Ah! Perween Rahman

Perween Rahman an Icon, a symbol of resistance, patron of people living in city’s suburbs,  was shot dead nearly a year ago on 13^th March 2013 while she was on her way back from her office located in Orangi town, a remote area of Karachi. At the time of her brutal killing, she was working as director of Orangi Pilot Project

Like many people of this country, I also heard the news about her killing carelessly and pay no heed to the fact that what a great asset she was and her unfortunate killing is an irreparable loss not only for the people of Orangi town but for all the down trodden people living in the length & breadth of Pakistan.

Few weeks ago while sitting among group of friends the discussion about Orangi pilot project come up which infused in me the interest to know more about the  serene personality of Parween Rahman

I was curious to know more about this iconic person and my desired is fulfilled through a lecture organized at The Second Floor titled: Celebrating Perween Rahman: A Symbol of Resistance. The aim of this lecture was to unveil some of the hidden elements of Perween’s personality.

 Zubeida Mustafa, an eminent journalist,  Zohra Yusuf, Chairman Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Tasneem Siddiqui, founder of Saiban and Aquila Ismail, enlighten about the various aspects of Perween’s  personality.

 Mr. Tasneem Siddiqui while paying tribute to Perween said that she was a visionary person with a very unique thought process. Her personalities have many different dimensions and it is difficult to highlight all those attributes in limited time

After completing her degree as an Architect engineer, she started working with country’s well known architect Arif Hassan but she possesses an inborn desire to do something for the nation and its downtrodden people. Perween’s famous quote in early days of her career was ‘Will throughout my life, I design houses for rich people only’ was an indication of her burning desire to contribute for the betterment of society’s informal sector.

 Considering her desire to work for the betterment of people, Mr. Arif Hassan introduced her to Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, founder of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP)

Although she joined OPP as a common member but because of her talent, vision and leadership qualities, she went on to become director of OPP.

Perween laid the foundation of underground sewerage system in Orangi. A project that begins with one house initially was later spread to ten thousand houses. The sanitation policy of government of Pakistan was prepared on this model and it was Perween and her team who were instrumental in developing this policy.

Perween believed that people are willing to accept new methodologies if they are provided proper information in this regard.

Perween think that it is a grave injustice that people of Pakistan are deprived of health, education, food and water and she fought against this injustice valiantly throughout her life

Zohra Yusuf, Chairman, HRCP said that me & my team frequently interact with Perween to discuss about city’s situation. Perween fought against land mafia and many other mafias. Zohra highlighted that how at different level women of Pakistan are trying to resist the oppressive forces. She concluded that our society has hit a new low with the killing of Perween.

Zubeida Mustafa while expressing her views said that Perween’s killing is an act of injustice for the whole society. She likes to remain low key but possess lot of knowledge about city. Perween was an ardent supporter of education and in this segment her work is expanded well beyond Orangi right to the flood hit areas of Sindh.

Perween was instrumental in introducing the concept of home schools in flood hit areas of Sindh in 2010. She has all the qualities of a good teacher and a motivator. Her real resistance was making an effort to change the society so that it can resist on its own. 

Introduction of women saving groups was another revolutionary initiative which was purely the brain child of Perween. At the moment more than 20 women saving groups are operating in Orangi town.

Chanda  a resident of Orangi and a member of one of the saving group said that Perween was a humble person who mingle up easily with the members of low income segments of society.

Anwar Rashid, who become director of OPP after Perween’s demise quoted that she was very distress with the existing living condition in Sindh’s villages and in a dejected tone informed us that compare to Sindh, Orangi town is a heaven.

Perween’s efforts were instrumental in setting up 32 schools in flood hit areas of Sindh province.   

Perween spend time and resources in building capacity of local people and she wants locals to work on their own and become independent. Perween was such a gentle person that she never used the word poor for the down trodden people but always call them low income similarly she used the word informal sector for slumps.

It is so disheartening that although one year passed but no headway is made in the investigation of her killing and heartless murderers of nation’s daughter are still free.

Aquila Ismail informed that investigations in Perween’s killings are reopened as her killing was a preplanned act of brutality.

Perween frequently received threats from anti social elements but her only answer to them was ‘I am not going anywhere till I am alive and only death can separate me from my people’ The iconic lady made her quote a truth and exposed the injustice prevailing in our society.

Although OPP is still playing role for the betterment of society but it is nearly impossible for the organization to fill the void left by Perween’s untimely death.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” This quote of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt is an ideal description of Perween Rahman’s personality.

Perween’s first death anniversary went by quietly. Our hyper media failed to remember this great lady who gave her life for this nation.

I salute Perween Rehman! The daughter of nation.

Pakistan Urban Forum South Asian Cities Conference (PUF-SACC) to promote Karachi’s soft image

Pakistan Urban Forum South Asian Cities Conference (PUF-SACC) was a 4- day conference that took place at Frere Hall Karachi from in January 2014.

The directorate of urban policy and strategic planning government of Sindh, Urban Unit government of Punjab, The South Asian Institute of Harvard University, and the Institute of Architects Pakistan put in a joint effort to organize this conference

Conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Alis Shah at a glittering ceremony at Mohatta palace Karachi on a cool evening on 9^th January. Scrumptious Pakistani cuisine was served to all the delegates, speakers & guests who were present at this occasion. 

During the conference many issue pertaining to Urbanization, economy, environment, health, and transportation were discussed. The speakers during the sessions not only highlighted the issues faced by the cities of South Asia and Pakistan but also gave detailed solution to overcome the existing problems

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal graced the first session of this conference. Speaking at the first session of Pakistan Urban Forum — South Asian Cities Conference (PUF-SACC) at the Frere Hall lawns, he said that we in Pakistan are great in planning but we mess up in management and development.

During the conference total 24 sessions were held in which experts from 15 countries joined the experts from Pakistan and carry out in-depth discussion on various issues pertaining to unplanned urbanization being faced

Rahul Mehrotra, Professor and chair Department of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard University was one of the major attractions for conference participants. Rahul Mehrotra through his expert opinion enlighten the audience about the problems faced by the cities    was of the view that bad governance is the most crucial problem being faced by all the cities of South Asian region.

An exhibition area was also set up at the outskirts of conference venue where various organizations, educational institutions and sponsors set up stall to provide information about their activities. Out of many stalls at exhibition area, an organization named Brooks Pakistan caught my attention. This organization is working to create awareness about animal’s rights. They provide free medical treatment to ailing animals and also educate owners about the steps they need to take in order to keep their animals healthy. In Pakistan’s scenario I can say that their work is really unique. Although most organizations at exhibition area distributing brochures & pamphlets to highlight their projects, but national disaster management cell & world bank used technology to highlight themselves. National Institute of Disaster Management provide a CD containing their activities but World Bank went a step ahead and give out  a USB to the people visiting their stalls.

Conference proceedings get extensive coverage in print and electronic media. Three major English language newspapers of Pakistan that is Dawn, Express Tribune and The News through their coverage proved a point that they understand the problems caused by unplanned Urbanization and are ready to play a positive role in finding solution of these problems.

This conference I am sure will play a pivotal role in promoting Karachi’s soft image. The foreigners present at the venue were very excited about their visit to Pakistan. Commenting about Karachi Rahul Mehrotra, Professor and chair Department of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard University said that Karachi is a unique city and efforts must be made by city administration to maintain the uniqueness of Karachi.

Karchietes in large numbers attend this conference and learn from the experience shared by experts during the many sessions of Pakistan Urban Forum South Asian Cities Conference

I hope that in future various organizations and institutions will continue to organize more conferences, seminars and other similar activities.

The First Five Things People Notice About You

The First Five Things People Notice About You

Ramzan a month of Infinite blessings- Lets take Advantage of it

The holy month of Ramzan is in progress. This is a special month in which Allah shower infinite blessings on Muslims.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory and is done solely for Allah. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Most High says: “Every action of the son of Adam belongs to him except the fast. It is Mine, and I repay him for it.” (Muslim)

There can be neither false pretension nor showing off on the part of the one who is fasting. If one is offering prayers, giving zakah, making pilgrimage or any other form of worship, others can see one’s worship but fasting is distinguished by the fact that only Allah can see who is fasting and who is not.

Ramzan is a month to teach people how to discipline themselves & also to make the affluent realized the problems faced by their poverty stricken countrymen throughout the year.  

Unfortunately in Pakistan we have forgotten the basic purpose of having this month in Islamic calendar.

Allah in Quran said to believers ‘I don’t need your thirst & hunger, all I need is your piety’

Rather than showing piety, we as nation continue the practice of fasting but did not make an effort to stop violating Allah’s command. Our traders & shopkeepers during this holy month indulge in hoarding & other malpractices and try & sell inferior quality products at exorbitant prices. 

Global Study on Diarrhoea Finds New Culprit in Pakistan, Recommends Fresh Interventions

The Global Enteric Multicenter Study, GEMS, an extensive, ground-breaking study in the developing world, has come up with the clearest picture yet of the most common causes and impact of diarrheal diseases — the second leading killer of young children globally after pneumonia.

The study reveals that while the germs, rotavirus, Shigella and E. Coli are notorious for causing the majority of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea cases, Cryptosporidiumand Aeromonas are two pathogens that have been underestimated for their ability to cause the disease.

At the same time, GEMS recommends going beyond the current safe hand and hygiene practices to treat diarrhoea, and that National immunisation programmes should include vaccinations for rotavirus and other bacteria for which inoculations are available.

The results of GEMS have been published in this week’s edition of The Lancet. 

“When it comes to childhood disease and deaths, diarrhoea remains a leading culprit,” said Dr Anita Zaidi, principal investigator at the Pakistan study site of GEMS and Chair, Department of Paediatrics, Aga Khan University. “The GEMS data are the most conclusive evidence we have to date of the bacteria we must target and the prevention and treatment practices that need to be improved.”       

The three-year-long GEMS enrolled more than 20,000 children from seven sites across Asia and Africa; in Pakistan, the study was conducted in four peri-urban field sites in Bin Qasim Town in Karachi. 

“The University has been working at these field sites for the past few years and had basic data on the population. So it was easy for us to build on it,” Dr Zaidi elaborated. “To really know if something was causing diarrhoea, we included an equal number of controls. When we collected a stool sample from a sick child, we also collected one from a well child  for comparison. Each stool sample was tested for 40 different diarrhoea causing pathogens. Many of these bugs were being tested for the first time in Pakistan." 

Each child was followed up at home after 60 days to assess the effect on his or her growth after standard treatment was given.

Similar to other sites in the study, AKU researchers found that rotavirus, Shigella, Cryptosporidium and Enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC) were the leading causes of diarrheal disease; prior to GEMS, Cryptosporidium was not considered a major cause of the disease.

Uniquely, in the Pakistan and Bangladesh sites, Aeromonas, another type of bacteria, was the second leading cause of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea, confirming its regional importance.

The researchers also found concrete evidence that the effects of diarrhoea were far more than immediate: height delays were significant among children under 5 in Pakistan in the two months following the diarrheal episode as compared to children in the control group without diarrhoea.

Worse, children with diarrhoea were 13 times more likely to die over the course of the two-month follow-up period, with most of these deaths happening at home.

“And this was despite WHO-recommended standard management practices for diarrhoea being followed: each child in the community was given rehydration therapy – orally and IV as needed – as well as zinc supplementation, and antibiotics for dysentery. Yet the chance of death was high with underlying malnutrition probably paying a significant role ,” Dr Zaidi revealed.

“GEMS strongly indicates that follow-up care after the initial diarrheal episode is critical to protect the health and wellbeing of children,” added Professor George Griffin, Senior Co-Chair of the GEMS International Strategic Advisory Committee and Professor at St. George’s, University of London. “By focusing only on the acute diarrhoea that brings children to hospitals, we overlook a significant portion of diarrheal diseases’ burden.”

Dr Thomas Brewer, deputy director of the Enteric & Diarrheal Diseases team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which funded the study, added: “Vaccines and treatments available today can save thousands of children right now, and targeted research to develop new tools to combat severe diarrhoea could save many more lives in the future.”

Hence, Dr Zaidi hopes that the findings of this study, particularly with regards torotavirus vaccination would be taken into consideration by the government of Pakistan and international donors.

“In addition to water and sanitation interventions,  we need vaccines becauserotavirus is a widely occurring infection that is not related to hygiene standards. It took us many years to introduce pneumococcal vaccine in our national immunization programme, and I hope rotavirus vaccine becomes a part of our immunization programme soon as well. Right now a single dose of rotavirusvaccine costs Rs. 4,500 but if it comes under the EPI cover then it will be free for all children,” Dr Zaidi added.

She also commented on the frequent presence of cholera in the Karachi communities. “We usually hear of cholera in gastroenteritis outbreaks, but in fact GEMS has revealed that cholera germs are commonly isolated for children older than 1 year of age even in non-outbreak settings. There is a good cholera vaccine available and we should consider it for cholera prevention in Pakistan”

 “GEMS is a landmark study for the child health community,” said Professor Fred Binka, Co-Chair of the GEMS International Strategic Advisory Committee and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana. “By using consistent methods across countries, GEMS sites generated data that can guide evidence-based decision making at both the local and global level."

Cleansing Process in MQM

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain yesterday through his statement announced to start a process of refinement in his party.he said there was a complete ban in the party on collection of donation and any office-bearer or worker found collecting donation from anyone would lose the party’s basic membership.

He said the MQM would not tolerate ‘China cutting’, illegal occupation of public and private land, houses, flats and shops and there was no room in the party for people indulging in such activities.Today in an unprecedented move party chief suspended Rabta committe and appointed a 12 member adhoc committee to oversee party matters till the time new Rabta committee appointed 

General party workers have many complains against Rabta committee as it was assumed that Rabta committee hijacked party. This is good move by MQM Chief to restructure party in Karachi &and London. MQM in past also took similar steps but failed to break Stranglehold which some senior member have on party. I hope this time all steps taken freely without  pressure from any force with in & outside party to make MQM a vibrant party which it used to be a decade ago. To maintain political balance in Karachi, role of MQM is crucial. I wish good luck to MQM in coming days   

ADDRESS OF THE FOUNDER OF PAKISTAN QUAID-E-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH ON 11TH AUGUST, 1947 TO 1ST CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

Mr. President (Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah): Ladies and Gentlemen, I cordially thank you, with the utmost sincerity, for the honour you have conferred upon me — the greatest honour that it is possible for this Sovereign Assembly to confer — by electing me as your first President. I also thank those leaders who have spoken in appreciation of my services and their personal references to me. I sincerely hope that with your support and your co-operation we shall make this Constituent Assembly an example to the world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main functions to perform. The first is the very onerous and responsible task of framing our future constitution of Pakistan and the second of functioning as a full and complete Sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. We have to do the best we can in adopting a provisional constitution for the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. You know really that not only we ourselves are wondering but, I think, the whole world is wondering at this unprecedented cyclonic revolution which has brought about the plan of creating and establishing two independent Sovereign Dominions in this sub-continent. As it is, it has been unprecedented; there is no parallel in the history of the world. This mighty sub-continent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a plan which is titanic, unknown, unparalleled. And what is very important with regards to it is that we have achieved it peacefully and by means of a revolution of the greatest possible character.

Dealing with our first function in this Assembly, I cannot make any well-considered pronouncement at this moment, but I shall say a few things as they occur to me. The first and the foremost thing that I would like to emphasise is this — remember that you are now a Sovereign legislative body and you have got all the powers. It, therefore, places on you the gravest responsibility as to how you should take your decisions. The first observation that I would like to make is this. You will no doubt agree with me that the first duty of a Government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State.

Is adoption an option? – The Express Tribune Blog

Is adoption an option? – The Express Tribune Blog

Rapidly Evolving Media Landscape of Pakistan

Media in Pakistan has evolved in the last decade or so and the change is continuing. In past nation was totally dependent on print media to acquire news. Whenever any incident happens, newspapers with in no time publish special supplements providing more details of the incident to the people. Masses were heavily dependent on B and C category newspapers to get taboo news. Because of low literacy rate in country in restaurants, markets, street corners one person read the newspaper and others hear him and then pass comments. Pakistan Television was the only channel available and that was controlled by the government so people search for other means such as listening to BBC Urdu News to get a neutral view about country and city’s situation.

In Pakistan the first ray of change in media’s operation was witnessed when STN got telecast rights and they show CNN & BBC in day time and gave three to four hours air time to NTM, the first private channel of Pakistan. Indus Vision was the 2^nd private channel which starts operation in 1995. ARY News start operation in late 90s and it is the first channel to telecast news & current affairs shows independently free from any government embargo. ARY’s show News on Views was one of the most viewed show in its airing days.

Government relax its policies, licenses were granted and more and more channels start operation. Country have only 4 channels till 2004 but from that period onwards, the number raised rapidly and now we have one of the strongest electronic media having more than 25 channels.

This strong electronic media put a negative impact of newspapers readership. Now in case of any eventuality, people rush towards television to get the information. Government have no  control on these channels so people now have more trust on the news aired on these channels.

One most disturbing part of all this electronic media race is that in an effort to garner more viewership, all channels are now focusing on politics. Specialized Business channels like CNBC,AAJ and to some extent GEO News are now totally inclined to air politics related content with little or at times no focus on country’s economy.

Electronic media is effectively playing a role of opinion former. Lawyers’ movement of 2007 is its primitive example when long hours of live transmission tilted the opinion of whole nation in favor of the Chief Justice sacked by the president of Pakistan

Although electronic media captured lot of ground but still the importance of print media cannot be denied.

Another new dimension which is fast gaining popularity is social media. More & More organizations are now focusing on social media which is gaining strength and growing rapidly.

Although awareness about social media rising but due to low literacy rate and lack of equipment availability, penetration of social media among lower and middle class is low.

At this moment, in all this changing scenario the way electronic media strengthen its roots in the society, I can safely say that future of electronic media is bright but to move hand in hand with the global community, I think we need to focus a bit more about creating awareness of social media and its effectiveness in our society.

Polio Free Pakistan in best interest of Globe

In 1988, the forty-first World Health Assembly, consisting then of delegates from 166 Member States, adopted a resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio. It marked the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, spearheaded by WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This followed the certification of the eradication of smallpox in 1980, progress during the 1980s towards elimination of the poliovirus in the Americas, and Rotary International’s commitment to raise funds to protect all children from the disease. In 1988, there were estimated to be 350,000 reported cases of polio in the world. Overall, since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched, the number of cases has fallen by over 99%. In 2012, only three countries in the world remain polio-endemic. Persistent pockets of polio transmission in northern Nigeria and along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan are key epidemiological challenges.

India is the recent entrant in the list of polio free countries. India was a country where highest numbers of polio cases were reported in 2009 and for them to become a polio free country is really commendable taking into account the fact that India is a population of one billion people.

Pakistan joined the WHO polio eradication initiative a bit late in the year 1994.By this time most of the countries were declared polio free and polio was present in only 30 countries. Currently Pakistan is bracketed with that rare region of the globe where polio existed and although we are the sixth largest populous country of the world but like Afghanistan & Nigeria we too were unable to eradicate polio. A sad and worrying reality is that number of polio cases in Pakistan rose in last couple of years instead of decreasing.198 new polio cases were reported in Pakistan last year which is the highest number of polio cases reported in any country during this period. In comparison 81 cases were reported in Afghanistan and 95 in Nigeria last year. It is feared that if we as a nation  did not discharge our responsibilities comprehensively in line with the goals set by the global community and not create awareness among masses about administering polio drops to children under five years of age, we may get the dubious honor of  being the only country of the world having traces of  polio virus.

Bloggers Training Session-An Opportunity to Learn the Art of Blogging

On 11^th June I received an email from Mr. Hammad Siddiqui mentioning that I have been registered to attend seminar he will be conducting to teach blogging techniques. The workshop was organized under the umbrella of Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Pakistan (which is a non profit affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce) .As I am passionate about blogging and already actively involved in it, I decided to attend it thinking that this is an opportunity to horn my skills further and to be honest my perception proved so right as during the day long workshop, I learn a lot and will surely apply this learning while blogging in future.

Coming back to the workshop, this workshop was conducted at a local hotel in Karachi. Approximately 20 participants attend the workshop. Two of the passionate participants travelled all the way from Hyderabad to attend this event.

This workshop consisted of two sessions. In the first session which was conducted by Hammad Siddiqui, participants were told how to develop a blog.

                                             

Asad Umar From Corporate World to Politics

Pakistan’s politics in the last 64 years of country’s existences passed through numerous tumultuous periods, which include imposition of Martial Laws, division of countries into two separates states, fall of governments because of conspiracies and bickering. Nepotism, corruption, lawlessness is deeply rooted in our society. Number of our population currently living below poverty level is rising rapidly and on the whole country is passing through a very bleak period.

In our scenario, the worst situation is that our politics has also become dormant and revolving waderas, landlords and some business groups. Due to shoddy image of our existing politicians and because of various reasons common man and other capable person put a self embargo and are not willing to play any role in country’s politics thinking that politics is not for them.

People mostly join politics to enhance their status in society and also to increase their wealth. No one think of coming in politics with the single aim of serving the people.

Considering the negatives being attached with our politics, corporate tycoon Asad Umar’s edition to Pakistan’s trembling politics is a welcome edition.

Asad was attached with Engro for the last 27 years in different capacities and assume position of company’s CEO & President in 2004. During this period he had played active role in the complete transformation of his conglomerate and converted it into a  diversified industrial business, with interests ranging from fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals, chemical storage, energy and commodity trading. He enjoyed   a very good image among his friends & colleagues.

Some days ago he surprised everyone by tendering a request for the grant of early retirement and later on joined a Pakistan Tehreek –e-Insaf .

A lot of professionals are part of our political system but according to my information this is a first of its kind incident that a person resigned from his profession to pursue full time politics. Asad’s gesture of tendering his resignation is an indication that he is not joining politics to strengthen or boost his organization but maybe he is one of those rare inhabitants who consider politics as a method to serve the people and had joined politics for this reason of serving humanity & country.

Pakistan at the time of Independence inhabited its systems from the British rulers of India and majority of the rules & regulations they set were not to serve the people but to rule the people. After Independence, we were unable to formulate new regulations and continue with all that was given to us by the British Raj. Sadly our politics was hijacked by the landlords and waderas of rural Sindh & Punjab, majority of them were those who were given acres of land by the British rulers to acknowledge their services and who join Muslim League to support the cause of independence after land reforms were announced by Congress. These area elders deliberately keep their areas backward so that they rule the population instead of serving them. Slowly but surely awareness creeping up with the help of media and it is expected that situation may change and attain the correct path in future.

 Asad Umar once during a gathering claimed that when all the champions of democracy gone underground during the Army takeover of 1999, he was alone on the roads for the cause of democracy in the country. This is a commendable effort and considering the reality that this effort in favor of democracy was made by a person whose father was Army personnel made this effort for democracy more worthwhile.

Asad’s joining of politics need to be viewed carefully and may act as a first drop of rain and may be other corporate leaders & professionals following his path may join politics. He set  the precedence by leaving a profession where he was earning more than 6.0 million  per month and a lot of respect  in favor of  an activity where he will surely encounter an upside down and also have to face the wrath of other politicians. Pakistan’s politics is revolving around few families whose generations are inheriting party & country leadership not for their talent and capability but because of their affiliation. In this situation if a person like Asad attains success in politics, then his success will surely give others a confidence to venture in politics to take their destiny in their own hands rather than leaving it to those who are running the country for a long time without caring about the problems & issues faced by the common man.

Asad’s joining of politics can be fruitful in increasing the tax collection. At the moment, our tax to GDP ratio is lowest in the region and in our overall mix of tax collection; rate of indirect taxes is 70%.For successful economies, reliance on direct taxes will be much more compared to indirect taxes. Asad being a corporate person knew about all the loopholes in our tax system and he may be helpful in plugging these loopholes so as to improve our tax to GDP ratio which in turn may lead to reduction of our reliance on international donor agencies and may put country on the road to self reliance.

Having a vast experience of running a corporation, he may attain more success if in future he may think Pakistan as cooperation and run it on the similar pattern if opportunity given to him or his party. Subsequent governments of Pakistan for decades are giving deficit budget and may be in years to come we need visionaries like Asad to turn around our financial structures and expenditure habits in order to present a surplus budget.

To prosper, Pakistan need land reforms to free rural population from the clutches of landlords. This is a major step which we as a country need to take immediately. India introduced land reforms immediately after independence and Bangladesh also implement land reforms after separation. Now it’s our turn to implement these reforms. As Asad is not a landlord, maybe he convince his party to introduce land reforms which surely act as a catalyst to free small farmers and area residents from the authority of area elders

Asad is a completely made in Pakistan product who himself took his earlier education from a government school. Not only that he during his professional tenure interact with numerous person from top to bottom and should be well versed of the problems existing in our education system. With all the information he possess, maybe he along with his political team can work out and present a uniform education system for the people of Pakistan.

Asad Umar’s inclusion in Pakistan’s politics will surely beneficial and I am optimistic that his admission to politics will have long term positive impact on Pakistan’s politics and in future we may see more progressive persons joining country’s politics.

PTI And Marvi Memon-A Relation which never Materialize

At the time when PML (Q) joins hands with the PPP’s current government, Marvi Memon took a stand along with some other MNAs & MPAs of her party and decide not to join the government. She went a step ahead and tendered her resignation from the National assembly. These steps taken by her, enhanced her image among the eyes of publics and it was felt that from now on she will take revolutionary steps in her politics and will do all her politics for the people of the country.

Change is the buzz word and it’s a mantra a lot of our political parties are trying to put forward to lure the public towards them. Imran Khan’s PTI was probably the first party in the current month to put forward itself a party who is willing to bring a real change in life’s of our countryman and now some other parties specially PML (N) are also trying to act as change leaders. PML (N) also claimed that they already brought change in people’s life by carrying out atomic blasts in 1998 although I am of the view that blast did not bring any change in life of common man.

Coming back to my topic, a lot of political analysts & critics were of the view that Marvi Memon will join PTI after she let her parent party but due to her differences with PTI’s leadership she did not join them. Couple of months ago when she did a jalsa is Sindh along with region’s well known journalist Qazi Asad Abid, it was thought that she along with some personnel from Sindh launch a new political party but that did not happen. Couple of weeks ago Marvi surprised her critics and supporters by announcing her decision of joining PML (N).As an analyst, I was really disappointed with Marvi’s decision to join PML (N) as I am of the view that even PML (N) like PPP is not serious to solve people’s problems and even after there more than four years of rule in Punjab they did not fulfill their promises. An example which I can quote is PML (N)’s promise to convert Punjab’s Chief Minister house into a university after coming into power but so far according to my information no step taken into this matter. Going further, I want to say that me and may be a lot of others are against PML (N)’s policies and are not in agreement with  Marvi’s decision of  joining the current  rulers of Punjab but no one is authorized to malign Marvi on the basis of her decision. Difference of opinion among segments of society exists but sadly we as a society are not willing to accept difference of opinion.

PTTI is constantly showing it’s disgruntle from the day Marvi join PML (N) and are not leaving any opportunity to criticize her. Recent example of PTI’s frustration is a program of a private channel in which Marvi to appear as a guest. Even before the show went on air, I start receiving from PTI’s supporters and even received message from PTI’s official message center 80022 to watch this program. After the show also I received some messages that anchor was on top of Marvi and made her speechless. I am of the view that PTI should move forward now, come out of the frustration they felt on Marvi’s joining of PML (N). PTI should realize this factor that any of the current politician if change his/her loyalty is free to join any party and not all the disloyal join PTI.

PTI’s reaction on Marvi’s decision is an indication that sadly PTI is also acting like our established political parties who did not tolerate difference of opinion or are not willing to give respect to other person’s suggestions & decisions.

PTI is portrayed as a party who is capable of bringing real change in the country. People of the country are also fed up with the existing lot of politicians and may be this time they give vote to relatively new candidates or to those who are supported by newer political parties. In this situation PTI should take careful steps as among the all the untried political parties, there graph is much high and they may give tough fight to seasoned political parties.

I am also an anonymous supporter of PTI but I am not in agreement of party’s policy of intolerance. If PTI is really looking to bring change in the country, they must run a serious campaign via social media & other relevant methods to infuse and also enhance the level of tolerance of its supporters and workers. Already some columnist & anchors complained of lousy language used by party’s supporters if PTI is criticized.

My humble advice to PTI is to let’s move ahead forget Marvi Memon and others who not joined your party and focus on your agenda of bringing real change in the country. A large number of country’s population is hoping that if PTI got an opportunity to lead country, they may rid the country of the menace of corruption, price hike, lawlessness and other related problems and provide relief to the people and spread smile on the faces of common man.

PTI look at the bigger canvas, do not indulge in patty matters on who is joining you & who is not and prepare a through road map well in advance to solve country’s existing problems.

I want my Karachi

It hurts and pinches my heart when I saw violence in my city. A city which was once regarded as a city of light, a city which never sleeps now constantly in the grip of violence where person carrying sophisticated & modern weapons roaming freely on city streets looting the citizen at will, barging people homes & workplaces freely and running away with hard earned cash & other valuables. This city is transformed not as per the wishes of the people but this transformation is more because of the political & other elements who want to rule the city and its people. These elements not realizing that love & care are the method to attain public support on a long term basis.