ALLOW me to pen my reminiscences about the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Karachi, an offshoot of the Indian Central Cotton Committee, which was established under the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Agriculture in 1923.

The PCCC was replicated soon after 1947 to continue its cotton research in the newly-established areas of Pakistan.

Dr Nazeer Ahmed, OBE, the second and first Indian (Muslim) director, Technological Laboratory, Matunga, Mumbai, at its first meeting held on March 1949 considered the proposal of the Pakistan Institute of Cotton Research Technology, Karachi.

What he mentioned of the PICRT is worth recalling. The foresight shown in this respect is bound to be appreciated by the coming generations.

Little did the founding fathers know that one of the coming generations would be so proud that it would demolish the institute itself (vide the Pakistan Textile General, April, 2006).

The PCCC has so far paid millions of rupees on monthly rentals since its ejection from its location in 2005. It could have easily built a modern building to relocate itself permanently as it urgently needs to restore its research activities. But it needs foresight and a will, which is rare today.

Matters of priority no more remain so.

M. SHAFIQUE AHMED Karachi