Iranian company offers quick solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis

Iranian company offers quick solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis

MAPNA ready to invest heavily across Pakistan

May 31^st

An Iran based global company has offered immediate solution to the Pakistan’s prevalent power crisis which has pulled economy down and crippled general life.

Iran Power Plant Projects Management Company (MAPNA), the sixth largest power company in the world says that it can bridge gap between demand and supply of electricity within months.

A delegation headed by Muhammad Hussain Baqri, head of international communications MAPNA said this while talking to Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of the Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW).

He said that Iran’s installed capacity is 70000 MW out of which MAPNA is providing 67000 MW and we can easily provide up to 10000 MW to Pakistan on most economical rates as compare to any neighbouring country. Pakistan’s current electricity shortfall stands at 7000 MW.

Baqri said that MAPNA, having 39 subsidiaries, has its own gas fields and power plants construction facilities. It has been operating in 18 countries and it can also build power plants having international standards within 15 months with 20 per cent discounted rates.

He said that the 30 billion euro company has also interests in oil and gas, wind power and railways and it is willing Pakistan improve its railways.

The delegation also expressed interest in the setting up power plants of 1000 MW capacity and to supply and install 25 MW small power plants on ground as well as on barges to help Pakistan in overcoming the energy crisis on urgent basis

At the occasion Dr Murtaza Mughal welcomed the company to start operations in Pakistan and asked them to forward solid proposals for maintenance of power plants as their ability has been compromised due to neglect spanned over a decade.

He said that Pakistani policymakers should consider negotiating construction of large scale power plants on a turn-key basis with Iranian enterprise.

A new business friendly government is set to take charge which will improve overall investment environment in Pakistan and boost confidence of local and foreign investors, said Dr Mughal. 

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FPCCI to support all positive steps of FBR to put economy back on tract

FBR seeks FPCCI, business community’s help to broaden tax base

Reduced taxes to boost revenue, curb illicit trade: Malik Zubair

FPCCI to support all positive steps of FBR to put economy back on tract

Islamabad: Dated: May 30^th

Ansar Javed, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday said Pakistan’s future is linked to promotion of tax culture and we are determined to improve tax-to-GDP ratio to make Pakistan a respectable and self-sustaining nation.

He said that we have chalked out a plan to promote tax culture in country for which many steps have been initiated including establishment of a Data Warehouse which will boost the number of taxpayers from existing 1.3 million to 20 million.

Ansar Javed said this while speaking at a pre-budget seminar organised by FPCCI. President FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik, Members FBR Muhammad Riaz and Raza Baqir, VP Saarc CCI Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman FPCCI Budget Committee Zakaria Usman, VPs FPCCI Azhar Saeed Butt, Muhammad Ali, Khawaja Iqbal, President ICCI Zafar Bakhtawri and others were also present on the occasion.

Chairman FBR said that meeting business community help us to get first-hand knowledge and reaction of the stakeholders which will help us improve performance and ensure a level playing field.

“We are seriously vetting budget proposals to facilitate business community and we need support of FPCCI to expand the tax base,” the chief of Apex tax agency said.

He said that we are employing latest technology alter to local needs, to facilitate taxpayers and discourage misuse of authority by field staff.

Assuring all support to the business community, Ansar Javed said that FBR is not supposed to collect taxes only but to take care of economic direction of the country and play its role in development of society.

Earlier, President FPCCI Mr. Zubair Ahmed Malik told Chairman FBR said that country is passing through difficult situation due to mismanagement, bad governance, deteriorating law and order situation and energy crunch which have increased the crime rate, unemployment and revenue loss.

However, he said, FPCCI will support all the positive steps of FBR to put economy back on tract, assured Malik. 

VP FPCCI Iftikhar Ali Malik and Minister for Information Technology Sindh, Mian Zahid Hussain and office bearers of various business chambers said that SRO culture should be discouraged as it serves no purpose but to confuses businessmen.

Consultation with business community before issuance of SROs and other directives should be made mandatory to boost confidence, they demanded.

FPCCI officials said that subsidy given to different sectors to the tune of Rs 452 amounts to wasting the hard-earned money of taxpayers which should be abolished or minimised.

Criticising the Sales Tax regime, they said that it is not progressive but regressive which is not helping in any way.

Participants of the seminar also discussed issues pertaining to recent economic downturn, revenue targets, mismanagement, tax relaxations, confusing rules and regulations, continuation in policies, tax breaks, increasing share of parallel economy in the national GDP, registration and deregistration process, and overall tax environment.

The Chairman FBR promised to respond to the issue raised by business leaders within seven days.

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Terrorism to resurface if tribal areas ignored by policymakers

Next Govt asked to focus on reviving industry in tribal areas

Terrorism to resurface if tribal areas ignored by policymakers

Call for facilitating businesses in tribal areas to ensure peace

May 29

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday asked the next government to escalate the revival of industrial activities in tribal areas.

After years of unrest some peace has been restored and life has becoming normal which calls for renewed efforts to support people of tribal areas living miserably, it said.

New wave of terrorism can resurface in the tribal areas if government continued to ignore the revival of business activities in Fata and Pata, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that business community and overseas Pakistanis should also invest in militancy-hit and cash-starved tribal areas while government should ensure conducive environment, proper communication facilities and smooth supply of energy.

Government should support indigenous industry and businesses, develop public private partnerships, frame proper for setting up industrial estates and zones, hold expos, seminars, job fairs and other activities to promote investment in tribal belt, he said.

Similarly, Dr Murtaza Mughal said, banks should extend their coverage and introduce micro credit schemes in the neglected areas.

Despite vast resources, the tribal region has limited economic base to cater to the basic needs of millions of tribal people because of the neglect spanned over decades, he observed.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that many industrial concerns have been closed in tribal territory while few have luckily been surviving. Few years back there were fifteen vegetable ghee units in tribal belt while the number has come down to two catering for one sixth of the demand in tribal areas.

He criticised the ghee producers of the settled area who are conspiring against the two surviving units to impose certain levies in violation of the constitutional immunity to get them closed and seize the entire market of the tribal area.

The FBR should not pay heed to the demand Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association forwarded through letter No. PVMA/1097/FBR/2013 as it will be illegal and unconstitutional which will deprive hundreds of their jobs, demanded Dr Mughal.

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IT can alleviate poverty, transform society and economy

IT can alleviate poverty, transform society and economy

Incoming governemnt asked to promote IT to ensure national development

May 26

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said information technology can help alleviate poverty and transform our society and economy.

Pakistan can accelerate economic growth to get rid of many problems by improving its talent pool with the help of technology, it said.

The incoming government should initiate expanded online learning programmes to better serve students and extend the benefits of education to tens of thousands of others, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of the PEW.

He said that our policymakers must understand how crucial technology will be for the future of Pakistan as it can change life of millions.

Adopting the latest technologies altered to the needs of local people and organizations can help country to become developed nation as we have many shining examples of this phenomenon, he said.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that government and businesses can make use of the new light-weight but powerful technologies to reinvent themselves as out-of-date computing systems are costly and rigid.

He said that cloud computing technologies can be tapped to provide education, interactive learning and interaction with professors over a smartphone or economical personal computer.

Similarly, majority of women entrepreneurs who generally lack access to customers can market their goods anywhere in the world by using technology.

Companies can engage with their employees via social networking to communicate strategies, get feedback and provide up-to-the-minute training, he added.

Data analytics can help learn and make better decisions, mobile and cloud computing can give access to insights anytime and anywhere, and social business technologies can help connect and collaborate in ways that were not possible before.

Roadside video cameras can be employed to gather real-time data to help relieve traffic congestion in cities while registered drivers can get SMS alerts regarding problems ahead.

Technology can make it possible for companies to operate more efficiently to rapidly build businesses while it can help government to better serve their citizens to enjoy the satisfaction that success will bring.

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PM’s decision to ban CNG for 1000cc cars declared illegal

PM’s decision to ban CNG for 1000cc cars declared illegal

Conspiracy hatched by petroleum minister, CPP owners; Paracha

Dated May 24

The Federal Law Ministry on Friday declared the recent decision of the caretaker PM Minister Hazar Khan Khoso to ban vehicles of over 1000cc capacity from utilising CNG as illegal.

Caretakers cannot make key changes, the decision was against the Constitution and that every citizen has right over hydrocarbon resources, the law ministry observed during a critical meeting help here today.

The PM on May 21^st issued executive orders after which the petroleum ministry asked Ogra to implement the decision and slap fine from 50 to 100 thousand rupees on the CNG filling stations violating the orders.

It also asked Orga to suspend licences of CNG outlets if found violating orders and that the CNG pump shall be sealed for a minimum period of six months.

However, the law ministry took a firm and just stand that caretakers are exceeding their authority by taking such important policy decisions.

Meanwhile, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA welcomed the decision of the law ministry.

He said that decision was discriminatory which was result of collusion between the Petroleum Minister Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui and all powerful captive power lobby.

Paracha said that Mr Siddiqui followed footsteps of former advisor petroleum Dr Asim who also tried a ban on 1000 cc cars but the them law minister Farooq Naek frustrated his efforts.

Caretaker minister has been bulldozing all rules, regulations and gas priority provision list to please certain lobbies, he alleged.

He said that law ministry has taken decision based on merit which calls for a decision by the authorities regarding just distribution of natural gas among all stakeholders.

The leader of CNG sector said that following merit will not only issue of unjust distribution of natural resources but can tame loadshedding.

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12794 schools in Sindh shelter less, 34386 without electricity, 25237 lack water

Incoming government should boost education spending to spur economic growth

12794 schools in Sindh shelter less, 34386 without electricity, 25237 lack water

Islamabad: (May 23)

Incoming government should include education in its preferences to spur social development and economic growth, an educationist said Thursday.

Education budget should be increased by 100 per cent while special emphasis should be given to provide education to school-less children whose number has touched mark of 30 million, said Dr Naeem Ghani, Chairman Sultana Foundation.

Speaking at the meeting of managing board of the foundation, he said that government needs to act swiftly to bring to end the culture of ghost schools which is a big social problem and a drain on the national exchequer.

Tackling the problem of non-functioning schools will push up the standard of education across Pakistan as the funds being spent of them could be used at working schools, he said.

Dr Naeem Ghani said that education was the fundamental right of every Pakistani child as per constitutional provisions but situation on ground is different.

In the province of Sindh 12,794 schools are shelter less, 34,386 are without electricity,  26,669 do not have boundary walls, 23,349 do not possess a lavatory, and 25,237 have no access to drinking water, he informed.

The veteran educationist remarked that our system of education is not delivering, remedial efforts initiated on fire fighting basis aren’t sustainable while initiatives by NGOs leave much to be desired.

Thousands of schools have been converted into cattle pen, criminals are using schools for their activities while drug addicts break into the schools using empty classrooms to shoot heroin, even stripping metal grates and ceiling fans.

A number of schools have been abandoned for one reason or the other but monthly salaries are being dispersed which merits a probe as to how much funds are being spent in the name of imparting education.

There is no will on the part of education department to take back possessions of the occupied schools and fix responsibility, he lamented.

The incoming government must undertake a renewed commitment to improve education including an increased budget and the launching of new programs to make Pakistan a developed nation, demanded Ghani.

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Our Rooms And Their Streets

Our Rooms And Their Streets

Use your brain before May 11 – this meme, one of many that are doing the rounds on the Pakistani blogosphere in the run-up to the general elections, comes as something of a strange, New Age commandment from on high. It betrays a cavernous assumption – those who do not vote do not employ reason, that most virtuous of all modern virtues. It suggests too that reason can only take a certain definite form (voting for candidate XYZ), that the expression of the authentic political can only mean one thing ie holding free and fair elections. And if I may venture to say, in a perverse manner it also suggests that ‘brains’ are not really required much post-May 11!

The general elections and the accompanying voter turnout have become the ultimate symbols of all things democracy. Not a moment goes by before we are reminded of the crucial ‘choice’ before us. Is it A, B or C, we are asked incessantly? Choose! Now! Or forever hold your silence! I would add the suggestion is more to the tune of: Choose, or don’t, but forever hold your silence either way.

For a country locked in an eternal battle with its colonial and dictatorial history, the question of the democratic and the political is no laughing matter. But can we not take a moment to deconstruct the task before us? Is voting every five years (if we are lucky) the only form of political engagement required, and desired, of citizens? Should we be satisfied with being given the choice of A, B and C, and then make our peace with whatever horrors they might unleash? Is this not a total limitation of our choice, a severe reduction of legitimate alternatives? Is it not a violation of our freedom to not be able to create our own alternatives?

The Greeks called it ‘to pepromeno’ – inflicted destiny as opposed to one that is freely chosen. It might be most plainly visible in the context of Balochistan where a very defiant population will be forced to make this (non-)choice at gunpoint. And if you look closely you will find it at work everywhere: in blood relations from influential families who contest against each other for the same seats, in brothers who are corporate tycoons and also happen to run the defamatory media campaigns of two rival political parties against each other, in manifestos that say nothing of neo-liberalism and foreign debt, in speeches that could go on for hours without addressing the issue of privatisation and labour laws, land rights and agrarian reform. Any meaningful discussion of subjects of concern to the ordinary people is off limits in this electoral campaign it seems. Let us not fool ourselves then...the electoral exercise and the act of voting serve to limit our political engagement in manageable bounds. The New Age political commandment stands decoded thus: Exhaust your choice and close your brain post-May 11, lest you start asking uncomfortable questions regarding how the system really functions.

Well over a century ago, the German scholar Carl Schmitt problematised the marriage between democracy and liberalism for their very divergent tendencies. A bourgeois ideology par excellence, liberalism is the ethical commitment to the rights and interests of individuals seen as self-contained units, and the economic commitment to the profit motive and unimpeded growth (leading to unequal development). The very notion of democracy, on the other hand, suggests collective decision-making, and the community’s influence as a whole over economic activities. Ethically, it fosters community over selfish individual interests, and is only invested in such economic activity that can garner a genuine consensus and is beneficial to all.

Modern liberal democracies could, therefore, be described as a real life oxymoron. By transforming economic enemies into competitors in the market and the ethical world into debating adversaries in parliament, they lead to the depoliticisation of politics proper. We are forced to believe that no truly political issues actually exist (in Schmitt’s sense of rival groups posing an existential threat to each other). Everything can and will be resolved through debate by elected representatives in parliament. Inequality can continue to exist but formal legal equality (universal franchise) is sufficient for democracy. Liberal democracies also equate the political to the state. The world beyond – the economic and social struggles of the masses against or outside the state’s realm – are relegated to the non-political, something to be managed and dealt with, rather than the actual determination of our collective political destiny.

Little wonder then that our present election campaign is in a sense the epitome of the apolitical. Meanwhile, what is termed a ‘law and order’ situation – isn’t. It is in Balochistan’s killing fields, in crowds that riot over loadshedding in Punjab, in Lyari’s ethnic and economic clashes, in the young doctors’ strikes against the doomed health sector, in the tussle over land rights by peasants, in shady deals with the International Monetary Fund behind closed doors, in the apparently benign suggestions by corporate tycoons to further liberalise and privatise the economy, that the real political fate of the country is being wrought. Unfortunately no free coffee at fancy cafes, discounts at fashion houses or blow-dry deals at beauty parlours are on offer for participating in these. We only have to use our brains to figure out why.

This is not to say that elections can or ought to be boycotted all across. And this is definitely not a call for more military dictatorships. Rather it is a sombre reminder of the limitations of choice and the ‘sameness’ of change possible in the present system. For those of us waking up to the dream of real public engagement in the political, the electoral exercise can only serve a very small part of the strategy. The real task is herculean and involves bridging the distance between our drawing rooms and their streets. It involves recognising that the real fight – the class fight – shall continue and cannot be resolved by the system that exists to perpetuate it. In other words, it involves us using our brains not only on May 11 but every waking moment of our lives.

-- Sonia Qadir

Women's Secretary, 

AWP Lahore. 

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APCNGA rejects 6-day gas suspension plan

APCNGA rejects 6-day gas suspension plan

Caretaker minister petroleum taking unmerited decisions, move to increase problems for masses, business community

All gas consuming sectors should be dealt justly, we don’t have alternative, cannot close business for six days: Ghiyas Paracha

Dated May 21

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Tuesday rejected the plan of ministry of petroleum and natural resources to suspend gas supply to CNG outlets for six days under the garb of maintenance of plants at Qadirpur gasfiled.

The decision to bar CNG outlets from business from May 21 to May 27 will take toll on masses and businesses therefore this decision cannot be accepted, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

In a statement issued here today, he said that the decision of the caretaker minister petroleum is based on enmity with masses and corruption. Why the maintenance wasn’t carried out during normal weather and initiated now when people are dying of heat.

He said that closing supply from the gasfield will result in a shortfall of 400 mmcfd which should have been distributed on merit among the gas consuming sectors but CNG and power sectors have been chosen while the influential sectors including captive power plants have been spared.

He said that CNG sector which was already facing wrath of the policy makers will be unable to bear the brunt of decision as it has no other alternative like other sectors.

He said that caretaker government will be responsible for loss to masses and business community as it is behind the controversial decision.

The leader of the CNG sector said that petroleum ministry has been trespassing on the authority of Ogra which should be noticed by the incoming government.

He said that licence issued to CNG operators clearly indicate that any decision regarding gas supply will be taken with consensus but ministry has been taking unilateral decisions.

Ghiyas Paracha said that amendment in the priority list of gas consuming sectors by ECC in March was illegal which must be undone by the incoming government.

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Why thumb impression taken on ballot papers if ECP cannot verify

Elections process far from satisfactory

Why thumb impression taken on ballot papers if ECP cannot verify

May 19^th

General Secretary of the Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) Brig. Syed Masud ul Hassan on Sunday said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is not paying attention to the complaints of rigging.

Contestants as well as voters have been protesting across the country staging sit-ins but to no avail, he said.

In a statement issued here today, he said that what happened in Karachi during the elections resulted in global humiliation which proved that our election process is far from being satisfactory after six decades.

Brig. Syed Masud ul Hassan said that why thumb impressions were taken on ballot papers if ECP lacked means of finger prints verification in the disputed constituencies.

Was this exercise carried out to given impression of independence of ECP to the masses, he questioned.

Employing proper finger print technology to trace out who were the actual voters and also those who tried hijacked the polling process was responsibility of the ECP, he said.

He said that the top brass of the ECP should accept their failures and take corrective steps.

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Monthly fourteen thousand falling victim to infection in Pakistan

Daily 480 people developing eye diseases

Monthly fourteen thousand falling victim to infection in Pakistan

RAWALPINDI (May 16)

Lieutenant General (Retd) Hamid Javaid, President Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospitals on Thursday said that almost 480 people are developing eye disorders in Pakistan every day.

Around fourteen thousand people are exposing to eye diseases every month which means that a person is catching disease every three minutes which is distressing the whole society, he said.

Speaking to a seminar, Hamid Javaid said that spike in eye diseases has now reached to the proportions of epidemic raising new challenges.

An insignificant number of victims have access to the affordable and quality health services which leaves some 175,200 per annum with permanent blindness.

This is one of the major reason Pakistan has over three million bling which has become a serious social issue, he said.

He informed that majority have curable blindness, 80 per cent of blindness is avoidable through prevention or treatment.

So far we have provided eye-care facilities to six million people through four hospitals in Rawalpindi, Sukkur, Kohat, and Muzaffarabad but a lot needs to be done, he said.

President Al-Shifa said that we every year we are providing training to one hundred paramedics, arranged specialisation for twenty doctors  and provided free treatment to half a million patients every year regardless of gender, race, colour or religion is our basic aim.

Blindness is one of the major health problems in Pakistan draining both its human and economic resources, said Hamid Javaid, adding that Pakistan needs more assistance to make medical treatment available to the many people suffering from optical diseases.

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Free-for-all; not so fair

Free-for-all; not so fair
Article in Express Tribune By Najma Sadeque
Published: May 13, 2013

Self-praise is no recommendation. It applies as much to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as to jaded politicians. Where earlier the much-respected Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim conceded failure on some scores, Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed, secretary ECP, made his self-congratulatory address to the media even before the extended polls had concluded; many hadn’t even begun or were obstructed. He seemed oblivious to the undemocratic practices in polling stations across the country and dismissed a few as minor.

For some time it has appeared that the ECP was working at cross-purposes: that it wasn’t taking its cue from the oft-thwarted head, but from elsewhere. Some ideas were not good ones. While some candidatures were rejected under given criteria, others were accepted on grounds that their cases were pending in court. This has not gone down well with an outraged public. It legitimises making hay until time to abscond abroad before the verdict. Furthermore, the computerised ability to catch out fingerprints from fake ballots is not practical when they run into thousands or millions. Some felt disempowered over the withdrawal of the “None-of-the-above” option. The ECP also lacks the teeth for enforcement of rules, but made the government look correctly dutiful while the good Justice took the rap.

It was an election, if not entirely fair or free. Winners are generally satisfied with polls. Losers much less so; especially when there is irrefutable evidence of rigging and strong-arm tactics. While it is acknowledged that Karachi is a hotbed of various mafiosi, that’s not the only place they exist, and their inextricable linkages with the government never prompted remedy. That gives Imran Khan the future opportunity to showcase corruption-elimination mechanisms. This requires a high degree of standing and ongoing transparency, not after the fact.

Whether the deeply-entrenched mafiosi specialise in real estate, water, transport, utilities, jobs, taxes, pension payments, compensations, or bhatta — protection money from commercial establishments, vegetable sellers, roadside barbers alike, each according to his ability to be squeezed — they cannot exist or act alone except in league with a much-corrupted police and government functionaries for a cut. Unless the integrated mafiosi are sizeably and decisively cut down, and total transparency, freedom of information and concurrent accountability applied, free and fair re-elections can’t be guaranteed either, any more than a free country.

The situation makes polling officers particularly vulnerable. Many are government teachers, subject to those in power. Poorly compensated and disrespectfully treated, they have seldom wanted to serve as polling officers with good reason. It’s rather unfair that they are penalised for not wanting to perform a function, as an instinctive reaction for sheer survival, that is not or should not be part of their job description. As government servants subject to unjust political and mafia pressure, they’re left between the devil and the deep blue sea.

While other quarters grabbed credit for the elections taking place at all, no credit has been given to an institution that enabled it by simply refusing to interfere. Yet, its greater involvement may be needed — plus a revamped ECP of the like-minded — wherever re-elections take place, if a repeat of the rigging and high-handedness is to be avoided.

Although biradari still prevails widely, (one clan may have just been substituted for another) people have become savvier — no small thanks to the electronic media — as well as also being pressured by failing socioeconomic conditions. So, there is something seriously wrong when otherwise well-informed people leading normal lives, continue to blindly parrot party rhetoric to the last punctuation mark — as if they have no minds of their own.

Diversity, difference and dissent are endemic to human nature, as much as the ability for mutual understanding, cooperation and creativity. But it is unnatural that everyone would maintain the same rigid stance indefinitely, never responding when change, negative conditions and wrongdoing arise. This is less a sign of loyalty than a silence of the lambs. True leaders live in close proximity to their people to be able to empathise and identify with their issues, and confirm they belong. Nor do they make second homes and offices in ostentatious oil countries.

The surprise was that the Taliban threat of widespread attacks didn’t happen; violence was mostly indigenous. We were treated to new things never seen before: a cop slapping a woman; hard, video evidence of ballot stuffing; wayward and disappearing polling officers and show-cause notices; amazing coincidences of votes ending with two or three perfect zeroes; and cheated voters determinedly waiting for up to 12 hours.

But there’s still another kind of respite needed: no more compulsory shut-down of Karachi on grounds of mourning. Who doesn’t mourn for lost loved ones? But should the uninvolved poorest be forced to also mourn the loss of wages, their families not eating for a day or more, or the continuous destruction of all economic activity on which an entire country is dependent?

There’s time until re-elections for what was left out of voter education earlier, so hopefully, the channels can, maybe, teach the unaccustomed how to accept defeat graciously (from Mr Bilour, maybe?); discuss the possibility of installing international observers wherever re-elections take place; familiarise viewers with the unfairly ignored smaller parties such as the Awami Party and the Mustaqbil Party; how to nab top crooks who have historically escaped through political and judicial manipulation; the far-reaching repercussions on victims of real estate and other records lost in the LDA building fire; discuss land reform for tillers that the original Muslim League promised in 1946.

Or maybe provide entertainment that they’re adept at: such as a prize-awarding competition for how many ballots can be stuffed per second.

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Millions of dejected CNG consumers’ settles score with corrupt rulers

Nawaz capable enough to resolve energy crisis sooner than expected

Millions of dejected CNG consumers’ settles score with corrupt rulers

Incompetent advisors, unconcerned politicians paved way for disaster

APCNGA to cooperate with the government: Ghiyas Paracha

Dated May 14

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Tuesday reposed full confidence in the leadership of PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif saying that his capabilities will steer out country from the current mess.

Country was in need of serious and talented leadership since long that can resolve energy crisis which to trigger economic revival, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

In a statement issued here today, he said that masses and business community hope that Nawaz Sharif will resolve energy crisis sooner than expected by taking all stakeholders on board to be remembered as golden era in the history of Pakistan.

Ghiyas Paracha said that fifty million CNG consumers and three million motorists in Punjab have settled score with the corrupt cabal in the recent elections that inflicted untold miseries upon them for personal benefits.

Masses will never forget those who inflicted pain on them through artificial gas crisis and individuals who made them wait for hours to get economical fuel, he added.

Paracha said that business community across the stretch of country has wholeheartedly welcomed landslide victory of Nawaz Sharif while stock exchange has welcomed him in very unprecedented way which has raised hopes among masses.

He said that APCNGA repeatedly forwarded implementable recommendations to top officials of the former government but it fell on deaf years of corrupt advisors and politicians unconcerned with the plight of masses.

The political fate of former coalition was sealed by a band of politicians who took their rule as an opportunity to make maximum out of it on the cost of country, economy and masses.

Discredited former rulers are now part of the history who will never win confidence of masses and business community, said Paracha.

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MQM leader promoting foreign agenda by spreading hatred: Punjab Forum

MQM leader promoting foreign agenda by spreading hatred: Punjab Forum

Dated: May 13

The Punjab Forum on Monday said leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has been working on agenda of foreign powers to weaken country by promoting hatred.

Altaf, directly involved in hundreds of heinous criminal cases would spare no opportunity to treat people unfairly on linguistic basis, it said.

Those fulfilling agenda of enemies of Pakistan stands exposed and now they cannot misguide masses anymore, said Baig Raj, President of the Punjab Forum.

Speaking at a meeting, he said that MQM would have known its popularity if voters in Karachi were provided security during the recent elections.

By dubbing PML-N a Punjabi party, Altaf has insulted voters who supported Nawaz across the stretch of country, he said.

Actually, MQM is uneasy over crushing defeat of PPP and it has started blackmailing before the PML-N can form government in the centre.

Baig Raj said that Karachi is not owned by the followers of Altaf, in fact the city belongs to all the people of Pakistan including Sindhis, Balochis, Punjabis, Pashtoons etc who outnumber Urdu speaking population.

There are a lot of people in Karachi who will never allow the designs of enemies to succeed, he said, adding that a small band led by criminals cannot cloud the opinion of masses by dubbing Nawaz representative of Punjab only.

Baig Raj said that cutting Karachi from Pakistan is a dream of terrorists which will never come true. He advised MQM to get rid of Altaf Hussain if wants to be accepted and come in the mainstream politics.

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Masses hope Nawaz Sharif will spark economic revival

Masses hope Nawaz Sharif will spark economic revival

Credit of successful elections goes to masses, judiciary and ECP

May 13

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday said the credit of successful elections goes to undeterred masses, judiciary and the Election Commission.

The failure of PPP is being attributed to unabated corruption, energy crisis, destruction of independent institutions and decisions of some advisors with dual nationality, it said.

After unexpected surge in the National Assembly, the PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif should initiate nation building by prioritising economic revival, make taxation system just, and reverse policy of taxing poor to please rich, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

Otherwise, PML-N will meet the fate of PPP in the next elections scheduled in 2018.  PTI Chief Imran Khan should also walk his talk to save country from becoming a failed state, he said.

He said that Pakistan has less than seven billion dollars of foreign exchange, tax collections remains at lowest in absence of any initiative to tax mighty and energy crisis has taken toll on the economy.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that the real challenge for the new government will be to get loan from IMF to salvage sinking economy, make a good budget, tax agricultural income and introduce reforms in the power sector.

Six years ago, power sector needed Rs 59 billion subsidy which has now touched Rs 311 billion mark without any improvement.

In the current fiscal former government borrowed Rs one trillion from domestic sources despite getting $1.8 from the US as CSF disbursement, he informed.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that Pakistan’s foreign debt stood at $40 billion in 2007 which crossed $60 billion mark in the five long years of democracy and total foreign debt may surpass $75 billion until 2015 if serious reforms were avoided.

The PPP’s abysmal performance over the past five was also a reason behind PML-N’s stunning success which should never be forgetter by the winners.

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Masses asked not to support failed politicians

Masses asked not to support failed politicians

May 10

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday asked masses should not support failed politicians in the elections otherwise they would continue to reel under problems like runaway inflation, unemployment, lawlessness and energy crisis.

A corrupt or weak government will not be able to overcome challenges or initiate reforms which will accelerate economic contraction adding to  the miseries of the masses, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

A coalition government dependent on smaller parties will not be able to come up to the expectations of IMF to qualify for another loan; it will be unable to lure investors, he noted.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that we must blame nobody but ourselves for the sad state of education system, collapsing healthcare system, inefficient civil service, pervasive crime and terror, and corruption that has become endemic.

He said that endorsing the failed leadership would result in continued chaos, extended inequality, burgeoning unemployment, poverty and the social evils that have become feature of our society.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that handing over victory to politicians that ruled the country for five years would be unfortunate as the incompetent band would never be ale to revive economy or stand up to domestic and international challenges.

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Election fears boost demand for insurance coverage

Election fears boost demand for insurance coverage

May 10

Fears associated with the parliamentary elections have increased need for risk coverage through insurance, a leading business leader said Friday.

Insurance industry should educate business community to take adequate measures to protect themselves and their business from any potential security and investment danger after the elections, said Mian Shahid, CEO Saudi Pak Insurance Company.

Security issues have brought economy to its knees, businesses have been destroyed and employees displaced because majority of the affected did not have proper insurance cover to compensate them, he said.

Rising political temperatures can result in political violence that can cause interruption in the business operations, he warned.

Mian Shahid said that industry should design appropriate products to cover business community especially the SMEs can be adversely affected in the post-election scenario.

The insurance industry should properly respond to rising demand of cover against risk, clashes, and terror, he said.

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Insurance companies asked forestall threats to masses, economy

Election jitters escalates need for risk mitigation: Mian Shahid

Insurance companies asked forestall threats to masses, economy

Lahore: May 09

Repeated terror incidents and other fears associated with the Parliamentary elections have not only increased awareness but also furthered need for risk mitigation through insurance, a businessman said Thursday.

Insurance industry is in need of dynamic people with high integrity level capable of delivering with out of box solutions, said Mian Shahid, CEO Saudi Pak Insurance Company.

Speaking to insurance stakeholders, he said that insurance sector will flourish if it explores untapped markets and serve masses, trade and commerce in the best possible way.

He said that we should educate business community to take adequate measures to protect themselves and their business from any potential security and investment danger.

Security issues have brought economy to its knees, businesses have been destroyed, and employees displaced because majority of those affected did not have proper insurance to compensate them, said Mian Shahid.

Rising political temperatures can result in political violence while most insurance companies are not properly prepared to cope with the situation, he said, adding that interruption in business operations has become a routine which must be covered.

Some insurance companies are lenient enough to reward some of their good customers after the suffer losses which is casting a negative shadow on whole industry, he said.

Shahid said that industry should design appropriate products to cover business community especially the SMEs can be adversely affected in post-election scenario.

The insurance industry should properly respond to rising demand of cover against risk, clashed, and terror. Insurance industry survives on pooling risk with a probability that it may or may not happen, he explained.

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Voters warned of handing victory to failed politicians

Voters warned of handing victory to failed politicians

Incompetent cabal cannot revive recession-bound economy

May 09

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said masses would be responsible for country's failures in future if they again elected leaders without vision and basic competence.

A weak government will not be able to overcome challenges or initiate reforms which will accelerate economic contraction paving way for default, it said.

We must blame nobody but ourselves for sad state of education system, collapsing healthcare system, an overfed yet inefficient civil service, pervasive crime and terror, and corruption that has become endemic, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

That is because we had elected a government believed and behaved like it was unaccountable, he said while talking to Baig Raj, President Punjab Forum.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that if masses continue endorse the failed leadership, the result would be continued chaos, extending inequality, burgeoning unemployment, poverty and the social evils that have become feature of our society.

Warning voters about handing victory to failed politicians, he said that the incompetent cabal that ruled country for five years cannot revive recession-bound economy or stand up to domestic and international challenges.

At the occasion, Mr Baig Raj said that economic revival plans of PML-N and PTI resembles to some extent therefore they should join hands in post-elections scenario for the sake of country.

A PPP-led coalition will fail the country therefore Nawaz Sharif and Imran should cooperate in the national interest, he said.

Following the injury of Imran during a rally, the reaction of PML-N leadership has not only sent very positive signals but it has also renewed hopes among the business community, he noted.

Masses are looking towards PML-N and PTI to forge a strong government to steer out country of current mess, said Baig Raj.

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