India’s discriminatory laws

An American pastor, Cooper, was badly beaten in India and was hospitalized. One week later he was ordered to leave India even before his legal rights against Hindu fundamentalist criminals could be exercised, because he was a keynote speaker in a Christian convention.

Under a Central Order a few years back, the BJP government made it illegal for visitors to preach in the country. But as there was no income involved and the pastor was still within a regular visa rules, he was a legal visitor.

This Central Order is illegal under the Constitution of India as it curtails freedom of speech and expression. Since a regular legislation could be declared unconstitutional, the government shrewdly passed the Central Order, thus making preaching illegal in a church by any visitor.

Many Hindu evangelists and Swamijis regularly visit the US, Canada and Britain, and preach in their temples and congregations. Besides, they raise money from devotees. This money may well be a undeclared income for the Swami. No one stops them from preaching here in North America because we believe in democratic values and freedom to preach.

India claims to be a great democratic nation with a constitution containing fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression, but the BJP government has made a mockery of this great Gandhian tradition.

I am ashamed of the treatment and the Central Order which curtailed the fundamental rights, and I am sure if it goes to the Supreme Court of India, seeking legitimacy, it will be declared unconstitutional.

The pastor could not exercise his legal rights against the RSS criminals and was ordered out under a little known order without legitimacy.

The US government should take up the matter with the top authorities of the Indian government to eliminate discriminatory and illegal executive orders against foreigners and visitors. The Bush administration should make it clear to the BJP government that if India really wants to sit with democratic nations, it will have to do away with its discriminatory laws and orders.

If they do not withdraw the Central Order from their books immediately, let us boycott visiting India. I mean all visitors from US, Canada and the UK. I am ashamed of India.

SAM BAIDYA

Toronto, Canada

Ailing health sector

IT is said that seeing is believing. Thus, one has to be at Lady Reading Hospital to believe the following. Accompanying a woman heart patient, who was advised angiography, I reached the OPD Cardiology at 8.30am. The place presented a pathetic scene with scores of heart patients waiting agonizingly for a doctor, who arrived at 9.30am.

Due to a lack of seating arrangement outside the doctor’s room, quite a few patients, mostly women, were seen sitting on the floor. They had to bear an overpowering stench, rude behaviour of the staff and an indifferent attitude on the part of doctors.

All over the hospital one repeatedly comes across pairs of sweepers who, with total disregard for the ailing milieu, are nonchalantly splashing water on floors for supposedly cleaning them. This cleaning exercise should be carried out well before the arrival of patients.

Next day on our way to the Cath Lab we noticed that the lift had not been switched on till 8.20am. Therefore, everybody, including heart patients, had to trudge up to the third floor only to be told that they must wait in private rooms.

The first shock of the day was yet to come when, in the middle of the angiography process, it transpired that a vein in the heart was blocked for which a Stent was to be implanted, costing Rs110,000. Being a private patient we had already paid Rs14,000 for the angiography.

The patient was finally shifted to CCU, a cockroach-ridden place, which is a mockery of what is supposed to be a cardiac care center with a raised semicircular counter adorned by out- -of-order monitors and occupied by a few nurses who are always seen engrossed in some noisy conversation, oblivious to their surroundings. The stench from the adjoining cardiac ward and the CCU is simply overbearing and a look into the toilet is enough to cause constipation to any person.

Moreover, doormen and guards take a sadistic delight in pushing and shoving attendants. Doctors hardly notice the humiliation to which attendants are subjected.

Having paid such a big amount I was really dismayed at the quality of medical services provided at the hospital. The question is, where does all this money go? I would like to make the following suggestions:

The government should immediately revamp the health sector so as to allay the suffering of the people of the NWFP.

ALI GOHAR

Peshawar

Doctoring economic figures

IT has been noticed that bureaucrats have started depicting a rosy picture of the health of the economy to suggest that an authoritarian regime is far superior to a representative one. In effect, the entire process is a resurrection of an old slogan of the so-called ‘benign dictatorship’. However, a look at official figures suggest the fallacy of such a claim.

Today Pakistan is facing one of the most serious problems as a result of the inability of its decision makers to rid the country of the debt trap.

Only a miracle has so far saved Pakistan from defaulting on its ever-increasing debt. Fortunately, for Pakistan the new situation on the ground following the 9/11 events warranted an active engagement with the United States and the international community in the fight against terrorism. And it was that development which has tremendously eased the debt burden. However, the situation may again become unmanageable if the international scenario is changed and reliance on foreign aid remains the order of the day.

Even now, despite the US support, there are obvious symptoms that suggest that we are still confronted with the debt trap. Among these symptoms are falling rates of investment, declining development and social spending and progressively falling rates of GDP growth. And if this trend continues unabated, it could create a growing vulnerability within the economy and accelerate its slide into macro-economic instability.

By the time the country conducted nuclear tests and froze foreign currency accounts in May, 1998, its public and external debt burdens had become unsustainable. The subsequent economic sanctions triggered a full-blown debt crisis.

The bureaucrats should be held responsible for resorting to an easy way by borrowing from various domestic and foreign sources to bridge the structural gap in the country’s fiscal and external sector accounts. This has resulted in the accumulation of the huge debt Pakistan owes to various international financial institutions.

The previous government promised to address the issue through the process of privatization. However, facts on the ground show that the entire privatization process was directionless.

DR JASSIM TAQUI

Islamabad

Pakistan’s space programme

I WAS flabbergasted to read a statement by President Musharraf at the launching ceremony of Pakistan’s first satellite Paksat-1 in Islamabad recently.

He has been quoted as saying (Jan 26) that “I am really delighted to note that Pakistan’s space programme now is a reality and our scientists must build our own indigenous satellite within three years instead of five years. Pakistan’s space programme is now ahead of India’s after the formal launching of Paksat-1 and this is due to the hard work of our scientists and I am sure Indians would take another 30 months to do the job”.

As a scientist quite familiar with the Indian satellite programme since its inception some 30 years ago, may I remind the president that more than two dozen satellites, mostly designed and fabricated indigenously by Indian scientists, have been successfully launched since 1975?

Besides, a series of remote sensing satellites (IRS series) and launch vehicles (SLV-3, ASLV) have been launched by Indian space scientists. The Indian space programme now is firmly established.

DR A. PRAKASH

Richmond, B.C.

Wildlife conservation

THIS refers to a news item which appeared in your newspaper on Jan 24. It was quite heartening to know that there are some dedicated people who forcefully advocate initiation of major steps aimed at conservation of whatever is left of our wildlife heritage. The call, though very late, can still make significant difference.

We have miserably failed to contain the rate of their depletion. There is, however, still time to stem the rot through concentrated efforts. Maybe we have already lost some animals peculiar to our environment. It is, therefore, time to act with precision as part of our national policy.

Some laws have since long existed only in official files but have lost their efficacy because of their non-implementation and total absence of awareness among the educated section of society.

The same is true for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA), an excellent but totally forgotten institution. Irrespective of the major shift from animal power to mechanical power, the dwindling number of our animals does stand in urgent need of comprehensive care.

Such efforts need to be made more frequently with wider societal participation in general and the associations concerned in particular in the conservation of widely-diversified natural animal wealth. We should all put our heads together and create awareness among the people.

MUHAMMAD IQBAL BRULA

President, Pakistan Society for Conservation of Wildlife,

Karachi

A PR passenger’s complaint

I WOULD like to draw the attention of the ministry concerned to the existing rules which defy logic. Although the incident that I am going to narrate occurred in July, 2002, I waited for the assemblies to come into being.

I booked a seat (No.10/61) in the lower AC class at the Railways Headquarters, Lahore, on July 6 to travel to Karachi from Lahore on July 15 by the Karachi Express. At the booking counter I was asked to produce my original national identity card for the issuance of a computerized reservation slip followed by the conventional hard paper ticket for Rs1,175. As at that time I did not have my NIC, I went all the way back to my home in Model Town and brought the ID card to fulfil the requirement of the Pakistan Railways.

Unfortunately, I lost the ticket on my way back home. I went to the booking counter and told the staff that I had lost the ticket and wanted a duplicate ticket.

I was stunned to learn that if I wanted to travel, I would have to purchase a new ticket despite the fact that everything had been recorded in the computer when I had bought a ticket earlier. After some thought I decided not to purchase a new ticket and to travel on the basis of the reservation slip.

During the travel, I narrated the story to a ticket-checker. He gave me the surprise of my life by saying that I was travelling without a ticket which was a criminal offence. He ordered me to pay Rs1,175 for the ticket and Rs175/ as fine for travelling without a ticket. I had no choice but to pay the amount to continue travelling.

When I had made the payments and things stood settled, the ticket-checker became frank with me and said, “Sada sikhkhan da kanoon ae.” He was of the opinion that someone will have to write to the ministry to make changes in the rules as things have changed drastically ever since ID cards and computers have come into being. Will the authorities give it a serious thought and change the rules of the stone age?

MUHAMMAD FARRUKH ZAKI

Lahore

Gas pipeline crisis

THE Sui-Guddu gas pipeline was blasted again at Mazari Goth on Sunday last, raising serious concerns about the safety of our pipelines and other related installations. The timing of this sabotage cannot be ignored as Gen Pervez Musharraf is going to Moscow and an agreement about a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan is expected to be signed.

These incidents occurred in the provincially administered tribal areas on the borders of Punjab and Balochistan. Neither of them has control over this area. The Mazaris, the Bugtis and the Magsis fight among themselves to control the area. It is not possible for anybody to go there and operate without their cooperation.

The Baloch people are Pakistanis and have some genuine problems which need to be addressed immediately, otherwise regional tendencies will dominate everything.

This problem can never be solved by the use of force as was done in the past. The government should talk to tribal chieftains and the security of the area should be assigned to them. Why can‘t a tribal leader like Akbar Bugti, Zulifqar Magsi or a Mazari be made the governor of Balochistan?

DR USMAN ABAIDULLHA

Gujranwala

What is OIC for?

THROUGH your newspaper, I would like to know if the two organizations — the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Motammer Al-Alam Al-Islami — are still in existence or these have been closed for fear of being categorized as terrorist Muslim organizations.

As I know, the OIC is an organization that is supposed to represent all Muslim governments on issues that concern the member states or such world problems on which the members think fit to take a position. It once enjoyed ‘A class’ observer status at the UN as well. If it is still alive and well, has it adopted any position on some burning issues of great concern not only to the Muslims but the mankind around the globe? I read your paper every day and have failed to notice even a token statement from the OIC on any of these issues.

The second organization, the Motammer, is an NGO representing the people of the Muslim states and giving vent to their views. It used to be proactive in support of the Palestinian cause. But I find no mention of the Motammer and its views on what is currently happening in Palestine and the way the Palestinians are being systemetically wiped out after being labelled terrorists.

Are these organizations afraid of even holding meetings and issuing statements to project the general feelings of the government and the people of the countries they claim to represent?

S. M. MANZAR

Karachi

Bhutto’s shock to finance

THIS is with reference to an article titled “Bhutto’s shock to finance” (Jan 28) by Shahid Javed Burki.

I am writing on behalf of the poor of this country to whom Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the only leader who brought about a remarkable change in their lives. No matter what you think of him, but for a majority of the people he was a leader who made them feel equal citizens of this country.

Being a student of the IBA I do understand your TFCs, DFCs, nationalization, etc., but believe me these words have no meaning for the poverty-stricken people. For them what matters is that there was a man who promised them “roti, kapra aur makan” and, till the last days of his life, did his best to fulfil his promise.

The article says that the “Bhutto administration reduced the political influence of urban wealth”. I think he did so, because he thought that the people living in the rural areas of Pakistan are as equal citizens as the people in urban areas.

For some, Bhutto might be a great sinner or an impatient politician, but millions of poor people of Pakistan will always remember him with gratitude.

PIRAH SINDHU PALIJO

Karachi

A question of pledges

PRESENTLY, Indian leaders and their press commentaries are harping on the allegation that President Musharraf reneged on his pledge to end cross-border terrorism in Indian-held Kashmir. I think the word “pledge” is too sensitive a word to be used so freely unless the Indians do not want to be reminded of Nehru’s pledges on Kashmir.

Some Western spokesmen are also castigating Pakistan for allowing infiltration into Indian-held Kashmir by volunteers and mercenaries. I think they also need to be reminded that till the 80s, American, British, French and Australian mercenaries were active in many troubled spots of the world such as Chile, Nicaragua, Congo, Namibia, Laos and Cambodia, not to mention India’s own involvement in East Pakistan in 1971.

RAFI AHMED

Karachi

Pakistanis & INS registration

THE recent exodus of several thousand Pakistanis from the US may have an adverse impact on US-Pakistan relations. At the same time I understand that these Pakistanis have violated the immigration laws of the US.

If the US wants to help Pakistan, it can exempt Pakistan from the current immigration law. There are already many exceptions in the US immigration laws. One more exception would not bring any catastrophe to the American immigration laws.

A number of Pakistanis have been illegally living in the United States for 10 years or so. Some of them are living with their families. Now suddenly they are suspected as “enemies” of that country. The American immigration authorities must, however, register all the illegal people and issue them work and stay permits. President Bush should never forget that Pakistan has always been an American allay.

Here are only a few examples: just one year after the creation of Pakistan some US naval vessels arrived in Karachi on a goodwill visit. In June 1950 Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan visited the US, and virtually brushed aside an invitation from the former Soviet Union. In July 1950 Pakistan joined the International Monetary Fund.

Pakistan thus began to support imperial interests of Western powers. In 1954 Pakistan signed a Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement with the United States which later followed its entry into another military pact called CENTO. Washington should not forget that the U2-spy planes were flown from Badaber Base (an airfield near Peshawar) in 1960s. These aircraft used by the CIA were fitted with powerful cameras and monitoring equipment and could fly non-stop from Peshawar to Bodo in Norway. One such spy aircraft was brought down by the Soviet Union.

I think both countries must work together quietly. The US needs Pakistan and Pakistan needs the US. This is the equation.

TANWEER HUSSAIN Bickenbach,

Germany

THIS is with reference to a letter by Lt-Col (Retd) Muhammad Ashraf (Jan 23).

To some extent I agree with the writer that there should be fairness in treating of Pakistani nationals by the INS authorities. However, I strongly disagree that every illegal Pakistani should be granted legal status.

If this policy is applied, then what stops other countries which are also demanding a similar treatment of their citizens illegally living in the US?

DR RAJ L. IYENGAR

Los Angeles, USA