Diplomatic divide

This refers to Iqbal Akhund's review of Diplomatic Divide - a book containing Humayun Khan's reflections as Pakistan's high commissioner in New Delhi and Mr Parthasarathy's memories of Pakistan, first as Indian consul-general in Karachi and later as high commissioner in Islamabad (Books and Authors, Dawn, April 25).

While discussing Humayun's analysis of the Shimla Agreement, Akhund thinks "Humayun falls in with Parthasarathy's account." He then quotes Humayun: "Bhutto convincingly argued (with Indira Gandhi) that given enough time, he would be able to make Pakistan accept the LoC with minor adjustments as a permanent border."

Actually Humayun in this particular passage is reporting the Indian view but clearly says: "There is no hard evidence to prove this allegation about an oral understanding" (page 44). "There is nothing in the agreement that changes the substantive position of each side" (page 45).

I agree with Iqbal Akhund that the Indian "story is not borne out by any of the Pakistanis who were present at Shimla, nor does it make sense on an objective analysis." It is hard to believe that Mrs Gandhi, who was in Kissinger's words a "cold-blooded practitioner of realpolitik," as quoted by Parthasarathy, could be "convinced" by Bhutto, a "bitter adversary."

Among some of the people who were present at Shimla, Parthasarathy mentions P. N. Dhar and P. N. Haskar. The latter was of the view that Bhutto should not go back empty-handed and that Mrs Gandhi should not do a Versailles on a defeated Pakistan. However, as Parthasarathy reports, before Haskar's death he regretted his action, as does Parthasarathy himself.

Humayun recalls that Bhutto had taken with him Arbab Sikander Khan Khalil, governor of the NWFP, and Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo, governor of Balochistan. They had worked in the Congress before partition with Mrs Gandhi's father. She held them in high esteem and had brought an old Congressman from the NWFP, Yunus Khan, a close friend of Nehru, also of Arbab Khalil and Bizenjo, to act as a link with them. They must have contributed in softening Mrs Gandhi's attitude.

I may relate the account given to me by my good friend, the late Aftab Ahmed Khan, who as director-general, South Asia desk in the foreign office, had accompanied Bhutto's team. He told me: "Very few people know about it, but the person who was finally responsible for bringing about a breakthrough was the late Mazhar Ali Khan, editor of Viewpoint."

Bhutto had taken Mazhar Ali Khan thinking that he had clout with Mrs Gandhi because of his old political affiliation and could possibly be of some use at some stage in the talks. So, when there was deadlock, Mazhar Ali Khan saw Mrs Gandhi at Bhutto's instance, and impressed upon her that Bhutto was the first elected leader of Pakistan after fourteen years of military rule. As such it was a good opportunity for India to reach an understanding with Pakistan.

It was in India's interest also to have an agreement. According to Aftab, this line of argument appealed to Mrs Gandhi and paved the way for the final accord. When I happened to mention to Mazhar Ali Khan what Aftab had told me, he modestly corroborated the story.

While referring to India's ambition to graduate from "bigness" to "greatness", Humayun makes the observation: "Unfortunately, however, there remained a certain small-mindedness and a penchant for sophistry which, unless discarded, will always prevent India from acquiring the true personality of a great power." Unfortunately also, one may add, this has been particularly evident in India's dealings with Pakistan over Kashmir and other disputes as also in India's treatment of the people of Indian-held Kashmir.

DR AFTAB AHMED

Islamabad

Need for PCB overhaul

Pakistan's former senior cricket players' call for the resignation of the PCB chairman, Mr Sheharyar M. Khan, as well as of the CEO, Mr Ramiz Raja, merits serious attention. There is a growing perception that whenever Mr Sheharyar Khan assumed responsibility of managing the affairs of the national cricket team, its performance ebbed at the international level.

Remember the dismal performance of our cricketers when he accompanied them to India as team manager? Now as PCB chairman, he did not prove successful in improving standard of the national cricket team. In fact, their morale touched the bottom and the Indians inflicted historic defeats on them in the recent cricket series in Pakistan.

As regards Ramiz Raja, the less said the better. He has assumed the simultaneous roles of CEO, cricket commentator on a foreign TV sports channel, cricket columnist for an Indian newspaper and so on. Likewise, team coach Javed Miandad and manager Haroon Rashid have failed to mould the players into a cohesive, well-functioning group. Our team as a whole exhibited a lack of commitment, courage and cohesion during the cricket matches against the Indian side.

There is an urgent need to overhaul the PCB set-up and bring in people with a better sense of dedication to the cause of cricket in Pakistan.

TASNIM A. KHAN

Lahore

(2)

The current episode of investigations against some cricketers for faking injuries is typical of our collective psyche to find a reason for every setback in some 'conspiracy theory'. In the case of cricket, we fail to acknowledge the fact that the Indian cricket team was superior to ours in the batting department having six world class batsmen against just two of ours (if one wants to include Youhana). Maybe this is the reason the Indian government allowed the tour to go ahead while citing political reasons for not playing with Pakistan during the peak years of Wasim and Waqar.

It is high time we stopped finding a conspiracy in every debacle - be it sports, our economic conditions or our political setbacks.

MOHAMMED SAQIB

Karachi

Cut in army's size

This is with reference to the news item (April 28) regarding the government decision to reduce the size of the army by 50,000 troops.

One may wonder what needs to be done by the government to please the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) that has criticized the decision. The opposition has every right to criticize decisions taken by the rulers, but they should not oppose them just for the sake of opposition.

The announcement by the government to cut down the number of army personnel should have been appreciated by all and sundry. We all are aware that there is a scarcity of resources in our country and there are myriad problems that make demands on these resources. Illiteracy, poverty and lack of basic health care, food, clothing, shelter, etc., are some of the very basic needs of which the majority of the people are deprived. Under these circumstances, can there be any justification for keeping such a huge army?

Lately, the MMA has also been critical of the government on account of changes made in school syllabi. After listening to both sides, I am convinced that there was a dire need to change the curricula in accordance with the current times. Perhaps Pakistan is the only country where books are not revised in decades. No wonder we are lagging far behind.

The MMA's contention that the new syllabi are in conflict with the ideology of Pakistan and Islam and have been made at the behest of the US is ridiculous. No one can deny the fact that our education system is one of the causes of an ever-increasing violence and lack of tolerance in our society.

MISBAH NOMANI

Karachi

Classic car

The desirability of classic cars and the handsome money that the sale of some attracts is mainly due to the nostalgia it evokes in people. Some cars are valuable due to the history attached to them. One similar car, said to be a Renault-Daimler hybrid, has been re-discovered in Lahore, though the old car community has known of this car since ages. One reader wrote in your esteemed paper that it should be repaired and put to use.

The Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP) is dedicated to the preservation of the automotive heritage in Pakistan. The VCCCP is of the considered opinion that from the viewpoint of the political history of the subcontinent, the Renault-Daimler hybrid is very interesting. The news item about it has spawned some debate on the existence and goals of the Khaksar Tehrik. This is exactly what such items are required to do.

The place for such relics is in a museum so that people, from schoolchildren to the elderly, can learn about the events of the period concerned. This particular car, in a non-Indo-Pakistan surrounding, would be of no interest. The VCCCP, through these columns, would like to offer to cosmetically restore the car at its own expense provided the present custodians of the vehicle agree to put it on permanent display at the Lahore Museum. Reputedly, the vehicle was given to the Khaksar leader Allama Mashriqi by Adolf Hitler to show appreciation and support in the undermining of the British in India.

As an aside, over the years stories of rags to riches due to sale of classic cars have been too eagerly digested by the public. Everyone has a story about the proverbial factory offering millions for a rare piece. All such stories are good conversation pieces, but must be taken with a pinch of salt.

JIM AGHA

President, VCCCP, Karachi

Dr Aafia Siddiqui's disappearance

This is with reference to my earlier letter under the above caption (March 30). I had written in the earnest expectation that something positive would come out and there would be some progress towards ending the miseries of my family related to the disappearance of my niece, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, more than a year ago.

But instead of arranging for the release of the illegally detained doctor, the authorities have apparently opted to punish the remaining members (Dr Aafia's mother and elder sister Dr Fawzia Siddiqui with her two children) for protesting against the injustice.

After the publication of my March 30 letter, Dr Aafia Siddiqui's mother and sister (along with her two children) have apparently been put under house-arrest and are not allowed to have any physical or telephonic contact even with their family members. After failing to talk to my younger sister (mother of Dr Aafia Siddiqui) on the phone from Islamabad since March 30 till April 20, I rushed to Karachi and visited her house (140-E, Block-7, Gulshan-i-Iqbal) on April 22 only to find a big lock on the main gate of the house. I knocked on the gate for quite some time, first mildly, then strongly but there was no response.

Then I contacted my sister's next-door neighbour, who happens to be the younger brother of Gen Mirza Aslam Beg. The lady (Mrs Beg) was kind enough to tell me that Mrs Ismat Siddiqui and her daughter Dr Fawzia were inside the house but for some time they had not been coming out or responding to the doorbell.

After trying to see my sister in vain from April 22 to 25, I returned to Islamabad. With this state of affairs, I doubt we are free citizens of a free country.

S.H. FARUQI

Islamabad

Troops for Iraq

As pointed out in the editorial "Troops for Iraq?" (April 24 ), Mr Kasuri's statement regarding sending our troops to Iraq is indeed surprising. At a time when several countries have decided to pull out their contingents from that unfortunate country, while many more, like Thailand, are thinking of doing the same, our government appears to be in an unseemly haste to please the Americans.

Last year, when the government appeared anxious to not only recognize that great tormentor of our Arab brothers, Israel, but also gunning to dispatch our soldiers to Iraq, it was only the stiff opposition of the masses that had thwarted them.

The way the Iraqi resistance to foreign occupation is growing and the way even Iraqi policemen are being attacked, it should be obvious to our leaders that any more foreign troops won't be welcome over there, whatever twist is given to the purpose of their deployment. By the way, how large will the UN contingent be that it would need armies from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries for its protection?

Since the Pakistani (and other) men would be under American command, they could be forced to engage Iraqi fighters, just as the Iraqi security forces were recently told to do in Fallujah. Upon the latter's refusal, they are being punished by physical confinement and restriction to just one meal in a day.

Mr Kasuri and others should look upon our jawans and officers like their own sons and brothers, whose lives and whose families' peace of mind would be jeopardized. Lessons ought to be learned from the harvest Pakistan is still reaping from anti-Soviet Jihad in Afghanistan and from the way Mr Bush has legitimized Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and denied the Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homeland. This move has all the Arabs, including the Egyptian president, up in arms.

If a situation arises when genuinely representative Iraqi leaders seek Pakistan's help, it could be sympathetically considered. In the meantime, let Bush and Blair face the consequences of their designs and actions in Iraq.

A CONCERNED PAKISTANI

Karachi

The promise of Gwadar

Balochistan in general and Gwadar in particular are under discussion both in the corridors of power in Islamabad and in the media due to mega projects being launched in these long-neglected parts of the country. However, the projects have raised many concerns in the minds of local people.

The high-ups in Islamabad and Balochistan should realize the genuine needs of the people of Balochistan. Take the example of the Mirani Dam project where around 400 people are working, but it is sad to note that no local has been recruited there.

Aren't local people justified in fearing that they will be ignored again in respect of job opportunities to be created by the development of Gwadar?

No practical measures are being taken to train locals to enable them to run deep sea port operations which will need highly technical people. Similarly, no technical institutions have yet been opened in the area.

The president and the prime minister are urged to ensure that local people are given jobs when the port and various projects start functioning.

MAQBOOL RIND

Islamabad

Shares for the disabled

Disabled/special persons have no preferential right for allotment of ordinary or bonus shares(BS) as they are treated at par with normal persons for initial subscription to blue chips at the face value or market value.

I suggest that the disabled/ special persons be given a five per cent quota for allotment of shares/BS at the face value on initial subscription on the same terms as for normal shares holders. This would help special persons, by way of state charity/public policy, to earn a little income. This privilege may also be extended in allotting NIT or mutual funds shares at face value at any period/point of time.

Disabled persons should also be given the right of applying from 50 and upward shares on humanitarian grounds.

HUMAYUN AKHTAR

Multan

Environmental contradictions

At the recent three-day international conference on the UN Convention against Corruption held in Islamabad, President Musharraf openly admitted that despite concrete measures taken by him, some corrupt politicians had managed to get themselves elected in the 2002 general election to become part of the system of governance. He held responsible environmental contradictions responsible for this by halting the dissemination of perfect honesty and integrity in the present democratic structure.

Soon after the military coup of October 12, the general presented his seven-point agenda to offer the Pakistani nation a Utopian state. But realism had to prevail over idealism. I am still unclear about the environmental contradictions that allowed such loopholes to exist in the president's unique system.

DR ZAINAB RIZVI

Lahore

Democracy?

Why is democracy such a big deal in a country which lacks security, education and employment? Without these essentials, I believe a democracy is no better than a dictatorship.

SHABBIR A. HARIANAWALA

University of Warwick, UK

'Lighting a candle'

This has reference to the following items (Dawn, April 26):

1) On page 19, an advertisement from chairman Bashir Chugtai of ABAD (Association of Builders and Developers) states: 'Brightening the Future. In line with the wishes of President General Pervez Musharraf, the Managing Director, KESC, Brigadier Tariq Mehmood Saddozai, has indeed lit a candle to brighten the future! Together, we shall again make Karachi "the City of Lights.'

2) On Metropolitan page 13, the depressing news item "3-day-long disruption triggers off power riots" describes the rage and violence in Karachi areas following prolonged power breakdowns.

3) On the same page, another disheartening news item headlined "Sit-in staged against suspended water supply" reports on the anger and frustration of numerous citizens deprived of water in hot weather.

4) On page 14, still another dismal news item headlined "PR passengers suffer because of traffic jams", reports on booked travellers who missed their trains owing to traffic jams, caused, among other reasons, by water sit-ins and electricity riots.

How is ABAD preparing to convert this gloomy Karachi scene into a "City of Light"? With the help of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation MD's candle?

SHEHRI

Karachi

Who will fine traffic police?

At 10.30am on April 24, while the traffic light was red, I made I admit an unlawful left-turn on to Fatima Jinnah Road from Sarwar Shaheed Road, at the Atrium Mall corner in Saddar. The traffic police ASI, who had established a 'traffic trap' at the location, stopped my car, took away my driving licence, and issued a traffic violation challan.

As I drove away, he got on his motorcycle and proceeded (against the one-way) down Fatima Jinnah Road and took an unlawful left turn on to Sarwar Shaheed Road (against the one-way) towards Abdullah Haroon Road.

Who will challan the ASI?

VICTORIA DESOUZA

Karachi

Criminology

"Before a war, military science seems a real science, like astronomy. After a war it seems more like astrology" - Dame Rebecca West.

Both the terms, astronomy as well as astrology, are irrelevant to the Afghan and Iraq wars. Right from the start what the whole world is witnessing are bloody shades of 'criminology'.

MIR TABASSUM MAIRAJ

Islamabad