| March 27, 2006 | Monday | Safar 26, 1427 |
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KU problems
India’s foreign policy
‘Misuse of zakat money’
Pakistan Steel
Not the Middle East
Tolerance
The ‘gift’
Good corporate citizens
CNG dangers
Help needed to register FIR
Centennial
Budget
ACCORDING to the economic survey 2004-05, some 700 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations are operating in the country while 200 are under construction. By March 2005, about 700,000 vehicles has been converted to CNG as compared to 450,000 vehicles during the same period last year, showing an increase of 56 per cent. Consequently, production of natural gas has been increased and stood at 1,003,198 million cubic feet (mmcf) during July-March 2004-05, as compared to 882,684 mmcf with an increase of 13.6 percent. During July-March 2004-05, 3681 mmcfd of natural gas was supplied as against 3,210 mmcfd during the same period last year.
The government has also planned to offer incentives to investors to introduce CNG buses in major cities. As many as 10,000 cars and other vehicles with CNG-fitted kits are being added to our roads every month. Pakistan’s proven natural gas reservoirs stood at 26.8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and due to a massive and unplanned use of natural gas, its being depleted at a rapid pace. Pakistan’s gas demand also exceeds from its current supply. The first ever seen output of 1 tcf per annum (2005) of natural gas meets only 45 percent (approx.) of country’s energy need.
According to estimates, Pakistan will face a shortfall of 350 mmcfd from the year 2010 and going up to 1,691 mmcfd in 2015 and 3,156 mmcfd in 2020. The piped-gas projects from Iran and Central Asia are still in their preliminary stages and even if work on any one of the projects is started, it will take two years for financial closing of the project and another three to four years in construction. Development of 700-acres textile city has been announced by the government at Port Qasim and a few other cement, edible oil and fertilizers projects which require a bulk amount.
Since the piped gas project future seems volatile, the only option with the government is to enhance oil and gas exploration. However there is a very low success rate in drilling of exploration wells. It is a fact that the average success in Pakistan is 1:4 as compared to a global average of 1:10.
Contrary to the popular opinion owing to the use of CNG, I believe that our energy planners have opted for the wrong approach and that is burning gas as fuel. The switchover of power plants from furnace oil to natural gas has resulted in a fast depletion of natural gas.
This January the centre instructed the provinces to phase out diesel-powered buses, mini-buses and wagons from the country’s major cities by the end of 2007. The meeting suggested that no permit be issued to diesel vehicles in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Quetta and Islamabad/Rawalpindi from 2007. Again the question arises as to whether we need more refineries in the country?
Consumers are now making a beeline towards CNG filling stations. Tailpipe emissions from CNG-powered vehicles may be relatively clean and you may live longer surrounded by vehicles that run on it. But if CNG doesn’t kill you, waiting in those endless queues to get this new clean fuel probably will.
It is suggested that car manufacturers be restrained from further production of CNG-fitted cars till start-up of work on at least one of the three pipeline projects or LNG projects begins. The SSGC and the SNGPL should be asked to calculate the demand and supply of natural gas being consumed as CNG to avoid massive depletion.
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
SEVERAL letters about the problems at the University of Karachi have been published in your newspaper. I think the most serious problem is faced by evening students at the university. They pay Rs.15, 000 per semester as compared to Rs.2, 500-3,000 fees for morning students.
We must reach the university on our own, while morning students have the facility of KU buses. Also, we also have to walk the distance from the gate to our department, while in the morning some shuttle buses are available. No seminars, students’ week or book fairs are available to evening students.
It is requested that the vice-chancellor and other authorities should look into this matter seriously and try to solve problems by starting a bus service for evening students and lowering the high fees that’s being paid by them.
KHALIL ZAFAR
Karachi
THIS is with reference to letters recently published in Dawn which paint a negative picture of Karachi University. I am a student at this university and have a different story to tell. I must say that before I joined KU, I had my reservations about the place as I had heard it was in a deplorable state, the teaching staff was indifferent and student politics had turned it into a ‘battlefield’.
When I actually started attending the university, I found it was not such a bad place after all. I was happy to find a proper and a very large campus and not an ‘air-conditioned box’ like the other universities.
The faculty at KU consists mostly of capable and learned people, including quite a few PhDs, who take a lot of interest in the students’ work.
The course outline is well structured, provided you take interest in it. Everything is available at the campus - books, banks, photocopy shops and a few canteens.
Every institution has its shortcomings and there are certainly issues at KU that need to be addressed. For example, student politics must be curbed, transportation needs to be improved and the campus and classrooms be better maintained. But we must keep in mind that the university lacks funds. I advise everyone, especially those with private school backgrounds, to go study at KU and contribute to raising its standards and improving its image.
NEHA ANSARI
Karachi
THIS letter is in reference to Najmuddin A. Shaikh’s article “New turn in US-India ties” (March 22). I am surprised by the way he denigrates India’s foreign policy and progress. Every country including America has learned from others and used opportunities to its benefit. India is doing the same.
India’s foreign policy has always been aimed towards independence and non-alignment. Through this policy India has managed to get support from both the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union in various forms.
At the same time, India refused to be indoctrinated by the communists or support the “free world” in its imperialist designs on Third World nations. India also managed to get weapons and technology from both superpowers and persuade the US and China to withhold support for Pakistan during its wars with India.
No wonder this phenomenon has shocked and puzzled Pakistani think-tanks. In contrast, China understands India’s policy and has played its cards well to ensure peaceful borders, a steady trade and strategically synergistic foreign policy. India supports China on WTO, while Taiwan and China support India at various international forums.
It really does not matter what various politicians say out loud. The US wishes to sell arms to India primarily to earn much-needed revenue from a non-threatening nation. Similarly, technology transfer will help the US in the long run in its pursuit to earn growing markets in India and diversify its supply base for low cost production.
ANURAG GUPTA
Arizona, USA
I HAVE been an avid reader of Dawn for the last five years. I really enjoy all the articles, whether they are positive or negative. Writers like Ayaz Amir, Ardeshir Cowasjee and Irfan Hussain give Indian readers a different perspective on various issues.
The article “New Turn in US-India ties” was very well written. It was one of the most technically-balanced views on the subject. The writer gave a very thorough description of the relationship between India and the US from many different angles.
PRADEEP MISHRA
Calcutta, India
MAY I draw your attention to Mr Hafizur Rahman’s article ‘Misuse of zakat money’ (March 15) in which it has been alleged that “conscientious Muslims have nothing against the collection of zakat and its disbursement among the needy, but they object vehemently to the purchase of staff cars, airconditioners and other bureaucratic perks from this money (which they consider a sacred trust) and, on this basis, consider the whole system as a travesty of Islamic injunctions”.
The ministry of religious affairs, zakat and ushr wants to clarify that no such purchases have ever been made out of zakat funds. A foolproof system exists and the ministry has no role in collection or utilization of zakat as it only acts as executor of the directions of the Central Zakat Council.
The CZC is headed by a Supreme Court judge and has eminent ulema as members who supervise and control collection of zakat funds and its distribution to the provinces. In provinces the provincial zakat councils, headed by High Court judges, supervise constitution of district/local zakat councils and release of zakat funds to these committees. To a large extent, the existing zakat collection and distribution system is free from political influence.
S.H.S. BOKHARI
PRO, Religious Affairs Ministry
Islamabad
PRIVATISATION of the Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation is getting wide press coverage which needs clarification in the national interest.
The corporation was established during the early 1970s to develop the steel sector in Pakistan, including the Pakistan Steel Mills, Karachi. Consequently, the Nokundi iron ore project and the Kalabagh steel mills project were transferred from the PIDC to the corporation, along with staff and relevant documents. Separate sections for these two projects were established in the corporation. In addition, the corporation undertook some other steel sector development projects.
I would like to appeal to the authorities concerned to kindly transfer the staff and relevant documents of various steel sector development projects from the Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation to the PIDC or any other suitable organization before privatisation of the Pakistan Steel Mills.
M. AKRAM NIAZI
Karachi
REGARDING Sherwood Ross’s letter (March 23), he presumes that Pakistan is part of the Middle East. This impression seems to exist all over the US, but I wouldn’t blame the Americans for their ignorance as this is the way we’re looked at by the rest of the world.
The fact is that Muslim does not equal Middle East or Arab. Pakistan has little in common with the Middle East other than religion and it’s time the rest of the world realises this.
SILAL SHAFQAT
Mass., USA
THE news report “Schoolgirl loses case to wear Islamic dress” (March 23) should have also mentioned that the uniform code for Muslim girls at Denbigh high school is a headscarf, shalwar and a knee-length kameez. And that Shabina Begum had already moved to another school which allowed her to wear the Arabic dress.
I wish religious scholars would teach our youngsters Islamic values, and not just Arab culture.
WIZARAT RIZVI
New Jersey, USA
THE case of the Afghan man facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity is very disturbing. Muslims preachers go around the world on “tableeghi tours”, preaching and proselytizing with complete freedom. But they are not prepared to give non-Muslims the same freedom in their own countries. Muslims claim loudly that there is no compulsion in Islam and that Islam is a religion of peace. Now is the time to prove it.
MUHAMMED IDRIS
Stockholm, Sweden
The Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, who converted from Islam to Christianity had been working for a Christian aid organisation in Peshawar. Was the purpose of this Christian aid organisation to undertake rehabilitation in the war-torn Afghanistan or act as a missionary to convert Muslims to Christianity? This case reveals that most of the Christian charitable organisations working in Muslim countries are brainwashing young Muslims. These organisations that pose as aiding the needy must be watched carefully.
SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi
SOME time ago, Mian Nawaz Sharif said that he will give a memorable gift to the nation on March 23 that will not be forgotten for centuries to come. I remained in front of the television screen on March 23, awaiting some breaking news but it was in vain. Political leaders should not make promises to the people that they cannot fulfill.
MUHAMMAD WASEEM
ELAHI Gujranwala
ANY development plan which is aimed at improving the quality of life in Karachi invariably attracts opposition. The opposition is expressed in several ways: (1) lobbying at the highest level to get the plan stalled or simply get it destroyed, (2) a misinformation campaign by people carrying monkey wrenches larger than themselves, (3) buzzword campaigns and (4) simple acts of sabotage and terrorism. A development package of a few billion rupees some years ago was greeted by two bomb blasts in a row which killed many people.
Announcements about other development plans also met the same fate. The net result was that a few multinationals, which had announced the setting up of their regional offices, changed their mind.
Every time Karachi cuts a favourable figure, there are vested interests that want to destroy the good impression. They want to devalue the city.
The president of the Karachi Council of Economic and International Affairs, a former chief justice of Pakistan, once said in an off-the-cuff remark: “It appears that someone deliberately does it. There is a horrible regularity in the pattern.” Fifty years of repetition of this exercise has given people a frame of mind which encourages them to write at will against any development plan which is favourable to Karachi. They think it is in order.
The KPT and many other organizations began to invest in Karachi after the government apparently said to them. “You have earned billions of rupees from Karachi. Now you return something to the city”. Thus work began on the construction of two underpasses; work on a few direly needed roads was taken in hand. Pakistan Steel and Port Qasim were told the same thing and they announced their plans to build roads, etc.
Now there are plans to beautify the 14-km-long stretch of the coastline starting from a fast-food restaurant all the way up to the golf club. There will be amphitheatres, shopping plazas, a world-class hospital complex, squash courts and much more. I am warning every reader in advance, there will be opposition. Spanners will be thrown. Yet the friends of Karachi will support these plans.
Karachi, with a population of 15 million, is an outstanding port city. Dubai, Istanbul and many coastal cities have more fountains than Karachi. The critics should always understand that investment in beautifying a port city always pays off in terms of foreign exchange earnings; besides, it creates job opportunities. The KPT and other organizations should not allow petty criticism by vested interests to stand in their way of becoming good corporate citizens.
ZAMAN ALI Karachi
DURING a recent visit to Pakistan, the sight of CNG tankers on city roads in heavily populated areas sent a shiver up my spine.
The CNG tankers that carry a large quantity of highly flammable gas stored under pressure are essentially large-sized bombs. A traffic accident involving one of the tankers will result in leakage of the compressed flammable gas into the atmosphere.
Unlike petroleum tankers, the leakage of compressed gas from a CNG tanker can quickly spread over a large area and the resulting explosion will be catastrophic.
It is recommended that all CNG tankers be subject to an official inspection and certification programme on a regular basis. And the routes on which the tankers travel should be regulated, while movement through congested and heavily populated areas should be prohibited.
Also, emergency services should have a clear plan to combat and control CNG release incidents.
TARIQ RAZA
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
After reading the Dawn report: “Father of murdered girl seeks help for FIR registration” (March 21) I couldn’t help but ask: is our conscience dead? Don’t we know anything about normal civic behaviour, justice, education, equality and human rights?
Mr Ghulam Mustafa Bhutto of Doulatpur taluka has sought help from the prime minister and the Sindh chief minister to get an FIR registered on behalf of his 17-year-old daughter Mumtaza, who was sexually assaulted and murdered. This is one more case that proves how women in Pakistan are treated worse than animals.
By avoiding to register the case against unidentified people, the police are trying to shield the criminals who, it seems, are influential.
Will it become routine to ask the prime minister and chief ministers to intervene and help register cases? Will their help also be needed to get some justice, if at all a case is registered?
REHANA NAQVI
Karachi
THERE are many Muslim Leagues active in politics these days but only the PML-Q is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Muslim League. This is especially interesting as the PML-Q only came into being after General Pervez Musharraf took over the administration after a coup in October 1999. Where are all the senior leaders of the Muslim League and why are they not celebrating this historic event?
Dr ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
THE finance and other ministries should be busy making the country’s annual budget. I would like to suggest that priority for allocation of funds in the next fiscal year budget be given in the following order:
1) agriculture
2) education, information and technology
3) health and social welfare
4) logistics (roads and transport)
5) energy (power sector)
6) industries
7) defence
S. A. K. NAQVI
Karachi
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