Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P. J. O’Rourke
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CONTENTS:
0 The Crises of Governance in South Asia
By Javed Iqbal
0 Do Middlemen Earn Their Profits?
By Stephen C. Miller
0 A Letter-cum-Ad: TRAADE
0 Letters to FreePakistan
0 Letters from the Press
0 FreePakistan News Briefs
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ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE PUBLISHES ITS FIRST BOOK OF TRANSLATION
Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, has published its first book of translation, Ken Schoolland's "The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey," in Urdu which is understood not only in Pakistan but throughout South Asia. Ken's modern fable has so far been published in 29 languages of the world Urdu being the 30th. This book explains the principles of market economy in a simple manner and helps promote the concepts of open market and property rights. The book has been translated into Urdu by Khalil Ahmad. A. S. Institute is indebted to Irshad Ameen for his tireless efforts in getting the book out of the press.
It is hoped that the book will give a new direction to the discussion of welfare state in Pakistan.
If you want to purchase the book, contact at email addresses below ============================================================================
HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER
Aslam Effendi, an old and unsung Libertarian of Pakistan, has written three books on free market philosophy: HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER, HARD FACTS OF HISTORY, and, ECONOMICS FOR THE CONFUSED. When no publisher agreed to invest in the project, he spent out of his own pocket to get HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER printed. But, for want of a distributor, this book which has been praised as a classic remained dumped and could not find its way to the market. For details, read ‘Aslam Effendi: A Free Marketeer in Pakistan’
or visit http://asinstitute.org/articles.php. Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, has purchase all the copies of the book from Aslam Effendi to make it available to the right persons and to compensate the author as well.
If you want to purchase the book, contact at email addresses below
A. S. Institute intends to publish all of his books; if you are interested in this project, please contact us.
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THE CRISES OF GOVERNANCE IN SOUTH ASIA
By Javed Iqbal
[The writer is a Development Economist and freelance writer based in Peshawar. His email address is: javed_582001@yahoo.com. This article first appeared in The News International Friday, May 28, 1999.]
South Asian region is best known for its acute poverty, population explosion, stockpiles of weapons and political instability. When the world is standing at the gateway of 21st century, many people still are at the threshold of injustice, hunger and malnutrition due to faulty administration.
Good Governance connotes an improved system of work seeking to enforce laws equitably and devise a system of check and balance. The issues of governance are deep seated and carry multi-faceted factors. The broad parameters originating upheavals in the developing countries apart from over population and poverty are corruption, "Centralization syndrome", political interference, and inequitable administration of justice, discarded style of governance, weaker banking system and lower investment on human resource development.
Without any iota of disbelief, the problems like ethnic frenzy, unemployment and drug addiction are all baby boomers of the bad governance. To make any programme aiming at good governance more effective and meaningful, it is critical to address these problems. Given the host of underdevelopment factors both at the micro and macro level, a somewhat longer term initiative is required in creating a civil society that provide jobs, a decent standard of living and enhance efficiency at work.
Corruption in the area is comfortably growing, as the systems, procedures and laws are not good enough to net the plunders of wealth. The unprecedented growth of corruption has mostly led to the collapse of both private and public systems of work in every sphere of life, deepened poverty, enlarged difference between rich and poor and shattered social welfare in many countries. Economically speaking corruption is a cruel tax on investment. The higher is this tax, lower will be the investment. It also increases the prices of the goods and services as the producer pass on the kickbacks and over invoicing to the end users. Specially when the gusty clouds of hyperinflation hover and the sluggishness of the economy become visible in the shape of low output, low employment and low investment, corrupt practices prove even more fatal for the national economy.
Though population control is a key determinant of national security, peace and economic prosperity, unfortunately, the results of the population control programme in the region are not very promising. The prime cause is the lack of operating strategies to focus in tackling the issue in its totality. Considering illiteracy and early marriages as major causes of population increase, many developing countries are engaged in marketing of contraceptive and creation of mass awareness in favour of population control. They are not perceiving that, the problem is highly linked to law and order and farm income. Majority of the people in these areas reside in rural areas, and depend upon agriculture. As mostly, the law of jungle prevails; one is constrained to build up a huge family to diffuse the might of his enemies. It is the power rule that a person relying on one or two kids perishes quickly and automatically. Secondly, because the average income of the farmers is low, it pays to them to have more kids to create cost free labour.
Decentralisation is a powerful weapon to fight with the problem of governance. As real democracy has not yet taken the roots in the political spectrum of many countries, the problem of centralization persists which is giving birth to weaker system of check and balance at the local level and red-tapism. To overcome the problem, there must be a high degree of autonomy to the local governments to pool their resources and implement policies and programmes. Although the decentrlisation on a micro level has started, but it is not yielding substantial payoff since the authority and responsibility are not moving with the parallel wavelengths. As the authority and responsibility are twin and go side by side, the authority without responsibility or responsibility without authority becomes hollow. Secondly, decentralization is not seen in its totality. Often, the administrative powers are delegated but financial powers are kept centralized.
A very recent experience of the South East Asian countries is reflective of the fact that the financial and banking reforms are equally imperative for embarking upon the path of a durable economic highway.
Most of the developing countries plagued with mal-administration are heavily indebted and do not have viable financial institutions to augment saving and investment. It becomes therefore imperative for them to adopt a Debt Management Strategy and make changes in their banking sector so as to make it more investment friendly. The literature on management reveals two famous theories about management i.e. Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X (a rusty model) states that a worker is lazy by nature and s/he needs stick all the time to work. While theory Y which is based on human behavioral approach is based upon the motivational aspects. It states that the delivery of human work within the organizations is proportionate to the fulfillment of biological, love and belongingness, security, self-respect and self-esteemed needs. In a bid to command the general populace in a ruthless fashion, majority of the leaders in the developing world love to opt the former theory.
Again, the rules of the business that define the organization of government and departmental responsibility are outdated and rigid. The institutional structure in government is highly bureaucratic, and individuals are trained to adhere strictly to these procedures. Combined with the general low rates of remunerations, there is little incentive for flexibility or creativity.
Consumerism in the industrial nations arose with the industrial revolution. It is based upon the dictum that consumer is a king of the market. The producers over there make tedious efforts and undertake scientific research to deliver the services in accordance with the wishes and whims of the monarch i.e. client. But unfortunately, the philosophy of consumerism in the region has not landed. For introducing effective change in the governance of the private sector that targets at client's satisfaction the producers (both goods and services) have to start focusing upon consumer pleasure.
DO MIDDLEMEN EARN THEIR PROFITS?
By Stephen C. Miller
[Stephen Miller is a fellow at the James Buchanan Center for Political Economy, George Mason University. This article first appeared in http://www.fee.org on August 17, 2004, and is reproduced here with due permission from the author.]
Is trade wasteful? Wouldn't it be better to make everything for ourselves, and avoid the trouble and expense of shipping goods back and forth via planes, trains, and diesel trucks?
Those who criticize markets and trade typically view middlemen—shippers, packagers, assemblers, and retailers—as takers. The belief is that these people don't add value. They burn up fuel and time by shipping goods, occupy space, and take a cut of the price paid by consumers. They don't actually create anything new. They just take advantage of other peoples' laziness and ignorance to make a profit.
Let's consider the case of a particular middleman, Paul Teutul, Sr., owner of Orange County Choppers (OCC) in upstate New York. Paul, his sons, and other employees are the stars of the Discovery Channel hit show “American Chopper.” The reality show depicts Paul's company in its efforts to design and build custom motorcycles for customers, charity auctions, and bike-building competitions. The talent of the designers and fabricators, particularly Paul Teutul, Jr. (the owner's oldest son) is apparent and awe-inspiring. Anyone who watches the show regularly has seen Paul Jr. carefully sculpt a gas tank or fender from raw sheet metal, or has seen him turn his notepad sketches into organic, flowing vehicles.
But that's not how everyone sees it. Recently, at the International Motorcycle Show in Baltimore, I was in line at a concession stand when I overheard a man in a Harley-Davidson jacket tell his friend that OCC is nothing more than a middleman. The man didn’t seem to have a high opinion of the Teutuls’ work. He argued that all they do is buy parts and put them together—that they don't actually create anything new.
And he was right, at least in a sense. Orange County Choppers does not typically do all or even most of the fabrication on their motorcycles. It largely just designs and then builds bikes. But because that’s what the OCC people do, Paul has been able to build a successful business. By specializing in what he knows best—building one-of-a-kind custom motorcycles—Paul can offer something that his customers will line up for. A few short years ago, Paul was building motorcycles in his basement, one maybe every several months. Now, according to OCC’s website, the company builds several a week.
To do so, OCC must rely on several other companies, each with its own specialty. The Teutuls send drawings and discuss designs with the wheel builder, who then makes the wheels. They either buy a pre-made frame from a frame builder, or they provide design ideas before the frame is built. OCC workers start with pre-made motorcycle fenders and then add their own design touches to them. The engines are purchased from custom engine builders. The paint is done by contract, after the OCC designer discusses his ideas with the graphic artists at the paint shop. Once everything is assembled, torn down, painted, and reassembled, the bike is ready to go.
So is Paul just a middleman? Is he just adding to the cost of building custom bikes?
REDUCING COSTS
The truth is that middlemen don't add costs; they reduce them. If they didn't, no one would use them. Custom builders like the Teutuls can sell motorcycles because they reduce the costs for consumers who want them. They make unique, hand-built bikes available to people without a garage full of tools or the time and skill to use them.
For motorcycles like those built by OCC, specialists have emerged to provide nearly every individual motorcycle component. OCC's vendors specialize in paint, wheels, frames, handlebars, engines, and suspension. But those vendors buy from others who specialize in raw metal, paint supplies, tools, pistons, and connecting rods.
Isn’t it wasteful to have all of these middlemen, separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles, sending the same piece of metal back and forth, changing form only slightly with each trip? But without the middlemen, OCC probably wouldn’t be able to make any bikes at all for its customers—or if they did, they could only make one or two a year. What would be wasteful would be for Paul Teutul to have his own steel mill, tool factory, wheel shop, and paint booths to build a motorcycle. Without the middlemen what's wasted is effort and time, which are perhaps the scarcest resources of all.
A Letter-cum-Ad
FROM: Brock d'Avignon
Presider TRAADE
Thank You for your efforts. I look forward to a email version of your Aug 16th newsletter.
In our discussion of water/gas/oil pipelines runng north and south, I saw this article in the New York Times on how Russia does not have enough oil pipelines to export its wealth and use its position as the second largest oil producer in the world.
I recall that Benazir Bhutto's brothers, when she was a teenager, mentioned that her family had a few offshore oil leases off the coast of Pakistan. I do not know if any proceeds from those, or selling them helped them while they were refugees after their father had been killed, or whether she or her family still has them. However, it should have made her conscious of development along the coast and offshore of Pakistan when there is little or no such development.
As to harbor building and offshore shipping harbors to be built, I lead a group of scientists and engineers who can build offshore structures for one-third the current cost of such platforms. The group is called NICCO for New Island Creation Consortium. It works with two basic technologies:
1) artificial coral accrete which is a way to grow buildings out of oceanic minerals calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide by electrodeposition by direct current about 5 volts and 5 amps through a wire mesh, and in about 500 hours you have a waterproof wall;
2) since artificial coral accrete is a brittle building material and must be subject to all the compresion, torque, and tension that the ocean can throw at it, a physicist, mechanica engineer, and myself invented the Wroblewski-Scalisi-d'Avignon "pizzahedron" that is a new type of truss structure that interlocks and is an unlimited "mathemat" alowing free-form architecture while being incredibly rigid..
The most profitable uses for NICCOnaut technology by investment bankers have been evaluated as 300:1 return on investment on open cage fish farming which also includes everything from abalone to sea urchins. The Freedominium of New Pakistan floating on the ocean is another option. And of course oil and gas operations and platforms. Over the years we have gathered all sorts of allies in everything from floating drydock naval architects to makers of acrylic tourist submarines who need subpens for little old lady tourists. Instead of wasting money on a government navy that soaks up money, a maritime set of floating warhouse trading stations could be the most valuable future for Pakistan if of course, it develops three trade routes with transportation and oil/gas/water pipeline infrastructure.
Outside of the Taiwanese harbor building equipment and Japanese investors, there are other less well known allies for New Alternatives for Pakistan. For instance, there are now 900,000 Iranian-Americans in a commercial Yellow Pages phone directory that wouldn't mind helping on the north-south eastern border Freedom Road along the Iranian border to Kazakhstan and/or a second one Prosperity Road leading up through Georgia. These people are more of a mindset like the Pathan and have seen the brilliant peace that property title for their homes in America has given them. They are refugees from both Savak's tyranny and from Khomeini's ban on music. America is a land of survivors who like freedom and are sometimes willing to advance it in the old homelands. The musicians' sons and daughters who are engineers that I meet are interested and they all still speak Farsi. Like the Pathans these Iranian-Americans consider themselves neither Sunni nor Shiite, and also something modern and selectively delete the tyrannical parts of Islam much as the Pathans have done for centuries on an ideological basis not a petty corrupt basis. They are very honorable as a culture. The Baluchi people and their Pathan guests that have relocated near Gwadur are also groups that a good leader should form an alliance with to all build the Peace, prosperity, and Freedom Roads. Find that leader and I know the people that would like to do business with them structured for bringing every individual in the region into ownership of the infrastructure, not merely some collectivist corrupt politicians with their own set of self-interests that help no one but themselves. The energy of these young people in America is amazing, and some of it can be redirected north of Gwadur if you find that leader or leaders. Print this as an ad for that leader to apply to Alternative Solutions.
Good Health and Happiness to You in Freedom,
Brock d'Avignon
[Thank you!
Will print it as A Letter-cum-Ad in the next issue. The second attachment (15russ) could not be opened; can you please send it once again!
Regards,
K.A.]
FROM: Brock d'Avignon
The graphic was a chart that showed that Russian oil has superceded its high of exports in the early 1990's and has reached its maximum carrying capacity. The same is true of Kazakhstan who keeps shipping west across war torn areas and three bodies of water to get it to America. Its still the cheapest gasoline by a few pennies and popular. It could be even more popular if costs could be reduced by sending it south through the Dasht-i-Margo and would result in more profit for the region and lower costs for buyers worldwide. A conference of Pakistani, Baluchi, Afghan, and Pathan tribes' interests could be held in Gwadur to make the point of where the port of exit and entry would be with intelligent leadership in the construction of free-market transit corridors. Pakistan Alternative Solutions could get sponsors for such a conference more easily than most others on abstract ideas. This would be an opportunity to framework ideas into major action.
Brock d'Avignon
Letters to FreePakistan
You have my permission to use the article, and I admire FreePakistan's fine work to promote individual freedom.
Best wishes,
Stephen C. Miller
I just returned from my travels to China, new JG will be published there in October. I was especially happy to see your newsletter and the reviews of JG in Urdu. I couldn't access the site for Liberal Pakistan, but will try again later as I am just getting caught up on my summer email backlog. The other two reviews were disappointing in some ways, but interesting. Even a bad review is better than no review. At a later time, I'll try to answer their objections for your newsletter. I eagerly look forward to more reviews of all kinds. I'll soon be putting out a JG newsletter with news from you on this. This makes me all the more interested in a lecture trip to Pakistan if you would like. Perhaps mid-January, late March, or summer might work for you? With a letter of invitation from you I can apply to my school for funds for the trip. I'll see if I can combine this with some other editions of JG coming out in Farsi, Sinahala, Nepali, Bengali, and Hindi as well. Oh, and I would love to purchase a copy of the book "How to End All Wars Forever". Please tell me how to order.
Ken Schoolland
Thanks for publishing my letters "Poverty lords" and "Judicial poverty" in your esteemed letter. My article "The crises of governance in South Asia" got published in the daily News in 1999. If could publish this article in your newsletter, kindly inform me. The article is attached.
Javed Iqbal
Thanks for your prompt response. Sorry for not earlier attaching my article with the email. I am sending the article as under: Please let me know about its publication in your esteemed newsletter.
I would like to subscribe to the newsletter.
Thanks
Faithfully yours
Javed Iqbal
[Thank you!
As I see, you are a development economist, are you familiar with Peter Bauer's writings?
Will include your article in FreePakistan Newsletter # 34 September 1, 2004. Also, am adding your email address to our list.
Regards,
K. A.]
Thank you so much for providing a space to my article in your esteemed newsletter, and adding my email to your list.
Warm regards
Javed Iqbal
Thanks for sharing. I found Peter Bauer's writings quite informative and interesting. Subscribing to his ideas here goes my short published letter.
Regards
Javed Iqbal
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
[Javed Iqbal, Peshawar]
'Little else is required to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism than peace, easy taxes and a tolerable administration of justice.' Adam Smith's dictum tells us how to embark upon the highway of economic progress. The well-known Maslow Theory of human needs firmly establishes that the 'security need' is an important human need, second only in importance to biological ones. The management literature, replete with many empirical studies, validates that a person feeling insecure or in a constant state of fear is unlikely to work efficiently within an organization. No handy miracle is available to transform a country in to affluent one. Moreover, without peace and security, neither improved technology nor rich natural resources or potential markets can transform any country into safe haven.
Therefore, before entering the 21st century, we must realize that it is the widespread pace of looting and shooting that is posing the greatest challenge to our dreams of economic prosperity. And as the people do not want to be trapped in a perpetual state of fear, depression, injustice, and blackmailing anymore, it has become essential to devise a workable national reform agenda. And the first chapter of which should be 'peace for progress'. [The News International, 1999]
[The dichotomy is Security versus freedom; when we opt for security, we lose freedom; and when we prefer to be free, we create the security we need. You must have seen Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” So, I think what you want to emphasize is the Rule of Law. That should be the first chapter of ‘a workable national reform agenda.’ K. A.]
Thanks. Ya, that is true. Rule of law promotes security, peace, economic prosperity, social integration and human resource development.
I was astonished to read a statement by the Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister, wherein he said,
"In Singapore, we do not have any natural resource, the only resource which we have are our people".
How did they achieve economic prosperity and social cohesion? Perhaps through equitable application of law.
Javed Iqbal
Letters from the Press
ARMS FOR ALL
[Mohammad Habib Siddiqui, Karachi]
I have lived abroad for some years but have not experienced such lawlessness anywhere as in Karachi. Robberies in broad daylight, car jacking and robbing people of mobile phones at gunpoint have become a matter of daily occurrence, and our 'vigilant' police are no help. Being unarmed, the victims have to yield to the demands of the miscreants.
Arming of the public for self-defence has now become essential to defeat criminals, many of whom possess only dummy weapons to terrorize their victims. For some time it may create some problems, but then it is going to produce results. The relevant authorities may weigh the pros and cons of the suggestion in the interest of public safety and to check the crime rate. [Dawn]
INSECURITY!
[Mehreen Ali, Peshawar]
When we look around we find that our country is facing so many problems. There are socio-economic problems, health problems, political problems, financial impropriety but the gravest problem these days is the deteriorating law and order situation. Everyday in the newspaper we read stories about bomb explosions, killing of army men, sabotaging of state installations and even assassination of high profile functionaries.
In the process of coping with external pressure our country has made more enemies that pose a potent threat to Pakistan and has raised level of insecurity amongst people. When high government dignitaries are not safe, how can the common man expect security from the present administration? If the present set-up cannot maintain law and order, can common citizens expect development? [The News]
LAW AND ORDER SITUATION
[Aziz Narejo]
The people are facing a law and order breakdown in the country. They are not safe in villages, in towns and cities, on roads and streets and not even inside their homes anymore.
Villagers face dacoits, kidnappers, criminals, rapists and the brute forces of feudalism that don't allow the poor people to even breathe easily if they fail to say "Salam Wadera Saaeen" almost every day (Here one can replace 'wadera' for chaudhry, khan, raees, sardar or nawab depending on the area where one lives).
The situation is not any better in the urban areas, where, besides common criminals, car jackers, kidnappers, rapists, thieves, etc., we also have another breed of outlaws: terrorists and extortionists. They operate on their own or have the blessings of some political groups and militant organizations, which get their share from the bounty very regularly.
It is understood that more than one political or other groups harbour criminal elements that are involved in heinous crimes. A number of complaints of terrorism, extortions and "bhatta khori" by individuals and groups surface in the press every now and then, but mostly they are muzzled as powerful groups behind such acts don't hesitate to show their muscle.
It is feared that things may worsen with the passage of a recent bill in the National Assembly aimed at further curbing and curtailing freedom of expression. The only people who would be happy are some of the political and military leadership and civil and military bureaucrats, militant organizations, political and criminal mafias, land grabbers, builders, contractors, violators of human rights, feudals and the like elements as there won't be an effective check on them anymore.
The question here is: what should be the role of the civil society to face the situation and how to devise ways and means to impress upon the government to bring to law such elements and provide security to the citizens so that they can live a peaceful life without any fear? This is an important and urgent matter. The life, liberty and freedom of the people are at stake. It will be all of us, the ordinary citizens of the country, who will continue to suffer if we remain silent. [Dawn]
REAL PROBLEMS
[Muhammad Ilyas, Rawalpindi]
Recently, on the eve of Independence Day, our president declared terrorism as Pakistan’s challenge No 1. I beg to differ. Terrorism is being promoted through unemployment, poverty and lack of education. People, due to their poverty, extremely low standard of living and almost nil prospect of improvement, are hired to undertake terrorist activities. Poor education also plays a role. Full employment, rising standard of living and modern education will prevent people from being attracted towards terrorism. On the other hand, control of terrorism by the use of force is extremely difficult and often counter-productive.
It is unfortunate that instead of trying to resolve economic problems of the poorest province, Balochistan, three cantonments are going to be added over there. Unless we recognise the real problems and attempt to find solutions, we shall remain one of the poorest, illiterate countries without potable water. [The News]
PAK CINEMA
[Riaz, USA]
I enjoyed Lubna Jerar Naqvi’s article ‘Pak Cinema’s bleak future’ in The News August 28. Entertainment is a bad, dirty and obscene word for Muslims that is why they don’t even smile and always look angry and unhappy. Whereas, when you see a Westerner who, without even knowing you, will give you a smile. Pak Film industry has been devastated due to ban imposed on Indian films. Middle Class, which is the back bone of nation building, is deprived of basic amenities, which is entertainment, parks, public transport, public places where you can go with your families but unfortunately nothing of that sort exists in Pakistan. Let’s assume for a minute that this was going on, let them have some fun in a stressed city like Karachi, where death is following you everywhere. [The News]
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
[Babushka Nabokov, Lahore]
While I read with regret that up to eight youths had died during Independence Day celebrations due to reckless motorbike stunts, I can only say that I’m surprised the number wasn’t higher.
I was driving along Main Boulevard on Saturday evening, with a female friend. We were the only two people in the car. As we neared Macdonald’s, we suddenly found ourselves blocked in by several cars and numerous motorbikes. There were about 50 men surrounding our car, hitting the windows, making lewd gestures and generally shouting at us. To say that we were shaken is an understatement. The police were nowhere to be seen at this point, as they were only stationed at the main intersections along the boulevard.
I have never experienced anything like it. While most of the offenders were youths, some were middle-aged men who were out with their sons. How would these men have felt had it been their sisters, daughters or mothers trapped in the car?
This was my first Independence Day in Pakistan. But what kind of independence were we celebrating when women are still subjected to such ordeals? I cannot express the extent of my anger and disappointment at the behaviour of such men. It is their actions that taint the image of Pakistan. It sickens me to think that these same men take it upon themselves to attack female members of their family if they feel they have risked the family’s honour.
I suggest that for next year, the government impose a curfew on all men — thus making it a women only day of celebration. Freedom from male harassment would truly be something to celebrate. [Daily Times]
ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
[Ali Akhtar, Lahore]
Our young bike freak generation really makes you ask the question as to what good is in taking your own life. Fuel to fire on our Independence Day, the day we celebrate our liberty not liberty from life although many were martyred in their journey to land of Pakistan. But this doesn’t mean that one should ask a death angel to open his arms as wide as he can on this precious day.
I would like to pose a question to parents. Do they know what virtually is going on in the mind of their kids? Parents should behave like friends in order to understand and communicate properly with their bike-rider kids as well as other responsible yet naughty children.
Alas! They won’t understand unless realisation comes within us. One could surely hope that it may not take much time. [The News]
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
[Mohammad Fayyaz, Charsadda]
It was devastating to read that eight youths died during Independence Day celebrations when they took it upon themselves to ride their motorbikes on one wheel.
However, this tragedy indicates the failure of the city’s law-enforcing agencies. Since many motorcyclists remove the silencers on their bike especially for Independence Day, perhaps the police should have arrested those who had done so. This step could have saved lives.
Perhaps our youth now regards Independence Day as an opportunity to breach laws without punishment.
Nevertheless, the parents of those who decided to do one-wheelers should also bear some burden of responsibility. The heavy traffic alone should have made them keep their sons at home.
But it seems that parents no longer have a positive input regarding the character development of their children. Or maybe today’s generation takes its lead from irresponsible parents. Or perhaps parents tend to spoil their children too much, giving in to every caprice.
So while we commiserate with the bereaved families, we also hope that it will serve as a lesson for all parents as well as the law-enforcing agencies throughout the country. Sadly, this Independence Day will be remembered for the wrong reasons. [Daily Times]
MADNESS ON THE ROAD
[Aijaz Mangi, Lahore]
About 15 youngsters lost their lives while performing acrobatic activities on motorcycles on Independence Day in Lahore. This happened when over-exuberant youngsters invaded the city in groups performing one-wheeling and other acts on vehicles.
Celebrating Independence Day is our right, but the so-called joyriding is nothing but deliberately courting death. The practice is fast spreading in Lahore in particular and in all other big cities of Pakistan in general and surprisingly no measures have been taken to stop this madness on the roads.
Those who have left this world as a result of the tragedy have left behind sad memories for their near and dear ones. It is the responsibility of young people to avoid becoming a source of grief for their families and friends.
Beyond this, it is the country that suffers as it desperately needs the services of our youth. The government should also take drastic measures to stop this mode of enjoyment. [Dawn]
I AM ANGRY
[Ali Akhtar, Lahore]
The fury within ourselves that what this Pakistan is all about, the people, the kind of behaviour on roads, no traffic rules really infuriates me but still one has to calm down and say, "This is what independence in Pakistan means". [The News]
OFFICIAL INFORMATION LAW
[S. M. F. Hasan, Lahore]
Certain amendments are being made by the Government in the Pakistan Penal Code to award exemplary punishment to the offender in cases of defamation. As this measure affects freedom of the Press, newspaper owners and journalists are opposing these changes.
While malicious libel against a person, particularly to blackmail him cannot be defended under the plea of freedom of Press, much more heinous in nature is the fabricated and false information deliberately paraded on important public issues by functionaries of the state. Defamation may be damaging to an individual or his family. But prevaricated information sprayed by the government to conceal facts of vital importance may prove catastrophic for the entire country, as soporific statements tend to transform the people into a nation of lotus-eaters.
An elaborate legislation to bind the government to avoid propaganda and to provide only accurate and uncooked information to the Press and the people is urgently necessary. The new law may entitle any citizen to challenge the veracity of official information and if his allegations are proved, exemplary punishment, including imprisonment, may be imposed on the person furnishing the false information. It will be in the best interests of both the ruling and opposition parties to frame such law, as it would ensure sifting of the fact from fable. [The News]
PAKISTAN’S COURTIER CULTURE
[Riaz Choudary, New Jersey, USA]
Sir: Both the Mogul era and the monarchies of pre-eighteenth century Europe were known for their employment of courtiers and court jesters. The sole purpose of these courtiers was to shower praise on the rulers and facilitate the feeding of their debauched desires.
For the most part, the West has managed to eradicate this cancer. This has been achieved by the emergence of democratic rule, literacy and progress in science and technology as well as freedom of expression and the restoration of dignity and human rights. However we in Pakistan are still prey to the terminal disease of flattery. It is eroding the moral fibre of our society.
Our rulers, ministers, senior bureaucrats and corporate CEOs all suffer from this disease because they know that only those who excel in the art of flattery can get ahead in life. They know that merit has no value in Pakistan today. Thus, semi-literate columnists who indulge in flattering the powers that be can easily make a fortune while those who offer a moral and principled voice of dissent barely survive on their meagre wage.
It seems that the more autocratic the regime, the greater the need for surrounding oneself with ‘yes men’. But the dictators who rule us through the ‘barrel of a gun’ must realise that they are keeping our country firmly stuck in the dark ages. Meanwhile, the rest of the world moves on.
If Pakistan is to survive as a modern nation state, democracy and the rule of law must be restored immediately. We need to promote science and technology by ensuring that professionals have their rightful share of top-level appointments. This courtier culture is preventing us from taking our place in a competitive world. [Daily Times]
PREMIUM ON CARS
[Lt-Col (Retd) Irfan Haider, Karachi]
It is unfortunate that premiums are still being charged for deliveries of new vehicles. The government should allow the import of second-hand reconditioned vehicles. Manufacturers should not be allowed to sell vehicles directly to dealers because this is where the problem occurs. Moreover, car prices need to reduce further. [Dawn]
CAR FLEECING
[Bushra Syed, Islamabad]
It seems that the present government is unwilling to check the unjust hike in car prices.
The price of locally assembled Toyota Corolla and Curore cars has been arbitrarily increased by Rs 20, 000. The manufacturers of Honda have also announced an imminent increase in price, making it the second in one year.
When the 2004-2005 federal budget was unveiled, it was announced that the federal cabinet had approved the import of reconditioned cars and the cutting of duties on all new cars. However, a general order was issued in June of this year that reversed this decision.
As a result, the car industry now has its own thriving black market, with premiums shooting up to Rs 240, 000. And anyone booking a new car today will have to wait at least six months for delivery and that too will come at an inflated price. It is high time that the government took action to protect customers against this constant fleecing at the hands of car manufacturers. [Daily Times]
PTCL AD CAMPAIGN
[S. M. Farid, Karachi]
The PTCL has flooded the media with advertisements regarding a reduction in ISD charges and across-the-board fixation at the rate of Rs20 per minute. The first impression that we get is that we have to pay Rs20 a minute for an overseas call. It is only by turning the paper 90 degrees that we can read in fine print that sales tax is excluded from the tariff displayed.
This has created problems for public call service providers where stray users come and insist on paying Rs20 per minute. When they are confronted with the fine print, they are reluctant to accept the extra payment. The PTCL is requested to conspicuously mention sales tax in its ads so as not to cause any misunderstanding. [DAwn]
CHECKING BY KESC
[Ahmed Siddiqui, Karachi]
Through these columns I wish to bring a serious problem to the notice of the relevant authorities in the hope that immediate steps will be taken to find a solution. This would put an end to the harassment being caused to consumers by the KESC.
Every other day a KESC inspector knocks at the doors of electricity consumers to check whether the meter is functioning properly. Why doesn't the KESC, under a crash programme, replace the old meters with new ones? It should also shift meters outside the houses at its own cost. The KESC would earn more revenue, besides saving the consumers from periodic harassment.
The KESC, under army control, has added more to the woes of its consumers rather than solve their problems by being consumer-friendly. I am sure its revenue will increase many times if it manages an unhampered supply of electricity. It will not, under such circumstances, have to go for witch-hunts. [Dawn]
ELECTRICITY CONNECTIONS
Muhammad Hussain, Karachi
More than 100 applications for new electricity connections have been pending for four years at the KESC office in New Karachi's 11-G Sector. Will the relevant authorities look into this matter and ensure that the applicants do not have to wait for connections any longer? [Dawn]
SCHOOL BAGS, BENT BACKS
[Afshan Zia, Karachi]
School has now been stamped as a place where children are seen with heavy bags, which bents the backs. In fact, they seem to be like the labourers who have bricks on their shoulders. This spectacle makes me feel empathy for children.
This is a moment for us to contemplate the need for lessening the weight of the school bags. Though this is not an issue that requires Prime Minister’s involvement; but, in the tenure of Nawaz Sharif, this matter was brought up to him due to the indifferent attitude shown by the ministry of education. Unfortunately — regardless of the hollering of the children and parents — after 4 long years, no task force has been set up to formulate and implement the needed vision for reducing the weight of the bags.
I would request the federal and provincial authorities to highlight this compelling problem and constitute a task force, a committee and a forum, in which this problem should be negotiated and solved. Moreover, media should also play its significant and major role in emancipating the ingenuous children from the witch that clings to their shoulders. [The News]
FreePakistan News-Briefs
DE-REGULATION BRINGS THE PRICES DOWN
The Chief Executive Officer of WiseCom that has been awarded a Long Distance and International fixed telephone license by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has said that with the de-regulation of telecom sector the long distance and international call rates would come down by 40 to 50 %.
PTA TO PENALIZE INEFFICIENT CELL PHONE FIRMS
The Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, has said that a survey to adjudge the performance of cellular phone companies would be completed by the end of September 2004 and those failing to satisfy their customers would be taken to task. Besides, they will be deprived of guarantee money.
TELECOM FIRM SEEKS JUSTICE AGAINST PTA
A leading mobile phone company, Paktel, hit by what it says Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s inconsistent policies, is now seeking justice from the Supreme Court. The spokesman for the company said that the inconsistent policies of PTA had in general squeezed the foreign investment causing huge loss to Pakistan.
CONSUMERS CUT POWER USE
The industrial, agricultural and commercial consumers have decreased the use of electricity by 5.682 %, 9.280 %, and 0.314 % respectively during the last 14 years. Figures collected by The News revealed that the domestic users however have increased using electricity by 8.361 % during the period. Talking about the reduction of electricity consumption, a senior WAPDA official said that a number of industrial consumers had started self-generation due to costly electricity; same is the case with the agricultural consumers as high cost of electricity had forced them to use diesel generators for their tube-wells.
FULL SUPPORT PROMISED TO LOCAL AUTO INDUSTRY
The Federal Minister for Commerce has promised full support to the auto parts manufacturers should they come out with a valid and feasible ‘tariff based strategy’ to replace the existing deletion program.
TWO SITTING FEDERAL MINISTERS BEHIND CAR PRICE HIKE
Noisy scenes were witnessed in the National Assembly on August 24, 2004 during heated debate on continuous rise in the prices of cars when opposition benches accused two sitting federal ministers of taking bribes from owners of locally assemble units.
CRIMES UP, INVESTMENTS DOWN
According to the correspondent of The News, a deep sense of insecurity has gripped the sales force of various multinational and national companies as the sharp increase in crimes against property poses serious threats to the foreign and local investments in Lahore, the provincial capital.
CRIME AGAINST PERSONS ON THE RISE
The crime against persons registered a marked increase in Lahore during the first seven months of 2004. The data obtained by The News reveals that around 7,167 cases of crime against persons were reported during the period, while 1,894 cases were reported during the first six months of 2003.
WORSENING LAW AND ORDER SITUATION
The citizens of Lahore, provincial metropolis, have been virtually made hostage by the criminal playing havoc with the lives and property of citizens in day-light robberies and dacoities on roads, houses and at their work-places during the first seven months of 2004.
POLICE MORE CORRUPT, LESS GOVERNABLE
Some leading international financial institutions in a joint study have said that the police reforms have brought more miseries for the people but made police less governable and increasingly corrupt. In their latest study presented to the government of Pakistan last month, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Department for International Development have feared that the police reforms are in serious danger of being perceived as just contrary to what they had promised.
FAILURE OF LOCAL BODIES SYSTEM FEARED
The international donors who have been supporting the devolution plan have feared that the scheme might fail short of completion and the present hybrid arrangements – part new, part old – would become permanent.
ALLOCATION OF ADB LOAN QUESTIONED
Last week the treasury benches during the question hour in the National Assembly questioned the allocation of a billion rupees from $ 350 million Asian Development Bank loan for construction of structures of bricks and concrete if the processes for dispensation of justice could not be improved by those who were using these massive sums of loan. The troubling question was raised by the ruling party MP for which the government had no answer.
BANKS TO STOP MONEY-LAUNDERING
Banks have prepared five guidelines to stop money-laundering through the sale and purchase of shares. These guidelines have been developed to check money-laundering through sale-purchase of shares because so far this sector of national economy has not been scrutinized to stop the circulation of un-taxed money by investing in share business.
MFN STATUS FOR INDIA
According to the Federal Commerce Secretary, the government is considering grant of most favorite nation status to India but so far no decision has been taken in this regard.
PRIVATE SECTOR CAN HELP END POVERTY
Dr. Hafeez Pasha, Assistant Secretary General, United Nations Development Program has said that the Secretary General of the United Nations believes that the private sector business community can banish poverty from the world.
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MAY SHIFT STAKES ABROAD
The dejected stake-holders of housing and construction industry are considering shifting their major stakes abroad – most probably to Dubai. The Chairman, Association of Builders and Developers has said that nagging bureaucratic hurdles in the Sindh government had impeded the growth of the housing and construction industry.
PAKISTAN UNLIKELY TO MEET INFLATION TARGET
The Asian Development Bank has said that Pakistan is unlikely to keep inflation at a target of 5 % in the current fiscal year to June 30, 2005, and its exchange rate is also likely to come under pressure.
POOR MISSING FROM ECONOMIC GAINS
The United States would closely monitor the fiscal policies of Pakistan under its new premier Shaukat Aziz with the hope that the country’s “deprived folks do not fall further down the crucial poverty line.”
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Edited and prepared by
Khalil Ahmad
Email: khalil =at= asinstitute.org
khalilkf =at= yahoo.com
[No opinion expressed here should necessarily be taken as reflecting the view of FreePakistan Newsletter.]
