Grounding of Tasman Spirit

I HAVE closely followed the media coverage to-date of tanker Tasman Spirit, which ran aground while entering the Karachi harbour in a channel dredged to 12.2 metres’ depth. Subsequently, it spilled its cargo of crude oil into the sea. This resulted in the biggest oil pollution incident that ever occurred on the coastline of Pakistan, thereby, raising many questions of public interest:

1. What measures are in place in Pakistan’s ports to prevent oil pollution from ships and preparedness for response?

2. What legislative measures or other compensatory arrangements exist for providing compensation to the victims of the pollution?

3. What was the justification for carrying crude oil in a 24- year-old chartered vessel at a time when the carriage of heavy grades of oil in single-hull tankers, specifically on tankers of 15 years of age and above is discouraged by the International Maritime Organization, rather immediate ban is in the offing. The IMO has introduced the accelerated phase-out scheme for single-hull tankers. The ship in question is to be phased out by the year 2005.

In this episode, I believe the tanker by virtue of its draught and trim had reduced ability to manoeuvre. The lack of propulsion power at the crucial time of turning caused the ship to go around in the vicinity of channel. Other factors like ebb tide and following waves played their role. Since it was a low-speed grounding, there should have been no spillage of oil.

But what happened at the time of grounding was that structure failure occurred as the vessel was an old tanker and could not withstand the stresses, the forces caused by shearing, bending, hogging, sagging or by torsion.

Since vessels of this age do not have to comply with many of the stricter standards, a crack in the hull proved structure failure. Hence this catastrophic incident came into being. Still, there is a threat of explosion in the tanks, to be taken care of, while salvaging the remaining oil of the vessel.

New oil tankers are constructed to reduce the amount of oil spilled in the event of an accident. Requirements regarding subdivision and stability are intended to ensure that in any loading conditions the ship can survive after being involved in stranding. Statistics show that there is a correlation between age and the accident rate.

Further, the damages claim from the shipowner whose ship is judged to be responsible for the pollution under the International Civil Liability Convention is limited to $14.6 million or $140 per ton of the tanker. The vessel must be in possession of certificate of insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage under CLC 69 article VII issued or certified by the appropriate authority of the state of the ship’s registry.

The board of inquiry concerned has to resolve many issues and must recommend fool-proof operation of the ports in Pakistan, considering the fire hazards, pollution threat, war-time threats and security threats, including contingency plans for collisions/stranding/ keeping channel clear in all eventualities.

CAPT I. M. KHAN SAMADANI

Chairman, Nautical Institute Pakistan Branch,

Karachi

Economic injustice

A FEW weeks ago the news was published that the Punjab government had allotted 4,000 yards (or more) for Rs1,000 per person to army generals, including Gen Pervez Musharraf. The given argument was that they got cheap land because the area was not developed.

The history of this country reveals that undeveloped areas get developed quickly where generals and army officials get land. Are army personnel the only bureaucrats serving this country? What about other people who are working in civil bureaucratic institutions and private organizations? Do they also get so many benefits as do the army personnel? Many people still remember that Newsweek published a story in Zia’s era about the richness of our generals. Of course, it is not very difficult to understand that generals want share in political power to share economic benefits, contrary to the claim that they want to improve the quality of life for the common people.

It is quite disappointing that our middle-class families have to spend huge amounts to buy small residential plots in semi-developed areas because there are hardly any government schemes for the general public to purchase land at the government price. Besides, they cannot think of buying land in undeveloped areas because if they do so, none of the government departments would ever think to develop the area.

In addition, there are many poor families, which are without proper shelter; they are living like nomads but nobody bothers to offer them a piece of cheap land. Whosoever is desirous of seeing as to how these poor and non-privileged families are living, they just need to visit areas near railway lines and other depressed areas of any city of Pakistan. Undoubtedly, they are leading a miserable life. It is height of unjust attitude and behaviour of our political management that these families do not have even tabs of clean drinking water so they are dependent on the mercy of neighbourhood, nor do they have electricity or gas.

It is a truth that these poor families are still leading a life of the early 19th century, if not of the stone age. Have we ever thought what is the future of the children of these families? Can they ever become proud nationals of Pakistan and proud members of Pakistan society? Have we ever thought what benefits they are enjoying after independence? Instead of ignoring these questions, we should sincerely ponder over them if we want to survive as a dignified nation.

We will never become a proud nation if economic injustice prevails in the country. It is time we understood that economic justice only prevails in countries where writ of the law is established and rules are abided by elites as well.

NADEEM YOUSAF

Karachi

Can Benazir survive Swiss blow?

THIS refers to the article by Ambassador Karamatullah K. Ghori, “Can Benazir survive the Swiss blow?” (Aug 16).

The desperation of a dictatorship under siege is reflected by the fact that a case in which the judgment against Ms Benazir Bhutto and her husband has already been set aside by the Supreme Court, and two senior judges had to resign on charges of accepting pressures, has been picked up once again by them. The tactics of character assassination in the media, which miserably failed in the past, are being resorted to once again.

One reason that our foreign service has performed so miserably is that some of our diplomats continue to hold Pakistan, its people and their elected representatives in such contempt. This kind of contempt drips down from every paragraph that the ambassador has written. The word of a Swiss investigating magistrate, whose close “terms” with our establishment are a matter of record, is more reliable for the ambassador than the judgment of the full bench of the Supreme Court.

It may be recalled that this is one of those judgments which have enhanced the reputation of the apex court, both inside the country and internationally.

Appearing with me the other day on a TV channel, Mr Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, retired chief justice of Pakistan, said that in no other country investigating officers had the power to sentence the persons being investigated against. It is time we realized that.

Ms Bhutto is highly respected abroad: the sole reason is that she was an elected leader of the people of Pakistan, who fought bravely against military dictators. Sycophancy of dictators can perhaps get one some temporary favours, but no respect, either at home or abroad.

Ambassador Ghori need not worry about the political future of Ms Bhutto. This and other false cases against her could not stop her party from emerging as the single largest party in spite of unprecedented pre-poll, election-day and post-poll rigging by the establishment.

It is now time to worry about the fate of the dictator. The tide has definitely turned and no dictator has ever returned in any country of the world. Would the ambassador so much as even recognize the general whose cause he is serving with such enthusiasm, once the general is out of power?

TAJ HAIDER

PPP Information Secretary,

Islamabad

Pensioners & power tariff

THE ever-increasing power tariff rates have now eroded the pensioners’ capacity to pay electricity bills, what to speak of other utilities. The entire pension of a retired government employee goes to meet the power bills, depending upon the status of each pensioner, leaving little for food, shelter, clothing and medical bills.

The main reason for the hike in power bills is that the major portion of electricity is being generated by thermal route, depending upon imported fuel and decreasing share of hydro-power which is produced at a fraction of the cost of thermal power.

The politicians of Sindh raise a hue and cry over the construction of Kalabagh dam which could have generated power at a cost of 50 paisa per unit compared to Rs3 to 7 per unit being charged at present at ascending rates for each unit consumed.

Now Sindh is suffering from ravages of floodwaters that could have been stored in a dam to generate cheap power and provide vital irrigation water in times of need, but the question is: who could make the politicians listen to sane advice?

It is up to President Gen Pervez Musharraf now to build the dam by taking a bold decision in the national interest without consulting anyone, like the one he took in October 1999 to take over the levers of power in Pakistan without consulting anyone.

DR M. YAQOOB BHATTI

Lahore

Billing complaint

THIS refers to the letter by Mr Abdul Aziz Khatri published under the caption “Billing complaint” (Aug 5).

It is clarified that due to some technical reasons the charges for the CLI and other value-added services could not be billed on time in the monthly telephone bills of some of the customers. In the June 2003 billing, the charges outstanding against the customers were billed through “Other Charges” which were also highlighted in the bills. Moreover, to save the customers from visiting telephone offices for inquiry, a clarification has already been published in leading newspapers.

About the complaint of the customer of telephone No. 752-8967 as regards the charging of Rs1,670 without showing period to which it pertains, it is informed that due to limited space on the form of the bill, the period could not be mentioned. About the inclusion of Sales Tax and W.H.Tax in the bill, the same are charged as per the orders of the government, and the PTCL has nothing to do with it except depositing it in the government treasury.

As far as the delivery of his bill just one day before the due date is concerned, the matter has been taken up with the Post Office department to investigate this negligence. In addition to this, it is to intimate that the monthly telephone bills are printed at PTCL Computer Centre situated at Misri Shah Exchange, DHA Phase-VI, Karachi, from where the same are handed over to the couriers concerned for their timely delivery and there is no concern of any telephone exchange into the matter. However, it is ensured that from the billing month of July 2003, the bills of the customer must be delivered well before due date.

It is clarified that the PTCL has waived off the activation charges of the CLI and not the monthly rent of Rs50 which has now been decreased to Rs30.

Inconvenience caused to valued customer is regretted.

ATHER JAVED SUFI

Media Coordinator, DG (Ops) South, (Sindh-Balochistan), PTCL Headquarters, Karachi

Sanitation: president’s directive

THE president on his visit to Karachi recently called for “carrying out planning for the development of Karachi’s infrastructure on a massive scale”.

Indeed, Karachi needs massive restructuring and one of the first priorities should be sanitation for which he has suggested that “sanitation should be assigned to the private sector on a contract basis”.

This is the only solution to this massive problem and door- to-door garbage collection is the only way to keep the city clean while water, sewerage, electricity, education are other factors to be dealt with on a massive scale.

Residents of rich localities be charged in order to solve the stringent financial burden of the government, which the residents can well afford for these vital problems of our day to day life, which has become unlivable. This is our duty and moral obligation as citizens of this poor country where the affluent and rich society should extend their hand to the administration and we should look forward to playing a part in this massive drive. Education, sanitation, medical and other civic amenities should be included.

This is the only way we can save our cities provided the administration works honestly and dedicatedly with the private sector which will then be accountable and responsible for changing the face of our unlivable cities.

Please citizens, rise to the call of the president and face the challenge of cleaning our cities morally and physically before it is too late. Allah only helps those people or nations who help themselves.

S. BABAR

Karachi

Five-rupee coins

THE government has introduced and supplied, in sizable quantity, five-rupee coins since paper notes of this denomination are in a rotten or poor condition after having been in use for a long time. Most of the people have not yet seen these coins. It seems as if these coins are no more in circulation.

In fact, the five-rupee coins and currency notes of various other denominations, in good and new condition, are always available with currency changers/vendors on a premium basis and truly they are doing their roaring transactions at various places like Tower, Boulton Market, Saddar, Nazimabad and Lalukhet.

To get five-rupee coins or currency notes of any denominations at par is absolutely impossible unless one visits the State Bank. The need is for the division concerned to review the status and ensure the availability of five-rupee coins, as well as of good quality paper notes of all the denominations, in abundance to avoid visits to the State Bank. It should also clarify whether the five-rupee coin is in circulation or not.

RIZWAN SULTAN

Karachi

Beyond VIP sops

THROUGH its editorial, “Beyond VIP sops” (Aug 9), Dawn has taken to task the president, his government, provincial government and legislators in such an unmincing manner that these people, living in glass houses, must be feeling embarrassed and perhaps a little bit abashed if they had cared to read this editorial and understand its contents.

It was funny to look at the photograph of the Sindh chief minister walking around the flooded areas under the protection of an umbrella held over him by one of his team mates, with rain-affected, half-naked people looking towards him. Similarly, our city Nazim has gone out of his proportion having been honoured by our kind president to accompany him during his VIP sop around the city of Karachi.

Our city government has spent millions of tax-payers’ rupees very recently to renovate the same road around Guru Mandir and Jamshed Quarters with signboards fixed around, carrying slogan of Khushal Pakistan with name of engineers assigned the job of renovation. All that has been torn apart and the millions of our rupees have been sunk but nobody has come forward to ask the city head about this trauma.

Sir, your call will fall on deaf ears. Nothing will be done and the suffering people will manage themselves to recover from this catastrophe.

GHEEWALA A. G. M

Karachi

Need for public toilets

NO ONE can disagree with Mr Mohsin M. Elahi when he highlights the need for public toilets in a sprawling city like Karachi (Dawn, Aug 6). Karachi perhaps is the only city of its size where the administration continues to ignore the provision of even the rudimentary services to its citizens.

Absence of public toilets is indicative of this attitude. But one expected that while writing for an esteemed newspaper like Dawn, Mr Elahi would further probe the subject and also appreciate the role played by the concerned citizens in this regard.

For information of the general public, it is necessary to highlight the role of CPLC’s Public Toilet Committee which has been working in this field quietly for the last about three years. Looking at the problems being faced by the public (specially children and women) in the absence of public toilets and the apathy of the agencies concerned, the committee took upon itself to make a beginning to provide this facility at busy commercial centres, parks, hospitals, courts, railway stations and eating places.

So far, the committee has built 26 units consisting of 92 toilets in various locations spread all over the city, such as Jehangir Park (Saddar), Boulton Market (M. A. Jinnah Road), Boating Basin (Nehar-i-Khayam), Frere Hall lawns, Karimabad (opp. ladies market), Bagh-i-Jinnah (Polo Ground), Bagh-i-Qasim (Playland), City Courts, North Karachi Town, Civil Hospital emergency gate and OPD, Ziauddin Hospital (opp. park), CMH Malir, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazaar and Drigh Road Railway Station. These toilets are maintained by the CPLC and every effort is made to keep them neat and clean. There is a nominal charge of two rupees for their use which is collected for better upkeep and maintenance of these toilets.

Under this scheme, the CPLC-PTC plans to build and operate at least 100 units on locations to be indicated by the Town Municipal Administrations (TMAs). The CPLC-PTC at its last meeting also decided to approach the oil companies, i.e. PSO, Shell, Caltex, Total and all the CNG stations, to construct at least two toilets (one for ladies and one for gents) at each station and open them for the general public. This will greatly facilitate the public, specially women and children who are the worst sufferers, as rightly pointed out by Mr Elahi.

It may be noted that the CPLC-PTC is a unique example of public-private partnership. The land with water and sewerage connections is provided by the TMAs, the money comes from local philanthropists, designing, planning and implementation is done by known architects, while maintenance is the responsibility of the CPLC. The committee, which includes CPLC chief Sharfuddin Memon, Architect Shahid Abdullah, public-spirited people like Yasin Malik, Siddique Shaikh, Rehan Hannan, Tasneem Siddiqui and Shamim Junejo, meets regularly and makes continuous efforts to improve and expand the scope of work.

It is interesting to note that the concept and design of these public toilets has been generally appreciated and has already been replicated in Lahore by the Parks and Horticulture Authority. The City District Government, Lahore, is also in the process of making 100 public toilets in their jurisdiction.

SHAMIM JUNEJO

Chief, CPLC-PTC,

Karachi