| January 20, 2006 | Friday | Zilhaj 19, 1426 |
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Religion is a collective matter
‘Between glamour and essentials’
Railway losses
Wapda’s performance
Weekly markets
Science, not technology
Pensioners re-hired
Animal bazaar?
Deaths in traffic jams
‘A strange demand’
Water plans
Ghazals
TWO articles by Ardeshir Cowasjee — one on the same subject as the title above and the other “Hazards to public health” (Jan 8 and 15) — are very thought provoking. All those who have a concern about medical and dental education in this country must be grateful to Mr Cowasjee for highlighting the affairs of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
The medical profession was proud to have an organization identical to the UK-based General Medical Council (GMC) which was working on the same lines as the GMC. The government appointed a senior civil servant as its secretary who remained at the post for more than a quarter of a century and built this organization without a single paisa from the government for the purpose. The PMDC was fully performing its functions as laid down in the PMDC ordinance of 1962 (later amended by an act of parliament in 1973).
The story is very different now. The PMDC has deteriorated during the last five years since the appointment of a relatively junior person in violation of the minimum age (50 years) and experience (20 years) requirement prescribed for the post. The federal government had failed to exercise its writ and the secretary of the PMDC is exercising all powers of the government.
Some the examples are as follows:
Sub-section (2) of Section 11 of the PMDC Ordinance says: “Any medical institution in Pakistan which grants a medical qualification not included in the first schedule of the ordinance may apply to the central government not to have such qualification recognized and the central government after consulting the Council may, by notification, amend the First Schedule so as to include such qualification therein”.
Sub-section (2) of section 18 provides the same for dental qualification.
Clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 9 says: “The Council shall with the previous sanction of the central government, fix the remuneration and allowances to be paid to the president, vice-president, members, officers and servants of the council.”
It is evident that none of the above provisions of the ordinance are followed in letter and spirit which has resulted in adverse effects on medical and dental education in Pakistan.
In view of all of this, it is imperative that the government exercise its writ and appoint a commission of inquiry as provided under Section 35 of the PMDC Ordinance 1962.
SYED EHTRAM ALI
Former secretary, PMDC,
Islamabad
THE secularists keep arguing that religion is a matter strictly between man and God and nobody can ask anyone to comply with its laws. Mr Irfan Husain’s column, “Gender discrimination” (Dec 17), uses such arguments. Talking about the Islamic injunction for women to dress (or conduct themselves) modestly, he says: “And if a woman does indeed transgress, surely that is a matter between her and her Maker, and not one to be adjudged by a family member or a mullah.”
This is a western concept and true only to a limited extent, notably where the religion concerned does not prescribe a complete way of life. However, in Islam, besides our duties to God, we also have our obligations towards other human beings, animals and even plants (Huqooqul Ibad) that are thought to be more important than the former. Mothers have been given the loftiest status and the benchmark of a man’s good conduct is how well he treats his wife and we all must follow these divine exhortations.
But, let’s take some examples of transgressions. If a young woman dresses up provocatively and/or walks along the street while whistling or singing, she is bound to attract unnecessary attention or, worse still, excite the passions of men who may be passing by. This is likely to invite ogling, uncalled-for remarks or even the risk of molestation.
A young man who is unable to control his passions may not be able to target her but could trap a young child to satisfy his lust, as is happening increasingly in these times. At the very least, there will be turbulence in the minds of many passers-by.
Another way of looking at it is to consider the laws framed by the government, say, about traffic rules. If, instead of obeying those rules, every motorist or pedestrian started making their own — some driving on the wrong side of the road, others not stopping at a red light or driving at breakneck speeds — accidents and chaos will result.
Our first line of defence against a wayward life is our mind, when used properly. It’s been said that “the ideas and images in men’s minds are the invisible powers that constantly govern them”. The harm caused by a man’s or a woman’s provocative dress or behaviour in the minds of many observers should thus be apparent.
A well-known American psychiatrist and writer has written: “Every time we encounter an attractive member of the opposite sex, our thoughts begin to swirl around the messages of our libido.” This is all the more true if their attire or conduct is immodest. He has further explained that movies, magazines, songs, advertisements and friends keep on reinforcing such thoughts. If we can free ourselves from this libido-based thinking, we will find inner peace.
A similar argument would apply to the use of intoxicants, which cannot remain a matter between a man and his Maker. A drunken soldier returning to a Hindu temple recently after a spat with someone shot dead 14 worshippers and wounded 19 before killing himself in Nepal (Dawn, Dec 16). A few years back a Nepali prince had killed the King, Queen and several other members of his family under the influence of alcohol.
S. QADRI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the editorial “Between glamour and essentials” (Jan 15) which doubts the government’s sincerity and questions the merit of the KPT fountain.
Keeping a tab on government works is one thing but mixing apple and oranges is another. The coal silos must be built and at an appropriate place — but it does not mean that everything else should be held in abeyance till the silos are made. Nor is it a case of ‘either this or that’.
The port fountain has not been built in place of coal silos nor is it that funds required for coal silos have been diverted for the fountain. The import of coal on such a large scale by the private sector is a recent phenomenon and the present coal yard is only a temporary solution. The job of any port is limited to facilitating cargo handling. For storage it makes available the required land — on which the private sector builds its own required storage.
The case in point being the tank farms adjacent to the coal storage area or the storage at the TPX — all are built and maintained by the private sector. No port gets involved in building warehouses or silos; this is always undertaken by the respective private sectors. Plans are already afoot for the construction of silos both for coal as well as cement and these should be coming up before long.
In the meantime the choice is between importing coal and making Pakistan’s products economical or continue to use conventional fuel and price Pakistani products out of market. The option of diverting all coal to Port Qasim does not exist because that port is already handling coal and is currently working at capacity.
The mention of a polluted seashore makes one think how the KPT can be confused with ministry of environment or the director-general, marine pollution, or any organization which has anything to do with marine pollution. As for the ‘image syndrome’ and ‘inviting people’ is concerned — well there is no dearth of such events: the KPT is involved in a host of capital projects of profile. These are both dual purpose projects like Tameer-i-Karachi Programme or other port upgrade projects.
RAHEMA NAZIR
Senior PRO KPT,
Karachi
IT appears that the Pakistan Railways is now trying to set up hotels to overcome its huge annual losses of billions of rupees. It would be better to first find out why the losses occurred before embarking on a new venture.
The causes of PR losses date back to 1980s, when some bright personality tried to take away its revenue-earning long distance freight to favour the NLC, knowing fully well that the latter was created merely to carry short distance hauls, in order to avoid delays to ships in port, costing a lot of demurrage.
At that time, PR was handling over 22 up and down freight trains, each carrying over 2,000 tons long-distance freight, between the KPT and upcountry, thus cross-subsidizing its passenger services, which normally do not pay even their operating expenses. The NLC thus robbed the PR of this revenue for some time, before it was taken over by private truckers, when the NLC fleet wore out, reducing the number of PR freight trains to hardly 10 each way.
As a result, during the last 25 years the PR has lost almost 70 per cent of its freight revenue, although national freight must have increased several times. Now almost 85 per cent of the entire long distance freight has been taken over by private trucks, which consume eight to 10 times more fuel for the same payload/km, apart from causing heavy wear and tear, higher investment in highways, consequent environmental pollution and very high fatalities in road accidents.
The total loss to the national economy could thus be over $1 billion per annum on extra fuel imports, besides similar losses on highways, railways, environmental pollution and loss of precious human lives.
In view of this, the government should consider appointing a high-powered commission to look into this huge waste of public money and to find ways and means to rectify the position.
S.M.H. RIZVI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Imran Khan Sial’s letter “Wapda’s performance” (Jan 10) wherein Wapda is alleged to be partisan towards the Kalabagh dam and inefficient as an organization.
Wapda is a national organization run by professional and competent people. Amongst various other duties, one of its functions is to identify sites for building reservoirs in the country. This work is carried out by collection of data on a scientific basis which is evaluated by professionals according to accepted international standards. In just the past few years, Wapda has been working on various projects like Bhasha dam, Kalabagh dam, Skardu, Munda, Akhori, Mirani, Gomal Zam, Sabakzai dam, the Kacchi Canal project and the Greater Thal Canal, to name a few. Some projects have seen the light of the day as they have been approved by the government while others are still pending approval construction of reservoirs entails detailed studies, surveys and evaluation, which is a tedious and time consuming work stretching over years.
Mr Sial has alleged that the ex-chairman of Wapda deliberately delayed work on the Bhasha dam while the facts speak otherwise. The preliminary feasibility study of the Bhasha dam was carried out in 1984 and reviewed by an international panel of experts in 1988. In 1989, NESPAK and ACE were appointed by Wapda to upgrade the feasibility study. Finally, the Basha dam was included in the Vision-2025 Programme presented by Lt Gen (R) Zulfiqar Ali Khan to the federal government on Aug 30, 2000.
The Munda dam is a stand-alone project, proposed to be constructed on the Swat River to provide effective management of floods. The Wapda chairman during his in-camera briefing had stated that though there was no threat to Nowshera because of backflow of water from Kalabagh, construction of the Munda dam was an added safety valve which would absorb flood water in case of extraordinary flooding. The Munda dam is planned to be constructed irrespective of whether the Kalabagh dam is built or not. Hence there is no nexus between the Kalabagh dam and the Munda dam as contemplated by Mr Sial.
Mr Sial has referred to a statement of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain which pertains to objections on political grounds against the Kalabagh dam. However, he has twisted his statement to create an impression that Mr Hussain had admitted that there were technical lacunae in the design of the dam.
The figures of 35 MAF are not those of Wapda as alleged. In fact, these figures have been provided by the Sindh irrigation department. As far as availability of water for construction of reservoirs is concerned, enough water will still be available for constructing a series of dams, after provision of water for checking sea intrusion, two MAF for use of India under the Indus Basin Treaty and 0.5 MAF for a dam to be built on the Kabul River by Afghanistan.
SHAFQAT JALIL
Director, Public Relations,Wapda
, Lahore
The Karachi DHA has been arranging weekly Tuesday and Sunday bazaars which are generally useful to the residents.
There are however certain problems and hazards which require the urgent attention of the organizers.
There is no security arrangement for vistors’ vehicles parked around the bazaar. Previously a soft drink company used to provide its own security services free of charge. The bazaars are organized on katcha ground.
To set the dust, filthy sewage water is gushed from bowsers into the walkways and beneath the stalls, which leaves a foul smell, pollutes the environment, causes disease and is hazardous to the produce being sold in the open.
Vegetable stall owners,
in particular, do not follow any hygienic procedure and wash their produce in dirty water.
Despite displaying a price list, fruit and vegetable stall owners do not sell at the listed prices, sometimes charging higher rates.
If a shopper argues, they run the risk of being abused, even physically.
Unfortunately the DHA’s complaint camp office is a useless and silent spectator to such incidents.
The area where fish and chicken are sold is a special sight, surrounded by flies and filth.
DHA must be charging rent from stall holders. It is not understood why it has failed to provide basic services including security of vehicles and a clean, unpolluted hygienic environment.
It has not enforced price control nor does it check the formation of cartels.
Despite numerous complaints, no redressal measures have been taken to bring about visible positive changes.
SHAUKAT RIZVI
Karachi
THIS has reference to the letter “Science died in 1965” and the article “A prescription for decline” by Dr S.M. Ismail and Dushka H. Saiyid (Jan 2). It is unfortunate that the role of the continuum between strategy/ policy/planning/goals/objectives and getting results is riddled with discontinuities apart from confused thinking.
Witness President Musharraf admitting in spite of a good strategy there is much to be desired in obtaining results. The HEC will mirror the same. To have PhDs (any number) who need (competent) juniors to assist them and vice versa requires the acceptance of setting up laboratories where one works with one’s hands and not “learning” practicals on paper in a classroom.
If an orthopaedic surgeon does not have the support of nurses and physiotherapists, the patient will not recover because of the discontinuities in holistic treatment.
Where are technicians and junior scientists going to come from in the anti-holistic approach of the HEC? The HEC should have apportioned a certain proportion of the available funding to balance their top heavy approach.
MASOOD HASAN
Lahore
I am a pensioner who has been re-hired by a private firm I work for. Now the Central Board of Revenue has decided to tax the pension of those who have been re-hired. This means a pensioner is not even entitled to his full pension.
Is this justice? Hundreds of thousands of petty traders in Karachi alone make in a day money which I earn in a month, but they issue no cash memos and thus enjoy tax-free earnings which run into millions in a year.
Ultimately, it is the honest middle class that must be squeezed dry.
Will the CBR reconsider is decision?
A PENSIONER
Karachi
KARACHI’S DHA is one of the posher residential areas in the city. During this Eidul Azha, one wonders why the DHA authorities allowed the tentage of sacrificial animals, which made some areas look like an “animal Juma bazaars”.
Also, the sacrificing ritual was allowed on the roads. The law was violated blatantly.
The DHA has thoroughly disappointed its residents and has lost its respect as an authority. It should learn from its counterpart in Lahore on how the writ of law is maintained.
PERTURBED RESIDENT
Karachi
IT is a matter of great anguish that patients died on the streets because they were not able to reach hospitals in time due to traffic jams.
Is it not possible for ambulances to be allowed to go through while the roads are closed in anticipation of VVIP movements?
That will be in the best interest of the VVIPs for they will earn the good wishes of the people.
The ambulances can be searched for security before letting them in the freeways and can also be stopped when the VVIP motorcade passes by.
Even in the normal times police should facilitate the movement of ambulances through traffic jams, as is customary in civilized countries.
N.A. KHAN
Karachi
YOUR editorial “A strange demand” (Jan 16) has caused some confusion.
It informs readers that “the leadership of Baloch people has been monopolized by powerful sardars who themselves have no interest in the welfare of their people” but later tells Baloch leaders that “looking to powers outside Pakistan can cost the Baloch leaders the sympathy and understanding that exists in the other three provinces for their cause and undermine their just struggle for rights and for the economic uplift of Balochistan.”
Are the sardars not interested in the welfare of their people or are they fighting for the economic uplift of Balochistan?
DR NASEEM ISLAM
Karachi
AS we have been caught up in a state of inertia on building new water reservoirs the past three decades, it might be useful to look at the water plans of our two big neighbours, India and China, for our guidance. The Economist of July 19, 2003 reported in a special survey of water that China had 22,000 large dams, i.e., about 50 per cent of the world’s dams.
India as a runner-up had 4,300 large dams. The latter had plans to link up all its rivers at an estimated cost of $120 billion as per orders of the Indian Supreme Court after which the prime minister had set up a task force. Perhaps our apex court could take a cue from this.
China is set to complete its three gorges dam by 2009, which would be the largest in the world, to grow 30 per cent of the crops China needs and generate 18,600 megawatts of electricity.
China has an even more ambitious plan to transfer water from the south to the north by a series of link canals and aqueducts. As such, the Yangtse River will be connected with the Yellow river basin.
But here we are, still contemplating building a dam to store 6.1 MAF of water and to generate 3,600 megawatts of power.
DR M. YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
THIS is with reference to Ayaz Amir’s column ‘The ghazal perfected’ (Jan 14). Could he please tell us from where one can purchase the two-CD set of Mehdi Hasan’s ghazals that he has mentioned in his column?
SIKANDAR ANSARI
Islamabad
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