Democracy is far Better
By Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi • Feb 18th, 2009 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 20 CommentsThe ongoing debate about the incompetency of the present elected government that despite being in power for more than 11 months they have been failed to provide any considerable goodness to the country reminds me of my encounter with a grey-haired Professor in a seminar in Islamabad Hotel in 1987. During my presentation I made a quick reference to Gwadar that it being the property of the Khan Kalat was given to a Omanese prince as gift, and it was ceded back to Pakistan under Ayub Khan in 1958. After the presentation in break when I was having tea in a corner, a grey haired with wisdom in his talks and manners came to me and said, “Son, check your knowledge on Gwadar. I did not interrupt you there, but I doubt that under military regimes when military generals are enjoying praetorian ruler type role, areas can cede us. We will be rather loosing them. My, son, better verify the facts. Military regimes suffer on our sovereignty, integrity and even democratic stability in the years to come”. I took his words and few days later looked into the matters through archives and Keesing’s Contemporary Archives. He was right. It was during the Presidency of Iskender Mirza with Firoz Khan Noon as Prime Minister in 1958 before the military take over. The late Akbar Khan Bugti, first ever appointment from Balochisan, was also on his cabinet. It was the loose elected government having stepped into power as the result of 1956 Constitution with frequent changes of Prime Minister etc.
Democracy is still better and stable than authoritarian rule we unfortunately had during more than half of the period of our existence as a nation-state. Having Ph.D in Political Science with 30 years teaching graduate experience I have hardly been convinced by the arguments that an elected governments, no matter how weak and indecisive, have performed less than military regimes or controlled democracies with a praetorian turned politician as the strong head of the state. Our major national policy making disasters and tragedies, later on muddying the water and complicating the pitch to play a reasonable innings for civilian governments, did not happen when an elected government in power. Hardly one can convince me that a major crime against the process of democracy and integrity of this country did not happen on 12 October, 1999 when a military general, having been beneficiary of an elected Prime Minister as without learning any lessons from history promoted him out of the turn, toppled an elected government as the savior of a corrupt society and sham democracy like his predecessor did in 1958 and 1977.
It was a national tragedy and nipped the 10 year growing plant of democracy in the bud with three elections and change in provincial and national assemblies. I ask a simple question whether Pakistan was more stable or less threatened by internal and external challenges on 12 October when the coup took place and some sections of citizenry distributing sweets and candies in streets or in August 2008. A similar comparison can be made between the two time framework periods when Zia ul Haq took over and left. And so on. Militancy, drug and money mafia in politics, renegade culture, and dependence on America for internal and external support grew by leaps and bounds during the period when Zia ul Haq ruled. We would not have been hit by militancy and other menaces had there been an elected government, no matter how instable and indecisive. Under democracy a middle way with noisy debates inside and outside parliaments costs less expensive for the rulers than without when a strong head of the state with his power elite is fate maker for whole nation. Nehru in the formative phase of Indian democracy was once complained by his friend why there is such criticism inside and outside against the government. He answered this is the “noise of democracy which will keep India integrated”. India would have been broken into pieces and diplomatically shattered had it not been a democracy. It serves as a shield for them.
The performance of Zardari government to the dismay of a political scientist is not to expectation as he is failing to meet the expectations of people. And it was expected of him under the situation he assumed power. The two political parties who enjoy or can enjoy the bigger piece of cake in the power sharing were the ultimate result of February 2008 elections in which people to some extend a fair chance to show their verdict against President Musharraf and his crown party fellows who ruled the country for five years as an elected government with larger support of GHQ and American patronage. They believed in the continuation of their rule and due to his power lust, President Musharraf got himself elected unconstitutionally and undemocratically as the President for next five years from the incumbent assemblies. Later events nonetheless proved disastrous and the forces and circumstances made him resign. Zardari’s coming into power as the President is linked with the forces and circumstances being decisive in keeping Musharraf in power with the hold and continuation of many of his legacies — 58-B 2 and Chief Justice/Judges issue. But democracy, no matter how weak and indecisive, is still good for country. And can be more good provided the plant of democracy is let grow by undemocratic forces.
Trackback URL
|
|
|
Click For More Articles By Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi
Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi is Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan Quetta.
All posts by Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Dear Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi
Sir
Change the title to
“Democracy IN IT’S TRUE SENSE is far Better”
not the one brought be gen busharraf like you have already mentioned
other wise a good article
and a good point
>>>>>>>>>>>India would have been broken into pieces and diplomatically shattered had it not been a democracy
Best Regards
In the truest meaning and implementation of democracy; yes, a democracy has no match with other systems of governance. However, in the Pakistani political drama, a dictator is almost always a better option with regards to progress of the country and getting things done which are riddled in petty political and provincial disputes.
Congratulations Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi ,
Democracy is FAR FAR BETTER than any other system known to man.
Beauty of democracy can be understood properly only after 10 to 20 years of continued democracy…….
But it has its flaws too……..
@@@@@@@@
Pakistanis are a bit IMPATIENT with their govt.
They must realise that Democracy NEEDS TIME to mature.
Democracy is the name of the 400+ looteers who got elected by illiterate, uneducated, non-conscious people.
These stupid people are giving legal status to them to plunder their money and make assets overses.
Democracy is for non-sense and idiots people who does notwant to see their country progressing and developing
I’m not sure about what you have here. All I know is that I do not want authoritarian government but from where I am where democracy rules, only those in the position were really given the democratic rights to prosper and win games from business to power. It’s actually starting to confuse me if democracy is indeed a good choice.
Ana
Prof,
Good article. The points mentioned are really good.
Pakistan needs to be patient with the democratic process, democracy will not give results in quick time. It takes time to show its benefits.
Democracy is the name of the 400+ looteers ????????????
i think some people prefers a whole army of Looters instead of 400,
also where there is no one to ask that army of traitors, no accountability at all,
where the chowkidar of the house hijacks the entire house and its member on a gun point, a chowkidar like this and its supporters should be shot in the head,
but somepeole like to live as hostages maybe some people suffer from Stockholm syndrome
everybody please have pity on these people suffering from Stockholm syndrome as they are not able to distinguish between right and wrong
Democracy requires PATIENCE. Has Pakistan got it?
Johann
patience is not a problem for us .Is not height of patience that we bear all kind of worst management of military rule and even then feel proud of our wrong doing in front of whole world.No body can match to our patience level in last 30 years we are patiently waiting while sitting our home for sincere leadership.We tolerate bhutto, sharif ,many dictators and now zardari.It is really end of patience that we are grining up and bearing up the intolerable characters of NRO aliens in our homeland.Now this high dose patience is making us patient of national crimes.
The actual problem is we are breed of confused generation.They neither give us any vision nor guidance for any kind of proper system and only thing we learn in our history is to work for personal gains.We are at sixes and seven since our creation and still looking for right direction.
By Incredible Indian
As i said earlier DEMOCRACY can be appreciated ONLY AFTER 15 OR 20 YEARS of continued democracy……..
Politicians of EVERY COUNTRY are corrupt and power hungry…….Pakistan is NO EXCEPTION.
Destiny of a nation is determined by the INTELLECT OF ITS CITIZENS.
And only in a democracy can the INTELLECT OF CITIZENS can develop fully because of their DIRECT PARTICIPATION.
@@@@@@@
However, Democracy needs TIME AND PATIENCE to mature ,
Nawaz and Shahbaz pay no tax
ISLAMABAD: The billionaire club of the Pakistani politicians, including the deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, does not pay any tax Despite having declared assets of Rs 676.8 million of the Sharif family, both the brothers filed a zero income tax and deficit wealth tax returns, last year. This very fact motivated donors to force the authorities to publish tax records of all the parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats, which is due now shortly
Out of every 100 persons of this poor country of 140 million people, only one Pakistani is a taxpayer, and the tax to GDP ratio is not more than 10 per cent, against an average of 18 per cent for the third world countries.
Tax evasion is rampant and, generally, everyone who is some one in this country does not like to pay his or her tax. Agriculture sector is the best example. With its 25 per cent share in the gross domestic product of over Rs 3,000 billion, its share in income tax is mere few hundred million rupee. More than 90 per cent members of the electoral Houses, both at the federal and the provincial level, has a feudal and landlord background. So, they use all their powers to stay out of the tax net.
The industrialists used this provision by holding large agricultural farms to hide their taxable incomes. Traders or retailers, known as shutter power, have also been successful by shutting their business down whenever an attempt was made to tax their incomes.
So, it leaves the burden of tax only on the urban salaried class. This constrained revenue outlook forced the policy-makers in initial years of the 90s to introduce deductions at source on various income streams, including interest incomes, rental income, income of exporters, importers, suppliers, contractors, etc, in shape of withholding and presumptive taxes.
Fixed levies were also introduced either on ownership and trading in assets, like property and automobiles, or on consumption of services, like electricity and telephone. After failure of these attempts, another indirect mechanism of surcharges emerged, largely on petroleum products, and more recently on edible oils. Rather than transferring the benefits of falling prices to consumers, the government found it expedient to pick up the difference as a windfall in revenues.
The tax strategy for the fiscal 1998-99, remained weak and non-innovative that forced the multilateral donors to put their foot down by pressing the government to go for the value-added mode of sales tax. Removal of sectoral exemptions from GST, like services, electricity, gas and POL products has to be announced, and the retailers and fixed taxpayers were brought under a turnover tax regime to nab the potential tax evaders.
These measures were generally, revenue-neutral. Some of these measures were, however, revenue-oriented, like increase in gas and furnace oil prices, GST on packed/ branded food items, and introduction of turnover tax on retailers and fixed taxpayers.
During the caretaker regime of Moeen Qureshi, tax records of various leading politicians were leaked to the press. These records showed that majority of the politicians either filed zero income tax statements, or made partly contributions against their huge declared and undeclared assets. Benazir Bhutto, Farooq Leghari and others were also mentioned in such news reports.
The 11-member family of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif holds a gross wealth of Rs 676.8 million (declared in tax returns). However, Nawaz and Shahbaz paid no income tax or wealth tax to the national exchequer.
Following the modern tradition of large industrial houses, the family of Nawaz Sharif also owns large agricultural farms. Nawaz Sharif himself owns two pieces of land at the Raiwind Road and Mandiali (Sheikhupura), containing 212 Produce Index Units (PIUs).
According to the tax statements of June 30, 1998, total income tax paid by the 11-member Sharif family was just Rs 0.25 million. The family also paid Rs 0.55 million as wealth tax and 0.13 million as agriculture tax raising the total tax payment of the family to Rs 0.94 million. This amount is just a peanut, keeping in view their business empire that actually runs into many billions.
The tax statements declared majority of the industrial concerns in losses and the income tax was computed largely on the salary paid to the directors of the group or on the dividend paid by Chaudhry Sugar Mills. The total income tax, wealth tax and agriculture tax paid by the family, with a gross worth of Rs 676.8 million, was just Rs 0.94 million or a little above 0.1 per cent of the total declared asset value of the family.
The 11-member family includes Mian Muhammad Sharif, Mrs Shamim Akhtar, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Mrs Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif, Hussain Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Mrs Nusrat Shahbaz, Hamza Shahbaz, Mian Abbas Sharif and Mrs Sabiha Abbas. Majority of the assets were in the name of elders, minors and wives of the Sharifs.
The factories declared by the Sharif family show losses. These industrial units, as shown in the various tax returns include Chaudhry Sugar Mills, Ramzan Sugar Mills Ltd, Mehran Ramzan Textile Mills Ltd, Muhammad Baksh Textile Mills, Hamza Spinning Mills, Hudabiya Paper Mills, Hudabiya Engg (Pvt) Ltd, Hamza Board Mills, Kulsoom Textile Mills, Ittefaq Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Ilyas Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Brothers Steel Ltd, Ittefaq Sugar Mills, Khalid Siraj Textile Industries, Ramzan Baksh Textile Mills, Ittefaq Textile Mills, Brothers Textile Mills, Ittefaq Foundries, Khalid Siraj Industries, Barkat Textile Mills, Abdul Aziz Textile Mills, Brothers Sugar Mills and Effective (Pvt) Ltd.
According to the documentary evidence, the deposed prime minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif with national tax number (NTN) has declared his income tax liability as ‘nil’ on June 30, 1998. His total net wealth (as declared) was Rs 2.1 million and total admissible debts were shown at Rs 6.4 million. So his net wealth, according to the tax statement (assets minus admissible debts), would go into deficit.
The income tax liability of Mrs Kulsoom Nawaz was also shown as ‘nil’. However, she declared a small amount of eight thousand rupee as tax on dividend from Chaudhry Sugar Mills where she had declared to hold 4,000 shares. The net asset value of Mrs Nawaz was shown at Rs 3.98 million. However, her net wealth was computed at Rs 32 thousand after adjusting admissible loans of Rs 3.95 million. So, she paid Rs 178 only as wealth tax for the year ending June 30, 1998.
The tax return of Mian Shahbaz Sharif shows one thousand rupee tax deducted on dividend received by him from Chaudhry Sugar Mills. He had declared to have 5,000 shares of the unit. Mian Shahbaz also filed a deficit tax return of Rs 4.5 million.
The Big Sharif-Mian Muhammad Sharif declared to have shares of Chaudhry Sugar Mills. Mian Sharif had paid Rs 50102 as his income liability. Father of the prime minister paid Rs 1.96 lac as wealth tax. He also owns 2834 PIUs agricultural land at Feroze Watoan Sheikhupura and Lahore. Mother of the prime minister also paid Rs 60 thousand income tax. She announced to have 18174 PIUs agricultural land in the rural area of Lahore. She paid Rs 131 thousand as agriculture income tax.
SOURCE: Jang-Group October 17, 1999, Karachi
How Rich Are Pakistan’s Politicians
By Nadeem Iqbal
The official gazette published by the Election Commission of Pakistan contains details of assets of 1160 federal and provincial parliamentarians for public information. With one exception — that of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali.
The prime minister’s statement of assets and liability simple reads: “No change in the declaration of assets filed on 24 August, 2002,” with the additional remark, “bank balance in National Bank PM Secretariat Branch in Account No C-1-6 has Rs343,583 from salary as PM on 30-June, 2003.” There is no information available as to what his assets were in August last year.
This is interesting as the law specifically requires filling in details regarding lawmakers’ moveable and immovable property, held in and outside the country, business details, details of local and foreign bank accounts and details of the assets held by their spouses or children or other dependents.
The gazette contains the details of four chief ministers as well. Of them, the wife of Balochistan CM Jam Muhammad Yousaf Princess Zainab Baloch owns assets that include over Rs23 million of moveable property and bank accounts of Rs1.3 million etc. His wife also has shares in Flashman Hotel Islamabad, ‘Sezil’ (Cecil) Murree and Dean Peshawar.
Sindh CM Ali Muhammad Khan Mehar has declared a property worth Rs9.2 million, cash of Rs1.8 million and jewelry worth Rs460,000 etc.
NWFP CM, Akram Khan Durrani has declared a mostly inherited property worth Rs18.81 million and jewelry worth Rs1,6000 and prize bonds worth Rs30,0000 given to him by his uncle. His bank balance remains Rs1,78,941.
According to the gazette, Punjab Chief Minister Ch. Pervez Elahi is shown to have a property of Rs12.2 million. His and his wife’s shares in different flour and sugar mills come to around Rs29.2 million while the bank balance is 46.6 million.
The lawmakers have made their assets known amidst protests that top generals and judges should also be undertaking such an exercise. As a first step the people’s representatives presented themselves to public scrutiny and have set a precedent, to be followed by others.
The official gazette carrying all the details is available from the Election Commission for Rs616. However, the price of gazette carrying individual details like that of senate or any one provincial assembly varies between Rs70 to Rs137.
Under the Representation of Peoples Act, a false declaration by any member is punishable. The law says: “Where a member submits the statement, which is found to be false in material particulars could be proceeded for committing an offense of corrupt practices and that person could be punished with maximum imprisonment up to three years or with fine up to Rs5,000 or both.”
Another gazette also published by the Election Commission has made public financial accounts and holdings of their respective political parties.
There are some interesting figures. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam comes out as the richest party, with funds and assets worth Rs36 million while the second largest representative party in parliament, the Pakistan People’s Party-Parliamentarians (PPPP), has only Rs1,000 in its account.
The two allied parties of the government, the PPPP-Patriots and the National Alliance, have a zero balance while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has assets worth Rs24.7 million. The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf of Imran Khan has a liability of Rs100,000 and many non-representative parties have shown a slight difference in earnings and expenditures.
There were 73 political parties enrolled with the Election Commission but only 56 parties complied with the legal requirement. August 29, 2003 was the last date for filing party accounts.
The account details show that the opening balance of the MMA was zero last year and now it is Rs133,862. Jamaat-e-Islami, a component party of the MMA, has Rs377,995 in its account while its assets are worth Rs1,419,115, Pir Pagaro’s PML Functional has Rs200,000, the JUI of Maulana Samiul Haq has Rs320,00, Muttahida Qaumi Movement has Rs349,000, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s PAT has Rs1,418,000 and the PML-Zia has Rs32,000.
Figures that only go to show that in place of a strong political party culture, the country’s political infrastructure is based on individual politicians’ wealth or financial support provided to them by non-political elements.
Little wonder that PM’s announcement last week of a raise in the salaries, perks and travel allowances of the members of the National Assembly and the Senate (MPAs not included) was welcome. Even the criticism by the opposition was muted — focusing more than anything else on the ill-timing of the raise.
The monthly remuneration of the parliamentarians has been raised from Rs17,500 to Rs38,000, inclusive of allowances. This increase by 117.14 per cent would be adding an extra burden of Rs90.61 million per month to the national exchequer. The travel allowance of the parliamentarians has also been increased from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 for the use of travel vouchers.
In this context, the assets of parliamentarians made an interesting reading. The Election Commission has not processed the details and reproduced the hand-written statements after scanning them. In many cases, the legislators have not strictly followed the format provided in the form. Hence leaving many visible loopholes that could be exploited by them to under-state the assets — many of them have attached separate statements instead of filling in the forms.
According to their statements Punjab Chief Minister, Ch Pervez Elahi, Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Federal Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, MMA Maulana Fazal-Ur-Rehman, Dr. Sher Afgan do not own any car or vehicle.
Judging by his own statement, Dr Sher Afgan of PPP Patriots, appears to be the ‘poorest’ lawmaker who virtually owns no assets, and has claimed a bank balance of Rs500.
The MMA leader, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, has declared assets worth over Rs3 million, including his house in Peshawar, and bank balance. He has at least four bank balances of over Rs2 lac that include a foreign currency account with US$92. Another MMA leader and veteran politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman has declared assets worth Rs2.7 million.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has declared assets worth Rs6.6 million. Details of his property are as follows: Factory in I-10/3 Islamabad (incomplete) valued at Rs800,000; Al-Rashid Market, D 267, Rawalpindi, Rs10,50,000; share in House D-268, Rawalpindi, inherited; share in Property Changa Manga, inherited; agricultural land in village Rama Teh Fateh Jhang, Rs38,28,000; and farm house, shed, and tractor trolley Rs9,72,500.
Faisal Saleh Hayat has assets worth 30 million. PML-QA chief Chaudhry Shujaat has property worth RS12.3 million and shares in different mills totaling Rs56 million.
Water and Power Minister Aftab Sherpao has shown his total assets to be worth Rs14.6 million. He has a Mercedez Benz worth Rs2.6 million.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has declared House No 2, Zaman Park Lahore, apartment No 8, B II Ramna, Islamabad, Islamabad, and 530 kanals at Khanewal to be his assets. He also has a share in 363 kanals of agricultural land which he inherited. His wife owns property in Mohra noofr Islamabad worth Rs46 million. He owns one car Toyota worth over 1 million rupees. He does not have any foreign currency account or property abroad.
Liaqat Baloch has assets worth Rs4 million. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has declared assets worth Rs128.34 million, including assets of his wife Nasreen Mehmood Kasuri. His family runs a school chain in the country. PML-N acting president Javed Hashmi, has shown assets valued at Rs67.4 million.
Ijazul Haq, son of the late military ruler Gen Ziaul Haq, has declared assets worth Rs40 million. His property includes F/7 1 Islamabad House, worth Rs20 million, one kanal plot in Lahore, and share in undivided ‘inherited’ property from parents. He had a car worth 700,000 that he has sold.
Former president Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari has declared his assets to be worth Rs26 million. His son Awais Khan Leghari has declared assets worth Rs12 million
Amin Fahim, PPP, has given a statement of his family’s property without declaring its worth. He has a bank balance of Rs.1,20,000. .
Among the women parliamentarian, Kashmala Tariq has brought 25,000 pound sterling from abroad. She has declared assets worth 2.9 million
Education Minister Zobaida Jalal has declared assets worth Rs40.2 million. Her property includes 15 plots in different housing schemes in Balochistan, and 150 acres of agricultural land, gifted by her husband. She also has 70 tolas of gold — 40 tolas gifted by her parents, and 30 tolas by her husband.
Former federal minister Attiya Inayatullah has a house in New Garden Town Lahore worth Rs183,334 and other cash and saving certificates worth around Rs1.8 million. She does not own a car.
Naheed Khan, political secretary to Benazir Bhutto, has majority of assets in the name of her spouse. Her personal assets are worth Rs2 million. Samia Raheel Qazi, daughter of Qazi Hussain Ahmed, has assets worth Rs2.2 million.
Among senators Prof Ghafoor Ahmed of MMA has property worth Rs24 million. Former chairman Wasim Sajjad has net assets of 11.15 million. Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has declared two apartments in London and New York, worth Rs17,720,000. He also has two plots in the Defence Housing Authority, Karachi, and agricultural land in Islamabad. Last year he brought Rs12.7 million from abroad.
Former ISI Chief Lt.Gen Javed Ashraf has declared six items of property in Lahore and Rawalpindi worth Rs14.3 million. His wife shared a property worth Rs1 million and his son has Rs1 million. His rupee bank balance is 2.53 million while that in foreign currency includes Euro 5,204 and $39,065. Maulana Samiul Haq has property worth Rs4 million.
Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro has declared assets worth Rs7.31 million. In his detailed statement of assets and liabilities filed with the Election Commission he is shown to own 5323 units of agricultural land, out of which 2165 units are barren.
Can anyone dare put forward undeclared assets of General Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, Pervez Musharraf etc.
If you can’t you should die in SHAME
THE BELOW SHOWS THAT PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY KNOW ONE
THING I.E. CRITICISM WITHOUT A GENUINE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE FACTS AND FIGURES - IN DOING SO THEY ALSO WELCOME
BACK TAINTED POLITICIANS WITH HISTORY OF FINANCIAL AND
OTHER FORMS OF CORRUPTION KEEPING HIGH HOPES OF THEM
RE-SHAPING THEIR DESTINY!! THERE IS NO RECOGNITION OF
ONE WHO HAS DEVOTED TIME AND EFFORT WHICH HAS SADLY
GONE DOWN IN VAIN!!
SOURCE: VARIOUS ASIAN, EUROPEAN & AMERICAN RESEARCH
ORGANIZATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL STATURE!!!
INTERESTING. Basic comparison of 1999 and 2007
Pak Economy in 1999 was: $ 75 billion
Pak Economy in 2007 is: $ 160 billion
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1999: $ 270
billion
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2007: $ 475.5
billion
GDP per Capita in 1999: $ 2,000
GDP per Capita in 2007: $ 3,004
Pak revenue collection 1999: Rs. 305 billion
Pak revenue collection 2007: Rs. 708 billion
Pak Foreign reserves in 1999: $ 700 million
Pak Foreign reserves in 2007: $ 17 billion
Pak Exports in 1999: $ 7.5 billion
Pak Exports in 2007: $ 18.5 billion
Textile Exports in 1999: $ 5.5 billion
Textile Exports in 2007: $ 11.2 billion
KHI stock exchange 1999: $ 5 billion at 700 points
KHI stock exchange 2007: $ 70 billion at 14,000 points
Foreign Direct Investment in 1999: $ 1 billion
Foreign Direct Investment in 2007: $ 8 billion
Debt servicing 1999: 65% of GDP
Debt servicing 2007: 26% of GDP
Poverty level in 1999: 34%
Poverty level in 2007: 24%
Literacy rate in 1999: 45%
Literacy rate in 2007: 53%
Pak Development programs 1999: Rs. 80 billion
Pak Development programs 2007: Rs. 520 billion
Under Musharraf’s vision
· 9 world class Engineering universities being
developed and 18 Public universities already
developed.
· Public sector institutions have increased from
110,267 (in 1999) to become
· Private sector institutions have increased from
36,096 (in 1999) to become 81,103 (in 2006).
· PAK is 3rd best in world Banking profitability.
· PAK IT industry now values around $2 billion,
including $1 billion exports and employs around 90,000
professionals.
· CNG sector has attracted over $70 billion investment
in last 5 years; and created 45,000 jobs.
· Telecom sector attracted around $10 billion in
investment and created above 1.3 million jobs.
· Industrial Parks are being setup throughout the
country for the first time! M3 estate, Sunder
industrial estate, Chakri, etc.
· Major Mega projects like the Saindak, Rekodiq,
Marble production, Coal production and Mining &
Quarrying are being pursued.
· In 2006, GDP growth is 6%. Earlier in 1999 was 3.5%.
· Foreign Reserves from $1 bn to $17 bn.
· KHI stock market: from 700 points to 13,000 points.
· Literacy rate improved by 11%.
· Poverty decreased by 10%.
· He made 4 dams: Mirani, Subakzai, Gomalzam, Khurram
Tangi dams.
· 6 Motorways completed or under construction: M1, M3,
M8, M9, M10, M11.
· Six major highways under construction.
· GWADAR advance mega Sea port developed under his
vision!
· Historic 100% increase in Tax collection of $11
billion.
· Large scale manufacturing is 30 year high, and
Construction activity is 17 year high.
· Newly found World class copper- gold deposits in
Chagai will fetch $600 million per year.
· A new Oil refinery with UAE will fetch $5 billion &
will process 300,000 oil barrels a day.
· Industrial sector registered 26% growth.
· PAK in 1999 was a $75 billion economy; and now 2006
it’s $160 billion economy!
· PAK economy is now the 3rd fastest growing economy
after China & India .
Education under Musharraf Era
In 1999-2000 there were 31 Public Universities. Now
2005-2006 there are 49 Public Universities. Under
Musharraf 20 NEW UNIVERSITIES SET UP!
· Air University (established 2002)
· Institute of Space technology, ISB (established
2002)
· Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University , Quetta
(established 2004)
· University of Science & Technology, Bannu
(established 2005)
· University of Hazara (founded 2002)
· Malakand university, Chakdara (established 2002)
· Karakurum International university, Gilgit
(established 2002)
· University of Gujrat (established 2004)
· Virtual University of Pak, Lahore (established 2002)
· Sarhad University of IT, Peshawar (established 2001)
· National Law University, ISB (2007)
· Media University, ISB (2007) etc.
· University of Education , Lahore (2002)
· Lasbella University of Marine Sciences, Baluchistan
(2005)
· Baluchistan University of IT & Management, Quetta
(2002), etc.
Pakistan now has a total of 245,682 Educational
institutions in all categories, including 164,579
(i.e. 67 percent) in the Public sector and 81,103
(i.e. 100 percent) in the private sector, reports the
National Education Census (NEC-2005). The census –
jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education, the
Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM)
and the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) — reveals
that the number of private-sector institutions has
increased from 36,096 in 1999-2000 to 81,103 in 2005,
i.e. by 100 per cent.
Total 99,319 Educational Institutions (Public &
Private) have increased in Musharraf Era!
shame on the looter politicians
Dear AOM,
well done!
swear my eyes teared that still there are some people who really know progress in its true sense. you are very right that we got in Musharraf’s 8 years what we could not achieve in 50 years. . .
Anyone who have doubts may confirm the facts and figures you presented.
i would say many in the world, particularly in Pakistan are “educated ignorant” we do not critically analyze a thing and start speaking about it. it can be interpreted from the views of many people that we have VERY POOR UNDERSTANDING OF DEMOCRACY.
Every government system is based on the principle of equality. Equality of the citizens. . Equality of rights.. .
But democracy . . . the very stupid system, preaches . . . that an ignorant, drunken and a junky . . . who does not know ABC, and a great scholar thinks the same way. . .
How funny it is. . .
Yes, this is the basic philosophy of democracy. . . EQUALITY OF OPINIONS. . .
We people are being used like the pieces of chess by the players . . . by the politicians.
Every one says that politicians all over the world are corrupt but who run this stupid thing democracy. . These corrupts and liars people.
DEMOCRACY IS A GAME, POLITICS IS IT’S RULE AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THIS GAME IS TO TELL THE LIE ALWAYS.
How stupid it is when a man knows that he is doing the worst thing, still he does . . .
Still he believe the proven liars, still he trust them . . .
“Democracy is far Better ”
with due apologise, i would say a GOOD DICTATORSHIP is far better than the stupid democracy. take the example of Pakistan under musharraf, malaysia under mahathir muhammad. . .
Tahir,
I would like to know your idea of dictatorship. It will be good for the country if it is for the betterment of the society and country at large.
Malaysia i would agree but not Pakistan. Democracy is far more better than dictatorship in Pakistan’s case at least.
AOM
I have no time to waste on your copy paste style but for others help just count the name that you have mentioned in your list of corrupt politicians and I hope you will find among 80% of list are King’s men, I mean they enjoyed the power sharing with your lover.Your lover has given them free hand to let and loot the country as per their choice.So how can you say that your way of dictatorship has promoted the pure and honest system of governance.
Now come to general’s assets.Whose industries are these
gandahara auto
fatima fertilizer.
pepsi group
varan
Musahrf’s son has become VP of eplanet in his tenure as we saw in the period of zia when his both sons were bestowed by lucrative jobs and business ventures in US company.General mehemood durrani , munir hafiz,amjad shoib and many more missed no chances of occupying lucrative posts,or on taking quota from LPG or expensive plots in DHA loot plot mela, all have thrived their greeds by all possible ways approachable to them.You can also visit many computer companies in Islamabad whose acting MDs are generals of Musharf’s time and employees of companies know it very well that these MDs actually camouflage their huge investment in these companies.
If you are still not digesting these facts then go and see the Places of general beig, Itihashm zameer, shoaib amjad and marrakish style farm house of your lover.Their mentality of living like royals and treat the bloody civilians as their batman is clear to all Pakistanis.
Really if your musharf would have taken loot money from all above mentioned politician or at least from Bhutto or sharif whom he personally declared corrupt in his book then we would have accepted your theory that dictator ship could be better choice for us but his all wrong doings to prolong his tenure actually strengthened our belief that all systems whether democracy or one man rule needs norm of justice and society first need strong justice system where all influential criminals should be caught and punished and capable people should be awarded right place in society.As First world countries proved thru their experience that democracy is much better system that can maintain level of justice for all kind of people than dictatorships, therefore we are following the practical examples happening around us.
I know these sensible words have no influence on you as your mental state is lying below ,Enjoy your life in democratic country by looting our money and praise dictatorship for poor Pakistanis from there.
Well guys,
Democracy and Dictatorship depends upon the citizens of any nation.
A nation with intelligent people can go for Democracy (Like India) BUT
A nation with stupid and barbarian people, Dictatorship is the best option. They don’t undertsand dialogue but rather dandas on their bumps, to make them understand. By any angle, Democracy doesn’t fits for them.
Excellent read
I ‘m an arab jouralist. Democracy is without any doubt better than dictatorship.
And Pakistan is not the exception.Just take a look at the sitiation in tha arab countries led by the corrupt presidents and militaries and supported by the western world.
That’s why facing dictatoships and tyrannic governments in our countries is indirectly facing the western world.
Those governments believe that only their citizens deserve to live in feedom and democracy and only their citizens ahve humain rights despite pretending the oppsite.