| September 23, 2008 | Tuesday | Ramazan 22, 1429 |
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Romancing the Taliban
Menace of wall chalking
Revitalising rural development ministry
Curtain call for NAPA
It’s high time now
Some measures to save fuel
Will they end up being wilder?
Substandard kitchen
Wrong perception
Big Bang experiment
Income tax returns
Discarding leaders
Soft on USA
Rising inflation
US envoy’s advice
Remembering Tabish Dehlvi
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
I DO not share the excitement in your editorial, “KCR revival” (Sept 21) about the announced revival of the Karachi Circular Railway. The project is unlikely to see the light of day.
Setting up Karachi mass transit is tricky in the absence of a unified city government. Previous attempts to implement it in a multi-local government environment were still-born – so might future attempts be.
As the country’s politics rule out the city’s unification, we should understand the pitfalls a fragmented government creates in the launch of a mass transit scheme.
Mass transit systems make money not from ticket sales, but by developing malls and office blocks at train stations. They obtain the large real estate for train stations through mandates provided by city governments (most systems are state owned). Property gains defray the mass transit’s development costs, allowing low ticket prices. The low ticket prices become the lifeblood of the system - and the city.
Is this possible in Karachi? Imagine procuring land for large stations where railway lines already exist: Paposhnagar, Liaquatabad, Johar Morr, Nursery, Kala Pul, Clifton Bridge, National Commodity Exchange, the stock exchange, Keamari, and Boat Basin. Two points would be obvious: a) the profitable real estate opportunities as neglected backyards become lucrative properties; and b) the active help of the local authority in such procurement. Unfortunately, this makes for greedy local authorities.
Now imagine procuring this real estate through the city government, the Defence Housing Authority, the Karachi Port Trust and the full host of local bodies. Each would like to develop the stations itself. Were such tasty morsels snatched away by local authorities, the mass transit’s ticket revenue needs would increase. Ticket prices would be higher.
Such is the short history of Karachi mass transit. The Benazir and Musharraf governments initiated concepts sans the real estate. The high ticket prices scared the investors into asking for subsidies/revenue guarantees; these the governments repeatedly declined. No initiative attracted quality investors.
Mass transits redefine cities – their economies, ambience and culture. So getting the right system is as important as getting it quickly. However, in our case, the vision, leadership and political/institutional strength required to implement the right system quickly are all extraordinary. Yet, the political will is in short supply. Good luck, then, to the dreamers.
ALI SYEDAIN
Karachi
THE article, ‘Romancing the Taliban’ (Sept 17) by Adil Zareef, took the words out of my mouth. Though I could not have written or expressed myself as brilliantly as he did, I shared the same views just a few days before reading his article.
In fact, when I met a journalist at an Iftar and requested him not to fuel anti-American sentiments so vehemently because we have failed to tackle the Taliban menace on our own, which is a reality witnessed by us every now and then on our own streets in the form of suicide bombings.
We have failed to contain this monster for the past several years for the lack of will of Taliban sympathisers in our own fold. Now if America is targeting these terrorists, it will ensure a safe environment for many of us.
Our esteemed commentators conveniently dismiss this fight as not our own but are ignorant of the fact that now lashkars are being formed in places like Dir by the public to take them head on in an attempt to rescue their kith and kin from them.
Now we have a choice of saving this country from these robots programmed to kill or keep living with this threat because we have a misplaced sense of sovereignty.
Further deliberations on this subject could bring rationality to most political analysts, the public in general and the mediapersons in particular who are fanning this ghungo attitude and fail to recognise our limitations vis-a-vis the war on terror without the help of a technology savvy ally like America.
MUNIZHA IMTIAZ
Via email
WE are only told of air pollution, noise pollution, and water pollution that are harmful to our health in one way or the other. Wall-chalking is another kind of menace that could be listed as obnoxious to the eye of a beholder that not only disgrace the beauty of a city but also reflects on us how civilised we are revelling in our newly-acquired democracy without being prepared for it.
Look at any public or government building on any road, street or lane of a city, it is not spared by our well-wishers.
Even schools, colleges housed in private buildings are victim of it. It is probably resorted to because it can be done under the cover of darkness. It may give the beneficiary the desired results at peanut cost.
We can still be counted among the civilised nations if we can stop this kind of approach. If official warnings are ignored, a legislation may be passed to counter it. If yet the practice does not stop the sponsors, whoever they are they may be taken to task for violation of the law.
This is how we can help city governments as well to keep their efforts to keep cities clean. Violators can, however, be given full liberty to publicise their interest on paper handbills through mass distribution to achieve their desired objective. Paper handbills have a short life and can be effaced easily.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
WE live in a proverbial ‘global town’ (no more global village) nowadays. However, as a student of Political Science and Law, I consider the ministry of rural development as important as the ministry of defence, ministry of finance, ministry of foreign affairs, ministry of trade and commerce and ministry of food, agriculture and livestock, in this age of globalisation.
Much more importance is being accorded to the rural ministry in our immediate neighbouring country, India, hence, one can see an impact there. Regrettably, it has been absolutely otherwise in this country.
The Musharraf regime gave ‘stepmotherly’ treatment to the rural Pakistan and its development. His hawks and doves diverted the specified rural development funds towards the mega cities as if the rural Pakistan was not a part of Quaid’s Pakistan.
As a result, the rural Pakistan now affords a very deserted look .... no roads, no bridges and no potable water. It is, indeed, lamentable.
However, the present PPP government, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani are requested to give due attention to the growth and development of the rural Pakistan, a supply line to ‘urban Pakistan’. Therefore, it is imperative to revitalise and energise this isolated and ignored ministry in the interest of real and sustainable development in Pakistan.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad
This is apropos to the editorial, “Curtain Call for NAPA,”(Sept 20). The Culture Department, as has been alleged, has not singled out NAPA for vacating the premises.
The portion of Hindu Gymkhana plot, where the main building is situated and presently occupied by NAPA, was handed over to the Sindh Culture Department in 1991. It has remained in its possession and was later on rented out to NAPA in 2005. It had been declared as protected heritage in 1994. Other portions are neither with the Sindh Culture Department nor declared as protected heritage.
Everywhere in the world it is the moral duty of nations to preserve and protect their cultural heritage, especially when it is under threat of additions. We are of the firm belief that by constructing an auditorium/theatre by NAPA, it has invited legal action.
The notice has been served upon NAPA on two counts i.e. violation of Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994, under which the building is protected heritage, and the violation of the agreement executed between the Culture Department and NAPA.
Initiating action against NAPA is neither revenge nor a political stunt, as has been alleged in the editorial comment. Why should we take revenge from NAPA, which we understand is doing a good job for the promotion of art? But this does not mean that we should turn a blind eye on the violation of law and leave it unchecked.
SHAMS JAFRANI
Secretary, Culture and Tourism Department
Government of Sindh
I read the news item of a 13 year old boy who was caught stealing wheat and was under the custody of the police. At first when I saw the news slide, I could not believe and thought that the news must be a fabricated one but when I saw the video, I had to believe it. Though one is aware of the level of poverty in our country, I could never imagine that it has risen to such a level.
Our politicians believe that we are a developing country but think for just a minute if there is any developing country where one has to steal wheat — the basic need so that he can feed his family that has been starving for days. Can we even imagine? One day without food or one day when there is only one piece of bread in front of us to eat? I certainly cannot.
We elect people who represent us in assemblies but these representatives are not bothered about the problems faced by their people, they are busy solving problems which are less important in the eyes of the people who elect them.
A poor person in Pakistan is not bothered about what is happening on the issue of the judges, impeachment of the president or nomination of a new president. All they want is that their basic needs are fulfilled.
Our country is facing the worst time ever. The following are the most important issues:
1. Law and order problem
2. Food crises
3. Inflation
4. Increasing unemployment
5. Political instability
6. Electricity crises
In order to save our country, we will have to change our careless attitude towards Pakistan and think positively.
It is time we brought in a change or never...
BILAL HASSAN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Dr Ali Akbar Dhakan’s letter (Sept 16) and some others on the above subject. There is one big aspect that we are all missing which, in my opinion, can not just save fuel but also improve the quality and quantity of transport.
This relates to introduction of double-decker buses which at present are running in the UK and many other European countries.
These double-deckers are quite suited for our wide roads of Karachi and run on diesel which will also save the much needed petrol.
Besides this, one double-decker would be carrying twice the number of passengers otherwise seen packed like sardines and hanging on rooftops of many minibuses or yellow devils as these have come to be known.
The double-decker, run on the pattern of Daewoo buses, will be plying on reduced speed and will occupy the space of more than two minibuses which should be phased out at least from the main road arteries like Sharea Faisal, Defence, Clifton and Gulshan- i-Iqbal.
MAJ (r) SAEEDUZZAMAN JANJUAH
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item, ‘Immediate restoration of student unions sought’ (Sept 17). I have studied at a government university and the quote, “Student unions should provide knowledge about democratic system of the country and offer participatory skills to young people so that they can become active and effective citizens”, just made me laugh.
Politics at student level is fierce as almost every day parties in my university used to clash over petty matters resulting in students like me either caught as targets in their fights or these parties would just abandon classes.
I don’t deny the fact that there shouldn’t be any student unions, but will there be someone monitoring them (especially in government universities)? If one of the unions’ students could not attempt the question papers during examinations, will there be someone to make sure the rest of the students can continue their examinations?
AKBAR ALI KHALIQDINA
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the substandard kitchen conditions of the elite eateries where precious money is spent with utmost confidence to enjoy delicacies of the world.
I am utterly shocked, rather dismayed, to read that Pakistanis have no integrity and are easily fooled. Dining out is the main entertainment for Lahoris as lack of parks, which though are vital to health, has led us to consuming more food.
We see new restaurants emerging every few days. The question is how can owners of such eateries risk ignoring their kitchen conditions?
Their ostentation and hospitality bring them a lot of capital without the slightest hint of what is happening behind the curtain. My request to the owners is to stop playing with people’s money and provide them what they pay for.
FARHANA HASAN
Lahore
IT is extremely disturbing how facts regarding Parachinar are manipulated and how the proactive media of this country is completely mum about it. The genocide of innocent civilians, including women and children, at the hands of Taliban is wrongly portrayed as sectarian rift.
Taliban have managed to destroy the peaceful existence of Shia and Sunni population of the area by hate speeches delivered by their stalwarts against the religious figureheads of a particular sect.
This resulted in a clash which cost lives of hundreds of innocent men, women and children and also led to the blockade of the route connecting Parachinar with the rest of Pakistan.
As a result, the people are facing shortage of food and medicines and the most basic necessities, making it even more difficult to live there than to die.
I appeal to the government of Pakistan to free the area of the inhumane Taliban elements and to provide relief to the people of Parachinar on a war footing.
On the other hand, I especially request the electronic and print media to take up the issue and cater it on humanitarian grounds and not give it an erroneous sectarian facade.
M. R. LAKHANIE
Karachi
IT was gratifying to note that after the lapse of several days our authorities finally informed the public about the contribution of Pakistan to the world renowned experiment of ‘Big Bang’ (‘27 Pakistanis participated …”, Sept 17).
I wish this major achievement of the country had made headlines along with the report of the experiment. Also, I cannot resist pointing out that the contribution of one organisation of the country has been completely omitted from acknowledgement in your report.
Your report mentions the eight magnet supports. May I mention that these and many other major chunks of our contribution in hardware were manufactured and supplied by the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) in Taxila.
The golden colour plates of their name on these parts in CERN Geneva are a testimony to this fact. Certainly the HMC, its management and specially its workers must also be congratulated for this achievement.
MUBARAK HUSAIN
Karachi
THE last date for submitting income tax returns is Sept 30, while there will be five to six days Eid holidays during this time.
Moreover, a large number of taxpayers are out of the country for Umra or are busy due to prayers/aitkaf during the last ‘ashra’ of Ramazan.
The FBR should extend the last date for income tax returns up to at least Oct 30 with immediate notification to save taxpayers the worry.
A TAXPAYER
Karachi
In his letter, ‘The fate of America’s friends’ (Sept 3), Makael Kakakhel erred in stating that Gamal Abdul Nasser was shot after the Camp David accord. It was actually Anwar Sadat. That the United States discards leaders of other countries after use is no secret.
VITTAL P. PYATI
Beavercreek, OH
YOUR editorial, ‘Soft on America?’ (Sept 18) ignores the fact that Pakistan’s real independence was lost when former president Musharraf was forced to join the ‘war on terror’ in lieu of billions of dollars.
When Big Brother provides money, you must serve or get a beating.
In reality Pakistan has no choice but to accept US dictum and no doubt many billions will roll in.
However, for peace and prosperity within Pakistan probably it is the best choice.
SAM BAIDYA
Toronto, Canada
WITH reference to your editorial, ‘No let-up in price increase’ (Sept 12) and the report by Mubarak Zeb Khan, ‘Inflation soars to 24.83 per cent’(Sept 13), it is surprising that in Islamabad a 20kg flour bag is being sold at Rs300 under the Punjab chief minister’s Ramazan package, as seen in the picture published in Sept 12.
In Karachi, a 10kg bag is being sold at Rs300 to 320. It is hoped that the Sindh chief minister and the City government will also arrange a similar package for the poor of Sindh suffering from such high inflation rate, when the world oil prices have considerably declined.
SYED MOHSIN
Karachi
A REPORT says that US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson visited the law minister and requested the government to deal with the cases of ‘missing’ persons on a priority basis through a special law (Sept 18).
If the US envoy is really concerned about the missing Pakistanis, perhaps she would like to answer the following questions first.
The deposed CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry had been dealing with this issue most effectively. Why has the US been opposing his reinstatement tooth and nail, the most recent admission of which fact came implicitly from Asif Zardari, after his election as the president?
The interior ministry had clearly said that Aafia Siddiqui had been handed over to the FBI in 2003, after which the US made it appear she wasn’t in their custody.
They should first release her and her remaining two children.
Why has the US State Department refused to let a delegation of six Pakistani senators to meet that Pakistani prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay? The US must release all our missing people before telling others what to do.
A PAKISTANI
Karachi
Syed Masood-ul-Hasan Tabish Dehlvi (1911-2004) will be remembered today on his fourth death anniversary as a classical poet, broadcaster, civility and humble human being.
Tabish Dehlvi is among the classical poets who valued the sanctity of idioms and usage. He was an authority on Urdu language. Tabish Dehlvi received a distinctive recognition as a poet in a period when many would have fallen under the tall shadow of Fani, Faraq, Yagana, Asghar, Jigar and Hasrat. This was only possible because Tabish had in him his own self-created style.
Who will refute the reality that in style, rendering, beauty of words – linking, deep understanding of the languages - Urdu and Persian, depth of perceptual interpretation, and worldly experience, Tabish created a unique place for himself in the literary arena in Pakistan.
Masood Hasan Tabish was also widely admired as a broadcaster and Urdu news reader. As Masood Tabish he read the news bulletins announcing the establishment of Pakistan on August 14, 1947 from All India Radio (AIR). He was also associated with Radio Pakistan as a programme producer and was regarded as one of the best news readers in the 1950s and 60s.
He had an announcement of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ made on air from the AIR surprising many for the bold attempt. Masood Tabish wrote a note, taking full responsibility of the consequences, and passed it on to Ansar Nasri who was reading the translation of a speech delivered earlier by the Quaid-i-Azam to read out ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ at the end of the speech.
These words were not part of the translation but Ansar Nasri did so and millions tuned to the station, heard ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ for the first time on All India Radio.
Always respected and admired for his civility, Tabish was a man of principles and character.
He symbolized the refinement and sophistication of the 20th century Muslim culture of the sub- continent.
In recognition of his services and achievements, he received many awards including Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in 1998.
KHALID ZUBERI
Karachi
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