| April 16, 2007 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1428 |
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Another side of Singapore
Curbing tobacco advertisements
A rosy vision for the poor?
Schools for adoption
Express and elevated
Time-table for CSS exams
Excellent reading
Lawyers’ campaign
Irrefutable proof
Rommel
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 the Wapda chairman’s statement published in this newspaper on March 25 that land acquisition for construction of the Kalabagh dam has started. In the next sentence he is quoted as saying that ‘the Kalabagh dam could be completed in seven years if the government gave the go-ahead for its construction today’.
Please note the contradiction: according to the statement, the government is yet to give approval for the construction of the most controversial dam in Pakistan but a government agency has already started spending people’s money to acquire land for the project. What should one make out of it? Who would be responsible for the funds already spent in case the government did not approve the project? Or does it mean that the government has already decided in secret to commit another illegal act and start work on the dam without any proper approval as it did in the case of the Greater Thal Canal?
That would be a highly objectionable act by the government and would cause disorder and discontent in the NWFP and the lower riparian province of Sindh in the present already volatile situation in the country. One must realise that any move to start work on the Kalabagh dam would simply add fuel to the fire and provoke more people to rise against the government. It would be prudent on the part of the government to take note of technical and legal objections against the project and the multiple resolutions passed by three out of four provincial assemblies in Pakistan opposing the Kalabagh dam. The government should also listen to the water experts who have warned against the construction of mega dams on the Indus River without ascertaining the availability of water. These experts include the head of the government-appointed Technical Committee on Water Resources, Engineer A.N.G. Abbasi.
Another point to consider is that the mega dams are gigantic projects and would involve huge costs putting the country under colossal debt, which they may never be able to pay off.
Hence, these projects need to be properly debated in the Council of Common Interests and the parliament, duly elected through free and fair elections, before making any decision. Any move by the present unrepresentative government will not go well with the people.
AZIZ NAREJO
Via Email
PRO BONO PUBLICO’S statement (letter, April 14) regarding cleanliness in Singapore in comparison with the far larger cities such as New York and London is not accurate. After having lived for years in both London and New York and recently extensively visiting Singapore, I observed that Singapore’s cleanliness is cosmetic.
For instance, if one were to visit Little India in Singapore after sunset the area stinks to high heaven due to the open untreated sewage channels while huge roaches and rats the size of moles scurry about in plain view.
This is hardly seen in the Harlem area of New York, let alone in New York’s desi-populated areas even given that the population there is at least four times greater than in Singapore.
In addition, Singapore, including its mass transportation facilities, is inaccessible to the physically-handicapped. This is not the case in New York where the bus system is totally accessible to even those who go to work in wheelchairs. In addition, the city of New York has a public handicapped van transportation system that is available to all, including the totally fit population.
On the highways of Singapore one can see imported labour from India and Pakistan being compelled to squat in the uncovered backs of speeding pickup trucks with no safety restraint of any kind.
Never mind that the treatment meted out to them is no better than in Saudi Arabia.
The government of Singapore is quite good at cosmetic coating and completely muzzling the press, which is in sharp contrast to Pakistan where the English press — including your esteemed paper — is startlingly free, even freer of self-censorship than what one finds in India.
Singapore does not, and will never have an Ardeshir Cowasjee like Karachi.
P. HARIMOHAN
New York, USA
TOBACCO advertisements are the root cause of rising tobacco epidemic in the country. They also show how deep the relationship is between the various institutions of the government and the tobacco industry in Pakistan. No wonder our government is so silent on the issue of tobacco control in the country.
The prime minister was invited to lay the foundation stone of a park being made by Pakistan Tobacco Company in collaboration with the ministry of environment. On the one hand the government claims that it is doing a lot for the control of tobacco use in the country, yet they are accepting money from the tobacco industry to create a public park in Attock district. By such collaborations, the tobacco industry is trying to tell the public that they are doing noble things for the country. Two years ago they claimed that they had made mobile dispensaries for poor patients and planted a million trees in the country to help the environment.
Any money that comes from the tobacco industry is tainted money and should not be accepted even if it is for so-called philanthropic work. In my opinion the philanthropic efforts of the tobacco industry is very suspicious. Their objective is not only to enhance the image of the tobacco industry but also to divert the attention of the public from the serious hazards of tobacco use. Over 90 per cent cases of lung cancer and 85 per cent cases of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are caused by smoking. Research in Pakistan by the Cancer Society has also shown that almost 50 per cent of all cancer cases in Pakistan can be prevented if tobacco use is minimised. Smoking is also the most important risk factor in most of the heart attacks in this country.
Through this letter may I request the government not to accept money from the tobacco industry as this money is tainted with the blood of those who have died from tobacco-related diseases? Instead it should take measures to curb the tobacco use in the country.
JAVAID A. KHAN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Sultan Ahmed’s article on the subject (March 22), referring to the vision prepared by the Planning Commission seeking to make Pakistan the 23rd economic power in the world, from the present 39th, by 2030.
This is wishful thinking. There is widespread corruption. Government revenues and loan amounts are squandered and embezzled. Most of the development funds go into wrong pockets.
The total public debt increased by Rs1.465 trillion to Rs4.411 trillion over the last seven years, showing a rise of almost 50 per cent from Rs2.946 trillion in 1999 (Dawn, March 5). Outstanding foreign debts on June 30 last was $37.26 billion and further new foreign loan contracted during 2006 is over $3 billion (Editorial, March 7).
By the way where have the billions of rupees (loan amounts) gone? Had these sums were sincerely invested/utilised, the ground realities would have been quite different. There would have been no poverty.
The army-feudal (rural + urban) nexus is ruling the country. The people assembled around the general-president to provide a democratic facade to an autocratic rule are mostly opportunists. They are exploiting the poor masses. Cartels and mafias have emerged and have consolidated their power during these seven years of dispensation. They would remain in power for another five years through election–2007.
The poor masses are not in a position to revolt against the system, as did the Nepalese poor who have done away with the monarchy. Pakistan’s poor are mostly illiterate and ignorant Muslims. They know Islam as given them to understand by an equally ignorant maulvi, and other vested interests, who impel them to believe that they are poor because it is God’s will and to question God’s will is a sin. They should always remain thankful to God in all circumstances.
Therefore, the first thing to be done is to destroy all the fortresses of exploitation to achieve the Planning Commission’s vision to make Pakistan an economic power by 2030. This can only be done by a truly democratic government.
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
THIS is in response to a news report (Metropolitan, March 23) regarding the transfer of nine government schools in Chanesar Goth to private individuals. I am unable to understand the parents’ reaction to the adoption of these schools. There is no denying the fact that private schools do have a better quality of education. On the other hand, we are aware of what goes on in some government schools whose teachers seldom attend classes and are paid salaries while sitting at home.
If this transfer is through the ‘Adopt a School’ scheme whereby private individuals or NGOs take up the huge task of improving the standard of education mostly through their own finances, then it’s the best thing that can happen to them.
I have visited a similar school adopted by a dynamic lady who has transformed an abandoned school into a real-time education centre. From a ghost school it has been transformed into a haven of learning. This building was being used by drug peddlers and other unsocial elements and resembled a haunted house.
Despite resistance from some staff members, she has successfully revived a dead school. All this was made possible with the financial help of philanthropists wanting to give back to society without any hidden agendas. The school is absolutely free: in fact the students are provided free books up to Class V. They go on frequent field trips and are treated to snacks and milk which they would otherwise not able to afford. Their uniform is provided at nominal rates.
So I wonder with all these benefits who and why would anyone be against such an opportunity to upgrade the underprivileged? Perhaps, officials with big egos or staff used to drawing salaries without actually taking classes? This seems to be a politically-motivated agitation.
AN OBSERVER
Karachi
THE article on the proposed Karachi Elevated Expressway (KEE) by Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee (April 8) is well researched, like most of his articles. Your editorial that day, ‘A flawed project’ is on the same subject.
Like the KPT’s underpass at Clifton Cross, this project is bound to arouse interest among Karachiites, being another ‘first in the market’ product. It is interesting to note that while dozens of letters were written on the Clifton Cross Underpass during its construction, not a single letter appeared on the two underpasses constructed just after the Clifton Cross at Gharibabad and Liaquatabad.
All three underpasses are being utilised to the fullest and I, like many, enjoy them every time I pass under them. Surely we will read many good ideas from great people on the Karachi Elevated Expressway and one sincerely hopes that our authorities will exercise their joint wisdom to select the best option.
According to the article, KEE will have to acquire 15 acres of land from Pakistan Railways, KPT, Qasre Naz, State Guest House, FTC, Pearl Continental Hotel, Metropole Hotel, Avari Hotel, Regent Plaza Hotel, Karachi Gymkhana, Aisha Bawany School, Nargis Cinema, in addition to the encroachment of 1,337 square meters on the Christian Cemetery. The Archbishop of Karachi has already filed a petition against it. Continuing, the article states that it will create air and noise pollution, denial of sunlight, loss of urban space and social alienation.
In addition to listing similar issues, the editorial states that it will result in cutting of hundred of existing trees and will take about three years to complete, thereby causing traffic chaos on Sharea Faisal. These are genuine concerns and the consequences listed are grave and real.
I am no expert or specialist on the subject. However, I was wondering what if we construct the Karachi Elevated Expressway on top of the existing Pakistan Railway tracks with same starting and finishing points. To cater for a future mass transit, a provision for a light train on top of the Elevated Expressway can be provided. Land would still have to be acquired but only from the Pakistan Railways. They have this resource in abundance and that too at all the desired exit and entry locations identified in the project.
In parallel, an oil pipeline can be laid in the Malir river bed all the way to the Superhighway from the National and Pakistan Refineries. Both the refineries are close to the Malir river bed. This pipeline can also be laid without hindering any traffic. It will eliminate oil tanker loading at Shireen Jinnah Colony, ending their to and fro trips from this location.
If our town planners, social planners, architects and officials give this idea a thought and find merit in it, almost all fears listed in the article and the editorial will be addressed amicably. No trees will be cut, no encroachment will be required on the Christian cemetery, traffic chaos will not be created for three years on Sharea Faisal, no sunlight will be denied to our citizens, no air and noise pollution would increase on top of the already polluted roads, and no land procurement would be required from the KPT, Qasre Naz, State Guest House, FTC, Pearl Continental Hotel, Metropole Hotel, Avari Hotel, Regent Plaza Hotel, Karachi Gymkhana, Aisha Bawany School and Nargis Cinema.
The people of Karachi will live peacefully during the three years of feverish construction period and enjoy another first in the city after three years.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
HERE is a discovery of a subtle, politicised issue to add yet a few decibels to an already deafening crescendo against the decadence of institutions in Pakistan. Researches on this contention are welcomed but I guarantee that the findings will be the same which are presented here.
Candidates belonging to rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan often choose their subjects for the CSS from the social sciences, arts, literature, history and regional languages. While the privileged class of urban areas of Punjab and Sindh have their subjects from physical science, natural sciences, mathematics, economics and other new subjects like business administration, accountancy and auditing, computer science, etc.
As the writer himself has gone through the ordeal of three consecutive attempts, including the present one, it is his personal observation that the arrangement of the time table of optional subjects is designed in such an awkward manner that the unprivileged class — which outnumbers the other class — is required to go through two papers daily which creates physical, mental, psychological and even emotional retardation that results in their poor performance in the examinations.
While the privileged class enjoys the interval of three to five days in each paper which affords them a chance of attempting their papers not only with ease and comfort like a university semester, but also gives them an ample amount of time to make a thorough revision of their notes, with the result that they sweep the board.
There is no technical problem in reshuffling the pattern of the time-table. It can be arranged in an ideal juxtaposition that both privileged and unprivileged groups can avail themselves of the gap of at least one day in their respective papers, which will help the candidates to replenish themselves for the next paper.
Having observed the matter, I have deduced two conclusions: either the commission is biased and exercises disparity or it is unaware of such an embarrassing situation. But in both cases the commission is in an untenable position because the former epitomises its partiality and the latter symbolises bungling and mismanagement.
MUSHTAQ JATOI
Shikarpur
THREE cheers to you and your contributors. The two articles namely, “The essence of democracy” and “Benefits of rule of law” (April 13) make excellent reading. Both articles hold some vital lessons, even for the politicians and citizens in India.
S.D. ISRANI
Mumbai, India
THE lawyers’ protest campaign against the suspension of the chief justice of Pakistan must subsist as a legal cause, without accommodating political indulgence.
The Pakistan People’s Party has kept a safe distance because of the clandestine approaches under way with the government. The MMA is on the verge of plunging into the campaign to revamp their lost political face as a result of their incredible support to the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.
If they come in, they will certainly try to create a 1977 PNA-type situation, inciting another khaki.
As asserted by the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association during his ‘Meet-the-press’ programme at the Karachi Press Club (Dawn, April 6), the SJC is a simple council of inquiry and not a binding authority.
He had further stated that reinstatement of the CJP would not make any difference to the government because Justice Iftikhar Chaudhury harboured no grudge against anyone.
The president had admitted in his interview, with the same TV channel which had been ransacked at Islamabad, that the matter had been mishandled. The president had done half the job and if he braces up for reinstatement, the job shall be completed, earning him accolades as a man of prudence, exhibiting his buoyance as he calls himself a jack-of-all trades but master of none. (p 319 – In the Line of Fire).
GHEEWALA
Karachi
THE sharp contrast of the two events, namely the 15x4 exhibition (as evident from description of behind-the-scenes happenings in Dawn, April 13) and the Lal Masjid power display is one of many irrefutable proofs of failure of our intelligentsia during the last six decades to decide what values we as a nation want to uphold.
I do not blame the photographers or the Indus Valley School, the students of Hafsa seminary or the administration of Lal Masjid. They are eventually the product of our long-standing intellectual confusion that has left us with no single set of moral criteria to test things against.
FAHAD SIDDIQUI
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter by Mr Jalal Ahmad in which he referred to Field Marshal Rommel (April 12). The German field marshal was never a private as mentioned in the letter. Rommel joined the 134th Wurttemberg Infantry Regiment as a cadet in 1910 when he was 19 years old. He received his commission two years later.
Rommel was never the greatest of German generals. The truly great German generals were Guderian, Manstein, Rundstedt, Bock and Leeb. It was they who gave stunning victories to Hitler against France and on the eastern front until the first reverses in the 1941 winter.
RIZWAN YASSIN
Karachi
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