A matter of difference

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra was established in the 1970s in the Attock district to rebuild the fighter aircraft and manufacture trainers. The complex is busy manufacturing fighters and trainers. In the civil sector, two undertakings, among so many others, have been initiated. One of them was an impressive locomotive manufacturing factory that was established in Risalpur in the 1990s in collaboration with Japan. Its function was to manufacture diesel electric locomotives for Pakistan Railways so as to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers. The manufacturing capacity of this factory was 25 locomotives per year. Even though these locomotives were available domestically, an order to import of 20 ready-made locomotives was placed with the US-based GE.

The second undertaking pertains to the installation of a 1,000 MW solar park in Bahawalpur. The efforts of the Punjab government are highly appreciated in setting up this park that comprises 10 sub-parks of 100 MWs each. The first sub park has already been completed and is operational. After the installation of one solar sub-park by the foreigners, will the remaining nine sub parks be established with the help of local manpower? Let’s hope that the local manpower wasn’t trained only to wash the solar panels of this park. This discussion leads us to the question: Why are defence establishments being managed so efficiently and producing excellent results, while facilities in the civil sector are turning into white elephants?

Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan

Karachi