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Newspaper reports (April 8) mentioned the quandary of our parliamentarians about identifying the reason behind power shortage. They were not sure if it was gas shortage or power generation or transmission glitches that were the reason for power shortfall. It seems the figures provided by the two authorities were confusing. Now an enquiry team will find out the real reason behind this confusion, which I hope will be shared with the power starved citizen.
   However, the power failure followed by air conditioning failure as reported in the papers (April 9) at the state function in the Bangladesh China Friendship Hall has possibly nothing to do with gas supply. The glitch could be possibly mechanical or power distribution based. We await the enquiry report on this matter too.
   In this connection it might be interesting to quote from ‘Energy & Power’ issue of April 1. They write ‘there is no problem of gas supply to power plants in Sylhet, Shahjibazar, Ashugonj, Baghabari, Shambhugonj, Megnaghat, Haripur, Siddergonj and Chittagong areas’.
   They further write ‘the gas supply to Ghorashal has to be restricted during peak hours, as the gas transmission pipelines have to feed gas demand of entire northern parts of Dhaka and also the Ghorashal fertilizer plants. The power plants of Ghorashal are relatively inefficient and require more gas for generating electricity’.
   These may be indicators of deficiency in the operation and maintenance of power plants rather than gas supply. Ultimately the issue boils down to extra power capacity to enable generating sets to be taken out for routine maintenance and required repair and replacement of parts, while maintaining the demand. More power plants are however conspicuous by their absence, and no solution may be available for some time to come!
   May be representative from ‘Energy & Power’ the only technical magazine on the subject should be a part of these enquiry teams so that both the government and the public can know about the actual facts.
   Engr SA Mansoor
   Gulshan, Dhaka

I think in order to bring some dynamism into the capital market of Bangladesh, all the telecom companies (both mobile and land line based) should be forced to float their shares in the stock exchanges.
   AJM
   Dhaka

As Taj Hashmi is now saying that he agrees with Akbar Hussain I agree with both of them. The only similarity that I can see between Bangladeshi and Pakistani Muslims is that we are Muslims. The Bengali Muslims were influenced by the Sufis who came by sea with the Arab businessmen. The Turkish cavalries influenced the Pakistani Muslims.
   We will have to be consistent about foreign invasions. If we think Clive was an evil then we must not glorify Khilji with the excuse that he brought important message with him.
   Waheed Nabi
   Sheffield, England

The Awami League seldom fails to amuse me in the way it interprets historical facts and events to suit its political objectives. What the party and its leaders forget is that the people of Bangladesh are no fools and they never fail to see clearly the game of convenience that the AL plays with historical facts and events.
   The current storm that the AL is trying to raise over the reform of the Caretaker Government is a clear case in point. The BNP and its allies never wanted a CG. It was due to pressures brought upon it during the BNP’s first time in power that the latter was forced to concede this concept. Much to the AL’s delight, it came to power under a CG and while in power for 5 years, it did not make even one move to change or reform the concept.  In fact, the AL took a lot of credit for introducing the CG claiming in the concept as its unique contribution to achieving democracy in a third world country.
   The AL in fact accepted wholeheartedly the CG as it is now and worked within it to come back to power again in the last election. First, it waited for Justice Latifur Rahman to retire as CJ, considering him to be an AL sympathizer and ensuring that his predecessor Justice Mostafa Kamal , that it considered anti-AL, would not head the CG. Then it laid down a strategy under which it made massive and politically malafide postings and transfers by putting its own sympathizers in key positions so that these civil servants could play a role similar to one during the 1996 elections in helping the AL win.
   So enamored was the AL with the CG that it took the latter for granted to ensure its return  to power and there is NOTHING on record about the AL ever raising even the faintest of criticism against the CG when in power.
   Ironically and in contrary to the AL’s present criticisms against the CG, the latter ensured in the 2001 polls the principles upon which the concept of CG was based, namely , to ensure a level playing field for all parties to contest in the polls. Had Justices Shahabuddin and Latifur Rahman, both the BNP at that time felt were AL sympathizers, not acted to change those postings and transfers made with malifide intentions, the AL would have walked back to power. The fact the CG acted the way it did is perhaps the best proof that the CG is the best bet for the people in electing a government of their choice.
   The AL’s present campaign to reform the CG is thus laden with ill motives; a manifestation of its tendency to change positions to suit its needs. It is true that the CG concept can be reformed and like any concept, improved. But for that, the AL must enter into dialogue with the BNP. The public trust is not there for the AL on this issue and if it moves to the streets on this issue, it will strengthen a lingering feeling among the public that this party is interested just in one thing which is to try and get back to power by hook or by crook. The call by Sheikh Hasina that it will force the BNP to accept its demands on the CG bodes ill for the country.
   Shahjahan Ahmed
   Dhanmandi, Dhaka

Prince Charles and Camilla’s wedding has confirmed and cemented a 35 year old shame. What can people expect from a man who will one day be the King of England? Whose sense of morality is zero? It’s disgusting and shameful to think about a person who sees the world as a place where morality and reason does not exist.
   I feel sorry for Queen Elizabeth II who despite her best managed personality and integrity could not influence the behaviour of her children, especially her son Prince Charles. The life and actions of her eldest son have amply proved that royalty is nothing heavenly. They also succumb to very mean human instincts and forget the high places they hold. Prince Charles is strong proof that nothing can prevent a person from transgressing when evil intentions rule his soul.
   Akbar Hussain
   Toronto, Canada