Foreign Friends of Pakistan

[swerveut]

Exactly. I dont care a rats a** either who posts under whichever nicks as long as their post reflect that they have some brains other than just blatant immaturity and lack of self control.

[oogabooga]

Building up a ‘soft image’




By Ardeshir Cowasjee

IT WAS President General Pervez Musharraf’s suggestion, or rather directive, that those who govern (or misgovern) should make an all-out effort to project what he terms a ‘soft image’ of Pakistan, a country which for far too long, and with a fair amount of justification, has presented a hard fundamentalist face to the world outside.

His prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, has gamely complied and has set about building what he thinks to be a ‘soft image’ to counter the world’s perception of his country. His other ministers of sorts, some of whom are known to be corrupt, have more than gamely obliged. The gamekeepers, however, do not realize that the very word ‘image’ has little to do with reality.

It seems that when our politicians set forth on the trail of a ‘soft image’ they invariably manage to mess things up. Shaukat Aziz is very much into building up a soft image by constructing big buildings and high towers — his ambition stretches to having here in Karachi the highest tower in the world. As far as this city is concerned, he feels our building laws are antiquated.

He reportedly wishes to have a huge 50-storey building put up on the vacant plot next to the Sheraton Hotel which at the moment is used as a parking lot and the grandiose plans extend to the coast and its skyline, which he would like transformed into Manhattan. His ministers have been busy rounding up sacrificial goats to bolster the scheme. Not only is a long string of huge buildings planned to be built along the polluted seashore, Federal Communications Minister Babar Ghori’s vision of a soft image extends to implanting a jet d’eau out in the murky seas in the vicinity of Oyster Rocks.

(‘Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink.....’. Is the prime minister aware that his administration has fostered a new and imaginative means of earning? In Karachi, water-vendors at bus stops sell to the thirsty glasses of disease-generating water for one rupee per glass.)

No honest and clean body, organization or individual should, though the fault not be its own, allow itself, even unwittingly, to be used to fulfil the government’s desire to have an imposing coastal skyline of unbroken highrises and commercial complexes which will necessarily involve the builder-developer mafia of the city.

The federal and Sindh governments have already strangely favoured the builders and developers of Karachi, that mafia so well-schooled in scams, by directing that all the illegal and unlawful constructions that have mushroomed in the city over the past decade, many of which have stay orders against them issued by the High Court of Sindh preventing their further construction, be allowed to be completed on the payment of a ‘regularization’ fee which would bring into the Sindh exchequer much needed funds. It was a lethal scheme, as far as the environment of the city and the safety of its citizens are concerned.

The building of highrises and commercial complexes in Karachi has, since the mania started many years ago, invariably involved scams, and massive scams at that. All one has to do to check this out is to count the number of unfinished and uncompleted buildings that litter the city from end to end, and then visit the high court to dig out the number of cases filed by affected citizens and NGOs against the illegalities committed by the mafia in cahoots with the Karachi Building Control Authority. SHEHRI (the NGO) can produce an enormous list — they are uncountable.

No honest person or organization should ever be involved with the building fraternity of Karachi, aided or unaided by foreign funds, for whenever the planned construction of a highrise or commercial complex is raised, it unfailingly brings to mind a potential scam. Any organization, by associating itself in the massive construction plans of the federal and provincial governments, merely opens itself up to be accused, rightly or wrongly, of being a party to a scam. Wise advice is to have nothing to do with the construction business and to keep far away from any involvement in the transformation of Karachi’s skyline, which our politicians are trying to project as a ‘soft image’.

In a developing country, violent and chaotic, grand buildings, high towers and palaces are no substitute for the enforcement of law and order or for good governance. The raising of architectural monstrosities has throughout history been a ploy used by the worst of crumbling dictatorships, oligarchies, emperors and so forth to project an ‘image’ of a mighty and flourishing regime. It has never worked.

Right now, with all these publicized development plans, plot grabbers all over the city are on the prowl, and forged documents and files are prepared and presented in our courts.

To take one instance : on the afternoon of Sunday, May 29, a tent was pitched on the vacant portion of plot No.11 Survey Sheet FT1 on Framroze Road in Frere Town Quarter. Two guards were posted to guard the property, the plot, which they claimed belonged to a certain ‘Mr Yousufzai’ whose cell number they gave as 0300-9201477. The plot in fact belongs to the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan. A vigilant SLIC officer living nearby rang up ‘Mr Yousufzai’ on the cell number to inform him that the plot was owned by SLIC, that his men in their tent were trespassing and they should remove themselves forthwith.

‘Mr Yousufzai’s’ response was to suggest to the officer not to interfere, that it would prove dangerous for him, that he would be subjected to ‘dire consequences,’ and switched off.

The police were informed. They asked to be shown the original ownership documents (on a Sunday!). One of the SLIC men on the scene knew one of our ‘high-up’ policemen, and the guards with their tent were removed. On Monday May 30, SLIC filed a complaint at the Boat Basin police station, but nothing has since been heard. Had the legitimate owner not had access to a ‘high up’ the tent and guards would still be on the plot and he would probably have found himself in court facing claimant ‘Mr Yousufzai’.

The questions now are : Will ‘Mr Yousufzai be found, and if found will he be arrested and then punished? The answer to all is simple. Citizens beware! The law, these days, as it has been for far too long, is on the side of the land grabbers and extortionists. The reasons are many, and well known, and the courts are generally helpless.

The building affairs of this city, including all the great development plans for the seashore and inland, are ostensibly in the hands of a front-man put in charge of the Karachi Building Control Authority by the men who control this city, the governor and the provincial ministers.

In August last year, the Sindh High Court ruled that this authority suffers from maladministration (corruption and whatever) and ordered the provincial ombudsman to investigate and report. The honourable ombudsman is still investigating. It might be a good idea for these investigations to be completed before the transformation of the coastal line is undertaken, which will give even more scope for maladministration to the city’s building bosses.

A plethora of tall monstrous buildings compensate for nothing in a country riddled with poverty, sectarian strife, mob violence, arson, and uncertainty.

Courtesy: Dawn.

[Nawaz Khan]

We need to reduce our population, it will solve the water issue.

[Gumnaam]

Population is not a big issue, we have plenty of water for 150 million people, believe me, we just need to manage our water resources properly.

[faisal_karachi]

Very interesting article ......... It seems our leaders are finally realizing the need for building a good image which we have lacked for so long .....I dont why , maybe its our neighbours conspiracy , Pakistan hardly holds any appeal for foreign investors........we need attract to FDI .........thats the only way we can improve ...........

And spido ....i think population is a BIG BIG issue we need to tackle ...........we are already in top 5 now which is worrying..........

Here is a similar article :
Fighting Image Problem: An IT Industry Rises in Pakistan
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/42934.html

[Gumnaam]

faisal, you are absolutely right that population of Pakistan is huge and still our growth rate is very high and it is a big issue and a problem, but I was actually referring to the mismanagement of our water resources by the government, which is, I believe, is enough for 150 million people of Pakistan.

[faisal_karachi]

Originally Posted by Spido

faisal, you are absolutely right that population of Pakistan is huge and still our growth rate is very high and it is a big issue and a problem, but I was actually referring to the mismanagement of our water resources by the government, which is, I believe, is enough for 150 million people of Pakistan.

Ah ! I see the confusion
Couldnt agree more there with you , Spidobhai .

[UnitedPakistan]

btw we have 160 million people in Pakistan now according to the infopak site

[oogabooga]

What Mr. Cowasjee is trying to say is that by building tall and fancy buildings and jet d’eau will not change Pakistan's fortunes. What needs to be achieved is a revolution on the grassroots level.

The issues that need to be addressed are those that ruin Pakistans image. Crime, corruption, illeteracy and poverty are a few of those issues. Without addressing those concerns, all efforts to improve Pakistans image will be in vain.

The gamekeepers, however, do not realize that the very word ‘image’ has little to do with reality.

Very well said. Even if he does manage to attract some investors by building tall towers. Those investors will be detracted by the discouraging situation that prevails in the country.

[UnitedPakistan]

Kasuri may meet Bush




By Our Correspondent

WASHINGTON, June 8: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, who arrives here on Wednesday evening, may also meet President George W. Bush during his two-day stay in the US capital, diplomatic sources told Dawn . The sources said the meeting was still being finalized.

The Pakistan Embassy in Washington said that during this visit Pakistan and the US would explore steps to further increase cooperation in social, economic and defence sectors.

Mr Kasuri is scheduled to hold talks on bilateral, regional and global issues with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Besides meeting National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Mr Kasuri will also have discussions with members of the Congress, leading think-tanks and editorial board members.

“The visit of the foreign minister underscores the strength and closeness of bilateral relations and is expected to take the process of bilateral cooperation a step further in the social sectors, and economic and defence fields,” said an official statement.

Progress in India-Pakistan dialogue, situation in Afghanistan and UN Security Council reform are also expected to figure in the discussions Mr Kasuri will have with the American leadership.

From Washington, Mr Kasuri will travel to Doha where he will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the second South-South Summit of G-77 and China, which will be held on June 15-16.

The summit meeting will be preceded by the Non-Aligned Movement ministerial meeting on June 13, which will discuss issues relating to UN reforms.

[Namantra]

We wouldn't have many problems if those ignorant idiots (founders of Pakistan) didn't vivisect india without reason...

[UnitedPakistan]

Some one ban this piece of MMA crap

I am sorry but i cant stand extremists like these MMA ghaand!


I hate when foolish Indians try to create trouble

Ooga Booga do you see now why i am justified?

If you do not then i am afraid your very blind.

[oogabooga]

Originally Posted by Namantra

We wouldn't have many problems if those ignorant idiots (founders of Pakistan) didn't vivisect india without reason...

See now thats very much a troll. He/she should be banned. But that doesnt mean that all Indians are trolls. I hate trolls just as much as you do. I understand your anger towards trolls but I dont understand your generalising/stereotyping. Anyhow I dont want to argue. Could the mods please ban this fool?

[Gumnaam]

most of them are trolls, the list is too long.....

[Namantra]

Originally Posted by Paras

most of them are trolls, the list is too long.....

You know there isn't really that much of a difference between people from pakistan and india...considering they were one country just 50 years ago and still are, for the most part, culturally one. Never forget, that majority of South Asian Muslims are descendants of hindus who converted to Islam..

[Namantra]

Originally Posted by PakistanUnited

Some one ban this piece of MMA crap

I am sorry but i cant stand extremists like these MMA ghaand!


I hate when foolish Indians try to create trouble

Ooga Booga do you see now why i am justified?

If you do not then i am afraid your very blind.

Wha..? So I try to tell you my ideas on why Pakistan iis having many of it's problems and you personally attack me, stereotype all Indians, and demand that I be bannned? You've got some nerve..

[UnitedPakistan]

Originally Posted by Namantra

You know there isn't really that much of a difference between people from pakistan and india...considering they were one country just 50 years ago and still are, for the most part, culturally one. Never forget, that majority of South Asian Muslims are descendants of hindus who converted to Islam..

Looks like this fool was dropped as a child

[UnitedPakistan]

Originally Posted by Namantra

Wha..? So I try to tell you my ideas on why Pakistan iis having many of it's problems and you personally attack me, stereotype all Indians, and demand that I be bannned? You've got some nerve..

Where has a sterotyped you dumbshit?

I will continue to attack you until you get banned.

AND I AGAIN WITH ALL THE OTHER FORUMERS DEMAND YOU BE BANNED!

What will you do? cry like a bitch?

[Namantra]

"Where has a sterotyped you dumbshit?"

I'm sorry..I only speak English...

"I will continue to attack you until you get banned."

Um..ok thanks I guess. You're a really nice guy by the way...

"AND I AGAIN WITH ALL THE OTHER FORUMERS DEMAND YOU BE BANNED!"

I've only seen like 6 people that seem to agree with you, and 1 or 2 that have specifically stated it..

"What will you do? cry like a bitch?"

Yes of course. It is I who is "crying like a bitch". I am the one pissing, cussing, and personally attacking you. I completely agree with you. It's not like I'm now just defending myself, no sirree, I'm the one attacking you and constantly dragging you back into this..

So tell me the truth, why exactly are you being so mean to me?

[Namantra]

Originally Posted by PakistanUnited

Looks like this fool was dropped as a child

You and I both know the truth.."Qaid-E-Azam"'s grandfather himself was a Hindu.. and Benazir Bhutto is a descendent of a Rajput Hindu.

Please stop with the random and baseless personal attacks. They make you look more and more pathetic, because everytime you do that it's obvious that you are just avoiding the statement because you know I'm right..