Mr. Khan! Let’s have a candid talk
Mr. Khan now be serious! Somehow the circumstances have made you a political leader. Now you lead a political party, which has a considerable following; no matter which class or classes it consists of. The followers of your party, they are all Pakistanis, and enjoy the same political choices as the followers of other political parties do.
… It was just non-serious and out of sync when recently you spoke in Islamabad, and said, ‘I was boring; New Pakistan was not anywhere on the scene coming into being. Then I thought something had to be done.’ Regarding this, you need to ask yourself: Is it political? Is there in politics anything like boring, and that it exhorts you to do something, such as organizing rallies and doing “political fun.”
It’s quite a pertinent question that must be put to you and you must answer it clearly; no hanky-panky, please! What you
Mr. Prime Minister! It’s time to act
Mr. Prime Minister! You are better placed than any other Pakistani citizen, since you are sitting in the center of the state. The office you occupy by virtue of your electoral mandate is where the state authority converges, and it is from where authority flows to other institutions of the state in accordance with the dictates of the constitution of the country.
… Mr. Prime Minister! You are the Chief Executive of the state of Pakistan, and as far as flow of information regarding the affairs of the state is concerned, in comparison to you this writer is merely an ignoramus. In case the present government of your party is toppled, the first casualty will be you, the prime minister; that means whatever future plans are being hatched anywhere, or whatever conspiracies are being woven in any quarters of the corridors of the powers against your government, you must be in
Politics and the destruction of our cities
Years back, I sent an article titled, “Nationalization of social and moral values in Pakistan,” to a newspaper. It did publish but with entirely a different title. The new title, “A state that took over society” aptly described what that article was about. Now when I want to write about the destruction of our cities by the political elites in their bid to impress the citizens as voters, I cannot think of a better title than the present one. First I thought of this one: “Preserving the older cities.” However, both the titles communicate what this article argues about. First, the political elites are destroying our cities; and, second, we need to preserve our cities and their age-old soul.
… As far as the concept of cities prevailing in our society is concerned, it needs to be reminded that cities are not a
Hopeless in Pakistan
The cities and suburbs of Pakistan are bursting with millions of teeming citizens, old and young, men and women and children alike. They earn their livelihood by small selling of goods or services which unimaginably involves hard labor with meager income. Or they are employed by private entrepreneurs who have to incessantly struggle against the vagaries of state’s regulators and tax officials. They form the larger chunk of a population of 18 million plus. It is they who cast vote to send a political party in the parliament, but cherish no hope this will ameliorate their life conditions they know from their past experience. This is one side of the picture.
… The other side reveals itself in the headlines of the daily newspapers and news channels. One newspaper’s headline reads as: army chief pays morale boosting visit to ISI HQ (Inter-Services Intelligence Headqarters). Another headline says: defense ministry seeks cancellation
In Pakistan, the state is the problem
In Pakistan, the state is the problem!
… See these pictures:
Women protest Muridke police torture of Razia Bibi, who was on full-term, that caused a still-birth
People of Manga Mandi demonstrate against police
[The News, April 9, 2014]
Note: This was originally posted in April 2014.
Senators or free-riders
Here is what the upper house of the Pakistani parliament is interested in:
… Greener pastures: Senators seek equal share in foreign trips
[The Express Tribune, April 14, 2014]
Note: This was originally posted on April 14, 2014.
My new book, “Pakistan’s Democratic Impasse: Analysis and the Way Forward” published / released
Here is the media release:
New book – “Pakistan’s Democratic Impasse” published
The book indicts politicians as the main culprit for failing the state of Pakistan
The book falsifies the myth of blaming the Pakistan Army for the ills Pakistanis facing
Author argues constitution authorizes politicians to rule, not the Army
Lahore April 8, 2014: Alternate Solutions Institute released today Dr. Khalil Ahmad’s new book, Pakistan’s Democratic Impasse – Analysis and the Way Forward. Already this in 2012 and this February, he has published three books, “Pakistan Mein Riyasti Ashrafiya Ka Urooj” (The Rise of State Aristocracy in Pakistan, February 2012), “Siyasi Partian Ya Siyasi Bandobast: Pakistani Siyasat Ke Pech-o-Khum Ka Falsafiyani Muhakma” (Political Parties Or Political Arrangements: A Philosophical Critique of the Intricacies of Pakistani Politics, July 2012), and, Pakistani Kashakash: Tehleel-O-Tadeel aur Aagay Barhany ka Rasta (Pakistani Armageddon: Analysis,
Renaissance for Reforms – Introducing a new book
Here is the Introduction by the authors:
The recipe for growth is well-known. Most economists would agree that lower taxes and less regulation can encourage entrepreneurship and job creation. Yet, many governments are unwilling to introduce such reforms. An important reason is concern over a voter backlash. Jean-Claude Juncker, a likely candidate for the EU-presidency after two decades as Luxemburg’s Prime Minister, famously lamented “We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it.” Based on an analysis of 109 governments in developed countries, we would suggest that Juncker’s view is mistakenly gloomy. Although market-oriented reforms may initially meet fierce resistance, governments that introduce them are more often than not rewarded by voters.
In our new book “Renaissance for Reforms” we look at the pace and direction of reforms in 29 OECD governments
Note, please!
Note please!
… By sheer mistake, last night I deleted a number of posts from the blog: http://NotesFromPakistan.blogspot.com
That’s why many a link may not work; I am in the process of posting them again.
A new category emerges: Very Bad Taliban
Today’s tweet:
Despite shifts in security policy, there are Good Taliban, and Bad Taliban; friend Raza says, a new category has emerged, Very Bad Taliban
Alcohol, drugs and call girls in the Parliament Lodges in Islamabad – What’s the issue?
The talk of alcohol, drugs and call girls in the parliament lodges, Islamabad, is not new; Jamshed Dasti only repeated it.
Everybody knows the moral standing of these parliamentarians, these law-makers, who are the worst law-breakers also.
But the hullabaloo is just misplaced. No one seems to addressing the issue: that, there are ordinary citizens who are subjected to such laws from which the parliamentarians and Ashrafiya are practically immune.
So the question is: Rule of law for everyone, or only for the ordinary citizens?
Asad Umar’s poor economics – a friend’s blog
Here is one post from Shahid Mehmood’s blog: http://shershahsuree.blogspot.com
I was recently forwarded Asad Umar’s two part article on the subject of privatization (which appeared in the NEWS) of public sector enterprises (PSE’s). It is a continuation of the debate that has been generated in lieu of the government’s decision to privatize a specific percentage of these bleeders. Aside from a few positive suggestions over the methodology and how the intended sale should be carried out, the article was a reflection of the author’s poor understanding of factors that affect the economy and its working, especially in the context of Pakistan. In short, Asad Umar showed a poor grasp of basic economics.
Let’s start with his question that why are profit making enterprises like OGDCL being sold? But before raising this question, he should have asked himself why are they making profits in the first place? The simple answer is
My new Urdu book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” published, released
My new Urdu book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” (Pakistani Armageddon) published, and released today by the Alternate Solutions Institute.
… Copied below is the Media Release:
New Urdu Book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” Published
Lahore, February 22, 2014: Alternate Solutions Institute today released Dr. Khalil Ahmad’s latest Urdu book, Pakistani Kashakash: Tehlee-O-Taadeel aur Aagay Barhnay ka Raasta (Pakistani Armageddon: Analysis, Resolution and the Way Forward).
The book attempts an analysis of the present predicament of the Pakistani state and society with reference to their response to the barbaric threat to the life and liberty of ordinary citizens. The analysis also focuses on the dubious role of politicians and political parties in allowing the criminal entities to encroach upon the constitutional rights of the citizens.
The book concludes that both the state and the political parties have failed to protect the
A State that took over society
You can bring the rich to the level of the poor overnight but it takes a lifetime to lift the poor to the level of the rich. [Irish proverb]
During the 1970s, Pakistan went in for wholesale nationalization of its private enterprises, taking even educational institutions into the state’s hands. This was a move laden with far-reaching and unforeseeable consequences. Some are still being unveiled today. It changed not only the economic and political, but also the social, intellectual and moral landscape of the country for generations to come.
The story began in 1968, with a political movement basing itself purely on totalitarian economic agenda. Its slogans were reminiscent of an ancient collective tribal life where everything belonged to everyone. Two of these were: ‘socialism is our economy’ and ‘all power to the people’. The movement was built on the myth of 22 wealthy families: it was argued that the
General Musharraf and the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology – a tweet
General Musharraf and the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology – a tweet:
… Is General Musharraf Julian Assange and Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Venezuelan Embassy located in London where has has taken refuge!
Flora – My Photography
…
A Pakistan views a Pakistan
See how a Pakistan views a Pakistan:
… 
[Dawn, December 24, 2013]
A question mark on the face of Pakistan!
See this picture, and see the question mark on the face of Pakistan!
… [The News, December 25, 2013]
India-Pakistan-Bangladesh triangle
India-Pakistan-Bangladesh triangle – a revolving triangle!
… Today’s tweet on this triangle:
India views Pakistan the way Pakistan views Bangladesh; and Bangladesh views Pakistan the way Pakistan views India!
Asif Ali Zardari – General Zia Incarnate
One man can do wonders, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court proved that. His 8 years in the Supreme Court shook the foundations of the un-challengeable rule of Riyasati Ashrafiya in Pakistan.
Starting from March 9, 2007 and till his second restoration, and even after that I wrote many an article on various aspects of political and constitutional crisis facing Pakistan, and as the Honorable Chief Jistice retires this December 12, I will be posting / sharing some of the writings I penned during this period.
Here is one incomplete piece which I wrote on July 13, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari – General Zia Incarnate
How keen was the observation of Senator Mushahid Husain Secretary General of PML (Q), when he likened Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of PPP, to General Zia-ul-Haq, a military dictator who ruled over Pakistan from 1977 to 1988 till his death in