Please keep your contributions short, giving your name and address, 
which is necessary for your contribution to be posted to the Net Editor

  vf@jang.com.pk

Making Muslim states a bond of power 

The world after the 9/11 incident has completely changed. US government in retaliation first attacked Afghanistan in the name of "war against terror" and then Iraq for punishing Saddam Hussein for concealing the weapons of mass destruction. This has finally resulted in fall of Taliban government in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iraq by the US government. 

In both the US-led wars, the US government despite huge support from its allies, was unable to arrest Osama Bin Ladin from Afghanistan. Nor the US government was able in producing the weapons of mass destruction from Iraq after toppling Saddam Hussein's government. The US and its allies are having full control over Iraq, but till to date, the US government could not produce a single weapon of mass destruction from Iraq to prove its vindicate its war on Iraq.

The 10th summit of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ended with affirmation by Muslim States to combat terrorism root and branch. The Muslim States pledged too to contribute to multilateral efforts to counter this scourge, making a point to include "state terrorism" which is going on for the last more than five decades in occupied Kashmir by the Indian government and in Palestine by the Israeli government respectively.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has also warned the participants of the OIC summit of rising hostility between Islam and the West. Muslims in the Western countries after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are treated as "global terrorists", as Muslims residing in the western countries are believed by the Non-Islamic States as followers of Osama Bin Ladin. The question arises that what are the reasons which led to the incidents of 9/11 in USA. The facts are that Muslims themselves remains the worst sufferers in the Indian held Kashmir and in Palestine. 

Powerful countries like USA, Great Britain and other western countries did not pay any heed to the sufferings and miseries of the Muslims and remained silent for more than fifty years on the most critical issues relating to humiliation, oppression and human rights violations of the Muslims through state terrorism in India and Israel.  

The most powerful leaders of the world have failed to correct the wrongdoings of the Indian and Israeli government in which Muslims in the occupied Kashmir and in the State of Palestine have been brutally killed, women have been raped and children have been ruthlessly killed without any of their fault. Had these issues been given any priority in resolving the issues of Muslims by the world leaders seated at the helm of affairs in dictating the Muslim States what to do and what not to do, the incident of 9/11 would have not happened at all. 

Muslim States will be facing a vacuum after the retirement of Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammad, who is one of the most strongest Prime Minister in the world in raising his voice against the humiliation and oppression of Muslims all over world. This vacuum after the retirement of Mahatir Mohammad need to be filled on top priority basis from among one of the Muslim States leaders, so that Muslim States should be able to face the challenges of the fast changing global political scenario, due to negative publicity made by the electronic and print media of western countries.

It is high time that all Muslim states resolved their differences and must unite under one umbrella, keeping thier conflicts and issues aside as the world has already been divided between the Islamic and Non-Islamic States after the 9/11 incident. The Muslim States should take immediate steps by organizing a conference that be held in Pakistan to discuss the first five following points in a bid to unite all the Muslim nations face the rising challenges and threats to the Muslim world.

1. There should be only one currency which should be used among the Muslim States.

2. There should be an "Islamic State Bank" for the Muslim countries.

3. All Muslim states should be declared as "Free Trade Zones".

4. Muslim states must acquire the technology in order to enhance their ability to compete with the west.

5. All chambers of commerce of Muslim States should be governed by the "Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry".

Muslim States must get rid of the loans given by the IMF and the World Bank and should pay back the donors at the earliest. If the Muslim States need a loan then they should seek from a Muslim state and not the IMF and the World Bank.

This is the only way which will take out all Muslim states from the cobweb pf economic crisis and will bring them under one umbrella for an unprecedented unification of Muslim Ummah under one banner of Islam. It will help the Muslim countries to protect themselves from the Jewish lobby.

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Prince Abdullah’s Speech

The televised speech Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia made on a TV was more like a Friday sermon. In no way did it befit the representative of a state. He talked about Islam, quoting many divine injunctions and we that being Muslims should act accordingly. One of his statements ran as that Allah has warned the Muslims that there are men amongst us who ruffle the peace on earth and we should be beware of them. To this, one might reply that Kashmir and Palestine are forcefully occupied and pillaged by non-Muslims, and not by men amongst us. His words would appear appropriate when one is lecturing on Islam, but not as one who is here to comment on international affairs. In short, he discussed no graves matters facing the Muslim nation, nothing whatsoever of any importance. 

Religion is being exploited to keep the masses at bay, to keep them miles off the real thing. In the first place, the masses don’t realize that the maneuvering tool of religion is used to subdue them. And, even if they do, any objection on their part would be considered as blasphemy.

Ayesha Gul Haroon
Lahore

Failed Bush Iraq policy hurts Americans

It has now been six months when President Bush attacked and occupied Iraq besides the fact that the entire world opposed, including the United Nations and its Inspectors.

Attacking Iraq was President Bush's personal mental derailment influenced by his father, Bush Sr, who was also elected as president of the United States. 

After 9/11, president Bush found an opportunity to meet his father's unfulfilled passion of crushing an important country of Muslim Ummah, which could be a danger to Jews and an strong support to Muslim world in future. 

Some leaders are very smart who avail the opportunity of filling the vacuum of the time, like Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who rose with the slogans of Roti, Kapra aur Makan under 'Islamic Socialism'. But the problem is, no matter how much the leaders are smarter and more intelligent, they cannot dodge mother nature. 

After six months of war in Iraq, the real data of the outcome of U.S. occupation of Iraq is very disturbing for the United States government and its people too as given below. 

1. About 650 U.S. soldiers have been killed. 
2. The civilian causalities of Iraqi innocent people amounts in thousands. 
3. Loss of properties, country's utilities structure and long-term human damages, like education, loss of employment and businesses are irreparable. 
4. The suicidal attacks are taking place average one every week, killing innumerable number of people and loss of properties. 
5. The so-called American-backed administration in Iraq has not produced yet the expected results for the Americans of controlling the situation and bringing a level of achievement in the country. 
6. Here at home, Bush is under fire by Democrats as well as his own party members and the people of the United States that what he told them while going to war in Iraq to beat Saddam Hussain was a blunt lie. What now the the American people feel is that they have been badly cheated by Bush on the pretext of war on terror and WMDs, anthrax and Saddam Hussain supporting Al-Qaida. 

7. The American legislatures are quite reluctant to give Bush green signal over his proposed US$ 87 billion for re-building Iraq. 

8. President Bush is running for the second term of his presidency next year, but his popularity, as many online poles show, is sliding down because of his failed Iraq policy. 

All above stated plain facts could flare up and work as log on the fire if the speed of arriving increments of dead bodies of U.S. soldier from Iraq to the U.S. airports. Americans are least concerned of anything in the world, but when they come to losing their one life, they feel like end of the world. 

Shafiq Khan
Canada 
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com  

Combating the menace of "local terrorism"

Perpetrators from time to time are carrying out terrorist activities in different parts of the country and this time they targeted Karachi by killing six innocent people who were going in a bus hired by Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to offer Friday prayers in an Imambargah within the jurisdiction of  Mauripur police station in Karachi and then in Islamabad killing a key member of the National Assembly Mr. Azam Tariq and his security guards on the same day when the American guests were in the federal capital on state visit.

It seems that law enforcing agencies have failed to eradicate terrorism from the country as terrorists are seldom caught and that too after the occurrence of the incident when the innocent people are already killed. Three month back terrorist killed 44 worshippers in Quetta who were offering prayers on Friday in a Shia mosque. Prior to that, 13 trainees of police department also got killed in a different terrorist attack in the same city. In the month of February 2003, terrorist killed nine people outside an Imambargah in Malir area in Karachi. 

Killing of innocent people has become a continues process for the terrorists in the country. In order to curb the menace of terrorism, it is high time that the government set its priorities. On this score, the first priority of our government should be to fight a war against the "local terrorism". The amount of compensation which government offers to the families of affected people is a mere amount of one hundred thousand rupees, which according to the prevailing exchange rate comes to US$ 1730/-. 

It is beyond the imagination of a common man that how an affected family can survive on this meager amount, after the death of their sole bread earner? Moreover, the government does not offer employment to deceased family members. It is the prime duty of the government to provide maximum possible protection to the lives and property of its citizens, but it is unfortunate that in our case and after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, our government is engaged with full energy in fighting the "international war" to keep Uncle Sam happy..

Moreover, our leaders talk a lot for making water reservoirs for the citizens of Sindh in order to save them from the possible acute water shortage, which is expected after 50 years, but our government does not give priority to eradicating the menace of terrorism, which is a real problem and threat of today for every citizen. Let us first of all put our own house in order and then fight the war against terrorism for others. 

I would request the President of Pakistan to set the government's priorities and the first and the foremost priority of our government should be to protect the lives and properties of our own citizens, rather than fighting a war against "international terrorism". People are facing a continuous internal threat of terrorism which should now be knocked down with an iron hand.

All cases of terrorism from now onwards should be investigated by the Jawans of armed forces and after arrest of the terrorists they should be prosecuted in the special courts for speedy trails in a bid to provide justice to the terrorism vicitms' family members at the earliest.

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net  

True cricket acumen of players

It was disappointing to see the un-sportsmanly behaviour by the South African cricket team during the first few one-day international matches against Pakistan. The self-proclaimed 'nice guys of international cricket should
realize that ones are “pressure matches” which shows real competencies of the players.

Haris Aziz
LAHORE
haris@lums.edu.pk 

Honesty must prevail

This is with reference to a letter “Honesty: Pass on” by Shfiq Khan.

Yes indeed honesty must spread everywhere and in all fields. It is a task of survival of humanity and justice. Lets begin now and put hands together for this noble cause. 

Baber Waseem 
baber_w@yahoo.com 

Good and bad in every society and culture 

This refers to a letter “Honesty: Pass on” written by Shafiq Khan. 

There is good and bad in every society and culture. There are just few of things that boggle my mind about western culture.  

Maybe not the case in every family but I'm sure you'll agree that it is the case in most families and that when their children reach the age of 18 they completely let go of them.

Teen pregnancy rate is the highest in North America. There is a lack of respect for the elders. People respect intellects more than those who are aged. There is no perfect world or perfect thinking. 

What we need desperately are principles to live by. 

Amir Mughal 
Montreal/Canada 
amir@b2b2c.ca 

World doubts India being democracy

Yashwant Sinha said in his a political statement that Kashmir is an "inalienable part of India" and "nobody, absolutely nobody, can take an inch of that territory away from us. I think that explains pretty much India's position. 

World has to realize that India is not the world's biggest democracy. Instead, it is rather the World's biggest hypocrisy.

Given the situation, why should we put ourselves down and implore them every time for peace talks. 

Amir Mughal 
Montreal/Canada
amir@b2b2c.ca

HONESTY: Pass It On

We commonly talk about development and prosperity of the west, their principles and their system. In fact, we are ever impressed by the western people and their life style and emulative of them in every field. But we always seem ingoring a reality that the western people too were  born on the same planet as we did, so what reticence makes them unique and different from us? 

The answer is very simple. The west might have many evils in their society, but when they come to their national issues and human values, they are very patriotic, nationalists and die hard citizens. Besides all of their Satanic (what we think) characters and behaviors, they definitely have certain principles and limits in their daily life as oppose to we Muslims of the world, who are bed of the sea.

America today is the richest and the most powerful country of the world, because its society is educated in real sense and every American participates honestly in the affairs of the country as oppose to us where we draw lines that this is not my responsibility and that is your job or who cares! 

The western society is superior and sophisticated not because they have angels ruling their countries and looking after their systems, but because, they are blooming and thriving nations. They do not allow their leaders to play foul at the cost of their tax dollars and national interests and at the integrity of their country. 

Likewise, if 150 million people of Pakistan draw a line today that they would wake up every morning to ensure the values of honesty and justice are in practice our daily lives; we all would perform our duties without any prejudice and discrimination and would go to bed every night to wake up next morning with the same thought, I am sure, we could be a better nation and role model humans like Americans. 

Those of my countrymen who had a chance to visit western country or even those who watch cable TV channels must have  observed that in their daily life the people of those developed countries are unconditionally devoted and un-resisted patriotis and nationalists? Their newspapers, TV, Radio, publicity media and advertisements, offices, streets are reflective of unbeatable love for the country. Every segment of their daily life demonstrates their national attitude. One can see slogans and emblems of America, Canada, England, France everywhere. Nationalism and patriotism are parts of their lives. After 9/11, you might have seen on TV their popular slogans where it shows a crowd of people saying, "I am an American".

While as, we feel ashamed talking of 'made in Pakistan' ; 'I am a Pakistani' or speaking our 'national language'. 

Our society is just phony and snobbish. 

I don't know exactly if government of Pakistan has a ministry of heritage or national affairs, but I would suggest the president of Pakistan to pay special attention to this most neglected area of our country. Unfortunately, in 56 years we could not yet build a strong base of this nation and were so busy in loot and plunder that we totally forgot that if we owed something to our motherland. 

To put a taller building, we need to install a solid and strong foundation. The foundation of a building is always hidden, but actually it is the foundation which holds the paramount structure. You cannot plant a strong tree to grow in a jar (it is what  we have been doing for ages)! 

Let us start from our own homes today instead of looking to the government to lead us, because I and you are the government and you and me make 150 million people of Pakistan. Let us promise ourselves that from today we will start doing at least one good thing every day as a mission. 

And our today's deed (not slogan) would be: "HONESTY: Pass It On"

Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com

   Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan: An academy of true politics

Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan struggled throughout his political career for restoration of democracy, which is spread more than a period of fifty years, but it is really unfortunate that he did not wait any longer to play his role in the crucial moments of Pakistan’s politics, where there is a continuous deadlock for the last ten months between the President of Pakistan and the leaders of opposition parties.

The deceased President of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) did not contest in the last general elections held in the country due to amendment made in the law for contesting the elections by National Reconstruction Bureau and a new rule was made that any body who does not hold a bachelor’s degree cannot contest the elections.

Though Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan was not a graduate, but he himself was a complete political academy and had giided uncounted politicians in the country, who got benefited through his wisdom in the difficult times, which normally come in dealing with practical politics.

His services towards restoration of democracy in the country will always be remembered and politicians will always miss him in the meetings. May Allah Al-Mighty rest his soul in peace. 

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Democratic people can make the country democrat

Its not alone Pakistan but majority of the world countries in Asia, Africa, the Arab World, Central & South America have lost the flavour of a genuine democracy. Except a very few countries of the world, specially in the west, the real meaning of democracy has become a mockery and an elephant tusk to camouflage the mal-doings in the state affairs by the corrupt leaders. 

In 56 years' history of Pakistan, this country has seen several Popes, like, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Shareef and many others who came to power after a popular vote in the name of democracy but turned to be a bad name on the face of sham democratic system. It has hardly been a year to our general elections and the same political party leaders have started beating their arm-pits for a new election. The uncertainty and confusion is being created by the religious parties and publicly rejected rather blood-sucking leaders. 

Honestly speaking, ours is a weird country! We have no character, no principle, no conscience, no fear of God and no moral values in real practice. Whether we are a parent(s), a land lord, an industrialist, an officer, a school teacher, a leader or an elected representative, we all talk of democracy in our daily lives, but starting from our own home to the presidential chair, we try to be dominant and commandant in nature like a dictator. We talk of equality and justice, but we never bother to know how our poverty-stricken neighbour makes his living. We talk of Islamic law and Sunnah, but we are busy day and night increasing our bank balances and properties from thousands to millions and from millions to billions of rupees no matter how and from where it all comes - either through right or wrong means. I invite 150 million people of Pakistan to explore your conscience that how democratic each of us in our personal life is?

Today, America is fighting the worst battle of its 400 years existence in the name of much trumpted war on terrorism and for that it has put everything at stake. As a matter of fact, it is trampling the whole world like an unleashed wild elephant. Whatever is coming on its way is being crushed and destroyed in the name of campaign against Al-Qaida and terrorism. The 9/11 disaster has not only put America into the present position, but it has also been repeatedly proven that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are the largest producers of terrorists of the world.

The Afghani terrorists also go to Pakistan's account, because of the Talibans , who were trained and settled in Afghanistan under the assumed support of Pakistan during the pre and post Soviet Union occupation of Afghanistan. In addition, Pakistan has a kind of free border with Afghanistan and Pathans (Afghan nationals) from both sides could easily move between the two bordering countries because of their identical living. 

Pakistan today is the most I repeat the most 'focused' country of the world because of two things:
a. Pakistan has a nuclear capability.
b. Under no circumstance America wants to allow the extremists in Pakistan to reach the nuclear capability of Pakistan.

Under the present political situation, the United States would never ever allow to see a democratically elected government in Pakistan, specially when Islamic fundamentalists and extremists would be a part of it. 
Democratically elected government means, either the supporters of Al-Qaida would share the power or even if they sit on the opposition benches in assemblies then one way or the other those religious party leaders could have access to the very sensitive and highly classified technology of Pakistan and no one has a guarantee that the technology would be any in safe hands. Today, we are the best ally of the Americans; tomorrow we could be the worst target of it.

America would continue to love General Musharaf or Pakistan till both serve its very purpose. The moment America realizes the gravity of the situation, America would not resist for a SECOND to do more than what it did to Afghanistan and Iraq. The political and religious parties might miss this point or they pretend not to understand the situation, because they want musical chair anyway. But this fact is as plain as nose on the face. 
If America engages to kick off General Pervez from where he presently stands, the lie will remain the same. So what's the core point? Given the current political scenario in the country, there is absolutely no possibility for dissolution of national Assembly, any new election or overthrowing of General Musharaf. Yes, one possibility is always there. If the Opposition creates a big mess, general Musharaf could bring a 'total rule' (martial law) followed by a selection of a working machinery to run the affairs of the state as the former military dictators had been doing in Pakistan.

Those who are unhappy because of the president Musharaf in his office, LFO and uniform, etcetera, then they shouldn't expect anything new and better if he would exit or changes the style of his government. 
If we want democracy, justice and equality, every individual in Pakistan, right from layman to the president has to change himself. Merely changing governments would mean covering poop every time under a scented piece of cloth.

Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com 

Philosophy of constructing dams

Building of dams on the continuous slopes of rivers from north to south in Pakistan should be one of the top most priorities of any government in Pakistan. However, there should be many small dams scattered in all the provinces at different locations from northern areas upto the seashore in the southern end of country. There is a natural slope and small dams can be built in all parts of the country and no province should have any objection to it because every one will have its share on its own soil.

Although there are some most suitable locations like the Kala Bagh where the river flows between the steep slopes surrounded by natural high mountains with large capacity to build water reservoir for irrigation purposes and get cheap hydro electricity.

The people working against building of dams are speaking as agents on behalf of multinational companies who have put up thermal power stations in various parts of the country and generating electricity by using imported oil. Thermal electricity is not only generated at exorbitant cost but also polluting the atmosphere due to burning imported oil. Recurring cost of the imported oil is also draining the country’s foreign exchange resources.

All such plants are banned in North America because of harmful effects on the atmosphere. Here the emphasis is on hydroelectric power or on nuclear energy.

I saw in Malaysia that they use even collect normal rainwater from the mountains and run small generating stations just sufficient to provide electricity to one nearby village. They put three to four small generating stations on the same mountains on the way of the water flow.

The power station built on the Nandi pur canal near Gujranwala has been generating electricity for the past 40 years or so just on the flows of canal water. Its all local technology and the cost is very nominal. It was shut down after 32 years for clean up for a short time. There is negligible maintenance cost. When we can run generating stations on the slow moving water of the canal, why we cannot build on the rivers after building reservoirs and generate electricity.

Tariq Ehsanullah
Toronto Canada

Pakistan's recognition as frontline state in US-led war on terrorism

Pakistan under the leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf has not flinched for a second to prove himself and the government of Pakistan to make realize Americans that we are the frontline ally in US-led war on global terror since 9/11 carnage. 

But besides this fact, there has not been a day without any statement by an American official alleging Pakistan of supporting Al-Qaida and Taliban. This is conversely against our whole-heartedly support in the war of terrorism. 

If Mutehda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) or mullahs come to power in Pakistan, how would they coax Americans that they have 'no connections with Al-Qaida and Taliban when they are even unsatisfied by president Musharraf and his government? In addition, do we have enough resources and are we fully capable to live without American support and its sanctions if it comes on us? 

Let me tell you as to I am not talking about American enmity, this is second part of the picture!!! 

Shafiq Khan
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com  

Grim prospects of signing Pakistan-US Extradition Pact

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi has signed an extradition pact on July 21, 2003 with US Assistant Secretary of State Christina B. Rocca for surrender and transfer of each other's nationals and military personnel, for any purpose, without recourse to any court of law. 

Extradition refers to the formal process by which an individual is required to be delivered from one country to another, on the request of the requesting country where he is located, in order to face the prosecution, or if he is already convicted, to serve a sentence. The participants in extradition are therefore between the two countries and the individual who is subject to the proceedings. 

For example, if United States is seeking to bring an individual from Pakistan to US for prosecution of an offense that occurred in US, then the US is considered the "requesting country" and Pakistan the "requested country". On the other hand, if Pakistan is seeking to bring an individual from US to Pakistan for prosecution of an offense that occurred in Pakistan, then Pakistan is considered the "requesting country" and US the "requested country".

Extradition is usually carried out in pursuant to a treaty between the two countries by a bilateral treaty or between multiple countries through the multilateral convention. The United States currently has extradition treaties in force with over 100 countries. 

Extradition of a person to the requesting country is subject to the local laws, procedures and policies of the requested country. But in the case of extradition pact signed between Pakistan and US, the two governments will be out of the purview of Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and binds each other not to surrender or otherwise each other's nationals to the ICC, or any other tribunal not established by the UN Security Council. 

Under this agreement, persons who could be extradited without any recourse to the local courts of law will include the current or former government officials, employees and contractors, military personnel or civilian nationals, who are required by the US government for interrogation.

The federal cabinet was informed that the decision of the Pakistan's government to sign the "extradition pact" with the government of US is of a political nature and is a matter of Pakistan government's strategic concerns and reliance on the US and that it was advantageous for our government to conclude the agreement rather than to face "potential adverse effects" of the US government by not doing so. 

The agreement will be put for ratification during Prime Minister Jamali's visit to the US, though before signing the extradition pact it was supposed to be referred to the parliament for a comprehensive debate and consensus was required to be obtained, when the parliament is called "supreme" and do exist in the country. 

Signing of the extradition pact with the US government will create a negative impact on Pakistani nationals, who will feel more insecure than ever before, in their own mother-land as previously many Pakistanis have been extradited to the US and are languishing in different US jails for want of pending trails. 

Our government wants to give a boost to its economy and if a Pakistani national will not feel secure in his own country, he will not invest. So when there will be no local investment, how can we expect that foreign investment will come in Pakistan? Signing of extradition pact with the US government will create an over all negative impact on Pakistan's economy.

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net 

Need to revamp mobile phone services

I saw this news item on a online news website "Nigerians also held a one day boycott of their mobile phones on 19 September in protest at the high cost of calls". Users of mobile phones in Pakistan are facing the same problem, especially one of the pre-paid mobile phone services is fleecing the general public where pre-paid mobile phone cards worth Rs 300 just melt away in the cover of 'roaming charges' on incoming calls. Rates of mobile calls have also been increased without justified reasons. 

Will the concerned authorities please take notice of the situation? Otherwise suit like that of Nigerians may be followed here in Pakistan.

Iftikhar Siddiqi 
Lahore 
iftikharsiddiqi@hotmail.com  

Unification of Pakistan Muslim League 

Pir Sain Pagara in a press conference when asked by a journalist about the objective of the merger of various Pakistan Muslim League factions at this point of time has said that reorganization of the party had always been the first step and indication of fresh general elections.

Muthida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) is giving such a tough time to General Pervez Musharraf on the issues of uniform and the LFO that it has now become imperative for the present government to unite Pakistan Muslim League under one umbrella, so that if the fresh polls are held, PML should be able to get a two-third majority in the parliament.

Members of political parties sitting on the opposition benches may also make a similar alliance to contest fresh general elections against the united PML. What will happen if similar results are produced even after holding the fresh general elections in the country?

There is also a possibility that by the time when tickets will be awarded to candidates, the remaining unsuccessful members of united PML may quit from their parent party and join the combined opposition party in order to obtain party tickets.

I am of the view that fresh polls in the country will not bring any fruitful results in the future. The government should negotiate the deal with MMA in such a way key sa'np bih mer jai aur lathi bih na tootay.

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Irrational bank service changes on account holders

Foreign and local banks have published notices in local newspapers for the attention of their customers, telling them they would deduct from their accounts a certain amount as "service charge" if the minimum balance in the accounts falls below a specified level.

The customers are required to maintain a minimum balance of Rs.5000 per month to Rs.50,000 per month, failing which the bank will deduct Rs.50 per month to Rs.300 per month that vary from an individual policy of one bank to that of another bank.

This has created numerous problems for people whose salaries are under Rs.10,000 per month and their employers directly deposit the amount of monthly salary in the bank accounts of their employees. 

The other category of the people who are directly affected are the people who want to save small amount of money every month in their saving accounts, but they cannot maintain a minimum balance of Rs.5000 per month out of their total savings.

The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed the banks to levy service charges on PLS accounts on the plea of the banks that if they did not levy service charge on non-remunerative accounts they would incur losses. 

Banks have never made it public the amount of profit, which they have already earned from the balance amount of thousands of account holders that are never finally closed due to switching over of accounts from one bank to another bank and remain non-operative for uncounted years by the account holders.

In view of the hardships faced by the bank account holders, the Governor of State Bank should look into the matter personally and abolish the policy of deduction of monthly service charges by the banks.

To make a "friendly policy" for the account holders that should not affect the common citizen of Pakistan, Dr.Ishrat Hussain should take concrete steps for protecting the interest of small account holders of the banks, otherwise thousands of people who are maintaining small saving accounts will have no option other than closing down their accounts from the banks. 

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Cheating in Karachi Stock Exchange

In last couple of weeks, I have read at least 3 statements from some politicians asking Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and president general Pervez Musharaf to kindly spare some time out of their busy schedules and pay attention towards the "Satta Baazi" of the big investors and profiteers of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE). 

I am not a big time financial expert, but have a good knowledge of Pakistani stock markets and the markets of the United States and Canada. I can fully endorse the statements of those politicians and can tell you that they are turning their bank balances millions every day. The stock markets in both continents might be different in both nature and functioning, but the basic rules of the stock business are universal. Everywhere in the world, a company stock appreciates its price and decreases on the basis of its balance sheet, the profitability, payment of dividends and the liquidation of the company position. It further depends on the management expenditures of the company and credit rating etcetera. But here in the KSE there is absolutely no principle to apply the basic rule of business. A few days back, I went through a statement in the papers by the chairman of the Karachi Stock Exchange, who said, "Our business is fair and solid and he tried to take the earth on the sky in appreciation of Karachi stock exchange." 

There is no such a way in the world the way Karachi Stock Exchange conducts business and operates. What the investors and profiteers do, for a few days of the week, they drag down the share price to a certain lower level and buy the stocks and than bring it up for next one or two days so that they can sell the low-price bought stocks on higher prices. In the entire Satta Baazi and hide and seek game, only small investors lose their hard-earned investments or the investments from their savings. This is now routine in the KSE and the circle goes on and on. 

Whatever gambling they are doing, they call it 'adjustments' and 'corrections'. But this is not adjustment but a broad day light gambling. It's a clear-cut fraud and piracy on the pockets of the poor investors. Just take the example of September 16 'crash' where the market shredded about 200 points. This is besides the fact that the KSE has been losing 20-30 points everyday for last several days and whatever positive few points was being recorded, those were totally manipulation, so there was no reason of losing 203 points in one day that occurred on Sept 16, 2003. 

Let me give just one example for the knowledge of our general public that NORTEL is world's second largest Canada based company and 3 years back, its share was trading inthe Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges as US$120.00 per share. The company was employing ninety thousand employees. Because of management cost and less demand of the product in the market, the company declared a net loss of over US$ 6 billion dollars 3 years back. They fired in stages about sixty thousand employees and the company's share dropped from US$120.00 to US$ 2.50 per share. The Nortel share is now struggling in both markets of North America between 3-4 dollars per share since last 3 years. Because the share cannot go up any further unless the company turns into profit, declares dividends, reduces its debts and improves its credit rating. 

On the other hand here on the Karachi Stock market, just 10-20 % of the shares trade and appreciate because of their financial strength, otherwise, you will see everyday some unknown and unfamiliar stock is taking a happy riding on the graph which in fact was dead and buried several years before. But the investors and profiteers infuse new life in those dead stocks to make their profit as it is more easy to make money out of those dead and small amount shares.

I would suggest the governor of State Bank of Pakistan and minister of finance and others concerned to form a high level committee to probe into the 'gambling' of Karachi stock market and punish severely those pirates who manipulate the market everyday and make millions over night at the risk of poor investors.

Shafiq Khan
Canada
Shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com 

Transferring authority to the Iraqis 

President George W. Bush should have had the courage to step down instead of going on national television and pleading for help from the very world community that was sneered at by his administration prior to invading Iraq and messing it up. 

He now says, "We went into Iraq, to save the Iraqis from oppression and mismanagement." Give us a break, Mr President. Let the United Nations manage the whole mess. Much hyped 15-minute speech to make up for 15 months of misleading the American people and 15 weeks of mismanaging Iraq. It is impossible to review the debates of the past year and not conclude that the US has made serious and repeated over exaggerated miscalculations. 

The errors of the Bush administration must be corrected first, not funded. No weapons of mass destruction have turned up in Iraq, nor has any solid evidence for them turned up in Washington or London. Instead, thanks to the US foresight and performance, country-region Iraq has become the central theatre in the 'war on terrorism' by default.

Now, what happens to the so-called liberated Iraqis? The Bush administration and the American corporate media should take responsibility for the baseless 'propaganda' that led to an unnecessary war and the deaths of thousands of Iraqis and countless wounded. 

The UN Security Council before falling into the trap being laid down by the US, and getting sucked into hostilities not of their own making, should insist that Americans accept defeat and get out of Iraq first. That is, if a smooth transfer of authority to the Iraqis is to be made at all possible in order to ensure as to such blunders don't repeat.

Saqlain Abbas Shah
Lahore-Pakistan
Saqlain007pk@hotmail.com 

Sharons's visit to India

While the debate is in full swing among the masses in Pakistan whether to recognize Israel or not, the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to India at this juncture has completely painted a negative picture in the minds of some progressive Pakistanis, who are of the opinion that Israel can play a vital role for settling its issues with Palestine Authority. 

The visit of Ariel Sharon to India in a bid to cement defence and trade ties is just a lack of vision on the part of Israeli Government, as this will not only accelerate the arms race in the region, but will also jeopardise the peace process between Pakistan and India.

Ariel Sharon should understand that unless Tel Aviv stops its atrocities against the Palestine Muslims, Israel will not be able to gain sympathies of the major Muslim political parties of India, who have staged a countrywide protests and termed Ariel Sharon's visit as "betrayal of the Palestine cause" by New Delhi.

Close ties between Indian Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has not only brought forth doubts in the Muslim community residing in India, but in near future will also harm India's trade relations with Arab countries and export of Indian manpower to all over Middle East.

Although US President George W. Bush has always reaffirmed his government's commitment and support to Pakistan by terming Pakistan as Washington's first ally in the war against terrorism that today stands out to be wholly "lip service".. On the other hand, US government is more inclined to strengthen Indian defence against Pakistan and stand behind Indian and Israeli government.

The green-light signal and blanket permission given by the US government to Israeli government for sale of highly coveted Phalcon airborne radar system, unmanned aerial vehicles, arrow anti-missile technology, ship- based surface to air missile Barak to India show apparently as to where the US-Pakistan relations goes.

Something like confidence-building is seriously need in the region and real peace between Pakistan and India can only be achieved if US government will play its unprejudiced role by asking Tel Aviv to refrain from selling arms and ammunition to India, as this is a direct threat to Pakistan's national security. 

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Cigarettes ads on Pakistan Television

It is regrettable that Pakistan Television Corporation is continuing with advertisements like those of K-2 and Red & White Cigarettes, although it is an established medical opinion that cigarette smoking causes lungs and throat cancer. The state-run electronic media is just interested in minting money without caring for nation's health. 

Mohammad Shamsuddin
Karachi
shamspk2@yahoo.com 

 Desalination plant for Karachi city

One of my readers of my write-ups ironically asked me that why a large number of my writings often carry complaints over complaints about the Pakistani society, its rulers, political and religious leaders, bureaucracy and journalists? I requested him, if he could come up with one inscription, just one emblem from any of above mentioned segments who has religiously served this country in the last 56 years? 

In fact, whatever a little glimpse of pomp and show we see of development and happiness in Pakistan is because of the continuous borrowing of cash and kinds by our successive governments from the international agencies and donor countries. 

A couple of weeks back, I read a letter in an English daily wherein the write expressed his deep regrets over a fact that Pakistan even does not produce any stitching needle and imports it from abroad. 

How a country like Pakistan with no clean drinking water for its citizens, poor health services and a low standard of education can fulfill the dream of Qaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal of a unique nation on the globe? I believe a country prospers and makes progress with the support of its people and unfortunately and it cannot happen without an educated and healthy society. 

I do not want to open a can of worm of arguments here between the people of one province and the other, but this is a fact that all governments after Qaid-e-Azam and Liaquat Ali Khan not only ignored Karachi, but deliberately played a part of a step-parent (s) with this largest city of Pakistan. Instead of considering the sea port of Karachi as a blessing of God to this country, the ocean was always referred by the biased leaders in a negative sense by various leaders as to be the dumping ocean for the people of Karachi. 

The other three provinces of Pakistan have a plus point over the province of Sindh as they have some heart-beat rivers flowing within them and they do have underground sweet water too. The underground sweet water not only solves their drinking water needs for the people of these provinces, but it is also the main source of their respective irrigation system, especially for our big brother, the province of Punjab. Now some of my Punjabi brothers would immediately jump up with a response that what they could do if God has given the gift of sweet underground water and rivers to Punjab and salinity to Sindh, its not their fault? But just hold on, I am not yet finished.

My answer to them is very simple. Has not God given Karachi and the province of Sindh the capacity to generate 75% of Pakistan's total revenues and the only sea port, which could further generate billions of rupees in trade from other 3 provinces of Pakistan? If the province of Sindh is allowed to utilize its own resources and revenues freely, the province and the city of Karachi could turn to be an other Singapore, no matter the province has salinity and shortage sweet of water!

Today, I want to stick to a topic which is not only pulse for the 15 million people of Karachi, but would also resolve the water problems forever. This facility could further be extended to other cities like, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah and other parts of Sindh, even to the remotest desert area of Thar. 

We have often heard about a "desalination water plant" for the city of Karachi in the past purifying seawater for drinking and other daily uses as in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and several other countries of the world, but unfortunately it never materialized because of biased and united leadership. 

Saudi Arabia is world's largest producer of desalinated water. The 30 desalination plants of Saudi Arabia provide potable water to major urban and industrial centres through a network of water pipes running for more than 2,300 miles. Desalination meets 70% of the Kingdom's present drinking water requirement. Several new desalination plants are also under construction. 

Desalination plants also generate electricity. The Kingdom currently generates 3,600MW of electric power by these means, a figure that will rise to 5,000MW when the new desalination and power plants are on stream.

I know, the desalination plant would cost billions of rupees, but believe me that cost of billions of rupees is millions of times better than going the same money to a few pockets of our corrupt leaders and bureaucracy, because that would benefit 15 millions people of Karachi and would help build a better, healthy and prosperous nation. 

Every metropolitan city has several problems, but water and transportation are the main stream problems of a city, which directly hit the inhabitants of the city as these relate to the living of the people and their reaching to their employment and businesses everyday. 

Just a couple of weeks back, President Musharaf succeeded in pooling a substantial amount of money from the private sector in Karachi for the development of the city. I urge the president and the leaders of the political parties to seriously consider to materialise a proposal of launching a desalination water plant for the city of Karachi immediately. For this the costing funds could be raised by the help of the government and the private sector and if needed, foreign consortium could also be invited to participate in this unique project. 

We have been listening about various Dams (first of all those are in limbo), but none of them could complete in less than 10 to 13 years. Whereas, the desalination water plant could be completed in a short time for the immediate drinking needs of the people of Karachi. Wouldn't any body in Pakistan think that the city, which generates 75% of the revenues for the whole country, at least deserves to have purified water for its people? This is outrageous and incredible. 

Shafiq Khan
Canada
Shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com 

Curbing child labour

I fully endorse the views of the speakers that the country needs special legislation to curb the ever-increasing domestic child labour. The children of today are the hope of the future of the country and no one can ignore the responsibility for providing a better future to the children. 

Poverty among the families is a major main cause of child labour in Pakistan. Children are forced to work as domestic labourers, auto/motor mechanics, industrial labourers and beggars as the parents of these children are unable to meet the end needs of their families. 

There are no regulations and laws enforced by the federal or provincial labour departments in the country and as such children are forced to work, out of which 90 percent girls are working as domestic child labourers. 

According to an estimate, among the 30 million children between the aging between 5 to 15 years, 23 million children are available to work as child labour. Officially there are 3.3 million children working as child labourers, but if one reviews the unofficial figures, there are about eight million children available to work as child labourers in the country.

The allocation of Rs.100 million by the government for rehabilitating the bonded labour are not quite enough to eradicate the child labour, as the growing unemployment in the country is forcing the children to take-up odd jobs to earn the bread and butter for their families.

The government should take concrete steps to curb the child labour from the country by making legislation and completely ban the domestic or industrial employment of the children in the country. A child should not be allowed to work in the country unless he or she does hold a computerized identity card. Moreover, legal action should be taken against those people who employ the children whether as domestic servants or industrial workers.

One of the major steps toward eradicating the child labour from the country would be creating opportunities for the parents of these unfortunate children who are suppose to go to schools instead of to "work" as child labourers. 

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi-Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Fantastic debut against Bangladesh

Yasir Hameed showed great determination and a good defense to make a fantastic debut against Bangladesh for which he needs to be congratulated. 

However, in the post-match conference Rashid Latif made an intriguing statement concerning Yasir saying that 'a new star has been born'. After that match, the young batsman was unable to play any innings of worth during the Pak-Bangladesh series. Our cricket management needs to refrain from this star treatment and continue urging the young players to work hard like true professionals. 

Haris Aziz
Lahore-54792
haris@lums.edu.pk 

Setting the cricket affairs right

There has been some talks in the papers about a possible conflict of interest issue with the Chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Chief Selector-- Rameez Raja and Aamir Sohail respectively-- taking on the job of commentators for the Pakistan-Bangladesh series. 

In the second Innings of the third Test, Captain Rashid Latif dived to catch a nick off Kapali's bat. He caught the ball, tumbled twice (the second time for television viewers?). Getting back on his feet, he saw that the ball was on the grass. He gingerly picked it up and flung it as if it didn't affect the decision. While telvision replays clearly showed that the balled came out of his gloves somewhere between the first and second tumble, one can perhaps forgive him the indiscretion of play-acting. Cricket is, after all, just not cricket anymore. 

What is impossible to comprehend, let alone forgive, is the sheer ignorance shown by Rameez Raja and Aamir Sohail, both insisting that the catch was completed since the 'action was completed'-- despite the repeated showing of slow-motion action replays from several different angles, and sound and reasonable opposition from Sanjay Manjrekar, the other commentator. It was only on Manjrekar's insistence that Rameez finally conceded that the case was "interesting." Perhaps he and Aamir Sohail were not witness to the crucial catch that Herschelle Gibbs dropped in the '99 World Cup that Steve Waugh prophetically termed the catch that "lost you the World Cup". 

During a recent series, (I forget who the opponents were), Rameez, then commentating for Star Sports, insisted that a certain 'LBW' appeal could not possibly be satisfied since "the ball was clearly outside the line of the stumps when contact was made [with the pads]". It was shocking to see that he was not aware of the rule (that was introduced after his retirement from cricket) that a batsman can be given 'LBW' in such circumstances if he is not offering a stroke. 

With experts like these at the helm of our cricketing management, there can only be dark days ahead. 

Patrick Gomes, 
Karachi

Promoting Homoeopathy in Pakistan

Homoeopathy, invented by Dr.Samuel Hahnemann, a German Allopath, is really a system which treats the ailing people on its basic ultimate cardinal principals. 

In Pakistan, Homoeopathy is growing day by day due to its effectiveness with no side effect. It specially suits to poor people, who cannot afford very expensive allopathic treatment for common and chronic ailments. This treatment is really a body-friendly. Undoubtedly, it is admirable and wonderful.

It is also a fact that homoeopathy cannot develop/promote in Pakistan on a reasonable speed, which is due to some faults in the system prevailing in Pakistan. National Council of Homoeopathy established under the government. of Pakistan is not much active and effective. There is not even a single independent college/institute running under the government control. Standard of colleges is not so up to the mark There is also no encouragement and help from the government for uplifting of this system.

I believe, if government of Pakistan vigorously determine and make good efforts for promotion of the Homoeopathy in Pakistan, people will feel more easy to take this pure, simple and very effective treatment without any side-effects. I do not know what are secrets behind that our government/Health Ministry does not think about this big fact. Should we expect as to the health ministry will take revolutionary steps for development/promotion of the Homoeopathy in Pakistan,

Dr.M. Shahbaz Hanif
Lahore
drsh@eudoramail.com 

Ghost of the Tasman Spirit

It has now been over five weeks when a cargo ship, Tasman Spirit, with 67000 tons of crude oil on board got stray from its actual harboring moor and ran aground at the Clifton sea shore causing not only damage to the ship, but resulting in the spilling of its loaded oil in the sea. It has not only contaminated the atmosphere and seawater, but has also endangered sea life and the inhabitants' health in the surrounding areas of the Clifton area. 

The worst part of the whole scenario is that the newspapers of Pakistan and journalists got a topic to write down day and night horrible stories about the ghost of the vessel and peeled the hair so badly that the people of Pakistan in general and residents of the surrounding areas of Clifton in particular started getting recurring nightmares about the Tasman Spirit's oil-slicking. So much so current and ex-naval personnel chief and experts started digging hundreds of years old graves of stories of such incidents. It looked as if every one has got a job to do! One senior journalist from an English daily started weekly episodes referring world encyclopedias with, data, statistics and details of such vessels for 500 years like a research work for Ph.D students.

May I request all press media people, journalists, independent writers, people from the naval department and all other ocean experts to kindly stop haunting us with unpleasant details of all the ships in the world history who met this kind of fate. Whatever, information we had in last 4-5 weeks about the ghost of Tasman Spirit is already enough for us. We, the people of Pakistan already have so many unpleasant things to face in the country and thus cannot stand this continuous haunting of the story telling of the Tasman Spirit. 


Shafiq Khan 
Canada
shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com 

Who will rescue Karachi?

During the last two decades few cities and citizens around the world have been continuously subjected to the kind of turmoil, violence, and misery as our own "City of Lights" Karachi. While spending many years abroad during
this period I could not help but notice with sadness during my visits to Karachi how there has been a steady degeneration of all aspects of life in this city which holds such importance as the main business hub and port city
of Pakistan.

Probing the Karachi Oil slick

The Tasman Sprit ship entered in the sea on July 27, 2003 and will be remembered as the most unfortunate day in the history of Karachi. 

The Tasman Sprit has not only ruined Karachi beach for the uncounted years to come, but has also forced the picnickers stay off the the polluted beach. 

The business of the restaurants located at the beach and people earning bread and butter by selling hand-made and other products are suffering badly. Additionally, the prices of properties located at the beach have also fallen down drastically, as new investors do not want to buy the apartments which are located all along the beach belt due to poisonous gases coming out from to oil spill. 

Karachi Port Trust Authorities and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation are directly responsible for allowing the over-age foreign vessel "Tasman Sprit" which entered in the sea, carrying 67,532 tons of crude oil, out of which 26,000 tons has already been flushed out till to date in the clean and sparkling waters of Karachi.

The legal notice issued by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and PNSC to pay one million US Dollars is just an effort to deviate the attention of the public from the actual facts, as it will take a long time for PNSC to claim and settle the amount from the owners of Tasman Sprit. Nevertheless, one should question the owners of the ship as to how did they manage to get the "clearance certificate" from the authorities for such an old ship, which was supposed to be scrapped at this age.

The government of Pakistan should appoint a Judge of Supreme Court to investigate the matter as number of questions had continue unanswered by the KPT authorities. The matter should be probed with the help of a "neutral technical committee" which should give its independent opinion without being influenced by the KPT or PNSC bosses and responsibility should be fixed for the gross negligence and mis-handling of the situation by the concerned officers and staff.

The possibility of an "under-hand deal" cannot be ruled out for allowing the old age "Tasman Sprit" to sail into the sea, as it was obvious that the ship will break into parts, if it will pulled out by the tugs.

SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
pakistan@attglobal.net  

Rampant negative approach in our society

This refers to Syed A. Mateen’s letter on carried in this section under the heading" Scraping Student Politics From Educational Institutions". I totally disagree with the writer’s suggestion that students’ political organizations should be banned in the educational institutions. This is another ‘negative approach’ and demonstrates our limited mental level we are used to adopt instead of solving real issues.

Unfortunately, we do have our negative approach in almost every field of our social, political and cultural life. Workplaces and educational institutions are seething with hostilities and the negativity. This is very common and is found all over the world. No matter where the bad vibes came from, it is up to the students and teachers to help make the atmosphere more positive, productive and supportive. This is a social disability and needs to be revamped. This is not a cancer that needs a surgery.

The youth aging between 16 to 22 is the most critical period of the human life when the youth is very passionate and energetic. He or she wants to do many things in their life besides they have reached the full adulthood at this age. When we come across a problem about our youths, we should see its situations. We should analyze and consider it’s psychologically emotional, communal and behavioural aspects. Sometimes a person or a group is not ‘bad’ but its ‘action’ is unwanted. In such case, the person or group needs to be corrected instead of being eliminated, which is again a negative sign.

Our parents and teachers do not use their common sense to find out solution of the problem in an affectionate way; they immediately draw a line of hostile and antagonistic feelings. At their college and university going age, their behavior is multiple. They are not born in a camel age, but look the world in a different way what we were looking at out time some 40-50 years back. It is unfortunate that cable TV, computer and all other media of communication has reached our homes, but we hitherto take every thing in life as casual and granted.

Let me quickly give you a lively example of difference of two approaches between the child and the parent: Once a father was driving a car in the down town during the rush hours and his son was sitting with him in the front seat. At an intersection (signal), the father narrowly avoided a serious accident. After few seconds when both got settled from the nightmare, the father nudged to his son boastingly, look if you were driving, you would have caused a major accident just now! The son looked to his dad obediently and said, "Dad, if it was me driving, I would have crossed the intersection half an hour before."

I would suggest my countrymen to educate and update your self by studying modern sciences and chemistry. Every beam of light which is peeping into your doors is bringing a news, an augury for you of a new changing world. It is up to you to catch it or leave it.

College and university students are our future pillars, our hope, our dreams. We have to educate them, train them and make them aware of future responsibilities. If you ban Islami Jamiat-e-Tulba (IJT) and All Mohajir Students Organization (APMSO) from educational institutions, are you sure they would leave fighting if they wanted? If they have to fight anyway, they would not fight in the four walls of a college and universities; They then would fight on the streets too. If you feel that by banning the Students’ organizations, you could save the college principal or teacher from being shot, then can’t they shoot them anywhere else (God forbid) if they want? Do not kill the person, kill its inside evil of that person and that could only be done when both parents and our society would play their part in a religiously honest way.

Does Mr. Mateen think that we have only one problem in our country and rest is angelic? How many bans would you deceit and to which part of the society? If you started banning things, bans would end; but not the evils.

In North America and Europe, a teenage from the age of 16 starts getting all kinds of education, information and training of being a future practical man. The schools teach them moral, sexual, political, religious, social and cultural values. Can you believe they are taught stock Exchange, different religions, politics, embroidery, laundry, stitching and all other kinds of skills from the 8^th grade. By the time a child reaches to 18-20, he is fully equipped to cope with the world and is ready to start his practical life, married and employment are on the top.

Instead of finding more resources to replenish our life and solve the problems of our people, we immediately jump up into a negative approach, ban it, cut it, close it, shut it down, put him into the jail or kill him.

Just give a quick look what we have been doing in this country for last 56 years: Instead of increasing number of engineering and medical colleges, we decided to impose quota system to stop students going to the professional colleges and universities. Instead of creating more employments for the qualified and educated new graduates, we decided to put domicile and PRC like embargoes, urban, rural etcetera. We put every provision of daily use in pipeline and asked people to follow rationing because of less productivity and insufficient supply of the commodities in the market. We decided to go two days off in a week of mutton and beef because we did not have enough supply to meet for the public. We wanted to deprive some specific group or population from the urban areas to send their representatives to the assemblies and thus we decided to manipulate the voting structure. When it comes to owners-labour relations, Instead of stone edging our corrupt leaders and bureaucracy, who were plundering the national resources with both hands and country was about to collapse because of default in non payment of loan installments and interests on the principal amounts, all past governments decided to sell national assets, government and semi-government corporations to generate more revenues.

At the end, I would appeal, but why should I appeal, it is the national duty of every one of us to explore our conscience to completely eliminate all kinds of negativity from their lives, because a negativity creates hostilities, vice and inertia in a society. We need a fresh breeze blowing all the time to nourish this future generation of ours.

Shafiq Khan
Canada
Shafiqahmed7@hotmail.com

Previous letters
Viewer's Forum | Home Page