There is jubilation in the stock market after the Finance Minister agreed to the proposals put forward by the SECP. In fact, the market had rallied almost 10% ahead of the finance minister approval to the proposals, indicating clearly that insiders were aware that these measures will be approved. So what are these measures about?

1.       Source of income will not be asked till 2014 and after 2014 these funds will be treated as white money.

2.       Capital gains tax will be same at 10% till 2014.

3.       NCCPL will directly deduct CGT.

4.       Withholding tax on sale of shares will be abolished.

The most interesting and controversial clause is that no question will be asked regarding the source of funds for investments in the stock market till 2014 and which will subsequently be declared white after 2014. This means that the tax authorities will not question anyone who invests in the stock market beyond his identifiable source of income till 2014. Is the finance minister trying to make the stock market a money laundering platform where the ill gotten wealth could be channelized and subsequently declared as legitimate asset of the individuals? Historically, during the times of various governments whitening schemes were announced but never before to such an extent.

One obvious benefit is that this move could entice people to channel their wealth away from the areas which don’t get declared for the tax authorities. A distinction should be made between what is ill-gotten wealth made through illegal means and the wealth made on real business activities without coming into in the ambit of tax. The latter includes areas such as real estate, retail businesses and whole sale distribution etc. These are the real business activities people are engaged in without getting themselves into the ambit of declaring their income. The wealth accumulated through such businesses normally doesn’t get declared and thus people are able to avoid paying taxes on their wealth. However, at the same time, there are ways to make their wealth white by buying prize bonds etc at a cost not exceeding 10% of the wealth. So anyone wishing to make his wealth white has to pay 10% upfront, that’s it. It can be done when there is a need to do so as this window is always available. Hence, these people are not going to start investing in the stock market just because of this announcement. They will continue to invest in their own areas where they are making reasonable returns.

The people who could potentially start investing money in the stock market, who are not involved in any real business activities but park their investment in various informal businesses, buying of real estate or such business areas where they are not required to declare their source of funding. Their original source of income is quite often ill-gotten wealth from dubious means. They can’t afford to bring out their wealth to the tax authorities as they don’t have the means to justify its origin from legal activities. By declaring that the stock market investment will not be questioned is tantamount to opening an easy way to launder ill-gotten money. Someone has commented that the minister has created a window for the present ruling elites of PPP to launder their money through the stock market which they have made while in office. These are the questions people will be asking the minister as the government is in the last year of its office. There are serious accusations of corruption against this government and therefore it is quite reasonable that people will voice their concern about the intention of this move at this stage.

Should FBR stop asking about the source of income then there is no limit to what people can declare as their wealth but it’s not going be like this. The measures announced on one hand intends to bring in money back into the stock market from apparently those who don’t want to declare their source of income and at the same time it wants to deduct capital gains in the form of withholding tax through the National Clearing Company (NCCPL).  The message is… “Okay! You come to the stock market, we will not ask any question about the source of income but whatever gains you make it will be liable to pay capital gains tax at source”. This appears to be a good arrangement on the surface but how this thing will work is rather difficult to comprehend at this stage. The way these measures have been presented is as if the Pakistani stock market is dependent on black money only. In any civilized society, there can’t be any issue with asking the source of income/fund. Whether its stock market investments, initiating any business or building a house; there is bound to be question about the source of income in most countries. While announcing these measures for stock investments, one should ask the finance minister why single out stock market investments only, why not people should be exempted from declaring their source of funding if someone wants to start a business or for that matter why not people who make their own home should be exempted from declaring the source of funding.

Measures like these are not going to bring in sustainable inflows into the stock market. Instead of simplifying the matters, the authorities are in the process of making things more complicated and inviting suspicion that a door has been opened for whitening the money. Capital gains tax in itself was an ill-timed move and no matter how hard they try to enforce it, there is little the authorities should expect to generate out of this head. It’s never too late to reconsider the withdrawal of capital gains tax till there is some opportune time and the ground is ready for implementation.

Zahid Ali Khan, Karachi

Mahatma Gandhi and Jinnah in a heated conversation.

Dear Mr Editor,

My heart goes out with untimely sad demise of Arfa Karim, the illustrious little child of the nation who has made the name of Pakistan Greater. It was the will of the God that the child howsoever outstanding and dear to us destined to revert to her all loving Creator at this age. We have to bow before the will of that all loving Creator.

Because of their outstanding accomplishments, people make their names and so their country great. We have been used to grant posthumous gallantry awards to our brave soldiers in the past for their superb accomplishments in wars only. This daughter of the nation in her tender age of 16 years had without doubt done equally superb accomplishments in the field of Computer Technology and made her as well as her country greater. She unlike those who make suicidal attacks or fond of killing showed a quite altogether new direction to follow leading to peace and progress and dreamt to make this country another Silicon valley renowned in the world for its peculiar technological supremacy which dream of this little girl due to nature striking in remained unfulfilled. The country  of Pakistan whose name in recent years has been marred with all round bad governance, corruption, intolerance, bigotry, violence, suicidal attacks, death and destruction saw a silver ray in a quite different field in this fine little girl now lost by the nation. The little girl by giving her life in her tender age with her outstanding performance in technological pursuits has totally changed dynamics of Pakistani nation outlook who saw itself quite differently in her mirror.

I wonder if in recognition of superb talents and accomplishments of her field in her very tender age by the little fine Arfa Karim and to make her an example for the other  youths to follow, the Government of the day would consider granting her posthumous Nishan Haider to this peace time unique heroin engaged in pursuits other than war which has hitherto exclusively remained for granting in the domain of heroes of wars only to show to the world at large that nation of Pakistan acknowledges and respect other fields of peace a great deal.

Through your esteemed newspaper, I am sure my suggestion will elicit due consideration by the Government of Pakistan and would demonstrate the world that  the nation of Pakistan is not an ungrateful nation.

S. Israr Ali

Advocate High Court,

Karachi

Dear Editor,

My heart goes out with untimely sad demise of Arfa Karim, the illustrious little child of the nation who has made the name of Pakistan Greater. It was the will of the God that the child howsoever outstanding and dear to us destined to revert to her all loving Creator at this age. We have to bow before the will of that all loving Creator.

Because of their outstanding accomplishments, people make their names and so their country great. We have been used to grant posthumous gallantry awards to our brave soldiers in the past for their superb accomplishments in wars only. This daughter of the nation in her tender age of 16 years had without doubt done equally superb accomplishments in the field of Computer Technology and made her as well as her country greater. She unlike those who make suicidal attacks or fond of killing showed a quite altogether new direction to follow leading to peace and progress and dreamt to make this country another Silicon valley renowned in the world for its peculiar technological supremacy which dream of this little girl due to nature striking in remained unfulfilled. The country  of Pakistan whose name in recent years has been marred with all round bad governance, corruption, intolerance, bigotry, violen

The EU is a somewhat loose association of sovereign, independent states and is neither a federation or a confederation. Just like in Pakistan, the EU member state have also agreed upon a list of subjects (referred to as competencies in the EU) that would be the exclusive domain of Brussels and which would be shared. The shared competencies (where EU law would prevail) are remarkably similar to the defunct 'concurrent list' that was abolished by the 18th amendment. An abbreviated version of the EU competencies list is reproduced below for comparison purpose: Exclusive domain of Brussels: 1. customs union 2. rules for internal market 3. monetary policy 4. fisheries policy 5. commercial policy Concurrent between EU and member states (EU law will override member state law): 1. internal market 2. social policy (including labor) 3. economic, social and territorial cohesion 4. agriculture and fisheries 5. environment 6. consumer protection (food/drug safety etc.) 7. transport 8. trans-european networks (trans-boundary issues) 9. energy 10. freedom, security and justice 11. public health matters 12. research and technology There is also a list of 'supporting competencies' where the EU coordinates, supports and supplements member states: These are listed below: 1. human health 2. industry 3. culture 4. tourism 5. education, youth, sport, vocational training 6. civil protection 7. civil administration This list was developed after much acrimonious debate between the member states but it was agreed that in a common market where there will be free movement of people, agricultural produce, labor, manufactured goods like drugs, diseases etc. these are subjects that had to be coordinated and regulated at a central focal point. Particularly interesting is the 'economic, social and territorial cohesion' competen

Just over a fortnight ago, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping unanimously passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2011 to be presented before the National Assembly for further legislation and house vote. The proponents / lobbyists behind the Bill claim that this was a necessity as the time had come to update / replace British era laws and bring them at par with international best practices.  It is unquestionable that archaic laws need be amended in due course to bring them in line with the changing requirements of the world. However, when one embarks on such a task it should be done keeping in mind not only the prevailing international practices but also its economic and commercial viability and policies. The Bill that is proposed is one favouring a Neocolonialist approach, i.e being skewed in favor of the First World ship owning nations and their P&I Clubs rather than our own mercantile / business community.

The Hague Visby Rules 1968 (as amended by SDR Protocol of 1979) and the United Nations Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea 1978 (informally known as the Hamburg Rules) are the principal international conventions dealing with laws in respect of carriage of goods by sea. The objective of Hague-Visby Rules was to protect shippers / cargo owners from widespread exclusion of liability by sea carriers / ship owners. The 1968 Rules, however, failed to displace the upper hand the carriers historically held against the cargo owners. As a consequence the Hamburg Rules were incorporated; the driving force behind the convention was an attempt by the developing countries to level the playing field via a vis the shift of power between the shipper / cargo owners and the ship owner / carriers.   

Over the years majority of the developed nations chose to ratify the Hague Visby Rules as it still gave the carrier

Dear Editor,

I want to bring into your notice the fact that we as a nation could not focus on the issues that really deserve our attention. This has resulted in poverty and many other social evils. And we are loosing time in identifying and addressing these issues. One of these issues is the livestock sector, which in spite of huge investment of US$ 73 billion by the people of Pakistan, can neither provide certified clean food to the consumers within the country, nor it could be reflected in the export figures. We can get surplus of livestock products to the tune of at least US$ 25 billion for export and find a prominant place in the international halal food market.

After graduating for PhD during 1998, I found that we are loosing our huge export potential; in spite of standing at 4th position in milk production. My PhD thesis was on buffalo reproduction-nutrition interaction at the peri-urban dairy farms and I had to stay with the farmers and at the laboratories till late night. I discussed the issues with them and considered various approaches for changing the fate of these people. The Indian example of Village Milk Cooperative System was discussed where the farmers joined hands and got all types of scientific, financial and marketing support from various agencies. The farmers were of the opinion that those farmers trust among themselves and on the supporting agencies. But we do not.

They were right. My ideas floated on the national press and the internet and the higher authorities were persuaded to constitute the Livestock Board and exchange delegations with Australia and the New Zealands. Pakistan Dairy

Dear Editor,

"Education is the third eye of a man".

Our country got independence almost 64 years ago, since then, it cannot be said that a public sector has not even fulfilled the requirement of the people of Pakistan by providing them good education.

The contribution imparted by this sector is a little bit worth to be maintained. Our government system is moving towards destruction due to which not only the teachers are taking interest, nor the students are getting satisfied.

Now, day by day, situation is getting so worst that in government institutions, teacher does not comes regularly which is definitely resulting in destroying the education system of Pakistan.

Even, nowadays, the cheating has also become so common that, it is destroying the image of our education sectors. In my opinion, the basic reason behind this nuisance in our country is wide spread corruption.

I must say, our government should be blamed for all this, because they are not properly providing the funds to the institutions, or else, if the funds are provided, then they are being misused by our senior government staffs.

Secondly, our education has always remained as an orphan child in our society by facing double standard which is thus creating an atmosphere of frustration for the young ones. This is so because, our government themselves have divided the education system into several different boards.

Thus, this is creating a vast difference in the minds of the high and low class people for educating their generations.

Kindly, I request you to please put an eye on this matter and take my advice as an appeal to the media and to our President.

I am raising my voice, so that they must ponder of how to bring a change in our education system to improve our society.

If our society will improve, then it would definitely help our country to move towards success and prosperity.

Regards,

YUMNA TARIQ

University of Karachi. (Karachi)

Sir,

You have made this paper such an informative paper from the financial and economy view point but when one receives the print copy one has to arrange the papers number wise before one can read it attentively. My request to you is that kindly arrange the paper page number wise before it is dispatched to the reader. It will make reading THE BUSINESS RECORDER A PLEASURE.

Thanking You

Warm Regards

Phiroz Contractor

Attention to Chairman FBR, Islamabad

The Government has failed to resolve the problem of load shedding all over the country, I would like to point to the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue and Secretary Federal board of Revenue, Islamabad, to kindly upload the return of Income for tax year 2011 on E-Portal as early as possible, because we are already facing a lot of problems. One of them is load shedding of electricity which is a huge hindrance to E-Filing our returns of income within due time.

In this modern era we are living for 12 to 16 hours without electricity, hence you are requested to kindly upload the return of Income for tax year 2011 on E-Portal as early as possible.

Dear Editor,

Capital formation is essential for economic uplift and healthy stock market activity does help attract local and international investors to accomplish the mission.

It is, however, highly upsetting as to why the government is bent upon Capital Gains Tax (CGT)  which has badly impacted market activity without gaining any revenue.

Ambiguity also prevails over the procedural framework. It is very clear that imposition of CGT appears to have discouraged all classes of investors, especially small ones.

The government should have a rational approach to re-modeling CVT instead of destroying the market through CGT.

Keeping away small investors means market imperfection, which would have its own repurcussions as regards market capitalization.

Dear Editor,

I was astounded to read a news item in your newspaper on July 20 about the Petroleum Minister's statement "There is no particular law to deal with gas theft cases and about 12 percent gas theft is also adding to the gas load-management in all sectors including domestic consumers along with industrial units".

I would have thought the minister would have the sense not to say this kind of thing (even if it's true).

Will this not encourage gas theft on a massive scale in the country?

Regards,

Shakir Lakhani

Dear Editor,

It has become routine talk that the politicians are corrupt. Whoever enters into politics is bound to be corrupt or no one can enter politics unless he is ready for corruption. Very sadly, this is a common understanding among the people of Pakistan about the state of politics and the kind of governance running the country.

The question is who is responsible for this sorry state of affairs?

Good governance and corruption cannot go hand in hand. The people responsible to perform the duties of governance cannot ensure a good and fair one unless they themselves are free of evils of dishonesty and corruption.

The main reason of this wide spread corruption is lust for money. It is not just the politicians and government servants who are caught up in this pursuit but the general society as a whole is running after acquiring more and more money. A student of class eight may be telling you that his main aim in life is to earn more and more money.

What are we teaching to our new generation? When the society in general is misguided and following a policy that may lead to ultimate destruction we cannot simply single out the politicians for their filthy aims. The whole society needs to reconsider and redirect its main aim and goal. Good governance starts at one’s own home. When an individual is conscious of his duties to his family and wants to carry them out in the most fair and honest way then he has contributed towards good governance. Such an individual will administer his home in such a way that all members of his family firmly feel a part of this noble process.

Corruption cannot be overcome unless brakes are applied on the lust for acquiring more and more money. The society as a whole needs to understand that money is a means to an end but is not at all an end in itself. People need to adopt the noble quality of contentment and giving charity.

Dear Editor,

God has gifted us with the knowledge and skill whereby we the people of the business community prepare and analyze statements of our business affairs on a periodical basis. How short the period may be.

It, unfortunately, never ever came in our minds that we should also keep track of our daily affairs of good and bad so that we can learn the trend of our lives whether successful or failure. What savings we are carrying forward or what deficit we are accumulating for the last day?

Keeping in view of our trend we can take corrective measures in the days of life we have in balance. No format is anywhere is available for such analysis and no technicalities are involved. Lying on one's bed at night before sleep, simply recall what major good things and bug acts one has done during the day and balance them off to find out the surplus or deficit for that day.

Even if we have surplus we should determine to eliminate any bad thing to happen tomorrow. Our self-care will encourage us to do good things and to refrain from bad things. Further, it will give us some idea what will our ledger show at that day.

God may help us in this regard.

Noor Mohammad Khanzada Khanzada & Co. Chartered Accountants

Dear Editor,

I saw the video of the killing of a youngster by our brave armed forces personels. Well done the brave forces of Pakistan. Keep it up.

All media compaign against our brave forces is just a waste of time. Our forces have a history of such bravery from 1971. The same happened on May 2, 2011. The brave forces are engaged in developing DHAs, Askari, Naval and Shaheen housing schemes. The defense of the country is with the US army and Blackwater.

So, it is my request to the generals please hear the voices of the 7-month pregnant woman shot in Kharotabad. They were all bloody civilians. Keep raising your assets.

Thank you.

The Editor,

In respect of our present annual financial budget of Pakistan 2011, I may mention that it may be favorable for business communities to develop positive business activities. We welcome the demolishing of regulatory duty on paper and board items, decrease of sales tax or such other positive measures for promotion of the paper trade and industrial circle.

Further, it is a request to the government that import duty on paper items should be maximum 5% like other developing countries for improving of better education for our children to minimize the financial burden on their parents.

In result of that, after providing better education these students would  send back foreign remittances to our country that may lead to the betterment of the nation.

Sincerely,

Chaudhry Pervaiz Raza Ibrahim, Chairman, All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA), affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).

Dear Editor,

This is an appeal to the young generation of Pakistan, especially to all those who drive on the wrong side of the road and park incorrectly. It is my humble request to them that please don't drive on the wrong side of the road and do not park in the wrong place and in the wrong way.

My young cousion was killed by a car coming from the wrong side. Not only that, he was alive, waiting for the ambulance in critical condition but due to the rickshaws wrongly parked at the front gate of the hospital the ambulance got to him late. He died before reaching the hospital.

So please grow up and feel the grief of that that boy's family is feeling. Belive me it's very painful.

Therefore, it is my humble request to all good citizens of Pakistan to pray that it'll never happen to anyone any more, Inshallah.

Samreen Tajamul,

Karachi.

CELLPHONE users are agitated because of unsolicited SMSs by service providers and others who want to promote their product/services. On an average, six to seven unsolicited SMSs are sent daily.

I have no idea why the authorities concerned are not taking action to stop such violation of consumer rights.

To stop such messages, the government should impose tax on every SMS at the rate of 50 paisa per SMS.

This will not only reduce unsolicited messages but also save our generation who is being ruined by cheap SMS packages. Instead of studying, they spend most of their time sending and receiving messages.

Samreen Tajamul, Karachi.

To

The Editor

Business Recorder,

Sir,

 I want to draw your attention towards that the locality of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Block 18. The area is facing the problem of low voltage for a very long time sos much so that daily regular work is becoming a problem. Electrical appliances of daily use are not working because of low voltage and many have been destroyed because of it.

People are suffering severely because of the fluctuation in electricity. 

The concerned authorities should take prompt action to release the stress of citizens of the area.

Regards, 

Rahaima Siddiqui

Dear Editor,

I am working as a Research Associate in LUMS, Lahore, and I have been using your database of Fuel and Energy Articles during 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, but cannot access data  on the new website. This is an issue of utmost significance for me so kindly tell me a way of getting access for older articles. Kindly help me as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Mishal

Sir, Good Day,

Your new website is nice, however, it is not working properly. How can we access inter-bank rates and also please check the "Exchange Rates" tab because when I click error 404 appears.

Regards,

Shakir

Dear Sir,

Are we forgetting something or are we just lazy. In either case it is unforgiveable!

As a Pakistani citizens and as members of armed for{jcomments off}ces it is our duty to protect our country at all times.

Unity, faith and discipline these are not only words but these are codes of conduct.

To live up to the code we need to understand the ideas and principles behind these words. All Pakistani citizens in the armed forces or otherwise have the duty at all times and under all circumstances to oppose enemies of Pakistan and support its national interests. In training or in combat, alone or with others, while evading capture or enduring captivity, this duty belongs to each Pakistani regardless of circumstances. "Defend our nation".

We as Pakistanis need to understand our enemy is not only at our borders but deeply embedded among us. We are fighting a different kind of war. Our enemy is scattered all over and I don't think the army alone can win this war.

We all need to involve ourselves and need to keep our eyes and ears open for any suspicious activity. Believe it or not it is beyond the army or ISI. Iit is our turn to play our role.

If we want to save Pakistan we need to be involved in security at all levels. I really think the local government system can play a crucial role by tracking each and every household.

The threat we are facing today, don't be surprised if you hear about “ NGO for security” working in each neighborhood managed by local people.

Let's pray our hearts and souls find peace and comfort. May the blessings of love and its essence illuminate our heart today and forever (Ameen).

After bin Laden!

For much of the world, Osama bin Laden was the face of al Qaeda. He was, after all, the man who oversaw the September 11, 2001, attacks.

With bin Laden gone, the question now becomes "What happens to al Qaeda?"

Within hours of bin Laden's death, questions began to emerge about who would take the helm of the organization and whether it would create an opportunity for other Islamic organizations to step up.

"Al Qaeda is weakened. But it doesn't mean that the United States has no challenges," Steven L. Spiegel, director for Middle East development at the University of California Los Angeles, said Monday.

Opinion: A death blow to al Qaeda?

Standing behind bin Laden for more than two decades has been an ideological army that stretches around the world where militants have set up their own "al Qaeda franchises," analysts said.

"He was very good at coming up with messages that would unify al Qaeda," said Paul Cruickshank, a CNN analyst for terrorism and an alumni fellow at the New York University's Center on Law and Security.

After news of bin Laden's death, Sen. Dick Lugar questioned whether the United States needs to change course in Afghanistan, saying the country doesn't pose as big of a threat anymore given the reason it was there in the first place was to hunt down bin Laden.

And with the big man at the top out of the picture, Time magazine's Mark Thompson writes, "pressure will increase to speed up the withdrawal of some of the 100,000 U.S. troops now in Afghanistan."

Dear Editor,

Power outages in Pakistan have increased manifold. Minister of Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf assured that power outages would be done according to time schedule.

He assured that outages will finish by the end of the year 2009 but instead they have doubled since 2009. It is big failure of the government of Pakistan. No country can make progress without electricity. Recent government measures of holiday on Saturday and other saving methods have reduced power outages but not significantly.

Here I want to reveal one big waste of electricity by WAPDA, LESCO and electricity board employees in other cities.

One low grade LESCO employee told me that he is gets 2,100 units free electricity per month. He said that senior officers get 7,000 units and more free electricity per month. These employees get free electricity equal to their salaries.

All this free electricity is being wasted on numerous air conditioners or selling to other rich people. Holiday on Saturday is a loss for the backward Pakistani nation since already government office procedures are dead slow.

Protests are taking place around the country. People of advanced countries cannot imagine to live in such circumstances for a single day. I have never seen such intense power outages in my life.

Minister of Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf failed to fulfill his promises. Power outage is one of the biggest issues in Pakistan including poverty and unemployment. The government should take drastic measures to end this issue.

The Pakistani nation is unhappy that the government and opposition are busy in other legislative issues instead of resolving these primary issues.

I challenge that I can resolve the issue of power outages in one year if I become a minister or am given another post in the ministry.

M. Usman Saif

Dear Editor,

The chapter of Osama's life ends after his death. Was he fighting against a particular country or nation? I believe not.

Osama had left the comforts of his life with the invasion of Afghanistan by Russia in 1979, which was followed by US invasion of Iraq and then Afghanistan.

Each aggression and oppression made Osama more determined to oppose and resist, especially in the Islamic world.

I just wonder, will the death of Osama leave the global aggressive and oppressional forces unhindered without any risk or resistance?

Sincerely,

Roshan Akhter Abbasi

Home » Tracts » May 21, 2011 Judgment Day Tract

No man knows? Actually, the Bible reveals WE CAN KNOW at this time!

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Judgment Day!
May 21, 2011

And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. Revelation 9:5

The End of the World
October 21, 2011

The purpose of this tract is to inform you of the great urgency there now is in the world for each and every person to be reconciled to God.  The Bible is the Word of God!  Everything the Bible declares has the full authority of God Himself.  Now, at this time, information is coming forth from the Bible which clearly reveals God’s plan for Judgment Day.

Dear Editor,

Labouring from dawn to dusk and even beyond are countless vendors, cobblers, masons, plumbers, hawkers, monkey charmers, batlipaperwalas, labourers, housemaids and innumerable folks toiling away for a little livelihood. They cannot even afford a day off from work let alone Sunday or May Day.

Whether burning and sweating in hot and humid conditions or shivering and freezing in biting cold weather, they mean no rituals or formalities but sheer hard work for a meager income to support a large family.

In most cases one hand is feeding ten mouths with peanuts of an income in times of soaring inflation.

Dear Editor,

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have no say in national affairs or legislation. They are deprived of the very right to vote. Unfortunately, the federal government has not been able to give the people of these areas their fundamental rights and a proper system of representation.

With the promulgation of the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment Order 2009, Islamabad claimed accomplishment of the longstanding demands of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. The federal government counts this among its other phenomenal achievements, stating that the areas have been given autonomy and self-rule.

However, the people assert that the current setup, with all the announced offices and positions, is cosmetic and superficial and the autonomy is rather shallow and unrealistic and the real power still lies with Islamabad. The people of these areas have been peacefully demanding their political and constitutional rights but to no avail.

Owing to the strategically vital position of the areas, Pakistan cannot afford to neglect the issue for too long, as giants like India and China also have their interests in these areas.

Irked by the constant indifference shown by Islamabad the nationalists in the areas have started demanding a separate state and these elements are gaining popularity among the local people.

It is time the government made some substantial efforts to eliminate the grievances of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

A fifth province can be established comprising the areas of Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza Nagar, Skardu, Ganche, Diamer and Astore.

It will win these areas their constitutional status and Pakistan will be saved from the potential threat of internal instability.

M.Irshad Alam Khan

Dear Editor,

It would be of interest to know the growth of food and fodder crops in the past two decades. The main food grain is wheat, which is grown on 46% area while fodder is grown on 12% of the total cropable area.

While wheat production increased by 53% during the past two decades human population increased by 44% during the same period, which suggests that food production stayed ahead of human population growth which is a credit for the agriculture department.

However, fodder production during the past two decades reduced by 5 percent against 40 percent increase in buffaloes and cattle during the past 10 years from 1996 to 2006, which shows the dire state of animal nutrition.

Lack of fodder production must draw the attention of agronomists who treat fodder as grey area left for livestock department, which is not geared to create a green revolution in fodder production.

Earlier, the agriculture department showed some concern for bullocks used for ploughing but with the introduction of tractors the agriculture department is not interested to produce fodder for milk and meat animals, which is a matter of grave concern as almost 5.8 million acres of irrigated land is devoted to fodder production with little effort for research and development  in the area to increase the per acre yield of fodder crops.

M.Irshad Alam Khan

Dear Editor,

This is with reference to the massive use of unfair means by the students in the on-going Secondary level examinations conducted by the Secondary Boards of  Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad, as reported by almost all private TV channels of the country in their news bulletins on frequent basis during the last two or three days.

It is quite disappointing to note that both the local administration and the officials of the concerned boards have completely failed to curb the menace of cheating during these examinations from various established examination centers. So much so, the invigilators posted in these examination centers have been found involved in allowing the students in using such unfair means in their papers.

Unfortunately, this is not for the first time that we are witnessing cheating on a massive scale in examinations by the students of Secondary or Intermediate level in the province of Sindh. This menace is some two or three decades old in the province where no one, during all these years, has taken any steps to curb this shameful practice.

Whether one believes it or not but it is a fact that besides other reasons of substandard level of education in the province of Sindh, especially in the interior of the province, the copy culture at the Secondary level examinations has equally plagued our youth.

Actually it is the fifteen or sixteen year olds where both boys and girls appear in the Secondary level examinations.

Undoubtedly, this is the age of mental growth for them.

M.Irshad Alam Khan

Dear Editor,

Pakistan’s economic ills cannot be cured unless those making policies are competent and qualified men of integrity who have stakes in this country with no split loyalties.

Those who by choice have sought foreign nationalities cannot be expected to deliver solutions to boost our economy and rescue it from acute financial and security crises that it today faces.

Policies made by such people, in spite of their rhetoric, will continue to make Pakistan an ideal country for those who want to make tax-free quick bucks and then transfer all of them abroad.

No country in the world can survive if there are such extensive leakages in revenue and tax collection as those that exist in Pakistan.

M. Irshad Alam Khan

Dear Editor,

Electricity breakdown is not a new issue in Pakistan, but these days this problem has gotten worse.

Previously there used to be a power outage schedule according to which we would  set our routine of daily chores. But now the scenario has changed. Electricity says goodbye to us anytime it wishes and we fail to manage things that are of prime importance.

Moreover, during university timings, the power outage badly diverts our attention from studies. Our classes take place till 3 o'clock in the afternoon and without electricity every passing minute of lecture seems difficult to bear. Sweating makes matters worse. Our note books literally become victims of perspiration and teachers eventually give in to the situation when they see their students getting bored to tears.

I, therefore, request the government to pay serious attention to this issue because nothing is more important than education of youth because such "apparently petty" issues eventually become the reason for a nation’s downfall.

Suleman Saadat Khan

Phone number: 0333-3939381

Dear Editor,

There is a lot of hue and cry from trade bodies that banks should not be given Saturday off as it hampers trade activity.

All industrialized nations of the world with billions of dollars of production and trade volumes observe two days off and they control the world trade. Our shopkeepers, traders and  businessmen come to the workplace between 10:30 to 11:00 but insist on keeping their businesses open late in the night.

On Saturday, banks' counters close at 1:00 pm, so what extraordinary activity can take place in approximately two hours?

Take into consideration the cost of electricity of running air conditioners just in banks alone with fuel at Rs.84 a litre (and a huge import bill of over $7 billion), we are a mad nation calling millions of workforce on Saturday for just a few hours with minimum productivity.

Just think how much electricity and fuel it will save for others.

The rest of the industrialized world is not a fool observing two days off with their economy flourishing and expanding but in Pakistan we are still beating the bush against a very sensible proposal of taking two days off.

On a separate note, has anyone ever given a thought on how much private sector employees are exploited in terms of their working hours? Their working hours are extremely high with tremendous physical and psychological consequences.   

Saturday off with markets still open will mean the same business turnover for shopkeepers since people opt to use Saturday for shopping for their groceries, etc. The rest of the week markets should close at 8:00 pm like it in the western countries.

When will sanity prevail?

Ameer Rizwan

Lahore

Dear Editor,

For instance, the problems of admit cards are never ending. Initially, students complained of not getting the admit cards on time, and now, it is the number of errors in admit cards that is troublesome.

A lot of students from various colleges have been making rounds of the university to get their admit cards corrected. The most common errors are mispelling of the students' names, subject written incorrectly and wrong input of the examination code.

What is more worrisome is that nobody worries about the falling standard of education.

Dear Editor,

"Now a days nations are judged on the play grounds".

Games and sports play a very important part in the scheme of keeping fit. Play is indeed an instructive activity. Pakistanies are sports loving people.

Notwithstanding the lack of organization and official encouragement Pakistan has won great laurels on the ground, particularly in hockey and cricket. Hockey may be called our national game. We had the honour of being world champions in the Olympics, Asia and the World Hockey Cup.

Then comes cricket. The craze of youngsters. Pakistan came up on the cricket map in 1948 after defeating England and was awarded Test status. Our cricket boys have humbled practically all the Test sides of the world.

Dear Editor,

A library is a place where people can enjoy their time reading for leisure. Also, students can benefit from libraries because with power outages at their peak during examinations, they can study there instead of waiting for electricity to come back.

These advantages are no doubt helpful but they will only aid people if libraries are constructed or least of all the constructed ones maintained.

With less than 15 libraries in a city like Karachi, people, especially students, suffer as they are unable to find libraries good enough to be visited. The ones maintained are far from the reach of the lower middle class while the rest are not functioning the way they should.

It is my humble request to the respected authorities to take notice of this issue and build well equipped libraries so that the public can benefit from them.

Dear Editor,

I have couple of proposals for the Federal Budget 2011-2012. You are requested to publish my views to be adopted by the authorities if possible.

( i ) In order to increase the number of tax payers, the Federal Government should issue NTN (National Tax Number) to every citizen holding CNIC for purpose of bringing them into the net, irrespective of the fact whether one is liable to be taxed under the rules defined by the Ministry of Finance.

This will enable the government to scrutinize the earnings and assets of every individual. As at present, it is mandatory to possess CNIC, for opening and operation of bank accounts, making investments in land, shares and securities, obtaining passports, etc.

Possession of NTN should also simultaneously be made mandatory for availing similar facilities. Besides it should also be made mandatory for every shopkeeper, business houses and professionals to display prominently both CNIC and NTN on their premises as well as on their stationeries.

(ii) Land holdings held by land lords for agriculture purpose, as free hold land or as grant by any government popularly known as "jagir" or lease for purpose of cultivation, cattle or fish farming and if the land is in excess of 50 acres, such land whether in use or lying waste, should be made subject to payment of income tax at the rate to be determined by the Federal Government.

This action can satisfy the wishes of the people at large and very likely the land which is held by them as jagir or lease and which is not utilized by them and they are unwilling to pay income tax on such lands, these should be recovered from them towards default in payment of income tax.

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the kind attention of the Sindh Governor and Sindh Chief Minister through your newspaper towards a serious matter related to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).

The purpose behind formation of the CPLC was to liaise between citizens and police and to resolve cases independently, provide justice to ordinary citizens on non-political bases.

This is on record that the CPLC was a very active institute in the past days when Mr. Sharfuddin Memon was performing his duties voluntarily as the chief. He is famous for his non-political background as well as his philanthropy. It was the time when cases were resolved without any distinction in CPLC.

In March 2010, Mr. Ahmed Chinoy appointed as the new chief without any notification or approval from Sindh Home Ministry. Due to his political affiliation, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza (former home minister) had warned him many times before but it seems that Mr. Chinoy is not serious in resolving issues and the existence of the CPLC is only to provide crime statistics and to maintain criminal records now days.

On the other hand, the former home hinister (Sindh) has launched a Public Complaint Cell for the relief of the citizens under the supervision of Mr. Sharfuddin Memon.

Dear Editor,

By admitting the demand of these sectors, the FBR has opened a new avenue of tax avoidance because now inputs will be purchased in the name of these zero-rated sectors but will be used in other sectors that are still zero-rated.

This proves the inelligibility of our finance team, which will resultantly increase the burden on our existing tax payers.

Dear Editor,

It is very astonishing to see this unjustified, unwarranted strike by our young doctors.

These doctors study in government colleges run by funds from taxes paid by the poor people of Pakistan and commit to serve this nation but as they qualify they try to get government jobs and run their private clinics to rob this nation with both hands.

They are already being paid heavy salaries by our taxes and earning higher salaries as compared to doctors in other provinces. Now they have started an agitation for abnormal increments.

Shame on you doctors agitating for increments and not performing your duties when your nation is striving for bread and butter!

Losing the day of World Cup semifinal after moving heaven and earth by the Pakistani cricket team made every Pakistani distressed and poignant; but we should also realize that to reach the semifinal itself was a herculean task.

One thing common in Indo-Pak is that people of both countries suffer "cricket fever" during cricket matches. The whole the country comes to a standstill during the semifinal. Holidays and half days were observed in our educational institutions and other departments. Qauid-e- Azam had said “work, work, and work” but we deemed it wise a bunk from our usual duties.

After losing the match some hasty actions like discarding and breaking of TV sets and other valuables, heart attacks, even suicide attempts also happened. The bottom line is that we should consider as a game not a fever.

Best regards,

M Hassan Waziri,

Waziri House, Opp. F.G College Jafarabad, Nagar II,

Distt. Nagar, GB

Dear editor,

The world is witnessing today an Arab people’s revolution. The uprising ranging from Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen to Oman was regarded as a revolution by the world and the people of these countries as freedom fighters. But it is beyond imagination that the uprising in Bahrain was discouraged and denounced by the west and major parts of the Arab world, terming it a rebellious act.

The US and European Union (EU) backed the Bahraini monarch and the deployment of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) troops in Bahrain. Following "Uncle Sam", Pakistan also backed the Bahraini king.

To a question about deployment of Saudi-led GCC troops in Bahrain, the foreign office spokeswoman said, “It is the internal decision of the GCC.”

Pakistan, for its part, needs to maintain a position of studious neutrality, as good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia are important for us. But unfortunately, that has not been the case.

The recruitment of mercenaries under the auspices of Bahria Foundation and Fauji Foundation to fight for the dying regime and to oppress the people of Bahrain is an incendiary act.

We have not learnt any lesson from the Iranian Revolution of 1979, where the Pakistan government supported the Shah of Iran till the end. Our relations with the new revolutionary regime suffered as a result.

In this way, if and when the Bahraini multitude take control of their own destiny, it would create embarrassment for Pakistan, as more than 65,000 Pakistanis are employed in different fields, including the security forces of Bahrain.

M. Hassan Waziri

Gilgit

Dear Editor,

Elizabeth Taylor passes away and has left all glories and astounding beauty behind her. The most bright and shining star of Hollywood will never twinkle on the silver screen after her death.  

Elizabeth Taylor was a single star who had a great audience worldwide. No one could not get such a famous scale as Elizabeth have a circle of audience widely.  She was a great actress. I grew up watching her movies and loved all of them since childhood.

She had a unique beauty. God had gifted her tremendously. Elizabeth will be missed sadly. Her heart and soul shone through in her performances and in her charitable works.

She will be remembered long in the hearts of her admirers for her outstanding performances and welfare works.

Rest in peace Elizabeth.

Syed Sadaqat Hussain

Sunday March 27,2011

Dear Sir,

We developed Pakistan's 1st hydropower project in the private sector (IPP). This is the 84MW New Bong Escape Hydropower Project some 7 km downstream of the 1000MW Mangla Dam. We are dedictated to the development of hydropower in Pakistan.

The major hydropower projects in Pakistan, Tarbela and Mangla, are water storage projects intended for irrigation and flood control. Power generation is incidental.

Hydropower generation peaks in summer when the irrigation releases are at their highest and drops to almost a third of the capacity in winter. The above pattern is also due to the flows in the rivers, a graph of which is in the shape of a bell. With the maximum flows in April to September when power generation would also be at maximum.

I remain at your service if you require any information or expalantion regarding the Pakistan power sector-hydropower, in particular.

Kind regards,

Khalid Faizi

Date: 25 March, 2011

The Editor,
Business Recorder,
Karachi Pakistan

Dear Editor,

Subject: Politics in educational institutions

Through your esteemed newspaper, we are pleased and honoured to express our views on the role politics is playing in educational institutions. We are high school students of Federal University of Arts and Science Technology.

In an unfortunate incident, exactly two weeks ago, we lost one of our batch mates who succumbed to death due to the tussle of power between two student political organizations in our university.

His sudden demise has left us in immense pain, however, we have collected our broken hearts and have started a campaign to spread awareness about what debacles affect student political organizations in educational institutions.

Being students of university, one should not turn a blind eye towards the political issues and problems of our educational institutions nor to entangle ourselves fully in politics so that our studies and professionalism is compromised.

In the year 2010 alone, nearly 20 students lost their precious lives.

Dear Editor,

In my opinion, with due respect, our all political leaders, economists, writers and journalist are confused, either due to their ignorance or personal interests.

They are mixing economic system, political system and social system and comparing with wrong benchmarks and confusing the nation.

This is just to understand that we have a capitalistic economy and a related taxation system that encourages concentration of wealth. This may be observed in any capitalistic economy.

In response, we observed the socialistic economic system. This system encourages equal distribution of wealth but discourages hard work and innovation, not based on realities and does not matching the global village concept, and so it flopped.

Both these economic systems are purely based on human thought and discourage religious systems and affect our social systems and social justice and we regularly confuse and compare as to why someone is giving less tax and has so much wealth. Our economic/taxation system is based on earnings/income not on wealth then why do we compare it with wealth? And why do we blame rich people for concentration of wealth? And why do we compare with Russia and China’s communist/socialist regimes, where every asset belongs to the state/commune and the state is responsible for the bread and butter of every person?

Capitalism encourages capitalists/investors and discourages earnings/income, with the resultant impact on social justice.

Therefore, Allah Pak has granted us a divine economic system based on zakat (tax on wealth).

Dear Editor,

I would like to inform you that Pak-Norway Business Forum has been established to augment trade and commerce between Pakistan and Norway.

PNBF is facilitating Norwegian investments into Pakistan and also Pakistani products and services to Norway with (1) representation, (2) networking, (3) advice/consulting and (4) administrative support. Time being the PNBF is based in Islamabad.

We are an independent non-governmental organisation.

Yours kindly,

Amir Iftikhar Warraich,

Founder PNBF,

Oslo/ Islamabad

www.pnbf.page.tl

I am old time reader of Bussiness Recorder, a very informative and respected paper among the bussiness circle. I want to convey my appreciation for the new improved pages of your paper. It now really gives a look of an international bussiness daily.

Congratulations to you and your team.

Regards,

RAK

We want to set up a bank in Sindh with Imran Khan.Where do you suggest we start?

Dear Sir,

The release of U.S. spy Raymond Davis through hastily concluded judicial process and immediate flight out from Pakistan has given rise to strong anti-American, anti-government and anti-establishment sentiments in the country.

This shameful retreat by the ruling elite has sent a wave of anguish and disappointment throughout Pakistan and also among two million Pakistanis living abroad. It has raised serious questions about the national security of the seventh nuclear state of the world.

This is surely going to affect the war on terror particularly when the Pakistani people received the goodwill gesture from the U.S. within the next 24 hours through multiple drone attacks killing 50 innocent persons.

This is the price of the so called “friendship” (more appropriately "unconditional slavery") with a superpower.

I really can't find words to condemn such sale out of the daylight murder of three Pakistanis and the overlooking of spying activities uncovered during the said case.

Are the institutions responsible for our national security so unmindful of the national interest?

Even they have maligned the respected judiciary as well.

We, the Pakistani community abroad, particularly feel 16th March 2011, a black day like that of 16th December 1971.

This incident has dashed the hopes of emergence of an independent sovereign nation.

Dear Sir,

In my opinion, with due respect, our all political leaders, economists, writers and journalist are confused, either due to their ignorance or personal interests. They are mingling economic systems, political systems, and social systems and comparing with wrong benchmarks and confusing the nation.

It is just to understand that we have capitalistic economy and related taxation system that encourages concentration of wealth. This may be observed in any capitalistic economy.

In its response we observed socialistic economic system. This system encouraged equal distribution of wealth but discouraged hard work and innovations, not based on realities and not matching the concept of a global village, so it flopped.

Both these economic systems are purely based on human thoughts and discourage religious systems and affect our social system and social justice and we regularly confuse and compare as to why someone is giving less tax and has so much wealth.

Our economic and taxation system is based on earning and income not wealth then why do we compare it with wealth? And why do we blame the rich for their wealth?

And comparing with Russia and China’s communist and socialist systems where every asset belongs to the state is incorrect.

China, the fastest growing economy in the world, is striving for a position in  the global economy. After surpassing Germany it is just behind Japan to reach the GDP of USA. This phenomenal growth and economic boom has created many friends and foes for China. China has passed every milestone so rapidly that now rules of the game have to be changed and the focus has been shifted towards China. Whether its American supermarkets or developing economies like Pakista,n the markets are full of Chinese products and items. This presence has made developed countries conscious of their supremacy over the economies of the world.

World is now divided into different segments i.e USA, European Union, Muslim World, China, India and others. USA and European union are the one most threatened from China. Economic boom and military might of China could force them to share their powers with it, which would not be acceptable to them.

Muslim world, tagged as terrorist are trying to erase this image by supporting USA and allies in every way to make them happy but the truth is that majority of their population hate their governments for alignment with USA and allies. Muslim countries can do nothing to get out of this trap / quagmire due to weaker economic and military position. Muslim countries are bestowed with enormous natural resources like gulf countries are among the richest in the world but their wealth is shelfed American or

Dear Editor,

I appreciate and support the constitutional amendment bill which was presented by the PML-Q Member of the National Assembly Raza Hayat Hiraj about imposing restrictions and disqualifying those officials of the federal and provincial governments or members of assemblies (national and provincial) with dual nationalities or who have businesses, investments outside Pakistan. I, being a common Pakistani, support this bill and demand its approval in the National Assembly and Senate at the earliest.

Pakistan Painda Bad!

Regards,

Nayyar

Lahore

Dear Editor,

I am interested in submitting an article in the Business Recorder. Im a Human Resource Manager by profession and the article is with reference to HR practices. Kindly guide me on the subject.

Regards,

Hirra

Dear Editor,

I am a student of Warwick University doing my LLM in Corporate Governance and Financial Regulations with the additional module of International Political Economy.

I have scored first division in my first term and the second term is coming to an end. I am intrested in writing columns in your paper with particular reference to Corporate Governance in Pakistan.

I have done my MBA from IBA Karachi, before attending Warwick University.

Would you please guide me.

Nabeel Bajwa

I belong to Rural Sindh and have served Pakistani and Canadian banks and other organizations for 15 years. I am MBA, and Msc. Agricultural Economics from Pakistan and have done post graduation in Marketing Management – Financial Services from George Brown School of Business Toronto, Canada, with highest GPA and my name appeared in Dean’s honour list. One of the requirements of that post graduation was to successfully complete Canadian Securities Course, from Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), and I had completed that course beforehand. In my class there were nearly 200 students and, I was the only one who had already completed the most important requirement of that post graduation program. In our class there were only three Pakistanis besides me. It will be interesting for readers that the other two Pakistani students had introduced themselves as Indians because they had thought that with Pakistani identification they might not get proper response from overwhelming Indian, Canadian and European students. But in the very first class, which was conducted by Michael Hlinka, one of the renowned teachers, I surprised every one by showing that I am Pakistani and I have already passed my CSC examination, which is mandatory for post graduation and Mr. Hlinka highly appreciated my passing the exam without any teacher’s help and support. In the end of that class, the two Pakistanis came to me and said that they too are Pakistanis and will need my help to pass the CSC exam, however they requested me not to tell others that they are Pakistanis because they had already introduced themselves as Indians.

Dear Editor,

The World Cup fever is at a peak beause Pakistan has won 2 matches. But the KESC loadshedding is not coming to an end. They are following their shedules. Some people missed the first innings and some the second, while others watched the match on LCD on some taxis while many like me listened to the match on the radio, envisioning the scenes.

They should stop loadshedding during matches as they did in the T20 World Cup so that people can enjoy the World Cup.

Kashish Arif

Karachi

Dear sir,

I am a student from Karachi University and am currently enrolled in the Mass Communications department. My professor has given me an assignment to publish 10 letters to the editor.

If you publish my letters I'll be very thankful, and being urgent, it should be published by the beginning of March as I have to show the assignment by the middle of the month. Someone told me that you can help me.

Kashish Arif

Erum Homes, BL-11, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. 

 Dear Editor,

On 4th January, 2011, Salman Taseer’s assassination suddenly gave us a very timely and shocking reminder of the power of the media in fueling fires of hatred taking its strength from religious fervor and false sense of righteousness.

Not only the media appeared to be clearly irresponsible and callous in the reporting of the various incidents in the lead-up to the assassination but it was also found wanting in the analysis and discussion of this highly sensitive issue. Different media anchors and analysts in their zeal to gain higher ratings and viewership clearly overstepped their boundaries not only before the assassination but sadly also after the tragic event when better sense should have prevailed.

One cant help but recall the appalling episode with Meher Bukhari (an anchor on Samaa Tv), which one could only term as a witch-hunt. During the interview she tried to insinuate that the late governor shaheed Salaman Taseer was guilty of committing blasphemy against the Holy Prophet. In spite of his clear articulation of the fact that he merely wanted a man-made law to be amended, as it is constantly being misused - not only against minorities but Muslims as well, she kept mincing words and looked for ways for cornering him into saying that he had done something wrong. She constantly shouted and talked over him and accused him of not having Pakistan’s interests at heart.

Dear Sir:

Your new website is very complicated. I am living in Doha and can not get the Business Recorder newspaper here, and therefore, was relying on your website. I do not know where to find company board meetings and dividend announcements, etc.

Please guide.

Regards,

Anjum

The most pronounced often heard and familiar issue of circular debt engulfing our several domestic corporate organizations is not much intricate to understand. The issue looks simpler to comprehend but relatively difficult to resolve as it involves a chain and complex  pattern of clearing off debt, especially from a few entities reporting inventory losses.

Circular debt is related to the power generation process using furnace oil, in particular. To understand what circular debt is and how it can be resolved it is essential to see who all are stake holders and key players and how they affect the entire process.

Oil marketing companies primarily PSO, power generation set-ups mainly KAPCO and HUBCO, exploration companies and refineries are key players. PSO initiates expenses by importing furnace oil from abroad besides procuring from inland refineries. That furnace oil is supplied to power generation companies using the same for the power generation process.

The power generated is supplied to PEPCO and KESC which are engaged in the distribution operation all over the country. PSO also imports and supplies fuel to Pakistan Railways and PIA including some to Pakistan Steel.

The PSO always finds it extremely difficult to collect revenue from these companies to clear the debt for imports from the international market. This mainly occurs due to non-payment by consumers to power distribution companies and bad account of PIA and Railways.

When the situation becomes critically bad and PSO warns the government for suspension of supplies to other players some funds are arranged and fire is controlled for some time only.

This is normal practice but the government has been ineffective in resolving the ssue.

But the question that arises is why WAPDA, PEPCO and KESC do not clear  their debt. It is because of huge line losses and power theft.

Dear Arshad,

I just learned of the passing away of your father. Please accept my deep felt condolence. Do let me know the next time you are in the USA.

Regards,

Ehtisham

It was autumn and villager on the remote place of northern areas of high mountains living in tribal community asked his chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. The question was asked with the intent of initiating wood collection for survival in winter in an extremely cold area.

Since the chief was a tribal leader but uneducated and disconnected with the modern weather warning system, he couldn’t tell exactly what the weather was going to be. But he asked his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to prepare. 

After several days he got an idea and went to the phone booth travelling many hours from his location, called the National Weather Service and asked, “Is the coming winter going to be cold?”

“It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed,” the meteorologist at the weather service responded.

So the chief went back to his people and told them to collect more wood. A week later, he called the National Weather Service again, “Is it going to be a very cold winter?”

“Yes,” the man at the National Weather Service again replied, “It’s definitely going to be a very cold winter.”

The chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later, he called the National Weather Service again. “Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?”

“Absolutely,” The man replied. “It’s going to be one of the coldest winters ever.”

congratulations to the staff and editor of buisness recoredor for launching of a new website. this is a really good and well-prepared website. but in my perspective I personally like the old version because in that to find and read todays' news is easier as compare to the new version. anyway i felicitate the entire BR team.

The blind cricket team of Pakistan has won two World Cups and seven series out of eight. The team has 20 world records to its credit. But despite all its achievements, the blind team has not been provided support like other sports by the government of Pakistan.

The players of blind cricket team are models for those blessed with eyes filled with greed for the glitter of the world.

The leaders of Pakistan should encourage them for their success.

Komel Razzaq,

Lahore

Considering the special case of Pakistan where laws against blasphemy pose certain legal constraints against the very act of blasphemy, such individualistic and unsanctioned acts of taking the law into one's own hand only aggravates the socio-political climate for any possible and positive change which, in case of a mass campaign and struggle, could easily be paved for a concrete solution of an issue relating to the sentiments of the majority of the population.

However, if people at principal positions like that of Mr. Salman Taseer would outrightly go against the laws enacted by a compulsory institution of the state i.e. judiciary and the said institution would fail in putting a check on such unconstitutional acts perpetrated by certain individuals, their fate would ostensibly be the same at the hands of some awry minded individual.

In actuality, Asia Bibi has been convicted by the Sheikhupura District Court of blasphemy under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code. The case has now to be upheld by the Lahore High Court. So, Mr. Salman Taseer definitely violated the law through his unwarranted intervention by issuing public statements against Section 295 C of the constitution and against a case in procession. It would have been somewhat explicable if rather than issuing public statements in violation of the law and embroiling the masses against himself, he had supported the defendant (Asia Bibi) in her case at the High Court in order to suspend the sentence issued by a lower court.

In case of a drastic violation of law by an individual of such stature, one doesn't really need to file a lawsuit against the violator as by default judiciary is the guardian over each and every clause of the constitution. But we didn't see the judiciary taking any action in this regard against Mr. Salman Taseer. If the men at principal positions make mockery of the law

Pakistan should strongly protest against the violation of our territorial limits. US government has to demonstrate through action whether Pakistan is a front state ally or an enemy state. The treatment meted out to Pakistan gives the impression that USA is at war with Pakistan.

If USA is following a carrot and stick policy, we have the right to adopt similar measures so that US government feels the heat. USA cannot fight the war in Afghanistan with the assistance of Pakistan. Can they win the war without the support of Pakistan?

According to Geo TV, 300 trucks of military supplies are moved to Afghanistan everyday through Chaman and Torkham borders. This multiplies to 1000 trucks per month. We have the leverage to put immense pressure on the US government.

Time has come when our Foreign Office should become a real Foreign Office instead of a Foreigner's Office.

Pakistan should call the shots!

Pakistan is our home, which needs to be protected from enemies, from outside and inside. It needs the best defence. As a nation, we are a family. When enemies get aware of strong defence and response capacity, they propagate that too much defence budget is just a waste of money.

A huge force and maintaining arms and equipment, at the cost of other development projects, is not considered justified. In fact, the enemy is trying to create a group of people to toe their line and then it becomes easy to weaken the defences.

Western as well as a neighbouring country is trying to stir misunderstandings regarding the defence budget of Pakistan Armed Forces. The propaganda need to be given a strong response that on this issue the nation is not going to compromise. Due to war against terror and floods, Pakistan is already facing problems in all crucial areas of development. The whole administrative infrastructure is also going through problems. The public and private sector are struggling hard to survive.

At this hour, the people depend on government and their armed forces. This is the time to integrate ourselves and not to raise issues based on egoistic sensitivities and negative propaganda. Creating confusions and chaos is part of a campaign going on for a long period against Pakistan. It will take twists and turns in the future as well.

The concept of war has been changed now, it is not a war face to face on the borders, it is more a war of minds and whosoever is well prepared and organised will survive. It is a game of survival of the fittest not only in the region but globally. The armed forces have the best accountability system. They can themselves carry out analysis if required so there is no need to worry. The only requirement harbouring dignity is trust, respect and standing by them in this hour of need.