Sir: According to a press report from February 14, the Federal Government has handed over the Gwadar desalination plant to the provincial government. The plant — which is worth Rs one billion, was shut down by the provincial government after only being functional for 20 days. A Sub-Committee of the Senate Committee on Planning and Development has recommended handing over the plant to China. It is unfortunate that those charged with governing this country don’t think in terms of indigenous development. They should strive for self reliance and minimize dependence on foreign assistance. It is hoped that the federal government will eventually try to get the plant up and running again, using Pakistani labour and management. M AKRAM NIAZI Rawalpindi Published in Daily Times, February 15th 2018.