Archive for August, 2013
Loud Thinking August 18, 2013 at 02:56PM
August 18th, 2013 | 
Author: Mystery of the un-accounted for $20 billions..?
THE NATION DEMANDS THAT THE PREVIOUS RULERS BE IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED AND TRIED FOR PUSHING PAKISTAN TO THE STATE OF BANKRUPTCY.
THE NATION ALSO DEMANDS THAT ALL THE ASSETS INSIDE PAKISTAN AND ABROAD OF THE ENTIRE LOT OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT’S TOP FUNCTIONARIES BE CONFISCATED AND THESE PEOPLE SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO COME OUT OF THE JAIL IF THEY AGREE TO REPAY THE PREVIOUS IMF LOAN OF $7.6 BILLION.
THE QUESTION IS SIMPLE WHY THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN SHOULD REPAY THE IMF LOAN OBTAINED AND UTILISED BY THE PREVIOUS RULES FOR THEIR OWN BENEFITS?
THE NATION ALSO DEMANDS AN IMPARTIAL JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE ECONOMIC MURDER OF THE NATION WHEREIN WHEN GENERAL MUSHARRAF’s GOVERNMENT HANDED POWER TO THE PPP OUR LOAN LIABILITY IN THE YEAR 2008 STOOD AT $40 BILLION (PPP GOVT TOOK LOAN FROM IMF WORTH USD 7.6 BILLION SO AT THE END OF PPP GOVT THIS FIGURE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE UP MORE THAN USD 48 BILLION) AND ONE USD WAS EQUAL TO PKR 60. WHAT HAPPENED TO PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY WHEN THE PMLN GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER IN JUNE 2013 ONE USD WAS SELLING FOR 100 PKR AND NATIONAL LOANS SHOT UP TO USD 67 BILLION?
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF UNACCOUNTED FOR INCREASE OF ABOUT 20 BILLION USD IN LOAN LIABILITIES OF PAKISTAN DURING FIVE YEARS OF PPP RULE?
Loud Thinking August 18, 2013 at 09:55AM
An interesting letter published by the DAWN
THE PML government had been hungry for power for the past 14 years, the PPP for 12 years. Considering the ratio of hunger and what the previous government did, I only shudder what is in store for us.
Cicero (43 BC) of the Roman Empire wrote the following and it is still valid for today’s world and more so for Pakistan where all of it happens to the extreme.
The poor work and work.
The rich exploit the poor.
The soldier protects both.
The taxpayer pays for all three.
The wanderer rests for all four.
The drunk drinks for all five.
The banker robs all six.
The lawyer misleads all seven.
The doctor kills all eight.
The undertaker buries all nine.
A.M. MALIK Lahore
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF UNACCOUNTED FOR INCREASE OF ABOUT 20 BILLION USD IN LOAN LIABILITIES OF PAKISTAN DURING FIVE YEARS OF PPP RULE? : Wake up Pakistan : JAAG Pakistan JAAG
This has reference to the news item of 01 December 2012, by Mehtab Haider titled “Total debt scales Rs.14.5 trillion mark” published by the daily “The News” link :-http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-145837-Total-debt-scales-Rs145-trillion-mark
The gist of the above reveals the extremely precarious economic situation of Pakistan, as below.
1. Pakistan’s public debt and liabilities crossed Rs.13.5 trillion by end-September 2012, as per SBP data released on 30 November, 2012. However, a closer look reading of the data showed that the size of total debt is Rs.14.5 trillion.
2. According to SBP data total debt and liabilities at end of September 2012, touched $66.24 billion.
3. BY THE END OF JUNE 2012, PAKISTAN’S DEBT-TO-GDP RATIO STOOD AT 61.5%.
4. According to the former economic adviser Dr. Ashfaque Hassan Khan. “Even now, interest repayments are consuming 56 percent of the FBR’s revenue. And these unsustainable levels of public debt will be a burden on future generations who will service this debt through exorbitant taxation.”
5. Analysts say that irresponsible fiscal management, sharp depreciation of the Rupee (from Rs.60 to a dollar to Rs.97 to a dollar – in the last four years) and low economic growth have caused the surge in public debt.
In view of the foregoing, it is clearly evident that we have reached a stage, where even alarm bells ringing time has passed. The economy of Pakistan is not sinking, it has already sunk. Foreign exchange reserves are fast depleting.
{This piece was written in December, 2012 and now today (in the year 2013) the government has been forced to obtain loan from IMF to repay its old loan. This proves that we have no money to pay our liabilities. This situation in plain words is called bankruptcy.}
However, what is very alarming and strange that the entire government and the parliament is silent over the issue, as if, they are in collusion with each other, on (God forbid) this virtual economic demise of the country. Otherwise, at least a single person from the entire parliament would have raised his/ her voice, over violation of the binding on the government, for not exceeding the debt-to-GDP ratio over 60%. (Please refer para 3 above).
We should remember that USSR was not dis-membered, due to the violation or collapse of its geographical boundaries. Rather, it was the collapse of its economy, which destroyed a superpower overnight. The USSR broke down without firing of a single bullet, just due to its economic melt down.
If, even at this later stage, patriotic Pakistanis won’t raise their voice, over this virtual economic collapse of the country, then be ready, history will never forgive us, for our collective Harakiri.
No amount of military or nuclear power, can save a nation from its demise, due to the economic collapse. Yes, collective will power of its people, can save a nation from any crisis, but that too if, the people are not too late, as time and tide waits for none.
Although, Pakistan is in a perpetual state of war for more than a decade, yet, the government never acted in a manner, that would reflect even slight realisation on its part, to make its expenses in a more prudent manner. No austerity measures were imposed, to either reduce the size of the bloated cabinet, stop payments of foreign exchange to top government functionaries, who are entitled for such perks, or even restrict purchase of new cars etc.
This is extreme callousness with the nation. On the other side, high and mighty are enjoying benefits, which even a rich country like Switzerland, can not afford to its VIP’s; for example allowing instalment payment of power bills of their factories stretched over a period of 2000 YEARS, YES 2000 YEARS. The Pakistani VIP class is enjoying such facilities and benefits, which even the Queen of England would envy.
Now, business as usual can not be continued.
The economic treason with the state of Pakistan, by all the concerned, looks like a fit case for the patriotic people in the government, opposition (in and out of parliament) and the entire civil society, to demand the immediate formation of a very lean national government, which should impose an economic emergency; and also take necessary action on the question that “why all the concerned remained silent when the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeded 60%, that too, few months back on 30 June, 2012.” Don’t forget, when the same problem was faced by the US government, even the salaries were not paid, till such time, President Barack Obama, got approval from the law makers, for enhancing the expenditures limit.
It will not be out of place to end this note, with quote of the Midwestern tycoon Warren Buffett, who once gave an easy solution to America ’s debt problem on CNBC:
“I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than three percent of GDP all sitting members of congress are ineligible for reelection.
FRESH TAIL PEICE DATED 17 AUGUST 2013.
THE NATION DEMANDS THAT THE PREVIOUS RULERS BE IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED AND TRIED FOR PUSHING PAKISTAN TO THE STATE OF BANKRUPTCY.
THE NATION ALSO DEMANDS THAT ALL THE ASSETS INSIDE PAKISTAN AND ABROAD OF THE ENTIRE LOT OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT’S TOP FUNCTIONARIES BE CONFISCATED AND THESE PEOPLE SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO COME OUT OF THE JAIL IF THEY AGREE TO REPAY THE PREVIOUS IMF LOAN OF $11.3 BILLION.
THE QUESTION IS SIMPLE WHY THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN SHOULD REPAY THE ODIOUS IMF LOAN OBTAINED AND UTILISED BY THE PREVIOUS RULES FOR THEIR OWN BENEFITS?
THE NATION ALSO DEMANDS AN IMPARTIAL JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE ECONOMIC MURDER OF THE NATION WHEREIN WHEN GENERAL MUSHARRAF’s GOVERNMENT HANDED POWER TO THE PPP GOVERNMENT OUR LOAN LIABILITY IN THE YEAR 2008 STOOD AT $40 BILLION (PPP GOVT GOT SANCTIONED A LOAN FROM IMF WORTH USD 11.3 BILLION AND RECEIVED $7.6 BILLION SO AT THE END OF PPP GOVT THIS FIGURE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE UP MORE THAN USD 48 BILLION) AND ONE USD WAS EQUAL TO PKR 60. WHAT HAPPENED TO PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY WHEN THE PMLN GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER IN JUNE 2013 ONE USD WAS SELLING FOR 100 PKR AND NATIONAL LOANS SHOT UP TO USD 67 BILLIONS?
A BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF UNACCOUNTED FOR INCREASE OF ABOUT 20 BILLION USD IN LOAN LIABILITIES OF PAKISTAN DURING THE FIVE YEARS (2008-13) OF PPP RULE?
Loud Thinking August 17, 2013 at 07:38PM
“Take care to distinguish between things you can control and things you can’t, so that you will no longer worry about the things you can’t control and will instead focus your attention on the things you can control.”
— William B. Irvine
The Sikander Saga – Unanswered Questions?
1. All the TV channels reported that Sikander was in a rented car.
2. All the TV channels also reported that as per Excise department information the registration numbers on the car were fake.
3. After the operation was over and Sikander and his wife were shifted to the hospital, the IGP Islamabad came over the TV and stated that Sikander snatched the car from the hotel owner.
Now the questions are that:
– if the car was snatched from the hotel owner did he report the incident to the police?
– Was an FIR of this car snatching was lodged with the police?
– Was this crime of Sikendar mentioned in the FIR finally lodged by the police against him under the anti-terrorism act?
Moreover, has the police lodged an FIR against the hotel owner for putting up a fake number plate on his car?
Loud Thinking August 17, 2013 at 11:29AM
Why criticise media on Islamabad episode?
These days media bashing has become a fashion in Pakistan.
Some people are particularly criticising our TV channels, for the live telecast of the recent Islamabad hostage episode.
However, in my opinion truth and reality must NOT be hidden from the general public, otherwise, it creates and breeds rumour mongering, which is even more dangerous and harmful in such circumstances.
Loud Thinking August 16, 2013 at 09:58PM
“Act with integrity. Live up to your idea of who you are.”
— Frank McKinney
Loud Thinking August 16, 2013 at 10:50AM
Health benefits of pomegranate
A TOI report.
Pomegranate – rubies in a shell or rubies for your health, there are several ways to describe this delectable fruit because of its health benefits.
And a definite plus point to pomegranate’s many health benefits is the fact that it is available all year round. However, many underestimate it, making the humble pomegranate an underdog in the healthy fruits department. Today we pay tribute to this wonder fruit by bringing you the health benefits of pomegranates in this post.
Pomegranate health benefit #1: Free radicals
We may not be aware but pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants. Therefore, it helps to protect your body’s cells from free radicals, which cause premature aging. Free radicals are formed due to exposure to the sun and harmful toxins from the environment.
Pomegranate health benefit #2: Natural blood thinners
There are two kinds of blood clots: The first kind speeds skin recovery from topical injuries like cuts and bruises. Here it is important that the blood clots immediately to avoid lose of blood. The second kind of blood clot is internal and dangerous; examples would include blood clots in the heart and arteries, also urinary retention. Here you don’t want the blood to clot as the effects are lethal.
To smoothen out the blood you need pomegranate seeds, as the antioxidant properties help it act like a ‘thinner for paints’. The seeds prevent your blood platelets from coagulating and forming clots.
Pomegranate health benefit #3: Prevention of atherosclerosis
With age, and bad lifestyle habits, the artery walls harden with cholesterol and other substances, causing blockages. The antioxidant properties of a pomegranate prevent low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol from oxidizing. This essentially means that pomegranates prevent the hardening of the artery walls with excess fat, leaving your arteries fat free and pumping with antioxidants.
Pomegranate health benefit #4: Pomegranates act like an oxygen mask
In simple words, pomegranate juice pumps the level of oxygen in your blood. The antioxidants reduce cholesterol, fight free radicals and prevents blood clots. This eventually helps the blood to flow freely in your body in turn improving the oxygen levels in your blood.
Pomegranate health benefit #5: Arthritis prevention
Pomegranate health benefits run bone deep; it can reduce the damage on the cartilage for those hit with arthritis. This fruit has the ability to lessen the inflammation and fights the enzymes that destroy the cartilage.
Pomegranate health benefit #6: Fight erectile dysfunction
This could well be on Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Pomegranate can also cure this embarrassing problem. But mind you, it is not a wonder drug; pomegranate juice can improve erectile dysfunction only moderately. Research is inconclusive, but this theory has found some supporters.
Pomegranate health benefit #7: Fights prostrate cancer and heart diseases
Again, this is inconclusive and not binding, but two separate studies claim that pomegranate juice helps fight prostrate cancer. In one lab experiment, the juices “slowed the growth of the cultured cancer cells and promoted cell death”. In the second experiment, pomegranate juice improved the condition of the blood, hence improving the health of individuals down with cardiovascular diseases.
A word of caution: Pomegranate juice may react to a heart patient’s medication.
Other healing effects of pomegranate juice:
– Reduces diarrhea
– Controls weight
– Prevents cartilage deterioration
– Lowers blood pressure
– Slows down Alzheimer’s disease
Loud Thinking August 16, 2013 at 12:59AM
Mr. Zamurrad Khan has become in an overnight the symbol national unity. Mr. ZK the nation salutes you and if I were the PM Pakistan I would have immediately paid a courtesy call at your residence to pat you on the back and to thank you on behalf of the government and the entire nation for your act of bravery and uniting the nation from Khyber to Karachi.
NISHAN-e-HAIDER for Zammurad Khan..!
Honourable Zammurad Khan Sahab, the nation salutes your bravery and beyond the call performance of national duty. You deserve NISHAN-e-HAIDER award.
