Did we learn anything from 8 October, 2005?

We all remember October 8, 2005. Nine years ago, a massive earthquake measuring .... On the richter scale razed buildings in north Pakistan, causing .... Casualties. A natural disaster of this magnitude could not be predicted. But could the number of casulaties be lowered if God forbid such a calamity was to hit Pakistan again?
After the earthquake there was talk during circuitous transmissions on TV of preventive measures. Have we done enough during the last nine years?
I distinctly remember drills being conducted in my school (among other places) in the aftermath of the earthquake. But as time passed such exercises were not repeated.
There was also talk of building design inspection and approval of buildings, but even at that time I was skeptical of this practice bring adopted, let alone it bring implemented in letter and spirit in the long run.
So nine years after disaster struck, we are as unprepared as we were in 2005.

Rainwater Harvesting

Last year, while working on a World Bank project on reforming Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) of Punjab, I came across this astonishing fact: Groundwater in Lahore is being depleted 3 metres each year due to pumping for household and commercial use. This was a shocking revelation since Lahore received ample rainwater in the past few years. Further research highlighted that the water level had fallen 60feet from 1993 to 2012. Not only does the fall in water level make it harder to pump water out, it also exposes the citizens to arsenic waste that is found deep underground.

While working on the same project I met Dr. Nasir Javed, the geriatric but focused CEO of the Urban Unit. Mr. Javed is a big critic of the WASAs and their service delivery. He blamed the attitude of WASA higher ups for the fall in the ground water level. The overpumping of groundwater with tubewells seemed to be the problem. Moreover, WASAs had to buy extra equipment to remove water from flooded roads in monsoon season, which flushed water into sewers without recharging the ground warer. Mr. Javed was also working on a project known as "Rainwater harvesting". This entailed using the water from rains in Lahore - which is quite abundant in the summers - and using it for non-potable measures such as toilets and washing. Moreover, this harvesting also recharges the underground water aquifer. This project would also prevent flooding of roads since the water would seep underground in the artificial ponds.
More research helped me look at other places this practice had taken place. In Chennai, India, a law was passed to install rainwater harvesting equipment in all homes and offices in a period of one year. This practice helped raise the water level from 50feet to just five feet. Moreover, the water qualify improved. 
Dr. Javed's appeals to the government finally bore fruit in 2014 when an amendment was proposed to the LDA zoning and building regulations requiring "all buildings to be constructed in future in Lahore should have provision for rooftop rainwater harvesting. Collected rainwater may be utilised for all purposes other than drinking." A similar law was passed in Chennai which helped the municipal government raise water level.
As of 10th June 2014, LDA plans 39 water catchment points to be used for Rainwater harvesting. Two of these are underconstruction at Qaddafi Stadium and Lakshmi Chowk.  

Lumia issues

I have always been a NOKIA mobile phone user (except my Sony Ericsson K510) even in this age of Android dominance. The Windows Phones offer me a value proposition which Android phones just can't. But I cant say that I'm not unhappy with NOKIA. 
I bought Lumia 610 in 2012 only to learn that Microsoft was about to introduce Windows Phone 8 which would not be available for my set. I hadn't recovered from the shock when I learnt my Windows Phone 7 software didnt even support USSD which was available since the time the first GSM phones were introduced. Nokia took no step to correct this anomaly even when they introduced WP7.8.
Then, I upgraded to WP8 Lumia 525 as I use USSD heavily. The experience was appreciable until I started having problems of my phone shutting down erratically. After browsing the internet, I saw people using LUMIA 520 complaining about the same problem. People had offered the solution of inserting a small card under the battery in order to improve the battery's connection to the phone.
Now, what I don't understand is, why is Nokia taking such a nonchalant approach to these complaints? If Lumia 520 had this problem, wasn't it Nokia's responsibility to fix it in L525? Nokia should look at their weaknesses if they want to expand in the territory of Android and iPhones.

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Update: Aug 6, 2016

It's deja vu as Microsoft is hell bent on losing the miniscule market share it has left. Just like it didnt update Win Phone 7 mobiles to Windows Phone 8, it has now left many Windows 8.1 phones in the dark when it comes to updating to Windows 10 mobile (including my L525). Although the Redmond firm had states earlier that all W8.1 phones will receive the update, many have been left out.


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Update: July 20, 2019

In hindsight, it is a relief that Microsoft / Nokia stopped manufacturing Lumia phones. Each one I used had a debilitating problem with no solution. A summary is provided below: 

• Lumia 610: No USSD support and was not 
• Lumia 525: Loose battery issue mentioned above. Secondly, it just stopped working and required a change of motherboard / storage
• Lumia 550: Probably the only phone that worked till I disposed it off. Had problems connecting Bluetooth peripherals and did not support the band of 4G my network provided
• Lumia 950xl: Battery issues, phone restarts and blanks out every now and then.

Windows 8.1 is the way to go

With all the talk surrounding Windows 8 (and 8.1) and Windows XP's support deadline, I feel people have been harsh on Microsoft.
I wouldn't elaborate on any cool features Windows 8 boasts but rather the stuff that I care about. Windows 8 enhances Windows 7's functionality.
Win7 was a great system, yet it had one issue. Whenever I used my favorite flashdrive (sandisk), and I chose to safely remove it, the blue light would stay on. Even after searching the whole internet I couldnt find the solution.
Then I upgraded to Win8 in 2013 and bam! The light went off when I safely removed the USB. Moreover, Win8 displayed a picture of my USB as the icon, something which Win7 never did.
So in addition to the important features, Win8 packs some small tweaks which make it efficient.

Deficit: Good or Bad?

As Pakistan saw a safe transition of governments, the first thing that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had on mind was the country’s current-account deficit. Current account deficits have always been viewed with an evil. It doesn’t need to be this way.

The major misconception that newspaper readers have about the current-account deficit is that it slows down economic growth. This isn't necessarily true. The deficit exist because a developing country is currently in need of expensive machinery which it is importing from abroad. The installation of this machinery would help the country increase its production and hence increase growth. Moreover, growing aggregate demand can also cause a current account deficit as the demand for imports rises. 

This argument should be rectified by saying that the higher the deficit goes as a percentage of the country's GDP, the lower will be growth of the country. Pakistan's current-account deficit is shown in the graph above (primary Y-axis inverted). It is interesting to note that the closest Pakistan came to achieving a surplus was in 2011 and even then it was around 1% of the GDP. 
As of now, the deficit stands at around 1% of GDP but the total value has increased to $4 billion. The appreciation of the rupee in the recent months has decreased exports and increased imports hence putting pressure on the current account balance.

Pakistan's sole representative at Sochi 2014

It's just 8 days to the start of the Winter Olympics 2014 in the Black Sea-neighbouring city of Russia. As has always been the case, Pakistani authorities find ways to mess up. The ongoing tussle between Pakistan Olympic Association (headed by Lt Gen (r) Arif Hasan) and the Government backed National Olympic Committee (formed under the controversial National Sports policy and headed by Akram Sahi) could lead to the suspension of Pakistan's membership of the IOC. This would mean Pakistan's sole representative at Sochi, Muhammad Karim may not be able to travel to Russia, endangering Pakistan's already thin participation in the games. Karim, a teenager, is a participant in the men's slalom and giant slalom competitions. The government.
The feud started when the PML-N based government decided not to acknowledge Lt Retd Arif Hasan as the POA president after he won the seat in an election in 2012 (and defeating Sahi). The government introduced its National Sports Policy, leading to the formation of a National Olympic Committee headed by Akram Sahi. The IOC recognizes the POA headed by Arif Hasan. It has warned Pakistan that to sort out the mess by 31st January 2014 or face suspension.
IPC Minister Riaz Pirzada has clearly stated that the Government has no intention of accepting the POA under Arif Hasan which means that the suspension is imminent. This would deprive young Karim of a chance to unveil his talent at the international stage.
  

The Curious Case of Pakistan Cricket Team: Part 5

Pakistan played the Asia Cup in June 2010 and did not qualify for the final. Next, was the tour to England. Pakistan faced Australia in 2 T20s (and won both) and 2 tests in England. Shahid Afridi left Test captaincy after losing the first test. Salman Butt was made captain for the second. The test series was drawn 1-1. Then Pakistan faced England for four tests. The series was lost 3-1 and everyone knows the "shenanigans" for which the tour is famous. The T20 series was lost 2-0 and the ODI series 3-0. 
Pakistan flew to Abu Dhabi to face SA. Greenshirts lost the ODI series 3-2 but surprised everyone by drawing both Tests under the captaincy of Misbah-ul-Haq.
Pakistan travelled to New Zealand next. The T20 series was lost 2-1 but the Greenshirts showed composure and won the tests 1-0 and the ODIs 3-2. Next assignment was the World Cup 2011. Pakistan surprised everyone by qualifying for the semifinal after beating Sri Lanka, Australia and West Indies. India spoiled Pakistan's party and Greenshirts headed home after the semifinal.
Next was the tour to West Indies. Pakistan lost the only T20 but won the ODI series 3-2. The first test saw Pakistan's trademark collapse. Chasing 219, Pakistan were bundled out for 178. The second test was won by Greenshirts and series ended 1-1. Shahid Afridi had some concerns with the management and Waqar Younis and he quit captaincy after the WI series. Misbah ul Haq was made captain for all three formats.
Pakistan won all their games on the tour to Zimbabwe. Waqar quit coaching after this series.
 Next was the series against Sri Lanka in the UAE.Mohsin Khan was installed as an interim coach. Pakistan won the tests 1-0, the ODIs 4-1 and also won the only T20. Pakistan travelled to Bangladesh where they won all the games.

England came to the UAE to face the Greenshirts. They were humiliated in the test series where they had no idea where the doosra of Saeed Ajmal was spinning. Pakistan took the Test series 3-0 but the ODI series saw a total reversal and Pakistan lost 4-0. The 3 T20 series ended 2-1 to England. PCB felt Misbah was not the perfect T20 captain and Hafeez was installed as T20 captain. Dav Whatmore was made coach and Mohsin Khan was removed, although he had done wonders as coach of the team.
Pakistan went to Bangladesh to play the Asia Cup 2012. Pakistan won the final against Bangladesh (although they were beaten by India in league games).
Next was the tour to Sri Lanka. Pakistan drew the T20 series 1-1, but lost the ODIs 3-1 and the tests 1-0. Australia came to UAE in September 2012. Pakistan lost the ODI series 2-1 but won the T20s 2-1. 
Next was the ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Pakistan showed impressive form by beating Australia but lost the semifinal to Sri Lanka. 
A small series was scheduled in India. Pakistan showed great skill in the entire series. Although the T20 series was 1-1, a great innings by Mohammad Hafeez was about to win it for Pakistan. The Greenshirts manhandled India in the ODIs 2-1 but it could easily have 3-0 had Pakistan's batting shown some strength in the final ODI.
The tour of SA proved horrible for Pakistan as they were whitewashed 3-0 in the tests. They won the T20 1-0 but were beaten again in the ODIs 3-2 due to lacklustre batting performances.
ICC Champions Trophy also was dreadful for Pakistan as they lost all three group games and went out of the tournament.
The tour of West Indies was beneficial as Pakistan won the ODIs 3-1 and the T20s 2-0. But the following tour of Zimbabwe was marred by poor batting of the Greenshirts. Pakistan lost an ODI in the series but won the series 2-1 to match with the T20 win of 2-0. Unfortunately, a test was also lost after a collapse and the series ended 1-1.
South Africa faced Pakistan in UAE in October 2013. Pakistan won the first test but a batting collapse meant the series was tied 1-1. The ODIs were lost 4-1 although it was closely contested. Pakistan blew off two ODIs. The first one was lost by a single run and the fourth one saw a batting collapse while cruising on 239-5 while chasing 270 odd. The T20 series was also lost 2-0.

Conclusions:

The purpose of this circumlocution was not to bore you, but to make you understand that it is not just a lack of consistency that has left Pakistan cricket in the state that it is today. 
* Pakistan have tried being consistent. First giving Waqar Younis a reign of 2 years. Then Inzimam a reign of 4 years. Shoaib Malik had a reign of almost 2 years and now Misbah has been the captain for almost 3 years in tests and 2 in ODIs. But we haven't seen huge performances from the team during these consistent eras as well. Yes, there have been strong performance like against India and England in tests, but they are soon forgotten due to poor shows in the following series.
* Changing captains does not work. From 1999 till today, Pakistan has had 13 captains. 
* It does not matter whether the coach is foreign or local. Mohsin Khan did great work with the team, something Geoff Lawson and Dav Whatmore haven't been able too. Pakistan did win under Woolmer but there are no major world events to brag about.
* Interestingly, Pakistan won the T20 World Cup under Younis Khan who was made captain just 5 months prior to the event. The coach in the series was Intikhab Alam.
* The domestic structure was changed from departments to regions in 2007 apparently after the advice given by Imran Khan to Dr. Nasim Ashraf. Cricket greats say that cricket has been effected badly by this change. I'll say, cricket wasn't touching heights before the change either.

So as I conclude, Pakistan get ready to play their 2nd ODI in South Africa. I hope they win the series.There are rumours of Waqar Younis joining the team as coach after the board fires Whatmore. But bear this in mind, changing captains, boards or coaches won't help Pakistan cricket. It will stay the way it has for the past 14 years.