| January 17, 2009 | Saturday | Muharram 19, 1430 |
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Controlling conflict in society
Offloading of nine Muslims
Actions not to be challenged
Change of perception needed
Unresolved education problems
Private schools
Fuel prices
Desalination plants
Is there an Ummah?
Land grabbers eye mosque plot
Sugar industry: a vehicle of rural uplift
Indian media
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
APROPOS of the article, ‘Govt plans to ban use of small fishing nets in the sea’ (Jan 13) , it is reported that the federal minister for livestock, Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd, has formed a committee comprising officials from Sindh and Balochistan to come up with proposals for preparing legislation to ban the use of small fishing nets in the sea.
This legislation will enable the authorities to confiscate boats using small and destructive nets and impose fines on their owners. The government is also seeking legal powers to burn the confiscated boats.
The powers that be can go on having meetings on marine environmental issues and go on passing new resolutions after resolutions. But all this will sadly go to waste as there is going to be no implementation of any law that is passed on illegal fishing in Pakistani waters.
I want to ask the minister as to which authorities he has referred that will see that the law is implemented, when the legislation is passed. Can the minister give us the names of the committee members who were present and also make public the copy of the proposals he receives for preparing new legislation on small and destructive nets.
Can we also see the recommendations and input from the stakeholders in that meeting.
The problem of illegal harmful fishing nets like ‘katra’, ‘bhulla’ and ‘gujja’ is not new to us. Most of these nets have been used with impunity for over three decades which I know of as the founder of saltwater sport fishing in Pakistan.
These extremely harmful fish nets, some of which are called wire nets, are very small mesh nets. All the above-mentioned nets have caused havoc and devastation to marine ecology and the food chain, where overfishing and commercial harvesting of fish was already a grave problem.
As far as new legislative laws are concerned, the law against destructive illegal small fishing nets has existed for many years, but no one seems to care.
There has been no proper check, nor has there been any implementation of the law by the ministry of livestock and fisheries, nor by the naval personnel in uniform, who run the Karachi Fish Harbour. Why, please?
SYED AZIZ AGHA
Karachi
THE phrase ‘the war to end war’, which became common after World War I, has now been changed to ‘the power to make war and rule the world’. Let me expound.
“After the end of the World War of 1914 there was a deep conviction and almost universal hope that peace would reign in the world. This heart’s desire of the peoples could easily have been gained by steadfastness and righteous convictions and by reasonable common sense and prudence.
“The phrase ‘The war to end war’ was on every lip, and measures had been taken to turn the desire into reality”, so wrote Winston Churchill in his famous book, The Second World War.
But despite the desire and commitment by the peoples of the world, a bigger and many times more devastating war than World War I followed less than a quarter century after with World War II, when lives of approximately 70 million ended prematurely in the pursuit of power.
The US has gone into making several wars since then, with several countries in different continents .
The latest examples are Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel is now waging a war on the people of Gaza with a vengeance. It looks as if India is poised to emulate its newfound mentors in the US and Israel, and now seems keen to make a war to rule, if not the world, its neighbours of smaller count.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars and several skirmishes have taken place between these two neighbours.
The two nations have been bled white with the Cold War-like situation for the last several decades, which has caused widespread poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy in their areas.
Their economic development is far below their potential. A war between the two nations, both equipped with WMD, can only bring devastation.
The survivors will suffer from cancers and disabilities of all kinds. War can only be a ‘zero sum’ game.
The immense distrust between the two countries is regrettable and only huge efforts can take that distrust away. But hope has to be kept alive for the sake of people on both sides.
However, the two governments should understand that the extremist elements on both sides have to be conquered to achieve peace.
We have to believe in people’s power to end war and make peace. As part of civil society in both countries, we should raise our voices from every nook and cranny for the sake of our future generations.
SYED ABU KHALID
Karachi
Every time we read or see a news item, such as ‘Nine Muslim passengers removed from flight’ from Washington DC to Orlando, our sympathies tend to go towards the Muslims. But it is time we started thinking in a fair manner.
Imagine the nine men and women — men with long beards clad in shalwar-kameez and perhaps a turban too, and women wearing headscraves or in full black burqas with only eyes visible, all making noisy remarks in a domestic US flight in a language (Urdu) not understandable to other passengers. And one of those burqa-clad ladies using the word ‘bomb’ in her utterances. If I were in that plane, I would also point that out to the staff.
People of Pakistani origin have to start behaving when living in those western countries — when in Rome do as the Romans do. Having travelled a lot in North America and Europe, I greatly appreciate the patience and greatness of the people of those countries in accepting South Asians.
A message to all those of Pakistani origin living in those countries: if you cannot honour the norms of the country you live in, please return to your country.
MIAN A. AHMAD
Islamabad
THE government is reported to have agreed that it will not challenge Pervez Musharraf’s actions (Jan 14).
The Human Rights Watch in its annual report claimed that the new government in Pakistan had agreed that it would not challenge the legal basis of Pervez Musharraf’s rule, nor would it attempt to hold him responsible/ accountable for the coup and abuses during his time in power.
It also said President Zardari had ‘reneged’ on commitments and his signed agreement with the opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, to restore the deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
The human rights group also highlighted the elevation to the cabinet of two parliamentarians, namely Israrullah Zehri and Hazar Khan Bijarani, in spite of their anti-human rights statements and activities.
The veracity of the report regarding any such decision is, however, yet to be confirmed by official sources.
Although there is nothing new in the report, yet it serves as a document by a reputed human rights body and a reminder to the present government regarding its duties towards its people.
It is ironical that no usurper or wrongdoer was ever caught and punished in this country, be it a uniformed person, a civil bureaucrat or a politician. A dictator hanged a popularly-elected prime minister of an international stature to save his own soul. Another popular leader was eliminated during the rule of another dictator. These cold-blooded murders went, as if, nothing happened.
There is a general perception that Pervez Musharraf is responsible for many gross violations and wrongdoings. He is also held responsible for the catastrophic situation Pakistan is in now. Perception shall remain as such until the accused does not present him for a judicial trial.
No individual or any invisible power can pardon or give a clean chit to himself. If it happens under a democratic setup, it would be unfortunate for the nation.
A democratic setup is the most ideal and appropriate forum for initiating fair accountability.
The unconstitutional and forcible takeover in 1999, the Fata operations, the tragedy of Lal Masjid and the killings of Benazir Bhutto and Baloch leader Akbar Bugti and many other happenings need to be probed and the real culprits and conspirators brought to justice.
President Zardari should wipe out the stigma of ‘reneging’, attached to him, by adhering to his commitments.
This is fatally damaging his party. As the top leader of a progressive party, he is also expected to promote human rights and stop promoting those who want the nation to plunge into primitive society.
ANIS SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
PAKISTAN is not a terrorist state. It is a country of moderate people. We Pakistanis do not want suicide bombers in our country or elsewhere.
So-called religious extremists are distorting our image, damaging our economy, culture and spoiling our educational institutions.
The death count in Pakistan due to suicide bombers and beheadings by Taliban are not hidden from anyone. Every day there is a Mumbai-like incident. When our brothers and sisters die every other day here, why does no one in the world raise a hue and cry like they did over the Nov 26 attacks in India? Our political leader Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack.
Terrorism is a global issue and threat to world peace. Terrorists exist in every society. Why aren’t Hindu, Jewish and Christian terrorists not mentioned, why just Muslims?
There is a need to change the world’s perception about Islam and its followers. The world must be told that we are peace-loving people, we have nothing to do with terrorism and we believe in ‘live and let live’, in harmony and tranquillity.
ZAINAB KHAN
Rawalpindi
THIS is apropos of Dr Syed Akram Shah’s letter (Dec 29) drawing the attention of the government towards a peculiar issue of closure of the Quaid-i-Azam hostel in the UK and expressing an optimistic approach while requesting a reopening of it.
Being a student of the University of Balochistan, after every one or two weeks we receive police torture, either mental or corporal, for protesting for our education rights. This leads to the closure of the university and hostel as well. The issue then goes pending for at least a month.
The famous Degree College of Turbat, being the leading educational institution of Mekran, not only runs out of hostel facilities but also has more than half of the posts of lecturers lying vacant — even for Urdu, let alone Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Moreover, the department of computer science remains closed all through the year.
The same is the case with Girls Degree College which not only has no female head, but also experiences a lack of female staff.
Furthermore, at the primary level in schools, there is one teacher for more than 60 students.
Both provincial and federal governments have turned a deaf ear to these problems.
If the government has made no headway in solving problems of regions within Pakistan, how will it be able to resolve the problem of hostels in the UK?
AMAN ULLAH BALOCH
Quetta
TODAY it is an era of privatisation in nearly all segments of life in this country. Every government tries to privatise organisations which they are not able to run or because they have a personal stake in it.
Educational institutions are also in the hands of the private sector. I remember the ‘80s when I used to study in a government secondary school which had a proper atmosphere of education, activities and sports. Though the budget was very little in those days, yet every year inter-district, inter-divisional sports programmes were arranged and tours were managed by the school.
Today government schools are in a dire situation because political influence and appointments of teachers without merit have destroyed the essence of education in Sindh. On the other hand, popularity of private schools has gone up.
Except Karachi and some areas in Hyderabad, I don’t see any credibility of most of the private schools in the other parts of Sindh. These private schools are just famous for their show and glamourised uniforms, yet when we look at their standard of education they fall in the same category as government schools. They usually don’t have playgrounds for outdoor activities which is extremely important for children.
These private schools are only a source of money-making as, besides monthly fees, they demand extra money for monthly tests, term tests, report cards and student diaries.
Many parents cannot afford fees but send their children to private schools so that they can have a better future. The government should pay attention to this very important issue as there are no checks and balances to administer these institutions.
JABBAR HABIBANI B
adin
I WAS astonished when the government refused to adjust fuel prices on Dec 15, and am now utterly disappointed that they refuse once again to be mindful of consumers.
According to an official report in Dawn’s business section, in December, in late 2007, the ex-refinery price of petrol was about Rs40 per litre while the government set the petrol price at 53. Now the ex-refinery price is at Rs18 per litre while petrol is retailed at Rs57.
Going by absolute numbers, petrol should be at Rs31, but more logically by percentage figures which would mean the ex-refinery rate plus 33 per cent, which equates to Rs24 per litre.
Hence, going by either solid numbers or by proportional percentage, petrol should be retailed between Rs24 and 31 per litre, but Rs57 or even a 10 per cent decrease is outrageous.
The government must pass on relief to consumers, and if fuel prices are properly adjusted, the country as a whole will benefit tremendously as inflationary pressure will ease and consumers will get some vital and widely sought relief.
It would be a favour from OGRA and the government of Pakistan that fuel prices are amended immediately with due consideration of the general public.
RIZWAN SYED
Islamabad
ABOUT 97 per cent of water on the earth is in the salty oceans. In coming years, Pakistan’s southern parts will face shortage of portable water. The DHA, Karachi, must be appreciated for taking a timely step by installing a desalination plant in phase VIII. However, the electricity requirement to run such a plant makes the operations very expensive.
It is suggested that Wapda must study installations in Saudi Arabia. Large reverse osmosis and multistage flash desalination plants are used in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. The energy requirements of the plants are large, but their electricity can be produced relatively cheaply with the abundant oil reserves.
Even then desalination plants are often located adjacent to power plants to reduce energy losses in transmission and allow waste heat to be used in the desalination process of multistage flash plants, reducing the amount of energy needed to desalinate the water and providing cooling for the power plant.
In our case instead of oil-based power plants we may combine water plants with the coastal wind energy plants. These designs will be cost-effective.
RIAZ KAZIM
Karachi
THE Indian Army Chief’s fresh threat must be taken seriously. Prime Minister Gilani has for the first time shown courage, calling upon the world to stop showing double standards.
On the one hand, he said, they criticise Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks and, on the other hand, they are mum over human rights violations in the Indian-held Kashmir, and the massacre of Palestinians by Israel.”
The prime minister must show courage against Gen. Deepak Kapoor’s statement. Behind the scene the US is playing a role of the third party to achieve its particular objectives.
It wants to bring the volatility in the countries, especially for Muslims who challenge the supremacy and hegemony of America.
If the people of a country are living in their own country (Pakistan) under the fear of attacks and suicide bombings, how would the world expect a peaceful generation coming ahead?
Has the Mumbai attack brought about greater destruction of humanity than has the Marriot bomb blast or the massacre of the Palestinians? The 16-day causalities by Israeli attacks were more than 900 dead and about 4,000 injured, including women and children.
It is strange that the Ummah does not feel any pain over the massive killings of Palestinians. Is there an Ummah?
BASMA SIDDIQ
Shakargarh
A HISTORICAL mosque of Kalhora dynasty (1701-1783) exists at Panj Hatti Bazaar, Hangorja town in Khairpur Mirs district, Sindh. The name of the mosque is Mohammadi Masjid.
This mosque remained deserted for a long time. However, a local religious scholar took over the management of the mosque some time back with a view to resettling it.
Now a large number of people regularly visit this mosque for saying prayers.
This mosque has two additional big doors on its west which are being used for entry/exit of old and senior citizens to facilitate them in case there is rush on the occasion of special religious days.
They have to walk through a vacant plot before their entry into the mosque or after exist.
Now some influential land grabbers are trying hard to occupy the said plot of the mosque for their vested interests. The people of the Hingorja town took out a peaceful procession on Jan 12 against the move by the land mafia to occupy the plot.
The higher authorities should look into the matter.
ABDUL MOMIN MEMON
Caretaker, Mohammadi Mosque, Hingorja
APROPOS of Engr S.T. Hussain’s letter, ‘Sugar barons’ (Jan 6), it is clarified that the sugar industry is a vehicle of rural development, and employment of millions of people is directly and indirectly associated with it. The issues misconstrued are replied in seriatim:
a. PSMA has been voicing its concern at all levels for elimination of middlemen. They operate unauthorised weighbridges and fleece the growers and, on the contrary, overcharge the mills. We have already requested the Punjab government to take a stern action against them as the industry is being blackmailed by such unscrupulous elements.
b. The forward purchase of sugar is being done by the traders in conformity with internationally defined ethics of futures and derivates business. We have requested the government to also list sugar on commodities exchange so that the business could operate in a more systematic manner. The exchanges provide mechanism to protect the interest of buyers and sellers.
c. The industry does not produce surplus by choice as we are law-bound to crush until the last stick of sugarcane available in the field. We facilitate the growers for disposal of their sugarcane and, as a consequence, the industry ends up with excess sugar where TCP intervention is imperative as the sugar industry acts as a processor to convert the entire crop into sugar. Sugarcane like cotton and wheat cannot be stored. Therefore, to enable payments to growers, the stocks are to be sold. As sugar produced during crushing season is meant for sale throughout the season. therefore the TCP buys stocks for helping the growers’ payments.
d. Sugar mills cannot sell the requirement of 12 months in one go. Therefore, TCP dynamics were evolved which not only cater for strategic buffer stocks but also for the timely payment to growers. The purchases by the TCP have been contingent on clearance of growers’ dues. The payments were released by the TCP on certification by the cane commissioner to the effect that growers dues have been cleared.
e. The government support is only meant for the welfare of growers. Growers are getting cash payments. All previous dues are clear. About Rs9bn has so far been paid for the first crushing month in Punjab. Payments to growers are in the interest of the millers to ensure future supplies and cultivation. The allegation of non-payment is ridiculous.
f. The punitive action should be taken but the industry has been making an earnest effort to clear the growers’ dues as it is the only bond of relationship between the growers and the mill.
g. PSMA has been orchestrating for a long time to allocate a minimum radius of 15km to every mill as a gate area to develop varietal cane.
JAVED KAYANI
Chairman, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association
Lahore
THIS Is in response to your editorial, ‘Banning Indian media’ (Jan 14). Indian authorities are getting in the way by stopping the media trade between the two countries. The main issue is not whether Pakistanis are buying Indian propaganda or not, the problem is emotions.
The banning of Pakistani celebrities, burning of DVDs and posters is a clear sign that India wants differences with Pakistan. So it is not right to say that the Indian channels in Pakistan are only for entertainment. We cannot ignore the feelings of Pakistanis, and I request the relevant ministry to put an immediate ban on Indian channels to counterattack what India is doing, instead of getting frequently slapped by the Indian side.
M. SAAD SIDDIQI
Karachi
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