You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Pakistan' tag.
Pakistani web users posted localised information and data on Google’s ‘map maker’ more than any of 160 countries
Read complete story here
Pakistan tops Google’s maps experiment
Total Number of National Assembly seats: 342
PPP: 142 seats
PML-N: 91
PML-Q: 54
MQM: 25
ANP: 13
MMA: 7
Independent & Baloch Nationalist: 17
PPP ’s candidate: Asif Zardari
PML-N’s candidate: Retired Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui
Seats required to win presidency: 172
This means Zardari needs 47 seats over and above all of PPP’s seats to secure the spot. MQM has already pledged its allegiance to Zardari. +25 ANP has said they wont hinder Zardari’s rise to power. +13. Plus the spineless MMA…
If we minus those from PPP who arent too happy with Zardari and hold grudges against him ‘for holding the Bhutto legacy hostage’; such as Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Aitezaz Ahsan…And those from MQM, MMA and ANP who still have an iota of sanity in them; then we just might be able to avert this disaster…
As published in The Nation, April 01, 1998, the properties of Asif Ali Zardar include:
LOCAL ASSETS:
Plot no. 121, Phase VIII, DHA Karachi.
Agricultural land situated in Deh Dali Wadi, Taluka, Tando Allah Yar.
Agricultural property located in Deh Tahooki Taluka, District Hyderabad (65.15 acres).
Agricultural land falling in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah (827.14 acres)
Agricultural land situated in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah (293.18 acres)
Residential plot No 3 (Now House) Block No B-I, City Survey No 2268 Ward-A Nawabshah
Huma Heights (Asif Apartments) 133, Depot Lines, Commissariat Road, Karachi
Trade Tower Building 3/CL/V Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi
House No 8, St 19, F-8/2, Islamabad
Agricultural land in Deh 42 Dad Taluka/ District Nawabshah
Agricultural land in Deh 51 Dad Taluka Distt Nawabshah
Plot No 3 & 4 Sikni (residential) Near Housing Society Ltd. Nawabshah
CafT Sheraz (C.S No. 2231/2 & 2231/3) Nawabshah
Agricultural land in Deh 23-Deh Taluka & District Nawabshah
Agricultural property in Deh 72-A, Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
Agricultural land in Deh 76-Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
Plot No. A/136 Survey No 2346 Ward A Government Employee’s Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Nawabshah
Agricultural land in Deh Jaryoon Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
Agricultural land in Deh Aroro Taluka Tando Allah Yar “ “
Agricultural land in Deh Nondani Taluka Tando Allah Yar “ “
Agricultural land in Deh Lotko Taluka Tando Allah Yar “ “
Agricultural land in Deh Jhol Taluka Tando Allah Yar “ “
Agricultural land in Deh Kandari Taluka Tando Allah Yar “ “
Agricultural land in Deh Deghi Taluka Tando Mohammad Khan
Agricultural land in Deh Rahooki Taluka, Hyderabad
Property in Deh Charo Taluka, Badin
Agricultural property in Deh Dali Wadi Taluka, Hyderabad
Five acres prime land allotted by DG KDA in 1995/96
4,000 kanals on Simli Dam
80 acres of land at Hawkes Bay
13 acres of land at Maj Gulradi (KPT Land)
One acre plot, GCI, Clifton
One acre of land, State Life (Internationa l Center, Sadar)
FEBCs worth Rs. 4 million
SHARES IN SUGAR MILLS INCLUDE:
Sakrand Sugar Mills Nawabshah
Ansari Sugar Mills Hyderabad
Mirza Sugar Mills Badin
Pangrio Sugar Mills Thatta
Bachani Sugar Mills SangharFRONT COMPANIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES:
Bomer Fiannce Inc, British Virgin Islands
Mariston Securities Inc, “ “ “
Marleton Business S A, “ “ “
Capricorn Trading S A, “ “ “
Fagarita Consulting INc, “ “ “
Marvil Associated Inc, , “ “ “
Pawnbury Finance Ltd, “ “ “
Oxton Trading Limited, “ “ “
Brinslen Invest S A, “ “ “
Chimitex Holding S A, “ “ “
Elkins Holding S A, “ “ “
Minister Invest Ltd, “ “ “
Silvernut Investment Inc, “ “ “
Tacolen Investment Ltd, “ “ “
Marlcrdon Invest S A, “ “ “
Dustan Trading Inc, “ “ “
Reconstruction and Development Finance Inc, “ “ “
Nassam Alexander Inc.
Westminster Securities Inc.
Laptworth Investment Inc 202, Saint Martin Drive, West Jacksonville
Intra Foods Inc. 3376, Lomrel Grove, Jacksonville , Florida
Dynatel Trading Co, Florida
A.S Realty Inc. Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Bon Voyage Travel Consultancy Inc, FloridaPROPERTIES IN UK ARE:
355 acre Rockwood Estate, Surrey (Now stands admitted)
Flat 6, 11 Queensgate Terrace, London SW7
26 Palace Mansions, Hammersmith Road, London W14
27 Pont Street , London, SW1
20 Wilton Crescent, London SW1
23 Lord Chancellor Walk, Coombe Hill, Kingston, Surrey
The Mansion, Warren Lane, West Hampstead, London
A flat at Queensgate Terrace, London
Houses at Hammersmith Road, Wilton Crescen t, Kingston and in Hampstead.PROPERTIES IN BELGIUM ARE:
12-3 Boulevard De-Nieuport, 1000, Brussels, (Building containing 4 shops and 2 large apartments)
Chausee De-Mons, 1670, BrusselsPROPERTIES IN FRANCE ARE:
La Manoir De La Reine Blanche and property in CannesPROPERTIES IN USA – in the name of Asif Zardari and managed by Shimmy Qureshi are:
Stud farm in Texas
Wellington Club East, West Palm Beach
12165 West Forest Hills , Florida
Escue Farm 13,524 India Mound, West Palm Beach
3,220 Santa Barbara Drive, Wellington Florida
13,254 Polo Club Road, West Palm Beach Florida
3,000 North Ocean Drive, Singer Islands, Florida
525 South Flager Driver, West Palm Beach, Florida
Holiday Inn Houston Owned by Asif Ali Zardari, Iqbal Memon and Sadar-ud-Din HashwaniBANK ACCOUNTS IN FOREGN COMPANIES ARE:
Union Bank of Switzerland (Account No. 552.343, 257.556.60Q, 433.142.60V, 216.393.60T)
Citibank Private Limited (SWZ) (Account No. 342034)
Citibank N A Dubai (Account No. 818097)
Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62290209)
Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62274400)
Banque Centrade Ormard Burrus S A
Banque Pache S A
Banque Pictet & Cie
Banque La Henin, Paris (Account No. 00101953552)
Bank Natinede Paris in Geneva (Account NO. 563.726.9)
Swiss Bank Corporation
Chase Manhattan Bank Switzerland
American Express Bank Switzerland
Societe De Banque Swissee
Barclays Bank (Knightsbridge Branch) (Account No. 90991473)
Barclays Bank, Kingston and Chelsea Branch, (Sort Code 20-47-34135)
National Westminster Bank, Alwych Branch (Account No. 9683230)
Habib Bank (Pall Mall Branch).
National Westminster Bank, Barking Branch, (Account No. 28558999).
Habib Bank AG, Moorgate, London EC2
National Westminster Bank, Edgware Road, London
Banque Financiei E Dela Citee, Credit Suisse
Habib Bank AG Zurich, Switzerland
Pictet Et Cie, Geneva
Credit Agricole, Paris
Credit Agridolf, Branch 11, Place Brevier, 76440, Forges Les Faux
Credit Agricole, Branch Haute – Normandie, 76230, Boise Chillaume
Known foreign assets of Benazir
According to an information released by a foreign source, the foreign assets of Benazir Bhutto include the following:
Her properties in the UK include:
Rockwood Estate, Haslemere Road, Brooke, Surrey,
Flats 6,11, Queens Gate Terrace London SW7;
26 Palace Mansion, Hammussmilch Road, London W14;
27 Pont Street London SW1; 20, Wilton Crescent, London SW1.
Her properties in France include:La Manoir Della La Reine Branch Mormon Ville, Hameau, (Near Forges);
France 76780,5 Acre +2 attached properties (4.8 million French Francs in 1990);
Property in Cannes France.
Her properties in the USA include:Stud Farm in Texas; Wellington Club East, West Palm Beach,
Escue Farm, 13524, India Mound, West Palm Beach, Florida,
417 Acres; 3220 Santa Barba Drive Wellington, Florida;
13254, Polo Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida;
3000, North Ocean Drive, Singer Islands, Florida;
525, South Flager Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Based upon the available data and recent evaluations, the total estimated value of the above stated assets amount to 1.5 billion dollars. The information can be further authenticated through property evaluators and agents.
Even if we discount this list and disregard accusations by local authorities as political assassination of the couple; Polish, Swiss and French Courts provided evidence of the alleged corruption back in 1998.
Now this man is contesting for Presidency. God Bless our collective wisdom
A few days back I was re-reading a piece I had written last year – Democracy: Dead on Arrival.
I had written it while I was still at LUMS and still had the streak of activism…So much water has passed under the bridge… The political scenario has changed extensively. On the personal front, my priorities have changed. Nothing is quite the same.
And the history has repeated itself umpteenth time.
After a heist of 9 years, Musharraf has resigned, marking an end of an era. Another dictator, allegedly a good-intentioned one has left us in the lurch after making an incredible mess.
Here are some of the commonly heard views:
Mush- fans
See what he did for the economy…. And look at the state right now! Plus, what wonders he has done for the Media. He’s God’s gift to Pakistan and should stay forever more.
The apologetics
Okay, so he may have done a few things wrong. But he’s still a lesser evil.
The politicaly inclined
A dicator, albeit one without a uniform is never good for the country. Whether its Nawaz camp or PPP, (besides the PML Q which has quietly distanced itself Musharraf) everyone is happy to see Musharraf go. It’s a victory for democracy!
The Pro-constitution, pro-judiciary
The pre-Nov 2nd judiciary must be restored and Mush leaving is a victory.
The Vindicitive
(May overlap with the politically inclined and the pro constitution)
He’s a traitor since he has violated the constitution and must be punished accordingly.
After what he did to Mian sahab, forcing him into exile, Mush must be taught a lesson. If we go easy on him this time, it would mean more dictators in the future.
The skeptic (also called doomsdayers, naysayers, pessimistic)
The dollar is 67. Inflation is double figures. Terrorist attacks are rampant in our towns. All the policies are made in Washinton. No one has a spine to standup. Or grey cells to comeup with their own policies.
The analyst
The question is, did Musharraf resign for the better interest of the country or in fear of impeachment.
The indifferent
The question is, who cares?!!
Source: Unknown. Came to me in a forwarded email. Its a modification of the original one which featured president bush.
Last week, two gentlemen from PTCL approached my company with partnership offer for selling EVDO with our laptops and desktops.
EVDO – a 3G Wireless broadband service by PTCL is currently in the pre-launch stage with plans for a formal launch in a couple of months. The gentlemen left two EVDO packs for us to test and since the last couple of days I have been testing it 24/7.
All I had to do was take the card out of the box and put it into the PCMCIA slot, install the CD and I was all set to go. So far, I’ve tested it in the car, in the city center and suburbs of the city. The connection seamlessly toggles between CDMA and EDGE depending on the availability. The voice connectivity has been disconnected in the demo packs, however, there is a slot for WLL SIM which can be put into the card to get voice over IP.
The proposed package:
- No initial cost
- Monthly flat rate charges (at a premium over conventional broadband\DSL connection)
- Commitment for one year.
Convenience:
No doubt, seamless connectivity esp for executives on the go, is a great selling proposition. For the growing number of laptop users, this would rave well. Jet-setting executives would love to use EVDO at airports, all of which are connected btw. For desktops maybe not. Also, with broadband and DSL, users have to wait eons to get the connection. EVDO is as simple as purchasing a mobile connection.
However, there may be barriers to entry. Most executives use shared office connections at work and perhngaps a dial-up or broadband\DSL at home. Paying for a dedicated connection for one laptop/desktop may reduce the size of market by making it financially infeasible for most upwardly mobile urbanites.
I for one am not hacppy with the premium pricing mechanism. For a high adoption rate, which would in effect dilute the overheads; PTCL should not be charging a premium. Furthermore, if convenience is the objective then commitment for a year is counterintuitive. I think, PTCL should let the users see the value for themselves. I think its a great sell provided we can get pricing package right.
The problem is, PTCL has too many conflicting objectives. It wants to go with EVDO but not cannabalize its broadband ( the service level for which, btw, sucks). It wants to maintain it telephony monopoly and prevent VOIP.
According to classical economic wisdom, increased competition is supposed to improve the quality of service. We have yet to see that happen at least in mobile telephony and internet connectivity.
With Wateen, LinkdotNET (who came sup with this y2kish name, anyway?) and whatnot cropping up, internet connectivity service level ought to improve. EVDO (Evolution Data Only) promises that, but at a premium. All I can say is that Quality of Service is the battlefield, not creative advertising.
CSIS Report on “Post Conflict Reconstruction Project” goes into my repository as a must-read which Im afraid Ill never get around to reading.. A perilous course – US Assistance to Pakistan (June 2007)
One doesnt need such a fancy analysis to understand the issue.
Unfortunately for us, US supported Musharraf and continues to back him. The man has sacked the judiciary and silenced the media. Now civilians can also be court marshaled on lame pretexts. He is planning to hold ‘free and fair’ elections without these two ingredients that are considered integral for democracy by the civilized world.
One can imagine how free and fair would these elections be.
And then defying all laws of parenting, US Foreign Relations Chairman and the next contender for President, Senator Biden advocates “large, unconditional financial support for non-security projects such as schools, roads, clinics, etc; conditioning of security aid on performance; support for judicial, political, and good government reforms; and finally and increase in public diplomacy and high impact support.”
That’s what they call rewarding bad behavior. They cant stop the Coalition Support Fund as it would be the second time the US would be ditching Pakistan unceremoniously as they just cant afford to repeat the post-Soviet war scenario.
And they think they can promote democracy and good governance by setting up schools and dishing out dollars. And all this while there is no word from the US regarding reinstatement of judiciary, removal of ban on the media, and restoration of the constitution and civil rights. When your premise is not true how can your conclusion be sound? And then they sit and wonder where they went wrong.
In setting up their dream team of moderates, they have created a monster.
As Imran Khan said in an interview to Dawn
“The most awful thing about all this is that the Bush administration is prepared to sacrifice 160 million Pakistanis to back one man who is willing to turn his own army against civilians for the so-called ‘war on terror’. It is plain callousness on the Bush administration’s part to play with the lives of Pakistanis to accomplish a convoluted ideology. But the saddest part of it all is that Musharraf and Benazir are assisting it in ruining the future of this country.”
Georgia becomes the second country this week to declare martial law, following Pakistan. Like Pakistan, Georgia is ‘one of America’s most critical allies’. Georgia plays its part in the war on Iraq by patrolling for weapons smugglers along the Iranian border.
Emergency Martial Law declared in
Pakistan Bananaistan.
COAS Musharraf declared an Emergency then President Musharraf addresses the nation citing security concerns in Waziristan as the reason. Dubbed as Emergency Plus as it only applies to the Media and the Judiciary.
Truth was the first casulty as GEO, ARY and other news channels were taken off air. Chief Justice was taken into custody by the army.
Engaging coverage on Pakistan Politics
Goodbye civil rights!
Went to visit a relative at Agha Khan Hospital, only to be greeted by men in uniform deployed at the front entrance of the hospital, informing the public in a high-handed manner that they can only go in one by one and that they are doing us a favor by allowing us to go in at all. Amazing!
Update: LUMS Faculty members among those arrested
This afternoon, a group of 50 or 60 peaceful protestors – including some
prominent journalists, lawyers, academics and human rights activists -
gathered outside the HRCP building to protest against Musharraf and his
emergency declaration. The protestors were surrounded by the police and
arrested. Mr. Bilal Minto (adjunct faculty, Law & Policy) and Professor Ali Cheema (Economics) are also amongst the arrested individual.
LUMS Press Release – Arrest of Faculty Members
Further update: 10:45 pm 5th Nov 2007
From Alumni email
All the people who were arrested by the police day before yesterday from the HRCP building – including Dr. Ali Cheema and Mr. Bilal Minto – and detained for 2 1/2 days, have finally been released on bail a little while ago. However, the criminal charges
brought against them have not been dropped.
Dr. Parvez Hassan – a senior member of the LUMS Management Committee – who was arrested during yesterday’s protest, was also released on bail early this morning.
