Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum : Changed Man from POF Wah Cantt to Steel Mills
By Rohail Butt • May 27th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 29 CommentsFormer chief of the Steel Mills Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum is also the former chief of Pakistan Ordinance Factories, Wah. Recently he has given an interview to a program of private TV channel and has altruistically expressed his regret, remorse and pain over the ill-intentioned privatization of the steel mills Karachi.
Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum was the king of Wah when he was the chairman of POF. He ruled like a true dictator and his major stress was upon his own fame and the spread of his own name. He reconstructed the whole mall road of Wah, which was already in superb condition, and planted new plants after rooting out the existing ones planted by the previous chairman. Then he started a spree of naming every considerable building or avenue in Wah to his own name. Starting from Qayyum Auditorium to Qayyum Library to Qayyum College to Qayyum Avenue and the list goes on.
He also tried to cut down the size of the town of Wah, just for his own vested business interests. With the help of a business tycoon Qadir Dad, he unsuccessfully tried to grab the precious POF Hotel, but due to the vigilance of the local population he failed in the court of law. On the marriage of his daughter, he illuminated and decorated the whole of Wah City on the expense of POF. It is to be noted that POF is a fast declining institution of the country.
After the fiasco in the Wah, Abdul Qayyum was transfered to the Steel Mills. What he did there is different story, but now he is posing himself as a Mr. Clean and Mr. Virtuous by “exposing” Steel Mills scandal. Perhaps Shaukat Aziz didn’t offer him the pie of the cake and that is why Qayyum is whistling now.
Qayyum now laments that the price of only land of the Steel Mills was Rs 40 billion whereas Shaukat Aziz with the approval of Pervez Musharraf was fixing the price of whole the project at Rs 21 billion. Qayyum also reveals that both Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz pressurized him to seal the deal before long, but due to his “uprightness” Qayyum refused. Somebody should also tells the story in the same TV program about the happenings in Wah during era of Qayyum.
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“pie of the cake” - this is the funniest part of this whole useless second hand, stale commentary.
What else would you expect from a General? Thank you lucky stars that he wasn’t a full General.
From Aftab Alam, anything against Musharraf is stale and useless. Pity on him, he is really desperate, his man is on his way to public mortification.
Just compare the cantt areas with the localities of the “bloody civilians”, and you would understand.
The reason why Mush got angry with CJP Iftikhar was steel mills. Mush was selling 80 billion steel mills for just 21 billions through Shaukat Aziz. I am sure they weren’t giving any chunk to the Qayyum and that is why he puked.
Aapi Says: May 27th, 2008 “…… I am sure they weren’t giving any chunk to the Qayyum and that is why he puked.”
So the real issue is not what public is being given to understand; it is that “chunk” which has caused all these problems. Is it correct?
A real eye opener, keep it up and keep us informed. Thanks.
Union challenges Pakistan Steel Mills ex-chairman’s claim
Monday, May 26, 2008
By By our correspondent
Karachi
The claim of the former Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) chairman, Gen. (retd) Abdul Qayyum was false and misleading, the People’s Workers Union (PWU) Pakistan Steel (CBA) President Shamshad Qureshi said Sunday, adding that that Gen. (Retd) Qayyum was fully involved in the privatization of the organization and was the front man of Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz during that period.
Qureshi, Ghulam Mustafa Zardari and PWU General Secretary Syed Hameedullah stated that Gen. (Retd) Qayyum had an played important role in the assessment of the asset’s value, as well as signing packages with trade unions and officers association. He was, however, now claiming the credit for stopping the privatization of Pakistan Steel.
The CBA leaders, who belong to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Labour Wing, further said that the ex-chairman had taken action against the union leaders and had played an active role against the union when it moved higher courts against the Pakistan Steel privatization.
Besides, he transferred the union leaders from Karachi to other provinces and lodged FIRs in order to victimize them, they added.
The ex-chairman had neither resigned in protest against the privatization nor had he lodged a protest at any forum, they said. The CBA leaders declared that the purpose of this false and misleading statement of the retired general at a Geo TV program was to pave the way for again becoming the chairman of this organization. They warned that all such attempts would be resisted.
The union leaders asked the host of the programme as to what the purpose of this interview was, while Dr Shahid Masood had presented a complete and comprehensive programme over the privatization of Pakistan Steel. They lodged a protest against this act, and said that the purpose of this interview was to destroy facts.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Relations Commission (Karachi Bench) rejected the application of the Pakistan Steel management against holding a referendum in the organization. The PWU leaders welcomed the NIRC judgment, and termed it a victory of the workers.
THIS IS AN EYE OPENER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????????????????
I THINK
Aapi Says: May 27th, 2008 “…… I am sure they weren’t giving any chunk to the Qayyum and that is why he puked.”
So the real issue is not what public is being given to understand; it is that “chunk” which has caused all these problems. Is it correct?
Sour grapes! Why are these placebo leaders still around.
I can’t say about Abdul Qayyum but its true that things are changing now. These Army personnels have started realising that if we will keep going with corruption then we won’t survive in Pakistan. You know, retired Brig or Col have started removing their designations like Col. (RTD) etc etc from their name plates that are fixing on their main doors… If you not agrees then visit Chaklala Scheme Three Rawalpindi. You will see them with your eyes… But 2 guys won’t be able to see truth… Aftab and AOM.
Or you can visit DHA in Lahore. These Army officers and their spouse, children are now afraid to publically declare their PAPA’s designation…either he is serving or retired. And mostly Spouse gave suggestions to Hubbies that remove this bloody Designation if you want to live respectfully in society. Great Change and I’m vary happy on it. Inshallah soon we will take this Army back in Barracks and to their actual status. This all happened after single NO…by Judge Iftikhar Ch. Well done and keep it up.
Aapi
I am not sure direct or indirect involvement of President in this case, But indeed Shortcut Aziz has played a game with the nation and may be with the president. But the fault of the president is why he didn’t give time to Gen Qayyum after his numerous requests.
Aftab S. Alam
the army officers (not all, there may be some men of dignity also like Lt Gen Jamshed Kiyani etc) who have lost their piece of chunk, that is why they are lashing out.
Fazl Karim
well said
This country was basically made for PAK ARMY. Not for any one else. Not only compare Cantt with Cities… Also compare that These Cantt are now becoming ARKARI HOUSING SOCIETIES, DEFENSE HOUSING AUTHORITIES, ARMY VILLAS… They are relocating army barracks outside City by illegally occupying civilians lands at very small price and converting these barracks lands into housing societies. This pace got increase after 1999. They thinked that it may be last time that we are going to rule so lets eat rest of Pakistan with both hands and both feet. They are more corrupt than Politicians. Its old saying… Budd say badnaam burra… same is happening with civilian politicians.
Does we need such a big Army??? when Atom Bomb and Missiles are basically securing Pakistan… Our enemy is not afraid of this Army…who have no morales.. They are afraid of Civilian Built Atom Bomb and Missile Technology. The know our Army strength…since they are defeating in Waziristan and Swat. The whole whole Brigade cried when Mushraaf deployed army in Swat. Not body will believe but its cent percent truth. Army was hesitating to go there and fight. Their JAWAAN’s were un officially arguing with officers that if you will die…your spouse and children will get 12 million Askari Villa, 100 Acre Land in South Punjab and 2.5 million as compensation.. and if we will die… our spouse will get nothing as such. It true.
Have you ever observed status difference between Army Officer living standard and Jawaan Standard ( Supahi to Subedar)…. Hardly you will find any Jawaan’s child doing study because Army officers are eating all resources… where as if you will ever visit PAF or NAVY… you will find that Airman/sailorman children are studying in same schools and colleges where their officers children are studying. These low ranked children are competing in every field and no difference as such in living standard. rather in most of cases…low ranked families are living more happy than officers.
The reason is only one. Approach and Attitude. Army officers takes low ranked personnels as their Naukars… where as PAF/NAVY officers takes them as fellows because rules and regulations are strong in PAF/NAVY. No officer can violate..and if violate then he gets punishment …where as there is Aam Mafi for Army Officer and Punishment for Low Ranker.
Just visit any PAF/NAVY society…and also visit ARMY..you will find real difference. I don’t think you will find any reasonable society for Army low ranked personnels for living.
Military threat?
Does Pakistan really need such a large defence establishment? The khaki ideologues insist that ever since Partition there has been a permanent military threat from India. The notion, as I have argued elsewhere, is ludicrous. [18] On all three occasions on which the two countries have gone to war—twice over Kashmir, and Bangladesh—the initiative was taken by Pakistan. The Indian Army could have taken West Pakistan in 1971, but was not allowed to cross the international border by its political leaders. Today, with both countries in possession of nuclear delivery systems, it is obvious that neither the Kashmir issue nor any other dispute can be resolved through war. Even an India dominated by Hindu chauvinism and saffron demagogues is hardly likely to attempt a conquest of Pakistan. Who would it benefit? It might be different if Pakistan had limitless quantities of oil lying just beneath the surface. In fact, there is no rationale behind the fear of India. It serves only one purpose: the maintenance of the huge military-industrial complex that sprawls across the country and sustains khaki hegemony.
In truth, the threat to the Army’s predominance has always come from its own people. The only time the old Pakistan was genuinely united was during the 1969 uprising from below that saw students and workers in Dhaka and Karachi, Chittagong and Lahore, topple the dictatorship of Field Marshal Ayub Khan. The Army never forgave its Bengali citizens this act of treachery, and embarked on a bloodbath when they proceeded to elect the leaders of their choice. It is worth stressing the point, glossed over in so many recent accounts, that the Army which demands such vast sums to preserve the state actually provoked its break-up in 1971.
The Army is now the only ruling institution; its domination of the country is complete. How long can this be sustained? Till now it has managed to preserve the command structure inherited from the British: Pakistani generals often boast of its inviolability when compared to the Middle East or Latin America. But a great deal has changed since the sixties. The officer corps is no longer the exclusive domain of the landed gentry—a majority of officers come from urban backgrounds and are subject to the same influences and pressures as their civilian peers. Privileges have kept them loyal, but the processes that destroy politicians are already at work. Whereas in the recent past it was Nawaz Sharif and his brother, or Benazir Bhutto and her husband, who demanded kickbacks before making deals, it is now General Musharraf’s office that sanctions key projects.
Of course, high—even stratospheric—levels of corruption are no bar to longevity, if a military regime has sufficiently intimidated its population and enjoys solid enough support in Washington, as the Suharto regime in Indonesia testifies. Can Musharraf look forward to this sort of reign? The fate of his dictatorship is likely to depend on the interaction of three main forces. First will be the degree of internal cohesion of the Army itself. Historically, it has never split—vertically or horizontally—and its discipline in following a 180-degree turn in policy towards Afghanistan, whatever the sweeteners that have accompanied it, has so far been impressive. It is not impossible that one day some patriotic officer might deliver the country of its latest tyrant, as Zia was once mysteriously sent on his way to Gehenna; but for the minute, such an ending appears improbable. Having weathered the humiliation of its abandonment of the Taliban, the high command looks capable of brazening out any further acts of obeisance to orders from the Pentagon.
What of parliamentary opposition to military rule? Vexing though the upshot of October’s election, for all its fraud, proved to be for Musharraf, the parties that dominate the political landscape in Pakistan offer little hope of rebellion against him. The cringing opportunism of the Bhutto and Sharif clans knows few limits. The Islamist front ensconced in Peshawar and Quetta is noisier, but not more principled—cash and perquisites quickly stilling most of its protests. Popular discontent remains massive, but lacks any effective channels of national expression. It would be good to think that their performances in office had discredited the PPP and Sharif’s clique forever, but experience suggests that should the regime at any point start to crack, there is little to prevent these phoenixes of sleaze from arising once more, in the absence of any more progressive alternatives.
Finally, there is the American overlord itself. The Musharraf regime cannot aspire to play the same role as regional satrap that Zia once enjoyed. Pakistan has been ousted as imperial instrument in Afghanistan, and checked from compensating with renewed incursions in Kashmir. But if Islamabad has been forced into a more passive posture along its northern borders, its strategic importance for the US has, if anything, increased. For Washington has now made a huge political investment in the creation of a puppet regime in Kabul, to be guarded by US troops ‘for years to come’, in the words of General Tommy Franks—not to speak of its continuing hunt for Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants. Pakistan is a vital flank in the pursuit of both objectives, and its top brass can look forward to the kind of lavish emoluments, public and private, that the Thai military received for their decades of collusion with the American war in Indochina. Still, Washington is pragmatic and knows that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were just as serviceable agents of its designs in Kabul as Zia himself. Should he falter domestically, Musharraf will be ditched without sentiment by the suzerain. The Pax Americana can wage war with any number of proxies. It will take an uprising on the scale of 1969 to shake Pakistan free of them.
Published in ‘New Left Review’, London, January 19, 2003.
Saleem Khan
Any person qualifying for the post of Chief of Army Staff should take auth from Judiaciary, What do you say?
noe soe choohay kha ker billey hajj ko challey.
whenever things get deranged at level of criticism ,nice policy is to activate elements previously working for the person to deviate direction of weightage towards opponent (in this case public).activation of these retired generals indicate clearly that desires of establishment is to console public and image building.in my opinion ,this is a fake policy to console and does not need regard and cherrishing applause.
Do you think Oath can help to safe gurad this military Cues??? I don’t think…Bhai Farid… Yahan to log Quran Ki Qassam Ka laitay hain… 100 rupay k liya. Zameer farsh bohot hain iss Mulk main. Its not dificult to find excuses for attacking Pakistan. Actually PAK ARMY do rehearsal of War after every 8 to 10 years.
If your institutions will be strong and training in PMA Kakul will be restructured then we won’t find such bloody dictators again. Or just hang this Musharraf in the streets of Karachi..where innocent people were killed on 12 May on 27 Dec. No military man will ever think for ruling again. What we do… we simply covers CHINGARI…under thick blanket but it catches fire after 8 or 10 years. We have to diffuse this smoky coal for ever. This time politicians should sit with civil society and discuss seriously that how to run country and how save country from ARMY INVASION…this invasion is more dangerous than enemy attack even. If you not accpets then take out killings during war and during Dictatorship rules..you will see the difference. Enemy cant attack whole country at once but this Army is all over country and can kill any body on their target list. We have already lost very precious personalities in their tenures so can’t afford more…after 8 or 10 years.
Well said by Dr Razahaider,
noe soe choohay kha ker billey hajj ko challey.