| 04 September 2004 | Saturday | 18 Rajab 1425 |
Pakistani women Olympians
Ongoing racket
'Oil spill: new revelations'
Prize bond draws
Cellular phone use
Chaudhri Rehmat Ali
Nathiagali cottages
Bahria Town plots
Pollution in Karachi
PMDC affiliation affairs
Our concept of democracy
'Widespread' abuse
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This has reference to a news item in a section of the press (July 17) regarding the setting up of wind and solar energy projects in Sindh. It is encouraging to note that our planners and government functionaries have realized the importance of alternative and renewable sources of energy.
Wind is a clean, safe and sustainable source to generate electricity. Wind potential is being harnessed in the US, Europe and recently in India to build wind farms.
Exploitation of renewable sources can help us to get rid of greenhouse gas emissions by shifting gradually from total reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity and achieve Pakistan's renewable energy targets.
The proposal to establish a wind project on the coastal area near Thatta, however, does not specify whether the project is being set up onshore or offshore. Since, wind power is estimated to be greater offshore than it is on land, its realizable potential should be carefully ascertained before embarking upon such a capital-intensive project, in both cases.
What confuses me is the unrealistic target to establish a 100MW wind farm initially as a pilot project. It sounds quite impractical as Pakistan, having no experience in wind farming and with the unavailability of wind technology (like manufacturing and installation), cannot afford failure of the project with a huge amount to be spent on technology import.
Even a country like the UK - the windiest of all the European countries and enjoying 40 per cent of total European wind power - set up its first offshore wind farm of 4MW as a pilot project.
After that experience, the UK has now established a 64MW wind farm (North Hoyle), located four to five miles off the North Wales coast. It contains 30 turbines and has cost œ78 million to build.
It is suggested that the issues like planning, project management, surveying, etc., be carefully sorted out and all stakeholders be taken into account. The connection of turbines with the grid through sub-sea/sub-ground cables needs to be paid attention also.
Efforts must be taken to reduce the risk and resolve all barriers to the wind project, like the landscape issue (in case of onshore), navigation and disturbance to aviation signals. In this connection, experience of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark - countries leading in wind farms and wind technology - may be assessed.
It is expected that experts will ensure viability of the wind project which is perceived to be a highly risky business with too much cost and modest returns.
ZAHID ALI MEMON
University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
Pakistani women Olympians
In a country where the only swimming pool for most children is the drain which runs through their shanty town or the rainwater puddles which form in cities during the monsoon season, it was a remarkable feat for 13-year-old Rubab Raza to step into the Olympic pool.
The fact that she failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics because of a mere difference of 0.76 seconds in the 50-metre freestyle event is unfortunate. What was even more regrettable was the lack of interest shown by the government towards her coaching. Had the authorities concerned considered her a 'sound investment' and had they arranged a competent coach for her, she might have won a medal for Pakistan.
A girl rising through one of the most populated cities of Pakistan through sheer hard work and determination paid her own way to reach the most prestigious sports event of the world.
This was our loss. We should have cashed in on this golden opportunity to project Pakistan as a forward-looking, progressive and moderate country. Her victory would have been a giant step towards improving Pakistan's public image.
However, hats off to the young Lahorite who did her country proud. It is hoped that many others will seek inspiration from her and follow in her footsteps.
AYESHA ARIF BAWANY
Karachi
(2)
This refers to Mr Omer Kureishi's article (Aug 31). I completely agree with him when he says that Pakistani female Olympians did a great job at the Olympics. They did Pakistan proud and showed the world that Pakistani women can do everything. This also should have inspired countless other Pakistani women to aim high in whatever field they choose to pursue in life.
FAWWAD SHAFI
Karachi
Ongoing racket
After having been put through a rather gruelling ordeal, I wish to warn all motorists who might be thinking about having their vehicles 'touched up' at the automobile parts and accessories market at Karachi's Tibet Centre on M. A. Jinnah Road, more commonly known as the Plaza. I recently had the misfortune of visiting this place and being nearly deprived of all my cash.
As soon as I pulled up to the side of the road, my vehicle was assailed from all sides by individuals offering their services. I required seat covers and mudguards and parked the car to negotiate with the 'salesmen'. Little did I know that I was about to be taken for the ride of my life.
Instantly, I was surrounded by not one or two, but at least 10 'salesmen,' all of whom started talking at once. Thoroughly confused and feeling like a deer surrounded by jackals, I selected the seat covers I wanted and waited by the side with my driver.
Throughout the process, one after another crafty character came up to me offering enticing extras like 'strengthening my doors' or 'extra-security locks,' all of which I promptly refused.
By the time the car's seats had been fitted, I asked for the total 'mazdoori' (labour costs). The price of the covers had already been negotiated and paid. My heart skipped a beat as I was told to fork over Rs23,000 for a few nuts, bolts and screws.
After asking them how they came up with the astronomical total, they pointed out all the 'work' they had done, which I had earlier refused to commission. Suddenly, the air turned ugly as 10 or 12 'salesmen' started ganging up on me and my driver.
A prompt call to '15' ensured that neither I, my driver nor my car was damaged, as all the extremely helpful salesmen beat a hasty retreat as the police mobile approached.
Motorists should avoid this dangerous area at all costs and the authorities are urged to monitor the activities of the many 'salesmen' operating unchecked in this vicinity.
S. MOINI
Karachi
'Oil spill: new revelations'
This is apropos of your editorial on the Tasman Spirit oil spill (August 26). The factual position is that the KPT is not aware of any investigations conducted by the Pakistan Merchant Navy Officers Association. They have not contacted any office of the KPT, which indicates that the investigation, if any, was based on unfounded information.
From day one the KPT had kept all its information resources open for the media and there was no hiding back facts. A 45-member team of print and electronic media was taken on board the ill-fated tanker on the very next day of grounding. Through frequent meetings with the press the KPT kept the general public informed of the hour-to-hour happenings and of the clean-up operation.
It is on the record of relevant national and international agencies that the tanker had grounded outside the channel and as such depth of the channel was not involved. However, this is to clarify that the channel's depth was well maintained and posed no problem to deep-draught tankers.
MT Sorena with draught equal to that of the Tasman Spirit had comfortably passed through the channel 24 minutes earlier. The notice published by the Pakistan Navy also placed the grounded vessel clear of the channel.
The department handling ships in the harbour comprises master mariners and merchant marine officers whose experience supersedes any technical training. Compensation claims are being negotiated at a high legal level, in addition to being pursued in courts.
It is worth mentioning that the inquiry conducted by the office of DG(P&S) has not held the Karachi Port responsible for any of the eventualities listed by your editorial.
KAFIL AHMAD KHAN
Senior PRO, KPT, Karachi
Prize bond draws
In its latest draw of prize bonds, held on August 16, the government has announced a total of 1,000 prizes, aggregating Rs1.874 million. However, not all the prize money will go to the public as a number of the winning bonds remain unsold and their prizes too will be retained by the government.
It is surprising that the authorities never disclose how much prize money is actually disbursed amongst the winners. No fixed return/income accrues by investing in prize bonds. The sole attraction is the expectation of bagging a prize.
It is only fair that the government should include in its draws only those prize bonds which have actually been sold till the date of each draw to ensure that the total prize money announced is actually received by investors.
The charm of investing in prize bonds is steadily diminishing due to lack of transparency in conducting draws and not disclosing how much of the prize money bond holders receive and how much remains with the government.
A. AHMED
Lahore
Cellular phone use
On my flight back from Lahore recently, I heard at least two people on board trying to talk on their mobile phones as the plane was about to land. According to the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority, mobile phones should be switched off on board aircraft. Furthermore, every airline in the world requires that mobile phones be switched off during flight as they can interfere with the aircraft's navigation system.
This information is repeated on every flight before the plane takes off, but it seems that passengers are ignoring it. I hope that airlines will look into this problem seriously.
TAYYAB NOOR GANDHI
Karachi
Chaudhri Rehmat Ali
This refers to the recent correspondence in Dawn regarding the mortal remains of eminent freedom-fighter Chaudhri Rehmat Ali, at present in a Christian cemetery in Cambridge, UK, and the feasibility of transferring them to Pakistan for permanent reburial.
When I was serving as minister at the Pakistan embassy in London in the 1980s, I was instructed by the then president, Ziaul Haq, to look into the possibility and inform our government.
Accordingly, I visited Cambridge in 1986, and saw his grave and contacted a number of persons there who had known Chaudhri Rehmat Ali. I also spoke to the mayor of Cambridgeshire and civic officials.
A surviving friend of Chaudhri Rehmat Ali, Master Afzaluddin, told me that Chaudhry Rehmat Ali's body was laid inside a metallic container and buried in a Christian cemetery as a trust (amaanat). This indicates that Chaudhri Rehmat Ali considered his burial in Cambridge as temporary until shifting to his home ground in Punjab.
I could not get confirmation of this from any of his university colleagues, including his most loyal lady secretary who virtually supervised the last rites for him together with his colleagues in the university teaching faculty.
Men from a gravemaker's firm, who examined the grave of Chaudhri Rehmat Ali, told us that it was internally in good shape and the metallic container was in place. We were unable to get any precise information about the physical state of the departed leader's mortal remains.
The mayor of Cambridgeshire was receptive to our queries but wanted that the legal formalities pertaining to such a case should be observed to the satisfaction of the British authorities and local public health laws.
After World War II, some bodies of British soldiers buried in the battlefields of Europe, especially Flanders and Sommes, were brought to England and buried there, with the help of the War Graves Commission.
In the case of Chaudhry Rehmat Ali, I am sure that the British government will not be averse to a formal request from the Pakistan government for permission to exhume the mortal remains of the departed leader in Cambridge and transport them to Pakistan for permanent burial in his home village in Punjab. However, the UK government will not bear the expenses of transporting Chaudhry Rehmat Ali's remains to Pakistan.
In 1947 when there was a demand from some quarters for bringing to India for reburial the mortal remains of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, the British government was not opposed to it but the new government of India at that time made no such formal request to the British government. He remains buried in Rangoon.
The Pakistan government's application to the UK government will be more effective if letters from the close relatives of Chaudhri Rehmat Ali demanding his reburial in Pakistan are enclosed.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
Nathiagali cottages
My family and I are regular visitors to Nathiagali where we have been renting cottages for the past many years to spend family vacation. This month, when we requested one of the house owners to book a cottage, we were surprised and concerned to hear that it is not being done anymore.
A notice has been issued to the owners of these houses that their leases will be terminated if they accommodate guests or rent out cottages to visitors such as ourselves.
Local hotels are expensive and not as convenient for a family vacation. Private cottages have the privacy of a house and can accommodate large families. They are cost-effective as well.
There is no financial loss to the state in the hiring a cottage, for visitors will still be buying their goods from local bazaars or be using local transport. It is hoped that the Galiat Development Authority will look into this issue.
The ban may be reconsidered and if there are issues pertaining to making rates of electricity commercial, etc., they may be discussed with the owners. If the restriction continues, the Galiat will be losing out on regular visitors, affecting tourism and the business of the people of Nathiagali.
UZMA T. HAROON
Islamabad
Bahria Town plots
Bahria Town staged a unique drama for the sale of plots in Phase IX. It is simply unbelievable that within six hours 40,000 application forms were dished out to applicants. These application forms were never provided to any bank branch as advertised in the print and electronic media.
While taking into account roads, parks, schools, hospitals, clubs and other allied amenities, provision of 40,000 plots in this scheme is simply impossible. The federal government is requested to look into this housing scheme and appoint a committee to check up on the authenticity of 40,000 plots in Phase IX and of their quick sale within six hours.
The no-objection certificate for this project poses yet another question mark. The committee should clear all doubts created in the minds of the general public.
SUNAWAR CHAUDHRY
Rawalpindi
Pollution in Karachi
I appeal to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to help reduce the high pollution level in Karachi. Pollution is being caused primarily by auto rickshaws and buses. Also, almost all streets of the city are full of garbage. The situation can be improved by taking the following steps:
1. Impose fines on auto rickshaws which do not have silencers and on vehicles which emit smoke.
2. Impose fines for littering.
ERUM AZHAR
Karachi
PMDC affiliation affairs
Recently an advertisement was published in newspapers regarding the affiliation status of a large number of medical and dental educational institutions, both public and private, with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). This seems to be a part of a public awareness campaign aimed at helping young people to get admission to different medical and dental colleges.
But many colleges were mentioned in the ad as 'provisionally affiliated'. They are producing graduates on a regular basis. The question arises: why have they been on the provisional affiliation list for a long time? If they are not meeting the criteria set by the PMDC, why is their provisional affiliation status not being withdrawn?
After a certain time, or warning, action should be taken against institutions which fail to meet the PMDC criteria or requirements for the sake of better medical education and healthcare system. I hope the authorities concerned will look into this matter.
DR ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
Our concept of democracy
I found the article "Our concept of democracy" by Mr Hafizur Rahman (Sept 1) accurate. It echoed some of my own feelings. What he wrote applies not just to Pakistan or Islamic societies but also to most non-western societies, including India where I come from.
Most non-western nations have trappings of democracy - some countries more than others - but grass-roots democracy, or the democratic spirit at the non-political level of the individual or family or local community, is often lacking and is substituted for more authoritarian decision-making. Real democracy starts with the family for sure and is not just limited to politics.
SANTOSH GEORGE
Minneapolis, USA
'Widespread' abuse
This refers to the news item "Abu Ghraib an 'animal house', says US panel" (Dawn, August 25). It clearly states that the abuse was not on individual basis but it was "widespread", involving the chain of command, all the way through Washington.
This contradicts earlier claims that the cases were individual in nature and were conducted by the prison guards on their own. Which is why "action" was taken against those individuals, and they are being "adequately" punished for their acts.
If the Pentagon panel is publicly saying that this was "widespread", do we expect any "widespread" action to make sure the culprits are brought to justice?
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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