CONTENTS:
- Budgeting for the parasites By Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque
- Pre-requisites of constitutional rule in Pakistan By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
- Transitional justice By Babar Sattar
- Letters to FreePakistan
- HumorWise
- Issues of the Month:
- From the National Press
Quotes of the Month:
The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.
[John Stuart Mill]
It is of the essence of militarism that under it military men learn to despise constitutions, to sneer at parliaments, and to look with contempt on civilians.
[William Graham Sumner, “The Conquest of the United States by Spain” (1898)]
Free Pakistan, a monthly newsletter, exists for the promotion of limited government, rule of law, protection of property rights, market economy, individual freedom, and private initiative. Its vision is a free and prosperous Pakistan; for only such a Pakistan can contribute positively to the creation of a free and prosperous world.
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BUDGETING FOR THE PARASITES
By Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque
[The writer is a former vice-chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), and one of those few Pakistanis who strongly advocate market-based reform in Pakistan. This article first appeared in Daily Times on June 19, 2009. The original title of the article, “Another missed opportunity” has been changed.]
I hate to say “I told you so!” But I did. This is a practical budget made by practical economists and wannabe “policy wonks.” Of course egghead economists were kept a long distance from it. What did we get? The same old!
Reviewing the last three budget speeches, even the construction of the speech, the phraseology, is the same. Thanks to Microsoft, the template remains the same! All we require is some editing and some new numbers.
What are my criticisms? Let me list a few.
1. There is unanimity that we are in the middle of an existential crisis. We have a failed state that has brought us into a civil war with 2.5 million displaced persons. All the budget says is that 50 billion is going to be spent on the displaced people.
Governance, which has caused our problem, is the last item on the agenda and comprises only some salary increases and contributions to a donor project — “access to justice.” This project reputedly is not very productive anyway.
Is that all that needs to be fixed in a failed state? What about civil service reform with monetised perks? What about a new devolved police service answerable to the community? What about a devolved and quality-driven education system independent of the education ministry? What about better training for better governance? Any investments into communities?
2. After a long time, our growth rate is actually negative in per capita terms, balance of payments seem to be out of control, inflation is stubborn and the fiscal situation despite the fiscal responsibility act is not really under control.
What is on offer here? Virtually no analysis of the situation, let alone any ideas to address them. Instead we have the usual budgetary trick that has been used for sixty years: stray numbers on allocations for agriculture and industry, and an intended increased PSDP allocation. Any new sectors that can be opened up through deregulation?
3. The PSDP allocation, as all economists of any merit have been arguing, is full of flaws, where cars and housing for the powerful, and prestige projects in Islamabad and Lahore take all the money. Let us stop calling this ‘development funding.’ It is time for a serious review of our earlier PSDP and the Planning Commission.
4. The federal government has for years denied devolution despite the law and the constitution requiring it. Part of our governance problem lies in the fact that excessive centralisation has weakened public service delivery. Nothing on that! The NFC award again gets the customary paragraph when the federation is severely strained. When will these practical people learn that politics is the glue that holds us together and do the NFC award?
5. In these difficult times, the budget speech, which is an important moment for the leadership to show its helmsmanship, says nothing interesting or new about a new economic strategy that will put us on a sustainable growth path. Instead we have what we have always had: some handouts for the poor (more charity not opportunity); programmes for agriculture (dairy, model villages and more extension — how often have we heard that? Do they not even have new lines?); more subsidies for cars (how much is enough?); and this strange return to DFIs.
In the midst of our biggest economic crisis, is this all?
6. For industrial development, we are creating an Enterprise Development Fund, a venture capital fund and a DFI. Do we learn nothing from history — all our failed experiments with NDFC, BEL, IDBP, etc.? Or is it “jobs for the boys” again?
A better strategy would be to review the EDF and the Trade Development Authority with a view to closing them down.
7. Amazingly, though we are looking for handouts, the budget envisages no expenditure reduction measures. Numerous redundant government departments remain on the books.
8. Nowhere is there any mention of government efficiency and measures to improve that. I guess the implication is that the government is extremely efficient. Does anyone agree? The international community does not. We are among the poorest performers in every list from corruption to property rights. Should the government not be addressing its efficiency in its own budget?
9. We are told that our tax to GDP ratio is low, yet no real tax measures are announced. A mere change in name for the existing petroleum tax and a minor increase in the registration fee for real estate; is that all?
10. Without going into details, I found it strange that the investment in energy and new education projects was almost the same as the government contribution to the investment fund for “jobs for the boys”!
Very briefly, how an economist would do the budget: she would determine the role of the government and focus on improving government productivity in all three branches — executive, legislative and judiciary. Then the budget would announce a multi-year programme of reform to improve governance through streamlining government (close down departments and agencies, and devolution) and clear measures (monetising perks) and investments (better training, use of technology, improved processes) in improving productivity.
Reform would be the main activity of this budget — a mainstream activity fully transparently budgeted. In fact, poor governance is the biggest drag on the economy. To make it the ninth point on a nine-point agenda is a travesty. But then the nine-point agenda is neither serious politics nor serious economics.
The economic strategy underlying the budget would depart from past failures. The sectoral focus on agriculture and industry has not paid off. Why harp on the same theme? Focus instead on building better markets. Domestic commerce, which is the leading sector even today, was not mentioned in the budget once: why? Is it because it is full of the small guys — retailers, wagon drivers and chaiwallahs? Of course practical men do not think they engage in “value addition”, a very strange term. Only men in air-conditioned offices and golf courses add value!
But even for an obvious sector such as domestic commerce, an economist would think carefully on what the government could do to help the sector before committing budgetary resources. The last thing a good economist would do is commit to a new government agency without a good sense of purpose and clear monitor-able goals. Increased bureaucracy is neither economic growth nor good governance!
It is time to end amateur economics and bring some serious economic thinking into the government. But then our seriousness about economic thinking is obvious from the fact that the government has not been able to appoint a serious Chief Economist for the Planning Commission for the last three years. [Courtesy Daily Times]
PRE-REQUISITES OF CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN PAKISTAN
By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
(1) Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason. (2) Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.
[The Constitution of Pakistan]
It was as bad as it could be that for the first 25 years Pakistan struggled hard to have a constitution and failed repeatedly. But it’s worse than that that despite having a constitution it remains constitutionally orphaned. No need to go into the details of the recent history of 35 years of military and civil regimes, since it’s all clear by itself how the governments of the people, Islamist Generals, and then young politicians, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, on this or that pretext manipulated the constitution to fulfill their personal, ideological, sectarian, party and elitist agendas.
However, it is heartening that we have that constitution still intact and living in our midst. In spite of many an attack and all new devices to render it meaningless, it still keeps us together and woven and believing in it. After General Musharraf’s most dangerous attempt of November 3 (2007), to transform it into a jelly-constitution, the most devastating attack came from the so-called peacenik Taliban, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi. That seems to have been repulsed.
Another fortune we came to win by sheer ‘hard-work’, is our non-dependent judiciary. This March 16, it was just like saving the prey from the jaws of the beast when the Pakistan Peoples Party had to restore the deposed judges. It needs to be kept as the dearest gain by the people in addition to the constitution. Both of these entities, the constitution and non-dependent judiciary are inseparably and in the present context symbolically related. It was for the sanctity of the constitution that lawyers and civil society waged the struggle for the restoration of the deposed judges and especially the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Their restoration meant and stood for the restoration of the constitution.
Now that we have the custodian of the constitution finally free from the shackles of the executive, legislature and Pakistan Army, we are in the right in expecting the blessings of constitutional rule for the people of Pakistan. However, it is incumbent that pre-requisites of such rule be urgently fulfilled. As mentioned above, two of the pre-requisites are already in place, others are still in the air and need to be solidified and implemented as early as possible.
One such pre-requisite, and probably an indispensable one, is that a virtual constitutional rule be provided for in Pakistan since the date the 1973 constitution came in force. This must be done strictly in accordance with the provisions of the constitution both in letter and spirit and without any let it go. Though the parliament is duty bound to set out on such a journey into the last 35 years’ unconstitutionalities, but as it is the “parliamentary system” itself that is gnawing everything constitutional in Pakistan, we cannot hope for a single step into this direction from the present parliament. It is in such a vacuum that the argument in support of judicial activism finds itself duly entrenched. The last two years’ events have amply shown that it is the judiciary that can take up the cause of the people who had been abandoned by all those who had/have anything to do with the state and governments in Pakistan.
This virtual constitutional rule should begin from the time of Pakistan Peoples Party’s government and reach General Musharraf’s regime and his present civilian prototypes via General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule and the visiting civilian governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. This virtual constitutional rule needs to be as merciless as the trial and execution of Zulafiar Ali Bhutto was and as the throwing off and trial of Nawaz Shairf was.
As the constitution is always a living document and ours has in the form of high treason article its own mechanism to protect itself, what is needed is just a push that will set the process of virtual constitutional rule rolling. It will take care of everything else. Sure, it should settle all the scores with all those who tried to play and played with the provisions of the constitution in any manner as the main culprits or as its abettors.
In order to prove that it is the true custodian of the constitution of Pakistan, the non-dependent judiciary has both moral and constitutional obligation to put the sanctity of the constitution on top of its agenda leaving everything aside and abandoning everything behind that calls for caution and expediency. It is time to do the job.
Also, another pre-requisite demands that all the constitutionally created institutions, offices and agencies be put in their due places. They must be tried, punished, checked, forewarned, reminded and made to work within their legal and constitutional limits. Zero toleration must be shown to any deviation from the dictates of the constitution. Don’t we need now after more than 60 years of military and civilian dictatorships finally a dictatorship of the constitution?
The time is ripe for such a virtual journey that will straighten not only the things past but the things for our future also. At this critical moment, when the Pakistani elites are caught in a trap of their own misdoings, and are clearing the mess created by their own dirty politics, we should keep our eyes on a vision for the longer term. We should not be distracted by their focus on the sequel of their policies such as helping the millions of persons displaced from their homes and hometowns. That is all misleading. In addition to helping the IDPs, the virtual constitutional rule must focus on finding the causes of this mayhem: who caused this and how. Those responsible must be brought to book and punished accordingly.
If the courts, lawyers, civil society and awakened people do not help this virtual constitutional rule set roll, nothing will ever be gained and no lessons will ever be learned. The gravest misdoings of the elites of Pakistan will go unpunished and culprits will keep on ruling the people scot-free as has been happening throughout the last six decades. This fate must be changed once and for all. Be it clear that the moral force and the resolve of the people that helped restore the deposed judges are still alive. Another daring act like that of March 9 (2007) is the need of the hour.
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
By Babar Sattar
[The writer is a lawyer based in Islamabad. This article first appeared in The News International on June 06, 2009.]
Let us assume that we succeed in the battle against insurgency being waged in Swat. How will we transition from war to peace and reconstruct the post-conflict community whose social fabric has been ravaged by violence, hate and anger and whose means of livelihood have been destroyed due to prolonged hostilities and fighting? True, the armed forces must employ tactics in the battle against the Taliban that minimize collateral damage to civilians, the government ought to efficiently implement a comprehensive policy to generously accommodate and facilitate the victims of violence and misfortune who have been displaced from their homes, and our nation needs to continue to demonstrate its altruistic spirit to empathize with and help fellow citizens from Swat with material and emotional support. While all this is necessary, such simplistic prescription to win the 'hearts and minds' of local populations in insurgency-infested areas is not sufficient. Experiences of post-conflict societies elsewhere suggest that workable indigenous mechanisms need to be thoughtfully contrived in order to establish justice during transitions from war to peace.
Once the present phase of the military's fire brigade operation to capture and decapitate the Taliban in Swat is concluded, maintaining peace in the post-conflict zone will emerge as a major challenge. And solutions such as raising 10,000 strong police force comprising ex-military personnel to guard Malakand or establishing a permanent cantonment in Swat will not prove adequate on their own. We will need a holistic approach to transition Swat back to peace through a just process, the components of which must include (i) imposing sanctions through a penal justice system capable of prosecuting and convicting hard-core criminals and insurgents, (ii) a truth commission deciphering the causes of the Swat conflict and how we got to a stage where three million residents needed to be displaced to capture less than 5000 hard-core militants, (iii) rehabilitation of displaced citizens together with reconstructing their means of livelihood, (iv) reintegration of non-hardcore quasi-combatants within the communities and reconciliation amongst the community, and (v) rebuilding state-led institutions of governance in the post-conflict region.
De-radicalization and normalization of Swat will take time. For one, it is exceedingly hard to distinguish the insurgents from the local civilian population. While there are no trustworthy statistics available at the moment, there is a sense that hardcore militants in Swat are not more than a few thousand. Now that the resolve of the country and its military to eradicate the throat-slitting terrorists from our midst is becoming unambiguous, the locals who weren't committed fanatics are likely to part ways with the Taliban. We need to extinguish the treat posed by the hardcore militants while separating them from the less culpable tangential accomplices who sided with the Taliban because they were confused, misled or coerced. It is thus imperative to separate militants from the hesitating supporters or accomplices in order to apply state sanctions on the former while trying to reintegrate the latter within the community. Such reintegration will need to be braced with an effective process of reconciliation in order to pre-empt another spiral of violence provoked either due to the recovered semi-Taliban being sucked back into militancy elsewhere or by the desire of the victims of the present cycle of violence to seek revenge.
The reconciliation and rehabilitation program to bring the community together will need to be multi-pronged. The entrenched institution of jirga within the Pukhtun culture can serve as an indigenous initiative led by tribal and community leaders to heal wounds, determine reparations for property damage, and bring people together to build peace. But a crucial prong of a rehabilitation program will need to be state-sponsored and built on the realization that (i) various categories of combatants or Taliban supporters are not equally culpable, and (ii) many such quasi-combatants or semi-Taliban might even be victims themselves. For example, there will be a need to set up special programs for the misguided youth and juvenile offenders to ensure that they are cleansed of an ideology of hate and don't return to violence. If the state can establish educational and vocational training centres for youth, especially those suspected of being ex-combatants, the state would be able to monitor a vulnerable group over an extended period of time while also empowering such youth with the tools and skill-set to break-away from an unfortunate past.
As a subset of transitional justice, disarmament and demobilization of semi-Taliban in the immediate term might be easier than their reintegration in society. We need to realize that on the one hand it is in no one's interest to condemn considerable portions of local population in Swat or elsewhere in the tribal areas as Taliban or militants that must be eliminated. And on the other hand the sway of such semi-Taliban toward Talibanization is a consequence of life experiences, a depraved religious ideology, social norms, economic factors and imprudent state policies and will require time and effort to be neutralized. If the throat-slitting Taliban are to be eliminated, we will need to focus on eliminating Talibanization and a crucial test for that will be recover and rehabilitate those presently teetering at the brink of Talibanization. This brings us to the first two components of transitional justice: the need to subject hardcore militants to legal sanctions and the need for the state to indulge in truth telling (and how the two are interlinked).
In 2007 we witnessed the Lal Masjid imbroglio: gun-trotting vigilantes occupying a children library, abducting foreigners and shutting down music shops in Islamabad. When confronted by the state – in an ill-conceived and delayed operation – the military action claimed many lives, including those of commandos carrying out the operation. Yet, there has not been a single conviction for the crimes carried out by the Lal Masjid brigade and Abdul Aziz was recently released by the apex court to receive a hero's welcome back at Lal Masjid. Earlier this week Lahore High Court ordered the release of Hafiz Saeed – the head of Jamaatud Dawa widely suspected of having inspired or abetted the Bombay terror attacks last year that brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war. When a justice system fails to put miscreants and offenders in correction facilities, it encourages crime and criminals by diluting the deterring effect of law on the one hand, and on the other encourages law-enforcement agencies to indulge in extra-judicial killings as the only effective way of putting criminals away. Are Pakistan's legislation, court system and criminal law jurisprudence fundamentally incapable of holding accountable perpetrators of terror and their intellectual mentors preaching an ideology of hate, violence and intolerance?
That Abdul Aziz and Hafiz Saeed are innocent until proven guilty is a fundamental tenant of our law and justice system. But why is it that despite a tremendous rise in terrorist activity and increase in the number of arrests made in relation thereto, no one ever gets convicted? Are intelligence and law-enforcement agencies not able to gather information and evidence in a manner that can be used in a court of law? Are they unwilling to share information with prosecutors and the courts that they deem sensitive from a national security perspective? Are they incapable of confronting all facets of the terror infrastructure still alive and well in Pakistan? Or are they deliberately equivocal about the utility of non-state actors in line with our three-decade old flawed defence and strategic thinking? And this is where the issue of truth-telling by the state becomes an essential plank in transitional justice. Hillary Clinton admitted before a senate committee that the US had helped nurture, finance and arm the Taliban and other mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and had later forgotten about the stingers floating across Pakistan. It was thus part responsible for the mess in the region. Such admission is a crucial first step in amending mistakes of the past.
If Pakistan wishes to dismantle the jihadi infrastructure that continues to fuel insurgency in the tribal areas and terror across the country, the state must admit its original sin. We cannot confront or isolate militancy in Swat, while the militant ideology prospers in Waziristan, Southern Punjab and Muridke. A comprehensive approach to fighting terror and extremism in Pakistan can only be built on the admission that a flawed approach to national security and defence strategy led to the inception of a jihadi project, where the state patronized militant groups, trained them in guerrilla warfare, fed them on an obscurantist brand of religion and armed them with modern weapons funded by foreign money. Such acknowledgement will enable the state to confront the crimes of today, without simultaneously trying to cover up those of yesterday that can be traced back to its own doorstep. It will allow agencies to divulge information before our courts that will lead to convictions of terrorists and their patrons. And it will help today's military and political leaders to explain how we wound up in a situation where a population of almost three million people had to be evacuated to confront a few thousand militants and the steps that we will take now to never let this happen again.
[Courtesy The News]
PRESIDENT ZARDARI, WHOM TO TRUST?
[By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal]
Unproductive character and double-speak of Pakistanis are overtly discernible in President Zardari’s recent utterance on Taliban and about a “friendly India” which is no more a threat to Islamabad. Probably he was buffing like most Indian do as a matter of habit. Or, Zardari is just playing the usual India-appeasement game. Hitherto only the media driven by western faulty ideas and devoid of any sensible policies and Islamic ideology have showcased spineless nature of Pakistan’s dealings, but now the top most leader of Pakistan has betrayed real mindset of bulk of Pakistani elites.
Islamic Pakistan is adding the anti-Islamic forces in killing Muslims inside Kashmir and the leadership seems too be too pound of that. Indian threat has harmed Pakistan so much that now it has lost all directions to Islamic way of life and recklessly kills Muslims for US dollars plus extra Euros, and Indian rupees. One does not know if they pray along with whisky bottles and black money in suit pockets. It is becoming too difficult, rather dangerous, for any Muslim to defend Pakistan’s hypocrisy, hopelessness and vague interests, rather its senseless utterances. India is ill-focused on both Pakistan and Kashmiris. It seems India would be too willing to concede some more areas of Kashmir under its illegal custody if Pakistan gives up claims of Kashmir claims and stop supporting freedom demands of Kashmiris. One does not know if Pakistanis is playing Indian games in the region along with USA-led terror forces, killing Muslims inside the country.
India media outfits and agents operating around the world are already doing enough (pro-India and anti-Pakistan and anti-Kashmir) propaganda and Pakistan need not to join the bandwagon and should resist the Indian invitations to be their foreign agents in Pakistan, region and USA. India wants every body to praise India, its state terrorisms, its black money, democracy, secularism, genocides in Kashmir and India, terror military bases abroad, match-fixing capabilities in cricket, etc. President Zardari, though not a novice in this area, should know that any praise of India would amount to promoting Indian fascist trends in all spheres and its holocaust in Jammu Kashmir. In trying to appease India, Zardari is only hailing the Hindutva moorings, destruction of grand Babri Mosque and killings of Muslims in different parts of India and defenselss Kashmiris and its reluctance to offer real equal opportunities to Muslims. In India all political outfits have same or similar policy towards Islam and Muslims, including the so-called progressive communist parties who chase Muslim votes by targeting both Congress and BJP, both Hindu communal parties. Every party’s hands in this “secular” and “democratic” India are Islamic blood stained…. And the buffalo skinned Indians are not at all ashamed of that...
PAKISTAN'S BUMPER WHEAT CROP AND USA
[Sajid Salim, Islamabad]
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in her recent press conference commented on the situation in Swat and consquentially the displacement of its people. She announced some aid package for the IDP's. Most intriguing aspect of her statement was, as she said, "Pakistan had a bumper wheat crop this year, therefore United States will help Pakistan by buying some wheat from Pakistan."
It is difficult to imagine that she is that ignorant about the food security situation in the world, particularly in a developing country like Pakistan, where an internal strife has already affected its economy. Wheat is the most essential staple diet of people of Pakistan, and bumper wheat crops are not a sustainable phenomenon. What happens if next year we do not have a bumper crop or as a matter of fact a bad crop? If that be the case, then Pakistan will be under severe food shortage and in turn we will have to beg the United States to help us, thus putting our national security at stake. We should not sell our surplus wheat to USA or any other country but create a reserve, to be used at the time of shortage.
USA is interested in buying our wheat, but not our value added products, like textile etc. Why? Our government and security agencies and our media must read in between the lines, and if they do the intentions of the US will be evident.
IDPs
[Sherry Rehman]
I am taking food supplies like sugar, tea, glucose biscuits, atta and rice to Mardan every week for the next few weeks. U can send goods to 21, st 37, F 7/1, or goods to Anis at 49 Old Clifton. 021 5834663/4 He will give u a receipt. Tents, bedsheets, chadars also needed.
Paramedic teams should go to the Mardan camps first.Women doctors, counsellors and nurses are the most needed as the women are shrinking from shock, exposure and need gentle handling. Pl spread the word.
This is the biggest humanitarian crisis since 2005. 1.3 million registered so far. More will follow. We all need to pitch in.
RE: NEWSLETTER # 102
[M.Asif Rajpur, Mirpurkhas]
I am very thankful to you for sending newsletter. This is very EDUCATIONAL & Informative newsletter.
RE: PRE-REQUISITES OF CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN PAKISTAN
[Nauman Asghar Advocatge]
Your article in The Post is really a well articulated and thought provoking piece of writing. I liked to read it.
ADDRESS TO (SLEEPING) NATION
[Dr Habib Usmani, Muzaffarabad]
Which nation was President Zardari addressing at 1 am? Not the Pakistani one because it must have been sleeping at that time. [The News International]
TWO PRESIDENTS!
[Dr Fuad Shafiq, Lahore]
Considering the intensely busy schedule of our President it is a humble suggestion that the country should experiment the creation of another post of President who would be posted locally to look after our domestic problems. We can then have two capable people to run the affairs of our country smoothly, one posted abroad to meet international community and collect foreign aid and the other to handle local problems. This would not only boost the image of the country at international level but also provide the local masses to have a President around at the time of crisis. [The Frontier Post]
WHY SPEND ON MARRIAGE?
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
A mass marriage ceremony of 170 couples from the low-income background was held in Karachi with the help of local philanthropists and from the money collected through zakat. My question is why add to the sufferings of the poor by making them victims of marriage? There are other noble causes worth spending on. [The News International]
A BUTCHER’S JOKE
[Ali Qureshy, Karachi]
The current so-called 'budget' can be termed as 'butcher' budget in PPP-Z style. Like any raw butcher slicing and chopping the dead goat mercilessly, the financial adviser and the lady 'loti' financial butcher [Mrs Hina] till yester-years defending the butchery of imported Citibanker Shaukat Aziz satisfied her butchering instincts for yet another Citibanker now bank owner, Shaukat Tareen. I may say, a simple matriculate can make such an exercise of subtraction and additions to make 'butcher' budget devastating the 90 per cent poor by hyping more taxes, higher duties, all deficits yet in all self-aggrandizement, lies, deception; their hall mark. Increase in electricity, gas, carbon surcharge will enslave us deeper into IMF, US, UK, India slavery.
BISP, food-income support funds for specific group of people having notorious political connotation to win political capital and making nation beggars of Benazir Sahiba [she would have hated its very thought] by intellectually impoverished leadership of PPP-AZ. Now like every fox dreaming hens, they want to see Bilawal as future prime minister followed by his son. What a cruel joke on the CNG duty has been withdrawn and so on SMS messages. It stinks. Is imposing carbon emission surcharge an act in madness to circumvent SCP verdict to fool away reducing prices to the level advised by them? What about increasing the prices of oil, diesel, electricity [17%] ,gas etc which will sky rocket prices of invariably from pin to plane and waste criminally all wasteful expense of salary especially increases to corrupt officials, beggars - making support funds etc in many trillions of rupees at the cost of 90 per cent poor?
It is also painful to mention that PPP-Z government has no control of unbridled profiteering of street vendors to big industrialists and rampant corruption from street janitor, clerk, to highest cadres in hierarchy. The cruelest butchering government subservient to US, UK, India, Afghanistan is not expected to do better under the worst ever unconstitutional democracy where acting partisan president heading his party influences day-to-day affairs of state. May Allah save us from state butchery of rulers. [The Frontier Post]
WHEELCHAIRS WILL BE CHEAP!
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The government has done well to reduce the prices of wheelchairs in the budget for 2009-10. Most of the population for sure will now be needing them. [The News International]
CRUEL JOKE
[Y Malik, Karachi]
After empty promises of ‘widening the tax net’, Shaukat Tareen and Hina Rabbani-Khar have disappointed the hard working and only conscientious tax-paying sector. 30 percent tax on bonuses in the corporate sector on top of a 5 percent increase in income tax is a cruel joke. We, the hard working salaried class, are already burdened with an energy crisis and poor law and order. To be further taxed like this is pushing us against the wall.
Why is it that the government does not tax the sectors from where it is getting nothing in revenue? What about the promises to tax the stock market; what about taxing the feudals? [Daily Times]
TAKE THE BUS, ADVISER
[Dr Muhammad Farooq, Lahore]
The novel suggestion to the nation by our finance adviser of riding buses instead of using private vehicles as a means of transportation on the pattern of Yankees in a bid to fight the spiralling up prices of petroleum reminds me of a joke about a king who had no links with his people and led an extravagant secluded life in his ostentatious palace. From what he has said, all I can say is that the adviser has scant if any knowledge about the state of our public transport system.
[The News International]
Issue of the Month: Budgeting for the parasites
MEMORY IS SHORT, MS KHAR?
[Muhammed Zafir Zia, Karachi]
Hina Rabbani Khar, the minister of state for finance and economic affairs, sharply criticised the government of Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz in her budget speech. Has she perhaps forgotten that she was an integral part of that government as well, holding the same portfolio that she is holding now, from 2003 to 2007? [The News International]
BROKEN TAX SYSTEM
[Khurram Yusafzai, Peshawar]
The Agricultures sector, which forms, the ¼ of whole GDP of Pakistan is not taxed at all. As Punjab the most powerful provinces will not pay Taxes as the PML-N, dominate provinces passed a reference in Provincial assembly to counter the Federal Government move to enable Taxes on Agriculture. Just to give relief these free Loaders, we are taxing the Fuel, Electricity, and major products like cars etc. Industry, which forms only 10% of our GDP, is heavily taxed as if to sabotage the Industry. The Agriculturalist doesn’t pay Insurances and health Insurances or pensions as the Industrialist do. They are all left Scot-free and to amass huge wealth’s. [Daily Times]
BUDGET AND CORPORATE EMPLOYEES
[Concerned Corporate Employees, Karachi]
Corporate employees have been squeezed yet again like the proverbial sugarcane, which is crushed for juice till a semblance of doubt exists that it will oblige more. The draconian IDP tax is imposed on salaries and bonuses of corporate executives and that too retroactively, i.e. with effect from July 1, 2008. Such corporate executives are required to pay 30 per cent tax on bonuses (that they have already received and spent many months back!) and five per cent tax on the amount of their tax payable. We find this sudden imposition of additional tax as totally unfair, draconian and devoid of logic for the following reasons:
a. This tax on corporate executives is sheer discrimination as no other assessed government employment have been subjected to this tax. It is against the principle of justice to impose such tax on corporate employees only and on no other segment of society.
b) Owing to the retrospective application of the tax, June 2009 salaries of most of the corporate employees will be in the negative. This is clearly illogical and enough to give someone a heart attack.
c) A large number of corporate employees have already contributed willingly and handsomely to the IDPs.
We appeal to the government to reverse this decision and have some heart for the corporate sector, which is already contributing disproportionately to the government coffers! [Dawn]
ACTING NON-SERIOUS
[Nadeem Ul Haque, United States]
This is to explain my use of the word “serious” in my recent column. (“Another missed opportunity”, Daily Times, June 19) I had said the government does not appoint a “serious” chief economist to the Planning Commission. By serious I meant that the government, for the last three years since 2006, has had an acting chief economist. I was appointed the acting chief economist for about a year from 2006-2007. I had said then and repeat now that we need a permanent, not acting, chief economist. That is what I meant by “serious. There are too many positions where people are “acting”. Why would the government not make serious and permanent appointments? An acting position is a weaker and not a serious appointment regardless of the merit of who is appointed. In any case, why should a credible candidate be put in an “acting” position? Seriously appoint him or her! [Daily Times]
IDP TAX FOR CORPORATE EMPLOYEES
[Raza Hemani, Karachi]
This is apropos of Mr Waqas Balkhi’s comments on IDP tax (June 24). The writer has rightly mentioned that a salaried person who draws Rs1m will have to pay just Rs4,500 additional tax as IDP. However, he does not appreciate that another tax is also imposed on corporate employees which is 30 per cent on bonus income. In general, all the taxes should be applied progressively (i.e. more you earn, more you pay), instead bonus tax is applied regressively. Further, my friend has also forgotten to appreciate that it is only corporate salaried employees who are paying tax honestly. There is no element in salary structure which is left tax-free. Allowances such as house rent, utilities, etc, which used to be tax-free have been brought under the tax net.
Having said this, I would like to draw the attention to the point that most corporate employees have contributed to the PM Fund created for IDPs directly or through their employer by way of allowing a few days’ salaries or through NGOs. It is not a matter of just money but of principle and equal treatment. Why should the corporate sector employees pay IDP tax on bonus? Why should only individuals and AoPs pay IDP tax on tax payable? [Dawn]
BUDGET FOR PEOPLE?
[Dr Alfred Charles, Karachi]
After listening budget speech I wonder that if it is pro-people or poors’ budget. According to the details it seems to be pro-businessmen and pro elite class budget. Unfortunately this budget was presented by a lady who belongs to a landlord family and to a political party which claims that they have roots in the masses. [Pakistan Observer]
TAX ISSUES
[Shahan Ahmed, Islamabad]
According to the government, new income tax measures in the Budget 2009-10 are likely to generate an additional Rs 43.4 billion for the exchequer. The government has been talking for a while of increasing the tax net to help increase revenues. However, it is one thing to make such proposals and entirely another to actually extract it. Our tax system is in dismal shape and the tax-to-GDP ratio is appalling for an economy our size. No wonder, then, that we have to keep begging donors and other countries for bailout money all the time. If Pakistan can manage to increase its revenues to reflect the size of its economy, there is no reason we cannot become a more sustainable and more self-sustained economy.
Also, it seems that for the government, widening the tax net means increasing taxes on those already paying their due share! What is needed instead is for those not paying taxes into the net. This includes agriculture as well as some other sections of the economy. One hopes that these reforms will soon follow, as without them, reaching the kind of goals announced by the government will not be possible. [Daily Times]
HIGH INFLATION
[Riffat Perveen, Rawalpidi]
Pakistan is having high inflation rate for last few years which can be viewed from the Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI is the most widely used measure of inflation and is sometimes viewed as an indicator of the effectiveness of government economic policy. According to federal bureau of statistics Pakistani’s Inflation Rates based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) are as following; CPI for year 2000-2001 is 4.41 , CPI for year 2001-2002 is 3.54, CPI for year 2002-2003 is 3.10, CPI for year 2003-2004 is 4.57, CPI for year 2004-2005 is 9.28, CPI for year 2005-2006 is 7.92, CPI for year 2006-2007 is 8.39 , CPI for year 2007-2008 is 8.01and the most recent CPI for the year 2008-2009 is 24.43. Inflation is not essentially bad, but it can affect the living standards of the people because the same amount of money buys less goods. It also makes the value of the rupee relatively less than that of foreign currencies. High inflation can also lead to significant instability in the economy, as supplier costs can increase rapidly while, at the same time, consumers are able to afford less and less. It can also reduce employment and output of economy.
A recently conducted survey by the PIDE (March 2009: Vol.1, No.1) on inflation expectation reveals that people are expecting high inflation together with high unemployment, a decline in the growth rate and decrease currency value. The survey also shows that both demand pull and cost push factors are responsible for current inflation in Pakistan, the most prominent being global economic conditions and high food and fuel prices. High cost of living induced by inflation is now most important problem in Pakistan. The most hurt are the lower income segments of the society followed by the middle income group. The survey reveals that the current monetary policy has not been effective in curbing inflation, highlighting the need for coordinated monetary and fiscal policies to control inflation. [Pakistan Observer]
A FAILED BUDGET
[Shazia Khan Uterkhail, Multan]
The budget (2009-10) clearly reflects that the government has failed in collecting sufficient funds from various agencies including friends of Pakistan forum to meet the mushrooming budget deficit, which runs into billions. It is apparent that president and his dedicated team’s visits to various countries for collection of donations have not borne much fruit. All the money which President got in his visits was in the shape of loans with tight conditions like uplifting subsidies, depreciating currency, etc. Now the ministry of finance has declared that budget deficit will be met by getting loan from IMF. This budget also throws quantum of light upon miserable condition of our traumatised economy.
Our economy is suffering from problems like flight of capital, depreciation of forex reserves and fiscal deficit. Only services sector has performed well, while industrial sector has suffered set back because of persistent outages, hence performing very badly. All the economical indicators reflect miserable condition of economy. Poverty graph went up, unemployment remained an unaddressed challenge. Performance of banking and telecom sector was encouraging. As for whether it is people-friendly budget, I think this is a tough budget which will not provide any relief to poor class. The relief given to government employees (15 percent) stands as a joke in view of souring prices of basic and essential commodities. Inflation rate is much higher, thus 15 percent increase in allowances will not solve much grievances of employees of government sector. It is need of the hour that government announce a relief package for the employees immediately so that they may not be disheartened by the neglect. [The Post]
PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1
[Dr Zaheer Asghar Khan, Lahore]
Before the budget, the electricity rates had already increased by more than 50%. The rates were increased when the prices of petroleum products were going up and had reached $150 per barrel of crude. But when the prices came down to the range of 40-50 dollars, there was no let up in the electricity rates. In the prices being charged for petroleum products too, the government is acting like the proverbial Shylock and charging Rs 57 per litter of petrol, thus, making a killing of 11 billions rupees a month from the public pocket.
Similarly every manufacturer and service-provider, under the pretext of rising petrol prices, had increased prices manifolds. Despite the petrol prices having crashed, their rates are staying put at the high level. The budget, that public enemy no 1, has caused a further, and quite phenomenal, rise in all prices and service charges. This is playing havoc with the economy of individuals as well as the country. As for the future, the prices are only going to go up. And they are already too high for the common man. Where should the citizens turn to seek redress? [The Nation]
Issue of the Month: Mismanaging the electric power supply
POWER SCANDAL
[Ehtasham Anwar, London]
Your newspaper published some good stories on how houses owned by powerful people were being given electricity at discounted rates -- and this include the farm-house of former president Pervez Musharraf. However, instead of appreciating these efforts, Musa Malik in a letter published on May 30 criticised your paper for giving too much coverage to this issue. In order to be effective, accountability in any society has to begin from the top since those at the helm of affairs are supposed to be role-models for the general population. How ironic that till only a few years ago, soldiers of the Pakistan army were checking residential and commercial establishments to curb illegal use of electricity, not knowing that a few years down the road their own former chief would be found indulged in such a scandal.
As I write this in London, I am surrounded by British newspapers carrying headlines of how some MPs were found to be claiming exaggerated expenses. The scandal has led to the speaker of the House of Commons resigning and police are considering a probe into the matter. And in Pakistan we are being told to ignore similar acts of omission and commission. [The News International]
ENOUGH!
[Shehnaz Qadri, Karachi]
While the entire country faces hours upon hours of load shedding, little seems to be happening on the energy policy front. One way in which the government can provide some relief to the system is by acting against power thieves. We need to stop playing nice about those who steal electricity and inflict misery on honest citizens; it is very easy to track thieves: neighbours know them, the power authorities know them and the police know them. They forfeited their right to dignified proceedings when they decided to engaged in this criminal activity. The power authorities, working with the police, should immediately locate and sever such connections and take action against the power thieves. [Daily Times]
WHAT KESC NEEDS TO DO
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
The city of Karachi suffers from chronic power crises due to KESC's poor management of the company affairs, general apathy, crumbling infrastructure, financial indiscipline, lack of investment for additional power generation and rampant power theft. Some of these problems can be fixed immediately and the rest in short- and long-term -- staggered over a reasonable timeframe. Problems which can be fixed immediately relate to financial discipline, effective credit control and eradication of power theft. To bring discipline into financial control KESC should disconnect the power supply of any defaulter immediately until the outstanding amount is cleared. The power theft issue can be addressed in two stages. First instance, KESC should use the assistance of the police and the judiciary to arrest and prosecute power thieves. Problem areas -- where power theft is rampant -- should be identified and this should be followed by house-to-house checking for illegal 'kunda' connections.
On a short-term basis, KESC should take measures to reduce its line losses and this can be done through technical and operational means in its transmission and distribution network. To meet the rapidly-growing power needs of the city, medium- to long-term investment plans to generate electricity should be drawn up and should be undertaken. Furthermore, the utility needs to come down hard on any of its own staff who connive with power thieves to facilitate theft. Enough is enough. There are no free lunches in the business world. Everyone must pay for the goods and services received. This is the only way KESC will survive as a viable entity and the city of Karachi will have regular power supply. There is nothing new or strange in the above suggestions -- these are all normal practices in the rest of the world. [The News International]
TRIM THE FAT
[Aamir Zaidi, Karachi]
The lack of coordination between regional officials and the national power control centre is reaching ridiculous levels. In the cities, despite lofty claims that there will be a fixed amount of load shedding and on a fixed schedule, citizens are suffering from hours of load shedding without warning. Let us also not forget that one of the reasons we have the power crisis in Pakistan is because of similar lack of coordination between government departments and power authorities that led to massive circular debt. While one can understand the lack of funds that is contributing to load shedding, it is the responsibility of the government departments to sort themselves out. It is incredible that for over two years now, the inefficiency of some departments is making the entire nation suffer. The top levels of government should order an immediate inquiry into the finances of these departments and figure out the best way to get rid of this circular debt.
And on that note, we really need to trim the fat as far as our government itself is concerned. We have a ridiculously large number of ministries and departments, most of which don’t contribute anything to the nation and only suck up taxpayer rupees for the benefit of some landlord or personal favourite who has been promised some political bounty. [Daily Times]
WATER AND POWER
[Nasir K Khakakhel, Peshawar]
The 24-hour power failure in Karachi just shows the terrible inefficiency of KESC and the rampant mismanagement and corruption that have come to be its primary characteristics. The utility was privatised somewhat controversially and handed over to a Dubai-based financial group -- we should all be able to connect the dots in this regard. The situation with the water distribution network in Karachi is as worse, a natural consequence when corruption, kickbacks and bhatta are the overriding priorities. Water is available at hydrants in various parts of the city but for some reason does not flow through the network in many parts of the city -- how can that be possible unless some people in the water utility are involved in this racket? However, senior government functionaries including the president have expressed concern and their resolve to tackle Karachi's problems, especially related to the provision of electricity and water.
Now let's take a look at the IDP situation where over three million people are living in camps -- for no fault of their own -- and without any electricity or water, and the president has just visited them once. Furthermore, may I ask the minister for water and power whether he will display the same amount of concern and energy to tackle the water and electricity crisis for the IDPs as he has done in the case of Karachi? [The News International]
CJ'S ACTION
[Murad Ali Mohmand, Peshawar]
Through your newspaper I would like to appreciate the suo moto action of Chief Justice on the electricity charges. But I request the Chief Justice to take strict action not like the POL case in which the government has reduced very minimum charges, the action of Chief Justice must be final and the government should not make it a joke. I am sure strict action will be taken. [The Frontier Post]
POWER SHORTAGE
[Dr Alfred Charles, Karachi]
Will the KESC management kindly explain how for four days while the president and the federal minister for water and power were in Karachi last week there was hardly any loadshedding in the city? How come for the duration of this period there wasn’t any electricity shortage? [The News International]
EQUAL TREATMENT
[Ali Khurshid, Multan]
The power crisis in the country has been aggravated due to mismanagement in load-shedding. Unscheduled and unannounced power failures in different parts of the country have disrupted the everyday routines of people. Not only are the power cuts unscheduled, but they have been distributed unevenly. The rural areas are suffering from almost twice as much load-shedding as the urban areas. Moreover, even in the cities favouritism is practised in the load-shedding schedules. The areas where the residents are influential people enjoy preferential treatment as their power cuts are fewer than the other areas. As a consequence, the burden falls on the ordinary citizens who cannot even afford the luxury of a generator or a UPS.
This trend manifests the typical discriminatory treatment of the poor that is prevalent in our society. Even more shameful is the fact that while the common people are suffering from 10 to 12 hours of load-shedding, the PM and the President house enjoy uninterrupted power supply. This practice is unfair and exploits the poor people to the say the least. The rulers and the masses should be treated on the same level. If the common people have to suffer from the power crisis, so should the rulers. It seems that our rulers forget that it is the duty of the ruler to serve the citizens, not the other way around. While it is hoped that the government will concentrate on tackling the energy crisis and will prove true to its claims, it should also end the discriminatory practices that are aimed at providing more perks to the privileged few at the expense of the poor masses. [The Post]
POWER RATES SCANDAL
[Ahmad R Shahid, York, UK]
Thanks to Ansar Abbasi's courageous investigation into the misuse of rules to get the cheapest power rates at Chak Shahzad. It's probably the first time that a general has been accused of such a thing. In the past it has mostly been politicians and businessmen that have been accused of such misconduct and subjected to a media trial while the military personnel have escaped such investigative reporting, largely thanks to the hallowed image they created for themselves over the last 60 years as the "guardians of the ideological borders".
That hallowed image has been much dented thanks to the army's involvement in civilian affairs, uprooting of constitutionally elected governments, misuse of public funds to build large real estates for the officer cadre etc. The military and its generals who eat up the largest chunk of our resources should be subjected to greater oversight over their expenditure and generals found guilty of living beyond their means must be subjected to the law of the land as any ordinary civilian would be. Only that would ensure blocking off the lacunas in our budgets and the creation of a just and equitable society. [The News International]
LOADSHEDDING
[Dr Alfred Charles, Karachi]
The KESC management should clarify why in the presence of President Zardari and the federal minister for water and power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Karachi remained free from loadshedding. If the federal minister, before coming here, had arranged extra power supply from PEPCO to meet demands and cut shortfall so he should do it permanently. Was this a part of plan to reduce hours long loadshedding affected people's anger during stay of these dignitaries? As soon as these two dignitaries left, the city started facing hours-long power outages. Is this not equivalent to sprinkle salt on the open wounds of the people of Karachi? Both the KESC and government should try to avert worse law and order situation because of loadshedding. Now it is time to take some measures seriously otherwise angry mobs can be so violent that they may destroy property and installations. [Business Recorder]
THE ELECTRIC BLUES
[Col (Retd) R.M. Akhtar, Lahore]
The public not only respects Mr. Edhi but also loves him. But when he comes on TV to advise us about matters like saving electricity, we think he is being misused. Pretty girls dressed to nines also come on the box to render the same advice. These people sit in floodlit studios and give us the advice to conserve electricity by turning off lights. They should sit with candlelight in front and then may be we might listen to them. The public is fed up with WAPDA because of their inefficiency and cheating. Even the staff of WAPDA is not loyal to the organization as they are the ones who tell the consumer that wiring supplied by their department is substandard or meters too fast or the electricity bills doubled up to make for the shortfall in revenues. Last month, I got a bill of Rs 21, 500, which is more than I have ever had. This, despite very heavy load shedding through out the month. In actual fact, the bill should have been 1/4th of the previous bill because for 6 to 8 hours everyday, there is no electricity. [The Nation]
LET US SLEEP IN PEACE
[Lt.-Col (r) Mahmood Malik, (Without a generator or UPS), Rawalpindi]
The minister for water and power has said many a time that loadshedding happens in the country because of gap between demand for and supply of electricity. I can understand that but my question is that why is there loadshedding during the night when all the offices, business centres, factories, commercial centres and other things like schools and so on are closed? My humble appeal to WAPDA's senior management is not to deprive us of electricity during the night and let us sleep in peace. [The News International]
PLEA TO KESC
[A Frustrated Housewife, Karachi]
I would like to express my utter disappointment at the performance of KESC since its privatisation. Ever since KESC was privatised, its service has been going from bad to worse. It cannot be accepted that suddenly the consumption of electricity has increased that much in Karachi to justify frequent and regular loadshedding. In fact, one of the conditions of privatisation was that the new management will invest to increase generation of electricity to meet the projected increase in the consumption. Far from increasing generation, they have gone to the extent of not generating power to their full capacity just to save fuel costs.
Apart from that, they are not even maintaining their equipment with the result that there are frequent breakdowns for long periods and voltage fluctuations have been constantly rising by regular and frequent increase in tariff and additionally by (i) cost of petrol and diesel on generators, (ii) maintenance of UPS and above all (iii) repairs and replacements of equipment damaged by frequent voltage fluctuations. Recently, the Government appointed a Committee to investigate the performance of KESC and it was noted that immediately thereafter, the loadshedding was reduced which clearly shows that the shortage of electricity was a deliberate cost saving exercised by KESC. It is also noted that with every breakdown in supply we spend more on fuel for our generators but the electricity bill is not reduced at all. Apart from loss to us, this also means waste of valuable foreign exchange.
This week, total breakdown of KESC distribution network, plunging the entire Karachi into total darkness, was yet another glaring example of failure of KESC to maintain its service. Ever since KESC has been privatised, every household's monthly budget for electricity has been constantly rising by regular and frequent increase in tariff and additionally by (i) cost of petrol and diesel on generators, (ii) maintenance of UPS and above all (iii) repairs and replacements of equipment damaged by frequent voltage fluctuations. It now appears that mentors of KESC, who managed to get them this important utility service, are still working to protect KESC and give it regular increases in tariff without any corresponding improvement in their service. In fact, with each increase in tariff their service goes down in inverse proportion.
KESC should be bluntly told that There will be no increase in tariff until they improve their performance, generate electricity to their full installed capacity and bring in investment to increase generation. I would, therefore, request the authorities concerned to wake up and do something about electricity in Karachi before the situation goes out of control. [Business Recorder]
TAXES ON ELECTRICITY
[Dr. Khurrum Yusafzai, Peshawar]
On just one unit of electricity we are paying six different kinds of taxes and it is an item, which is highly taxed in Pakistan. Electricity is 60% generated from fuel. The dams are only opened from June to September rest of the time the gates are closed to store the water. So when the gates are closed 90% of electricity is from fuel generated electricity plants. The fact is that the situation will remain the same even if we build many more dams like Kalabagh and Bhasha etc. When electricity is generated the fuel is bought at the market price and it includes, Sales tax of 21% and the withholding wax of 10 % as well. It also includes Rs 10 per litre of Carbon tax (PDL Petrol Development Levi).
This drives the price of oil very high for the Oil generating plants and especially when the oil prices hit very high like reaches near 100 Dollars per barrel (currently 70 $ per barrel). This electricity when is supplied to the meters then another taxes called withholding tax 10 % and sales tax 21% are again levied on the same unit of electricity. Another taxes are the 10-40 % surcharges that are put there because of electricity stealing in big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sialkot. This system of taxing six times the single unit of electricity is very strange and ridiculous. As high prices slow the industrial and business growth and effect agriculture people are forced to steal the electricity. Why cannot we exempt the sales tax and withholding tax on electricity as it is already taxed once when the fuel supplied to the oil generating companies are charged withholding tax of 10% and sales tax of 21 % already, along with Carbon tax of 16.6 % on each litre of fuel. This way if one unit of electricity is charged at 10 rupees now, then will be cut down to 31% to be at 6.9 rupees.
Furthermore if we reduce the stealing which is almost 40% in Karachi and other major cities the price can come down again another 20-40 %. This way the price of electricity would be 5.50 Rupees (20% reduction), which is almost half of the 10 rupees price of electricity unit. So by just adjustment of our management faults we can cut our electricity bills to half. Furthermore, the slab system should be done away with and one rate of electricity should be launched, to remove complications and it should be same for all Pakistan. For the betterment of Pakistan, I request President Zardari to look into it and change the tariff without sales tax and withholding tax for electricity only and also take measures to reduces Kunda system. The cities should be divided into sectors and Wapda official in whose are more power is stolen should be punished. [The Frontier Post]
Issue of the Month: Resolving the terror tangle
SECURITY FAILURE
[Engr S T Hussain, Lahore]
I have one simple question regarding the tragic suicide attack on the PC Peshawar: how could a truck loaded with several hundred kilograms of explosives travel through Peshawar and reach one of its most secure areas without the police or any other security agency checking it? Also where the attackers get the explosives from without being detected? Buying such a large amount of ammunition should trigger off some kind of alert. [The News International]
PAUSE IN OPERATION
[Col (R) Riaz Jafri, Rawalpindi]
Once again the few apologists for the Taliban are asking for a pause in the military operation as, according to them, its continuation could result in more IDPs. The UNHCR’s stated inability to cater for more is also being quoted by them. Please allow me to say that (one) the aid and assistance to the IDPs is not only limited to what the UNHCR can or cannot do. It is coming from many other quarters too, most significantly from the Pakistanis themselves for their brethren in distress. (Two) A pause in an ongoing military operation not only gives a breathing time to the enemy but also helps him recuperate and reorganise itself. This at times can prove fatal. “Strike the iron when it is hot” is a age-old adage.
In the military parlance they say: ‘Chase the enemy on the run till annihilated “. It will ultimately make him capitulate into a total surrender and that’s what is the crucial need of the hour to save Pakistan. Our hearts go out to the IDPs but getting rid of the enemy at this juncture is also of immense importance. We are sure the proud patriotic Pathan IDPs will make this extreme sacrifice for Pakistan and bear it all with fortitude. We owe our immense gratitude to you -- IDPs -- for your this kindness and promise to make your sufferings as endurable for you as possible. So, help us all, Allah. Ameen. [Dawn]
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ARRESTED MILITANTS?
[Abdur Rauf, Peshawar]
Ever since the start of Pakistan's war on terror, we have been reading news of the arrest of terrorists off and on. The number of terrorists held must be in hundreds by now. Yet, it is not known what became of them after having been taken into custody. Have they been tried? Have they been killed? Have they been dumped somewhere and forgotten? Or have they been released to continue their terrorist activities? Only a negligible number (e.g. those involved in the attack on Musharraf) have been punished. This is one reason why terrorism continues unabated in Pakistan.
Contrary to this, there was a single bomb blast in Iran recently and the culprits were caught and hanged in a public square the next day following the blast. One can be sure that there will be no more bomb blasts of this nature in Iran. In Pakistan the captured terrorists appear to be dealt with leniently. For purposes of credibility of this war on terror, I request the authorities concerned to please apprise the public of the fate of the held terrorists by issuing a detailed account of the outcome of all such arrests. After all, the people of Pakistan have a right to know what became of the captured barbarians who slaughtered their men, disgraced their women, destroyed the education of their children, ruined their economy, drove them out from their peaceful homes and defamed Islam. [The News International]
WERE PREVIOUS OPERATIONS DONE HALF-HEARTEDLY?
[Brig (R) Tariq Zubair Toor, Karachi]
The establishment of makeshift camps for internally-displaced persons is just meant to avoid collateral damage during the army’s operation against militants in Swat. The reason why the government engaged Sufi Mohammad in talks and not Fazlullah was because he had a great following in Swat as the head of the outlawed TNSM. The purpose seemed to be to influence Fazlullah through Sufi for abiding by the peace deal. Unlike Fazlullah, Sufi wanted implementation of the Shariah which the government accepted. This was meant to sideline Fazlullah who was working on an anti-state agenda. Through Sufi – a former Jamaat-i-Islami member and Afghan Jehad veteran -- the government could use his extensive contacts with the Taliban.
Hence, it is a false impression that the army operation was left halfway across and it purposefully avoided getting any gains and sought the ANP’s help for peace. In the November 2007 Operation Rah-i-Haq I, Fazlullah had to escape from Swat. So the ANP decided to open talks with the TTP and tribal leaders. This gave the TTP ample opportunity to regroup and reassert itself. Fazlullah’s men abducted 38 FC men and killed three ISI personnel. Operation Rah-i-Haq II was launched in July 2008. This time the military operation relied on both air power as well as artillery. Soon the Taliban, led by Mullah Faqir, started playing havoc in Bajaur. So the Army started Operation Sherdil. The Army launched Operation Rah-i-Haq III in January 2009 to secure the main supply lines and consolidate Mingora district. FC troops provided help to four army brigades.
The last week of January saw intensive aerial and artillery bombing. The forces regained Mingora and were poised to push the Taliban out of the district when Sufi Mohammad was released and Shariah was introduced in Swat and Malakand. The provincial government was confident of the outcome of the peace deal. However, the TTP betrayed the government by regrouping and capturing Swat, Buner, Mingora, Shangla and its surrounding areas. When the situation went out of hand, the provincial government requested the centre to ask the Army to provide help. Events show that the Army never avoided taking decisive action but bowed to political pressure from the centre and provincial government. However, it did so at an extremely high cost. [Dawn]
JI -- FRIEND OR FOE?
[B A Malik, Islamabad]
The JI amir, Syed Munawar Hasan, has repeatedly said that suicide bombings will stop only after Americans have left Afghanistan and Iraq and after America stops its interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan. He has never publicly and openly spoken out against suicide attacks and thus by implication this means that he and his party are in favour of suicide attacks. I would have to say that this convoluted support by the Jamaat to Taliban murderers is consistent with the Jamaat's opposition to the creation of Pakistan. The JI was opposed to the idea of Pakistan and it is equally opposed to the democratic spirit of the country now. Pakistanis have an obligation to make a choice between pro- and anti-Pakistan elements in their midst so that they know who is a friend and who is a foe. [The News International]
AIRTIGHT CASES NEEDED
[Khurshid Ahmed, Islamabad]
The court order releasing Jama’at-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed from custody on grounds of lack of evidence has created a diplomatic storm for Pakistan. Where there has been negative feedback at home as well, Pakistan has been informed by many countries of disappointment on the matter. India has said that while it is ‘keen’ to normalise relations, it is ‘disturbed’ and ‘disappointed’ over the release of Hafiz Saeed. One hopes that the evidence found lacking will be presented again as the government appeals the court decision. While due process must be followed, it is also necessary to ensure that lack of capacity or ineptitude of certain sections of the law enforcement apparatus does not lead to evidence being lost. We must push for airtight cases against those involved in terrorism. [Daily Times]
NOT VERY INTELLIGENT
[Marghuz Khan, Peshawar]
Muslim Khan, who now has head money of Rs10 million, has in the recent past given several interviews in person – why was he not apprehended then? If journalists had access to him, why couldn't our intelligence agencies? Or did he turn into a wanted militant overnight? The apathy and collusion at some levels perhaps is also evident from the indifferent attitude of the government towards the radio broadcasts and local terrorism of some of the most wanted militants since long. It seems as if our intelligence agencies wait as silent spectators till the trouble reaches a climax and then launch extravagant operations at the cost of many innocent lives and funds.
[The News International]
SMARTER SECURITY
[Nausheen Ahmed, Lahore]
While beefing up security nowadays in an age of terrorism is absolutely necessary, security checks also need to be made smarter and more targeted given the scarcity of resources. This needs to apply especially to areas where the threat of a terrorist attack or other crimes is high. While our security forces have been trying hard to weed out terrorists and protect the general population, quite often, they end up targeting the very people who need to be protected. This is especially the case in cities, where a lot of citizens face inconveniences due to poorly placed road blocks and check-posts. Instead of placing road blocks everywhere, they should be placed where they can make the greatest impact. It has also been shown that incorrect placement of road blocks and checks actually does not improve security and instead ends up lowering the morale of the populace. Therefore, security agencies should increase security by making it smarter and more targeted, not by turning our cities into prisons. [Daily Times]
THE 'FOREIGN-HAND' CONSPIRACY THEORY
[Bilal Qureshi, Washington, DC, USA]
The horrific tragedy in Lahore has done little to bring the country together against terrorism. There is the usual condemnation; people voice their anger, especially if they are in front of the camera or talking to a reporter. The talking heads on television channels repeat the same mantra – India with the help of Israel and America wants to destabilise Pakistan because of its nuclear capabilities, etc. In other words, nothing new in analysing the causes and no effort to actually examine internal facts that might be a cause of suicide bombings or terrorist acts in the country.
Unless we adopt a realistic approach, we will never understand our standing in the world today. Yes, there is always the possibility of external involvement but we can't shift the entire blame to a "foreign hidden hand" every time we are attacked. There should be a process of self-examination. Democratic environment, coupled with freedom of speech might help Pakistan become the kind of society that overcomes hardships, and where citizens make the ultimate decision about their lives and the future of their country. Otherwise, in a closed and fearful atmosphere, Pakistan will always find itself at war with the Taliban-like forces determined to destroy humanity. But the nation has to decide about its future course very quickly.
It is also time to re-examine the role of the mullah in our society. If the country is really interested in giving the powers that he enjoys today, the nation will have to equip the mullah with contemporary knowledge so that he can balance life and the demands of today's busy lifestyle. Right now, all that the mullah does is voice anger over how people are living their lives, and on every occasion, he chastises those who are unable to live up to the standard of daily life set by the mullah. This creates frustration on both sides. We need to fight common ground so that the terrorists are unable to find safe havens or people in agreement with their hateful ideology. [The News International]
ZALIMAN, NOT TALIBAN!
[Aamina Mehmood, Rawalpindi]
Talibaan was the word that was used for students of Madaris and that too in some parts of NWFP. In fact those who had fought against Soviets in Afghanistan never styled themselves as Taliban, they were Mujahideen. After 9/11 the word Taliban was misused by western media to describe all warlords and terrorists operating in Afghanistan. Later, the word became synonym of terrorists for general public and there emerged Tehrik-e Taliban and then Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. Currently, the people using this term themselves have nothing to do with education as the word originally meant.
The people who are using the world Taliban as their identity today are the worst terrorist having no respect for any tribe, country or religion. They are pursuing their own agendas with that name. They can and do kill innocent people for merely not aligning with their agenda. They send suicide bombers to mosques and they demolish schools and shrines. They do everything that education prohibits. In my opinion, they are anything but Taliban. Perhaps the word ‘Zaliman’ would be an appropriate description of them. Media should also stop using the word Taliban for these ruthless, cruel, pitiless and malicious people. [Pakistan Observer]
PROBLEMS OF OUR OWN MAKING
[Imtiaz Akhter, Rawalpindi]
Last night I watched the ex-Wali of Swat being interviewed on a private TV channel. He said that all the militants were locals and had been exploited by the mullahs. The previous dictator's government never paid any attention to this catastrophe-in-making. The militants exploited the genuine complaints of the Swati people, who were denied cheap and instant justice to which they were accustomed to. Who can analyse the situation in Swat better than the Wali?
I have always believed that problems of Pakistan are created and multiplied by its own rulers and the leaders and not by any foreign agencies. Our bureaucracy is incompetent, our politicians are insincere and our clerics are power-hungry. Most are corrupt and their priorities have never been good governance and speedy justice. It is evident from the news stating that about 365 law officers were working in administrative posts, while another 380 posts are lying vacant and need to be filled. The government should not hinder the implementation of the recent judicial reforms or what is happening in Swat may happen elsewhere in Pakistan. [The News International]
BATTLE FOR PAKISTAN’S SURVIVAL
[Malik Tariq Ali, Lahore]
Pakistan today faces a crisis as severe as the 1971 debacle. We are involved in a battle for our survival, a struggle to defend our way of life and the legacy of our founding fathers. This is a crisis of our own making, our collective failure, because we all stood by, as men like Zia ul Haq, Musharraf, and their likes destroyed all state institutions. We are paying for the sins of those, who needlessly involved us in the 80’s Afghan war, and the country was infested by jihadists, ammunition, drugs, ethnic and sectarian strife. While corrupt individuals overnight became billionares, the country has been harmed from within, by the insatiable greed of few. As a nation we failed to rise up and voice our protest. Even today we hear on the television many an apologist for these extremists, yet we continue to tolerate them.
No country in the world can tolerate such people, while the nation is in a state of war, a war to defend the legacy of Quaid e Azam, Allama Iqbal, Nishtar, Malik Barkat Ali, Abdullah Haroon, Nawab Ismail and others. I fail to understand those who debate whether this war is ours. It is too late now. We are in it and there is no turning back now. The time to stand up was when mercenary dictators held this country and its national security hostage, so that they may prolong their illegitimate rule. Pakistan bleeds and its sons and daughters are suffering needlessly for no fault of theirs, while the villains and their heirs live a life of luxury, and nobody even today wants to hold them accountable. Why should we blame foreign elements or the Indians and Israelis, when it were our own men who sold this country and the destiny of its people for few billions, while they had sworn on oath to defend and honour our constitution. [Pakistan Observer]
LIFE UNDER THE TALIBAN
[Maheen Rahman, Peshawar]
I am scared, just like everyone else. Each morning I wake up and thank God for another day that I'm able to go to college, go out and get groceries, have the ability to drink clean water, dress appropriately and live in my own house. Each day as it passes instils a fear in me and I can't help but wonder when it would all be taken away from me and one day just like girls in Swat, I will be in-bound not because of choice but because of compulsion and thrown back into the throes of inhumanity. Everyday I am afraid that Peshawar and the rest of the areas in NWFP will fall and be taken over by the Taliban if they continue entering other cities without the authorities knowing about it.
I belong to the war-hit area of Kabal in Swat. Today I read about a task force being established to register the IDPs. We will not be able to recover from this human-induced calamity for years to come, however, keeping in view the government's previous mistakes and ignorance, I wish they would make the registration process quick and efficient to stop the infiltration of the Taliban into other cities. There are reports of two or three militants roaming in Peshawar University like ordinary citizens (the beard and hair gone of course). The camps must have a hundred militants in the form of IDPs. As an ordinary citizen, I am requesting the authorities to please abandon their differences and deal with this issue honestly. [The News International]
A VOICE OF REASON
[Syed Muzammil Hussain, Azad Kashmir]
Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi was assassinated in Lahore. He was innocent because he never hurt the feelings of anyone in society. Although he spoke against a particular group but it was his right to do so. Persons opposing his views should have spoken against him. It was a reasonable way. Instead they killed him and tried to silence his voice. I wonder how they dared to think that they could silence the voice of reason. Yes, they have killed him but his message cannot be stopped or erased because he was of the view that religious elements should not use terror to force others to accept their views. Islam teaches this course of action and should be followed by all. [The Post]
JIZIYA ON NON-MUSLIMS
[M Shafee Afridi, Peshawar]
The report that the Taliban in Bara have imposed jiziya on non-Muslims should be a cause for concern especially given that the said area is a mere 10 kilometres or so from Peshawar. [The News International]
ARMS SUPPLY TO TALIBAN
[Nowshewan G. Irani, Karachi]
The letter of Lieutenant Colonel M.A Sadiq (R) your newspaper of 08.06.2009 makes interesting reading. I wish the world was as simplistic as the good colonel is making out. As if fighting Taliban within Pakistan was not enough, he now wants to take on America and Afghanistan. With India we are already at daggers drawn so I will not consider the India factor. If creating check posts was a solution then with the number of these posts in Islamabad and Lahore would have prevented the tragedies we have witnessed. Adding insult to injury these occurred right in the homes of our guardians of security. A power like USA could not hold back or destroy Taliban or their allies and offshoots in Afghanistan or, for that matter Iraq, what chance do we stand? Going 30 to 40 years back, Vietnam is a good example of how helpless a regular army can be in this kind of warfare. We should start thinking outside the square we are bogged down in.
This tragedy did not start with the first Afghan war against the USSR, another superpower, nor will it end with the second Afghan war with USA and Nato. Throughout history Afghans have been fighting one invader after another. Starting with the hordes of Persia, Romans, Mangols, Huns, Moghuls, British and you name it the Afghans have always fought, helped by the terrain of their homeland, but were never subjugated. They are a brave and independent people whom we should respect. For the first approximately 60 years we Pakistanis have been living in peace with them. We had success against USSR because basically we fought with the Afghans and not against them. If a leader can come from Arabia and can inspire and unite them why cant we, who have lived with them all our lives.
I am not a soldier or a strategist, just an ordinary Pakistani so. I cannot preach how it can be done but, it is not beyond human genius to find a way. It is said that the combined genius of ordinary men (and women) can outwit the greatest of generals and politicians so what are we waiting for. Our life depends on it, our country's independence depends on it. The standard phrases like, "CIA is doing it or ISI is the culprit or India with its half a dozen border posts in Afghanistan", has the genius to defeat us, is rather thin and defeatist. We Pakistanis are the martial races, Afghanis are the martial races and martial races can also make treaties and live in peace. We just have to think outside the square, so, let us combine our genius and start all great achievements are the culmination of the first step. I am convinced we just can't loooose. [Business Recorder]
FOREIGN HELP AND THE TALIBAN
[Umar Beg, Islamabad]
Several local security and military officials have confirmed that the Taliban in Swat are being funded in large part by a few Saudi and Arab charity groups. The media has a duty to expose this funding and our government should – using diplomatic channels if need be – impress upon the Saudi government to sever these sources of funding. [The News International]
BARBARIC ACT
[Dr Fareeha Khanum, Mardan]
I condemn the killing of Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi in the strongest possible words and ask the government to bring the culprits in front of nation. The barbaric Taliban are crossing limits and they should be given a strongest possible lesson so that no body in future can involve in such heinous crimes. The typical way of such illiterate movement like Taliban always target ulema's because they knew that Ulema can easily argue and reject their brand of Islam. By this way they want to finish all learned Ulema's in the society in order to establish their hegemony. I appeal the nation to stand united against this monster of terrorism and support Pakistan Army to finish it once and for all from Pakistan. [Business Recorder]
NO SHORTS, INDEED
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
This is with reference to a letter titled "No shorts please" (June 5) which was about an incident in Rawalpindi's Racecourse Park where the writer was stopped from entering by a soldier on duty on the grounds that he (the letter-writer) was wearing shorts. The soldier's response was that wearing shorts was un-Islamic and when asked who told him this he was quoted as saying in the letter that 'colonel sahib' had told him. Perhaps this is why our army fights -- or till the Swat operation at least - reluctantly with the Taliban? [The News International]
BARBARISM IN KARACHI
[Maulabax, Tando Allahyar]
As if only car and mobile snatching and killing those who resist was not enough, another act of barbarism has been invented. Now the barbarians, after taking cash, mobiles and other valuables demand women/children to be given in their custody. A family, after dining at a famous barbeque in Clifton, near Bilawal House, when got into their car, the barbarians approached them to hand over cash, mobiles and other valuables. After having got everything they demanded one of the women to be handed over to them. The head of the family and the women beseeched upon them not to ask for that but they threatened to kill him. The man, seeing no alternate, handed over his wife to them and thus saved his daughters.
It is said that the man, on reaching home, committed suicide. There was another case when a family was coming back from picnic. After taking the cash, etc. they demanded the children to be handed over to them, at which the women protested. They asked the women to be handed over to them and finding no alternate, the women too were handed over. What became of them is not known. All such cases are not allowed to be reported. These are only two cases, which I have learnt. There may be many and the people are frightened to go out with families. If common people know, why can’t the authorities know all this barbarism? The target killings during the last week, which devoured 31 persons, belonging to various parties is also an act of barbarism. The question is: We frighten the Karachi people of Taliban. But are Taliban doing all these acts of barbarism? [The Frontier Post]
THIS IS OUR WAR
[Khalid Aslam, Brussels]
Pakistan is fighting a war of survival but some political parties are still not ready to accept that there are any Taliban or that there is in fact even the need for a military operation. This is most troubling. Ahsan Iqbal of the PML-N on a recent TV show, like his leader, did not openly criticise the militants and instead connected the war with the Middle East conflict and then went on to say that the solution was that America stop supporting Israel. In the past only the religious parties were anti-American but now as a fashion secular parties too have joined them. Is it possible or even beneficial to negotiate with people who have guns and rocket launchers in their hands? Are the Taliban in a majority in Pakistan? If not then why do some people have sympathies for them? [The News International]
INTERNAL THREAT
[Muhammad Safwan Baloch, Quetta]
Pakistan is passing through its most difficult but decisive phase and if she can overcome today the internal threat then it will overcome every external threat. Pakistan, by grace of God is very powerful country and can handle any external threat, however, our weakness is internal. We have to overcome ou internal weakness. The kind of solidarity the countrymen are showing is very positive development. Before this operation the people of Pakistan were not supporting the operation but since Taliban broke the Swat agreement and tried to capture areas outside Swat the people have realized the real intention of Taliban who want to capture and harm Pakistan and we will not let them do so. I also pay my regards to the men and officers of Pakistan Army who are giving sacrifices to save the country. Asif Pathan Quetta Terrorists attacks This is with reference to the suicide attack in Upper Dir mosque.
I will call this nation insane even if they still not recognise the terrorists who are playing havoc with this country and our political leaders still playing blame game rather uniting the nation against these terrorists. Whenever a terrorist activity happens our political leaders are ready to give a press statement against government and call them the result of Musharraf policy. They never condemn terrorists who had killed so many people. In doing so they are actually encouraging terrorists and demoralizing government and the nation. Is the sectarian killing a result of some bad policy of Musharraf! Such killings have been happening in Pakistan for last 17 years. Now the government agencies, police and Army is facing it because government is making sincere efforts to eliminate terrorists and save common people. [The Frontier Post]
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT/MILITARY WAITING FOR?
[J J Khan, Peshawar]
I saw a mushroom cloud of smoke rise from the sky as the PC in Peshawar was hit by a massive bomb blast. My question is that what the government and the military are waiting for. When will it take decisive action against Baitullah Mehsud and his commanders? Is it going to wait for another blast like this? Clearly we didn't learn much from the Marriott blast? Are we going to learn from the Peshawar PC blast? [The News International]
SWAT OPERATION -- A FEW QUESTIONS
[Aftab Alam, President District Bar Association, Swat]
I have a few questions for our military planners and government policymakers. Has an operation similar to the one in Swat (characterised by mass evacuation and destruction of leftover property) for countering terrorism been carried out anywhere else in the world? Has it been carried out anywhere else in the country? To what extent has it been successful? Did it not enable the terrorists to flee the area in the guise of IDPs? Was enough consideration given to the fact that the local people would have to leave -- perhaps for good -- their hard-earned assets? That if such evacuation in fact deemed inevitable -- as it must have been -- then why was no planning made to construct liveable makeshift housing for the IDPs? Can the government now guarantee that the property and assets now left behind by the IDPs will come to no harm? [The News International]
LEARN FROM HISTORY
[Irfan Khan, Rawalpindi]
The recent prominence given to Qari Zainuddin and Haji Betani leads me to believe that our intelligence agencies have learned nothing from their debacles and continue to live in a fantasy land. We should stop playing with fire. [The News International]
INQUIRIES GALORE
[Aziz Akhmad, New York]
After every bomb blast or suicide attack, which seems to happen almost every week, we hear either the chief minister concerned or the prime minister or the president -- or sometimes any two or all of them simultaneously -- ordering inquiry into the incident. One wonders if the police won't order or conduct an inquiry on their own. If not, why not? Something must be awfully wrong with our police that they have to be told each time to conduct an inquiry into a crime. Or, is it that the results of an inquiry carried out by the police of their own volition would be any different? [The News International]
Issue of the month: Strengthening the establishment PPP style
GROVEL, GROVEL
[Nazya Fiaz, Islamabad]
This is with reference to the recent spate of advertisements/messages published in a number of local newspapers, including this one, by officials and ministers of the Azad Kashmir government on the occasion of President Zardari's visit to Muzaffarabad. I have one question: were these advertisements paid by state funds or the individuals themselves who are so desperate to 'welcome' the president? Those desperate to 'welcome' the president to AJK must pay for this luxury themselves. Apart from that, it's a bit sickening to see such grovelling ads. Perhaps one combined ad could have sufficed. [The News International]
BALANCE OF POWER
[Saeed Alizai, Karachi]
Fouzia Wahab of the PPP says that they want a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. I suppose Ms Wahab, being the information secretary of her party, is not expressing her personal views on the subject. It must be party policy which shows that the party is trying to shift its stand on this very important policy and constitutional issue. The constitution framed by the party’s founding fathers, as well as the commitment by its martyred leaders to the nation for a parliamentary democracy, is going to shift towards some other constitutional aberration. Even the provision of 58(2b) was rejected by Benazir Bhutto as late as in the late 1990s through the 13th Amendment supporting Nawaz Sharif in his endeavour to undo the unacceptable provisions of the Eighth Amendment by Zia.
This will clearly be a U-turn for the PPP, specially in view of the Charter of Democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto. It is distressing that those who do not tire of taking her name every now and then are now ready to forget her important commitments to only equip themselves with powers which even Mr Bhutto was denied as president of Pakistan by the elected representatives while framing the 1973 Constitution. All the powers vested in the office of the prime minister which the late Mr Bhutto chose to be in a parliamentary democracy. [Dawn]
THE PM AND I
[Muhammad Azhar Khwaja, Lahore]
Last Saturday, the prime minister was in Lahore (on weekends he is mostly in Lahore). His new house is in DHA and it is my misfortune that I live in his neighbourhood or in other words he has started living in my neighbourhood since I have been living here for the past 20 years. I had to go out to get some groceries. To my surprise, every lane/street and road was barricaded with heavy police guards on all the barricades and on each crossing. Many people -- all out doing their Sunday chores -- were caught up in this and had to wait for the PM's motorcade to go past. After about 45 minutes or so the royal cavalcade consisting of about 50 vehicles and a bulletproof car passed and the traffic was allowed to go. And just the other day I read in a paper that the prime minister had given express instructions that on no account should traffic be stopped for his motorcade! [The News International]
CASH AWARD FOR CRICKET PLAYERS
[Ismat Abbas, Karachi]
Pakistan’s tremendous victory at Lord’s is like a blessing in disguise and we really needed that kind of long- awaited victory at this time of sad state of affairs. The whole nation is overjoyed at the perseverance and commitment shown by our young players, which brought the cup to the country after almost 17 years. However, our President’s generous cash awards from the taxpayer’s money announced for Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan, each Rs1m and Rs5m for each player are improper. When the world is watching us beg for aid for the suffering IDPs, this announcement will make us a laughing stock in the eyes of the international media. Surely all the players deserve a standing ovation and our heartening applause but this could have been done with a small token amount as well. I request these players to show more patriotism and donate at least half of the received amount to the bereaved people at the camps. [Dawn]
WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE SAID
[Khalid Rashid, Rawalpindi]
This is what the president should have said in his national address over the weekend. That he would be shifting his camp office to Peshawar from where he would personally supervise the army operation. That the rule of law and merit would prevail, that all redundant ministries would be abolished, that all government mansions such as the Presidency and PM House would be auctioned and the revenue earned from them would be spent on building hospitals and schools. He should have also said something about electricity generation -- preferably that it would be taken on a war footing.[The News International]
ABUSE OF POWER
[Khurram Shah, Lahore]
Over the last few months, several cases have come into the public eye involving elected members of provincial and national assemblies misusing their power and violating the law. This is an embarrassing reflection of the way our politicians conduct themselves, at all levels of power. And it is all the more ironic when the politicians screaming loudest for accountability and rule of law are found violating the law. What is worse is that many Pakistanis shrug off these incidents with the now clichéd remark: “This is the way it is”. We need to change our attitude towards those in power: do not forget that these people are there because we elected them, and they are given perks through our tax money. If any politician violates the law, he/she should be punished accordingly. It does not have to be this way anymore. [Daily Times]
TAKE THE BUS, ADVISER
[M K Sufi, Member, Islamabad citizens committee, Islamabad]
I would request that the honourable adviser to the prime minister on finance that as per his own suggestion he should take a bus everyday to work. Also, he should ask the government to ask America to build a public transport system in all of Pakistan's major cities. [The News International]
HAQQANI ON PAK NUKES
[Dr Ikram Azam, Islamabad]
What is the present PPP Govt up to? Who has authorized Mr Haqqani a non-elected, non-career diplomat and party appointed Ambassador to make the outrageous offer to India-under American pressure to shelf and phase out Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence system? This is a core national concern on which even a military, or political, dictator will never dare to open his mouth. If Gen Durrani could be sacked for a much lesser ‘false-pa’; Mr Haqqani should be held accountable immediately for his uncalled for utterance. [Pakistan Observer]
EVER USE THE BUS, MR TARIN?
[Brig (r) Rizwan Asghar, Rawalpindi]
It is a pity that the adviser to the prime minister on finance is suggesting that the general public use public transport to guard against the rising cost of fuel. He gave the example of America without knowing the ground realities of public transport in Pakistan. Will the adviser dare to travel on public transport from Rawalpindi to Islamabad with his family to set a personal example for the general public? [The News International]
THE SIXTH E
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) election manifesto promised the five Es—employment, education, energy, environment and equality. The Party somehow missed the sixth “E” ie “eyewash.” [Pakistan Observer]
UNSUITABLE APPOINTEE
[Q.A. Kalwar, Thatta]
The President has appointed Mr. Shoaib Suddle as the federal Tax Ombudsman. Mr. Suddle is a retired police officer who last served as chief of the Intelligence Bureau. The justification for the appointment given in the news was that he was being appointed to this quasi-judicial position because of his doctorate in criminology, expertise in countering white-collar crime. He has also presented research papers at international seminars on tax evasion and other economic crimes. That is a totally false premise for this key appointment. The office, whose conduct, according to the terms and conditions of FTO Ordinance, is subject to Supreme Judicial Council, cannot be filled up by an ex-officer in uniform.
Moreover it may also be appreciated that although the tax system falls within the ambit of economic crimes but to ensure that injustice done to any person through mal administration of the functionaries administering tax laws is properly redressed is a different aspect altogether. Having a PhD in criminology and reading papers on white-collar crimes do not commensurate for the experience of a judge of the Supreme Court. The appointment of an officer with police background, having scant knowledge of tax laws and tax administration and judicial background will not help solve the grievances of people. Rather it will shatter the confidence of business community in the already fragile justice in tax administration environment. [The Nation]
YET ANOTHER SAVIOUR
[Waseem Khan, Karachi]
This is in response to a recent news item in which Bilawal Zardari has given us (the poor people of this country) a false hope that he would 'serve' this land and fulfil all the promises made by his maternal grandfather and mother. It may be mere rhetoric in the eyes of many, but I am really worried about the future of our motherland, as his words have shown his intent of being the ruler of this country. It would be pertinent to mention that Bilawal Zardari was appointed as the future chairman of a 'political party' by his late mother. O democracy, what crimes are committed in thy name. [The News International]
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE?
[Salman A Khan, Multan]
Could someone tell the purpose of President Zardari foreign rendezvous heavily costing this poor nation? Further does constitution allow the president to make unilateral decisions without involving Parliament and the Cabinet? People think that President stretches far too beyond his constitutional limits by interfering in domestic and foreign issues. Opposition leaders have not spoken a word against the disastrous socio-economic, political, constitutional policies followed by PPP-AZ. Had Nawaz Sharif not taken the initiative of coming out of his Raiwind House on March 15, the judicial crisis could have lingered on for many more months. I think time has come for another long march for undoing 58-2B, 17th Amendment. I am certain it will further strengthen the nation resolve to fight militants in Swat, Waziristan and insurgency in Balochistan to save Pakistan. [Pakistan Observer]
$1.6 BILLION BENEFIT
[Rafi Nasim, Lahore]
In a legal suit that came for hearing before him, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ruled that "NRO is pending for hearing in the apex court and no one could get any benefit of the Ordinance". I would like to remind the respected CJP that a sum of US $1.6 billion was released to Zardari-BB and their associates from foreign banks under provisions of the NRO. [The Nation]
BB CRICKET TEAM
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
My question was, what will PPP think of next to increase its vote bank, after naming every building and road and 'bheek' programme after BB, also the blood donated to the IDPs, and opened wide the job market for the jiyalas in her name. Sure enough they have not been found wanting. Hold your breath - "It was BB's birthday on the same day which brought luck to the Pakistan team". For crying out aloud. So now we have a 'BB cricket team'. Every time the team plays it will add to the coffers of PPP votes. What will they think of next. Reminds me of when the Americans landed on the moon, some Mullahs had said: "This is God's gift to the Muslims". The Muslims having done nothing to deserve the gift. Others had said:, "Any Muslim believing this will have his 'nikah' annulled." [The Frontier Post ]
Issue of the month: Doing government PML (N) style
PML-N’S EYEWASH
[Ehtasham Anwar, London]
During the last few weeks a number of elected representatives belonging to the PML-N have been found allegedly involved in wrong acts. First, a minister misbehaved with customs officials at the Lahore airport and the whole episode was caught on CCTV. Later on, an FIR was registered in Lahore against a PML-N MPA from Sialkot (who also happens to be an adviser to the chief minister) on charges of raping a 35-years old woman who had come to seek his help. And then a PML-N MNA from Haripur was found allegedly involved in a multi-million rupee land scam according to a report submitted by an NWFP inspection team.
While the later two incidents have been conveniently ignored by the Sharifs, an inquiry was ordered in the incident that happened at the Lahore airport. Even though the inquiry committee found that the incident did happen and that the minister did indeed misbehave and misuse his authority, no action was taken against him except that a letter was sent to him advising him to remain careful in future. The PML-N should know that the Pakistani public has become politically very aware and cannot be taken for granted anymore. All these events have been registered in public mind and superficial inquiries are taken as a mere eyewash. Mian Shahbaz Sharif is often seeing going after government functionaries. He should know that one needs to put one’s own house in order before pointing fingers to others. [The News International]
MNAS AND MPAS ON THE RAMPAGE
[Shahzad Ali Khan, Karachi]
Nowdays Pakistan Muslim League (N) parliamentarians seem to be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. First it was the MNA who chose to take examinations through a proxy, then there was the case of Kulsoom whose in-laws and husband were incarcerated by a PML(N) MPA who used his political clout to subject Kulsoom’s in-laws to physical and mental agony. Then we all saw PML(N) minister for jails brow-beating and intimidating customs officials at the airport, because he felt getting luggage checked is for mere mortals and not for ministers. And finally recently I read in your esteemed newspaper that doctors in Sahiwal, accused of negligence in the death of a gang-rape victim, are being protected by another PML(N) parliamentarian.
These are just some of the examples which have been highlighted. Thanks to the media, there might be a hundred more of such incidents which don’t make headlines. I beg to ask the powers that be, is this why these politicians seek our precious vote so that they can bully the common man, and bend and break laws of the land at their free will? It is these people who scurry out of the country when taken to task and it is the poor, gullible masses who believe in empty rhetoric and bring them back to power so that they can misuse their authority. It’s a vicious circle, the leader of the PML(N), the self-proclaimed champion of free judiciary should take note of these incidents of high- handedness by his MNAs and MPAs and try to do justice within his party and strive to protect the common people from the wrath of his power-mad representatives. [Dawn]
SMS FOR IDPS
[Khalid Masoud Qasmi, Lahore]
Thousands of posters have been put up in Lahore citing 'an appeal from the chief minister to send an SMS for a ten-rupee donation' for the IDPs. Will the provincial government kindly explain how many SMSs are required to cover the cost of one poster and how much will be left over for the IDPs? [The News International]
NO RULES FOR LEGISLATORS
[S. Khalid Husain, Karachi]
This is apropos of your editorial, ‘No rules for legislators?’ (June 8). The committee of MNAs and bureaucrats set up to inquire into the conduct of the Punjab minister for prisons, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor of PML (N), at Lahore airport was, in the face of evidence available, unable to clear the minister. However, it watered down his fault by accusing the media of ‘overblowing the incident’ and other shallow excuses. Those who are witness to the unbecoming behaviour of the minister at the airport and those who watched the minister’s subsequent puerile performance before the media are wondering how much more disgusting a minister’s or any other VIPs action will have to be before the government, and its apologists, realised the actions are wholly indefensible.
If the disgust level of actions over the past one year of ministers, MNAs, MPAs and other assorted VIPs is analysed, they will be found to have steadily risen. It now appears that freedom to indulge in disgusting actions has been made one of more important ‘fringe benefits’ for the job of minister, adviser, senior bureaucrat and other VIPs, and a matter of ‘right’ for legislators. If this be the case, then ‘disgusting’ actions should be institutionalised and its practitioners accorded due recognition. Better to recognise the rot and, if it cannot be remedied, live with it with ‘dignity’. It is time a body is formed to monitor, record and analyse ‘disgusting’ actions of ministerial, other VIPs and legislators. A ‘disgusting’ action point system that would award ‘disgust’ points, based on the ‘disgust’ value of the action, should be set up.
This body will monitor disgusting actions of rulers and other VIPs, much as the human rights body monitors cases of human rights violations, and award ‘disgust’ value points to such actions. A list can be made of those counted in the rulers’ category earning the highest ‘disgust’ points in descending order. The winners will be the first three federal and provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs, bureaucrats, advisers and assorted VIPs with most ‘disgust’ points earned. The winning party will be the party which has largest number of individual ‘disgust’ point earners. An awards ceremony for winners in the individual category, and for first, and runner-up, in the party category, can be held along the film awards pattern. Sponsors can be approached to donate prizes for three individuals with highest ‘disgust’ points in each category at the federal and provincial level, and for the winning, and runner-up, party. [Dawn]
SECURITY FOR THE SHARIFS
[Anwar Pervaiz, New York]
On my last visit to Pakistan a few days ago, I was astonished to see the number of police personnel deployed at the three residences of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif (Defence, Model Town and Raiwind). No wonder taxpayers are left so unprotected and are vulnerable because so much of the police force is assigned the task of guarding the country's VIPs! [The News International]
NO RULES FOR LEGISLATORS
[Khalid H. Jatoi, Dubai]
I fully agree with your editorial, ‘No rules for legislators?’ (June 8), that allowing Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, provincial minister of Punjab, to walk away with this clear violation of the rules is not a good precedent to set. The minister has committed two crimes: one, by taking away, forcibly, the luggage of two ‘guests’ coming from Bangkok, misbehaving with the functionaries without allowing these to be scanned and, two, committed perjury by making a false statement before the chief minister that he was at the airport to receive the official delegation. Before the inquiry committee, formed under the instructions of the chief minister, he stated that violation of customs regulations was not intentional but he was ignorant of the rules. As regards the letter he wrote to the chief minister, he claimed that it was on account of a typographical error that facts were not correctly reported.
Surprisingly, the inquiry committee accepted such an immature and irresponsible explanation on both the scores and the offender was restored to high office of minister. Although in the first instance after the receipt of the report on the minister’s misconduct when the Punjab chief minister suspended him, a ray of hope appeared on the horizon that at least in this land of the pure law is not only for the weak and downtrodden and, henceforth, even big wigs can be caught and punished for their misdemeanor. However, restoration of the minister to his exalted office with a simple warning has soon dampened these hopes. Under these circumstance the fate of inquiries/cases pending against parliamentarians, facing charges of serious offences such as harassing women and gang-rape, cannot be dissimilar as the trite legal maxim of law that ‘ignorance of law of is no excuse’ has been given a new connotation in Pakistan. [Dawn]
PML-N'S EYEWASH
[Engr S T Hussain, Lahore]
The result of the inquiry against the Punjab minister for prisons is nothing but an eye-wash. This means that the Sharif brothers simply do not want to take action against the minister, because clearly he violated the law -- as the inquiry itself says -- and set a bad example for others. At the very least his refusal to get the bags checked by the customs staff should have been more thoroughly probed.
[The News International]
CHAOS IN LAHORE
[Khurram Shah, Lahore]
The Lahore city government has launched a massive project to overhaul infrastructure in the city, including roads and sewerage pipes. This has meant that roads have been dug up all over the city, causing massive disruptions in traffic day and night. Also, the dust and pollution that result from these activities, especially on a citywide scale, add to the misery of citizens. While it is accepted that the civic infrastructure of Lahore is in desperate need of overhaul — one need only step outside to have a look after it has rained for evidence — the city authorities should have planned these overhaul and repair activities carefully. Instead of going in blitz-style, they should have done this sector by sector so that the larger activities in the city are not disrupted. Also, along with all this development work, one cannot see any arrangements being made to counter the dust and pollution. Like other cities around the world, the Lahore government should ensure that after every road or pipe project is completed, trees are planted alongside to ensure that the soil holds and dust levels in the air are reduced.
There is also a case to be made for inter-department coordination. For example, while the transportation and water/sanitation authorities are engaged in the development work, they should coordinate closely with the Parks and Horticulture Authority, which can assist in improving the environment after the development work has been completed. Such collaboration can also reduce the risk of destroying old trees and other green cover. A city the size of Lahore deserves to have good management. Without such initiatives and planning, all development work will prove useless. [Daily Times]
TAXPAYERS' MONEY
[Habibur Rahman, Karachi]
This is with reference to an announcement made in national newspapers by the Bank of Punjab that the government of Punjab would inject Rs10 billion as part of an effort to boost the bank's financial situation. The bank's equity stood at over Rs15 billion on December 31, 2007, but by Dec 31, 2008, it had come down to approximately Rs4 billion. This is a matter of public record -- also, the loss was mainly due to the provision of Rs19 billion against non-performing loans and advances. The question is that why the government should now be injecting money into the bank -- which will obviously come from taxpayers' funds -- when its current financial situation is a result of its own past policies. Shouldn't taxpayers' money be put to better use? [The News International]
BETTER PURPOSES
[Naheed Khan, Lahore]
This is with reference to recent reports that a portions defunct secretariat of the Punjab government has been allotted to the ruling party, which has set up offices. Earlier, the government was considering converting the building into either an institute of higher learning for women or a think-tank. The government should have stuck with the earlier ideas as that would have been a much more useful function of this building. The politicians are more than capable of finding and funding their own office space; the taxpayers’ property should therefore be used for the taxpayers’ benefit.
[Daily Times]
FORGIVING A MINISTER
[Shakir Lakhani, Karachi]
According to a news item, PML-N MNA Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor was forgiven for misbehaving with customs officials because he was ignorant of the rules. So we shouldn't be surprised if someone suggests that all criminals should be let off if they plead ignorance of the rules. I can just imagine the courtroom scene. "Excuse me, my lord, where I come from, it is common for a man to kill anyone he doesn't like, so I thought the same custom was followed in Karachi". Or, "Your Honour, in Waziristan, we blow up CD shops and girls' schools, so we thought no one would object if we did the same thing in Lahore." [The News International]
DUSTY LAHORE!
[Laila Ahmed, Lahore]
The Lahore administration is aggressively digging up any road it can find these days. This development work is being undertaken ostensibly to improve the water, sewage and drainage systems to guard against the flooding that takes place regularly every year when the monsoons arrive. While that is a sensible project to undertake, the manner and timing of it is all wrong. This is being done across the city at the same time, which means that dust and pollution are on the rise, causing serious inconvenience to citizens and destroying the environment of the city. Also, traffic disruptions mean cars are idling in jams for a long time, which in turn adds to the heat generated by the traffic.
Such large-scale projects should be better planned, as they are after all being paid for by the taxpayers who in turn have to suffer from the poor planning of the authorities. Also, the government should ensure that all the trees and greenery that has been destroyed as a result of the ongoing projects should be replaced. Lahore was once a very green city; with overpopulation and rapid expansion, that has been lost to a great extent. But it is not lost permanently; re-plantation of trees can go a long way in reclaiming that heritage. Such plantation drives would reduce the stress on the environment and would also help capture a lot of air pollution, especially dust. [Daily Times]
PUNJAB -- RHETORIC AND REALITY
[Mohammad Zohair, Islamabad]
The rhetoric of good governance in Punjab is just that -- rhetoric. I believe the chief minister is sincere but good governance in Punjab is as rare a commodity as in other parts of Pakistan. A few days back, I happened to be at a government hospital in Rawalpindi. The hospital was completely evacuated at three in the afternoon because the chief minister was to pay a visit -- one can imagine the immense difficulties this caused to patients and their attending families. To make matters worse, the chief minister turned up around eight in the evening -- in his S class Mercedes surrounded by a barrage of Land Cruisers and Hiluxes and an army of ill-mannered and intimidating bodyguards. While I would not blame him for this 'superfluous security', I am just saying that if he wants to be a true servant he should start by dispensing with this pomp and show -- which is shared by all our 'leaders'.
The chief minister is said to like paying surprise visits. He pays surprise visits to hospitals, police stations and then he suspends all the staff and that's it, good governance, PML-N style. Good governance actually means that the system works and that the situation does not get so bad that the chief executive of the province is required to physically be present to check each and every misdoing. Despite having ministries, there are more than 65 task forces in the province. What for? And what about the young Khosa declaring the CM Secretariat as an IT university and auctioning off all luxury cars? Nothing has been done, so was that also eyewash? While the much-maligned Pervez Elahi has to his credit the establishment of Rescue 1122, the present government has been unable to launch any project of similar importance since it took over. The police are as corrupt as ever with the law and order situation going from bad to worse. Terrorist attacks in Lahore have become a daily routine but there are no heads rolling, no immediate steps being taken. Again the chief minister visits hospitals, enquires about the injured, distributes cheques in front of the cameras, makes a statement and leaves.
And in these times when Punjab is under attack from the most brutal and most well-trained terrorists, the person advising the chief minister on law and order matters is the senior Khosa. For heaven's sake, give us a break. May I ask what experience or qualification does he have to deal with such a high priority and sensitive matter? The mighty and powerful are doing whatever they like. If such matters make it to the media, the chief minister suspends the area SHO and forms an enquiry committee -- and the matter is then quietly pushed under the rug. I remember the valour, the energy and the spirit of Shahbaz Sharif when he was disqualified and he used to rally the people against the government and for the cause of the judiciary. If he can find the same energy now, I think good governance might become a reality. [The News International]
DIFFERENT LAW FOR MINISTERS
[Naeem Rashid, Doha]
This is regarding a recent incident at the Lahore airport involving Punjab minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor and customs staff and the subsequent inquiry by the Punjab government which was more of a slap on the wrist than anything. On June 10, the Punjab law minister came on Geo TV and said that the whole thing was a 'small matter' and that such things do not warrant a minister's resignation and that a warning was enough!
The law minister should know that standards of ethics and morality apply to all citizens equally and perhaps more so to holders of public office. If a minister is allowed to go scot-free and not prosecuted under the law -- despite having been found guilty of violating the law, as the inquiry did -- then why should ordinary citizens be expected to follow the law? All the past homilies of people like Ahsan Iqbal on the need for following the law and that it be applied to everyone in letter and spirit regardless of one's position or status now ring hollow. Paying merely lip-service to good governance and accountability is not going to win the PML-N any votes if it keeps letting people like Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor flout the law of the land. [The News International]
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ELITE
[Adnan Cyprian, Riyadh]
It is a humble request to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) that it should stop destroying Islamabad. The 7th Avenue destroyed the grounds and greenbelts that were used by the public. Large swathes of trees have been cut to make unused roads while the traffic problems still persist in the city. The CDA is quick to develop commercial areas and expensive infrastructure projects and almost completely ignores more pressing problems of clean drinking water, pollution, waste management and efficient mass transit schemes. This focus on development for the elite is clearly not sustainable. And therefore, the recent move to develop commercial plots in areas that are lying vacant is bound to increase the pressure on a city that is already under a lot of stress. [The News International]
MASS TRANSIT
[Kamran Ali, Karachi]
It is most infuriating for a common citizen that while the governments in major cities around Pakistan continue to expand roads and build infrastructure for those that can afford cars, there is little or no expenditure on improving the lives of pedestrians and commuters. No city has invested in a viable public transit system; footpaths are disappearing by the day and there is little or no reprimand for motorists, especially motorcyclists, who harm pedestrians by driving over walking spaces. Given the rate at which the number of cars is increasing in Pakistan, and given the time it takes for local governments to complete road expansion projects, the end result is nothing. By the time roads are expanded, there are even more cars and all the money and time spent is rendered useless. Investing the same money in public transit systems like subways and circular railroads is a far better idea. [Daily Times]
CONFUSED
[Fawad Aslam, Houston, US]
I consider myself to be amongst the fairly well-educated of this country, yet I find myself confused. My lessons in history have been contradictory. I have always been preached the grandeur of the great caliphs but have never been told of the caliphs that required prostration before them. I am informed of my Arab roots yet nothing is mentioned of my link with the subcontinent. I am taught of the majestic Ghaznavi, yet I am confused about the exact purpose of his campaigns. I am told that India attacked us in 1965 but nothing is mentioned about operation Gibraltar. I am instructed that the Bengalis were secessionists, yet I know nothing about what made them so. I grew up on the fable of strategic depth and now I see the intrinsic fabric of the state at stake. I was nurtured under the impression that we are a nation of limited means yet the opulence of our leaders shames me.
I had always lamented the falling rupee against the dollar but now that I earn in dollars, I do not care much. I have always advocated abiding by the rules yet, I obtained my driving license without a driving test. I have never crossed a red light, yet I have not objected when some of my friends have done it. I have always professed against nepotism, yet I have indulged in such small acts myself. Indeed love or war is the finest tests of one’s principles. I had been a big supporter of Musharraf and today I despise him. I had abhorred Nawaz Sharif then and now I expect positively from him. I am a trainee physician in the United States of America. It is my desire to come back to my country and serve or at least attempt to serve.I do not know but I will at least attempt, as some say to me, this suicide mission. Suicide missions seem to be in vogue anyways. I do still remember the national anthem by heart and will sing it loud and clear whenever the opportunity arises.
[The News International]
HONOUR IN FLOUTING THE LAW
[Syed T Hassan, Brooklyn, NY, US]
On a recent visit to Pakistan I was shocked to see large unregistered limousines on the road mostly escorted by security. During my stay in Lahore's DHA, I saw a black unregistered Honda Accord escorted with two mobile police squads coming out of a house located in Y Block. My friends living there say that these people consider it to be an honour if they can flout the law. In Karachi I saw SUVs with armed gunmen in unregistered vehicles and party flags going around without any hindrance or checking. [The News International]
ROAD RAGE
[Shaukat Cheema, Lahore]
Over the last ten years, motorcycles have proliferated on our roads. While they are affordable and thus accessible to a large section of our population, it is also important that those driving motorcycles respect traffic rules and maintain their vehicles. Most motorcycles on our roads do not have working brake lights and indicators; and those driving bikes with working lights never bother indicating a turn. Given the number of motorcycles on the road, such rash driving increases the risk of accidents. Traffic authorities must ensure that drivers of all vehicles, especially motorcycles, are educated in rules and disciplined for violations. [Daily Times]
MADAM NOOR JEHAN
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Khalid Hasan writing on the life and loves of Noor Jehan tells how the 1965 war songs came to be sung. Noor Jahan told him, “No one asked me to sing. I myself phoned Radio Pakistan one morning and said I wanted to come and sing. They did not believe it, just kept asking, is that Madam Noor Jehan? They thought it was some kind of a hoax. Finally, I said, you think I am joking with all these bombs falling, these shells exploding? When I arrived, they were happy and surprised. I set the lyrics to music myself. It took me minutes to compose the tune for Aai puttar. There were no musicians there and I had taken my own, Sabir on tabla, Nizam on sarangi and Mubarik on Santoor. The recording was done by Azam sahib and then there was, of course, Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabussum sahib who wrote the beautiful lyrics.”
She continued reminiscing, “I used to cook for my three girls at five in the morning and then be on my way. Hina the eldest at 10 would look after them. I used to load the musicians in my car and off we would go to the Mall where the recordings were done. I would not go home till I was sure everything had gone right. Once as my car moved into the studio, a shell fell killing the sentry who had just waved me in. It could have been me. When I sang Merya dhol sipahaya, it was not pre-recorded. I sang it straight into the microphone and it went live. It was a very poignant moment for me. Hassan Latif, who was like a brother to me said that I was like Umme Kulsum, I have never forgotten his words.” [The Post]
LOWER YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL
[Ibrar Khan, Islamabad]
I am quoting here a suggestion for conserving power. I live in an upper portion of a house in Islamabad. A week ago someone suggested that I put a thick coat of lime over the roof of the house. Prior to doing this I would run the air conditioner at 26 degrees during the night. In the day, the heat -- after around 11 am -- would become unbearable. Now after the lime coating, there has been a reduction in temperature of around 8-12 degrees inside my home. This means even during the day there is no need to run the AC. I have been told that the thicker the lime coat, the greater the reduction in temperature. This coating can be done by oneself -- using around six kilograms of lime stone and adding around 30 litres of water to it -- leaving it for two hours, then mixing it and making it into a thick solution. That solution is then applied to the roof of the house. During the monsoon, one can use plastic sheets to make sure that the water doesn't rinse away the coat.
[The News International]
DYING LITERATURE
[Faieza Iftikhar, Lahore]
Libraries are of paramount importance in any developed or developing country. Sadly, in Pakistan libraries have been profoundly neglected to such an extent that most of the public libraries are in ruins. It is lamentable considering the fact that most of the libraries in the country are a part of the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan as they were founded in the early 19th century. However, the utter lack of concern of the relevant authorities and the irresponsible behaviour of the citizens has played a part in bringing the libraries to their current situation. Most of the libraries are grossly under-stocked with a limited number of books and journals. Universities and colleges do not put emphasis on the importance of research work and as a result the students hardly ever go to a library to consult the relevant material. In any educational institution in Pakistan, the library is without a doubt the emptiest place with only a handful of students present. Easy access to internet has also reduced the importance of libraries since any information that the students need is just a click away.
The point that the students and the authorities need to understand is that the internet cannot replace the libraries. If that were the case there would not be any libraries in the developed countries. Yet, in the West libraries are still very important and are well maintained and well funded. In Pakistan, libraries are not properly administered and one often finds difficulty in locating books due to improper or erroneous cataloguing. Moreover, students who borrow books often neglect to return them, thus causing monetary and administrative damage to the libraries. Many times, the books that are returned are not in the same condition in which they were lent and often pages have been torn out. This kind of behaviour is very common in our society and has contributed in the decline of public libraries in Pakistan. [The Post]
Edited and prepared by
Khalil Ahmad
Email: khalilkf@yahoo.com khalil@asinstitute.org
[FreePakistan Newsletter, among other things, is a compilation of views and news taken from the national newspapers’ print and online editions. It is not possible to mention the source of every piece of news or view made use of herein; but as a matter of policy, where possible the source is mentioned with due thanks. However, no opinion expressed here should necessarily be taken as reflecting the view of Free Pakistan Newsletter.]
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