| December 26, 2008 | Friday | Zilhaj 27, 1429 |
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Bab-i-Allama I.I. Kazi
Construction of history
Technical fault
Gender equality
Political crisis in AJK
Barricading roads, bylanes
Shoe terrorism
New subs
Woes of PIA passengers
KSE floor
Environmental degradation
Asian Development Bank to the rescue
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
THE statement by A.R. Antulay, India’s minority affairs minister, wherein he blamed the strategy that resulted in the death of Mumbai’s anti-terrorism chief Hemant Karkare, caused a stir not just among extremist Hindus but also in a group called ‘Muslims for Secular Democracy (MSD)’.
Bollywood couple — Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi — spokespersons for the MSD, demand that Antulay should apologise, first to the Mumbai police for suspecting that they pushed Karkare into becoming the first target of the alleged Pakistani terrorists and, secondly, to Indian Muslims because Antulay (a Muslim) embarrassed them by his stance.
The couple insists that the evidence provided by India has ‘convinced’ the world that the terrorists behind the Mumbai tragedy were Pakistanis. The couple overlooks the contradiction in this justification — convincing evidence provided by India — about which none other than India’s Foreign Minister Parnab Mukerjee was unconvinced (at least until Dec 20).
That’s why he told CNN that the factor stopping India from formally passing on to Pakistan the evidence implicating Pakistanis in the carnage is that investigations (thus far touted by him to classify the terrorists as Pakistanis) are inconclusive. Yet, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi believe otherwise.
Why they opted to ‘be more loyal than the king’ isn’t odd. Muslims, especially the few that make it to the top in ‘secular’ India, don’t have a choice; they must follow this line to retain the status they somehow manage to acquire. Antulay’s stance too may have been ‘propelled’ by the powerful within the Congress Party.
The likes of C.R. Das and Maulana Azad no longer adorn the ranks of the Congress Party. How many Hindus, much less the downtrodden Muslim minority, can afford to expose the designs of the militant Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS)? Anyone linking RSS to Karkare’s killing invites death. Even Gandhi could not avoid that fate.
After Gandhi’s assassination — the most tragic event in Indian history — even Wallab Bhai Patel, Gandhi’s protégé and then home minister in an all-Congress regime, could not risk establishing killer Godse’s links to the RSS. The best the present weak coalition can do (so close to the general election) is to target Pakistan – an enemy that can conveniently be blamed for India’s unending communal strife.
The combined Indian genius must resolve a mystery: if the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage were Pakistanis, why would they kill the man who unearthed RSS links to the Samjhota Express tragedy?
A.B. SHAHID
Karachi
(II)
THE Indian media has been coming up with all sorts of allegations against Pakistan. A well-planned diplomatic offence has been launched to isolate Pakistan and blur the naked events of home-grown terrorism
The Indian tirade against Pakistan is not new. It has been making Pakistan a scapegoat to hide its own flaws and has always misguided the world community as if Pakistan were a rogue state. As Pakistanis, I think, we are duty-bound to show the world that we are not influenced by Indian jingoism and war-mongering slogans.
KHUBAID USMANI
Islamabad
THIS is apropos of Dawn’s report, ‘Monument in memory of I. I. Kazi planned’ (Dec 24), stating that the advisory committee appointed by the Sindh University Syndicate while eulogising the services of the founding father for the cause of education has decided to build a monumental gate to be named ‘Bab-i-Allama I. I. Kazi’ on the main road of the new campus at Jamshore.
For this the university is inviting proposals from architects of international repute.
Allama Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi was not only the founding father of the present Sindh University but his stature was more exalted as a world-renowned modern thinker who, through his sermons, spread the message of Islam as a religion of peace and amity.
He was also an educationist par excellence and the services he rendered for the great cause of learning and know-ledge in Sindh are indisputably unparallel.
It is for this recognition that not only the new campus of Sindh University at Jamshoro is named after him but a chair, ‘Allama I. I. Kazi Chair’, has also been established to carry out his mission, i.e. spread of education.
This chair is headed by another eminent scholar, Prof Emeritus Dr N. A. Baloach, ex-vice chancellor of Sindh University.
In the presence of the university campus and a chair already in the name of the Allama, building a gate, ‘Bab-i-Allama I. I. Kazi’, after spending millions of rupees to only have his name engraved on it will, on the one hand, relegate his place and, on the other hand, will not at all please the spirit of this great scholar who throughout his life eschewed such publicity.
I suggest to the Syndicate Committee that the amount set apart for the construction of the so-called gate be rather utilised for educational purposes, especially on the research activities carried out by the Allama I. I. Kazi Chair.
ALTAMASH M. Kureshi
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Mubarak Ali’s article, ‘Construction of history’ (Dec 22). Of course, there is need to study not only Bangladesh history but others too. As history is full of contradictions, it can, no doubt, only be understood by studying it from every point of view.
The best history can be constructed by acting on the words of a professor,which he had written in praise of European historian Rengy.
He quotes,”He has not taken work from poetry in history. Neither he became sympathetic to country and religion, nor the supporter of nation. In his narration of the events we never feel at what occasion he is happy or what is his belief”.
So a hitorian should be neutral. He must not cross the limits while narrating events. He should study events from every corner and must mention their causes. After all, history would be less contradicting and more interesting.
BAKHTIAR AHMED KUBAR
Khairpur Mirs
PRESIDENT Zardari’s statement that India’s violation of Pakistan’s air space was not deliberate but a ‘technical fault’, and his prime minister repeating his words, must have both amused India, and emboldened it.
The president and the prime minister, instead of demanding that India explain its action and ensure it is not repeated, were actually vindicating India for the violation. That is not leadership by any definition.
The ‘technical fault’ our head of state and the head of government kept harping on is hardly possible in modern — day jet fighters equipped with sophisticated navigational systems, which are as ‘idiot’ — proof as peeling a banana, which even the monkeys can peel with the greatest of ease.
It is understandable, therefore, why India is not claiming ‘technical fault’ but simply denying the violation with a straight face.
To violate our airspace, through a ‘technical fault’ as Mr Zardari and Mr Gilani said, the Indian pilots would have to break two barriers, the sound barrier, and the ‘idiot’ — proof barrier. To break the ‘idiot’ —proof barrier, the Indian pilots would have to be ‘super idiots’, the president of Pakistan and the prime minister by their ‘technical fault’ chorus are surely not suggesting that.
The IAF, as the PAF, is made up of fine young men and, in the case of Pakistan, of fine young women, each nation’s finest. Both air forces are thoroughly professional, and as professionals have healthy respect for each other. Both train for excellence.
The PAF’s track record, however, has shown it to have a clear qualitative edge over the IAF, which has a clear quantitative edge over the PAF.
Neither would be a pushover for the other. Both are capable of inflicting dreadful damage on each other, and on each other’s country.
S. KHALID HUSAIN
Karachi
THANK you for a prompt and articulate editorial (Dec 18). Indeed, knowledgeable readers should be encouraged to write more on such subjects of national import in your weekly section, Encounter.
In a straightforward reading of the scriptures (3:195; 4:124; 16:97; 33:35) gender equality can only be taken as unmistakably and cogently asserted. However, scriptural guidance also cautions that the divinely-designed ‘architecture’ of men and women has been so put together that it lends itself more naturally to roles and primary duties envisaged for the statistically significant majorities of either ‘sex’. Nevertheless, this, in no way, bars women -- transcending their reproductive function -- to step into domains dominated by men traditionally if they -- as is happening in many occupations today, and admirably so -- have the potential, and are so inclined, without jeopardising their divinely-assigned functions in a balanced family unit.
Indeed, if done with maturity and good sense, it can promote the attitude of helpfulness and enhanced economic well-being in a family unit. This will be very much part of purposeful and contented societies in the future.
M.J. AS’AD
Karachi
THE political crisis in AJK has crippled the state machinery for the last few weeks. Prime Minister Sardar Attique is under immense pressure to resign.
Sardar Sikandar Hayat, who himself has remained prime minister twice and president of the Azad State, is allout to topple the government of Sardar Attique.
At the time of the general election back in 2006, Sardar Sikandar was forced by some influential leaders of his constituency to give chance to his younger brother as he was already seeking space in the corridors of power.
Nevertheless, it seemed that Sardar Sikandar believed that ‘once a ruler is always the ruler’ and started conspiring against the young and energetic PM of AJK by promoting horse-trading and politically unpleasant tools.
On the other hand, the role of the federal government of Islamabad is also not commendable which has encouraged and, in fact, supported, under the table, these elements in their efforts to destabilise the state government.
All these elements are forcing the PM to either resign or dissolve the legislative assembly or otherwise be ready to face a no-confidence motion.
My question is, are we really able to bear all this political upheaval at a time when the country is already facing troubles and relations with India seem to have taken another unpleasant turn? At this point, the AJK leadership should have acted like a united front against the Indian propaganda to malign the image of Pakistan. It is needless to say that the fountain of India-Pakistan tension lies in the Kashmir issue, an apple of discord between the two.
It is my sincere appeal to all concerned — the political forces of AJK and Pakistan (particularly the federal minister for Kashmir affairs and Northern Areas) — to act responsibly, and set aside their political selfishness in order to promote national unity and integrity to counter the common enemy.
NAJUMUL SAQIB IQBAL
Muzaffarabad, AJK
SHEHRI has given a one-sided picture of why residents by barricading city roads and bylanes have taken the law into their own hands.
Just try and drive through purely residential areas such as Karachi Administration Society, Delhi Mercantile Society, Al Hamra Society, Farhan Society, Works Society, Kokan Society, PECHS, etc., and you will find each area is a small maze where after once getting in, a smooth exit is definitely not possible.
Here the reason for the blockades is not encroachment but fear of robbers and dacoits. The administration must wake up to this reality, improve the law and order situation and under no circumstances allow individuals and groups to encroach upon roads and block them.
All roads and arteries in this city are the property of the taxpayers. Therefore, all citizens must be allowed to have free and unhindered access to them.
MATIN GHANI
Karachi
THE word ‘terrorism’ has of late caught the fancy of the world. It has been depicted as an enemy, like a human being as Hitler, or an ideology like communism. But it cannot be likened with either of them, so the world engages itself in a war: it is not a philosophy as to eradicate it, it has no political boundary as to occupy it; it has no personality as to kill it.
Terrorism is a practical demonstration of human feelings. It is given birth either by being carried away by a deep desire to achieve a particular objective, or is a psychological reaction to oppression and injustice. The example of the first type is the terrorism perpetuated by the Jews in Palestine in the early 20th century for the creation of Israel. Such sort of phenomenon is, however, rare.
But the terrorism of the second category abounds, like the terrorism of Mau Mau and FLA against the colonial powers in Kenya and Algeria, of the Irish Liberation Army in the Republic of Ireland, of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, of the Arab suicide bombers in Israel, of the freedom fighters in Kashmir, and the recent global phenomenon surfacing mainly in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia, Britain and other European countries, which seems primarily due to the targeting of a certain type of people, their countries, and their religion for mistreatment and demonising.
The world today, swept away by the fright of terrorism, is resounding with the voice: “We will defeat terrorism”. But can they triumph? As long as oppression is there on the canvas of time, terrorism will continue to emerge on the pages of history. It is produced individually, one for one, tit for tat. You give up, and the terrorist will have no motive to act. Taking one’s own life and to kill others are never done for fun. If we scrutinise we would find that some very serious injury must have been made physically or a very deep scar imprinted sentimentally on the so-called terrorists.
The irony is that the real oppressor ducks himself as the aggrieved. Since the oppressed is generally weak, it can make only sneak attacks. If he has no firearm, it has at least his shoes.
SYED OSMAN SHER
Canada
PAKISTAN today is facing probably the worst economic crisis in decades. It narrowly avoided default a couple of weeks back by a whisker. Its leaders had to beg the international community for urgent aid to repay previous loans.
Nearly half the country is below the poverty line. In the face of hunger many people are forced to commit suicide. This was unheard of till a few years back. Pakistanis used to say whatever the problems, nobody goes hungry in Pakistan and people do not have to sleep on the streets.
I was greatly shocked at the announcement by our Navy that it will buy three U-214 conventional submarines from Germany at a cost of $1bn.
Pakistan was envisioned as a welfare state that would provide basic necessities to its people, not as a national security state where its citizens would be forced to perpetual hardships to pay for military hardware.
In any case, conventional submarines do not make any sense in today’s environment in South Asia. Any future war with India will be short and will be mostly fought by fighter aircraft and missiles.
Today India has not brought its land forces to the borders or activated its naval fleet. India knows that if it were to do that, it would raise Pakistan’s nuclear threshold.
In the light of these facts, purchase of new submarines makes no practical sense. The money spent on submarines can be used to feed the hungry.
LUQMAN ALI KHAN
Lahore
WE are two sisters studying in Kinnaird College in Lahore, living in the hostel. We had to travel to Multan by the evening flight Pk 387 on Dec 23. We held confirmed seats and were leaving for the short winter holidays and our hostels were closed down.
Excited to see our family in Dera Ghazi Khan, we proceeded to the airport. Precisely at the time our father was to drive from DGK to Multan airport to pick us up. We reached Lahore airport and presented our tickets at the counter. The lady at the counter glanced over them and asked us to wait for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, she kept looking toward her shifty supervisor. After keeping us waiting for some time, she informed us to our sheer disappointment that we had been offloaded since the flight was already overbooked.
Our national airline had created a predicament for us. What to do? Our hostel had been closed, our father was on his way to Multan airport to receive us, we had valid tickets, but no seats. At a time like this, one thinks of one’s relations. We called our grandfather, a gentleman over 80, to inform him of our plight. Thank God we had a place in the city to go to.
Our advice to all girl students studying in Lahore and living in hostels: you must have a kind grandfather in the city. And never trust the magic flying carpet; trust Daewoo instead.
ELIZA, AQSA KHOSA
Lahore
IT is indeed very sad to see the Stock Exchange being floored for more than three months and then seeing errors made by the officials in providing solutions to the crisis. The adviser to the PM on finance states that stocks will be offered to oversees Pakistanis at a good rate.
I fail to understand how can one achieve this when Pakistanis abroad or even the locals have no faith in the present stock exchange system. The solutions that come to my mind that could ensure some level of confidence building are:
1. A constitutional guarantee that the government or its agencies should not intervene in the working of the Stock Exchange.
2. The chairman of the board of the Stock Exchange should be a member of the Stock Exchange.
3. The SECP chairman should be appointed from the industry.
ALI ISTIFA KIDWAI
Karachi
THE Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has finally woken up from its deep slumber to ask the Capital Development Authority to stop construction of Zero Point Interchange, in the absence of the requisite environment impact assessment report on the project as per regulations.
The ongoing construction has already led to a massive cutting of trees and dust pollution, adding significantly to the existing environmental degradation of Islamabad.
It is recalled that the prime minister performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project on Sept 11, and the interchange was scheduled for completion by Jan 15 next year.
Indeed, it is never too late to take corrective measures, but one wonders why action has been taken by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency at such a belated stage when construction was in advanced stage. Is there something more than meets the eye?
Now the CDA has committed to submit a report by Jan 15, that appears to be a formality only. It is obvious as to what would be the conclusions of the report. In the process, however, the project would be delayed and the civil contractor would make extra money as compensation from the CDA for suspending the work.
HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
THE government, both federal and provincial, should be appreciated for the decision to seek help from the Asian Development Bank to provide funds to make the taluka municipal administration (TMA) work as a private civic service provider.
This is being done to ensure mass supply of safe drinking water, to maintain the drainage system in good shape and to remove heaps of garbage scattered everywhere, through a corporation which will be responsible for these requirements.
The Asian Development Bank will also oversee that all the funds are utilised properly. Each district in Sindh will have an office.
It is sad to notice that people living in rural areas have always been ignored by the state. They lack basic facilities such as water fit for drinking, as the current infrastructure through which the TMA supplies water to the people is completely outdated.
Broken pipes carry water-borne diseases, with heaps of garbage nearby adding to the pollution. This is the real picture of the TMA system, represented by corrupt officials.
It is also evident that extra political involvement has imbalanced the system. The Asian Development Bank’s demand that no one should be recruited without its consultation, because it is a highly-funded project, will help in bringing good results, with the whole process being properly planned and organised.
The system, which is going to be introduced by the ADB in a few districts of Sindh first, should be welcomed. I am of the view that it would serve the people well. If the programme is successful, it should be extended to other districts as well. But it is not right to criticise it before it is implemented. We should remember that a healthy body carries a healthy mind.
Concrete steps to develop a proper system along with steps to reduce political involvement should be taken by the government immediately.
AMJAD ALI SURHIO
Dadu
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