| December 7, 2003 | Sunday | Shawwal 12, 1424 |
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‘Leave the temple alone’
Dental health issue
Checking pollution
Hamza Alavi: a man of vision
When Bush visited Iraq
Transplant baby
Sanitation problems
Jobs for PML workers
Correction
‘A wrong move’
SYED A. Mateen (Dec 5) has provided a good list of considerations that should be taken into account for safe operation of a CNG filling facility. The following are a few more suggestions:
— Availability of combustible gas detectors to detect leakage.
— Use of non-explosion electrical fittings and control on smoking/use of lighters and matches, etc, in a much wider area than that at a conventional gasoline station.
It is doubtful if the initial safety design of the existing petrol stations was checked when the CNG filling facilities were added to confirm that safeguards were in place to address the additional hazard being introduced.
— Emergency response document at each facility in which all emergencies associated with operations such as gas leakage, and the immediate action that must be taken by facility operator should be included.
The blast at a Karachi petrol pump is a classic case of a UVCE. A UVCE (unconfined vapour cloud explosion) is possibly a most dreaded phenomenon associated with liquefied/ compressed flammable gas, and the refining /chemical processing industry and accidental vapour cloud explosion hazards are of great concern to the operators of such facilities. A number of catastrophic explosions have had significant consequences in terms of injury, property damage, etc.
A UVCE occurs when a large vapour cloud formed due to uncontrolled release of flammable/combustible fluid, upon travel in the downwind direction, comes in contact with an ignition source, such as a burning cigarette, and gets ignited. The ignition results in the release of huge amounts of energy which kills or injures people, and damages and destroys facilities nearby.
As reported, a leak appears to have existed at the facility for some time and an unconfined vapour cloud of flammable gas did get formed. Reports also say the explosion occurred when a customer lighted a cigarette. This means a UVCE was responsible for injuries and destruction at the petrol pump. The vapour cloud of flammable gas appears to have travelled in the downwind direction towards the select shop where the customer lighting the cigarette was located, and exploded on coming in contact with the flame of the lighter. This is also borne out by Shell Pakistan’s observation that the epicentre of the explosion was at the select shop.
What is deplorable is that the accident occurred despite the association of one of the world’s foremost MNCs, Shell, with the facility. Unlike the other parties, Shell with their extensive experience of operating mega-sized oil and gas facilities around the world, and much-touted risk assessment and safety practices, should have been aware of the potential for a UVCE at the CNG filling facility. Shell should have, accordingly, ensured the effective implementation of an appropriate safety plan at the facility, including the need for immediate management intervention in case of a leak. That should have prevented the leakage from continuing unabated for as long as it did and the tragedy that unfolded eventually.
On the contrary, Shell is taking the position that since none of the 40 cylinders exploded, they could not have contributed to the explosion. However, as discussed above, unattended leakage from cylinder(s) alone would have caused a UVCE.
TARIQ RAZA
Mississisauga, ON, Canada
IT is really sad to learn from your editorial “Leave the temple alone” (Dec 3) about the decision of the Peshawar Cantonment Board to demolish a residential compound for minorities, housing a 140-year-old temple, and build a commercial plaza on the site.
According to the report, the cantonment board is planning to build a shopping plaza where almost one-and-a-half-century-old temple of the Balmiki minority is situated. We must recall how we Muslims all over the world protested and condemned the destruction of centuries-old Babri Masjid in India in 1992.
I want the MMA government in the NWFP to take notice of this decision which, if implemented, will affect the religious disharmony in the country.
Does Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed still remember a promise which he made during his speech in the National Assembly after taking the oath? Let me remind him in case he has forgotten it. He told the National Assembly that he would do everything to protect the rights of the minorities.
I request President Pervez Musharraf, who has been professing his theory of “enlightened moderation” with the objective of chucking out extremist elements from Pakistani society, to intervene in the matter and save this
temple.
DR G. M. AWAN
Karachi
I AM a US citizen of Indian origin and read your paper on the net to get the other point of view. I find your newspaper reports very objective most of the time.
Here in the US, I have quite a few Pakistani friends who are very nice, secular and kind to us. I do not understand why there is so much misunderstanding between India and Pakistan, whereas I see only nice Pakistanis wherever I go.
Your editorial “Leave the temple alone” made me feel happy and overwhelmed me. Being a Hindu from South India where we lived harmoniously with people of all religions, I really appreciate that justice is still alive and ingrained well in the minds of people of Pakistan and there is an important newspaper that still does not hesitate to stand by the minorities and is vocal about it.
It seems my hope for a friendly and very neighbourly India and Pakistan will come true, eventually. Please keep up the good service.
D. S. MAHADEVAN
Mesa, Arizona, USA
THE revelation that many of our locally-marketed toothpaste brands contain significant amounts of corticosteroids has sent a wave of shock and fear among multitude of people who understand the grave health risks involved by regular use of corticosteroid-containing brands of toothpaste by them and their families.
The presence of corticosteroids in toothpaste brands has been established by no less a body than the government-controlled the PCSIR laboratory. Previously also, the Pakistan Dental Association had identified and notified to our health officials the presence of heroin in many of the packeted “gutkas” and sweet “suparis”, so freely available to our ignorant and unfortunate people, as well as to innocent children, even in their school canteens.
Sadly, so far no preventive or remedial measures have been taken by our health officials, who remain unabashedly oblivious to such grave health issues which, in any other civilized country, would have caused a furore over such official apathy.
The Pakistan Dental Association would like to inform the general public that the claims by many advertised toothpaste brands to be “home dentists” capable of abolishing dental pain and bleeding gums are nothing but the courtesy of anti-inflammatory agents in such brands which mask dental symptoms for the time being, but in no way can cure the underlying disease. Beware of such claims as they may have grave health risks.
Similarly, the indiscriminate use of “gutkas” and sweet “suparis” leads to mouth cancer. And if this lethal “gutka” packet contains traces of heroin as well, addiction also accrues. Guard yourself and specially your children against this lethal menace. I have myself seen many children, some as young as 10 years old, unable to open their mouth beyond four millimetres. Condemned to certain death, courtesy of sweet “suparis.
But do our lawmakers and health officials care, busy as they are fighting over non-issues and enhancing their privileges and perks?
DR MAHMOOD SHAH
President, Pakistan Dental Association, Karachi
MS ZUBIA Usman is absolutely right in requesting in her letter (Nov 24) the city nazim and other authorities concerned to take steps urgently to check all kinds of atmospheric pollution in order to ensure a clean atmosphere in the city inundated with garbage on roads and almost suffocating gases in the air (citizens have the right to inhale without being polluted).
A lot has already appeared in these columns about this malaise, without cutting the ice, obviously owing to laxity on the part of the authorities concerned. Resourcefulness of the transport mafia may be another factor pouring balm over measures likely to be taken to curb smoke emission so endemic to public health. It is time the president and the prime minister took cognizance of this vital city’s state of health.
A new dimension has been added to blood-curdling insalubrity arising from uncollected garbage, which is to burn piles of accumulated heaps of them, sickening residents in their homes by polluting the very air they breathe in. A saturation point has been reached and someone somewhere has to take up the cudgels to sweep the city clean, and prevent gutters overflowing obnoxious filth.
Even DHA authorities do not appear to be vigilant to what is happening within their area of jurisdiction.
For instance, we in the 14th Street of Phase V constantly suffer from heaps of garbage set on fire, mostly by fruit merchants, over the plot of land adjacent to the building on plot No. 20C.
It is non-collection of garbage that induces the merchants at the cost of residents’ health. Those suffering allergic reactions are particularly vulnerable to the smoke of burning wood and plastic bags, while resorting to medicines is also reactive to side-effects.
It is hoped the city nazim and the authorities concerned in DHA will take cognizance of the deteriorating circumstances. What do the citizens pay numerous taxes for?
AKBAR KHAN
Karachi
OUT of the bond of blood relationship, I write as a Pakistani to mourn the tragic death of a courageous, brave, enlightened and devoted son of Pakistan.
Hamza Alavi gave up his banking career with the State Bank of Pakistan and decided to go in “self-exile”. When the first governor of the State Bank, Mr Zahid Husain, learnt of this, he spoke to my father to explain to Hamza not to do so for according to him, “I see, one day, Hamza as the governor of the State Bank”. My father tried to make Hamza understand and added that the reason for his decision will settle down. He replied: “Uncle, this reason will not only multiply but one day break Pakistan.” How true and prophetic was Hamza’s vision.
His love for Pakistan was passionate, so when he went away, he continued to work and tried to uphold the values in which he believed. His writings and speeches overseas were not appreciated by the then rulers. They tried everything to appease him; from the usual lollipops to ‘lathis’. Hamza was too upright and honest and, therefore, fearless.
His intellectual pursuits and sermons were not the usual drawing-room musings but were always backed with practical studies. Hence, whatever he wrote was based on ground realities.
He returned to Pakistan in 1997 but had the same zeal, vigour and desire to serve the country. Hamza Bhai was not only the bright star of the family but of the country. We the family mourn his death but hope that his writings, books and speeches will one day serve to enliven this nation.
MAHER H. ALAVI
Karachi
GEORGE Bush, following the inspection of his troops in Baghdad, ought to have gone to the heartland of Iraq. He should have visited Karbala to pay homage to Imam Hussain and his faithful brother, Hazrat Abbas, the grandsons of the holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
In December 1256, Halagu Khan, brother of Mangu, successor to Genghis as Great Khan of the Mongols, destroyed the impregnable Fida’in Eastern Ismai’lias, fortress of Alamut of the reigning 27th Imam Ruknuddin Khurshah.
The second assignment of Mangu Khan to Halagu Khan was the capture of Baghdad, the citadel of the Abbaside caliph al Mustasim, which the Mongols also accomplished with distinction. Returning to Bokhara with his trophies from Iraq, the victor, Halagu Khan, and his generals paused at Karbala.
He was taken by the Mutawalais to the shrine of Hazrat Abbas and told about the fierce battle for water. The Mongol commander was so moved by the spirit of sacrifice that he embraced Islam at the shrine.
A similar divine aura would have come down on President George W. Bush had he undertaken a pilgrimage to Karbala. Halagu Khan’s story is engraved on the tombstone of his grave in Bokhara.
MOHAMMED AZIZ HAJI DOSSA
Karachi
THE nation is proud of SIUT (Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation) for paving the way into the future of liver transplantation in Pakistan.
It was a great pleasure for me, going through the write-up “Transplant baby doing well” (Dawn, Nov 30).
No doubt SIUT has done a great service by not only initiating a very complicated and expensive liver transplant operation but also by bearing the entire cost of the treatment.
The job has give a ray of hope to the desperate liver patients in Pakistan. The SIUT staff deserve praise, but the sticking factor that hurt me was that there was no mention of the great doctor, Adibul Hasan Rizvi, without whose endeavour and professional sincerity the dream of liver transplantation in Pakistan would have never been materialized.
DR ALMAS FATIMA
KHUWAJA
Thatta
WE draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the following problems of the Ishwardas Das Street, Garden East, Karachi:
— The sewerage lines are broken and sewage is flowing on to the street, causing acute hardship to the area people. The street is strewn with garbage, with overgrowth of bushes serving as home to poisonous insects and wild, small animals.
— The streetlights are broken, with darkness turning the locality into a graveyard-like area.
— The street in question has not been carpeted for many years and has become most bumpy, particularly putting heart patients at great risks.
— Drug addicts, taking advantage of the darkness, frequent the area while suspicious persons sitting on the roadside are no less than a danger to the residents.
— The growing filth provides an ideal condition to mosquitoes, flies, insects, cockroaches, mouse, etc., to breed and spread diseases such as malaria, hepatitis and lungs and liver problems.
THE RESIDENTS FORUM
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the statement in Dawn (Dec 5) by the Sindh chief minister that PML workers will have a quota in government jobs.
The chief minister’s decision is contrary to Article 27(1) of the Constitution that says: “No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth.”
Being chief minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Mahar is supposed to make such policies and decisions as will benefit all people of the province, and not just his own party men. Every citizen has the right to get a job on merit in the government sector.
The chief minister is requested to reconsider his decision and ensure provision of jobs to talented people, regardless of their party affiliations.
GHULAM SHABIR BABAR
Karachi
IN my article, “The ebb and tide of it” (Nov 16), I said the Taliban had killed some 8,000 Shia Uzbeks in and around Mazar-i-Sharif. It has been represented to me, quite forcefully, that those killed were Shia from the Hazara tribe, and that my error in this regard has greatly upset its members.
If such indeed is the case, I regret my error and apologize to those whom it has upset.
ANWAR SYED
Herndon, Virginia, USA
THIS is in response to your editorial “A wrong move” (Dec 5) in which the decision of the PAEC to renovate the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant has been described as ill-advised due to safety reasons.
I would like to state that KANUPP is not the first nuclear plant to have its life extended. Nuclear power plant life times are successfully being extended worldwide. Nearly 26 US plants have been relicensed for an extended life of 20 years. The same approach is being followed in France, Japan and other countries.
The impression that older nuclear power plants suddenly become unsafe is not true. The decision to extend a plant’s life is not taken overnight. It is based on a systematic approach for determining the condition of major plant equipment, systems and structures and carrying out the necessary modifications and improvements. Such work at KANUPP was started under three large projects as early as 1990. In fact, plant performance significantly improved as a result of this work during the last decade of its life.
Specific concern has been shown about leakage of radioactivity from the reactor fuel channels. The reactor fuel channels were first inspected in 1993 and recently in June 2003 by the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL). On both occasions, the fuel channels were found fit for service.
Similarly, the results of inspection of the major plant equipment such as piping, heat exchanger, steam generators and civil structures carried out periodically have shown no abnormal wear and tear. The inspections, services and assessments were carried out by internal and external organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), CANU Owners Group and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
KANUPP also reviewed and updated its Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) with Canadian assistance in 2000 and carried out Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) with IAEA in 2001. Most of the action items recommended in the two reports have already been implemented.
The life extension programme is reviewed and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of each country. KANUPP’s life extension programme is also being reviewed and approved by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, an independent and authorized government body.
The overall performance of KANUPP, which has been without any outside help, is still comparable to other thermal power plants in our country. Not only has the plant been operating on a self- financing basis, it has given PAEC personnel tremendous confidence in the handling of nuclear power technology. I take this opportunity to assure that the safe operation of KANUPP has been and will remain our primary concern. This has amply been demonstrated by its safe operation during the past 30 years.
M. QAMRUL HODA
General Manager,
KANUPP, Karachi
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