Loud Thinking

Archive for 2013

“It’s always wonderful to get to know women, with the mystery and the joy and the depth. If you can make a woman laugh, you’re seeing the most beautiful thing on God’s Earth.”

— Keanu Reeves

WE MUST SAVE PAKISTAN FROM THE COMPLETE FINANCIAL DISASTER

Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan is a more fragmented society than our forefathers could have ever imagined. The division in society is so intense that if immediate corrective steps are not taken, God forbid, this country may see even more turbulent times.
The writing on the wall is clear for all to read. The decadence of Pakistani society in every sphere of life, be it political, economic, educational, industrial, agricultural, religious, law and order or any other segment worth naming, is abysmal, to say the least. Hardly any day passes without reports of suicides committed by the poor due to the economic hardships. Children are not dying in dozens, but in scores due to the measles outbreak and, strangely enough, no soul has moved and not even a single person has been held accountable.
There is a feeling that government has decide to mortgage the country with the foreign donor agencies, by taking so much huge amount of loans (that too just for the repayment of the old loans), which this poor country may never be able to repay. This means that in every terms, we have gone bankrupt; and can’t even breathe without the debt life line.
Today Pakistan is not under huge debt, rather, it is completely buried under the debt. The government has borrowed Rs.611 billion in just 40 days from the state bank of Pakistan, as against Rs.507 billion in full year (2012-13). In other words, the PMLN’s government has borrowed Rs.15.3 billion per day in 40 days as against Rs.1.4 billion per day by the previous regime in 2012-13.
Maybe, we have one last chance to stem the rot, to unite the people and to give them a prescription to rise again and build the nation from the ashes because, for the overwhelming majority, a time is coming that they will be forced to think: no life no nation.
The current frame work under which the country is being run will not take Pakistan any forward, even if it is allowed to continue, for another 100 years. All small and big nations in our region and the world have overtaken us, in the basic fields of health, education, justice, law and order and food security.
All stakeholders must wake up, as the nation is moving towards destruction and business as usual can do no good for Pakistan; our survival is directly linked with the existence of our nationhood. Nationhood means, “the state or quality of having a status as a separate and independent nation”.
Pakistan needs a turnaround, for which the basic need is our adaptation and readiness for the change, not in cosmetic but real sense. We need a complete change from one era to another, like the one witnessed by China, under Mao Zedong.
Hence, for all Pakistanis, failure is not an option, but success is also not automatically guaranteed. In this regard, I would like to suggest that we formulate a new social contract for the common people of Pakistan, who always pays 100 percent bills and taxes and never defaults on their bank loans,but is deprived of every conceivable civic amenities. Let us make a new Pakistan, which is redesigned to practically cater to the needs of the exploited masses.
Changes must be made in the constitution to block corrupt and power hungry mafias from contesting the elections. The current election system should also be radically changed, so that the whole country directly votes for a president/prime minister. However, before the voting, the candidates of all the political parties, for this post of the president/prime minister, must notify a list of their MPAs, MNAs and Senators, who will be automatically considered elected, according to the percentage of votes cast, in favour of the main candidate, for the top post of the country.
The decision for Pakistan’s charter of development for building dams and mega projects for the next 50 years should also be finalised, on which later on, no politics should be allowed. In other words, the representatives of the nation should decide now where they would like to see Pakistan, in each and every field of life after 50 years. This vision should be further divided into ten five years plans.
In order to decentralise and empower the maximum number of people, to enjoy the fruits of self-rule, we should convert every division of Pakistan into a province. This will also work as a panacea for the eradication of linguistic and any other type of frictions and doubts about the hegemony of the people. from certain large areas over the people of other smaller areas. In fact, it will work wonders in the speedy development and unity of Pakistan and kill instantly, any secessionist or separatist activities, currently prevailing in some parts of the country.

Pakistan! Look what the biggest stooge of the America in the region is doing.

(Even for India the self interest is above the US interests. And why can’t Pakistan import cheaper Iranian oil and pay in PKR like India, to support its falling economy? Are we a bigger stooge of America than India? But then India extracts its pound of flesh from the US and we get happy with loans from IMF and WB. Difference is absolutely clear).

A TOI News published today.

Ignore US ire, import Iran oil to save $8.5bn, Veerappa Moily suggests

Veerappa Moily wants govt to import cheaper crude from Iran to save $8.5bn.

TNN | Sep 2, 2013, 12.51AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government will have to tread on a diplomatic tightrope with oil minister M Veerappa Moily suggesting India may save nearly $8.5 billion (around Rs 57,000 crore) by importing cheaper crude from Iran which faces UN sanctions in the wake of its nuclear programme.

In a note to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambaram, Moily has said that so far this year, India has imported 2 million tonnes of crude from Iran and an additional 11 million tonnes would pare the forex outgo by almost $8.5 billion, assuming oil price at $105.

Last year, India had imported a little over 13 million tonnes from Iran and Moily has suggested that state-run oil companies should be asked to maintain their overall crude imports at last year’s level.

The Iran gambit is central to Moily’s attempt to reduce India’s oil bill by $20 billion but will need a reversal of India’s recent attempts to reduce business with the regime in Tehran.

But the need to control an expanding deficit — fueled by a weak rupee — is becoming urgent, and India may have to repair ties with Iran that have hit an air pocket over the Iranian security forces detaining an Indian ship transporting Iraqi crude. India will need to display some creative diplomacy to tip toe around international sanctions and US sensibilities.

On August 12, even Chidambaram had spoken of importing more crude from Iran as part of his drive to contain current account deficit within the $70 billion target for this financial year. He had, however, made it clear that the operations had be undertaken without breaching UN sanctions.

Although several Asian countries, including India and China, have been provided flexibility, the government has reduced its dependence on Iran. In 2012-13, India imported about 7.2% of its oil from Iran, compared to 10.5% in the previous year.

India imports over 70% of its oil requirement, which is one of the key drivers of India’s import bill. In the absence of a rise in exports, the trade and current account deficits have widened, adding to the pressure on the rupee.

But unlike imports from other countries, India can make the payments to Iran through a rupee account, which was created as part of the settlement mechanism to deal with the UN sanctions.

Moily’s plan is in response to the PM’s call to the ministry seeking a $25 billion cut in the oil import bill to narrow the current account deficit. He has suggested several measures to reduce the oil import bill by $19-20 billion this fiscal.

Want to land a job? Work on your sense of humour

A TOI Report.

One-third of the employers surveyed also said they were more likely to promote employees who asked for a promotion.
PTI | Sep 1, 2013, 07.07PM IST
NEW YORK: Tickling the funny bone of your interviewer may land you the job! Job candidates with a sense of humour are more likely to be hired, a new study has found.

The research also found that when two equally qualified candidates were compared, those who were involved in their community and those who were better dressed were more likely to get the job.

Also, managers said that they were more likely to hire candidates with whom they had something in common.

They also said they were likely to hire a candidate who was physically fit, on top of current affairs, involved in social media or knowledgeable about sports, according to the study conducted by CareerBuilder.

“When you’re looking for a job, the key is selling your personal brand,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.

“Employers are not only looking for people who are professionally qualified for the position, but also someone who is going to fit in at the office,” Haefner said.

The research was based on the responses of more than 2,000 hiring managers and HR professionals, ‘BusinessNewsDaily’ reported.

One-third of the employers surveyed also said they were more likely to promote employees who asked for a promotion.

Additionally, hiring managers said there were several ways workers could hurt their chances of receiving a promotion. For example, 71 per cent of hiring managers said workers who said, “That’s not my job” would not get a promotion.

Some other common mistakes that hurt employees’ chances of a promotion included being late to work, lying, taking credit for other people’s work and leaving work early.

Moreover, workers who gossiped, took liberties with expenses, didn’t dress professionally and swore were also unlikely to receive promotion, the researchers said.

The H’able Prime Minister of Pakistan,

AOA.

Your honour seems to be absolutely oblivious of the living conditions of the poorest of the poor in Pakistan. Otherwise, how it was possible that again very cruelly, your government has announced the increase in the price of the poor man’s fuel i. e., KEROSINE OIL, which after an increase of Rs.4.71 per litre, will now cost Rs.105.99 (virtually Rs.106) per litre.

Perhaps, your honour may be aware that kerosene – which is mostly used in cooking stoves in remote areas where Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is not readily available – and LPG too is so expensive that poorest of the poor cant even think of using this fuel.

Sir, it looks your advisors have forced you to govern Pakistan like a cruel king, by squeezing the poor and honest people, with every now and then increase of prices of essential commodities, e.g., fuel, gas, electricity plus simply enhancing taxation rates, which impacts each and every item, in the use of the common man.

Your honour may or may not be aware of the fact, that the impact of your government’s policies has also started affecting the middle class society of the country; and people have started withdrawing their children from good public schools. This situation is a real cause of alarm for your government, which claims to have been formed, with the votes of the masses.

It looks your government is absolutely gone out of sync with the ground realities being faced by the teeming millions; and your advisors have totally shut their eyes to seek any out of the box solutions, for ameliorating the sufferings of the masses, in non traditional and revolutionary manners. The main reason for this approach of your advisors is that they don’t belong to the masses cadre (no doubt some of them are ultra rich) and thus, they are the forces, who support the status quo.

Anyway, I would like to invite your kind attention towards the below mentioned news item; in which case, if you pursue it with missionary zeal (this was your election promise as well), Pakistan’s all economic woes will end, like the movement of a magic wand.

Mr. Prime Minister, whether you want to be remembered as a run of the mill ordinary ruler, or as a cut above the rest, who changed the fate of the nation, the choice is in your hands. However, it must be remembered again, that with the current direction and outdated strategy of your government, the posterity will surely remember you, standing in line with rulers like Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani etc.

So, Sir, if you want to create a name for yourself in the realms of the history, just break the status quo; and surround your honour with the advisors, who have a connect with the masses and have the guts to call a spade a spade, in your presence.

Pakistan has 97 billion dollars in Swiss Banks: Director Swiss Bank

A news published on 18 September, 2011, by the daily “Pakistan Today”

BERN – Director Swiss Bank said that Pakistan has 97 billion dollars in Swiss Banks. Director Swiss Bank said ‘Pakistanis are poor but Pakistan isn’t a poor country.’

He added that 97 billion dollars of Pakistan is deposited in respective bank and if this money would be utilized for the welfare of Pakistan and its people then Pakistan can make tax less budget for 30 years, can create 60 million jobs, can carpet four lanes road from any village to Islamabad, endless power supply to five hundred social projects, every citizen can get 20000 rupees salary for the next 60 years and there is no need to see IMF and any World Bank for loans.

My comments posted subsequently on the above news.

“Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad · 101 weeks ago
The news reported in Pakistan Today that Swiss banks have 97 billion dollars is a smoke screen to mislead the general public. By no means this figure can be less than 200 billion dollars i.e. more than three times the existing foreign debt of Pakistan. Leaving aside the exact amount of Pakistan in the Swiss banks, our civilian government & parliament, military establisment, bench and bar & the media must devise some mechanism (following the US government initiative with the Swiss government) to very strongly take up the issue with Swiss government to return back our money deposited in Swiss banks. This is all the more necessary to stabilize the country to successfully fight the war on terror for the entire world.”

Wishing you godspeed and all the success in your endeavours, to serve the country in the best possible manner.

Sincerely yours,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few”

― Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

A STORY FOR THE HEART, MIND AND SOUL PERSPECTIVE…

There is an ancient story that tells of a young man, who traveled to an oasis next to a town.

He tied up his camel and approached an old man. He asked… “What kind of a people live in this place?” The old man replied…”What kind of a people live in the place where you are coming from?” The young man got all excited and huffy, saying “They are all a group of selfish and wicked people, I am happy I have left there. The old man answered… “You will find the same kind of people living here.”

That same day another young man approached the oasis to drink water and seeing the old man, asked…”What kind of people live in this place?” The old man answered with the same question…“What kind of people live in the place where you are coming from?” The young man enthusiastically answered… “A magnificent group of people. They are honest, friendly, generous, kind and it hurts very much to have left them. The old man replied… “You will find the same kind of people living here.”

A man who had heard both conversations asked the old man… “How is it possible to give two different answers to the same question?” To which the old man answered…”Each person carries with them in their heart and mind, the power to create the environment where they live.

The young man who didn’t like anything about where he lived before, will most likely not find anything new or different here. He will have brought with him, the reality he will create in this new place.

The one that found only friends and good things where he lived, has the power to find the same here.

Because to tell the truth, your mental attitude is the only thing in your life over which you can maintain absolute control.

When you always have a positive attitude, you will find the true richness in life.

If you look within, you will know that you possess a great strength to find the good in all things. May you always find an oasis of love, peace, and happiness!

“Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, moments of experiences to enjoy!”

farrah (Mumbai)

PM Sports and Pakistan’s Economy

A journalist, who was fed up with the Pakistan’s poor economy, decided to ask the views of PM Mian Nawaz Sharif on sports instead of the Pak economy.

He asked “Dear PM, which game do you like”. PM replied “Cricket when played in Pakistan”.

The Journalist further asked him , which part of Cricket do you like, I mean batting or bowling ?

Our great cricket lover PM replied.

“No, No, I LIKE THE TOSS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MATCH IN PAKISTAN”.

The Journalist was amused and asked “Why, only the toss Sir”.

Nawaz Sharif smiled for the first time and said ” BECAUSE” IT IS THE ONLY TIME WHEN I SEE OUR RUPEE GOING UP”

American leadership plans to attack Syria..!

All the peace and freedom loving humanity of this planet Earth, must ask the American leaders to answer these questions before attacking Syria, on the alleged charges of use of chemical weapons:

1. What punishment was awarded to those US leaders who attacked Iraq and killed over a million Iraqi people on the FALSE pretext of Iraq (merely) covertly possessing weapons of mass destruction and why this crime is NOT a justification for a US attack on the Israel?

2. What action did American leaders took against those persons, who allowed the use of nuclear weapons on Japan?

3. What action did American leaders took against those people, who used depleted uranium arsenal in Iraq and Afghanistan?

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

— Elizabeth Kubler-Ross