| May 6, 2006 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1427 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Legal aid centres for citizens
Teachers’ plagiarism
NBP insurance scheme
Jehangir Park & parking
Domicile certificate
School facilities
Karachi blackouts
A sports university
Shuttle service
Two greats
DHA venture
Children arrested, chained
Coal
War of words
Egyptian FM
On the morning of April 27 I was standing at the Fleet Club stop for transport. A minibus No. JE-6887 meant for the shuttle service from the Arts Council to Mereweather Tower appeared
IN his piece, ‘Role of civil servants (April 30), Mr Kunwar Idrees writes: “In a recent interview on Pakistan TV, General Musharraf conceded that he had left the task of reconstructing the civil service to the next government for it was too cumbersome and controversial for him to attempt and he had better things to do. He did not care to explain why he had to demolish the civil service in the first instance.”
A country can survive bad politicians, provided their role remains confined to politics, but not for long bad administrators. After World War II, the government in France changed hands nine times in 13 years; yet, this period of political instability was also the time when France registered its highest economic growth.
Italy has suffered 59 nine governments in the past 60 years and it continues to prosper. In both these cases, what held the countries together and functioning properly was a highly professional and proficient civil service. No state can function properly, no matter how brilliant its leaders, with a civil service that remains in need of ‘reconstruction’.
When responsibility has been assumed for running the country for the past six years and indefinitely into the future, to abjure and abandon it in mid-stream, even in part, amounts to little more than dereliction of duty.
PARSHOTAM DAS TANDON
Scarborough, Canada
THE Asian Development Bank is reported to have allocated funds for Pakistan to facilitate citizens to gain speedy access to justice. This is a welcome development.
I appeal to the federal law ministry and the chief justice of Pakistan to sponsor the establishment of citizens’ legal aid centres in the federal and provincial capitals and in every district headquarters town to provide free legal advice.
This can be done by setting up such centres under the federal law ministry or promoting active NGOs with a good track record of free public service. The ministry can give them annual grants-in- aid after examining their audited accounts.
In Pakistan, the citizens have very little knowledge of laws and of their constitutional rights and obligations.
Creating social awareness in this regard is essential. Getting access to justice promptly is an expensive exercise these days. Evidence of free public service in the legal field can be made compulsory while awarding degrees in law.
I appeal to our national newspapers to run a page every week on “Citizens know your rights and duties” under the laws of Pakistan.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
I AM saddened to read the news item (April 27) regarding charges of plagiarism committed by four teachers (about 60 per cent of the faculty) of the Centre of High Energy Physics (CHEP) in Punjab University. Although your paper has done a laudable job by highlighting academic dishonesty, it would have been better if the names of individual teachers were withheld till the time some competent body proved the charges.
This is a serious issue and we should not just focus on penalising individual teachers, but reflect on overall institutional decay and the culture of dishonesty in our academia. Plagiarism is a direct result of our non-serious attitude towards science education. Such behaviour also shows that there are some ‘institutional incentives’ for committing such ungraceful acts.
For the last 20 years, the CHEP has been known for power politics and not for research in physics.
One of its teachers is a member of the syndicate, the senate, and many affiliation committees.
Now the question is when a teacher holds so many political offices for years, and manifestly involves himself in power politics, how can he conduct research or spare time for teaching?
The point here is that plagiarism is the only option available for such extremely busy and politically powerful teachers. Hence, plagiarism is a product of institutional dynamics as well as a reward system.
It also underlines lack of academic accountability and failure of the system of checks and balances in the universities. Is there anybody who dares to check on how many elections a teacher has contested for the last 10 years? How many hours does he spend in the registrar’s office or the VC’s office for manoeuvring and wheeling-dealing?
There is no need to spend hours on the Internet to trace and prove their plagiarism. Their lifestyle and day-to-day functioning is itself a proof of plagiarism.
TASNEEM KASUR
University of the Punjab,
Lahore
AFTER reading in Dawn (April 8) that NBP was deducting Rs 20 as insurance fee from account holders, many of whom were unaware of the deduction, my enquiries confirmed that this policy would allow compensation in case of death on the road due to accident.
I am over 88 years’ old and unable to use the road as it is just not possible to move out of the house for months. So this deduction from my account will be of no benefit to me. Moreover, I cannot even deposit my pension in the branch where my current account was transferred without my knowledge and I have to seek others’ help for this.
S. FARID AHMAD
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item in Dawn and the letter of Mr Qamar Husain, a senior vice-president of NBP (April 25), regarding some clarifications on the insurance scheme. Whilst I agree that the scheme may be beneficial for the customers and their families, there is one point that needs clarification.
Mr Hussain wrote that if a customer cancels the coverage at any point, he would get a full refund of the deductions made in the past months on account of this coverage. In this way, according to NBP, the scheme is a no-loss proposal for the customers. I searched the relevant brochure and could not find any reference to the premium refund feature there.
Could the NBP clarify if this is a new feature which has just been added in the scheme? In that case does it have any impact on the cost of Rs 20 per month? If this is a new feature then I would advise the bank to amend the brochures and other marketing material so that customers can get the correct information.
NBP CUSTOMER
Karachi
MUCH has been written about Jehangir Park and a parking lot for Karachi’s Saddar area. Car parking is an issue not only in Saddar but also M.A. Jinnah Road, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Dr Ziauddin Road, etc. We should look at solutions employed to deal with similar situations by others.
For example, in Manila, they have constructed lightweight galvanised iron bolted structures that have galvanised iron grating on top.
The galvanisation extends the life of the steel structure and grating makes it lightweight yet strong enough to support the load of car.
It is about nine feet high, all kinds of cars and jeeps can freely move under the structure and can climb over it easily. The grating allows ample sunlight to pass through.
We can construct this on all congested roads and areas in Karachi and elsewhere. In Saddar on the Daudpota Road, Rizvi S.U. Shahid Road, Preedy Street, Garden Road, Abdullah Haroon Road and M.A. Jinnah Road ramps will be needed for cars to climb up and come down.
Strategic areas can be selected for making these ramps. The construction and installation of the ramps and car park structures can be done without hampering traffic too much.
Even Jehangir Park can be converted into a parking lot using the above type of construction, ensuring that no tree is uprooted, no lawn destroyed. Spaces can be provided in the grating structure for the trees to stand out.
Since sunlight will pass through the grating, there will be no threat to trees and the lawn. Development without disturbing nature is possible, if we try.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
IN Larkana the general public is facing a lot of difficulties in getting domicile/permanent residential certificates of their minor children for admission to educational institutions.
The domicile certificate has to be issued under the provisions of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, according to which a person who has not completed the age of 21 years will be treated as ‘minor’ for the purpose of the certificate.
Accordingly, the authorities concerned issue a domicile certificate for admission purposes on the strength of the domicile certificate of the father of the minor applicant, mentioning the names of the minor children.
Despite this legal position, the revenue authorities in Larkana conduct a fresh inquiry through the tapedar and the taluka mukhtiarkar and extort money.
In my own case domicile certificate No. 710 dated 21.3.2003 issued by the DCO, Larkana, is already on record with full particulars of the minor children mentioned on it.
There should be no need for any fresh inquiry for issuing a domicile certificate.
M. ANWAR CHANNA
Larkana
THE ministry of finance’s report June-December, 2005, elaborately discussed in your editorial ‘Schools without basic facilities’ (April 30), is just frightening.
It is most pathetic that even in this 21st century we are not able to provide our school-going children with even fundamental amenities such as drinking water, electricity and sanitation, let alone proper school buildings, adequate furniture, modern curricula, well-equipped laboratories and qualified teachers.
The deterioration is marked in public-sector institutions, which unfortunately provide education to the bulk of the population barring the urban areas where due to competition from the private sector and public awareness things have not gone out of hand.
Not long ago, education was entirely in the domain of the public sector. Then the condition of government schools was not as bad despite the paltry allocation of funds.
However, in the early 80s after the private sector entered the field, the government retreated from its patriarchal role, leaving the poor masses at the mercy of the entrepreneur-turned-educationists.
Since their interest is to make money, they charge fabulous amounts as fee on various pretexts and for that they entice parents with various inducements.
By providing an airconditioned environment and teaching A and O levels they are creating a privileged class ignorant of the hardships of their fellow citizens. This fortunate class after securing requisite degrees would always find comfort beyond the environs of their native land.
The authorities must take instant notice of the finance ministry’s report regarding the deteriorating state of affairs in government schools and set apart enough funds in the forthcoming budget to make available not only basic facilities essential for quality education but also provide qualified teaching staff, laboratories, adequate buildings, furniture, etc.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
KARACHI, the economic hub of Pakistan, continues to suffer from frequent power shutdowns and failures, creating problems in the hot and humid weather, particularly for students appearing for their final examinations, and bringing economic activity to a halt.
It is regrettable that the so-called leaders running provincial and city affairs have miserably failed to address the issue and provide some solace. In this Islamic Republic, only the poor and underprivileged are made to suffer and those with unsavoury backgrounds flourish.
No electricity, no clean water, broken roads and traffic jams galore — what a pity. The government ought to realise that the frequent power failures and unannounced shutdowns can aggravate the already strained economic and security situation.
BRIG(r) KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
THERE has been marked improvement in the field of sports in Pakistan as young men and women are vigorously taking part and earning a name for themselves and for the country.
Besides, there is good career for outstanding players. But when we look the gold and silver medals earned at international level we find ourselves at the bottom.
I would like to suggest that a sports university should be established where students should be trained in cricket, hockey, squash, badminton, lawn tennis, table tennis, football, etc.
Top-seeded players (retired) should be appointed as teachers for training and coaching. A lot of talent will come up to earn name, fame and wealth for themselves and Pakistan.
AJAIZZ ASLAM
Karachi
I got on and thought how lucky I was to avail of the free shuttle service. But the conductor soon demanded Rs10 as fare without issuing a ticket.
Amazingly, at the Arts Council roundabout the driver told the conductor to put up a plastic plate on the windscreen with the words “On duty of Bharia Town, Pakistan Navy”. Thereafter he did not allow a single commuter to board.
May I ask the city government what is this joke that adds to the agony of commuters while promoting corruption?
AZIZ UR RAHMAN S. MUNSHI
Karachi
IN an interview recently given to a local cricket magazine in India, Michael Holding, the former West Indian fast bowler, said that Dennis Lillee of Australia and Imran Khan of Pakistan were the two most versatile bowlers of his time.
Michael Holding himself was regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of the mid-1970s and the whole of 1980s. As an all-rounder, Imran Khan must have worked harder than Dennis Lillee who concentrated on his bowling alone.
Unlike Dennis Lillee, Imran went on to captain the Pakistan cricket team and thus sustained more pressure as compared to other fast bowlers.
Whereas at the start of his Test career in 1971 he was just an ordinary all-rounder, by dint of sheer hard work he surpassed the more talented cricketers of his age and time.
Anyway, it is a great honour for Pakistan if Imran Khan is considered amongst the best of the best in the world of cricket.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
I REFER to a full-page advertisement in your paper (April 20) regarding a DHA joint venture interest for nine projects. I want to ask the DHA if sufficient water is available around the Lahore site.
DHA projects do not mention anything in the proposed nine projects. This is very important for prospective residents.
The same is the situation with DHA projects in Karachi.
KHALID M. KHAN
Karachi
APROPOS of the letters by Sanober Q. Haider and Col (r) Anwarjan Babar (April 22) on the subject, I have a story to tell. These children are used for thefts by professional adults. They use them to enter houses by way of restricted spaces like bathroom ventilators or small openings in the grilles.
After entering a house, the child opens doors or windows to let in the criminals waiting outside. This happened with me last December when we were away and the house was unattended.
One of the children was caught red-handed with a small part of the booty. The valuables were taken by the adults who disappeared. The boy was handed over to the police by the neighbours. The police took care of the rest in our absence and what followed is anybody’s guess.
A RESIDENT
Karachi
OUR hats off to the courts and judges who are for once taking note of and redressing the grievances of the ordinary citizens of this country.
The Sindh High Court has given the authorities in Karachi three months to get all faulty vehicles – smoke emitting buses and noisy rickshaws – off the roads. Karachiites can hope for some peace and a cleaner environment.
We shall be grateful if the honourable judges would suo motu also take note of the piles of coals which the Karachi Port Trust heaps along the shore line in Kemari. It has so far not made any silos for it – pleading lack of funds when it could set up a Rs 225 million water jet.
The citizens of this city who live along the coast in Clifton and Defence get the full blast of the coal dust laden breeze throughout the day and night. How safe is it? The judges could get any chest specialist to come and testify before them about the harmful effect of coal dust for human lungs.
RESIDENTS OF CLIFTON SHORELINE
Karachi
THE prevailing war of words between the US and Iran on nuclear issues has intensified to levels of insanity. The US is saying that all options are on the table while Iran intends to cut off hands that pick on them.
This standoff has caused crude prices to jump, breaking the backs of consumers but giving windfall profits to oil producers and oil cartels.
The United Nations should concentrate on diffusing the gathering war clouds. In the event of yet another failure on its part, the august body should be dissolved and laid to rest next to the League of Nations.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
A DESPATCH from Tehran by Reuters appearing on page 16 of your issue dated April 14 carries the following words of the Egyptian foreign minister: “Cairo cannot accept the appearance of a military nuclear force in the region.”
Great man! Is he still oblivious of AIPAC’s poodle Israel possessing scores of nuclear weapons next door to him?
RAHIM JUNEJO
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.