently narrates the events leading to the disgraceful and blatant disengagement from our efforts to oppose the India-specific safeguards drafted by the IAEA.
The article blames the past and present administrations for being too insensitive and callous towards our national interest. The write-up clearly reveals that our Foreign Office caved in under tremendous pressure put by Hussain Haqqani through the PPP-led government — Haqqani is supposed to represent Pakistan — to terminate all efforts to oppose the Indo-US move.
The decision to abandon the diplomatic efforts against the said move is that of the present government and as such the former administration stands absolved of the responsibility.
It is pertinent to point out that Nawaz Sharif, who refused to buckle under the Anglo-Saxon pressure to carry out nuclear tests, has not offered any comments, which amounts to endorsing the government decision to withdraw and accept the IAEA document which contained many procedural and technical errors and was against the Agency’s policy.
The Foreign Office, imbued with the spirit of patriotism to defend the national interest, was stopped in its tracks and forced to shelve its efforts by the government on the advice of Mr Haqqani who is alleged to be too close to the hosts.
It is not too late to appoint Pakistanis to our missions abroad.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
TWO points in the report ‘Coalition talks on judges hit snags’ (Aug 20) need clarification. One, it says: “The PML(N) was ready to consider the PPP’s proposal for curtailing powers of the chief justice.” The question is, if powers are curtailed, what about the much-vaunted “independence of the judiciary?”
The second is about the ‘executive order’. The incumbent Supreme Court has validated Mr Musharraf’s PCO of November 2007, which means that the chapter on those judges who were either not invited to take the new oath of office or declined to take it, was closed.
So, can the verdict of the Supreme Court be overruled by an executive order?
S.G. JILANEE
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the editorial, ‘Domestic tourism’ (Aug 10). I fully agree with your views. We must realise that we are blessed with a wonderful country which has a wealth of heritage and culture in abundance.
From the 5000-year-old archaeological sites to the majestic mountains and from the natural beauty to the impressive coastline, from the deserts to the second largest salt mine in the world, this country has everything for everyone.
We must look at the examples of India, where domestic tourism is the strength of their entire Indian tourism industry.
Similarly, other tourism-based economies show that first domestic tourism was developed and promoted after which international (inbound) tourism automatically gained popularity.
In the past we had always preferred international tourism instead of domestic tourism. If we had promoted our domestic tourism, today the tourism industry of Pakistan would not have been in a poor state.
KHAWAJA JAHAN ZEB
Karachi
THE shameful treatment meted out to Dr Aafia Siddiqui and her three small children, the youngest only six months old, is a very sad reflection on not just the US but the entire Nato, since Afghanistan is not just under US occupation but also under Nato occupation.
The incident reflects the depth to which Nato countries have descended in terms of moral values, violation of human rights and uncivilised behaviour. It is unthinkable that even in this day and age anybody can be so barbaric. A lone woman has been kept in Nato custody for five years, tortured, fired upon and injured and her six month old baby killed.
The letter by the US ambassador (Aug 16) states that Dr Aafia Siddiqui was arrested in Afghanistan in July 2008. But she has been missing from Karachi since March 2003. As many of the US statements since 9/11 have been found to be incorrect, the US has lost its credibility.
Compare this barbarism with the treatment meted out to a woman who was Taliban’s prisoner in 2002. Ivon Ridley was treated with such civility and kindness by Taliban that she became a Muslim. No wonder Ivon Ridley thanked God that she was in the captivity of ‘ the most evil regime in the world’ and not the US.
The difference in the treatment meted out to their respective captives by the US and Taliban is very striking indeed.
PROF (DR) SHAHIDA WIZARAT
Karachi
ACCORDING to a Reuters’ report published on Aug 20, the state government in Bihar ‘is encouraging people to eat rats in an effort to battle soaring food prices and save grain stocks.’
The rate at which our population is growing, it is not inconceivable that before long we too will be receiving advice along similar lines.
The process is being hastened due to progressively reduced grain supplies resulting from shortage of water for agriculture.
The situation might have been different if one or two new dams had been built. These were held up apparently because of fears in Sindh of losing its share of water.
A logical solution would be to guarantee Sindh that its share of water will never be reduced to less than what it receives at present, provided it agrees to the construction of the dam at Kalabagh which has proven feasibility and earliest completion time.
Surely, it is a better solution than to make people eat rats.
K. H. ZIA
Lahore
Pervez Musharraf was a man with enlightened self-interest. However, in the bigger scheme of things, we cannot afford to continue going round in circles.
Pakistan has to evolve into a constitutional democracy with rule of law, or else it would not exist as a nation state indefinitely.
Pakistani nation would do well by having an elected and accountable government, even if it starts off in a less than ideal manner.
If we crave hero worshipping, then save it for the movie stars instead.
AHMED
New Zealand
THIS is apropos of Kaiser Bengali’s article, ‘Impeaching Musharraf’ (Aug 15), wherein he has dilated on the aftermath of impending presidential change. He is absolutely right that the painful legacy the president is leaving behind in the shape of damaged institutions of law and shattered economy will haunt the country for times to come.
I will, however, add another aspect — equally significant —that has left a lasting impact on the overall cultural psyche of the people. It is the promotion of ostentatious and extravagant lifestyle during the last nine years.
To run the economy of the country, the team of ‘financial wizards’ collected by the imported finance minister, and later on prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, were the people, mostly like him, with foreign banking background.
They brought with them corporate culture: a style of expensive dressing, sitting in splendidly decorated offices and driving luxury vehicles, etc. Thus they encouraged highly expensive lifestyle in every stratum of society.
Even the government offices were converted into centrally airconditioned offices, though not a single extra unit of electricity was produced during the same period.
The millions of dollars advanced by donor agencies as credit to reform the system was wasted on such fruitless exercise as has been rightly discussed by Dr Ali Akbar Dhakan in his letter ‘Grim fiscal situation’ (Aug 11).
The pretension and show can be witnessed now in every walk of life, be that a public office; the dressing up of officials; the number of expensive vehicles operating on the road; mushrooming of beauty parlours; lavish meals and highly expensive illumination and decoration at weddings.
The ruling class while encouraging style beyond means least bothered about the pathetic state of the masses who were even deprived of basic necessities of life such as food, clean drinking water, clothing, health and education.
More often than not one even could find them with designer’s attire sermonising about the high growth, breaking of the begging bowl, alleviating poverty in various television talk shows. But in realty things turned out to be entirety different as growth, if any, went to a few privileged pockets.
The iniquitous distribution of income and hyper food inflation left two classes: the superrich and the poor, because the middle class, the backbone of any developed society, has been almost wiped out. Accordingly, the present government has great challenges to face in the approaching days. For the greater good of society, the monster of ostentation has to be fought jointly with full might and routed.
To begin with, measures of austerity announced by the prime minister in his maiden speech delivered in the National Assembly need to be implemented in letter and in spirit.
ISAH M. KURESHI
Karachi
EDUCATION is one of the important elements for progress. Without education, men have no orientation or a sense of analysis about their past, present and future.
It is quite right to say that man is a valueless entity without education. Unfortunately, most of the rural areas of Pakistan are deprived of this blessing, particularly my native area Mussyari union council where there is only one government high school for boys, where there is no proper staff for secondary classes.
There is no science teacher available for science subjects. Owing to this deficiency of teachers, our younger generation is unable to build its future. They cannot compete in this fast and technology-oriented world, where there are unprecedented avenues and challenges for youth.
Due to this shortage of mentors, most of them are unemployed and unskilled, and are a burden on national economy. Most of the rural areas of Pakistan have the same situation. I would like to request the authorities concerned to look into the problem.
ANWAAR AHMED
Phaphrial (Murree)
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