Once it was called as "city of lights" and people also used to call him as hub of trading and peace. But alas! the city has lost its peace, vigor and identity. it is very sad that karachi has given shelter to all orphans but no one has given karachi its true texture and originality. The bloodbath in metropolis continues endlessly. Neither anybody admits these killings nor anybody is fixed by state. The horror continues for sometimes and after brief interval resumes with all horrific stories. Government promises for lasting peace but fails miserably.
The plight of common man already shattered by the uneven economic practices further sinks down when government can't fulfill its primary constitutional requirement to protect the "haves and haves not " of the people of this country. The law enforcement agencies who draw billions from public treasury turn out to be spectators and maintain their composure as nothing has happened. The political forces blame each other for this unholiness and free themselves from any responsibility. If political forces deny from any involvement then it is big slap on their own faces because who are these coveted faces making the lives of their voters uncomfortable and miserable.
It is common perception that these miscreant elements belong from land and drug mafia. Indeed, if they are do they have power to challenge the writ of the government by large every now and then. Do they have all sophisticated arms and ammunition to improvise their vested interests. If they have then who is pioneering and sponsoring these huge sums. It seems government is aware of all these myths but question is why it is not being unfolded. Doesn't it seem an unheralded and proxy war on state itself. The country already invested trillions on the name of national security can't stop the unannounced terrorism by these handful lot then aren't we living in fools paradise and live in state of denial and presume that we have nukes for our internal and external security.
The country can't afford any misadventure in this cosmopolitan city. It is the gateway of the country and is hub of trade. It contributes hefty transfers to the national exchequer beside employing millions of the countrymen for their bread and butter. It is the most plural and multi-ethnic city and one has to co-exist if lasting peace to prevail. Any panic amongst each other can seriously lead towards jeopardy and can alarm the national integrity and sanctity of the country.
The helm of affairs of city demands collective wisdom from all the stakeholders belonging to any race, religion, creed and political parties to sit, sort and solve the issue and begin an era of brotherhood, peace, co-existence and national pride. The civil society and businessmen do have to tighten the rope on road to prosperity and progress. The city nesting nearly 20 million people pleads for harmony.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Friday, 1 July 2011
Prospects of early Pak elections
The cat and rat show in Pakistan politics is gaining momentum. The so called formidable alliances are making and breaking with each passing day. The warm weather has risen the political temperature as well and if things continue with this pace, the showdown of political parties in an early election cant be ruled out.
The recent decision of MQM to bid farewell to the coalition is another addition in opposition camps. The in house opposition led by PML N supplemented by MQM, JUI and parties out of parliament in the likes of PTI, JI, Sindh and Baluchistan nationalists if forge an alliance and demand an early election can seriously put PPPP led government in trouble because of precarious conditions persisting in the country indefinitely.
Election in any functional and mature democracy is part and parcel of the system. It happened quite few times in India during 1990s on ground of failed performances. It should be stated that demanding an early elections is neither undemocratic nor it weakens the system nonetheless it provides fresh oxygen to the intoxicated system.
One cant disassociate moralities from democracy. If public anger grows, unrest and uneasiness widens and surveys exhibit that government is losing ground then seeking fresh mandate is only option in any democracy otherwise growing anger leads towards anarchy which might propel undemocratic forces to bail out the system and dislodge the government on famous saying of "National Interest".
The present political dispensation had hardly shown any seriousness towards problems faced by country in form of terrorism, law and order, insecurity, energy crisis and rampant unemployment. Government had sufficient time to redress the ills of the country but it lacked proper management and political will to come up with adequate solutions. The opposition parties has massive charge sheet against government and the huge masses ridden by widespread poverty and uncertainty can anytime put respective guns towards government.
If Pak history is any indicator than coming winters might be the time for an early election contest. Another profound reason could be of senate elections in mid March.
The senate elections will put PPPP in majority at upper house. The majority gained by PPPP in senate would mean PPPP will have an eye on any alliance formed after fresh elections even if PPPP puts bad show in general elections. This scenario will not be ideal for opposition if elections prolong until and after senate elections because even if opposition parties mark significant success the proposition of senate will jeopardize the things.
Pak politics is an art of possibilities. The coming few months will settle the political dusk and would indicate as and when country will go under the defining elections. The analysts believe election period might not be distant way.
The recent decision of MQM to bid farewell to the coalition is another addition in opposition camps. The in house opposition led by PML N supplemented by MQM, JUI and parties out of parliament in the likes of PTI, JI, Sindh and Baluchistan nationalists if forge an alliance and demand an early election can seriously put PPPP led government in trouble because of precarious conditions persisting in the country indefinitely.
Election in any functional and mature democracy is part and parcel of the system. It happened quite few times in India during 1990s on ground of failed performances. It should be stated that demanding an early elections is neither undemocratic nor it weakens the system nonetheless it provides fresh oxygen to the intoxicated system.
One cant disassociate moralities from democracy. If public anger grows, unrest and uneasiness widens and surveys exhibit that government is losing ground then seeking fresh mandate is only option in any democracy otherwise growing anger leads towards anarchy which might propel undemocratic forces to bail out the system and dislodge the government on famous saying of "National Interest".
The present political dispensation had hardly shown any seriousness towards problems faced by country in form of terrorism, law and order, insecurity, energy crisis and rampant unemployment. Government had sufficient time to redress the ills of the country but it lacked proper management and political will to come up with adequate solutions. The opposition parties has massive charge sheet against government and the huge masses ridden by widespread poverty and uncertainty can anytime put respective guns towards government.
If Pak history is any indicator than coming winters might be the time for an early election contest. Another profound reason could be of senate elections in mid March.
The senate elections will put PPPP in majority at upper house. The majority gained by PPPP in senate would mean PPPP will have an eye on any alliance formed after fresh elections even if PPPP puts bad show in general elections. This scenario will not be ideal for opposition if elections prolong until and after senate elections because even if opposition parties mark significant success the proposition of senate will jeopardize the things.
Pak politics is an art of possibilities. The coming few months will settle the political dusk and would indicate as and when country will go under the defining elections. The analysts believe election period might not be distant way.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
PAK'S Turbulent economy
Pakistan economy is today standing at corridors of high interest rates, inflationary pressures, unemployment, depleting resources, stagnant growth rate and energy crisis looming large. The fiscal and monetary policy is nowhere supporting the overall economic degradation. Government's growing budget deficit and continuous support from SBP hasn't helped the cause of common man. Beside growing terrorism and unrest has greatly affected the FDI.
The last year's devastating floods quietly extended the $10 billion loss to the national exchequer. The mismanagement, corruption and lack of political will to initiate institutional reform particularly in FBR and public service enterprises. The ever increasing energy prices due to unrest in Gulf and North African countries resulting on passing the prices to end consumer has also dented the prospects of the economy. The increased petroleum prices are triggering the overall gloomy picture because the country's dependence on furnace oil is far from optimal levels.
The country's debt management has been below par. The federal Government continuously deriving 2 billion PKR per day to finance its budgetary expenditures from SBP. Thus leaving little room for the private sector growth. The minimal private sector enterprising pinpoints concern towards overall unemployment and GDP. the economy needs to grow with accelerating pace to cope up with fresh entrants in work force and lightening population growth. The lack of economic opportunities would pose serious threats to overall security of the country. The gap between employed and unemployed would be exploited by militants and fanatics for their vested interests.
The grimmer of hope in deep darkness is the increasing monetary value of Pak exports because of boost in international commodity prices. The worker's remittances have also gained momentum as it might come close to $12 billion in current financial year but analysts attribute it with growing Arab revolution in middle east and tightening checks and balances in western financial institutions due to Al-Qaeda threats.
The critical economic situation demands austerity measures from all the stakeholders of the country so that deep rooted ills of the economy could be fixed.
The policy makers and and political leadership have to urgently address the core economic policy and at the same time revamp the long-term planning in order to create more economic and enterprising opportunities. All efforts must be ensured to broaden the tax net, review interest rates, diversify exports, lower the fiscal deficit, and stabilize PKR. The regulatory measures must be ensured to check inflationary pressures existing in the economy and foreign aid dependence must be reduced gradually in order to make more independent and sovereign economic decisions based on ground realities. The economic interests of the common man must be given priority in any planning and advisory.
The last year's devastating floods quietly extended the $10 billion loss to the national exchequer. The mismanagement, corruption and lack of political will to initiate institutional reform particularly in FBR and public service enterprises. The ever increasing energy prices due to unrest in Gulf and North African countries resulting on passing the prices to end consumer has also dented the prospects of the economy. The increased petroleum prices are triggering the overall gloomy picture because the country's dependence on furnace oil is far from optimal levels.
The country's debt management has been below par. The federal Government continuously deriving 2 billion PKR per day to finance its budgetary expenditures from SBP. Thus leaving little room for the private sector growth. The minimal private sector enterprising pinpoints concern towards overall unemployment and GDP. the economy needs to grow with accelerating pace to cope up with fresh entrants in work force and lightening population growth. The lack of economic opportunities would pose serious threats to overall security of the country. The gap between employed and unemployed would be exploited by militants and fanatics for their vested interests.
The grimmer of hope in deep darkness is the increasing monetary value of Pak exports because of boost in international commodity prices. The worker's remittances have also gained momentum as it might come close to $12 billion in current financial year but analysts attribute it with growing Arab revolution in middle east and tightening checks and balances in western financial institutions due to Al-Qaeda threats.
The critical economic situation demands austerity measures from all the stakeholders of the country so that deep rooted ills of the economy could be fixed.
The policy makers and and political leadership have to urgently address the core economic policy and at the same time revamp the long-term planning in order to create more economic and enterprising opportunities. All efforts must be ensured to broaden the tax net, review interest rates, diversify exports, lower the fiscal deficit, and stabilize PKR. The regulatory measures must be ensured to check inflationary pressures existing in the economy and foreign aid dependence must be reduced gradually in order to make more independent and sovereign economic decisions based on ground realities. The economic interests of the common man must be given priority in any planning and advisory.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The colourful Pk Politics
Pakistan is the country where the political landscape changes in Bink of an eyes. It literally surprises everyone and thus creates absolute thrill and drama. The friends become foes and foes turnaround as folks. The people just watch and get along with this political feast. the country already starved off real entertainment finds it an ideal opportunity to witness this jigsaw puzzle. The warm weather and continuous energy shortages have just made our politicians real energetic and zealots.
The two traditional rivals PPPP and PML N have come on big time to each other. The days are not far when both leaders zardari and sharif were calling themselves brothers and were promising to continue their brotherhood and friendship to next generations in form of hassan nawaz and bilawal zardari. The warmth from both sides was expected to last briefly and as anticipated sharif parted ways on account of false promises and commitments from zardari. but the classic friendship on government levels was still on as pppp was part of shahbaz led Punjab coalition and PML N as termed by critics was playing role of friendly opposition.
The things begin to slide in last February when shahbaz ousted the pppp ministers from its cabinet and nawaz started to pass on harsh comments to zardari. The recent showdown comes from AJK elections campaign when nawaz tightened its screws on zardari and termed the federal government along with zardari corrupt, timid and incompetent and blamed zardari for the pressing problems of Pakistan in terms of terrorism, load shedding, unemployment, corruption and growing inflation. The heat was on when zardari addressed the gathering on eve of BB birthday at naudero larkana. Zardari's outburst was rather more emotional hitting nawaz personally calling him apolitical, molvi and friends of militants. Zardari's burst was rather obnoxious as he is also president and analysts thought his brawl at the times was above the sanctity of his office which is constitutional and figurehead of federation.
Pak politics has now certainly entered into period of uncertainty and unpredictability. The traditional rivalry has once again resurrected and its just matter of time when the real battle of power begins. The things for zardari and pppp would not be smooth as uneasiness among masses on account on long breakages of electricity, unaccountable corruption, increasing prices and above all target killings and manifold terrorism nevertheless security failures in abbottabad and PNS mehran. Nawaz with all to play for may have set some targets to dislodge current set up and mobilize people for real change . The public at fences will have so much colourful political performances to look for in days to come.
The two traditional rivals PPPP and PML N have come on big time to each other. The days are not far when both leaders zardari and sharif were calling themselves brothers and were promising to continue their brotherhood and friendship to next generations in form of hassan nawaz and bilawal zardari. The warmth from both sides was expected to last briefly and as anticipated sharif parted ways on account of false promises and commitments from zardari. but the classic friendship on government levels was still on as pppp was part of shahbaz led Punjab coalition and PML N as termed by critics was playing role of friendly opposition.
The things begin to slide in last February when shahbaz ousted the pppp ministers from its cabinet and nawaz started to pass on harsh comments to zardari. The recent showdown comes from AJK elections campaign when nawaz tightened its screws on zardari and termed the federal government along with zardari corrupt, timid and incompetent and blamed zardari for the pressing problems of Pakistan in terms of terrorism, load shedding, unemployment, corruption and growing inflation. The heat was on when zardari addressed the gathering on eve of BB birthday at naudero larkana. Zardari's outburst was rather more emotional hitting nawaz personally calling him apolitical, molvi and friends of militants. Zardari's burst was rather obnoxious as he is also president and analysts thought his brawl at the times was above the sanctity of his office which is constitutional and figurehead of federation.
Pak politics has now certainly entered into period of uncertainty and unpredictability. The traditional rivalry has once again resurrected and its just matter of time when the real battle of power begins. The things for zardari and pppp would not be smooth as uneasiness among masses on account on long breakages of electricity, unaccountable corruption, increasing prices and above all target killings and manifold terrorism nevertheless security failures in abbottabad and PNS mehran. Nawaz with all to play for may have set some targets to dislodge current set up and mobilize people for real change . The public at fences will have so much colourful political performances to look for in days to come.
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