The Afghan Conundrum
Gen Hamid Gul will be immensely missed. The Architect behind the Afghan war. The only person who could have brokered a Peace Deal in Afghanistan. Alas! The Govt kept him in the background fearing that he would become a Hero, which he already is. The West never want the Afghan Taliban the true successors to Kabul to be at the Helm of Affairs. They need a puppet Govt to follow their Agenda and carry out a Proxy war from Afghan Soil.
One day the Afghan Taliban will be at the Helm of Affairs in Kabul. We want a friend not an enemy. We must choose now. Things are going out of hand. The USA & NATO are an Occupational Army. They invaded Afghanistan without any moral grounds. The Taliban(Mullah Umar’s Army) are waging a war of Liberation. As Muslims we have to support their just cause. We must help them in kicking out the US & its Allies. All the Terrorist activities in Pakistan emanate from Afghanistan with the blessing of CIA, Mossad & RAW. These Terrorists who carry out attacks in Pakistan are given shelter in Afghanistan by the Afghan Govt & the US led Allies. The moment they vacate Afghanistan all bombings will stop in Pakistan because they will have no place to hide.
Let this be read by our worthy PM, Parliamentarians, Politicians, Bureaucrats, Generals , Judges and all those who have amassed wealth through corruption/unfair means that at the end of the road you all will go empty handed. I think Alexander the Great was a better Muslim than we are as he understood that their was Greater Power which Rules this World and to him we all must return one day empty handed except for our Deeds.
The last wishes of Alexander the Great:
On his death bed, Alexander summoned his generals and told them his 3 ultimate wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin;
2. The wealth he has accumulated (money, gold, precious stones) should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery, and
3. His hands should be let loose, hanging outside the coffin for all to see.
One of his generals who was surprised by these unusual requests asked Alexander to explain.
Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
1. I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that, in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal.
2. I want the road to be covered with my treasure so that everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, stays on earth.
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people understand that we come to this world empty handed and we leave this world empty handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted, and that is TIME..
Hafiz Hamduallah Respond was Muted by Media After Marvi Sarmad Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEQbzjTgmD0)
Mr. Chohan’s Story(http://www.sajtv.com/2016/06/12/12ka442ka1/)
After going through the clips it seems that Marvi Sarmad was equally responsible for provoking the Senator. Words used by her were beneath the modesty of a women. Poor choice of words. She should have left the show instead of carrying on an altercation. In recent times Anchors & Activists have taken upon themselves to criticize the C II Chairman & that was what the Barrister & she was doing. Hafiz Hamdullah was right when he asked them to stick to the issue & not pass personal remarks about Ulema’s & especially Maulana Shirani. Her actions were below the dignity & civility of a women. If you react in the same coin you are no less than the other person. Marvi in the words of Mr.Chohan is famous for taking on the other party in her own way. I must say that what Maulana Shirani expressed on the beating of women are excerpts from the Quranic verse of Surah Nisa 4:34. There can be two views of thought but it is nothing to laugh about and subject to ridicule in Talk Shows. You all are transgressing Allah SWT’s edicts. Do not tempt Providence.
Discrimination as is described in the Cambridge Dictionary stands for “Treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc”.
HR Groups are particular active in voicing their thoughts against Gender Discrimination. However,In Pakistan we are silent in voicing are views in the Discrimination in Taxation( Income Tax)which is so Abominable that it deprives the Govt of Pakistan Billions of Rupees every year and serves as a Tax haven for the rich. and yet, year in and year out ,we continue to adopt the same taxation laws.
For the poor salaried class a minimum level of earning is specified (400,000.00 per annum) which changes from year to year on which the downtrodden cash starved citizen has to pay his tax and is automatically deducted from his salary.
On the other hand all & sundry who are earning through Manufacturing , Agriculture, Banks, Retail , Housing including the Panwala & Reriwala etc are averse to paying taxes or it is manipulated through Chartered Accountants, Income tax Lawyers and above all by Quid pro quo with the Tax Authorities.Some just do not pay even if they fall in the above bracket. For the business class it is a win win situation all the time.
The Nation has entrusted the task of the collection of taxes to the FBR( Federal Bureau of Revenue) the Apex Authority. Since Independence its viability & performance is highly debatable. The erstwhile Finance Minister Mehboob ul Haq (late) once remarked that if 50% of the taxes are collected we need not go to the WB & IMF. Dilemma
The Tax laws are discriminatory as it does not Tax the Agri sector which could bring in a major return. It is not taxed on its total earnings per year but based on a different parity. Tax Holidays given to industrialist which is again not required as they can pay once they start making profit. To exempt for 3-5 years even when they are profiting is pure discrimination as compared to the salaried class.
The Dilemma which we face is that the Collection of taxes is poor and those who need to pay tax are not in the tax net. There is no effective system in place to bring them in the tax net.
It is time we kicked the begging bowl and are not in the category where “Beggars can’t be choosers” which deprives us of our Sovereign Status.
We as a Nation must raise our voice to this Discrimination and Inconsistencies in our taxation Policy.
a. Provide a level field to all tax payers. All earning above the minimum limit as for salaried class must be taxed.
b. All earnings on Gross Income. No allowances to be deductible.
c. No Tax Holidays.
d. Tax bracket & Tax on each bracket to be revised pragmatically.
I can assure that if there is awill there is away. We will certainly not have to ask for dole outs from any one In Sha allah.
Lt Col Imtiaz alam (retd)
It is ironical that our Foreign Policy towards Afghanistan is still not defined. The Billion Dollar question is whether we support the Afghan Taliban who are fighting for the Liberation of Afghanistan or the puppet Govt of Karzai & now Ghani set up under the Umbrella of the US supported by the ISAF on ground.
During the time of Musharraf who bent backwards to support the West the Mantra was always “Do More” and still is. The other allegation was that Mr.Musharraf was having a Dual Policy. Receiving money to fight the Taliban & also supporting Mullah Umar. We have to be very clear whom we want to support.
From a Diplomacy/Military Standpoint & seeing the Role the Taliban have to play in the future of Afghanistan our choice must be very clear. Not supporting the Afghan Taliban has very deep ramifications.
1. The Taliban who are Pashtoons form nearly 52% of the Afghan population. The rest are a mixture of Ethnic Groups.
2. The Afghan Taliban have a right to be sitting in Kabul & part of any Govt.
3. Towards this end their War will continue till they throw out the Aggressor.
4. The ISAF has to leave Afghanistan lock stock & barrel very soon or their Economies will go bankrupt. Some have already left the Group.
5. The Afghan Taliban will then Triumph & enter Kabul.
6. Our support should be with them right from now .
7. With them in kabul with our support we will be able to finish the Hegemony of India & US who are carrying out Terrorists activities from our backyard & using Afghan soil for this purpose.
8. It will also root out the TTP which has the sponsorship of the present Govt.
9. In other words Terrorists activities in Pakistan will only stop once the Afghan Taliban are at the helm of affairs or lets say a Pro Pakistan Govt.
10. Lets not fall into America’s trap by going after the Haqqani Group who are giving the treacherous Americans a bloody nose.They are our saviours.
11. Do not forget “The Salala Tragedy”
12. The main objective of the Western World is to go after our Nukes. Allah SWT has protected it. The Afghan Taliban have not allowed them to put their boots on the ground.
13. You still feel that they are trust worthy & so goes for the Puppet Govt in Kabul.
14. WE MUST MAKE OUR STAND CLEAR TO THE WORLD WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR.
ALLAH SWT BE WITH US. AMEEN.
We are in a State of War from External & Internal Sources. The Enemy is striking us within to destabilize the Country and Externally preparing grounds to set foot to destroy our Nuclear Sites or take Control of it. The means are Terrorist activities, Abetting & Facilitating Corruption, Loot & Plunder. Creating situations like the present PIA Fiasco. All those Organizations & Parties who join in this Nefarious Design are nothing less than Fifth Columnist. The Govt on the other hand is showing shortsightedness in handling such affairs including the Pathankot Affair. The failure of the Govt to check the Bomb Blasts shows there dire inefficiency & ineptness to handle the Security Situation.
On the Foreign Policy towards Afghanistan they have failed to stop them from providing Safe Haven’s to Terrorists(TTP) and use their soil for Proxy Wars against Pakistan.
The Iranian Lobby to woe the Chinese for the Chabahar Port away from Gwadar due to the present Security situation and the Political stand Off from some Political parties may force the Chinese to look the other way. It would be a calamity to not be part of this 600 Billion Dollar Project.
The present State of Affairs is like “A Rudderless Ship”. Who will rise to the occasion.
It is for the Judiciary to come to the Aid of this beleaguered nation. Strike down this Govt and place a Care taker Govt whose Mandate will be to:-
1. Stop the Corruption, loot & Plunder.
2. Swift Justice to these Criminals.
3. A Pro Active Foreign Policy.
4. End of Discrimination in all Fields of Life. Especially applies to Tax Reforms where all to be taxed across the Board and no Tax Holidays.
5. Carrying out Census.
6. Delimitation.
7. Set the Voters Record Straight.
8. Introduction of Article 58 2(b) to dissolve the National Assembly.
9. Finally Transparent Elections.
Invoke Article 190 of the Constitution to Implement the above within a Timeframe laid down by the Judiciary.
The above is in no way a final document. It will need hard work, brainstorming and above all a group of patriotic Citizen’s to do the job.
PIA is a lost cause. A white Elephant. Burden on the Tax Payer. From the Top to the bottom Employees having a Ball of a time . Result Bankruptcy. Those Politicians and Parties against it should bear the Budget Deficit. They are all Hypocrites. Political Mileage.
The PIA Employees need to be sacked. They have been looting &Plundering the Airline for Decades because they were sure to get the Deficit from the Govt year in and year out. All Rhetoric from the PIA side as they don’t have any Road Map. Are they ready to Downsize immediately and bring the ratio to 1:150 (Ac versus Manpower) for starters. Stop the free Dole Outs. No Pension & Medical after Retirement. These initial measures might stop the downslide. I could give a Road Map. The worst part is that thousands of passengers are suffering at their cost.
Likewise all other entities which are going in loss must be Privatised or shut down. Those against privatization should Fund the Airline from their coffers. They are in such a mess that unless an immediate surgical operation is not carried out they are not in a position to pay their debt servicing to the the Banks monthly. They also have to have a Full or near Full occupancy in the Flights. As a Nation we are fed of giving such Organizations subsidizes year in and year out. They get it so they are least pushed about the performance of their Organizations. The way out is to negotiate the best possible deal and get back to work fast. Last but not the least , their Liabilities are more than their Assets.
Bottom Liners. Nawaz & Zardari two sides of the same coin. TTP & US two sides of the same coin. NAB & Corruption two sides of the same coin. No end to Terrorism in Pakistan unless Axis of Evil CIA, RAW & MOIS (Iran’s Intl Agency)thrown out of Afghanistan. No end to Peace in Afghanistan & Region unless Afghan Taliban is part of Afghan Govt. No end to target killings in Karachi unless Governor’s Rule is enforced & across the Board action is taken. No Peace & Development in Pakistan unless Fresh & Transparent Elections are held.after sorting out the Corrupt by a By Partisan Caretaker Govt. Nuclear Iran is a threat to the World. Iran, Syria & Iraq Axis a threat to the World especially the KSA. Energy crisis can only be over if we start building Dams ( especially Kalabagh Dam) Solar & Wind Energy. Access to clean & cheap Energy. We cannot progress unless we have an Honest Judiciary. Nobody is above the Law. We cannot get rid of Debts unless all citizens who earn above 3.5 Lacs pay Taxes across the Board. No , I mean No concessions. We cannot be a True Islamic Society unless the Rich do not share their Wealth. No 1 through “Zakat”. We can only stand up to the Machinations of the West if the Islamic Ummah is like one “Body”. “And Allah knows best”.
The Road Ahead
Now that the Judicial process has been taken care off to dispense with the terrorists in the Mil Courts a lot has to be done to ensure that they are denied access to any target especially soft ones like Schools, Hospitals, Sunday Baazar’s, Downtown Markets, Jails, Post Offices, Courts, Parks, Police Stations, CMH’s , Malls’s, CSD’s, Petrol Pumps and many more. To prevent the Terrorists to achieve their goals the Govt must follow an Active & Passive Policy. It must clearly lay down the guidelines and a Road map to follow. I shall dwell on it in my next Post.
The Road Map.
I will first dilate on the passive measures to be taken in KP in particular & in general in other Provinces.
To disrupt/destroy its target the Terrorists needs to recruit volunteers, gunpowder & destructive material for the blast may it be remote controlled or by a suicide bomber. We need to do the following to neutralize it with the minimum of damage to life & property. I will identify the steps to be taken by the Govt ‘s various agencies.
a. We must make it difficult for the Terrorists to access or buy the material required for the bomb.
1. All Manufacturers of Explosives must be immediately monitored.
2. Records checked to ascertain who all have been purchasing Explosives &
for what purpose & in what quantity. Whether sale Legit or not.
3. This scrutiny will give some clue regarding them.
4.Those deemed suspicious/spurious must be first on the list for survey.
5. Spurious Manufacturers can also give us a clue regarding their facilitation.
6. All Inspector Explosives background must be thoroughly checked. They are
the first source through which Terrorists receive Explosives.
7. Forensic of Inspectors Mobile will also give you a picture.
8. Records of Purchasers & Forensic of their mobiles will again give clue to a
shady deal.
b. Remember these are just some of the measures more vigilance, spot checks & an awareness program can identify the Terrorists & facilitators. We have to go for the source.
c. Next comes the material used inside the bomb for destruction. Nails, pellets etc. the source till the retail customer a strict regimen of record regarding each customer must be available. He must state the purpose of his purchase. All those responsible for Manufacture & Sale must be under strict scrutiny. Un-registered & spurious shop owners must be extinct. Limit the number of Sale points for ease of checking. Use of IT will be a great help.
d. Arms & Ammunition- This very important tool for the Terrorists must be made restricted. Records, Records & Records.
e. Communication. All communication in the Air must be monitored to get Intel. Even today it is easier to purchase Mobile sets on fictitious CNIC. The Mobile Companies must provide info in record time. They must now check out each and every SIM issued for authenticity with the help of NADRA.
f. Bullet Proof Jacket- By now the Agencies must be in the knowledge as to who all are supplying jackets to the Terrorists. If we have proof of the country where it was made then they can be confronted with and asked as who had purchased it. Rest assured they will not own it. Make sure that it is difficult for them to purchase from Intl or Local markets.
g. Last but not the least is the Transport- This is a very important tool for the Terrorists to penetrate. Check it before it can enter the City with the perpetrators. My wish would be that all types of vehs are Registered in the Country & a Data Base available to check the veh for theft & the Owners name which tells you something about the Owner. I suggest that all info regarding a CNIC card Holder must be available in the CNIC Data Base for Agencies to know whether he has ever committed a crime or what his affiliations are & much more.
Know your Enemy.
a. The first step is to ensure that he does not reach the Target.
b. The soft underbelly of KP is Peshawar.
c. We must prevent him from entering the city. Its sits in the Peshawar valley with
mountains all around.
d. The good point is that the city is beyond Firearms range from the mountain tops
otherwise havoc would have been let loose.
e. We must guard these ridges with locally made Drones fitted with cameras.
f. Minimum of two Security Perimeters around the City from all points leading to the City. Here we must check the entry of the Terrorist who might be a suicide bomber or carrying a device to be remotely blown or a veh full of explosives. The Agencies must use the resources of IT to profile each veh and passenger if found doubtful or a man on foot. They must use their imagination as to how to go about causing minimum damage if the bomber or the ex[plosive is prematurely detonated.
In the event the Terrorists slip by we take the fol measures.
a. Community watch & Awareness program for citizens.
b. Any shady character must be reported to the nearest PS or through a Helpline for this purpose. Just like 1122 it must have multiple lines to immediately connect & receive information.
c. Tenants, Suppliers of merchandise & those receiving them must be profiled. We should have learnt a lesson from Peshawar Tragedy. It was an inside job.
d. Look out for such Facilitators.
e. Right from the Mohalla to the District a community watch awareness program must be disseminated through Print & Electronic Media.
f. Check Posts to check every individuals Identity. Must be done with some Intelligence & Logic like we these days where lines & lines of vehs pile up. Different lanes for vehs & pedestrians.
g. It is inconvenient at times but we must make it work to catch him before he can reach his target.
h. CCTV camera’s must be embedded at all Entry & Exit points apart from other sensitive places.
i. Last but not the least. Security of the soft Targets. A well chalked out SOP. You must see the enemy he must not see you.
The key to this self preserevation lies with the Police. Among them there will be lots of Black Sheep. You need to weed them out through Forensics, Style of living, feedback from neighbors. Induct Officers from the Police Academy as SHO’s.
More to follow in my next Post In Sha Allah.
اسلام عليكم ورحمةالله وبركاته
|
