9th Anniversary Of Gen. Musharraf’s Coup

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9th Anniversary Of Gen. Musharraf’s Coup

To me, President Pervez Musharraf has been and continues to be both an inspiration and a disappointment. His leadership qualities reinforced my belief that Pakistanis are a creative and capable nation if our feudal politicians give us a breathing space and let us come forward.  And his sense of nationalism was inspirational and continues to be so. He encouraged Pakistani nationalism.   Yet he is also a disappointment. He succumbed to political pressure and failed to complete his political reforms and compromised his support base by allying himself with the same political class that he came to rid us of. To be fair to him, he provided superb leadership [Pakistani politicians failed in eight years to put forward a single politician who could match the personality and the abilities of this soldier. If they succeeded in the end, it was because of foreign help.]  But if you move away from his compromises with failed politicians, Mr. Musharraf’s eight-year in power saw many milestones, including the amazing economic growth and market liberalization.

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Many still consider him a U.S. stooge, despite how it has become evident now that U.S. and Britain collaborated with some Pakistani politicians to engineer Musharraf’s ouster, and used for this purpose old techniques for political and economic destabilization, like creating insurgencies. The goal was to have a more pliant leadership.   This is why I would disagree with the analysis that Mr. Musharraf was a ’stooge’.  I think he successfully protected the Pakistani interest and kept the Americans at bay. However, he should have made some of the tough talking with the Americans public, like he did on July 12, along with Gen. Kayani and the ISI chief when they received U.S. military chief Adm. Mullen and the CIA deputy director. The two U.S. officials secretly arrived in Rawalpindi with what they said was evidence that ISI was involved in bombing the Indian embassy in Kabul.   Instead, the Pakistanis showed them evidence of how Afghanistan was being used by the Indians to export terrorism to Pakistan and that U.S. knew this but was turning a blind eye.

Since the ninth anniversary of Mr. Musharraf’s military coup has just passed, I thought it appropriate I share with you this interesting blog [below] created by a Pakistani lady, Mrs. Afreen Baig, who lives in Saudi Arabia.  History is multi-angular. Here’s Mrs. Baig’s version. Also, below is a link to a BBC TV program on the hijacking and coup of 1999.  If you watch you will see how things today are eerily similar to how things were on 11 October 1999. I thank Mr. Mohammad Siddiqui for the link.

Ahmed Quraishi

Islamabad-PAKISTAN.

AhmedQuraishi.com & PakNationalists

** A sacking and a coup **

BBC correspondent Owen Bennett-Jones in Islamabad reports on the sacking of Pakistan army chief General Pervez Musharraf and discovered that the military’s response was immediate.

< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/480306.stm >

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Our Leader - Musharraf http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/ President Musharraf resigns

The only safe ship in a storm is leadership – Faye Wattleton

18 August 2008, has become a day of gloom for all Musharraf lovers. Today, our eyes and hearts cry! The man we so loved, honored, admired and cherished for his determination to deliver for Pakistan – and deliver he remarkably did! He was a man who believed & practiced in ‘Pakistan First’. The only honest and visionary leader we ever had. Pakistan progressed and prospered under his leadership. Pakistan had hope under his selfless & patriotic policies. We love you Musharraf!

Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things – Jesse Jackson

General Musharraf in his historic speech to the nation, also enumerating the successes of his 8 years rule, announced to resign as President of Pakistan. General Musharraf was his confident self and his message optimistic. He bowed out with dignity and courage, to avoid confrontation, and in the best interest of the nation and the country. In his words, it was not the time for individual bravado. He received a guard of honor before he parted the Presidency.

Nonetheless, despite his mistakes, he has been that rare phenomenon in Pakistani politics — an honest man with good intentions who tried to serve his country to the best of his abilities. In a country that has suffered so much over the years from corrupt and self-serving politicians, there have been too few figures like him. (Editorial Arab News)

For us - General Musharraf is our Hero – Our Leader !

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be – Rosalynn Carter

Highlights of President Musharraf’s last speech (Here) and (Here) and (Here) and (Video of Speech)

Economic Comparison 1999 - 2007 and beyond

Compiled by: Mirza Rohail B

Pak Economy in 1999 was: $ 75 billion (Source)
Pak Economy in 2007 is: $ 160 billion (Source) and (Source)
Pak Economy in 2008 is: $ 170 billion

GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1999: $ 270 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2007: $ 475.5 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2008: $ 504.3 billion (Source)

GDP per Capita Income in 1999: $ 450 (Source)
GDP per Capita Income in 2007: $ 926 (Source)
GDP per Capita Income in 2008: $1085 (Source)

Pak revenue collection 1999: Rs. 305 billion (Source)
Pak revenue collection 2007: Rs. 708 billion (Source) and (Source)

Pak revenue collection 2008: Rs. 990 billion (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 1999: $ 700 million (Source)
Pak Foreign reserves in 2007: $ 16.4 billion (Source) and (Source)
Pak Foreign reserves in 2008: INITIAL_CONTENTnbsp;8.89 billion (Source)

Pak Exports in 1999: $ 8 billion (Source)
Pak Exports in 2007: $ 18.5 billion (Source)

Textile Exports in 1999: $ 5.5 billion
Textile Exports in 2007: $ 11.2 billion (Source)

KHI stock exchange 1999: $ 5 billion at 700 points
KHI stock exchange 2007: $ 75 billion at 14,000 points (Source)
KHI stock exchange 2008: INITIAL_CONTENTnbsp;46 billion at 9,300 points (Source)

Foreign Investment in 1999: $ 301 million (Source)
Foreign Investment in 2007: $ 8.4 billion (Source)

Debt servicing 1999: 65% of GDP (Source) and (Source)
Debt servicing 2007: 28% of GDP (Source) and (Source)

Debt servicing 2008: 27% of GDP (Source)

Poverty level in 1999: 34% (Source) and (Source)
Poverty level in 2007: 24% (Source) and (Source)

Literacy rate in 1999: 45% (Source)
Literacy rate in 2007: 53% (Source)

Pak Development programs 1999: Rs. 80 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2007: Rs. 520 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2008: Rs. 549.7 billion (Source)

Overall Economy under Musharraf

1. Pakistan economy was the 3rd fastest growing economy after China & India in 2006.

2. Pakistan in 1999 was an economy of $75 billion and now in 2006 it is a $160 billion economy. [Source].

3. Under Musharraf’s vision: 9 world class Engineering universities being developed. [Source. Project halted due to Political uncertainty]

4. Private sector institutions have increased from 36,096 (in 1999) to become 81,103 (in 2006). (Source)

5. Pakistan is the 3rd best in world Banking profitability. [Source].

6. Pakistan IT industry now values around $2.8 billion, including $1.4 billion of IT exports. [Source] and [Source].

7. Around 80,000 direct jobs & 500,000 indirect jobs have been created by the Telecom sector alone. [Source].

8. Industrial Parks are being setup throughout the country for the very first time. [Source & this & this].

9. Major Mega projects like the Saindak, Rekodiq, Marble production, Coal production and Mining & Quarrying are being pursued. [Source].

10. GDP growth is now 6%. Earlier it was 3.5%.

11. Foreign Reserves from $1 billion to $17 billion. (Source)

12. Karachi stock market: rose from 700 points to 13,000 points. [Source].

13. Literacy rate has improved by 11%. [Source].

14. Poverty levels have decreased by 10%. [Source].

15. 3 dams have been constructed: Mirani, Subakzai, Gomalzam dams. [See this, this, and this. (Kurram Tangi Dam)].

16. 6 Motorways completed or under construction: M1, M3, M8, M9, M10, M11. [Source].

17. Six major highways under construction. [Source].

18. GWADAR advance Mega Sea port developed under Musharraf’s vision. [Source].

19. Historic 100% increase in Tax collection of $11 billion. [Source & this].

20. Large scale manufacturing is 30 year high. [Source].

21. Construction activity is 17 years high.

22. Newly found World class copper- gold deposits in Chagai will fetch around $600 million per year.

23. A new Oil refinery with UAE will fetch $5 billion & will process 300,000 oil barrels a day. [Source].

24. CNG sector has attracted over $70 billion investment in last 5 years. [Source].

25. Industrial sector registered 26% growth. [Source].

For detailed Information see - Musharraf Era: Pakistan Flourishes

Musharraf Era: Ushers in Multi-National Corporations

Compiled By: Mirza Rohail B

The right Manager manages his company with whatever resources he has, and manages to set it towards an unprecedented growth and prosperity, utilizing all internal and external factors. Musharraf proved to be the right Manager for Pakistan! MNC’s also provide excellent job opportunities; and with them bring in the required Capital, latest Technology, developed Human resources, management, quality & safety standards.

1. Dubai Ports World announced on 1 June 2006, that it will spend $10 billion to develop Real estate, infrastructure and transport in Pakistan.

2. Emaar Properties announced 31 May 2006, three Real estates developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi. The projects with a total investment of $2.4 billion will include developing commercial and residential property.

3. Emaar Properties also signed a unprecedented $43 billion deal to develop two Island resorts – Bundal Island and Buddo Island – over the decade.

4. International Petroleum Investment Co, owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; has received approval from Pakistan’s government to build a $5 billion Oil refinery at Hub in Baluchistan. The refinery, which will be Pakistan’s biggest, have the capacity to process 300,000 barrels of oil a day.

5. 2006: The government is all set to establish an ‘Oil city‘ with an investment of $40 billion at Gwadar Port to make it the biggest crude and refined oil storage base in the region. The government has allotted 12,500 acres of land in Gwadar. The Chinese Petroleum Chamber would come up with $12.5 billion investment plan for the project.

6. Kuwait will establish an Oil refinery at Port Qasim, 50 km southeast of Karachi, at expected cost of $1.2 billion. Refinery would have the capacity to refine 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

7. The Canadian conglomerate Cathy Oil and Gas signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2006 to invest $5 billion in oil and gas exploration, development, production and commercialization in Pakistan.

8. Canadian Oil & Gas Company signed with Pakistan a $ 200 million project that would generate 50,000 direct jobs in Sindh. It will explore, develop, produce and commercialize of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) in Pakistan up-to 70,000 barrels a day for about 20 years.

9. July 2006: The Government awarded three blocks in the country’s offshore Indus Delta to British Petroleum Pakistan. BP Pakistan (formerly known as Union Texas Pakistan) will Explore gas blocks U, V and W, covering an area of 21,000 square km, for oil and gas reserves.

10. Dubai’s Foreign investment in Pakistan’s capital markets recorded significant growth in 2006 and more than doubled to Dh1.278 billion ($351.5 million) by June 30 this year. It stood at Dh554.9 million last year.

11. The KESC has awarded the contract for Phase-I of the 220 MW Power plant to METKA, EPC contractor, a Greek Company of international repute, whereas Phase-II for 565 MW is under process, it is reliably learnt. The EPC cost of the project is around $186 million including approximately 11 million dollars for chiller equipment.

12. Sept 26: Am Power Company, a Kuwait-based company, intends to build 225MW combined cycle Power project located at the Sundar Industrial Estate at an estimated cost of $200 million.

13. The Credit of building the Chashma-2 goes to Musharraf Government. PM Shaukat Aziz launched work on the Billion Dollars 325-megawatt plant in Chashma, which is the second to be built at the site with Chinese help. Chashma-2 cost is around Rs 51 billion which also included Rs20.1 billion foreign exchange component.

14. In the much-awaited, but positive development, WAPDA has finalised a Chinese consortium China Gezhouba (group) Co Ltd China and CMEC, China (CGGC-CMEC) for construction of strategically most important project of 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower. Cost of Construction is above $1.8 billion.

15. French Renault is establishing a 40-million-euro assembling plant of Renault Logan cars in the country, with the production capacity of 15,000 automobiles per year. This project would attract 40 million euros’ investment and create 600 job opportunities.

16. Automobile industry in Pakistan has made remarkable progress during the last few years. Despite low indigenous base, it has attracted almost Rs100 billion investment. Rs 52 billion has come in direct manufacturing and Rs 35 billon in ancillary industry.

17. Pakistan Suzuki, a leading automobile company, has exported worth $957 million during last financial year 2005-06, which has been considered by the government as an encouraging sign.

18. The Motorcycle industry in the country is progressing so well as manufacturing of motorcycles has touched the Rs.0.7 million mark in financial year 2005-06. Crankcase is manufactured mainly by only two companies but their production capacity is approx 6,000 sets per month.

19. Honda Atlas Cars; held a Manufacturing Capacity Expansion ceremony of its auto plant. HACPL will increase annual production capacity will be doubled from the current 25,000 units to 50,000 units by the end of 2006. Total investment around Rs1.67 billion.

20. Manchester firm called Drillcorer has just moved production of its drills to Pakistan. The result is that it can now sell them for £15,000 rather than the £65,000 it would have to charge if they were produced in Britain.

21. 2005: Brunei government is financing the US$2.6 million training “Institute for Pakistan Foreign Service”. Under construction.

22. WASHINGTON: Pakistan ranked first among all developing world recipients in the value of Arms transfer agreements in 2006, concluding $5.1 billion in such agreements.

23. 2-12-07: Cement sales by Pakistani manufacturers to local and foreign buyers is expected to have reached 11.848 million tonnes; during the first five months (July-November). Exports are expected to grow by 155 % year-on-year to 2.531 million tonnes for the five-month period.

24. Pakistan’s Financial Sector is witnessing robust growth in Islamic banking. Two fully-fledged Islamic banks — one local and one foreign-based — have opened 23 branches recently. Bank Islami will be the 3rd Bank. The 4th Dubai Islamic Bank would open around 70 branches. Saudi Arabia would open the 5th Islamic Bank soon.

25. Takaful Pakistan Limited would soon commence operational activities in the country with an initial paid-up capital of Rs200 million and an authorized capital of Rs 300 million. Takaful is a system of Islamic insurance.

26. 14-6-07: Standard Chartered Bank of Pakistan (SCBP) has made a mega investment of Rs 30 billion to grow in a significant way in Pakistan.

27. Pakistan’s leading Edible Oil buyers are establishing 4 new Refineries, officials in the industry said. Most of the refineries will be operational by the end of 2007 and they will double Pakistan’s CPO refining capacity of 2,025 tonnes per day.

28. 26-1-07: Canadian Wireless systems developer TenXc Wireless Inc. is partnering with Pakistani company Coherent Designs Pvt. to establish a joint development centre for wireless products in Pakistan’s capital. Global WiMAX market was worth $1.1 billion in 2006 and is expected to grow to $3.3 billion by 2009.

29. The Minister inaugurated ceremony of a software technology park. The high-tech IT park has been set up at Rawalpindi by a leading US IT company MTBC to start its business operations in Pakistan.

30. Capital Investment Overseas, an Abu Dhabi based company, will build a five-star hotel in Lahore, with an estimated investment of Rs20 billion (Dh1.25 billion). “The construction of 602 room hotel will be completed by the year 2011.

31. Saudi-Kuwaiti joint venture Mid Roc Tussonia Ltd will invest $3 billion to $4 billion in next seven years in power generation, refining and real estate sectors in Pakistan. This was stated by the president of Mid Roc Group Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah at the launching of the joint venture here. Sabah said that his company would set up two wind power generation plants at Mirpur Sakro at a cost of $200 million. 2,500 acres of land has been acquired for this purpose. Will also establish lube-based oil refinery at Port Qasim over 500 acres of land at a cost of $1.5 billion.

32. Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile firm, announced its entry in Pakistan through its subsidiary Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co with the commissioning of a new truck and bus assembly unit in Karachi. The plant has a capacity to produce 3,000 vehicles.

33. In 2004, Access Group International announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next 5 years in solar cell manufacture and wind farms. MOUs have been signed with Alternate Energy Development Board.

War on Terrorism in Pakistan’s National Interest Written By: Afreen Baig

“Political instability, a growing insurgency, a demoralized army and an intensely anti-American population are the hallmarks of today’s Pakistan,” remarked US Senator Thomas Cooper recently.

War on Terrorism (WoT) did not start with the advent of 9/11, rather it started in 1980’s when Russia was defeated in Afghanistan, and the USA pulled out abandoning the hundreds of thousands of equipped and trained guerillas. Those guerillas and militants integrated in small pockets in various regions of Afghanistan and NWFP. They utilized their militancy to influence domestic tribes and mosques to instigate and promote radicalism. In 2000-01, Government of Pakistan was forced to ban several extremist outfits due to increase in sectarian violence and its effect on the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. For Pakistan - it was already at war with extremism!

9/11 further changed the political dimensions for USA, and also changed Pakistan’s destiny. A destiny that is full of expectations, decision making, media trial, uprising opportunist and extremist hoping to destabilize Pakistan. Who will be the ultimate winner is yet to be seen. The regional environment is a complex one and Pakistan is fighting a multi-faceted battle that will change the course of history.

9/11 put Pakistan in a complicated situation, where tough decisions had to be taken. Richard Armitage’s threatening message forced Pakistan to gauge the urgency and seriousness of the episode. The message was clear – the USA will do anything, to do what it had to do in its National Interest. NATO will follow suit. Pakistan was left alone to decide and protect its National Interest. The President decided in Nation’s self-interest and self-preservation. War on terrorism (WoT) marked its presence – it was inevitable!

Implications of war are grave and Pakistan having gone under a similar situation in 1980’s knew better. Millions of effected immigrants will insist & require safe dwellings in the tribal areas of NWFP. Keen RAW and Russian espionage missions will try to cross over and operate from our tribal areas. Transport of illegal weapons and arms would have taken place to support our local opportunist rebels. Desperation might have compelled the US and NATO forces to march into a sovereign Pakistan. Above all, India was more than willing to extend its support and services to US on its WoT. Keeping in mind these ground realities; we had to choose our destiny carefully.

Vigilant and military style analyses were contemplated to calculate the pros and cons. The leadership in Pakistan war-gamed the USA and NATO as an enemy and realized that it was worthless committing suicide over the obstinate Taliban. Our out-dated military was no match for the world’s strongest and finest military, excelling in Air-force supremacy. Pakistan’s stagnated economy had only slightly started recovering, after being tagged as one of the highest indebted countries. Galvanizing the whole nation into agreeing to fight the USA and NATO was another impossible task. Indian eagerness to join the War on Terror was an alarming condition that Pakistan could not have over-looked. Indian jets flying over Pakistan’s space, with our Strategic assets’ lying below were a suicidal recipe. An accidental Indian bomb dropped on our Kahuta plant would have created disaster.

The Pakistani leadership couldn’t and shouldn’t have risked the entire 160 million Nation, for a few obstinate Taliban. A Pakistani delegate was sent to negotiate with the Taliban to pursue them to hand over Osama bin Laden to USA. The consequences were also made clear, but the over confident Taliban lacked vision to foresee their destiny. Consequently, Pakistan was forced to cut off diplomatic ties with the stubborn Taliban. Given the looming conditions, only a lunatic would have advised the contrary.

The US plans were evident – they will go to war! When any country of the world goes to war, its neighboring countries are forced to secure their borders further raising the security color codes. Pakistan planned no different. It drew up plans to secure its NWFP border along Afghanistan. Around 80,000 troops were placed to patrol and were assigned specific targets. The ultimate decision to secure our borders did not completely go to waste, and was extremely beneficial in controlling cross border terrorism and infiltration. Pakistan had taken a carefully scrutinized decision.

In return for participation, the USA had assured Pakistan, that India and Israel will not participate in War on Terror. Second, the USA will not act unilaterally inside Pakistan. Third, the USA will reimburse the costs incurred on Pakistani troops and logistical help. Fourth, the USA will ensure rescheduling of Pakistan’s foreign debt. Pakistan’s intentions were sincere and made with utmost patriotism. Then, who started working behind the scenes, planning to destabilize Pakistan and how and why?

It is true, that the USA planned this war, not to fight terrorism, but to secure the vast reserves of gas and oil of the Caspian Sea region. Afghanistan was their selected and cheapest route to lay the oil and gas pipelines, starting from the central Asian states. Who then created trouble in Afghanistan, in the tribal areas of Pakistan and in Baluchistan, to jeopardize American interest and Pakistan’s booming economy?

Pakistan’s image had improved world-wide due to its participation in WoT. Rescheduling of Pakistan’s foreign debt gave it the space to implement visionary fiscal and macro-economic policies. The micro-economic and macro-economic policies boomed Pakistan’s stagnated economy from $75 billion into a $160 billion one. Our exports increased by a 100% and so did our revenue. Our currency’s rating was upgraded and Pakistan saw a new era of multi-national corporations. Foreign investment chose Pakistan as its destination and stock markets profited from the liberal policies. Institutions world-wide like the World Bank, IMF, and Asian Development Bank heaped praises on Pakistan’s economic reforms. Reports by J. P Morgan, the Merrill Lynch, the City Group and the Goldman Sachs gave high marks to Pakistan’s current and future economic prospects as well as to the prudent handing of economy by economic team of the government.

Pakistan had already started attracting the foreign investment that earlier used to eye the Indian market. Pakistan’s geo-strategic location and its competitive labor prices further won preference over the Indian destination. Pakistan’s development programs modernizing the infrastructure paid off well, compared to India’s crumbling infrastructure. Who obviously could not tolerate Pakistan’s bright future?

Three years back the relics of Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) re-emerged with force, advocating Liberation of Baluchistan from Pakistan. A total of 843 attacks and incidents of violence have been reported since 2002, in Baluchistan, including 54 attacks on law-enforcement agencies, 31 attacks on gas pipelines, 417 rocket attacks on various targets, 291 mine blasts and others on various occasions. It is reported that BLA members have become well-trained and well-armed, with machine guns, rocket-launchers, Motorola wireless sets, and Thuraya satellite phones receiving information about the movement of government troops. Their organized attacks using sophisticated weapons against the Pakistan Army and strategic installations compelled the Pakistani intelligence to determine the root cause and analyze the hands behind them.

PML-Q senator Mushahid Hussein Syed conceded last year, the involvement of Indian RAW in Baluchistan, while blaming India for exploiting the Afghan ministry of tribal affairs to conduct covert activities against Pakistan. He further accused RAW for establishing its training camps in Afghanistan in collaboration with the Northern Alliance remnants. Approximately 600 Ferraris, or Baluchi tribal dissidents, were getting specialized training to handle explosives, engineer bomb blasts, and use sophisticated weapons in these camps. This news came as no surprise. Indian agenda to orchestrate dissent and support extremist elements inside Baluchistan and NWFP started becoming evident.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna was quoted saying “The government of India has been watching with concern the spiraling violence in Baluchistan and the heavy military action, including use of helicopter gunships and jet fighters by the government of Pakistan to quell it and we hope the government of Pakistan will exercise restraint and take recourse to peaceful discussions to address the grievances of the people of Baluchistan.” This statement from Indian Foreign Ministry says it all clearly!

In early 2007, the Pakistani military authorities claimed there were 500-600 foreign militants in the South Waziristan area when army operations first started in early 2004. Of them, some 400 have either been killed or captured, according to the army, while a remaining 200 still “stranded” in North Waziristan are now using the Pakistan-Afghanistan border strip as their base to launch midnight guerilla attacks. The Media should question the presence of these Uzbeks, Tajiks, Arabs, and Afghans in Pakistan’s tribal agencies.

Abdullah Mehsud was detained at Camp Delta in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba and held for 2 years. After his release in early 2004, he returned to Waziristan, and kidnapped two Chinese engineers working on a dam in his region. Who supplied him, Baitullah Mehsud and Maulana Fazallulah - with all the resources, weapons, logistics help, information and money to create havoc in NWFP? It is well known that India other than having an embassy in Kabul; set up four consulates, in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat – all neighboring NWFP. The intentions need no further elaboration.

This is also well known that the Russians were also eyeing the Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves. Energy deprived Indian economy also requires vast supply of gas and oil to sustain itself. A stable and booming Pakistan will steal the growth and regional aspirations that India desires. India cannot endure nor allow Pakistan to become another stable mini-China. Mainland China is competition tough and enough for India.

Israeli help to India is also apparent. Recently, the Israeli ambassador in New Delhi has said his country’s assistance to India ‘brought about the turnaround’ in the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan. He said, “The ties between India and Israel were beyond sale and purchase of weapons. And with all due respect the secret part of it will remain secret”. Surely a bold statement!

Currently, the interest of both the USA and Pakistan are being bogged down. These masked groups of achievers seem to be making the most out of War on Terrorism and by trying to deliberately destabilize Pakistan. To top it all, the Pakistani media has projected Pakistan’s standing with respect to WoT in a wicked way. Their insistence that Pakistan military is fighting the US foreign war against our own citizens is nothing but deceit and sham exaggeration. The Pakistan military is rightly crushing these foreign agents and rebel separatist, whose sole intention is to destabilize Pakistan.

This WoT that started off as a simple patrolling exercise on NWFP border, has transformed into fighting off foreign extremists and militants trying to conquer tribal agencies in NWFP and Baluchistan. The US and NATO fight in Afghanistan, gave many conspiring elements and countries to execute their fiendish agendas. Had the leadership of Pakistan and the Armed Forces, not foreseen and calculated the effects of war in Afghanistan - Pakistan would have been in a much graver and tormenting situation.

Thus, Pakistan’s decision in 2001 was far-sighted that avoided direct conflict with the super-powers of the world, and by stationing 80,000 troops on borders, we were able to confine and control the small rebels. The leadership of Pakistan did earn unfair criticism in local media, but it saved Pakistan from a bigger disaster. Otherwise, those small consulates that are functioning from Afghanistan would have rooted themselves inside NWFP and few areas of Baluchistan. Those small miscreants in NWFP and Baluchistan, who are acting as agents of foreign agencies, will soon be eliminated and the involvement of foreign agencies exposed.

This War against Terrorism and Extremism can easily be won, if our Political parties would introduce democracy within them and give way to honest leadership; those who would prefer the interest of Pakistan above their personal feudalistic agendas of increasing wealth and estates.

Lastly, a quote by Robert Dreyfuss, which may not sound relevant for now, but it indicates volumes about a particular mindset. The book ‘Devil’s Game’ - published in 2005 quotes on page 336-337 - “Neo-conservatives want to control the Middle East, not reform it, even it means tearing countries apart and replacing them with rump mini-states along ethnic and sectarian lines. The Islamic right, in this context, is just one more tool for dismantling existing regimes, if that is what it takes.”

Pakistan must always decide in its National Interest! Pakistan cannot afford Political instability, growing insurgency and a demoralized Army!

Afreen Baig is an independent analyst majoring in International Relations and Economics. She can be reached at afreenbaig@gmail.com

Musharraf Era performance: Pakistan Flourishes

Compiled By: Mirza Rohail B

All this is all the more amazing when one considers that just six years ago, Pakistan was on the verge of bankruptcy, with only a little more than $1bn in foreign exchange reserves and its stock market teetering at 1,000 points (worth $5 billion only) and foreign debt servicing at 65% of GDP. Our exports were at a pitiful $7.5 billion.

The once ever-declining rupee stood stable at around 60-61 to a dollar since Musharraf took over. Of the 184 member countries of the IMF, Pakistan’s rate of economic growth 7% is one of the best in the world. The Karachi stock market is now above 13,000 points and worth around $65 billion. Now foreign debt servicing has lowered to become 28%. Our exports increased to become $18 billion.

1. Pakistan economy is among the fastest growing economies in the world as its economy has reached the size of $160 billion from a mere $70 billion in 1999. Pakistan attracted a record FDI of $6 billion last year.

2. 2007: National revenues had swelled from Rs 308 billion during 1988-99 to around Rs 800bn in 2007; and FBR estimates now 2.8 million Income Tax payers.

Year             Total CBR     Direct         Indirect      Custom     Sales     Central excise

1998-99       308.5bn        110.4bn       198.1bn     65.3bn      72bn       60.8bn

2005-06       712.5bn       224.6bn       487.9bn     138.2bn    294.6bn      55bn

3. Public sector development program (PSDP) has also grown from Rs 80 billion in 1999; to Rs 520 billion in 2007.

4. FACT: The rate of growth in Pakistan Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) is at a 30-year high. Construction activity is at a 17-year high.

5. FACT: The Infrastructure Industries Index, which measures the performance of Seven industries, i.e. Electricity generation, Natural gas, Crude oil, Petroleum products, Basic metal, Cement and coal, has recorded a 26.2 percent growth in Industrial sector of Pakistan.

6. FACT: Jan 14: Pakistan now has a total of 245,682 Educational institutions in all categories, including 164,579 (i.e. 67 per cent) in the public sector and 81,103 (i.e. 100 per cent) in the private sector, reports the National Education Census (NEC-2005).
The census — jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM) and the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) — reveals that the number of private-sector institutions has increased from 36,096 in 1999-2000 to 81,103 in 2005, i.e. by 100 per cent. 45,007 Educational Institutions have increased in Musharraf Era.

7. FACT: Pakistan is 3rd in world in Banking profitability, a report of IMF said. On the IMF chart, Pakistan’s banking profitability is on third position after Colombia and Venezuela. On the IMF chart India is on 36th position and China is on 40th position.

8. FACT: Pakistan globally ranks 10th among the countries which were among the most active in perusing pro-business policies. A report “Doing Business in 2006″ co-sponsored by World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC).

9. In 1999 what we earned as GDP: we used to give away 64.1 % as foreign debt and liabilities. Now in 2006, what we earn as GDP: we give ONLY 28.3 % as foreign debt and liabilities. Now we are SAVING 35 % of Our GDP for economic growth.

10. According to Economic Survey 2005. Poverty in Pakistan in 2001 was 34.46%. And, now after 7 years of Musharraf; Poverty in 2005 was 23.9%. Poverty DECREASED by 10.56%. Overall, 12 million people have been pushed out of Poverty in 2001 -2005!

11. Literacy rate in Pakistan has increased from 45% (in 2002) to 53% (in 2005). And, Education now receives 4% of GDP and English has been introduced as compulsory subject from grade 1.

12. 12-4-07: The IT industry, which was virtually non-existent seven years ago, has grown to be worth $2 billion of which $1 billion is export related. It rregistered a 50% growth. 55 foreign IT companies have already entered the market. Now the sector employed 90,000 professionals.

13. 30-1-08: The government has decided to set up a modern hospital cum Medical University in collaboration with the Harvard Medical International, USA, at a cost of Rs 18 billion. The university will be built at the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Islamabad. A total of 2,500 students will be taught at the graduate level, while additional 600 seats will be available for postgraduate research courses.

14. Nov 2006: President Musharraf says that Pakistan will set up Nine Engineering World Class Science and Technology Federal Universities by 2008 with foreign assistance. He said the institutions of higher learning would be established in collaboration with Italy, South Korea, Japan, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and China. The Cost of building these Foreign Universities will be above Rs 96.5 billion.

The Vice Chancellors, Heads of department, Professors and Faculty of the planned university will be from these Foreign Universities; while the Examination system, Quality assurance followed and the Degree awarded will also be from these Foreign Universities.

15. Government has approved to give at least 4% of GDP to Education in 2007 budget.

16. In 1999-2000 there were 31 Public Universities. Now 2005-2006 there are 49 Public Universities.

a) Air University (established 2002)

b) Institute of Space technology, ISB (established 2002)

c) Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta (established 2004)

d) University of Science & Technology, Bannu (established 2005)

e) University of Hazara (founded 2002)

f) Malakand university, Chakdara (established 2002)

g) Karakurum International university, Gilgit (established 2002)

h) University of Gujrat (established 2004)

i) Virtual University of Pak, Lahore (established 2002)

j) Sarhad University of IT, Peshawar (established 2001)

k) National Law University, ISB (2007)

l) Media University, ISB (2007)

m) University of Education, Lahore (2002)

n) Lasbella University of Marine Sciences, Baluchistan (2005)

o) Baluchistan University of IT & Management, Quetta (2002), etc.

17. 6-member delegation of Australian Department of Education, Science & Technology and AusAID, is visited Pakistan on the request of PM Shaukat Aziz to help Pakistan in its efforts to realign its TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) according to the market needs. Chairman NAVTEC Altaf Saleem informed the delegation about NAVTEC plans to increase the capacity to train one million people annually by 2010 from the present annual capacity of 320,000.

Read more: http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/9th-anniversary-of-gen-musharrafs-coup/