| June 19, 2007 | Tuesday | Jamadi-us-Sani 03, 1428 |
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Ostrich syndrome
Fate of privatisation
Post office’s performance
EOBI pension
Preventive measures against kidnapping
EU stand on Gilgit Baltistan
Foreign students
Richard Boucher’s visit
Law: the rich vs the poor
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
TEACHERS in Punjab protested the privatisation of more than 200 colleges and thousands of schools. The government responded by baton-charging them. The present government, like all its predecessors, boasts of giving priority to education but its expenditure on this sector is shamefully low.
While it had enhanced spending on higher education through the HEC, the elementary and secondary education, which is the backbone of the entire education edifice, remains grossly neglected. How can one expect the higher educational institutions to perform better while the basic education sectors is not given due importance?
The fact of the matter is that thousands of primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary schools remain closed or, if functional, remain overcrowded, lacking basic facilities or understaffed etc. The quality of these functional schools, save a few, is so abysmally low that when a student completes grade five, he/she is unable to read simple text even in his/her mother tongue and is unable to spell his/her name in English.
The same situation prevails at secondary and at college level of education; only a very small number of students perform better and they are usually the ones who attend tuition centres. The quality of education provided by the much-trumpeted and eulogised private schools is no better.
The outdated syllabi, unattractive textbooks, old ways of teaching by untrained teachers, anti-education environment outside school, no coordination or interaction between teachers and parents, callous approach and indifference of officials in the monitoring, evolution and management of instructions and a lack of the will on the part of the government are responsible for the demise of our education.
Our rulers only extend lip service to this benighted sector, setting the ambiguous target of achieving 100 per cent literacy in 1980 and 1987 for boys and girls, respectively, and the results of that are clear for all to see.
Meanwhile, our neighbours succeeded in increasing their literacy rates with meagre resources but we are still groping with 50 per cent and that too is being doubted by independent intuitions that say it is around 35 to 40 per cent.
After 9/11 the US and other European nation and international donors provided hefty amounts to revamp the education system and bring drastic reforms in revision of the curriculum.
But our traditional lethargy and corrupt officialdom were preoccupied with other important issues such as the war on terror, enlightened moderation and so forth. Thus slogans like ‘Education For All, Parha Likha Punjab have proved merely a joke.
We read in the press about the in -fighting among officials at district level for occupation of the posts of EDOEs and ADEOs. A decade ago, officials were reluctant to accept promotions or appointments at these posts because they thought this warranted great responsibility but now these positions can provide a profitable business. However, the voice of honest and dedicated teachers, officers, union leaders and even journalists who write on these issues have no weight in the echelons of powers because, as mentioned earlier, they are busy on other important issues.
GULSHER PANHWER
Dadu, Sindh
THE gap between demand and supply in power generation has increased beyond alarming proportions and is bound to increase in coming years. All the stakeholders are blaming each other for this fiasco but no one is prepared to share the responsibility for this situation. Karachi is worst-hit by loadshedding. We as a nation should blame ourselves for this situation: we are all responsible.
It is a cultural norm to start taking measures against any situation when the problem is standing right before us and we bury our heads in the sand like an ostrich. Our culture today is a need-based materialistic one. We simply do not care about the social, communal, ethnic, political or even the corporate ethics. The story of two Pakistani bankers involved in inside- trading is still fresh in our minds.
As a power generation sector professional, it is not difficult for me to foresee what lies ahead. By the time, all these much-publicised projects come into commercial operation, God knows where our power energy demand will stand. Today's hydel projects would be commercial available a decade after. By that time, how much of our existing installed generation would have completed their useful life?
It is a matter of concern that the so-called industrial big wigs have tried to cash on by proposing the medium-sized HFO- based power generation projects at much higher sale prices. That's an unfortunate situation. Today, the need of hour is to have as much reliable source of power as efficient. As time passes by, our choices are getting limited. I was hoping for a qualitative foreign investment that would bring the technology transfer as well in the power sector. But despite blowing the trumpets that Pakistan is achieving seven per cent annual growth rate, no one is interested in exploring our emerging market, barring a few investors.
It's quite disappointing. Apart from all these passive facts, there is some hopeful news about an energy project that is heading in the right direction, albeit, slowly yet steadily. That is IPI gas pipeline. Let's hope for the best in this regard.
KASHIF ALI
Lahore
THE people of Karachi are witness to the failure of the KESC's privatisation by Shaukat Aziz’s government. When a state starts selling its sources of energy, communication and aviation to foreigners, it becomes hostage not only to the controversial deal, but also compromises its sovereign hold on vital national assets.
Foreign investors who acquire assets at throwaway prices are not there for the long run, their sole objective is to make a fast buck. In the case of the KESC, foreign investors failed to make improvements in infrastructure and in maintain existing units. Power theft by domestic and commercial consumers in Karachi has also contributed to the problems of the KESC, which reflects on poor governance and failure of the state to hold criminals responsible.
Privatisation alone is not the solution, unless and until it is carried out in a transparent manner, with iron-clad guarantees provided by buyers to invest in improvement of infrastructure.
The recent failed privatisation of PIA's TGS is another sad reflection of a failed implementation of this policy. Since the takeover of TGS by Swiss Port, there have been a series of serious accidents involving their vehicles and expensive aircraft like Boeing 777, ATR, A310 and Boeing 747, causing losses of millions of dollars to the national airline, which is already going through a crisis. A brand new Boeing 777 and an ATR were badly damaged by Swiss Port ground support vehicles, driven by unskilled daily wages drivers working on 12-hour shifts.
The fate of flawed privatisation policy undertaken by the regime was doomed at the outset. Any policy when shrouded by controversy and not undertaken in a transparent manner will fail to achieve positive results.
As long as there is no rule of law in Pakistan and criminals not held accountable for selling family silver at throwaway prices, nothing will improve, nor can any progress be made.
M. H. SHAH
Karachi
THE Pakistan Post has been claiming, through advertisements in newspapers, that it has made great strides in the area of service for the customer. I fell for the same and decided to send my daughter, currently in France, a package on May 2.
The package was booked at the Ghalib Market branch, Gulberg, Lahore, vide receipt No.1098, registration No. RA0005222300Pk. I was told that it would take about 20 days for delivery.
On or about May 24, I inquired from the said post office and was given the following details: date of despatch: May 10; despatch No. 21; bag No. 1-F; serial No. 4/6; flight Nos. Pk203/LH627/ LH6218.
I was told to wait for another week. I did. The package had not been received by my daughter till June 5. On that date I emailed to the person in charge of Hotline Complaint cell, Pakistan Post Offices, Islamabad, and also faxed the details, requesting assistance in the matter. To date neither the hotline nor anyone else has bothered to respond.
I am most disappointed in the claims of the Pakistan Post about their service and customer care. The attitude remains unchanged whilst money has been wasted on brick and mortar which has given a grander look only to the post offices.
This is typical of most things coming out of the government and the public sector in Pakistan. Would the post office have the courtesy to at least respond? I reckon they should be sued for false claims.
MRS SHAILA ESHAI
Lahore
AS an EOBI pensioner, my claim (SA-4505, EOBI No 040-0F-040902) was entertained effective May 2004 onwards allowing pension at Rs1,740 per month. EOBI raised pension by Rs300 per month with effect from Jan 1, 2005 but this increase wasn’t extended to me. It further increased its pension by Rs300 per month effective July 1, 2006 but this enhancement was also not extended to me.
Now for the third time EOBI has raised pension by Rs200 per month in the recent budget but this benefit has also not been passed onto me. This step-by- step increase in the pension is courtesy of the government but for reasons best known to the institution I and similar other pensioners are being ignored. The increase in pensions was allowed as a way to compensate the increase in pay and allowances and associated perks in case of serving employee to cope with the increase in prices of essential commodities. The amount Rs1,740 is not big and the number of pensioners under this bracket is also very limited.
I, therefore, request the authorities, especially the prime minister and the economic and financial adviser, Dr Salman Shah, to intervene in the matter.
SAFDER A KHAN
Karachi
APROPOS of the letter, ‘Kidnapping and hostage survival’ (June 14), here are some measures that can save people from becoming a kidnap victim.
Kidnappings just do not occur suddenly and are always planned. The kidnappers observe their target and carry out a detailed survey of the area to select the suitable site and time for kidnapping.
During the survey they observe and note maximum details regarding the person whom they want to kidnap. For example, his or her daily routine, routes followed, social activities, personal habits, security arrangements and identities of family members etc.
A kidnapper’s actions are influenced by their ability to operate safely and confidently. They ultimately release the victim, or kill him or exert additional psychological pressure on the victim’s company or family as the effect of a kidnapping, especially on spouses and children, can be particularly traumatic, in the hope of coercing the payment of the demanded ransom or concession.
While targeting a victim, kidnappers and other criminals have been known to evaluate their chances of success based on the following vulnerabilities:
a. Apparent wealth: the potential gain from kidnapping and the apparent ability of the would-be victim or his company to pay ransom or an extortion demand.
b. Media value: individual or corporate name recognition, product or service identification and your standing in business, government, entertainment industry or social circle all add to your value as a potential target.
c. Family: spouses and children of the targeted victim are particularly valuable and prized targets.
d. Accessibility: the paradigm of the path of least resistance applies. A ‘hard’ or protected target is less likely to be a victim than a ‘soft’ or vulnerable target.
As a security professional I suggest the following points as a guide for reducing chances of becoming a victim of kidnapping:
a. Increase your awareness by learning more about the nature and scope of the threats that exist in the area. Read the accounts of criminal activity in newspapers and learn from the experience of others.
b. Lower your profile. It’s the perceived wealth, which makes you a target for one class of criminal, while your apparent vulnerability makes you a target for another.
c. Avoid a potentially dangerous situation by recognising it.
d. Respond properly if confronted. The appropriate response to a threat of kidnapping covers a broad spectrum from passive compliance to disabling the attacker and escaping.
e. Adopt and follow all principles of good security.
f. Keep yourself well informed about the day-to-day criminal activities in the country.
j. Exercise prudent judgment.
k. Those who frequently travel within the country or abroad should make a detailed personal vulnerability assessment.
l. Familiarise your family members with the personal vulnerability assessment made. But be careful not to scare them.
m. Talk candidly about safety concerns with your family especially as spouses and children, besides being targeted, can carelessly disclose information regarding your activities, which can lead to problems.
Professional kidnappers also apply the principle of risk reduction in the selection of target. Their objective, of course, is to reduce the risk of failure. Given a chance, they will focus their efforts on a target that offers the best chance of success, that is, a victim whose personal security habits are lax and whose patterns of activities are predictable.
By following the above suggestions, you will complicate kidnapper’s planning to such an extent and degree that they will most likely look elsewhere for a victim.
SQN LDR (r) S. AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
I READ the letter of Baroness Nicholson, Member of the EU Foreign Affairs Committee, responding to Pakistan Ambassador to EU Saeed Khalid‘s letter on the Northern Areas status, in an Indian newspaper, The Hindu.
It is quite strange that Nicholson has nudged the region of Gilgit Baltistan with Kashmir as the everlasting part of it, saying that Gilgit Baltistan had been the part of Kashmir historically under the Dogra Raj and were then taken on lease by the British in 1935 to defend Russia; therefore, according to him, the Maharaja was the authority to make decision in the times of partition.
I disagree with her on the following three points:
a. When you talk about history, then before the Maharaja the region of Gilgit Baltistan was politically in the form of small independent princely states.
b. The local people never accepted the Maharaja as their king. Therefore, they fought the independence war in1947, ’48.
c. And Baroness Nicholson forget the war which the local people fought against the Dogra Raj in 1947 and pushed their armies back from Baltistan and Ladakh to Kargil under the command of Col Hassan of Gilgit Scouts and got independence from the then state of Kashmir. Then how may you call this region as part of Kashmir after 1947?
SYED MUJAHID ALI SHAH
Munich, Germany
I AM in Melbourne, Australia, as an international student. The reason I am worried today is that some agents indulge in misleading the students. What these agents do is like any other business: they make money. Every university, college or school they send students to, they give the agents some commission.
They often give misleading statements such as "there is no problem in finding a job" or "it's a piece of cake to earn and pay for your living expenses" and the most common "this university is better than the one you’re talking about." All these things lead to major problems.
Because of all this, students then give priority to their jobs more than their university and they fail.
Whose fault is it? Do agents have a right to play with students’ lives? Students’ lives should be free from all such worries and devoted to education.
TAYAB CHINYOTY
Melbourne
THE main purpose of Richard Boucher’s and John Negraponte’s visit to Islamabad can prove to be a make or break situation for Gen Musharraf. After his visit to the region last year, President Bush and his team had decided to replace President Musharraf. As most of the liberal political leadership was — and still is — in exile, replacing Musharraf would have brought religious parties in power, which would not have served the American war on terror, so the idea was dropped.
In her last visit to Washington, Benazir Bhutto pledged to fully support the US in eradicating the so-called Islamists from Pakistan and also facilitate US forces in a possible war against Iran. The Bush administration wants to bring Ms Bhutto in as prime minister and keep Gen Musharraf as president without uniform. The lawyers’ movement is fully supported and financed by US authorities so as to make way for a patch-up between Bhutto and Musharraf. On the other hand, the Bush administration is also trying to bring Imran Khan into the limelight to decrease the role of any unified religious parties (MMA).
The best option for President Musharraf would be to organise complete free elections without taking any pressure from the US or anyone else and let people decide their future. If he organises elections with total honesty, a genuine leadership will emerge and probably give him the chance to show the nation what he is really capable of.
FAHAD ZAFAR
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
ACCORDING to Dawn, state minister for communications Shahid Jamil Qureshi is facing charges of illegally detaining a Canadian national of Pakistan origin, Kafila Siddiqui, who died under mysterious circumstances on the night of June 9. The minister has resigned from the cabinet — but he has not been arrested.
During a weekly briefing on law and order, interior ministry spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema is said to have stated that the police had taken 10 people into custody. Those include Mr Qureshi’s servants and official staff. He said: “We cannot arrest the minister till it is proved that it was not a natural death and the woman had been killed.”
Is that the law? It then should be applied without discrimination. Islamabad police should not have taken common people into custody.
LT-COL (r) S. AHMED
Mississauga, Canada
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