Loud Thinking

Archive for November, 2023

The warning statement of Martin Raiser, World Bank Vice President for South Asia, must act as an eye opener for the Pakistani establishment, which is trying extremely hard in its own ways to stabilise Pakistani economics and politics, knowing fully well that all politics is economics.

However, economics in isolation is nothing. Economics needs an eco system with roots at the grass level. Only bringing in provincial and national assemblies will take Pakistani nation to a disaster sooner than later.

In the current Pakistani governance system, local governance is NON-EXISTENT, which will never operate at the desired level through the current system and these politicians, unless the prior creation of administrative units based on the current boundaries of the civil divisions.

Subsequently, the elections for establishing national level government (under presidential or parliamentary system) can be held, where it must also be decided that for any democracy in true sense needs ‘proper and genuinely democratic’ elections within the political parties was a must, before giving Pakistan the true gift of a political democratic system.

As the above process may take its own time, the current caretaker set up may be revamped with the induction of truely non-partisan specialists sans the hit men of the lending agencies to bring the nation back on rails with sectorial reforms suggested as below:

Breaking the stranglehold of the ruthless elite in Pakistan requires comprehensive measures. Reforms targeting corruption, ensuring fair taxation, and addressing the concentration of power and wealth among a few are crucial. Transparency in governance, effective implementation of anti-corruption laws, redistributive economic policies, and creating opportunities for broader participation in the economy can help alleviate the plight of the poor. Additionally, fostering an environment conducive to foreign investment through stable policies and addressing structural issues hindering economic growth is vital. It’s a complex challenge that demands multifaceted strategies and a sustained commitment to change.

Addressing the entrenched power of the elite in Pakistan and providing relief to the poor requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses political, economic, and social reforms. Here’s a potential strategy to break the stranglehold of the ruthless elite and alleviate the burdens faced by the underprivileged:

1. Empower the Grassroots: Foster political participation and civic engagement among the marginalized communities through education, awareness campaigns, and support for community organizations. Encourage active involvement in local governance and decision-making processes.
2. Promote Transparency and Accountability: Implement robust anti-corruption measures, strengthen oversight institutions, and enhance public access to government information. Encourage citizen involvement in monitoring public spending and holding officials accountable.
3. Land Reforms and Tenant Rights: Implement equitable land distribution policies to address the concentration of land ownership among the elite. Strengthen tenant rights and protections to prevent exploitation and ensure fair access to land for agricultural production.
4. Progressive Taxation: Implement a progressive tax system that places a higher burden on the wealthy and redistributes resources to support social programs and infrastructure development.
5. Targeted Social Safety Nets: Expand and strengthen social safety nets to provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable populations, including cash transfers, food subsidies, and healthcare access.
6. Invest in Education and Skills Development: Prioritize investments in quality education and skills training to enhance human capital and create employment opportunities for the poor. Focus on STEM education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programs.
7. Support Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship: Provide access to finance, technical assistance, and market linkages for small businesses and entrepreneurs to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
8. Infrastructure Development: Invest in critical infrastructure projects, including roads, energy, and telecommunications, to improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and enhance economic productivity.
9. Promote Agriculture and Rural Development: Implement policies to support sustainable agricultural practices, improve access to modern agricultural technologies, and enhance market access for rural producers.
10. Empower Women: Invest in women’s education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to promote gender equality and reduce poverty. Support women-led businesses and initiatives.

Na Samjho Gay Tou Mit Jao Gay Ay Pakistan Waaloo

Tumhari Dastan Tak NA Hoo Gi Dastanoon Mein

Pakistan Paindabad

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
03219402157
Lahore.

Few Lessons for Messers Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi from Mike Brearley’s book titled ‘Art of Captaincy’.

Mike Brearley’s “The Art of Captaincy” is considered one of the most insightful and influential books on leadership, not just in cricket but across various domains. Brearley, a renowned cricketer and captain, distills his wisdom and experiences into timeless principles that guide effective leadership.
Here are some of the most valuable pieces of advice for Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi from Brearley’s book:

1. Emphasize the Collective Effort: Brearley stresses the importance of fostering a team mentality, where individual achievements are seen as contributions to the larger collective goal. He encourages captains to nurture a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility among players.
2. Trust Intuition and Experience: While data and analysis play a crucial role in cricket, Brearley advocates for trusting one’s intuition and experience as a captain. He believes that a captain’s gut feeling, honed through years of observation and gameplay, can provide valuable insights and guide tactical decisions.
3. Embrace Ambiguity and Uncertainty: Brearley recognizes the inherent uncertainty in cricket and encourages captains to embrace it rather than fear it. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in navigating the unpredictable nature of the game.
4. Communicate Effectively and Clearly: Clear and concise communication is paramount for a captain. Brearley stresses the need to articulate strategies, expectations, and feedback in a way that is understood and accepted by the team.
5. Inspire and Motivate Players: A captain’s ability to inspire and motivate players is essential for success. Brearley advocates for creating a positive and supportive environment where players feel empowered to perform at their best.
6. Learn from Mistakes and Adapt: Brearley emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks and adapting strategies accordingly. He encourages captains to view mistakes as opportunities for growth and improvement.
7. Respect Opponents and Preserve Cricket’s Spirit: Brearley believes in respecting opponents and upholding the spirit of the game. He encourages captains to maintain sportsmanship and integrity in their conduct.
8. Maintaining a Calm and Composed Demeanour Particularly in High-Pressure Situations. Brearley emphasizes the importance of staying level-headed to make clear and rational decisions, inspiring confidence in the team during challenging moments.

These principles, distilled from Brearley’s wisdom, provide a valuable framework for effective leadership not only in cricket but also in various aspects of life. In this regard, our cricket captains Messers Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi can achieve miraculous results if they succeed in inculcating a “team culture” based on the principle of one for all and all for one.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
03219402157
Lahore.

Pakistan is facing a major challenge in the form of high oil and gas prices. The country imports the majority of its oil and gas, and the rising costs are putting a strain on its economy.

In recent days, the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan has offered to supply oil and gas to Pakistan at low rates.

However, there is a stumbling block in the form of UN sanctions on Iran imposed by the West, led by the United States.

One possible solution to this problem is for Pakistan to make an arrangement with China to purchase oil and gas from Iran. China is already getting large quantities of oil and gas from Iran, so it could procure cheap Iranian oil and gas and then sell it to Pakistan.

This arrangement would be beneficial for both countries.

The following are some of the benefits of this arrangement:

~It would help Pakistan to reduce its energy costs.
~It would diversify Pakistan’s sources of oil imports.
~It would strengthen the economic ties between Pakistan, Iran and China.
~It would help to reduce the isolation of Iran.

Overall, the arrangement of China procuring cheap Iranian oil and gas and then selling it to Pakistan is a viable option for Pakistan to reduce its spending on energy supplies, which must be explored on fast track basis.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
03219402157
Lahore.

In light of the Pakistani cricket team’s disappointing performance during the first round matches of the CWC23, the following actions are recommended to the PCB management:

1. Appoint Shan Masood as the Undisputed Captain

To eliminate any potential for internal divisions and establish clear leadership, Shan Masood should be appointed as captain of all three formats of the game. His authority over the players should be unquestioned.

2. Eliminate the Vice Captain Position

The vice captain position is unnecessary and can potentially create confusion or conflict within the team. A single captain will provide a clear and focused leadership structure.

3. Appoint a Mentor-Figure for the Twin Tours

To provide guidance and support to the captain and team members during the upcoming tours of Australia and New Zealand, one of the following former Pakistani captains should be sent with the squad as a mentor or team director:

• Javed Miandad
• Mohsin Hasan Khan
• Moin Khan
• Aamir Suhail
• Muhammad Hafeez

4. Player Selection for the Twin Tours

The following players, along with other deserving ones, should be selected for the twin tours:

• Saim Ayub
• Muhammad Haris
• Tayyub Tahir
• Abrar Ahmad
• Ehsanullah (if fit)
• Shahnawaz Dahani
• Zaman Khan
• Ammad Waseem

This selection process should prioritize players who have demonstrated strong performance and potential, ensuring that the team is well-equipped to face the challenges ahead.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
03219402157
Lahore