| January 17, 2007 | Wednesday | Zilhaj 26, 1427 |
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Quaid’s Pakistan
Looking both ways
Asim was the choice
Hamara Karachi
Pindi Cantt traffic chaos
Bus commuters’ plea
Information on religions
Oil and gas for China
Green island & garbage
Flight to Saidu Sharif
Act fast
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
THIS is with reference to Mr Shahid Javed Burki’s article ‘Dealing with inequality’ (Dec 19), a last of the series of three articles on growth and distribution of income.
In the second article, ‘Inequality and conflict’ (Dec 12), Mr Burki for the purpose of public policy-making has categorised the population of the country into five groupings, i.e., the 40 million very poor with per capita income up to $350; 50 million not-so-poor with per capita income of $425; 50 million the middle class with per capita income of $1,000; 16 million well-to-do and 0.2 million with income of $2,700 and $20,000 per capita, respectively.
Mr Burki has failed to appreciate that for the last many decades the country has not been able to conduct a proper and uncontroversial national census, therefore, his categorisation at best is an academic guesstimate based on the World Bank documents, nothing to do with ground realities.
The truth is that the alleged very-poor and the not-so-poor number 90 million heads (56.5 per cent of the population) who earn per-capita income per day ranging from 95 cents to $1.16. With such thin difference in incomes segregating this extremely poor class comprising 56.5 per cent of the population into very poor and not-so-poor is a jugglery of figures.
As regards the 50 million people falling in the middle-class category whose per head income is stated to be $1,000, under the present circumstance they too are being pushed fast into penury because of the sky-high cost of utilities, prices of household goods, education, healthcare, etc.
The groups falling into the fourth and fifth categories are basically assemblage of parvenus, consisting of industrial-cum-commercial class, agriculturalists with big land-holdings and senior civil/military bureaucracy that, taking advantage of liberalisation and misusing tax concessions, have turned billionaires over the last five years. Thus growth has directly gone into the pockets of these affluent classes, least of all trickled down to the hapless poor.
In the article ‘Dealing with inequality’, while discussing political and social consequences of growth, Mr Burki has rightly said that despite improvement in GNP since 2003 the gap between the poor and the rich has widened. However, at the same time his assertion that the “poor have not necessarily become poor” is self-contradictory.
The persistent inequality and institutional weakness of society has rightly been held as chief causes of social upheaval but the very fact is that survival of power-wielders is also based on this deliberately created iniquitous system. This argument gains support from the hypothesis put forward by Mr Burki for not achieving income equality vis-à-vis growth in the economy, i.e., uneven possession of income-producing assets, lax fiscal policies adopted by the government to tax the rich and help the poor and not building the asset base vital to the poor to make progress.
I would further add here that, besides these three factors, one most important feature was destruction of strong institutions inherited by the country at the time of partition. These time-tested institutions such as police, judiciary, revenue, education, irrigation, railway and postal though developed by the colonial power to hold sway were quite capable of maintaining the rule of law.
However, to achieve the ‘desired’ goals, these well-developed models instead of being made compatible and improved, as was done in India, have been obliterated, with nothing to fall back upon. First, those who were entrusted with the gigantic task of reconstruction had neither the level of education nor vision, nor were they men of wisdom.
Second, out of hubris they failed to gain the confidence of stakeholders and in their enthusiasm committed irreparable damage to civil society.
Now because of bad public policies, which stretch over a period of more than half a century, every segment of society has developed a strong group/cartel with deep-rooted vested interest. They are most of the time successful in frustrating even the well-intentioned policies of incumbent governments to bring improvement in the system.
The authorities more often than not are found helpless before transport mafias, rickshaw mafias what to talk of all-powerful sugar, cement, automobile and textile cartels that are having the best of their time.
I agree with Mr Burki that the persistent inequality has to be removed by formulating and effectively implementing equitable distributive policies so as to ensure that intended benefit must reach down the line.
DR ALI AKBAR M. DHAKAN
Karachi
AS we enter the New Year one wonders what the future holds for our beloved country. The Quaid’s vision of Pakistan was that of a nation based on democratic and Islamic principles and values. He had visualised that Pakistan would be governed on the ideals of democracy, equality, the rule of law, free of corruption and respect for human rights.
And in his reply to the Karachi Corporation at a reception on Aug 25, 1947, the Quaid had said about Karachi: “I have great love and regard for this beautiful town, not just because it is my birthplace, but because it has now become the birthplace of the free, sovereign and independent state of Pakistan”.
Unfortunately, we are certainly not what the Quaid had visualised. As W.H. Auden wrote in his epitaph to an unknown soldier, “To save your world you asked this man to die. Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?”
What we need desperately in Pakistan is not just enlightened moderation, but enlightened leadership first. Only then will we be able to create an enlightened Pakistan with an enlightened society, with an understanding of what enlightenment and progress mean.
The destiny of Pakistan cannot be changed unless the pathetic silent majority breaks its silence of the lambs and turns its frustration into a force that confronts those in government, the terrorists and bigots who kill and maim to achieve their personal agenda. We have to root out inequalities and injustices from society, demand an end of the VIP culture and the one-law-for-you- and-one-law-for-me syndrome and demand good governance and the enforcement of the rule of law.
And this can only come through enlightened leadership. This has been aptly demonstrated by two other Islamic nations, Turkey and Malaysia. I have visited both these countries several times and have just returned from Kula Lumpur and have seen what enlightened leadership can achieve.
Past leaders of both these nations, Kemal Atartuk of Turkey and Dr Mahatir of Malaysia, have shown the world that Muslims can also be enlightened and progressive. Both these leaders had realised the importance of having a vision that is shared by the citizens, by providing them good governance, enforcement of the rule of law, basic education, health, good and reliable infrastructure and separating the affairs of the state from religion.
What our government should be concentrating on is not just mega projects, under- and over-passes, celebrating anniversaries with carnivals and festivals, though commendable, but on how to improve the quality of life of the citizens on a long-term and permanent basis and promoting good citizenship. The citizens have to become the stakeholders of their cities and this can only be achieved through good governance.
A. H. MAKER
Helpline Trust,
Karachi
RIFFAT Rehman’s response (Jan15) to Dr Tahmina Rashid’s letter titled ‘Shifting blame’ is quite reflective of the title. She admits that women are free to have their own activities and their own space, yet she reminds us of the time span of motherhood: late teens to the end of life.
Simply because a woman has a job does not deter her from being a good mother. My parents both worked full-time and raised me and my siblings in the ‘materialistic West.’ They have no regrets about our upbringing and neither do we.
Ms Rehman quotes Napoleon that “the future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother” and I agree. If the child’s mother sits at home all day and contributes the widely common culture of meddling in the affairs of other people: their marriages, divorces and the ever-green conflict between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, then I pity the child. The fact is that millions of women in Pakistan are never educated to reach their potential and spend all their lives locked up in homes. The only free activity they have is back-biting, and creating useless conflicts. I dare one person from all of Pakistan to come forward and claim that this does not occur in his or her family.
Ms Rehman’s ignorance of the cultural situation of the United States is not only laughable, it also evokes pity. She should know that a huge percentage of women in the US never enter the workforce but rather stay at home. There is nothing wrong with that. This is a free society, it allows women to live their lives the way they feel best.
Next, she seems to have forgotten that this culture of ‘bachay paida karo, Allah rizq dayga’ (bear children, Allah will provide) has caused Pakistan to have one of the highest fertility rates in the world. No one is doubting Allah’s ability to provide for humans but — just as I’m sure you trust in God but look both ways before crossing the street — our poor countrymen and women are the best judge of their ability to clothe or educate their children.
MANI NAZEER
Edmonton, Canada
WE lost the first Test match against South Africa. Part of the reason for this was that we lacked someone who could stay on the wicket firmly against the good bowling attack of South Africa. Asim Kamal has proved to be a solid middle-order batsman whenever he is given a chance. He scored 99 runs playing against South Africa on Oct 17, 2003 in his first Test appearance at Qadhafi Stadium in Lahore.
Although he was not able to make a record for scoring a century at Test debut, 99 is never a bad score against South African bowlers. Kamal has played Test matches against Australia and India as well. He was always there to respond positively when the whole batting line collapsed.
In fact, most of his scores were achieved in crucial situations where Pakistan needed to build a partnership after some sort of debacle in the batting line-up.
He is firm in his technique and plays the ball with concentration and treats it according to merit and situation. He is never in panic and that is the key to success for a middle-order batsman. Being a left-handed batsman, his importance increases automatically. There are some world-class bowlers who look struggling against a left-handed batsman and a left-right combination always puts the opposition in trouble.
If we consider his overall Test record till date, we find he has scored 717 runs in 12 matches and 20 innings he has played. He has scored eight 50s in 20 innings and two out of those eight 50s were 90+. Especially in the absence of Mohammad Yusuf in the first Test, Asim Kamal was the best choice. But unfortunately he was not selected.
DAWAR NAQVI
California, USA
I RECENTLY had the ‘privilege’ of visiting the serene (if it can be called that) Clifton beach, not far from Bilawal House. The very first thing that one notices while overstepping the foot-high wall is the unbearable stench arising with the balmy sea breeze; the next thing is the lush green grass growing on the grey salty soil. And while one is left wondering as how grass can grow in such conditions, the answer comes straight to you like a bolt of lightning, or in this case, gushes out with full force near you.
Not far from where you will be standing, that is, if you dare to go to that forlorn beach, you will notice a small stream of water gushing out towards the sea. Originating somewhere near the barrier wall, the flowing water channels its way down along the sand towards its destination, and in its wake creates small ‘islands’ (read: piles) of garbage, mostly polythene bags, which in the course of way, get stuck down in the sticky grayish sand, along with other garbage, and hence, creates ‘colourful’, aesthetical mounds which otherwise for the stench would have made for quite a scenery.
This splendid view, if it can be called that, greets anyone who dares to try to seek a secluded spot far from the busy Seaview beach. This ‘exquisite’ spot is not far from one of the most prestigious architecture schools in this country, where some of the brightest city planners and builders have learned the basics of city building and where the new crop is doing the same. All the while the balmy sea breeze continues to fill their nostrils with the strong gutter stench.
To make this scenery more beautiful, we have one of the largest fountains developed by our gracious government at the cost of some Rs200 million, which can be seen clearly from this site. Being closer to the Clifton beach, it is only natural that sea current would divert the raw sewerage towards it Now, imagine, a 100 or so feet high fountain of gutter water, splashing every poor soul who dares to go near — now this, I assume, that you won’t see such a ‘spectacle’ anywhere else in the world.
This, my fellow Karachiites, is our ‘Hamara’ Karachi.
ARSALAAN HALEEM
Karachi
ACCORDING to a recent press report, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB), both under station commander of Rawalpindi, have suggested mega projects worth billions of rupees to solve the traffic problem in the Rawalpindi Cantonment.
I request the station commander to clarify the inability of the RCB and CCB to remove the following hindrances to smooth traffic flow, which only requires better traffic planning and implementation of cantonment laws:
One, substantial portion of car parks on Bank Road is permanently occupied by car dealers, bankers and high-rise entrance to some shops, thus forcing shoppers to park cars on the road.
Two, Saddar is now converted into a transportation centre to earn some money at the cost of traffic discipline.
Wagons, Suzukis and taxis are parked, at times in two rows, on Haider Road and its cross-roads.
Three, some streets in Saddar and Lal Kurti are partially blocked by auto shops, welders, construction material sellers, and restaurants.
Four, numerous illegal speed-breakers, with non-standard designs and without traffic warning signs, create traffic jams, besides posing serious hazards to road users, particularly to motorcyclists, traffic policemen and fast-moving ambulances with serious patients and fire-brigade vehicles.
Five, closure of four U-turns on Jhelum Road has resulted in frequent daily traffic jams at Kutchery Chowk, at times one kilometre long, in three to four rows.
In addition, three to four vehicles rushing simultaneously for the U-turn, the only one now left near the official residence of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, almost daily cause minor, major or fatal accidents.
GHULAM MUHAMMAD
Rawalpindi
WE, the employees of offices situated on I.I.Chundrigar Road, have been facing great hardships ever since public transport using that road was banned by the Karachi city government some months ago for carrying out development works.
We would like to suggest that one route, that is, I-C bus, which is most used by commuters, may be allowed to at least have one-way journey from Regal Chowk to Tower via I.I.Chundrigar Road.
MUHAMMAD AHSAN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news item (Jan 10) regarding the revised national curriculum for history in which students will be taught information about the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions. I must congratulate the authorities concerned for this step. However, the Sikh religion seems to have been overlooked.
The birthplace of Sikhism is in Pakistan since the initiator of the religion, Guru Nanak (reverently known as Baba Nanak by both Muslims and others in Pakistan and elsewhere) was born in Nankana Sahib and spent his last days in Kartarpur Sahib, Khanewal district. I believe the omission is not conscious and someone must have goofed while preparing the press release.
RAGHBIR SINGH
Delhi, India
I STRONGLY endorse the views of Khalid Chaudhry (letter, Jan 14). During informal discussions with my colleagues, I have also discussed and suggested the same idea.
I think our foreign office should actively work on this issue and should try to grab this opportunity. It is a long run approach and surely will bring several benefits to Pakistan, not only the economic ones but political and strategic advantages as well.
DR M. AHSAN
UK
IN blocks 17 and 18 of Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Karachi, the green island is being used and run as a permanent garbage island under the management of the Cantonment Board Faisal (CBF), charging property and conservancy taxes to residents of this area.
There are no garbage containers placed around for residents to dump garbage nor is the cleaning of main roads, service roads and the garbage island done on a regular basis. Labourers deployed by the CBF clean the area on alternate days of the week. This practice leaves a huge quantity of garbage in pile-up and dirty heaps scattered all around.
Since Eid-ul-Azha, the situation has worsened. The federal minister for environment and the director-general of Military Lands and Cantonments are requested to take cognizance of the matter.
ERUM QURESHI
Karachi
FOR the last one year PIA flights from Islamabad/ Peshawar to Saidu Sharif (Swat) have remained suspended, giving lots of problems to travellers to the Northern Areas. To bring relief to travellers, flights from Islamabad/ Peshawar to Saidu Sharif may be resumed.
A. REHMAN
Saidu Sharif
THIS is in response to Mrs Rahman’s letter (Jan 15). Americans are not that smart. I know this for sure as I am one of them. Had they been smart, Mr Bush would not have been elected a second time.
We cannot be blamed for the first time because Mr Bush was not elected, rather he was selected by the US Supreme Court. A case of a favour that was returned as quite a few of the judges were nominated by the president’s father when he was in office.
S.A.HYDER
Knoxville, USA
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