Pakistanis, as a newly born
nation, celebrated the first
Independence Day on August
14, 1947 with tears of gratitude in their eyes and hearts filled with joy and happiness.
Regardless of the price they paid to make the struggle for Pakistan a success, they were
happy to have a separate homeland.
Today while celebrating the 53rd Independence Day the eyes are still wet due to sorrow and
grief over their shattered dreams.
People don't feel guilty over fragmentation of the society on provincial, ethnic and
sectarian grounds.
HEPATITIS B
The failure of the government to allocate funds for Hepatitis B
vaccination is putting the lives of 5 million babies, born in the country each year, at
grave risks. The failure to include hepatitis B in the national immunization programme
despite WHO’s recommendation is blamed on the economic reasons. While Hepatitis B
vaccine is expensive, its price can be cut by one-tenth if the government chooses to
import it in bulk.
ONION
The minimum price fixed for onion exports by the government is
discouraging exports despite a huge surplus. It is also forcing the exporters to resort to
unethical trade practices to retain the business in the biggest market of Sri Lanka at the
expense of local banks.
LPG TERMINAL
The LPG handling and storage
facility of EPTL has been completed. It will replace the current marginal LPG facility of
Port Qasim Authority. This will increase the LPG import and help in conserving fast
depleting forests in the country.
PSF SECTOR
With PSF prices on an increase,
capacity utilization of local manufacturers touches 95% mark and profit margins have
improved. There is a need to expand PSF manufacturing capacity in the country. There is a
forecast that Ibrahim Fibres will double its present capacity by the year 2002.
