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Archive for the ‘Pakistan’ Category

An Open letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Sports Affairs in the country – Way forward

Honourable Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sahab,

AoA.

Sir,

It may not be a news for you that Pakistanis are a true sports loving people. Nothing unites the nation more than the news of an international level victory in any sporting arena. I am greatly surprised about the fact, that why our successive governments failed to channelise the energy of our youth, towards the various traditional and non traditional sports, to lure them away from the engulfing culture of drugs and related crimes.

It should also be understood that Pakistanis not just only love the sports, they also understand its very basics as well. While victories are celebrated like a festival, defeats suffered after putting up a good fight, are also duly appreciated.

Nevertheless, the masses are so intelligent that they can easily smell the rat, when our teams lose to the minnows like Bangladesh, Ireland and Zimbabwe etc. Similarly, the whole nation knows how politics coupled with corruption, has spoiled the sports in the country, which has earned the distinction of the worlds BIGGEST nation, NOT to have earned a single medal in the Olympics, since the year 1994. While much smaller and poorer countries like Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Kenya, have proved that winning medals at international levels is just a matter of commitment, dedication and simple hard work, sans politics.

In the past, luckily our cricket, hockey, squash and some other sporting teams and players have been bringing laurels for Pakistan; with very little money, extremely small size governing boards and minimal politics. Gradually, the foundations of key sports in Pakistan were eaten up by the greed of money, rampant corruption, nepotism, politics and incompetencies of the successive governments, sports managers and the players combined.

If, we have to put the sports in Pakistan back on the right track, two basic things are necessary. Firstly, a vision and secondly, visionary leaders, to put Pakistan back on top, at the worlds’ sports map.

As far as, the vision is concerned, nothing ever said about sports can match the following quote of Mr. Nelson Mandela, “Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”

Now, taking a cue from the above mentioned statement of Mr. Nelson Mandela, it is suggested that Pakistani government should slightly re-phrase it and declare the following as its mission statement: “Sports has the power to change Pakistan…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite Pakistani people in a way that little else does. It speaks to the Pakistani youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope for the entire Pakistani nation where once there was only despair, lawlessness, hunger, poverty, drugs, suicide bombings and alarming increase of suicides, due to the economic hardships. It is more powerful than government in breaking down the menace of terrorism which has blown the country to the smithereens.”

Coming to the visionary leadership, may be Pakistan is very lucky in the sense that its current Prime Minister, is himself a born sportsman. Moreover, if in the past, we had world class sports administrators cum leaders, like Syed Wajid Ali, AIS Dara, Brig. Rodham, AH Kardar, Air Marshal Noor Khan and last but not the least Zakir Hussain Syed; then even today we are lucky to have a great sports administrator cum leader (AVM Farooq Umar), who can be appointed as advisor to the PM, for revamping the entire sports canvas of Pakistan, in consultation with the provincial governments, all the sports governing bodies and sports lovers of the country.

The need for a dedicated advisor to the PM on sports matters is all the more urgent and necessary, keeping in view of the imminent lurking danger of the imposition of international sporting ban, on the participation of Pakistani players, due to the dispute, arising out of the warring sports bodies in the country, which may cause unimaginable and irreparable loss to the sports in Pakistan.

it is hoped that the above submissions, if juxtaposed with your recently announced package for youth, may bring the desired results for which, you have been dreaming about, for so long.

Wishing you all the success and Godspeed in your endeavours to turn around Pakistan, in all walks of life.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Lahore.

Sent from my iPad3 4G LTE

Honourable Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sahab,

Salaam.

While your government is increasing the size of the begging bowl, look what India is doing…!

A TOI eye opening news..!

Govt launches austerity drive, bans meetings in 5-star hotels
PTI | Sep 18, 2013, 08.37 PM IST

Chidambaram earlier met financial advisors of various ministries to impress upon them the need for austerity.

NEW DELHI: Government departments have been banned from holding meetings in 5-star hotels and officials barred from executive class air travel as part of a slew of austerity measures announced on Wednesday to cut non-plan expenditure by 10 per cent.

Aiming to restrict the fiscal deficit to 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2013-14, the Finance Ministry has ordered all ministries and departments not to buy new vehicles, create new jobs or fill posts lying vacant for over one year.

It has also directed that the size of delegations going abroad should be kept at the “absolute minimum.”

The government has been introducing austerity measures since 2008-09, most recently in November 2012.

“Such measures are intended at promoting fiscal discipline, without restricting the operational efficiency of the government. In the context of the current fiscal situation, there is a need to continue to rationalise expenditure and optimise available resources,” the finance ministry said.

Finance minister P Chidambaram earlier said he had drawn a red line and would not allow the fiscal deficit to breach the target of 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2013-14.

The various austerity measures helped the government to contain the fiscal deficit at 4.9 per cent of GDP in the previous financial year, against the budgeted target of 5.1 per cent.

The circular came a day after Chidambaram met financial advisors of various ministries to impress upon them the need for austerity. ———————————————————–

Mr. Prime Minister, one thing must be made clear to all your advisors that only foreign loans will not and never cure the ills of the Pakistan’s economy, for which we will also have to reduce our expenditures in a big way and not just in a cosmetic manner.

Wishing you all the best in your untiring efforts to put Pakistan back on the rails of recovery.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Lahore.

Sent from my iPad3 4G LTE

The statement of Mr. Najam Sethi tonight over the Geo TV program “Score” conducted by Mr. Yahya Hussaini that “India has money and it is the need of our players to play in India” is such an insult of the self respect of the nation, our cricket players and the PCB that no condemnation of this statement shall be enough.

The Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, must take immediate action against the chairman PCB, for degrading and demeaning entire Pakistani nation and our players in such a blatant manner.

Black day in the history of Pakistan’s cricket. Red letter day for the Zimbabwe cricket.

Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan

AoA.

There is a strong feeling that government is mortgaging the future of the country with the foreign donor agencies, by taking so much huge amount of loans (that too just for the repayment of the old loans), which this poor country may never be able to repay. This means that in every terms, we have gone bankrupt; and can’t even breathe, without the debt life line.

The gravity of the loan repayment situation can be gauged that during the FY 2102-13 Pakistan spent about 1 trillion PKR out of the FBR’s revenue earnings of less than 2 trillion PKR.

Today, Pakistan is not under huge debt, rather, it is completely buried under the debt. The government has borrowed Rs.611 billion in just 40 days from the state bank of Pakistan, as against Rs.507 billion in full year (2012-13). In other words, the PMLN’s government has borrowed Rs.15.3 billion per day in 40 days, as against Rs.1.4 billion per day by the previous regime in 2012-13.

The 6% depreciation of Rupee vs the USD in the last 80 days, has cost Pakistan Rs.3.5 billion per day and has added additional Rs.276 billion in public debt in the last 80 days. (Figures quoted in this para and its preceding para were reported by Dr. Ashfaque H Khan, in his article, titled “A nation’s debt” published by the daily “The News” dated 27 August, 2013).

H’able Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Sahab, you always spoke against the debt burden through out the last 5 years tenure of the PPP.

However, now your government has broken the entire 365 days record of the PPP government in just first 40 days, as per the details explained above.

As such, kindly take it as very serious matter (of the economic life and death of Pakistan) because, all the world knows that the USSR, the strongest nuclear power of the world, was broken, not because of any enemy action, but by its own economic melt down.

Sir, unfortunately, all financial indicators points that your era is moving the country fast towards economic melt down.

You may remember, I requested you to to take the personal charge of the affairs of the country, lest the situation may not come to a pass, where even you may not become helpless, to stem the rot.

In this regard, after declaring an economic emergency, the following economy and austerity measures are suggested for adoption, to at least put up an impression to the masses, that government is seriously contemplating to improve the economic resurgence of Pakistan. And also to dispel the impression that your economic policy is not to just blindly run the country on domestic and foreign loans and to merely pass your tenure of the government, without bothering about the repercussions of the future inability of the country, to pay back these loans.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Immediate 50% reduction of all the pay and perks of the entire government servants/employees (except all the security personnel who are shedding their blood for our safe and better tomorrow) from president to the peon. This should include all government employees, employees of the government semi-government/autonomous corporations/ banks, PIA, Railways, Steel Mills etc.
However, upon improvement of the economic situation the unpaid 50% salary amount should be gradually given back to the employees.
Moreover, for all these government employees, there should be a 50% rebate in payment of all utility bills and educational fees of their children during this period of economic emergency.

2. 50% expenditure reduction in the entire PSDP.

3. Absolute ban on the foreign trips of the government officials. All international meetings to be attended by the respective envoy’s of Pakistan, in that country.

4. Absolute ban on the foreign medical treatment on government expenditure, right from the top to the bottom.

5. Cessation of the entire subsidy on the food items available to the Senators, MNA’s and MPA’s at the Parliament’s cafeteria, where Roti is served almost free; and even in Peshawar, it is selling at Rs.15/- for the general Public.

6. Complete ban (in real sense) on the official entertainments at all levels.

7. NAB may be directed to take very immediate steps (absolutely ruthlessly) to recover (from within and outside Pakistan) all the looted national money, on a fast track basis.

8. Immediate nationalisation (without giving any time to the ultra rich people to move their precious jewellery out of Pakistan) of the GOLD, DIAMONDS, GEMS and precious metal in Pakistan.

9. Reduce taxation rate of all types of taxes, GST, levies, excise etc. to a maximum of 10%.

10. During the currency of this economic emergency period, there should be a ban on increase in the prices and rates of POL, utilities and all essential items.

With warm regards and best wishes.

Sincerely Yours,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Pakistan Submerged in the Debt Trap..!

There is a feeling that government is mortgaging the future of the country with the foreign donor agencies, by taking so much huge amount of loans (that too just for the repayment of the old loans), which this poor country may never be able to repay. This means that in every terms, we have gone bankrupt; and can’t even breathe, without the debt life line.

Today, Pakistan is not under huge debt, rather, it is completely buried under the debt. The government has borrowed Rs.611 billion in just 40 days from the state bank of Pakistan, as against Rs.507 billion in full year (2012-13). In other words, the PMLN’s government has borrowed Rs.15.3 billion per day in 40 days as against Rs.1.4 billion per day by the previous regime in 2012-13.

The 6% depreciation of Rupee vs the USD in the last 80 days, has cost Pakistan Rs.3.5 billion per day and has added additional Rs.276 billion in public debt in the last 80 days. (Figures quoted in this para and its preceding para were reported by Dr. Ashfaque H Khan, in his article, reproduced below, titled “A nation’s debt” published by the daily “The News” dated 27 August, 2013).

————————————————————-

H’able Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Sahab, you always spoke against the debt burden through out the last 5 years tenure of the PPP.

However, now your government has broken the entire 365 days record of the PPP government in just first 40 days, as per the details explained above.

As such, kindly take it as very serious matter (of the economic life and death of the Pakistan) because, all the world knows that the USSR, the strongest nuclear power of the world, was broken, not because of any enemy action, but by its own economic melt down.

Sir, unfortunately, all financial indicators points that your era is moving the country fast towards economic melt down.

You may remember, I requested you to to take the personal charge of the affairs of the country, lest the situation may not come to a pass, where even you may not become helpless, to stem the rot.

In this regard, after declaring an economic emergency, the following economy and austerity measures are suggested for adoption, to at least put up an impression to the masses, that government is seriously contemplating to improve the economic resurgence of Pakistan. And also to dispel the impression that your economic policy is not to just blindly run the country on domestic and foreign loans and to merely pass your tenure of the government, without bothering about the repercussions of the future inability of the country, to pay back these loans.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Immediate 50% reduction of all the pay and perks of the entire government servants/employees (except all the security personnel who are shedding their blood for our safe and better tomorrow) from president to the peon. This should include all government employees, employees of the government semi-government/autonomous corporations/ banks, PIA, Railways, Steel Mills etc.

However, upon improvement of the economic situation the unpaid 50% salary amount should be gradually given back to the employees.

Moreover, for all these government employees, there should be a 50% rebate in payment of all utility bills and educational fees of their children during this period of economic emergency.

2. 50% expenditure reduction in the entire PSDP.

3. Absolute ban on the foreign trips of the government officials. All international meetings to be attended by the respective envoy’s of Pakistan, in that country.

4. Absolute ban on the foreign medical treatment on government expenditure, right from the top to the bottom.

5. Cessation of the entire subsidy on the food items available to the Senators, MNA’s and MPA’s at the Parliament’s cafeteria, where Roti is served almost free; and even in Peshawar, it is selling at Rs.15/- for the general Public.

6. Complete ban (in real sense) on the official entertainments at all levels.

7. NAB may be directed to take very immediate steps (absolutely ruthlessly) to recover (from within and outside Pakistan) all the looted national money, on a fast track basis.

8. Immediate nationalisation (without giving any time to the ultra rich people to move their precious jewellery out of Pakistan) of the GOLD, DIAMONDS, GEMS and precious metal in Pakistan.

9. Reduce taxation rate of all types of taxes, GST, levies, excise etc. to a maximum of 10%.

10. During the currency of this economic emergency period, there should be a ban on increase in the prices and rates of POL, utilities and all essential items.

With warm regards and best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Lahore – Pakistan

Sent from my iPad3 4G LTE

Article of Dr. A.H. Khan published in the daily “The News” dated 27 August, 2013.

A nation’s debt

Dr Ashfaque H Khan
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
From Print Edition

The prime minister, in his address to the nation, expressed his concern about the rising debt of the country. His concern was right because high and rising debt constitutes a serious threat to economic prosperity. It acts as a major impediment to growth and hence to employment generation and poverty alleviation. It also discourages both foreign and domestic investment and puts pressure on the exchange rate thereby causing sharp depreciation of the exchange rate and the attendant rise in public debt.

Managing the country’s debt is an art as well as a science. It requires proper institution to manage the debt. Successful debt reduction would require fiscal consolidation and a policy mix that supports growth. Key elements of this policy mix and measures include addressing structural weaknesses in the economy, domestic resource mobilisation and supportive monetary policy.

Fiscal consolidation must emphasise persistent structural reforms for resource mobilisation and expenditure rationalisation over temporary fiscal measures such as increasing tax rates and reducing expenditure across the board. Fiscal institutions including the country’s debt office can play an important role in locking any gains. Reducing public debt takes time; therefore, fiscal consolidation must focus on enduring structural change.

Pakistan’s public debt has grown over the last five years at a pace never witnessed in the country’s history. Public debt (both rupee and dollar components) has grown at an average rate of 21.5 percent per annum in the last five years (2008-12) as against an average rate of 6.6 percent per annum during the first seven years (2000-07) of the previous decade. In absolute terms, public debt rose from Rs6040 billion in 2007-08 to Rs14255 billion by the end of June 2013; that is, an addition of Rs8215 billion in five years.

It is interesting that successive governments over the last 60 years accumulated Rs6040 billion public debt while the previous regime alone added Rs8215 in just five years. Put differently, every child born in 2007-08 carried a debt burden of Rs36606. A child born in 2012-13 carried a debt of Rs77896 – an increase of 112 percent in just five years.

Within the public debt, it is domestic debt that has grown at a pace (23.4 percent per annum) faster than external debt, which stood at $46.2 billion in end June-2008 and rose to $66.4 billion by end-June 2011. But it declined to almost $60 billion in end-June 2013. The decline in external debt owes to the suspension of the IMF programme in May 2010 which dried up most of the external flows from the International Financial Institutions. Meantime, Pakistan continued to service its external debt obligations out of its foreign exchange reserves. It appears that the suspension of the IMF programme was a blessing in disguise as it prevented Pakistan from further accumulating external debt to the extent of approximately $10 billion by now.

Within the domestic debt, the composition of debt has witnessed considerable changes in the last five years. Medium-to-long term debt has been converted into short-term debt with serious consequences for government’s debt management. Today, over 55 percent of domestic debt (Rs5.2 trillion) is of short maturity, which must be rolled over at least once a year. Even more worrisome is the fact that the bulk of short-term debt is shifted to the shortest end of the maturity (three and six months).

Factors responsible for the unprecedented surge in debt include the persistence of large fiscal deficit (on average over 7 percent of GDP), sharp depreciation of exchange rate (over 40 percent) and slower growth in economy (on average, 3 percent per annum). The persistence of large fiscal deficit represents government’s inability to collect more revenues on the one hand and reckless spending on the other, resulting in an extraordinary surge in public debt. Higher public debt has caused interest payment to more than double, crowded out private investment and reduced fiscal space to undertake much needed public investment in infrastructure.

The prime minister’s concern is genuine. He has inherited a severely damaged economy. What is required on his part is not to repeat the same mistakes. Fiscal consolidation should therefore be the topmost priority of his government. In his frequent speeches, he loves to mention various developmental projects of national and regional importance that he intends to launch. All these projects would require resources to complete them. He has seldom talked about domestic resource mobilisation with same zeal and fervour. It is suggested that domestic resource mobilisation should be an integral part of his government’s fiscal consolidation.

Secondly, fiscal consolidation efforts need to be complimented by measures that support growth: structural issues need to be addressed and monetary conditions need to be as supportive as possible. The beginning is not up to the mark. The government has borrowed Rs611 billion in just 40 days from the State Bank of Pakistan as against Rs507 billion in full year (2012-13). In other words, it has borrowed Rs15.3 billion per day in 40 days as against Rs1.4 billion per day by the previous regime in 2012-13.

Thirdly, exchange rate stability is also vital for preventing public debt accumulation. The performance in this regard is equally poor. The exchange rate has already depreciated by 6 percent in just 80 days. Accordingly, without borrowing a single dollar, Pakistan has added Rs276 billion in public debt in just 80 days – Rs3.5 billion per day.

Nothing is lost thus far on economic front for this government. These are minor damages and can be cured. What is required from the government is a serious effort to consolidate the debt situation through fiscal discipline, productive use of fiscal deficit, improving the quality of expenditure, exchange rate stability, structural reforms, a vibrant debt office, good communication strategy, and a strong and coherent economic team.

The writer is the principal and dean of NUST Business School, Islamabad.

Email: ahkhan@nbs.edu.pk

Pakistan submerged in the debt trap..!

There is a feeling that government is mortgaging the future of the country with the foreign donor agencies, by taking so much huge amount of loans (that too just for the repayment of the old loans), which this poor country may never be able to repay. This means that in every terms, we have gone bankrupt; and can’t even breathe without the debt life line.

Today, Pakistan is not under huge debt, rather, it is completely buried under the debt. The government has borrowed Rs.611 billion in just 40 days from the state bank of Pakistan, as against Rs.507 billion in full year (2012-13). In other words, the PMLN’s government has borrowed Rs.15.3 billion per day in 40 days as against Rs.1.4 billion per day by the previous regime in 2012-13.

The 6% depreciation of Rupee vs the USD in the last 80 days, has cost Pakistan Rs.3.5 billion per day and has added additional Rs.276 billion in public debt in the last 80 days. (Figures quoted in this para and its preceding para were reported by Dr. Ashfaque H Khan, in his article titled “A nation’s debt” published by the daily “The News” dated 27 August, 2013).

The H’able Prime Minister of Pakistan,

AOA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My comments posted subsequently on the above news.

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

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

Sincerely yours,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Don’t be surprised, if the third ODI cricket match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe being played today, ends in a tie..!

All the PML’s governments Hullabaloo may not be in the love of A.S (Dr.Aafia Siddiqui) but to placate the the American government on S.A (Dr. Shakeel Afridi).

An an eye opening exposé by the daily “Pakistan Observer” published today as below:

Smoke screen

US pressure working well
Ground preparing to let Shakil Afridi go, Afridi’s jail sentence set aside

Liaqat Toor

Friday, August 30, 2013 –

Islamabad—Though the Government has denied the recent approval by the Cabinet to sign the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons has anything to do with the release of Dr Shakil Afridi, but the evolving events have indicated that ground is being prepared for his happy voyage to Washington.

It was officially said the Cabinet approval will pave way for repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US, but it is a smokescreen with hidden agenda of releasing Dr Afridi who helped the US to track down Osama Bin London by launching a fake vaccination campaign in Abbottabad. At that time the US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had confirmed Dr Afridi worked for CIA. Since then Washington has been putting pressure on Islamabad to let Afridi go. Diplomatic sources told this scribe during Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent visit to Islamabad, he discussed with Pak authorities for his release.

The events have started developing in sequence after the Cabinet approval of the Convention as on Thursday Commissioner Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) Sahibzada Mohammad Anees suspended the 33-year sentence of Afridi on the plea that the previous judge in the case had exceeded his authority and referred back the case to Political Agent of Khyber agency for retrial.

Afridi’s lawyer pleaded his client has no link with Lashkar-e-Islam, rather he was kidnapped by Lashkar-e-Islam in 2008 and ordered to pay one million rupees. At that time, the court had not entertained evidence relating to Shakil Afridi’s involvement with the CIA saying it was not under his jurisdiction.

Raymond Davis, a US agent responsible for killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore was finally travelled back to the US when Washington put pressure on Islamabad and found a way for his release.

The US will not a bandon Afridi who worked for CIA and helped them to kill their the most wanted enemy in Abbottabad.

The Prime Minister has directed the Interior Minister to fast track the process of the signing of the convention as after that the US government will be requested under the relevant provisions for the repatriation of Dr Aafia presently undergoing imprisonment in a US jail. Dr Afridi will also be the beneficiary, diplomatic sources said.

Afridi’s jail sentence set aside

Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—The FCR commissioner on Thursday set aside the sentence of Dr Shakil Afridi, who had allegedly facilitated the Abbottabad operation to hunt Osama Bin laden on May 2, 2011, a decision that may lead to opening new dimensions of the episode of Afridi who is enjoying full backing of the US government.

The Commissioner Peshawar Sahibzada Mohammad Anis, who also holds the charge of commissioner Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) ruled that the previous judge in the case exceeded his authority. He directed the Political Agent Khyber Agency to conduct new trial of Afridi who is undergoing 33 years imprisonment in central jail Peshawar amid tight security measures. He further directed that Dr Afridi could not be released before the orders of the Political Agent. This changed Dr Afridi status from convict to accused and fresh trial will be initiated against him.

Dr Afridi, who was arrested 20 days after the Abbotabad operation, was sentenced to 33 years imprisonment under 40 FCR in the court of Assistant Political Agent (APA) Khyber agency in 2011 apparently for having links with the militant organization and banned religious outfit Lashker-i-Islam.

Giving verdict on the appeal filed by Dr. Shakil Afridi lawyer against his conviction in the appellate court, the FCR commissioner observed that the court of APA has no authority to give his verdict in such a trial where as the lawyer of Mr. Afridi had also contended that the APA had no power to power to award punishment for more than seven years and that his client was not given opportunity for his defense. Shakil Afridi’s lawyer Samiullah Afridi advocate said whatever decision the Political Agent Khyber Agency may give against his client, he has the right to file appeal in the appellate court adding there was no need to shift Dr. Shakil Afridi to the Political Agent’s jail since number of prisoners from Khyber agency have already been going imprisonment in the Central Jail Peshawar.

It will be pertinent to mention here that the new Government of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa had further beefed up security around central Jail Peshawar, that is housing the doctor from Khyber agency as well as a few Taliban militants, in the first week of August.

Though apparently the step was taken following an intelligence alert and militants attack on a Dera Ismail Khan (D I K) central jail in the last week of July 2013, the insiders believe the PTI led government was more concerned about Shakeel Afridi as it has vehemently been asking the Federal Government to shift the former to some other place.

Sources believed that the Central Jail Peshawar does not only face threats from the militants specially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but also from the “well-wishers” of Shakeel Afridi who have repeatedly been calling for his release. Those benefited by Dr. Shakeel Afridi in getting closer to the Osama Bin Laden, the man continued to shatter the nerves of Americans for long years, may not face much difficulty to penetrate into Central Jail Peshawar and whisk away their facilitator with in no time.

Shakeel Afridi who, is alleged to have carried out a fake vaccination campaign to obtain DNA of Osama bin Laden and his family for the Americans facilitating the American Navy seals to get hold of OBL, it may be recalled had also gone on hunger strike last year when security around him was tightened extraordinarily after his reported interview with the representative of American Fox TV who somehow mysteriously managed to have access to him in Peshawar Jail.

Likewise, though the lawyers of Shakeel Afridi have constantly been denying his role in the Abbotabad operation, the American administration has been all praise for the doctor from Khyber agency and expressed their concern about his well-being so many times.

Even the spokesperson of US foreign ministry Victoria Noland is on record to have said that her country wanted early release of Dr. Afridi and protection to him adding detaining Afridi and putting him on trial would send wrong message to the world and that they were taking up issue with the Pakistani government.

Both US foreign minister as well as Defense minister have raised their concern about Dr. Afridi detention and called for his release which, many believe, is on the card.