Asad Umar - Answers

Time to answer questions raised on demise of Asad Umar couple of days ago. Answers will follow in two streams; circumstantial reasons which might be beyond his control & his personal failings for which he has only himself to blame. 

So the question: 

'Was Asad Umar a victim of circumstances or were there some personal failings?' 

And the answer:

'Well, a bit of both.' 

Firstly, circumstances were definitely not favorable. 

1.Economic hitman wanted us to cross three figures of debt(in billion dollars) to orchestrate our bankruptcy. Zardar-Nawaz were perfect stooges but Imran & Asad were not playing on their terms. They ran from pillar to post, begging & borrowing from friends to avoid getting IMF loans. But we are too deep into this quagmire & in the end, the inevitable had to happen. So international establishment didn't develop much fondness of our FM & his wit specially Chritine Laghard. 

2.Locally, FM-PM wanted longer-term re-structure & re-form but minority of deep pockets with established businesses who thrived in past, didn't approve long term reforms where ease of doing business may allow start ups to claim their share in business pie as well. Status quo was their best option. Hence, lobbying began. 

3.Political opponents began to sing to the tunes of international establishment & local business grand pas. Narrative seemed to gain momentum like a snowball. Clips of Asad Umar's speech after speech criticizing previous governments on price hikes especially dollar, petroleum & resultant inflation popped up on every screen we looked at. We all know, this government tried to keep dollar price real for real reasons. But the narrative being built was way too strong. 

4.Then, PTI termite (political garbage of other parties) also joined hands with opposition's narrative. These opportunists are the Achilles Heel of PTI, this waste of politics whose masks have changed but their grody ways can never change, boosted the narrative inside PTI. It is very easy to corner a relatively apolitical person in polorized environments specially when that some is in  less influential Shah Mahmood group than mighty effective JKT group.

5.Media was also ruthless in this situation for obvious reasons. They were not getting enough money from government & the only way they could vent their frustration was through hurting government and economy became underbelly of this government & FM was the ultimate affectee. 

6. A team of technocrats was offered to Asad Umar as a middle option but he didn't accept. Hence, all above factors built up from economic hitman to opposition to PTI snitches to disgruntled media resulted in Hafeez Shiekh assuming control of treasury business. 

Now, were there any fallabilities in Asad Umar. Most certainly, yes. 

Asad Umar may have solid social background, sound education & wide range exposure but power politics was never his forte. His love for country may have propelled him into the politics but unlike his unprecedented success in corporate sector, in politics, people skills are more important than brilliance of mind. There is a difference between running a company as top executive & running state treasury as  team leader of finances yet remaining a useful team of PM's cabinet. He might be a good leader of managers at Engro but he was not a great team member of a strong leader. Because if we don't agree on any virtue of Imran Khan we can't disagree on his strength & tenacity as a leader. Besides, Asad Umar was not in good communications with the Prime Minister because reshuffling news was passed on to him on whatsapp shortly after an interview with Kamran Khan at Duniya News in which he was upbeat on future of economy & in turn his own future as Finance Minister. Now communications gap between Captain & his poster boy opener only reflects poor on the opener as captain might have his hands full for the most part. Asad Umar was too concerned about his rapport with media than his rapport & performance with his own team leader.  In a nutshell, being intelligent, free spirited, candidly logical was not enough, he had to raise his level of existence from commensurate with his portfolio. People skills are only about image building but one has to be a good team player by understanding the mindset of leadership through extensive communications with the leadership. Lastly, false ego is a smart killer. If his leadership had asked him to switch roles, he should have given it a shot instead of asking permission to go on media to save his image & then talking to close friends & leaking info to media on contemplating resignation. Ego driven strategy of intelligent people has always led them to oblivion and Asad Umar wouldn't be an exception to this rule.

In one line, circumstances & capacity both caused early exodus of Asad Umar.

Final word on PM's decision making. We might have to give him time. His selection of cabinet, recent reshuffle, any other mid-course correction and leadership can only be judged by the end of term achievements or failings. Just this one decision of relieving and shuffling his cabinet does not excite too much judgement.  

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

Asad Umar - Questions

Asad Umar's unceremonious exit didn't sink in despite a lapse of 24 hours.
Let's examine it objectively.
His persona was above board. He represented real change. A total break from stereotypes. His father's army & diplomatic background, his alma mater IBA & his professional progression from a business analyst at Exxon to CEO at Engro, all contributed towards shaping him into a well rounded gentleman. His argumentation never lacked logic & his candid discourse set him apart from the team Tabdeeli. In many aspects, he outdid Imran Khan himself (obviously, this means, yet again loads of abuse for the scribe at the hands of zealous Insafians). This still didn't guarantee him being the best ever Finance Minister of Pakistan. Besides, what wonders any FM would pull off with the amount of debts & interests we are burdened with? Hafeez Sheikh is not the answer. He is a tested drug. Someone, who from time to time contributed effectively towards our economic bankruptcy like every other PM, FM  & economic advisors of past & present. So, did seeing the back of Asad Umar brought petrol prices down or daal mash fell into two figures? So what does it suggest?
Was it a routine cabinet reshuffle?
Asad Umar seemed to have been caught off guard whereas he should have been the one consulted by PM on reshuffle & every other issue?
If not him, then who are close aides & advisors of PM?
Has Jehangir Tareen & co prevailed?
Have seths, business grandpas & mafias nailed him?
Did he fail to control the narrative?
Did holding of advertisement money to media houses devoured him?
Should he been part of rotting conspiracies & phoney lobbies being nurtured by the litter of other political parties in PTI?
More questions & answers on this issue tomorrow, IA.

Greenvalley Hypermarket

Carrefour established first hypermarket in Paris in 1963. In 1968, Jacques Pictet a French trade expert coined the term hypermarket (hupermarche). Who would have thought that five decades later we would be able to enjoy services of number of international standard hypermarkets in twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad. By definition, hypermarket is an expansive retail facility carrying wide range of products under one roof, including full groceries lines and general merchandise. As a thumb rule, following western models, covered area of a hypermarket is 8 to 20 kanals. Due to its size, such facilities are generally located in shopping malls and suburban areas accessible by automobiles supported by spacious parking lots.
Having traveled Europe and much of Middle East, my first exposure of a hypermarket in Pakistan was with Greenvalley Hypermarket situated at Bahria Town Phase 8, Rawalpindi and it was a heartwarming experience. It sprawled over 8 kanals with capacious front parking. Parking at double or triple basements was always cumbersome, not to mention the suffocating engine combusted gases trapped there. Greenvalley had all the right answers for modern lifestyle. Being resident of DHA I, it was the most convenient shopping facility providing all solutions under one roof. Couldn’t help but promote the good things this magnificent facility had to offer. With the passage of time, innovative improvements like use of front lawns for kids adventure sports, fresh food serving next to entrance and desi breakfast on weekend all added to an overarching shopping and dinning experience at this magnificent hypermarket.
Unlike a fairytale where everyone lived happily ever after, I was unimpressed by sale of a spoiled cake on birthday of my son. I returned with the cake, fuming with anger and asked for management for answers. There, I came to know that there was an elaborate system of customer service. Even one could call the country head from his displayed number on the desk. My call was answered by the country head. Before I hung up, GM Greenvalley Mr Naveed Khan was standing next to me whom I found to be a thorough gentleman. He took me to his office and not only he handled the situation brilliantly, he also presented my son with a birthday gift as a goodwill gesture. And guess what, on services part, Greenvalley again carried the day because attracting customers for extravagant façade is one thing and retaining customers with personal touch is definitely the next level of management and service.
Real endorsement came from my close friend visiting from Manchester who happened to be part of security of hypermarkets in UK. After a brief visit to Greenvalley, he was pleasantly surprised and at the same time he felt sad. Surprised for the availability of such remarkable shopping facility in the heart of residential areas, more so, in his reckoning Greenvalley outdone any other hypermarket in UK for its inventory management, space management and price control. And he felt sad for being away from home where better quality of life has already surpassed Europe with such facilities in range. There goes the whole idea of leaving ones homeland for better life in the west.
Quite recently, I went for little shop-stop at Greenvalley during heavy rainfall and was amazed to see the GM marshaling his team of helpers to see off the customers to their cars providing umbrellas from the store. Such consideration, attention to detail and customer care is only found in management course books and I had the privilege to experience it firsthand.
Finally, Greenvalley Hypermarket epitomizes the concept of quality lifestyle where you get all household solutions under one roof where quality is not just limited to fancy display but real time customer care and after sales services. With this kind of wholesome package, where else would one like to go for shopping.

Cricket Captain's Hockey Team

Punjab 'Speed' Mafia may be reeling & SS might be doing some dodgy London cafe  meetings but its stooges are resisting the change particularly bureaucracy & Lohar High Court. Much credit for this also goes to PM who made the graveat mistake by trying to run Punjab from Bani Gala by placing a dummy in CM Punjab's slot. Punjab is different from KPK. Totally different settings.
House of Sharif is marginalised but its nearly four decades of investment in Punjab's 'Afsar Shahi' is still yielding benefits for them. Govt servant who thinks he is an officer is after all a servant but those at the helm of affairs are not familiar with the tricks of the trade to tame these jaded horses. Despite all his charisma, establishing writ of the law in Lohar land has become a problem for 'Hockey Team' of a star cricket captain. NAB is such a lousy institution or should we call it an institution at all. They leak everything to like-minded TV anchors & during prosecution, go on to prove nothing. Govt's big mouth spokesman, (after regaining his confidence) has again unleashed on the opposition. Again too many allegations without substance. Govt presumed that both houses of thugs will opt for plea bargain. Some of the stolen money will come in the system & those who stole it will keep justifying their actions for the rest of the term. Sooner this issue is settled the sooner govt may focus on Promised Tabdeeli. Yet again wrong assumption. Those thieves crossed all lines for money & money is the last thing they will table. Both houses have some commonalities. Both started business from the scratch which grew out of proportions. Both used politics as tool of making money. Both laundered money.  Presently, both are staring down the barrel. Both are not willing to give up on their money. Both will come out of these testing times. Like any other businessmen, if their necks are on the line, they will table money but only a little.
It is sad that active & non-participating women of political families are being named & summoned to the courts whether Maryam, Faryal, Aleema & now daughters of SS but their custodians should have exercised due caution before exposing them to the harm's way. Still sad thing. Does not fare well in our political & societal milieu.
Here is the issue. Corrupt practices have become deep rooted yet accepted norms. Corrupt are well versed in their trade. Whereas, the Captain who won the cup (office) against corruption is trying to play Test Match like T20 with a local field hockey team. The opponents are not in a hurry to let him run away with it specially when there are questions marks on curators, match officials & umpires.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi - PTI's No 2

Two possible reasons for Shah Mehmood's assault on Jehangir Tareen yesterday:
One: he did it at his own without PM's knowledge. That makes him a shrewd politician who is making a move to challenge PM & JKT's almost sacred status in PTI & its government. His timing is near perfect, he is the best performing Minister & his ministry's performance is the only trophy government has to show for in ninth month running. Nothing else except overall persona of PM & in sync establishment may have contributed a great deal to win February 2019 battle with India on all fronts. Usman Buzdar is vulnerable, merely a stone occupying a seat who tried to make a move with his best acumen to raise pay package of Punjabi legislators with a permanent house for himself in Lahore. PM after reprimanding, put him back to 'stoned' status; literally, physically & psychologically. This way running Punjab is so easy for PM but SMQ sees it as an opportunity. By downing JKT, he is establishing a foothold in Southern Punjab & vying to occupy vacuum created by Aleem Khan. Ch Sarwar & Chs of Gujrat are other two stakeholders in Punjab's power game. But SMQ somehow sees it as his best shot at the throne of Punjab. He is the legal No 2 of PTI & he is asserting his legitimate status against convicted JKT. All in all, a well caliberated move by SMQ, showing his political range. Above all, he is 'likeable', Hillary liked him & he loves his forces. Only flaw in this plot is that SMQ in his political ambition seems to be jumping the gun. Serious down side is that it could antagonize PM who may send SMQ packing. But SMQ has fair leverage over PM in given political & economic situation. End of the day, his stance is justified in party called Tahreek-e-Insaf. A party which after conviction despised MNS' presence in his party meetings, has no moral grounds to oppose SMQ's objections on JKT. 
Two: he did it with PM's consent. That makes him an ambitious stooge. That makes PM the shrewdest of all. There is a pattern to it. All deep pocket are being compromised one after the other viz JKT, Swati, & Aleem. Probably now is the time to distance from this lot starting with JKT by letting SMQ loose on him. Consequently, PTI may get out of the influence of JKT & for few days media will be immersed in sensation of this insignificant & unsubstantive news. Thus keeping nation distracted from real issues of Economy & Governance. Also  possible that PM has already decided to confer the crown of Punjab upon SMQ. If not that then at least, SMQ has adroitly consolidated his stature as credible No 2 in PTI.
Looking at this move by SMQ from all possible angles, one can't help but admire his political acumen & his ability to stand out as No 2 in PTI just like those four centurians in last 5-0 bashing by Aussies. Individual performances in a team game. 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth. 

Conspiracy theories in political domain

Conspiracy theory is circulating that MNS is out to do some paperwork for plea bargain arrangements. It sounds far better than the other conspiracy theory that MNS was let go to dilute Zardari-Nawaz collusion & 'focus' on jailing Zardari which never made an impression.
Plea Bargain theory makes better sense as:
SS got relief. Off from ECL now.
Jail is a hard place & for MNS its hell.
The other theory that his sons were not ready to bail him out also looks relevant in this context.
MNS is quiet.
Mis-Adventurous (Maryam) is quiet.
It makes fair sense
Zardari is going behind bars, writing is on the wall
'train march' was never with capital letters.
People had rejected Kiyun Nikala Noha نوحہ of Nawaz Sharif.
Corrupt can't drive ppl out.
Ppl are solid in this country
Plea Bargain has always been the Best Solution. It remains to be be seen, whether it materializes or not. But, since, its in better interest of Pakistan so it would be low on agendas of both 'visionaries' of this country.
On job training of govt is also not making good showing in any sphere of governance, particularly economy.
Without any opposition, PTI may not perform or  not be under real pressure to perform & may get second term just like that. Hunch is that PTI can make a habit of keeping the field open by knocking out opponents instead of performing.
This is not good for the country.
Afterall, every honeymoon comes to an end & PTI-establishment romance has the propensity to end abruptly. Some rumors of PM threatening to resign over  the 'Deal' with the devils was also circulating. It may just be a rumor at this point in time but it may not be far from happening any time in near future. However, if there is any truth in this rumor that the purpose was to trade freedom of MNS/ Zardari to save Pervez Musharraf then it wasn't worth it & PM would be absolutely justified in tendering or threatening to tender resignation. Because those four mad moments of unjustifiable patriotism by senior army leadership which brings curse of Martial Law in this country should be a thing of past.
The only thing what establishment wanted was sincerity with country whether it's PMLN or PPP. Total annihilation was never the aim, the only encumbrance is avaricious pursuits of personal gains by their leadership which jeopardizes the entire political milieu of the country. Other political parties even new parties should emerge that may challenge PTI 10 to 15 years down the line.
'Morally sound establishment' is the greatest force multiplier of a govt and that's what being understood by this govt, that's what happened in Malaysia and Turkey that's what is happening in Pakistan. So petty political issues are for media to run their daily talk shows because Govt needs to buy time to execute its long-term plans which are not in sight before fourth year of office. Hence we see a smoke screen. Government has devised amazing ways to manipulating media. Each day unsubstantive news is purposefully fed to media like qaushing Benazir Income Support Program, Sheikh Rasheed Chooha Chor Program, Deal or Dheel, Fawad Ch versus Naeem ul Haq & Shah Mahmood against JKT. By evening, Media channels, Bureau Chiefs, Anchors & Analysts all home in on to the news or should we say go out looking for mice let out by the Govt in the daylight. Since professionalism is a novelty, none of media people are willing to dig out issues or do investigative journalism; they are just happy getting favors from politicians in & out of govt & attend parties thrown by influentials, politicians or their front men. Amid this fog of Govt's media manipulation, media's incompetence & opposition's incapacity to 'oppose', nobody gets to talk about real issues of Economy & Governance. In toto, Government is winning this round yet again.
This may sound idealistic but general feeling is good about institutions. Intra institutional bonding is natural. This nation is strong. It always had it. Judiciary made some amazing decisions in past couple of years. NAB is standing tall. Army is cool pro Pakistan. Govt is just sitting back enjoying without any political pressure which can lead to deadliest diseases of complacency. Without an efficient team, this complacency may get to PTI.
These are just conspiracy theories circulating in the circuit. As much sense as conspiracy theories may make, it has been discussed here in line with ground realities. How much of it is true, 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth