| 06 October 2004 | Wednesday | 19 Shaban 1425 |
KESC uplift
DHA schools
Teachers' role
Karachi master plan
Spread of deadly diseases
Motorcycle number plates
Distribution of resources
Morning rush
UNSC seat for India
Road to QAU
US troops
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The Sialkot imambargah bomb blast, killing 31 people and seriously injuring over 75 others, was a most tragic and condemnable incident. As usual the government has constituted a high-powered commission to inquire into the matter and promised to give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.
We listen to such rhetoric whenever an act of terrorism occurs in our country, and then everyone except the immediate relatives of the deceased forgets about it. There is a red alert all over the country and guards are deployed at places of worship.
Then as time passes, the guard is lowered. The perpetrators wait for this time and then hit again. Our security guards are not properly trained and are usually seen lounging around.
The home ministers at the federal and provincial levels should be sacked if they do not resign after such incidents as it is a lapse of duty on their part. What efforts have the law-enforcement agencies made to protect the lives of innocent citizens? Have they issued any instructions for the training of special guards at religious places? Have they carried out any dry rehearsals to check the alertness of these guards? We have a system of mock rehearsals,. Why is it not being implemented?
The following steps are suggested to protect places of worship:
a. Imams and khatibs should tell people that they should look around for strangers or any suspicious movements around and inside mosques or imambargahs.
b. Security guards posted at such places shouldbe properly briefed and trained. They must search persons who are carrying bundles, brief cases or bags inside mosques or imambargahs. No exceptions should be allowed in this regard.
c. During Muharram and Eid congregations, special security arrangements should be enforced.
d. There are certain sects which are against one another and incite people by making objectional religious statements. They must be closely watched by the intelligence agencies. Anyone making incendiary statements should be dealt with an iron hand.
MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore Cantonment
(2)
This is with reference to the editorial "Acts of savagery" (Oct 3) which draws government attention to the ruthless jihadi culture and sectarian violence in the country.
But, as a media student, I want to ask media men, especially agenda makers, why they can't play a role in diminishing sectarian prejudices. Why doesn't the electronic media present programmes showing Sunnis and Shias living in harmony and respecting one another?
MEHDI RAZA
Karachi
KESC uplift
In 1997 military men were posted to the KESC, with the claim that they would give a new direction to the utility. But the results are before everybody to see. Power generation at source is being reduced every day, touching the level of -780 MW as can be learnt from the facts shown in Table I.
The policy that generation will be exclusively in the private sector prohibits the KESC from putting up new power generating stations. The treatment meted out to IPPs has made it certain that no new ventures will be undertaken anymore and that Karachi will not get the needed electricity in the months to come.
An anticipated increase in the load demand on the one hand and neglected maintenance of the network on the other make the transmission network too fragile to sustain low-degree transients and mild surges (this was exposed on Sept 10).
Distribution losses have shot up to 32 per cent, while the provision of free electricity to the privileged class and the number of kunda connections have increased by 12 per cent, totalling 44 per cent. I wonder what magic wand can make the KESC a profitable entity for any entrepreneur to purchase it.
The last balance sheets of the last four years show serious financial losses, as given in Table II. The distribution network has decayed and preventive maintenance and replacement of outdated equipment are now a forgotten tale. Electricity pilferage goes unchecked. Load shedding, interruptions and breakdowns have become the order of the day. Putting the KESC back on the track calls for much more.
ENGINEER WALI JAN
Karachi
Table I
KESC GENERATION
MONTHS
BQPS
MW
KTPS
MW
KGT
MW
SGT
MW
TOTAL
MWMAX
DEMAND
MWSHORT
FALL
MW
Jan-03
1096
75
58
75
1303
1629
-326
Feb-03
900
100
56
55
1111
1715
-604
Jun-03
1050
90
52
68
1260
1957
-697
Jul-03
925
110
52
69
1156
1936
-780
Nov-03
1050
97
53
91
1291
1760
-469
Dec-03
895
122
35
73
1125
1730
-605
Minimum
895
75
35
55
111
1629
-326
Maximum
1095
182
71
91
1336
1973
-780
Table II
S.NO.
DESCRIPTION
YEAR 1999-2000
YEAR 2000-2001
YEAR 2001-2002
YEAR 2002-2003
1-
MKWH Generated
7,745.00
7,898.00
8,709.00
8,808.00
2-
MKWH Purchased
3,701.00
3,688.00
3,406.00
3,809.00
3-
Total MKWH
11,446.00
11,677.00
12,115.00
12,617.00
4-
MKWH Sold
6,430.00
6,924.00
6,717.00
7,041.00
5-
Energy Loss MKWH
5,016.00
4,753.00
5,398.00
5,576.00
6-
Energy Loss %age
44.0%
41.0%
45.0%
44.0%
7-
Financial Losses
Rs.12,787,000,000
Rs.16,201,000,000
Rs.17,741,000,000
Rs.13894,000,000
DHA schools
This is with reference to the letter "DHA schools" (Sept 17) by the authority's public relations officer. DHA schools have been operating well for more than 25 years and in this period a lot of competent and eminent educationists have come forth with drastic but practical changes. However, none of them ever felt the need for opening schools on Saturdays.
From August 1 onwards, DHA schools were ordered to open up on Saturdays. Owing to much resentment displayed by the parents, the schools were made to revert to their original status with Saturdays off. The authority was quick to respond to the parents' demands but showed little empathy towards the teachers' concern.
Teachers are the engineers of society who produce the leaders of tomorrow. Throughout Pakistan and all over the world, reputable schools, colleges and institutions remain closed on Saturdays so that both students and teachers can get ample rest and refresh their minds in order to study and work diligently throughout the week.
We must keep in mind that teachers are not only professionals but are also responsible for running their households. Saturday is the only day when teachers can take out time to do their household chores. Some of the teachers are widows who have to single-handedly manage the house and then job.
Teachers are called on Saturdays on the pretext of reviewing the timetable and for evolving strategies to effectively teach various subjects. This means that by implementing the new 'Saturday policy,' the present authority is of the view that for the last 25 or so years, DHA schools had not been functioning effectively, no strategies for teaching subjects were being evolved, no revision of timetables was taking place and thus no quality education was being imparted.
Previously, teachers worked on Saturdays on special occasions such as annual functions and workshops. However, binding them to work every Saturday has caused them much inconvenience and discomfort.
BK
Karachi
Teachers' role
In the article "A teacher's role: explainer versus involver" (Dawn, Sept 19), much was written about the role of a good teacher, but no mention was made about the role of teachers in imparting moral education.
The number of schools is increasing day by day and everyone wants to send their children to better schools. But few schools nowadays bother to impart moral values to students, such as respect for parents, elders and even for teachers.
Students are being given provided with a freer atmosphere for their learning and growth, but they are not being trained in behaving properly. They generally lack discipline in their lives, contentment, tolerance and acceptance.
Students need to be taught to have an optimistic approach right from the beginning. They should be trained to listen to others, tolerate criticism and help others. They should be taught how to talk to elders and how to behave with younger siblings.
In junior schools, children should even be taught how to sit, walk and carry themselves in different places and different situations. Moral education should be part of the syllabus in addition to the other subjects.
When a student leaves school, he should be a morally strong individual, groomed in such a way that he is able to adjust and move confidently in society. The lack of moral training in students usually lead to misbehaviour and aimlessness in individuals later on in life.
MRS NADEEMA TANVEER
Principal, Quality Schools Foundation, Rawalpindi
Karachi master plan
It is good that the city district government of Karachi has embarked upon master planning for healthy growth of the city. There are severe infrastructural deficiencies, uneven distribution of urban services and a crisis situation.
Demands for housing, water supply, sewage disposal, power employment, medical, educational and recreational facilities, etc., are increasing in geometrical progression and supply is growing at a snail's pace.
A new master plan was overdue. The city government decision is most welcome, though time for the planning exercise is too short to shape a plan which can bring about tangible improvements.
Development objectives of the plan are consistent with national policies for urban development. These have been carefully set out but should be approved by the city council.
Even the immediate action plan of the city district government, which is facing human settlement problems, can't be finalized in six months. Among the deliverables under the terms of reference are socio-economic and land-use surveys, studies on water supply, sanitation, waste water regeneration, transportation, circulation, housing, health, education, recreation, tourism, etc., and development of planning tools which cannot be addressed properly in the extremely short period allocated for the planning exercise.
To conduct a land use survey of urbanized area, accurate maps of housing, commercial and industrial schemes at the scale 1:4,000 and 1:1,200 (for kutchi abadis) will be required. Availability and arrangement of these maps and training of the field staff will itself be a time-consuming task.
The land-use and socio-economic surveys of the urbanized part of Karachi will take one year to complete. The master plan will also include a disaster preparedness plan which requires a study of climate, earthquakes, cyclones, flood and fire incidents in the past and creation of a network of hospitals, trauma centres, relief organizations, fire brigades, police stations, etc. It is a gigantic task that will require 10 months to one year.
Studies on other sectors such as water supply, sanitation, health, education, recreation, economy, job generation and formulation of new planning tools will also be an arduous task.
Karachi needs a long-term plan which should not be formulated in haste. Priority may, therefore, be assigned to evaluate all previous master plans to identify factors that perennially affect implementation.
There are a number of recommendations which even today can be implemented. Future programmes may be decided in the light of past experience of master planning by our city district.
SYED SHAHAB AFROZ ALVI
Karachi
Spread of deadly diseases
This refers to Dr Shahana Faqeer's letter "Spread of deadly diseases" (Sept 25). She correctly points out the drawbacks of polypack syringes. I fully support her suggestions.
While all poly pack syringes may not be spurious, almost all spurious syringes come in poly pack form. Therefore, no hospital, clinic, doctor and nurse should use poly pack syringes.
This should be an important responsibility of all hospital administrators, and this must be done immediately in view of the spread of deadly diseases in our country.
At the same time, the government should take steps to reduce the cost of quality syringes so that good quality blister pack syringes are available in plenty.
ZAFAR BHATTI
Lahore
Motorcycle number plates
It has been observed that there is no uniformity in number plates of motorcycles in Karachi. Generally, criminals use motorcycles for robbing and other criminal activities.
They use motorcycles without number plates or the numbers are written in such a way that they are not readable (small size, non-visible colours or written in an obscure corner).
Two persons on a motorcycle robbed me at gunpoint recently. I tried to note down the number of their motorcycle, but it was not there or was too small to read. Similarly, the motorcycle of their colleague was also without a number plate.
I request the authorities concerned to make it mandatory for motorcyclists to use the standard and approved size of number plates issued by the motorcycle registration authority, which should be clearly readable from a reasonable distance. Motorcycles without number plates should be fined.
A. Q. FARUQUI
Karachi
Distribution of resources
This refers to Mr Manzoor Chandio's letter "Unjust distribution of resources" (Sept 30) in which he says: "The only port city of the country is situated in Sindh.
It is this province that contributes 70 per cent of revenue to the federal pool". May I know from which source this income comes and what is the contribution to it of Punjab and other portless or landlocked provinces and areas?
I will not talk about imports and exports, sales tax collection on goods manufactured in Karachi, the bulk of which is consumed by Punjab and other provinces.
My only point is that I work in Lahore but my income tax is deducted in Karachi (Sindh) and deposited with federal revenue. Is it the contribution of Punjab or Karachi/Sindh? Now is the time that all such statistics were released.
GHAZI SADEEDUDDIN
Lahore
Morning rush
Reckless driving to drop children at school has caused so many accidents and sometimes fatal injuries or loss of life. Parents and drivers, rushing so that children do not miss their classes, drive carelessly and senselessly, breaking driving rules.
It is suggested that all schools be advised to relax and amend the morning reporting time which should be fixed from 8am to 8.30am and allow children reporting late at least half an hour grace time to enter school and not be sent back.
Children who report late thrice a month may be detained for an hour after school as punishment. This would at least stop road accidents and the mad rush in the early hours.
NURUDDIN IBRAHIM
Karachi
UNSC seat for India
While discussing missed opportunities, Mr Kuldip Nayar ("One-upmanship game", Sept 25) says he fails to understand Islamabad's persistent "no" to India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
India neither deserves nor qualifies for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. It has long obstructed UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite on Kashmir. Giving it permanent membership would give it veto power, thus allowing it to further obstruct UN resolutions.
Indonesia on the other hand is a legitimate candidate for permanent membership. It has a large population, thus requiring permanent representation. But more importantly, it implemented a UN-backed plebiscite to ensure the right of self-determination for the people of East Timor.
The notion of maintaining peace and security between nation states, as enshrined in the UN Charter, only becomes feasible once all outstanding UN resolutions are implemented in all areas of conflict.
DR A. HAYE SAEED
Karachi
Road to QAU
I have been in constant torment for many years now because I reside on the Quaid-i-Azam University campus, and University Road, our only proper link to Islamabad, has long been closed ostensibly for security reasons since it skirts the Diplomatic Enclave. University Road now does not lead to the university.
Then another road connecting the university to the National Library Road was opened but that has been closed, too, bringing the QAU under siege. I admit that as a host country, it is our moral and legal obligation to provide foolproof security to foreign missions.
But there should be a limit to which locals like us are being inconvenienced. Now campus staff and residents have to take a third route which is a long winding detour through the chaotic Bari Imam, where no policeman is in sight to check security or regulate traffic, but where this road passes along the back of the presidency, the area is swarming with policemen.
Something should be done soon to relieve the QAU staff and residents of the agony of travelling in and out of the campus.
DR ROSHAN ZAMEER
B-34, Quaid-i-Azam University Staff Colony, Islamabad
US troops
According to a map published in US News and World Report (August 30), 619 US troops are deployed in Pakistan. The figure is not very big but it is not very small either.
I wonder who authorized the foreign troops on Pakistani soil and what these 619 soldiers are doing.
BAZLUR SURVERY
Kingston, ON., Canada
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