| January 15, 2009 | Thursday | Muharram 17, 1430 |
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Cantonment Board’s attitude
Captive to cable operators
Spencer’s Eye Hospital in peril
Education without attendance
Drone attack killed Al Qaeda men
Usurping authority
KWSB loses land meant for S-III & other projects
Deforestation for fuel
Consumer protection
Pedestrian bridge
Sasso pensioners
The insanity of war
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
WHILE I agree with the contents of Aziz Suharwardy’s letter (Jan 11) that hydroelectric power generation is the cheapest way to produce power, he has omitted the factors that have played a key role in politicising this issue and thereby harmed the national interest. The role of the Musharraf-led junta, which for eight years sat on this issue, is criminal negligence with culpable intent to harm our national sovereignty. What surprises me is that it has taken the writer so long to understand what is common knowledge, now that the junta is no longer in power.
The Indus Basin Water Treaty, to which both India and Pakistan are signatories, clearly specifies that the country which builds dams first has the right of using hydro power for electricity generation.
Yet for over eight years the military junta sat over the plan to build a mega dam while India is nearing completion of a mega dam, and we were engrossed in a never-ending debate on where to build it.
Thermal electric power generation, which relies on imported furnace oil, is known to be expensive but then it is still better than nothing. If power theft and illegal ‘kunda’ connections had been eliminated, the enormity of this crisis could have been marginalised. It is corruption within the bureaucratic establishment and involvement of criminals in politics that has helped the power thieves from being held accountable.
The problem with Pakistan is that people assigned to handle technical matters lack the specialised knowledge, skills or on-hand field experience. We have for long been victim of men within our establishment who consider themselves to be Jack of all trades, and ruled by authoritarian regimes who owe their longevity in office to foreign power brokers.
Pakistan suffers because the seeds of provincial disharmony, ethnic-based politics, have been sown with the intent to disrupt strong political parties to emerge on a federal level, with broadbased support of all federating units.
Our economy is in ruins because the wheels of our industry are hostage to a power crisis and our agriculture, which was once the base on which our economy survived, is facing a self-generated crisis, due to our own failures.
Direct foreign investment in Pakistan was based on stock exchange which functioned like a casino, while key players focused on real estate development, which benefited individual investors without any benefits to the economy. What we lack is commitment, not expertise, for we have abundance of experts in hydro power generation. Pakistan needs men with vision, not mere rabble-rousers whose sole aim is self-projection and who join every bandwagon that is in the spotlight.
JAMILA
Islamabad
ON behalf of the Association of Defence Residents (ADR), federation of all the resident associations of the DHA, I would like to respond to the letter, “Cantonment Board’s attitude” (Dec 31). The attitude of the chief executive, Cantonment Board of Clifton, as per the letter seems quite incredible to us as we have always found the current CEO to be resident-friendly as well as sensitive to complaints of DHA residents.
On inquiry from the CEO, it was revealed to us that the complainant had supposedly been receiving sufficient water from the CBC and had refused to pay water charges and had also reportedly misbehaved with an officer.
In case of dissatisfaction, every resident has a right to get his or her water disconnected and stop paying the water charges. Otherwise, the CBC has every right to expect its water charges to be paid in full. So the CEO had made the complainant an offer as per the rules of the CBC.
For information of all DHA residents, including Mashood Abid Khan, I would like to add that currently there is an overall shortage of water in the DHA, worsened by the shutdown of the desalination plant. The CBC is trying its best to alleviate the problems faced by the residents, and all complaints registered with the CBC or the DHA, not satisfactorily resolved, can be brought to the attention of the CBC Complaints Redressal Committee. The ADR representative in the aforementioned committee, Farooq Dawood, can be reached at 0364 4007450.
Under the current water shortage situation, the decision to impose additional water charges needs to be seriously reconsidered, and the ADR will make it a point to bring up the subject of additional water charges at its future meetings with the officials of the CBC.
We do hope that till such time that the water distribution system is improved and sufficient water is provided, there should be no additional water charges.
ASAD H. KIZILBASH
Hon. General Secretary, ADR
Karachi
BOTH the leading cable operators in Pakistan have denied their subscribers from viewing Al Jazeera television. One of the cable services is owned by an influential person in Punjab and the other is owned by a Gulf-based investor.
The Al Jazeera channel is the sole international channel operated by Arab owners, which gives an independent local perspective of events in the Middle East, Pakistan, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and America.
The channel’s viewing is restricted only in the the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan by cable operators.
This channel was available for viewing till the former government restricted cable operators from broadcasting specific news channels.
It is strange that while Fox TV has always been available in spite of its clear bias, the Pakistani audiance is being denied access to channels of its choice by these operators, who have a monopoly and who abuse this privilege.
The policies continue to be implemented by Pemra.
T.A. MALIK
Lahore
THE news, ‘Spencer’s Eye Hospital in bad shape’ (Jan 8), disclosing that the hospital building is at the verge of collapse on account of neglect is shocking for Karachi’s people, especially the downtrodden of Lyari’s who have been enjoying the benefits of such a modern ophthalmologic facility free of charge for decades.
The ‘Doctor Kaikhushrow Nanabhoy Spencer’s Eye Hospital ’ is one of the oldest optical diseases hospital, and one of the countless contributions of Zoroastrian philanthropists towards the progress of the metropolis, particularly in the filed of health and education.
The foundationstone of this extraordinary health facility was laid on Nov 28, 1938 in the impoverished area of Lyari by famous Hatim Alvi, mayor of Karachi . On March 14, 1940 the hospital was inaugurated by the next mayor, Rustom Khurshedji Sidhwa.
Ever since its inception, Spencer’s Eye Hospital is considered as one of the biggest in the public sector eye facility that has cured millions of disadvantaged during the last about three quarters century of its existence. Why has the city government, which is now running this renowned hospital, ignored its maintenance and care, imperiling the lives of its visiting patients?
I urge the Karachi nazim to visit Spencer’s Hospital right away and ensure that necessary repair and refurbishment work of the building is carried out without further loss of time. Moreover, the hospital needs to be upgraded by introducing latest equipment and facilities to bring the same at par with any other modern eye hospital working in the private sector in the country.
Moreover, as such buildings of antiquity hold significance of ‘national heritage’, greater concern should be shown for their preservation so that these should not be wasted due to negligence.
RUBINA M. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS is apropos of I.M. Khan Samadani’s article, ‘Maritime education for economic prosperity’ (Dec 28). Quality professional education and training, which meets the minimum international standards, is a prerequisite for fostering development and growth of any profession.
It becomes the government’s responsibility to ensure that such education and training is imparted in an acceptable manner in proper institutions by a qualified faculty using the latest teaching aids ,especially in a field where we have to compete with other nations.
Maritime education and training was one such responsibility that the government assumed after it signed the STCW convention.
We now understand that our government has cancelled the requirement for course completion at approved institutions for merchant navy deck officers prior to their examinations.
It is strongly suggested that this cancellation be revoked in the best interest of safety of life at sea.
CAPT MUJAHID K. KHAN
Karachi
(II)
THIS is apropos of Ancient Mariner’s letter (Jan 2) regarding the government’s decision to do away with the requirement of mandatory college attendance. The authorities who have passed such a decision should realise that it is not only passing the examination but acquiring full knowledge to become a merchant navy officer.
Knowledge of all marine subjects can only be possible through interaction with teachers and among students. Pakistan follows almost the same syllabus for all competency examinations as being followed in the UK etc and it is compulsory to attend nautical colleges in these countries.
I request the authorities concerned to immediately repeal their decision in this respect to maintain the high standard of our merchant navy officers.
J. M. ANEES
Karachi
A DAWN report from Washington says that a drone attack in the Fata area on the New Year’s Day killed four Al Qaeda operatives (Jan 10).
Among them two were important terrorists: Usama Al Kini who allegedly masterminded the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad in September 2008; and the attack on the convoy of Benazir Bhutto in October 2007. And the other one killed was Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan who was known for earlier attacks on US embassies in East Africa in 1998.
I think Americans want ‘congratulations’. Pakistani forces would not (or could not) do it; therefore, they did it. Since Islamabad does not seem to object to such foreign attacks inside Pakistan and means that either the Americans have got a secret permission to do it or they think they are a ‘big chief’ who can do it without consent. Even the Nato and British forces are objecting to it, which means that they do not know of any such secret approval by Pakistan.
Since George Bush had made a lot of mistakes everywhere, including Afghanistan which inexorably extended to Pakistan, and unfortunately we could not tell him of his blunders, let’s wait until Jan 20 when Barack Hussain Obama takes over as 44th US president.
We should take up this important matter with him and impress upon him to stop these incursions.
Pakistan’s reply to the ‘permission’ — if they have got one — should remove it without delay.
That would be a second heart-warming success for Pakistan after holding India from attacking Pakistan on the issue of Nov 27-29, Mumbai terrorist carnage.
M. K. NAQVI
Karachi
I DO not agree with the main thrust of your editorial, ‘Kasab and Durrani’ (Jan 10), which is as follows: “And once Mehmud Durrani pre-empted the government and shared the information on Kasab with the media, what was to be gained by dismissing him on the spot?...
“The sensible thing to have done was to quickly arrange a press conference on the Kasab information and punish the national security adviser for his indiscretion at a later date.”
The Mumbai terrorist attack is of such an extremely sensitive nature that it has not only created international consternation, it is also resounding with war drum beats.
Throwing away all discretions connected with the government policy and diplomacy, was it wise on the part of a government official to preempt in disclosing such vital information?
Gen Durrani was dismissed not for disclosing information, that was to be disclosed sooner or later anyway, but for the indiscipline and irresponsible behaviour of usurping the authority which was not his, and for not allowing the government to think how to proceed in this regard with discretion.
That is why the information minister had to also disclose this information helter-skelter.
SYED OSMAN SHER
Canada
THIS is apropos of the news item, ‘KWSB loses land meant for key projects” (Jan 2). It shows the very sad story that the city is being rapidly deprived of its land assets.
The land reserved for the city’s vital development projects are being leased out to private parties.
As we all know, these are the only pieces left for development purposes in the city. I think the treatment of sewerage water is a very important issue and I am shocked to learn that only 50 million gallons of daily (mgd) sewage out of the total of 430mgd sewage generated in the city is being treated.
Further, it is a matter of great concern that we are throwing over 380mgd untreated sewerage into the sea. This is polluting all our natural resources in the sea and coastal zones.
I am pleased to learn that the KWSB is taking steps in the right direction.
The Karachi sewerage plan S-III is a very good plan and if implemented in good faith will solve the problem of most of the sewerage and its treatment problem in the city.
I would like to ask the high-ups if out the total 465 acres reserved for the S-III and other vital projects, 365 acres have been granted to private parties, how would the KWSB be able implement its plans?
The same news item also revealed that 40 acres of the land belonging to Mehmoodabad’s TP-III had been earmarked for residential purposes.
I firmly believe Karachi is the only city in the world where the state agencies themselves are playing the role of land grabbers.
They grab land and lease out to private parties and then start crying about land mafias.
OMER KHAN
Karachi
DEFORESTATION is continuing on a large scale in many areas of Pakistan where natural gas has still not been supplied. Not much area is covered by forests in Pakistan which cannot afford any further reduction in the forest cover.
Here I would present the plight of forests in Zhob. It is a small border city on the north of Balochistan. It is still without gas. The main source of fuel here for households is the wood procured from forests.
There are evergreen forests of olive and Chilghoza pine here, which are rare in Pakistan. The people of the area have divided the forestlands among themselves to cut and sell the wood for earning their livelihood. A 40kg of wood nowadays costs about Rs350, which encourages wood-cutters.
Forests are shrinking here due to the large-scale consumption of wood in houses and kilns. Saving forests and wildlife is not just the responsibility of the WWF, IUCN or others. It is the responsibility of the government and much more of the citizens to save the nature.
The immediate step for the prevention of the deforestation on the part of the government would be to supply gas to these areas which would discourage the cutting of forests, but it does not seem that the government would do so in the near future.
INAMUL HAQ
Zhob
THE government has failed to control prices of essential items of daily use, though some of these items are abundantly produced and available within the country.
This is happening with the convenience of officials who allow hoarders to fleece consumers.
At the same time, due to the lack of consumer protection law and enforcement of the existing food and PSQCA laws, substandard, look-alike, semi-expired and counterfeit products have flooded our markets.
Poor quality wheat flour and cooking oil are being sold in Utility Stores at very high rates and as consumers we have failed our country by protecting and supporting cheaters, hoarders, corruption and bribery.
I advice all consumers to raise their voice against cheaters and hoarders, and demand from the Sindh Assembly to legislate the Consumer Protection Ordinance, Sindh, which has been signed by the Dr Ishratul Ebad, governor of Sindh, four times but has not been ratified by the assembly up till now.
We should also demand that the assembly should establish consumer courts as there are in Punjab, where consumers can go and register their complaints against poor services and substandard products.
Please write letters of protest to the electronic and print media every week so that those culprits are punished with an iron hand and next time nobody is able to cheat the consumers.
It is time for ‘Jago Saarif Jago’.
MRS FARKHANDA AHMED
Karachi
THIS is to draw the attention of the competent authorities to an urgent problem faced by the citizens of Rawalpindi. Recently the IJP Road and Islamabad Highway Road have been widened to reduce traffic problems.
Unfortunately, it is felt that the problems of the poor people who walk or use public transport are not taken into consideration. I personally noted that within the last 20 days almost four persons, including women, have been crushed to death while crossing these roads.
A woman dying in a road accident on the Islamabad Highway is painful. She had come to Pindi to set the engagement dates of her son but the same evening her body was sent back to her village. Those who were waiting for the good news of engagement date were given the body of their mother.
Two persons were crushed on the Curri Road stop at Islamabad Highway and two in the vicinity of Katarian Chungi adjacent to a graveyard on IJP Road.
One senior person who was crossing the IJP Road to say Fateha on the grave of his father was crushed to death on the road.
This has become a challenge to the poor people who do not have their own vehicle, specifically senior citizens, schoolboys and schoolgirls and women who cross these roads while highspeed vehicles run on the fast road.
The authorities concerned should at the earliest build pedestrian bridges on each and every point on the two roads where people are bound to cross the road and install pedestrian bridges in the twin cities, wherever such bridges are required. This would be a great service to the common people.
IKRAM ABBASI
Rawalpindi
AS in the past, the Sindh government increased the pension of all retired employees during the current year and pensioners retired from all departments have been allowed the new pensions whereas Sasso pensioners have not yet been allowed this increase..
The chief minister, the finance minister and the chief secretary should look into the matter.
GHULAM HUSSAIN QURAISHI
Deputy Director (r) Sasso
Hala
THIS is with reference to Dr Tariq Rehman’s article, ‘The insanity of war’ (Dec 30), in which the writer has decried the uselessness of a nuclear weapon. He says the Indian army entered Siachen while Pakistan possessed nuclear technology, and Gen Musharraf sent his troops to Kargil while India also possessed nuclear arsenal.
True, but both these territories lie in a disputed region. So the war did not escalate beyond a certain point, it did not evoke a conventional confrontation. But, God forbid, in the present-day scenario if India launches a full-fledged attack on Pakistan and threatens our two premier cities, i.e. Lahore and Karachi, should Pakistan sit idle and preside over the demise of the country or react to sort out India with nuclear-tipped missiles.
It can be said with a degree of certainty that the possession of nuclear arms deters the aggressors. Example abound, America dare not attack North Korea because they possess nuclear technology. They know that 37,000 American troops stationed in South Korea are vulnerable to North Korea nuclear strike.
During WW II Hitler had created panic with its pincer movements and blitzkrieg, had any European nation possessed atom bomb, Hitler would not have dared to attack Poland, France, England, etc. If Palestine possessed nuclear arms, Israel would have never dared to carry out merciless aerial attacks on Hamas infrastructure.
During the Cold War, the ICBMs’ deterred both the superpowers from wiping out each other. Why Israel is so scared of Iran’s projected nuclear arsenal. So, to say that to detonate a nuclear device is an exercise in futility defies all logic. It certainly strikes terror in the hearts of the enemy.
SAFIR A. SIDDIQUI
Karachi
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