| May 02, 2008 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1429 |
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Far-off test centres
Bettering the lot of the people
Tribute to Zari Sarfaraz
Muslim films
Countering Zia’s children
School fees
Phone problem
Appeal to ICJ
Army’s return to barracks
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
The lawyers’ movement began in reaction to the un-constitutional suspension of the Chief Justice of Pakistan from performing his duties as chief justice, after filing of a reference against him by Pervez Musharraf on March 9 last year. The lawyers’ community immediately responded and protested against the president’s decision on suspension of the chief justice.
The protest won public support and appreciation because it was an attempt to keep the constitutional institutions and their heads within their prescribed limits. The lawyers were also justified in raising their voice against the imposition of martial law under the garb of emergency and removal of judges through Provisional Constitution Order by Pervez Musharraf, this time acting as chief of army staff. The people of Pakistan supported lawyers on their protest.
In February this year, people expressed their political choices through their votes. Although the public favoured the sentiment to the restoration of the judiciary, it was not adopted as an election slogan by most of the parties, such as PPP, ANP, MQM and PML(Q). It was only the PML (N) that took up this issue as one of its election slogans. The votes secured by the PML (N) were 22 per cent (approximately) of the total votes polled in the election. The election result was, therefore, a clear message that although people favour the restoration of judges, their voting choices were not pegged upon this issue solely.
In this context, it was a very prudent gesture of the leadership of the PPP that it chose to join hands with the PML (N) in creating a favourable environment for the Murree declaration.
That I believe was the culmination point of the lawyers’ movement as their demand for honouring the independence of constitutional institutions and doing away with the transgression committed against any one institution by another was acknowledged and agreed to be taken up in the parliament by the new coalition partners of the government.
Had the lawyers’ leadership acted prudently, they would have gracefully bowed out of the struggle by handing over the issue to the legislature like a relay race team. It is within the domain of the legislature to formulate laws, make amendments to laws and provide for the vacuum in situations such as the one faced by this country (judiciary issue).
It is quite regrettable that the leadership of the lawyers is threatening to take out a ‘long march’, not accepting any legislation on the issue of the judiciary, without even seeing any draft of such proposed courses of action as yet. The media is adding fuel to fire and coming up with vindictive analysis, particularly of the personalities of the political leadership of the majority ruling party in Islamabad.
Every next day it is reported or argued that the PPP is not in favour of the restoration of judges to the utter disregard of the statements and clarifications of their leadership that they are in favour of the issue and are making serious efforts in this regard.
Within a span of only thirty days of the formation of the government, a biased atmosphere and tainted view is created by this propagation against the ruling government. Now, even if the judges are restored, the bad feelings between the government and judiciary would continue to remain. The independence of the media is a laudable principle but can it be used in such a manner that the mandate given by the majority of the people of Pakistan is completely disregarded. The choice of the people in selecting their representatives for the next five years is trashed in a period of 30 days and the atmosphere is filled with propaganda against their chosen representatives. Where can the 80 per cent voters voice their sentiments before the next general election?
It is a regrettable state of affairs and it’s rather an encroachment upon the domain of the legislature by the lawyers in adopting a dictatorial tone and by the media in propagating biased views and negative propaganda. We are facing serious problems and we have to deal with issues that are crucial for the subsistence of poverty-stricken masses of this country.
I beg the lawyers’ community and the media that they must play their role in perpetuating democracy and democratic values.
WAHEED MAZHAR
Lahore
THE NTS authorities conduct examinations/tests across the country, especially in connection with MPhil/PhD admission /scholarship.
Examination is conducted after every three months all over Pakistan, for which they have set up many centres where candidates may appear for the test. In Sindh province, they have set up only two centres: one is located in Hyderabad and the other in Karachi.
Although many candidates appear from the interior of Sindh, yet they have to travel to Hyderabad or Karachi to take the examination. It is very difficult for a candidate to travel for 10 hours to reach Karachi or make an eight-hour journey to reach Hyderabad. In these times, it is very difficult for teachers to make both ends meet, let alone travelling which in itself is not less than a hassle.
I may mention here that Sukkur is the centre point which connects at least 10 districts of Sindh province, i.e. Ghotki, Khairpur, Noushero Feroze, Nawabshah, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Qamber at Shahdadkot and Sukkur itself. The institutes that come into the jurisdiction of these 10 districts are: Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur-IBA, SZABIST-Larkana, Chandka Medical College, Quaid-i-Awam Engineering & Technology University, People’s Medical College, Shah Abdul Latif University, degree colleges of the region, postgraduate studies centres, law colleges of the region and many other private colleges and institutions.
Therefore, the relevant authorities are requested to establish a centre in Sukkur for interior Sindh candidates (teachers) to save time, resources and to save us from the frustration of travelling.
It is also suggested that the answer-sheet may be re-designed on the pattern of FPSC-Islamabad where a candidate has two options for each question, if one option is attempted wrong, the next is available to write correct answer.
It would be better to provide a carbon copy or assessed copy to candidates with answer keys to make examinations more transparent and fair.
Hope that these suggestions will be considered in the light of justice and fair play. I also request all other interested candidates of the area to make further appeal to the relevant authorities to establish a centre in Sukkur.
There are many public sector institutions like Sukkur-IBA and Public School, Sukkur, which may provide the facility to conduct the test peacefully and smoothly.
ABDUL GHANI N. SOOMRO
Sukkur
Delays in restoration of judges are becoming quite apparent. I would urge the lawyers’ community to not let this agitate their minds to do unwarranted things outside the legal framework. You have a huge task ahead of you and the end result with your hard work will bear fruit for the nation.
Most of us have supported the lawyers and civil society efforts to restore the judiciary and it was their plank on which the people voted. It is time now for the lawyers’ community to get down to hardwork by remaining within parameters of legality and design methodologies for efficient working of the judicial system, to streamline laws where cases can be resolved and adjudicated in reasonable timeframes to provide justice to the people of Pakistan, not just the rulers and the elites. The multiple vacation and other breaks the Judiciary has enjoyed for so many years need to be modified downward; laws need to be made to settle cases without delays and punish those who purposely delay the conveyance of justice to the common man. Those filing spurious cases must be punished too to discourage waste of time of the judiciary. People today have had cases pending hearing for decades; some people have also left this world without seeing justice done to them.
We have laws that are outdated in form and fashion which must be re-written; we cannot go on using the laws the British made for us as their colonies in the early 1900’s. People have completed their jail terms but are not released because of legal lacunae or plain simple greed for corruption. Why? Who is going to work to change laws and bring them in line with present and civilised times to provide justice that can be seen to have been done?
Best wishes to those who will sincerely work to better the lot of the people.
MOHAMMED HASAN
Via email
KHANZADI Zari Sarfaraz, who slipped away quietly into the great beyond, was a celebrity. From her early years she was a Muslim Leaguer and fought steadfastly for the Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan, in a province that we tend to dismiss as backward.
Yet, so many stalwarts in every sense of the word have emerged to give leadership to basically a people’s movement. Sadly there were not even the stereotype condolence messages from the old and new, who are too enamoured of their playthings. So what if a great tree has fallen?
Khanzadi Zari Sarfaraz was an outspoken, forward-looking, astute and dignified lady: the first chairperson of the Women’s Commission and co-author of a report that was never made public.
I remember that at a conference organised by the Women’s Division, Islamabad, ably headed by Harvard-educated Gulzar Bano, Khanzadi Sahiba was surrounded by a crowd of threatening ‘eyes only’ heavily-clad women, because she said in her keynote address that ‘she wondered why Pakistan was so kambakht even though the country had plenty of resources and manpower. She did not bother to explain to these screaming, howling women that she spoke thus because of her love for her country.
These same women jostled and elbowed each other to be photographed with the chief guest, Gen Ziaul Haq.
On my own behalf and those who have endeavoured to learn to walk in the footsteps of great women like ‘Zari Bibi’, I shed tears that even the vigilant media let her demise go unsung.
PROF ANITA GHULAM ALI
Karachi
I would like to draw the attention of the government towards Muslim Film Festival, which is being promoted on a TV channel these days. The festival website www.muslimfilmfest.com states that the festival is aimed at promoting the true essence of Islam through films.
I, being a Muslim, cannot understand the concept of a Muslim film. How can a film be termed Muslim, Christian, Hindu or Jew? Cinema and films do not have a religion. Cinema is related to culture and typecasting cinema in the name of religion is a serious concern. Events such as this one will create further problems for people who are trying to erase the marks of fundamentalism and terrorism from the face of the Muslim Ummah and promoting that Islam is a liberal religion.
I appeal to the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Religious Affairs to take notice of such events and their credibility.
KAMAL AHMED
Karachi
THIS rejoinder to Ayesha Siddiqa’s article, ‘Countering Zia’s children’ (April 19), appertains more to the initial part of her article ‘Sufism in Islam’ than the caption itself.
A systematised field of knowledge (science) has its own terminological tools. Sufism does not include Spiritualism (mediumship) as part of it, rather disfavours practice of contacting spirits which more often than not harms the medium controlling them. Sufism is, on the contrary, attainment of spiritual enlightenment under the guidance of a Sufi master. The writer of this article meant spirituality when she referred to Spiritualism.
When the PML(Q) stalwarts included in their manifesto introduction of Sufi Islam, they did not seem to have an inkling of what Sufism is about, insofar as they were promising to popularise en mass what essentially is secret and selective extra dimension of Islam.
When the very Sufi schools of thought are themselves at variance with concepts like Wahdat al Wajood and Wahdat Ashshahood, how do the PML (Q) leaders expect training the masses about what is truly meta physical and transcendental?
Even Wahhabi and some other ulema deride Sufism as being innovation notwithstanding thousands of accomplished Sufis exclusively having attained miraculous powers only through the Sufi Path.
None of the non-Sufi adherents of Islam ever attained to sainthood. This is no food for generality of Muslims.
The radius is the transcendental Path towards the Centre the goal being spiritual enlightenment and self-realisation through self-denial and asceticism the goal being Eternal and Infinite Presence, nearer the jugular vein and yet far too distant, not perceivable except through the third eye ontologically developed or rather blessed with to make Himself seen.
The Path of Tariqat is Islam’s mystical dimension, all Sufi Orders, Qadriah, Naqshbandia, Chistia, etc., lead to the self same Centre with their respective disciplines.
It has to be emphasised, however, that the Gem of revelation of divine self develops within the crucible of Sharia’s meticulous observance and ‘zikr’ constantly practised.
The Prophet was sent to mankind to instruct in Scripture (Sharia) and to impart secrecies of divine wisdom to sanctify men/women, the way back to the lost Paradise. The Holy Quran is a vertically downward tidal wave recitation, audition of the Book, contemplation, implementation of Divine Commands have the effect of vertically upward ascent, transporting the subject transcendentally in its ebbing tide towards one’s primordial nature before the fall. As vital supports are the Centres like places of pilgrimage and particularly the Ka’aba.
Not to overlook are the places belonging to the lower forces on the opposite regions of the subtle domain, Satan being the antipode of God actively pursuing particularly those dedicated to sanctified Way of Life (the radius).
One may read volumes on Sufism with all the knowledge they have to impart but without the slightest impact on Sufi experience. Unless a person enters water and a guide shows him the way to swim, he will drown.
As regards Ziaul Haq, while I would refrain from reflections concerning his children, from the elementary book found in his collections on Sufism written by one of my colleagues in London, namely Sidi Yahya (William Stoddart), he was surely trying to learn what Sufism is all about. He was an exoterist probably of Deobandi school.
AKBAR KHAN
Karachi
This is with reference to M. J. As’ad’s letter (April 26).
As a parent, I find his statement utterly misleading that the ‘school fee charged reflect the cost of nine months that the school is actually in session’ and is spread over 12 months to avoid posing financial burden on parents.
As a professional accountant with experience of financials of a chain of schools, I can state it on oath that the so-called ‘costs’ are not above one-third (33 per cent) of the total fee charged from the parents, specially if you include a litany of hidden and ‘extra’ fees like admission fees, computer lab fee, library fees, van fees, contract earnings from canteen and bookshops on books and uniform, etc.
A conservative but bitter truth is that more than half of the school fees eventually serves the financial needs of the owners, and not the cause of educating their wards.
Furthermore, I happily offer my services to review the financials of any known school chain free of cost if M. J. As’ad can get its consent, and report back it to your readers.
ALTAF NOOR ALI
Karachi
MY phone — 481 3284 — has been a problem for the last six months. I complained to the PTCL, and they told me there was something wrong with the instrument. I bought a brand new instrument last month, but the person on the other end still cannot hear me. Obviously, there is something with the line. Will the PTCL kindly act?
SUBSCRIBER
Karachi
DEARNESS is being witnessed all over the world. Hike in the prices of essentials has hit the people hard. Poor countries are worst sufferer as basic human rights are denied to their people. Pakistan is one such country where people find it very difficult to lead their lives because more than 80 per cent of them earn below Rs5,000 while price inflation has expanded the kitchen expense three or four times over the period of last five years.
The poor have become the poorest and misfortune takes a few of them to the point of no return. Besides wrong policies and loose governance in the country, continuous increase in the petroleum prices by the Opec has been one of the major factors of price hike all along. Opec has greatly contributed in increasing the stress on finance of the countries.
I would request the Opec to be considerate enough to realise the fastest growth in price inflations all over the world, especially in the poor world, and cut down the price to a half of the present price per barrel.
I would also appeal to the International Court of Justice to look into the issue of ever-rising high prices of Opec’s products in order to ensure supply at fair prices so that pressure on the finance of all the countries could be lowered.
ANWAR HUSAIN
Karachi
After the popular decision of calling back army personnel from civil departments by the Army chief, none of the Naval and Air force officers and officials have returned to their parent forces.
Whereas almost 90 per cent of Army personnel is still deployed in the civil departments of the federal government. The question arises as to why the military personnel are keen to stay and rule in civil departments instead of serving in their ranks in parent armed forces departments.
It is also noteworthy to mention that a large number of retired armed forces personnel have been hired on contracts in civil departments on hefty monthly salaries. It was a wellknown practice in the past that contracts were offered to either cronies or near and dear ones.
Therefore, the government’s decision to end the contracts is welcomed by all and sundry and the same will pave the way for the young blood to serve the country with more fervour and enthusiasm.
AMANAT ALI LAGHARI
Karachi
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