Loud Thinking

Archive for August, 2013

JAAG PAKISTAN JAAG

WAKE UP PAKISTAN

According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2012-13, in the last fiscal year alone, the country provided Rs239.5 billion worth of tax breaks, mainly to influential people.

The FBR gave Rs82.3 billion worth of income tax exemptions. The sales tax exemptions stood at Rs37.5 billion which were mainly given to sugar and tractor industries. The customs duties exemptions grew to Rs119.7 billion.

But not all the exemptions can be withdrawn as many are given under international treaties, particularly on account of customs duties that are waived off or reduced under preferential and free trade agreements.

The independent power producers are enjoying income tax exemption and the country waived off Rs50 billion in the last one year alone, according to the government report.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2013.

Is it a contempt of court or not?

I am at a loss to understand if the financial situation of the PCB was so poor why it allowed 2 SUV’s for its COO and DG, worth over PKR 13 million.

Secondly, on which authority the care taker chairman violated the orders of the IHC judge’s decision wherein, he was only allowed to perform day to day affairs of the PCB and gave very hefty Eid bonuses to the players and the officials of the team which toured WI and won the ODI series against a lowely rated West Indians.

Isn’t it a case of contempt of court? Did the PCB in this case consult the attorney general of Pakistan and the ministry of IPC, as has been done in the case of approval of the budget?

We also apprehend that the PCB may not dish out further bonuses to the officials & the players after they come back victorious against the Zimbabwe team.

“Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.”

— Alfred A. Montapert

Real ruler in India is its military – Civilian set up is just a facade

If the Indian government is so weak and afraid of the Indian establishment, which is headed by Indian army, that the government was forced to lick its own spit (first they submitted a statement in the Lok Sabha that Pak Army had no hand in the killings of the Indian soldiers, 5 KM inside the border, about which Indian army in fact, filed an FIR as well, and later on, took a 180 degrees turn and openly blamed Pak Army SSG soldiers, all under its establishment’s pressure), then the only course left for the Pakistan’s government is to directly talk with the Indian army, which wields real power in India, over the dummy civilian government’s facade.

If the Indian government is so weak and afraid of the Indian establishment, which is headed by Indian army, that the government was forced to lick its own spit (first they submitted a statement in the Lok Sabha that Pak Army had no hand in the killings of the Indian soldiers, 5 KM inside the border, about which Indian army in fact, filed an FIR as well, and later on, took a 180 degrees turn and openly blamed Pak Army SSG soldiers, all under its establishment’s pressure), then the only course left for the Pakistan’s government is to directly talk with the Indian army, which wields real power in India, over the dummy civilian government’s facade.

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision.”

— Stevie Wonder

An eye opening statement of Nawaz Sharif quoted by the daily “The Nation” today.

“Our sources also tell me that there is a hidden hand of India in certain disturbances going on in Pakistan and the acts of terrorism which take place in many parts of Pakistan,” he said. The PM said Pakistan is however eager to settle all the disputes with India including Kashmir through dialogue.

“A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away.”

— Charles Schwab

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963);
35th US President

Refuse to Participate in a Cutthroat Environment

It’s demoralizing to have a boss who pits you against your colleagues. Don’t give in to this dynamic. Instead, collaborate with coworkers to find your own ways of working together that don’t ratchet up the competition. Tell your boss how you feel about the situation, but be diplomatic and constructive. If she thinks you’re complaining, she won’t take your concerns seriously. Discuss it with your colleague(s) first and then meet with your boss, perhaps together. Say you’d like to stop vying for the spotlight, because it’s distracting you from doing your best work. Ask if she can avoid putting you in competitive situations (and give a few examples, in case she’s not tuned in to her own behavior) so you can both be more productive—to the benefit of all.

Adapted by HBR from the HBR Guide to Office Politics.