Talibanisation is not possible in the city because of the existence of modern culture, democracy and flourishing business, said the Consul General of Afghanistan, Abdul Ahad Khaliqyar.
He was talking to newsmen at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Wednesday after attending certificate awarding ceremony for Afghan doctors trained by the SIUT who will work at the first kidney centre in Jalalabad donated by the Government of Pakistan.
“Talibanisation is impossible in Karachi because it has very different culture,” he said. He said there might be Talibanisation in the tribal areas of Pakistan because there “the culture is same.” He believed in Afghanistan, Talibanisation is also restricted to certain areas.
“There is trouble in only three to four provinces out of the total 34 provinces of Afghanistan,” he explained, adding that these troubled provinces are near the Pak-Afghan border.
He appreciated the new democratic government in Pakistan hoping that the relations between the countries will be improved. He added that the SIUT’s efforts to train Afghan doctors and paramedical staff will help improve relations between the countries, which are neighbours and enjoy a combined historical tradition and relationship.
The consul general added that there are seven medical colleges and one medical university in Afghanistan. He said that there is no data available about the existence of kidney diseases in Afghanistan.
Dr Salahuddin, who was trained by the SIUT doctors, said that no one can separate Afghanistan and Pakistan because both the countries have the same religion, culture and geography.
He said that the SIUT had planted flowers of love and brotherhood in Afghanistan with the training programme to help the poor patients of the country. “We do not have connections with politics as we want to serve the ailing humanity,” he said. He recalled that the government of Pakistan had also helped a lot for Afghans during Jihad there.
One of the trainees, Mir Wais Barakzai added that they were greeted with good behaviour whenever they showed their Afghan identity here. He said their visit to Hawkes Bay was memorable where they enjoyed beautiful view as Afghanistan had no sea.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pakistan sends ‘life-savers’ to Afghanistan
The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has trained Afghan doctors and paramedical staff as a gesture of goodwill towards the people of Afghanistan. The doctors and paramedics will work at a kidney centre in Jalalabad, which has been donated by the government of Pakistan, said Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi.
Speaking at a ceremony to award certificates to the Afghan doctors and paramedical staff after their six month training here on Wednesday, Dr Rizvi said that Pakistan is sending a team of doctors who are going to save lives. He regretted that Pakistan is often accused of sending terrorists to Afghanistan but expressed pride over the fact that the SIUT is sending life savers to the country.
Giving a background of the training, he said that Pakistan proposed to donate a kidney centre at Jalalabad to serve the poor and underprivileged, who suffer from kidney diseases. The incident of kidney disease is high in Afghanistan while treatment facilities are limited.
Pakistan had set up an Afghan Trade and Development Cell in the foreign ministry to establish a kidney centre at Jalalabad named after a leader of the country, Abdul Rab Nishter. This included construction of ‘Nishtar Kidney Centre’, training of doctors, paramedical staff, bio-medical engineers and a rehabilitation facility. The government requested the SIUT for the training of a team comprising 18 doctors, paramedical staff and bio-medical engineers.
The SIUT agreed to train the team for six months at their own expenses without charging the government of Pakistan as a goodwill gesture towards Afghan brethren, Rizvi added. He said that the doctors were trained to investigate and treat patients suffering from renal failure. They were trained in dealing with critically ill patients suffering from kidney diseases and renal failure. They were also trained for insertion of central lines for dialysis and making arterio venous fistula.
During the course of the training the paramedical staff—nurses and technicians—was trained to take care of patients during dialysis and also taught how to handle and take care of machines. Bio-medical engineers were trained in handling and maintaining dialysis machines, water treatment machines and monitors. “Today they have completed their training and this is a great day,” Dr Rizvi exclaimed, adding that these trained people will serve the poor patients of their country with dedication and sincerity.
Dr Anwar, one of the trainers said that Sardar Abdul Rab Nishter kidney centre will be the first centre of its kind in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Prof. Aijaz, also a trainer added that the kidney centre was supposed to be completed in 2007 but it could not be done probably because of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Abdul Ahad, the consul general of Afghanistan, in his brief speech on the occasion said that such efforts will help improve the Pak-Afghan relations. He added that he feels pleasure while visiting the SIUT and added that he had great regard for Dr Adib Rizvi who had dedicated his life for this noble cause. He also thanked the SIUT professors and doctors who trained Afghan doctors.
Speaking at a ceremony to award certificates to the Afghan doctors and paramedical staff after their six month training here on Wednesday, Dr Rizvi said that Pakistan is sending a team of doctors who are going to save lives. He regretted that Pakistan is often accused of sending terrorists to Afghanistan but expressed pride over the fact that the SIUT is sending life savers to the country.
Giving a background of the training, he said that Pakistan proposed to donate a kidney centre at Jalalabad to serve the poor and underprivileged, who suffer from kidney diseases. The incident of kidney disease is high in Afghanistan while treatment facilities are limited.
Pakistan had set up an Afghan Trade and Development Cell in the foreign ministry to establish a kidney centre at Jalalabad named after a leader of the country, Abdul Rab Nishter. This included construction of ‘Nishtar Kidney Centre’, training of doctors, paramedical staff, bio-medical engineers and a rehabilitation facility. The government requested the SIUT for the training of a team comprising 18 doctors, paramedical staff and bio-medical engineers.
The SIUT agreed to train the team for six months at their own expenses without charging the government of Pakistan as a goodwill gesture towards Afghan brethren, Rizvi added. He said that the doctors were trained to investigate and treat patients suffering from renal failure. They were trained in dealing with critically ill patients suffering from kidney diseases and renal failure. They were also trained for insertion of central lines for dialysis and making arterio venous fistula.
During the course of the training the paramedical staff—nurses and technicians—was trained to take care of patients during dialysis and also taught how to handle and take care of machines. Bio-medical engineers were trained in handling and maintaining dialysis machines, water treatment machines and monitors. “Today they have completed their training and this is a great day,” Dr Rizvi exclaimed, adding that these trained people will serve the poor patients of their country with dedication and sincerity.
Dr Anwar, one of the trainers said that Sardar Abdul Rab Nishter kidney centre will be the first centre of its kind in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Prof. Aijaz, also a trainer added that the kidney centre was supposed to be completed in 2007 but it could not be done probably because of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Abdul Ahad, the consul general of Afghanistan, in his brief speech on the occasion said that such efforts will help improve the Pak-Afghan relations. He added that he feels pleasure while visiting the SIUT and added that he had great regard for Dr Adib Rizvi who had dedicated his life for this noble cause. He also thanked the SIUT professors and doctors who trained Afghan doctors.
Inquiry demanded into suicide attempts
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday has demanded an inquiry against a private medical college in Mirpurkhas, where three students attempted suicide on Tuesday, reportedly after failing their MBBS examination.
The PMA central secretary general, Dr Habib Rehman Soomro said in a statement that in order to earn money, the medical college had a tendency of failing around 50 students each year because it would give admissions to extra students, violating the rules of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) as well. This year, around 34 students were also declared to have failed their exams.
He said that the PMDC had given permission to the college to admit only 50 students but it allegedly gave admissions to 100 students. He said that since only 50 students were registered at the PMDC, the private medical college could not show the admission of 100 students. As a result, allegedly, the college was constantly failing the students.
Soomro also said that the medical college takes exorbitant amounts for its admission while its annual fee came around to Rs0.4 million to Rs0.5 million. He said that the college has no “complete department” of any medical science and wondered how it was allowed to operate.
Accordingly, Soomro urged the PMDC, chief minister Sindh, federal health minister to take notice of the incident and hold a high level inquiry.
The PMA central secretary general, Dr Habib Rehman Soomro said in a statement that in order to earn money, the medical college had a tendency of failing around 50 students each year because it would give admissions to extra students, violating the rules of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) as well. This year, around 34 students were also declared to have failed their exams.
He said that the PMDC had given permission to the college to admit only 50 students but it allegedly gave admissions to 100 students. He said that since only 50 students were registered at the PMDC, the private medical college could not show the admission of 100 students. As a result, allegedly, the college was constantly failing the students.
Soomro also said that the medical college takes exorbitant amounts for its admission while its annual fee came around to Rs0.4 million to Rs0.5 million. He said that the college has no “complete department” of any medical science and wondered how it was allowed to operate.
Accordingly, Soomro urged the PMDC, chief minister Sindh, federal health minister to take notice of the incident and hold a high level inquiry.
Educated con-men nabbed by police
The Investigation staff of the Gizri police station has arrested two youngsters who pretended to be Military Intelligence Majors and pressurised several station house officers (SHOs) into releasing several inmates, besides being involved in other kidnapping cases. The police also recovered bogus army uniforms, identity cards and arms from their possession.
On August 3, four unknown individuals, riding in a Toyota Corolla with registration No GE-018, kidnapped a trader Mohammed Shakir s/o Mohammed Hadi from N-Lane, Phase IV, DHA. The accused along with the kidnapped, were intercepted by constable Ghulam Abbas while going towards main Gizri Avenue at which they fled the scene. In this regard police registered FIR No. 325/2008 u/s 365-PPC at Gizri Police station. The car was obtained on rent and the original number plates were found from the car.
During the course of the investigation, Station Investigation Officer (SIO) Gizri, Faryad Hussain Bhatti arrested three accused persons namely Hassan Ahmed, Khaqan Javed Qazi and Rafique along with two TTs, one nine-mm pistol and seven cartridges. Moreover, two Army Major ID cards and uniforms were found from their possession.
The accused, Ahmed and Qazi, both belonged to reputable families. Both of them were close friends and residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Ahmed said that he is an expert in computer graphics and is a student of MBA, while Qazi said that he is a student of BCS and belongs to Gujranwala. The accused told the investigators during the investigation process that they had the lust for money and power and made various plans. In this regard, they were helped by Abbas, a criminal who was the mastermind behind all their activities. Abbas told them to kidnap residents from posh locality such as Defence and PECHS and form a gang of fake army personnels, made up of labourers and guards. Qazi was assigned to fulfil this task.
Qazi said he searched for suitable people and selected eight to nine persons who were hired for Rs10,000 to Rs20,000 and told to act as police guards. Later he went to Darra Adam Khel and purchased three pistols from a man, Aziz Khan Afridi before returning back to Karachi. Moreover, Abbas the mastermind also told Ahmed to purchase army uniform and create ID cards of army personnel.
SIO Bhatti revealed that upon investigation, Hasan disclosed that he had expertise in this field and had purchased army uniforms from Malir Cantonment by showing fake Army ID cards of Military Intelligence that he created. Abbas further instructed the duo to hire a flat to detain the abductees, which Qazi duly did by renting a flat in Defence in the Building 90C. After that they were introduced by Abbas to a man who provided the duo cars on rental basis. Ahmed was supposed to make official number plates to make the cars look like they belonged to the Military Intelligence.
After planning by Abbas, Ahmed and Qazi along with their accomplice went to kidnap Adnan Shaikhani from Ferozabad area, but failed. During the attempt, the two friends wore army uniforms and rode cars with fake government number plates. In the same incident, a police guard posted for security at a minister’s residence inquired about their presence at which the accused persons asked the guard to step back as an encounter will take place in a moment. Soon a police patrolling mobile came and the suspects fled.
The duo informed Abbas of the botched attempt who told them to kidnap a gold trader and demand money from the family. As per plan, they managed to kidnap the trader but were caught by the police. The investigators also disclosed that the accused visited various police stations of the city in their fake Army uniforms and identified themselves as Majors from Military Intelligence (MI) to release suspects held by the police. Further probe is underway.
On August 3, four unknown individuals, riding in a Toyota Corolla with registration No GE-018, kidnapped a trader Mohammed Shakir s/o Mohammed Hadi from N-Lane, Phase IV, DHA. The accused along with the kidnapped, were intercepted by constable Ghulam Abbas while going towards main Gizri Avenue at which they fled the scene. In this regard police registered FIR No. 325/2008 u/s 365-PPC at Gizri Police station. The car was obtained on rent and the original number plates were found from the car.
During the course of the investigation, Station Investigation Officer (SIO) Gizri, Faryad Hussain Bhatti arrested three accused persons namely Hassan Ahmed, Khaqan Javed Qazi and Rafique along with two TTs, one nine-mm pistol and seven cartridges. Moreover, two Army Major ID cards and uniforms were found from their possession.
The accused, Ahmed and Qazi, both belonged to reputable families. Both of them were close friends and residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Ahmed said that he is an expert in computer graphics and is a student of MBA, while Qazi said that he is a student of BCS and belongs to Gujranwala. The accused told the investigators during the investigation process that they had the lust for money and power and made various plans. In this regard, they were helped by Abbas, a criminal who was the mastermind behind all their activities. Abbas told them to kidnap residents from posh locality such as Defence and PECHS and form a gang of fake army personnels, made up of labourers and guards. Qazi was assigned to fulfil this task.
Qazi said he searched for suitable people and selected eight to nine persons who were hired for Rs10,000 to Rs20,000 and told to act as police guards. Later he went to Darra Adam Khel and purchased three pistols from a man, Aziz Khan Afridi before returning back to Karachi. Moreover, Abbas the mastermind also told Ahmed to purchase army uniform and create ID cards of army personnel.
SIO Bhatti revealed that upon investigation, Hasan disclosed that he had expertise in this field and had purchased army uniforms from Malir Cantonment by showing fake Army ID cards of Military Intelligence that he created. Abbas further instructed the duo to hire a flat to detain the abductees, which Qazi duly did by renting a flat in Defence in the Building 90C. After that they were introduced by Abbas to a man who provided the duo cars on rental basis. Ahmed was supposed to make official number plates to make the cars look like they belonged to the Military Intelligence.
After planning by Abbas, Ahmed and Qazi along with their accomplice went to kidnap Adnan Shaikhani from Ferozabad area, but failed. During the attempt, the two friends wore army uniforms and rode cars with fake government number plates. In the same incident, a police guard posted for security at a minister’s residence inquired about their presence at which the accused persons asked the guard to step back as an encounter will take place in a moment. Soon a police patrolling mobile came and the suspects fled.
The duo informed Abbas of the botched attempt who told them to kidnap a gold trader and demand money from the family. As per plan, they managed to kidnap the trader but were caught by the police. The investigators also disclosed that the accused visited various police stations of the city in their fake Army uniforms and identified themselves as Majors from Military Intelligence (MI) to release suspects held by the police. Further probe is underway.
Power crisis grips Karachi
Power outage has become the main issue in the city, adding miseries to the masses and negatively affecting industrial and commercial activities. In this hot and humid weather, the citizens are experiencing power failures for up to 18 hours, sparking widespread resentment against the privatised Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC).
Like the previous power crisis, this one is also reportedly blamed on the mismanagement of the power utility. There have been reports that the KESC was allegedly not generating electricity to save the fuel cost. Similarly, it was not purchasing power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for the same purpose.
Moreover, the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), a subsidiary of Pakistan electric power company (PVT.) LIMITED (PEPCO) previously reported to have disconnected the power supply to the KESC over outstanding dues amounting to Rs13.7 billion. Therefore, the NTDC demanded a repayment of three billion rupees, otherwise the power supply would have been cut off, which it did, causing immense hardships to 16 million people and crippling economic activities of the city.
Admittedly, the energy crisis has become the most daunting challenge for the new government.
However, this is an old phenomenon as according to an Asian Development Bank study regarding the power supply in Asia, Pakistan, since its creation, has only made two significant developments in the power sector. These are, namely, IPPs for the power generation and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for the protection of consumer rights. Although, the latter in the words of the Senate body had failed to fight for consumer rights with the city based party protesting against the 30 per cent increase in the power rates.
But the problem became particularly acute during the last decade partly because of the silt build-up in the two major hydel reservoirs, Mangla and Tarbela and the slow growth of IPPs among other reasons.
Tarbela had an original storage capacity of 11.62MW in 1974, which has reduced to 8.24 and will further lose up to 5.40MW by 2025. The IPPs have grown at a snail’s pace during the last six years, adding only 27MW, according to the study carried out by the AKD Securities. Transmission losses because of the poor quality infrastructure and a significant amount of power theft were the other reasons. The financial health of the power utility is also a key concern.
The concerned KESC officials believe that the utility needs at least Rs15 billion to Rs20 billion to emerge from the present crisis. The misuse of power in many areas is another facet of the power crises which involves the tampering with the main lines. The KESC management is unable to control all the wastages. They say that if a main power supply line is appropriate for six families, it is being used by 60 families due to illegal connections.
A large number of people, who do not have legal connections, use electricity by greasing the palms of the concerned meter reading officials and billing department. This corrupt culture affects the people who pay their bills honestly and benefits those violating the laws.
This shows the unavailability of the civic sense. Although people have been complaining about the power outages for ages, yet the KESC often claims that it is doing better. There have been allegations that the power utility officials have been looking at this problem as “spectators”.
However, the technical experts sent by the federal government led by the power secretary said that the transition status prevailing in the KESC is another reason behind the power supply crisis. As the new management took over the power utility, the officials hoped that the situation would improve.
Meanwhile, a large number of tailoring shop owners, Public Call Offices and local clinics operating in deprived areas have been facing this problem. Even a few clinics and 24-hour hospitals situated in these areas claim to have installed vaccination facilities. But it is again a question of whether the vaccines in these centres are able to maintain the required temperature or not.
A survey needs to be conducted in order to understand how these health centres providing vaccine facilities to the unaware masses are functioning accordingly. There are already reports about the sale of spurious drugs and certain markets have been openly selling the same at the cost of public health.
Besides these concerns, there are some other issues such as inflation, which has increased in Ramazan as the authorities’ efforts of setting up a district price control committee, increase in punishment and fine against hoarding through legislation and setting up fair price markets have not brought desirable results so far.
The increase in food prices is partly a result of the rise in the prices of fertilizers while certain elements have created its shortage, prompting the farmers to protest against it. The water shortage is likely to affect the wheat production, which will be compounded as India has reportedly blocked the Chenab river flow to Pakistan.
Inflation will further increase the poverty and inequality. According to the ADB report, if there is a 10, 20, and 30 per cent increase in the food prices, the number of poor people will rise by 7.5m, 14.67m and 21.96m respectively.
Some difficult decisions have to be taken by the new government. The ruling party leaders often talk about the “new social contract” and it is time they implement the same. The United Nations in its new report “overcoming economic insecurity” says “a modern state can not advance to high levels of economic and social development, internal order and peace without cooperation forged through a social contract.” This social contract can be secured through a fair distribution of resources, which will also maintain the social and economic order.
It is heartening to note that the former mayor of Bogotá, Enrique Penalosa is visiting the city. Previously, when he was in Mumbai, he had said that public space is like the human body. Since no one can give his/her finger in return of millions of rupees, this principle should also apply to public spaces, which cannot be sold for financial gains.
Regarded as the best mayor of the world, interestingly Penalosa has developed a bicycle track up to 20 kilometres long in Bogotá.
One hopes that our city planners will learn from his experiences as allegedly land is being used in the city without taking into account the social and economic considerations.
Another issue is the extra-ordinary powers of the Nazim, which are reportedly creating differences between the provincial coalition partners.
Like the previous power crisis, this one is also reportedly blamed on the mismanagement of the power utility. There have been reports that the KESC was allegedly not generating electricity to save the fuel cost. Similarly, it was not purchasing power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for the same purpose.
Moreover, the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), a subsidiary of Pakistan electric power company (PVT.) LIMITED (PEPCO) previously reported to have disconnected the power supply to the KESC over outstanding dues amounting to Rs13.7 billion. Therefore, the NTDC demanded a repayment of three billion rupees, otherwise the power supply would have been cut off, which it did, causing immense hardships to 16 million people and crippling economic activities of the city.
Admittedly, the energy crisis has become the most daunting challenge for the new government.
However, this is an old phenomenon as according to an Asian Development Bank study regarding the power supply in Asia, Pakistan, since its creation, has only made two significant developments in the power sector. These are, namely, IPPs for the power generation and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for the protection of consumer rights. Although, the latter in the words of the Senate body had failed to fight for consumer rights with the city based party protesting against the 30 per cent increase in the power rates.
But the problem became particularly acute during the last decade partly because of the silt build-up in the two major hydel reservoirs, Mangla and Tarbela and the slow growth of IPPs among other reasons.
Tarbela had an original storage capacity of 11.62MW in 1974, which has reduced to 8.24 and will further lose up to 5.40MW by 2025. The IPPs have grown at a snail’s pace during the last six years, adding only 27MW, according to the study carried out by the AKD Securities. Transmission losses because of the poor quality infrastructure and a significant amount of power theft were the other reasons. The financial health of the power utility is also a key concern.
The concerned KESC officials believe that the utility needs at least Rs15 billion to Rs20 billion to emerge from the present crisis. The misuse of power in many areas is another facet of the power crises which involves the tampering with the main lines. The KESC management is unable to control all the wastages. They say that if a main power supply line is appropriate for six families, it is being used by 60 families due to illegal connections.
A large number of people, who do not have legal connections, use electricity by greasing the palms of the concerned meter reading officials and billing department. This corrupt culture affects the people who pay their bills honestly and benefits those violating the laws.
This shows the unavailability of the civic sense. Although people have been complaining about the power outages for ages, yet the KESC often claims that it is doing better. There have been allegations that the power utility officials have been looking at this problem as “spectators”.
However, the technical experts sent by the federal government led by the power secretary said that the transition status prevailing in the KESC is another reason behind the power supply crisis. As the new management took over the power utility, the officials hoped that the situation would improve.
Meanwhile, a large number of tailoring shop owners, Public Call Offices and local clinics operating in deprived areas have been facing this problem. Even a few clinics and 24-hour hospitals situated in these areas claim to have installed vaccination facilities. But it is again a question of whether the vaccines in these centres are able to maintain the required temperature or not.
A survey needs to be conducted in order to understand how these health centres providing vaccine facilities to the unaware masses are functioning accordingly. There are already reports about the sale of spurious drugs and certain markets have been openly selling the same at the cost of public health.
Besides these concerns, there are some other issues such as inflation, which has increased in Ramazan as the authorities’ efforts of setting up a district price control committee, increase in punishment and fine against hoarding through legislation and setting up fair price markets have not brought desirable results so far.
The increase in food prices is partly a result of the rise in the prices of fertilizers while certain elements have created its shortage, prompting the farmers to protest against it. The water shortage is likely to affect the wheat production, which will be compounded as India has reportedly blocked the Chenab river flow to Pakistan.
Inflation will further increase the poverty and inequality. According to the ADB report, if there is a 10, 20, and 30 per cent increase in the food prices, the number of poor people will rise by 7.5m, 14.67m and 21.96m respectively.
Some difficult decisions have to be taken by the new government. The ruling party leaders often talk about the “new social contract” and it is time they implement the same. The United Nations in its new report “overcoming economic insecurity” says “a modern state can not advance to high levels of economic and social development, internal order and peace without cooperation forged through a social contract.” This social contract can be secured through a fair distribution of resources, which will also maintain the social and economic order.
It is heartening to note that the former mayor of Bogotá, Enrique Penalosa is visiting the city. Previously, when he was in Mumbai, he had said that public space is like the human body. Since no one can give his/her finger in return of millions of rupees, this principle should also apply to public spaces, which cannot be sold for financial gains.
Regarded as the best mayor of the world, interestingly Penalosa has developed a bicycle track up to 20 kilometres long in Bogotá.
One hopes that our city planners will learn from his experiences as allegedly land is being used in the city without taking into account the social and economic considerations.
Another issue is the extra-ordinary powers of the Nazim, which are reportedly creating differences between the provincial coalition partners.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Karachi Life
Karachi is not just a city. It is a unique city in many ways. To begin with, it is a metropolis in the strict sense of the word, characterized by an accelerating rate of suburban growth. Its rate of growth has been phenomenal, particularly since the emergence of Pakistan. From a medium-size city of less than 500,000 population in 1947 it grew to well over five million in 1981 and, according to most conservative estimates, has now exceeded 6.5 million mark. With increase in population there has been simultaneous increase in its a real extent, as indicated by the figures - 233 sq. Ian. in 1947 to 1300 sq. Km. in 1986.
Like any other major metropolitan center, Karachi is inhabited by a wide variety of communities belonging to different religious and linguistic groups drawn from different parts of Pakistan. Aside from Urdu-speaking n-migrants (Muhajirs) who still form the biggest ethnic group, there are considerable number of people from N.W.F.P, Kashmir, Punjab, Baluchistan, and of course from different parts of Sind of which it is the capital city. In this way Karachi like other leading cities of the. world has developed into a National Metropolis. No wonder, it is often described as miniature Pakistan, which is really is, just as Bombay is mini-India, London is mini-England, and Paris is mini-France.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Pakistan Locked in Debt Cycle: Economic Survey
The budget documents and the figures available in Economic Survey of Pakistan for 2008-09, revealed that Pakistan has now trapped into vicious circle of debt repayments as debt liabilities have been exceeding the estimates of total foreign receipts.In the fiscal year 2009-10, the government is expecting a supply of $2.5 billion dollars as loans from donor countries and multilateral agencies, whereas the total allocation for debt repayments and servicing of foreign debt in 2009-10 stands at $2.53 billion dollars. Hence, the government is raising debt to pay debt and the relief impact of the expected foreign loan is difficult to see. ÂAs on June 2009, Pakistan’s external debt liabilities were $50.1 billion, whereas the domestic debt liabilities were estimated at $46.97 billion and the total floating debt, which consists of short term domestic borrowing instruments such as Treasury bills, was estimated at $24 billion dollars. The total outstanding debt is therefore $119.9 billion dollars; roughly 57.6 per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The Prime Minister Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin in a post budget press conference gave the break up of the $2.5 billion dollars which the government has been expecting in next fiscal year.According to Tarin, the government has been expecting one billion dollars from USA under the Kerry Lugar bill support, $840 million from International Monitory Fund (IMF), $800 million from World Bank (WB), $600 million from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and $23 million from Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The government also has commitments of $2 billion for FY-1009-10 from the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) which will raise the estimates of foreign receipts to $4.5 billion. However, the government itself is unsure about the realisation of $2 billion pledges from FODP. The advisor to the PM on Finance is on record as saying that the government will pursue an additional $4 billion loan from the IMF in case payments fail to come through.
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