Disputes all around.

THIS is with reference to the news 'PIA plane seized in Malaysia over $14m lease dispute' (Jan 16). There has been a string of disputes involving Bayindir, Tethyan Copper Company, and Broadsheet, with Peregrine Aviation being the latest to have a dispute with Pakistan.

One common factor in all these disputes is that the public-sector institutions involved could not honour the agreed commitment or could not fulfil their part of the deal, resulting in conflicts with foreign firms.

The disputes went into litigation, and the cases were decided against the enterprises.

It is a sad and embarrassing story, not only badly tarnishing the country's image abroad, but also putting a strain on the fragile economy in two ways: first, the non-fulfilment of the job, and, second, the required payment of a penalty for the violation of the contract.

I wonder why things are what they are. Is it because proper homework was not done at our end by the experts before the execution of the contracts? Were they unaware of the intricacies, obligations and consequences while entering into agreements with foreign companies?

Consequently...