Solution to Kashmir dispute

A REPORT, published in Dawn on Nov 23, says that an international think-tank has suggested that Kashmir be divided along the Line of Control. It is obvious that this group represents the Indian lobby and is not an independent think-tank.

The suggestion ignores the UN resolutions on Kashmir, the long struggle of the Kashmiris, martyrdom of over 60,000 people during the last 13 years and the strategic interests of Pakistan.

The so-called analysis mentioned in the report distorts the history as it incorrectly says that the Mughals arrived in Kashmir in 1847. In fact, Kashmir had been an independent state till the beginning of 18th century. It was conquered by Ranjit Singh at that time and annexed by him in an attempt to build a Sikh empire in undivided Punjab.

When the British defeated Sikhs in 1846 and annexed Punjab, they sold Kashmir to Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu for Rs7.5 million.

The analysis admits that a plebiscite in Kashmir can bring sustainable peace in this region, but asserts that such a plebiscite was not practical, without explaining why. Obviously, the analysts have in mind the Indian argument that a plebiscite in Kashmir will lead to fragmentation of the Indian polity.

First of all, this argument is not valid because the UN resolutions were passed in 1948 and 1949, long before the enactment of the Indian Constitution. Moreover, Kashmir has always been treated as a disputed territory without any connection whatsoever with other separatist movements in India. Even the framers of the Indian Constitution had to enact Article 370, giving a special status to Kashmir.

Establishing independent states is nothing new in the subcontinent. Examples of Nepal and Bhutan exist. The separatist movements in India are not for total independence but for local autonomy. In Kashmir, however, the situation is different because the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination has been recognized by the international law.

India is opposed to holding a plebiscite not because it would lead to its disintegration, but because India wants to strangle Pakistan by controlling its rivers as an upper riparian state, threatening its security and damaging its economy as a vendetta for partitioning the subcontinent. Had India any hope of winning the plebiscite in Kashmir, it would have created favourable conditions there during the last 55 years and complied with the UN resolutions.

The recent elections in Kashmir may have cleared the air, but they are not going to bring about any qualitative change in the situation. Therefore, the best solution to the problem is to hold a plebiscite on a regional basis and give the people of Kashmir the third option of becoming independent, in which case their constitution will guarantee their complete neutrality in foreign affairs on the pattern of Switzerland.

The defence of Kashmir can be guaranteed jointly by Pakistan and India. Since Kashmir is a landlocked area, both Pakistan and India can, through bilateral treaties, provide the Kashmiris facilities of trade transit and ports for imports and exports. This solution will meet the needs and sensitivities of all parties to the dispute.

M. G. HASAN

Karachi

Recovery of loans

THIS refers to Engr A. Rahim’s letter, “Recovery of non-performing loans” (Nov 15). I may point out that the aged loans are not being written off except for the “princes of privileges”, nor are any concessions being given to circumstantial defaulters as against wilful defaulters.

The ground realities show that many circumstantial defaulters are being pushed to the wall. An objective assessment of my own case would prove my point.

After my inadvertent lapse of not fully adjusting my C. F. cotton limit for the first time in 21 years in 1999-2000, involving non-professional attitude of the financing bank (F.B.) notwithstanding, I offered to disburse my outstanding principal amount of Rs1,744,074 in instalments in accordance with my eligibility as per government notification No. F.6 (13) BKG (R&S) 2000, dated May 3, 2000.

The notification to date is valid and was specifically applicable to me in the context of the endorsement of my case by the chairman, CRSIU, and the finance minister vide their memos dated Feb 23, 2001, and March 26, 2001, respectively. A government notification is a piece of law.

Nevertheless, the notification was manoeuvred by the financing bank (F.B.) for getting some documents endorsed by me and then they filed a recovery suit against me on the baseless grounds of wilful and deliberate default and eventually obtained a decree for Rs5,122,743 plus cost of funds, i.e. more than three times the amount of my principal. The decree is awaiting execution.

It is precisely such wrong policies that have increased the defaulted amount from five per cent in 1997 to about 30 per cent today accumulating a colossal amount of more than Rs560 billion for the CIRC to recover, of course, through seizure of mortgaged collaterals which have deteriorated to such an extent that, despite slashing the value of these collaterals by 50 per cent, the CIRC has not made any tangible headway so far.

SATTAR MUHAMMAD KHAN

Vehari

‘Married’ to holy Quran?

IN his article (Nov 17), Ardeshir Cowasjee refers to an e-mail he received in which the writer claims that PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s four sisters are married to the Quran, and adds that this is the custom the Waderas have in Sindh by which they refuse to marry off their women in order to keep family wealth intact.

Marrying to the Quran is not a tradition but a social evil. This practice has almost been abolished from Sindh.

Here I would like to add that the history of Sindh shows that the Makhdooms of Hala have always been progressive. They believe in tolerance and social justice. They have never harmed the local people. They do not believe in marriages to the Quran.

This was just a propaganda against a leader of the PPP at the time when he was contesting the election for the office of prime minister. It was a conspiracy of his opponents to destabilize his position in the country’s politics.

I personally advise Mr Cowasjee not to write stories for which he does not have any proof.

MANSOOR ALI SHAHANI

Karachi

IT was quite unfair on the part of Ardeshir Cowasjee to comment on the private family matters of Makhdoom Amin Fahim (Nov 17). While no one can condone any of the cruel traditions as practised by the feudal class of Pakistan, should a son be punished for the errors of his father?

In fact, contrary to ‘Wadera’ attitudes, Mr Fahim is a sincere person. As Talib-ul-Maula of the Sarwari Jamaat, he has more than three million followers who would readily attest to his fairness and humility.

HASAN AAMIR

Toronto, Canada

‘Too many ordinances’

THIS refers to the editorial, ‘Too many ordinances’ (Nov 27), which does not reflect the factual and legal position about the issue.

The appointment of the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by the president will be made in consultation with both the leader of the house and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

Once the appointment is made, the NAB chairman does not seek any direction from the president or the prime minister in the discharge of his obligations. NAB’s professional charter by law mandates the bureau to take all such measures that would reduce corruption in the country. Going by these parameters, NAB is an independent and autonomous anti-corruption organization.

In view of the autonomy provided to the bureau, there is no question of the president taking away any executive functions or leaving it for anyone.

The National Security Council, which is represented by all political stakeholders, shall act as a non-intrusive overwatch body on NAB. Moreover, adequate administrative autonomy has been given to the bureau under the NAB Ordinance, 2002, to let it function impartially and without external pressures.

Finally, amendments have been made to the ordinance to resolve various ambiguities and make it compatible with the enhanced role of NAB in consonance with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy recently approved by the federal government.

NAB SPOKESMAN

Islamabad

—- The editorial’s point was that NAB had been given over to the control of the president rather than to the prime minister (who is the new chief executive) or parliament.—Editor

Karachi’s peace at stake

THE current incidents of violence in Karachi are an indication of the wave of lawlessness that would hit the city soon.

Karachi has always suffered on account of political manoeuvrings by both the government and the parochial nationalist groups.

The hide-and-seek played by the government and these groups has left the citizens in an atmosphere of insecurity and uncertainty which, in turn, has strengthened the feeling that there is no political will on the part of the government to resolve the issues through mutual understanding.

The MQM, which is a product of the internal contradictions of Pakistan’s political culture, could initially attract the sympathies of the educated middle class of Karachi, as its main objective then was to struggle for the political and economic rights of the people of Karachi. Later, its direction changed and it became a radical party. An internal rift also appeared which took the lives of some of the loyal workers and one of the top leaders.

This situation gave the ruling elite the idea that it was possible to crush resistance through coercive means. And, therefore, the military might was freely used in Karachi but, contrary to the belief of the rulers, Karachi could never regain its status of the city of lights.

The only solution to the political issues of Karachi lies in a fair, transparent and democratic solution, acceptable to the people of this mega city. Of course, the military might is not an alternative to the political solution of the longstanding issues of Karachi.

AAMIR HUSSAIN NIHAL

London, UK

Kasi: aftermath of execution

MIR Aimal Kasi, executed on Nov 15, had confessed killing two American CIA agents in 1993. The reason that he gave for this extreme step was that the CIA had been working against the interests of the Muslims across the world.

Everyone knows that his individualistic flagrant act did not make the slightest dent in the US policies towards the Muslims in the past nine years. In fact, it has drifted from bad to worse.

Aimal Kasi was executed for cold-blooded murder, yet his body was given a heroic welcome when it reached Quetta. It is learnt that Naseebullah Khan Kasi, brother of the deceased, and other family members wanted to have a quiet funeral in their ancestral environment but vested interests motivated them to make elaborate arrangements at Ayub Stadium, Quetta.

Earlier, leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, including Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, MNA, addressed the mourners and condemned the US for executing Kasi. A candidate for prime ministership and now the likely leader of the opposition, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, also condoled the death.

But it should be remembered that contempt can only breed contempt. Demonstration of such anger would only make the Americans more harsh in their dealings with Muslims who are already being fingerprinted and photographed at the points of entry at US airports.

In this case, wrong signals have been sent by vested political interests. These signals can only lead us to disastrous results.

We should have taken a cue from the manner in which the Taliban, during their last days, had abandoned Pakistanis who had gone to Afghanistan for jihad.

LT-COL (R) SYED AHMED TI(M)

Karachi

Students’ potential

DR Surayya Khatoon has expressed the view in her letter (Nov 13) that students should be able to question their teachers and follow their own intellect in their quest for knowledge. This is an admirable idea but it is easier said than done.

Having been educated at a better private schools in Karachi, I can safely say that, in Pakistan, students are never allowed to use their own minds to arrive at conclusions.

In my school, if we hazarded an answer which was different from the one put forward by the teacher even in a diverse subject like social studies in which there can be so many answers to the same question, it would be rejected. And in some cases, the teacher would make the most biting and cutting remarks on the students. This resulted in a severe loss of confidence and self-esteem among the students.

So, the point I want to make is that what the writer has advocated is desirable but it is not possible in the authority-driven society that we live in.

NABIL HOODBHOY

Karachi

Centres for children

THIS refers to the report (Nov 21) about a seminar, organized by the National Institute of Child Health. Speakers on the occasion expressed their views about the conditions of children in Pakistan. In this regard, practical initiatives and not mere expressions of concern and compassion are required.

The Sindh Education Foundation has taken the initiative and established a Child Development Centre for working and street children in the Sher Shah locality. For the last three years this centre had not only been educating working and street (home neglected) children but also working for their personality development and health and hygiene in collaboration with the Fatimid Foundation and the Sher Shah Rural Health Centre.

People should come forward and establish more centres for such children.

GHAFFAR KHAN

Karachi

Savings account

I OPENED a post office savings account in August 2001. Till Nov 18, 2002, the post office deducted Zakat twice without giving me any profit. The reason is that the postmaster is authorized to make deductions but profit is calculated in Lahore.

Why centralize things such as this in times when devolution is said to be the greatest achievement of the military government?

Even otherwise, Karachi is 10 times a better place for financial matters than Lahore.

SHAFAAT RASOOL

Karachi

Islam in Arab countries

THIS is with reference to the letter, “Islam in Arab countries” (Nov 25), by Rafi Ahmed. I agree with the writer on his views on extremism.

Religion is an individual domain and religious practices should not be imposed on anyone. Preaching, as prescribed by Islam, should be used to make people practising Muslims. Apart from that, everyone should be free to practise religious teachings according to his own beliefs, as everyone is answerable to God for his own deeds.

However, I disagree with the writer’s view that we can follow some Arab countries, as they are probably better Muslims. Being Arabs, they do not automatically become better Muslims than non-Arabs. The fact that they allow certain practices is not a good justification for us to follow the same.

Although cable television and computers have become necessities due to their informative and educational value, there is no justification for allowing other things, such as cabaret, alcohol and nudity. These things are prohibited in our religion and are against our identity.

I hope the MMA will be able to keep our Pakistan free from such un-Islamic practices.

FAIZ JALAL

Islamabad

Chopping trees

SIXTEEN large, beautiful Kapok trees on Park Road, F-8/2, in front of the OPF Girls College, Islamabad, have been chopped down, apparently, without any reason. These trees provided the much-needed shade to pedestrians during the hot summer days, in addition to bearing lovely red flowers.

Have these trees been cut down to provide more parking space for the cars of the college? Maybe. But these trees also provided shade to the cars during summer and were no hindrance to parking because these were on the footpaths.

H. U. HASNAIN

Islamabad

CPLC: the background

WHEN the city of lights, Karachi, was going through a spate of lawlessness in 1989, the president of the Sindh Industrial Trading Estates Association, Nazim Haji, with Jamil Yusuf, myself and some other people, formed a forum and named it Citizens Committee for the Restoration of Law and Order (CICORLO).

Displeasure was expressed by the then provincial government when the CICORLO launched a campaign pressing the government to take appropriate measures for the restoration of law and order in the city.

To protect it from the wrath of the provincial government, Fakhruddin Ebrahim, the then governor of Sindh, was approached.

He was inclined to support these efforts and, therefore, the organization was renamed as Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). The governor even gave two rooms in the Governor’s House compound for use as its office.

That was how the CPLC came into existence with Nazim Haji as its chief and Jamil Yusuf as the joint chief. Nazim looked after matters related to police and the theft of vehicles while Jamil was responsible for handling kidnapping and ransom cases. Both did an excellent job.

Then, one day, Nazim Haji, a patriot with an impeccable character, wrote a letter for these columns in which he expressed the view that he could not foresee the (then) government to last long because of its policies. Thus he earned the displeasure of the government and was removed immediately. Jamil Yusuf replaced him as the chief of the CPLC.

I must say that now there is a need for change in the CPLC hierarchy which has been there for nearly 14 years. The present set of people has outlived its tenure and should be replaced by new people. No one is indispensable.

In fact, there should be a fixed term, say three years, for the chief and the members. It would be better to give Nazim Haji another term of three years as chief to organize and guide the nominated new set of patriotic citizens in the CPLC.

I request the governor of Sindh to look into the matter and save an institution that has done good work for the citizens of Karachi but now seems to have become politicized.

TARIQ JAMIL

Karachi