With reference to the piece, Look, who is saying that! and Zaheer Abbas’ column (September 28), Pakistan has been at the receiving end of world cricket bodies for quite sometime. It is now time that the PCB starts calling the shots and judge others the way it is being judged.
We should also set some standards for other teams that must be complied with before they come here. In recent years, Pakistan as host, has been under close scrutiny of the visiting teams and their authorities.
The PCB has succumbed to illogical demands, like agreeing to play at neutral venues, subjecting our security, transportation and accommodation infrastructure to advance scrutiny by the delegations from visiting country, changing match centres and modifying the tour itineraries as per guidelines from the cricket authorities of visiting teams.
On the other hand, PCB has been generous in fulfilling it’s obligation when visiting other countries. For example, despite the mugging of two Pakistani cricketers in South Africa, PCB went on with that tour; not raised the issue of pitch invasion in England; went ahead with the Indian tour despite threats from fanatic Hindus and pitch vandalization and did not call off that tour after playing under precarious security and riots inside stadium at the fag end of Kolkatta Test.
We have never raised concern about the regular instances of pitch invasion, violence and chaos during and after the matches with the West Indian Cricket Board before touring the Caribbean. Bad umpiring, sledging and tabloid journalism in the visiting countries are some of the other things, PCB has been ignoring.
For the sake of International cricket in Pakistan, and to fulfill its tour obligations with other countries, PCB has been putting not only the lives of players in jeopardy but also undermining the self-respect and national pride of Pakistan throughout the world. From now on PCB should start to evaluate the tour arrangements before sending the Pakistan team on foreign tours. In case the conditions and criteria are not upto the mark, the tour should be called off or demand should be made to shift the series at some neutral venue.
ARIF-UZ-ZAMAN
Karachi
Is the solution that simple?
With reference to Mr Mani Shankar’s interview, (September 14), I wonder how the solution appears so simple for the settlement of disputes between India and Pakistan, even if Pakistan accepts India’s point of view?
There are no talks, justifications or simply honouring the promise of a plebiscite and considering the will of Kashmiris. Even if one should forget the interference of India in East Pakistan and its role in the division of Pakistan. Is the mention of 150-million Muslims of India not a black mail? Are there no indigenous liberation movements in India? The solution is not simple.
In my opinion, the solution has to be based on fair practice i.e. according to UN resolutions and the results of the negotiations can only be acceptable if arranged between the two countries on fast-track basis, on all issues including the main issue of Kashmir, monitored and assisted by a third impartial party.
MUSTAFA AHMAD
Karachi
Seth and his HR follies
With reference to the article, The seth and his HR follies, (August 17), the writer has raised a very important issue which is linked with the way workers are treated by seths.
The lack of knowledge and carrying away of HR practices leads to the ill-treatment of workers. HR policies are non-existent. Employees are normally made to sign one-sided contracts not conforming to labour laws. Salaries are not paid on time, if at all they are paid in full. Office hours are unusually long without any overtime. Working on weekends is common. Vacations are unheard off. Sick leaves are a luxury and can lead to termination.
These seth operated companies hire the bulk of Pakistani workforce, yet the government is completely oblivious to the hardships to which the employees are subjected by these seths. Labour inspectors do exist, but remain invisible. If seths adopt fair labour practices that would not only give relief to millions of Pakistanis, but initiate modern management practices in the otherwise undisciplined seth companies.
