MMA’s hidden agenda
THE newly-introduced Shariat Bill in the NWFP is an interesting development that needs to be analysed. Is it really an attempt to introduce Islam in its true pristine form so that ignorance, illiteracy, revenge killing and the murder of the girl child, so prevalent in the societal life of the Frontier, will be finally eradicated? Or is it a whitewash where the cosmetic changes of dress code and billboard purging are to cover up a hidden agenda with far-reaching consequences for the nation?
What is the real reason behind the curtain of the Shariat Bill? It will finally bring the Frontier province in line with Afghanistan across the border while alienating the province from the rest of Pakistan. Of all the Muslim countries in the world, Afghanistan suffers from the highest level of illiteracy and rampant lawlessness, and has exhibited complete disregard for women in society, all in the name of Islam. By its continued support to the powerful opium lords, it has turned Afghanistan into one of the world’s highest producers of opium and opium addicts. Is this what the MMA wishes to reduce the Frontier to?
This Shariat twinning of Afghanistan and the NWFP is to create an LFO of another kind — the creation of Greater Afghanistan — or is it Pukhtoonistan as some Frontier parties are apt to call it. The fact that America has not brought any overt or covert pressure on Gen Musharraf to put a damper on the MMA, after its electoral victory, supports the theory that it is in the interest of America to allow the mullahs to behead Pakistan’s northern province and force the NWFP to become a de facto province of Afghanistan reduced by the inequities of its own making to a geographical feature of no consequence.
The phase two of this agenda would entail allowing a similar predominance, an admixture of the mullahs, Shariat and neo-conservative parties in Balochistan to move the Shariat Bill there and adjoin the province to Iranian Balochistan, and with impunity create ‘Greater Balochistan’. Finally, we will have a truncated Pakistan with its head and tail summarily chopped, isolating Punjab and Sindh and making a fragmented Pakistan easier to control or bomb out of existence.
This political development in the Frontier supports the long-held contention of the liberals of Pakistan that in the mullahs we have nothing but the political enforcers of America’s global policies. The MMA, by introducing its ill-conceived Shariat Bill, has set Pakistan at variance with most Muslim countries, including Palestine, by providing not even an elemental homogeneity in what constitutes to be Islamic. This fierce advocacy of Islam serves neither Islam nor Pakistan.
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
THIS has reference to an incisive article by Aqil Shah in your issue of May 31. The writer correctly points out that “...the MMA’s deep-rooted desire is to rehash state and society in its own image.”
The trouble with the Islamists or the fanatical mullahs is that the more you give, the more they want. In these uncertain times, the people of Pakistan must unambiguously understand and beware that the intractable goal of the mullahs is to gain complete power and control and never to relinquish it. Their ultimate aim is to create a totalitarian, fascist state in the name of religion, where they would have absolute control over every aspect of a citizen’s life, private or public. This is true of the Islamists not only in Pakistan but in other countries also.
Mr Shah contends that “yielding to their demands has only emboldened the Islamic parties to demand more.” Isn’t it their avowed objective to seek complete, irrevocable power? There can be no successful co-opting of the Islamists into the political mainstream. Many Islamic nations have tried it and failed.
Allowing such extremists to participate in democracy and taste the fruits of freedom will not make them democratic or freedom-loving. They simply want to use the tools of democracy, like elections, to achieve their own Orwellian ends — totalitarian power over the people. Once they are in power, their intent is to destroy what brought them into power: freedom and democracy. Let there be no doubt about it.
DR K. T. KAMAL
Symms, Oh, USA
Parsi residents’ plight
WE, the Parsi residents of the Katrak Hall compound, request the authorities to look into our problems which have multiplied because of non-completion of a Khushhal Pakistan project.
Work on the extension of the road from the Quaid’s Mazar to Saddar Dawakhana through the Lines Area, connecting St. Patrick’s School, was started in October 2002 and continued at a slow pace till the end of March 2003. Since April, all work on this project has been discontinued.
Besides, we have been facing many other problems:
— Time and again our electricity and telephone lines/cables are disrupted.
— Our private vehicles cannot enter the compound premises because of the uneven ground which remains unattended.
— Open drainage systems have exposed us to bad odour, mosquitoes and other germs.
— There is no clear passage for us to exit/enter our houses. We have to climb over a make-shift pedestrian bridge placed over the partition wall and then walk over a plank of wood to cross the open drain to enter the main compound.
— Owing to the construction of sewerage, our main gate was closed and we have to exit and enter the compound from a hole in the wall cut out for this purpose.
— During the period when the work was in progress, a large portion of our boundary wall was broken down by the workers. This has not been reconstructed, with the result that our safety and privacy are at stake.
— Our boundary wall and the road behind St. Patrick’s School has been usurped by land-grabbers and used by hawkers and vendors. This makes our homes vulnerable to robbers, and violates our privacy.
We hope the authorities responsible for the completion of government projects would come to our rescue. We request for the construction of a proper road which will enable us to bring our private vehicles to our houses. A covered drain would enable us to breathe in clean air.
RESIDENTS OF KATRAK HALL COMPOUND
Karachi
Keenjhar lake tragedy
A TRAGEDY occurred recently at the Keenjhar lake where 27 persons drowned. These included men, women and children of different age groups.
Who is to be blamed for their deaths? In the heat of putting blame on different persons, we may consider the various causes:
1. Careless and casual attitude of the picnickers, overloading of the boat.
2. Irresponsible behaviour of the boatowners.
3. Non-availability of any authority to control the picnickers and the boat-owners.
4. Bad weather.
5. Non-availability of any medical aid or resuscitation facility at the picnic site.
Such tragedies will not be accepted in any civil society. The remedy to prevent any future accident of such magnitude is simple and achievable.
1. Responsible behaviour is expected from adults who endanger their lives and those of their near and dear ones. From May to September, all water fronts are very rough and the people should refrain from entering into water unless they are great swimmers.
2. Wearing of life jackets should be compulsory and mandatory on all boat rides anywhere for the journey. This includes the overloaded boats going to Manora from Keamari and all picnickers on boating at Keamari.
3. The law-enforcement authority should check the overloading and the use of life jackets for all boat riders like anywhere in the world.
4. Informative and educative programmes should be aired on Radio and TV, advising the boat riders and picnickers to wear life jackets.
5. The law-enforcement agencies should be beefed up at all sites, specially where the Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd. is present and charging fee from picnickers.
6. Informative and instructive signboards in Urdu and Sindhi should be put on all suitable sites.
No law-enforcement agency can prevent such tragedies until the people themselves become careful and take basic safety measures.
DR S. TIPU SULTAN
Karachi
The issue of uniform
I FULLY endorse the views of Imran Khan that we had great expectations from Gen Musharraf and had thought that this straightforward person would deliver which none in the past could do. But unfortunately, it did not take long to see him following his predecessors in uniform.
The first disappointment was his retreat from his stand on the Blasphemy law and then a chain of disappointments followed, climaxing with the referendum and the election. There are only two sectors where he excels: they are freedom of the press and the improvement and stability of the economy to some extent.
The general has flouted the Constitution. He obliged a retired general with a lucrative job to solve all local problems and to create heaven for the poor.
I am glad that the general has been honest to express his and his constituent’s desire to stay in uniform whether somebody likes it or not. This is exactly what is expected of a dictator. Actually, he has been suppressing this instinct by negotiating and compromising with the politicians.
The one and the only thing I would request him to do would be to pull this unfortunate nation from the quagmire. Do not make us a laughing-stock. Currently, we have neither an undiluted democracy nor dictatorship. Since he has decided to stay in uniform, please erase all democratic institutions and establish real dictatorship.
IKRAM UL HAQUE
Lahore
Kirthar National Park
THE views expressed by Nawab Abdul Ghani Talpur (June 8) are highly appreciated. The wildlife of Pakistan is remarkably beautiful. The nations that do not conserve their heritage have no future.
The wildlife plays a significant role in keeping the ecosystem in place. It has an equal right on the resources of this planet, access to clean drinking water and to breathe fresh air. It can survive without human beings, but humanity cannot survive without it.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan this sector has been treated as a forgotten step-child. We need to take immediate measures to conserve whatever is left, before it is too late. The leading politicians and those in authority should come forward and play their role to save the first national park.
MUHAMMAD IQBAL
President, Pakistan Society for Conservation of Wildlife,
Karachi
Payment of income tax
IN respect of Circular No. 12 of 2002 of August 9, 2002, issued by the Central Board of Revenue for the computation of income tax payable by the salaried persons for the tax year 2003 and deduction of tax from salary for the tax year commencing on July 1, 2002, I would like to point out the glaring anomaly as follows:
1. The monetary limit of salary chargeable to tax determined after allowing admissible exemptions was Rs300,000 in previous years, but the bureaucrats in their self-interest to derive more tax benefit raised it to 600,000. This rise in monetary limit helps the highly paid salaried persons.
2. In the case of senior citizens aged 65 years or above, the reduction in their tax has been adhered to Rs200,000 for many years. We do not miss any opportunity to pay lip-service to our senior citizens but as far as enhancing tax benefit to them is concerned, they are mercilessly ignored. In the interest of justice and fair play, the limit of their tax reduction should be raised to Rs600,000, as is done in the matter of perquisites.
MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUE YOUSUF TABBA
Karachi
Think before you drink
THANKS to the KWSB, the business of the so-called mineral water is in full swing in the city. A recent survey and lab tests of the samples obtained from the water of various brands revealed that only a few of them were germ-free while many others were found to be contaminated.
Unfortunately, no action was taken by the authorities concerned to stop this health hazard. Had our water supply department taken care to supply properly-filtered water, according to world health standards, this menace would not have taken root.
ABDUL SALAM DADABHOY
Karachi
Point of view
THIS refers to the articles by Haseena Moin and Syed Aftab Azim, published recently in the ‘Images’ about Mr Mohsin Ali, a TV legend.
The assertion by Mr Aftab Azim has little weight as the payment of medical bills, allowing car facility and awarding cash are the common criteria of every organization. Even the low-paid employees are getting these facilities everywhere. Mr Azim has mentioned these minor facilities which were all within his entitlement.
The calibre of the artist was not recognized in its true sense.
AGHA ALI HAIDER
Karachi
Love for the country
A LADY sitting in a wheelchair arrived at Karachi airport in the early hours of June 8, returning from the US via the UK. I was deeply moved by the utterances. She had no praise for the US or the UK; but she uttered many times nothing but two words: value your azadi and love Pakistan.
Oh dear, Opposition, do you also have the same feeling for Pakistan? I am not in favour of the army to be in the ruling seat, but I remember very well that during the days of Ayub Khan, there was a remarkable growth of industries. Being a simple man, what do I care if the gentleman wears turban/cap/hat or topi, shalwar-kameez suit, pant-coat, etc., as long as he is delivering peace, harmony, security and clean administration for the people?
To eliminate the hatred for the army, the army should provide more facilities to the poor people if not equal, at least 50 per cent of the privileges given to the army personnel. For example, at the army hospital in Rawalpindi, I had to pay Rs100 for a test whereas for the army it is free. They could have charged me Rs50 so that I develop affinity for the army and not hate.
ALIM KHAN
Karachi
Askari Park
A PPI report (June 10) gave us the good news that work on the Askari Park (on the old Sabzi Mandi site) was about to begin. This was disclosed at a meeting called by the Sindh governor, Ishratul Ibad, to which a large number of government officials and army rankers were invited. The lone elected invitee was the city nazim, Niamatullah Khan. The Gulshan-i-Iqbal town nazim, Abdul Wahab, in whose area the site lies, was conspicuous by his absence having (presumably) not been invited.
Two committees were formed by the governor, which will coordinate the progress of the park. One will be headed by the government-appointed DCO and the other by the chief secretary. This reduces the matter to a bureaucratic affair, with the city nazim, at whose initiative and request, in the first place, the army had agreed to build the park as its gift to the Karachi people, apparently left high and dry.
It will be unfortunate if President Musharraf, who flaunts the city government ideas as a feather in his cap, and Governor Ishratul Ibad, who is supposed to be working under a mandate from him, are seen to be working in effect at cross-purposes.
WAJID NAEEMUDDIN
Karachi
‘Wapda owes huge amount to NWFP’
THIS refers to a letter (May 14) by the chief engineer/technical director of Pesco, to the provincial government about the clearance of Wapda dues. The Wapda chairman has given July 2002 as the cut-off date for reconciliation between Wapda dues and provincial government arrears.
My query is, when will the money due from hydroelectricity net profits and other concerns to the NWFP be cleared? Is there a cut-off date for this also?
I would like to explain here the background. On April 8, 1973, two amendments (Nos. 1359 and 1363) were withdrawn in the National Assembly after the then minister, Hafiz Pirzada, had said: “This is our promise with you and in this house we pledge that in whichever province a hydel power station is situated, the net profit will be given to that province.”
After this, Article 161(2) dealing with net profits was passed. The Constitution of 1973 was also passed unanimously. But Wapda has not paid net profits on the 5,981 MKWH, generated from Aug 14/15, 1973, to 1986, of the NWFP hydel stations. Also it has not paid net profits on the thousands more MKWH generated during 1986-91 of the NWFP hydel stations. When will the arrears be given and the cut-off date determined for this?
In 1990-91 the Council of Common Interest was convened to expedite this net profit funding for the Frontier. Under this council, a committee was convened and the AGN Kazi formula was agreed.
The net profit worked out under this formula is equal to the total sale price minus the following deductions: contribution to the national transmission system 14.966 per cent, contribution to the national distribution system 23.877 per cent, generation cost 13.589 paisa per unit, authority overheads 1.398 per cent and provision for resources 6.285 per cent.
During 1990-91 the NWFP was paid Rs6 billion as net profits on hydro-electricity generations. This right has been extended to the province through the CCI and AGN Kazi formula. These dues in 2000-2001 stood at Rs52.17 billion at the Tarbela power station.
Electricity losses were accounted for at the point of generation, though the losses occurred in transmission, theft and distribution and not generation.
The NWFP government invested Rs85.758 million in hydel projects in Kurram Garhi, Warsak, Dargai, Malakand Transmission and Distribution which were subsequently transferred to Wapda vide notification No. ADSEC/ICW-23-3/59, dated 28.3.1959, of the irrigation department. It was laid down that Wapda will pay a net return of four per cent to the NWFP government, but it has not happened till today. What about the lost mark-up on the delayed payment and when will be the cut-off date to receive our arrears?
Before the transfer of electricity distribution and generation from the provincial governments, the NWFP had 83.57 per cent share in the village electrification of Pakistan. Now the per-capita consumption of electricity in the NWFP is well below the national average.
Wapda has already laid down adequate network in other provinces by giving undue advantage to them at the cost of the NWFP because capital and depreciation of this has been charged to and deducted from the NWFP’s net profits.
The surplus province of the NWFP four decades back has now become deficit and handicapped because of Wapda.
HUMAYUN SAIFULLAH KHAN
Ex-MPA, Peshawar