| November 29, 2008 | Saturday | Ziqa'ad 30, 1429 |
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Self-surrender?
Mumbai mayhem
Searching for new chairman of HEC
Ban on insulin during Haj?
In memoriam
Some promises are better broken
Clampdown on flight of capital
Of taxpayers
Walking track in bad shape
What is going on…?
Drone attacks
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 M. Khalid Chaudhry’s letter, ‘Obama and the Kashmir issue’ (Nov 19).
The only solution to the Kashmir dispute is that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir state, comprising about 84,000 square miles, should be given to the trusteeship of the United Nations for about 20 years to 25 years and after that the 13 million Kashmiris be given their fundamental right of self-determination. The plebiscite should be conducted on three options: (i) Accession to Pakistan or (ii) accession to India or (iii) independent status to the Jammu and Kashmir state, as provided to princely states as per June 3 partition plan and/or Partition of India Act, 1947:
— That according to the “UNO’s Trusteeship Scheme”, troops of both India and Pakistan will quit the Jammu and Kashmir state and the ‘International Peace Forces’ will take over the control of about 84,000 square miles area of the Jammu and Kashmir state.
— That under the “UNO’s Trusteeship”, a “UNO’s Administrator” and “Trustee’s Council” will look after the affairs and administration of the state for 20 to 25 years.
I am of the view that the idea of UNO’s Trusteeship is more in favour of Pakistan rather than UNO’s resolution’s dated 14-08-1948 and 05-01-1949 of the late 1940s as, according to the UNO’s resolutions, Pakistan has to withdraw its troops from Jammu and Kashmir and a reasonable minimum strength of India’s army will remain deployed in Jammu and Kashmir state for assistance of the ‘local authorities’ and/or “United Nation’s Commission” as per terms of instant UNO’s resolutions.
The proposal(s) made for division of Kashmir are not acceptable as one proposal is known as “Dixon’s Plan” and proposed by Ovan Dixon, a UNO’s Security Council representative, who proposed the same in 1950. The same proposal was again suggested by Senator Solaraz and the instant proposal is also known as ‘Solaraz Formula’.
I would like to suggest that divisions of Vietnam, Korea and Germany were not workable, and peaceful solutions through division of any state is a failure and not practical. Further, the Kashmir issue is not a border or territory dispute between Pakistan and India and any peace plan based on division of the Kashmir state will be not acceptable to the Kashmiris, and the fate of the division will be likewise of Vietnam, Germany and Korea.
In any case Kashmiris are the principal party to the Kashmir dispute and the proposal based on the division of Kashmir will not be workable and amount to be non-practical.
I am of the opinion that the division of Kashmir on any of the following formulas is not the solution to the Kashmir:
(a) Rivers basis (North Kashmir and South Kashmir) north part of the River Chenab to Pakistan and the south part of the River Chenab to India,
(b) On the basis of present Line of Control,
(c) on the basis of division of Jammu and Kashmir state in three parts as per Dixon’s plan -- (i) Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan to Pakistan, (ii) Jammu and Ladkah to India and (iii) a semi-independent status to ‘Valley of Kashmir’ under the joint supervision or control of India and Pakistan.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are the real and major party to the dispute and the division of the state will not be acceptable to the 13 million Kashmiris.
SAALIM SALAM ANSARI
Karachi
A FEW former Pakistan Test cricketers, like some Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials (including chairman Ijaz Butt), seem to have become more than eager to play the January-February home series against India anywhere.
For achieving this ‘high-profile’ aim ‘at any cost’, they are ready to go to any extent. The permanently significant and vitally fundamental aspect of national dignity and interest appears to have become secondary here.
And the latest statement (according to a news report) of former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja that “if security concerns are paramount, then India and the BCCI should host the series” apparently carries a distrust towards one’s country and its security apparatus.
Did Ramiz, being a former Test captain and an experienced commentator, think what sort of impact his statement will have on critics, especially those who want to see Pakistan remains in trouble on sports front too?
Did Pakistan not host the six-nation Asia Cup successfully in June-July? Have security conditions been ideal in India, a country where bombs exploded during the star-studded IPL tournament in May, followed by several blasts afterwards?
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself, according to a press report (Nov 22), has stated that if India’s linguistic and communal hatred is not eradicated, the country could face break-up.It clearly signifies the security situation in different regions of India is, by no means, peaceful. So, why single out Pakistan in cricket?
As regards swapping the series (with India) is concerned, also suggested by Ramiz Raja, the question is: what is the guarantee that the Indian government and the BCCI will be satisfied with Pakistan’s security measures in 2009 or beyond?
Secondly, Pakistan has not staged any Test match since late 2007 when South Africa toured the country without any trouble.
Younis Khan, Pakistan’s premier batsman, has rightly urged India to visit Pakistan for the exciting series, saying Pakistan teams have toured India in the past even under precarious security situations there.
Therefore, the PCB, Pakistan’s former cricketers and local critics, while not forgetting that national dignity is far more important than playing a cricket series, should come out with proposals and actions that exhibit sincerity towards the country, rather than showing signs of apologetic stance and self-surrender.
S.M. IBRAHIM FAROOQI
Karachi
I BEING a Pakistani and on behalf of every Pakistani condemn the heinous and brutal terrorist attacks that took place in the business hub of India. I believe that India is a great democratic-cum-secular country and the government of India is capable of eliminating the global menace of terrorism, which has shaken the lives of common people around the globe.
To me India is a global player of world economy and I am sure that the government of India will make great efforts to address the root cause of terrorism and provide security to its common and innocent citizens.
I again assure every Indian and the government of India that we stand with you in this critical time and we pledge to go shoulder to shoulder to eliminate this menace of terrorism. Because we believe that prosperity in India and Pakistan is a must for the existence of peace in South Asia.
QAZI NAZIM NAEEM
Karachi
(II)
AS usual Indian authorities were quick to blame Pakistan for the terrorist attack on Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident hotels in Mumbai! Well, the Indian authorities, including the prime minister, forgot to recall Bal Thakray’s recent statements in which he had declared to recruit suicide bombers to attack Muslims in India, as well as those Indian officials who are not part of his nefarious plans.
Recently a serving Indian Army colonel, Prasad Shrikant Purohit, was arrested in bombing Samjautha Express and in Malegaon, a Maharashtra suburb.
In the Samjautha train blast alone 68 Pakistanis were killed. Also involved in terrorist activities and now charged by the Mumbai police is Dayanand Pandey, alias Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand Dev Teerth Maharaj, who was arrested in Kanpur for alleged involvement in the Malegaon blast.
What do these events show? It simply shows that not common Indian extremist Hindus are involved in subversive activities in India, but the high-level government officials, including Army officers, are part of these activities. Mr Modi; Mr L. K. Advani and many others are a part of heinous crime against humanity, and they should be brought to justice.
MUHAMMAD RIYAZ
Manassas
THE post of the new chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) should be advertised internationally (not only on the Internet as most senior scientists/academics would not bother to look at the Internet for vacancies) but also in prestigious and popular journals such as The Nature, The New Scientist, The Economist, etc., and then select the best possible person.
Furthermore, our embassies and high commissions could also send the advertisements to Pakistanis registered with them.
A number of very talented, experienced and successful Pakistani scientists/academics are working in developed countries and occupying positions of great responsibility.
I am sure there would be a few candidates who could occupy this position and contribute significantly to promoting higher education and science and technology in Pakistan.
Most of the developed countries, including some developing countries, such as India and Singapore, advertise senior academic, scientific and scientific/academic administrative positions internationally.
In comparison, Pakistan seems to be recycling its senior academics and scientists from one position to the other -- sometimes even recalling the retired persons. One has to keep in mind that these scientists/academics have possibly contributed all what they could and now we need newer people with the state-of-the-art academic and scientific knowledge, experience and ideas.
I would go a step further and recommend that all senior academic, scientific and academic/scientific administration positions, such as that of a vice chancellor, professor, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, chairman of the PCSIR, chairman of the National Science Foundation, the secretary of science and technology should be internationally advertised and the best person selected.
In my opinion it would be an excellent idea if some of our Pakistanis who are successfully working in the advanced countries and occupying positions of responsibility can be tempted to return to Pakistan -- not by offering them higher salaries but by offering them good and peaceful working environments.
I believe that this would be a lot more successful and a great deal cheaper than having to pay billions of dollars in trying to establish foreign universities in Pakistan.
DR M. ANWAR CHAUDHRI
Germany
I WAS disappointed to hear from some of my patients with diabetes that the physician at the Haji Camp refused to allow them to carry their insulin on their Haj pilgrimage. Apparently this is because it is liquid. My colleagues also relate the same told to their patients.
Insulin is essential for life in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and even a period of 24 hours without insulin can lead to life-threatening consequences.
In Type 2 diabetes mellitus stopping insulin can lead to problems with acute elevation in blood glucose, infections and other complications, including a heart disease.
We usually start these patients on insulin when oral agents fail and in Type 1 diabetes there is no role of oral agents.
Whoever is responsible for this regulation prohibiting insulin would be responsible for consequences of this rule.
Obviously appropriate physicians were not consulted and no thought was given to the policymaking. Even with all the restrictions on carrying items on international flights now, you can still carry up to 50mls of liquid and no one stops the carriage of insulin.
Why are the Muslims with diabetes being put at this high risk while doing their religious duty?
I urge the ministry of health and ministry of religious affair to put an immediate end to this ridiculous regulation and talk to the Saudis if the restriction has come from there. The Saudi government should know better as their population has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world.
In addition, those individuals who have already left without their insulin must be provided insulin immediately in Saudi Arabia.
If this is not done promptly, then we may read of hundreds of Hajis dying this year, not because of stampedes, but because of lack of insulin imposed by fellow Muslims in this day and age.
PROF JAWEED AKHTER
Aga Khan University
Karachi
ABU Shamim Arif was known to me since my childhood. His father and my father were colleagues and good friends.
Mr Arif was a genius and very well-behaved. He worked in various capacities and organizations such as in the Sindh government, as federal secretary and the KDA chairman.
I had the honour of being a guest of him while he was commissioner of Rawalpindi.
He was very friendly and a loving person for all.
In his death we have lost a sincere and charming personality.
May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace.
Dr ANEES H. MALICK
Karachi
GEN (r) Pervez Musharraf goes by the alias of ‘commando’ in Mr Kamran Shafi’s Tuesday column. Although the retired general is now long gone, he still remains Mr Shafi’s favourite ‘whipping boy’.
In his column (Nov 11) he wanted Gen (r) Musharraf tried for: “acts of omission and commission, immediately”, the urgency is noteworthy.
On Oct 28, he eulogised Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to high heaven and wanted the general tried in an open court for his ineptness etc., and for getting the roads “sanitised inside of minutes” after the assassination attempts on Benazir Bhutto whereas, according to him, other sites were ‘cordoned off for days on end’.
It is doubtful if Gen (r) Musharraf gave direct orders for the roads to be washed off. However, considering the unprecedented scale of carnage at Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh, once all the possible evidence was collected, why should severed limbs, pools of blood and human entrails be left lying about in the open on a major thoroughfare “for days on end”, simply to bring them at par with other sites. It is not only unsightly but decay also sets in. It is unlikely that the general’s fingerprints were imbedded anywhere there.
However in deference to the wishes of those craving for their ‘pound of flesh’, suppose Article 6 is invoked, Gen Musharraf is tried for treason, for ‘act of omission and commission’ and for getting the roads washed off etc…. and is hanged.
Article 6 applies to the subverter of the Constitution and his accessories and abettors as well.
If hanging a general is a deterrent for future martial laws what about a deterrent for the judges: the perpetrators of the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ and condoners of the overthrow of elected governments.
There are people who might demand justice for Iftikhar Chaudhry, the judge who gave support in whitewashing the coup d’etat of 1999, where he helped a dictator plant his feet firmly on the ground and willingly accepted to work with him as chief justice, after taking another oath from him. All the good deeds of the erstwhile chief justice vis-a-vis the Steel Mills, suo motu action like the case of Mannoo Bheel etc. came years later and are a separate issue.
He can be rewarded for them after the matter of the cover-up of the 1999 sabotage of the Constitution of Pakistan is settled. Chronology has to be maintained.
Democracy has always been derailed by generals and condoned by unscrupulous judges. Without the connivance of judges, martial law could never get on and flourish. We cannot, therefore, compromise on the requirement of a chief justice having a spotless past.
Who is to guarantee that Justice Chaudhry, if reinstated, would not once again cover up another ‘coup d’etat’ and support another amendment like the 17th, if the need arose.
Justice has to be placed in absolutely unblemished hands, come what may. This is where promises made in the thin air and foggy heights of Bhurban, lose significance.
Nawaz Sharif’s ‘do or die’ support for a judge who put ‘paid’ to his premiership will always remain an enigma. He did, however, make a pledge at London in the Charter of Democracy that any judge who takes the oath under a PCO would not be accepted. Justice Chaudhry took such an oath twice.
If Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is reinstated, Nawaz Sharif’s pledge given at London would be broken, if he is not reinstated the promise by Mr Zardari at Bhurban would be broken. Take your pick. The latter will definitely give us a fresh start and a new face rather than someone who has already failed us in 1999.
Some promises are better broken than kept.
Capt S. AFAQ RIZVI
Karachi
IT IS surprising that the government has tardily ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to clamp down on money exchangers for their alleged involvement in transfer of foreign currencies through havala or hundi system or smuggling.
The havala or hundi system has been in vogue for decades and the FIA has now taken cognizance of this illegal practice. Besides, in almost all leading newspapers large advertisements have appeared alluring investors to invest in Dubai, Malaysia and even in the United Kingdom offering lucrative properties with gainful income.
A renowned builder of Dubai having its offices in various cities of Pakistan invited investors to book apartments. It is learnt that they received payment in Pakistan currency, acknowledged receipts and, thereafter, purchased US dollars and transferred it to Dubai. This would render depletion in foreign currencies and bring about as well liquidity crunch in local currency when it is surreptitiously squirted out.
The question that arises is, was this all done under government patronage or was the government living in a slumber land? It seems that for reasons best known to them the successive governments were not assiduous to this issue of critical consequences.
Furthermore, I am inclined to say that our national leaders, industrialists and significant businessmen, almost all have innumerable wealth abroad invested in movable and immovable properties. If these persons voluntarily bring their wealth back home, we may not have to beg the IMF to bail us out of the financial crisis. The government should also grant amnesty to all such persons.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
I AM a bit perplexed when a knowledgeable person like Shahid Javed Burki says: “Out of a population of 165 million, there are about two million people who pay taxes”(‘A strategy in the making’, Nov18).
Does he expect less than a year-olds to pay taxes? It would have been more appropriate if he had said that out of about 25 million families, only two million pay taxes?
ASAF ALI SHAH
Lahore
I AM one of the regular people who walk on the track next to Doongi Ground near Mini Market, Gulberg, Lahore.
People used to walk on the green area till about three years ago when some official decided to save the green patch by building a walking track to make walking a pleasure. But, as with all things, now the track is in a very dilapidated condition and as such people prefer to walk on the grass. As such it gets spoiled. Furthermore, water pipes lie for days across the lawn with the result that the track also becomes slippery, making it dangerous to walk.
As for the garden, it too requires some maintenance as it is in a neglected state. Marriage functions are held frequently and the leftover food is often scattered all over the place for days.
It is suggested that some official should pay a surprise visit to the park and then take necessary steps to restore the walking track to its old glory.
Even otherwise the track is a shambles and uneven throughout. The cemented path is also ruffled at various places. The walking tracks at the Golf Course in the Cantonment and the Race Course Park are still a pleasure.
FAKHRUDDIN YUSUFALI
Lahore
THIS refers to M. Rafique Zakaria’s letter, ‘What is going on…” (Nov 26).
For the record, I did not pass on any message from any serving or retired Pakistani general to Benazir Bhutto regarding her personal security on the occasion of her arrival in Pakistan in October 2007.
The impression attributed by the writer of the letter to Dr Shahid Masood, former chairman of Pakistan Television, is incorrect and contrary to facts.
HUSAIN HAQQANI
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States,
Embassy of Pakistan
Washington
PEOPLE and officials are quite rightly worried about the attacks by US drones on Pakistani territory with blatant regularity. It is also worth noting that the foreign minister has stated that Pakistan does not possess the technology to counter these drones.
This is very interesting and revealing, especially when we are told that our nuclear capability is a guarantee for the safeguarding of our borders.
Well, the solution is simple: either Pakistan controls its territory and eliminates the ‘militants’ who are waging a war on Pakistan, or the US will do that on its own.
I wish the political leaders would tell the people the real situation instead of harping on about our military prowess.
NASRULLAH KHAN MOGHAL
Manchester
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