| May 18, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1427 |
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Election & Kalabagh dam
Pigs: a health hazard
Basic banking account
Retired PhD teachers
Parents, children and marriage
‘Charter of democracy’
Naushad Ali
Phone fixed
Seeking investment
No more strikes
RISING CNG kit and cylinder prices and procedural bottlenecks in setting up of a CNG station that involves clearance from over 14 departments and other clearances stretched the situation to a point where the government was compelled to ‘shift the paradigm’ owing to the use of LPG in automobiles. Earlier, LPG was considered a dangerous fuel even by the government, use of which in automobiles was banned.
The government succumbed against the soaring crude oil and petroleum prices to cut the oil import bill and decided to promote the use of LPG in automobiles.
On the other hand, business rivalry seems enhanced between the CNG business owners and those who are in LPG trade, followed by a decision on Sept 21, 2005 in which the cabinet had approved, in principle, the use of LPG in motor vehicles.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has been directed to prepare safety guidelines in view of the storage and use of LPG in automobiles. Much hue and cry has been raised by CNG tycoons who feel their grip loosening over the lucrative CNG business. The CNG lobby has argued that LPG is a dangerous fuel that may cause explosions in vehicles. They also take a stand over the fact that LPG is being used in quake-affected areas in northern Pakistan where it is used in stoves.
It may be recalled that on June 14, 2000 the cabinet had decided that all LPG companies would be obligated to market at least 20 per cent of their quota in AJK and Northern Areas, whereas the ministry further quantified this 20 per cent as seven per cent for Northern Areas; seven per cent for AJK; and six per cent for hilly areas, including Fata, to arrest deforestation, improve degrading environmental conditions and upgrade living standards of the people of backward areas.
In the LPG policy 2005, which was last updated on Aug 11, 2005 it is stated that the “government of Pakistan has deregulated LPG allocation and prices. The government, therefore, does not fix LPG prices for producers as well as for consumers to promote healthy a competition and to improve safety and service standards. All new producers of LPG are now free to market their product themselves or dispose it of through any LPG marketing company.”
Moreover, regarding the use of LPG in automobiles, the government states that “under the existing government policy, LPG cannot be sold to automotive sector”. Taking advantage of this situation, LPG producers have raised the price of gas to Rs56/kilo.
While speaking to the media on Nov 18, 2005 the president of the CNG Station Owners Association of Pakistan claimed that the SSGC managibg director had given him an assurance that the company is expected to increase the pressure of natural gas being supplied to CNG stations. However, it requires a heavy investment in the upgrading of infrastructure and the replacement of high-grade pipelines as the current piping system cannot bear the pressure of 15 PSI or more.
Moreover, owing to the lack of safety procedures pertaining to the storage and use of LPG in automobiles, LPG incidents become a common feature. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority should prepare safety guidelines for the use of LPG in the automotive sector and establishment of LPG refuelling stations on the pattern of CNG stations in conjunction with LPG producers, plant owners and traders.
However, LPG business owners might face tough competition after the manufacturing of CNG cylinders on domestic level as the government will allow local manufacturing of CNG kits soon. This is expected to bring down the prices of kits by 50 per cent. Following approval from OGRA companies located in Islamabad and Peshawar will start production of CNG kits. According to reports, these companies will be producing 4,000 CNG kits in three months.
RASHID ASHRAF
Karachi
ACCORDING to the Punjab chief minister, the government will start construction of the controversial Kalabagh dam soon after ‘winning’ the election in 2007. This is an interesting statement that tells us two things: one is the advance confirmation of winning of the election by the ruling party and the second is the reason why the government has delayed the Kalabagh dam project.
There is more than a year left for the upcoming general election but confirmation of the ruling party’s victory has already been given by the chief minister. This shows how free and fair the election will be.
However, according to some media reports, the government has already quietly moved some heavy construction machinery to the site.
Residential colonies are already in place while canals that will take the dam water to Punjab have almost been completed because of the “special interest” shown by the Punjab government.
The Sindh Abadgaar Board, whose representatives recently visited the site, has confirmed that construction work on the Kalabagh dam has quietly been started and that heavy machinery have been brought to the site.
It is sad that the establishment, after failing to gain confidence of the people of three provinces on the issue of the Kalabagh dam, has resorted to these tactics. Prior to this, it had placed advertisements in the media to promote the dam idea.
The connection between the Kalabagh dam and the election is very simple. The establishment wants to build the Kalabagh dam in any case but it does not want to lose the upcoming election. So the people of the Seraki belt and three provinces, especially Sindh, must understand the reality and decide which party has their interest in mind with respect to the Kalabagh dam.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
IN A recently-held meeting of the Pakistan Neurology Society in Islamabad, a keynote speaker from our neighbouring country described the extent to which a deadly human disease called cystecercosis afflicts a large segment of the population in India.
The purpose of his presentation was primarily a note of warning that we in Pakistan need to be more vigilant about its common prevalence next door, especially in view of the newly emerging facts that this disease is no longer restricted to pork-eating communities. In India it is more prevalent among the vegetarians as compared to the meat-eating people.
Cystecercosis is not a new disease. Its descriptions exist in medical literature that dates back 3,000 years. Its causative agent, a parasite, has a life cycle part of which has to mediate through pigs. Humans get infected by consuming the infected pig’s meat. But the earlier belief that this disease is restricted to pork-eating people has changed since vegetarians are now also known to suffer from this condition.
The disease spreads among the vegetarians through the use of unwashed vegetables which have been smeared by pig’s excreta. Thus the esteemed speaker communicated a note of warning to the people of Pakistan that being a non-pork-eater should not be considered as having immunity against the disease.
It is commonly believed that Pakistan does not have an endemic population of pigs, barring a few wild boars encountered in the border areas. In the last few years, however, reports indicate that stray pigs have been sighted by many residents of Islamabad, especially in the early morning hours. What is more alarming is the fact that spread of cystecercosis has already started in the Islamabad area, as reported by one of the doctors from Islambad who participated in the conference.
At present the situation may not be widespread and can perhaps be easily prevented if the authorities concerned take cognizance of its existence and take appropriate measures to stop this scourge. Hopefully the population of pigs in the Islamabad area and its surroundings is not large and can easily be eradicated. A timely action is required as any neglect at this stage will increase the spread of cystecercosis and may result in a lot of human suffering in future.
PROF HASAN AZIZ
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Basic banking account’ (May 12). The State Bank does not agree with the claim that nothing has been done for implementation of Basic banking accounts (BBAs). According to the compliance reports submitted to the State Bank, almost all commercial banks have issued press releases and placed advertisements regarding the opening of BBAs in leading newspapers.
They have also disseminated information about the salient features of the scheme through brochures and notice boards at bank branches. According to the compliance reports, a number of banks have either opened thousands of Basic banking accounts or facilitated their interested clients to convert their old accounts into BBAs.
Banks have also reported to the State Bank that they have conveyed instructions regarding BBAs to their various offices and branches.
It is mandatory on the part of the banks to implement the State Bank’s instructions. Any bank found violating the State Bank’s instructions will face penal action from the central bank.
The State Bank is continuously monitoring the implementation of its instructions regarding the BBAs and will ensure their meticulous compliance by banks.
However, if anyone is facing difficulty in opening BBAs with any bank, he or she may approach the State Bank of Pakistan with complete details for the prompt redress of their grievance
SYED WASIMUDDIN
Chief Spokesman, State Bank of Pakistan, Karachi
THERE is an acute shortage of experienced and foreign qualified PhDs in science and technology in public sector universities. Retired professors with 35 to 40 years’ teaching and research experience are being hired by public sector universities as adjunct or visiting professors not only to teach students but also to supervise research studies of MPhil and PhD degree students. But they are paid no extra allowance for their arduous work.
The remuneration being paid to them by public universities is only Rs9,355 a month. No other allowance is paid. Most of the retired professors live in a rented house or a rented apartment and have to use their own means of transport to attend to their assignments in the university.
They have to pay all their utility bills, medical bills, house rent and transport expenses from their meagre pensions and the paltry monthly remuneration that is given to them.
Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, chancellor in Sindh, and Dr Atta-ur- Rehman, chairman of the HEC, are requested to redress the problems being faced by foreign qualified professors hired as adjunct professors in public universities. Their remuneration should be increased from Rs9,355 to at least 25,000 a month or they hould be granted the initial basic pay of BPS-20 so that they can overcome their financial problems to give their best to their students.
A RETIRED PROFESSOR
Karachi
SYED Ahmad Fraz (May 3) and S. Khan (May 5) have both presented strong and interesting arguments regarding the degree of involvement of parents in the decision about their children’s marriage.
As somebody who had felt delighted at Aruna’s reunion with her husband and can also empathise with both sides, one would like to offer some comments. Having travelled around, one has observed that a lot of parents not just in Pakistan but other Asian and Third World countries appear to exert excessive pressure on and not give sufficient freedom to their offspring. Many a time this affects the physical or psychological well-being and happiness of the young people.
The result is that many youngsters rebel, either actively or passively, against the social norms and even their religion. Unfortunately, quite a few parents and older relatives or siblings try to misuse the Islamic teachings or, for that matter the Confucian ones that go so far as ancestor worship, calling for obedience to the elders, in order to control and manipulate the youngsters, which has bad consequences. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) not only taught respect for the elders but also love and kindness for the young.
There was an incident many years ago when an Arab couple settled in the US brought their two daughters raised over there and aged around 18-20 back home under some pretext and forcibly tried to marry them to local young men. Being American citizens and averse to this arrangement, the girls sought help of the US embassy (or some other source) and managed to return to America.
One of them ended up marrying a Christian American and joined him in a sustained campaign against Islam. The other girl tied the knot with a practising Muslim and the couple is leading a happy life.
There are several lessons in this story.
Be that as it may, we must also consider the fact that practically all marriages in the the West are based on choice. Yet nearly two-thirds of them end up in divorce with many adverse financial, social and psychological problems for the couple and their children.
The way out may depend on two things. First, the parents should not abuse Islamic teachings to control their children but learn to respect the latter’s rights. If children marry someone they do not approve of, parents should not subject them to inhuman treatment. Second, the young folk too must realise that parents undergo many hardships and make endless sacrifices for their children’s sake. So when marrying they should seek the approval of parents.
IMPARTIAL
Karachi
THE scepticism expressed in your editorial (May 16) is well founded. The charter smacks of ‘udhar tum, idhar hum’ politics; that is, you enjoy your Rockwood estate there, and let me enjoy my Raiwind estate here.
I remember when Nawaz Sharif ordered dozens of copies of an English-language daily, which gave details about the Rockwood estate, to be couriered to Islamabad. He then had all his party members wave the newspapers at Benazir Bhutto when she walked into the National Assembly. Well, at least under this new charter there will be no more of that.
These two leaders have had 11 years of ‘unfettered democracy’ during their combined reign. Yet they failed to make anything out of it. Now they are championing the cause of democracy and constitutionalism yet again. This is notwithstanding the attack on the Supreme Court during their democratic era, and the fact that they were dismissed thrice by democratically-elected civilian presidents through a constitutional process.
RAFI AHMED
Karachi
“THEN a problem arose because Asif Saab wanted a line in the lyrics to insult Emperor Akbar, but subtly, with dignity. So we were caught in a bind. Shakeel Saab then came up with the line,” ‘Aaj kahenge dil ka phasana, jaan bhi chahye le leye zamana, parda nahi jab koi khuda se banda se parda kya’. Asif Saab immediately agreed, and I too said fine. It was six in the morning!”
The above is the last paragraph of Naushad’s obituary. There are problems with his quote of the song. Here are the correct verses:
aaj kahenge dil kaa fasaanaa jaan bhii lele chaahe zamaanaa
maut vohii jo duniyaa dekhe
maut vohii jo duniyaa dekhe ghut ghut kar yuu na maranaa kyaa
jab pyaar kiyaa to daranaa kyaa
chhup na sakegaa ishq hamaaraa chaaron taraf hai unakaa nazaaraa
paradaa nahin jab koii
khudaa se
paradaa nahin jab koii
khudaa se bandon se paradaa karanaa kyaa
jab pyaar kiyaa to daranaa kyaa
pyaar kiyaa to daranaa kyaa jab pyaar kiyaa to daranaa kyaa
MAZHAR HABIB
California, USA
THIS refers to the letter ‘Phone complaint’ (May 17) regarding the telephone number 6645859. PTCL would like to clarify that the fault was rectified on the same day.
SALEEM KHAN PRO STR-III
Karachi
THE prime minister has “sought investment from energy-rich Muslim countries to the capital-deficient Muslim nations” (Dawn, May 14 ). At least as far as Pakistan is concerned, there is no need of such foreign investment because our country has lots of money to spend.
Take for example the case of travel by government officials. According to columnist Sultan Ahmed (May 4) $705 million was spent during the last six months for this purpose, and the figure may well reach $1.5 billion in a year’s time. This cost includes travel by chartered planes and staying in luxurious hotels.
Meanwhile, Rs700,000 is spent daily for the running of the president house. Another Rs700,000 is spent at the prime minister’s residence. With a 62-member cabinet, this expenditure surely runs up to millions of rupees daily.
Then there is the case of the KPT fountain which was built at the expense of Rs 220 million. How can such a phenomenal expense be justified?
ENGR. A. RAHIM
Michigan, USA
MUCH is being published in the press about the president and the prime minister saying that Pakistan is safe for investment. Unfortunately, it’s all untrue.
Yes, they welcome investment but that’s about it. Unless the various ‘gears’ of government machinery have been duly ‘greased’, investors will not find any kind of safety. And bad luck for the investor who finds himself in dispute with people who are in government or matter to the government.
MOHAMMAD BANGASH
Islamabad
OUT of the 365 days in the year, many working days are sacrificed in the name of religion, traditions, elections, sports and other ‘celebrations’. If any other days are left, they are wasted by strikes.
The government’s claims can no longer be trusted. Ranging from flour and sugar to cement and bricks, the price of every commodity is increasing manifold. Our GDP is nowhere comparable to other developing countries. The literacy rate is alarmingly low. Our educational institutes are hardly of an international standard. Poverty, unemployment and inflation are rising exponentially. Thousands of lawsuits are still lined up for the courts to resolve. While we talk about building dams, there are still many areas in Pakistan where there is no access to electricity. Do we really need more days off from work?
JIBRAN AHMED SARFRAZ
Faisalabad
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