IK is still on the pitch

Primary role of the legislators is to do legislation and at ours, legislation is the only thing they don’t do. 5 February Kashmir Day was on Tuesday and a little tweak of legislation could have shifted this holiday on Monday the 4^th February. Nobody wants to work on a lone working Monday sandwiched between a weekend and a gazette holiday. Consequently, Monday became a burden on people to go to work. It cost national exchequer full day’s work as most of the public/ private offices and educational institutions had least attendance and people had to make new and old excuses to take the day off. Whereas, had Monday been off; people would have gotten a long weekend and on Tuesday, they could have come fresh for work, saving one day of work/ financial loss to a nation begging money from others to payback interest on its debts. Developed countries do such legislations and that is probably why they are developed and we are not.

Unfortunately, legislation is not likely to happen in current govt’s tenure. Besides omniscient issues of lethargy and incompetence, reason is simple, ruling party doesn’t have majority in both Houses to affect any legislation. Willy-nilly, Govt has opted for Ordinance based change but the fruition of the same may take minimum three years to show. In order to divert peoples’ attention from real issue of Economy, Govt needs to keep the opposition and the people embroiled in non-issues.  Hence, in an organized way, BigMouthPieces latched on the opposition on past corruption and poor governance. Opposition is very limited on options. Its leadership is more occupied on corruption cases and lack of medical and other facilities in jail than the real issues. They cannot mobilize masses, nor do they have moral locus standi for it. They are totally immersed in media and parliament rhetorical slugfest, playing right in to the hands of govt’s game plan for next three years. Parliament in this regard is a burden on national treasury for the whole length of the current term.

Can govt show some results in fourth year in office? It’s a tricky question. IK has set some lofty goals to achieve. And there is nothing wrong with setting the bar high because not failure, but low aim is a crime. But Team PTI for greater part is a collection of past waste of opposition parties. People like Murad Saeed have had made some ridiculous claims of overnight economic recovery. Sarwar Khan has no acumen of energy sector and current gas crisis seems to be the beginning of bigger energy related crises in times to come. CM Punjab is dubbed to match the flare and guile of Waseem Akram; a practical joke of proportions. So much can be written on the subject but for a short blog entry, we can conclude that Team PTI is the chink in IK’s armour. Obviously, this team cannot achieve the goals set forth by IK but how short it falls of the mark, remains to be seen.

Yet, hope is the fuel of life. IK is still on the pitch. Most definitely, things have already changed. Ministers and party workers of PTI are also involved in corruption but they do it underhand with the fear of consequences. In past, ministers did corruption audaciously, Rana Mashhood took bribe on camera and is still the senior member of PML (N). At least, such shameless corruption is on the hold. Even bureaucracy and other officials are being cautious these days. Bribery is no more a norm rather a risk.

Another sibling of corruption which has been bleeding us for a while now, is extremism. Unchecked religious extremism is the root cause of our internal security issues. Somehow, monster of religious extremism successfully used its ‘leverage’ against past govts. But the handling to TLP and Asia Bibi case has been highly commendable. We need to check all types of extremist tendencies including the other end of the extremist spectrum i.e. liberal extremism.  

For the first six months in office, for its political and media strategy, Govt is the winner. However, it may keep people occupied in pointless TV and Parliament bickering with the opposition, it has to show some tangible results by the end of the term. Although, it cannot deliver its promise for weakness of team and loftiness of targets yet the funny part is that however short it may fall of its targets, PTI will get another term which may include Sindh as well.

Now that corruption and extremism is checked and IK is still on the pitch, there is a thin silver lining on the horizon.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

    

Martial Clan

There is a lot of pride in this name 'Matial Clan'. Pride is deeply embedded in the soil of Attock. Pride appears to be a strong force in  binding & moving this group forward.
In absence of this true/false pride, we are niether martial nor clan.
Originally, in Attock, we were strong hardworking Punjabi Musalman farmers. British categorised Indian soldiers in to martial & non-martial races to enroll 'useful soldiers'. Greenhut, Jeffrey (1984) Sahib and Sepoy: an Inquiry into the Relationship between the British Officers and Native Soldiers of the British Indian Army. (In: Military Affairs, Vol. 48, No. 1 (Jan., 1984), p, states, 'The doctrine of 'martial races' postulated that the qualities that make a useful soldier are inherited and that most Indians, with the exception of the specified groups, did not have the requisite traits that would make them warriors'. It was the body strength of Punjabi Musalman farmers that allowed them to fight better than non-martial races. Hardwork at farming made them strong & better survivors. British succesfully Regimented them in to Martial Race like few other regions of Indian sub-continent which produced strong & useful soldiers. Probably, over time, Regimented life has become a norm of life.. Funny thing is that currently we are not as strong bodily as our elders were. We don't work hard like them plus we eat wrong food. As it stands, if British were ruling over us now, for their inability to produce useful soldiers, number of martial race territories would have considerably reduced in present count. However, lately, some of us who get better educational environments, end up being officers of Pakistan Army like all of us at this Forum. Being officer at an efficient army (including soldiery) is a sheer privilege yet martial race seems to be title given by a British officer who looked up the dictionary for an esteemed synonym of 'useful soldiers' which is a disbraging reason for existence of this title.
We are not a clan either. We are a proud clan for the same true/ false pride. Otherwise, there are multiple clans & castes within geographic boundaries of Attock. And do they not differ from each other from Chhachh to Pindi Gheb & from Attock Khurd to Fateh Jang & from Jand to Hasan Abdal, its a geographic monster. Across any diagonal point in this District, people would even struggle to understand each others' language. However, they are much the same, decendents of strong hardworking Punjabi Musalman farmers. We have not grown as a clan, Attock is among backward districts of Punjab. Entire district elected Major Tahir Sadiq who in retaliation of neglect on his national portfolio supported Noon League in by-elections. Price of his egotistic madness will be paid by people because this decision has put development in Attock on hold for another five years. Major Tahir puts his wounded false ego above Attock. Its warrants declaration of leadership crises in this furtile land of useful but proud soldiers. Its not a politically motivated post, its just how it is.
Martial Clan group is vitually becoming a cut & paste informational forum. Members are only familiar with those whom they previously know. In order to make it more useful we need to collect & maintain data of members. Also need to form a structure. Need mentors & patrons from elders & nominate course reps. We need to meet more often even if in smaller groups & plan an occasional grand gathering. People with problem/ issues may put them across & those who can may step forward & help out.
End of the day titles like Hardworking Punjabi Musalman Farmers, Useful Soldiers & Martial Clan, are there to group people together on common pride. Utility of a group of people is directly proportoinal to its usefulness to others & we can do better than cut & paste informarion sharing.
Only Allah knows the whole Truth.
PS:
This blog entry is specific this group & has only been shared on this forum. Secondly, writing is habit, entire content may not necessarily be agreeable or true.
Regards
Major (R) Asad Jamal

Replacing Governor House wall with jangla

Im a builder & Im pained to share the cost of dismantling & erection of a wrought iron wall around Governor House Lahore.
1.  1 kanal 60×90 plot has 300 running feet.
2.  Governor House sprawls over 700 kanal.
3.  Total running feet 300 × 700 = 210,000 rft
4.  Dismantling Rs 10 per rft of 10 feet tall wall= Rs 21,000,000 (21 Mn) (including rubble disposal )
5.  Erection of cheapest wrought iron Jangla of 7 feet height with 6 inch span is Rs 1000 per rft
6.  Total cost of Jangla around Governor House 210,000 × 1000= 210,000,000  (Rs 210 Mn)
7.  Total cost of dismantling + Jangla = 21 + 210=  241 Mn
8.  15% cost of builder 241 + 36.15 = Rs 277.15 Mn

Why do we need to spend Rs 277.15 Mn to replace existing brick wall with Jangla around Governor House with increased security requirements?
On one hand, the economy is showing no signs of improvement & on the other hand such pointless/ nonsense spending just to fulfil a ridiculous election slogan.
With all his car selling, buffalo selling & down-sizing at PM House, PM boasted of saving Rs 150 Mn in past 3 months & he is spending double that amount on something as grotesque as a Jangla with zero added value.
Would some durbari puff some sense into PM's head to stop this crazy adventure.
Only Allah Knows the whole Truth

Dearth of economic leadership

There is dearth of men in every walk of life what they callقحط الرجال ۔ -but we are seriously short on Economists. Whether it was volley of Finance Ministers during PPP tenure 2008-13 or Munshi saab from 2013-17 followed by 'one letter' Finance Minister Miftah Ismail or over-rated Asad Umer, its been a nose-dive & our economy continues to plummet.
True that its too early to call it but Team PTI has failed to inject any optimism on economy. Every passing day 'uncertainty' is causing further devaluation of currency, crashing stocks & growing inflation.
There is no pressure on govt from people, opposition or institutions except judiciary which does not prevent govt from delivering on economic front. There are no signs, no indications or any positive graphs to suggest that things are getting any better. Obviously, there are question marks on capability & capacity of Asad Umer & his Economic Advisory Council & Economic Coordination Committee. They are all well educated economists but most of them are going through on job training. Secondly, they are not leaders, most of them have been mid & higher level managers at various organizations they worked for & few exceptions as CEOs. None of it gurantees economic leadership. Renouned financial  institutions in Pakistan like IBA & LUMS are producing only a handful of entrepreneurs & majority managers.
Under the circumstances, one can only hope that Asad Umer & Co learn economic leadership & learn it fast. Lets hope their on-job training is short. Lets hope it ends before its too late to recover.
The only admirable act of govt in first 100 days had been the clamp down on Tehreek-e-Labaik. Probably, because it was an impromptu challenge which didn't reqiure any planning but decision making. Lets hope this spontaneous decision making comes handy in other spheres of governance particularly economy.
Only Allah knows the whole truth.

Economic recovery & change

People are still questioning Buzdar's capacity & abilities as CM. Confusing issues is an art of politicians but here it seems pointless. CM is a dummy & nothing is confusing about it. PM wants his 'foot'hold in Punjab. He wants to control & run Punjab all by himself. He doesn't want a wise well rounded decision maker in Punjab, he just wants a decoy & Buzdar is his man. He unequivocally announced that Buzdar was there to stay. Imran is playing genious & Buzdar is playing dumb in both literal & figurative meanings. Buzdar is the perfect natural for a ghoofy character. How honest & simple he can continue to play, remains to be seen. He already crossed the line in DPO Pakpattan's case which also exposed Maneka Family's shameful show of power along with Ahsan Jameel Gujjar. Does CM learn fast or learn at all also remains to be seen.
With executive powers at his disposal & keeping Interior Ministry along with direct control of Punjab & KPK, IK is up to something big. But any amount of change; little, significant or substantive, will come with economic stability. So first priority shall be economy. After initial turbulence (nearly until a year), things may start to improve at all fronts.  Might have to give him 1000 days (nearly 3 years) instead of 100 because there is a mess of seven decades that needs to be cleaned up. Whereas, his team is niether prepared nor seems capable for the task. How long IK can pull this ship-wreck on his own again remains to be seen.
In any case, corrupt are in for a ride. IK seems geed up for a conclusive round of anti corruption drive in the country. There is a lot of political mileage in anti corruption gains but is it a diversion from shambolic economy or they really mean it? Will they be able to weather the economic typhoon side by side political slonangeering of 5 million homes, 10 Miliion jobs, anti corruption campaign, equality in education plantation, local bodies' empowerment, police reforms, health department upgradation & accessibility, tourism, dams, etc etc.
For the past couple of weeks, govt played information monster's onslaught on to its opponents quite well. Followed by PM's speech yesterday, just to secure support for bye-elections. Excellent electioneering ploy. It may yield good results as well.
But our expectation is not only a politically aware PTI which latches on every given political opportunity like other stereotypes, but also the one which promised change. That little promise of change is subject to economic recovery & subsequent stabalization. PTI govt's real test has begun. If they couldn't put genie of economy back in to the bottle, they would be able to change very little. Hoping for good is our only option.
Only Allah knows the whole Truth

Good times for investment in property

Since last quarter (July-September 2018) there is a surge in real estate & property business. We as property developers entered into this business 3 years back when this business was at its lowest ebb. Hitherto, it was the only profitable business where people were willingly investing both from home & abroad. But it was purposefully eroded through levying taxes, filer conditions & other regulatory strangleholds by the last govt. People were deterred and discouraged which resulted in nearly three years' slump in this business. Consequently, money laundering became the only way forward for profitable investments. Investors were left with no choice but to launder money to Dubai & Europe. Hence, we witnessed money laundering bonanza in past decade. Expats lost faith in the property investments. Part of the reason was collusion of Bharia Town with PPP Government where both made biblical hay till the sun shone over Mr Zardari's fluke cum genius tenure. Bharia Town left its entire market to handful/ faithful investors who created fake bubbles & burst them at will as & when they wanted. Since Bharia Town had become a brand to reckon with, it pocketed unreal profits through its loyal but brainless avaricious investors. It was a flawed strategy which thwarted small scale investor and the most important person in the whole equation; the end user. Rest of the damage was done by one of the four notorious Ps i.e. Property Dealers ( other three are politicians, prostitutes & press-titutes). They are so amazing at their art that truth sounds outlandish & too good to be true in the face of their lies. People interested in buying property of any type or scale happily get deceived by falsehood than listening to plain truth. This disease is here to stay & there seems no good end in sight.

However, above stated doom & gloom might prove the darkest hour before dawn. Good news is that in last quarter things are changing with Tabdeeli. According to property data wizards, half of the expats remittances are being invested in property in Pakistan. Association of Overseas Pakistanis (OAP) is actively promoting real estate investment opportunities among expats. It deserves due credit towards restoration of lost confidence in this business.

Other good news is that monopoly of Bharia Town owing to its over reliance on its core investors is withering away. New, more efficient, reliable & profitable real estate brands are available in market. For laymen, its best advised to size up the credentials of both developer & marketeers before deciding to invest in any project. Both should have delivered in their respective domains because for those who have had completed / delivered projects in the past, repute matters a lot and this is where you can confidently invest.

Tabdeeli government also seems keen on promulgating easy regulations on real estate & property development business; glimpse of which was visible in mini-budget where non-filers have been allowed purchase of property. Plus its ambitious 5 million housing units construction plan can only work through private-public partnership where govt allocates land, developers & marketeers get their share on investment/ effort. And ordinary people get easy installment plans for owning a home. This subject warrants a full blog entry which shall follow soon.

Bottom line is, its good time for investment in property of any size & budget. At the turn of the year in just three months, prices of property are going to gain 10-15% in their current prices which is not bad at all. Remember, its always the timing in investment that matters & fruition of investment in property is linked again with timing & patience.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

Diplomatic row with India

Diplomacy is a hot subject in Pakistan thesedays. And ongoing diplomatic row between FOs of Pakistan and India has further spiced up the whole scenario.
Few positives of foreign ministry to include newly elected PM's symbolic first visit to FO. Second is proactive diplomacy; since we have a Foreign Minister now who seems busy as bee on foreign affairs of Pakistan. FM SMQ wasted no time in factually correcting US State department's statement in the backdrop of Imran-Pompeo phone call. Lastly, it was brilliant to write letter to Indian PM Modi for diplomatic engagement. Indian nervousness was vivid on initially agreeing & then disagreeing to meet on pretext of lame excuses like dak tickets & imaginary killing of some ghost soldiers in IHK. It is very easy for India to manipulate the information relating IHK for its strict control on local, international media & internet. For Pakistan, its a moral binding to standby Kashmiri brethren & expose Indian atrocities. For India, sky is the limit; kill, pelt, pallet, shoot, repress & rape; let no credible information go out of the Valley and continue to fix baseless blame on Pakistan. As if their fictitious surgical strikes were not enough a hoax, they intend celebrating 'surtrikoversary'. And to top it all, General Bipin Rawat believes 'it is time'.
Now lets break it down to understandable pieces.
Good that out of all ministeries, PM made his first pit stop at Foreign Ministry. Diplomacy is antidote to friction & feuds between nations. Making a dormant ministry active does not require creating friction on petty issues. So Shah Sahab might want to take it easy & keep it proactive not reactive or over-active. Correcting factually incorrect statements of 'apparently friendly country' could have been handled better.
Making India jittery through PM's letter to his Indian counterpart served the purpose well. But it must be said that Indian FO played below belt by singling out IK in its statement rescinding respective FMs' moot during current UN General Assembly session. However, even bigger mistake was PM's Tweet on 'small men in big offices'. Chai Wala is a small man and there is no dispute on this even in greater part of India & across the globe. Our FO could have issued a 'tit for tat' statement or any big mouth from ruling party could have done the same. Talking of Big Mouth, none other fit the description better than our Information Minister both in literal & figurative sense. PM responding under TTS ('Trump Tweeting Syndrome' ) was like playing right into the hands of Chai Wala & his Dhabba politics. With Indian General Elections nearly half a year away, it is obvious that every decision of BJP Government would be weighed against political gains versus losses. Indian politics is still Pakistan-centric whereas Pakistani politics, despite its frailties has grown out of India-centric mania. Lastly, whether its frustration with growing Kashmir Freedom Movement, embarassment of Rafale aircrafts deal with France or pure 'suck up' to show 'solidarity' with BJP Government in the wake of upcoming General Elections, General Bipin Rawat's bravado is no more than a loser's bluff. And if not, then I like hundreds & thousands of others am on reservists' list and  sweating to get back in action.
Only Allah knows the whole Truth.