Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
PM vs PIA
Prime Minister Imran Khan can play an important role in the development and revival of the PIA. We have to make fundamental changes to the system to get rid of the fake license issues. For this we can also get the help of large organizations from outside which are already implementing comprehensive programs for the preparation and training of pilots.
In reality Airline Transport Pilots License (ATPL) does not comprise a theory exam only but it is earned on the basis of four competencies, which are: Aviation medical assessment by a board of flight physiologist, having successfully completed 1500 actual flight hours as a pilot on a Commercial Pilots License (CPL), 16 subjects theory exams compiled into 8 exams in Pakistan and Flight check for the issuance of ATPL
I will recommend following steps. 1: Identify heinous and sadist people and isolate them from the aviation sector. Step 2: We have to spend a due amount to acquire an expensive, licensed and certified ATPL/CPL courseware which includes not only testing platform but also mandatory computer-based training (CBT) theory ground classes with accredited hours towards examinations. An international specialized company like CAE Pelesys, FAA CPL/ATPLGround Studies, or Bristol may be contacted for this. Exclude all the Pilots from the “suspicious bloated list”. As per PCAA rules if still data of few individuals cannot be found or confirmed they may be asked to reappear. In step 5: Purchase a certified and approved Safety Management System reporting from Airbus or equivalent that will effectively resolve the issue.
CAPT SHEIKH M JAVAID (R)
Via email
Climate
changed during lockdown
THE COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc in countries across the globe, causing a global health crisis and forcing economies to slow down due to the strict quarantine measures. However, the outbreak has also impacted the environment in an intriguing way. As the pandemic spreads in different parts of the world, its consequences run farther than closed borders, scarce hand sanitizer, and social distancing protocols. COVID-19 is affecting the life of millions of people and, also, the environment. The CO2 emissions and human mobility have been reduced, which improves air quality and encourages wild animals to come out and explore the cities. But how sustainable is this positive effect in the long term? Scientists have confirmed that air quality in certain regions has improved in recent weeks.
Furthermore, Randolph Bell, Director of the Global Energy Centre, explained in the Atlantic Council that the economic recession linked with the virus is likely to cause a drop in the carbon dioxide emissions for this year. He indicated that NASA’s satellite images have evidenced the pollution reduction in China right after the carbon emissions had dropped by 25% in four weeks of lockdown. In the long term, the COVID-19 pandemic will offer lessons and opportunities leading to environmental action. For instance, we will have a new baseline of what can be achieved digitally: remote work, education, shopping and more. In addition, as our governments, private institutions and even social media succeed in partnering, we will possibly feel more capable of tackling other pressing issues such as climate change.
Our response to this health crisis will shape how we will deal with a climate crisis in the next decades. Times of change can lead to the introduction of long-lasting sustainable habits. Thanks to the outbreak, some habits that are incidentally beneficial to the environment may last since people will have experienced scarcity. For example, the reduction of travel, personal consumption and food waste. Clearly, human beings are part of nature and all activity that impacts the environment also impacts us. It is safe to say that no one wanted carbon emissions to be reduced this way. COVID-19 has a dark cost to our lives, healthcare systems, and mental health of people around the world. Nevertheless, it has also shown that communities can make a difference when they take care of each other, and this could be an invaluable lesson when we face climate change.
MALIK JAVED JABBAR
Kashmore
Need for justice
After the motorway horrified gang rape incident there is growing demand of toughest punishment for the sexual offenders and effective preventive measures in the aftermath of the latest series of violent crimes especially against the women and children. Prime Minister has suggested the chemical castration of the sex offenders. Chemical castration is used to reduce sexual activity by controlling via tablets or injection. The chemical castration can be reversed by stopping taking drugs so it’s a treatment not punishment.
In 1944, diethylstilbestrol was used first time to reduce the testosterone level. Some countries have been using chemical castration for the treatment of sex crime not as a punishment. Recently in 2012 South Korea adopted chemical castration for sex offenders. The result shows blow 5% reoffending rate as compared to the 40% of without chemical castration offenders. Surgical castration is not effective against offenders; several studies show that after surgically castrated, the sex offenders had committed several serious crimes including sex-related crime, attempted murder and serial rape.
These people may drive serious aggression greater than sex drive. Surgical castration can leave hormonal and physical imbalances that would trigger them for a new crime. Castration cannot stop the sexual offenders but it can only change the way of crime studies shows the failure of castration to treat or address the sexually deviant psychological behaviour. Even though castration may not decline public anxiety, it only gives false senses of security on sex crime. So I don’t think so this type of punishment would be effective but this may drive other serious crimes.
FAYYAZ SALIH HUSSAIN
Karachi
Future plans vis-à-vis Coronavirus
Right now the international community has been witnessing enough of coronavirus threats, almost most countries having been affected by the outbreak. Countries and people have suffered a lot economically, physically and emotionally so far. What next? What could be the next course of action against corona curse? It is time to answer many more such questions.
First and foremost, the economic growth of the countries should be accelerated. Yet again, it is also a matter of improving the infrastructure and upgrading the present education levels in the region. In fact, all these factors will result in a sudden drop in the migrant influx. This phenomenal happening will stop the people making contact with other countries unnecessarily. Of course, going abroad for work/education is appreciable. However, unnecessary immigration could be averted to a larger extent.
Local economic boom is yet another good step. Filled with enough water from the River Thamirabarani and fertile soil, my native areas in Tamil Nadu have long been under agricultural activities like paddy, banana, betel leaves cultivations. I [too] am confident of starting such activities in my areas after turning 50 or so. Similarly, such economic activities should be largely encouraged for the people to stay home in their region.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai
