A FUTILE EXERCISE: The 448kW solar energy system installed at Civil Hospital Naushahro Feroze has failed to serve the purpose of keeping the health facility functional round the clock. The energy produced during the day is sold to the grid, and the hospital has no power past sunset during periods of loadshedding. It has to use expensive diesel and petrol generators for up to 10 hours in such times. A battery backup system would have served the purpose, but the administration seems to be more interested in selling the ‘excess’ power than in preserving it for night-time usage. The authorities should pay urgent attention to the matter.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Memon
Naushahro Feroze
LIES AND STATISTICS: During my studies, I noted a quote on my teacher’s wall behind his desk: ‘There are three kinds of lies; Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics’. The quote is generally true, but in Pakistan, it is true across the board. The incumbent government’s claim about decrease in inflation is a case in point. For instance, in September 2023, petrol was Rs333 per litre, dollar was over Rs300 and the price of boneless beef was Rs1,400 per kg. At present, dollar hovers around Rs280, and petrol is pegged around Rs260, which is good. Well done! However, boneless beef is still sold for Rs1,400 per kg. What about that? Has inflation decreased? Really?
Anjum Amin Siddiqui
Karachi
SEEKING JUSTICE: On Aug 21, 2023, I had applied against an advertisement for the position of lecturer (BPS-18) at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Sakrand, and submitted a processing fee of Rs3,000. On Dec 26, 2024, the Pakistan Testing Service (PTS) informed via a text message that the test would be conducted on Dec 29. I visited the PTS website multiple times to download the slip, but no relevant data was found on the website. The authorities concerned should take notice of this deliberate negligence by both the university and the PTS.
Shahnawaz Khoso
Hyderabad
Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.