THIS is with reference to the report ‘UET researchers develop textile products from banana waste’ (March 24). The report was about one of the finest and the oldest engineering institutions of the country, and publicised the development of yarn/thread from the banana plants by a team of institutional researchers led by a department head. The report said the ‘innovation’ would prove to be a revolution for sustainable environment and the products would surface in the world markets with the tag of ‘made in Pakistan’. It sounded good.

Being a Pakistani, I felt proud and thought that the country was finally moving in the right direction. However, all my pride vanished into thin air when I recently had a chance to meet people associated with the textile industry.

It was startling to know that the ‘invention’ was not quite an invention, as banana fibre yarn was already being sold worldwide and several Pakistani firms had been producing and exporting fabric made of such a fibre for the last several years.

Adding to my shock and disappointment was the widespread availability of banana fibre yarn on Alibaba — a Chinese multinational e-commerce giant.

The industry professionals I spoke to were of the view that those feeding the said reporter had nothing but point-scoring in mind with the aim of securing some job-related or other benefits.

The industry-academia linkage is a critical factor related to the economic progress of the country, but in Pakistan, the gap is widening day by day. The said report and the claims made therein only added to the trust deficit between the two elements, and created hurdles for those who sincerely want to contribute.

Shahnawaz Khan
Haripur

AN ILLOGICAL DECISION: This is with reference to the editorial ‘TTP amnesty’ (Sept 17). The track record of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan is appalling, and even a perception that such an offer is being considered will certainly be viewed as a sign of weakness and will have far reaching consequences. The TTP has been banned, but it continues to operate by challenging the writ of the state. Any talk of amnesty to the TTP when Afghanistan is in crisis is untimely and we should have waited for the dust to settle down first.

Lt-Col (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt
Karachi

UNJUST ALLOTMENT: This refers to the editorial ‘Unjust allotment’ (Sept 15) which rightly pointed out that the practice of giving multiple plots of land and houses to those who matter is a form of favouritism. The reference to Justice M.R. Kayani’s order directing the government to develop a policy in the matter was apt. The editorial was, however, silent about the government policy towards such allotments.

Asif Ali Khan
Karachi

COLLEGE PRIVATISATION: The provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite widespread opposition to the idea, is continuingwith its plan to privatise all public-sector colleges in the province, starting with the renowned Government Postgraduate Jehanzeb College, Swat.

The controversial bill, which is believed to have been finalised, seems to have an input from all the stakeholders except the teachers, who have expressed their discontent by boycotting classes. The sane voices in the government must intervene to stop such plans.

Nasir Khan
Swat

DR AAFIA CASE: THIS refers to the report “Dr Aafia Siddiqui sustained ‘minor injuries’ in assault by fellow inmate in US prison: FO” (Aug 21). It is regrettable that the incident did not evoke any serious condemnation from Islamabad. Apparently, it was a clear indication that we have lost all hope in this case.

Khurram Azad Khan
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2021