Pakistan comes first

THE expression Pakistan First is frequently used to emphasize loyalty to the state but it means different things to different people.

Does this expression really mean anything to warrant a course of action or state of affairs on the part of those who have the ability and power to bring about a change so that it is demonstrated that Pakistan really does come first. Is parliament functioning as it should under the Constitution of Pakistan? Are the organs of state and government functioning in accordance with the Constitution? Do we have a truly representative government? Do our leaders and political representatives support the concept of collective wisdom and leadership? Are those who seek to control and guide the destiny of 140 mil-lion people doing enough to ensure total independence of the judiciary? Are we the people recognized as the ultimate sovereign to whom the government is answerable? When will our search for real democratic set-up and dispensation end so that democracy can take root and flourish? Have our political leaders addressed the issues of tolerance, equality, human rights, women’s rights, fundamental right of freedom of expression and worship and taken effective steps to introduce political, economic, social, educational and agricultural reforms in Pakistan? When will we have a foreign policy that ensures good- will with our neighbours, resulting in peace on our borders and progress within for the welfare and well-being of the people of Pakistan? What steps have been taken on the all-important issue of poverty alleviation and enhancement of the literacy rate?

These are only a few examples but it is only when we put ourselves above personal aspirations, intrigues, politics of expediency, regionalism, parochialism, fanaticism, extremism and subordinate ourselves to the larger interest of the state of Pakistan and the political, social and economic well-being of the people that we will become capable of honestly saying that to us “Pakistan comes first”.

As for expressing the view that Pakistan comes first, a recent statement made by Pakistan’s current high commissioner to the UK deserves mention. According to news reports, while addressing Pakistanis resident in the UK who come from different political and ethnic backgrounds, Ms Lodhi stated that she had no political or ethnic affiliation and that her party was “Pakistan”. Actions speak louder than words but at least someone has had the courage to speak of Pakistan’s interest first.

One of the reforms suggested by me was that all recommendations for appointments of ambassadors or high commissioners which emanate from the foreign office should be sent not only to the PM but also to the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate. These appointees should then come up for meetings and ratification by the Foreign Relations Select Committees in the National Assembly and Senate. Only candidates having proper qualifications, an exemplary track record, requisite experience, distinction in service of Pakistan in general and a code of private honour and public integrity should be appointed as it is our ambassadors and high commissioners who in the first instance project Pakistan’s point of view internationally and are required not only to deal with the problems of Pakistanis resident abroad but constitute a reflection of Pakistan’s image at all levels. It is a case of service to Pakistan above self and Pakistan comes first.

LIAQUAT MERCHANT

Karachi

Azam Tariq’s assassination

THE murder of Maulana Azam Tariq is tragic and condemnable. The maulana had not only distanced himself from Lashkar-i-Jhangvi but also started working towards bringing harmony between the major conflicting sects in the country. I have little doubt that this crime is an outcome of a very well-thought-out plan by the enemies of Pakistan. The following facts need our attention:

— US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and Gen Abi Zaid are at present in the capital, and Pakistan is trying to portray to them that there is no terrorism in the country.

— The South African cricket team is playing in the country, and their apprehensions over security affairs will gain further strength.

— The killing of Suparco Shia employees a few days back in Karachi seem now to have been pre-planned to make the maulana’s murder look like retaliation and revenge.

— The prime minister is abroad and will now be facing rather hostile US press and media.

— The assassination seems an attempt to revive sectarianism in the country, which the religious parties are trying their best to fight.

There is certainly much more to the murder of the maulana than it appears to be. And who could plan it? Certainly, they are no friends of Pakistan.

COL. RIAZ JAFRI (RETD)

Rawalpindi

AS Muslim I am appalled and ashamed of the latest killing of Shias in Karachi. The president, the prime minister and parliament should make eradication of sectarian violence a top priority.

It seems like yesterday in my student days when all religions sects coexisted peacefully in the country. What have gone so wrong with our national character that now Pakistanis even justify these horrific acts? Parliamentarians, instead of bickering over non-issues, must enact sweeping and far-reaching laws protecting every citizen of this land.

But even President Musharraf has not taken any concrete and decisive actions to curb sectarianism. I think we need to promote peace and harmony and brotherhood through school and college textbooks, with a special focus on sociology and ethics.

I long for those days when Pakistan was a decent society and when people were endowed with vision and humanity.

SANOBER HAIDER

Princeton, USA

Woman’s status in Islam

CONTEXTUALIZATION of Verse 34 of Sura Nisa is required in response to the letter (Sept 27) by S. Irtiza Husain from Karachi. Saad bin Rabi Ansari slapped his wife Habiba for some mischief. She returned to her parents’ home. The matter was placed before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Verse 34 (Sura Nisa) was revealed.

The verse is more in the nature of advice to both women and men. That is, women (wives) must guard the faith reposed in them by their men (husbands), for the latter have some fazeelat and are maintainers and providers of women. Fazeelat, if read against the backdrop of Verse 32 (Sura Nisa), is in terms of inheritance and right to maal-i-ghanimat from jihad. So, women are advised to guard the trust reposed in them by men.

However, if the trust is breached, men are advised a three- step procedure. The last step is to “beat” the wives. This is where it is assumed that men (husbands) are appointed hakims over women (wives) as they have been given the license to transgress physically.

The Fifth Ordained Imam (AS) was asked how might this “beating” be done. He said that not with an object bigger than a miswaak. The advice to men is more symbolic in nature than actually physical, as is misunderstood.

So, in effect and knowing the context, Verse 34 serves to restrain both wives and husbands, as above, and provides an avenue through which matters of “mischief” can actually be resolved within the household. Why is it viewed as a matter of men’s rule over women when even in secular traditions, the marital contract should be honoured by both the parties to it, failing which there are harmful reactions which Verse 34 tries to rein in, as further elucidated by Imam Mohammad Baqar (AS) as above?

Verse 34 of Sura Nisa explains the significance of mutual trust which must not be ignored. The verse further explains how men ought not to respond in case the trust is breached.

DR MAHNAZ FATIMA

Karachi

Relations with Arabs

IN his appraisal of Pakistan’s relations with the Arab and Muslim world (Dawn Magazine, Sept 28), former ambassador Abul Fazl has omitted to mention an episode that greatly tarnished our name.

When Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, the reaction of Eden, the British prime minister, was violent. He likened Nasser to Hitler and was determined to bring him down.

As a first step, he called a conference of the countries affected, with the object of setting up a Canal Users Association. Egypt was, of course, opposed to the project. Pakistan decided to attend after assuring Egypt that it would agree to nothing that was not acceptable to the Egyptian government.

Feroz Khan Noon, on his way to attend the conference, sent a message to Begum Liaquat Ali Khan in The Hague that he wished to consult Zafrullah Khan, who was then on the International Court. This could not be done publicly, so it was arranged that Feroz and party would stay overnight in The Hague and meet Zafrullah Khan at a dinner in the embassy. I was present at the dinner and remember vividly what transpired. When the subject of the conference was raised, Zafrullah Khan dismissed it in one sentence. His exact words were: “Feroz, in the present situation I would not touch Eden with a barge pole”. End of the discussion. Feroz Khan Noon, however, went on to London and signed on the dotted lines. Our relations with Egypt and the Arab world went into deep freeze.

BIRJIS HASAN KHAN

Karachi

Steroids in toothpaste

THIS has reference to Dr Kamran A. Vasfy’s letter headlined “Steroids in toothpaste” (Oct 4). I would not like to miss this opportunity to write something on the misuse of cortisone.

The discovery of cortisone is an important event and the 20th century is sometimes spoken of as the century of cortisone. Synthetic preparations of cortisone are freely available in market, with different trade marks.

This hormone is very versatile in its effect on human body. On the one hand, it has rapid and dramatic effects in curing mild ailments such as simple cold, cough, eye, skin and gum infections, allergies and joint pains, where its recommendation as a first line of treatment is totally unjustified, but, on the other, the same cortisone is used as a life-saving measure in certain clinical situations, but, of course, in a recommended regimen with great care and caution.

In a country like ours where the import, prescription and dispensation of drugs are not being regulated by proper legislation and their effective implementation, unfortunately, cortisone is being prescribed to patients very widely in one form or another and in conditions where its administration is hardly justified.

Even quacks and faith-healers, homeopaths, hakims and, with due apology, doctors, because of free access, use it just to show miracles but only at the expense of patient’s health and well-being.

If these trends will continue, I think, the days are not too far away when biscuits and sweets will contain the same stuff and will be marketed with tall claims of healing properties.

DR ARIF BAWANY

Karachi

CNIC: steps to follow

NADRA frequently puts out advertisements in the press with the advisory ‘CNIC — steps to follow’. This is meant for the guidance of those who have yet to get their cards. It says if the steps are followed, there will be no hassle, no harassment.

But my experience is to the contrary. On June 18, 2003, I submitted an application vide form No. J 9503215, receipt No. 423/180603/0020, but have not yet received the card. An inquiry made at the Awami Markaz office of Nadra showed that the application/card is under process in Islamabad and I have to wait. Although I had rung up the Awami Markaz office of Nadra at Sharea Faisal before visiting it, I was made to travel all along just to hear from the horse’s mouth it is a far cry. The period noted on the back of the receipt, i.e. eight weeks, had already elapsed.

Nadra should avoid such superfluous advertisements and, instead, inject more discipline and manpower to resolve the problem of uncertain and belated delivery.

SULTAN ALI

Karachi

Business in a residential area

YOU wake up one morning to see your new neighbours moving in. You pray they are nice fellows. Oh! it turns out to be a full-fledged ‘office-cum-call-centre training institute’. Your serene neighbourhood and street (No.28, F-10/1, Islamabad) soon starts getting jampacked with their parked cars, noise of motorbikes and trainees loitering around your residence. You wonder how long this non-conforming commercial usage of a residential property would go on.

Your little paradise, your home, was not built to be disturbed by offices, training institutes and schools. Try violating a minor building bye-law, and from nowhere come CDA inspectors knocking at your door. Strangely, these CDA inspectors don’t come to know a major violation like an office or an institute functioning in a residential area.

DR MANSOOR JAN

Islamabad

Auto prices

I REFER to the letters appearing in your newspaper regarding high car prices in Pakistan. Of course, no government has ever cared for the citizens’ welfare. The car assemblers — rightly called “screw drivers” — are simply fleecing the public with the connivance of the relevant ministries.

We are interested in knowing how much the ministries benefit for giving protection to the car assemblers by not allowing the import of reconditioned cars. The car prices must come down by at least half.

RAFIQUE MEHER ALI

Karachi

Protection of doctors

DOCTORS share a large part of the intellect of our society, and work day in and day out to heal the ailing people and save their lives. Unfortunately, in Pakistan they have been the target of merciless killers.

The government has done well to recognize the need to protect doctors by issuing arms licenses to them. But being a busy community, they may not find enough time to fulfil the conditions needed to get an arms licence. So, we at the Forum of General Medical Practitioners Pakistan (regd) have made arrangements to make the process easy and have also included a training session for the doctors to make them conversant with the weapon and its use.

Doctors are advised to contact Dr (Capt) Shahab Masroor at 0300-9209984; Dr Syed Masood ul Hasan at 0300-9295595 and Dr (Capt) Saleem Burni at 0320-5012230.

DR (CAPT) SHAHAB

MASROOR

Karachi

Flyover mess

MR Nowsherwan G. Irani’s letter (Sept 25) is unwarranted and belated as over 12 months have passed since the construction has been going on uninterrupted. He seems not to be aware that the contractor is carrying out the work on the overhead bridge at the FTC crossing in collaboration with and the approval of TCD/TEB and CDGK, as well as under full-time supervision of consultants M/s NESPAK and engineers of CDGK.

Before starting the work, all precautions were taken by the agencies involved and the work is going on smoothly, with the traffic moving in all the directions as was prior to the start of the work. Construction is progressing at desired speed and will be completed on time.

MOHAMMAD FAYYAZ

Manager Contracts, Maqbool Associates (Pvt) Ltd.,

Karachi

A minute of silence for everyone?

IF you are still shaken by the horrifying scenes of Sept 11, please observe a moment of silence for about 2,800 civilian lives lost in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania attacks.

Also, let’s have 13 minutes of silence for the 130,000 Iraqi civilians killed in 1991 by order of President Bush Sr. Take another moment to remember how Americans celebrated and cheered in the streets.

Now another 20 minutes for the 200,000 Iranians killed by Iraqi soldiers using weapons and money provided to Saddam Hussein by the US.

Another 15 minutes for the Russians and 150,000 Afghans killed by troops supported and trained by CIA. Plus 10 minutes of silence for 200,000 Japanese killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the atomic bombs dropped by the US.

We have just kept quiet for one hour: one minute for the Americans killed in NY, DC and Pennsylvania, 59 minutes for their victims.

If you are in awe, have another hour of silence for all those killed in Vietnam, or for the massacre in Panama in 1989, where US troops attacked poor villagers, leaving 20,000 Panamanians homeless and thousands more dead.

Or for the millions of children who have died because of US embargoes on Iraq and Cuba. Or the thousands killed by US-sponsored civil wars and coup d’etat (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador to name a few). Maybe someone still remembers the US attack on Badgered where 18,000 civilians were killed.

We hope that Americans finally begin to understand their vulnerability and the cowardly attacks and other tragedies that they caused around the world. The dead in other places hurt as much as the dead of the towers, even more!

Now, let’s talk about terrorism. Nobody knows how many hours Afghanistan will take to observe silence where tens of thousands of unarmed, half-starved and innocent people have perished in US bombings on civil population.

American claims that it was fighting against international terrorism by eliminating the Taliban militia — the same Taliban who were created, imparted military training, armed, provided with tanks and anti-aircraft missiles. Can Pentagon comment who provided Stinger missiles to the Taliban in 1979? They fought and forced the Russians to retreat after leaving behind 15,000 dead.

To hide its secret agencies’ failure to avert the September disaster, the US has invented Osama bin Laden and branded him the prime suspect, the charge which is yet to be proved. America got a resolution passed through the UN and let loose a hell on the civilian populations in Afghanistan.

After a lapse of four years, America has failed to find out even a single terrorist, meaning it has other objectives, which include capture of oil wealth of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

Hours of silence for thousands of Kashmiri and Palestinian freedom-fighters who fell victim to Indian and Israeli state terrorism.

MOIN SIDDIQI

Karachi