I am very glad that we are now having a real debate where we can both learn from each others viewpoint. You can see mine and I can see yours and may be adjust each others thinking based on the good that each one of us may bring to the discussion. Same needs to happen inside the Pakistani politicians brains too. That's how you can make a system work at its peak performance, by supporting each other and correcting each other (Without hurting anyone or causing economic loss
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1) Your first point about 2008. I can see where you are going with this. I think I'd be frustrated too. However, here's reality: Zardari, mentally has checked out of Pakistan. His kids are for all intensive purposes, British. They don't want Jack to do with the political mess in Pakistan. Do I think Zardari will force one of his kids into politics? May be, but it'll be for picture show. I don't see them getting elected again at the national level for the next 15 years.
Zardari (if you've ever met him) is a VERY sharp guy and very polite too (something IK lacks and needs to learn BIG times). Zardari can make you sell your own house, give him the money and walk away in front of you without you realizing you gave him your entire house. So, the point is, he VERY well knew that there is no Benazir anymore and he may not have a future in Pakistani politics. He came in with the intention to make $$$$ and that's all there was to it.
Now on the other hand, NS and his entire family is involved in Pakistan, their grand kids and all are in Pakistan and they don't have any allegiance to the UK or the Canadians or anyone else (irrespective of having properties in London, which means they can live there but as foreigners). So NS at this point, when he CLEARLY sees his real rival PPP out of the door.....will NOT do corruption and they've gotten their lines straight. So based on the past 15 month's performance, in Pakistan's best interest, they need to finish up their term and finish up the work they started. You do not want to disrupt the trust they've established with foreign investors as its for Pakistan. If they don't have a book of progress to show......they'll be booted out.
2) If ANYONE can buy anyone else in Pakistan.....its Zardari. NS may have money and all, he's not even HALF as shrewd as Zardari is. Trust me on this. So this time, promises mean something. NS and the family got nowhere to go, they've learned the lesson on how they were treated in Saudi (when they had to get a permit to get NS's surgery in the UK and he almost dies). Plus SS is a cancer stage III patient. He could literally die tomorrow if his time is up or if didn't go to the UK for six months for a medical procedure. So both NS and SS want to leave a legacy of success. Which works very well for the Pakistani public. So let them finish the work, they've not done corruption in the previous 15 months (When the money was flowing and it was easy to hide it), based on this history, the corruption won't happen as there is too much risk for them (beauty of the democracy again, the SAME system they are a part of, is forcing them to stay checked or the opposition will eat their lunch).
3) The projects at this level will always have a risk of being delayed. But to say that they'll go to waste like how it's been before is inaccurate. Everyone who's giving money as investment or the loans is extremely cautious. Plus the government has also appointed a third party by each investment organization (that the investment entity gets to pick ) for auditing purposes. Every project gets audited now a day, some every quarter. So even in the US projects get delayed, but they do get completed. These delays are not "forever", they have a time associated to it or the investment entity will put penalties for wasting their money.
4) The old times are over, nothing can disappear now as it's got many international eyes on it. The money is given when each part of the work is done. No project gets funded further unless previous milestone and deadlines are met and delivery done for that phase.
5) There is a thread on here that shows all the work being done with pictures of progress and all. @
cb4 : I think you opened up a thread on projects being completed by the current government. Will you please provide it to @
TankMan so he can see it.
Last but not least, I have a very good friend (or a family friend), he's a doctor from Pakistan. When his family moved here, they lived in a very small area where people didn't know a lot about globalization and all. Pakistan, through news, had bad reputation due to Talibanization and 911's unfortunate incidents. His family went through some rough times and I got to learn about it. Recently, I realized these silly protests would hurt Pakistan so I decided to come on here, tried to tell people about focusing on the country and its growth and global image, vs. these violent protests as they'd only do damage. That's it. Have a good night.