The mood in New Delhi

December is the month of chrysanthemum blooms in Delhi. A variety of this flower - perhaps new - appears like a large round ball of fresh snowflakes. There is also a freshness and quiet confidence in this sprawling metropolis that rules over a billion people. Perhaps for the first time ever there is a hint of light at the end of the Indian horizon mired in centuries of poverty and dust.

With a hundred billion dollars in foreign exchange tucked in its coffers, a 7.3 per cent GDP growth this year, a middle class twice that of Pakistan's population, a world class pharmaceutical industry producing a range of advanced medicines at low cost, an aggressive software and outsourcing service reach which is set to earn ten billion dollars per annum; a safe tourist destination for hundreds of thousands of wintering Europeans, Japanese and Americans, India is on the trail of China for growth, development and armed might.

To top it all, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee not only looks healthier in his eightieth year, than he did at the time of Agra, he seems to have out-distanced his nearest rival, Mr Advani, and all set to sweep the polls in next year's general elections.

What does this all mean for Pakistan? And the Kashmir dispute? Two conclusions were drawn after three assassination attempts within 11 days on President Musharraf. One, our terror organizations which exist in subterranean Pakistan have decided to wage a full-blooded war against Musharraf for the suspension of shelling across the LoC and going soft on the plebiscite issue.

Taking advantage of the ceasefire, India plans to fence with barbed wire and thermal image the 770 kilometer LoC by next April, making any unauthorized cross-line movement in Kashmir very difficult. Second, New Delhi recognizes Musharraf as a credible negotiating partner who has the means and the will to take on the extremist organizations which have developed deep roots in Pakistan soil. Pakistan without Musharraf is likely to be a rudderless political entity, hostage to instability, terrorism and adverting to hardline positions on Kashmir.

India apparently is willing to enter into a dialogue but on its terms on Kashmir once the infrastructure of terrorism is eliminated in Azad Kashmir. I requested Mr Brijesh Mishra, the national security adviser and the man closest to Mr Vajpayee to explain his certitude on the existence of terror camps in Azad Kashmir. He referred to some transcripts of radio messages of an incriminating nature sent from these camps to operatives across the LoC. When requested to hand me over a specimen of these transcripts he declined but offered to let me read the transcripts. The offer was not taken up.

Mr Mishra claimed to know the exact number of "terror" camps with locations operating in Azad Kashmir. The Indian Sunday Express published a graph showing the declining numbers of terrorists entering Indian Occupied Kashmir this year with precise figures for previous years. But, this begs the question; if they have intercepted radio messages and ingress to the last man why can't they pinpoint locations and eliminate them, or, if this is not possible, jam the communications?

If camps really exist on our side then these exist with the consent of the ISI or the army. Recently, I questioned in the National Assembly about the number of the so-called freedom fighters caught by the army in attempting to cross the LoC and action, if any, taken against them. The question was disallowed by the Speaker.

Likewise the Indians fail to explain why an army of 700,000 persons patrolling the LoC is unable to control the insurgency. The freedom fighters could not survive unless they have strong support among an alienated people. Sealing the LoC is not likely to heal the festering wound inside the Valley.

Only time will tell us the truth. It is time for both countries to come clean. Pakistan must satisfy India that acquiescing in the cross movement of freedom fighters has come to an end. Sadly, it appears that in tolerating the freedom fighters we take two steps forward and one backwards.

One would welcome a parliamentary debate on the issue to convince the unconvinced that terrorism is not only a two-edged sword that recoils on the perpetrator but in net result, counterproductive and disreputable for any state to be an abettor. India must appreciate that the Kashmiris of the valley are a deeply alienated lot. A recent BBC film on Srinagar was a pointer in this direction.

A solution must lie in a process, with the process becoming the solution. The process must be acceptable to moderates and the people of goodwill in both countries. It should not be a zero sum game. The wall of moderation should be able to withstand the lashing waves of the extremists and super-patriots on both sides. Once a process is agreed upon, India and Pakistan will need strong leadership to deliver. The perception in New Delhi is that Vajpayee and Musharraf can deliver.

A 'process' heard in New Delhi runs somewhat as follows: -

Ladakh and Baltistan were the colonies of the former Maharaja of Kashmir who was a British satrap. These territories were acquired by the old state by conquest and have nothing in common, culturally or linguistically with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, Ladakh and Baltistan should be constituted as union and federal territories in India and Pakistan respectively by mutual agreement. Shrinking the problem will help to make the "process" a little easier.

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution grants autonomy to Jammu & Kashmir. This autonomy has been more of a fiction than a fact for the past half century. Full autonomy - a concept which needs to be defined and developed must be conceded to the Indian held Kashmir. For the autonomy to succeed Pakistan's cooperation and India's large-heartedness will be needed. Likewise, the same quantum of autonomy must be conceded by Pakistan to Azad Kashmir. The two parts of Kashmir will remain within the constitutional jurisdictions of India and Pakistan and will have their own Supreme Courts; their heads of government will be titled prime ministers as before.

Autonomy will grant the right of near-sovereignty to the respective parts of Kashmir. The only right not conceded to these states will be the right to change constitutional status. Both countries will have the right to retain troops in their respective parts and to maintain law and order if requested by the state governments. Trade, immigration and tourism will be the prerogative of the autonomous governments.

The respective Kashmir governments will have the right to open trade and tourist offices in foreign countries following the example of the French and Dutch parts of Belgium and the Hong Kong-China model. Once full autonomy is in place, the line in Kashmir will tend to get blurred. Elected assemblies on either side should be allowed to have joint sessions to discuss inter-Kashmir trade and local problems. There is no foretelling where the process will end. The drama of real life is more daring than what our timid imaginations will allow for now.

The most encouraging thing in our inter-state relations is the overwhelming response of the people. People on both sides exhibit an extraordinary warmth, like estranged relatives now wishing to leave the ghost of the past behind.

I shall give one example of this. We were invited to a TV programme, 'Face-to-Face' with about 200 persons, mostly young people. A BJP MP in his tirade repeated the Kargil episode, as an example of Pakistan's bad faith after the Lahore declaration. One of my colleagues said in reply, "Yes, Kargil was bad, but if you must bring up Kargil then why stop there; go back to Siachen and East Pakistan". The crowd clapped thunderously at this response and Kargil was not mentioned again.

I once wrote that we - India and Pakistan - sleep in the same pit, but dream different dreams. I think, young people dream the same on both sides.

The writer, an MNA, recently visited India to attend the South Asia Forum of Parliamentarians meeting in New Delhi.

E-mail: murbr@isb.paknet.com.pk

Medical college yet to be set up

The establishment of a medical college in Gujranwala was a longstanding demand of the citizens which was finally accepted by the government last year. Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi had announced the decision during his visit to the city. He also announced a development package of Rs1 billion.

The local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City Tehsil Council and district government had assured the government of financial support for the construction of a medical college in the city, besides the setting up of a trauma centre and a burn unit at the divisional headquarters hospital.

It was suggested to the Health Department by various circles that medical classes should be started soon on the premises of DHQ till the construction of the medical college building. Senior officers of the Health Department had hinted about two months ago that medical classes would be started from December, 2003. Provincial health secretary had also visited the DHQ and held discussions in this connection. But medical classes could not be started.

It is stated that the Health Department and DHQ administration had suggested that medical classes should be started at the old building of Civil Hospital till arrangements for a new building are made. The main hurdle was believed to be non-provision of the required funds. The district government, City Tehsil Council and Chamber of Commerce and Industry could not provide any financial support despite promises.

It is also learnt that some circles in the Health Department were reluctant to start medical classes at the old DHQ building on grounds of insufficient space. Some circles suggested that the District Coordination Officer's house which was quite big, should be acquired for the purpose and the DCO house shifted to the former Commissioner House which was lying vacant.

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At least 34,000 tons of poppy was cultivated in Afghanistan during the current season which could be smuggled into Pakistan and was a challenge to organizations struggling to combat narcotics. This was stated by Anti Narcotics Force director-general Maj Gen Nadim Ahmad at a meeting at the Memorial Hospital here the other day.

He said that the internal situation of Afghanistan was weak. Farmers were growing poppy in huge quantity and Pakistan would suffer if smuggling of poppy is not plugged at the borders by anti-narcotics organization and other agencies.

He pointed out that as many as 500,000 people were involved in drugs. Up to 12 per cent of them were using syringes for addiction. Out of 100 patients, 17 were found to be suffering from AIDS in Larkana district, he revealed quoting a recent study report. He stressed that non-governmental organizations should continue their struggle to combat the drug and AIDS menace in Pakistan, besides rehabilitation of drug pushers and addicts.

Earlier, the hospital administration informed him that 1,000 patients involved in drugs have been discharged after treatment.

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Wazirabad circle police claimed to have arrested 500 proclaimed offenders, 450 court fugitives and about 140 members of inter-district gangs of dacoits and robbers and recovered a huge quantity of illicit arms and looted goods from their possession during a special drive launched against them last year.

This was stated by ASP Waqar Ahmad Chohan at the monthly crime meeting the other day. He said that about 128 cases of narcotics were registered against drug traffickers and 26 kilograms of charas, 420 bottles of liquor and five distilleries were recovered from their possession.

The killer(s) of former provincial minister Chaudhry Muhammad Farooq were arrested from the tribal area after hectic efforts. As a result of this, Punjab IGP gave cash award of Rs500,000 and a commendation certificate to an ASP.

And a shortage of graveyards

The subject of graveyards being full and closed is well-known to all. Yet there are little signs that anything tangible is being truly done. What is the solution, ask citizens who argue that the answer lies in having graveyards far away from the city. There is no land available in the conveniently-located areas, and try and interpret matters on the basis of a shortage of space even for playgrounds, sports facilities, and graveyards at the same time. But the difficulty and the challenge of graveyards at those far off locations is the frustration that it will cause to citizens who will have to go out all that distance, in a context where travelling time, even for short distances is steadily rising.

Not many people have realised how much time they are actually spending on roads, for reasons that could well be looked into, and the bottlenecks removed. But perceptive citizens lament that while the majority suffers, the VIPs have created for themselves dependable ways and means to move swiftly and safely on Karachi's roads, or Lahore and Islamabad roads for that matter. VIP culture really matters.

It is said that recently the authorities concerned also announced that the Sakhi Hasan graveyard, (one of the major post- Independence graveyards that the city has) was declared "full and closed". The PECHS graveyard was declared full and closed several years ago, and even today burials are taking place there. Someone argues to explains that this is because families have booked space there, reflecting the way in which certain affluent far-sighted families provide. Of course, in the case of the sprawling Mewashah graveyards, there are family and community graveyards too. Death is an organized matter in a way.

What some of us have found disappointing is that in a city that is creating more and more expressions of "fun and games" (actually said by a person who has lived in Karachi all his life) has not given to the vital subject of graveyards the time and priority that it is required. There is such a high profile talk of Disneyland or Disney park being set up in Clifton, and there are arguments about it. But nobody seems to focus on something like graveyards that are so integral to our lives and our death.

Let me refer to another point that there is also a shortage of buses that are hired for carrying the "janaza" and the family members etc who accompany it. These days, reveals a colleague, it was not easy to find these large buses, and he had to contact at least three different organizations that provide these services for a reasonable price. While one thought of the shortage of buses for carrying funerals, one heard in detail of how this person had to hire a bus (Rs 1000 for three hours, with additional charges for exceeding that time-slot).

One is conscious that selecting a theme like death and graveyards at the beginning of a new year may be regarded as rather unusual. But the fact remains that the pressure on graveyards, or shall we say the demand for graves is somewhat higher at this time of the year. It is season-related and often extreme weather (Karachi's winter that is) the number of deaths appears to rise, somewhat. The other time is extreme heat, in the midst of summer.

So the need for graves grows at this time, says a gravedigger. And like all gravediggers and their brown associates, he too looks impoverished and weary. Of course, he belongs to that section of society whom we categories as the havenots.

On this subject, a slight deviation is required as we underline the way in which funerals now take place and how the subsequent occasions are organized. The Soyem, the qul, the quran khwani, the chehlum, and the stream of condolences and sharing of grief. Times have changed and everybody is generally in a terrible hurry. Families, therefore, reflect, more than ever the changing values of Pakistani society in these cases too.

Of course, there is mourning and there are tears and grief. There is quiet, dignified sorrow. And for others, there is loud expression of the pain and agony that a death has brought about. But one person said that the way in which families now handle death and funerals symbolises the way in which westernization and its impersonal values have eroded the togetherness of our joint family system. See the way women dress at soyem.

There is much to say on this. But let me refer to a new way of expressing one's grief at the death of someone has surfaced. This is to send an e-mail on this theme even though one may live in the same city, that is Karachi or Lahore or Islamabad.

As someone who is not into the world of the computer and information technology, this way of condoling, and sharing sorrow and sadness as compared to actually go out to the concerned family is something that appears as artificial and without any feeling whatsoever. But then one is reminded that the world that lies ahead is technology oriented. Take it or leave it.

One also wants to focus on subjects, like suicides in 2003 and child abuse in the outgoing year which have been highlighted as in some year-end reviews. Those two themes mirror the way in which families have been under stress in this society and perhaps it shows in these horrifying ways. Tragic ways really.

A poet to remember

Although the local office of the Pakistan Writers Guild did once observe the death anniversary of the creator of our national anthem, Hafeez Jallandhri, it is the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Lahore branch, which has been more regular in this respect. This year a function was arranged by it which was presided over by Prof Dr Khawaja Zakariya, who also happened to be the main speaker of the evening.

After Allama Iqbal, Hafeez was the only poet who devoted himself to the renaissance of the Muslims of the sub-continent and espouse the national cause. The forceful poems he wrote during a visit to England to warn the students living there to beware of the glitter of the West can be quoted as an example. His magnum opus, the Shahnama-i-Islam, is a historical, religious, national and literary work, which, unfortunately, has not received the recognition it deserved.

A pupil of the Persian poet, Girami Jallandri, Hafeez was equally at ease in all genres of Urdu poetry. His singular contribution to the Urdu ghazaal and geet can never be forgotten. Although hounded by Urdu-speaking poets and other detractors, he not only manfully faced them but also made them accept his greatness as a poet.

Although Hafeez Sahib has carved a niche in our country's history by giving it an extremely appropriate and forceful anthem, I feel his eternal benediction would come from the most powerful salaam that he wrote. Can there be any better tribute to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) than the following:

Salaam ay Amina key laal ay mehbub-i-subhani

Salaam ay fakhr-i-maujudat fakhr-i-nau-i-insani

I have known Hafeez and his family since 1935. He also lived in Model Town like me. But when he died on Dec 21, 1982, I did not go to attend his funeral. It was delayed, as I learnt later, because his wife wanted him to be buried near the Badshahi Mosque which the authorities could not accept. He was, ultimately, buried in the Model Town graveyard as an 'amanat' and was later interred in the Iqbal Parks.

Many writers, including Munir Niazi, knowing my relations with Hafeez, came over to my place after the funeral to find out the reason for my absence. My answer was straight and simple. I just said: "I could not see a man who was a terror in his lifetime lying helplessly in a coffin".

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As I said earlier while writing about the only, and belated, collection of Azhar Javaid's poetry, he is probably the only, and true, romantic of Urdu. he has been in the field of literature for almost half a century but has only now consented to have his verses presented in book form. I say 'consented' for I am told that it was after a lot of persuasion that he allowed Safdar Husain of Al-Hamd Publications to take up the project and he made a good job of it.

On top of it, Azhar had his erstwhile friend, Prof Dr Khawaja Zakariya, who agreed to go through the entire mess he had created by writing love lyrics and make a proper selection from it. But still the lover in Azhar Javaid is visible through his verses. It was the general opinion of the people who were there at the launch of his collection in a five-star hotel of the city. Arranged by the Majlis-i-Ahl-i-Sukhan, the function was ably conducted by Shaukia Thanvi.

It was presided over by Ashfaq Ahmed while Dr Khwaja Zakariya was the chief guest. The speakers included Usman Siddiqi, Kanwal Feroz, Yunus Javed, Mustansar Husain Tarar and Bushra Ijaz. Abid Hasan Minto and Bano Qudsia who were among the audience also made some pertinent observations about the collection.

Bushra said that she found Azhar to be a highly self respecting and religious-minded person. A hard worker throughout his life, he had constantly been projecting others and himself remaining in the background.

Usman Siddiqi had a special word of praise for the prose writings of Azhar Javed and his ability as a literary critic. His observations and assessment of the happenings around him were added qualities of Azhar and these were reflected in his poetry.

Dr Khawaja Zakariya said that although Azhar was a romantic poet of the Meeraji, Majaz and Akhtar Shairani variety, his verses pertaining to social and political issues are also worthy of note.

In his presidential remarks, Ashfaq Ahmed was rather philosophical. He said that Azhar Javed was like an island in a vast ocean which was constantly trying to expand its shores.

The function was largely attended. Sultan Rushk, editor of the Nairang-i-Khayal, who could not come down from Rawalpindi; sent some verses that he had written for the occasion. These were read by Karamat Bukhari.