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Voice of People
Pickpockets at
Five Star Hotel
Mohammad Shakir Baloch
I was deputed to cover the activity at a dinner hosted in honour PML-N
leader Nawaz Sharif and MNAs belonging to coalition parties on March
17, 2008 at a five star hotel of Islamabad . I reached there at
about 8 p.m. and started my professional duties, which involved
roaming about in the hall as well. During this, my mobile, Nokia
9300i was stolen from the side pocket of my shirt.
I could not have even imagined that such pickpocket would be present
at this hotel of high-repute. When I came to know, I started search
with the help of my colleagues, and made calls on the stolen phone
but in vain. I also brought the matter to the notice of security
personnel present there but they took the matter lightly and
quipped, ‘Mian Saheb will give you two such mobile sets.’ I request
the administration of the hotel to take notice of such incidents, so
that government employees like me are not deprived of their precious
belongings.
—Islamabad
Why violation of law?
Abdul
Rashid
I, resident of PD 130, Street No 4, Mehmoodabad Pindora Rawalpindi,
intend to bring to the notice of the Honourable Prime Minister of
Pakistan that the Finance Division (Regulation wing) Islamabad vide
letter No 3(1) Reg-6/2004-11 dated 16-03-2006 implemented the
Honourable FST Judgement passed in appeals No 209 and 293 (L)
CS/2004 and issued orders that “It is advised that similar other
retired employees in BPS 1-16 (including those who were in BPS 17 by
virtue of move over) and were in receipt of adhoc relief @ Rs
400/-PM at the time of their retirement may also be allowed this
benefit.”
Here it is pertinent to point out that grant of Pensionary benefit
of adhoc relief of Rs 300/- + Rs 100/- to those civil employees who
retired up to 30-11-2001 in the Pay Scales of 1994 and at that time
they were in receipt of the said adhoc relief per month and
non-grant of the said benefit to others who have also drawn the said
amount up to 30-11-2001 and thereafter were retired on or after
02-12-2001is based on discriminatory treatment and would be
violative of Article 25 of the Constitution. The said adhoc relief
being permanent increase in the Pay Scale would be reckonable
towards the Pensionary emoluments, therefore unjust/unlawful policy
needs be amended to meet the ends of justice.
—Rawalpindi
New leadership
Farrukh Shahzad
After eight years of military rule one should have a sigh of relief
with the initiation of a new democratic process in the country.
Fortunately all political parties of the country are part of this
process except the PML-Q which has obviously nothing to do with
democracy as it was established and nurtured by a secret agency. The
coalition of the PPP and the PML-N (once political rivals) is a good
omen for democracy and development of the country. It will also
discourage the culture of vendetta and revenge. The country is
passing through testing times which demand unity among all the
segments of society to fight terrorism, instability and poverty. Now
the onus is on the leadership of political parties to take the
country out of the miseries.
—Via email
Pak-Turkey friendship
Muhammad Rahaan Minhas
On March 14, 2008, a reception was hosted by Engin. Soysal, Turkish
Ambassador, in honour of 100 students of various universities from
Pakistan. This scribe was amongst them on this auspicious occasion.
The brave, sincere, loyal and devoted Turk’s progeny of today never
forgot that support of subcontinent Muslim brethrens during 1912
Balkan War and always tried to develop more brotherhood till today.
Ever since the independence of Pakistan, Turkey is the most sincere,
trustworthy brother of Pakistan! Who does not know that during
September 1965 War. Turks were the first to condemn this aggression,
which was also joined by the Iranian and Indonesian. Not only this,
but they sent military aid, medical air lifts and medical staff to
look after their wounded Pakistani brethren. After going through
historical editorial of Istiklal, a weekly Islamic newspaper
published from Istanbul, which carried a bold caption that read,
Pakistanla Beraberiz - we are with Pakistan! Along with the
editorial, there was a box-note by the editor, which proved that the
Turks took the Indian invasion as a war waged against them.
On October 8, 2005, when a disastrous earthquake hit the northern
parts of Pakistan, the Turkish people were the first to feel the
pain and the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyib Recep Erdogan, reached
Pakistan. Not only this, but also, he utilized interlude between the
earthquake and his visit to Pakistan for fund-raising. In addition
to NGOs; Turk government is busy in constructing mosque, schools,
social centres and health care! During his visit to Pakistan
Respected Tayyib Recep Erdogan, tried to reach to the maximum
earthquake-hit areas, where mothers, sisters, young and old,
teenage, sick and healthy were compelled to say: Every Muslim is
each other’s brother [Ahdees Sharif]. Turks as a nation and
government openly confess that Pakistan is an exception for them.
—Islamabad
Road to nowhere
Muhammad Mahtab Bashir
The common man is in great anguish against the entrenched mindset
since his inception. The dishonest bureaucracy and crooked
politicians coupled with unjustified role of military in political
circus is the main hurdle in the making of a flourishing state
envisioned by the Jinnah and Iqbal. The mindset of politicians
looking towards US and the big power for grabbing power.
People have suffered deception since the creation of Pakistan and
expiry of the Quaid. But now the time of being duped is gone, they
are now looking at Courts after using every means of their disposed
to get rid of this. The cream of the crop by sending gifts of baton
charge, tear gas and making people the missing persons to be
punished for equality also reminds us the era of Dark Ages. Rounding
off this commentary, you can leave a will directing how to handle
your money but not your reputation. The masses will attend to that.
And now in global village a knave is respected, a great man
suspected.
—Islamabad
Gross misconduct
Faris Kasim
I am ashamed and angered at the rangers’ assault on Dr Riaz Ahmed, a
professor of applied chemistry at Karachi University, within the KU
premises on March 31. While leaving the university, he was beaten up
at Silver Jubilee Gate by the rangers. Dr Ahmed wanted to leave the
university as per his routine but four rangers’ personnel tortured
him with sticks, rifle butts and punches without any reason. As
Pakistan is entering a new phase of democratic governance, is this
the precedent the security agencies want to set? Is this how
professors and university faculty members are going to be treated in
our society?
What sickens me most is that the rangers have actually registered an
FIR against Dr Ahmed. They have alleged that the professor has
‘hurt’ one of their personnel. Dr Ahmed may be arrested, proving the
dirty role the rangers are playing in Karachi. This issue must not
be ignored and the rangers should leave Karachi University and
apologize for their gross misconduct.
—Karachi
