Please keep your contributions short, giving your name and address,
which is necessary for your contribution to be posted to the Net Editor
vf@jang
Please keep your contributions short, giving your name and address,
which is necessary for your contribution to be posted to the Net Editor
vf@jang
Scraping student politics from
educational institutions
The principal of government College of Commerce and Economics Karachi was wounded in a shootout between students of Islami Jamait Talba (IJT) and All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization (APMSO). Professor Mohammad Aslam Khan has rich experience of teaching and he is very much respected not only among the serious students of the city but also among the principals and teachers across the city, who observed "black day" and boycotted academic activities at city colleges in protest against the attack.
Political parties are solely responsible for the deteriorating the educational level in the city who have allowed their affiliated students wings to set-up camps in the government-run colleges and universities due to which the administration of colleges and universities have literally become in-effective in taking any action against such armed students, who are backed by various political parties due to fear of life. At the beginning of each academic year many students who are equipped with the fire arms and belong to different antagonistic political parties are seen setting up camps and chanting slogans within the premises of educational institutions and induct many news students in their parties by offering them assistance and services in seeking admissions in various educational institutions.
The question arises that does the parent send their children for acquiring education/knowledge from these colleges and universities or the parents send them to take part in the dirty politics? There are countless people who cannot afford to send their children in private colleges or universities due to exorbitant fee structure that private colleges and universities charge from a student. After this ugly incident, the government should devise a policy to completely ban the student union politics, which is backed by the various political parties of the country. This has not only worsened law and order situation for the students who are serious in their studies, but has become the main cause of deteriorating educational level and disrupting the academic life in educational institutions.
Given the situation, I request Mr. Altaf Hussein, Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Chief of Jaamat-e-Islami, to come forward and request the Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, to put a complete ban on the political activities of the student organizations within the premises of educational institutions in the jurisdiction of Sindh. In fact there is no need of "students run political parties" in the educational intuitions. Instead, there should be "students' welfare organizations" which should help in buying books and uniforms for the needy and poor students.
Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net
Legalising permanent role for
Pakistan Army
If we look back to Pakistan’s 56 years history, we evidently will find that Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul Haque and Pervaiz Musharaf hailing from Pakistan Army and ruled the country from the front for about 30 years altogether. Besides, whatever elected prime ministers and presidents of the country who came to power in the remainder years of Pakistan’s political life, the army generals and military intelligence controlled and manipulated those parenthetically elected governments as well behind the curtain in disguise. So what is the difference and why this cry as to "we don’t want LFO’’ "Go Musharaf Go" " new elections" so and so. If General Musharraf goes today and tomorrow another elections will be held. Don't we think, "apple would not fall far from the tree"?
Would there be no interference and domination by the Pakistani army and its intelligence agencies again in the new elections and even after that? One don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand Pakistan’s political structure. So what is the point, why opposition leaders freaking about? It evidently demonstrates that political leaders do not want democracy or justice, but only want the musical chair. It also dictates that nothing will change even after the new elections and the lie will remain the same?
Secondly, our history is witness that whenever an army general came to power, he came at a time of a national disaster, when country’s integrity was at a brink of disintegration or the people of Pakistan were at the verge of a civil war. I don’t want to repeat those situations, but invite you to quickly flash back when Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia ul Haque and Pervaiz Musharraf took over country’s steering. Just visualize, where were we standing at those hours of crises?
We always miss one fact about the forces of the civilized world that even in the democratic countries like India, the United States and the United Kingdom, the army and other organs of the state are called for from the barracks in the absolute need of a national disaster, a natural calamity and for the help of a civil administration when in political crises. The point I am trying to highlight here is that if forces could be called for a limited purpose in the hour of need to help civil administration and to cope with the national misfortunes, so why cannot forces interfere and come to power when the state is facing the utter danger of disintegration, a fear of mass killings of each other, a situation of an absolute lawlessness in the country, a situation of curfew, a declaration of martial law or any other political crises?
We should always remember the fact that the state does not belong to a few hundred federal and provincial assembly members or a handful of political and religious party leaders, but to 150 million people of Pakistan. When people could elect those few hundred legislature assembly members, so they cannot be kicked out at their will if they do not perform well according to the given mandate and the provision of the constitution of Pakistan? The state boundaries and country laws are made for the well being and betterment of the citizens of an state and citizens of an state are not the sacrificial animals or easy baits for those snake-heads.
Pakistan army and other 2 forces are also a part of our country and a portion of 150 million people of Pakistan. They have equal rights and share in the affairs of the country, rather I would say, they are more patriotic and caring than any other Pakistani because of their special training, regimental grooming and a clear direction in life.
What I would suggest to General Pervaiz Musharraf here to solve this hide and seek situation once for all. With the presidential order he should inscribe a permanent role in the constitution for the Pakistani forces. To avoid any disparity or discrimination, both, politically elected leaders and representatives from the Pakistan forces should have equal representation in the political structure of Pakistan. This will end all pandemonic humbug once for all in the country.
The bottom line of the whole argument is very simple:
If someone disagrees with me. I have a question for him/her:
Who in this world has given a right to any political leader from Sikandar Mirza to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Shareef to run this country as their father's and forether's farm land or an estate of ranches? This country belongs to non, but 150 million people of Pakistan and every single loss of an innocent life and a loot of a single penny is totally unforgivable to any one no matter how big he or she is.
When president and prime minister of Pakistan gets Rs. 50,000.00 per month in salaries, how he or she could make billions of rupees in 2-3 years or even in 100 years in their personal bank accounts in Switzerland or anywhere in the world? They are not elected leaders, but in fact intruders, predators and vampires of 150 million people of Pakistan. Whatever they have in their banks is definitely the squeeze of poor people of Pakistan.
Today, these corrupt and double standard leaders are talking of LFO, uniform, dissolution of the national assembly, new elections etcetera, but let me ask them one simple question: Have not we done this exercise of elections, reelections and elections again in the past? does the solution of all problems of Pakistani people really only lay in elections and elections? We must remember one thing that the savior has more responsibility to preserve a thing than the creator of it. Qaid-e-Azam created this country with his untiring efforts and died premature. Millions of people gave their lives to see the dawn of independence and after its existence another thousands of innocent lives were put to death one way or the other in this country.
Are we not going to learn a lesson from the history and have made up our mind to continue to play fouls because of our personal gains? Don’t we feel punch in our stomach for all this non sense? Don't we have any fear of God and think, we would die one day as life is not for ever?
In his most recent meeting with the press in Hyderabad, the president has also spoken about some other key issues which directly touch the progress and integrity of Pakistan. Issues like, building of Kala Bagh dam, Thal Canal and creation of more provinces. It is high time that the people of Pakistan should think all these issues rationally rather than emotionally. We must remember, whatever we will sow today, we might not see the germination of it and its fruit might fall to our children, which would even not be a bad deal.
SHAFIQ KHAN
CANADA
Shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Legal actions to safeguard workers from
odd working conditions
I read a article "Heat Sparks Health
Alert" in Gulf Daily News on August 13, in which Dr Munawar Al Hoda has highlighted the labourers working at construction sites.
I would also like to see our parliament members take up this debate and possibly consider passing laws to ensure the safety of these vulnerable people and for the human rights organisations to lobby on their behalf.
This is a major humanitarian issue which must be addressed to safeguard the health of these individuals, who are their families' bread winners. As many employers have failed in their duty to their workers' well-being, the responsibility now rests with us all.
Come on Bahrain, lets lead the Middle East on this issue. We have already demonstrated our lead in democracy, now let's lead and set an example in the human aspect too. How many of us would live in a house or drive a car without air-conditioning, how many of us would go out for a walk during lunch break. Imagine just working a whole day out in the sweltering heat. Those of us who can afford to, simply run away from the summer heat to cooler countries. We think about ourselves. How about now thinking of others? Should we not help others and care for them?
These individuals may stand up in the sun and bear the heat for now and the consequences may not be visible, but they will have lasting effects, some of which as Dr Al Hoda has mentioned in his article.
Dehydration, high blood pressure, fainting and strokes are just a few to mention here.
In the West, where the temperature does not reach anywhere close to what we have in our country and region, the medical fraternity there continually issues warnings on the effect of exposure to direct sunlight as well as on developing cancer from the sun.
Yes, I understand, work has to be done, but it does not mean we behave like the inhumane and uncivilised with our fellow beings. We should not exploit these vulnerable people who, for one or the other reason, have to resort to such hard and difficult jobs.
I am sure many employers are sensible and kind-hearted, but there are many who just don't show their reluctance towards the dangers working conditions wherein their employees work. Why not bring in split shifts for outdoor workers? One shift could start at 6 am and break at 10:30 am, then restart at 3.30pm. This way at least the hottest and the most dangerous parts of the day would be avoided.
I would also like to address the issues of police, security personnel and watchmen. These individuals should be provided with sheltered cabins from which to carry out their duty during the daytime.
Finally, all the bus, van and lorry drivers must have vehicles laced with
air-condition facility.
Come on Bahrain, let's lead the region and let us set the standard for taking care of our fellow human beings. It is our
duty to which we should not turn our backs.
Fatima
Bahrain, Middle East
Mismanaged Iraq
According to reports, around twenty people were killed and one
hundred wounded in a suicide truck-bomb attack which exploded at 16:30 hours at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad on August 18, 2003 when the press briefing was going on, as the screen of one of the
TV cameras went black at the time of explosion.
Among the dead were 55 years old Brazilian National, the U.N. Special Representative in Iraq, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello who was deputed in Iraq by the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan for reconstruction of Iraq.
The casualties also included more UN employees in the Canal Hotel Building, which was used as UN headquarters in Baghdad. The US government before invading Iraq was very much optimistic and was expecting unprecedented support of coalition forces by the Iraqi people, but soon after the dismissal of Saddam Hussein's government, people in Iraq came out on the streets and protested time and again and demanded for withdrawal of US and British soldiers from Iraq. US and its coalition forces are presently occupying Iraq and one of the reasons for them to occupy Iraq is to protect the lives and property of Iraqi people. If US and its allies cannot protect the lives of UN officials who are deputed for maintaining peace and harmony, how come coalition forces can protect the lives of Iraqi people?
The resistance from the Iraqi people will indefinitely continue, whether Sadam Hussein remain at large or he is arrested, the people of Iraq does not want the foreign forces to remain in Iraq. The US and its allies should give a second thought to their decision of keeping their forces in Iraq unnecessarily and must quit from Iraq in order to save the lives of US and coalition troops.
The only way to bring peace and prosperity in Iraq is through the active participation of Iraq people and not by keeping coalition forces in Iraq, as the presence of coalition forces in Iraq is multiplying the already complexed situation that has been created after the invasion on Iraq and in the wake of dictator's removal, whereas peace in Iraq is far from imagination.
Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net
Massive power-cut in Canada,
USA: who to hold responsible?
There was a major power break-down on August
14, 2003 in New York and its surrounding districts and in the Canadian province
of Ontario, hitting its largest city of Toronto, capital Ottawa and a greater
part of the province. Experts spelt out the major power-cut as the worst black
out in 40 years, after 1965.
Both governments and political party leaders blamed each other for this massive
black-out. The best statement I heard on TV was from the Mayor of Toronto, Mr.
Lastman, who said, "Has the United States ever accepted the responsibility
of anything?"
What an intelligent guy in one shot, the Mayor represented the whole world!
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmedf7@hotmail.com
Why Benazir deposited money in Swiss bank?
This refers to Ms. Benazir Bhutto's conviction by the Swiss court in money laundering of 12 million
US Dollars. Regardless of what is right and what is wrong, I have a grade-5 question
that "how former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, managed to gather and deposit this kind of money and why in
the Swiss bank only"?
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Living as good neighbours
After reading all the opinions on this forum, I came to the conclusion that we are yet we have not blaming each other's politicians and newspapers for spitting venom on each other. We, the public, are still trying to justify that Pakistan did its best to stabalise the situation or Indians want peace but Pakistanis don't. As one has said in this forum that we have already lost 50 years, fighting with each other.
We should change our thinking and start behaving as neighbours. Definitely good neighbours. Instead of blaming our politicians and governments and media, we should come up with the unity of common people of India and Pakistan and help create a peaceful and powerful collaboration between the public of two countries. Once our politicians understand the mood of the masses, they will be in no position to destablise the situation any more but to bridge the gap.
The common men should bring the change in their thinking towards each other.
Maneesh
Rajasthan, India
maneeshtikkiwal@hotmail.com
Before looking a "gift horse" in the mouth
This refers to B.Nath letter from USA under the heading
Combating Cross-Border Terrorism.
B. Nath has touched a very sensitive issue. If I start to respond to his note, it would go a very long way, probably an un-ending debate, because one subject is related to another and we will end up no where.
India-Pakistan relations are like some one is standing on a tight rope or burning of a candle from the both ends. B. Nath has complained of our education system, General Pervaiz Musharaf's speech and our history. Let me ask him just one thing. How would he view the most recent ban on cow slaughter in India by the Vajpaee cabinet? How would that be taken by over 200 million Muslims in India? I know it's a religious issue for Hindus, but the Indian government should not ignore around 20% Muslims of its total population. Wine is prohibited in Pakistan, but
its available in Pakistan under special permit for the foreigners and Hindus. Whether its Kuldeep Nayar or B. Nath, its very easy to criticize or point fingers, but one should count his own pigeons first. India-Pakistan relations are like opening a, "can of worms".
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Combating cross-border terrorism
Before some of you criticize India for accusing Pakistan for the terrorist acts against it, at least pay some attention to what your own leaders have accepted. Why would Gen
Pervez Mushafraf make a speech promising to end cross border terrorism if none was taking place? The Pakistani establishment vehemently maintained that it was not involved in the Kargil imbroglio.
As Kuldip Nayar recently pointed out in one of his articles it is the education system in Pakistan that is skewed. Your children are taught history starting with the Muslim invasion in the 8th century. Weren't there anybody living there before that? And, who were they? When you start seeking answers to those questions you would change your attitude towards the Indians. But then would the extremists amongst you let that happen?
B. Nath
USA
Affordable federal school in China
I am a Pakistani and living in Guangzhou city
of China. It is obvious that wherever there are Pakistanis there is a federal
government school where Pakistani kids can go but here in Guangzhou there is no
one and it seems that sending kids to an international school could cost you a
fortune. I just want to ask the officials in Pakistan if there is any other way
of getting our kids registered and educated at the federal government schools in
China.
If there is a way, kindly inform me and solve this problem of mine.
Suhail Farooq
Guangzhou City, China
suhail_fq@hotmail.com
Investigating into Pakistan Steel Mills affairs
I have been studying this sad episode of
Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) affairs for the last few weeks or so. The full
details were also adequately and appropriately disclosed by Pakistan's noted
writer Mr. Cowasjee in one of his classical contributions. It is a matter of
utmost disappointment for every patriotic Pakistani to see that all norms of
human decency and moral characters have gone to some black sheep in
Pakistan.
Very unfortunate indeed. The way our national assets are managed or rather
mismanaged is yet another shameful story which must concern all of us who love
Pakistan. From PIAC, WAPDA, Commercial Banks ( Where Governor proudly announced
write-off of Rs. 20 billion now and another Rs. 30 billion in next months) and
others.
Our leaders loot, plunder and desert and the Banks easily write-off the debts
they swallow. My learned brother Mr. Shafiq Khan in his write-up on this
page under the heading "Corrupt hands eat up
Pakistan Steel Mills" has very rightly pointed
out that PSM saga must be investigated by some independent, trustworthy and
competent judicial body entrusted with confidence of Pakistani people. The
results should be made known to the people and the culprits punished
exemplary.
It is also important, as pointed out by another learned reader, that the
Chairman of PSM should not be anyone lower than the rank of a Lt. General or any
other equivalent competent and honest civil servant. This will make this
national asset shielded from corruption and blood suckers.
N.M. ABBASI
Internal Audit Director
LUSAKA/ZAMBIA
Quaid's vision and
Pakistan
Inaugurating the Pakistan Broadcasting Service on August 15, 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah issued following message to the nation:
"It is the with feelings of the greatest happiness and emotion that I send you my greetings. August 15 is the birthday of the independent and Sovereign State of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation, who made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its own homeland.
At this supreme moment my thoughts are with
those valiant fighters in our cause. Pakistan will remain grateful to them and
cherish the memory of those who are no more amongst us. The creation of the new
State has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan. It
gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how can a nation,
containing many elements, live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of
all its citizens, irrespective of caste or creed.
Our object should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with the world at large. We have no aggressive designs against any one. We stand by the United Nations Charter and will gladly make our full contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world.
Muslims of India have shown to the world that they are a united nation, their cause is just and righteous which cannot be denied. Let us, on this day, humbly thank God for His bounty and pray that we might be able to prove that we are worthy of it.
This day marks the end of a poignant phase in our national history and it should also be the beginning of a new and a noble era. Let us impress the minorities by word, deed and thought that as long as they fulfill their duties and obligations as loyal citizens of Pakistan, they have nothing to fear.
To the freedom loving tribes on our borders and the States beyond our borders, we send our greetings and assure that Pakistan will respect their status and will extend to them its most friendly co-operation in preserving peace. We have no ambition beyond the desire to live honorably and let others live honorably.
Finally, let me tell you, fellow citizens, Pakistan is a land of great potential resources. But to build it up into a country worthy of the Muslim nation, we shall require every ounce of energy that we possess and I am confident that it will come from all whole-heartedly."
Even today Pakistan is trying its best to maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbour India. For maintaining peace in the region, Pakistan will leave no stone unturned, provided India also shows the willingness to ensure peace in the region as ultimate peace can only be achieved through peaceful means.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net
Corrupt hands eat up Pakistan Steel Mills
Lt. Col(R) Muhammad Afzal Khan,
Chairman Pakistan Steel was forced to call a press conference in his office on
Monday to pose to the general public through media that his hands are clean in
the affairs of Pakistan Steel and whatever criticism and allegations of
mal-practices and misuse of authority are being leveled against him are
self-made and untrue. And whatever 'love stories' are appearing about the
chairman in the national press through their news bureaus and columnist are
groundless and concocted.
In my letter to the press last week, I had given several examples of Colonel's (Rtd)
excesses and atrocities to the Pakistan Steel employees, his mismanagement and
unethical practices in performing his duties, misuse of powers and tempering of
Steel Mill revenues and his wicked inhuman behavior with the staff as a chief of
a prestigious national organization. Whatever, Colonel (Rtd) has recounted in
his press conference held some days back are naked lies, a bundle of garbage and
an attempt of hiding the can of worms he is sitting on.
That's the problem of our society, if you have backing of some one big in the
saddle, you just give damn shit to the whole country, who cares and keep on
taking 'monkey rides' as long the horse is running? The irony is that just one
person can befool the entire nation and can throw the dust in every body's eyes
in a broad day light. What a shame?
I would humbly suggest to some independent organization, specially some NGOs to
come forward and conduct an impartial survey and investigation in the affairs of
Pakistan Steel Mills. Because, by now it is clear that the big bosses in the
government are covering Chairman's ass. The investigating agency must consider
some important areas in their task like, interviewing ex-employees, whom
Chairman says they have been sent home by giving golden shake hand and have not
been fired illegitimately or manipulation. Check with the office of the Labor
court that how many Pakistan Steel Mills employees are being dragged into the
court everyday with their appeals of Chairman's unjustified dismissals,
demotions, withdrawal of several years annual increments, spoiling of Annual
Confidential Reports (ACRs) and partial departmental inquiries by the Chairman?
They must also look into the matters where accounts have been tempered, inflated
or over-reported to generate more revenues and profits.
It was a time, when Pakistan Steel's chairman would not be less than a Retired
Lt. General or a very senior bureaucrat. But today, a person, who is even not a
full Colonel (R) is whacking a huge organization abruptly without taking a
breath.
No matter how hard Chairman pushes, but no one would believe him that he is
without a push.
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
NADRA's service: Just a pain in the ass?
It is close to three months I sent a message
through an email followed by reminders to NADRA to get the details of
application procedure and necessary forms for new computerized Identity cards
for self, my father and my wife plus two of my three children who have now
turned 18 years of age. As usual with any other government department, no
response to date from NADRA.
Before leaving Karachi in January 2000, I recall we had filled out some forms in
the year 1998 or 1999 which were said to be for census as well as computerized
identity cards that were distributed door to door by staff from
the armed forces and the completed forms were collected by the same team of
workers after 8-10 days.
We never heard anything from any government
department about those forms, which contained complete relevant information for
issuance of identity card besides details for census purposes. In fact that
data can be used for issuance of driver license (of course only after
proper driving examination) and passport also.
Just for information. Here in Dallas, Texas last week my daughter got her
driving permit which is also the person's primary identification card and that
data is used for all other purposes also in about twenty minutes with no prior
appointment, while I was shopping in a store next door and she came after me to
the store holding her driving permit/identity card in her hand. Hope this is
enough to wake up some souls in NADRA (I don't like the name). Nadra is causing
pain in the ass.
Ahmed Ali Noorani
Dallas, Texas
By recognising Israel Pakistan could be a winner
Today the world opinion over
recognition of Israel by Pakistan is divided into three categories as follows.
Those who say that is high time to recognize Israel - the majority; Those
who are against it - the minority.
At least one who decides that the recognition should be against Israel's paying
Pakistan for recognizing Israel. An interesting viewpoint.
Both Pakistan and Israel are sovereign countries (1947 vs 1948) and while we
recognize Pakistan as such, Pakistan's no recognition seems at least - not in
step with the 21st Century. By recognition Pakistan could be a
winner in many fields.
David L. Yarkony,
Israel
yarkonyl@bezeqint.net
If Pakistan Recognises Israel
With reference to a letter "Israel in The
Historical Glimpses" by Syed A. Mateen from Karachi.
The way, Mr. Mateen took a start, the readers thought there might be some
gigantic proposal coming from the writer. But at the end he acted as a punk and
ticked every body off when he came up with the most oafish suggestion some one
ever made on this planet.
Israel is America and America is Israel. This recognized fact is known to even a
person on the street. I am stunned if still there are some people in this world
who don't even bother to rub their head to understand a grade 3 math.
Israel is neither weaker than Pakistan nor its subordinate. Powerful always give
dictation to weaker and smaller in height. So why would Israel take Pakistan's
terms to be recognized by it?
How come one could come up with an that Israel
would take Pakistan's dictation and pay off over 30 billion dollars in debts,
just to be recognized by another country? Is there one person in this world who
still needs a wisdom tooth to understand the simple diplomacy after Afghanistan
and Iraq's occupation by the United States. Yankees are the most powerful,
haughty and unchallengeable people on earth, give me a break guys, not a cat in
hell's chance.
I would suggest our fellow countrymen to wake up and smell fresh gobar
(dung/manure) from their backyards and try to realize the truths of life instead
of living in an imaginary world. We can only change things in our backyard, out
of that, people will beat us ass off and count us terminals. By writing like
that, we are just fooling ourselves and falling for a laugh by others.
SHAFIQ KHAN
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Beggars: bad omen
of our unsophisticated culture
This refers to Sonia Saleem's letter from
Rawalpindi "Street begging: a socio-economic malady".
It has not been first time that some upset citizen has pointed out an irksome
segment of our society. No matter which city you are in, whether driving or
walking, shopping in the malls or resting at a public park, these terrible
beggars would follow you till your upper chamber starts boiling.
Sometimes, they tick you off upto such an extent that you feel hitting your head
to the wall or jumping into the ocean. I would like to add another two most
funny but irritating styles of these beggars. They would sometimes blow your
house bell at a prime time when you are having a siesta after day's hard work.
As soon as you come out at your door, although being half sleep, scratching your
eyes, you would find, " Allah kay naam pay dey dey baba" and that is
the moment when you really want to commit suicide. Sometimes, they tell you
their begging choices when they would refuse to take a change or a smaller coin
and would ask you like a deadbeat for a one or two rupee coin or a 5 10 rupee
bill (I wish, I was a beggar).
I don't agree with Sonia Saleem at one point that these people are on the
streets because of hunger and unemployment in the country. They are not beggars.
They are trained professionals and are not begging in need but to make their
living easy. They have their own world, their own 'begging territories' and
their own social life.
Government cannot do anything to these vulnerable people to drive them off the
street. This may be considered as another bad omen of our unsophisticated
culture and beggars would only go when other vice and imperfections would go
from our society. Let us wait for a miracle.
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Only Strong agro-economy can alleviate poverty
In his recent interview with GEO television,
Minister for Science and Technology Dr Atta ur Rehman said that poverty could
not be alleviated by construction of roads, bridges and dams.
Taunting the Agriculture sector he added, "we can not reduce poverty by
growing non-value added 'grass and straw' ". He said further that
developing cell phones, hardware chips and pharmaceuticals industries - the
products of which are value added, could only do substantial into alleviating
poverty.
The learned minister should be told that employment of 70 percent people of
Pakistan is dependent based on Agriculture and they have nothing to do with
cell-phones and computers. He should also be told that most of the ingredients
of pharmaceuticals are the extracts of Agriculture production and that
agriculture was, is and will remain the backbone of economy of Pakistan.
I would like, hence, to advise the so-called illustrious agric-scientist to quit
his office as he kept silent and failed to defend the Agriculture sector when
the learned minister was vomiting all that folly. Lastly, I would like to opine
that such a minister for science and technology with his ill approach and
illusive vision should be awarded with one-way ticket to the Moon.
Harun Yahya
Kharian City, PUNJAB
harunyahya400@hotmail.com
Recognition of Israel
Why is it such an emotional issue for Pakistan
alone in recognising Israel? Its not that we don't feel deeply for Palestinians
but this is the reality of the world, just look in Africa where hundreds of
thousands humans are dying each year due to disease & hunger and what are we
Muslims doing about this humanitarian crisis? As a fellow human and Muslim, I
strongly feel that the African crisis is a lot worse.
Muslims came to a "Hindustan" if you all jog your memories and now we
are proud nationals of an independent Muslim state, think about it, how did that
happen? Reading up on the history of Israel/Palestine would help and that means
going back centuries not just half a decade - enough holy wars fought over this
region in the past. Though as Muslims we must not condone Israel's act of brutal
force but being the last country to take a stand on not recognising Israel is
just being foolish, and to help matters Israel should declare a Palestinian
acceptable border as soon as possible to gain further support. Major problem
with Jews (and has been for centuries) is that they just don't know when to stop
taking more and more so drawing up clear line of border will be a major step
forward.
In a nutshell, Pakistan should recognise Israel. The case for this has been put
forward very well by many on this forum with the obvious benefits for Pakistan
to follow. Recognise, start the dialogue and work with them on a peaceful
conclusion. But most important of all our government should work on building a
better Pakistan for all to live and prosper in. One just can't stress enough
upon whether how direly our own country needs democratically strong and
economically sound government, which has been lacking since our very
independence.
Arslan Malik
London, UK
Nazims as MNAs And MPAs
For the last three years, Nazims
had been performing their jobs very efficiently in their respective districts
and cities. Things were moving fast and in a right direction. Now, with the
restoration of assemblies, the MNAs and MPAs have taken charge of their offices.
There is hardly any difference in the responsibilities of the three. In other
words, much similarly between the responsibilities performed by Nazims, MNAs and
MPAs and it is said rightly that "too many cooks spoil the broth". It
is the case here.
So my serious suggestion to the President and NRB is to eliminate parliamentary
system and make local body system, a permanent part of the constitution. In this
way things would move smoothly and people will feel the difference. Lots of
money spent and other expenditures of MNAs and MPAs can be utilized for the
welfare of people. Also, we can get rid of our politicians and their "dirty
politics".
Parliamentary System has once again failed in Pakistan despite the fact this
time it is all "Graduate Assembly". Eight months have passed since the
parliament started functioning but still no serious discussions have taken
place.
Muhammad Usman Aslam
Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan
mua_04@yahoo.com
Street begging: a socio-economic malady
Through these columns, I would
like to draw attention of the authorities concerned to the problem of street
begging which has turned to be a common in Pakistani society.
It is a matter of concern that the number of beggars in our country has swelled
manifold. They are found almost everywhere. There is no market, street or
garden, where one will no see beggars of varying age. Even they have expanded
their ways to the educational institutions and universities.
They pester you at your home, follow you to car parking and irritate you at your
working places. If you refuse to give them any amount, they rain curse on you.
Many of the beggars are quite healthy and strong, who can do work to earn and
finance themselves. But, they seem never willing to work, for they have grown
accustomed to the begging so much for that they now are never ready to work and
earn their livelihood. Many of them feign to look lame or blind, injured,
crippled so that sympathy for them can be created in the hearts of potential
begging-givers.
I believe that all types of begging should be banned. It is also a
responsibility of the state to make arrangements to create such an environment
so that those who adopted begging as their business can do work and earn. Those
real needy should also be ensured that they are provided basic things for their
survival and stop begging.
Since begging is a natural outcome of declining level of employment and failed
micro-economic policies made by the state machinery, it is also a part of
state's responsibility to create employment so that this every swelling
socio-economic epidemic could checked
In addition, the policy makers of Pakistan should allocate some part of money
for such type of needy persons while making the budgets. For others, charity
houses should be built where they could be provided food at the government
expenses. The public should also be called upon to contribute towards their
maintenance and any sort of possible help. Those beggars who suffer from
infectious ailments should not be allowed to walk freely as it can cause spread
of deadly diseases. Rather, they must be sent to hospitals for treatment.
I request the government and those upon the responsibility falls to ban begging
and enforce an exemplary punishment for those-called beggars. To this effect,
not only the government alone but at public level efforts should be taken to
contain the social malady.
Sonia Saleem
Rawalpindi-Pakistan
Making Pakistan, India close friends
This letter is a collective response to the
three letters carried in this section as follows : (1) unity is real strength by
Shafiq Khan, (2)Indo-Pak breakthrough towards resolving bilateral ties by Waheed
Siddiqui, and (3)Kashmir issue vis-a-vis subcontinent political wisdom by Hameed
Niaz.
Let us visualise just for the sake of this monologue that wisdom has prevailed
between the peoples of India and Pakistan and now we are living as friendly
neighbors in peace - pushed by the acute need of vigorous trade,
people-to-people contact, using education and health care opportunities and all
the other good things. Where will this scenario lead to? Allow me to speculate
the major foreseeable results of this scenario as follows:
(1) The standard of living of approximately one fourth of the population in the
region will significantly increase. Isn't this a real "core issue" for
a very significant number of people on this planet? Every other issue,
irrespective of its magnitude, is subordinate to the foregoing core issues.
(2) What will that do to the Lion King discussed by Mr. Shafiq Khan in his
letter under the caption "Unity is real strength"? They are not likely
to ask Pakistan to "do more" or to India "begin talking".
The role of the Lion King will be clouded and Pakistan and India will
independently decide whether to begin dialogues to identify what more needed to
be done to resolve their bilateral issues.
(3) What will that do to the global strategic balance of power when the two
nuclear armed neighbors work together? Can the third nuclear neighbor become (or
will want to become) a strategic partner in this enterprise to create an
economic boom and enhance the growth of a bipolar or a tripolar world? This is
really a debatable issue.
It is a job of the strong leadership from both India and Pakistan to bring these
two countries closer. Realistically, that is hard to happen until the
intelligentsia of India and Pakistan take this cause on the street, if required,
asking their leaders to resolve all problems within a certain timeframe, say one
year. It is for the leaders, not the people, to find a solution. People want
results. How to get them is upto the leaders.
Vinod Varma
Dublin, CA USA
International money scams and fraudulent e-mails
Few days back I received an
e-mail, stating that the sender of the e-mail is living in Zimbabwe and recently
his rich father has been murdered over a land dispute between white and black
Zimbabweans. The e-mail further stated that some days before his assassination,
his father took him to South Africa to deposit $29.2 Million US dollars in his
account smirking the looming danger. Since both countries Zimbabwe and South
Africa are not safe for him, so now he wants to transfer the entire money to
some developed country and he has taken my name and address from my country's
exchange for this purpose. He further write that he wants to transfer the entire
sum in my account in Canada and after the completion of the transaction, he will
pay me 25% of the entire money. If this offer is acceptable to me, confirm him
by a return email.
I am sure, upon my 'yes', his (their) next step would be to ask my bank account
information in Canada. But, I did not even bother to respond to the e-mail. The
cheater (s) does not know that he is rubbing the wrong place and I will slink
him away with his tail in his legs.
Scams and frauds are in existence from the day when human's very first step
touched this planet. The only thing that has been changing is its shape and form
with the pace and evolution of the world. Every day in the developed world
thousands of people (specially old age) are defrauded in greed of better and
easy money.
People who closely read newspapers and are well informed must know that this
kind of scams and frauds first appeared on the surface some10-15 years back from
Africa (particularly from Nigeria and 419 scam in Nigeria is internationally
known).
I still remember some 10 years back I saw a notation-in-advertisement carried by
a Pakistan-based English daily from the Nigerian High Commission in Islamabad,
warning people to exercise their caution regarding such frauds where scamper
will ask peoples' personal banking information and than would offer a
substantial amount in percentage upon transfer of funds to their accounts. But
before they do all this, in the last step, they would ask the victim to send
some $10000 or $5000 dollars as a processing fee to complete the transaction.
And that is the catch, which is their booty money because once when you send
that processing fee, you will never ever find their contact.
Let me share a personal experience with the readers for their protection from
such pirates. Last year an acquaint of mine in Pakistan (he is a small
agriculturist and also works for a newspaper as part-time) contacted me in
emergency, requesting if I could deposit $10000 on his behalf to an account in
Canada. He said that some private sector organization in Canada intends to
invest multi-million dollars in a project near his agricultural land and they
have chosen him as a Project Director for the project. He gave me person's name
in Toronto, his title, his bank account number, telephone & fax numbers and
physical address of the company. I immediately understood this guy is being
trapped in a big time scam. I told him let me get him back in a couple of days
and after I verify the information he provided.
I searched every given information but could not find a dime. The phone number
was hooked to a voice mail system so one can only leave a message. The fax
number was not responding. The physical address was not there at all and the
company's name (the bank) was a Tele-Marketing company, which was a broad day
light fraud as bank cannot be a Tele-Marketing company.
I e-mailed the entire detail I collected through my investigation to the
gentleman in Pakistan and also explained to him the background of such organized
frauds and advised him to immediately back off from all this illegal business,
for it's a big time fraud and he is being trapped. If he does not, he might
invite a big trouble for him.
Days and weeks passed by and the guy since never contacted me again, even he did
not bother to respond to my e-mail as a matter of courtesy. After a few months,
I happened to visit Pakistan and by chance I met a friend of that gentleman and
was explained by him that my acquaint was picked up by some Pakistani and
foreign agencies few months back in connection to some fraudulent activity in
Canada. Then, I realized, he did not consider my advise and went ahead in greed
and ended up inviting trouble. Luckily, he could not manage to pay the 'down
payment' (the processing fee) and thus he avoided any serious consequence except
a few days of interrogation by the agencies.
I suggest my compatriots to be very watchful, look to their shoulders regarding
such fraudulent e-mails or any other means of communication offering huge amount
as commissions and profits. Even do not bother to respond to their
communication, just delete them, ignore it. Because, if you respond to them, no
matter what, you are trapped. They have such a fabulous snare of offers to temp
you towards the swamp.
Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com
Agreeing with Musharraf on LFO
I am fully agree with the decision of the
President Musharraf that LFO will remain part of the constitution-1973 and he
will stay in uniform.
Mohammad Ejaz
Sydney Australia
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