Loud Thinking

Archive for the ‘My Views’ Category

PCB has devalued its own PSL tournament, by faulty match planning in its play off segment of the PSL-3 by reducing the whole tournament to a farce, as detailed below:

1. In the first playoff of PSL-3 which was played in Dubai the winner (Islamabad United) straight away qualified to play the final match, as is normally done all over cricket tournaments at the semi final stage.

2. However, the loser (Karachi Kings) team was not not eliminated, from the race of playing the finals.

3. In the second playoff match of the PSL-3 scheduled to be played in Lahore on 20 March, 2018 between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi teams, surprisingly, the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament (unlike the first playoff match loser team Karachi Kings) and winning team will also not be the direct entrant to the finals (unlike the first playoff match winner Islamabad United).

4. In English language when something is unfair they say it is not cricket, which reflects the spirit of the glorious game of cricket and is synonymous with fairness.
However, it seems for our PCB cricket bosses it means being unfair, wherever, it was possible.

5. The million dollar question which arises in this scheme of playoff matches is that why for the PCB what is good for goose is NOT good for gander?

6. Why both the second play off teams are being treated unfairly compared with the first playoff teams?

7. In other words, why the privilege given to both the winning and losing teams of the first playoff match played in Dubai, is not being offered to both the teams of the second playoff match, to be played in Lahore, where the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament, and surprisingly, the winning team will also not qualify for the final match, to be played in Karachi. Rather, the winning team of second playoff match, will have to play an extra match with the Karachi Kings, which will get second chance to play the final match despite losing its first playoff match in Dubai?

8. It seems that those at the helm of affairs in PCB, are not serious in building the image, stature and reputation of the PSL, but only wanted to fit in one extra match, notwithstanding the fact that this non serious approach, will badly devalue the Pakistan Super League brand in the international arena.

A note originally written on 19 March, 2017.

Points to ponder..!

1. Should the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) be converted into a full fledged provincial unit (already it has a Hight Court, IG etc.) with MPA’s, CM and a governor?
2. After the current population census should the constituencies be reduced for better public service by bringing MNA to MPA level and MPA’s voters size reduced to half the current size?
3. Should the Senators be elected with direct public votes to avoid the instances of blatant corruption?
4. Since, everyone admits that the current system has 100% failed to deliver specially in the fields of justice, health and education; has the time come for converting all the divisions of the country into small provinces and reverting to presidential form of government?

5. Why not to create a reserved quota of 10 seats in all Provincial/National assemblies and Senate (5 men and 5 ladies) for only Pakistani nationality holder expatriate Pakistanis, where total expatriate voters are estimated to be almost 90 lacs?

 

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Written 3 years ago on 5 March, 2015.

A clarion call to the PM Pakistan..!
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,

AoA.

Sir,

Now today when your party has won every possible seat in the senate, it is not the time to rejoice. Rather, you must rise to the occasion with more humility and statesmanship to serve the nation in a unique way by uniting all the political forces and the stake holders, on a plan of charter of development for next hundred years for Pakistan, wherein, every aspect of economic activity affecting the poorest of the poor should be decided with consensus.

In this regard, all the national stake holders should decide now about all future plans (for the next hundred years these plans should be divided in 20 five plans) in the educational, health, infrastructure, science and technology, housing, social services, communications, IT and all other segments of civil and military sectors.

And after a consensus is developed amongst all the stake holders, on the charter of Pakistan for the next hundred years, for example, which dams, roads, ports etc., will be constructed during the next century; no politics should be allowed on this rebuilding of the country and all future governments must be bound (as per a law passed from the parliament) to adhere to this agreed plan in a most sacrosanct manner.

Sir, it must be made clear to all and sundry that during the last almost 68 years, our preferences of self serving politics, over the development of Pakistan (for example not allowing to build certain mega dams and projects) has practically made the nation bankrupt, where a stage has arrived that we have to take the loans to repay the loans; and against about $15 billion foreign exchange reserves, foreign debt stands above $70 billions.

As such, under the circumstances, denial for a consensus is not an option. If at this turning point of our history, the collective national leadership will fail the nation, then the following couplet of Dr. Allama Iqbal should also be remembered by replacing Hindustan with Pakistan:
نہ سمجھو گے تو مٹ جاؤ گے اے ھندوستان والو
تمہاری داستان تک نہ ھوگی داستانوں میں

Best Regards,
Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

5 March, 2015 (Exactly 3 years ago).

PAKISTAN has accumulated expensive loans, a huge trade gap and a big current account deficit, declining remittances and state-owned enterprises are incurring losses of over $ 5 billion per annum. There is massive corruption in society, so much so that the size of the black economy has overtaken the country’s annual budget, money laundering is in excess of $10 billion annually; and a steeply depreciating rupee.

This is a sure recipe for disaster. Thus a radical change is the need of the hour.

Our political parties have shown no resolve to address the issues afflicting the country. It seems they neither have the capacity nor the will to deliver.

Perhaps, the system was never designed to serve the people. In view of the foregoing, it is the most appropriate time for a surgical corrective action.

We need a consensus government of young, qualified and honest people, who are less than 45 years of age at the Centre and the provinces to achieve the following six tasks in short and medium-term period.

1) Reviving the economy of Pakistan.

2) Draft a new social contract for every sector with special focus on the have-nots.

3) Devise a governance plan, which should be free from the blackmailing of the mafias, lobbies and the pressure groups.

4) Further enhance the scope of CPEC projects.

5) Develop mechanism to stop corruption and money laundering.

6) Plan up a robust strategy to bring back the wealth stashed abroad by Pakistanis.

To ensure that the country stays on the right track, every economic activity must be documented while taxes and duties should be reduced to bare minimum not exceeding 10% in any case.

I am in sixties, and have no qualms in admitting that our generation has failed Pakistan. Now it is high time, we must hand over the mantle to those who are qualified, energetic, capable and less than 45 years old.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
Dawn 24 October 2017

Post Script:

The cardinal rule to build a sustainable economy is to live within the means; for which austerity is the secret of success.

In Pakistan, we can easily control our expenses, if the following statement is adopted as a motto/mission; and implemented as an official policy, and is also displayed in the offices of the civil and military bureaucracy, just below the portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Sahab:

“Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.”

 

 

 

How to Improve the Decadent Police System in Pakistan?

It is a general perception that Police system in Pakistan can not be brought to the level of western countries come what may.

Another view on this issue gives the example of KPK government of the PTI which believes that if Police is depoliticised and Police Stations are housed in a neat and clean building with computer facilities, the performance of Police will automatically improve and a new people friendly culture will ultimately evolve.

However, if the performance, perception and culture of the Police system is to be brought up to the level of the first world countries then investment needs to be made into the manpower for re-building and re-vamping of our Police system which has gone to a level where the fiber of our society has been literally blown to the smithereens.

In this regard, the foremost example of a world class Police force in a developing country (where might is right and law of jungle is order of the day), immediately comes into mind, is our very own Motorway Police.

In this regard, in order to get the answers of what is the secret of success of Motorway Police and can this model be replicated in the district Police, the following write up of Dr. Wasim Kausar, former IGP, NH&MP needs careful reading:

Quote.

“Policing Culture

By Dr. Wasim Kausar, Former IGP, NH&MP

Pakistan Motorway Police has earned the respect and confidence of the public within a short span of time. Common perception about police and policing in Pakistan is hopelessly dismal. Where corruption has become almost a disease in Pakistan affecting every aspect of our political, social and economic sectors, corruption in the police stands out like a sore thumb and its conspicuousness is due to its criticality and impact on good governance of the country and the negative general public view or impression it is bound to create. The country has been contending with the issue of corruption for the last several decades, but its efforts could best be labeled as “fire fighting” attempts at curbing public sector corruption.

Not very long ago the traffic culture on the highway of Pakistan was characterized by a contemptuous disregard for traffic rules, an almost non-existent enforcement apparatus, and a very high ratio of accidents. Every year 700 people lost their precious lives and another 75000 received injuries in road accident. This meant a staggering 19 deaths and 205 injuries per day. The response of the Government of Pakistan to all this was swift and sweeping, and that was the establishment of National Highways & Motorway Police, which was specifically tasked to rectify the situation. This was easier said than done, but the gauntlet was valiantly taken up by the pioneers of the force. It was a gigantic task that needed considerable mental and material input. The same was, however, made available and the force became operational. The result has been a success, that could not only be referred to as exemplary but bewildering as reflected in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Report, 2002: –

“With regard to petty and middling corruption, the consensus has been that there is hardly an arm of Government which does not suffer acutely from corruption, with the exception of the Motorway Police.”

Fortunately, Pakistan’s Motorway Police has emerged as a model and an example of a corruption free police. It is commonly believed, supported by studies, that the Motorway Police is actually a graft free police force, created as a result of cultural transformation in policing. Seventy percent of the research on policing in the world encompasses police culture and its effect on police conduct. It has been established by independent research and analysis that prevalent police culture determines the prevalent police conduct with the public. Therefore, it would be naive to expect public friendly policing from a para-military policing outfit. This can only be possible if a strategy is formulated to transform the para-military culture by qualitative improvement in the training ecology and the work station ecology of the organization as reflected below:

The success story of Pakistan Motorway Police revolves around the cultural transformation in police attitude by ensuring qualitative improvement in the training ecology and provision of compatible work station ecology. Needless to say that the service oriented and public friendly police model was the ultimate goal through this cultural transformation.

The research studies into the personality profile of a police officer reveal that the common policeman suffers from a deep seated syndrome which we may name as the “stress prone personality disorder”, caused by one or more of the following factors which lead to his erratic and delinquent behavior, giving rise to ever increasing corruption, moral as well as intellectual, human rights excesses, misdemeanor and misbehavior with the general citizenry and a mindset that police cannot be subjected to any kind of accountability or scrutiny.

TRAINING STRATEGY AND ECOLOGY

T.N.A. to assess training needs
SWOT Analysis : TNA technique
Qualified Instructors
Modern Techniques of Instruction
Syndicate/Participative System
Simulation Exercises
Case Studies
Driving Skills
Respectful Training Environment
Foreign Training
TRAINING

Batches of officers were sent to U.K. (Wales) and Germany for specialized training.
Staff from U.K. Police was called to impart training in Pakistan.
Training in the use of Modern – Electronic gadgets.
Training in first aid to help the injured in accidents.
Refresher Courses.
It would be counter productive to give high profile training to an officer without provision of compatible work station ecology. Therefore, a qualitative change in the work station environment was brought about as a result of the following measures based on international standards: –

WORK STATION ECOLOGY

Manageable span of control
Neat and clean working environment
Camp living
Mess facility
Sports activities
Motivation and Morale
Chain of Command
Shift System and Monthly Rest
Compatible Work Station and Training Ecology
In-built System of Reward and Punishment
Minimum Weaponry displayed
Only Moving Violations checked. No documents seized.
Force responsible for traffic discipline, safety of commuters and initial action in crimes.
It is erroneous to think that repressive or oppressive tactics can control crime and restore order to the society. These are reactive methods of policing. Proactive policing is comprised of preventive measures and community partition to curb crime. Policeman is not only a law enforcer, but is also a peace officer who is expected to resolve conflicts between people. In this manner, the police officer becomes a friend of the people, who receives respect and participation from them. His task, thus, become, easier, creative, interesting and meaningful. Therefore, in order to attract quality police officer, the following incentives were given for their selection on merit in the Pakistan Motorway Police: –

Attractive Salary Package.
One Step Promotion.
Free Bachelor Accommodation.
Shift System (8 Hrs Duty).
Proper Mess Arrangement.
Reward for Good Work.
Free Uniform.
Indoor/Outdoor Sport Facility.
Four Days Rest in a Month.
Free Medical Treatment.
Choice Postings (Near Place of Residents).
On 27th November 1997, this new force started working. After six months, the British trainers paid a surprise visit to see the working of their trainees and were astonished to see the working of their trainees and were astonished to see the efficiency and output. They remarked “this force is working even better than British Police” which is indeed a great comment from a British Police Officer.

It would be difficult to pin down all the contributing factors for the first public friendly and service oriented police organization in Pakistan in this brief article. However, it may be mentioned that this miraculous transformation has been brought about by a cultural swing through qualitative improvement in the training ecology and work station ecology as explained earlier. It may be argued that maintaining law and order and control of crime is the joint responsibility of the society, its political, social, economic and cultural institutions. The police alone cannot handle these problems and the pooling in of the efforts of all is essential. Other state agencies must be involved. Crime and disorder are social theme, which should be projected in their true colors and the policeman’s role should be fitted in to the extent that is needed and relevant and no further. Then alone, the policeman shall be able to adequately and efficaciously acquit himself of a portion of his responsibilities, in the larger context of the criminal justice system. This is part of the dialectics of improvements, which must be allowed to operate freely.

Therefore, it is clearly manifest that policing by consent whereby the policing process takes the public along in its quest for maintenance of public order is a key towards public friendly policing. The success of Pakistan Motorway Police lies in its service oriented functions and assistance to about 1200 commuters in Pakistan each day. From organizational point of view, the most important factor is that this is an officer based organization which works in a shift of eight hours with a manageable span of control as per international standards. The frequently asked question that Pakistan Motorway Police model can be replicated in the district police would require a detailed research paper. However, it can be argued that this not something impossible. It may be pointed out that order in a society depends upon a multiplicity of interacting forces which are complex. It depends upon the distribution of resources, images of relative deprivation, inequities and injustice, coercion, oppression, and greed. It depends upon the inculcation of values of comfort, convenience, dignity, safety of others etc. These values depend upon family, education, environment and neighbourhood pressures with expectations of good behavior.

In this context, it is essential to understand the tensions in rural areas, the phenomenon of migration, and various aspects of urbanization giving rise to police responsibility in providing convenience of movement and general security making the society functional and efficient. Since human relationships are becoming more sensitive in the complex network of dependence, the policeman has to be sensitive to indications of disorder and lawlessness. Therefore, it can be argued that a cultural transformation in the district police is practically possible with a strong will of the Government as in case of Pakistan Motorway Police. However, it may be pointed out that apart from key policy decisions, this change would require a sustainable financial backup in order to ensure quality in policing as stated by Sir, Robert Peele in his address to the British Parliament on Police Reforms in 1907: –

“The quality of policing is directly proportional to the financial aspects of policing. It will be difficult to get a good police without paying for it”

Unquote.

The gist of the above article as per given link:- http://nhmp.gov.pk/?page_id=144 lies in the following sentence:

Quote. “ a cultural transformation in the district police is practically possible with a strong will of the Government as in case of Pakistan Motorway Police.” Unquote.

In a nutshell, it is suggested that the government of Punjab must take a leaf out of the success story of the Motorway Police with the same will, determination and monetary investment, which it has shown in the bringing up of the Metro Bus Services, Orange Line Metro Train System and Safe City projects; otherwise, huge investments in the infrastructure developments will be totally nullified by the decadence in society, mainly created by the old Police system of the British colonial rulers, to serve their own vested interests.

In this connection, the new Police system may be implemented in stages and phases by weeding out old lot of rankers after giving them a decent payout in voluntary retirement scheme and inducting fully qualified and highly trained personnel, after completely separating the three segments of Reporting, Investigation and Prosecution.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

– Mystery of PSL
– Indian Connection
– Real Reasons of Not Allowing Audit of PSL 1 & 2

Dear Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

AoA.

Sir,

After NAB ordered inquiry into the alleged corruption in Pakistan Cricket Board and pathetic performance of our team in NZ (in the 3rd ODI vs NZ team, our team also created lowest score record, in first 10 overs in an ODI match by just scoring shameful 9 runs for 3 wickets in the first ten overs), you may ask Mr. Najam Sethi to step down immediately from the post of the PCB chairman, which has been virtually turned into a Pathetic Cricket Board; and you as PM Pakistan, can not be a silent spectator, being the patron of a Pathetic Cricket Board, facing NAB inquiry for corruption.

Here, you are also reminded that yesterday, in the U19 ODI World match, Pakistani U19 cricket team lost the match against Afghanistan; and incidentally this was the third repeat third, consecutive defeat of our U19 team against the Afghan U19 team, just in a short period of the last few weeks.

Similarly, our ladies team’s performance is going from bad to worse and Mr. Najam Sethi is only busy sending our players in the lap of the Indians infested T10 League, not raising any objections in the ICC to the Indian plan of making BCCI as
Big-1. And despite such a huge and highly anti-Pakistan’s interest, favours to the Indians, by Mr. Najam Sethi, what we got from the Indians was that they refused to send to Pakistan, their blind cricketers team to play the ongoing World Cup matches in Pakistan; and on top of that Mr. Najam Sethi allowed last week our blind cricketers team to play against the Indian team, the World Cup match, in the UAE.

Under the circumstances, you may have the following choices.

One, allow Mr. Najam Sethi to merge the PCB with the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and finish this issue of why and for what official and personal reasons/gains, Mr. Najam Sethi is constantly humiliating Pakistan, by supporting out of the way [also remember Mr. Najam Sethi’s all out full support to the Indians, in the year 2014 Big-3 fiasco, when, even Indian notables were raising their voices, against this Indian hegemonist plan in the ICC].

However, most alarming thing happened recently. At the PCB’s last BOG meeting, it was suggested that Quaid-e-Azam Trophy should be discontinued as it has been a commercial loss in recent years. This is perhaps the most ridiculous idea ever proposed. Quaid-e-Azam trophy is country’s premier first class tournament since 1947. And everyone with a little knowledge of cricket knows that first class cricket is the Prime rather, the only nursery to prepare and assess players for the Test Cricket, which in turn is easily the most important format of international cricket. Even the mere mention of such an idea, is a reason big enough, to dismiss the entire BOG en-bloc.

Two, the Prime Minister and the Patron in Chief of the PCB may immediately disband the entire BOG of the PCB and appoint an ad-hoc committee comprising of competent, well reputed, educated and world renowned retired Pakistani cricketers and other notables of the country.(Don’t forget that this is such a BOG which also has the federal secretary of ministry of IPC) as its member, but no one repeat no one, raised any questions in the board meetings about:

~ Mr. Najam Sethi’s constant uncalled-for support to India.

~ Mr. Najam Sethi NOT allowing the auditors to SEPARATELY audit the PSL-1 and PSL-2 accounts, despite Mr. Najam Sethi telling the nation on media many times that PSL-1 accounts have been audited and PSL-2 accounts are under audit. What has actually happened is that only PCB’s accounts have been audited, but then why blatantly mislead the nation on media that PSL-1 accounts have been audited and PSL-2’s audit, about to be completed, in January 2018.

If Mr. Najam Sethi now comes out with an idea that there was no need for a separate PSL accounts, because PSL was not a separate company of the PCB, but it was just another department of the board, then he must answer the following questions:

1. Why many times over the TV and in his press talks, Mr. Najam Sethi is on record having said that PSL-1 accounts have been audited and approved by the BOG; and even in his very last press talk after the BOG meeting, he said that PSL-1 audit was done and PSL-2 audit will be completed in January 2018?

2. If PSL was the department of the PCB why Mr. Najam Sethi did not designate himself as Director PSL, instead of the chairman PSL, as per practice of the nomenclature of the department heads, of the PCB?

3. Now when Mr. Najam Sethi is the chairman of the PCB, why no one else has been designated as the HoD of the PSL?

4. Why separately and unlawfully very high amounts of salaries were paid to those employees of the PCB, who were looking after the PSL’s work? Now, who will pay back these unlawful salary disbursements to the PCB, Mr. Najam Sethi the then chairman PSL, CFO, all the members of the audit committee or all the members of the BOG, who raised no questions on these unlawful payments?

5. COO of the PCB is COO of the entire board operations, then why the COO was also not paid the PSL salary allowance? Does it not mean that PSL was not under the ambit of the COO, which proves, it was not just another department of the PCB?

6. Mr. Najam Sethi seems to have violated the ethics and norms of the corporate good governance practices by keeping himself as a member of the Audit committee of the PCB, which resulted in the audit committee of the PCB not raising any objections for not conducting a separate audit of the PCB.

The major financial impacts of not getting done a separate audit of the PSL-1 are as following:

1. Mr. Najam Sethi got approved the accounts of PCB’s audit, from the entire members of the BOG, despite the following huge financial irregularities:

a) PSL paid Rs.22 Crore to the five franchises:

– Without any binding clause in the franchise agreement, which means this payment was not required/unlawful, as per PCB/PSL’s agreement, with the five franchises.

– Strangely repeat strangely, no audit of the five franchises was conducted by the PCB to verify the accounts of the franchises for payment of Rs.22 crore on this account of “ losses compensation”.

b). An amount of about Rs.40 crore was paid to the franchises on account of a one sided and strange clause in the franchise agreement, which stated that franchises will be paid out of the Pool Money, a minimum of 80% income under pool money.

Nowhere, in any agreement, minimum limit of payment is mentioned. And the upper or maximum limit of payment was deliberately not mentioned in the franchise agreement, which caused huge and strange loss to the PCB.

Accordingly, this clause resulted in unprecedentedly reduced payment to the PCB, on account of pool money income, notwithstanding the fact that initially, the PSL got all the time, resources and money from the PCB.

This huge payment of pool money (minimum 80% maximum no limit) to the five franchises was also highly disproportionate to the seed money’s big share of the PCB, which it contributed at the time of establishment of PSL secretariat.

c). Beyond agreement Payment of Rs.5 crore to the five franchises on account of Support fund.
d). If audit of the PSL-1 was done separately from the PCB, this fact would have also come to the light that PSL-1 budgeted expenditure was about Rs.77 crore, but actual expenditure went to almost Rs.90 crore. Again no vouchers verified, no tangible and cogent reasons were provided with documentary proof of basis of originally budgeting the expenditure and verifiable documentary evidences, of reasons of excess actual expenditure of crores of Rupees.

Sir, you may appoint any deserving person as new chairman PCB; with the following specific tasks:

~To revamp/turn around PCB, as a world class organisation within 60 days.

~ To arrange an audit of the PSL-1 and PSL-2 from the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan and submit reports within 45 days.

The PM may in order to meet the demands of the justice issue necessary orders to the Interior Ministry to put the names of the chairman PCB, all members of the PCB’s BOG (since 2014 onwards), all the regular and contractual employees and consultants on ECL with immediate effect; and till the clearance of the organisations, conducting inquiry/investigations/audit of the PCB.

Sir, you may in the meantime also form a very high level JIT of the premier intelligence agencies of Pakistan {don’t forget when Ch. Nisar as Interior Minister directed the FIA to immediately investigate the PSL-2 spot fixing scandal, because it caused national defamation and tarnished the image of Pakistan, Mr. Najam Sethi opposed it tooth and nail and the FIA was not allowed to investigate the PSL-2 spot fixing scandal, although Mr. Najam Sethi openly stated in media that he had CONCRETE prior information about the spot fixing but still he allowed it to go ahead} to investigate all recent (2014 – 2018) match/spot fixing charges, levelled even against the chairman PCB, to rid the country of this cancerous menace, once and for ever.

Best Regards,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

No one can insult us without our permission.

Pakistan’s mute statement (reflecting as if it was not coming from a nuclear power but an eunuch tiny island) in reply to the highly aggressive, undiplomatic, insulting and uncalled-for Tweet of the insane US president, is a sure recipe for inviting aggression from the inimical forces.

It is a known fact that correct posturing has a major share in averting in any unwanted clash; a recent glaring example of which is North Korean posturing.

Are we waiting for another Salala or Abbotabad to react?

However, why are we not acting, why Pakistani authorities always react. But in this case, our official statement after the NSC’s meeting, was not even a reaction.

Our statement practically conveys the message, as if, we were asking a question to the aggressor that we should now, take it as a final NO.

In view of the highest level of insult caused by the Tweet of the insane US president, we should have told the US government that from our side you and your aid should go to hell.

Further, the US AID offices should have been closed on a notice of 24 hours; and all US and foreign NGO’s ordered to pack up and leave Pakistan, within 72 hours.

Such drastic actions would have served a bold notice to the US that Pakistan would not compromise on its prestige and would have been an insurance, in stopping any future nonsensical statements about Pakistan.

We must remember that American authorities know very well that in this region, their policies need Pakistan’s cooperation, much more than India.

Only, we have to realise our own importance and not to degrade our self esteem, at any cost.

Qarz ki peetay thay mai aur samajhtey thay key haan
rang laavegi hamaari faaqa masti aik din

 

It seems that our economy is a fit case for putting it under ICU, considering that usable foreign currency reserves available with all commercial banks have slid to a mere $200 million.

Moreover, it has been reported that the net foreign currency reserves of the central bank would stand close to $4.5 billion even after including $2.5 billion that Pakistan borrowed last month from international debt markets; and that the $5.8 billion amount has to be excluded from the SBP’s gross official reserves of $15.1 billion, which will bring down the reserves to $9.3 billion. Further, another $4.8 billion have to be excluded on account of repayment of external debt in the coming months.

The gravity of the economic situation of the country can be further gauged with the fact that while the GDP was $304 billion our total domestic and international debt was +$250 billion which was + 82% against 60% limit set out in the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (FRDL) Act of 2005 for the debt reduction path.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to adopt a new legal framework for public finance management, aimed at stopping the country from borrowing recklessly and ensuring strict oversight of parliament on unchecked expenditure, which in other words means adopting strict austerity measures.

Moreover, a report of the finance ministry has confirmed that by June this year seven out of nine debt sustainability indicators have weakened.

Our Ministry of Finance is culprit of misusing another avenue – the supplementary budget, which is issued during the course of the fiscal year, without prior approval of the parliament.

The finance ministry has (mis) used this avenue to buy luxury cars, pay subsidies to sugar barons and finance the expenditures that it deliberately camouflaged, at the time of the new budget’s approval, to hide the actual budget deficit.

In this regard, the issue of massive corruption coupled with increasing cost of living has forced even the middle class people, to take out their children from good private schools to average schools; and increasing incidents are being reported about suicides, due to the economic hardships and poor mothers giving birth on roads and floors of the hospitals.

To further add to the problems of the poorest of the poor population of about 14 crore Pakistanis, who are barely alive or living with daily income of maximum 2 dollars per day, the rulers have decided to further increase debt burden of the country; by agreeing on 8 December, 2017 with the IMF, to depreciate Rupee, which has the following two pronged adverse affects on the poor people:

Firstly, the cost of almost 100% items suddenly increases and secondly, every single Rupee devaluation, increases our total loan, by a whopping $2.5 billion.

Moreover, recently the government further increased the debt burden with an amount of $2.5 billion by floating bonds in the international market with extremely high interest rates (which discreetly includes waiving a dozen taxes to make deals more attractive for investors).

Under the foregoing circumstances, in order to avoid the dreaded melt down of economy, we will have to invent homegrown solutions to revive our economy, which in fact, is now a matter of survival of our nationhood.

Every sane person in Pakistan knew well in advance that Mr. Ishaq Dar will ultimately sink the country economically; and ditch it after recklessly borrowing loans, with interest rates as high as 8.25%, which till date, stands as a world record, for highest interest rate.
The solution for Pakistan’s economic malaise can not and never be found in getting loans to repay the loans and to build false foreign exchange reserves with loans.
The cardinal rule to build a sustainable economy is to live within the means; for which austerity is the secret of success.
In Pakistan, we can easily control our expenses, if the following statement is adopted as a motto/mission; and implemented as an official policy, and is also displayed in the offices of the civil and military bureaucracy, just below the portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Sahab:
“Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.”
Moreover, the following austerity measures may be adopted on emergency basis till our budget deficit is overcome and total government debt is repaid:
1. No officially paid foreign treatment for any government official or public representative be allowed without exception.
2. No government official or public representative be allowed air travel (domestic & foreign) in business/first class, on official expense.
3. No foreign tours for government officials and public representatives on official expense, without the permission/clearance of the chairman NAB. In this regard, for the foreign visits of President, Prime Minister and CM’s, no more than two persons shall accompany them on official expense.
4. All public sector organisations/corporations/
companies and sports organisations falling under the purview of the federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, must be headed by a private sector person, who should be suitably qualified, experienced and duly recommended by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry/PEC/PMDC and other such relevant apex bodies. Moreover, all such organisations must be bound to send their internal, external and special audit reports to the Chairman NAB on regular basis.
5. Immediate issuance of orders for 50% reduction in protocol expenses (specially the motorcade) of all VVIP and other government and public servants and representatives.
6. No subsidised food and other items be allowed to be served, in the canteens/restaurants/kitchens of the President/PM houses/offices, Senate, National and Provincial assemblies.
7. Complete bar/ban on any development allocation to the parliamentarians.
8. Total ban on announcements of funds/packages for development schemes by the President/PM, CM’s and anyone for any area, community, scheme, organisation, body or NGO. All such decisions should be mentioned in an organised manner in the annual budget.
9. No announcements by any government functionary of rewards for players/board employees of sports board/body/Federation etc from the national exchequer, as was recently done in July last, to the cricket players and employees of the PCB, after the victory in the Champions Trophy, when besides players, board employees were also given crores of Rupees from the national exchequer of the country, which is obtaining loans to repay its debt.
10. Strict moratorium on purchase of news cars/vehicles by any government department or organisation, before 10 years use of the old car.
11. Complete ban on official entertainment (Breakfast, Hi-Tea, Lunch or dinner) except one dish serving for any local and foreign guests.
12. No payment (in any official legal case of government or its allied departments/organisations) to any lawyer on government expense over Rs.1 million. Beyond this amount payment approval must be obtained from the chairman NAB.
13. Only one premises should be given the status of President House, Prime Minister House, Governor House and the Chief Minister House.
Besides the above austerity measures, the following steps are also suggested to rejig the national economy on a fast track mode.
1. Request to all foreign donors for a 10 years moratorium, on all debt repayments by Pakistan, which is a frontline state of the world’s war on terror (WOT). Here, don’t forget that the world powers have totally written off loans of many countries, for much less cooperation than Pakistan, which is practically fighting their war, for more than a decade and a half.

2. 20% per annum reduction in all non-developmental government expenditures, plus total freeze in all perks paid from the national exchequer, involving foreign currency.

3. Maximum tax rate on each and every type of income in Pakistan should be fixed at 10%. This will not only bring huge revenues to the government, but will also discourage the tax evasion tendencies.
The size of our undocumented economy is almost equal to the yearly budget of Pakistan.
The best way to minimise black money is not the launching of amnesty schemes, because the black money keeps flourishing after taking advantage of such facilities. If we really want to deal with the menace of undocumented economy on a permanent basis, the ideal way is to either eliminate taxes or reduce the rates of taxes to a minimum level i.e., not more than 10%. This low level of tax rate will not only spur an economic boom, but will also automatically encourage people towards paying the taxes; rather than giving bribes to the government officials to save higher payments of taxes.

4. Impart training on war footings, of various modern skills to the country’s huge unskilled manpower, for increasing the industrial and agricultural productivity, competitiveness, value addition & exports.

5. Special support and incentives for developing world class facilities for enhancing income from tourism sector, which should encompass religious, medical, educational, hunting, entertainment and traditional tourism, specially keeping in view how rapidly Dubai has become a world tourist destination, by juxtaposing technology with innovative ideas. In technology and innovation Pakistan will have to be one step ahead of Dubai and Singapore.

6. Set a target for 20% per annum increase in foreign remittances, by offering innovative incentives to expatriate Pakistanis, which should even attract foreigners to park their money in Pakistan.

7. Outsource FBR functions (which will alone increase income by Rs.1000 billion) & IMPOSE FLAT 10% tax on ALL & EVERY TYPE OF INCOME (as already mentioned at 3. above), without any exemption (except for the security forces personnel, whose salaries may be doubled with expected receipt of un-precedented increase in revenues). This will not only reduce income tax burden on salaried class (with max. tax rate of 10%. Here don’t forget consultants are already paying 10% tax), but will also result in so much increase in revenues, to the extent that government will not require any tax fresh imposition, in the budget. Plus, the government will be able to give tax free salaries to all the armed forces, rangers, police and other security agencies personnel, who are shedding their blood, in fighting the menace of terrorism, for our and our children’s safe TOMORROW.

8. Pakistan’s Foreign policy is excellent in theory, perhaps the best in the world. However, this policy should be implemented in its true letter and spirit, with core emphasis on PEACE particularly with its neighbours; and Foreign Policy thrust and motto of all our diplomats should be that any and every action in their embassy, must result in the economic benefit of the country. Foreign missions exceeding their allocated targets of investments and remittances should be lavishly rewarded with monetary benefits.

9. Initiate steps (by imposing economic emergency) to bring each and every economic activity under document. In China even road side vendors issues receipts for sales of minor items.

10. To attract huge world wide foreign exchange deposits from expatriate Pakistanis and foreigners, allow profit rate of 3% PA to be paid on half yearly basis, on Dollar and other specified foreign currency bank accounts in Pakistan. We should not forget that in 2013 Pakistan borrowed at 3% from the IMF and sold Eurobonds at 8.25%.

Pakistan Paindabad.

 

Subject:- Involve 21 crore Pakistanis to fight the terrorism
The President of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan
All Parliamentarians of Pakistan
Entire Leadership of Pakistan
All Pakistanis
اسلام و علیکم

Today on 1 December, 2017 another terrorist attack in Peshawar took the lives of 9 people, whereas, 30 persons got injured.
In this latest terrorist attack, it has been reported that three attackers wearing burqa, arrived at their target place in a rickshaw, which again proves beyond shadow of any doubt that the attackers spent much of their time, hiding in Peshawar, before the attack, in some nearby building.
In this regard, kind attention of all concerned is invited towards the following proposal of 26, November, 2010 to curb the menace of terrorism posted on www.snayyar.com at link:- https://www.snayyar.com/terrorism-a-proposal-to-curb-the-menace.html#sthash.1hRcSZ1D.dpbs

Terrorism – A proposal to Curb the Menace

The sudden increase of acts of terrorism with particular reference to the incidents in May 2011 & PIDC house attack on Nov. 11, 2010 in Karachi, highlights the importance of preventive measures to curb the menace of terrorism, which is causing severe losses to men, material and reputation of the country.
In the cases of terrorist attacks on the GHQ, PIDC house & Pakistan Navy air base it was reported that the gang of attackers was residing in a rented house for wuite some time, in an area not very far away from their targets. It was also reported that the neighbors of these houses were although, suspicious of these tenants yet; they kept quiet and did not tip area police about their apprehensions.
Under the circumstances there is a dire need for motivating general public, to remain extra -vigilant in playing their role of defending the motherland, by involvement of entire population of the country, to look out for the stay and suspicious activities of the terrorist, in their near vicinity.
As such, In order to make the stay of terrorists at any place almost impossible, it is proposed to actively involve the entire population to look out & hunt them.
This objective can be easily achieved, by the announcement of the Government, that a reward of Rs. 50 millions shall be paid to any person, who informs the Police about the terrorist staying in a house, hostel, hotel, rest house or any such place.
If the war against terror is to be won quickly, the entire population of the country have to be geared up and involved in the task of watch and vigilance.
This war can not be won, alone, by our security agencies.

Best Regards,
Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

PS…Enemy likes Eid days..!

The first PAF jet fighter to shoot down an enemy aircraft was F-86F Sabre No 55-005 of No 15 Squadron, the unit also known as the “Cobras”. Flying this aircraft, Flight Lieutenant M Younis downed an Indian Air Force Canberra while it was on a photo reconnaissance mission high over the Rawalpindi area on 10 April 59, an Eid day. Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz was the Air Defence Controller on radar for this mission.

Today on Friday, 1 December, 2017 our enemy again selected the Auspicious day of the Eid Milad un Nabi to attack students hostel of an institution in Peshawar.

Our coward enemy is mistaken that it can find Pakistanis off guard on Eid days.

Few suggestions to improve economy on fast track after the great escape of the hitman..!

According to a news item reported today, our federal government is moving fast in the direction of further burdening Pakistan, with the borrowing of fresh loans.

Link:
Amid declining reserves, Pakistan set to start borrowing journey https://tribune.com.pk/story/1564936/2-amid-declining-reserves-pakistan-set-start-borrowing-journey/‬

As we are well aware that currently Pakistan’s total internal and external debt liability stands at a whopping number of $250 billion, which is almost equal to our GDP of under $300 billion. [ Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is often accused of manipulating figures to show reduced fiscal deficit as well as the total debt that according to the central bank rose to Rs22.2 trillion in 2016-17 compared to Rs14.8 trillion of 2013. The latest figure of the total debt stands at Rs25 trillion. link…https://tribune.com.pk/story/1544770/2-ticking-economic-bomb/ ]

Every sane person in Pakistan knew well in advance that Mr. Ishaq Dar will ultimately sink the country economically; and leave it after recklessly borrowing loans, with interest rates as high as 8.25%, which till date, stands as a world record, for highest interest rate.

The solution for Pakistan’s economic malaise can not and never be found in getting loans to repay the loans and to build false foreign exchange reserves with loans.

The cardinal rule to build a sustainable economy is to live within the means; for which austerity is the secret of success.

In Pakistan, we can easily control our expenses, if the following statement is adopted as a motto/mission; and implemented as an official policy, and is also displayed in the offices of the civil and military bureaucracy, just below the portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Sahab:

“Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.”

Moreover, the following austerity measures may be adopted on emergency basis till our budget deficit is overcome and total government debt is repaid:

1. No officially paid foreign treatment for any government official or public representative be allowed without exception.

2. No government official or public representative be allowed air travel (domestic & foreign) in business/first class, on official expense.

3. No foreign tours for government officials and public representatives on official expense, without the permission/clearance of the chairman NAB. In this regard, for the foreign visits of President, Prime Minister and CM’s, no more than two persons shall accompany them on official expense.

4. All public sector organisations/corporations/
companies and sports organisations falling under the purview of the federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, must be headed by a private sector person, who should be suitably qualified, experienced and duly recommended by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry/PEC/PMDC and other such relevant apex bodies. Moreover, all such organisations must be bound to send their internal, external and special audit reports to the Chairman NAB on regular basis.

5. Immediate issuance of orders for 50% reduction in protocol expenses (specially the motorcade) of all VVIP and other government and public servants and representatives.

6. No subsidised food and other items be allowed to be served, in the canteens/restaurants/kitchens of the President/PM houses/offices, Senate, National and Provincial assemblies.

7. Complete bar/ban on any development allocation to the parliamentarians.

8. Total ban on announcements of funds/packages for development schemes by the President/PM, CM’s and anyone for any area, community, scheme, organisation, body or NGO. All such decisions should be mentioned in an organised manner in the annual budget.

9. No announcements by any government functionary of rewards for players/board employees of sports board/body/Federation etc from the national exchequer, as was recently done in July last, to the cricket players and employees of the PCB, after the victory in the Champions Trophy, when besides players, board employees were also given crores of Rupees from the national exchequer of the country, which is obtaining loans to repay its debt.

10. Strict moratorium on purchase of news cars/vehicles by any government department or organisation, before 10 years use of the old car.

11. Complete ban on official entertainment (Breakfast, Hi-Tea, Lunch or dinner) except one dish serving for any local guests and two dishes for foreign guests.

12. No payment (in any official legal case of government or its allied departments/organisations) to any lawyer on government expense over Rs.1 million. Beyond this amount payment approval must be obtained from the chairman NAB.

13. Only one premises should be given the status of President House, Prime Minister House, Governor House and the Chief Minister House.

Besides the above austerity measures, the following steps are also suggested to rejig the national economy on a fast track mode.

1. Request to all foreign donors for a 10 years moratorium, on all debt repayments by Pakistan, which is a frontline state of the world’s war on terror (WOT). Here, don’t forget that the world powers have totally written off loans of many countries, for much less cooperation than Pakistan, which is practically fighting their war, for more than a decade and a half.
2. 20% per annum reduction in all non-developmental government expenditures, plus total freeze in all perks paid from the national exchequer, involving foreign currency.
3. Maximum tax rate on each and every type of income in Pakistan should be fixed at 10%. This will not only bring huge revenues to the government, but will also discourage the tax evasion tendencies.
The size of our undocumented economy is almost equal to the yearly budget of Pakistan.
The best way to minimise black money is not the launching of amnesty schemes, because the black money keeps flourishing after taking advantage of such facilities. If we really want to deal with the menace of undocumented economy on a permanent basis, the ideal way is to either eliminate taxes or reduce the rates of taxes to a minimum level i.e., not more than 10%. This low level of tax rate will not only spur an economic boom, but will also automatically encourage people towards paying the taxes; rather than giving bribes to the government officials to save higher payments of taxes.
4. Impart training on war footings, of various modern skills to the country’s huge unskilled manpower, for increasing the industrial and agricultural productivity, competitiveness, value addition & exports.
5. Special support and incentives for developing world class facilities for enhancing income from tourism sector, which should encompass religious, medical, educational, hunting, entertainment and traditional tourism, specially keeping in view how rapidly Dubai has become a world tourist destination, by juxtaposing technology with innovative ideas. In technology and innovation Pakistan will have to be one step ahead of Dubai and Singapore.
6. Set a target for 20% per annum increase in foreign remittances, by offering innovative incentives to expatriate Pakistanis, which should even attract foreigners to park their money in Pakistan.
7. Outsource FBR functions (which will alone increase income by Rs.1000 billion) & IMPOSE FLAT 10% tax on ALL & EVERY TYPE OF INCOME (as already mentioned at 3. above), without any exemption (except for the security forces personnel, whose salaries may be doubled with expected receipt of un-precedented increase in revenues). This will not only reduce income tax burden on salaried class (with max. tax rate of 10%. Here don’t forget consultants are already paying 10% tax), but will also result in so much increase in revenues, to the extent that government will not require any tax fresh imposition, in the budget. Plus, the government will be able to give tax free salaries to all the armed forces, rangers, police and other security agencies personnel, who are shedding their blood, in fighting the menace of terrorism, for our and our children’s safe TOMORROW.
8. Pakistan’s Foreign policy is excellent in theory, perhaps the best in the world. However, this policy should be implemented in its true letter and spirit, with core emphasis on PEACE particularly with its neighbours; and Foreign Policy thrust and motto of all our diplomats should be that any and every action in their embassy, must result in the economic benefit of the country. Foreign missions exceeding their allocated targets of investments and remittances should be lavishly rewarded with monetary benefits.
9. Initiate steps (by imposing economic emergency) to bring each and every economic activity under document. In China even road side vendors issues receipts for sales of minor items.
10. To attract huge world wide foreign exchange deposits from expatriate Pakistanis and foreigners, allow profit rate of 3% PA to be paid on half yearly basis, on Dollar and other specified foreign currency bank accounts in Pakistan. We should not forget that recently Pakistan borrowed at 3% from the IMF and sold Eurobonds at 8.25%.

Best Regards,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad