| February 16, 2006 | Thursday | Muharram 17, 1427 |
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Baltistan: a neglected area
New CDA building venture
Quality and HEC
Cotton committee
Counterfeit drugs
NFC award
Yousuf Gilani’s incarceration
Investment in transport
Defence clubs
Arundhati Roy
Hostels for women
Sugar crisis
Pakistan Post
Clarification
THE letter from Sui Southern Gas Co. under the above caption (Feb 7) is indeed wonderful news for all energy professionals since the gas company has come out solidly in favour of conserving natural gas.
The SSGC’s confirmation that approval for new gas connections is only given to those industrial (and commercial) bulk users opting for integrated cogeneration should really help to remove the present trend to somehow get gas sanctioned and then worry about efficiency. Efforts should be made to educate industrialists and developers since conservation of our precious gas resources must be understood at all levels. We just do not have gas to waste and the earlier this fact sinks in, the better for the country’s economy.
Another trend to watch out for is to “misdeclare” a cogeneration system design to get approval for gas sanction and then continue with the inefficient operation. Gas companies install two gas meters, one for power generation and the other for industrial consumption like steam and hot water. It should be easily possible to confirm cogeneration operation efficiency if the second gas meter has very low consumption. Normally, in most industries, gas meters for steam/hot water boilers have major consumption which shows how poor cogeneration efficiency really is. We can certainly do without such wasteful cogeneration power plants in which major gas continues to be consumed in inefficient processes to generate steam and hot water.
Since the SSGC is following the latest ECC directive, it is worth checking how a large government complex has been allowed major gas use for most inefficient power generation when this building has been originally sanctioned gas specifically for cogeneration.
Similarly, a five-star hotel has now been allowed gas in a most inefficient, and in this case most polluting, option when it had originally applied to the SSGC only for “conversion” to cogeneration without any extra gas requirement. The location and flue discharge in this particular case are polluting much beyond the allowable level, specially for NOX and that too in a very sensitive part of downtown Karachi.
Also, a new bank building has been sanctioned gas, again for most inefficient power generation. Is the new gas policy really working even in Karachi where it is easy to monitor?
At the end, it is heartening to note that the SSGC is about to launch a media campaign to create greater awareness (for efficiency and environment-friendly use of gas). But shouldn’t the good role start first at “home”? The SSGC head office building is perhaps the worst example of how “energy inefficient” a building can be. It would be in the interest of efficiency if the SSGC works towards gas conservation in their own building first; at the present the building has most inefficient systems for all three major energy consumers covering power generation, airconditioning and lighting. It is also hoped that the SNGPL, like the SSGC, would also openly confirm enforcement of gas conservation policies according to the ECC’s directive.
At least a beginning can be, and must be, made now so that no further wastage of precious gas is allowed. Conservation, whether of energy resources or water or our lifestyle, is the only answer.
AINUL ABEDIN
Karachi
BALTISTAN is the collective name of two districts (Skardu and Ganche districts) of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. These areas have been neglected by the government since 1977. The only prime minister who gave some attention to these areas was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The areas are rich in minerals and gem stones.
The dwellers are very strong. They cultivate their own crops. Many foreign tourists come here every year because of the world’s second highest peak, the K-2. The government earns a lot of foreign exchange through tourism. The K-2 base camp is now full of garbage and there are no signs of development. We only see some signboards of Khushhal Pakistan, but there is no “khushhali”. Roads are substandard and broken at every five metres.
The electricity problem is so awful that in winter power remains switched off for days. Ninety-nine per cent of the people use dry wood as a source of energy.
Natural gas is not available to every family. Gas is supplied to the city (Skardu) through cylinders. Every year two or three feet of snow falls here. Life is so miserable in winter that all roads are full of mud and snow water. Pedestrians cannot move from one side of the road to the other.
The transport system is poor. Education is now a business in these areas. Government schools are only for boys and girls from low-income families living from hand to mouth. The health sector is also not effective. There is one main government hospital in Skardu.
There is a need for overall development to bring succour to the people of Baltistan.
MUHAMMAD ARIF GHAVISI
Baltistan
THIS is with reference to a news item (Dawn, Islamabad Metropolitan, Feb 13) about the Capital Development Authority venturing into building luxury flats in the E-11 Sector of Islamabad. According to details, this would be a joint venture between the CDA and the private sector, whereby the contract for construction will be awarded through open bidding.
For the residents of the ill-fated Margalla Towers, Islamabad, it is ironic to remember that 15 years ago the CDA had announced construction of the Towers with similar fanfare. Margalla Towers were the only building that collapsed on Oct 8, 2005, killing 74 persons, including women and children and whole families. Margalla Towers were also announced as a “CDA luxury apartments” complex, built under a “joint venture” between the CDA and a private firm selected through “open bidding”. However, the proprietor of the firm happened to be an ex-draftsman of the CDA, having no previous experience of constructing high-rise buildings.
My prayers are with those who will choose to live in the proposed CDA luxury apartments in E-11.
DR FARID MIDHET
Member, Action Committee,
Margalla Towers Residents Society, Islamabad
I AM surprised that no one is talking about the job market response to graduates of private universities that the HEC is planning to close down.
There are hundreds of graduates from these private universities who are well-placed in senior positions in leading national and multinational companies. In my career so far, I have interviewed more than a hundred MBA graduates from private and public sector universities in Punjab. I must say that when it comes to quality MBAs, with the exception of Punjab University and Quaid-i-Azam University, the contribution of all other public sector universities in Punjab is negligible.
It is the private sector universities that fill the gap. As an interviewer I am hardly concerned about the financial position of the university, its infrastructure and so on as required by the HEC. The job market is driven by quality, not charters. This is evident from the fact that most of today’s senior corporate managers were hired at a time when their respective universities did not hold a charter.
Why does not the HEC hold a competition between the graduates of private and public sector universities and then decide which ones to close down? Keep in mind that under the current rules, any a general who has done only his intermediate can be made vice-chancellor of a public sector university and any third divisioner hold a high position in the HEC, but for someone to be posted to a senior position in a private corporation one needs quality education.
CH. ATHAR AMIN
Lahore
AFTER leaving its own spacious building, the PCCC is now perched in a seven-storeyed plaza, rented at Rs2.5 million a month, with no lifts or parking space, as well as an erratic supply of water and an unfriendly environment for a research organization.
Sir, if a roadside tree is felled in the city or in Islamabad or a consensus has to be built on making ‘dams’ urgently needed by the country, an unnecessary hue and cry is raised by the people. But shifting of the PCCC in a hush-hush manner has gone unwept by the local print media, intelligentsia, scientists’ fraternity, and many others who benefited from the PCCC’s services.
Luckily, Dawn has published a few letters lamenting the unwanted shifting after more than 50 years of its existence on M.T. Khan Road, Karachi. Research organizations are rarely dislocated and relocated for the benefits of anyone than their own.
The authorities concerned are earnestly requested to bring the PCCC back to its location, before the splendour of the finely-built building is reduced to rubble.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
THIS has reference to your editorial “Menace of fake drugs” (Jan 13), in which it has been reported that Pakistan has been included amongst the world’s counterfeiting “hot-spots”.
Mr Charles Walker, member of the British House of Commons, has identified Pakistan “as a country where counterfeit medicines were produced” and has warned that the funds generated by this trade could be used in money laundering or sponsoring terrorism.
As the editorial has pointed out, these are serious allegations and not only have they tarnished the image of Pakistan, but also of the ministry of health and the credibility of our pharmaceutical products.
Such massive production of counterfeit and fake drugs is not possible without the connivance and knowledge of the relevant departments.
The federal minister for health has been approached to take immediate and appropriate action to rectify this alarming situation, in order to protect consumers, the pharmaceutical industry and the credibility of our pharmaceutical products and its exports.
A. HAMID MAKER
Karachi
AS in the past, objections are being raised by stakeholders to the National Finance Commission Award announced by the president recently.
Would it not be better to keep only three taxes, namely, income tax, sales tax and customs duty, with the centre and leave all other taxation to the provinces?
From federal taxes a reasonable share in excess of the centre’s needs (say 50 per cent) can be shared by the provinces on the basis of population-cum-area.
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
THE state of democracy in Pakistan remains abysmal. Our people are denied the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Political victimization and persecution are used as instruments to hound opponents who are tempted with bribes and punished with imprisonment or persecution when they refuse to sell their political convictions.
Yousuf Raza Gilani, former speaker of the National Assembly, is one of those who had to endure all this. He is now into his third year of imprisonment after being sentenced for seven years by an accountability court. What was his crime? He did not siphon public money. He served his constituency and was repeatedly elected to parliament from 1985 onwards.
In the 2002 general elections, he was barred from contesting elections whereas those in a similar situation were allowed to contest in return for supporting the military and betraying their political parties. It is appalling to see wrong rewarded and right punished. It erodes the moral foundations of our society and puts the future of our country at stake.
Mr. Gilani was first arrested in 2000. Initially he was wrongly charged for misusing authority. A new case was logged against him for providing jobs to 334 people as speaker. He was released on bail in 2003 . Once again the military regime asked him to defect from the Pakistan People’s Party Benazir Bhutto. He refused and was threatened with cancellation of his bail. He refused and he was punished with re-imprisonment.
Under rule 21-A the speaker of the National Assembly is entitled to many discretionary powers, yet all appointments have to be scrutinized by the assembly secretariat and duly approved by the finance committee, a committee comprising 16 members of parliament belonging to various different political parties. The appointments took place as part of a procedure and not on personal whim.
The Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan People’s Party, therefore, considers this case as mala fide, baseless and ill- intended. It aims at abusing the law and the office the NAB officials hold to politically re-engineer the Pakistani political scene. We seek the release of Mr Gilani.
FAUZIA WAHAB
Member National Assembly and central’ coordinator,
Human Rights Cell, PPP
Karachi
I would like to draw the attention of the CBR chairman to the database for collection of tax on income and unexplained investment in transport.
Usually when investment is made in any business/industry, it is investigated for the purpose of reconciliation of investment vis-a-vis the income of past years declared by the investor. But in the case of transport (passenger/goods), nobody has so far mustered the courage to make inquiries into resources of investment, nor has such investors’ income been properly assessed, except for the fact that their payment of income tax through vehicle registration is assumed to be the final liability, which is very meagre and not justified if compared to the income earned by this sector.
I have reasons to believe that this sector is very powerful and has off and on blackmailed the government through threats of strikes when the public suffers enormously. I would appreciate if the CBR chairman issues clear-cut instructions with regard to investments made in buses and trucks which go relatively untaxed as compared to investment in industry and business.
MUHAMMAD YOUNUS BHATTI
Hyderabad
I ENDORSE the views of Mr Jamil-ur-Rehman (Feb 4) that the service chiefs should take immediate note of implementing the Supreme Court verdict regarding serving wedding meals in the golf clubs managed by the armed forces.
During the last marriage season, I attended numerous marriages in the clubs run by defence authorities in various cities. On all such occasions meals were served with no regard to the law and that was the real reason why people preferred holding these functions in these clubs. Gradually these clubs have found a clientele which is sure of the backing they have in flouting the laws.
The Supreme Court should enforce its verdict. If these institutions get preferential treatment and do not follow the Supreme Court orders, then some mechanism should be devised for others as well that has a minimum impact on people’s pockets. The serving of a single dish, as was enforced for a certain period, could be reconsidered.
WG CDR(r) ARIF MAJEED
Karachi
NOTED Indian novelist and human rights activist Arundhati Roy has turned down India’s highest literary award given by the Sahitya Akademi. She said that she could not accept any award from a government whose policies she openly opposed.
Can we expect any notable Pakistani literary, political or social figures to do the same here?
NADEEM AKHTAR
Karachi
THIS is in reference to an article published in your newspaper (Feb 4) which said that most private hostels for women lacked security arrangements.
It is also pointed out most private hostels are not registered with the government. In many such hostels in Rawalpindi, girls are harassed and humiliated by their wardens. Students who come from remote areas cannot complain because they fear that their parents will then ask them to discontinue their studies and return home.
I request the government to ask the owners of the hostels to ensure security for the students and to get them to register.
SHAZIA KHAN
Islamabad
DUE to a fabricated shortage of sugar, the country is currently faced with sugar prices of up to Rs40 per kg.
There are enough sugar mills to cater to the market. An auditor will tell you that a majority of sugar mills are incurring losses. They believe that a major portion of the inventory is siphoned out to the black market at heavy premiums. These clandestine traders are reaping windfalls by smuggling or selling the product at high prices without any fear.
The government remains unmoved by the sugar crisis which directly affects the common man.
RAFI ADAMJEE
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item “Senate moved to reject FPSC law” (Jan 20) which states that the FPSC chairman has submitted a report to the president containing objections to the contract appointment of the present director-general of the Pakistan Post Office, Maj-Gen Agha Masood Hassan.
It is unfortunate that president has failed to forward the report to parliament according to the law.
If we cast a glance at the performance of the post office department in the last five to six years, we find that this huge organization is lagging behind its competitors. Courier companies, including new ones, are doing more business due to their reliability and commitment.
We also keep on hearing of frauds in big and small post offices where there is no respect for customers and most of the offices present a shabby look. According to some insiders of the department, this whole situation is due to mismanagement.
MUZZAAMIL AHMED SIDDIQUI
Karachi
WITH reference to the article “Caught red-handed” published in The Review issue dated Feb 9-15 edition regarding the leakage of admission test papers of the MBBS/BDS programmes, we would like to clarify that the test was conducted by the IBA, Karachi, on Oct 28, 2001 and not on Oct 28, 2002, as mentioned.
SYED QAISER ABBAS
Administration Officer, IBA,
Karachi
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