Federal Cabinet approves roadmap to normalize trade with India

Federal Cabinet approves roadmap to normalize trade with India. A very BOLD decision which will go a long way in reducing poverty in the Region. Govt deserve a note of gratitude in taking this decision.

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response: Challenge and response Dated 19 th Feb 2012 By Tarique khan Javed, President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum The response ...

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Pakistan

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Pakistan

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...: Dare to tax the rich and powerful!! Dated: 23nd Feb 2012 Tarique Khan Javed President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Pak...

Tarique Khan Javed: Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...

Tarique Khan Javed: Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

Tarique Khan Javed: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC: India Pakistan Relationship and SAFTA Tarique Khan Javed, President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum ...

Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

India Pakistan Relationship and SAFTA

Tarique Khan Javed,
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

                                                                              Dated: 27th Feb 2012

Importance of Regional Trade:

As European and USA's Economic engine cools down, it is imperative that we look towards our region for new markets and increased volume of Trade. However just announcement of Government's intention of granting 'Most Favored Nation' status to India has generated a hate complain by extreme Right Islamic organizations like the banned outfit of Jamaat ul Dava (JUD). Who describe India as biggest enemy and deserving hate and vengeance. Their very expensive neat and professional wall chocking declares that any one trying to make peace with India is in fact an enemy of Islam. They are holding impressive rallies in major Cities in which the main agenda is relationship with India.

Why major Democratic forces like PPP, PML-N, MQM,ANP etc want peace with India? Are they against the ARMED lobby? Or are they worried about the welfare of the masses who can not be given basics necessities due to budget constrains?

What's the conflict and what will be its outcome. Will the ARMED lobby succeed like they did in 1999 and 2008? Or this time around the result will be different?

I do not have all the answers but I can attempt to put the issue in prospective and give recommendation.

War Lobby active in both Countries:
Who is investing so much for this campaign and how come banned out fit is being allowed to show their strength so openly? Who benefits from our continuous tension with India? How is likely to loose out, in case their is friendship with India and SAFTA gets implemented? How is likely to gain from such a friendship? These are questions which comes in mind.

It is obvious that Armed lobby is active for its survival and is using all its resources to halt the process of normalization of relationship, in the same vain as KARGIL and BOMBAY was used in the past. This time around they decided to use political means and huge investments in banners and sponsored large turnout in rallies are being used to threaten true Democratic forces in favour or reducing Defense budget.

In India also the ARMED lobby maintains similar force but they can not dictate on vast majority for ever.

Western aid and its negative impact:

Like Israel, Pakistan was created by WEST to be its Police man in their respective Region. Both have fought several wars with neighbors and both are Bankrupt. They can not survive without daily AID from West. Israel is dependent for its survival for a daily injection of USD 10 million. Cut this and Israel will be gone within a year or two. Pakistan has received Trillions of Dollar from West since its birth. Minus this it would have not survived. Major chuck of its Military budget has been coming from West and in return West has constantly used it, for fighting its dirty and most stupid wars with neighbors and we have obeyed; as we had no choice. Like Israel we are not in a position to say NO.

The huge amount or Western money which comes into Pakistan only benefit the Army and top Elite civilians. A very  small percentage goes to the population. Those who are beneficiaries of these transactions, have become rich beyond imagination, while the rest of population struggle for survival.

Those benefiting from current status quo are expected to fight for its continuation and are ready to invest huge sums out of their ill gotten money on forces who can derail the democratic process or silence the vast majority. For them Democracy is the biggest threat and they will try their best to derail it. They know that if Democracy continues, Political parties will be compelled to fight for the rights of vast majority.

Why Democrats want peace with India:

In recent times we have seen all major Political force coming out strongly on Independent Foreign policy, against any more wars and in favour of good relations with neighbors. Nawaz Sharif, Zardari and Imran Khan have vowed to fight any dictation from ARMED lobby, as to who we trade with or fight with.

Last election returned Parties in favour of good relations with India while the representation of the anti India forces was negligible. Previous elections have shown similar results. However the small parties with no significant electoral standing have a very large public view due to unlimited financial support. They are able to put up banners and pan flexes in such large scale that a common observer will get very impressed and think that represent their actual standing among masses.  However actually such forces have a very small following among masses.

Before arrival of Britishers all people lived in peace and harmony. The religious practices of as it was one other were respected and tolerated. This is evidence by the fact that despite 1000 Muslim Rule, vast majority continued to be non Muslims. Compulsion in religion was not practiced by Muslim Rulars as Islam does not allow this.

British Divide and Rule policiy and their agents:

However Britishers were very scared of such large population around them. If united by bare hand they could kill them all in few hours. Therefore they made it an important piece of Government policy to create as many divisions with the local Indian population as possible. Any one who attempted to create a Religious sect was given all out encouragement and Government protection. Thus hundreds of divisions were created in each and every religion and hatred against other religion was highly rewarded.

In 1947 Britishers left as they were bankrupt and weak after heavy battering by Hitler. They were shaking with fear inside of a general united uprising by Indians. However before leaving they handed over the Area to USA particularly Pakistan.

USA with the help of planted, approved and obliged leaders

(According to Wikeleaks; Zardari admits in private that he thinks he is President thanks to US approval),

 have continued British policies in Pakistan to keep us weak and dependent on them. So that they can use us unabated for their dirty agenda.

Poverty the real enemy on both side of border:

The abject poverty in both India and Pakistan, moves its sincere Leaders to opt for peace with a view to improve the lot of common people. They can not find any alternative to ending poverty other than through the dividends of peace which will include amongst others:

1.    Less defense spending and less tension.

2.     Prosperity through Tourism and trade within the Region.

3.    Visa regime could be made such that citizens of both countries can come and go by just presenting a Common Identity Card.

4.    SAFTA agreement could be fully implemented to create a common market by 2017.

5.    A common currency could also be considered around that time.

All democratic forces must Unite against forces like Jamat Ul Dava (JUD)  and crush them and march ahead and open borders with India for trade and people to people contact.

Our true destination:

These measures will make the Region a prosperous and happy place as it was before the Colonial powers arrived and robbed its wealth and created hatred among its inhabitants to keep them divided to facilitate their loot.

India will become number Third and Pakistan Fifth biggest Economy of the World. This is not an exaggeration but a default situation. In 1757 Indo Pakistan produced 34% of World GDP and thus was No 1 economy of the world. Minus the current loot and enslavement; the default situation must and will be restored. All we need is to crush the paid agents of hate like JUD and get rid of approved Leaders like Zardari and pursue defiantly our goal economic independence and glory.

 

 Sent from my iPad

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Paki...: Dare to tax the rich and powerful!! Dated: 23nd Feb 2012 Tarique Khan Javed President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Pak...

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Pakistan

Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Pakistan

My challenge to all so called Well wishers of Pakistan

Dare to tax the rich and powerful!!

Dated: 23nd Feb 2012

Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

Pakistan is entering an interesting phase. As new political parties take Central stage and are ready to announce a defiant Manifesto to attract crowd the existing Parties who has thus far taken Votes for granted are thinking hard to come up with popular Manifestos.

Fruits of Democracy is bound to start arriving and bring radical change in the way the Country was run upto now. There is a desperate last minute attempt to stop the democratic process to maintain the status quo. Memo gate is an attempt to bring in Military dictatorship so that popular reforms are differed for some more years.

Weak politicians and Tax on Land:

The issue of Taxing the Rich of Pakistan has become an International issue. US have called for raising tax from the rich. IMF has recently said that Pakistani Parliament is inept and weak, avoiding taxing the rich and instead raising more tax from already crushed poor and using IMF as escape goat in Popular Press and that this was not fair.

PTI and APML are currently searching for people friendly policies to be included in their Manifestos. Judging the much increased level of awareness among masses, thanks to a vibrant media, these parties are likely to come up with radical reforms to capture Votes.

Even overseas Pakistanis are considering launching their own party with very revolutionary Manifesto.

This atmosphere which never existed before bode well for the people of Pakistan. They have a chance to arrest their declining standards of living.

Two old promises must be broken now:

1.    The Unionist Government in Punjab and Congress Government in KP refused to join Pakistan. A compromise was made to assure the Unionists that there privileges will not be touched. No Land Reform will take place in Pakistan and they will not be taxed as well.

2.    In the case of KP we brought the Tribal elders by our side by agreeing to their demand to close cantonments in WANA, TANK, JANDOLA AND RAZMAK.

This created a Country which was economically unviable and militarily crippled. However after 64 years of Lawlessness in FATA in 2010 Pakistan Army entered FATA and have reoccupied the bases and soon the safe heavens of terrorists and extremist will be closed. Thus the issue of Tax on Land remains the thorny National issue to be resolved.

British and Mughal Land Tax:

·       The promise of not taxing the Land Lords meant giving away the 80% tax revenue which the Mughals and Britishers derived from Land. The rent for having a Land for cultivation was so high during the British Rule that people use to refuse to take the Land for cultivation. This was particularly so in the Ryotwari system introduced in Madras and Bombay. The DC and Superintendent of Land use to determine the productivity of Land and demand an 80% share in net income against granting of lease for 30 years. Often cultivators were unable to meet the tax in cash and suffered jail and punishment. So taking over land was a risky business.

·       Under the Mughals the tax rate was same but in kind. The Jagirdars and Zamindars were also obliged to contribute a given number of fighters when called upon.

Foundation of Western puppet state:

In Pakistan this dominant source of income given up at the assurance of West that they will contribute generously to support Pakistan’s budget as long as Pakistan works for them.

If you add up all imports of Pakistan since inception and deduct total exports, remittances by Overseas Pakistanis and the existing Foreign debt you can arrive at the total Western aid given to Pakistan. It is substantial amount. Minus this Pakistan could not have survived so far and it can not survive for long in future as well.

Therefore before we make big claims of Honour, self reliance, dignity, and sovereignty we must first find a way to fix the huge anomaly in our National life!

Do any of our Leaders including Imran Khan, have the vision and understanding of this basics problem and guts to fix it. Answer is NO.

Land Reforms- a Tabbo subject:

Ayub Khan in 1959, dared to introduce Land Reform which benefitted just 186,000 families but left the Land holding almost intact. In 1972, Bhutto also dared and brought down Ceiling to 150 acres. This benefited just 71,000 families and Land Holding remained unchanged as Land was allowed to be transferred to servants and family members.

When Bhutto tried to second Reform in 1977 he was hanged. Since then no one has dared to implement the Land Reform Act of 1977.

Income Tax on income from Agriculture:

When Asif Zardari is asked how much tax he pays his simple response is that he is an Agriculturist and they do not pay taxes. Matter closed.

If every making more than Rs 350,000 pa is made to pay Income tax. This Direct tax revenue can increase many fold. This will not impact the small agriculturist as they do not make that much. This will only impact the well to do agriculturists like Mr. Zardari, who is obviously not poor with his Bilawal Houses if not the richest man of the World as popularly believed. Tax net of Pakistan can not be increased to a meaningful level without tax the income of Agriculture sector. Current Direct Tax payers of on 1.8 million in Country of 180 million are unbelievable. Indeed Pakistan is heaven for the Rich and Hell for the poor and Salaried class who form the bulk of Direct Tax payer. Lack of Direct Tax compels us to increase the rate of Indirect Taxes all the time. If Direct Tax collection rate can be increased to say 50% if not 95% in Countries like Canada. The burden on poor in the form of Indirect Taxes can be substantially reduced and a part of high Direct Taxes may be transferred to the poor in the form of Subsidies of Direct help in the form of Benazir Income Support Fund, or refund of Indirect Tax collected as applicable Fair Countries of the World. 

However it is said that 80% members of Assemblies have interest in Land therefore it is impossible to get any law passed from these assemblies which will impose Tax on this class or introduce meaningful Land reform.

RURAL- URBAN divide:

In recent times MQM tried to table a Bill calling for Land Reform restricting maximum holding to 37 acres; however it has not moved forward.

When Urban parties like MQM are can not make any difference in parliament. Who will push for the legislation? Who will bell the cat? That is the big National Question and Challenge.

Will any party with a Rural base dare to call for implementation of 1977 Land Reform Bill to bring down the maximum ceiling to 100 acres.

ANP’s Manifesto calls for bring down the maximum ceiling to 50 acres per family. However they have not pushed for implementation of Act of 1977 as a first step and keep Ruling providing strategic support to PPP government.

ANP and MQM if they were really serious about Land Reform they should have together made noises about Land Reform in and outside the parliament. But the fact that they did not indicate that they talk of this issue just to get support, knowing very well that they are unlikely to take a Central National stage when their promises may be tested.

Only a new player can dare:

The bold action required to tackle the issue can be taken only buy a new party with no interest in Ruling and thus no need to compromise. Such a party may come up with a Revolutionary Manifesto and try to reach the masses directly. The new technology of satellite TV, U Tube, FACE BOOK, Twitter, Google Plus and E Papers may be used to propagate the message besides the normal media and rallies. Mosques may be used as a network in Rural Areas.

Such a party can rely on Overseas Pakistanis a major source of donation. As they are keen to see Pakistan emerge as honourable State. Where they can return with their wealth and experience to make it one of the biggest Economies of the World following the Chinese model.

If this party wins it can implement the manifesto without worrying about the consequences. Even if it ousted after few years it should matter to them as they did not start the party to rule any way. This principled uncompromising state of mind is essential to bring about major change. If like Imran Khan just to rule the Party starts making compromises its Manifesto and aim can get diluted beyond recognition.

Land Reform and Agriculture Tax proposal:

Such a party besides other Reforms should give top priority to Land and Tax reform as that is the main issue. Reforms should call for:

1.    In first stage implement the Land Reform Act of 1977 to bring down maximum ceiling to 100 acres. Distribute the resumed land to Landless peasants at the rate of 2 acre per family. In second stage consider bring down ceiling to 37 acres as proposed by MQM. The lease should become conditional to using it for agriculture purpose only. Any one found to keep land idle for more than 3 years should be warned and if within one year the land is not put to use the lease may be cancelled.

2.    Introduce meaningful Rent on agriculture land as was applicable in British period. The rates applicable must be studied and inflation adjusted rates applied.

3.     The current exception on income from Land needs to be scarped. Income of Rs 350,000 pa from agriculture must be taxed like any other income.

4.    All land records should be computerized and may be marked on Satellite maps like Google. Land record must be available on Web along with NICs of the owners to control corruption and facilitate transactions.

Other Tax proposal:

To boost tax collection and reduce income and wealth disparity following taxes may be considered:

1.    Inheritance/State Tax: This tax taken on the death of person was applicable in British period and is still applicable in U.K. This was removed in Pakistan. This need to be reintroduced and a very high rate applied for 10 years, there after the rate may be reduced. Like Iran, UK and USA a high rate between 40 to 55% may be considered

2.    Wealth Tax: This tax was also applicable in Pakistan but was later withdrawn. This need to be reintroduced and a high rate applied for first 10 years. A rate of 5% on net wealth of Rs 5 crore may be considered.

3.    Tax on big Houses and flats: It is proposed that for any house above 200 yards and flat above 1200 sq ft covered area should be taxed at the rate of Rs 200 per yard and Rs 50 per sq ft respectively.

Like other civilized Countries introduction of above taxes will lead to reducing burden on the poor. Most indict taxes could be reduced or scarped altogether.

“MURAD PROPOSAL”:

For fixing our high borrowing and structural imbalance in our budget. Mr. Murad Ahmed Khan (Late) SVP, OPIF’s proposal for moving all Military bases away from Urban Centers may be considered. Murad, a builder estimated by selling Military land in cities a sum of Rs 50 trillion could be collected through a computerized Auction. He recommended that funds so collected could be used as follows:

1.    Rs 10 trillion to build State of the Art new bases 100 km away from current bases in remote uninhabited areas like Thana Bula Khan in case of current bases in Karachi and Hyderabad.

2.    Rs 12 trillion to pay off all internal and external debt.

3.    Rs 10 trillion could be invested in local and international market on behalf of Ministry of Defense. So that they may earn Rs 400 to 700 billion to meet their expenses.

4.    Rs 5 trillion may be reserved for Health. With a view to ensure basic health care for all.

5.    Rs 5 trillion may be reserved for Education. To ensure that every Pakistani gets normal education upto Matriculation.

6.    Rs 5 trillion may be reserved for Drinking water. To ensure that every Pakistani gets clean drinking water.

7.    Rs. 3 trillion in an International Reserve Fund to provide short term budgetary support.

I, think “Murad proposal” needs to be looked seriously to fix our budget problems for ever.

This combined the above tax proposals should lead to a stable Pakistan free from clutches of Foreign Aid and its attached enslavement.

A proud self reliant, completely independent Pakistan, with tolerable difference between rich and poor should be our National goal.

 Sent from my iPad

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response: Challenge and response Dated 19 th Feb 2012 By Tarique khan Javed, President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum The response ... The article was published by The Financial Daily

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response: Challenge and response Dated 19 th Feb 2012 By Tarique khan Javed, President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum The response ... The article was published by The Financial Daily

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - EDITORIAL: MQM’s appreciable rally

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - EDITORIAL: MQM’s appreciable rally

Tarique Khan Javed: Overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani Politics,publish...

Tarique Khan Javed: Overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani Politics,publish...: Overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani politics By Tarique Khan Javed,President,Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Plight of Overseas Pakistanis...

Tarique Khan Javed: My article in defense of Civilians published on 16...

Tarique Khan Javed: My article in defense of Civilians published on 16...: Pentagon targets Pakistan Dated 16th Dec 2011 B y T...

Tarique Khan Javed: Musharaf's JALSA in Karachi

Tarique Khan Javed: Musharaf's JALSA in Karachi: The article was published as a Leading Article on 14th Jan 2012 Musharraf’s JALSA in Karachi Dated: 13 Jan 2012 By Tarique Khan J...

Tarique Khan Javed: Regularise Katchi Abadies and Goths now

Tarique Khan Javed: Regularise Katchi Abadies and Goths now: Regularize all Katchi Abadies and Goths now! By Tarique Khan Javed Dated: 13 Jan 2012 President, Overseas Pakistan...

Tarique Khan Javed: Time to implement Land Reform Act of 1977

Tarique Khan Javed: Time to implement Land Reform Act of 1977: Time to implement Land Reform Act of 1977 Dated 17 ...

Tarique Khan Javed: My first article following my visit to FATA last w...

Tarique Khan Javed: My first article following my visit to FATA last w...: FATA is tamed and must be fully absorbed By Tarique Khan Javed, President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Dated 29th Jan 2012 ...

Tarique Khan Javed: Demand for 10 provinces and new Capital

Tarique Khan Javed: Demand for 10 provinces and new Capital: New Provinces- Need of the hour Tarique Khan Javed, President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum ...

Tarique Khan Javed: Right wing show of Power in Karachi

Tarique Khan Javed: Right wing show of Power in Karachi: Difa a Pakistan JALSA in Karachi By: Tarique Khan Javed President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Dated 16th Feb 2012 ...

Tarique Khan Javed: Who is Afraid of Whom? Diva-e- Pakistan Rally- The...

Tarique Khan Javed: Who is Afraid of Whom? Diva-e- Pakistan Rally- The...: www.thefinancialdaily.com Difa-e-Pakistan Rally Who is Afraid of Whom? Tarique Khan Javed On Feb 12th, 2012, a coalition of...

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response: Challenge and response Dated 19 th Feb 2012 By Tarique khan Javed, President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum The response ...

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Tarique Khan Javed: Women of Karachi’s defiant response: Challenge and response Dated 19 th Feb 2012 By Tarique khan Javed, President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum The response ...

Women of Karachi’s defiant response

Challenge and response

Dated 19^th Feb 2012

By Tarique khan Javed,

President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

The response to the  challenge of Difa a Pakistan's all Wahabi and all Male Jalsa in Karachi last Sunday, was given by two Jalsas this Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the Shias gathered at Ancholi for Difa a Tashyu or Shia and on Sunday MQM organized a spectacular all women event that can not be ignored.

Women of Karachi’s defiant  response:
My depression has dissipated after seeing thousands of young girls wearing their dresses of choice, having mahndi on their hand and wearing colours of MQM flag on their cheeks, dancing to Sariaki and Sindhi folk songs tunes around Mazara a Quide. Last week I could not find a single female in the Difa a Pakistan Jalsa. One week later so many girls in the same venue wearing what they like- no compulsion; almost felt like a dream come true.

I, estimate that only 5pc covered their face only 20pc wore stylish Abayas, only additional 10pc wore duppatta over their head; rest 65% preferred to be just modest with their Shalwar- Kamiz or Saris. Probably true preference of society in Karachi.

I was pleased to note the participation of  Hindu women in large numbers besides typically dressed Bohri ladies. This huge participation represent the fear of Pakistani women in general, against possibility of parties in Difa a Pakistan Council come to power. They perhaps thought it was important to show up today; to prevent Taliban like forces taking control of Pakistan, as they did during Zia rule in Pakistan  and Taliban rule in Afghanistan. They know well that if such forces come to power they can not be removed due to their violent methods as witnessed in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan during Taliban rule. So the time to act is now, not after Difa a Pakistan alliance take control.

MQM’s bold stance but limited reach:
MQM has come of age and is now reflecting the need of majority of People of Pakistan. Their Land Reform Bill ( on hold in parliament), their Domestic Violence bill, their bill for new provinces, their demand for a secular Pakistan, were all sects are viewed with appreciation of diversity, rather subject to prosecution is being finally appreciated. Altaf Hussain endorsed all rights for the women as available else were in the World. He emphasized that poverty in our Country can not be removed without involving 52% population.

The organizational ability of MQM was tested to full extend and they came out with full marks. The logistics of bringing so many women to the venue or taking them back safely was not an easy task and they did that flawlessly.

However when I realize that the euphoria of Karachi event can not be equated to Country wide trends, my heart sinks again. Except few urban centers; women in Pakistan are not seen in Public. They are locked in houses after the age of 8. This prevents their physical and mental development. Thus a huge work force is lost leading to wide spread poverty.

No hope for change in near future:

The hold of current system is very strong. Parties like MQM have no presence in Rural Areas and is generally mistrusted as a Mohajir based ethnic party. While the PPP, MLs, PTI selected representatives from these Areas have a strong vested interest in maintaining the status quo. With their strong guaranteed seats parties are at their mercy and can not push them around. Only  Z.A. Bhutto tried to break their hold but he failed and the new Leaders do not have energy, guts or vision to push a revolutionary agenda.

ANP the party which great visionary BACHA KHAN formed in 1930s has lost its way and have become an ethnic party atleast in Sindh and have no presence in FATA. BACHA KHAN pushed for educating women in Pakhtun society. His model could play a major role in transforming Pakistan. But is not going to be the case as ANP is just busy Ruling with all kind of compromises. The Party of BACHA KHAN- the great champion of Non violence is feared as organized killers in Karachi.

Probably a new party, not interested in Ruling, combining all progressive forces in the Country will bring about a change. However that an distance possibility.

Than how we will come around this problem in the short run?

Asiatic economic model:

Our Economic history provides one unique solution. The Asiatic economic system as Karl Marks called it which existed in Indo Pak before 1800, involved generation of one third income by Ladies of the house. Through home based spinning and weaving activities. Data of the period indicate that there was good return on conversion/value adding of cotton to thread and from thread to cloth. By 1830, Britishers were able to destroy this Industry and shift it to UK, where raw cotton from India was value added on machines still generating lot of jobs for UK at the cost of loss of jobs in India. It hurt the general population very badly as the entire women industrial work force lost jobs and their status within the society as asset turned to burden. This along with loss of jobs to Britishers and heavy tax on agriculture contributed to the rise in poverty in Indo Pak.

While now the un natural Textile industry in UK has been closed down and has returned to Indo Pak its move back to homes is still due. If we could push all value adding beyond weaving to homes it could give us a great competitive advantage and employ a massive home based work force.

This should be one of the most important Nation goals of Pakistan. Large amount of funds should be committed for this purpose and foreign aid sought for this initiative which improves the image of our women in Rural Areas and they will become economic assets instead of burden at present. They do not have work after finishing the preparation of food and cleaning and are bored and depressed due to lack of work. If they could devote 5-6 hours working their lot will improve and they would be respected.  

Who is Afraid of Whom? Diva-e- Pakistan Rally- The Financial Daily

www.thefinancialdaily.com  Difa-e-Pakistan Rally Who is Afraid of Whom? Tarique Khan Javed On Feb 12th, 2012, a coalition of right-wing religious and political parties staged a show of strength in Karachi. A flag dominated meeting: The announced time for the meeting was 11:00 AM so I reached venue -- next to Mazar-e-Quaid -- at 12 noon. Found it very poorly attended mostly by Madresas’ students carrying huge flags. I was able to get a place in the 3rd row on the carpet yet the stage was not visible as there were too many flags, which the carriers refused to lower even at the appeal of organisers. Except for the carpets there was no crowd. Large numbers of chairs remained empty, mostly in behind. The security in front of the stage was under Jamat e Islami, who kept the crowd far away from the stage. The security at entrance and around the venue was firmly in the hands of Jamaat-ud-Dawa. Many guards were on horses carrying flags, while not a single policeman or ranger personnel were present. Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s large flags and balloons dominated the venue, however the largest number of flags and participants were from Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamat. Local leaders like Ahsan Mehanti of JI addressed the crowd till the meeting broke at 1:00 PM for prayers to resume at 1.30 PM. I thought the meeting was a complete flop because except for the desperately poor Madresas’ students who were obliged to attend such meetings or lose their chance of getting two breads for meal, there was no one. However when I reached Numaish a big rally of Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat arrived. I decided to rejoin the meeting after prayers. By that time one-forth chairs were occupied and I managed to get a seat on the carpet. Munawwar Hasan or JI and Mualana Sami-ul Haq, the President of Difa-e-Pakistan Council arrived at 2:00 PM. Soon Ejaz-ul Haq and General (Retd) Hamid Gull and his son arrived and the meeting gathered momentum. In one after another fiery speeches, USA and India were severely denounced. Even one speaker assured us that Pakistan will soon be expanded up to Calcutta. As the time passed number of participants grew up, and by 5:00 PM all seats were occupied. Assorted participants- a weak coalition: As a large number of parties and organizers were participating there was no dearth of speakers. There was a big fight for time of speech. Organizers were finding it difficult to keep speaker end their rhetoric within the allocated time. Even Shaikh Rashid’s speech was ended abruptly; as he kept on repeating his lectures he gives on TV talk shows. Time was allocated according to contribution of the large number of parties taking part which included: 1. Muslim League-Sher-e-Bengal, 2. ML-Ejaz Ul Haq,  3. Pakistan Ulema Council 4. Awami Muslim League, 5. Ansar-ul Umma, 6. Jamaat Islami, 7. JUI -- Sami ul Haq, 8. JUI --  Nazaryati, 9. Jamhoori Watan Party, 10. Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat, 11. Jamaat-ud-Dawa However, while other parties including a representative of PTI and Shaikh Rashid were given a chance to make small speeches, to mark their attendance, it was mainly a show of strength of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat. I estimate that they represented 80% flag and attendance and probably they paid most of the bill. JI played second to these parties. From religious divide point of view it was 100% Deobandi school of thought get-together. No Barelvi, Shia or other sect of Islam was represented. In line with their way of thinking not a single woman participated, either as speaker or attendee. Some female journalist looked odd in this all male meeting. By the time the key-speakers like Ludhianvi of Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat, Hafiz Saeed of Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Munawwar Hasan of JI got chance to speak, darkness was fast looming so they hurried with their speeches. Therefore when Maulana Sami-ul Haq came it was past Maghrib prayer time, and he endorsed all speeches up to then, as his own speech and summed it as follows: Idealist and impractical demands: That a follow-up ‘Dharna’ in front of Parliament will be organized on 20th Feb, to press on following key resolutions of the Karachi meeting: 1. Drone attacks should be stopped 2. Talks with Taliban should be resumed and action against them stopped 3. NATO supplies should not be resumed. Even air space should not be given 4. Most Favored Nation status to India should not be given 5. Struggle for Liberation of Kashmir should be intensified 6. USA should not interfere in Balochistan and Akbar Bugti murderer should be punished 7. Aafia Siddiqui should be freed and assault on her sister should be investigated 8. Relations with USA should be reviewed and their aid refused 9. Loan taken from international aid agencies may be defaulted as they were not taken by Pakistanis but their corrupt leaders for their own use 10. NATO/ USA should not dare to take action like 26th Nov 2011 again. If they do so, we should respond with lethal force Militarily defeated forces turning to democracy A meeting of this magnitude in Karachi by a banned organization confuses me. Following questions come to my mind: 1. How can Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JD) color Karachi with neatly and artistically written wall-chalking against India and than hold this meeting without approval of Establishment? Hafiz Saeed is considered to be the ‘mastermind’ of Mumbai attacks in Dec 2008. JD is a reformed name for Jesh-e-Mohammed. 2. Why establishment is backing such forces? 3. Who is funding these lavish expenditures? 4. Why is Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) given such free hand? When they do not hide the fact that they are successors of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). SSP is the enemy of Shias, Aga Khanis, Bohris, Ahmadis and all Barelvi sects. Considering them worst than Non-Muslims. If possible they would like to cleanse Pakistan of these divergent Muslims. 5. Is it a keen jerk reaction of 26th Nov 2011 attack? Or 6. Is our Army really thinking of going to war with US and NATO? Is it worried about spending cuts as a result of improving relationship with India and using all it assets to delay the process? 7. It is possible that Saudi interests of promoting their brand of Wahabi Islam and our Army's interest of keeping their budget allocation intact has brought about this coalition of different forces. Observations: Common Saudi and Gulf citizen hates USA and are fed up of the strangle hold and would love to see it destroyed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore they donate generously when al-Qaeda or Jamaat-ud-Dawa kind of organisations come seeking funds. I have attended fundraising of Hafiz Saeed in Riyadh. In which large sums were given to him ostensibly for social work and to help Kashmiris. Similarly funds for al-Qaeda were raised very easily. With the help of such funds Hafiz Sahib has built a large Fort for himself in Muridkay which is beyond the reach of Pakistani authorities. He has also created a large social-work network including standard educational institutions, good medical facilities, a fleet of ambulances (under Falah-e-Insaniyat) Foundation - FIF) because of which he enjoys lot of respect and support among locals. I saw FIF helping people of Sujawal in Sindh during 2010 floods. Charges against Hafiz Saeed could not be proved in courts and now he is able to show his power in major cities of Pakistan. SSP continues to operate despite the ban. In Karachi meeting the portrait of Azim Tariq was proudly displayed in Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal Jamaat posters. SSP at odd with 80% Muslims of Pakistan has been receiving lot of beating in Karachi. Its new leader Ludhianvi cries on TV, at the death of large number of his followers in Karachi. His worry for his own life was visible by the amount of armed guards around him. The tit-for-tat killing of SSP supporters and there equally well-armed opponents, create a bad image of Pakistan and causes a lot of concern. Authorities may be trying to intensify the fight to eliminate extremists on both sides. However their massive show of force on 12th February must have sent a wave of fear among non-Wahabi militant outfits like Iran-backed-Shia extremists, Sunni Tehrik and other Barelvi militant outfits. The turf-war of Saudis and Iranian on Pakistani soil is going on for long, but it was intensified during Zia-era, when State sided with Wahabi forces like SSP. Creating fear among Shias in particular and they sought Iranian help and created own defenders.  Conclusions: 1: Since the killing of Osama our red-faced and embarrassed Army has done a number of knee-jerk reactions which was not needed. Memogate and formation of Difa-e-Pakistan Council are two of them. Both will fizzle out soon. The whole nation is with them and they are not a burden on us. As economy will expand exponentially, their budget will become easily bearable. Continuation of Democracy and needed reforms are only requirement. 2: The Taliban and al-Qaeda are militarily defeated. Thus their ideological backers are now humbled and trying to become Democratic. This is welcome. Let Difa a Pakistan Party be formed and try to win few seats in assemblies. They will know soon where they stand. 3: The issue of foreign interference should be brought into public debate. Along with US, Saudi Arabia, Gulf States and Iran must be asked to stop funding various groups in Pakistan. 4: As a democratic country we should backup democratic forces in Gulf and Iran as a tit-for-tat for what these nations have been doing in our country for a long-time based on their riches and taking advantage of our poverty. 5. Wahabis should be advised to only adopt peaceful means propagation of their Brand of Islam and give up coercive means or face the full force of Law. They can not fight the State as well as better armed and trained opponents. Unfortunately people prefer other sects over them as evidenced by their growing numbers and influence.  6. Hafiz Saeed should be advised to concentrate on his social work and compete with Edhi. He should understand that with the opening of trade routes and creation of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Kashmir issue has not remained the same. Issuance of 5-year multiple visas for Kashmiris on both sides and opening of more trade routes will further dilute the cause. If we make the mistake of holding plebiscite under UN in the whole of Kashmir including Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and occupied Kashmir, there would be a good chance that we will loose Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan as these areas are predominantly Aga Khanis, Shia and Nurbakhshi. Who is afraid of the dominance of Wahabi Islam in Pakistan? According to whom they are Wajib-ul-Qatl. Why they should choose a country where they must give up their religion or get killed? This is the price of our religious extremism.  (Writer is the President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum)