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Thursday, 20 Jun 2013 12:16 pm
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Editor's Mail
PPP buries Kalabagh dam again
Mr Khurshid Shah of Pakistan People’s Party has proudly announced that Kalabagh dam is buried for good. In fact what he has announced is burial of Pakistan People’s Party. History has proved that whoever opposed Kalabagh dam that was a lifeline to Pakistan met a disastrous end. As such Mr. Khurshid Shah ought to beware the terrible end of all leaders who buried Kalabagh dam. Pakistan People’s Party leaders should have some sense not to repeatedly bury the Kalabagh dam which like cream in the milk always comes at the top the more you blow. The 12-16 hours of load shedding gifted to people by Pakistan People’s Party in its last stint of five years would be enough to doom the hackneyed slogans of Pakistan People’s Party in the face of darkness engulfing the nation due to lack of hydel power thanks to obstinate opposition to Kalabagh dam by Pakistan People’s Party. DR M YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore
Sindh’s plant life at stake
I vividly remember that every city, town and village in my home province Sindh was covered in fascinating and ancient trees and plants that added to the mystery and appeal of the province. Unfortunately, nowadays those trees have either been cut by the timber mafia in connivance with the corrupt to the core forest, revenue, irrigation, police department officers or those have died up. Since the lakes, springs and streams have already dried up across the province, thus, there is no water to save these plants and tress in the province. However, the concerned departments are requested to take pragmatic steps including proper water arrangement for plants and trees, to save plant, flora and fauna in the province. HASHIM ABRO Islamabad
Might is right
According to the recent news reports, Pepco officials run the grid station feeders according to the publicly declared load-shedding schedules, but further down the line its subdivisions carry out massive additional closures of lines at will which constitutes unscheduled load shedding. This is done to save electricity in order to meet the line losses targets set by the Pepco headquarters. The result is that in some areas of Muzaffargarh electricity is made available only for 6 hours a day. For example on Alipur Road Muzaffargarh there is an officers’ colony where all the powerful government officers reside but hardly pay any bills. So a terrible amount of unscheduled closures is carried out here. This does not affect those high officials because they have alternative generators, but the poor people of the area suffer heavily. Now this really proves that might is always right. ZEESHAN ALI Muzaffargarh City
Disciplined load shedding
The gift of load shedding is given punctually in Pakistan especially in Karachi. Since 1 month, a huge chunk of Azam Town, Karachi, is suffering from severe load shedding and low voltages. Repeatedly, the residents of affected area have lodge complaints, but, no any action is taken by KESC technical staff, by now. KESC superiors have also informed by residents. Due to the non payments of 30% residents, KESC officials denied to rectify the problem, until the minimum payment is made. This is true that, many of the residents of different areas are non payer, but, why regular payers are grinding with them. It is therefore requested to the KESC that, regular payer please be separated to the non payers, and provide all kind of facilities that are right of loyal customers. ZARA JABBAR Karachi
How many more to die?
Monday morning brought the dismal news of the targeted killing of a school principal of a government high school in Peshawar by dozens of heavily armed militants. Tuesday morning one reads the news of the murder of a newly elected MPA of Hangu, who initially an independent candidate, had joined the PTI. These instances of targeted killings are just a few of the ongoing examples of brutality and lawlessness rampant in our country. We have a huge and well trained military, but it seems that the populist, obscurantist and even naive rhetoric has made it difficult for our forces to act decisively, forcefully, and in a focused and conclusive manner. If in the past ,our governments, whether military or civilian, have worked together with the US, made expedient choices for power and money, it is high time that all stakeholders work together decisively against the menace of militancy. A Concerned Citizen Lahore Power crises The basic necessity of this century is scarce in a country engulfed in a war zone due its strategic location. The story behind this power crisis has a long history. The reason behind the plight is deeply rooted in our socio-political structure. The society wants the complete end to this problem. The outcomes of load shedding are too immense to conceive as this crisis is leading in the form of an economic toll of 4% of country’s GDP and riots across the country. Most Pakistani’s don’t prefer to give their bills. 20% of country’s produced electricity is lost in the form line losses. This country will continue to be in the grip of power crisis since the demand is exceeding 17500MW with supply lingering on 10500MW. Whether the Sharif government has that much political strength backbone to overcome this crisis as it too has some bill defaulters. SHAHZAIB Lahore
A leader in the making
I had the opportunity of watching Mariam Nawaz Sharif on a talk show telecast on PTV world on May 31, 2013. It was indeed a great pleasure watching her express her views on wide-ranging national issues, including politics. The confidence with which she spoke, and the alacrity and aptness with which she responded to all the questions that were raised by the lady anchor, was truly commendable. I must admit, her thoughts and views vis-à-vis all the issues discussed during the hour-long interview were vividly clear and logical to the core. She deserves to play a crucial role in the country’s politics and serve this nation with sincerity and dedication; two very important qualities that she profoundly possesses and demonstrates. My prayers and sincere best wishes will always be with her. M. FAZAL ELAHI Islamabad
Water and sanitation in Sindh
There are many areas in the province without water and sanitation system, but mostly Larkano division which is known as the ‘rice belt’ is in the news, it’s about death through waterborne diseases and diminishing paddy crops, mango, olive tress etc. If there are wonderful things as well as the horrors, but our rulers in the past in Islamabad were not hearing about them. However, I appeal to the Prime Minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif to listen to the cries of Sindhi rice growers and others and direct the concerned federal and provincial organizations to take practical steps to provide adequate water to the rice growers for rice cultivation and address the issue of sanitation in Sindh on war footing basis which has generated many health and hygiene problems for the people. Hashim Abro Islamabad
New fish
One may consider the US is playing the role of world policeman when offering rewards for information on militant leaders operating in West and North Africa. But at the same time it’s true that things are slowly getting out of hands of local governments wherein militant groups are expanding their ruthless influence. Earlier the US has run same sort of reward scheme to catch or eliminate Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Based on the information and tip offs Americans were able to take out a number of leaders using either drone attacks or deploying secret missions to do the task. But we regret to note that elimination of these top leaders has not broken the back of AQ and Taliban in Af-Pak border areas. They are still able to recruit militants who are ready to die in revenge, for money or out of their perceived religious convictions. It’s quite obvious that Taliban are able to exploit the widespread poverty, joblessness and religious sentiments in the area.. Terrorists are able to launch and operate their sites, communicate via latest devices and spread their message of hatred. Perhaps it’s also time for clamp down on communication ease being exploited b y militants. MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Save the milk industry!
Pakistan’s processed milk industry has come a long way but it has yet to make a name for itself in the international market. For years, the industry has enjoyed subsidies, thus allowing it to competitively price its products. Of course, if the government decides to levy a sales tax – a likely possibility given the announcement made in this regard recently – the scope of the dairy industry may change considerably. This would cause the price of milk to go up and companies will no longer be able to meet the input cost of fresh milk. Over the years, the dairy industry has flourished, bringing in foreign investment and contributing to the GDP of the country. It is imperative that this industry be saved from moving backwards instead of going forward and government must take all steps in this direction. KHURRAM S.MAQSOOD Rawalpindi
Can we grow up?
Can we grow up from primitive politics of Treasury benches and Opposition? Can we take national issues as primary things to handle? Can we stop display of cheap versions of popularity tricks? Can we rise above party politics and think Pakistan as a nation? Can we stop filmy dialogues for explanation situation in Pakistan? If we can then I see some steps towards resolving grave issues facing the country or else we will be doomed in ‘tit-for-tat’ and word war politics Allah has granted us this chance which, in my humble opinion, is surely the last chance. If we do not redress our problems and face them collectively and head or then we can safely forget the future of country and those of politicians what to talk of teeming millions of poor Pakistanis. AMJAD HABIB MIRZA Lahore
New governments
The time of elections is over. The new governments have come into seats. Popular parties, voted in by people, have assumed Centre and Provinces. Let us now begin rebuilding the lost paradise. Let all parties sit and formulate the priority list of works. Let us handle one by one and solicit the support of all stalwarts and thinkers and those professional ‘leaders’ of the parties. I will put on top of the list, Load shedding. I will put no 2 as restructuring the institutions like PIA, Steel Mill, Railways, NAB, NLCI, NHA, WAPDA, Power distribution network, Fertilizer production and distribution, Cities management etc. And no 3, let us revise mechanism to control unprecedented profiteering and price hike. How we do it and at what price we do it but we must do it to call Pakistan a civilized country with a name in the comity of world nations. AMJAD HABIB MIRZA Lahore
It’s the economy, stupid
None of the political parties during elections 2013, gave a stronger economic message to public except PML (N). One of the main factors that helped PML (N) to win 2013 election was its very strong economic message which was a promise to end load shedding in two years. Bill Clinton during his tenure, very successfully conveyed to masses during 1992 presidential campaign that this election is all about economy which needed to be revived. The campaign management hung a sign in Bill Clinton’s campaign that read “The economy, stupid”. The phrase became a de facto slogan for the Clinton-election. Similarly I think that “To end load shedding in two years” became a de facto economic slogan of PML (N) during election campaign because Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Shariff promised to end load shedding in every public meeting that they addressed during election campaign. Now the ball is in court of PML (N) and I hope it will solve this problem which has been worrying entire population of Pakistan for last many years. EJAZ AHMAD MAGOON Lahore
Miseries of criminologists
The University of Punjab initiated a programme of M.Sc Criminology in 2008. Subjects taught thereon were like theories of crime, crime mapping, criminal investigation, criminal psychology, organized crime, money laundering and terrorism. The said programme was totally a self-finance whereon each student had to bear almost Rs 300,000. At the time of admission, students were informed that after completion of degrees degree holders could seek job in all law enforcement agencies as well as in security institution and also as lecturer in colleges but over 100 degrees holders are now jobless and there is no job for them. Many government servants also did the said degree. The government should accommodate them and see the benefit from their abilities. Shahid Qureshi Lahore
A human superbug
Staphylococcus aureus is an important member of bacteria which are normally present on human skin. Normally this organism is not harming the human but when got a chance may causes skin problems such as boils, abscesses and blisters. It is also responsible for other infections such as bacteremia, central nervous system infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, chronic lung infections, food poisoning, scalded skin syndrome, and toxic shock syndrome. The organism is also responsible for causing hospital and community acquired infections. The organism is present in nasal passage of 30 % adults while 20% humans carry it as persistent bacteria. It is responsible for causing 32 – 47 % disease of skin and soft tissues. The current practice of controlling this organism is by the use of antibiotics. Being Gram positive bacteria, this organism responds well to Penicillin and other Beta lactam antibiotics. Because of irrational use of antibiotics in human practice in developing countries especially in Pakistan, the organism has now become resistant not only to Penicillin and similar class of antibiotics but also to other classes resulting in development of “Superbug”. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of S aureus which has established resistance to penicillin (oxacillin, methicillin and dicloxacillin, etc) and similar class of antibiotics (cephalosporins). Development of resistance to methicillin is acquired resistance and is due to evolutionary process. Treatment of these resistant bacteria by commonly used antibiotics has become a challenge to healthcare workers. Studies indicate that incidence of MRSA is increasing globally which is hindrance factor in controlling the problem. Its incidence in Pakistan is 2 – 61 %. As MRSA is hospital acquired (nosocomial) infection, so the patients having skin problems may get infected with MRSA more easily than healthy person. People with burn skin are major victim of this bacterium and burn units may be a reservoir of this organism. In order to control MRSA, vancomycin a glycopeptide antibiotic has been extensively practiced because it is the solitary predictable active antibiotic against all isolates of S. aureus, and MRSA. Recently situation is terrified with the discovery of vancomycin intermediate S aureus (VISA) and vancomycin resistant S aureus (VRSA) in diffent parts of the world. This drastically increasing resistance to antimicrobial drugs makes S. aureus a highly hazardous pathogen and it is becoming truly thought provoking for the world of science. An immediate innovation is required in the field of medicine to give a drug of choice for this resistant customer; so that it’s continuously increasing incidence among our population could be prohibited.
Post delayed is post denied
It is submitted to bring into the notice of the authorities concerned that Punjab Public Service Commission had announced 45 post of Tehsildar in January 2012. Reportedly, 40,000 candidates applied for the said posts and written examination was conducted after 11 months of laborious waiting in December 2013 in which huge number of applicants participated. Is it not ridiculous that a candidate, who has put aside a year of his life preparing for an exam, is told by the PPSC authorities that the said posts have been retrieved by the Revenue Department? Actually it smells fishy as the said posts are considered to be lucrative ones, since a job in Revenue Department is considered to be a gateway to the land of matchless money-minting. The said post is also used to tighten the screws of political opponents in urban as well as rural areas. Perhaps these posts have been retrieved by the Revenue Department in order to announce it during the period upcoming elected government in a bid to pick and choose the “right men for the right job.” These are the questions which need to be addressed by the PPSC authorities as well as the Revenue Department as soon as possible. According to a famous adage, justice delayed is justice denied. I have no doubt in saying that a post delayed is post denied.
Editor's Mail
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Arif Nizami (Editor)
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