Fake CNG fitness certificates
The problem of unfit CNG cylinders is now multidimensional.
Can we expect any better in a country where those in positions of high influence and power possess fake degrees? PHOTO: FILE
There is a new kind of business that one may wish to capitalise on, if one is willing to travel down the illegal path. And if one needs tips, they can turn to the two men arrested on June 19 in Multan for issuing bogus CNG cylinder fitness certificates. However, one should then be ready to face derision by society because certainly, the issue of CNG cylinder fitness and safety is a serious one across the country and is one that has seen numerous deaths of innocent lives, especially in recent years. Some might remember the May 25 Gujrat van explosion that claimed the lives of 17 schoolchildren and one teacher, when the driver switched the van from gas to petrol. Sadly, this was not our first warning of the dire need for authorities to enforce CNG safety regulations in the country; there had been many other deaths prior to this incident.
The problem of unfit CNG cylinders is now multidimensional as not only are we concerned with a lack of safety regulations with regard to CNG kits, but there are crooks who are posing as transport officials issuing fake certificates without necessarily ensuring that CNG kits are safe. In this case, one of the two men was also pretending to be a fitness engineer — a title that requires lengthy education, of which these two men might only have had little. Albeit, can we expect any better in a country where those in positions of high influence and power possess fake degrees?
While it must be welcomed that there was a crackdown on these culprits, we must press the authorities to catch any other persons pretending to issue valid CNG fitness certificates. Perhaps, we might need a large-scale crackdown, including one to catch the third person involved in this incident. Let the authorities make an example out of these men for anyone else thinking about making a mockery of a serious problem that has killed many people in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.
The problem of unfit CNG cylinders is now multidimensional as not only are we concerned with a lack of safety regulations with regard to CNG kits, but there are crooks who are posing as transport officials issuing fake certificates without necessarily ensuring that CNG kits are safe. In this case, one of the two men was also pretending to be a fitness engineer — a title that requires lengthy education, of which these two men might only have had little. Albeit, can we expect any better in a country where those in positions of high influence and power possess fake degrees?
While it must be welcomed that there was a crackdown on these culprits, we must press the authorities to catch any other persons pretending to issue valid CNG fitness certificates. Perhaps, we might need a large-scale crackdown, including one to catch the third person involved in this incident. Let the authorities make an example out of these men for anyone else thinking about making a mockery of a serious problem that has killed many people in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.