btchd

An Open Letter to The Chief Minister and Home Minister of Sindh;

After watching your numerous representatives come on television and talk about how law and order is your first priority, I would like to bring to your attention a case of police incompetence that I got to take part in last night.

I have family that lives on Khayban-e-Shujaat in Defence Karachi. In front of their home, someone parked a car (AAK 272) and left it, telling the chowkidars around the house that they had permission from the people who live there. The car has been there since 8 pm last night.

Now here is where the story gets fun. The police were called to come and remove the car, since the home owners have not given anyone permission to park there. Our Karachi Police showed up and promptly reported that the vehicle was clean, not involved in any murders nor stolen and if we wanted the car removed, we have to pay for the lifter to come and remove it.

While waiting for the police to arrive, friends at the Naval Housing Society called to let us know that there had been a major robbery in the area and the robbers were waiting inside the home for the people to come back.

We also called the Chief Minister’s House complaint line and made the same complaint, only to get no action.

This morning, the car still stands there. I have spoken to the police and Chief Minister’s house, neither willing to take any action. The last update that I got was that the police were on the scene now but had again repeated their demand for payment to remove the car.

So it is clear to us now. If we are willing to give the police “chai paani,” then our citizens will be kept secure; otherwise, we have no right to security.

Democracy at its finest.

Karachi

The Accountability Court has issued non-bailable warrants for three accused nominated by the National Accountability Bureau for causing loss to national carrier Pakistan International Airlines in an aircraft scam case.

According to Deputy Prosecutor General NAB Brig (retd) Shafaat Nabi Khan Sherwani, during probe into the B-747 aircraft scam it transpired that Daryus Cyrus Minwala was involved in the commission of corruption and corrupt practices, which was punishable under National Accountability Ordinance-1999 and the matter was referred to Chairman NAB to ascertain factual position.

During investigation it also transpired that Minwala had received at least US$10.5 million from Cathay Pacific through his offshore companies — D M Investment and Aviation Investment Consultant Limited — to facilitate lease extension and subsequent sale of the discarded B-747 planes from Cathay Pacific to PIA, causing huge loss to the national exchequer.

Through his offshore company D M Investment, Minwala paid illegal gratification to the officers of PIA, Cathay Pacific and a private person who played a crucial rule in the execution of these agreements. It may be mentioned here that the said aircraft were manufactured in 1985 for Cathay Pacific with a validity of about 20 years, however, these were acquired by the PIA.

Sherwani said that PIA signed lease agreement with Cathay Pacific on March 18, 1999 for five aircraft bearing serial numbers 23221, 23392, 23534, 23709 and 23920 for two years against a rent of US $0.275 million per aircraft per month, besides maintenance and support agreement charges at US$1,510 per flying hour. An inspection team, which also included an accused Rashid Hassan, visited Hong Kong in February 1999 to carryout evaluation of the aircraft. It was revealed that the team physically inspected only two aircraft but gave approval for all the said B-747-300 aircraft.

According to the reference, owing to above mentioned acts of the then management, PIA suffered a cumulative loss of US$31 million. Cathay Pacific had intentionally and deliberately engaged Minwala to sell out its discarded fleet to PIA at exorbitant rates, and for this purpose the airline paid US$ 10.5 million to Minwala, of which US$5,25000 were paid to accused Pervaiz Hussain and US$2,45000 to accused Rashid Hussain.