While on a short visit to Pakistan, I read Omar Kureshi’s Ebb and Flow (June 1, 2003). He wrote about the early initiative that PIA took to project Pakistan and itself, beyond the country’s frontier through the national cultural arts.
To test the waters, a small cultural group was sent to Geneva. It included a major item of dance performances by the then premier dancer Roshan Ara Bokhari and two brilliant Musicians Ustad Nathu Khan and Shaukat Hussain. Omar Kureshi probably failed to recall that. The event was acclaimed by the French and Swiss press.
This successful venture led the selection of the PIA Arts Academy Ballet Troupe created by Mehr Nigar Massoor, Director of the Academy to accompany President Ayub Khan to his state visit to UK.
It was an unqualified triumph for the Director, the artists and the country. Mr Omar Kureshi rightly gives full credit to Air Marshal Asghar Khan, President Ayub Khan for their breadth of vision. In these days of pettifogging leadership with no vision and understanding of the needs of the time and national interest the future is dark.
AHMED ALI
Ontario, Canada
A hospital hostage to politics
It was interesting reading the article by Maheen A. Rashdi (A hospital hostage to politics, June 1, 2003).
The disrespect of teachers, professors gives everyone a clear idea of the state of affairs of Civil Hospital and the neighbouring Dow Medical College. DMC is a recruitment centre for political parties rather than a medical college. The problems in Civil Hospital is also in a mess, due to the interruption of these parties into the administration. It does not take a genius to predict what these “political doctors” will do when they enter professional life.
I request the government to cleanse not only DMC but also other colleges, of these political parties to save these youngsters from being corrupted. EZRA RAUSHANAK
Karachi
The two-state policy
Ms Ghada Karmi’s statement that “Jews will not accept such a solution because they are completely racist” (The two-state policy will fail, May 18) is breathtaking in it’s ignorance and racism and is an outright lie.
The Israelis will accept a just solution which provides them with peace and security. To label an entire nation “racist,” because they might not accept a particular peace formula is unbelievable. She also very conveniently forgets to mention the brave Jewish women and men (members of the “racist” Israeli nation) who question and criticize the state’s policy or who refuse to serve (in the military) in the occupied territories. ADNAN AHMED
Karachi
Of women drivers
This is with reference to the article, Of women drivers, May 18.
The writer has based the story on some personal experiences and interaction with some of his family’s women drivers. I don’t know why men of our country are always making fun of the fairer sex. Everything from wearing a hijab to driving by women is discussed by men.
Who has given them this right? If they want to express their opinion then it should stick to merely an opinion and not conclusions. These men will never state that most of the accident commiters, traffic rule violators are men of which the best example are bus and coach drivers. But they will not mention this ever.
However, if a women drives slow or does not reverse a car properly, then the ‘women - everyone of them’ don’t know how to drive. And that’s something worth mentioning.
I think if people like the author are allowed to make some rules then they will veto women to even step out of the house. In fact I think he is one of those, who are kind of allergic and become fiery upon seeing a women anywhere near him.
