| April 10, 2006 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1427 |
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Farewell to Jayasuriya
One-degree university
Kashmir issue
Why ban foreign channels?
Loudspeaker nuisance
News from Karachi
Expensive wind energy
Fighting corruption
President’s email
Women bikers
Indian democracy
Expensive wind energy
Forex companies
IN his letter ‘HEC policies’ (April 2), Mr Manzoor Ali Isran highlights a common misconception of the role of the organization and the degree of authority over the operation of universities granted to it by the government. While the HEC serves as a body to guide the development of universities in Pakistan into world-class seats of learning, it also recognizes universities as autonomous bodies that are governed by the rules within their syndicates and those laid down by their senates. The legal mandate of the HEC does not, for example, authorise the organisation to remove a vice-chancellor who is considered not to be performing, as this authority lies with provincial governors.
Accordingly, the letter by Mr Isran sent to the HEC by the Sindh auditor-general alleging financial irregularities at Shah Abdul Latif University has been forwarded to the Sindh governor for further investigation and necessary action as deemed appropriate.
The HEC’s main role is to evaluate, improve and promote the quality of higher education in indigenous institutions by formulating policies, guiding principles, and allocating priorities for the reform of the higher education sector. It balances its priorities in the light of challenges presented in the contemporary global knowledge- based economy, by gearing our intervention strategies to facilitate the development of Pakistan into a prosperous economy. In formulating and implementing these policies, the HEC has never adopted a ‘unilateral’ approach; rather it deems stakeholders’ participation essential at every step.
Mr Isran correctly draws attention to the serious issue of improving the governance of universities, but his allegation that the HEC has ‘ignored’ this area is wrong. Had he chosen to correctly research the matter, it would not have taken him long to realize that the HEC has assigned this issue the highest priority in its reform agenda.
A major achievement in this area has been the implementation of a search committee mechanism for the appointment of VCs/rectors of public sector universities/degree-awarding institutes. This mechanism, approved by the president, provides for the selection of a scholar and professional who as VC will provide executive leadership in academic, research and developmental activities of his/her institution in the best possible manner. This mechanism has been operating in the federal area and the HEC has been working with provincial governors to adopt a similar process for the appointment of VCs of provincial universities/ institutes, a process already implemented in Punjab.
Shah Abdul Latif University, contrary to what Mr Isran would have readers believe, has been the beneficiary of a computerisation and networking programme, equipping the university with computers, servers and a local area network. The university has been provided with high-speed Internet connectivity to provide a platform for delivery of a world-leading online digital library resource with access to approximately 20,000 research journals. A wealth of funding opportunities have been provided to support innovative research projects, and mechanisms have been put into place to ensure the relevance of this research to national priorities, and the integration of the research process with the industrial sector.
However the adoption and implementation of governance reforms within the provinces remains within the jurisdiction of the provincial authorities. The HEC will continue to work closely with provincial governors, who are chancellors of provincial universities, to ensure that policies are adopted to promote quality improvement as well as financial and administrative transparency at universities.
KAMRAN NAIM
Higher Education Commission
Islamabad
PAKISTAN has won the second Test match against Sri Lanka and clinched the series. All praise goes to Muhammad Asif who won the match almost single-handedly.
Asif brought hope back in the second innings with his 5 for 27 after getting a first innings haul of 6 for 44.
The question of Asif’s bowling partner still remains. Muhammad Sami should be given another chance as he is a good bowler.
What he needs is a little coaching and guidance from the talented former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Yunus who is now the Pakistan team’s bowling coach.
Lastly, it would be unfair not to mention that test match was the farewell test for Sanath Teran Jayasuriya.
A veteran of 102 tests with an average of 41.59, he got his hand injured while trying to take a catch. Due to the injury he could not bat in the second innings when he was most needed by his side.
Certainly this was not the farewell a great batsman like Jayasuriya would expect. He should delay his retirement to get another chance to play for Sri Lanka.
He deserves a standing ovation and a warm send off in his slast Test.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, Canada
THE University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, was created some four years ago in June 2002 by upgrading the erstwhile College of Veterinary Science. The university’s idea was seeded during a meeting in the Governor’s House to discuss the livestock sector development.
Initially, five faculties were drawn up to qualify for the inception of a university.
Only one faculty had to deal with veterinary medicine while the other four faculties were meant to impart training in animal production, fisheries and wildlife, livestock business management and biological sciences.
However, during the past four years the UVAS has remained content by updating only one degree of DVM, conferred by the faculty of veterinary medicine by adding a year in additional courses of animal production while the other four faculties have failed to institute basic graduate degrees programmes in their respective disciplines.
The UVAS has thus become more or less a dignified veterinary college owing to its lack of developing new production- oriented disciplines in other faculties.
The Higher Education Commission chairman has fixed 2007 as the year to examine the progress of new universities upgraded from colleges, and is likely to revert many existing universities to their previous college status.
It is about time the UVAS initiated new basic graduate degree programmes in animal husbandry, dairy and poultry sciences, livestock economics and business management as also in fisheries and wildlife. Unfortunately the limited veterinary focus of the UVAS authorities has prevented the university from breaking new ground in spite of lavish funds provided by the government for faculty development and the establishment of a new campus and a livestock experiment station on 800 acres, about 50 miles from Lahore.
The chancellor may like to take notice of the frittering away of the first four years of the UVAS in futile pursuits leading it nowhere.
DR M YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
MIR Waiz Umar Farooq has accused Syed Ali Geelani of “not being brave” or “bold” enough to back unpopular decisions. What this means is that Mr Farooq is inviting Mr Geelani to ignore the will and aspirations of the Kashmiri Muslims and go ahead with a compromise.
The fact that Kashmiri Muslims have patiently carried on with their struggle for the last 50 years does not seem to appeal to Mr Farooq, who is keen to ignore the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and be content with an arrangement short of a fair solution.
Now that even Kashmiri mujahideen are thinking about talking with the Indian authorities, it is fair to conclude that Pakistan has virtually abandoned the Kashmir cause. In these hard times, it is only natural for Kashmiri Muslims to lose heart and feel pressurised.
Therefore Syed Ali Geelani’s unflinching stance deserves applause and appreciation. History will perhaps remember him as the man who kept the last hopes of the Kashmiri Muslims alive.
MOEZ MOBEEN
Islamabad
THE government has adopted an open media policy and a number of new private channels are being launched. However, despite this open policy the choice of the viewer is not being taken into account.
The argument is that foreign channels do not match our social norms. This is no longer valid as almost all private Pakistani channels are trying their best to copy Indian programmes and are telecasting old Indian dramas.
These pathetic Pakistani versions of Indian dramas clearly show the lack of creativity of our local channels and for this reason they have miserably failed to grab the attention of the viewer.
Besides, what is the logic behind banning foreign channels on the pretext of social norms and allowing your own channels to telecast old Indian plays?
In my opinion, instead of banning foreign channels, Pakistani channels should be asked to produce better programmes. Let there be open competition and let the viewer decide what he or she wants to watch.
MAHEEN MALIK
Islamabad
THIS is in support of Ms. Shaista Ikram’s letter “Loudspeaker nuisance” (April 5). It has become common to arrange naat mehfils in every mosque and at every corner. At these gatherings loudspeakers with high amplifiers are used, without any consideration for the sick, elderly or the very young.
Loudspeakers with high amplifiers have also been installed on every mosque. Since there are different sects, more than one mosque can be found in every locality. At the time of the call to prayer the noise created from all these mosques is unbearable. But because of the sensitivity of the matter, residents don’t complain. The laws which have been made for this purpose are useless.
It is the duty of the all sensible people and the government to do something to curb this. The noise created by these loudspeakers is more than 85 decibels, which is the maximum limit for a normal person to bear.
BASHIR AHMED SOOMRO
Karachi
SOME of the recent headlines printed in your newspaper under local news about Karachi are “Power cuts in various areas irks citizens”, “Water crisis persists in certain localities”, “Phones go out of order in Gulistan” and “Young man shot dead in Korangi”.
Despite privatisation and claims about improvements in security, life in the foremost city of Pakistan has apparently not changed. How much are the Sindh government and the city government aware of its persistent problems?
All through the year promises are made that the problems of Karachi will be over in a year’s time. However, the promises have proved to be hollow. How long will it be before Karachiites can again be at least as comfortable as they was in the 50s or even 60s?
SYED HUSSAIN AKBARI
Mississauga, Canada
APROPOS of Mr Ainul Abdin’s letter (March 24) about expensive wind energy in Sindh, may I mention here that India is exploring to tap renewable sources like wind for growing energy requirements? If it is expensive, as alleged by the letter writer, then why is the Indian government encouraging private entrepreneurs to enter the wind power energy sector?
Suzlon, a Pune-based windmill, has commissioned Asia’s largest wind farm of 201 MW capacity near Satara. The other day Suzlon announced it was investing $60-million wind turbine generator manufacturing in China.
Wapda and the minister for energy should be eyeing such project for Punjab, Balochistan and the NWFP to overcome the acute energy crisis.
KHALID M. KHAN
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item ‘NAB asked to tighten noose around corrupt’ (April 3), in which President Gen Pervez Musharraf has directed the National Accountability Bureau to tighten the noose around people who had looted the national treasury.
This is AN encouraging step and it is hoped that NAB now will focus more on bureaucratic corruption being committed in universities and other institutions, especially with regard to development funds. This kind of corruption has a direct bearing on the social, economic life of the people.
MANZOOR ALI ISRAN,
Shah Abdul Latif University
Khairpur
ON Feb 24, 2005 the federal ministry of information launched an email address, which is presidentmusharraf@comsats.net.pk. It was asserted at that time that anyone could contact and give suggestions to the president. Besides that, there was another email address: CE@pak.gov.pk.
The other day I tried several times to send an email at both addresses but they were returned with a failure delivery notice. This again proves that while such offers are loudly trumpeted, they end up in smoke.
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
LAST month I visited Pakistan as a member of the South Asia Fraternity (SAF). I had the opportunity to visit Faisalabad, Lahore and Nankana Sahib. I found many women working in different offices as executives and they were doing their jobs efficiently.
I was told that while women in Pakistan drive four-wheelers (cars), they do not use two-wheelers (motorcycles). My friends could not give a reason as to why women cannot use the less expensive two-wheeler. I feel that social thinkers and women activists in the country should think on this issue.
Dr. LAXMIKANT TULANKAR
Nagpur, India
IN response to Mr. Usman Fayyaz’s letter (April 7) about Indian democracy, I would like to request him not to be too enthusiastic about the Indian system, as it is not very different from Pakistan’s dictatorship.
There are about 64 members of parliament who also hold another office but did not resign their membership. Those who belong to Congress (I) have been asked to hold on to their seats by none other than Sonia Gandhi herself.
ASHABIKASH
Lucknow, India
APROPOS of Mr Ainul Abdin’s letter (March 24) about expensive wind energy in Sindh, may I mention here that India is exploring to tap renewable sources like wind for growing energy requirements? If it is expensive, as alleged by the letter writer, then why is the Indian government encouraging private entrepreneurs to enter the wind power energy sector?
Suzlon, a Pune-based windmill, has commissioned Asia’s largest wind farm of 201 MW capacity near Satara. The other day Suzlon announced it was investing $60-million wind turbine generator manufacturing in China.
Wapda and the minister for energy should be eyeing such project for Punjab, Balochistan and the NWFP to overcome the acute energy crisis.
KHALID M. KHAN
Karachi
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the plight of pensioners and widows who had made small investments in the Still Rich Co, Lahore, which was closed down some two years ago. We believe that the matter is in the hands of NAB and assets have also been taken over by them.
It is requested that payment to small investors may kindly be expedited for which, it is understood, sufficient money is available.
AN AFFECTED PERSON
Karachi
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