| May 09, 2007 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1428 |
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Worrying situation in Sindh
Afghanistan’s illogical logic
PIA’s turnaround
Garbage burning
Overcoming energy crisis
Kashmir talks
Labour rights
Honeymooners
Right thing to do for PML-Q
Dilemma of expatriates
Avoiding bickering
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
APROPOS of your editorial ‘How crucial is American assistance?’ (April 23) and subsequent letters by Dr Ishrat Hussain (April 27) and Yousuf Nazar (April 28), I think it’s time to put things in perspective with respect to this debate.
Let us analyse under what circumstances US assistance would be turned back by Pakistan. Two possible scenarios: (i) to build enough resources so that no assistance whatsoever is required any further from anyone, including the US; and (ii) to have dispute on a policy matter which results in a strain in relationship between the US and Pakistan.
Pakistan has certainly not reached a stage where it has amassed enough resources (while the GDP and budget deficit are growing) to comfortably turn down the assistance received from the developed world or multilaterals, particularly the extremely attractive aid package of the US.
Even for argument sake, let us assume that Pakistan decides to turn down the US assistance. First, from a purely financial viewpoint and not political terms, refusing assistance that is available at such attractive terms does not make any sense by any treasury/ financial aspect. But more so, singling out the US in terms of cutting off financial assistance will be a bad idea and send a very negative signal in the market.
Pakistan's current political-economic cycle certainly doesn't allow such a move as our reliance is substantially high on the US assistance at this stage more so for qualitative reasons than the amount per se. Pakistan is at least four to five years away from such luxury/flexibility but at this point the current trend and policies show that aid will have to continue uninterrupted.
So that leaves us quintessentially with just one possibility – (ii) having a dispute on a policy matter. Although the objectives of both Pakistan and the US are pretty much aligned, such a situation should not arise. However, if that happens, then Pakistan's overall profile/ image will get seriously impacted which will obviously have deeper implications on Pakistan's political and economic/financial condition. This point was very well argued in your editorial and unfortunately completely missed out (hopefully unintentionally) by the two economic wizards in their subsequent letters to the editor.
Similarly, in the case of multilaterals, their role in the international financial system may not be as significant in absolute financial terms. But their catalyst role in attracting investment remains absolutely significant for developing countries like Pakistan.
Significant investors consider World Bank and IMF endorsement of a country's risk profile as a benchmark for investment decision. And, even today, whether we like it or not, the US government enjoys decisive influence on these institutions and thus on serious global investors.
A possible break with the US, therefore, has a knock-on effect on Pakistan as an investment destination – as demonstrated by the fallout of our nuclear tests.
It would be rash for Pakistan to view American support (qualitative and quantitative) as a luxury at this point in our development path and doesn’t even merit discussion.
ZAFAR MASUD
Karachi
RECENTLY the bullet-riddled body of an 18-year-old college girl was taken to the Dadu civil hospital emergency ward for carrying out necessary formalities. The alleged killer was a brother of a sitting legislator.
Immediately after the burial, pressure was brought by influential persons on the victim’s family to enter into some sort of deal.
As the family has no adult male member, it soon succumbed to the pressure as the three remaining members of the family, the victim’s elder sister, her nine-year-old brother and her widowed mother, found it an uphill task to fight a legal battle for years.
The murder case was then withdrawn, though the victim’s family was paid, as reported, Rs1 million in the deal.
Earlier, another influential person, a former legislator, killed a policeman when the latter had tried to occupy a portion of the building of an old prison in Dadu.
The body of the deceased policeman had been lying for three days in the above-mentioned hospital.
However, after three days of the incident, the accused surrendered to the police but later he pressured the deceased’s family members and finally got himself released as a result of a deal worth Rs800,000.
Similarly, some time back, a correspondent of a Sindhi daily at Shikarpur was killed by two influential young men of Jacobabad. The two accused were arrested but again the family of the deceased forgave them after a few months of the incident as pressured by local influential people.
This time the deal, as reported by Sindhi dailies, was worth Rs1 million, though the victim’s family kept on denying this. In all the three cases, the families of the accused, with some elite persons of the areas, had visited the family members of the deceased for a traditional apology.
In Sindhi, it is called ‘mairru’ and, as agreed earlier, the deceased’s family forgave them.
It is alarming for civil society that influence is being freely used to buy the pardon of the victim’s family in such crimes as murder.
Any further let-up by civil society in this regard will create such distortions as will be rather impossible to erase these. It is time both society and the government moved to establish the rule of law by removing lacunas in the relevant laws of compensation as it is being misused.
MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL
Karachi
AFGHANISTAN has said it will try to stop Pakistan from erecting the fence across the border for stopping the movement of Taliban militants (Dawn, April 25). Does it mean that Kabul favours the free movement of the Taliban – by using the flimsy ruse that the “fence would divide the families living in the area?” Families do live astride the border; do they think Pakistan does not know that?
When a demarcated border exists, you have got to respect it. This reminds me of the border in East Pakistan in 1947 demarcated by Indians and Pakistanis. Because of the refugee influx, neither side’s people, nor authorities respected it – though it existed.
Free movement of Indians went on till 1971 which resulted in the insurgents and saboteurs intruding into East Pakistan. As a result of rebellion by Bengalis, supported, aided and fought by Indians, it became Bangladesh.
Here the case is different; it is not 1971, there is no distance between any of its two parts, it is not a weak and friendless country – it is the first Muslim country and the world’s seventh nuclear power and the third one to have missile technology; and Pakistan does not want any part of it to be called ‘Talibanistan’.
Kabul’s insistence on keeping the border open points, among other things, to two main reasons: (1) their terrorists – the Taliban included – could cross the border freely and at will and (2) the smuggling, their cherished trade, of all kinds: guns, explosives and drugs: could continue unhindered.
There is a war going on. Every country has a right to cut the enemy’s supply lines. So Pakistan has all the legal rights to close the border. Iran has closed its border with Afghanistan. India has closed its border with Pakistan. What’s wrong with Pakistan erecting a fence across the border with Afghanistan?
S.M. KAZIM NAQVI
Karachi
Mr Zafar A. Khan has taken over PIA at a time when the airline is in the midst of its worst crisis. He needs support of the federal government to make commercially viable policies, without being hostage to political pressures, that have resulted in executive corridor being dominated by mediocrity and a mafia that has bled it of revenues by unchecked pilferage.
PIA is the national flag carrier, which also serves as a vital logistic backup, apart from its primary role to serve the travelling revenue-paying passengers and cargo shippers. The airline schedules and policies should reflect demands of clients, instead of whims of its paid staff.
Mr Kirmani hired a Singaporean consultant at a fabulous tag of $10,000, but none of his advice was heeded to, because it was in conflict with agendas of PIA's politicised key policymakers. Cconsultant Maurice finally resigned and left in disgust out of sheer frustration.
The role played by the press, in general, and Dawn, in particular, must be applauded, to expose the gross mismanagement of PIA, ultimately leading to a temporary ban on most of its fleet from operating to Europe. Mr Kirmani put all the blame on PIA's ageing fleet, as if all other airlines operating within Europe, have brand new aircraft. Had he a team of honest professionals, they would have warned him of the imminent threat posed by EU inspections, but that is not what he wanted to hear.
An airline that neglects the basic product, i.e., aircraft capable of satisfying inspectors all over the world, was bound to suffer this ignominy, which PIA did not deserve.
SYED JAWAID HUSSAIN
Multan
WHEN driving or walking along the Lahore canal every day, I am disturbed to witness piles of mostly gardening waste (fallen leaves, twigs, etc) in the green belts being set alight by sanitation / gardening staff.
This phenomenon is most visible along the canal stretch between Ferozpur Road and Punjab University New Campus.
Similar irresponsible and highly damaging practice is also prevalent within residential areas in the city in general, and along the canal in particular.
Driving or walking along the once scenic canal is no longer a pleasant experience because of the thick choking smoke which hugs the area for hours on end.
If buried in a simple pit, instead of being burnt, the mostly organic waste can be turned into valuable compost which will contribute towards enriching the soil in the green belts at hardly any cost.
The authorities concerned should take the following actions:
— Strictly enforce existing laws against waste burning by fining offenders.
— Initiate a mass awareness campaign in the media about dangers of this practice.
— Provide common-sense, low-cost and eco-friendly alternatives, e.g., compost pits.
If the authorities concerned desist from taking effective steps, the supreme Court should take suo motu action, since this is a critical public health issue.
BILAL AHMAD
Lahore
IN the past decade, Pakistan’s energy crisis has worsened every year. Despite some prolific economic growth and increase in industrial output, not a single mega watt of power has been added to the national grid. As a nation we have either become oblivious to the problems energy shortage can create or we have developed a faith that the lack of electricity is a phenomenon that will never go away. This situation calls for a radical approach in tackling the problem.
First is conservation of existing energy. This can be achieved through multiple means. Pakistan is a land which has been endowed with plenty of sunshine for almost eight months of a year. The entire western world observes daylight saving, but we don’t. The experiment was made in our country some years back but since there was no knowledge of the issue at the higher levels, therefore it was not continued.
In fact, it was a very practical means to save energy. The biggest plus is that the working hours start an hour earlier; offices, factories, industries all make big use of electricity for airconditioning. Since morning time starts early, therefore the load will be less in absolute terms and, consequently, the load on the grid will be substantially lower, when the sun sets.
Work times need to move from 9-5 to 8-4. It will also allow the office to close down much before sunset (sunset mean summer time is 1910 Hours, which will become 2010 hours once daylight saving is applied). Since the lights will go up later, after the sunset load on national grid will be substantially lower. Ordinary light bulbs and tubelights should be replaced with energy savers. This will ensure that at least 60 per cent energy consumed by ordinary bulbs is saved. Televisions, microwaves and other devices that have a standby facility can be turned off, this is expected to save another 3-5 per cent electricity.
Second, the generation of energy. Thar coal deposits are larger in energy value than the entire proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined. The quality of coal may not be good, but in terms of long-term energy security, it will not be expensive.
The argument is that oil is cheaper. But the question is till when and what are the real costs? Besides, Pakistan needs to introduce some serious nuclear energy on the grid. Instead of planning for only 8 per cent from nuclear sources by 2025, it should be aiming at generating at least 40-50 per cent.
The initial cost of setting up plants will be offset by higher oil prices down the line. Besides that, it is the only form of energy that is guaranteed to run longer than any other natural reserve. Hydel energy is the cheapest. Pakistan wastes roughly 30 per cent of water in ocean. Unfortunately, our leaders have been too busy with other things to build hydel resources, which will not only provide electricity but will also provide water reservoirs.
The other major source is solar energy. Throughout the world, solar energy farms have come up, but in our country we are yet to see the first solar energy farm. Our indifference is also reflected in the fact that we are the only nation in the region which is not a signatory to any of the world’s top solar energy cooperation pacts.
Pakistan can generate an estimated one million mega watt energy through its deserts, with water as a useful side-product. We also have ample natural wind resources, throughout our coastlines and across Pakistan with the Kirthar mountain range, but nothing is being done to harness that source as well.
In case private firms are not ready to invest, then the government should invest. Energy security is very closely tied to national security as well as to national economy and industrial well-being at large.
MUHAMMAD SALEEM USMANI
Dubai
Further to the ‘opinion’ from Shamshad Ahmad (‘Wishful’ claims of progress, Dawn, May 3). It makes perfect sense that the Kashmir issue will only be settled when the will of the people in both countries want it settled.
The press in Pakistan refers to the area as Azad Kashmir and Held Kashmir, the Indian press refers to it as Kashmir and Pakistan Kashmir while the International press refers to it as Pakistani Kashmir and Indian Kashmir.
Even the terminology of these references to a volatile area are clearly indicative of the complexity in the division.
Perhaps the leaders should stop informing the people of the rate of progress in these talks and announce that they will inform the people when and if a settlement has been agreed to and is to be put to the people for some sort of approval.
Please note I have used the word people three times in the previous sentence.
RAMESH RATTAN
Sask, Canada
THE government and other social welfare organizations observed an international labour day on May 1, but in my view there are no labour rights for the labour in our country. So no use of observing a labour day. It just means no more than a holiday.
Mostly labourers don’t know their rights and don’t get these at all. The contract system is common in private and as well as in government organisations. People who work in companies and offices deserve all necessary rights according to labour laws but it a pity it does not happen.
These days a labourer’s minimum salary is at least Rs4,000 a month but this is not sufficient to sustain him and his family.
He needs relief and full rights of labour, which can be possible only when all systems of contracts and daily wages are done away with.
MEHMOOD KHAN
Karachi
MARIE, from London, writes in her letter ‘Honeymooners’ (May 4): "The events of 9/11 made the rest of the world look at Kashmir as just another terrorist problem. Pakistan is well advised to unlink the Kashmir issue from religion".
Ms Marie is well advised that if people choose to see the Kashmiri war of independence as terrorism on the basis of the incidents of 9/11, it is purely because of their ignorance regarding Kashmir and their suggestibility to cheap propaganda.
Whichever way one may try to spin it, the Kashmir issue is inextricably linked with religion. To suggest otherwise would be not political appositeness but plain stupidity.
KHWAJA SHAMAAS
Lahore
INSTEAD of holding pro-Musharraf rallies, the PML-Q should practise other legitimate things to defuse this mounting movement against their government. If they think that they have the support of the lawyers, then these cheap things won’t help their cause.
PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar and other party leaders should muster courage to address the different bar associations, as they have been continuously claiming support of a large number of lawyers. If they succeed in doing this, it would help them a great deal in promoting their cause. But if they fail to do so, the message is clear that the government lacks support on the issue concerned,
The government should not hold lawyers convention at the Chief Minister House or at any other government building but in bar association buildings which are appropriate places for such types of conventions.
FARRUKH SHAHZAD
Islamabad
IT seems a section of our expatriate community is quite articulate in criticising Pakistan. How can they, dwelling miles away, comprehend what is happening to their ‘homeland’? And what right do they have to feel disgusted at the aberrations present here, when they themselves wilfully abandon their homeland and choose to spend almost all their lives in search of greener pastures?
These expatriates benefit an alien country with their integrity, diligence and intellect and, without any qualms, sweep under the carpet what they could have contributed to their homeland with their endowments. And the irony is that, on their return, they desire a well-oiled system in place. Such ‘Pakistanis’ should refrain from condemning the happenings at home.
MUNEEZA SHAIKHALI
Karachi
IN his letter, ‘Gandhi’s remark’ (May 1), Mr Hafizullah writes that Pakistan could have taken Kashmir when India was fighting the Chinese in 1962. Mr Hafizullah is ignorant that if Pakistan could have taken Kashmir, it would have certainly done that, but it had no capacity to do so.
Let us learn to see things in the right perspective and refrain from throwing stones at each other. Both the countries have enough problems which need immediate attention and the least the neighbours can do is to avoid mutual bickering.
SHIVKUMAR D. ISRANI
Mumbai
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