THIS is in response to Reko Diq and the role of Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the nuclear scientist, in its development. Pakistan has no experience of commercial mining. The Saindak copper-gold project was a disaster and so will be Reko Diq, mainly due to the lack of professional management and experience.

If public sector development is to be pursued, then all important positions should be advertised and filled on open merit with individuals having the experience in commercial mining. There are expatriates who can qualify for such jobs but not nuclear scientists who have already created a mess with the Thar coal gasification project.

DR FARID A. MALIK Ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation