| 31 July 2004 | Saturday | 13 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 |
EPZA road show
Needed poultry vets
Slogans and cliches
Big dipper
Subsidizing the inefficient
Shopping bag curse
Troops for Iraq
Waiting for more disasters?
Development funds
Resignation of Jamali
Textile quota
Eucalyptus trees
'Demonizing Iran'
Balloting for shares
Increase in CNG charges
Overhead bridge
Concert
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Articles 'What ails Punjab's agriculture' and 'Understanding watercourse lining project' (Dawn, June 28 and July 19) by Mr Zafar Samdani contain enough information to give a wake-up call to our agriculture planners, scientists, engineers and economists.
There are a number of federal and provincial departments and institutions working on water problems in isolation and a scattered way, costing a colossal amount of public funds and resulting in duplication of money, efforts and time.
I agree with Mr Samdani that a coherent and well-linked approach is required for the effective utilization of physical and human infrastructure. Regarding lining of watercourses (canals and distributaries), it is suggested that possibility of their lining with gypsum / anhydrite may be investigated, vis-a-vis other canal lining consistent materials such as clay bricks, cement and stone masonry.
The rationale of this suggestion is based on the following parameters:
a. It has been established that low quality ground water containing high sodium content that has ill effects on soils and crops can be corrected with gypsum. Hazardous tubewell water makes productive land unproductive.
b. Conversion temperature of manufacturing clay bricks is 900 degrees Centigrade, cement 1450 degrees Centigrade while gypsum boulder is zero degree Centigrade. Hence, in addition to large cost saving, it is technologically viable and environmentally friendly proposition.
c. Pakistan has large deposits of high quality gypsum ( five to six billion tons) available in all the provinces that to a large extent lend themselves to economic open cast mining and connected with the existing infrastructure and utilities.
Lining of watercourses is a mega project. Its proper planning aiming at using gypsum would help in poverty alleviation through gainful employment, development of backward areas where gypsum deposits are located, improvement of ground water and reclamation of saline-sodic soils and, in turn, increase in crop production and prosperity of farmers.
ENGR. TAJAMMAL HUSSAIN
Islamabad
EPZA road show
It is commendable that Industries Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, alongwith the Chairman EPZA, are conducting road shows in the UK to attract overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan's Export Processing Zones.
However, it is unfortunate that abrupt changes in policies create huge credibility gaps between what is stated in the road shows and what is implemented on the ground.
It is extremely important to have long-term and consistent policies in order to gain investor confidence. Regrettably during the last month, there have been major policy damage in the functioning of the EPZAs in Pakistan (exports restricted to 20 per cent and the motor vehicle incentive package virtually brought to naught) which will be detrimental to the operating units.
Given the team of economic managers we have today, one would expect consistency in policy over a reasonable period of time. As declared in the EPZA Rules, if any policy change were to occur it would not be to the disadvantage of the investors and moreover it should be acceptable to them (Rule 24-A of Expert Processing Zones Authority Rules 1981).
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
Needed poultry vets
Traditional vets are trained to treat diseases of all kinds of animals, such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels and poultry. However, those that affect poultry have changed over the years and a recent example is the appearance of a particularly virulent strain of avian influenza.
Fifteen American universities have instituted a one-year course for poultry veterinarians for those who have DVM (veterinary medicine) degrees and this will equip them with the knowledge needed to treat complex poultry diseases.
We in Pakistan, instead of following this, have added a one- year animal husbandry course to the existing four-year DVM course, apparently at the behest of the newly-created University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore.
The existing degree of BSc (Animal Husbandry Hons.) has been discarded by the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. This is like putting the livestock profession in reverse gear because what we need is a DVM degree along the American model, with an additional one-year of training in poultry diseases and not animal husbandry.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
Slogans and cliches
It has become a fashion and a pastime with politicians to indulge in slogans and cliches instead of offering simple and straightforward answers. What are we to understand from the currently fashionable phrase "enlightened moderation"? My perception is that moderation and enlightenment are mutually complimentary and one without the other cannot exist.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines 'moderate' as avoiding extremes, being temperate in conduct and expression. 'Enlightened' means being free of prejudice and superstition. Moderation and enlightenment are indeed indispensable ingredients in morality and ethics.
The rhetoric inflicted on the public by the so-called leaders is replete with jargon, ambiguity and hypocrisy. We do not have to go any further than to put into practice those tenets in the Holy Quran which in essence preach moderation and enlightenment.
These include: "And thus we have willed you to be a community of the middle way, exalted people" (2:144); "There shall be no compulsion in religion" (2:257) and "Proclaim: This is the truth your Lord, then let him who will believe and let him who will disbelieve" (18:30).
DR IHSAN-UL-HAQUE
Karachi
Big dipper
There are many who visit Karachi's Clifton Funland for its thrilling rides. I suggest a different option. You start at the Bilawal roundabout, take a public bus and proceed towards the Shireen Jinnah roundabout. By the time you reach this place, you will have been so badly battered and bruised that the presence of a hospital at the roundabout will come as a blessing in disguise.
This road has been neglected for years. At places the craters are so deep that even trucks are forced to slow down. The footpaths and the so-called 'green' belt in the middle have been encroached upon by oil tankers and their drivers and cleaners.
At night the streetlights are never switched on despite the fact that many government offices and residences are located in this area. The residents of Block 2, Clifton, would request the city government authorities to re-carpet the road at its earliest. One hopes that a protest at the press club would not be necessary for this.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
Subsidizing the inefficient
It has been reported that the Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation will earn Rs 3 million every month for collecting licence fees for PTV. Both measures - the imposition of a licence fee and its collection through electricity bills - show the government's callousness and disregard of public interest.
PTV and KESC are both thoroughly inefficient institutions. Whereas PTV bores the public by its perpetually falling standards and mediocre programmes, KESC bleeds it to death by its inflated bills and unending load- shedding and breakdowns. Both are able to continue in business because of the vested interests of their managements and political supporters who patronize and benefit from them.
However secure the managements of the KESC and PTV may feel, they are doomed to be thrown into the dustbin of history sooner or later because the two have outlived their utility.
S.H. TEHSIN
Karachi
Shopping bag curse
Everyone is aware of the hazards to environment and health caused by the use of polyethylene shopping bags. However, the question is 'how to stop or minimize its use?' There is only one solution to this problem and a very simple one - make shopping bags expensive so that it is no longer economical to use.
The argument that many people in this business will lose their livelihood does not hold ground. Business people are quite versatile and change their activity according to changing conditions and market demands. If nothing else, they can start producing paper or cotton bags.
Therefore, to discourage the use of shopping bags, the price should be increased by 50 per cent every four to six months. As the price will gradually go up, its usage will decline proportionately and consumers and producers will have time to adjust accordingly.
K. A. ZUBERI
Rawalpindi
Troops for Iraq
Statements emanating from the top Pakistani leadership indicate that it is going to be a matter of time when troops would be heading for Iraq. President Pervez Musharraf's proposal for an 'Islamic Protection Force' for Iraq, the appointment of Mr Ashraf Jehangir Qazi as special representative of UN secretary general for the and Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's statement that the nation's interest will be considered while deciding on sending troops to Iraq are clear indications that something is cooking in the pot.
As the facts are appearing, the US had no justification for attacking Iraq, and boasting that it would 'go alone' in destroying Iraq. Now the Bush administration finds itself fully trapped in the war and has totally failed to secure Iraq.
With the ever-increasing US casualties and its failure to improve law and order, Mr Bush is looking for outside help which may include Pakistan. Except for personal gains for some, the nation as a whole will be a big loser if Pakistan troops are sent to Iraq under any pretext.
The Philippines withdrew its troops from Iraq for the safety of its solitary hostage. Egypt has decided not to send its troops to Iraq after their diplomat was kidnapped by Iraqis.
Should Pakistan send its troops, it will threaten the precious lives of many only for the glory and happiness of Mr Bush and his likes. Let Mr Bush, Blair and others sort out their own doings.
The nation expects from the government a clear-cut and final refusal to send troops to Iraq. It is hoped that the national interest will be given top priority against the interest of a few, and parliament will also honour the sentiments of the people.
SHAHID JAN
Murree
Waiting for more disasters?
The latest gas leak in a fertilizer plant in Multan which resulted in 24 factory workers being rendered unconscious (July 26) is a clear indication that neither the factory management nor the relevant authorities have any concern for the safety of workers.
This is not the first such occurrence as has been chronologically reported in your paper. Very recently, the city of Karachi also saw a major disaster averted by the timely action of two ASIs when four thousand kilogrammes of highly inflammable material stored in the investigation cell of the Jamshed Quarter Police Station was saved.
ALTAMASH MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
Development funds
The government of Punjab has launched a scheme to raise funds. It is named as the Punjab Development Fund and also carries prizes for those who can buy a Rs25 lottery ticket. The draw will be held on August 23. This scheme looks like the one introduced earlier under name Qarz Uttaro Mulk Swaro" by a former prime minister.
In that scheme common people had taken part to the best of their means to save Pakistan from the deadly disease of debt. With what result, one does not know. Although Senator Ishaq Dar, in reply to Senator Javed Qazi's allegation of embezzlement, said that the money was paid back to every contributor, this is not correct. The matter seems to have been given up.
I apprehend repetition of such an exercise. Both the prime minister and the chief minister of Punjab are requested to be vigilant so that some professional criminals do not indulge in forging, printing and selling tickets to the general public.
RAJA SHAFAAT ULLAH
Islamabad
Resignation of Jamali
Finally, the cat is out of the bag as to why Mr Jamali resigned when he did. I refer to the news item 'Opposition demands end to Turbat operation (Dawn, July 29)'.
Mr Jamali could not have faced the collective onslaught of traditional Baloch anger if he had stayed on as PM while a Wana- like operation was planned for Balochistan. The rumours that General Abdul Qadir Baloch had left the governor's office for similar reasons could also be seen as being confirmed today by the news item.
Now how and why chief minister of Balochistan is not resigning can only be answered by the Baloch tribal elders.
VISIONARY
Lahore
Textile quota
The efforts of businessmen to export more and more are being sabotaged by greedy speculators. The commerce ministry and the EPD should keep track of what is happening in the quota market.
The EU quota market especially CAT.4 and CAT.5 witnessed a sudden jump in May and June from Rs60 per dozen to Rs380 per dozen. This was due to the rumour that the instructions of commerce ministry to allow basket quota and to allow over programming at end May 2004 had not been acted upon till now.
Meanwhile, the speculators were minting money and it is anybody's guess who else may be involved in this racket. Exporters are losing financially as they have to buy the quota to fulfil their commitments.
ZAHID ZAKARIA
Karachi
Eucalyptus trees
One can only wonder at the wisdom with which the city Nazim operates. Over the past year or so, he has been responsible for the cutting down of over 10,000 eucalyptus trees on the grounds that these trees consume more water and cause problems because of their deep roots.
At the same time, at the inauguration of the Safari Park's waterfall, the Nazim said that he had ordered that hundreds of eucalyptus trees be planted in the Safari Park. Can't our city father make up his mind?
SHAHIDA AZHAR
Karachi
'Demonizing Iran'
This is with reference to your editorial of July 21 on the above topic which also talked about the repercussions of continued demonizing of Muslims by the Bush administration.
A cautious warning has rightly been spelt out for Muslims and Muslim states along with rational advice to rational people in the US administration to ask themselves: "Is this the way to win Muslim hearts and minds?"
A. G. M. GHEEWALA
Karachi
Balloting for shares
I was flabbergasted the other day when I received an offer from someone saying that his friend worked in such and such company and was in a position to ensure that my application for a recent public share offering would be successful.
Is this not an eye-opener for the Securities and Exchange Commission to act against companies indulging in such scandals. And who will ensure that this does not happen during the balloting of the PPL share offering?
N.A. KHAN
Karachi
Increase in CNG charges
The increase in CNG and domestic gas charges is not fair, as gas is our natural resource and the government does not have to spend foreign exchange on it.
The increase in domestic gas charges will hit low-income people hard. Ever since the prices of petroleum started to rise, many people converted their vehicles to CNG. They had to invest a huge amount in CNG kits in the hope that the running expenses of their cars will be kept at the minimum. The frequent rise in the prices of gas is now causing frustration and hardship.
I would request the authorities concerned to withdraw the increase in the prices of gas and lower it further so that people as a whole can get some relief and more people are encouraged to convert their vehicles to CNG.
ANWAR HUSSAIN
Karachi
Overhead bridge
Thanks to concerns raised in the media, two sets of safety barriers have been installed at overhead crossings in Karachi's Liaquatabad and Karimabad. However there is still an urgent need for two more sets of safety barriers at the Liaquatabad crossing: one for buses and trucks coming from the Super Highway and turning towards Nazimabad and SITE, and the second for traffic turning towards Saddar.
Also, the re-carpeting at both crossings should be completed before the rains really come and the area below the bridge should be cleared of all debris. The work going on these days is proceeding at a very slow pace and needs to be expedited.
SALEEM ATHAR
Karachi
Concert
The photograph of the passing-out ceremony of the summer music camp organized by Mauseqaar published in your issue of July 27 (Karachi Metropolitan) described the event as a ghazal concert.
It was an evening devoted to classical music. Mauseqaar has been holding such classical music concerts for the last three years.
AMIN-E-AJAM MAUSEQAAR
Karachi
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