No choice but to fight terrorism
THE Americans are again in action to ensure a peaceful world order and a terror-free world. In all probability the mission or war against terrorism will be a long-drawn campaign.
In the initial phase of this 21st century war against terrorism, it may seem that the gains are not enough and there may be some acts of terrorism happening worldwide, especially in countries which have loose control over extreme elements. However, the world community should keep up its marathon resolve and apply pressures from all fronts to ultimately win this battle. For our sake and for the sake of our future generations, we have no choice.
I am sure that the US president is aware of this reality, and perhaps that is why, in his address to the American people on the eve of commencement of this campaign, he referred to this fact in clear terms saying that there are no short-term solutions; sacrifices will have to be made to make this world free from this menace. I am also of the view that justice will be done and the guilty would be taken to task. However, this justice should not be confined to the barren mountains of an already devastated country, rather there should a broad-based campaign to comprehensively tackle this issue.
The US administration and the people of America should also remove the past impression of ditching allies at the most crucial time. Perhaps this is the time to make amends and ensure that the allies regain their confidence. This is the time for the US to go a few steps ahead and give confidence to its allies in the south-eastern region by a pro-active financial and military support to those who have no aggressive or expansionist designs.
At this point in time the President of Pakistan has been placed at the most critical and historical crossroads. Any wrong choice of allies or an incorrect action by the Pakistani people could spell disaster for the nation. His main focus should be to safeguard the integrity of the country and its strategic assets. His capability to take the right decision at the right time has been proved beyond doubt. The whole nation needs to stand firmly behind him and support him at this crucial hour.
AIR CDR ARIF MOINUDDIN (RETD)
Montreal, Canada
The beginning of an end
IN THE aftermath of the WTC and Pentagon tragedies, it is being asked as to why America is hated so much. The answer lies in the behaviour of this super power towards the Third World in general, and towards the Muslim World in particular.
Although they do not claim it, the Americans behave as the master race. They do not find it necessary to study or to take into consideration the viewpoint of others. Consequently, they have adopted policies which have resulted in great sufferings for others.
When an American advisor to a former US administration was told that 500,000 children had died in Iraq due to the various types of sanctions imposed on it, he first disputed the figures and then disregarded them as being a separate issue, saying that the main issue for him was the hostile attitude of Iraq towards its neighbours. Very few Americans are aware of these deaths and but they, too, don’t seem to care, or their protests are ignored.
But now when around 6,000 Americans lost their lives, America is going to war. In her own words: ‘The sleeping giant has waken up’. In fact, it is a one-eyed giant lashing out at Muslims, being blinded with hate and a hurt ego.
The American people have also been egged on by their president who now wants to create a sense of bravado. And he is doing an effective job at that, judging by the popular ratings he is receiving.
The die is cast. Battle lines have been clearly drawn and the floodgates have opened. No amount of euphemism and sweet talk can retract the situation. It will run to its logical end. Is it the beginning of the Third World War?
ABDUL HAMEED KHAN
Karachi
What is the EPA doing?
THE city of Karachi is full of noise pollution. We see oil tankers, water tankers and heavy trucks blowing the most horrifying horns to the extreme.
Are people sitting in the department of environmental control completely unaware and insensitive to these violations of the law? Don’t they move around in the city like other common men? Recently, the Sindh Ombudsman, Justice (R) Haziq-ul-Khairi, took the initiative on a complaint and asked the concerned agencies to take proper action against noise pollution caused by rickshaws. But the fact is that the Sindh Ombudsman or the governor of the province, can do nothing by themselves.
And is it necessary that things should be set right only when and if someone lodges a complaint to the ombudsman or to the governor? Are not the concerned bureaucrats sitting in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aware of these problems? Is it not their responsibility to bring to book those who operate vehicles that are unfit to be on the road?
NEHAL ALVI
Karachi
Indifference of the Nazim
SIX people were killed in a terrorist attack on an Imambargah while offering prayers. Our city Nazim was so busy in attending conferences and photo sessions that he didn’t bother to visit the place where this incident took place or the hospital, to sympathize with the injured.
It is his responsibility to share the grief of all the residents of this city. I must appreciate Governor Mohammadmian Soomro who promptly visited the hospital and sympathized with the injured.
SHER ALI
Karachi
Plain common sense
THE US consulate frequently needs stringent protection because Third World mobs are so uncivilized. As a result, the roads around the consulate and the consul general’s house in Karachi are often blocked. Here’s a suggestion: the consulate no longer provides any services to the local people, so they don’t really need such a central location, and the consul general must obviously be close to his office for his own safety.
Therefore, the US government should purchase a block of land in a remote part of Defence and build a complete complex there. They can have their consular offices, residences, private club etc., all within easy distance, in an environment safe from hazards.
The US citizens wishing to visit the consulate will suffer no inconvenience. With the proceeds from the sale of two prime properties in the heart of the city, the consulate will generate enough funds to run a 24-hour limo service for their visitors. As to who will purchase these properties, well, I’m sure we can get together plenty of Karachiites who will be happy to pool in for the privilege of being able to use their own public thoroughfares (and surrounding side streets) as and when they please. What do you say, citizens of Karachi?
MARIAM HALAI
Karachi
Present crisis: root causes
THE present crisis is not just the creation of Sept 11 terrorist attacks. The causes run deeper.
Palestine is one of the root causes. It must be solved. The world cannot afford to let such explosive issues remain unresolved. Too much is at stake.
Another explosive issue is that of Kashmir. It needs to be fully addressed. This is yet another legacy of the west for us to live with. But it has to be solved according to the wishes of its people for the sake of peace.
SYED KHURSHID AHMAD
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Peanuts again
WHAT exactly has Pakistan gained in return for its logistics support to the US blitzkrieg of Afghanistan?
The US waived three sets of sanctions imposed in the 1990s. The IMF is considering measures worth $2.5 billion, though not a cent of this has been seen as yet. What has been delivered is $150 million as humanitarian aid for Afghan refugees. Also, $400 million debt outstanding to the US has been rescheduled. So, what is Pakistan thanking the US for?
As for the sanctions, thanks for taking back the sanctions aimed to thwart Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions, now that the US has gained neighbourly access to these installations. As for the IMF considerations, thanks for, well, nothing. As for the humanitarian aid, there would have been no refugees if the US had not graced the region with its presence. As for the $400 million, this is, in the words of Musharraf’s predecessor, Zia, “peanuts”.
That’s precisely what Zia had called the $400 million offer the US had made in Jan, 1980, as its share of an effort to bolster Pakistan’s security, in order to fight a proxy war against a former super power invading Afghanistan.
Musharraf may also consider how Zia was ultimately rewarded for his services to the US.
DR ABDUL WAJID
Lahore
Need for introspection
THE display of extremism, as was done on Sept 11, has nothing to do with the teachings and the spirit of Islam. In fact, Islam is a religion of peace and stands for harmony and tolerance.
These days, acts of aggression committed by states, groups or individuals, have become a global problem. The United Nations and the US in particular need to look at the whole scenario in a broader context. Washington should take into account the whole range of factors which may have contributed to this violence. One of these might be the Arab-Israel conflict. The US should re-evaluate its policy of supporting Israel against Palestinian Arabs whose grievances are genuine.
The flash points are scattered all over the world and need introspection. Who is accountable for the killings of thousands of Iraqi people in recent years? How many Bosnian Muslims have been killed by Christian Serbs? Can the killing of 80,000 Kashmiris by the Indian armed and security forces be set aside and passed over in silence?
AKHTAR KHAN
Karachi
Always there for you
A JAPANESE was once asked who was the most sacred to him. He said: “Lord Buddha.”
And who is next sacred to you, he was again asked. “My king,” was the reply.
He was then asked: “What would you do if both of them attacked your country?” He said: “I will be the first to take up arms against them.”
Once Pakistanis start thinking the way this Japanese did, the future of Pakistan would be assured. Patriotism does not mean burning police stations and cinemas, it implies standing by your motherland, whether its actions are wrong or right.
MUHAMMAD AKHTAR ALI KHAN
Canada
Violent rallies are self-defeating
A YOUNG man was killed and 26 others wounded in Quetta on Oct 8 when a rally condemning the US-led attack on Afghanistan turned violent. Thousands of people took to the streets early morning, ransacked public and private property, and exchanged fire with the law-enforcement agencies.
During the day long violence, protesters torched four cinemas and a police station; attacked the UNICEF offices in the Chaman Housing Scheme, and set on fire five vehicles and three motorcycles. This loss of life and property is regretted and must be avoided in future. Protest marches have to be peaceful. Islam teaches us safety of life, honour and property of all. It must be realized that violent protest marches actually harm the cause for which they are organized.
Marches and walks are good for inviting attention to causes. Protest marches are also part of the democratic system provided they are peaceful. The local administration may allow protest marches after binding the organizers to steps such as the route to be followed, no carrying of firearms and no violence resulting in loss of life or damage to property. In case of trouble, the organizers as well as the troublemakers should be taken to task.
Pakistan is a poor country. Public property is built for public good through taxes paid by all of us. The protesters must realize that any loss to such property is actually their own loss. They and all others shall have to pay more taxes to repair the damage. Causing damage to the property of international agencies such as the UNICEF is a matter of shame for the entire country, as they are here to help us.
MUHAMMAD BASHIR CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Suspended CBR officers
THE lists of suspended officers of CBR were drawn up when the chairman had been given absolute authority to dismiss any employee without assigning any reason. That is why personal likes and dislikes played a big role in the preparation of the lists.
This biased action of the CBR bosses has frustrated the affected officers so much that many of them would not like to continue even after being proved innocent after disciplinary proceedings, which are bound to be protracted. It is, therefore, proposed that the Chief Executive should give the suspended officers an option to proceed on early retirement or, for younger officers, to resign.
This proposal will not only relieve the tension of the suspended officers but will also save the CBR bosses from the big hassle of cooking up charges and going through the lengthy drill of disciplinary proceedings.
MOHAMMAD ARSHAD
Lahore
PCB’s pathetic planning
ALL cricket fans in Pakistan are extremely anxious to see their national side play international cricket.
The last tournament that our team competed in was back in June in the tri-series in England. Since then cricket fans have had to face a string of disappointments, with India cancelling its tour and the New Zealand tour being postponed. Possibilities of a short tour by Sri Lanka were also thrown out of the window, but one must appreciate the gesture of goodwill on the part of the Sri Lankans who were willing to come.
With the next international commitment for Pakistan starting in Sharjah on Nov 15, one has to wait another month before some action takes place. Two things however must be mentioned.
The planning by the PCB was pathetic. The home season must never be this long, especially when everyone knew that the Indian tour was doubtful. Pakistan’s build up to the World Cup 2003 is also going to be quite strenuous, with home series against West Indies and New Zealand, a tour of South Africa and a few tri-nation events thrown in between.
One hopes that the Pakistan team will not be burnt out by the time the World Cup starts.
TAHA NOOR
Karachi
Property tax
THE excise and taxation department of the government of Sindh has started issuing property tax notices according to the revised rates. In most cases, the tax has been increased four to five times.
Such heavy enhancement in taxation is a source of great hardship to the people who live in their own houses and to those whose only source of income is from the rent of the house, such as retired persons and widows.
I appeal to the governor of Sindh to investigate as to how such a huge increase has been made in the urban property tax. Is it not a step-motherly treatment to the property owners of the urban areas?
MOHAMMAD ARIF KHAN
Karachi
Beach Avenue
AFTER digging up a perfectly normal Beach Avenue for re-construction, the DHA (Defence Housing Authority) and the FWO (Frontier Works Organization) have simply disappeared from the scene. The road has been unserviceable for the last two months, causing severe hardship to the residents of Sea View Township and visitors alike. I appeal to the administrator of DHA to expedite the completion of this project and save the DHA from getting a further bad name.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
The American legal system
THERE appears to be considerable misinformation in certain circles in Pakistan on the issue of non-disclosure of evidence gathered by the FBI or the CIA investigators against Osama bin Laden.
I think what is lacking is basic knowledge of the American legal system with regard to the investigation and filing of criminal cases in this country. All criminal cases classified as “felonies” are tried by means of an indictment, which is a determination by a panel of two dozen or more randomly selected persons known as the “the grade jury”, that a certain individual wanted by a law enforcement agency is shown to have committed acts or omissions indicating “a reasonable basis” for believing that he may have committed felony. Murder and mass murders are felonies.
It is only upon the return of such an indictment and upon the same being filed by the prosecutor before a court of competent jurisdiction that any person can be prosecuted in a federal or state court on the basis of such charges. The grand jury proceedings are strictly confidential. They are not open to public. All persons legally permitted to be present during these proceedings are under strict restrictions not to disclose information about these proceedings to any person till such time the defendant is put on trial. That is the prime reason for non-disclosure of any evidential details at this time.
We must understand the difference between terrorist crimes and crimes generally. In crimes generally we have the evidence of people in the streets who have witnessed the commission of the crimes and who can identify the perpetrators, the evidence of persons who know the motives behind such acts, evidence of pre-existing ill-will between the perpetrator and the victim, evidence indicating robbery at the time of commission and the evidence of recovery of victim’s belongings from the perpetrator, the evidence of the recovery of the weapon and the forensic tests to ascertain whether it was used in the commission of the crime, evidence of confessions and admissions after due warning by the arresting officers, etc.
Terrorist crimes are basically political in nature. Those who commit such crimes are not after money or personal gain. The evidence against them can never be direct in the sense of securing eyewitness testimony or the recovery of victims’ property or any other evidence that could be available or recoverable in cases of general criminal acts.
The evidence of these political crimes can only be based upon press reports, intelligence data, and has to be circumstantial in its nature. It may be mentioned here that “reasonable grounds for believing that a person may have committed criminal acts” does not mean that the defendant is not presumed to be innocent till proven guilty after a full trial wherein the burden of proving his guilt will rest entirely upon the prosecution.
ANWAR M SHAIKH
New York, USA