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.
PIA 8303 crash
Since 2006, airlines regulated by CAA suffered six fatal crashes within Pakistan, which point to serious flaws and lack of capacity, capability and competence of those employed by regulator, respective airlines and choice of men placed at helm. The airlines involved in these crashes range from PIA, Bhoja Air, Air Blue to JS Air.
Before 2006, last major crash occurred 14 years ago in 1992 involving PIA A300-B4 on approach to Kathmandu on 28 September. There has been no accident investigation report ever published and made public by any Investigation Committee. In case of Kathmandu crash, manufacturers of Ground Proximity Warning System revealed facts in a documentary titled Controlled Flight Into Terrain.
From 2006 onward, series of accidents occurred at regular intervals with Pk 688 Fokker crash on July 10, 2006, two more in 2010 namely Airblue A321 crash on 28 July and JS Air Beech 1900 crash near Dadu, followed by Bhoja Boeing 737-236 crash on April 20, 2012. PIA ATR crash on 12 December 2016 and latest PIA 8303 crash on 22 May 2020. Does this not reflect poorly on regulators?
Aircraft crash involves five factors (a) human/pilot error (b) Technical status of aircraft (c) ATC, (d) conflicting traffic and (e) lapses in regulatory control by regulator CAA. Aircraft manufacturers develop SOP, Emergency and Abnormal procedures, training and competency checks and mandatory Maintenance checks and restrictions involving 15 KM sterile zone with approval of ICAO. This A320 aircraft was grounded for almost 60 days and checks were due.
A 4-member Accident Investigation Committee, headed by Group Captain and two PAF officers and a civilian has been formed to investigate PIA, headed by serving AM and 14 senior serving officers on deputation and CAA with many retired officers.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Kavaan and Suzie
Sadly, the only elephant in Lahore zoo, Suzie died in sheer neglect in May 2017 raising voice for the health, wellbeing and freedom of animals in our country. The big mammal Kavaan’s freedom has been ordered by Islamabad High Court. This one year old male elephant was gifted by Sri Lanka in 1985. Its mate Saheli, gifted by Bangladesh, unfortunately died in 2012. Since then Kavaan has been chained and kept in a small place.
Surprisingly, Kavaan was trained by its mahavat to pick money from visitors through his trunk; an act beneath dignity for an elephant. Interestingly, its big tusks were sheepishly removed by management of zoo. Same impoverished, unhygienic and filthy environment is provided to almost all animals in all big zoos of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The Lion in Murghzaar was starved to death in depressing conditions some years ago. There was a department “Mehkama-e-Insidaad-e-Berahmi-e-Haiwanaat’ in Pakistan for safeguarding the minimal rights of animals like horses, camels etc, which protected the animals to some extent.
Formation of such institution at lower level will bear some fruits for large and small animals. It is irony of fate that dogs and cats born in streets are never looked after by civil society or government causing these hungry astray dogs to go mad and harm members of public. Pity the nation that has no sense or remorse for these species. Time and again letters appear in press for killing of stray dogs but nobody writes for proper management of these poor dogs. It is right time that these issues may be taken seriously and animals, large or small, may be respected and managed well by all. Hopefully, Kavaan will soon meet his fellows in some sanctuary of World Wild Life in Cambodia.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
E-learning
A learning system based on formalized teaching but with the help of electronic resources is known as E-learning. While teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet form the major component of E-learning. E-learning can also be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same or different times. Earlier, it was not accepted wholeheartedly as it was assumed that this system lacked the human element required in learning.
However, with the rapid progress in technology and the advancement in learning systems, it is now embraced by the masses. The introduction of computers was the basis of this revolution and with the passage of time, as we get hooked to Smartphones, Tablets, etc, these devices now have an important place in classrooms for learning. Books are gradually getting replaced by electronic educational material like optical discs or pen drives. Knowledge can also be shared via Internet, which is accessible 24/7, anywhere, anytime.
E-learning has proved to be the best means in the corporate sector, especially when training programs are conducted by MNCs for professionals across the globe and employees are able to acquire important skills while sitting in a board room, or by having seminars which are conducted for employees of the same or the different organizations under one roof. The schools which use E-learning technologies are a step ahead of those which still have the traditional approach towards learning.
IQRA MARYAM
Islamabad
CM Thackeray is ‘hajam’
CM Uddhav Thackeray of Maharashtra is a ‘hajam’. Today he is saying something and tomorrow he is saying something else. First he said that the lockdown in Maharashtra would end on April 14 and we trusted him. A few days later, he said not on April 14 but on April 30. After this he said the lockdown will finally end on May 3 and we were happy.
When May 3 arrived, he again went on to say May 18. When May 18 arrived, he said May 31. Now he’s saying June 15. Mr Thackeray does not know what he talks. He’s not fit to be a CM and should resign as he cannot tackle the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Roads and sewerage
There are innumerable issues of SITE area, Hyderabad. People of this town are facing major problems owing to the lack of government’s interest. The dilapidated condition of roads in our area cannot be described as normal, the condition of Fateh Chowk to Nara jail road is abysmal. No drain has been constructed on this important road which connects Hyderabad to Tando Muhammad Khan. During rains, rain-water accumulates on roads and causes immense inconvenience to the people.
Similarly, the terrible condition of sewerage system is not different from other issues; manure and garbage are lying making sewerages contaminated and causing major health hazards for the residents of NA-226. It depicts a manifestly criminal negligence of those at the helm. Through your esteem newspaper, I urge the district administration and especially Sindh government to resolve the core issues of our area.
SHAHRAM BHUTTO
Hyderabad
