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.
Unwanted concrete barriers
DHA authorities have thoughtlessly placed several concrete barriers on main roads/speed lanes in DHA, Phase-8, Karachi. It is pertinent to state that these barriers, without any warning signs, on main roads are being used as an alternate to speed breakers. They are not being used for any security purpose.
The sheer negligence and carelessness by the DHA have caused numerous road accidents and these concrete barriers are undoubtedly dangerous, unsafe for the residents. They also constitute an unlawful obstruction on public places in terms of Section 133 Cr.PC 1898 and are accordingly liable to be removed.
EENA SIDDIQUE ADVOCATE
Karachi
Unemployment, price hike!
Since PTI came, people have been facing continuous hardships. Outcome of their two years ruling tenure is nothing but misery. Unemployment, inflation is at the peak. A record price hike in medicines, fuel and food items is a great burden on public.
Before his designation as PM, we considered Khan as our last ray of hope for country’s future. It should be Khan’s priority to provide basic needs to people at affordable rates yet on this issue there is a big question mark on PTI’s performance. PTI should be afraid of price hike rather than frightened from PDM march and rallies. Price hike and unemployment can abolish their government as well as their image.
NAZIR AHMED KUBAR
Thar, Sindh
Small hydropower regulations
Pakistan is blessed with hundreds of sites for Renewable Small Hydro power plants through Run of River designs. Such plants have low environmental impact, can be installed in 6 months and can supply continuous renewable power for 50 years. Through Micro grids they can supply power to local consumers while reducing load on the transmission lines.
Banks do not normally finance such plants as high costs can make them costlier for banks. These plants also have a little higher initial cost compared to large Hydropower. Therefore it was a positive development that State Banks of Pakistan allowed such financing on fixed 6% in Pakistan. But if government improves the regulations for these plants than they will see a surge in construction across Pakistan. Firstly the SBP Renewable loan for plants should be extended for 15 years to cover the actual Rate Of return of Investment of these projects.
Because of continuous production it is more suitable to connect such a plant to grid via Micro grids or connect it to an industry that operates 24/7. Therefore government can mandate KP Transmission Company to connect all such plants to grids and manage Microgrids centrally. Many investors want to construct new industries but high electricity cost stops them from investing. A government organisation should therefore help partner new industries with licensed future projects by helping share details between them via a website or single counter.
These plants should specify the percentage of profit or income that would be coop company share and these companies can be regulated by a central government organisation. These specific changes will accelerate the construction of such plants across Pakistan, increase water storage, create new industries, reduce load on transmission and create new jobs.
Shahryar Khan Baseer
Peshawar
Keep body parts healthy
The stomach is injured when you do not have breakfast in the morning. The kidneys are injured when you do not drink a minimum of ten glasses of water in 24 hours. The gall bladder is injured when you do not sleep until 11 o’clock in the night and do not wake up when the sun rises in the morning.
The small intestines are injured when you eat cold and stale food. The large intestines are injured when you eat more fried and spicy food. The lungs are injured when you breathe in smoke and stay in polluted environment of cigarettes. The liver is injured when you eat heavy fried food, junk food and fast food.
The heart is injured when you eat your meals with more salt and cholesterol. The pancreas is injured when you eat sweet things because they are tasty and freely available. The eyes are injured when you work in the light of mobile phones and computer screen in the dark.
The brain is injured when you start thinking negative things. The soul gets injured when you don’t have a family and friends to care and share with you in life their love, affection, happiness, sorrow and joys. All these parts are not available in the market. So take good care of them and keep your body parts healthy.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
