THIS is apropos some letters and an article, ‘Norway leads world in turning waste into energy’ (June 15).

In the last few days so much has been suggested on the subject. Everyone is interested in building dams, without realising the impact on environment, cost, time and socioeconomic effects.

Both letters have valuable suggestions.

The government may contact Dr Saleem Ahmed, Honolulu, USA, to work on solar energy project in Pakistan.

It is hoped that the government of Nawaz Sharif and the committee will examine the proposals. Solar energy could be an immediate solution to the energy crisis..

If the government has to subside, it should be solar energy rather the electricity provided by Wapda.

Also, generators, both gas and on petrol, should be banned.

These create noise pollution and increases the import bill of furnace oil.

The design of the house should cover every nook and corner of available space without any extras and instead the cost saved should be provided for solar energy. The government on its part may allow duty-free, import or minimum of duty, say five per cent, for solar equipment for domestic use.

M.K. SUFI Islamabad Citizens Committee

Buying gas from US

IT is true that the US always helps Pakistan in times of our need. Therefore, we should not rouse anti-American sentiments in our people and instead work out a meaningful dialogue to end hostile sentiments, as this would benefit Pakistan in the long run.

According to a report in Dawn, the US raised its own oil output to a million barrel a day due to exploitation of shale oil, while the gas output was also raised due to exploitation of shale gas reserve.

Now the gas is very cheap in the US. Pakistan should ask the US to help in exploration of shale gas with the financial help of Saudi Arabia, a pre-requisite for our cancellation of the Pakistan-Iran gas line.

Iranian gas would be very costly, thrice as compared to the international price of gas. That is against our interest to build a pipeline that would raise the cost of energy thrice.

MIRZA SHAHID BARLAS Karachi