Lets look at people of FATA with compassion

People of FATA beg our love and attention!

Tarique Khan Javed,

President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

Dated 26^th March 2012

The missing male folk:

A visit to Khaber Pakhtunkhawa or KP is always a painful affair. Fifty percent of its Male population is forced to spend bulk of their lives outside the provinces for seeking livelihood. It has a very sad physical and sociological side effect. With little industry and lot of barren and unproductive land, its people especially those from FATA have no choice but to seek employment away from home and dear ones. Many stay outside for 30-40 years thus wasting most of their best years of life deprived of comforts of home and family.

Thanks to the present Government, at last the people of the province have a name and a big embarrassment of having a funny direction as a name of their province is gone.

The  War on  Terror has further reduced the attraction of the Area as an investment destination. While Rahay e Nijat operation moves towards its conclusion and over all terrorist activities have reduced, KP continues to be rocked by terror attacks as a retaliation of bold and tightening operations in former no go areas like North Waziristan, Khyber, Bajour etc. Life for terrorists in these Areas becomes more difficult with each passing day, as one after the other safe heaven is being overrun by our brave and overwhelming Armed Forces, duly helped by Air Force. Militarily the terrorist, be they Al Qaeda, Afghan or Pakistani Taliban are defeated and are running around doing desperate acts while mopping operation goes on.

Plight of Mahsud tribe:

I was able to visit WANA capital of South Waziristan on 21st Jan 2012 and found it firmly under control of our Armed forces; while the Wazirs were happy to be spared the fate of Mahsuds, who are completely blocked and isolated in their small Area. Wazirs traveling with me did not mind passing through 20 check post to reach WANA from Dera Ismail Khan. Mahsuds to avoid starvation are being compelled to take refuge in Government operated shelters near TANK.

Baitullah Mahsud and his successor Najibullah Mahsud had their lime light and Press Conferences; now their Elders, women and children pay a heavy price for their fleeting glory. There is lack of sympathy for this poor lot as Baitullah Mahsud is perceived to be the brutal and cowardly killer of Benazir Bhutto. While listening to the tale of Mahsud tribe misery, I found my heart shut from usual compassion, as image of Benazir and many more victims of Mahsud brutality, kept flashing my mind. A sad state of my mind one could say, but this is where we have landed as a Nation, in my opinion.

Military action in North Waziristan:

On 23rd Jan 2012, Armed forces imposed a curfew on the capital of North Waziristan Miran Shah. I was asked not to go to Miran Shah when I tried to go there on 25th Jan. I had to return from the border on Tochi River. I was told than that a result of ongoing Military Operation the Area should be cleared in month or two. I again tried to visit Mir Ali and Miran Shah on my way to Razmak on 15th March 2012, but again denied entry as operations continue and “no Peshawari, Punjabi, Sindhi is allowed to visit”. I guess the main purpose of this instruction to transporters, is to ensure that no Pressmen enter and Report.

Talk with some residents of Miran Shah in Bunnu indicted that Military is firmly in control of all Exit and Entry points and the Taliban resistance is down. Militants are running around in search of hideouts and are being hunted down on the Ground as well as from Air. Residents believed that the two Drone attacks on 13th March by US in which 17 militants including two important commanders Shams Allah and Amir Hamza were killed, was a co coordinated attack at the request of Pakistan Army. The location of attacks: Barmel and Sarakhora on the border between North and South Waziristan suggest that militants are forced to seek refuge in South as North is no more safe for them.

Besides Bunnu the other entry point to North Waziristan is Thull. A small town at the edge of Kohat District which borders Khurram and North Waziristan Agency. In normal times going to Thull from Bunnu is easy via Mir Ali. However with that route closed, transporters have introduced a longer and more expensive route via Karkari, which entailed going towards Kohat till Banda Shah in Karak District, than taking a west word road to Thull passing Teri and Dalan. The detour is necessitated by the fort like formation of mountains of Waziristan with no gap or opening. Near Thull another major road coming from Kohat Town via Hungu valley meets road from Karak. This road continues upto Parachinar. From Thull regular Hi ace service to Mir Ali a junction where the main road from Bunnu to Miran Shah meets road coming from Thull. However here also the instruction to transporters was same like in Bunnu. Waziris with their long hair and mostly black turbans were boarding. However, I was told they would be subject to thorough scrutiny. Any one not carrying original NIC will be returned. This was also the case on the road to WANA. Implying that being Pakistani matters more than being a Waziri on this route now. Thus in theory once the current sensitive operation is over. All Pakistanis can visit both Waziristans, for business or pleasure.

Let’s bring FATA in our care:

The process of integration of region known as FATA into Pakistan proper has begun. Between 1947 and 2010 our military hold on the Region was very limited. By abandoning 4 key Cantonments of Tank, WANA, Jandola and Razmak in 1947 we lost control of the Area and it was used by all kind of Evil elements with impunity. Operation Rahay e Nijat launched in April 2910, proved very costly on our soldiers. With major heights under control of better equipped foreign funded Militants advance of our forces involved sacrificing thousands of our brave soldiers. Now almost two years on all major heights are under control of our forces and Militants movement is getting restricted by the day. It is logical to suggest given the topography of the Region that North Baluchistan like security environment will be established in FATA in coming one or two years. Where by Tribal Jirga will be free to manage their affairs in their respective Area while all Major Towns and population centers will remain under Government control with all Pakistani Laws applied, implying Civil Courts, Land Registry, Police etc. Tribes will ensure security of the Roads passing through their Area. Any failure punishable by painful punitive expedition by well established Armed forces in major towns.

Once this is achieved consideration should be given convert the Agencies into Districts of KP. Thus ending the great injustice inflicted on the common people of FATA, in not incorporating their Area into British India when North Baluchistan was being grated that status. The main reason for not doing so was that Punjab Government, which would have endured the cost of having FATA in its Province, refused to do so as it thought it was financially not an attractive proposition. Financial consideration was not given that much importance, by Baluchistan Agency while incorporating impoverished Pakhtun belt into Baluchistan. The other explanation that the war like tribes man of FATA refused to be part of British India is in fact a popular mis conception. People of Waziristan which comprise 60pc of FATA, begged to be incorporated into British India as per Richard Bruce, Political Agent of Punjab, during s1890s, in Waziristan. However despite his recommendation to incorporate the Region , Punjab Government refused on financial consideration.

Plight of Afridies and Shinwaries:

My visit to Thorkham border in Khyber Agency gave me an insight as to why FATA was left as it is by various Governments, upto now. The Area is indeed useless and a burden. The 80 km stretch of land from Karkhano Bazaar at edge of green valley of Peshawar till Thorkham border their is noting about which something good can be said. One would like to do nothing with such dry, brown, dusty, tree less place. While passing this hellish landscape only one thing comes to ones mind why people would like to live in such hostile environment. The answer perhaps, as an important politician of ANP, belonging to Afridi tribe told me, is that that better organized Yusufzia tribesman, did not allow them to share the fertile land of Peshawar valley and pushed them into this hellish landscape. As the wise Afridi leader admitted it is indication of Afridi and Shinwari tribe weakness to be located in this hostile environment, not testament of bravery of these tribes as British stories would like to suggest. 

Same is true for other FATA agencies. Superior tribes pushed weaker tribes to less futile mountain Region. Within the less futile FATA regions the struggle to controlling better land continues. The Burke tribe of Waziristan has almost been expelled from their ancestral land; Mahsuds despite their fame, have been pushed into a barren land by better organized Waziris. Currently Waziris are resisting an intrusion in their land by Sulman Khel tribe from Baluchistan side, probably at the prompting of the Government to seal their escape route via  Gull Ketch. These are just struggle of survival by desperate people; this does not mean any luxury or good life one would envy. Even the Wazirs have a very low standard of living with little hope of improvement. The money they made by renting their Region to financially strong Militant organization is gone now; with the arrival of Pakistan Army. Similarly other criminal activities like Extortion, Kidnapping for ransom, Arms and Drug trade is going to end now. Now these people need help like no time before.

Let NGOs play a Role:

After what happened following 9/11, the Internationalization of poverty issue in FATA, time has come to Incorporate FATA into Pakistan. This will open gate of International help from NGOs from all over the World. Considering the generous help that followed Earth Quake and Flood, there is no reason why the World will not help poverty stricken people of FATA. All we need is to tell the World, is that these are most poor in our land and not the dreaded blood seeking powerful worriers. They are just poor and they need help. They need clean water, food, medical help, education and most important jobs near home if possible.

If Government of Pakistan, Western World, NGOs, And Overseas Pakistan join hand, we can take these some 6 million people, out poverty trap and make Pakistan and World at large a peaceful place. By keeping so many people in such abject poverty we have done a great crime. Now the time has come to correct this wrong.











Sent from my iPad

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: Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called ...

Tarique Khan Javed: Tarique Khan Javed: My challenge to all so called ...: 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: Lets March towards a Common Market of SAARC

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

Lets us defy West. Enough is enough.

Time to wage a war of Economic independence!

Tarique Khan Javed
President, overseas Pakistani Investors Forum
                                                                    

                                                                   Dated 7^th March 2012

Biggest economy of World- India:

Before the Britishers defeated us in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, India was doing fine. We were the Biggest Economy of the World with 30 pc share in World Economy, China was second with 28pc share, Indonesia 3rd with 14 pc and Brazil 4th with 10pc share. Rest of the World was quit poor.

India imported NOTHING from the World but exported substantial amount of Textile products to the Far East and Africa. We were the envy of the World. People from Poor Nations like the Arabs, Iranians, Turks and Europeans came looking for jobs and charity which we readily gave out generously. 

A unique feature of this economy was that it was a least governed, Lizzie fair economy with all industrial production based in home. The industrial produce of the time i.e. Textile were produced at home by the Ladies of the house in Town and Villages, contributing upto 30pc of house hold income. Every house had spinning machine or weaving machine and garments were produce by hand.

Karl Marx called this Asiatic Society.

Arrival of the Looters and Gun ships:

In 1600 Portuguese arrived with their Gun ships and blocked Indian Exports to Africa unless a fee was paid to them. As India had no Navy, Indian ships had no choice but to pay hefty amounts or risk sinking of their ships. Portuguese later established their Corporate Office at Goe from where they took part in some trade but mainly issued Cartels or papers indicating that the carrying ship has paid their dues in Goa, thus may not be harassed. 

The French and British followed and established Trading Posts. However they were annoyed to learn that Indians were not interested in any items they brought from Abroad nor they were keep exporting any item. They watched the huge Indian Economy with well established, Transport and Banking system, flourish in which they had no place. With lots of marketing efforts they were able to Export Indigo from Indian and sell some Silk from China.

Frustrated the British decided to occupy the wealthy Country and succeeded capturing Bihar, Bengal and Orissa after the Battle of Plassey. 

Efficient Tax machine and surpluses:

To make money to put up a very efficient tax collection system and imposed 80 pc tax on net profit in money terms, they imposed road taxes, they taxed Salt heavily and established a monopoly on its production and sale, similarly they taxed Indigo and also took control of its production and sale, they imposed heavy tax on Rum and Opium. By 1776, Revenue of British Bengal was 6 times that of Siraj-ud-Daulah in 1757.

The revenue of Pound 60 million  was such that after meeting all Local Civil and Military expenses they were able to send to England Pound 26 million, as Home Charges in the form of Grain. Essentially this was profit of East India Co. Besides that a substantial amount (Pound 10 million on averages) was sent home by the Britishers working in India, at upto 6 to 10 time’s salaries, of Indian doing the same job.

A “Zero Sum Game” and cost to Indians:

Some ones gain is some ones loss in this zero sum game. By 1793 when Permanent Settlement was granted 10 million Indians died in Famines in Bengal due to heavy and ever increasing Taxes which did not allow any savings for rainy day. People became too mal-nourished that any normal disease could kill them.

Famines of Bengal are the worst man made tragedies of recorded History.

After defeating the French, Britishers captured Madras. In Madras they introduced Ryotwari System to get rid of the middle man Zamindar. A DC started to deal directly with upto 150,000 small land holders, imposing as much tax as he wished. Any one refusing the unreasonable and un economic demand would loose his land and become a Laborers.

Taxes soared in Madras as well. But the cost that Indians paid was 5 million deaths by starvation while export of food grains to England continued unabated. The same story was repeated in Bombay when it came under British control.

Here too 5 million death followed imposition of killing taxes.

Besides the Land tax, the Britishers took away all the well paying jobs from Indians and also systematically destroyed the huge Textile industry. They shifted raw cotton to England to be made into thread and cloths on machines to re-exported back to India. This took away jobs of ladies of the household already suffering from lack of surplus from Land, lack of jobs for their male folk.

In all some 30 million Indians died to produce USD 8,000 billion surplus which was transferred to Britain making it the Richest Country of the World while Indian became the poorest Country by 1947. Same thing happened to China, Indonesia and Brazil.

Reversal of fortune:

This kind of reversal of fortune is not known in Human History. The cost paid by Civilized and less violent Nation was too much. Funny thing is that the conquerors were tiny Nations; if the subjugated Nations would have risen up they could easily kill all invaders. But they remained divided by race, religion, language etc as designed and 
Manipulated by the conquerors. Common interest of getting rid of the invaders was not seen as more important than minor differences among themselves. Thus the Invaders ruled with lot of ease.

After independence China and India were able to largely throw away much of the yoke of slavery from Europeans and follow independent Foreign and Economic polices.

Pakistan the weakest link in the Area:

However Pakistan failed to get out of Western slavery. USA took over the role of Britain and used Pakistan as its tool in the Region. Putting it first against India for its support to Communist Block then Soviet Union and finally against Al Qaeda and Taliban and other Islamic forces up against American imperialism. Pakistan was forced to support the invaders against the Nationalist forces in Suez Crisis, Gulf War etc. these days we are being forced to act against Iran and vote in favour of intervention in Syria while China and Russia veto.

Economic cost of enslavement:

·       I have explained above the process of direct extraction as was practiced by Colonial power in India, in the past, when they directly ruled the Countries.

·       I wish to emphasis the indirect exploitation in the form not allowing other Countries to sell in these markets which was practice during Colonial rule and still continues today. During the Colonial period all trains which were imported came from British Cos only. Similarly the large net work of irrigation canals and their gates and locks were only imported from UK. I think often the commercial interest of the British Cos and the commission they paid to Administrators was at the heart of proliferation of these projects not the interest of Indians. 

·       During my extended stay in the Gulf I noticed that most large contracts went to US or UK companies at very high rates. They often sub contracted these contracts to cos from other countries, after keeping a hefty margin for them self. American and nationals of some other pro US countries, working for Cos like ARAMCO were paid 3 times more salary compared to others. This was also practiced in India during Colonial Rule when a Local Judge was paid just Pound 150 pa, while an European Judge was paid Pound 3,000 pa. This helped expatriates send home Pound 10 million pa home on the average.

Moving back home and in recent time we see that:

1.    We are not at Liberty to import Gas from Iran although the pipeline has reached our border and we are facing huge gas shortages. USA is openly threatening us against any such move in recent days.

2.    We are not at liberty to move our Foreign Exchange Reserves from US Dollars or trade in any other Currency other than Dollars.

3.    A US prints more a more notes; USD 4000 billion since Nov 2008. It is value goes down against Yen and Swiss Franc making every thing expensive in USD. Thus transferring International Inflation created due to extra printing of USD into our Economy.

4.    If we had our reserve in Yen for instance, they would have remain stable. However keeping them in USD has reduced over USD 100 saving to 32 only between 1985 and now.

5.    Following the Plaza Accord in 1985, US abandoned Fixed Parity agreed in 1945 under Bretton Wood System according to which the parity between 1945 to 1985 was fixed at I USD= Yen 244. Now the market rate is 1 USD= Yen 76 or just 32% of its 1985 value. This is the main cause of International Inflation.

6.    In Yen terms prices are stable or falling. For instance the price of Oil in 1980s was around USD 35 per barrel these days it is around USD 105. If you divide 105 by 35 you get 3 or 1/3^rd  or in other words the Oil price in Yen is same now as it was in 1985.

7.    Thus in Yen terms there is no International Inflation while it terms of USD it is. Getting out of USD can protect us from International Inflation therefore very much a desired move.

Can we do it or not that is the big political question?

Yes, thanks ALLAH, we can do it now!

Unlike our Arab brothers we are in a better position get free of yoke, if democracy flourishes. Strong democratic practices like very large Public meetings in which the Imperialists are warned of dire consequences in case they dared to intervene is the most effective tool in fight against domination.

As has been happening these days in one after the other large meetings. Most important in which was PTI, JUI and Difa e Pakistan rallies in Karachi. Such show of force is the best shield against the Imperialist forces. Present Government can site these as barometer of Public sentiment and refuse to go against the wishes of people.

Our recent closure of NATO supply is a good omen in this regards. We were able to withstand US pressure for so long as the whole Nation stood together. We should know our strength and test it from time to time.

Decision to continue to trade with Iran despite US pressure is the next testing point.

Decision to flung open gate for trade with India is another land mark development and we should stick to it despite internal pressure from paid Agents like JUD and SSP.

When people of any Country become aware of cost of enslavement and rise up united, Imperialist forces withdraw from such places to concentrate energy on democratically less developed Countries like the Gulf State.

Sent from my iPad

Tarique Khan Javed: Federal Cabinet approves roadmap to normalize trade with India

Tarique Khan Javed: Federal Cabinet approves roadmap to normalize trade with India

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. In this article I insist that none of our current Leaders understand the main reason why Pakistan remains dependent on Foreign Aid.