Rescue the NSS investors

Much has been said on the suffering of small investors in the National Saving Scheme (NSS) during the last three years or so in the print and electronic media, and at other forums. The authorities concerned have remained unmoved. Newspaper editorials, articles, letters kept voicing concern, but the authorities persisted with their unfair reduction in the profit rates by more than 50 per cent. This has gravely hurt small individual investors in these schemes. Authorities never considered the welfare aspect of the schemes. The finance minister and the governor of the SBP have always considered the NSS a major evil to the economy. Perhaps they thought that corruption, loan defaults, land grabbing, wasteful administrative expenditures, hiring of foreign advisors at fabulous salaries and perks were not worth the attention.

Instead of evolving policies, without harming the interest of the poor, they preferred to effect savings by reducing profit on the NSS, increase the prices of essential items such as petroleum products, utilities, medicines, transport, education etc., by imposing GST and other indirect taxes. These measures have increased the cost of living, unemployment and poverty.

The rulers take the credit for increase in foreign exchange reserves which have gone up not due to government’s efforts, but as a consequence to post 09/11 global economic scenario which resulted in increased remittances, assistance, loans, and deferred repayments.

The economy, it is claimed, is in much better shape but to whose advantage. When the treasury was empty, inflation was high and the economy was in a shambles, the poor were suffering. And now when the inflation is low, treasury is full, economy is in good shape, the poor are still suffering, rather more through high indirect taxes and higher unemployment. State stands for the welfare of the people and authority is a trust, but here the authority is being used for the privileged.

The state should treat all citizens equally. Discrimination between different sections of the society is never considered a prudent policy. But the recently announced pensioners benefit scheme is a classic example of open discrimination between the pensioners of the public and private sectors.

The finance adviser says the interest rates, are globally coming down, citing the example of Libor which has come down from 5 to 1.6 per cent. He does not take into consideration the social benefits available to senior citizens in countries where Libor is practised. Senior citizens there enjoy free access to many facilities such as medical, transport, education, etc,. As such the comparison is misleading and has no relevance to the issue of slashing income of small individual savers of the NSS. They have been made an easy target because they are weak and voiceless.

It is hoped that the government will take into account the plight of senior citizens and small savers in the NSS whose income have been reduced by almost 50 per cent in the last three years.

ABDUL RAZZAK

Karachi

Cancer registries

THIS refers to a letter (Feb 12) by Dr Yasmin Bhurgri. I am responding to create public awareness in general and to draw the attention of health authorities in particular.

I am happy that somebody has raised the issue. I may tell her that I was trained for the purpose of setting up a population-based cancer registry at the South-Western Regional Cancer Registry, Bristol (United Kingdom), in 1992-1993. Before this at least one person (an eminent general surgeon from Lahore) had endeavoured to set up a cancer registry in Pakistan. However, her effort apparently was aborted in the very initial stages.

On my return to Pakistan in 1993, I found out that at least one government hospital in Lahore had a functional cancer registry with data stored in computer. At the moment, according to my information, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and the Research Centre, Lahore, have a hospital-based cancer registry.

DR FAHEEM AKHTAR

Lahore

Nadra’s poor performance

I APPLIED for a computerized national identity card (CNIC) in July 2002, but I have not received my new card yet.

I wonder what Nadra authorities are doing in Islamabad with millions of forms which were submitted a long time back. Had the government announced making of computerized NICs in phases, the situation that today we are experiencing would have been different.

Everyone would get the CNIC in time. A week ago I was visiting the website of the government of Pakistan and entered into Nadra’s website wherein they have made many claims about the CNIC.

In a space, specially given for customers’ queries, I also submitted my question about the present status and the delivery of my CNIC, giving my e-mail address, but unfortunately more than a week has passed and they have not yet responded even at my email address.

Why are the Nadra authorities making claims of good performance and prompt delivery? Yes, they are only responding to applications submitted as urgent with a four-time higher fee.

If Nadra cannot attend to the queries of the public or if they have no answers to their queries, why have they placed provision for such queries in their website?

MRS ERUM SAGHEER

Karachi

Reward for philanthropists

IT is heartening to see that young Pakistanis are using their fame and affections for the well-being of the destitute of society by undertaking welfare projects in the field of education and health.

Imran Khan took the initiative by launching a cancer hospital project, first of its kind in Pakistan, with the help of donations from ordinary people to treat cancer patients and provide free of cost treatment to the poor.

Following in his footsteps, popular pop singer Ibrar-ul-Haq is constructing a 150-bedded hospital in his district of Narowal to serve the poor of the area. Now a young promising singer, Shahzad Roy, who is known for singing Allama Iqbal’s inspiring poems, has undertaken an educational project through which young children who are working or begging to help their poor parents will be paid money if they attend the school specially being established for them.

It is a testimony to the fact that the people of Pakistan are responsive to those who take practical steps to do some constructive work for them. All the projects are being built through donations and contributions, as the people believe that their money will be used for the welfare of the poor.

If our political leaders and businessmen learn from them and if the government ensures the people that their tax money will be used for their welfare, they will pay the taxes willingly.

Is the government willing to learn some lessons from the sportsmen and pop singers? Successive governments have been giving military and civil bureaucrats and TV and film artistes various facilities and awards for their services. Similar awards should be given to philanthropists who are rendering services which are, in fact, the prime responsibility

of a government in any civil society.

ENGR S. T. HUSSAIN

Lahore

Noise from loudspeakers

THE matter of the volume of sound emanating from loudspeakers in mosques during azans has become quite unnecessarily an intractable problem.

Dozens of letters requesting for a reduction of the volume of the sound to a moderate level have appeared in the press. Dawn, too, has written many editorials, and published a number of letters.

Moreover, the attention of ENT specialists organizing seminars on sound levels has been drawn to the matter. The practice in Mecca and Madina has been quoted again and again, and trustees of mosques have been approached. But, regrettably, all these measures have proved to be of no avail.

In a well-known agreed hadith, a believer has been described as one from whose tongue and hands (i.e. actions) others remain immune.

There are no two medical opinions on the reasonable level of sound for people’s hearing, nerves and continuity of peace. The problem becomes more pronounced when the azan is called simultaneously, or almost simultaneously, from more mosques than one in the same vicinity, with all the loudspeakers open at full volume.

A law on the sufficient level of sound also exists, but somehow for the authorities, sound is limited to the sound produced by vehicles such as scooters, motorcycles, buses, tankers and trucks.

There is no question of any interference with religion or religious practices being involved in the matter at all. Moreover, the desirability of implementing its own laws should provide an additional incentive for suitable action by the authorities concerned. They can begin with an appeal on religious and humanitarian grounds as the first step.

S. I. HUSAIN

Karachi

Disposal of official cases

THIS is with reference to the news item titled ‘Speedy disposal of officials’ cases ordered’ (Feb 12).

Sindh Chief Secretary K. B. Rind has asked the provincial secretaries and department heads to dispose of, on a priority basis, all applications, appeals and other cases falling in their jurisdictions and submit a report to him.

Mr Rind may get the demanded report this time, but who will follow suit after he has left the office? Moreover, every government servant knows that such instructions are circulated from time to time by conscientious chief secretaries but without the desired impact.

In fact, what is required is an institutionalized mechanism to facilitate the disposal of official business in time. Being a retired officer, I have a simple plan in this connection; if the chief secretary is interested, I shall submit the plan to him for his consideration.

M. ALEEM SHAIKH

Karachi

Celebrating Basant

I READ a letter in your issue of Feb 11, calling for imposing a ban on Basant.

Basant is an ancient and a very important event of our culture, which depicts the advent of spring. It is the season of happiness with the birds chirping, flowers blooming and the people, young and old, enjoying this transitional period.

In Punjab and the north and the north-western region of India, people express their happiness and enjoy themselves by having fun, eating, drinking, dancing, singing and flying kites. Yellow is the colour of this wonderful fun-time of Basant. Our Muslim neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran, celebrate Nauroze which, too, is Basant with a different name.

I fail to understand as to why people like the letter writer are so much against having fun and enjoying life. She is also confusing Islamic heritage with what she refers to as “Muslim” culture”.

FARAKH MALIK

Karachi

Salahuddin and present rulers

WITH continuing Zionist attacks on the Arab land, the West Bank, Gaza and much of Jerusalem, the suspicious presence of Israeli ‘tourists’ in the midst of Kashmir’s struggle and the bluster of the Tel Aviv coterie against President Bush and the US, the main financiers and supporters of Israel in the United Nations, compel us to look away from our own moral, socio-cultural and political problems and give a serious thought to Jerusalem, which was once the Muslim Qibla.

Salahuddin took Jerusalem from Richard and the Crusaders in September 1187.

Stanley Lane Poole writes: “Saladin personally saw to it that the ‘Crusaders’ and all Christians went safe and un-hindered. If the taking of Jerusalem were the only fact known about Saladin, it was enough to prove him the most chivalrous conqueror and great-hearted leader of his and, perhaps of any age.”

And when Salahuddin Ayyubi passed away on March 4, 1193, there was found in his possession only one dinar and 44 dirhams; not even enough for his burial. It is a fact that his soldiers and companions had to contribute to meet his funeral expenses.

Let us compare this true mujahid with the present-day rulers and other wealthy Muslims, shielded behind billions of dollars and properties in foreign lands, talking of ‘Jihad’ from glittering palaces, Mediterranean resorts and lofty penthouses.

M.J. SAYEED

Karachi

‘The great Pakistani public’

I COULD not agree more with Ayaz Amir (Feb 21). As a nation and as members of the Muslim ummah, we are totally bereft of any sense of responsibility or pride. We are much more adept at mindless aping of the West.

Valentine’s Day is more important to us than Eid. We forget that in Islam we don’t need a specific day to show our love for our parents, spouses or friends.

How can our professionals or NGOs protest against American policies when every professional dreams of a job with a multinational and every NGO craves for western sponsorship. All of us want our sons and daughters to go to the US to study, forgetting that if we were to pour all that money into our own education system, it would achieve the same standards as theirs.

This also reminds me of the story of the little bird that tried to put out Namrood’s fire in which he wanted to throw Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), by bringing water in its tiny beak. When other birds and animals made fun of it and pointed out the impossibility of the task, the little bird said that it wanted to do its share so that on the Day of Judgment it could go before Allah with a clear conscience. The bird did something against the evil. Can we say the same about ourselves?

GHAZALA ALTAF

Karachi

Poor umpiring

IF Waqar Younis can be punished (he was not allowed to complete the over) for bowling a beamer, why is there no rule to punish umpires for giving wrong decisions in the matches of the Cricket World Cup 2003 or, for that matter, in any other tournament/match?

It is shocking to note that the first decision of the World Cup was utterly wrong. In the match between New Zealand and South Africa, Gibbs was given not out and he went on to make 143 runs. Similarly, in the match between Pakistan and Namibia, at least two decisions were totally wrong.

The ICC must pay some attention to such poor umpiring lest cricket lovers stop taking interest in the game.

AHMED RAZA TAHIR

Bahawalnagar

American waiver

PAKISTAN has been promised by President Bush a waiver of one billion dollars for the services rendered by the former. But the waiver is subject to approval by the Senate/ Congress, and Bush does not do it on his own (a US president has vast powers as was the case with Mexico when President Clinton gave them $40 billion, although the Senate/Congress did not permit him to do so).

At the same time, the US administration is pressing Turkey to bypass parliament and allow it to use its air bases.

We, the Third World people, also have the capacity to think, look, feel and see. It is only our misfortune that we have spineless leaders at the moment. Our time will come. We are waiting patiently.

IBRAHIM SUTTAR

Karachi

Ways to prevent AIDS

THIS refers to the letter titled ‘Ways to prevent AIDS’ (Feb 17).

I agree with all the points of the writer except one. I cannot understand as to why our health care officials should wait for six months to mandate the use of autodisable syringes.

How many more Pakistanis can get infectious diseases, including AIDS, if our health care authorities wait for six months to take this action?

RAHEEL QURESHI

Karachi

Change in CSS rules

THIS is to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to unjust and unfair amendments to the CSS examination rules.

Before 2001, candidates having a bachelor’s degree with the third division from Balochistan, Fata and some other areas of the country were allowed to sit in the competitive examinations. But in the CSS examinations 2001, this relaxation was withdrawn through amendments, thus making it compulsory for the candidates to have a bachelor’s degree at least with the second division, except in cases where they have obtained a higher division for a master’s degree.

Owing to this decision of the Federal Public Service Commission, hundreds of candidates from these areas will become ineligible to take the next CSS examinations.

I appeal to the president, the prime minister and the authorities concerned to pay special attention to this crucial matter and order the withdrawal of the amendments in the best interest of the candidates as well as the country.

LIAQAT ALI HAZARA

Quetta

Quaid’s birthplace

THIS refers to Muhammad Umar Chand and Shakir Lakhani’s letters (Jan 3, 20) entitled Quaid’s birthplace.

Whether the Quaid’s birthplace was Karachi or any other place, it does not matter much. What matters is to follow his views and ideas with a view to making ourselves a strong nation.

AYESHA SAEED

Lahore

State of politics in Pakistan

MANY years ago, your newspaper published a poem of mine with the title ‘Ode to a nation’, in which I described the sorry state of affairs in the politics of Pakistan.

At that time in 1956, the Republican Party under Eisenhower was the majority party in the US. It had been friendly with Pakistan since 1952 when it won the election in America. The Democratic Party under Harry Truman also developed friendly relations with Pakistan after the visit of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan to the US.

I remember reading the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan when the first four annual budgets were presented. They were balanced and supported the interests of the common man. The big landlords, who were mainly concerned with their own interests, pretended to be the protectors of the people. They rebuked the finance minister for looking after the welfare of the rich when the case was quite the opposite. An important leader of Sindh asserted that no Hari problem existed in the province.

The politicians were kept in place by the then governor-general, but as soon as Iskander Mirza took over, it became free for all; a Republican Party was formed overnight in Pakistan, too, and things started going from bad to worse. Mohammad Ali Bogra remained prime minister even after October 1954 and resigned on the day Iskander Mirza became governor-general. Mohammad Ali was replaced by Chaudhri Mohammad Ali.

Today, after 45 years, the situation is not much different. New parties have been formed almost overnight and an assortment of elected representatives have once again assumed political power. They include many who were being tried by the higher courts as well as by the accountability bodies.

AHMAD ZAFAR FAROOQI

Karachi