CONTENTS:
0 Why Liberty is Necessary for Morality
By Tibor R. Machan
0 Market Need is Met One Way or the Other
By Suhail Akhter
0 Letters from the Press
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WHY LIBERTY IS NECESSARY FOR MORALITY
By Tibor R. Machan
[Tibor Machan is R. C. Hoiles Professor of business ethics at Chapman University, Orange, CA. He is research fellow at the Hoover Institution and advises Freedom Communications, Inc., on libertarian issues.]
It is often taken to be a feature of a free society that it rests on the belief that no one can tell what is morally right or wrong. That is supposed to be why people are not imposed upon with strictures the government forces them to follow. If, however, we could determine what is right and wrong, then, the idea follows, government could just proceed to force everyone to behave right.
A sad result of so explaining the merits of a free society is that it begins to look like liberty is the enemy of morality. And it is just this way that a good many people have understood the Western tradition of liberalism. They have come to believe that if you accept the Western idea of a free society, you must not care about morality at all. Indeed, arguably a great many enemies of the West hold such a view. Love the West, reject morality; love morality, reject the West.
Yet this is completely wrong. In point of fact precisely the opposite is true. The reason the Western idea of a free society makes a great deal of sense is that unless people make their moral choices and act on them freely, there cannot be anything morally praiseworthy in what they do.
A person who does the right thing because it is commanded, forced upon him, isn't acting morally. Such a person is acting from fear, not the conviction that what he is doing is morally right. Indeed, it is only in substantially free societies that men and women can be morally good. If one is regimented to praise Allah or God or give to the poor or defend one's country, there is absolutely nothing praiseworthy about that. One is then being a mere puppet, certainly not a morally responsible human agent.
Of course, there have been some who have defended the individual's right to liberty on the ground that no one can tell what is right or wrong. Some very famous people have done this. Yet their defense of human liberty is a weak, ineffectual one. That's because if one cannot tell what is right or wrong, one cannot tell whether violating someone's right to liberty is right or wrong. So, a moral skeptic simply has no consistent reason to complain if the right to liberty is violated.
Those, however, who insist that they do know right from wrong have no justification for opposing the free society. For adult men and women to be morally praiseworthy - or, alternatively, blameworthy - for something they do, they have to do it freely, of their own initiative, not because they are coerced to do it.
No one is morally improved by being forced to be generous, just, kind, courageous, prudent, honest, charitable, moderate, humble or the like. The paternalistic motivations behind many governmental measures that ostensibly aim to make people good are hopelessly misguided.
I would even question the motivation of those who promote coercive governmental measures aimed to reduce vice and increase virtue – since coercion kills personal responsibility, and does this very obviously, it is more likely that advocates of coercively getting people to be good are power seekers, not promoters of morality at all. They merely use morality as an excuse to rule other people. In the name of such allegedly good intentions, they perpetrate the most dehumanizing deed toward people; namely, they promote robbing them of their liberty to choose.
Of course, the laws of a free society cannot guarantee that the citizenry will choose the right way to act. That is something in the hands of the citizens themselves and their fellow citizens, friends, community leaders, teachers, writers, and others who urge us all to do what's right, not officers of the law whose task is to keep the peace, not to make people good! But in a free society, where no one is authorized to dump the results of his or her misdeeds on others' lives, people are more encouraged to do the right thing than in societies where personal responsibility is missing because of the lack of individual liberty. So, critics of the free society who want more emphasis on morality than on liberty would do better if they first stood up to defend liberty. From that the prospects for genuine, freely chosen morality are far greater than they are wherever men and women aren't free.
[This essay appeared in the Royal Institute of Philosophy publication ‘Think’ (Spring 2005).]
MARKET NEED IS MET ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
By Suhail Akhter
Despite ban on import of used auto spare parts, the market need is met one way or the other.
Bilal Ganj scrapyard or used auto parts market in the city has been catering to the needs of motorists for decades. But the ban imposed by the government on import of used auto parts has given rise to smuggling and has forced many auto parts traders to switch over to other businesses.
The market, which once was the hub of auto parts business alone, now houses hundreds of shops of used refrigerator parts, power generation plants, domestic water pumps and motorcycle parts. There were times when the market hummed with business activities, especially during the Afghan war. During the war, traders earned millions of rupees but now they make little deals.
In 1999, the government banned the import of used parts to protect the local vendors. Since then, the ban has hit the market hard, forcing many traders to shut down their businesses altogether. Besides, the ban has led to smuggling of auto parts from Afghanistan, Dubai and Sharjah. The smugglers manage to supply two to five containers daily in the market, allegedly with the help of anti-smuggling agencies through Chaman in Balochistan and Torkhum in the NWFP.
"There is no shortage of imported auto parts in the market despite the ban as the demand is being met by smugglers. I hold the government responsible for this malpractice," says a trader on condition of anonymity. He says traders of Pakistani origin in Dubai and Sharjah import used parts from Japan, the main source of used parts. "Then they shift the containers to Jalalabad, Qandahar or Bandar Abbas and later on smuggle them to Pakistan through Peshawar." This causes substantial revenue loss to the government under the head of import duties.
Another setback to the exchequer is the illegal transfer of foreign exchange. M Shabbir, another trader who has inherited this business from his father, says when import of parts was allowed, traders dealt through banks and paid for all the services offered by the banks. The banks, in turn, made good profits from this business but now smugglers hold sway in this trade.
Mudassir, another trader, says traders had been paying five times more duty on import of used auto parts as compared to new parts. The reason being that the government imposed Rs.300,000 duty on import of container of new parts whereas on the container of used parts the importer had to pay Rs.1.5 million.
Apart from the decreasing trade volume, the slump has also affected the real estate value of shops. "We face a catch 22 situation. Neither can we continue our business nor wind it up as nobody is ready to buy our shops at even half their original price. I bought the shop where I am sitting for Rs.1.4 million but nobody is willing to buy it for even Rs.0.7 million," says Toor Khan, a trader.
The trade volume in the market reached its peak in 1985 when the government decided to regularize import of used auto parts in a bid to curb smuggling and stem huge revenue losses. The CBR started releasing confiscated containers of parts on payment of fines and penalties along with other duties and taxes.
In 1994, the government allowed import of 83 second-hand items or parts against 100 per cent redemption fines along with other taxes and duties.
In 1998, the government once again banned import of used auto parts but the authorities released some consignments after having a round of few talks with trade bodies.
Describing the scene, M Idrees of Idrees Brothers says there are about 10,000 registered traders in the market and about one million people are associated with this trade, directly or indirectly. They are loaders, labourers, motor mechanics and painters or they have rented out their shops, houses and godowns in the area to traders.
Bilal Ganj was established in 1967 when Lahore Improvement Trust (a body formed to improve vehicular traffic) decided to shift used parts traders of Misri Shah and Mochi Gate to new vicinity. After a long discussion with Lahore Development Authority and defunct Municipal Corporation Lahore, the Trust prepared map of Bilal Ganj market and traders were invited to build 2,000 shops on the proposed place in 1969.
Contesting the apprehension that import of used parts would affect the local auto parts vendor industry, Idrees says, "we deal in used quality parts which are not manufactured in the country at cheap rates. Spares of various old models are neither being produced by the local vendors nor imported by importers. In fact, we are providing them to those who need them badly. If the ban goes, the prices will automatically come down and cost less to the common people."
He says a brand new imported airbag costs Rs.35,000 whereas a slightly used airbag is available at Bilal Ganj for Rs.5000. Besides, engines, doors and suspensions of international quality are available to people at very low prices. Irdees says there is nothing wrong with the market as similar markets exist all over the world. Even in advanced countries, parallel markets cater to the needs of people with low incomes.
Data available with the Pakistan Association of Auto Parts Manufacturers shows that the local vendors are meeting only 6 to 7 per cent of the total demand of auto parts, while the rest of the demand is being met either by the importers of new auto parts or suppliers of used auto parts.
Though new cars of different models buzz around the city roads, about 30 per cent of rural transport is directly dependent on used auto parts as most of these vehicles are more than 15 to 20 years old. Their parts are not being manufactured locally and to keep them running import of old parts is necessary, traders contest.
Regarding the resale of stolen vehicles, Younus Yaqoob, another trader, says a businessman who has invested about Rs.5 million in the business cannot afford to lose his credibility and face punishment by entering into such ventures.
Some traders blame the government for ignoring merit in the allotment of shops back in 1969. They say some people managed to get shops allotted in their names and later on selling them or renting them out illegally to make money.
They also want the government to lift the ban on import of used cars and used auto parts to accommodate the middle class. This step would also dismantle the monopoly of some industrialists who are charging millions of rupees in the shape of premium or 'own' on the purchase of new cars, he adds.
[Courtesy The News]
Letters from the Press
DO THE OPPOSITE
[Kirk Muse, USA]
Reading the papers recently, it appears that Pakistan is about to follow the path of the United States in its battle against illegal drugs.
If I may offer some advice: Don’t do it. The US anti-narcotics policy has been an absolute, total disaster. The US has increased its anti-drugs budget by a whopping 29,500 percent in the past thirty-six years.
The net results: Illegal drugs are just as available in the US today as they were in 1969.
However, in the process, the United States has become the most incarcerated nation in the history of human civilization. Even though the US has less than five percent of the world’s population, we have more than twenty-five percent of the world’s prisoners. In other words, one out of every four prisoners in the world is locked in an American jail or prison.
Attempting to limit the supply of a desired product just makes that product more profitable. And no product can be eliminated or its exchange reduced, by making it more profitable. The immutable law of supply and demand cannot be nullified through legislation. My advice to Pakistan and the rest of the world is to carefully observe US anti-narcotics policies — then do the opposite.
Don’t follow us — we’re lost. [Daily Times]
SO, SHOULD I STILL INVEST IN PAKISTAN?
[Wahaij Ali Shah, Lahore]
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan. But the climate is not conducive to investment in this country, and one of the chief reasons is crime.
I am a Dutch citizen of Pakistani origin, and have come here to invest in my home country. I recently had my car stolen in Lahore while I was attending the wedding of a cousin. I immediately informed the police of the theft, but many days have passed and there is no trace of the stolen vehicle.
So I ask the prime minister what I should do: still invest in Pakistan? [The News]
ECONOMIC CHARGE-SHEET
[Hussain Siddiqui, Islamabad]
In defiance of all democratic traditions and precedents, Shaukat Aziz was chosen last year by the president to lead the nation to prosperity and progress. However, there are no visible signs of advancement in this direction. On the contrary, the economic situation is worsening day by day.
Inflation during the seven months of the current financial year (July 2004-January 2005) rose to 8.76 per cent, compared to 6.83 per cent registered last year. Total currency notes issued amounted to Rs737,597,824 million by the end of January 2005, compared to Rs631,243,381 million during the same period last year.
The domestic debt stood at Rs2,033 billion as on December 31, 2004, compared to Rs1,979 billion as on June 30, 2004, and until last month (January 2005) the government had borrowed Rs54 billion from the domestic banking system.
Likewise, foreign loans were over US$36.7 billion by end December 2004, as compared to US$33.0 billion for the same period in the preceding year, placing Pakistan as the 14th largest foreign loan borrower in Asia and the fifth largest in the Islamic world.
On top of it all, the trade deficit during July-December 2004 was the highest ever at US$2,409 million compared to US$244 million in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
As a multiplier effect of the above adverse situation, prices of commodities, utilities and basic necessities are soaring every day, making the life of the common man unbearable.
To rub salt on our wounds, the only pastime our so-called representatives have is how to increase their perks and privileges. Yet another 15 per cent hike in their perks and privileges shows crass insensitivity and indifference to the plight of the toiling masses. [Dawn]
NRB MESS
[Ilyas A. Khan, London, UK ]
A mess has been created by the National Reconstruction Bureau and its erstwhile chairman who resigned when he saw the opposition was mounting to his so-called devolution plan.
I hope the mess he has created in the shape of nazims and their cronies is cleared up soon. Power is still in the hands of a few bureaucrats, whether military or civil.
A lot of research has been done on countries where real devolution of resources and power has taken place but the name of Pakistan is found nowhere. Devolution in Pakistan is not recognized by social scientists of the world as it was brought about by a military leadership and resulted in a greater concentration of power in a few individuals. [Dawn]
PMDC'S ACCOUNTABILITY
[Dr. Asim Hussain President, Pakistan Association of Private Medical & Dental Institutions, Karachi ]
With reference to Prof Nirmal Das's letter "PMDC's accountability" (Feb 8), I would like to clarify that:
a. In the ordinance there is no distinction between private medical colleges and government medical colleges.
b. Irregularities exist in government medical colleges also, specially in basic sciences where the faculty is non-existent in certain subjects. A majority of the teachers in government medical colleges have taken long leave and work in private medical colleges.
c. The council does not inspect government medical colleges regularly. Certain government medical colleges have not been inspected in the last 20 years and those inspected have been grossly deficient in certain areas.
d. Government medical colleges have been over admitting students but the council has not taken any action against these colleges.
I would also like to point out that the council needs to be strengthened by private sector representation as per law. Dr Das should not be scared of private sector input. Overprotection and maladministration of government educational institutions has lead to deterioration in educational standards as witnessed in other fields also.
Medical education will meet the same fate as government schools. Thus, medical education is not safe in the hands of the present governmental council. The federal ministry of health is cognizant of the situation and has also asked the council to be more accommodative towards the private sector and advised it to constitute the council according to law.
The Vohra Medical College example does not justify across-the-board condemnation of the private sector. What this college did was because of the sheer apathy of the council and the university itself. So, they have to take the blame also.
This goes to prove my point that institutions need to be strengthened, made more representative, responsive, transparent and efficient so as to uplift medical education in both government and private sectors to an acceptable international level. Those who do not fulfil the prescribed criteria need to be closed down without discrimination in line with laid-down procedures. [Dawn]
PMDC'S ACCOUNTABILITY
[Nasir Sarfraz, Principal Staff Officer Ministry of Health Government of Pakistan, Islamabad ]
This refers to Prof (Dr) Nirmal Das's letter (Feb 8). The professor has taken the remarks made by the health secretary out of context. On that particular occasion the secretary had stated that "the yearly recognition of colleges should not be practised anymore by the council as it had no sense that the PMDC recognized medical students but did not recognize their educational institutions".
The ministry of health has been receiving complaints from private medical institutions about the alleged discrimination of the PMDC against private medical and dental institutions.
It is the responsibility of the ministry of health to ensure that standards of medical and dental education/training are maintained and that all institutions, whether in the public or private sector, are provided level playing field.
This is even more pertinent in the context of the government's policy to promote the private sector. The government's responsibility is to protect the interests of the public and to ensure that substandard institutions are not allowed to function but, at the same time, those institutions which meet the required criteria should be encouraged.
Furthermore, para 3 of the news item (Dawn, Jan 31), says that "colleges and universities failing to fulfil the criteria set by the PMDC should be recognized in private and public sectors both". However, the health secretary had stated that "colleges and universities failing to fulfil the criteria set by the PMDC should 'not' be recognized in private and public sectors both".
The ministry of health is at present working on draft amendments to the PMDC ordinance, which was promulgated in 1962 with some changes incorporated in 1973. The gap of 20 years has brought a lot of changes in the field of medical education and working of institutions.
It is, therefore, felt that the PMDC ordinance needs overhauling to address the new challenges of the 21st century. Stakeholders from both public and private sectors have been involved in this process and it will be ensured that standards of medical and dental education in Pakistan are not compromised. [Dawn]
PMDC AFFAIRS
[Dr. Ghulam Nabi, Hyderabad ]
This refers to Professor Nirmal Das's letter "PMDC's accountability" (Feb 8). The PMDC is a registered body and has no business accrediting institutions in the private or public sector.
Accreditation of institutions, teaching and training protocols should be the responsibility of an independent accreditation body. Likewise, the universities and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) should confine themselves to the certification process and should not be involved in accreditation.
To improve standards of teaching and training in the medical and dental professions, it is vital that each of the three processes associated with professional education, namely accreditation, certification and registration, are the responsibility of independent institutions.
Since accreditations through inspections is a lucrative business, the PMDC, CPSP and the universities are all accrediting private sector institutions enthusiastically and repeatedly to fill their coffers with money on the excuse of maintaining standards.
It is about time that the federal government implements a sensible policy about medical and dental education. Amending the PMDC Ordinance only is not going to solve the problems of falling standards in the medical education, the money-making practice of certifying and registering bodies and the consequent suffering of private sector medical and dental institutions in this country. [Dawn]
MINISTERS' PERKS AND PRIVILEGES
[Editorial The News][
Rather than give a ritual approval to the government's request for a Rs 35,000 per month raise in the house rent given to the federal ministers and the ministers of state, it has been learnt that President General Pervez Musharraf is reviewing the request on merit. This is being done in wake of the recent 15 percent raise in the salaries of the cabinet members including that of the prime minister. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the new proposal has requested that the house rent allowance be raised from Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000 in case of federal ministers and Rs 70,000 in case of ministers of state. It is hoped that the President will look into this with the stringency that the matter deserves.
While it is true that ministers have an important task of running the country and thus should be well rewarded and paid well, and are entitled to be treated with dignity, they in turn should also have something to show to justify the privileges and perks bestowed on them from public funds. It is high time that this privileged class, which is enjoying the high life on public money, is held accountable for all the money spent on them. A good way of making sure that the ministers really deserve these increases in their perks and privileges would be to link them with their performance. For this the performance of the ministers and their ministries should be periodically evaluated. Given the lack of checks and balances in our society, our ministers have awarded themselves a range of benefits that are reportedly much higher than those of their counterparts in other, far richer countries. The cost of this benevolence to the nation is staggering.
Overseas trips are among the most common and sought-after perks. A case in point is the recent umra trip of the bigwigs. On many of these taxpayer-funded trips, the privileged also indulge in leisure and sightseeing. The use of expensive official cars is another costly burden on the taxpayers. In fact, there is a long list of such privileges which need to reviewed and reassessed. In addition, another important factor would be to make public the details of all expenditures related to MPs' and ministers' perks. The government needs to go beyond lip service and show that public funds are sacred and should be spent with utmost care and consideration.
HIGHER PAY FOR LAWMAKERS
[Editorial Dawn]
Once again, the parliamentarians of this impoverished nation have received an increase in their salaries. A hefty 15 per cent rise for each of the MNAs, Senators and parliamentary secretaries means a yearly burden of Rs 12 million on the national exchequer.
The government justifies the decision on the ground that the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1974, requires that a pay rise for government employees must be followed by a similar increase in parliamentarians' wages.
While we hold no brief for Pakistan's bureaucracy with its colonial trappings and outlook, the bureaucrats at least do turn up in their offices dutifully each morning, though the quality of the work they do may be open to opinion.
In the case of the MNAs and Senators, the postponement of sessions because of lack of quorum every now and then speaks volumes about their sense of duty as lawmakers.
Sent to parliament as their representatives by the people of the country, they are supposed to do more than make speeches. Speech making is an essential part of the legislative process, but these speeches must reflect good knowledge and understanding of the subject under discussion.
A "graduate" parliament this may be, but one doubts if our MNAs and Senators bother to read or do any homework before they start 'enlightening' the house. That is one reason why parliamentary committees have failed to make themselves felt in our lawmaking process.
Inflation is pinching us all. But any monetary compensation on that score must also be justifiable in terms of performance. From this point of view, the lawmakers would be hard put to justify the extra 15 per cent they will get.
Perhaps they could atone for their lackadaisical approach to duty by being punctual, contributing generously to the president's tsunami fund, and being regular in attending parliamentary and Senate sessions.
WHO CARES?
[Afzal Rahim, Islamabad]
In three days I came across three inter-related news-items related to the perks and privileges of our honourable ministers.
One day the headline stated that ministers’ salaries were to be increased to rupees 125, 000. The next day they read, “A proposal [is] under consideration to increase the rent paid to the MNA’s and Ministers.” And the day after that came the news that bulletproof cars were being purchased for them. Interestingly, on the same page a headline read, “External debt and liabilities... increased to $36.7 billion by end of December 2004.”
How shocking is it that on one hand the debt bomb is ticking, and on the other the people at the helm of affairs are busy enjoying their perks and privileges?
With this colossal amount being spent on bulletproof cars and other fringe benefits for our ministers, hundreds of schools, healthcare centres, shelters and food could have been provided for the forty percent of our population who live below the poverty line. But alas, who cares! [Daily Times]
STILL MORE MERCEDES CARS!
[Sam Dezi, Lahore]
Thirty bullet-proof Mercedes cars were in the pipeline when it was announced 10 more are coming soon. It is surprising that these politicians, bureaucrats and ministers are so shameless.
Compare this extravagance with the modest facilities provided to the parliamentarians of our neighbouring China and India. These countries really practice simplicity. [The News]
PERKS FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS
[Muhammad Azhar Khwaja, Lahore]
The government is very considerate towards our elected representatives in the assemblies. They are the only ones being affected by the high inflation rate and the spiralling prices.
Our prime minister, who claims to be a financial wizard and is hell-bent upon alleviating poverty in the country has embarked upon removing the problems of the parliamentarians in the first phase, by ordering a 15 percent retroactive increase in their salaries with effect from July 1.
This means, they would get six months' arrears, along with the increased salary for the month of February. Only last year the salaries, perks and privileges of Senate and National Assembly members were enhanced. The perks include TA/DAs.
The public would like to know the total amount a parliamentarian makes in an average month and during assembly sessions.
The common man would also like to know about the monthly expenditure on the 72-strong army of federal and state ministers on their salary and security required during their travel to and from Islamabad every day by air or by road.
The prime minister and the financial managers should have mercy on the common man and the taxpayers, who are being squeezed in this era of high inflation so that the parliamentarians receive large salaries and perks.
The expenses at government level must be cut down and the cabinet members reduced to half. The parliamentarians do not need any increase in their salaries as they are already rich industrialists, landlords and businessmen. They had enough money to contest elections. [The News]
POPULATION HOUSE
[Naeem Sadiq, Karachi]
The ministry of population is going to build a “population house” in Islamabad. It would be built to international standards, and contain a media centre, training centre, library, conference rooms, an auditorium and dozens of well-equipped and well-furnished offices. It will truly be a 21st century building.
One wonders if our ministry, with its 12th century mind-set, would perform any better in the new 21st century building? Instead of making fancy cement and brick structures that would only benefit the contractors and contract makers, the ministry ought to focus on what it has not done for the past fifty years. They do have a plan for building a fancy “population house.” But do they also have a plan to actually bring down the crazy population growth rate? [Daily Times]
SUPPORTING CINEMA
[Kokab Khwaja, Rawalpindi]
I own a television set, a DVD player and a cable connection. Depending on the availability of time, I watch at an average of eight Indian movies a week. If the cable operator isn’t showing the latest Bollywood offering, I can very conveniently get the film from the movie shop next to my house. There is no restriction on the sale/ purchase of these movies. All over the country, our bara markets are overflowing with these movies. Yet we cannot see these films in cinema halls. Can someone please enlighten me with the logic behind this?
Granted this decision might have been taken to protect the local film industry, but can we look at the result? The industry is in a slump and we don’t even have new films to show in “leftover cinemas” (most of them having already been demolished). I think that Indian as well as Hollywood movies should be allowed in our cinemas. Also, cinemas should be renovated, and house the latest screening equipment for a proper entertainment experience. Loans should be easily available for these projects, and new cinemas encouraged.
By doing this we will revive the old institution of entertainment and enjoyment, which till the 1970s, was part of our culture. This will provide recreation to people of all ages, and some respite from their hectic daily schedules. Also, the cinema industry will get a new lease of life, and millions of people will get jobs.
Lastly, in order to compete with others, our own film industry should be given maximum facilities, like the ones they have in India, including a more-lenient censor board. I hope someone is listening. [Daily Times]
AKU EXAMINATION BOARD
[Tahir Javed, Karachi ]
As an educationist and professional teacher, I feel disturbed by the campaign against the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKUEB) by certain groups and individuals.
The campaign is grossly misinformed, misdirected and damaging to the cause of improving the quality of education in the country. Misinformation comes from the false premise that the AKUEB is authorized to assume the overall responsibility for conducting examinations at the SSC and HSC levels throughout the country.
The fact is that the AKUEB has been set up as a parallel examination board just like many other similsr boards in Pakistan, along with O and A levels. As such, affiliation with the AKUEB is wholly the choice of a school. In fact, there are quite a few schools which offer both matriculation and O level streams as options.
The second false premise of the campaign against the AKUEB is that it is aimed at secularization of the curriculum. The fact is that the examination syllabi of the AKUEB (drafts of which have been widely distributed among interested schools and educationists) are entirely based on the existing curricula developed by the government's Bureau of Curriculum. These curricula are used by all the authorized examining boards and textbook publishers in the country.
Teachers, school heads and educationists who have attended the various meetings organized by the AKUEB, and in some cases contributed to the development of the syllabi, clearly understand that the setting up of the AKUEB offers a hope for some much-needed reform in the educational sector in Pakistan.
Given the present pathetic state of our exams at the SSC and HSC levels, the products of which are found unfit for consumption, not only by private institutions but by the government's own engineering and medical colleges, one fails to understand the rationale behind the opposition to the AKUEB.
If those leading the campaign against the AKUEB are sincere about the cause of quality education in Pakistan, they should choose one of the following options:
a. try to get their facts straight (in which case they may ironically find themselves actively supporting AKUEB);
b. set up their own examination board based on their ideals and values;
c. develop productive mechanisms for bringing reform in the existing examination system.
The interesting part is that actually all three options can beadopted together, as they are not mutually exclusive. [Dawn]
DAM DISASTER
[Nazeer Abro, Hyderabad]
The Shadi Kaur Dam disaster in Balochistan is a man-made crisis and needs a thorough probe. This dam was built just two years back. It was supposed to withstand pressure of water since that is the primary purpose of building such a reservoir.
The government department responsible for appointing the contractor, supervising the work done and its final approval should be held accountable. There seems to be a deliberate attempt to club this tragic accident with the avalanches and flood caused by heavy rains and snow in northern areas.
All people share the concern of their Baloch brothers. The citizens of this country are angered by the delay of justice in the shameful Sui rape case. It is a blot on the name of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Our national pride, our dignity and our honour are at stake. We need to show our solidarity with our Baloch brethren.
The thousands of people affected by this engineering mistake at Shadi Kaur demand justice from the government of Pakistan. An independent technical investigation of this dam needs to be carried out. [Dawn]
POLICE SERVICE, NOT POLICE STATE
[Mushtaq Ahmad Khalid, Gujranwala]
The police is the most formidable pillar of the state. But that means that it fight crime and defend law-and-order, not that it gradually turn Pakistan into a police state, as it has done, with the active patronage of politicians.
If this department discharges its official obligations within the framework of its fundamental duties, guiding rules and regulations and criminal law, society would become crime-free. But this it has failed to do and seems to have no intention of doing. Perhaps the crime rate would go down if this department were dissolved. [The News]
17 YEARS IN JAIL FOR NO CRIME
[Mohammad Rafi, Karachi ]
A young man was released from Karachi jail where he had passed 17 years. He was acquitted by a court as no charge could be proved against him. Probably an investigation has been ordered in the matter, but that is about all.
No protest or any demand for compensation for the victim or punishment to the agencies responsible has been made from any quarters. In the first place the person himself should have pressed for action against the Sindh home department, from whom he should have demanded financial compensation by filing a suit.
Obviously, he was not in a position to do so, else he would earlier have got himself acquitted by engaging a competent lawyer. Then, Sindh legislators ought to have taken up this matter. Human rights people should have become a party but none came forward.
It is now the duty of the Karachi Bar Association to file a case against the provincial home department both for negligence and for compensation to the victim. [Dawn]
17 YEARS IN JAIL
[Muhammad Riaz, Thana, Malakand Agency]
This has reference to Mr Muhammad Arif's letter "17 years in jail for no crime" (Feb 16). This is not the only case of its kind. There are so many others. Human rights organizations and other bodies turn a blind eye to such incidents.
All successive governments of our country have made tall promises that they are there to provide speedy justice to everyone, but the actual position is evident from the letter referred to above.
Everyone in Pakistan, in fact, lives for himself and his own children. Nobody cares for others. An innocent person has spent 17 years of his precious life in jail. These 17 years will not come back. However, some financial assistance may make his remaining life a little comfortable. [Dawn]
