CONTENTS:
- Controlling prices be better left to market forces By Dr. Gul Metlo
- The market works just in time By Robert P. Murphy
- Not an elitist media! By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
- Letters to FreePakistan
- HumorWise
- Issue of the Month: Killing each other
- Private Initiatives
- Good News
- Vested Interest
Quotes of the Month:
Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are watchful may again rally and recall the people. They fix, too, for the people the principles of their political creed.
[Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Joseph Priestley (1802)]
In a constitutional democracy, persons owe loyalty to the constitution rather than the government. I have long argued that on precisely this point, American public attitudes are quite different from those of Europe.
[James Buchanan, Speech at Hillsdale College (February 3, 2003)]
Consumer information is the fuel that fosters cost-decreasing competition, quality enhancement, and innovation in the marketplace.
[Steven R. Eastaugh, Financing Health Care (1987)]
Free Pakistan, a monthly newsletter, exists for the promotion of limited government, rule of law, protection of property rights, market economy, individual freedom, and private initiative. Its vision is a free and prosperous Pakistan; for only such a Pakistan can contribute positively to the creation of a free and prosperous world.
The Newsletter is an affiliate of Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, http://asinstitute.org, the first free market think tank of Pakistan. Urdu website: http://Hum-Azad.org
The Alternate Solutions Institute is a registered, non-profit, non-political, non-governmental, educational and research organization. Its mission is to promote a limited responsible government in Pakistan under the rule of law protecting life, liberty, and property of all of its individual citizens without any discrimination.
For more information, comments and contributions, contact the institute at info@asinstitute.org
Website: http://asinstitute.org
Free Pakistan URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreePakistan
Subscribe: FreePakistan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: FreePakistan-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
DISCOVER YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS! World's Smallest Political Quiz
Take the Quiz now and find out where you fit on the political map!
PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY
What is Philosophy of Liberty? A screensaver by Lux Lucre and Ken Schoolland explains it.
Download and install it. http://www.free-market.net/rd/321907219.html ; http://www.jonathangullible.com
By Dr. Gul Metlo
[This article first appeared in The Frontier Post on September 09, 2009.]
Half of the holy month of Ramazan is over. As usual annual exercise of providing “adequate and cheap food” to fasting faithful was undertaken by all with religious zeal. This year also our governments posed over zealously to control prices of essential food items. Billion rupees of tax payers’ money was thrown in utility stores, food subsidies and on maintaining inefficient corrupt food administrative setup. Unaccountable time and other public resources were spent by thousands of government functionaries in deliberations, making dubious policies, enforcing prices and movement controls. Policies of providing wheat at Rs.10 /kg and Nan at Rs.2 were announced which was only an insult to the intelligence of the people.
Media also upheld the usual traditions. Most of the TV channels were seen filming retail markets and airing comments regarding pricing and supplies of essential items. Angry consumers were generously provided media space and time to vomit their anger. Public opinion makers, socio-economic experts, political leaders and other notables of the society were seen crying failure of the administration in providing “adequate supply of cheap food.”
We witness all these rituals increasingly every year. Has this done any good to consumers’ plight or made any improvements in price stabilization or in supply chain managements. Does this all contribute any good to our economy? Let us imagine for a moment that this whole exercise does not take place for few years. In that case at least we could save a lot of public money, time, resources and social energies wasted on these futile annual rituals. These controls only add to miseries of consumers, pilferage of public funds and resources.
Then, why all this hue and cry? Just to ensure that the beneficiaries remain the corrupt government functionaries and their non-governmental cronies who with the time are now working on the pattern of organized criminal mafias. Let us visualize a different scenario in which the current pricing controls of commodities are abolished. Curbs on free movement and trade are lifted. Inter and intra provincial movement of goods is allowed unhindered. Imports and exports are allowed to take place freely. Everything is better left to local and international open market forces. Utility stores are undone with. The subsidies and expenses incurred on the bureaucracy, Utility Corporation, utility stores and storage facilities are offloaded gradually. These measures will ensure smooth supply chain management, price stability and national food security, abolition of related corruption, smuggling, cyclic artificial food shortages, etc. Private sector would step in with confidence to take full responsibility to feed the nation smoothly at competitive fair prices. There would be phenomenal growth of our agriculture which will benefit majority population engaged in agriculture and there would be surplus food available for exports and earnings in term of foreign exchange.
Price controls benefit smugglers at the cost of producers. Fixing one price for different qualities and at various geographical locations is unjust and not maintainable. Since the abolition of governmental controls on rice trade there has been an increase in rice production and exports. Rice has remained in constant supply country-wide. More rice varieties and different qualities are available abundantly in market. The whole system from seeds to final exports is growing in a competitive healthy environment. This has been achieved without spending any public funds. Rather hefty amounts spent on the procurement of rice, maintaining storage facilities and maintaining corrupt administration has been saved. This year rice has brought record foreign exchange earnings and this is steadily increasing every year. Now rice is the number one export item for foreign exchange earnings.
Why this cannot be done for wheat and sugar. All food and nonfood items which are free from any government control are widely available in all parts of country through out the year with stable prices. There aren’t any shortages of poultry products, clothing, medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, etc. No public money is spent on these controls. Only those goods and services which are controlled or monopolized by the state are in crisis. Be it the supply of electricity, gas, water or the availability of wheat and sugar, etc. Government controls and monopoly to any of the services or goods has only brought immense miseries to the public. Previous year over 3.5million tons of wheat was imported costing more than Rs.60 billion to national exchequer. This year we are in the process of importing millions of tons of sugar from UAE --- a country which does not produce any sugar.
Country’s economy is being drained due to these policies which are based on the dual plight of poor farming community and consumers. When the supply and pricing of inputs are left to national and international market forces, what is the rational to control prices and movement of outputs? More over near to impossible access to other input instruments like fair credit lines, insurance, infrastructure facilities and more complicated scientific, technical, commercial, logistic and financial support. This dilemma is mainly responsible for the current sugar crisis and last year’s wheat shortage. If the prices, countrywide movement, imports and exports of wheat and sugar are deregulated, one can fairly estimate that the consumer will have a regular supply round the year at fair prices. No fuss about hoarding, imposing section 144 to control movement of food items. No intra provincial rows. No smuggling cries. No flour mill strikes or actions against sugar mills. District, provincial and federal governments can retire to other more demanding everyday governance issues.
Agricultural sector will prosper while getting fair prices of their products, which should in all fairness, be near to international open market prices. Currently a litre of bottled water is more expensive in retail market than a kilogram of flour. How unfair is this when one compares the cost of production of bottled water with that of flour. Why to deny agricultural sector from getting the fair market prices, when the same is allowed for imports and other local industrial products. Hefty amounts of national wealth have been wasted to feed corrupt food supply managers and government organizations they run. These have never succeeded to control their stated just or unjust objects. The most poor and majority population engaged in agriculture have subsidized relatively better off non agriculture less population at the expense of national economy.
Also price and free movement controls benefit smugglers, hoarders, middlemen, unscrupulous agents and profiteers at the cost of producers and consumers. Minimal regulated market policy will work wonders for the development of agriculture and national economy at large. Allowing fair prices and free movement of commodities will bring in economic improvements to majority population. This as a consequence will set in positive economic activities and growth to other sectors of the economy. This will render nonfunctional the food racket responsible for on and off food crisis. Minimum controls will result in much needed agricultural sector’s integration with national and international economy, reliable national food security, fair prices, smooth and stable supply chain management, building commercial brands, more varieties, different qualities, consumer confidence, healthy trading practices etc.
The government regulations should only be limited to health and safety measures, fair trading standards like product information, shelf-life, weights, measures, labeling, packing, contents details, storage and transportation standards, etc. Giving away government controls will reduce public plight to a great extent. Will the mafia benefiting from the on and off food crises allow it to happen? [Courtesy The Frontier Post]
[This article first appeared in http://mises.org on July 07, 2008.]
The recent political controversies over record oil prices have underscored the sad truth that even nominal friends of the market don't understand how it really works.
Because they have only a superficial grasp of this complex "organism" and how it coordinates interactions among billions of Homo sapiens spread across the entire planet, they quickly denounce its operations whenever things depart from the ordinary. The market is apparently good enough to be allowed to work when things are monotonous, but (we are told by its fair-weather friends) the politicians need to take the wheel when the road gets bumpy.
In particular, what has happened is that because most commentators — even some professional economists — don't really have a good intertemporal mental construct of the market, they can't really fathom how prices would guide people to properly allocate scarce resources. These commentators then succumb to the promises of the politicians to outperform the silly ol' market economy, since the politicians have a plan. In contrast, nobody can even picture what the market does over the course of a decade, and so nobody can contrast the market's performance versus the politician's objective five-year plan.
In the present article, we'll discuss the proposed regulation of commodities futures investors. In a follow-up article, we will see the same ignorance of how markets allocate across time, in the context of opening up ANWR to drilling.
What Good Do Futures Markets Do?
It is immediately obvious that the people criticizing "speculation" as leading to oil being overpriced by 100% really have no idea how futures markets shower benefits on everyone. This isn't their fault, since very few economists could even give a story explaining why the existence of futures markets promotes "efficiency."
Very briefly, futures markets allow people today to lock in exchanges that won't occur until a future date (specified contractually). An oil futures contract, for example, is a legally binding arrangement that commits a buyer, such as a refinery, to purchase a certain amount of oil at a future date, in exchange for a locked-in futures price. The seller of the futures contract would in turn be committed to show up on the relevant day with the appropriate quantity of oil, to be handed over for money.
Futures markets thus greatly mitigate the uncertainty of prices in the future, and allow more mutual gains from trade than would be possible in the absence of futures markets. For example, suppose an airline could add another city to its destinations, but this new route would only be profitable if oil prices stayed below $90. At the same time, suppose an oil producer determines that opening up a new field would only be profitable if oil stayed above $80. Without being able to use futures contracts, these two enterprises might refrain from expansion.
But if they can exchange a futures contract when the futures price is (say) $85, then the airline can confidently add its route and the oil producer can confidently open up the new field. However much the actual (spot) price of oil deviates from this projection of $85, the futures contract (over which the airline is "long" and the oil producer is "short") will credit or debit the accounts of the two parties when it is periodically "marked to market." That's why the airline and oil producer, armed with net long or net short positions in oil futures, can now blaze ahead, indifferent to the world events causing the price of crude to bounce all over the place. The airline can focus its attention on its customers, and the oil producer can listen more carefully to its geologists rather than its economists.
Within this general context, speculators provide the valuable service of moving futures prices to more accurate levels. Speculators earn profits or suffer losses in proportion to how much they either correct or disturb market prices.
How Do Institutional Investors Help?
Even if one concedes that (profitable) speculators in their pure form perform a useful service, one might dispute the benefits of large institutional investors in oil futures. That is actually the position of Michael Masters, a hedge-fund manager who provided key testimony to Congress on the alleged distortion of oil prices. Masters said, “There is a crucial distinction between Traditional Speculators and Index Speculators: Traditional Speculators provide liquidity by both buying and selling futures. Index Speculators buy futures and then roll their positions by buying calendar spreads. They never sell. Therefore, they consume liquidity and provide zero benefit to the futures markets.”
Actually, as Masters himself knows, "Index Speculators" are net sellers whenever the futures prices rise, and are net buyers whenever they fall — so long as the rises or falls don't cause the fund managers to change their forecasts about price trends. If a fund has decided to devote, say, 1% of its total portfolio to a commodities index, then when the index goes up, so does the value of the fund. But the value of its commodities portion goes up disproportionately. If the fund managers still want only 1% exposure to commodities, during the next rebalance they will sell off some of their futures contracts. But this process itself will tend to lower futures prices, thus offsetting some of the initial rise. Therefore, the presence of large institutional investors actually acts as a brake on how quickly oil prices bounce around. It's as if the futures prices have to spike and crash through syrup.
More subtly, institutional investors provide liquidity to the futures market, which enables the commercial producers and consumers of oil to rely more heavily on futures contracts than they otherwise would. The financial analysts on CNBC and Bloomberg have been somberly explaining for months why the credit markets are in such bad shape: they are very shallow, and the prices are meaningless, because there are so few buyers. Having a deep and liquid oil futures market enhances its ability to coordinate intertemporal actions.
Banning Institutional Investors Helps No One
Even if it were true that institutional investors were driving up oil prices above their "correct" level, it still wouldn't help the average Joe to ban such investments. Speculators the world over would still dabble in oil futures and still drive up the price of oil (assuming speculators were indeed doing that in today's world). So the oil price would still be just as distorted (or not) as it is today.
However, there would be one major difference that we can count on: If certain politicians get their way and ban "speculative" investment by institutions, then the people managing Joe Sixpack's pension won't be able to shield him from skyrocketing oil prices.
Right now, motorists are getting killed at the pump, but at least they can invest in oil futures (either personally or through a professional intermediary).
Yet the government may soon heavily regulate or even ban that option for beleaguered gasoline consumers.
Conclusion
If people better understood how the market actually works, then they might stand back and watch it work its magic. But since they have only a dim perception of its mechanics, these people instead clamor for more laws giving men with guns the permission to order people around.
(To be concluded.)
By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
If you attack the establishment long enough and hard enough, they will make you a member of it.
[Art Buchwald]
With the advent of electronic media and its proliferation, the war against the all powerful elite classes has acquired a new dimension in Pakistan. As the force and both reach and range of TV channels has no parallel in the history of communication technology, now the previously all important print media occupies a backseat or just follows suit. But of course it has its own uncontested place.
A momentous turn in the history of the media both electronic and print in Pakistan is the rule of law movement. No doubt, through the thick and thin of this movement it was proved that in the war against the elite classes, media especially electronic media can play a frontal role. It must be mentioned here that electronic and print media both reciprocate their influence on the formation of public opinion. Prior to that, media was considered an integral part of the elitist alliance. No doubt, it was so!
Just one evidence: in January 2006, a letter to the editor of a national English daily desperately painted the state of no rule of law in Pakistan in the following words:
“My generation – one that once lived under British governance – knows what the rule of law meant. What we have today is anarchy. People like me, who are not affiliated with a political party, the bureaucracy, the army or the press, are treated as though we are not even citizens of the state.”
[Shaukat Ali]
Now when the rule of law movement, by getting the deposed judges restored, has won its first strategic battle (the second strategic battle victory is the 31st July Judgment of the Supreme Court), a pertinent question that needs to be raised is: whether media is still part of this movement, and if yes, does it meet the ‘etiquette’ to be part of this movement such as, and most importantly, its unconditional loyalty to the constitution of Pakistan, to rule of law, to fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan enshrined in the same constitution, and, again most importantly, its resolve not to serve the interests of and promote the agenda of the elite classes of Pakistan. In addition, it must also be asked, whether media while enjoying freedom behaves responsibly or not. That is the thrust of this article.
Before entering this ‘hazardous’ domain, let the writer admit that following observations are based on his almost regular reading of the online and print editions of the English language newspapers, off and on viewing of news, analyses, talk shows on various TV channels, and discussions on the related topics with a number of acquaintances from a variety of walks of life. His two and half years’ experience of working with PTV helps him see through the TV set screen and guess what’s happening (meaning the ‘politics’) behind it in the studio and offices of the TV channel whose program he happens to watch. Also, the writer will confine himself only to the op-ed pages of the newspapers, and news, analyses, and talk shows of the TV channels, leaving the quality of news coverage in both cases to be examined at some other occasion.
As far as English newspaper op-ed pages (it may be noted here that sometimes such opinion articles are placed on other pages too) and TV channel analyses and talk shows are concerned, the writer has come to view the editors and producer/hosts of almost all of them in awe of retired bureaucrats, generals, admirals, air marshals, brigadiers, retired ambassadors, retired ministers, and retired planners (meaning retired from government’s planning agencies). In some cases but not so often, they may be from a serving lot.
Another group that seems to occupy these pages and sometimes the talk shows also belongs to the foreign seats of learning or is foreign qualified. Maybe it is too much of saying it in this manner but probably it is so that if someone sends his article to a newspaper stating at the end that the writer studies or teaches at this or that university of US or UK, probably it will get placed. Let’s not compare it with any article sent by someone studying or teaching at a local university since we have no two or three such reputable universities in Pakistan; however, it is to be admitted that sometimes such articles do publish.
Under another unique category fall those names which do not appear regularly or frequently on these pages or on the screens. They seem to be provoked by a certain issue or come to the fore only to clarify or defend the position of a government VIP, or a leader; e.g. a name that publishes mostly only on those articles which aim at rescuing the position of President Asif Ali Zardari. Included in this category are those also who seem to be regularly employed for the job. This does exclude the regular columnists; probably they are the ones who are in demand of this or that large group of readers. But sure not all the regular columnists or hosts/guests sell like hot dogs. Most remain un-demanded, un-sold, un-watched, but publish and appear regularly.
Likewise, sometimes kith and kin of government VIPs write something and it publishes, such as a recent piece by the Prime Minister’s daughter. Or when President Asif Ali Zardari’s name appears on a piece of writing, but regrettably he writes only for the foreign newspapers, though it is reproduced in our domestic press also. Ok, it has news value, political weight, and policy implications and must be heard.
The writer does not know how it happens and how all such and other articles get published or talk show hosts and guests appear on the screen: whether they have connections in the newspapers/channels or are friends with the owners, or it is just their name and credentials that make all the difference. Or it is sheer merit that decides the fate of individual writers, individual articles, fate, individual hosts and individual guests. But it does happen and happens repeatedly. Safely, all this combines to get op-ed pages finalized and talk shows aired.
Whatever is the case, the writer is not interested in knowing either how all that good and bad stuff publishes and talk shows aired. It is his considered opinion that it is the sole right and prerogative of the owners and editors of the newspapers and TV channels to place or not to place this or that op-ed article and to bring this or that host or guest up on the screen. He does honor their freedom and believes that media needs but to be self-regulated and not from the outside, and any grievance of any citizen against it should go to their self-regulators and then to the courts for adjudication and relief. At the same time, the writer thinks that it is his right to rate and evaluate what is published on op-ed pages and aired on the TV channels. It may be merit or it is merit alone that would be the top consideration of the editors of the newspapers and producers of the said programs while examining the plethora of writings in their mail boxes and selecting this or that host and this or that guest; however, it is for the avid readers and viewers like the present writer to see how and in which way all that stuff and talk shows consummate, what purpose and what interests they serve, and what agenda they promote.
To assume that all the stuff that publishes in the English newspapers in the form of opinion articles is bad will be totally false, but again to rate it all as good will also be preposterous. Likewise, it is the same with the TV channels’ said programs. Here by good and bad is meant not serving the cause of the elite classes and promoting their agenda. Although, sometimes, there are such remarkable pieces and programs which aim at setting the tone and tenor of the war against the elite classes, but not so often. To experience the source, character, and ethos of the opinion pages of the English newspapers, and the said TV programs, go through and watch them only for a number of weeks, and you will see writers and guests from the elite classes are conspicuous by their predominant majority on these pages and screens. It seems they are the only intellectuals and analysts of the sort in town.
Yeah, in a sense, they are intellectuals a posteriori. Didn’t they first practically serve and promote the agenda of their elite classes and now when they are no more in a position to do the same from a position of official authority, they have transformed into intellectual gurus. Though mostly they do use the language of change and usually write and speak what is not out of sync with the main stream of the new waves of thought, however, isn’t it a fact that yet again they have come to occupy the intellectual space that may eventually have come to the share of those who could by writing in these pages and speaking in these programs make a lot of difference in favor of rule of law, fundamental rights of the citizens of this country, and not the members of the elite only?
Another point that needs to be noted here is that these would-be writers’ and talk show guests’ honesty and integrity is not that much open to be questioned which in case of intellectuals a posteriori is sufficiently justified. They are the idols shunted out of their pantheons! And now they aim at leading the change!? How is that possible?
Although, it may be objected that every op-ed piece and talk show opinion ought to be examined and judged on merit alone, however, the fact is that politics of situation is not too insignificant to be ignored. This politics emanates from newspaper’s editorial and TV channel’s policy (both announced and un-announced), and all important role of various types of pressures, clouts, expediencies, exigencies, urgencies, compromises, consistencies and inconsistencies, the bent of mind and interests of one who has the final say in the op-ed and guests’ selection process, in moulding or shaping or de-shaping the editorial policy and channel’s philosophy. It is this factoring in that makes the special names appear on the op-ed pages and screens. Also, this helps understand the nature of the media in an all powerful state where it has to survive on a priority basis even if it finds itself on the other side of the fence against an unfriendly government.
Now let the writer make some observations especially regarding the electronic media. Though it is still in its infancy and is inclined more towards the state and the elite classes, but in view of these elite classes’ anaconda-like coiling of the state and its resources, it has to go a long way and that too in a shorter time period to meet the challenges it faces. As in the wake of the rule of law movement, its tryst with the truth proved it is fast maturing, it behooves it must utilize its potential to promote the cause of the people and not the elite classes.
As the electronic media is basically a combination of two media, movement and visual (also sound, but in its truest form it requires sound only as one of its aids), its message in no time penetrates to and embeds in the deepest layers of our subliminal perception and it is this unique quality that makes it a leading former/framer of public opinion, not only a former/framer but a dismantler/shatterer of norms, values, assumptions, also, both subservient to the elitist interests and independently moral and universal.
On anther side, though electronic media is always beset by urgency of the moment, however, in that daily flux of happenings its purpose and beauty lie in creating a picture with stable images and a lasting message. That means to say, its ever moving camera should not lose its focus. That focus should remain directed on constitutional values, rule of law, freedom of individual, and self-responsibility as the greatest guiding norm. Likewise, another constant pressure under which it has to survive is competition. This should not force it to lose its focus and get lost in trifles of daily politics, events, news, happenings, statements, figures, glamour, and millions of such things.
For a media with such a powerful thrust of message, it is incumbent that it should never compromise on the values of authenticity, reliability, dependability, corrigibility, and responsibility. It should not run after hypes and fashions, and be able to sift through the mountains of news, events and analyses to bring up those not of pseudo-importance but which really make difference and are catalytic in promoting the values of freedom and responsibility.
It’s lately that a good many number of letters to editors have started appearing in various newspapers which target the quality of TV channels’ talk shows, their hosts’ knowledgeability, and their guests’ veracity. What a tragedy that so many young newscasters have turned to act as hosts to talk shows, all-round interviewers, and analysts. Obviously they have no credentials at all, but only that they used to read news on the channel. This raises the issue not only of age and experience, but credibility of the dialogue also. Haven’t that race transformed almost all of the news slots, talk shows, political and social analysis programs into events of glamour? It is more than or less than or other than what they purport to be. It is not what it should be. How could one believe and take in earnest what transpires, say, between a host and his or her guests, and an interviewer, like Attiqa Odho, and her interviewee, like General Musharraf,? It is never shown on any TV channel what knowledge and experience of the field such hosts or interviewers have on which the said program focused!
Another common practice on the TV channels is the appearance of the rejected politicians. They, such as Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, come to the screen or are invited to so frequently that one is forced to start believing either they are the pillars of Pakistani politics and no political event or statement of any politician should go un-responded to by them, or then it’s all the miracles of the Press Advice or the Mammon that such politicians of doubtful allegiance keep on floating on the TV screens. That’s same as is the case with the op-ed pages, it needs not repeating the words already expressed above. It’s the TV channel owners’ and their program producers’ or directors’ right to bring anyone on the screen they want to, but it’s the viewers’ right to evaluate and weigh their quality.
Though, in view of the above, one must take into account so many state and non-state pressures on the media, but this article assumes that there is always a lot of room, or a grey area, which may always be made use of as one wishes and that it can be utilized to promote one’s mission and values. The same is the case with our media; it can easily probe the limits of this room and such an area, and no doubt it has been and it is. That’s the fact on which is based the writer’s premise that media can play and it must play a vital role against the elitist alliance and its appropriation as well as expropriation of the state and its resources from the people of Pakistan.
Certainly it is part of what this article intends to recommend to the English newspaper op-ed pages editors and TV channel high-ups, i.e. a containing of the elitist names appearing on them. Of course, where names per se are read and heard first and the content under them and opinion expressed by them is taken into consideration afterwards, the names acquire a monopoly status, transmit a message of defeat to the readers, imply their upper hand in the intellectual realm, impact public opinion in more than one ways, and last but not least, exert an unseemly influence on public policy debates. Thus in the final resort these elitist names serve but the elites they come from. To remain trapped in and by their intellectual un-questionability and epistemological infallibility is but to remain in the eternal service of the elite classes of Pakistan.
That is why if media wants itself to be as actively enlisted in the war against the elitist state of Pakistan as it was in the rule of law movement, it needs to take a more responsible review of its philosophical priorities and set them right without delay. Also, it requires a home-coming like return to its real market, the readers and viewers and in an ultimate sense the forsaken individual of Pakistan. It will have to wriggle out of its love affair with the elite classes of this land. In short, it will have to abandon its intellectual and financial dependence on the parasites, i.e. state and the elite classes, and decisively come to be part of the people, the real producers and owners of the country.
[The writer is founder/head of the Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan’s first free market think tank. His email address is: khalil@asinstitute.org]
CHARTER OF LIBERTY
[George Singleton, USA]
I have just turned age 70 and still hope to see long term development of a democratic process which will work in and for Pakistan.
I agree fully with Sonia Zafar of Lahore remarks in the Saturday, Sept. 5 FRONTIER POST, "Threat to democratic system" which reads in part:
"Political parties are getting ready to take a swipe at each other. It appears we are very likely to lapse into the politics of 1990s where political differences were transformed into personal enmities. Hence the public lost trust in the ability of the political class to navigate the ship of the state out of the unchartered waters. Thus the ground was ready for the change of guard at the top. The signing of Charter of Democracy between PPP and PML-N held out hope that our political class may have learned necessary lessons but the present wrangling shows that it was not to be. I, therefore, appeal to all political stakeholders to show mature response and join their hands together to foil all conspiracies. The present democratic government should be allowed to complete its five years as mandated by the electorate. Let the opposition to the government not become a threat to the democratic order, which has been restored after a decade and at too heavy a price."
THE CHARTER OF LIBERTY written by Dr. Khalil Ahmad Sept. 2007 at the Lahore based Alternative Solutions Institute is essentially the same as what she refers to as the Charter of Democracy between PPP and PML-N.
Let's all give Dr. Khalil Ahmad due recognition and credit for this smart pro-democratic thesis from his proactive and forward looking Lahore based think tank.
You can read Dr. Ahmad's CHARTER OF LIBERTY at:
GREETINGS
[Aaishah Katherine, USA]
one day I hope that borders between India and Pakistan will be open to cross and so we can walk from Muzzafarabad to Uri and visit freely and enjoy each others hospitality
may situation get better and peace prevail
EXEMPTION FROM COMPULSORY DEDUCTION OF ZAKAT AND USHR
[PRESS WATCH]
The Supreme Court with Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and two of his colleagues gave a most encouraging reception to the plea put forward by friend Naeem Sadiq. This is a suo moto case about the rather laborious procedure for application for non-deduction of the Zakat, which also requires the declaration of the person's Fikha.
The Court decided to visit the case in October when the government will be asked to explain the need for this procedure as well as the Fikha issue. This is particularly welcome as the Chief Justice initially wanted to direct this whole matter to the Federal Shariat Court but then thankfully realized (one doesn't know what really triggered the change - unfortunately Naeem was not given time to read and explain fully his plea) that this was not principally an issue about Fikha.
One is hopeful that the Court in its wisdom will push for the law to be amended to what is given in Appendix 3 of the document: Zakat or Ushr shall not be charged or collected compulsorily. To claim exemption a Muslim on a plain piece of paper shall state, sign and file with the Deduction Agency, that his/her faith does not oblige him to pay whole or part of Zakat or Ushr in the manner laid down in this Ordinance. No further certification is needed. The filing for exemption must be done: (a) At least 30 days before the Valuation Date in the case of Zakat and (b) At any time before the Valuation Date in the case of Ushr.
RE ELECTRICITY CRISIS AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
[M. Shahjahan Bhatti, Chairperson SDAWP]
Thanks for bringing the issue to limelight. Of course Supreme Court of Pakistan should take notice and give an exemplary punishment to the criminals who looted the country under misconception that they will walk away without any punishment. We shall dig their graves and burn their bones to prove that justice is the only good governance. If present chief justice ignores this cruel crime we shall see to it that he ultimately faces consequences.
ANOTHER SUCCESS OF PMTA
[Prof. Anjum James Paul, Chairman, PMTA]
I have just received a letter from the Government of the Punjab, NO.SO(TRO)2-24/2008, School Education Department in which it is directed that non-Muslims Educators may be exempted of compulsory training of Qirat of Holy Quran.This is the 15th achievement of Pakitstan Minorities Teachers' Association (PMTA).
QUESTION FOR PAKISTANI INTELLECTUALS
[Anwar Jalal Khattak, Peshawar]
Whenever some muslim countries have ever been attacked or atrocities are committed to muslins by (non muslim) states or powers , the people of Pakistan, in particular Pashtoon have always shown solidarity with them by arranging protests, demonstrations, strikes and public meetings besides special prayers in mosques for the safety and blessing of the muslim of the oppressed muslim country. Now in Pakistan the Pashtoon (tribal) areas are being bombed by USA drones almost on daily basis since the last so many months but it is a sheer surprise that not a single muslim country has dared to utter just a word of condemnation against these indiscriminate drones attacks nor the muslim masses of any country have arranged any protest demonstration in favor and support of the muslim of this part of the muslim world called Pakistan. WHY ? Are we pakistani more committed muslims or muslims of other countries are less care about muslim Ummah? I wish the intellectuals circles of Pakistan may contemplate over it and shed light upon it.
RE FREEPAKISTAN NEWSLETTER # 102
[Sanjay Jadhav, India]
I am impressed by the scholarly articles in newsletter 102. May I presume that I can share it will our peers, groups intellectuals and IIT alumni? They will be happier to know that there are still some liberal forces living in Pakistan.
ARMY IN POLITICS
[A J Khattak]
A retired Army Brig Imtiaz has come out with lot of revelation. Apart from its other aspect one is that Army has been involved in politics. A question is that on what grounds Army has done so. Which law or constitutional clause is there which permit it to interfere in politics. Brig Imtiaz revelations may have exposed the role of some politicians however its most important aspect is that Army does interfere in politics. Here another question is that any action can be taken against it and by whom? the civil govt, Parliament or Supreme court?
RE FREEPAKISTAN NEWSLETTER # 103
[Mr. J]
I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU THT NOW PAKISTAN IS HEADING TO ITS PATH OF FREEDOM...FIRST IS TO ERADICATE TEH TERRORISTS AND EXTREMISTS....
THEN IT CAN BE DECLARED AS SECULAR COUNTRY...SECULAR DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION...
WORK ON IT...
RE RELIGION AND RULE OF LAW IN PAKISTAN
[Ken Schoolland, USA]
Oh, this is excellent! I've been battling people who think of law as being whatever the government says the law is. You've made the case that the real rule of law is the protection of individual rights. Excellent education for me. I'll refer to this in my work.
OVER £1BN OF UK FOREIGN “AID” USED TO SPREAD PROPAGANDA
[Julian Harris, UK]
The Department for International Development (DfID) claims to be “leading the UK government’s fight against world poverty”. However, by 2011 it will have spent over £1bn of taxpayers’ money on propaganda, according to “Fake Aid”, a new report from International Policy Network.
Recipients of this money include trade unions and other partisan political organisations in the UK. Examples include: “£1.2 million given to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) since 2003 for activities including: lobbying, hiring new staff and an “international buffet and wine” event to celebrate “International Women’s Day” in the UK. DfID also paid the TUC to hold lessons in how to apply for DfID funds. £300,000 to the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to “enable them [teachers] to become global agents of change.”
The creation of fake NGOs such as “Connections for Development” (CfD), supposedly a forum for black and ethnic minorities to engage “on issues relating to international development.” DfID created and is the only donor to CfD, providing it with £600,000 in its first two years, yet an independent review questioned “the purpose of the organisation.”
£10 million spent flying poor Brits to poor countries to work for free.
IPN’s Julian Harris, one of the report’s authors, said “DfID often hand-picks the largest recipients, such as trade unions, behind closed doors. This smacks of cronyism.”
The report highlights the waste of DfID funds on political campaigning while a child dies every 30 seconds from malaria in poor countries.
“The money DfID is wasting in this year alone could in principle treat 230 million people suffering from malaria,” concluded Harris.
RE FREEPAKISTAN NEWSLETTER # 105
[Jerome Williams, USA]
I read each issue with great interest.
MUSHARAFF’S CLAIM ON TV CHANNEL
[Anwar Jalal, Peshawar]
Hope you would publish the following if find suitable. In his latest interview to TV channels (Express News) the other day (13 Sep) besides other things he claimed that he did not want to overthrow Nawaz Sharief government but he was compelled for it. Here one wonder that either it were really some national security circumstances which compelled, as claimed by him, or it were just personal reason? Regarding national situation probably no impartial person will dispute that there were such circumstances which could be considered as threatening or worst where intervention by army under Pervaiz Mushraff was the need of the hour. The government of Nawaz sharief having 2/3 majority in the parliament. having no law and order situation, or economic crisis or mass agitation against it. Nor there were some external threat which could not be faced by his government So the reason or pretext of national situation does not sound valid. His intervention and overthrowing the democratic government of Nawaz Sharief was exclusively on personal grounds. Pervaiz Mush raff is on record having stated on different occasions that had Nawaz sharief not removed him from his post he (Nawaz Sharief) would have had still prime Minister. This view he has even stated in his book. On the line of fire. It clearly show that Pervaiz Mush raff act of over throwing the elected government of Nawaz sharief was wholly on personal reasons. Now it is up to the people of Pakistan and also the judiciary to decide that either overthrowing of a democratic government for personal reason can be justified and secondly is such act should not be taken seriously for the greater interests of justice and, democracy?
EID MUBARAK
[Nayyar Siddiqui]
WISH U SUCCESS IN YOUR MISSION
JUST PUBLISHED - A FREE BOOK ABOUT PAKISTAN
[Atif F Qureshi, UK]
My new FREE book is an effort to educate and reassure Pakistani's that the future of the nation is not bleak, but quite glorious. I would really appreciate your help to get the word out. I hope you enjoy the book!
Think Pakistan is finished? Think all hope is lost? Think again. Read a FREE online book that will open your eyes to the glorious future of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A MUST READ.... Link to Document: http://www.scribd.com/doc/18370078/Pakistan-Manifest-Destiny Title: "Pakistan - Manifest Destiny" Pakistan was once only an inspired vision. In 1947, through great sacrifice, a miraculous new nation was born. With its people energised and free, it seemed there was no height Pakistan would not scale. Now, many decades later, as we look back on years of strife, division and poverty cultivated by generations of misguided leaders, we find ourselves wondering how this glorious inheritance became so spoiled. Atif F Qureshi examines the causes of the calamity, in particular the explanation that trumps all others - the import of Western political, legal and economic systems. Detailing why these methods are wholly unworkable for an independent Muslim nation, he examines how Western concepts such as socialism and English Civil Law have led to crises ranging from economic stagnation to terrorist insurgencies. Yet the decline is not irreversible. Qureshi outlines policies that by returning to core Islamic values will revive, rejuvenate and revitalise this beautiful nation. From defence and the environment to education and banking, every aspect of national planning is explored. He shows how in spite of all the travails, Pakistan is well-placed for a glorious future. After all, a manifest destiny awaits… PAKISTAN ZINDABAD. PAKISTAN PAINDABAD Author online at http://www.pakdestiny.net Available in paperback here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/epicpress/dp/0955657008/
BEGUM-BACHCHA AIRLINE?
[Murad Ali Mohmand, Peshawar]
The PIA management has decided to issue special traveling cards to the parliamentarians for traveling purposes. The airline management has also decided to extend this same facility to the family members of parliamentarians. The parliamentarians, obviously, need to travel extensively both inside and outside the country on official business but I, for one, could not get the theme why the same facility should be extended to their family members? This means their family members would be getting the same privileges as the parliamentarians themselves. [The Nation]
RULERS’ EID
[Haider Shah]
Mr Zardari celebrates Eid with his children in England. He could do in any place. He could charter a flight to moon as he has plenty of NROed dollars. The nation would not be bothered if he permanently stays away and so his cronies who rule in his absence. They have ruined poor with their worst possible governance, inefficiencies and corruption. New elections appear to be the need of the hour to elect new honest and efficient people to serve them. This set up must go who basks under the martyrdom of Benazir Sahiba. [Pakistan Observer]
DEMOCRACY
[Waqar H Khan, Rawalpindi]
I used to think that democracy meant 'government of the people, for the people, by the people' but now I stand corrected. In today's Pakistan, democracy means 'government of friends, for friends, by friends.' [The News]
PERSONAL GAIN
[Kadar Khan]
It is interesting to see so-called leadership pushed their way into a high stakes game of poker forfeiting the outcome by pulling cards on each other while playing against high rollers. Sadly enough on each hand country loses and they gain! [Pakistan Observer]
A TANK OF LAUGHING GAS
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
We had not stopped laughing after President Zardari's 'disclosure' that "Gilani is a strong PM" when another hilarity struck us smack in the face; Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Jehangir Badar, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Babar Awan, Qaim Ali Shah, Naveed Qamar, Rana Aftab Ahmad are some of 'the thinkers' included in a PPP think-tank to solve our problems. That would be a tank full of yes men. Is any one of them capable of expressing one independent thought on any subject in the presence of the party head honcho, Mr. Zardari? [The Nation]
MISQUOTED AGAIN
[Noorudin, Paris]
Mr Zardari, Chairman PPP-AZ and President of the country is permanently misquoted when ever he talks to one media person,dozens of them on TV screen or off the screen. Why should it only happen to him? I would request the media persons to please do not embarrass Mr President by misquoting him.I would request them to listen to him with extra care sensitive audio-visual sensors. I may however suggest Mr President to avoid giving interviews. No one would miss his interviews as invariably these hardly carry any new matter but streotyped self –glorifications. [Pakistan Observer]
THANK YOU, KESC
[Erfaa Syeda, Karachi]
I am a student preparing for Secondary School Certificate examination. I wish to thank the KESC for saving me from studying for my exams. [The News]
TANDOOR INDUSTRY
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The other day I saw a picture of the Secretary Industries inaugurating a “Tandoor”. Certainly our Industry has traveled a long way to achieve this milestone. [Pakistan Observer]
DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
[Babur Bukhshi, Rawalpindi]
Kudos to one of your correspondents who recently wrote in these columns and recounted the court jesters of Mr. Zardari. Unfortunate he missed one of the most important jesters Mr. Babar Awan. He loves to call him Dr. Babar Awan. The issue of his doctorate has been raised in many a TV programme but the truth has not surfaced so far. No one knows what kind of ‘doctor’ is he. Is he doctor of medicine, is he doctor of philosophy (ph.D.), is he BDS (dandaan wala dakter), is he a homoeopath, is he acupuncturist, is he hakeem or neem-hakeem?
No matter what kind of doctor is he, he certainly makes us laugh when he includes the name of Zardari in every sentence he utters. He is so capable and so expert in ‘chamchaybazi’ that he can include the name of Mr.Zardari, Benazir and Zulfikar Bhutto just in one sentence. The sentence carries any meaning or not is a separate matter. Whatever he says in Urdu, immediately he narrates the same in English making sure that people realise he knows English as well just like Mr. Jahangir Badar. These people are the architects of the downfall of present government, no doubt. Keep it on Babar, keep it on Jahangir. Alas there is no Akbar, Humayun, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
[The Nation]
MOON CONTROVERSY
[Shakir Lakhani, Karachi]
I have a simple suggestion to permanently end the annual moon-sighting controversy: a compulsory course in astronomy for all members of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee as well as those clerics who think that the moon should appear in Pakistan on the same day as in Saudi Arabia. They will then know that it is possible to predict accurately the date and time of appearance of the new moon anywhere in the world. They will also learn that with the help of astronomy, solar and lunar eclipses can be predicted years before they occur. [Pakistan Observer]
COMPILE AN ANTHOLOGY, MADAM
[H Jawaid, Rawalpindi]
A number of articles have appeared in this newspaper in the defence and praise of our president, lauding his role as a model head of state. But the most remarkable articles have been contributed by Sharmila Farooqui, adviser to the Sindh chief minister. I would recommend that Ms Farooqui immortalise these literary gems by compiling an anthology and having it published in the fiction category. [The News]
WE WILL, WE WILL, WE WILL
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
The refrain of the PPP spokespersons and even the ministers on television programmes has been “We will, We will.” This started in February 2008 and has continued unabated todate. Restoration of judges “We will;” Empower(ment) of the parliament – “We will;” 58(2)b “We will;” 17th Amendment “We will.” It is indeed unfortunate that we have such a “No Action” government. All that PPP government has done is to ensure a landslide victory next time around through “bheek programmes” and unproductive employment of jialas in thousands upon thousands thereby crippling public sector institutions. No attention has been paid to creating real jobs by expanding industry and agriculture which urgently require power and water, which only mega dams can give. Total stress on thermal energy will neither give cheap power nor any water. [The Frontier Post]
HOW MUCH MORE HUMILIATION?
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Former chief justice of Pakistan Justice (Retd.) Abdul Hamid Dogar has decided to challenge the constitutional position of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Just wondering how much humiliation a person can endure before realizing his follies.
[Pakistan Observer]
ARMY POST?
[Akbar S Babar, Islamabad]
Since an ever-increasing number of letters published in this section these days seem to be from retired army officers, part of a community of government servants whose conscience blossoms only after retirement, may I suggest that the name of the section be changed to ‘Army Post’? [The News]
SUGAR DADDY
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Sugar daddy is defined as a wealthy, usually older man who gives expensive gifts to someone much younger in return for companionship. The sugar in the term alludes to the sweetening role of the gifts, and daddy to the age difference between the pair. However in Pakistan the cartel of sugar daddies (mill owners/politicians) are giving no benefits to the poor masses and in return are taking all the benefits out of them. The least the sugar daddies can do is to live up to their definition.
[Pakistan Observer]
“Ham bhi deikhein gey”
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
I am all for more provinces. Qamar Zaman Kaira takes over as governor of God knows what. If we had more provinces we could despatch all the “era-ghera-natho-khairas,” now cluttering up the “pigmy” parliament, the “gigantesque” cabinet and the “gargantuan” presidency and appoint them as governors in far off places. This may prove to be the salvation of the nation now crushed under the “elephantine” weight of these “gigantesque” and “gargantuan” bodies. They are so grotesquely mountainous that a “behemoth” committee has to deliberate their every move, physical and mental. The last being extremely difficult and protracted. But that would still not get us rid of the Trojan Horse in Lahore. Well, patience is a great virtue. “ham deikhein gey, lazam ha ke ham bhi dhekein gey “jab dharti dhar dhar dharke gi, jab bijli karr karr karrke gi “sab taaj uchale jayene gey, sab takht girayen jayen gey. [The Frontier Post]
POLITICIANS & SUGAR
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Speaking to the reporters in Islamabad, the PPP Senior Minister, Makhdoom Amin Faheeem, is reported to have said that” sugar is harmful to health”. Sir, so are the Politicians who shake your hand before elections and your confidence afterwards. [Pakistan Observer]
JOKERS IN A PACK
[Tughlaq Kapadia, Karachi]
In these hard times people are without basic necessities like atta, cheeni and bijli besides security, law and order many other essentials, some TV programmes are providing good entertainment to the suffering people. The programmes I am referring to are the panel discussions on the performance of the present government. The best of these panel discussions are those which include the PPP representatives. After listening to the arguments which they give in defence of their poor performance, one has a good belly laugh although deep inside at the intellectual level, one may be crying. You ask them a question about north, they will tell you a story about south. You ask them east the answer will be west. These people are so short of grey matter that they cannot speak a single sentence without including the name of shaheed Zulfikar Bhutto or shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
The best of these court jesters in order of their performance are, Jahangir Badr, Qamaruzzaman Kaira, Fauzia Wahab, Farzana Raja, Raja rather Maharaja Pervez Ashraf, Manzoor Wattoo and a bulky lady doctor. Then there is the duo of Mr. Warraich and Gabol. It seems they are being paid only to sing eulogies of Mr. Zardari and nothing else. [The Nation]
Issue of the Month: Killing each other
WAIT FOR YOUR TURN, PLEASE
[Mahmood Ahmed, Lahore]
The tragedy in Karachi of around 20 women dying in a stampede as they waited to get free atta brought back memories of the 1950s and 60s when the government ran a public awareness campaign educating citizens on the virtues of waiting in a line patiently. Of course, it goes without saying that the culture of waiting in line and for one's turn is all but lost in the country. The best way that this can be promoted among people is if the institutions where people wait in line for, such as those which provide services like banks or various government departments, ensured that people were attended to only if they were in queue. People need to understand that breaking the line and jumping it infringes on the rights of all those who are waiting patiently for their turn. [The News]
‘CRUSHED BY POVERTY’
[S. Khalid Husain, Karachi]
This is apropos of your news report, ‘Crushed by poverty’ and editorial ‘Tragedy in Karachi’ (Sept 15). The stampede in Karachi to collect free rations being doled out by a philanthropist trader, resulting in the suffocation to death of over 20 women and children, is the real current internal face of Pakistan. The real face is far from the make-believe one being projected in the unceasing torrent of sycophantic ads, at taxpayers’ expense, by government ministries and departments lauding the government’s ‘achievements’ under the present dispensation. The philanthropist trader has been arrested and a judicial inquiry into the tragedy ordered. The free distribution of rations to the needy has apparently been the practice of this particular trader for some years, but never before had distribution of food relief been swamped by such an uncontrollable mass of women and children, not last year, not the year before, not in the years earlier.
Such unprecedented throngs have become a permanent feature at the centres, in every town and city in the country, where food products are distributed in dribbles at less than extortionist prices. All this makes as strong a statement as can be on the messy situation relative to food supply, particularly of sugar and flour, under the present government. A judicial inquiry must also be ordered of the mess that prevails, and which is seen to be the creation of profiteers at the cost of the poor, the hungry, the wretched of the land. Sometime back, the present labour minister, when asked why he lit up his house for his son’s wedding when the rest of the city was plunged in darkness, had a simple answer: “This is politics; my constituents are used to this.” Fauzia Wahab, the president’s media adviser, said at a recent chat show on a private TV channel that her constituents would be disappointed if they see her using any vehicle smaller than a Prado. She said constituents fancy display of pomp and wealth by candidates; they are disdainful of candidates who cannot flaunt both. Such mindsets of politicians are behind the never-ending pain and sorrow of the poor. [Dawn]
CRUSHED BY POVERTY
[Zahid Iqbal, Rawalpindi]
Every Pakistani having any respect for humanity and human dignity will hang his head in shame over Sept 15's tragedy at Khori Garden in Karachi. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in the government and other political players have issued a statement or ordered an inquiry as they always do. Like an efficient subordinate, the head of the Karachi police has immediately found the perfect scapegoat and has booked the God-fearing person, who in an effort to help the poor and hungry people, was distributing free rations. May I ask the CCPO if in his judgment the culprit is the one who was trying to help the poor and hungry people or the culprits are the present and past rulers who have pushed the masses to such depths of poverty and hunger? Why can he not register an FIR against the real culprits? [The News]
CHAIN REACTION
[Saadia Asad, Lahore]
It is a chain reaction: we are a third world nation in which people are poor and hungry. Since we are a developing country, our governance in matters of social work and provision of basic human needs is way low of what is expected of it. Also, since we are a nation lacking in financial resources (barring the foreign aid), we cannot educate the common man, which is why civic behaviour is compromised as it is witnessed on a daily basis. Of course, lack of justice also prevails. What happened at Khori Garden in Karachi is a direct result of all the above-mentioned problems. The government has no control on hoarding, and people are starved of food. Added to this is the misery of having to spend days without electricity, water and gas. So it has come to this: human life and dignity lose their value when put in a queue for a few items of food. Where can we start, to put an end to this?
First and foremost, let justice prevail freely, where anyone and everyone can demand what is rightfully theirs; give people their voices back so that they can speak out; make education accessible and free, which will lead to an educated, aware society. Last and not least, start governing and implementing laws so that we know our limitations and know where to stop. May all the victims of this tragedy rest in peace and the survivors never have to get in line for “getting grain.” [Dawn]
MORAL RIGHT TO BE IN POWER
[Wing-cmdr (r) Bahre Kamal, Peshawar]
The death of twenty women including children in a stampede while trying to collect free flour in Karachi on Monday is one of the most gruesome incidents in our history. How painful that despite having an agriculture-based economy, we are unable to feed our own people. The most depressing fact is that while both flour and sugar are available in abundance with the respective cartels, the so-called people's government is unable to retrieve it for the public consumption. And to rub salt into our wounds, we are shown advertisements on the media after every five minutes how the PPP government has changed the lives of ordinary people. One woman grieving from tragedy said it well: "I hope the flour cartel people are happy feeding their children the blood money earned from exploiting the poor". If the government cannot provide food security to its people, it has no moral right to be in power. [The News]
‘CRUSHED BY POVERTY’
[Mehnaz Siddiqui, Islamabad]
The stampede that caused the death of 20 women and girls at a free ration distribution centre set up by a philanthropist in Karachi speaks volumes of the poverty level in a city like this -- the hub of all economic activities. Levels of poverty and sufferings in other cities, towns and rural areas are beyond comprehension of our rulers. In fact, they have no idea what poverty is. Your analytical editorial (Sept 15) that “it is an indictment of the state itself — of its inability to provide for the most basic needs of its people; of its apathy when it comes to protecting the life and dignity of its most vulnerable citizens” is exactly what the entire people of Pakistan feel like. The people want the government and the state to come out if they had any explanation in addition to the usual words of regret.
Those who lost their lives, as you rightly observed, were not driven by greed; they were driven by hunger and fear of starvation. That was the most pathetic and soul-stirring aspect of the tragedy. They had their fundamental right to live and live honourably, as enshrined in country’s constitution and more so in the charter of humanitarianism. This unique incident of the country’s history occurred at a time when the party that is never tired of raising the slogan of ‘roti, kapra aur makaan’ is at the helm. Instead of providing all that promised, the people have been deprived of whatever little they had, even the basic need – the bread. This is the real tragedy. It is to be seen if this harrowing tale of misfortune proves to be a turning point and jolts the conscience of those in power and authority. The routine announcements of compensations and words of sympathy would not work. A government that fails to deliver has no right or justification of its being. [Dawn]
KARACHI STAMPEDE
[Raza-e-Mustafa, Gujranwala]
September 14 was one of the most tragic days in the history of Pakistan as 20 people, mostly women, were crushed to death while trying to get free flour. The cartoon in this newspaper on Sep 16 highlighting the same desperate reality of our society was equally grim. This incident has exposed the level of poverty among the masses of our country. The people facing death in order to be able to feed a few free morsels to their children; whereas, the ruling elite of the country sit cosily in their offices and let the sugar barons and flour dons perform their dark arts on the poor of the country.
All they do is issue a couple of statements and the things move on. What they fail to understand is the level of desperation brewing among the poor who have to sacrifice their lives and honour in order to get subsidised flour and sugar. I request the now-famous chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan to take notice of flour and sugar cartels and rid the people of their atrocities. [The News]
GOVERNMENT’S APATHY
[Sana Hussain, Rawalpindi]
In a private TV channel’s talk show programme, aired on Sept 13, the information secretary for the ruling party made bold assertions that would ire any concerned citizen. The talk that went on in that show was a clear indication of the government’s apathy towards the dire straits the nation is currently in. To start off, it was claimed that ‘the government had not failed in any department.’ All one can say is that the tragedy that took place in Karachi claiming the lives of 20 women belies the veracity of this statement. The ostentatious Iftar parties that are being held left and right in the political arena were deemed to be a part of our culture. And, such acts of extravagance were defended on the pretext that we had become used to a pompous lifestyle, and that people who could afford to spend such audacious sums should have no qualms in doing so. It is a sad state our country is in if the people at the helm think like this as many die in an effort to fill their stomachs. Die waiting in a queue for flour or die of an empty stomach, this seems to be the dilemma of the blue-collar class. [Dawn]
SAD INCIDENT
[Rehman Ali, Lahore]
The death of several women at a distribution point in Karachi is an extremely sad development, especially because the person conducting the distribution did not intend harm. Things simply spiralled out of control, indicating the desperation and frustration among those seeking cheaper items, and the mismanagement of those distributing them. The authorities, especially the police, and even more so those queuing up for cheaper items, need to remain calm and not lose their tempers and nerves. Else this disaster will not be the last. Everyone has a responsibility in such situations, and blame cannot be pinned on any one entity. [Daily Times]
KHORI GARDEN INCIDENT
[Murad Ali Mohmand, Peshawar]
Through your newspaper I would like to bring to the notice of rich people of our country about the poor people dying ingetting free food. From childhood we kept hearing that no body could die due to food shortage but now we have seen practically that even in presence of food the people are dying and the recent example was Karachi Khori Garden. On the one hand the President, Prime Minister and other Federal Ministers with bureaucrats are busy in iftar dinners in 5 star hotels which costs million of rupees while on the other hand the poor people are dying just to get charity flour. Its a big shame for our national leaders who are living luxury life with out any fear and care for their poor people. I request all the Ministers and Rich people to live simple life and help the poor people as one day we will face the God and then we will have no excuse. [Pakistan Observer]
TRY A NEW IDEA
[Zafar Habib, Samundri]
I am an educationist doing the sort of extraordinary work that can benefit the whole country and bring about a revolution in the field of education. I have designed an educational software that has been praised by even the foreign education experts. It provides assistance to user in preparation of teaching, designing of new books, collation of research and further production of educational software. For the last eleven months, I have been trying to contact Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to show him my work.
The government officials I have met so far have all appreciated my work but have often sent me to some other official or department. As the government of Punjab is establishing computer labs in high schools, my designed educational software can be used to meet the requirements of our students. I know the CM Punjab is committed to bringing about changes in education but that cannot be done unless people doing groundbreaking work are given a chance. [The Nation]
KEEP IT UP ITP
[Jamshid Surani]
In our country common person is not supported by the system and institutions of the state. Majority of our institutions is badly affected by corruption and the remaining is not properly working due to the influence of politicians, bureaucracy and some other strong groups. But this is not the case with Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP). A few days ago, the writer was driving his car in Islamabad. The fuel was not sufficient and I was trying to reach a petrol pump but in vain and the car stopped due to no fuel. The traffic warden of ITP came and very politely asked about the reason, “What is problem sirâ€. I told the reason and he pushed my car to the roadside to become safe of other traffic. While asking how much petrol will you need? I was surprised first then became happy and said I need petrol of Rs 200. He called to the mobile team and within 10 minutes one rescue vehicle along with two mechanics reached there. The mechanics checked my car and get started. I paid the amount of petrol Rs. 200 and get receipt. When I start my car, I really feel that if all the institutions adopt the supportive role like ITP then the frustration among people of our country will be lavished.
[The Frontier Post]
KHALID MIRZA REMOVED, RESTORED AT CCP
[Analyses & Comments By Business Recorder Research]
The recent cat and mouse game set off after the boss of Competition Commission of Pakistan slapped a heavy fine against cement makers amid the ongoing sugar crisis falls in the same context. The investigation against the cartel made by local cement producers had long been under way. Understandably, owing to a serious lack of cohesion amongst government departments and dearth of funds at the CCP, it was only last month that the CCP finally charged cement makers with a fine of Rs 6.35 billion and advised the government not to entertain sugar mills owners if they represent themselves as a group.
Khalid A. Mirza - whose tenure wasn't due to expire until July 2010 - was axed overnight in a wave of a major shake-up in Islamabad bureaucracy. Apparently, his name was lumped with retired bureaucrats on extension under a contract. Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin had to tell the President and the Prime Minister that it was a tenure appointment and the government will get castigated for this.
The old Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) was replaced with (CCP) in 2007. The MCA was found to be not meeting the expectations of business and the consumers at large. The CCP's main task is to ensure that competition is not curbed due to government action/intervention or on account of manipulation and cartelisation. Broadly speaking, the law seeks to prohibit abuse of market dominance, certain types of anti-competitive agreements, deceptive market practices and mergers of undertakings that substantially reduce competition. [Courtesy Business Recorder]
Edited and prepared by
Khalil Ahmad
[FreePakistan Newsletter, among other things, is a compilation of views and news taken from the national newspapers’ print and online editions. It is not possible to mention the source of every piece of news or view made use of herein; but as a matter of policy, where possible the source is mentioned with due thanks. However, no opinion expressed here should necessarily be taken as reflecting the view of Free Pakistan Newsletter.]
Disclaimer:
“You are subscribed to the monthly Free Pakistan Newsletter, an affiliate of the Alternate Solutions Institute Lahore, Pakistan. <http://asinstitute.org>. If you have received this message by mistake or wish to be removed from the mailing list, please send an email to subscribe@asinstitute.org with the subject “unsubscribe.”
