| May 26, 2008 | Monday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1429 |
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Never again
Untimely closure of Rice Canal
Sufferings of women
Increase in interest rate
Justice of the mob
Will Fata truce succeed?
Advertising till it bleeds
First things first
Poetry and loadshedding
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
ACCORDING to a report, an international seminar was held in Islamabad on the subject, ‘Afghanistan: unabated turmoil’, by the Institute of Regional Studies (May 13).
The ‘star speaker’ on the occasion, American scholar Dr Barnett R. Rubin, reportedly set the pace by saying that Pakistanis had “many misconceptions about Afghanistan” and that “we produce knowledge which suits our policy.”
He also provoked many by asking Pakistan to state its “strategic interest in Afghanistan” which, he said, President Hamid Karzai considered to be “the main driver of instability in Afghanistan.”
There are several problems with Dr Rubin’s arguments and allegations. First, one would like to point out that before accusing others, he should have reflected on the fact that it is the US, above all, that has been producing knowledge to suit its policies.
The Iraqi WMDs and Al Qaeda connection are foremost examples of that. Now, Iran (the US-inspired anti-Mossadegh coup of the early 1950s notwithstanding) and Syria are being blamed for various sins and the knowledge base being invented for that.
Somalia that had begun to return to normality and peace by December 2006 due to the Islamists was pushed back to the 1991 era by the US-backed Ethiopian military invasion after ‘discovering’ an Al Qaeda connection, denied vehemently by the Islamic Courts Union leaders.
Second, it may be recalled that the US itself had formulated the well-known ‘Monroe Doctrine’ that forbade foreign involvement in South America, which it considered to be its own backyard and sphere of influence, ostensibly due to its strategic importance for the American security.
Why can’t other countries have their own strategic interests regarding matters impinging on their security? Are America’s interests so sacrosanct that it can occupy countries across the world but regional states aren’t allowed to protect themselves? Besides, a western defence analyst had talked of India’s version of Monroe Doctrine for South Asia, formulated during Indira Gandhi’s time and meant to ensure India’s unchallenged hegemony in its neighbourhood.
Third, an Indian scholar had only last year stated that Afghanistan provides strategic depth to his country. No wonder New Delhi has opened consulates in several cities close to Pakistan’s border, which weren’t really necessary and which are instigating insurgency in Balochistan. And, no wonder, too, that some speakers at the seminar rightly slammed the gentleman for glossing over India’s role in the Afghan problem.
Another speaker, Dr Roney W. Jones, claimed that the “Pushtun problem is more a Pakistan problem as twice as many Pushtuns live in Pakistan than in Afghanistan,” alluding to Islamabad’s view that marginalisation of Pushtuns was a factor in the continuing insurgency in Afghanistan. While the number of Pushtuns may be more here, but they form only about 20 per cent of Pakistan’s population, whereas it is close to 40 per cent across the border. Hence, when a large minority that had earlier on been in the driving seat, got marginalised, that expectedly causes greater heartburn as well as the desire and the confidence in its ability to win back its rights through militancy.
Above all, they are under unwanted and ‘infidel’ foreign occupation (in collusion with local Uzbeks, Tajiks, Hazaras), which is not the case in Pakistan, hence the bigger unrest over there, drawing support from their staunchly religious kinsmen in this country.
M.Y. KHAN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the letter, ‘Never again’ (May 6). The writer again has insisted that the army should apologise. Simultaneously, he has eulogised the sacrifice of Lt-Col Akram Raja, to whom I also salute. I do not believe his story that an operational commander would be so insane as to see his armoured brigade butchered and then take on the enemy with an infantry battalion. As far as heavy odds are concerned, there are many examples where officers and men fought valiantly.
The first account of this nature that I heard was from Gen Akhtar Abdul Rehman, former chief of ISI, later chief of Joint Services Staff. The general narrated how a desperate three-company attack was launched in 1948 to capture some positions on Pando hills in Azad Kashmir against a battalion position.
The history of our Army is full of acts of bravery. I lost a number of friends in 965 and 1971 wars, notable being Capt Saghir Hussain of 16 Punjab and Maj Sabir Kamal Mehar of 10/13 FF, both recipients of Sitara-i-Jurat.
Much later and in a different operation, my son, a major, also sacrificed his life. Yet I never thought that the Army needs to apologise to anyone.
It would have been more reasonable to think of an individual commander and punish him, if necessary, while he is alive. Both Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan were alive till the 1980s. If the nation had so desired to take any action against them, there was plenty of time available. One’s character can be displayed while he is in service.
The two field officers who refused to shoot on an unarmed procession and nearly lost their jobs during the anti-Bhutto crisis of 1977, and Col Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, ex-11 Punjab, who asked a pertinent question of Gen Zia about holding elections and lost his job, can be quoted as examples of courage during service.
One does not have to derive inspiration from history such as in Britain the body of Olivier Cromwell (1599-1658) was taken out of the grave and hanged by King Charles II.
This was a heinous crime. For this reason I said: “Do not beat and bruise a dead person” (April 21). It is not justifiable for any retired officer to ask the Army as an institution to apologise. As a student of military history, I reiterate that officers and men who laid down their lives did so for the glory of the motherland and for the honour of the battalions and regiments they served. The bulk of the Army is composed of lieutenant-colonels, officers of lower cadres and other ranks. They have not been directly involved in the political upheavals of the country.
There is thus no reason to seek the Army’s apology. I once again hope that top brass of the Army never again enters into politics.
PROF KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the report, ‘Water flow to Sindh canals may improve’ (Economic and Business pages, May 23), wherein, quoting an irrigation department source, it is reported that in the coming week water situation will improve in the canals of Sindh. Surprisingly the Rice Canal, which feeds the rice-growing area, is being left dry as its share of water is being diverted to feed the cotton-growing areas falling on the other side of the river.
Unfortunately the role of the irrigation department is as ever stepmotherly as far the Rice Canal is concerned. This canal is the only non-perennial inland waterway meant for rice-growing areas and legally flows for six months. By stopping water to this important canal at the sowing season, the irrigation department will be depriving millions of people living in the rural areas of Sindh whose staple diet is rice bread and not wheat bread.
From this mindless act, it appears that the irrigation authorities are either naïve about the food crisis prevalent not only in the country but all around the world or are trying to defame the newly-stalled government. The irrigation people know that the sowing season of rice seedling has begun and it is already late by 10 and so days and more the delay goes, the crop will be very seriously affected by assault of different insects and pests.
I do accept that cotton is more important because most of the ministers are from cotton-growing areas which include our irrigation minister. But at the same time cotton has substitutes while food crops such as rice and wheat have no substitute which feed 160 million people.
The food crisis has grown so out of proportion that international agencies are emphasising the world governments for growing more food. Another problem which the Rice Canal suffers from is the silt cleaning for which millions of rupees are shown in the books from year to year as spent on dredging but, practically, no dredging has been done for a year which includes this year also.
I request the irrigation wizards to do justice to the people living in the rice-growing areas by immediately allowing water to the Rice Canal till Nov 15 so that at least good rice crop can be obtained as sowing timings don’t wait for bureaucratic haggling.
DR.ZAHID HUSSAIN JATOI
Mehar Dadu
HUMERA Alwani, taking advantage of Mother’s Day, has dilated (April 11) very effectively on the perpetual distress the women in this part of the world are braving on account of lack of healthcare awareness and medical facilities. The statistics shows many women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
However, sufferings of women on this score are the tip of the iceberg. Leaving aside the urban centres where modern education facilities and accessibility of NGOs make a woman feel a bit empowered, the condition of her counterpart living in rural areas — 65 per cent of the population — is still the worst. There is hardly any change in the mindset of rural society which predominantly is patriarchal.
Since the notion of male honour is linked with women’s sexual behaviour, their sexuality is considered a potential threat to the honour of the family. It is for this reason she is strictly restricted and controlled through the system of purdah, segregation and violence against them.
Because of mediaeval tribal setup a woman in rural areas is regarded as an article restricted to the four walls of home. Her job is to rear children, cook food and keep the house tidy for menfolk.
Women are denied, on one or the other pretext, the right of inheritance in the property of their parents and husbands given by Islam; worst of which is marriage of a girl with the Holy Book, a most abhorrent practice still followed in some spiritual families. She is denied even her inherent right of choice at the time of marriage.
In the case of karo-kari (honour killing), a most repugnant primitive custom practised in the outlying areas, the sufferer is again a hapless woman. So much so that in the metropolitan areas they do not feel protected from the gender prejudices, specially while working in the offices and factories.
Sexual harassment is a common complaint of such working women. Despite some improvement in the literacy rate in Pakistan, which now is around 50 per cent, the women’s literacy is just 32 per cent. In rural areas, however, the scenario is at its most awful where women literacy is 12 per cent.
Celebration of such days as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is a recent phenomenon, an outcome of globalisation and media explosion. They have just symbolic connotations for us. These days are now celebrated with a commercial verve: occasions for enjoyment and festivity rather than the purpose for which they were initially adopted.
Looking at the enormity of predicament women countenance from time immemorial in this part of the world, what we need is permanent struggle at all levels till women achieve their right to coexist in society with dignity and honour as equal to their male partners.
RUBINA M. KURESHI
Karachi
THE recent increase in interest rate by the SBP defies common sense. The increase will only help when there is demand-pull inflation and economy is performing on its full potential.
Pakistan’s economy is far from its full potential, rather there is scarcity of almost everything. Oil prices and widening gap of deficit are culprits, which are beyond the scope the SBP’s control and such shortsighted monetary policy will rather create more problems. There are steps to be taken on the fiscal side like increasing the taxation on the rich and brining underground economy into the tax net.
Moreover, corruption, which is the main factor responsible for waste of government resources, must be curtailed.
SHAKEEL NIZAMANI
Alberta
THIS is apropos to your editorial, “ ‘Justice’ of the mob” (May 20). Neither was it a cockfight nor a protest against water scarcity, nor against the electricity disruption, nor the ever-increasing inflation, nor exacerbating poverty. It was a show of wild justice in the absence of law. The three alleged robbers being set on fire by the angry mob, which was sick of insecurity and exhausted after sleepless nights.
The ashes of the three souls put a question mark in front of all of us. To whom do we mourn – the sad state of justice, the failed police department, or the three souls? Witnessing such an inhuman incident in a city like Karachi, we can hold the entire system responsible. Besides the judiciary, the police department and the media too play their part. People are sick of the uncontrolled crimes.
When the law is approached, the result is justice delayed is justice denied. Likewise, the police department is already in the doldrums. This department leads to many more forms of corruptions. The innocent peasants like Ghulam Rasool Brohi were brutally tortured and killed and the culprits were still at large. The family of Manoo Bheel is still untraceable. The police officer that helped him was put into the lockup himself.
Last but not the least, the media that professes to perform their duty honestly has also made the crime a child’s play and criminals a hero. No doubt, their prime duty is to print and inform of the grim realities, but the printing of footages as a mere show of thrill has made people more inhuman, in fact bold to take such steps and take the law into their hands.
God knows better what motivated the poor souls to make both ends meet by hook or by crook. But in a country like ours, it can be confidently assumed that it is the abject poverty and unemployment behind the increasing ratio of crimes. The other option left with us is suicide.
The new government that was voted on hope than any other manifesto is requested to look into the domestic matters and take actions to maintain the law and order situation and reduce poverty, reinstate the honest judges of the superior court, so that both crimes can be reduced and humanity be saved.
KIRAN SHIRAZI
Jamshoro
The question asked by Zeenia Satti, ‘Will Fata truce succeed?’ (May 21), is a simple one. The answer, however, is not so simple. I can straightaway say ‘no’, but I got to prove it. I will elaborate it by asking you a question. Will the Pakistan-India talks that succeed?
The answer is largely no (but 10 per cent yes). The Indian delegation has said at the outset that the Kashmir dispute can be resolved soon (hopefully). If by any chance you get into a good and justice-loving Indian’s shoes, ask the Indian leadership: ‘Why then you don’t resolve this long outstanding dispute?”
They would bring up some childish reasons, would talk this and that, sidestepping the point and would keep uttering their pet announcement: “We have agreed to keep the dialogue going”. It is their delaying tactic.
Why delay? When in 1972, during the Shimla talks between Z. A. Bhutto and Indira Gandhi, the Kashmir dispute was mentioned by the Pakistani leader, some Indian diplomat sardonically exclaimed: “You are trying to kick the dead horse alive.” They would talk about it without actually meaning it.
The truce for warring elements in Fata is an exercise to know how strong are they, and how weak is the government of Pakistan. The mere agreement to sit with them for negotiation is a declaration of their strength and acceptance that the government is scrawny. Even if they would want it to succeed, their next-door neighbour would not let them. The trouble-stokers may want to give the truce a chance, the Afghan hurdle would make them defy. The government has to play its cards carefully.
M. K. NAQVI
Karachi
WITH scientific and technical advancements, marketing of products has become one of the most significant aspects of success. This brand management is through effective advertisement campaigns in the media. Hugh budgets are earmarked for these promotional campaigns.
The advertising is a vast medium, yet I would only be focusing on one aspect of our advertisements appearing in the national press, billboards and electronic media. This relates to its content and number of its insertion, especially in the electronic media. I wonder if some code of conduct exists as far as moral, social and cultural values are taken care of while presenting the product. Similarly I wonder whether some balance and proportion is maintained in the actual product and its glorified presentation.
It would be worth a study if carried out on the sector-wise key main players, size of their budgets, contents, product promo relationship, etc. I can quote the example of advertising campaigns launched by companies of mobile phones (both product and service providers), MNCs of consumer products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages.
All their advertisements predominantly focus on young attractive models in an affluent environment, encouraging youth to spend more with no consideration towards conservation, minimisation and judicious use of resources. I urge the regulatory authority to kindly look into these aspects as they are creating a negative impact on our youth who are mostly the prime target group of these media campaigns. Furthermore, this flood of repeated insertions especially on electronic media is so frustrating that one avoids viewing national channels.
My suggestion is that there should be some code of conduct for regulating this sector plus some sort of percentage of their advertisement budget may be fixed for spending in social sector covering health, education, environment and sports. Hope sense will prevail in managing this important area.
ZIA UL ISLAM
Islamabad
SO FAR I knew Shehzad Roy as a pop singer of sort. But after reading his article, ‘First things first’(April 20), I know him now as not only a good writer but as a man of mission. Like minded people (I am one of them) should support him in whatever way possible.
I have been living in the Gulf states for many years and have observed that the educational standard of Indian schools there is far better than ours (not to mention the schools and institutions run by British consulates, although on a commercial basis). It’s a pity that our university degrees are not respected even by Gulf states.
A more shameful scene was witnessed when a bachelor’s degree was declared as a condition to contest an election. A Pandora’s box was opened, which we all have seen.
We need more Shehzad Roys who can raise their voice to eradicate the ills from our decayed society.
HAJI ASHFAQ
Karachi
MUSHIR Anwer’s column, ‘Poetry in the days of loadshedding’ (May 21) touched a raw nerve. It’s been said, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
One is too upset to be able to say anything more than, “If there’s darkness in the hearts of those who matter/The nation will have no light and no power.”
IBNE INAYAT
Karachi
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