Local Governments and Pakistan

Local governments are one of the essential pillars of a democratic system of government. Without local governments, a vacuum is created between political leadership and people of any nation. Local governments effectively fill out this gap. It connects a common layman to the leaders and helps to remove any kind of ambiguity between them.
Local governments actually consigns the power to common people. They get the authority, power and capital which can be diverted towards the development and prosperity of common people. It effaces the perception of exclusion from the minds of people.
Actually, the system of government in Pakistan is the reminiscent of colonial system of administration which was formulated for more centrally empowered government having greater authorities to control people and extract as much revenue as possible. One the other hand, the local government system is aimed at the welfare and development of the common.
The inception of local government system occurred during Musharaf's regime in 2001 and two tenures of this system of management completed in 2009. However, after 2009 this system was stalled owing to lame excuses of the governments which comprise mostly of feudal and vassals. It should also be taken into the account that feudal and vassals who are perpetually enjoying government and power since the independence of Pakistan do not want to cede their power, so this system was stalled.
Critics describe local system as a tool of corruption, what can we say about provincial and federal government system? Indeed, corruption is root cause of deploring situation of Pakistan. However, this cannot be used as an excuse for abolishment of this system of administration. Corruption scams have also been emanating continually from federal and provincial governments. Should they be abolished too?
Indeed, no. If corruption is the one of the root cause then it can only be eradicated when people give more significance to honesty, disinterestness and, fare and square  characteristics of the politicians and people fighting in the Local Government elections.
For democratic process to continue, this rhetoric is described with redundancy that democratic process can only get successful when it is allowed to continue without any kind of interruptions. Same applies to the Local Government, it can only get success and when it faces no hindrance. Of course, government of the people, by the people and for the people can only reach its true sense when both types of democratic process are allowed to perpetuate without any kind of obstruction.

Destroy the Network of Extremists

The blatant incidences of extremism, bomb blasts and firing in various cities of our country are highly critical. It appears that extremist elements and law breaking individuals have been given given license to openly use the arms. They do not take the writ of the state into their account. This situation is not only concerning but also negating the government claims of breaking the back of extremists. On the other hand, the audacity, cold blooded and continual assailing of the elements involved in terrorism are propagating this caustic fact that government officials are working on the compromising principles and half heartedly. It also discernible that terrorists are following a specific strategy to target civilians, army recruits and law enforcing agency officers and troops and are on a role to challenge the integrity and writ of a democratically elected government. An undiscriminating operation like that which is being conducted in Waziristan, Sawat and FATA which not only destroyed hideouts of extremists but also broke the backbone of terrorists, should be conducted against these elements. Operations like these decimated not only their offensive but also defensive capabilities and now people are living in peace there. People of Karachi and Balochistan also want such type of action in their territories so that these belligerent elements may be eradicated and Hatchest may be burried. Protection of civilians and integrity of a state must always be the first priority of any nation. These attacks have taken precious lives and put people into great fear. Backstair influence of a foreign power in these despicable incidences is highly probable. A recent report is enough to open our eyes that our army conducted more than 1000 attacks in areas which were inflicted with terrorisms and about 13000 personnel of our army got killed in those attacks. Pakistani agencies which have been consigned the duty of security should take the malicious activities of the terrorist elements into their account and should develop a war plan to cope with these terrorists with a strategy of "now or never". It has no alternative.

Government Should Resolve Current Issues

Mansoor Ijaz, the central character in memogate scandal, stated before the memo commission that Hussain Huqqani ensured America of access to the nuclear assets of Pakistan. As it was a sensitive issue, so they fabricated some code words for conversation i.e. Isphahami for American, Boss and Friends were the codes decided for Asif Ali Zardari. According to a news, Mansoor Ijaz stated in his video conference that Hussain Haqqani promised to investigate in Mumbai Attacks and access to the widows of late Osama bin Laden upon American assistance. According to Mansoor Ijaz, contacts between Hussain Haqani and him commenced from 3rd of May, 2011. He was informed by Haqqani that the army was escalating the pressure upon the Asif Ali Zardari and vows to oust the Government after 2nd of May incidence which culminated in assassination of Osama bin Laden, and he wanted this information to be transported to Mike Mullen. This memogate scandal which appeared to have gone to back burner again again emerged with greater intensity. Mansoor Ijaz's blunt and exhaustive rhetoric will surely provide assistance to the commission investigating the memogate scandal and in near future, we will know the stance of Hussain Haqqani in response.
On the other hand, issue of conviction of Prime Minister of Pakistan (Yousuf Raza Gilani) in defying the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding NRO case is also under consideration. On Wednesday, Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) made all the evidences provided by the prosecutor against the allegation of contempt of court by PM, part of trial and proceedings were adjourned to 28th of February.
Both of these matters describe the dire distrust escalating among both institutions of Pakistan, Judiciary and Democratic Government. One one side Government is facing issues with the army and on the other side, it is reluctant in 100 percent implementation of even a single decree of the SCP. This whole process is vitiating various imperative national matters which require prompt attention.
One of the issues is that of Balochistan about which a resolution has also been tabled in American Congress. Although, this act of Rohrabacher could neither get endorsed from Republicans nor Democrates but still, this directs us towards the grievous situation of Balochistan. President of PML-N, Mian Nawaz Sharif has stated that PML-N will not participate in APC which is to be convened upon the issue of Balochistan unless missing persons are recovered and killer of Nawab Akber Bugti has been arrested. This demand looks correct but both Balochistan National Parties and Pakistani Government are at odds and rounds of reconciliation are required. This indicates that Nawaz Sharif is trying to make this matter political and is trying to gain some points over the issue. Nawaz Sharif should participate in APC without any demands and other matters should been seen later on.
This is a fact that mere apology cannot compensate the decades of grievances inflicted upon Balochis. Government should take serious steps to resolve this knotty problem. We should correct ourselves before alleging foreign powers of intervention inside Pakistan and airing anti-Pakistani movements. Problem of Balochistan can be resolved just will of Government is required.
This is not the only matter, Government should lay stress on bolstering better working relationship between various state institutions. This will not only allow current set-up to complete its term but will also solidify and entrench democracy. While presiding the meeting convened to discuss economic situation of Pakistan, PM directed to pay more concentration to forge better employment opportunities, sensible agricultural policies and economic stability in the next budget and protection should be provided to poor and impoverished people of Pakistan from abyss of inflation.
However, it cannot be denied that these objectives cannot be obtained unless there is better cooperation and harmony among state institutions. Thus Government should pay great attention to this matter so that the rate of progress could be increased and all those wishes and expectations of the people of Pakistan from the Government could be fulfilled.

Pakistan and New Year Resolution!

The end of 2011 is taking place in such a way that there is distress everywhere and one cannot say that the circumstances are to our content even in a single aspect of our current situation. Politically, utmost demand of our political parities is to conduct general elections as soon as possible without considering what the repercussions would be in such case. Though, it was declared by the P. M. that he was satisfied with his Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Perwaiz Kayani and DG ISI Gen. Shuja Pasha and that there were no contradiction of opinions between the Government and the Army but critics say that everything is not right. Then, one can also envisage the strain present between Government and the judiciary which could also be apprehended in the speech of Present Asif Ali Zardari in Larkana. The bad blood between Government and its opposing parties can also be perceived.
Pak-America relations also touched a news low after the Salala check post incident in which Boulder and Volcano check posts were turned into ruins. Pakistan has also refuted to accept NATO's incident investigation report. These circumstances not only have negative impact on "war against terror" but also on the economic and internal affairs of Pakistan. This can also be envisaged through the fact that there is heavy decrease in foreign investment into Pakistan and also there is greater in imbalance between imports and exports of Pakistan.
The international economic recession has also hampered Pakistan's economy to some extent which is also causing a great difficulty in fabrication of Pakistani Budget. There is severe shortage of gas and electricity in here. On the other hand, government is producing a regular inhumane hike in gas and oil tariff albeit the price of oil is decreasing in international market.
Now, Ministry of gas and petroleum has developed a gas emergency plan which has developed a glimpse of hope to correct current situation. National assembly committee for gas and petroleum convened a meeting on Thursday where federal minister for Dr. Asif gave a briefing on current situation of gas shortage. He opined that gas shortage is at peak and committee should give consent to close the CNG stations for one month. Members of the committee opposed this suggestion and said that such act would further develop frustration among the consumers and could produce unwanted result against already unpopular government. Though there was plenty more in the proceedings but one welcome news was that Government was thinking of providing gas to home consumers on preferable basis.
According to one news, the government has released a notification of checking the gas supply to Punjab and KP provinces' industries. This would produce disastrous results as this action will surely make millions of people unemployed. And such actions would take government nowhere.
Keeping all these things aside, actual problem is same, the gas and electricity consumption is more than the rate at which gas and electricity are produced. The need of the hour is that, government should take solid actions to increase the production of gas and electricity on emergency basis so that this most important problem could be eradicated.
fact is that if the past governments had fulfilled their responsibilities in this respect than current situation could be a lot more different. But government cannot absolve itself from its failures to cope with needs of Pakistani people.
Despite this imbroglio and arduous situation, we do not need to get frustrated and disappointed. Even if today, we pledge to face the problematic circumstances manfully and vow to control current problems then situation can be reverted and even our stumbling industry can be taken to peak of progress vis-a-vis those of China and America. We can do so by following footsteps of Turkey which was facing similar situation about a decade ago before the Erdogan's regime.
New year is begining, we have to promise ourselves that next year, we will do our best for the betterment of Pakistan and for its prosperity by bring all of our abilities into use.
Long Live Pakistan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of offering India MFN status

The meaning of most favourable nation is not what it literally means and renders a lot of people into misconception. Offering India the most favourable status does not mean that we are submitting to India or giving up Kashmir as the core issue among the two countries. India has given Pakistan most favourable nation status since 1960, has it changed anything among these countries. I bet the same when Pakistan will do the same. China has territorial disputes with India yet it is bolstering its trade with India. We should also be open minded and bolster our trade with India.
By increasing trade with India there will be stiffer competition for Pakistani businessmen and they will have to increase their quality and reduce the prices in order to cope with Indian onslaught. Since free and open border trade is going on with China and Pakistani business community has survived it, there is no chance that Pakistani Businessmen can not withstand Indian Products. But this thing alone cannot be the basis of giving India Most Favourable Nation Status. We will have to work tactfully.
Things which have been imported from half way around the world will be imported from neighbourhood and cost will be reduced drastically. On the other hand, Pakistani products will also reach Indian market more easily. 

I understand and comprehend that Pakistan has passed through various diplomatic failures since 9/11. This has been because of directionless decisions. This act will also go begging if we will not get full advantages of it. We must pressurized India to reduce the tax duties placed by Indian authorities on Pakistani products. Secondly, we must also have to do some subsidization on various fields.
Take agriculture as an example, Indian agricultural industry is heavily subsidized. The tractor in India costs half the cost of it in Pakistan. Urea cost is four times lower than in Pakistan. Electricity is almost free to the farmers while in Pakistan its cost is unbearably high. Same can be said for the taxes on agricultural products. So, owing to these factors the cost of the products will become inevitably higher as compared to India.
Thus it will be natural for the consumers to buy Indian products over those of Pakistani origin. If government is not going to change its policy towards the agriculture and Business industry, Pakistan is going to face a huge knock out blow and there will be no chance for Pakistan to standup again. Government should ponder onto this matter.

Pakistan Relations: Pakistan Contentious Situation

Pakistan Relations: Pakistan Contentious Situation: Today Pakistan is facing troublesome situation. You will see Pakistanis complaining about the anti-Pakistan behaviour of the whole world. Yo...

Pakistan Contentious Situation

Today Pakistan is facing troublesome situation. You will see Pakistanis complaining about the anti-Pakistan behaviour of the whole world. You will see Pakistani complaining why only Pakistanis are being captured, punished and sentenced for jail throughout the world predominantly. You will see American  denouncing Pakistan time and time again. Question is why we are facing such a type of practical and rhetoric  acerbity.
It is not arduous to find the answer to this Question. The fact that we have been involved in corruption and bribery scandals, selling our pride for just some pieces of paper, deluding our brothers and usurping their rights just to get small amount of benefits, has brought us to such an abashing situation.
Its is true that Christian world is against us but it has been so since the dawn of Islam. The thing is we have let ourselves down. I think there is no one among us who has never given or taken bribery or who has been involved in corruption or other shameless activities yet you will see people complaining about the bribery and corruption of other people.
Allama Iqbal said it in his poetry about 75 years ago that God does not changes the situation of a country unless its people want to. Actually we don't want to change ourselves yet we want others to change themselves. I ask why there are such kind of double standards.
We offer prayers yet we also keep on telling a lie to every other person. We keep on hurting other people considering that we are correct and others aren't. We don't listen to point of view of other person in divisible problems.
Its time to change our selves. We must have to correct ourselves before saying to other people that they are wrong. If we will do it, we will see the change in behaviour of the whole world towards us and we will get again our lost reputation.