Comments on: Interview with Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa Agha http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/ A Candid Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:35:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Awais http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-3793162 Awais Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:09:30 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-3793162 Dr.Ayesha Siddiqa's book military inc.has changed the course of my thinking.This book has shower a new path to me.Military inc. is the best book after Holy Quran i have ever read.I hope she will continue guiding nation by writing on such topics. Dr.Ayesha Siddiqa’s book military inc.has changed the course of my thinking.This book has shower a new path to me.Military inc. is the best book after Holy Quran i have ever read.I hope she will continue guiding nation by writing on such topics.

]]> By: khurshid alam khan http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-804762 khurshid alam khan Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:03:40 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-804762 Pak Economy in 1999 was: $ 75 billion (Source) Pak Economy in 2007 is: $ 160 billion (Source) and (Source) Pak Economy in 2008 is: $ 170 billion (Source) GDP Growth in 1999: 3.1 % (Source) GDP Growth in 2005: 8.4 % (Source) GDP Growth in 2007: 7 % (Source) GDP Growth in 2009: 2 % (Source) and (Source) GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1999: $ 270 billion (Source) GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2007: $ 475.5 billion (Source) GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2008: $ 504.3 billion (Source) GDP per Capita Income in 1999: $ 450 (Source) GDP per Capita Income in 2007: $ 926 (Source) GDP per Capita Income in 2008: $1085 (Source) Pak revenue collection 1999: Rs. 305 billion (Source) Pak revenue collection 2007: Rs. 708 billion (Source) and (Source) Pak revenue collection 2008: Rs. 990 billion (Source) Pak Foreign reserves in 1999: $ 1.96 billion (Source) Pak Foreign reserves in 2007: $ 16.4 billion (Source) and (Source) Pak Foreign reserves in 2008: $ 8.89 billion (Source) Pak Foreign reserves in 2009: $ 14.4 billion (Source) Pak Exports in 1999: $ 8 billion (Source) Pak Exports in 2007: $ 18.5 billion (Source) Pak Exports in 2008: $ 19.22 billion (Source) and (Source) Textile Exports in 1999: $ 5.5 billion (Source) Textile Exports in 2007: $ 11.2 billion (Source) KHI stock exchange 1999: $ 5 billion at 700 points KHI stock exchange 2007: $ 75 billion at 14,000 points (Source) KHI stock exchange 2008: $ 46 billion at 9,300 points (Source) and $20 billion at 4,972 points (Source) KHI stock exchange 2009: $ 26.5 billion (Source) at 9,000 points (Source) Foreign Investment in 1999: $ 301 million (Source) Foreign Investment in 2007: $ 8.4 billion (Source) Foreign Investment in 2008: $ 5.19 billion (Source) Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 1999: 1.5% ( Source) Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2005: 19.9% (Source) Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2007: 8.6% (Source) Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2008: 4.8% (Source) Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1988: $ 18 billion Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1999: $ 39 billion (Source) and (Source) Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2007: $ 40.17 billion (Source) Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2009: $ 50.1 billion (Source) Debt servicing 1999: 65% of GDP (Source) and (Source) Debt servicing 2007: 28% of GDP (Source) and (Source) Debt servicing 2008: 27% of GDP (Source) Poverty level in 1999: 34% (Source) and (Source) Poverty level in 2007: 24% (Source) and (Source) Literacy rate in 1999: 45% (Source) Literacy rate in 2007: 53% (Source) Pak Development programs 1999: Rs. 80 billion (Source) Pak Development programs 2007: Rs. 520 billion (Source) Pak Development programs 2008: Rs. 549.7 billion (Source) © Our leader – Musharraf Posted in Afreen Baig, Pakistan Economy | Tags: Afreen Baig, Economic Indicators, Exports, FDI, Foreign Debt, Foreign Reserves, GDP, KSE, LSM, Mirza Rohail, Pakistan Economy, PSDP « Overall Vision of Our leader – MusharrafPresident Musharraf resigns » Pak Economy in 1999 was: $ 75 billion (Source)
Pak Economy in 2007 is: $ 160 billion (Source) and (Source)
Pak Economy in 2008 is: $ 170 billion (Source)

GDP Growth in 1999: 3.1 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2005: 8.4 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2007: 7 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2009: 2 % (Source) and (Source)

GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1999: $ 270 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2007: $ 475.5 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2008: $ 504.3 billion (Source)

GDP per Capita Income in 1999: $ 450 (Source)
GDP per Capita Income in 2007: $ 926 (Source)

GDP per Capita Income in 2008: $1085 (Source)

Pak revenue collection 1999: Rs. 305 billion (Source)
Pak revenue collection 2007: Rs. 708 billion (Source) and (Source)

Pak revenue collection 2008: Rs. 990 billion (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 1999: $ 1.96 billion (Source)
Pak Foreign reserves in 2007: $ 16.4 billion (Source) and (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 2008: $ 8.89 billion (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 2009: $ 14.4 billion (Source)

Pak Exports in 1999: $ 8 billion (Source)
Pak Exports in 2007: $ 18.5 billion (Source)

Pak Exports in 2008: $ 19.22 billion (Source) and (Source)

Textile Exports in 1999: $ 5.5 billion (Source)
Textile Exports in 2007: $ 11.2 billion (Source)

KHI stock exchange 1999: $ 5 billion at 700 points
KHI stock exchange 2007: $ 75 billion at 14,000 points (Source)
KHI stock exchange 2008: $ 46 billion at 9,300 points (Source) and $20 billion at 4,972 points (Source)

KHI stock exchange 2009: $ 26.5 billion (Source) at 9,000 points (Source)

Foreign Investment in 1999: $ 301 million (Source)
Foreign Investment in 2007: $ 8.4 billion (Source)

Foreign Investment in 2008: $ 5.19 billion (Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 1999: 1.5% ( Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2005: 19.9% (Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2007: 8.6% (Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2008: 4.8% (Source)

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1988: $ 18 billion

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1999: $ 39 billion (Source) and (Source)

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2007: $ 40.17 billion (Source)

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2009: $ 50.1 billion (Source)

Debt servicing 1999: 65% of GDP (Source) and (Source)
Debt servicing 2007: 28% of GDP (Source) and (Source)

Debt servicing 2008: 27% of GDP (Source)

Poverty level in 1999: 34% (Source) and (Source)
Poverty level in 2007: 24% (Source) and (Source)

Literacy rate in 1999: 45% (Source)
Literacy rate in 2007: 53% (Source)

Pak Development programs 1999: Rs. 80 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2007: Rs. 520 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2008: Rs. 549.7 billion (Source)

© Our leader – Musharraf
Posted in Afreen Baig, Pakistan Economy | Tags: Afreen Baig, Economic Indicators, Exports, FDI, Foreign Debt, Foreign Reserves, GDP, KSE, LSM, Mirza Rohail, Pakistan Economy, PSDP
« Overall Vision of Our leader – MusharrafPresident Musharraf resigns »

]]> By: m danish http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-804507 m danish Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:42:23 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-804507 people! i have pretty much studied about her, and this is conform report that dr. ayesha is an isreali agent, recently she had a meeting with some US-isreali officials and certanly she’s paid to write and work against muslims and pakistan.she pretends to show that she is patriotic and much loyal with pakistan, and she’s really very concious about pakistan, but the reality is completely inverse.she works for isreali intellegence service, so please don’t be fool.she wrote against ISI in her evil book,she taunt our pak army. and severely critisized the peaceful freedom movement in kashmir.so be aware.this paid woman is enemy of our state. people! i have pretty much studied about her, and this is conform report that dr. ayesha is an isreali agent, recently she had a meeting with some US-isreali officials and certanly she’s paid to write and work against muslims and pakistan.she pretends to show that she is patriotic and much loyal with pakistan, and she’s really very concious about pakistan, but the reality is completely inverse.she works for isreali intellegence service, so please don’t be fool.she wrote against ISI in her evil book,she taunt our pak army. and severely critisized the peaceful freedom movement in kashmir.so be aware.this paid woman is enemy of our state.

]]> By: Riaz Haq http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-473534 Riaz Haq Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:30:19 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-473534 It is now recognized that without Chinese military's crucial role, it would have been very difficult for the Chinese to build the modern industrial base and attract massive foreign direct investments to become the factory of the world. It is also clear that, as a powerful and stable institution, Pakistani military can and should take inspiration from the PLA to play a much bigger role in Pakistan's economic development and rapid industrialization to help increase the nation's prosperity and lift millions out of poverty, as China's PLA has done. Pakistan's military should take a leaf from the Chinese PLA playbook. It should do what is necessary to strengthen the nation's industry, economy and national security, regardless of any critics, including Ayesha Siddiqa Agha and her myriad fans. This is the best way forward to a well-educated, industrialized, prosperous and democratic Pakistan in the future. It is now recognized that without Chinese military’s crucial role, it would have been very difficult for the Chinese to build the modern industrial base and attract massive foreign direct investments to become the factory of the world. It is also clear that, as a powerful and stable institution, Pakistani military can and should take inspiration from the PLA to play a much bigger role in Pakistan’s economic development and rapid industrialization to help increase the nation’s prosperity and lift millions out of poverty, as China’s PLA has done.

Pakistan’s military should take a leaf from the Chinese PLA playbook. It should do what is necessary to strengthen the nation’s industry, economy and national security, regardless of any critics, including Ayesha Siddiqa Agha and her myriad fans. This is the best way forward to a well-educated, industrialized, prosperous and democratic Pakistan in the future.

]]> By: tehmaaz http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-253087 tehmaaz Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:13:21 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-253087 Dear Dr Ayesha, There are always two sides of any picture. My contention with you is that you have presented only the black side of the picture to the people and you time and again just simply refuse to accept the good deeds, the benefits and the awareness that the Army of this country has brought to Pakistan. The list can be long but let me quote a small example. You have taken a lot of pain to tell in your book the yearly turn over of Fauji foundation ( a semi military organization) and how it hires retired military people. But have you ever told the innocent people of this country that the military personeels in Fauji foundation constitute only mere 16 % and the rest of the employees are pure pure civilians. In such a time of recession and joblessness you are trying to malign an organization which provides jobs to so many civil homes ? this is just one example of how you have shown the people the ugly face whereas there is an equall rather more positive face to the same organization also. Why do you fail to tell our people, the selfless sacrifices, contributions and devoted dutifullness that our army personnels practice towards their land and people ? Regarding your theory that patriotism is a distraction. I cannot but laugh on this. how can you expect the residents of a home to be better off once the home is in shambles. My people can be looked after only and only when Pakistan is looked after. The day Pakistan becomes strong in its economy, the effects of betterment would automatically start trickling down to masses. How can you just expect the people to be well looked after when the country is in shambles ? Patriotism is my need it is my right it is my duty. My home my Pakistan is my first priority. Regarding nuclear weapons, I am ashamed that an intellectual like you cannot uderstand this basic theory of balance of power. Please Please maam do not misguide my people. The real reason for the plight of my people is not the nuclear wea[pons, but it is the ultimate bloodsucking corruption of our civil beuraucracy( of which you yourself were a part once) and the self centered attitude our leaders. And to justify their henious embezzelmetns they keep using the name of nuclear arsenal. Even the most ordinary man feels this within his heart that he needs those nukes to keep the Indians off the parkway of his home otherwise without them Pakistan would become like an orphan child who is always praying that someone might not blame him for a mischief that has happened in the next street. Miss ayesha you have tried to misguide your people by telling them the half truth, a partial story and you call yourself an impartial analyst. somehow i find hard to believe this. Dear Dr Ayesha,
There are always two sides of any picture. My contention with you is that you have presented only the black side of the picture to the people and you time and again just simply refuse to accept the good deeds, the benefits and the awareness that the Army of this country has brought to Pakistan. The list can be long but let me quote a small example. You have taken a lot of pain to tell in your book the yearly turn over of Fauji foundation ( a semi military organization) and how it hires retired military people. But have you ever told the innocent people of this country that the military personeels in Fauji foundation constitute only mere 16 % and the rest of the employees are pure pure civilians. In such a time of recession and joblessness you are trying to malign an organization which provides jobs to so many civil homes ? this is just one example of how you have shown the people the ugly face whereas there is an equall rather more positive face to the same organization also. Why do you fail to tell our people, the selfless sacrifices, contributions and devoted dutifullness that our army personnels practice towards their land and people ? Regarding your theory that patriotism is a distraction. I cannot but laugh on this. how can you expect the residents of a home to be better off once the home is in shambles. My people can be looked after only and only when Pakistan is looked after. The day Pakistan becomes strong in its economy, the effects of betterment would automatically start trickling down to masses. How can you just expect the people to be well looked after when the country is in shambles ? Patriotism is my need it is my right it is my duty. My home my Pakistan is my first priority. Regarding nuclear weapons, I am ashamed that an intellectual like you cannot uderstand this basic theory of balance of power. Please Please maam do not misguide my people. The real reason for the plight of my people is not the nuclear wea[pons, but it is the ultimate bloodsucking corruption of our civil beuraucracy( of which you yourself were a part once) and the self centered attitude our leaders. And to justify their henious embezzelmetns they keep using the name of nuclear arsenal. Even the most ordinary man feels this within his heart that he needs those nukes to keep the Indians off the parkway of his home otherwise without them Pakistan would become like an orphan child who is always praying that someone might not blame him for a mischief that has happened in the next street. Miss ayesha you have tried to misguide your people by telling them the half truth, a partial story and you call yourself an impartial analyst. somehow i find hard to believe this.

]]> By: Mirza Royal http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-112095 Mirza Royal Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:40:36 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-112095 READ THE ARTICLE that EXPOSES Ayesha Siddiqa's lies & distortions: http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/ayesha-siddiqas-military-inc-a-deflective-and-derogatory-book/ READ THE ARTICLE that EXPOSES Ayesha Siddiqa’s lies & distortions:

http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/ayesha-siddiqas-military-inc-a-deflective-and-derogatory-book/

]]> By: Mirza Royal http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-112093 Mirza Royal Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:37:05 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-112093 LATEST : A REFUTTAL to ---> "Ayesha Siddiqa’s MILITARY INC: A Deflective and Derogatory Book" Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s ‘The Military Inc.’ is a book deflective of reality, highly derogatory and against the very notion of sovereignty. Dr Ayesha Siddiqa launches the book by giving the impression that her intention is to cover the entrepreneurial activities of military worldwide. However, in depth reading reaffirms suspicions that her book massively targets the Pakistan Military and the top echelons of the Armed Forces, most of which are based upon self serving assumptions and intentional hoodwinking. The publication of Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s own book ‘Military Inc’ in 2007, in President Musharraf’s era, repudiates her claims to term the military rule as manipulative and suppressive. Dr Ayesha Siddiqa wrote a whole book, to malign a system (MILBUS) whose worth does not exceed 0.8% of Pakistan’s free market economy. PASS THE TRUTH: http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/ LATEST : A REFUTTAL to —> “Ayesha Siddiqa’s MILITARY INC: A Deflective and Derogatory Book”

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s ‘The Military Inc.’ is a book deflective of reality, highly derogatory and against the very notion of sovereignty. Dr Ayesha Siddiqa launches the book by giving the impression that her intention is to cover the entrepreneurial activities of military worldwide. However, in depth reading reaffirms suspicions that her book massively targets the Pakistan Military and the top echelons of the Armed Forces, most of which are based upon self serving assumptions and intentional hoodwinking.

The publication of Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s own book ‘Military Inc’ in 2007, in President Musharraf’s era, repudiates her claims to term the military rule as manipulative and suppressive. Dr Ayesha Siddiqa wrote a whole book, to malign a system (MILBUS) whose worth does not exceed 0.8% of Pakistan’s free market economy.

PASS THE TRUTH: http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Saleem http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-15233 Saleem Mon, 05 May 2008 11:51:35 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-15233 The politics of Military's Economy in Pakistan Dr Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, Interview by Irshad Saleem Dr Ayesha Siddiqa did her doctorate from King's College, London in 1996 and has worked on issues varying from military expenditure, defence decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement, arms production to civil-military relations in South Asia. She is also a Ford Fellow and more recently Pakistan Scholar at t he Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars. She began her professional career with the Pakistan navy as the Director of Naval Research, making her the first civilian and woman to work at that position in Pakistan's defence establishment. She writes for various international journals such as: Journal of Asian Affairs, Journal of the European Institute of Asian Studies, Jane's Defence Weekly and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Her major publication to date is the book Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy (Palgrave Press, 2001). Here is an interview for despardes.com Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa about her book she is working on "Military Inc, The Politics of Military's Economy in Pakistan". Question: So what is this book about? Dr. Siddiqa: This book is about military business operations with a case study of Pakistan. Question: So what prompted you to write this book? Dr. Siddiqa: I was a civil servant. During the course of my work I had to deal with numbers of military spending and doing that one slowly realized that a lot was hidden. It is the search for numbers that took me in this direction. The other thing is that it is essential to understand the dynamics of the institution that virtually controls Pakistan's past, present and future. Question: Ok, so who did you work for as a civil servant? Dr. Siddiqa: I joined the civil service in 1988 and left in 2001. Served in military accounts, defence audit and later the navy. Question: Going back to the Pakistan army’s business, what are your findings? Dr. Siddiqa: Several. First, the military has become predatory engaging in political and economic predation. Second, political predation is not complete without economic predation. Third, military has mutated into a separate class that shares interests with other members of the ruling elite. Finally, because the military protects its vested interests, it leads to alienation of the masses. Question: When did all this start? Dr. Siddiqa: It dates back to the early 1950s. The business ventures were started with the establishing of the first foundation called the Fauji Foundation in 1953. This was established with the war veteran's rehabilitation fund of Rs. 18 million. Question: Why do you consider forming Fauji Foundation a predatory step by the army? Dr. Siddiqa: Listen you have to understand the concept. A politically strong entity that engages in political predation needs to feel economically or financially autonomous. This completes the picture of predation. The generals thought that they wanted to establish independent means of providing for their welfare and not depending on the civilians like it happened in India. The financial autonomy gradually created the logic for greater interest in political control. Question: Give me one or two instances when the 1953 move swirled into predation. Dr. Siddiqa: It started right then with Ayub Khan and his cabal getting agricultural land and establishing independent means for themselves.Look at Ayub Khan. He not only got several squares of agricultural land in Sindh, he also established his sons into business. Look at the entire lot of generals at the moment. A Major General has a legal worth of about Rs. 300 million [Rs. 30 crores]. These are conservative estimates. Question: Going back to Pakistan army's economic superpower...What percentage of the GDP and GNP is it? Dr. Siddiqa: This is difficult to calculate but their own estimates are about 4 % of GDP. I would say that their share in private sector assets is about 7-10 percent of private sector assets. This is a large number for any single group. Question: Can you translate that into crores? Dr. Siddiqa: 7-10 percent of private sector assets cannot be translated but I can give you another figure: They are worth about Rs. 200 billion. It is just the business. If you put in real estate then we are talking about a Rs 1 trillion plus economy. Question: You mean Pakistan army's side economy? Dr. Siddiqa: Yes. This includes real estate, businesses done by subsidiaries, organizations and individuals. You have to understand that this economy is predatory by nature because it does not accept any form of civilian control over it. It is independent in terms of planning, appropriation of funds, etc. Question: If Pakistan army's assets total Rs 1 trillion can they fund Pakistan’s annual budget wholly or partially if they have to? Dr. Siddiqa: This would, converting these resources into liquid assets and then it would be possible to pay. A lot of these resources are state resources that could provide for military expenditure and more. It is difficult to say that this money would fund the entire budget. Of course, it can but over what period? These assets were acquired over time and their value should be added to the annual defence budget. Question: What was the defence budget for the year 2001? Dr. Siddiqa: 131 billion. If you add these numbers the budget would escalate to over Rs. 400 billion Question: When you left in 2001 how many generals, etc were there who form the command structure of Pakistan forces? Dr. Siddiqa: Brigadier and up would be a few hundred. Question: So if we assume 100 then 100 times 300 million = 30 billion is the legal worth of army's command structure correct? Dr. Siddiqa: it is more but don't get into these fancy numbers... Plus the higher you go the more pricy you become. A full general is worth Rs 500 million [Rs. 50 crores] plus. Question: How much land does the forces own in each province? Dr. Siddiqa: Difficult to bifurcate but to give you a taste - they own about 7-9 million acres in Punjab alone Question: What percentage is it of whole of Punjab? Dr. Siddiqa: I am still trying to figure this out. It is not an issue of what percentage is this of Punjab but that a major portion of state land is appropriated by one group Question: What about Sindh? Dr. Siddiqa: My sense is that it is less in Sindh Question: Why is that? Dr. Siddiqa: Most of the land is around the 2 barrages constructed after independence. Because they didn't make new barrages. Question: What is their modus operandi in getting these lands allotment? Dr. Siddiqa: 10 % of land, according to the 1912 Colonization of Land Act, is allotted to the military Question: 10% everywhere? Dr. Siddiqa: Yes it would be everywhere land is found. Colonization of land refers to each land reclaimed due to creation of water channels and other irrigation projects. However, they tend to get more in Punjab Question: Does India have this act too? Dr. Siddiqa: No. They got rid of such acts when they did land reforms. Remember India is a state moving towards capitalism. A capitalist state would not create means for institutionalizing feudalism Question: Are you saying Pakistan army has institutionalized feudalism? Dr. Siddiqa: I am saying that it is a feudal institution as well Question: So in that case their interests converge with feudal system correct? Dr. Siddiqa: Yes Question: Do you think they resisted land reform along with the feudal? Dr. Siddiqa: I wouldn't say that they resisted but they had sufficient stakes not to pursue a policy that had a negative impact on their benefits. For example, who buys the land the Faujis sell? The local feudal or the new rural capitalist class that is equally feudal in nature. Why should the officers then try to destroy the class that bails them out financially. After 1999, generals have started to keep their lands Question: What happened after 1999 Dr. Siddiqa: Since the value of land has gone up, especially after 9/11, generals now keep lands and have turned into absentee land lords Question: Why did the value of land in Pakistan go up after 9/11 Dr. Siddiqa: Because of the money that started to flow in from Pakistani expatriates plus other Muslim countries Question: What is their modus operandi in getting these lands allotted to generals individually and to their housing societies collectively? Dr. Siddiqa: The provincial governments allot the land to the Ministry of Defence who then gives the land to the three services for further dispersal. The land is also given to the Jawans but the quantity is lesser than what is given to the senior officers. Plus, the generals get greater facilities in making the land cultivable. Question: All this is based on 1912 colonization of land act that India got rid of and Pakistan still has? Dr. Siddiqa: Yes, but they have done alterations as well. For instance, the act does not say that land meant for operational purpose be appropriated for personal use. It is against the law Question: Are you saying that land meant for operational purposes are or have been appropriated to the generals for personal use or to the housing societies? Dr. Siddiqa: Of course. All land in the cities is military land turned into housing colonies Question: What is the conclusion of your book? Dr. Siddiqa: Simple: The political leadership in Pakistan has to negotiate the military's gradual withdrawal from the economy if they want democratic institutions to grow Question: At what value does the army buy land? Dr. Siddiqa: Between Rs. 30-60 per acre. In some cases they pay more. This refers to the private housing schemes Question: You mean in Defence Society in Karachi, the army gets land from the provincial govt for 30 to 60 rupees an acre only? Dr. Siddiqa: There are 2 methods for getting land. All the military land converted for personal use is given at the ridiculous price I quoted. Then there are other schemes where they pay a little more. For instance, the Cantonment Board distributed plots of 500 yards each by appropriating part of the parking lot of the Karachi stadium. Each plot was for about Rs 600,000 Question: What was the fair market value of each plot at that time? Dr. Siddiqa: One and a half crore Question: Who got these plots? Dr. Siddiqa: Generals. The bulk goes to generals. This was done by General Tauqeer Zia. As Chairman Cricket Control Board he authorized himself to return this land that once belonged to the Cantonment Board for further distribution Question: Any more instances of such land grabbing? Dr. Siddiqa: The entire Lahore Cantonment was turned into housing schemes. In fact, except for Defence phase I & II (Lahore), the rest of the land does not even belong to the military Question: How many acres is Lahore Cantonment, if you know? Dr. Siddiqa: About 8000 to 10,000. Question: What is its fair market worth now Dr. Siddiqa: Runs into billions. It should be around Rs. 700 billion Question: What was the "grabbing price" Dr. Siddiqa: As I said, Rs. 30-60. This is the rate that officers pay. The politics of Military’s Economy in Pakistan

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, Interview by Irshad Saleem

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa did her doctorate from King’s College, London in 1996 and has worked on issues varying from military expenditure, defence decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement, arms production to civil-military relations in South Asia. She is also a Ford Fellow and more recently Pakistan Scholar at t he Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.

She began her professional career with the Pakistan navy as the Director of Naval Research, making her the first civilian and woman to work at that position in Pakistan’s defence establishment. She writes for various international journals such as: Journal of Asian Affairs, Journal of the European Institute of Asian Studies, Jane’s Defence Weekly and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Her major publication to date is the book Pakistan’s Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy (Palgrave Press, 2001).

Here is an interview for despardes.com Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa about her book she is working on “Military Inc, The Politics of Military’s Economy in Pakistan”.

Question: So what is this book about?

Dr. Siddiqa: This book is about military business operations with a case study of Pakistan.

Question: So what prompted you to write this book?

Dr. Siddiqa: I was a civil servant. During the course of my work I had to deal with numbers of military spending and doing that one slowly realized that a lot was hidden. It is the search for numbers that took me in this direction. The other thing is that it is essential to understand the dynamics of the institution that virtually controls Pakistan’s past, present and future.

Question: Ok, so who did you work for as a civil servant?

Dr. Siddiqa: I joined the civil service in 1988 and left in 2001. Served in military accounts, defence audit and later the navy.

Question: Going back to the Pakistan army’s business, what are your findings?

Dr. Siddiqa: Several. First, the military has become predatory engaging in political and economic predation. Second, political predation is not complete without economic predation. Third, military has mutated into a separate class that shares interests with other members of the ruling elite. Finally, because the military protects its vested interests, it leads to alienation of the masses.

Question: When did all this start?

Dr. Siddiqa: It dates back to the early 1950s. The business ventures were started with the establishing of the first foundation called the Fauji Foundation in 1953. This was established with the war veteran’s rehabilitation fund of Rs. 18 million.

Question: Why do you consider forming Fauji Foundation a predatory step by the army?

Dr. Siddiqa: Listen you have to understand the concept. A politically strong entity that engages in political predation needs to feel economically or financially autonomous. This completes the picture of predation. The generals thought that they wanted to establish independent means of providing for their welfare and not depending on the civilians like it happened in India. The financial autonomy gradually created the logic for greater interest in political control.

Question: Give me one or two instances when the 1953 move swirled into predation.

Dr. Siddiqa: It started right then with Ayub Khan and his cabal getting agricultural land and establishing independent means for themselves.Look at Ayub Khan. He not only got several squares of agricultural land in Sindh, he also established his sons into business. Look at the entire lot of generals at the moment. A Major General has a legal worth of about Rs. 300 million [Rs. 30 crores]. These are conservative estimates.

Question: Going back to Pakistan army’s economic superpower…What percentage of the GDP and GNP is it?

Dr. Siddiqa: This is difficult to calculate but their own estimates are about 4 % of GDP. I would say that their share in private sector assets is about 7-10 percent of private sector assets. This is a large number for any single group.

Question: Can you translate that into crores?

Dr. Siddiqa: 7-10 percent of private sector assets cannot be translated but I can give you another figure: They are worth about Rs. 200 billion. It is just the business. If you put in real estate then we are talking about a Rs 1 trillion plus economy.

Question: You mean Pakistan army’s side economy?

Dr. Siddiqa: Yes. This includes real estate, businesses done by subsidiaries, organizations and individuals. You have to understand that this economy is predatory by nature because it does not accept any form of civilian control over it. It is independent in terms of planning, appropriation of funds, etc.

Question: If Pakistan army’s assets total Rs 1 trillion can they fund Pakistan’s annual budget wholly or partially if they have to?

Dr. Siddiqa: This would, converting these resources into liquid assets and then it would be possible to pay. A lot of these resources are state resources that could provide for military expenditure and more. It is difficult to say that this money would fund the entire budget. Of course, it can but over what period? These assets were acquired over time and their value should be added to the annual defence budget.

Question: What was the defence budget for the year 2001?

Dr. Siddiqa: 131 billion. If you add these numbers the budget would escalate to over Rs. 400 billion

Question: When you left in 2001 how many generals, etc were there who form the command structure of Pakistan forces?

Dr. Siddiqa: Brigadier and up would be a few hundred.

Question: So if we assume 100 then 100 times 300 million = 30 billion is the legal worth of army’s command structure correct?

Dr. Siddiqa: it is more but don’t get into these fancy numbers… Plus the higher you go the more pricy you become. A full general is worth Rs 500 million [Rs. 50 crores] plus.

Question: How much land does the forces own in each province?

Dr. Siddiqa: Difficult to bifurcate but to give you a taste - they own about 7-9 million acres in Punjab alone

Question: What percentage is it of whole of Punjab?

Dr. Siddiqa: I am still trying to figure this out. It is not an issue of what percentage is this of Punjab but that a major portion of state land is appropriated by one group

Question: What about Sindh?

Dr. Siddiqa: My sense is that it is less in Sindh

Question: Why is that?

Dr. Siddiqa: Most of the land is around the 2 barrages constructed after independence. Because they didn’t make new barrages.

Question: What is their modus operandi in getting these lands allotment?

Dr. Siddiqa: 10 % of land, according to the 1912 Colonization of Land Act, is allotted to the military

Question: 10% everywhere?

Dr. Siddiqa: Yes it would be everywhere land is found. Colonization of land refers to each land reclaimed due to creation of water channels and other irrigation projects. However, they tend to get more in Punjab

Question: Does India have this act too?

Dr. Siddiqa: No. They got rid of such acts when they did land reforms. Remember India is a state moving towards capitalism. A capitalist state would not create means for institutionalizing feudalism

Question: Are you saying Pakistan army has institutionalized feudalism?

Dr. Siddiqa: I am saying that it is a feudal institution as well

Question: So in that case their interests converge with feudal system correct?

Dr. Siddiqa: Yes

Question: Do you think they resisted land reform along with the feudal?

Dr. Siddiqa: I wouldn’t say that they resisted but they had sufficient stakes not to pursue a policy that had a negative impact on their benefits. For example, who buys the land the Faujis sell? The local feudal or the new rural capitalist class that is equally feudal in nature. Why should the officers then try to destroy the class that bails them out financially. After 1999, generals have started to keep their lands

Question: What happened after 1999

Dr. Siddiqa: Since the value of land has gone up, especially after 9/11, generals now keep lands and have turned into absentee land lords

Question: Why did the value of land in Pakistan go up after 9/11

Dr. Siddiqa: Because of the money that started to flow in from Pakistani expatriates plus other Muslim countries

Question: What is their modus operandi in getting these lands allotted to generals individually and to their housing societies collectively?

Dr. Siddiqa: The provincial governments allot the land to the Ministry of Defence who then gives the land to the three services for further dispersal. The land is also given to the Jawans but the quantity is lesser than what is given to the senior officers. Plus, the generals get greater facilities in making the land cultivable.

Question: All this is based on 1912 colonization of land act that India got rid of and Pakistan still has?

Dr. Siddiqa: Yes, but they have done alterations as well. For instance, the act does not say that land meant for operational purpose be appropriated for personal use. It is against the law

Question: Are you saying that land meant for operational purposes are or have been appropriated to the generals for personal use or to the housing societies?

Dr. Siddiqa: Of course. All land in the cities is military land turned into housing colonies

Question: What is the conclusion of your book?

Dr. Siddiqa: Simple: The political leadership in Pakistan has to negotiate the military’s gradual withdrawal from the economy if they want democratic institutions to grow

Question: At what value does the army buy land?

Dr. Siddiqa: Between Rs. 30-60 per acre. In some cases they pay more. This refers to the private housing schemes

Question: You mean in Defence Society in Karachi, the army gets land from the provincial govt for 30 to 60 rupees an acre only?

Dr. Siddiqa: There are 2 methods for getting land. All the military land converted for personal use is given at the ridiculous price I quoted. Then there are other schemes where they pay a little more. For instance, the Cantonment Board distributed plots of 500 yards each by appropriating part of the parking lot of the Karachi stadium. Each plot was for about Rs 600,000

Question: What was the fair market value of each plot at that time?

Dr. Siddiqa: One and a half crore

Question: Who got these plots?

Dr. Siddiqa: Generals. The bulk goes to generals. This was done by General Tauqeer Zia. As Chairman Cricket Control Board he authorized himself to return this land that once belonged to the Cantonment Board for further distribution

Question: Any more instances of such land grabbing?

Dr. Siddiqa: The entire Lahore Cantonment was turned into housing schemes. In fact, except for Defence phase I & II (Lahore), the rest of the land does not even belong to the military

Question: How many acres is Lahore Cantonment, if you know?

Dr. Siddiqa: About 8000 to 10,000.

Question: What is its fair market worth now

Dr. Siddiqa: Runs into billions. It should be around Rs. 700 billion

Question: What was the “grabbing price”

Dr. Siddiqa: As I said, Rs. 30-60. This is the rate that officers pay.

]]> By: israr ud din http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-3640 israr ud din Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:20:53 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-3640 salam.this wa a great interview and i m sgree with that. i would like to say that pakistan is in independent country and we have every thing but we have a lack of good leadership..and i pray to my GOD to give us a nice leader which is sincere to our mother land..i hope u will discuss something important about pakistan cueernr situation again.. salam.this wa a great interview and i m sgree with that.
i would like to say that pakistan is in independent country and we have every thing but we have a lack of good leadership..and i pray to my GOD to give us a nice leader which is sincere to our mother land..i hope u will discuss something important about pakistan cueernr situation again..

]]> By: Adnan Siddiqi http://www.pkhope.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/comment-page-1/#comment-3232 Adnan Siddiqi Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:19:28 +0000 http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-dr-ayesha-siddiqa-agha/#comment-3232 Amazing work guys. It was nice to read an informal interview about the lady. Amazing work guys. It was nice to read an informal interview about the lady.

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