| November 07, 2008 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 8, 1429 |
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Of intellectuals
Expanding the cabinet
Cottage industry scheme at Orangi
PIA’s clarification
Geoff Lawson
Bus fares
No joy for the consumer
Obama, please
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
AN article (Nov 4) by Dr Sohail Naqvi, executive director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), purports to refute my critique of the HEC’s performance and policies. However, the writer chose to entirely ignore the three principal points that I had adduced as evidence and focus elsewhere.
First, that the HEC’s ill-conceived mega-project to establish nine European-staffed engineering universities ultimately failed to create even a single one.
Second, that the HEC is directly responsible for importing fantastically expensive scientific equipment which, to this day, litters the country and has yet to find use.
Third, that the HEC’s official standards have been set so low that Pakistani PhD degrees are bound to become a subject of international ridicule.
A student may earn a PhD at a Pakistani university with 40 per cent in the GRE subject examination taken in the final year, whereas even B-grade US universities require a score of 70 per cent or better as an entrance requirement for their graduate programmes.
But instead of addressing these issues where he bears direct personal responsibility, Dr Naqvi seeks his defence in the praise showered on the HEC by the World Bank and Nature magazine.
Here, I stand by my assertion that this praise is specious because it is not based on actual data or neutral observation. It is a mere consequence of being extra nice to foreign visitors who know next to nothing about Pakistan’s university system, and whose jobs depend upon making Pakistan borrow yet more noney.
Academic auditing, not financial accounting, was the issue I had raised. Before issuing blanket endorsements of the HEC, the World Bank should have checked the quality of the faculty and that of the student body across Pakistani universities, and seen whether there has been improvement or deterioration over time.
It needed to survey library and laboratory facilities, the content of university courses, the standard of examination papers, the presence (or lack thereof) of academic colloquia and seminars on campuses, etc.
Was any assessment made of the number of days in a year that the universities actually functioned, the suitability of those appointed as vice-chancellors, employer satisfaction with university graduates, etc?
These are crucial quality indicators without which, scientifically speaking, no claim of progress can be made. Glossy paper and impressive-looking charts cannot cover up for lack of hard evidence.
Unless the World Bank has actually performed a comprehensive survey that includes most of these indicators, the opinions expressed by the World Bank or anybody else mean nothing.
I have looked at the HEC and World Bank reports for this data in vain. But if it exists somewhere by some miracle, I would like Dr Naqvi to indicate the published references.
To identify the numerous misrepresentations of my views made by Dr Naqvi will take more space than available here. Unfortunately, the tone of his article suggests that those who run the HEC refuse to reflect upon their failures even now that the evidence is before everyone, and that they care little for the enormous cost Pakistan has had to pay for their wild experimentation. It is surely time for a change of attitude.
PERVEZ HOODBHOY
Chairman, Department of Physics
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of Dr Mubarak Ali’s article, ‘Of intellectual’ (Oct 31) wherein he has discussed what denotes an ‘intellectual’ and at the same time has thrashed out types and the role intellectuals have performed in our society.
At the outset he has divided the ‘intellectuals’ into three sections: those who believe in the continuity of established traditions and are opposed to any change because they find it subversive and destabilising to society.
Therefore, they are always in favour of status quo which they express in their views through writings. For this reason alone, they always remain on the right side of the establishment.
The other group is of those who oppose obsolete traditions and beliefs and strive for change in society. As this is not liked by the ruling class, this group always pays a heavy price, some time with life.
Therefore, not only opportunities for better prospects of livelihood are permanently closed on this group, but they are also barred from freedom of speech and freedom of writing, etc, the fundamental right in the present-day world.
As a consequence, Dr Ali believes that their ideas are circulated in a limited circle.
The third group is of those who oscillate between the two, i.e. remain on the right and left at the same time.
I differ with Dr Ali on the classification of intellectuals and his views as well that the second category genre because of restrictions on their ideas enjoy limited circulation in society.
The intellect is a great mental ability to reason or understand; to perceive relationships, differences, etc; power of thought; mind.
It is the superior intellect that makes a person tread into hitherto unfamiliar and risky territories fearlessly in search of the truth and acquisition of knowledge.
I, therefore, believe that the intellectuals per se are the one who are categorised by Dr Ali himself, at the second position and not those always compromising with the system out of fear or favour.
This is the group of people with superior intelligence, guided by reason rather than by feelings to discern and express courageously what is good for society.
Because of their greater understanding of things and moral courage they put forward independent opinions impervious of consequences.
Although in the process they suffer many privations materially as well as corporeal. They, however, have no regrets for bearing hardships for the sake of speaking the truth.
However, in the modern world maltreatment of intellectuals is specific to those societies where institutions haven’t taken roots and not those where institutions are stronger than individuals.
The examples of intellectual like Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Noam Chomsky, Edward Said and Eqbal Ahmad and those names given by Dr Ali such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Arundhati Roy et al are case in point.
Even in those countries where intellectuals are condemned by the powerful establishment, people read and enjoy their literature more than those of pseudo-intellectuals who live by eulogising the people in power.
As for those self-serving opportunists who subsist on government support and largesse which they have accepted as quid pro quo, their opinions are never respected in even underdeveloped societies as the majority considers them collaborators.
ISHA M. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the expansion made recently in the federal cabinet. With the induction of 22 federal and 18 state ministers, the strength of the cabinet has now gone up to 55.
The decision reflects that the ruling party wants to have all its shots in one play as the cabinet expansion has no justification other than to please political workers and allies.
The country is about to default, poverty level has gone unprecedented, people are committing suicide, as well as crime, in despair while the government is running after the IMF for loans and ‘Friends of Pakistan’ for financial assistance.
In such critical times, the government should have adopted a policy of austerity and made a judicious use of available resources. The cabinet expansion will only add to our national burden.
FAISAL NADEEM GORCHANI
Islamabad
II
FIRST of all I must congratulate Asif Ali Zardari for bringing the country back on the rails and overcoming the economic crisis through which Pakistan was passing lately.
Also, he should be praised for his foresight, understanding of the demands of governance of a country and his God-gifted ability to convince the money-lending agencies of the world to help Pakistan recover from dire straits.
Obviously, how could Mr Zardari otherwise think of allowing induction of 40 ministers in Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani’s cabinet that has easily crossed the coveted half century mark?
One can expect a similar ‘expansion’ in provincial cabinets soon. I am rather poor at calculations but still can make out a rough figure that is going to cost the government’s kitty in the form of salaries, housing, staff, transport, utilities and office expenditure, etc, of these 55 ministers. Some finance expert may give us an accurate estimate.
I think it is time we approached the compilers of dictionaries to re-define the words like austerity, economy, democracy, crisis, economics, poverty, leadership, dictatorship, etc, in their future editions.
MUNIR ASLAM
Karachi
THE cottage industry scheme was originally envisaged by the KMC for low-income people, who were interested in developing small-scale business.
According to terms and conditions mentioned in the application form, the total cost of 200 square yards was fixed at Rs120,000, including development charges.
The plots were allotted to the people by computer balloting in the year 1995. However, the possession of the land could not be transferred to them due to illegal occupation of the entire land of the scheme by land-grabbers.
It was recently announced by the city district government, Karachi (CDGK) that the possession of the land would be transferred to the original allottees subject to clearance of dues amounting to Rs280,000 instead of the original amount of Rs120,000.
The CDGK has taken the view that the administration will be required to incur additional developmental charges in handing over the possession of the plots to the allottees due to cost escalation.
So much so the ill-fated allottees will have to pay additional amount of Rs160,000 for the said plot.
The underprivileged people would like to request the city government to make available the allotted land at the original price set by the KMC as there is no justification for charging additional amount after keeping their investment unutilised so long.
Moreover, it will be unfair if the government fails to honour its commitment made for the progress and prosperity of the poor people of the country.
If the promises made to them are not fulfilled for some reason or the other, it is time the amount deposited by the people was returned with interest, instead of asking them to pay a high price for which they are not at all responsible.
It may be noted that it is the responsibility of the government machinery to provide protection to the life and property of the people, and the unscrupulous elements must be debarred from playing such dirty politics in future.
The CDGK administration is requested to do something for the unfortunate allottees so that they can also see some happiness in their life.
MUHAMMAD AYUB
Karachi
APROPOS of your editorial, ‘PIA in the red, again’ (Nov 2), I would like to clarify as under:
— PIA is vigorously pursuing the Revenue Management System of Reservation, which entails maximum utilisation of seats and capacity at competitive rates, keeping in view the demand and supply at any given time and period.
— The seat factor in 2007 was 75.5 per cent, whereas in 2008 it has risen to 76.3 per cent, an increase of 0.6 per cent.
— The number of passengers who travelled by PIA in 2007 was 4.2 million whereas 5.46 million passengers patronised PIA in 2008, an increase of 30 per cent.
— The cargo growth was from 13.17 per cent in 2007 to 17.36 per cent in 2008, an increase of 31.8 per cent.
— The yield per passenger in 2007 was Rs4.28 which has increased to Rs 5.33 in 2008, an increase of 24.5 per cent.
— PIA’s market share as compared to other carriers increased from 70.0 per cent in 2007 to 74.8 per cent on domestic sectors in 2008, an increase of 4.9 per cent and from 40.8 per cent in 2007 to 41.6 per cent on international sectors in 2008, an increase of 0.9 per cent.
— As a measure of economical prudence, the number of directors has been reduced from 14 to nine and the number of general managers from 75 to 47.
— PIA has recently regularised approximately 4,500 employees in pay groups from I to IV. These employees were already on PIA’s payroll and their salary impact is only Rs405 million per annum, which is an increase of four per cent of our total salary bill.
— The other employees who have been reinstated are those who were politically victimised. The number of such employees is 83 as of now.
Thus PIA seat factor, passenger yield and market share are on the rise.
The reason for the revenue drain has been the rising oil prices, increase in the dollar rate and the glut created by foreign carriers on our Northern Gateways to avail sixth freedom traffic rights to Europe, the UK, the US and Gulf states.
As far as our fares are concerned, they are competitive.
Despite rising inflation, PIA has achieved success in its cost cutting measures.
As a result, operating expenses, excluding fuel costs, have reduced by Rs621 million, a decrease of two per cent.
The recent reduction in oil prices, if sustained, will have a positive impact on our bottom line and cash flows.
The PIA management hopes that additional measures taken to contain high loss situation will bring about sustainable improvements in future.
PIA is cognizant of its losses and is taking all possible steps to curtail these. All stakeholders, including GoP, CAA and the ministries concerned should join hands to address this predicament.
KHALID IFTIKHAR
Special Assistant to the Managing Director
Pakistan International Airlines
Karachi
IT is good to note that all issues have been amicably settled between the outgoing cricketing coach Geoff Lawson and the PCB.
According to the BBC, Mr Lawson has said that his services got terminated not because of any incompetence on his part but due to the political changes in Pakistan (Oct 28).
That is sad. I am not qualified to judge a cricketer’s or coach’s performance and can’t offer any comments on the issue.
But, what I would like to emphasise is that this guest and friend from Australian made a lot of efforts to get the Australian and other teams to play here and gave good arguments in support of his contention.
We all must express our gratitude to him and hope he won’t forget us but will keep trying to help improve Pakistan’s image. It has been said, if a man be gracious to strangers, it shows… he is a citizen of the world… (and) a continent that joins (hearts).”
I feel Geoff Lawson is such a person and, as a Pakistani, I wish him best of luck for his future.
S. QADRI
Karachi
IT is heartening to note that the government has reduced the prices of petroleum. But its benefits will go to the transporters or the car owners. Poor commuters who are already suffering under the burden of high inflation have to pay tickets at the same old rates. The government should pass on the benefit of reduction in petroleum prices to the bus passengers immediately.
K.U.CHHURA
Karachi
THIS is in reference to your editorial ‘Consumer protection needed (Oct 8) which rightly states that “violation of consumer rights is rife across Pakistan and across all sectors of the economy.”
Allow me to share a personal experience of a gross violation of my rights as a consumer.
On Aug 27, my husband paid a sum of Rs569,000 on my behalf to book a small, new car of a US-based brand that is now being assembled in Pakistan.
We were assured by the authorised dealership located in the vicinity of Awami Markaz that the vehicle would be delivered within seven to 10 working days.
More than two months later the car has still not been delivered.
Various lame excuses have been proffered by the dealership and our repeated requests for a refund denied.
Even if the car is ever delivered, will I be compensated for the inconvenience caused and the taxi fares I have shelled out in order to get to work and back?
And what about the interest on the funds deposited with the dealership?
While my personal loss could be seen as relatively small, the interest earned by the dealership would be considerable if dozens of other customers have suffered the same fate. Where does one turn to for justice?
FIRUZA PASTAKIA
Karachi
I AM glad Kamran Shafi’s prayers (Nov 4) have been answered. But he needs to keep on praying, for the military-industrial juggernaut is unabashedly ruthless and unforgiving.
It does not tolerate anyone, a rank ‘outsider’ at that, to disrupt its game plan for the world.
So, even if Mr Obama somehow escapes becoming a ‘third Kennedy’, in likelihood he will find himself in a bind where he will have to prove himself whiter than lily.
ESS AYE
Karachi
II
IT happened. It really, really happened. Obama is now the new president-elect of the United States of America.
Who thought that could have happened in a country tainted with a history of racism as severe as we know it to be. But it did, and the world is celebrating.
People supported him for various reasons, some for his policies, others for the lack of a better alternative and many more for what he stood for, his ideals and for what he embodied.
For me, Barack Obama is the voice that we all have wanted to hear for a long, long time, one that talks of change, of hope and of possibilities.
He makes you believe that you have the power to bring about the change you so desperately want, much like Gandhi’s famous quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
He inspires you and tells you of things like ideals, of integrity, of hope and the power of human beings to rise above and I think that really is what has struck a chord with his many American and non-American supporters.
For me, personally, he represents the triumph of the human spirit, the idea that even if it all is a mess, we can fix it. His message has been heard past the shores of America: such is the power of idealism and good leadership.
He works for me because when he talks, I want to get up on my feet and cheer for him, regardless of the fact that I am not American, and none of the underlying patriotism in his speeches applies to me.
Despite that, he makes me want to clap and shout. In a world where there is so much misery and bloodshed, he inspires that one can make a difference because there is hope and sometimes that makes all the difference.
Then as always there are those who say he’s still American, that won’t change anything for Pakistan or the Muslim world because America can never have our real interest at heart.
I say, but what if we can move past the outright antagonism that the war on terror symbolises for so many of us.
There may not be any drastic shifts in the US foreign policy but what if in just many of the instances that Bush would have resorted to war, diplomacy trumps that option?
Does that not make a difference to us? If for once we have people like Joe Biden saying that the US and Pakistan have to take a new approach to their relationship, is that not reason enough to cheer?
We should not fear from having hope. Obama’s victory speech meant a lot of things to different people, it meant crossing the finish line for many Blacks, symbolised a better future for average working Americans, change for those who were frankly sick and tired of the Bush administration, and then for people like me, it meant it really is possible.
Ideas like integrity, hope, and change can actually be realised, and there is absolutely no need to feel apologetic about it.
It meant for me that yes we can as people of the same world rise up and defeat our own demons because if we try, we all really want to believe in good. I am not American, I am a 21-year-old Pakistani student, but Mr Barack Hussein Obama, you have made me believe that yes, we can!
NADA TAHIR
Lahore
III
YOUR editorial, Obama’s victory (Nov 6) states: “There will be a clear tendency on the part of our patrons to pour money into democracy as opposed to autocracy.”
It is true although I find the opinions of most columnists in Pakistan appear to reflect the fact the era of blank cheques will be over with the change of the US administration.
People should look more for investments, business, education and manufacturing or public medicines and not on patronage and doles or free money. Everyone noticed that free billions received since 2001 cannot be found and the coffer is empty and the country is looking for more money from the Saudis or the IMF.
SAM BAIDYA
Canada
IV
THE only prime factor behind the Republicans’ historic defeat in the US presidential election is brutal killings by US forces mainly in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan due to policies approved by President George Walker Bush.
I congratulate Barack Obama and the Democrats on the historic victory and wish to see better US policies primarily giving importance to human life irrespective of nation and country to improve world peace.
I have lived for nearly two years in Africa and after recalling my experience with local people, I feel confident in saying that Barack Obama will be well determined, committed to work for people in and outside America and to admit his mistakes openly and do whatever good for world peace.
It’s needless to say here that he has already proved his worth by winning the election as first African-American in American history that goes beyond 1808. My exclusive best wishes to Barack Obama and his family.
KHALID MUSTAFA
Islamabad
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