Archive for January, 2015
January 31st, 2015 | 
Author: Loud Thinking January 31, 2015 at 09:11PM
“Until you see fear as an opportunity for growth, you won’t grow beyond your current self.”
— Robert Tew
Loud Thinking January 31, 2015 at 10:29AM
My letter published today by the daily “The Nation”.
An out of box suggestion to reduce debt
January 31, 2015
Dear Mr. Prime Minister, the three recent steps taken by the government such as activation of National Action Plan against terrorism, reduction of the prices of petroleum products and swift control of shortage of petrol in Punjab, initiated under your direct command, speaks volumes about your concerns regarding the public’s welfare, for which you deserves full kudos.
In this regards, I invite your attention to a fragile economic situation and the golden opportunity available to us, in the shape of an international decline of prices of the petroleum products.
Pakistan’s economy is heavily burdened by debt servicing, which, in coming days will increase. We must find some out of the box solutions to eliminate this debt.
Considering that the poorest of the poor has had the trickle down affect of the petroleum prices reductions, it is proposed that the financial benefit of any further reduction(s) on the petroleum products prices should be deposited in a National Debt Servicing Fund, to meet the most important financial need of the country.
I am sure many financial wizards will oppose this proposal and bring their own reasons to not accept the above suggestion, but nevertheless, they should be told that no solution is perfect or ideal and the country cannot shift its focus from its major issues, due to minor problems.
SYED NAYYAR UDDIN AHMAD,
Lahore, January 29.
Loud Thinking January 31, 2015 at 10:23AM
My letter published today by the daily “The News”.
The debt vault
Saturday, January 31, 2015
From Print Edition
New 0 0 0
Our economy is heavily burdened by the sheer weight of debt servicing which will keep increasing. We must find some out-of-box solution to free us of this burden.
Considering that the poorest segments of the society have had negligible or no trickle-down effect of the recent reduction in petroleum prices and that debt servicing is the prime strategic objective, it is proposed that the financial benefit of any further reduction(s) in prices of petroleum products (except kerosene) should be deposited in a National Debt Servicing Fund to meet the most important financial needs of the country.
Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
Lahore
Loud Thinking January 30, 2015 at 10:38PM
News of the Millennium…!
White House declines to call Afghan Taliban ‘terrorists’
AFP Updated about 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON: The White House on Thursday declined to describe Afghanistan’s Taliban as a terrorist group, prompting consternation from the right, which accused President Barack Obama’s administration of being out of touch.
“They do carry out tactics that are akin to terrorism, they do pursue terror attacks in an effort to advance their agenda,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
“What’s also true though is that it is important to draw a distinction between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” he said, pointing to a difference in designation.
Read: US may not target Mullah Omar after 2014
“The Taliban is a very dangerous organisation,” he added.
The Treasury Department has imposed anti-terror sanctions on around 2,000 Taliban fighters, leaders, supporters and financiers.
But the White House’s distinction got short shrift from its political opponents, with Republicans sending footage of the comments to supporters.
“It slits throats, it attacks buses, it drives car bombs into markets and it’s not a terrorist group. Look, you can’t parody this administration,” said conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer.
Also read: US soldier released in exchange for five Taliban prisoners
Others said the White House’s distinction was based more on politics than reality, pointing to the negotiated release of Taliban captive and US soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
The White House says it does not negotiate with terror groups.
Loud Thinking January 30, 2015 at 08:15PM
“Just smiling at someone walking down the street can make the person’s day. It’s all about paying it forward.”
— Mariska Hargitay
Loud Thinking January 30, 2015 at 02:31PM
The Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review
Are You Sure You’re Not a Micromanager?
If you’re like most micromanagers, you don’t even realize what you’re doing. Some signs should make it clear: You’re never satisfied with deliverables. You get frustrated when you would’ve done something differently. You laser in on details and take pride in making corrections. You want to be Cc’d on emails. But while you need to make sure work gets done, you don’t have to drill down on the details all the time. That only hurts your team’s morale and productivity. To stop micromanaging, start letting go of the minutiae. This can be hard, but the key is to do it a little at a time. Articulate what you want the final outcome to be, but don’t give step-by-step instructions on how someone should get there. Focus on setting people up for success. Provide resources and support, and give credit where it’s due.
Adapted from “Signs That You’re a Micromanager” by Muriel Maignan Wilkins.
Loud Thinking January 30, 2015 at 09:36AM
An out of box suggestion to reduce the debt burden..! Dear Mr. Prime Minister AoA. Sir, The three . http://t.co/aoIQ3fImps
Loud Thinking January 30, 2015 at 09:31AM
“I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it.”
— Edgar Allan Poe
Loud Thinking January 29, 2015 at 06:55PM
“We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.”
—Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)
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