Operation clean up in SECP on cards

Operation clean up in SECP on cards

Islamabad: Dated April 30^th

Acting Commissioner Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has decided to launch an operation cleanup in the financial regulator.

The decision has been taken after the institution faced questions regarding its reputation due to highly controversial steps taken by the former chairman SECP who was recently relieved by the Supreme Court, sources said.

The former chairman appointed dozens of officials to please certain lobbies, the sources said adding that eight directors against three hundred thousand salary per month.

Similarly, many consultants were hired which increased salary bill of SECP by ten million per month.

According to a statement posted on the website of Pakistan Media Group, the former chairman took unjustified actions against companies which were considered against his former boss Aqil Karim Deedhi.

In collusion with a major insurance company, the former chairman not only shifted Insurance Division to Karachi but appointed their nominee as Insurance Commissioner.

The decision not only resulted increased expenditure but harassment of thirty five small insurance companies to grab their business. Some of the small companies are considering to close businesses, insiders informed.

An official of the Insurance Division has opened an agency in an insurance company in the name of his wife to get commission worth tens of millions.

Why a specific division is working in Karachi when rest of the divisions in the financial regulator can discharge duties from Islamabad, sources questioned.

Pakistan’s corporate sector will never progress and masses deprived of their lifetime earnings in artificial market crash will never get justice unless SECP is cleared of corrupt elements.

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Pakistani youth astonishing world through their skills

Education and economic prosperity linked together

Pakistani youth astonishing world through their skills

Islamabad: April 24

Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir of Wednesday said quality education and economic prosperity are linked together.

Education system plays most important role in rise and fall of nations as it is related to the overall economic performance, he said.

Secretary IT said this which talking to Vice Chairman of PakTurk Schools Turgut Puyan. Waleed Bashir, a class ninth student from Balochistan who bagged gold medal in a competition in Kazakhstan and others were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir said that those who are promoting quality education in Pakistan are our best friends as it is linked to sustainable development of economy and the society.

He said that innovation of Bashir could trigger green revolution in the country therefore he will be provided all necessary encouragement by the government.

Pakistani youth are highly blessed as they have surprised the world repeatedly, especially in the field of IT, the government official remarked.

Mr. Qadir said that we could not afford to ignore education in this era of globalisation and competition where all countries are bringing trade barriers down.

Economically successful countries will hold competitive and comparative advantages over other economies and he hope that Pakistan will be among one of the leading economic powers in the global marketplace, he said.

The Secretary said that Turkey are tied in religious and cultural bonds while PakTurk has strengthening bilateral relations by promoting affordable quality education in Pakistan.

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Former Chairman SECP defamed the regulator, pushed it to the brink

Former Chairman SECP defamed the regulator, pushed it to the brink

Supreme Court asked to investigate wrongdoing, undo objectionable decisions

Investment climate to remain gloomy if regulator remained controversial

Islamabad April 23

Farida Rashid, President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Tuesday said that former Chairman of SECP defamed the regulator and pushed it to the brink.

Hundreds of people were enrolled against hefty salaries disregarding rules while broker mafia was not only promoted but investigation in the stock market crash in which masses lost billions were hushed up.

Over the years, the financial regulator continued to play on the tune of influential brokers who managed to established banks with the help of stolen funds, she said in a statement.

Farida Rashid said that the close aides of former chairman are still active in the SECP that include an official involved in Rs 82 billion Ogra scam, a commissioner who worked in two insurance companies but made it to the office illegally and a dismissed official.

She said that dismissal of the former chairman is not sufficient unless his wrongdoings are probed and steps undone.

Insiders say that former chairman is now advising powerful broker mafia so that one of his trusted people can become acting chairman who will ignore wrongdoings and protect the mafia, she said.

Such an appointment will ensure that the true report of the stock market crash never see light of the day, she added.

She said that the stock mafia is so much influential that it has barred finance ministry from issuing notification of appointment of a senior commissioner as acting chairman despite approval by the Prime Minister.

Farida Rashid said that Supreme Court while dismissing former chairman observed that SECP should have a chairman as soon as possible and that the method of appointments of commissioners from the private sector be made transparent.

However, both the directives are not acceptable to a Karachi based mafia, she said.

It may be mentioned that the mafia within SECP has been harassing business community and extorting benefits from the fragile insurance sector.

Restoring credibility and integrity of the financial regulator remains a challenge otherwise investment climate in Pakistan will remain gloomy, she warned.

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Effective gas-based electricity generation plants should not sit idle

Business community supports govt decision to fuel efficient power plants

Effective gas-based electricity generation plants should not sit idle

Step to boost supply, reduce loadshedding, relieve masses

Islamabad: April 21

Business community supports the decision of the government to provide natural gas to efficient power plants to boost output and reduce loadshedding, a businessman said Sunday.

The move of the caretaker government to revisit priority list for provision of natural gas to different sectors will go a long way in providing relief to masses, said Mian Shahid, CEO of Saudi Pak Insurance Company.

He said that many efficient state-run power plants and IPPs are sitting idle since long while inefficient private power plants consuming natural gas in bulk quantity continued to enjoy supply which has taken toll on economy.

Mian Shahid said that some privately owned power plants produced just three megawatts of electricity while eating up a million cubic feet of gas per day while power plants that can produce five to six megawatts of electricity with the same volume of gas were ignored.

Efficient use of gas in the power sector could reduce load shedding by four hours a day and save gas worth Rs 70 billion annually.

Mian Shahid said that SNGPL is providing 300 million cubic feet of gas per day to private power plants while SSGC has been supplying around 200 million cubic feet of gas per day private companies which can be used efficiently.

The total gas production stands at 4.3 billion cubic feet per day against demand of 6 billion cubic feet per day and ensuring merit in distribution will produce more power at cheaper rates.

Additional availability of gas to efficient power utilities or IPPs means higher power generation at cheaper rates to reduce load shedding and trigger new investments.

He said that gas availability for power sector has been rising by two per cent per annum and annual demand is growing by five per cent.

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Smart meters can help reduce loadshedding and cost, contain theft, ensure profit

Remote meter reading can address issue of loadshedding

Electricity, gas companies asked to adopt smart metering technology

Smart meters can help reduce loadshedding and cost, contain theft, ensure profit

Islamabad: Dated: April 21

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday asked electricity and gas companies to consider adopting smart meter technology to discourage wastage, reduce loadshedding and operational costs and ensure profit.

Smart meters send electronic meter readings to energy supplier automatically through an in-built SIM card to settle the issue of estimated bills or over or under-paying, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Speaking to business community, she said that smart meters could mean lower electricity and gas bills; and more efficient operations by distribution companies.

Smart meters will eliminate the need of meter readers while the energy companies will have a more accurate picture of the situation which can help proper planning, she said.

These devices could also lead to the innovative energy tariffs and plans tailored to fit lifestyle and energy usage of individuals.

Farida Rashid said that power and gas companies are bleeding to death due to corruption, rampant theft, unaddressed technical problems and political interference which is bringing the country down.

China, India, UK, Brazil and many other countries are curbing theft through smart metering but our bureaucracy fear losing share from lineman’s corruption without realising that Pakistan cannot withstand 40 per cent electricity theft and 16v per cent gas pilferage, she said.

In Mumbai, India’s most populated city with 13 million residents, smart meters have helped cut water losses by half from 700 million litres per day to 350 million litres, she informed.

Despite promises of successive governments, energy woes are strangulating the country while politicians continue to claim to overcome outages without giving an implementable plan, remarked Farida Rashid

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Development denied

The United Nations Development Programme recently issued its flagship publication, the Human Development Report 2013. Pakistan has been grouped in the Low Human Development category, ranking 146 out of 186 countries — the position shared by Bangladesh and outshined by most of the other Saarc countries. 

The country registered zero growth on the Human Development Index compared with last year and relegated by only one rung between 2007 and 2012. Pakistan’s performance on key indicators merits serious introspection.

 

In the maternal mortality ratio category, Pakistan depicts a dismal picture as the number of dying mothers, 260 per 100,000 live births, is highest in the region, except for Afghanistan which has 460 deaths per 100,000 live births. Sri Lanka has the lowest number — 35.

For infant mortality rate, the country ranks the highest in the region. Out of every 1,000 live births, 70 infants die. Even the Congo has a lower number of such deaths — 61. Other Saarc countries have better records.

With regard to female populations with secondary education, Pakistan has only 18.3 per cent of women at or above 25 years of age with a secondary education. This is far better than Afghanistan’s 5.8 per cent but considerably behind India (26.6) and Sri Lanka (72.6).

In female labour force participation, all countries — except Nepal — have better female participation than Pakistan, with it being a mere 22.7 per cent. Bhutan has an impressive 65.8 per cent.

Regarding the percentage of population in severe poverty, this makes up 27.4 per cent of Pakistan’s population; slightly better than India with 28.6 per cent, yet far higher than Nepal’s 20.8, Bangladesh’s 8.5, Bhutan’s 5.8 and the Maldives’ only 0.3 per cent. Severe poverty has cascading implications that impair performance on other human development indicators.

With regard to social sector spending, Pakistan has a stingy spending record on health and education, which corroborates its lack of political will to improve human development indicators. Both key pillars of human development receive crumbs of the budget allocations.

Pakistan spends only 0.6 per cent of GDP on health, which is even dwarfed by highly unstable Afghanistan with 3.9 per cent. Bhutan spends the highest on health in the region — 5.3 per cent. Even the Congo spends twice as much on health — 1.2 per cent. Ethiopia (2.3), Yemen (1.4), Rwanda (1.7), Sudan (2.8) and Nigeria (1.6) deride our image in the international community. 

Likewise, Pakistan spends only 2.4 per cent of its GDP on education, which is significantly lower than 5.8 per cent of Bhutan and 4.7 per cent of Nepal. The Congo appends 6.2 per cent on this account.

In the category of military spending, Pakistan has the highest in the region after Sri Lanka, 2.8 and three per cent of GDP, respectively. Juxtaposing military spending with the social sector speaks volumes about Pakistan’s misplaced priorities, which leave a large part of society ill and illiterate.

Finally, allotment of seat for women in parliament (per hundred seats) is the only indicator that assuages the country’s sheepish rankings. Pakistan has the second highest percentage of female parliament members in the region (19.7 per cent) and is followed by Afghanistan with 22.7 per cent. Proudly, it is much higher than India’s 10.9 per cent.

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APCNGA Demands Independent Probe In Captive Power Scam

CNG operators faced cases, braved forced closure outlets for speaking truth

NAB’s move supported, APCNGA’s stance on artificial gas crisis, liquid gas import, enhanced oil import bill proved correct

Former petroleum minister defamed CNG sector to profit owners of captive power plants

Gas distribution formula altered many times for personal welfare, CNG, fertiliser and general industry pushed to brink

Ministries, departments repeatedly recommended stopping supply to captive power plants but to no avail

Dated April 18

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said that former government didn’t listened to our recommendations otherwise country would not have suffered from energy crisis.

Domestic consumer would not have braved low gas pressure while CNG, fertiliser and general industry would have been getting gas for five days a week, it said.

We still have time to save country and safeguard investments in the CNG sector, said Abid Hayat, Chairman APCNGA. Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA, Chairman Punjab Captain (Retd) Shuja, Chairman Balochistan brig. (Retd) Iftikhar, Chairman Potohar Ashar Haleem and others were also present on the occasion.

Abid Hayat said that we were panelised for speaking truth, fake cases were registered against many CNG operators, notices were served and many outlets were forcibly closed.

Demanding independent probe in the captive power scam, he said that the policy of providing subsidised gas to 113 influential owners of private power plants took tool on country, economy and masses.

Unjust gas distribution inflicted untold miseries on 180 million masses, left thousands on industries closed, millions lost jobs and triggered brain drain, flight of capital exodus of industry, he said.

Moves of influential politicians aimed at personal welfare devalued currency, pushed up oil import bill and forced the government to carry begging bowl for the sake of survival, he said.

Lauding the move of NAB to probe captive power scam, Hayat said that the development proved beyond any dint of doubt that APCNGA’s stance on unjust gas distribution, increase in oil import bill and failure in introducing liquid gases was true.

He said that many ministries and departments repeatedly objected on provision of natural gas to captive power plants which was against the national interests but all the vital recommendations fell on deaf years.

All those who pushed country into darkness for personal benefit should be held accountable and money to the tune of trillions should be recovered from the culprits.

Speaking at the occasion, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that those terming captive power plants state-of-the-art are misguiding masses. These plants have efficiency level of around 18 per cent and wasting 454 mmcf gas.

Disconnecting gas to private power plants and provision to efficient power houses would have increased power generation by 2.5 thousand megawatt reducing load shedding to a great extent, he said.

Owners of captive power plants are making electricity at the cost of Rs 5 per unit and selling it at Rs 18 per unit in connivance of the government officials, he informed.

Lauding the move of NAB, he hoped that it will give direction to the power sector and ensure just distribution among all sectors including CNG, fertiliser and other industries.

Captain Shuja said that CNG stations was deprived of gas for two months in Punjab and gas provision priority list was changed frequently which was worst exploitation of the masses.

Brig. Iftikhar said that CNG sector has been operating on 100 per cent efficiency while  paying highest tariff of Rs 656 while captive power plants are operating at an average of 18 per cent efficiency and paying Rs 486 as tariff.

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Iran gas can only reduce natural gas demand-supply gap

Political parties misguiding masses on energy issue: Punjab Forum

Iran gas can only reduce natural gas demand-supply gap

Ending crisis need mega hydel projects: Baig Raj

Dated: April 17

The Punjab Forum on Wednesday said political parties are misguiding masses on the issue of energy crisis as none has the will and capability to resolve the issue which has compromised the economic growth and left millions jobless.

All the political parties have been using popular issue of the energy scarcity without including Kalabagh dam (KBD) in their manifesto which amounts to deceiving masses for the sake of votes, said Baig Raj, President Punjab Forum.

Contrary to the common notion, gas from Iran or Turkmenistan will not resolve the energy crisis but reduce gas deficit to some extent, he said.

The fact remains that energy crisis can only be resolved through construction of mega dams for which KBD is the best site in Pakistan that is also supported by all the international lenders, he said.

Baig Raj criticised former president Musharraf for promising construction of KBD saying that former dictator exploited Pakistanis twice on the issue without moving an inch in the right direction.

He said that Punjab was deprived of its just share in energy distribution during the last five years which has crippled the industry and led to record unemployment.

The former government made Punjab to brave 83 per cent of the national power deficit while gas shortfall was intentionally pushed up by 500 per cent.

The 18th Amendment is contrary to the national interests, which gives gas producing province priority over other provinces irrespective of the ground realities like consumption, taxes, industrialisation and share in the national GDP, he added.

Baig Raj said that reduction of gas to Punjab badly affected the generation capacity of state-run power plants and IPPs which dipped power generation by 14 per cent.

Industries and CNG stations remained closed in Punjab while other provinces enjoyed better supply of natural gas whereas provincial government failed to safeguard the interests of the people of Punjab.

All the parliamentarians from the PML-N voted unanimously to pass the 18th amendment which makes them equally responsible for playing havoc with the province.

Industry in Punjab was forced to shut down for nearly 170 days a year while textile sector is still operating at only 60 per cent of the capacity resulting in loss of millions of jobs.

PPP-led coalition continued to strangulate Punjab while the provincial government failed to generate a single megawatt of electricity in last five years which is criminal, said Baig Raj.

Politicians are pushing country into Stone Age by promising resolution of energy crisis without dams vital for Pakistan’s survival, he said.

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One Day Provincial Stakeholders Consultation on Policies and Legislation for HBWs

One Day Provincial Stakeholders Consultation on Policies and Legislation for HBWs

PR(Lahore, 16^th, April,13) One Day Stakeholders Consultation on Policies and legislation for Home Based Workers was held under the aegis of HomeNet Pakistan here today in Provincial Metropolis.

The consultation was addressed by Dr Qais Aslam, Economist, Iftikhar Randhawa, Chairman Employers Federation, Khursheed Ahmed, General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation, Ch Yaqoob, Pakistan Workers Federation and Trade Union Activist, Rubina Jamil President Pakistan Workers Confederation , Niaz Khan General Secretary National Trade union Federation Punjab , Yousaf Baloch Chairman Central NTUF, Hanif Ramay Mutahida Labour Federation (MLF), Khalid Mehmood, President Labour Education Foundation. The consultation was attended by the trade unions and confederation representatives, government officials, home base workers leaders, and civil society representatives.

Ume Laila Executive director HomeNet Pakistan highlighted the present situation of the HBWs policy in Punjab. She urged the need of building consensus and coalitions for ensuring the implementation of HBWs policy in Province. She highlighted the role of the national trade unions and confederations in organizing the HBWs and brining them to the safety nets.

Dr Qais Aslam on this occasion explained the current economic condition and highlighted the role of Home Based workers in informal economy. He suggested that when the industrialist could reform the role of middleman by adopting different strategies of combining retailing and selling point the same way there should be the way to eliminate the role of middleman.

Mr Iftikhar Randhwa Chairman Pakistan Employers Federation appreciated the efforts for HBWs in Punjab. He stressed the need to adopt economic viability approach for addressing the needs and issues of HBWs by providing them access to knowledge, skill development and equal opportunities. He also applauded the role played by Department of Labour and Human resource Punjab during the finalization of the HBWs policy. He highlighted the need to bring the 65% HBWs under the social safety nets.

Khurshid Ahmad, President, Pakistan Workers Federation, emphasized on equal employment opportunity for women workers as well. He assured that confederation would support HBWs at all levels for unionization so that they could raise their voices on larger platform. He also stressed the need to hold joint sessions where national federations and confederations and general workers unions could sit and devise strategy to uplift informal sector. He also assured that letters would be send by confederation to the main stream political parties for creating spaces for HBWs and assuring opportunities for them in their party agendas. Mr Khurshid stressed the need to share the processes adopted by Punjab government with other provincial governments. Ch Yaqoob from Pakistan workers federation applauded the initiatives of Homenet Pakistan on highlighting the HBWs issues and assured full support in the policy implementation in Punjab.  Khalid Mehmood from Labour Education Foundation urged the need to organize HBWs into unions and associations. He said the trade unions can play an important role in extensive organizing of informal sector workers and ensuring their inclusion in the trade unions for giving voice and visibility.

The representation from the National federation of trade unions and Confederations was in support of the recognition and representation of HBWs in Punjab.

While talking about the Political parties Manifestoes Salman Abid, Regional Head SPO, emphasized on the need for political education to address the issues of HBWs. He suggested that pressure needed to be building on the political leadership rather than their workers to include this sector in their manifestoes and ensure their commitment for implementation of home based workers policy.

On this occasion recommendation were put forward by the participants that there would be a joint press statement on International Labour Day by the trade union representatives and HBWs on 29 April in Lahore.

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Razzaque assumes charge as Chairman Coordination FPCCI

Razzaque assumes charge as Chairman Coordination FPCCI

Islamabad: April 16

Sheikh Abdul Razzaque has assumed the charge of Chairman Coordination FPPCI Capital Office.

Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, President FPCCI Malik Zubair, President ICCI Zafar Bakhtwari, Munawar Mughal, Senior Vice Chairman PVMA Atif Ikram Sheikh and other business leaders were also present on the occasion.

They congratulated Razzaque on assuming charge and assured full cooperation in discharging duties to the full satisfaction of the business community.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Abdul Razzaque said that he will serve the community to best of his abilities.

He called upon the government to take serious steps to resolve energy crisis that has choked the national growth.

It may be mentioned that Razzaque has recently served as Senior Vice Chairman PVMA.

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Pakistan’s survival linked to value addition : Minister

Pakistan’s survival linked to value addition: Minister

Islamabad: April 14

Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Maqbool H H Rahmatoola on Sunday said we must increase export of value added items for the survival of the country.

He said that government is working on increasing exports while focusing on small and medium enterprises.

He said this while speaking at a training workshop for female entrepreneurs jointly organised by TDAP, FWBL, UNIDO and IPALMO at the Islamabad Expo 2013 organised by Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Minister for Commerce and Textile Maqbool H H Rahmatoola said that business community lags behind in value addition which is imperative to increase the economic value and consumer appeal of a product.

Women must understand that value added product has more market value than raw commodity, he stressed.

He said that all the women chambers should unite for the cause of women empowerment and that government will extend all possible support in this regard.

Expos are exciting events which exhibit skills of artisans is one of the best ways to get recognition and take businesses to the next level, he said.

“I believe supporting women amount to supporting future generations,” said Rahmatoola, adding that government will continue to strive and support all moves aimed at enhancing capacity of women.

Women deserve opportunities to transform their potential into profit for which they should know how to make best use of internet, he stressed.

The minister visited different stalls and took note of some issues highlighted by women entrepreneurs and asked TDAP officials including Colonel (Retd) Naieem, Zia-ul-Hassan and Khalid Baig to submit report within 24 hours.

At the occasion Samina Faizl, Perveen Khan of FWBL, Shahina Waheed of UNIDO and others said that they will continue to provide platform to women entrepreneurs to enhance their contribution towards society by cementing ties with stakeholders to grow their business.

Many in business community think that huge budget is needed to have an effective marketing strategy, which is contrary to facts, they said.

There are cost-effective means available like expos and personal websites that can sometimes make a difference to life and business, the speakers said.

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Five schools for street kids established

Five schools for street kids established

Islamabad: (April 11)

A foundation has established five schools for street children in a bid to transform them into responsible and productive citizens.

Two “Mauqa Schools” and a vocational training centre have been established in Farash Town while two have been set up in Junejo Quarters, Tarlai, to serve street kids, said Dr Naeem Ghani, Chairman of the Sultana Foundation.

Talking to a group of journalists, he said that on-site education would give us flexibility to support school-less children whose number has crossed 25 million in Pakistan.

Getting millions of such children into schools is one of the big challenges, as many impoverished parents who rely on their income see no point in education, he said.

Some poor parents are so focused on getting enough money to survive that the value of education falls which is unfortunate, he added.

However, he said, we have started teaching poor parents that education will eventually translate into a better life; we are encouraged as some minds are changing.

Dr Naeem Ghani informed that educational counsellors have been trained to deal with these unschooled children as some of them don’t know how to hold a pencil properly.

Many steps taken for improving education has all been cosmetic as nothing has really changed on the ground, the veteran educationist said.

Rising population and depressing socio-economic conditions have increased the number of youth which could drive economic development or become a disaster for society and country, he warned.

He said that India has a literacy rate of 65 per cent, China’s literacy rate is 91 per cent while we are lagging behind with thirty seven per cent of the total population below 14 years of age while half of these children have never attended any school.

Project Director Brig. (retd) Muhammad Amjad said that we are conducting surveys in different localities and establishing schools for neglected children with the help of local communities.

We must stop vulnerable children from growing into seasoned criminals, drug addicts or fall prey to militant ideology, said Vice Chairman Academics Engr. Aziz Ghani.

He said that recently inaugurated Justice Yousaf Saraf Centre for Research and Rehabilitation would serve as secretariat for the project.

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Elections not to bring any meaningful change; Hamid Gul

Elections not to bring any meaningful change; Hamid Gul

Masses asked to reject cosmetic changes in the name of elections

April 11

Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul (Retired) on Thursday said elections may bring some cosmetic changes but it will not bring any meaningful change to resolve issues confronted by masses and the country.

Masses will continue to reel under inflation, lawlessness, unemployment, and food insecurity while elite will flourish without discharging national obligations under the oppressive democratic system, he said. 

Speaking at Firk-e-Farda Forum, the former chief of the Inter Service Intelligence Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul said that democracy is a tool of western imperialism to dominate world which must be rejected by masses to get Islamic system imposed. 

He said that communism is dead while shelf life of Christian democracy is over. It is dying at our doorstep while the humanity is in need of a new and just system for which Pakistan can become a model, he added.

He said that Anglo-Saxon law has failed to provide justice to masses; it has been supporting the rich that should be replaced through struggle by the Islamic system of justice.

Hamid Gul said that Quaid-e-Azam wanted Pakistan as an Islamic state and he preferred Presidential system to Parliamentary form of government which is full of disadvantages.

He said that India’s water terrorism could lead to a war and that Iran gas is imperative for our survival. Without elaborating, he said that Pakistan has assets that can be sold to avert a default, but many countries would not like it.

The former military strategist said that providing justice to former President Musharraf has nothing to do with the moral of defence forces. 

Hamid Gul called upon the youth to reject the tyrannical system and rise for a change as Pakistan is facing an onslaught on economic, cultural, ideological and internal defence fronts.

However, he was optimistic that country would survive all the challenges as destiny of Pakistan is the fate of the humanity.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President Pakistan Economy Watch, Baig Raj, President Punjab Forum, Abdullah Gul, President Tehreek-e-Naujawanan-e-Pakistan and others also spoke on the occasion.

They said that politicians have bewildered masses who should realise that this country was not destined for failures. Masses should strive to save country and make it an Islamic welfare state.  

Calling multi-party system mother of all ills, they lauded the single-party Chinese model of government and opined that prosperity is not possible in absence of peace.

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The mood of society has changed in Pakistan General Election 2013

The mood of society has changed in Pakistan General Election 2013   By Shoaib Habib Memon   Pakistan General Election of 2013 will be the next election to the 14th parliament of Pakistan The government of Pakistan has announced elections to be held on 11 May 2013.    If We observe the Figures of our Leaders it would hardly be surprising to realize that many Pakistani politicians are quite rich – but the magnitude of the wealth some of them have amassed might raise some eyebrows, if not alarms.   Some 90-million registered voters will select candidates to fill almost 1,000 seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. The overwhelming majority of them could not even dream of attaining the wealth of some of the politicians they will be casting ballots for.   Consider the incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, will lead the ruling Pakistan People’s (PPP) Party in the election.   According to various sources, Asif Ali Zardari is the second or third wealthiest person in Pakistan, with a fortune estimated at $1.8 billion at least. But that estimate, by Daily Pakistan, dates from 2005 – which means that by now, his riches are probably significantly greater.   Among other lucrative assets, Zardari (either directly or through front companies) owns at least eight properties in Britain (including a 365-acre, 20-bedroom luxury estate in Rockwood, Surrey), other properties in France, Dubai, a mansion in the U.S., several lavish homes in Pakistan, and stakes in sugar mills across Pakistan. Zardari’s wealth is believed to have been greatly accelerated by his marriage to Benazir Bhutto, which granted him instant access to the highest levels of government and corporations, both domestic and international. After his wife became Prime Minister in 1988 .In 2007 alone, Zardari’s Swiss bank account reportedly received $60-million through offshore companies under his name. . Zardari’s son, Bilawal, the new head of the PPP, does not face any criminal charges, and will likely inherit his father’s immense wealth. Bilawal could also become Pakistan’s next leader.   Another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, who leads the principal opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-N. (PML-N), also enjoys a very healthy bank account. According to Daily Pakistan, Sharif’s family own assets estimated at a minimum $1.4-billion – apparently generated by their interests in steelmaking and paper mill businesses as well as land in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East — making them the fourth wealthiest clan in the country. Sharif also owns a bewildering array of luxurious properties in Pakistan as well as stakes in companies from Lahore to London. Sharif, who spent several years in the early 2000s in exile in Saudi Arabia, reportedly enjoys contacts with high-level government and business figures in the kingdom.   The dark horse candidate, former cricketer Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is relatively poor compared to Zardari and Sharif, but he’s not starving. Celebritynetworth.com estimates Khan’s fortune at $50-million. Part of that money likely comes from salary and endorsements he earned as a top-flight cricket star, but the majority likely hails from his landownership in Pakistan.   An even darker horse is former army chief and ex-President Pervez Musharraf ,Musharraf, who has recently returned to Pakistan after self-imposed exile in London and Dubai, is reportedly a billionaire, although the source of his wealth is a mystery. According to a report in Pakistan’s News International newspaper, Musharraf has acquired a handsome portfolio of offshore bank accounts (in Dubai and UK) in addition to land he owns in Pakistan and elsewhere. However, it is unclear how a man who did not come from a wealthy family and who lives on an army pension could have accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars.   A spokesman for Musharraf told the News that, unlike Sharif and Zardari, his boss does not hold any secret foreign bank accounts. In addition, he claimed that Musharraf earns money from speaking engagements around the world – citing that he and former US President Bill Clinton are among the highest paid speakers in the world. Of course, Pakistan is not alone in having billionaires holding the levers of power. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin reportedly is worth some $70-billion, while Sonia Gandhi, the leader of India’s Congress Party (which makes her the de factor ruler of India) is also in the billionaire range. Even in western countries, billionaires like Silvio Berlusconi and Mitt Romney have either led their states or tried to.But Pakistan is awash in poverty, which makes the wealth of its tiny political elite that much more extraordinary.   It will be Better Observation and Monitoring that The European Union offered to send its observers to Pakistan’s elections, in a bid to ensure a “peaceful, credible” vote that will be “acceptable” to all. “The EU looks forward to upcoming elections that are peaceful, credible, transparent, inclusive and acceptable to the Pakistani people,” EU foreign ministers said in a statement released after talks. The 27-nation bloc “is ready to assist by deploying an election observation mission, as a tangible sign of our support for the democratic process,” the statement added. The ministers also said they looked forward to re-energizing ties with the next government and hoped quick contacts could lead to a third EU-Pakistan summit. Pakistan responded by saying it will welcome a European Union election observation mission during the forthcoming general elections.“Yes, we will welcome the observation mission”, foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said.   A 110-member team from the European Union will observe Pakistan's elections. The European Union High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Ms. Catherine Ashton, has decided to authorize a European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the elections. A member of the European Parliament will lead the 2013 EU EOM as its Chief Observer. The EU EOM team will include observers, experts, election analysts, political analysts, legal analysts, human rights analysts, media analysts and others   The US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olsen stated that the United States applauds democratic tendencies in Pakistan, expressing hopes that free and fair general elections would lead to peaceful transfer of authority from one civilian government to successor dispensation. Completion of the current term by a democratically elected government will be a milestone in Pakistan’s history   US officials have denied the general perception in Pakistan that the US government wants to influence the electoral process in Pakistan to bring in a friendly government. US Secretary of State John Kerry skipped a planned visit to Pakistan to avoid accusations of meddling in the May 11 elections. Spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated that the message the United States wants to send out during the election season is “we have no favourites among Pakistani politicians and we are looking forward to work with whoever is elected on May 11.” Secretary Kerry’s decision to skip Pakistan during his South Asia visit is an indication of Washington’s eagerness to maintain neutrality during the elections.   ECP Pakistan Playing a Transprency Role to Conduct General Election 2013.The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned 24 former federal and provincial lawmakers on April 5 over the fake degree issue, The cases of the former parliamentarians would be heard by Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim. The election commission has stepped up its action against those lawmakers who were involved in the fake degree issueafter the Supreme Court of Pakistan .   He also pointed out that 4,000 contestants did not even have National Tax Number (NTN) while 70% parliamentarians had never paid tax. He submitted that the ECP had not yet formed any procedure to reject the nomination paper of such aspirants. Representing the federal government, a standing counsel told the court that Article 62 could be applied on such contestants. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that dual national Pakistanis will not able to hold positions in Political Parties of Pakistan. According to the announcement of Election Commission of Pakistan, the Political Order 2002 will apply to the dual national Pakistani who are seeking or holding positions in political parties. According to the Political Order 2002 the dual national Pakistanis cannot contest the election in Pakistan.   In compliance with an order of the Supreme Court, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has devised a software to help 4.5 million overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in the coming general elections. The $1.5 million software will help overseas Pakistanis in 15 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France and Australia, to vote at 150 polling stations. However, approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be required to prepare required legislation.   The government failed to solve or even marginaly reduce the problems faced by the working class and the poor. Poverty has increased, the prices of essential daily used items including food has skyrocketed, religious intolerance and militancy has increased, the energy crisis has worsened, the economy is facing the threat of a meltdown, the social crisis has intensified, and unemployment and hunger are on the rise. The life of ordinary working class people and the poor has become like a living hell in last five years. According to the new United Nations Development Progress Report, Pakistan stands in 146th place out of 186 countries on the human development index.   It is now equal to Bangladesh and just ahead of Angola and Burma. Pakistan has one of the lowest levels of investment in education and health-spending a mere 0.8% of GDP on health and 1.8% on education. Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even the Democratic Republic of Congo spend more on education and health than Pakistan. This report says 49% of the population lives below the poverty line. The PPP led government has done nothing to improve the situation for the large swaths of the population.   On the one hand the working masses continue to suffer but on the other hand PPP leaders, their cronies and allies have become billionaires. The looting and plunder of state resources has reached unprecedented levels. One corruption scandal after another appeares in the media almost on daily basis. This undoubtedly was the worst performance of any civilian government in the history of Pakistan..   The mood in society has changed since the 2008 elections. In 2008, the vast majority of people wanted to defeat the pro-Musharaf forces. The people overwhelmingly voted in favour of the PPP, PML-N and other anti Musharaf parties. There were high hopes that the new democratic government will work for their betterment and welfare and would change the anti poor policies implemented by General Musharaf’s regime. The failure of the PPP led government dashed these hopes. These high hopes have turned into big disappointment. Even “democracy” has been brought into question.    The working class and poor are facing more problems and worst nightmare under “democratic rule” than compared to the Musharaf era. some sections of the working masses might come out to vote in the coming elections but not with any enthusiasm and and with very little hope. Large numbers of people might not come out to vote and are likely to abstain. On average 55% – 60% of eligible voters stayed away from the elections between the 1988 to 2008 elections. That clearly means that a majority of the population has no trust on the election process or that it will resolve any of their problems. This time around the turn out might be bit higher. One factor is that some parties boycotted the last elections in 2008 but are now contesting the forthcoming elections.   According to the United Nations, 22.3 percent of the population of 180-million live below the poverty line.  The UN’s Human Development Index (HDIO) estimated that more than 60 percent of Pakistan’s population lives on less than $2 per day, while 22.6 percent live of less than $1.   There are some sections of society that still hope that change can be brought through the elections. These sections will come out to vote either for the Imran Khan led PTI or the Nawaz Sharif led PML-N. They will vote to prevent the PPP from coming back to power. Both the PTI and the PML-N will get protest votes from those sections of society who are disillusioned with the PPP and its allies.   Sources ; Figures Collected by different National News Newspapers.

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