THIS refers to the article `Why Pakistan fails in space` (Sept 16) which mentioned several cases of people with PhDs serving in the education sector under the patronage of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Including one `Dr Z`, who set the final examination paper for his introductory Physics class.

One of the questions, which actually Dr Z had downloaded from the internet, was; `Why is cross price elasticity of demand important?` Is it not depressing to note that a teacher, a PhD in Physics, did not know that the question actually related to Economics.

Having worked in and retired from PIA`s flight operations, this interesting case reminded me of an identical hilarious episode during my service with the airline. One fine morning, a political party worker reported in the human resources (HR) department of the Directorate of Aircraft Engineering, with a letter issued by his party`s head office. This was a normal practice during those days. He asked the HR manager to appoint him the manager of engineering in the aircraft maintenance department.

After going through the documents of the `incumbent manager of engineering`, the HR manager noticed that he had a master`s degree in Economics. The HR manager told the worker that since it was an engineering job, he did not have relevant qualifications. The worker went back and the next day came again with a degree in civil engineering. It may sound like a joke, but this was narrated to me by someone who was present on the spot.

This is surely not an isolated case, forevery institution in Pakistan has suffered seriously because of rampant corruption and blatant politicisation, making merit a demerit in this land of the pure.

Abid Mahmud Ansari Islamabad