81 days

[SBD-3]

Nice logic, I am afraid how PML-N has missed great gem of a mind of yours. Why don't you give this idea to NS? He should better move entire nation to Afghanistan, or Somalia or Uganda for a month. Because due to human nature, Pakistanis are criticizing him a lot these days as they don't like current situation in Pakistan and are not satisfied.

So after coming back from Afghanistan or Somalia or Uganda after spending a month there, Pakistani's will start considering Pakistan as a heaven on Earth with no problem at all. And then people will be in so much love with NS that he can declare himself mighty King of Pakistan.

As said,"Rah paya janay thay wah paya janay". When you'll be exposed to such situation, you will learn yourself.

 

[IceCold]

what is the appeasement apart from few soundbite. give me some concrete evidence.

what more evidence you need then this. Our soldiers are getting killed and the only thing which comes out of his mouth is "Meri fateh Bharat ka saath amaan ka mandate ha".
When Manmohan singh reciprocates in the same fashion then come here and talk about evidence.

 

[livingdead]

what more evidence you need then this. Our soldiers are getting killed and the only thing which comes out of his mouth is "Meri fateh Bharat ka saath amaan ka mandate ha".
When Manmohan singh reciprocates in the same fashion then come here and talk about evidence.

thats what I meant by soundbite... nothing concrete... just empty words... while both arimes shell each other..

 

[IceCold]

thats what I meant by soundbite... nothing concrete... just empty words... while both arimes shell each other..

No thats not what I meant, because I did not say what you meant, i said clearly the opposite. What NS is doing and what the Indian government is doing, the way they are behaving clearly are two very different approaches. While former has shown no sign of aggressiveness rather timidness and an appeasement policy, the latter has adopted a unified aggressive approach.
These are not words, governments make the policy, Armed forces act on that policy, NS failed on both accounts. And let me add here it is no secret that NS has known to have personal interests with India and hence he does not want to offend India no matter how many jawans of our armed forces get martyred.

 

[Al Bhatti]

August 24, 2013

Are Sharif’s electoral gains worth celebrating?

Questions need to be raised over his ability to introduce reforms as he translates his majority in parliament to a meaningful government

The political gains made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in by-elections this past week, may have prompted celebrations among members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). But in reality, the gains driven by an expansion of the PML-N’s already proven majority in Pakistan’s parliament are simply meaningless.

Thursday’s by-elections across 41 constituencies of Pakistan’s federal and provincial legislatures marked the first time ever that such a large number of constituencies were up for grabs in by-elections.

This followed the landmark event in May this year, when a new parliament was elected to replace another which successfully completed its five-year term, making such a transition the first time ever. The event was widely seen by many pro-democracy activists as a virtual coming of age in a country where short lived periods of democracy in the past were interrupted by military interventions.

For the moment it seems, that politics may have changed. Yet, this feeling of comfort may be more of a façade than reality given the early signs of the new government’s emerging performance. Sharif’s arrival in office has taken place at a time when Pakistan’s security conditions are in a dismal state and the future of the economy remains surrounded by uncertainty.

Controversial pledge

The by-elections have taken place in a week when Sharif has made his first speech to reach out to ordinary Pakistanis. The event could have easily been a moment for the new prime minister to not only share his concerns over prospects for Pakistan but also his reform plans to tackle those very concerns.

Yet, a failure to spell out the latter meant that many ordinary Pakistanis were left nervous over the future of 
their country. Sharif used his speech to renew a controversial pledge of negotiating with the Taliban, in spite of the apparent refusal by members of the hard line group to reciprocate.

Though Sharif suggested that tough measures to tackle the challenge from the Taliban still remained an option, many analysts saw his remarks more for their determination to seek a conciliatory end to the ongoing conflict in Pakistan. Going forward, the risk is indeed that of witnessing the Taliban become further emboldened, in responding to a state they consider under attack, on the defensive and still offering the opportunity of negotiations.

At the same time, questions need to be raised over Sharif’s ability to introduce reforms connected to security conditions and the economy, as he translates his more than comfortable majority in parliament to a meaningful government. For the moment, he remains distant from the beginning to move Pakistan towards a badly needed national political consensus in support of a new security paradigm. For weeks, uncertainty has prevailed across the country over the government’s plans to host an all parties’ conference or APC. The event that was originally scheduled for the first half of July, was supposed to be the first step towards bringing leaders of key political parties on board for discussing future security strategies.

Ill advised economic policies

Meanwhile, some of his government’s ill advised econ-omic policies have hardly helped to inject a badly needed sense of stability. Shortly after taking charge as prime minister, Sharif oversaw a new budget that controversially introduced the idea of allowing the notoriously corrupt tax officials to gain first hand access to any bank account across the country. Supposedly, this step is meant for all tax officials to probe ‘hidden wealth’ of tax evaders. Yet, it has so far proven to have had a counter effect as the rupee has shrunk in value and anecdotal evidence suggests a number of affluent Pakistanis seeking to transfer their wealth out of the country.

These examples broadly illustrate a disconcerting trend for the future of Pakistan, notwithstanding the latest political gains by the ruling party.

The disturbing reality which continues to haunt is indeed that of a country which may have come of age in terms of parliamentary politics. Yet, Pakistan remains distant from coming to age in terms of tackling the most vital challenges confronting the state, society, security conditions and the economy.

The celebrations by Sharif’s party notwithstanding, Pakistan remains distant from celebrating a turning of the corner as it struggles to emerge from the several crises which have haunted it for years.

Farhan Bokhari is a Pakistan-based commentator who writes on political and economic matters.

Are Sharif

 

[batmannow]

same old mess? in new rapper?
damocrazy. damocrazy, its allways a damocrazy in pakistan!

 

[Panther 57]

Three Letters in Daily Dawn 26th August 2013 in honour of NS government.

IN addition to the motor vehicle tax being charged from time immemorial by all the provincial governments, a new federal advance ‘tax on motor vehicles’ under Section 234 of the Income Tax Ordinance has been imposed which varies from Rs7500 to Rs80,000 depending upon the cc power of the vehicle.

Whereas this tax in the case of goods transport vehicles has been made adjustable but in other cases the announcement is silent. Moreover, no distinction has been made while imposing the tax between new, old or very old cars, thus making it extremely cruel and, in fact, wholly unjustified.

It seems to me to have been imposed in a fit of thoughtlessness and without regard to the owners of such vehicles as may not have the means to pay such huge amounts on their old cars of more than 10 to 12 years or even older. I know many people, including myself, who have car models of the early 1990s and some even little later which are being used only for lack of means to replace such old models.

Imposition of such a tax without regard to the owner’s financial position, the model of the car, its condition and other related facts is not only cruel but also totally unjustified.

To raise more and more taxes some rationale, some justification, some logic, paying capacity of the taxed individuals and the quantum of the amount of tax be considered before such a tax is imposed.

It is felt that tax is imposed presuming such payees to be tax evaders. In large numbers of cases it may not to be so. Catching them thus will be a punishment, not making them pay taxes.

Authorities are requested to reconsider imposition of such tax, and rationalise its imposition and tax amount brought to a reasonable level.

SAEED ALIZAI Karachi

N the current budget, income-tax @ 5 pc has being introduced on educational institution’s fees where the annual fee is more than Rs200,000 a year. It has virtually doubled the tax liability of salaried persons as the tax is first deducted from their salary at the payable rates and, secondly, when they pay their children’s fee out of this already tax-paid amount in the shape of tax on the school fees.

Although the finance minister clarified that tax paid on educational institution’s fees is adjustable against the total tax liability of a person, it has unnecessarily overburdened the existing taxpayers, especially the salaried persons. Further, education is a social cause and it should not be treated as a commercial activity.

Taking note of the above facts, I solicit the authorities concerned at the FBR and the government to reconsider it and adopt a mechanism to exempt the existing taxpayers from this deduction.

M. JAVED
Lahore

IT was shocking to see the state of affairs at Islamabad Airport in the name of security alert. It gave a picture worse than that of any railway station.

The whole airport was sealed, only VIPs were allowed in. Passengers, who are the real clients of the airways, were treated like dogs; old and young alike were required to drag their bags through a virtual hole in the front wall of the premises, supposedly screened by the security staff whereas the VIPs entered in chauffer-driven official vehicles without any problem.

Is this the Pakistan that the PM was talking about in his maiden speech the other day? Mr Prime Minister, nothing will change: corruption will stay, merit will not be enforced, and mismanagement and loot and plunder will continue till the whole VIP culture is rooted out.

This is a God-given opportunity, Mr Prime Minister, please have mercy on us by giving up the VIP mindset.

SOHAIL MAQBOOL Islamabad

Instead of providing relief to people they are fleecing the common man. In present era even people with salaries 100-200K are common man. A lower middle class budget
1. House Rent 30,000
2. Conveyance 5000
3. Electricity 3000-5000
4. Communication 2000
5. Kitchen Expense - 30000
6. Schooling for two children - 5000-12000
7. Celebrations and Mournings - 2000
8. Medical Services - 2000
9. Entertainment - 5000
10. Misc - 10000

What is left will go to advance non adjustable Income tax in school fee, Income Support Levy, Motor Vehicle Tax, etc etc.

 

[iioal malik]

Mr. Pti have you given deep thought on wht PTI they have achieved in those 81 days ? other then crying over their defeat in elections ?

I'm not playing blame game ,but for the sake of pakistan there is no 1 more capable to run pakistan then PML N Period.!

Every province have chosen their own representatives according to their own likes n beliefs exactly how they did last time.Punjab voted for PML,N 30% for nawaz sharif n 70% Shabaz sharif n how he handle n diverlied for Punjab.Now if any1 beat Shabaz sharif the way he runs his province then we'll talk on that when it happens...

 

[ice_man]

Pakistanis are an impatient lot! they vote for a Prime Minisiter or a Party & next day they want results!

all good things take time. you can't plant a tree one day and next morning expect it to give you fruit! wait and see let's hope from now on all governments are sincere be it the PML N or PTI.

 

[Al Bhatti]

Pakistanis are an impatient lot! they vote for a Prime Minisiter or a Party & next day they want results!

all good things take time. you can't plant a tree one day and next morning expect it to give you fruit! wait and see let's hope from now on all governments are sincere be it the PML N or PTI.

And also they vote for the same people again and again who have proven that they are not capable of doing any wonders for the country and the citizen.

 

[forcetrip]

Another good step that I always stressed for justified taxation is documentation of economy. And it seems as they are moving towards a more documented economy. For example, they are working on making it mendatory to conduct the transactions of amount greater than 50K by cheques and banking channels. They further plan to bring this amount to 10K over 5 years progressively so that economy gets documented on more and more micro-level. What I fear is that they may not be getting the political support from opposition parties in this regard aside from internal resistance.

If they can do this in the next 5 years I will vote for them. I doubt them being the worst offenders of this loop hole will ever let this happen.

Instead of providing relief to people they are fleecing the common man. In present era even people with salaries 100-200K are common man. A lower middle class budget
1. House Rent 30,000
2. Conveyance 5000
3. Electricity 3000-5000
4. Communication 2000
5. Kitchen Expense - 30000
6. Schooling for two children - 5000-12000
7. Celebrations and Mournings - 2000
8. Medical Services - 2000
9. Entertainment - 5000
10. Misc - 10000

What is left will go to advance non adjustable Income tax in school fee, Income Support Levy, Motor Vehicle Tax, etc etc.

Celbrations and Mournings is Rs2000? Plus the medical expense for a family of 4-5 is a lot more that Rs2000.

 

[Panther 57]

Thanks for reiterating bottom line is they are nincompoops.

For example, they are working on making it mendatory to conduct the transactions of amount greater than 50K by cheques and banking channels. They further plan to bring this amount to 10K over 5 years progressively so that economy gets documented on more and more micro-level.

Transactions above 5000 is required to be through cross cheque, for companies. How many follow and what actions they have taken to stop the malpractice. Taxation needs to be more rationalised and evenly distributed.
World Needs A Change

 

[Jazzbot]

I'm not sure who you're referring to as Mr. PTI, however let me reply to your post here.

Mr. Pti have you given deep thought on wht PTI they have achieved in those 81 days ? other then crying over their defeat in elections ?

PTI is doing a lot of things in KP, lots of new things. I cannot post a complete detail here, but you can refer to http://www.defence.pk/forums/national-political-issues/253166-naya-kpk-news-updates.html for further details. Everything is being discussed there in detail and is being updated on daily basis. If you care to know more about what PTI is actually doing in KPK, then everything is available for you in that thread, otherwise if you wanna just cry around and blame PTI for every sh!t happening in Pakistan, then please carry on.

I'm not playing blame game ,but for the sake of pakistan there is no 1 more capable to run pakistan then PML N Period.!

Its your personal opinion. This super capable PML-N has ruled Punjab 5 times in past and are ruling Punjab 6th time now. Being a Punjabi and spending my whole life in Lahore, I can bust PML-N's capability easily, and it will not take more than 5 minutes.

PTI is governing a province for first time, so we cannot judge their performance or make a conclusion until their tenure comes to an end. But on the other hand, we have complete history of PML-N in front of us, they have ruled Punjab 5 times and Center twice. Don't tell me there were Rivers of Milk and Honey flowing nation wide in their past tenures..

Every province have chosen their own representatives according to their own likes n beliefs exactly how they did last time.Punjab voted for PML,N 30% for nawaz sharif n 70% Shabaz sharif n how he handle n diverlied for Punjab.Now if any1 beat Shabaz sharif the way he runs his province then we'll talk on that when it happens...

I accept that there are a few good things in Shahbaz Sharif as an administrator, but he's certainly not an ideal person, politician, leader, legislator or administrator. I am however not interested to write his blunders here.

Just for a hint, he just ruled Punjab for full 5 years with almost every power to do whatever he want in Punjab, after 18th amendment. Now Punjab was hit with floods in 3 consecutive years in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and it did a lot of damage and lots of lives were wasted as a result only in Punjab. Could you just tell me what steps he took to counter future floods and to minimize the damage in future? NOTHING!!

And now we have floods hitting Punjab again this year, lots of lives has been wasted and properties damaged. Showbaz is there for photo sessions, but again he will not do a jack's sh!t to counter future floods in Punjab. Because how he will be able to do new photo sessions for cheap PR?

 

[ice_man]

And also they vote for the same people again and again who have proven that they are not capable of doing any wonders for the country and the citizen.

do we have any untried leaders that we can try?

 

[Panther 57]

Any effort to turn around economic situation will not bear fruit unless political will is present. Problem with present political setup in Pakistan does not have representation of true majority. Main reason for this anomaly is non-implementation of election rules and lack of transparency in electoral process. To ensure that right people are in respective assemblies, certain difficult decisions and strict implementation of Constitutional provisions are needed. This of course is not an easy task as those who can amend the constitution at this point in time do not want to change present set up, as it suits their re-election into legislature circles.

Pakistan has been brought to the brink of disaster by those who have no stake within the country. They come here to rule, make money, enjoy the privileges of the post and leave to relish the memories, money plundered and businesses developed. It is now become inevitable to stop such people from reaching national and provincial assemblies. To deny such opportunities to these opportunists, it is essential that all those who hold dual nationality, have bank accounts in foreign countries and having their businesses outside Pakistan, be disqualified from contesting any sort of elections in Pakistan. All those desirous of contesting election should be asked to surrender their foreign nationality, bring their riches in the country and adopt permanent residence within Pakistan.

Electoral candidates should only be allowed to contest the elections if they are Pakistani national by birth, living within Pakistan for at least 10 years, have been living for at least five years in the same constituency from where nomination for candidature are filed and have the right to vote. These individuals will be influencing policy making therefore, they should have a minimum qualification of graduate.

Present procedure for electing college of legislators in Pakistan is susceptible to blunders and unfair practices in elevating people to House of Representatives. Elections for national and provincial assemblies are conducted on one day and political parties can manipulate results to suit their objectives. Another drawback in such type of elections is complete turnover of legislators; thus consist national policy cannot be maintained. A procedure similar to Senate can bring consistency in government policy. Present electoral system brings into power political amateurs, who do not have acumen, vision and capacity to be a leader, a politician and/or a statesman. Political parties install puppets to serve their objectives rather than national interests.

To address this anomaly complete system of provincial and national assemblies needs to be revamped and redesigned. Provincial assemblies can serve as political training institutions. Proposed model of electoral system can result in training of statesmen rather than politicians.

Proposed Electoral System
The system of elections needs to be changed from Parliamentary to Presidential form of government. Elections for the President of Pakistan should be through public balloting. President then will have the right to choose six or seven ministers from senate or national assembly, to run the affairs of government. Likewise, Governors should be elected through public vote from each province and allowed to select 8-10 ministers from existing provincial assemblies to run the affairs of government. President and Governors should be entitled to have maximum two terms of four years each. Presidential and Governorship election should be independent and staggered.
1. Number of seats in each province should be based on population of that province.
2. Total number of seats in each provincial assembly should be divided into four segments. Each segment is subjected to election every four years. Thus at any one point in time 3/4th of provincial assembly will be experienced and familiar with current policies; thus it will be able to maintain consistency and act as trainers for new entrants in the field of politics.
3. Candidate for a provincial assembly should have lived in the geographical boundaries of constituency of candidacy for at least three years immediately preceding the election and should continue to live in the same geographical perimeter, till completion of term with the House. He should be residing in the province of candidacy for five years immediately preceding the elections and residing in Pakistan for 10 years immediately preceding the elections.
4. Any one person can serve in the provincial assembly for maximum 2 terms.
5. Election of MPA should be through vote of people of relevant constituency.
6. Only those candidates who have served in Provincial Assembly for 2 years should be eligible to file candidature for National Assembly.
7. Voting for National Assembly candidate should be by members of relevant provincial assembly.
8. Size of National Assembly should be less than and dependent upon size of provincial assemblies, based on population ratio.
9. Similar to Provincial Assembly, National Assembly seats should rotated every four years. Thus consistency on national policies can be achieved.
10. Likewise, members of National Assemblies should be entitled for only two terms of four years each.
11. Members for Senate should be elected through vote of National and Provincial Assemblies combined.
12. Candidate for the position of Senate should have served in National Assembly for a period of two years.
13. A Senator may be entitled for maximum two terms of four years in the senate.
14. Maximum age for being member of National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies, Senate, Presidency and Governorship should be limited to 65 years subject to medical fitness.