| November 20, 2008 | Thursday | Ziqa'ad 21, 2008 |
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National consensus on terrorism
Crises serve the interest of rulers
Rats inside parliament building
Discrimination in PhD allowance
Poor state of roads
Indian ambition or illusion
Karo-kari killings in Sindh
Education missing from Nadra list
Patronage is the norm
Musharraf activities
Transport problem
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
THIS is apropos of the letter (Nov 16) opposing the construction of the Bhasha Dam. It is a recognised fact that the Indus Water Treaty, during Gen Ayub’s regime, was a trap to recognise India’s hegemony over the disputed territory’s river waters, over which Pakistan had a legal right, even otherwise, as a historical lower riparian.
In this way India has been gradually siphoning away Pakistan’s share of water by illegally building dams in the disputed territory, thus consolidating its right to illegally annex Kashmir, besides harming Pakistan’s agriculture and prosperity.
Mushtaque Rajpar has rightly claimed that Pakistan can ill afford to spend $ 12.6bn on the Bhasha Dam, when it is already under huge foreign debt, which is not easy to pay back, as its yearly expenses are more than earnings by $10bn. This is besides the fact that the dams lose their capacity within decades, due to heavy silting, which could be much more in the areas prone to heavy landslides and dangers of earthquakes, like the Bhasha Dam.
In view of these facts, apart from a legal review of the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has to seriously think of other more economical and perennial sources for water and power generation like air turbines and harnessing tidal sea flows along long coastal areas, besides restoring its huge silted - up water storage capacity, almost equal to that of a dam, in river beds, above old solid wall weirs like Khanki, Punjnad and Balloki etc., which can be easily restored by providing control gates like barrages utilising local resounces.
Apart from these, there are many sites in Balochistan and Cholistan for creating subsoil water storages, along the path of huge flash floods, through subsoil clay dams. These can be easily attempted through local resources and research and development by our own engineers, thus creating a green revolution, instead of mortgaging our economy, through more foreign debts.
S. M. H. RIZVI
Karachi
(II)
REFERRING to the news item, ‘Diamer-Bhasha Dam project gets go-ahead’, I would like to draw the attention of the chief justice of Pakistan, all human rights organisations and others to some other facts, beyond the issues of ‘row over royalty’, ‘compensation’ and ‘rehabilitation of the displaced people’.
The Northern Areas is a territory that does not enjoy its constitutional and democratic rights, as well as its right to participate in the national mainstream activities because of its ‘political’ position.
How come the government is spending billions of dollars and planning to construct a dam in this region? Why has the state not spent as much money on socio-economic uplift of the region’s populace since 1947 as it is planning to spend on a single project?
Construction of this water reservoir and others, like Sadpara Dam in Baltistan and Bonji Dam, has no legality, it is a violation of the basic rights of the two million people of the area.
The chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motu notice of the decision and seek explanations from the government in this regard.
I hope that this case of the hundreds of thousands of people of Gilgit-Baltistan will get equal attention in the court of justice.
NOOR MUHAMMAD
Karachi
The in-camera session of parliament has done a lot and I am sure that what has been done is done good. The foremost things that occurred in these regards are that it has been decided that the Army shall be called back from Fata, dialogues are being encouraged and it has been stated that militants will be invited in order to hold talks with them, the vital thing that is being highlighted is that the country needs a new and changed foreign policy and that the integrity and sovereignty of the country shall be kept intact.
What has been stated is true and correct but the important thing is that if the military forces are being withdrawn from Fata, what would then be the option in case of the extremely aggravated situation.
Let’s say if police forces are being deployed in these areas, will they combat terrorist activities in these areas? Are they capable of dealing with the matter? Do they have enough ammunition, etc., etc?
The important thing is that when we talk of integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan, we must speak aloud regarding these things before the world and, secondly, whether the in - camera session has decided on this aspect of the case. In case, God forbid, the territorial integrity is violated, what would be the Pakistan strategy in order to deal with the situation?
When we talk of negotiations with the militants, we must then bear in mind that negotiations are the best way to end terrorist activities but the problem is how long will it take them to come to the table and talk with the ruling elites and the democratic forces? And when we talk of the writ of the government, then we must draw lines between the writ of the government and the negotiations so that the rule of law and the Constitution shall not be violated.
As far as foreign policy is concerned, to change it or not, this task should first be discussed in the foreign policy committee, and the expert opinion should be given preference so that the situation as prevailing after 9/11 should not follow.
Last but not the least, whatever should be done must be done in the best interest of Pakistan.
NASIR KAMAL YOUSAFZAI
Mardan
CRISES, be they international, regional or national, are created, aggravated or prolonged by rulers supported by upper exploiting classes as they serve their interest. From World War I to regional conflicts such as Palestine, Kashmir, Kosovo, North - South Korea to recent Georgia issues and 21st century’s two major wars are solely motivated by the greed of world powers lead by the sole superpower.
Similarly, economic crises also trace their origin to the upper classes in developed, developing and underdeveloped states or are direct results of their follies.
The Iraq war was based on false premise of Sadam possessing weapons of mass destruction but in realty it was motivated to capture oil reservoirs of the oil - rich country. Afghanistan is bleeding and this blood - letting will go on and on because the major aim of the invaders is to establish their presence permanently.
Historically our ruling class has never lagged behind in creating crises and stoking regional and local conflicts to perpetuate their stay in power indefinitely.
Dictators have special penchant for this pastime. Ayub Khan facilitated infighting between bureaucrats and politicians to bring the state functioning to a standstill, an ideal excuse for taking over.
After a while his own subordinates played the same trick with him and incited him to fish in troubled waters of the Kashmir Valley, for him a golden opportunity to distract the public’s attention from food shortages. The result was his downfall and disgraceful exit.
Yahya Khan after taking over allowed a protracted election campaign which revived old wounds of discrimination and exploitation of the federating units on the part of a strong centre dominated by one of the powerful provinces to surface. In the end Yahya Khan withheld the transfer of power to the elected majority party with the motive to extract presidential office from squabbling politicians as a bargaining chip. The country disintegrated.
ZA Bhutto prolonged the inconclusive dialogues with opposition leaders and the result was military takeover for the second time.
Zia after overthrowing the elected government of ZAB used religion to perpetuate himself in power for 11 long dark years. He presided over the destruction of peaceful and inclusive face of Islam and stoked the flames of sectarianism.
During decades of the 90s both the Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto governments used the state power to suppress and persecute each other, destroying the economy and weakening the state institutions
Pervez Musharaf ran with the hare and hunted with the hound, embraced extremist religious leaders, continued to preach the doctrine of enlightened moderation. Under his watch the intelligence allegedly played the double game as they passed information to Nato forces and at the same time leaked it to Taliban. Obvious the motive was to prolong the war and conversely extend his rule.
At present we are facing hydra - headed crises; economic, terrorism, extremism, widespread joblessness, population explosion, water and energy shortage and a host of other crises. We can only hope that our present - day rulers would not exacerbate the ongoing crisis, created by others, if not of their own making.
GULSHER PANWHER
Johi, Dadu
AFTER reading Irfan Raza’s report (Nov 8) on rats infesting the parliament building, our thought went to M. Ziauddin who wrote about the rats in his column, From the Parliament, reflecting the daily proceeding of the National Assembly and the Senate.
Columnist Abdul Qadir Hasan also referred to the rodents and the cats and rats phenomenon, but in his more humorous way he put on a pun on the allegorical scene daily witnessed on the floor between the treasury and opposition benches.
The other day I checked with Mirza Nafees, the caretaker of the building, for a long time, until he retired from the job in 2007. He told me that the problem of rats surfaced soon after the inauguration of the new building in May 1986.
Mr Nafees remembered that to get rid of the rats, he liaised with a government agency, which did the routine of mixing poison in eatables to be fed to the cat and rats. Then we found the rodent and its pursuer dying on the terrace, and inside officers’ chambers as well as in the corridors, which led to a furor, and the practice of feeding poison to rats and cats was put hold.
However, rats continued to eat upon the open wires, concealed within false ceilings. The insulation of the wires having been eaten would often cause glitch in the flow of electricity as well as computers and the public address system and the system within the chamber. It was then decided to enclose a casing on the wires.
Since the wires were already laid, it would need their rewiring to put electric wires in casings. Nothing came out of this move. The problem was also referred to a business firm, which has now moved on to Dubai.
He tells me that nothing can be done to end this phenomenon of cats and rats, because of the presence of two cafeterias, down below, as well the prolonged habit of eating and drinking tea within office rooms. Small pieces of eatables consumed in the chambers, as well as aroma of sugar and tea, attracts the rodents and they visit the place daily and make their way to the false ceiling and begin to live there.
JONAID IQBAL
Islamabad
I HAVE written nine books in Sindhi language, out of which, three are published by the University of Karachi, three by the Sindh Culture and Tourism department, and three by other organisations.
I am working as a lecturer in Sindhi at the Government Islamia Science College Karachi from 08-08-2000.
I have done my Ph.D on Sindhi Folk Songs from the University of Karachi in May 2006.
When I applied for PhD allowance, the department refused to give Rs5,000 allowance per month. This is a discrimination against PhD degree allowance in Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.
Those who hold PhD in Urdu (six in our department), get Rs5000- per month while who hold PhD in Sindhi (five in our department) get Rs1,500 per month as PhD allowance.
This is discrimination, the allowance should be equal for all PhD holders Rs5,000 p.m. The University of Karachi is also paying Rs5,000 p.m. to all the PhD holders without any discrimination of subject from 22-09-2003.
Against this discrimination first I filed appeal at the department and than knocked the doors of court i.e. Sindh Service Tribunal, Karachi.
The tribunal decided this matter on the merit basis and ordered to allow me Ph.D allowance Rs5,000/ per month on 25/07/2008 but the education department has still not complied these orders.
Sir, there are no incentives and benefits for PhD holders in Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, like Universities. Neither we can avail study leave nor any promotion etc.
I appeal through your newspaper to Education Minister Pir Mazhar ul Haq to resolve the matter on the priority basis.
DR KAMAL JAMRO
Government Islamia Science College
Karachi
THE Defence Housing Authority, Karachi, has carried out work on improving the road drainage system. The work had commenced after the last year's monsoon season, which had caused havoc to the roads in the DHA, inundating them and making them almost impassable to the public.
After completion of the drainage work, some of the roads have been left in a pathetic state. The drainage slabs have either been laid in the centre or sides of these roads while the remaining portion are left with kutcha patches and rubbles. Such roads include 26th Street, Saba Avenue, Khayaban i Muhafiz, Khayaban i Rahat, besides some other streets and lanes.
More than six months have elapsed since completion of drainage work but there is no relief in sight. Owing to this poor and dilapidated condition of roads, motorists are forced to drive on the wrong side of the single road, which is extremely unsafe and can result in accidents. Moreover, who is to be held responsible for the wear and tear these roads are causing to vehicles.
Will the DHA authorities look into this and get these roads repaired/relaid on an urgent basis?
SARFRAZ AHMED KHAN
Karachi
INDIA has always harboured the ambition or illusion of being the successor state of the British after the end of British rule in India. The leftist and liberal forces in the UK boosted this illusion by proclaiming over the years that India is the biggest democracy in the East. This illusion or ambition led Mr Nehru to proclaim India’s historical right to be the leader of Asia and during the Cold War of neutral states.
The near certainty of US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq has increased India’s ambitions to fill the vacuum. The huge industrial potential of India must find guaranteed markets which are none other than the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, including Afghanistan. Then there are thousands of migrant Indian workers in leading positions in East Africa and the Gulf area.
Afghanistan has always been India’s captive market. Indian shopkeepers and traders who dominated Kabul left after Taliban came into power. Far East does not offer as much opportunities as do the areas just mentioned because of highly developed countries such as China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
These countries have no place for Indian goods. Therefore, the Indian thrust would be towards the west and northwest of India. Americans would like nothing better in their current financial meltdown than for a surrogate to look after their interests in the Middle East and Central Asia.
This is a plausible scenario. Nations and individual ambitions are set by their dreams. In case of India Mr Nehru came to power in 1947 with the dream of Indian leadership which was shattered to some extent by the 1962 conflict with China. There is now a renewed confidence reinforced by western powers which realise they cannot hope to continue their costly presence in this region.
At this juncture Pakistan is in total disarray financially, politically and mentally. Pakistanis are losing their faith in a united Pakistan. The insurrections in tribal areas and Baluchistan are in indication of the loss of faith in the future of Pakistan.
We are in no position to counter India in the most crucial area, that is Afghanistan, where the Indian presence, if not the influence, is increasing. The US and the West would like Pakistan to cooperate willingly with India or otherwise under pressure.
Our hopes lie, in the circumstances, in Saudi-sponsored talks between the US and Taliban. If there is a government in Afghanistan, including Taliban elements, we might be saved from Indian encirclement.
F. H. ANSARI
Karachi
THE eye opening letter, ‘Karo-kari killings in Sindh’ (Nov 6) by Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh gives us the historical background of and in depth study of the reasons for the heinous practice of killing women on the pretext of honour.
If we believe that there was no kari killing in this province before the 13th century when some Baloch families migrated to Sindh — and I have no reason not to believe Dr Shaikh when he says that the custom of killing women originated in Balochistan, and it was an alien concept in Sindh, though the latter learnt this cruel system of punishing women from Baloch migrants. Even to day Baloch sardars and influential people uphold, support and defend this shameful tradition.
I can refer to the Dawn report of Aug 30 which tells us that two senators from Balochistan, one of them acting chairman of the Senate at that time, rebuked Ms Nafisa Shah who had raised the question in the Senate of burying five women alive.
In defence of that brutality and inhuman act, she was threatened with dire consequences. In this connection I refer to a curt letter: ‘Cold blooded murder defended’ by an anguished Pakistani; and one of my earlier letters, 'Karo kari: a cancer in our society' (Oct 2, 2003), that tell you this practice has shamed Pakistan.
I have been voicing the same suggestion as Dr Shaikh has done that a new stringent law against this savage custom and police performance regardless of tribal, social or political affiliations should be made effective to curb this barbarism and un Islamic system of punishment in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
M. K. NAQVI
Karachi
RECENTLY I had to visit the Nadra office in Rawalpindi in connection with the renewal of my CNIC. While entering the data in the computer about my qualifications, the operator tried again and again but at last admitted that the subject of education is not there in the already provided list of subjects.
The poor girl tried once again but to no use. I think the people at the helm of affairs in Nadra do not have a faint idea that education is a subject and is taught in almost all universities while Nadra claims to computerise the data about everyone.
This attitude of Nadra clearly shows what value does it give to education and educationists of this country.
RAHAT BASHIR
Principal F.G. Girls High School, Chaklala,
Rawalpindi
SINCE the creation of Pakistan, poor and middle class people have been kept away from corridors of power, and the elite — civil and military — has been ruling the country by rotation.
In this situation, it was patronage, not policy, that became a norm. The governments are obliged to try to remain in power by appeasing their party members, allies and influential people, including politician Nawabs.
What Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi has said in a recent TV interview is startling.
He said: “Do you know I have been to NAB. I was convicted, fined and sent to jail on corruption charges. And now I am sitting before you as governor. We are a corrupt society. Everybody here is saleable. Everybody has a price.”
The lady interviewer, who was flabbergasted by his observation, called him a ‘brutally honest” person, perhaps for saying publicly what he has done in the past.
The pretty lady asked him: “what inspires you in life.” The governor retorted: “A pretty woman inspires me.”
Although Mr Magsi, who was appointed governor on Feb 27, had submitted his resignation on Aug 21, the government has not accepted it, so far, because NAB is common between the two.
ASIF ALI KHAN
Karachi
ACCORDING to press reports, former president Pervez Musharraf is frequently visiting Karachi and is engaged in politics.
The politicians who still lend support to him and defend his politics are in limelight and making political statements after meeting him.
According to our Constitution, once a president retires, he is not eligible for entering politics or holding any government post.
The statements of Pir Pagara and Shaikh Rasheed in newspapers the other day show that manoeuvring is going behind the scene to topple the present setup by sowing discord among the masses.
It is for the rulers, in their own interest, to take immediate steps to put an end to these activities of the former president and his companions and ensure that he remained within the orbit of the Constitution.
M. YOUSUFF KHAN
Karachi
AS the main bridge that connects China with Pakistan broke down almost two months ago, transport has become quite problematic for the residents of the Gilgit city.
The Suzukis that used to run from Jutial to Danyor have stopped operating. The government should look into the problem quickly.
ZEESHAN ALI
Gilgit city
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