Putting Pakistan first

I twiddled my thumbs on the second day of yet another strike in what could soon be permanently struck-down lives. A couple of days earlier, the papers reported that 13 perpetually warring tribes in our mountains had agreed to stop killing each other for just long enough to fight the infidels. These good people also have other interests but paying taxes, respecting the law of the land and being responsible Pakistanis are not among them.

One of my friends has summed up our situation quite aptly. “Only the takers are left in Pakistan. All the rest have gone to Canada.”

What is happening in Pakistan today is the result of over fifty years of political, military and quasi-religious adventurism, usurpation and manipulation of everything our Founding Father held dear. With rule of law hijacked, corruption spread unchecked as those who could have, grabbed what was available. Today we are all tainted. We are the takers.

Fifty-four years ago some religious parties were vociferously against the creation of Pakistan. As our residual fabric breaks down, it increasingly seems that they will acheive that end. Today, in the Beneficent name of God and a religion of enlightenment, people calling themselves Muslims are killing innocents and fellow Muslims in an orgy of self hate. For a country created, in blood, so that we could be free from spiritual, mental and physical shackles, we are in a viciousl bloody circle. History may well record that the biggest achievement of our religious parties has been the pitting of brother against brother and now, the unkindest cut, the Afghanizatan of the country that nurtured and gave them a home. and we wonder why the rest of the world loathes us with equal passion?

Whether we hate them or not, one of the reasons for Americans valuing their lives and jealously safeguarding their freedoms is that they worked hard to acheive them. All of America is a melting pot, currently somewhat turbid, of people who have come from all countries of the world to escape repression, hatred, and bigotry and to secure a future for themselves and their children where that quality of life can be maintained. It is a sad indictment that most of the money, much of the brains, and whatever brawn that survives hazardous and illegal ship and truck journeys, has fled from the Muslim countries to the West. It is a sadder irony that over 5 million Afghans have fled the regime we are killing ourselves to defend and we are the uneasy refuge of those who cannot make it to America.

We are a largely illiterate country with most of our population still living near poverty levels. Freedom and the rights and responsibilities they entail are alien to our understanding. That feudalism and literacy has not significantly altered in all these years is deliberate. Cannon fodder requires the desperate mindset of poverty, rejection and deprivation. These people have given all their lives. They react in hopeless anger.

Having acquiesced in their erosion or worse, never having known economic prosperity and the true freedom granted to mankind by Islam and enshrined in our Constitution, we cannot comprehend what Bush called “an attack on our freedom.”

Even as they contribute to the richness of cultural diversity now, more than ever before, immigrants to the West are seeking to integrate into the environments they have joined as responsible, concerned citizens of those nations. A cousin reminded me of where we have gone terribly wrong. “We Americans...” he wrote.

That seems to be our problem. As orchestrated mobs get on the streets closing and destroying whatever little their homeland has left it is apparent that there seem to be few Pakistanis left in the country who want to get things right.

It was at a bleak time like this that Turkey was given the boost of nationhood. One wonders if there is an Attapak somewhere on the horizon.

DR MERVYN HOSEIN

Karachi

Altaf and his party

THIS refers to the letter “Altaf for a just system” (Oct 16). But the reign of terror that his men unleashed in Karachi paralyzing life through most of the 80s and his despotic leadership style in subjecting political opponents to submit to his will thereby creating divisions within the ranks of his own party resulting in the birth of MQM(H) are still vivid, nay hang around in the minds of most in this country. He and his followers must never forget, not even for a moment, that their party is a creation of poor military legacy that Zia left for this country.

All the while, Mr Altaf must remain thankful to the West whose double standards (of which one example is the current onslaught and ‘over killing’ in Afghanistan) enabled him to luxuriate in Southhall and elsewhere in London, besides awarding him their citizenship. Obviously he is neither Aimal Kansi nor Osama to be so frenziedly sought by them. But for the majority in this country, he is certainly no different from BB or Nawaz who when in power repress opponents and once out of office, wail from overseas pleading their innocence. Ends being the same, only the means are a little different in his case.

The middle class certainly yearns for a change in the country but not the kind displayed by Mr Altaf. If he thinks that the charges against him (many of which were earlier dropped) are fabricated, let the world see it. Mr Altaf must come and face the consequences squarely. Today, the US and the UK are once again engaged in a meaningful manner with Pakistan and his voice would certainly be heard. After all, the British government did protect Salman Rushdie even when the entire Muslim world condemned him. If not more, he can also expect similar security measures and a safe haven being a bona fide British citizen.

If Mr Altaf wants the social and political uplift of his community or the downtrodden middle class in Pakistan, the way out is not to harangue a select gathering at ‘Nine Zero’ from overseas but to join hands to ameliorate the conditions of those who he considers have been deprived.

This, obviously, cannot be accomplished by way of telephone orations or else BB and Nawaz may have done a better job for this country from London and Riyadh. Will the ‘truth and reconciliation mission’ also probe into the murderous deeds of politicians?

COMMANDER (R) MUHAMMAD AZAM KHAN

Lahore

Pakistanis abroad

PAKISTANIS, living abroad like myself had always felt a sense of guilt for not serving their homeland. But the past few weeks have shown that may be they are doing as much living abroad as those resident in Pakistan. We are not only Pakistanis but are also Muslims and should be the ambassadors of not only our country but also our religion and we try at all times to remember that.

But what is happening in Pakistan is very alarming. We as Muslims cannot and should not condone Osama bin Laden, not only condone him but also go out in the streets with 5-year-old boys hailing him as a hero.

What are they telling the world about Islam and Pakistan? We see video clips of young policemen beating up 80-year-olds in the these rallies, have they no respect for the elders in the society? It seems to me that we as Pakistanis and Muslims have done extreme injustice to our cause. Exploitation of Friday for demonstrations by the Mullahs is another indication of their perverted view of Islam. I ask myself now, where do I have the right to practice Islam in all its spirit and the answer is: not in Pakistan or for that matter, any other Muslim country.

We know that the root cause of this terrorism is the decades of injustice to Muslims all over the world but two wrongs do not make a right. We as Muslims should be accountable for what we have done ourselves too. Countries like Saudia Arabia who sold their soul long ago to America now in serious economic trouble as the Americans have emptied their pockets. We have figures like Saddam Hussain who are just hungry for power. If we look at all our Muslim nations, none of the leaders has ever respected the common man but have just exploited them.

I think all my Pakistani brothers and sisters should raise their voice in times like these; we should see rallies condemning not only the war in Afghanistan but also Bin Laden; for he is no friend of Islam. Our government should be accountable for the cruel attitude of the police who have been beating children, older people and women, for no Muslim would do that. Also, we need to make clear to the mullahs that they should better do a crash course in the Quran for they teach nothing but hatred, animosity and injustice to innocent Pakistanis who know nothing better.

It is not America that is our enemy, it is this perverted view of Islam preached by these so called ‘Momins’ and ‘religious scholars’. Human life is sacred and we should not forget that.

DR AZRA MAHMUD

Dublin, Ireland

Disproportionate use of force

OPERATION ‘infinite war’ against terrorism has been launched by the US since Oct 7 against Afghanistan in retaliation for Sept 11 attacks on WTC and the Pentagon in which many thousands of innocent lives were lost.

By massive air attacks on Afghanistan the US is trying to further destroy an already destroyed country, which has suffered tremendously during the last twentytwo years. FBI investigations have established the identity of the hijackers of Sept 11 incident and none was Afghan. It is no justice that to eliminate one person, thousands have to be killed.

It is a pity that billions of dollars are being spent for bombing the Afghan cities to kill the so-called terrorists. Had this money been initially spent in rebuilding Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989, the scenario today would have been totally different.

It is imperative that the root cause of terrorism be investigated.

Only then can it be rooted out as President Musharraf said in his recent press conference the other day. Cutting the leaves and the trunk of a tree is not the remedy. The root is to be uprooted.

AIR CDRE (R) IQTEDAR ALI KHAN

Karachi

Strikes and violence

THESE days we receive a call for strike almost every other day. Strikes can be peaceful, too, but this does not happen in our country.

While the closure of business concerns affects our economy adversely, violence in the streets results in the loss of valuable property and lives. The entire civic life is completely paralyzed.

If those who organize and participate in these strikes are sincere and really devoted to their cause then they should go to Afghanistan and fight against the invaders instead of creating a war like situation in Pakistani cities.

YUNIS IDRIS AHMED

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Is this ‘civilization’?

THE other day a a satellite TV channel reported to its viewers that a product is having a record sale in the US. It is a toilet paper which has pictures of Osama bin Laden printed on it. A sample was shown to the camera, and so was the process of its production.

President Bush and his friends are calling the tragic WTC incident an attack on ‘civilization’. True. But I want to know if it is this ‘civilization’ that was attacked ?

Drawing human figures is not encouraged in Islam, let alone worshipping, respecting, hating or desecrating them. So it might not matter, whether you draw a picture or not, and to whatsoever use you put it. But, how would the ‘civilized’ world feel and react if the pictures of Mr Bush, Mr Blair, Mr Sharon and others were treated in the same way?

The mass-production and the popularity of this item shows the mind-set of the people at large.

One wonders if such a ‘civilization’ is worth promoting.

LAKIAREE

Jamshoro

Mail for Canada

I went to drop four air mail letters for the US and Canada. While the post office accepted the letters for America, the man at the counter asked me to write my identity card number on the envelope meant for Canada. I was shocked.

I asked him whether this was a condition imposed by the Government of Pakistan, and he said this was the Canadian government’s condition. Canada is a democratic country, and they do not even have identity cards in their country.

Will the Canadian High Commission be kind enough to explain if this is true, and if true then what is the reason behind this insistence on the sender’s NIC number?

JAMEEL A. RIZWAN

Karachi

One dollar

PRESIDENT Bush has asked the American children to donate one dollar for the Afghan children. Yes, it is a good piece of advice to children, and their government will throw it with the million-dollar missiles!

YASER MAQSUD

Lahore

Traffic rules

IN a country where Police personnel in uniform and in official police vehicles themselves violate traffic rules with impunity, how does one expect the general public to be disciplined while driving?

AZHAR ALI

Lahore

Drug trafficking

WE the residents of street no 33-B, Mehmoodabad No 6, Karachi, have been in big trouble for the last two years. Some persons have hired a house in our street and started trafficking in charas and heroin.

Over the last few months, their activities have gained further momentum as they have been able to get support of a policeman who protects them from raids. It was for this reason that when we contacted the Mehmoodabad police station for help in this matter, we could not succeed.

They have not spared even the residents of the area. Their modus operandi is that they at first distribute the drugs free of charge to the young men. When they become used to it, then they start selling it to them. A number of boys residing in the area have now become drug addicts.

We request the concerned authorities to take immediate action to stop this illegal and pernicious trade.

RESIDENTS 33-B, Mehmoodabad No.6

Karachi

Architectural marvel

THE Sir Jehangir Kothari Building located at the intersection of M.A. Jinnah Road and Altaf Hussain Road is a magnificent piece of architecture. It has been rightly declared as a “Heritage” building.

But the trustees who manage this building are not doing anything to preserve and protect it.

They have succeeded in getting the building declared as “dangerous” by the KMC to serve the nefarious interests of the builders mafia who are bent upon tearing this wonderful building down and erect a concrete monstrosity in its place.

The powers that be are requested to take notice of this and take immediate steps to preserve and protect this neglected architectural marvel.

SALIM D. DADABHOY

Karachi

US target

RECENTLY on CNN I saw US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld addressing a press briefing. He was asked whether the US was running out of targets (as some bombers had returned without dropping their bombs).

He answered, “we’re not running out of targets — Afghanistan is”. And the whole audience laughed while I felt like crying.

SHIFA NAEEEM

Karachi

A police officer explains

YOUR attention is invited to the news item headlined “IGP Sindh kept in dark, reverted police offices occupy coveted positions” by your Nawabshah correspondent in Dawn’s issue of Oct 3.

It is a fact that I was promoted to the rank of DSP on a regular basis due to an act of gallantry and meritorious services rendered by me during an encounter with kidnappers for ransom in some well-known kidnapping cases, including the cases of Dr Ehsan, Habib Carpetwala and Aunjum Motors. The undersigned recovered the kidnapees and the ransom amount of two million rupees and arrested the culprits. The accused were also awarded exemplary punishments by the courts. Such gallantry promotions were also allowed by the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan reported in 1995 PLC (CS) 1140 and 1142. As a result I am working as DSP on a regular basis, since 28-05-1991.

At present my name is on S.No. 15 of the seniority list of DSPs of Sindh police, while the officer at serial No.16 is also posted in the rank of Superintendent of police.

As per policy of the CPO, first 10 to 20 senior most officers who are efficient and honest and hard working bearing a good record have been posted by the IGP Sindh as acting SPs/Addl: SPs in the province.

The reporter has indicated that 19 police officers are working as officiating Superintendents of Police. He has indicated the names of only four officers and failed to disclose the names of the remaining Officers deliberately, which shows certain mala fide intentions or ulterior motive on his part. All three columns of the report targeted me and some personnel issues have also been published.

The reporter has cast the following personal aspersion on me without any proof, while he is sitting in Nawabshah and I have been working in Karachi as ASI since 1975 to date.

1. “Bad record”: I have a brilliant record and have busted countless gangs of dangerous/ hardened criminals and received about 100 rewards and six appreciation letters.

2. “Controversial”: I secured A-1 and A grade ACRs throughout the career and not even a single minor or major punishment was awarded to me.

3. “incompetent”: I am a professional police officer, and my ACRs bear testimony to the fact. I have also been selected for investigating important cases and inquiries by my senior officers who are aware of my professional competence.

4. “Dull”: I am a graduate and I am doing well which is evident from my brilliant record. Moreover I cleared my departmental examinations with flying colours.

5. “Negative list”: I have never been on the negative list, and have been given important assignments and served at all the levels / agencies in the police department i.e. SDPO, SRP, Special Branch, Traffic Branch, Crime Branch and never received any adverse report.

6. “Close to some Sindh govt officers”: I am a senior officer and presently holding the post of Addl. SP West, Karachi. So I have to keep close contact with the higher authorities for official duties.

7. “IGP, Sindh, kept in dark”: It is also not a fact that the worthy IGP Sindh has been kept in dark. It is only on the approval and orders of worthy IGP Sindh that officers at the verge of promotion including myself are posted to senior ranks.

It is further brought to your knowledge that about 12/13 SPs and 15/16 DSPs, Inspectors, SIs, ASIs, HCs, and PCs were promoted on account of gallantry. This process is still in force for encouraging good officers.

The reporter has framed fabricated news and misquoted the facts only to achieve personnel vendetta with mala fide intentions and has targeted only me working in Karachi and the reports is based in Nawabshah.

I am a senior officer and the reporter has damaged and tried to defame my official position without any proof.

IMAM BUX TAGAR ADDL:

Superintendent of Police, District West,

Karachi