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Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 11:10PM

Indian war crimes have started again in Kashmir.

Indian forces have again embarked upon a renewed spree of genocide of Kashmiri Muslims busy in their night Ramzan prayers (TARAVEEH).

Why the world conscious is silent on this massacre of peaceful praying Muslims?

Indian security forces responsible for this GENOCIDE must be tried for their war crimes at a tribunal like the one formed by the UN at Hague, namely “The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991.”

Moreover, all the permanent UN security council member countries must not allow India to be considered for the permanent post of UN Security Council on the basis of its extremely grave human rights violations on peacefully praying Kashmiri Muslims.

Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 05:32PM

He is the best ever servant produced by the IMF who says IMF loan not to increase external debt..!

Posted at www.snayyar.com by Syed Nayyar Uddin on July 18, 2013 in My Views | Edit |
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IMF loan not to increase external debt: Dar

The News dated 18 July, 2013.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the loan from the IMF would not increase Pakistan’s external debt as the new loan would be utilised to return the previous loan.
Talking to Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward, who called on him here on Wednesday, Dar said that he was optimistic about achieving the ambitious revenue target of Rs2,475 billion set in the budget, which is 25 percent over the previous budget.
He said that medium-term framework announced in the budget envisages a reduction of debt by two percent every year in the overall public debt, which is presently 63 percent of the GDP and way above the 60 percent permissible under the fiscal debt and responsibility law.
Given our sincerity of purpose, hard work and our determination to remain on the right track, “I am optimistic that macro-economic challenges being faced by the country are manageable,” he added.
The minister further said that smooth passage of the budget, successful conclusion of an IMF programme and payment of Rs322 billion to private power producers had been some of the major initiatives of the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to address the challenges facing the economy of the country.
Dilating on the IMF programme, Senator Ishaq Dar said that the terms of the agreement were within the broad parameters of the PML-N manifesto. “Even if we had not entered into any IMF programme, we would have taken similar measures,” he added.
“The IMF programme success has been well taken by the financial world,” said the finance minister.The high commissioner said that Australia was keen to expand its economic relations with Pakistan and showed interest in the areas of mining, energy and agriculture.Peter Heyward said that Australia was keenly watching the development and would support Pakistan.
Mr. Ishaq Dar your above statement at the headline virtually exposes your love for the IMF begging bowl and also reveals that to how much extent you can go ( to prove night as day) for the IMF loan.
Now also please read my letter published by the daily “Dawn” on 18 July, 2013.
IMF: exploring other options
FROM THE NEWSPAPER
Published
2013-07-18 07:14:24
I WOULD like to draw the attention of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to reports about the IMF which extends zero interest rates to low-income country loans.
I am convinced that it is a disaster recipe for our economy to seek loan on an exorbitantly high rate of three per cent from the IMF to repay its old loan.
Moreover, the finance minister’s argument that this was the only option to avoid a default does not hold water as not one but many viable options exist.
Second, default is better than the destruction of the very foundations of the nation’s economy. In the recent past, many countries have bravely negotiated with the international lending agencies and succeeded in getting reduction of up to 60 per cent of their loans.
However, in Pakistan’s case our loan amount is increasing with an unbelievable speed. It was recently reported that when the PPP government took over in 2008 our debt liability was $40 billion and now it has increased to more than $60 billion.
The question is why did Ishaq Dar remain silent as the PML-N’s financial expert and senator during the PPP tenure when it crossed the legal and constitutional limit of six per cent debt-to-GDP ratio?
This was a grave violation of the law. Had the PML-N taken up this issue with the Supreme Court, the PPP government would have been immediately dismissed.
So how can he now absolve himself of this financial mess by just saying that he took over the government with the nation’s economy in a very bad shape?
Also, how can history exonerate the PML-N, in general, and Ishaq Dar, in particular, from not playing a pro-Pakistan role when the then government was playing havoc with the country’s economy?As such, there is only one way to atone for our past acts of commissions and omissions by not burdening further the nation’s economy with extremely and unprecedented expensive loans of the IMF.
There is still time to explore other options to avoid the IMF loan. Nothing is impossible. Where there is a will there is a way.
NAYYAR UDDIN AHMAD Lahore
… other posts at www.snayyar.com by Syed Nayyar Uddin

Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 05:05PM

Giving-Back is putting time & energy back into the community.

Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 05:00PM

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1286);
Catholic Saint, founder of Franciscans

He is the best ever servant produced by the IMF who says IMF loan not to increase external debt..!

IMF loan not to increase external debt: Dar

The News dated 18 July, 2013.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the loan from the IMF would not increase Pakistan’s external debt as the new loan would be utilised to return the previous loan.
Talking to Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward, who called on him here on Wednesday, Dar said that he was optimistic about achieving the ambitious revenue target of Rs2,475 billion set in the budget, which is 25 percent over the previous budget.
He said that medium-term framework announced in the budget envisages a reduction of debt by two percent every year in the overall public debt, which is presently 63 percent of the GDP and way above the 60 percent permissible under the fiscal debt and responsibility law.
Given our sincerity of purpose, hard work and our determination to remain on the right track, “I am optimistic that macro-economic challenges being faced by the country are manageable,” he added.
The minister further said that smooth passage of the budget, successful conclusion of an IMF programme and payment of Rs322 billion to private power producers had been some of the major initiatives of the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to address the challenges facing the economy of the country.
Dilating on the IMF programme, Senator Ishaq Dar said that the terms of the agreement were within the broad parameters of the PML-N manifesto. “Even if we had not entered into any IMF programme, we would have taken similar measures,” he added.
“The IMF programme success has been well taken by the financial world,” said the finance minister.The high commissioner said that Australia was keen to expand its economic relations with Pakistan and showed interest in the areas of mining, energy and agriculture.Peter Heyward said that Australia was keenly watching the development and would support Pakistan.

Mr. Ishaq Dar your above statement at the headline virtually exposes your love for the IMF begging bowl and also reveals that to how much extent you can go ( to prove night as day) for the IMF loan.

Now also please read my letter published by the daily “Dawn” on 18 July, 2013.

IMF: exploring other options

FROM THE NEWSPAPER

Published
2013-07-18 07:14:24

I WOULD like to draw the attention of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to reports about the IMF which extends zero interest rates to low-income country loans.

I am convinced that it is a disaster recipe for our economy to seek loan on an exorbitantly high rate of three per cent from the IMF to repay its old loan.

Moreover, the finance minister’s argument that this was the only option to avoid a default does not hold water as not one but many viable options exist.

Second, default is better than the destruction of the very foundations of the nation’s economy. In the recent past, many countries have bravely negotiated with the international lending agencies and succeeded in getting reduction of up to 60 per cent of their loans.

However, in Pakistan’s case our loan amount is increasing with an unbelievable speed. It was recently reported that when the PPP government took over in 2008 our debt liability was $40 billion and now it has increased to more than $60 billion.

The question is why did Ishaq Dar remain silent as the PML-N’s financial expert and senator during the PPP tenure when it crossed the legal and constitutional limit of six per cent debt-to-GDP ratio?

This was a grave violation of the law. Had the PML-N taken up this issue with the Supreme Court, the PPP government would have been immediately dismissed.

So how can he now absolve himself of this financial mess by just saying that he took over the government with the nation’s economy in a very bad shape?

Also, how can history exonerate the PML-N, in general, and Ishaq Dar, in particular, from not playing a pro-Pakistan role when the then government was playing havoc with the country’s economy?As such, there is only one way to atone for our past acts of commissions and omissions by not burdening further the nation’s economy with extremely and unprecedented expensive loans of the IMF.

There is still time to explore other options to avoid the IMF loan. Nothing is impossible. Where there is a will there is a way.

NAYYAR UDDIN AHMAD Lahore

Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 01:17PM

Difficult Boss? Talk to Her Former Employees

If your boss isn’t a good guide and doesn’t support you, it’s up to you to get what you need. If you can easily get in touch with someone who used to work for your boss, invite him out for coffee. Explain that you’re eager to develop in your role, and that you’d like to pick his brain about working with and learning from your boss. Pitch it as a tutorial, not as a gripe session: See if he can share insights about her mentoring style, for example, and tips on how to earn her trust. Even if you feel safe confiding in this person, assume that anything you say could make its way back to your boss and edit yourself accordingly.

Adapted from the HBR Guide to Office Politics.

Loud Thinking July 18, 2013 at 01:15PM

“Everybody in your situation has the same choice: you can rue
your situation or you can dedicate yourself to changing it.
Accept responsibility for your future. Refuse to complain,
criticize, or condemn. If you want us to help you achieve your goals, then trust in and follow our advice. Stop doubting it.

Stop denying it. Have faith.”

— Mark Ford

Loud Thinking July 17, 2013 at 02:06PM

Take a Long Lunch

There’s a simple, old-fashioned practice that can make work more effective, engaging, and fun — long lunches. The idea of a leisurely lunch chatting with colleagues or clients might seem like something out of another era, but it has a place in modern office life too. Eating slowly has documented health benefits and having unplanned time with colleagues can help you forge deeper connections. Instead of scarfing down a sandwich at your desk or grabbing something on the go, make time for a longer lunch break. Even if you do it just once or twice a week, it can create stronger relationships with co-workers, and make you healthier and more productive.

Adapted by HBR from “Old-School Business Practices Worth Bringing Back” by John Coleman.

Loud Thinking July 17, 2013 at 01:08PM

“Of all the people on the planet, you talk to yourself more
than anyone. Make sure you are saying the right things.”

— Martin Rooney

An Excellent Out of Box Solution for the Entire Economic Malaise of Pakistan

An Excellent Out of Box Solution for the Entire Economic Malaise of Pakistan.

Pakistan must give a try to this novel idea to easily eliminate poverty and unemployment.

The other untapped ‘free’ money

July 17, 2013 Najma Sadeque

An Article About a Novel Idea to Easily Eliminate Poverty & Unemployment Published in the daily “The Nation” dated 17 July, 2013.

The actual worth of goods and services in the world last year was over $71 trillion, a staggering jump from over $41 trillion in 2000. If that’s the case, how is it that the amount of money in the world – coins, paper and digital – is ten times that or more? With such excess, why are 2 billion still hungry, poor, jobless or underemployed?

What happens when some have too much and most have too little money? When a minority of people have several hundred or thousand-fold more than others, they buy up most of everything, create monopolies and cartels, arbitrarily raise prices and make undue, excessive profits while the majority do with less than their fair share, or go without entirely. They have money enough to lobby and influence politics, government and legislation, and unwarranted control over or privatisation of ‘commons’ lands and public goods, leading to loss of social and economic services for the masses. Why is such excess purchasing power allowed when it causes heightened and unacceptable inequalities and damaging inflation?

If we really believe in things like human and constitutional rights, democracy, Islamic finance, and equal rights and opportunities, and acknowledge that all natural resources are essential for survival, and all are therefore entitled to an adequate share each, there then has to be a mechanism to ensure fair distribution of minimum needs for all citizens.

That facilitator is money, which today no longer has to be backed by gold or silver or other commodity; it just needs to be guaranteed and reliable.

Various types of positive financial services have successfully served the “little people” in many other countries for at least a century. When dire economic straits occurred, such as in Argentina, Iran, even USA and UK, and most recently in Greece, apart from rioting and protests, did people just curl up and die because they had no cash? No, necessity being the mother of invention, some innovated or revived old, tested solutions known as complementary or community currencies.

It is best illustrated by one of the most famous success stories. In 1932, Wörgl, a small Austrian town, was in dire straits. There were 1,500 jobless and 200 impoverished, penniless families. But Michael Unterguggenberger, Wörgl’s brilliant Mayor, decided to test out the ideas of Silvio Gesell, a German economist and activist. He issued scrip (free of cost except for printing) with an exchange value of 40,000 schillings, and spent the money into circulation through public works that created huge employment. All the broken roads were repaved, the water system rebuilt, a ski jump, new houses, and more made; even a bridge, commemorated with a permanent plaque that proudly states: “This bridge was built with our own ‘free’ money.”

As it turned out, every scrip generated 12 to 14 times more employment than the official schillings in circulation. It was so successful that a neighbouring city and six villages copied it. The then Prime Minister of France specially visited to see the “Miracle of Wörgl” for himself. A year later, 200 other Austrian towns planned to replicate it.

At this point, the Central Bank grew alarmed and asserted its monopoly over the finance system, even though each scrip was restricted to community use. The people sued the central bank, but lost. It was an unfortunate dog-in-the-manger attitude, refusing to assist people who needed help, but also thwarting the people from helping themselves.

Since then, there have been many other such examples – but with happier endings, some with government tolerance if not backing. A virtually costless solution for people denied the right to paid work and money.

Today, there are over 2,500 complementary and community currencies around the world. There are small service charges, but no crippling interest. There have always been poor and low-income or the temporarily cash-strapped; alternatives were developed according to local needs.

The tokens are not national legal tender, and not allowed outside delineated areas of operation. Yet, they are being resorted to increasingly, to overcome the marginalisation of the masses by banks or inept governments.

In recent decades, answering a need, they have grown in popularity and use. Just a few weeks ago, the 2nd International Conference on Complementary and Community Currency Systems took place in the Netherlands, addressed by academics, economists, public bankers and activists. Other such meetings are forthcoming this year in UK and USA. Since 2002 – long before the global financial crash – some local currency schemes in Europe under certain conditions are exchangeable with national currency.

Some schemes are for the express purpose of local food production and re-localisation of purchasing. If and when they are no longer needed, they can be easily phased out. It is the sort of thing our women and our peasants need until they are “mainstreamed” into the wider economy.

In a country such as ours where there is inadequate infrastructure for most services, this would ideally be carried out by trusted civil service organisations as they have been elsewhere. Micro-credit philanthropies need to study complementary/community currency possibilities because the money they use still carries an in-built interest burden, while microcredit banks charge heavy interest like any other bank; they serve individuals rather than communities, and only to a limited extent.

Commercial banks are limited by their own for-profit-only existence, lending only to those who pay back with interest; and certain self-serving transactional practices that have corrupted part of the wider banking world, in the end failing most people, especially of the developing world.

The scheme requires no major infrastructure, and it certainly does not require foreign loans, that would be undesirable and defeat the purpose. There is one proviso though. It has to be operated with transparency and honesty. Success stories came from maintaining open, audited books and public participation. If corruption or political advantage intrude, it will collapse before take-off.

The question is: why didn’t Pakistan adopt such solutions earlier? Mainly because our politicians and decision-makers couldn’t care less; nor do they want to empower people, who may become the competition or reduce their domination – as in the case of land reform. The “highly-qualified” are so inward-looking, even brainwashed by World Bank/IMF norms, they don’t even look at today’s easily accessible global information, to learn from outside.

It first needs the realisation that money is merely a measure – a medium of exchange and accounting device – and that it does ‘not’ have to be borrowed or be earned first before it can be spent. Nor is it a special knowledge that only bankers and controlling governments can understand.

The writer is a former journalist and currently director of The Green Economic Initiative at Shirkat Gah, a rights and advocacy group.

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