| June 28, 2008 | Saturday | Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1429 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
APDM’s threats
Self-accountability
Where there is a will, there is a way
Save test cricket
Monsoon
Hats off to a future hero
In memoriam
Plea to stop buffet meals
A martial law in the offing
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
WHATEVER resources are available are simply too expensive to buy or are already acquired by countries which had planned and acted a long time ago. Delayed efforts in the exploration sector have not been able to find sufficient amounts of energy resources. Nations of the world which have their own reserves are not supplying energy resources anymore. Only the old contracts made decades ago are active.
Airplanes, trains, cars, motorbikes, buses and trucks, all modes of transportation are coming to a standstill. Many industries have closed due to insufficient power supply. Price of oil has gone above the ceiling.
At domestic level, alternative methods like solar, biogas and others are being tried for mere survival but lack of political will has failed all attempts. The above is a likely scenario of Pakistan and around the globe after 25 years. A pessimistic view, but realistic enough to think about and plan for the future.
But are we doing anything about it? Let us have a look at the current energy situation of Pakistan and the world.
Pakistan’s economy is performing at a very high note with GDP growing at an exceptional rate, touching 8.35 per cent in 2004-05.
In its history of 60 years, there has been only a few golden years where the economy grew above 7 per cent. This year official expectations are that GDP growth rate will be around 5.7 per cent.
With economy growing at such a pace, energy requirements are likely to increase with a similar rate. For 2004-05, Pakistan’s energy consumption touched 55.5 million tons of oil equivalent (MTOE).
The energy consumption is expected to grow at a double digit if the overall economy sustains the targeted GDP growth rate of 5.6 per cent.
Our energy requirements are expected to double in the next few years, and by 2015 may cross 120 MTOE. By 2030, the nation’s requirement will be seven times the current requirement reaching 361 MTOE.
Pakistan’s energy requirements are fulfilled with more than 80 per cent of energy resources through imports.
On the other hand, international oil prices have not only broken all records but are touching new highs, with every piece of news directly or indirectly affecting the black gold industry. Moreover, speculators all around the world expect oil prices to touch $170 per barrel this year. With concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, terrorist issue in Nigeria and high economic growth in China and India and their ever-rising energy requirements, oil prices don’t see any another way but to shoot upwards.
What is the government doing to ensure a sustainable supply of energy resources for economic growth? What strategic steps are being taken to acquire energy resources in future? Is the private sector willing to invest in Pakistan’s oil industry? What are the incentives being offered to foreign players to continue working in the exploration sector? What hurdles are stopping other big players around the world to enter Pakistan? What is the role of gas distribution companies so far? Are our citizens being robbed by energy giants with ever-rising utility bills? What should be the real price of petroleum, kerosene and other oil products in Pakistan? When will the nation have ‘loadshedding-free’ electric supply? Have we been able to make long-term contracts with the countries to provide uninterrupted supply of energy resources?
Will the government be able to provide enough sources to the people for a sustainable economic growth? Have we lost the race for acquiring maximum energy resources for future survival? The present government must have to do some tangible work, otherwise the future of economy will be very bleak.
TAHIR MEHMOOD
Lahore
I AM surprised to at the APDM leaders’ threat (‘APDM warns Asif of exposing his corruption’, June 19) that if judges were not restored, corruption cases of Asif Ali Zardari would be exposed. Sheer blackmailing.
The PPP has won the people’s mandate and as such the party and its leader are free to adopt a policy that they consider is in the country’s interest.
No one should force them to toe his line. The people did not vote the PPP into power for restoring the judges, though it is good enough that Mr Zardari appears sympathetic to the judges’ cause. He wants to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of all parties, including the present judges, through parliament.
It is also not convincing that certain actions of President Musharaf (under which the February election was held) were acceptable to the political parties because these actions were in their interest. But certain other actions of the president which did not suit them were not acceptable, especially to the PML (N) and the APDM.
For the APDM to pressure Mr Zardari is not justified because this political group does not enjoy any representative character. Most of these parties at their own free will chose to boycott the election. As such, they are not justified in forcing their opinion on the elected representatives.
In a democracy people express their will through votes and not through agitation on the streets. If the group of parties like the APDM starts thrusting their views through statements and bringing crowds on the streets, the whole election process will become a mockery.
The APDM threats to Mr Zardari are unfortunate, especially when these allegations are coming from those who are not angels themselves. As regards corruption cases of Mr Zardari, everybody knows that most of these were political in nature. Nothing could be proved against him and these cases had to be withdrawn.
The APDM leaders should let parliament resolve all issues, including restoration of the judges and the impeachment of the president. If they do not like the handling of these issues by the PPP and the present government, instead of threatening and blackmailing Mr Zardari they should wait for the next election. If their point of view is really supported by the people, they will definitely be voted into power and then they will be free to implement their policies.
K. MURAD BEY
Karachi
THE government is responsible to the people for ensuring that all resources are spent towards their welfare and with the objective of betterment of society. The government is not only obligated to fulfilling all legal obligations but has to maintain a high ethical standard as well.
The norm as observed in Pakistan is that whenever a government is changed, the term accountability usually surfaces. During the governing period there is accountability of only opposition members. No serving member of the government is ever held accountable. The question is, should accountability be done after a government has changed and then dragged into courts for a long time?
I feel there should be another concept called self-accountability. An honest person has nothing to fear and hide. He will invite any person to check the progress and honesty of his work. Honest governments try to make themselves accountable to the people.
When these governments make strong bodies to check their own performance, these institutions are the strongest with everything transparent to the public and there are no allegations of political vendetta against the accountability bodies even after the change of government.
The lawyers’ movement is amazing in the sense that for the first time perhaps Pakistani society is asking for such type of accountability. They want a system of justice and accountability imposed on them. It takes sacrifice and honesty to make a commitment towards such a cause.
It is pleasing to know that such a large number of political parties are supporting the issue. However, other accountability bodies are needed to be set up by the government to make its own performance transparent and remove the black sheep from the flock.
Rather than make others to be held accountable, we should make ourselves accountable to the people.
SALMAN. A. BUGVI
Karachi
IN a country where even months are not enough to come up with a strategy for restoration of deposed judges, three days are enough for a person to become the chief minister of a province.
All standard procedural issues are modified and relaxed to adjust the elite.
And yet they want us to believe that they care much about the poor.
The ruling party’s stance on various issues gives a clear indication that when they are in opposition their standing is different than when they come into power on the same issues.
We are expecting too much from the PML (N) and it is dangerous for the party too as it seems they will be less different than any other ruling party of the last 60 years of Pakistan.
MOHAMMAD IMRAN KHAN
Baltimore
THIS is apropos of Nabil Hoodbhoy’s letter, ‘Let cricket win’ (June 3). While disagreeing with my viewpoint, the writer has offered many arguments in support of shorter version of the game as compared to test cricket.
At the very outset he says that by virtue of playing in a tournament like Indian Premier League (IPL) the youngsters get a chance to play with the legends whom they could previously only have admired from afar.
The point is that by playing alongside their heroes these youngsters tend to adopt the swashbuckling style of one day cricket. Whereas a budding cricketer galvanises his talent only when he is up against a better player in a match of a longer duration.
Unlike the one-day and Twenty-20 cricket, in a test match there is no restriction of bouncers, a particular field placing or to go by the mandatory rule of power play. It is only in a test match that one’s real mettle of a genuine cricketer is proved.
The writer further states that with the advent of one-day cricket, the run rate per over has increased considerably. True, but what about the fact that due to this very one-day cricket even test cricketers have changed their batting style and one often sees a five-day test match is over within three days. But the quality of cricket is not of the standard of a test match.
The writer also points out that the likes of Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Mathew Hayden and Glenn Mcgrath are no ordinary cricketers who can carry the day in a match of limited overs.
In this regard I would submit that these great cricketers did not start off as one-day players. They first established themselves at the test match level and by virtue of their experience of test cricket they were successful in one-day cricket too.
On the contrary, P. S. Patel, S. K. Raina, Y. Pathan and S. A. Asnodkar were just a few prominent cricketers of the just concluded IPL, but is any one of them outstandingly good in test cricket as well? In fact, hardly any one of them is a test player so far. One has yet to see if they could come up equally good at the level of test cricket.
The writer has finally concluded that as long as test cricket is not affected, there should be no problem in the three forms of cricket existing side by side. To my mind it is not more than a wishful thinking on the part of the writer.
Nowadays the itinerary of any tour is invariably crammed with more one-day and Twenty-20 games than test matches. I fear that slowly and gradually the test matches would be made to give way to the shorter version of the game.
And for this sorry state of affairs the blame would be on none other than the ICC and its member-countries which are miserably failing to save test cricket from total commercialisation.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
THE monsoon season is about to begin and demands some precautionary measures to avoid any unwanted situation.
As monsoon rainfall increases every year due to the global warming factor, it is time tasks were carried out for sanitation of rainy canals. The authorities should focus on the restoration and smooth functioning of the sewerage system including cleaning of sewerage canals, clearing of mud and garbage to ensure the flow of rainwater.
As it has been observed during the rainy season, all streets and roads become full of water. It not only creates travelling problems for the citizens but also spreads diseases. To avoid this, garbage and mud should be taken out from sewerage canals. Sanitation of sewerage and rainy canals before the monsoon must be ensured.
It is also the responsibility of the citizens to place the garbage at selected points to avoid blockage of sewerage and rainy canals. It is very common that people throw wrappers here and there, which is also a major reason for the blockage of the drainage system.
ABDUL REHMAN QAISAR
Islamabad
A PAKISTANI youth displayed tremendous courage at securing and maintaining our collective national dignity. Samad Khurram declined receiving a Harvard scholarship award from the US ambassador, Anne W. Patterson.
In her remarks, the ambassador emphasised: “We focus not only on getting top grades but also on the broadening of your vision and finding how you can best serve society after you obtain your degree”.
In my opinion that is precisely what Samad Khurram has done by awakening society even without the Harvard degree. Hats off to a future hero.
WASIM AKHTER KHAN
Karachi
ON June 17 Saghir Asad Hasan breathed his last while preparing for Fajr prayers. He left behind a remarkable loving wife, three polished handsome talented sons as well as innumerable friends and admirers to mourn and miss him.
When I was a BA student, Mr Hasan taught me English Literature. Ever since our association remained unstinted. Personally he was always a pillar of support and inspiration to me ever ready to steer me out of rainy days.
He joined the CSP cadre in 1963. Throughout his career he adhered to justice and fair play delivering his 38 years long innings unblemished. He had always been above board prioritising the country’s interest without giving any space for personal gains.
In this throwaway era of quick phone calls, faxes and emails, he found the will and time to reply and acknowledge personally each and every communication addressed to him by anyone irrespective of the official and social status.
A soft-spoken gentleman, he believed in refraining from hurting others and cheering and comforting the sad and gloomy.
After retirement as a federal secretary, he devoted his time offering prayers and doing good deeds. Those who bloom in the hearts of others never fade away.
SYED FAROOQUE ALAM
Islamabad
THE whole world is currently gripped with a food crisis that is clearly unprecedented in the modern era of this global village. Innumerable people are suffering from starvation even around the developed countries what to talk of the developing and underdeveloped nations like Pakistan that are poverty-stricken.
It is about time to tighten the belt to overcome food shortage by adopting remedial measures such as applying brakes to prevent food wastage by the affluent and to pass on a share of bread to the needy fellow human beings.
To my mind, we must prioritise food conservation and should stop, forthwith, serving buffet meals in hotels, clubs and restaurants, as well as luncheon and dinner functions. As it is a common practice in buffets to overflow the plates again and again, half of the food goes to the bin. What a pity! Therefore, I would appeal to fellow Pakistanis to please stop serving buffet meals as a first step to conserve food.
May I also invite the kind attention of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, as well as of chief ministers of all the four provinces, to use their good offices for the effective implementation of this proposal so as to rescue the nation at this critical juncture of our history?
FARZANA ALAM
Islamabad
PASSING this year’s finance bill is yet another black chapter in the history of Pakistan, added by our politicians (all of them).
Increasing the number of judges means these parliamentarians do need yet another martial law.
JEHAN ZEB
Canada
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.
