| September 02, 2008 | Tuesday | Ramazan 1, 1429 |
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Powerless Karachi
The OPF Girls College
All-round accountability
Physical punishment in vogue
Adab-i-Latif
Wrong impression
‘Fanatical proposal’
Equivalence policy
Lenders, not donors
Stock market’s woes …
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
FORMER chief justice of the Pakistan Supreme Court Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui has been nominated as a candidate for the office of the president by Nawaz Sharif. Paying venerating tribute to Mr Siddiqui, the PML(N) eulogised his contribution towards upholding justice and steadfastness on matters of principle.
As shown on a TV channel, Mr Sharif had said that Justice Siddiqui should be weighed in gold. We have seen divine deities and cenotaphs loaded with gold, he is no doubt a humble and sincere person.
Earlier on Aug 22 in these columns I had penned down the services rendered by former judges of the Supreme Court, Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim and Nasir Aslam Zahid. It would, therefore, be iniquitous if Mr Siddiqui is disregarded.
It is learnt that Mr Siddiqui was closely associated with senior lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada and on whose insistence he joined the Sindh High Court after taking the oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) of Gen Ziaul Haq. He gave relief to many litigants. Eventually he was elevated as the judge of the Supreme Court.
At that time the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was facing contempt proceedings before chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah. Simultaneously the Quetta bench of the Supreme Court was seized of a petition for the ouster of the chief justice, most probably on seniority grounds.
It was strongly rumoured that some sort of deal was tailored at Quetta with the judiciary while Justice Siddiqui was on the Peshawar bench. He was made to rush to the main Supreme Court and took over as acting chief justice despite the fact that the next senior puisne judge was Ajmal Mian, who had declined to head the bench.
Storming of the Supreme Court was unwarranted, yet it had unfortunately taken place. Justice Siddiqui was instrumental in dislodging Sajjad Ali Shah. Thus Mr Sharif was bailed out from the poignant condition. Otherwise it was said that he could have been sentenced to imprisonment and lost his premiership.
Thus Justice Siddique became the saviour of Mr Sharif who should have recompensed him for his daring act. Eventually Mr Siddiqui became the chief justice.
Pervez Musharraf in a coup overthrew Nawaz Sharif and became the chief martial law administrator and chief executive. Mr Sharif was exiled to stay in Saudi Arabia. Mr Siddiqui remained calm and seemed unhappy with the event.
When Mr Musharraf promulgated the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), Mr Siddique declined to take the oath and was shown the door.
At present Asif Ali Zardari, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui and Mushahid Hussain are presidential candidates. It is for parliamentarians to meticulously ponder over the veritable person who is of high integrity and unbiased for the presidency.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
(II)
The Election Commission has declared acceptance of nomination papers of the three main candidates, i.e Asif Ali Zardari, Justice (r) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui and Mushahid Hussain, for the post of the president.
It is mandatory that the candidates for the posts of MNA/MPA and the president should declare their assets, at home and abroad, the Election Commission is, therefore, requested to publish details of the assets of all three candidates as these candidates must have submitted, along with the proof of their earnings, to the ECP.
SAJID M. ANSARI
Karachi
(III)
THIS is apropos of Abdul Sattar Pingar’s letter, ‘Asif Zardari as president’ (Aug 29), in which the writer said the nation could forget the deeds of our leaders only to bring them back in the office yet again. Sadly we are habitually committing such blunders, and end up voting for them.
We tend to become emotional at the time of voting and choose our favourites to run the government. The realisation comes soon after the leaders show their true colours.
The political scenario will not change until we stop being loyal to certain political parties or leaders. Only this way a miracle ought to happen in Pakistan.
FILZA G. SIDIQI
Mullingar, Ireland
DAWN’s banner headline exclaimed: ‘Power shocks daze Karachi; KESC allowed to raise tariff’ (Aug 27). I am a Karachiite — so I am dazed. The KESC should signify ‘Karachi Electricity Seizing Cartel’.
I want to ask this cartel a question: can you rationalise the rise in the tariff for cutting down to less than half of electricity? Would the additional dacoity produce the required megawatts? You must be crazy.
Dawn is a prestigious paper. It voices the sentiments of the people and intelligentsia alike. It lambastes the power ministry by devoting half of the first page to show the dominance of electricity crisis over other crisis. The other top story says: ‘Countrywide deficiency surges to 4,500 MW’. Another inside news tells us: ‘Loadshedding sparks off violence’. The Metropolitan section cries: ‘Prolonged power cuts as KESC system collapses’. From Peshawar two news items attract attention: ‘Residents brave severe power disruptions’ and ‘Outages enrage lawmakers’.
The next day — Aug 28 — the day was new but the news was some more of the same: ‘No letup in power outages across the country’.
A Sialkot report shows the people’s emotions: ‘Fuming crowds scare the hell out of officials’.
Another news from Kasur is the story of wind taken out of authorities’ sails: ‘A call makes Wapda men panicky’. For the first time the Senate is woken up to the people’s plight: ‘Power crisis dominates Senate proceedings’.
And there is this editorial: ‘Powerless Karachi’. I have a complaint. I hear that there is no loadshedding in Islamabad. Is that because ‘robber barons’ — as Ardeshir Cowasjee calls them — live there?
Karachi having one-tenth of the total population of the country earns 70 per cent of the GNP but is deprived of as basic necessities as electricity, water, flour and ghee.
I have a word of caution — nay — words of warning: as some misguided religious rebels have taken up guns in their hands to nag the government, if Karachiites take up weapons — even batons — no government, provincial or federal, would last 30 days! Don’t let them be that enraged.
M.K. NAQVI
Karachi
I AM an overseas Pakistani citizen and have the following complaints/reservations regarding the above institution. I believe that a lot of parents share the same anguish and concern regarding this institution.
The college is, in general, grossly mismanaged, is in a bureaucratic quagmire and there is no clear and effective line of responsibility.
There is no sense of due diligence on the part of either the school’s management or the Overseas Pakistani Foundation to improve the performance of the school.
The Overseas Pakistani Foundation has so far failed miserably in the efficient and responsible running of this institution.
The principal was conveniently on leave till a few days ago, the head teachers are least bothered about their responsibilities and the teachers are non-professional.
The methods of teaching are not in line with modern teaching, which makes it difficult for O and A level students to cope.
It is extremely sad and depressing to see that prime institutions like this, supported by the OPF itself, are going to the dogs just because there are no vision and leadership qualities on the part of the staff.
Sports and extracurricular activities are practically non-existent here.
There are no proper school teams for different sports and nothing to offer at extracurricular activities worth writing home about.
The college canteen is filthy and the food served is of low standard and the quality pathetic.
A hapless student found broken glass pieces in her soft drink. General cleaning at the school leaves a lot to be desired.
The transportation services are inadequate and incompetent to say the least.
Though I do not expect a response from the school, it is a pity that the public suffers at the hands of such inefficiency without much redressal on the part of the authorities.
So the choice is either we take our children elsewhere or simply shut up and suffer in silence.
A CONCERNED PARENT
Islamabad
WHILE referring to the letter of Ms Mehvish regarding ‘Accountability of ERRA officers’ (Aug 28) my question is: should there be accountability of ERRA officers only? Why not of the officers in all public works departments?
The practice which Ms Mehvish has mentioned is practised in all public works departments, which is why people are not getting quality service.
Here, I would also like to mention that in some areas the officials concerned do not even bother to check the quality of work that has been done by the contractor against the standards set in the agreed contract.
As a result, people working in public departments are multimillionaires and also own huge properties.
I would like to give you an example of NAPWD, which is the public works department in the Northern Areas. There are hardly any projects that get completed in the Northern Areas though NAPWD officials release huge amounts as mobilisation advance to contractors, just to initiate the projects.
Soon after initiation of the project, the contractors disappear for years and then reappear again to request NAPWD officials to revise the cost of the PC-1, which is easily approved and the contractors grab another amount while giving handsome commission to NAPWD high officials, and disappear.
Allegedly such practices have taken place under the works secretary of the NAPWD, who was serving as army officer. He got retirement in March 2008 but was reluctant to leave his position of works secretary.
Later he was thrown away from his office by the people of Northern Areas, but the government didn’t take any strict action against him.
If stern action is not taken against such corrupt officials, then they will be further encouraged, which will promote corruption in society and deprive people of their basic needs etc.
I have full confidence in the new chief secretary, Northern Areas, that he will take strict action against corrupt government officials.
SIFAT SHAH
Jutial, Gilgit
I WAS admitted to PakTurk ICEF (Khairpur Mirs branch) a month ago. During my first week I realised that almost all teachers of this institute are not well qualified.
Being a student of HSC-II, I was not satisfied with the quality of education. Before this, I was admitted to a government institute in Khairpur Mirs.
In comparison with the teachers of that government institution, the teachers of PakTurk ICEF (Khairpur Mirs branch) were almost zero.
Even the teachers of some subjects have not yet been appointed. But I ignored this, and requested the administration to resolve this problem.
Although several weeks have passed, no action has so far been taken on my plea.
The use of rod is still not abolished in these private institutions, while there is no allowance for it in government institutions.
On my third day, owing to some problem I was late by three minutes. Although I explained the reason of being late, I was made to stand for two hours under scorching rays of the sun.
Because of this I also suffered from jaundice for a number of days.
Again on being late by two minutes after the break, I had five sticks on each hand from the vice principal.
As books of HSC II are not yet available in the market, I haven’t got them. Hence I was not allowed to sit in the class of Mathematics.
Not only I but almost every one in the institution is suffering from this problem but is not raising his or her voice because of the fear of the administration.
If it is allowed in the law of Pakistan I’ll be very happy to be punished for my mistake. But as far as I know physical punishment is not allowed, not at all in any institution whether private or government.
Even if I had done any mistake, the administration should have informed my parents.
I request the higher authorities to take a legal step against such activities and save us from such assault.
AREZ AHMED SHAIKH
Khairpur Mirs
THIS is apropos of ‘Leafing through Adab-i-Latif’, (Lahore Metropolitan, Aug 30). I am ever so grateful to Ashfaque Naqvi for having briefly touched upon the literary journal and its genius owner/publisher Chaudhry Barkat Ali, who incidentally is my paternal grandfather also.
First, I would like to state, for the sake of record, that his year of birth was 1902 and not 1920, as erroneously printed.
He was a man of God-given talent. Hailing from a farming background, he rebelled and came to Lahore and took admission in Government College all through personal determination and sheer will-power.
Here he excelled not only in studies but also went on to become the captain of both hockey and football teams.
Once he entered professional life, he showed his mettle. In a life cruelly shortened by fate, he did what others are not able to do in many life times.
He established the Punjab Book Depot which went on to become the premier Muslim-owned school books publishing house in the subcontinent.
He followed it up by setting up Maktaba-i-Urdu along with Adab-i-Latif. These two became the benefactors of almost all the leading Urdu writers and poets of the time by way of publishing their works and paying them handsomely for it.
Manto’s story for which he was persecuted was published in Adab-i-Latif when other magazines declined to do so and in return both the writer and the magazine were dragged into court.
During the same time he helped establish at least seven schools in Lahore which are still running. His support and work for independence movements need to be thoroughly researched so as to give him his due credit.
Chaudhry Barkat Ali left behind a very diversified and vast legacy of humanitarian, literary, academic and educational works with Adab-i-Latif at its vanguard still braving it after more than seven decades of uninterrupted appearances.
AFTAB AHMED
Lahore
APROPOS of Dr Shahida Wizarat’s rejoinder (Aug 29) to Subhashis Nag, I fully endorse her view that “even if you do not agree with some of the things a person or group is doing, that doesn’t mean that you should condemn the good things that person or group has done or is doing.”
However, having said that, I would like to remind Dr Wizarat that the United States of America no longer trusts Pakistani intelligence agencies and carries out the kidnapping of key individuals through its own sources.
I recommend to Dr Wizarat a British quarterly magazine, called London Review of Books, especially the April 10, 2008 issue on the subject, ‘The war on British Muslims,’ by Gareth Peirce.
Individuals with Al Qaeda links are picked up without the knowledge of their governments and interrogated at whether it is Guantanomo Bay, Al Ghariab or the Bagram base.
Governments whose citizens have been picked up, to hide their embarrassment, keep mum.
So unless you have solid evidence as to the involvement of the Musharraf government in the picking up of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, I think the use of the term, ‘despicable,’ is a bit too harsh. Especially when you say it’s done for monetary gains.
You must be aware that Pakistan is a partner in the ‘war on terror’, and Pakistan, the United States and Britain share information, so leaving aside the legal, moral or humanitarian aspect, anyone who says the government of Pakistan hands over its citizens for money is simply being ludicrous.
SARDAR AHMED SHAH JAN
Peshawar
ON Aug 26, the ministry of railways published an advertisement under the caption ‘Consultant required’ wherein it states: “Pakistan Railways hereby invites detailed technical and fanatical proposals from eligible consulting firms...” What does fanatical proposal mean?
Please would someone explain this?
MOHAMMAD SALEEM KHAN
Karachi
I, as a student who has just done her O level examinations with straight A’s, am deeply angered by the equivalence policy in Pakistan.
Due to this policy, hard-earned numbers are simply deducted from our percentages as though our talent counts nothing for this country.
This policy states that the maximum number a Cambridge student can get is 935 out of 1100 (total FSC pre-med marks).
I ask those who are proudly seated in the education ministry: why are they discouraging the talent of Pakistan?
Can they provide us Cambridge students with some plausible reason for this infernal policy?
Why don’t they let bright students show the best of their potential?
Why don’t they realise that the Cambridge system is crucial to Pakistan’s educational future because they still observe stringency and accountability?
When the country faces a brain drain, these people protest as to why is that happening? Why don’t they understand our problems?
ZAINAB WASEEM
Multan
PLEASE ask your writers to stop using the term ‘donors’ for the World Bank, ADB, IMF, etc.
They are lenders and have no mandate from their shareholders to donate, which means charity. Khaleeq Kiyani, your reporter on such issues, should also be made aware of this.
K. FAREED KHAN
Via email
THIS is apropos of Shahid Javed Burki’s analysis on the above subject (Economic and Business Review, Aug 18).
Most often Mr Burki’s research work is informative and impressive. Nevertheless personal predilection is natural and perceptible even in the most objective treatise and history books.
To illustrate, I recall an article published probably last year in which he estimated that about 12 per cent (20 million) Pakistan’s population of 160 million live fairly well or comfortably. The adjectives are relative and subjective but well informed friends I discussed with felt that the figure was overoptimistic.
His explanation that the stock markets of other nine countries plummeted as deep would satisfy some and console many more investors. But this does not lead us to conclude that our economy is equally robust or resilient. And then he mentions in parenthesis only “Pakistan is one of the few large economies that does not tax capital gains”.
Mr Burki does not articulate its relevance in supporting the market. On the other hand, in a brief write-up, Dilawar Hussain attributed the phenomenal upsurge to three reasons. The first liquidity, the second liquidity and the third liquidity.
It is natural for human mind to compare anything and everything all the time. When we compare stock markets, real estates boom, we also fret about incessant bleeding from vitals — flight of capital.
Sabihuddin Ghausi in an article (Economic and Business Review, Aug 11) quotes Munir Sultan (chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s standing committee on building and construction): “I reckon that about $35 to 40 billion has been transferred to Dubai from Pakistan in the last six to eight months. This is almost 25 per cent of Pakistan’s total economy being put at $160 billion”.
The figure may be hyperbolic but still depressing.
The strategy of consumer-driven economy and overemphasis on service industry might be one of the several reasons for how many of us feel an abyss. Amongst other differences in the market is that our managers can regulate profits of banks, automobile industry, gas and power generation as they do not have to compete in the world markets like textiles and other export-oriented industries.
Yes, the policy attracted investors from overseas to buy our banks and those who could not they opened their own offices in the country. This is happening when travel advisories (because of security reasons) discourage Americans, Japanese and Europeans from coming to buy our inexpensive textile products.
As a textile engineer, consultant and factory owner I know well about contribution and indiscretion of the textile industry. But being by far the largest employment provider (next only to the agriculture sector), cannot be ignored. Its representation on stock markets indices is insignificant.
Maybe industry and agriculture should have their own barometers to help a layman to understand relationship between rhetoric of the GNP growth, macro economy and stock market upsurge with the reality as he sees it.
If the stock market reflected the state of our economy, then why so sudden meltdown — 24 per cent devaluation and 20 per cent inflation.
Theories tailored for other countries are unlikely to mend our woes. In the hope that my memory serves me right, I quote someone important in president Regan’s administration who said to the effect: “As long as the rest of the world is willing to exchange their goods and services for a piece of paper that does not cost us a cent to produce, we are going to be OK’.
M. TAHER PUNJWANI
Karachi
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