Comments on: Dance couldn’t save FBR Chief Abdullah Yousaf

By: Aftab S. Alam

Aftab S. Alam — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:42:57 +0000

Following is a fair comment, on Abdullah Yusuf’s case, by a retired civil servant Mr Kunwar Idris who is highly respected for his honesty, integrity and uprightness by all. His letter was printed in DAWN on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

Dismissal of FBR chairman

THE government dismissed Abdullah Yusuf, Chairman of the FBR, while he was attending an international conference at Geneva and was stopped in his tracks when on the way to Moscow on another official errand.

Abdullah Yusuf was accessible and ready to change his mind, or decision, if he saw reason in the argument presented to the contrary. These are not the qualities to be found in a dishonest official. That was the general impression and also my personal experience with him.

He has been removed, it is obvious, only because the previous government made him secretary-general and then gave him extension in that unusually elevated position for three years after retirement.

The emerging lesson for the civil servants — even the competent and honest among them — is not ever to get close to the head of government in personal terms, and, secondly, to go when it is time to go.

The chief of the ruling coalition and the prime minister must also realise that by removing Abdullah in the manner he has been they have humiliated not just one individual officer (who indeed didn’t deserve it) but the public service and the country as a whole.

KUNWAR IDRIS
Karachi

By: Aftab S. Alam

Aftab S. Alam — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:13:12 +0000

Chairman of the CBR is fired while away on some important official business (important I say, because, I can’t imagine him and his counterparts wasting their time on some useless meetings). In my view it is the prerogative of any government to hire or fire any individual and for me this is non issue here. Only, what has bothered me most is the fact that Mr. Abdullah Yousaf as Chairman of CBR was representing Pakistan discussing / negotiating on our behalf, during this meeting the Government of Pakistan announces about his removal. It is disgusting to imagine what sort of impression this creates and leaves on others when dealing with us, can they ever be sure about value of whatever they hear and agree with our representatives. One of the most important factors in such dealings is the credibility and standing of our people we send to represent us overseas.This sure could have waited until he was back in his office, I guess.

By: The Pakistani Spectator

The Pakistani Spectator — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:15:36 +0000

Dr. Alshaer, we are not censuring any comments. We won’t ever do so. Right now we are experiencing high load of traffic, and extremely high load of spam. Our automatic spam controller Akismet is trying to do its job upon which we have little control. If you want to post the links in the comments, please dont make them hyperlinks and paste them just as a text.

best regards

TPS

By: dr alshaer

dr alshaer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:05:20 +0000

Saleem Bhai, do not take my words personally. I do realize you and others here mean well. We just have to be careful of what we say, that is all. When source of information cannot be provided, we should just remain quiet and not let our wild minds start speculating of the unknown (even if it is the truth).

India is quite different than Pakistan. The Indians have more sense of pride and self-respect, which we clearly lack.

Regards

By: Saleem Khan

Saleem Khan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:49:00 +0000

I read about PIA hotel in some news paper that it is sold. Kuwait land sold is authentic. I cant tell u source on this cyber world but it is correct.

Why I will spread conspiracy theories? I don’t have any benefit in these kind of news at all. Rather I feel shame when other nationals laughs that your Pakistan (or officials without letting government come to know about this land) even sold gifted land in the hands of Kuwaitis. India made their embassy on allocated land for them with their own Made in India Materials and Labour.

By: dr alshaer

dr alshaer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:39:28 +0000

Saleem, you still have not answered my question. Where did you get the information on the sale of the land in Kuwait and of the hotel in NYC?

My whole issue is when stating facts, one better be ready to provide proof. This is the problem I have with reading information on the Internet or news in general these days. No one really knows the truth anymore. We are led to believe in things that do not even exist. No wonder we Pakistanis are number one in creating and believing conspiracy theories.

By: Saleem Khan

Saleem Khan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:26:56 +0000

thanks for update sir.

I will surely search for my knowledge. thanks.

By: dr alshaer

dr alshaer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:22:36 +0000

So it appears now TPS is not allowing any links to be posted.

If you are curious to find the article on the Roosevelt Hotel, do a search for New York Observer and the Roosevelt Hotel.

By: dr alshaer

dr alshaer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:19:27 +0000

This is the second time my posts are getting censured here. I am getting tired of retyping.

Saleem, it was my mistake. The figure of $1 Billion came from an article (New York Observer). The article stated speculation of the hotel being sold off from between $400 Million to $1 Billion. I will try to post the link to the article after this post.

regards

By: Saleem Khan

Saleem Khan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:04:11 +0000

Who said for $ 1 billion?