June 20

As i entered parliament today geo asked me to say a few words on fathers day- i was v happy to do so- normally speaking on ‘days’ is quite tiresome because its routine stuff but this day message was special……

Once in parliament, after having finished cut motions writing, signing, getting other opposition members to sign them i submitted them and relaxed back in my seat- noon was the deadlien which i managed to just meet..

 it was a busy night/morning- with my aide doing the line marking, my son doing the stamping of my name and me writing the explanation-  the writing was a team effort!

the signing was equally a team effort…the other opposition members who signed my cut motions seemed quite pleased with the teamwork i showed by shariing the cut motions with them- interestingly there were more pmlN members who benefitted from my cut motions since most of my party members were not in the house in the morning half- but i didnt want to make a big deal about it so i decided to treat this as joint opposition and whoever was around got to benefit from the forms!

i was done for the day but i stayed back for some speeaches of my other party members- in the middle i got an appeal from some media persons to speak on behalf of the downtrodden media employees which i managed to get a point of order on- which is quite unusual a practice because normally in budget speeches there are no point of orders. but the speakers on teh chair were most kind..however, in my exuberance to speak for the down trodden i learnt a few lessons-

Today was one of those days where i felt the power of experience over the power of youth and exuberance- on reaching home, since i reached out for it, i got some  advice from my father on media issues- after all he has been information minister thrice- its strange but people assume that i get a lot of guidance from him- the truth is its always advice when i ask for it- he watches my progress from a distance and is v encouraging but never gives unsolicited advice- when i reach out for help he is there – I am lucky …

Next was a session with my father since I asked for it! on the GB election campaign- again here is one area where he is a master and I must learn and take process forward- parents want their children to do better than them- i am under pressure to do better in this election campaign- not that he has said it but thats what i expect from myself. so I will do better inshalla- in the process i must learn fast and not trip over my exuberance!

 

June 30 2008

Comments on news:

1.     Foreign Affairs

• A senior UN coordinator has said there is not much opposition in Pak’s volatile tribal region to pro-Taliban militants involved in cross border incursions into Afghan. Boucher’s visit. Anti Pak comments regarding our nuclear assets. Its all adding up. The pressure is on from the west to do more. Lets hope this govt holds up keeping territorial sovereign integrity super supreme

2.     Kashmir

• Zardari calls for creative rediscovery of Pak-India relations.  Needs careful analysis.Thousands of policemen attempted unsuccessfully to keep people off the streets in IHK on Sunday as mass protests continued for a seventh day against what demonstrators say is a govt plan to build Hindu settlements in the Muslim-majority region. We need to keep an eye on and assist Kashmiris through our official channels.
• Editorial Dawn: On the next round of Composite Dialogue it is assumed that they will be cooperative and positive. Priority issues should be peace and security in South Asia, minimize the chances of new crises erupting and escalating into a conflict, policy of opening channels of communication and adopting confidence building measures rather than getting deadlocked on knotty core issues to improve the political climate, the human rights dimension, facilitate cordial relations and would promote understanding on lowering the level of militarisation in the Valley and a need to realize how détente between India and Pakistan will impact positively on global politics. With no signs of Islamabad winning the ‘war on terror’ in the immediate future and the militants recognising no borders, a wise strategy demands that India and Pakistan join hands in their security endeavour.

3.     Northern Areas

• Advisor NALA on Finance Mirza Hussain has demanded of the govt to grant constitutional rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan through the proposed constitutional package. Good to see that there is momentum after the bill presented by me on the subject by our team over there.
• People of Ghizer are still waiting for the funds from relief package announced by Prez in 2005-06. This seems to be a usual issue that bureaucracy is just not implementing executive orders. Needs looking into.

4.     Economy

• CNG stations will observe a two-day strike from Monday throughout the NWFP province against the imposition of new taxes on the industry. Needs looking into by govt.
• The Ministry of Textile is seeking substantial support package for an inefficiently run textile and clothing industry from the federal govt with the full backing of powerful R&D. This is something that was not given to them in the budget. How will this industry survive?
• The new 2008-09 budget, effective from July 1,2008, has totally demoralized all sections of society, experts said.(BR)
• WB will provide $18 million for capacity building and support to federal institutions involved in water resources planning, management and development. Needs to be checked how this will improve our emotionalized water debate and resolve inter-provincial disputes.
• Bureaucracy flouting airconditioning reduction directives of govt. Governance?
• Good to hear that govt has started work on next 5 year plan but what about ownership of 2030 vision. Without vision signoffs where are we headed?

5.     Price Hike

• Oil prices up 10-20% byt OMC margins are intact. Needs looking into why consumer paying and not OMC. With the recent increase in oil prices, consumers will be paying an additional amount of money to the govt, Oil Marketing Companies and dealers in the form of increased rates of levies, OMCs’ profit margins and dealers’ commissions on petrol, HOBC, kerosene oil and light diesel.
• 30% public transports not tplying on road due to non availability of diesel. Governance?
• Although there has been a notable increase in the availability of flour, prices continue to rise with flour from flourmills available at Rs 30 per kg and whole-wheat chakki flour at Rs 29 per kg, while wheat in the open market has gone up to Rs 2,400 per 100-kg bag. Govt not being able to manage.
• Editorial The Nation: In No sign of respite the writer is of view that next couple of months or so are going to be crucial. It is the rise in the prices of food items in particular that people find hard to withstand. It is precisely food inflation that shows no sign of respite. Though there is a global food crisis underway, there are some proactive steps that the current govt can take to lessen the blow. When will govt wake up to control the CPI & SPI?

6.      Environment

• Solid waste in hospital: A health hazard. Around 250,000 tones of medical waste is annually produced from all sorts of health care facilities in the country. Needs looking into by govt.
• Review of the environment chapter in the economic survey 2007-2008 by Column The News: Ahmad Rafay Alam suggests that less than 25 percent of the allocation had been utilized in the environment sector. Environmnet is still not a priority for govt.

7.     FATA /Interior Issue

• Forces clear Khyber. Tirah is next. Khyber military operation considered all hype by analysts as they claim advance warning given and militants escaped.
• Peshawer residents not keen on operation since they feel it would make matters worse with a retaliation of militants.
• Lala afzal call to AN govt to wake up is critical. It needs to be heard.
• ‘This is war for our survival’ Operation after govt writ challenged: PM. Good to see such sane statements.
• Local Taliban (FATA) announced that they had ended all peace agreements with the govt. Its official now!
• Unknown culprits launched a missile attack on the office of a religious group at Tehsil Bara in Khyber Agency. Islamabad Pindi bomb blasts too. As expected.

• Unidentified militants kidnapped nine officials of the Hangu water management department.  
• Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan says that his organization would no longer hold negotiations with the government.  
• Blast damages Sui-Och gas pipeline. Law & order?
• At least seven people, including two security personnel, were killed in Swat. A powerful bomb explosion on Sunday in the Darya Khan Market of Mingora city damaged about 25 shops
• Five killed, five injured in Karachi violence.

• Column Nawa e Waqt: Atta ur rehman. This column is correct in assuming that parliament has not been taken into confidence over WOT strategy. Whenever there has been a discussion it has been confusion on existence or nn existence of peace deals. Its not clear whether strategy has changed and how govt is taking ownership rather than passing buck on to military.
• Editorial The Nation: Inevitable action encourages govt on their steps taken towards dealing with the miltants. The writers says that it is no use striking agreements with elements who are bent upon spoiling the peaceful atmosphere. This became evident from Mehsud’s latest threat of turning “Punjab and Sindh into a furnace” if the military operation did not stop at once. But he is not ready to concede that the operation was launched only after the Taliban failed to live up to their promise of ending hostilities. Mr Mehsud needs to understand that by abandoning the peace deals, he would push the region further into a quagmire. The govt is well within its rights to take whatever measures are required to strengthen the political administration and establish the writ of the state.
• Protection of women workers in Battagram required by govt since locals curbing working women in this area.

8.     Politics

• Top ten on dysfunctional list. Considering NYT report saying due to lack of leadership we are going more into this quagmire allowing militancy to flourish. What is gvt’s plan to show governance?
• We as country are 1The ruling coalition partners, the PML-N and the JUI-F, have made it clear that they had not been taken into confidence on the ongoing operation. Interesting revelation. Coalition cracks continue. No ownership from PMLN on WOT.
• PMLN pours cold water on constitutional package as per news item. Saying it is part of delaying tactic for not restoring the pre-Nov 3 judiciary.
• Khyber military action unnecessary: Fazl. Same lack of ownership from this important partner.
• Ameen Fahim said that kicking of Musharaf will not help govt to get rid of loadsheding and poverty, and I am neither the part of present govt and nor I am the part of present PPP.   
• Column Khabrain: Munir Ahmed Baloch has criticized the group of retired army personnels who stood up against Musharraf. Giving the reasons he writes that Gen Hamid Gul is against Prez due to the issue of Varan buses as on people’s demand this bus service was banned. Gen Asad Durrani got against Prez as he was appointed as an ambassador for the country he requested. Gen Aslam Beg demanded from Prez to send him to America’s as an Ambassador but on refusal he got agitated. Gen Moin ud din Haider when not given National Assembly ticket got infuriated. Gen Jamshed Gulzar kiyani woke up when his contract was shrinked from 5 to 3 years. Gen Ali Quli khan was ignored and his junior was given priority over him and same goes for Gen faiz Ali Chisti and Admiral Fasih Bukhari. The question is when they were enjoying power and authorities given to them by the same Prez why their conscience was sleeping at that time?
• Lawyers slam PBC for claiming to be only body to decide about judges issue. Rs50m grant from govt has made them suspect in the eyes of other lawyers.

9.     Inter provincial Issues

• Twenty-one district nazims from Punjab alleged that the provincial government was “harassing” them and threatening them with a “special audit and has warned of protest. Interesting form of political victimization in place.

• The government is facing an uncertain situation on the construction of Akhori dam, as Sindh and NWFP have not come up with a clear stance on one of the important projects. Needs urgent looking into.
• Column Nawa e Waqt: Abida Tahir Abbasi blames Zardari for not solving the critical issues since he has the authority of making and taking decisions. No one can be successful if they are not respecting the constitution of their country. She depicts her concern on the insurgencies, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and bad governance, lack of education and derailing economy of our country.

 

June 29 2008

Peaceful Sunday after ages-Scrabble with my son was the highlight for sure.

News which we need to watch out for…

Price hikes affecting common man.

• NEPRA subsidy down from 500 to 200 units per month. This will hit consumers big time.
• Petrol up at Rs 75.69 and kerosene (which is being black-marketed since FM has not solved this issue despite me taking it on floor of House) at Rs 49.73. Common man hit!
• Diesel crunch hits agri sector in Punjab districts.
• LPG will be up at Rs 62 per kg.
• Govt may consider supplying perol on alternate days says defence minister!!
• Shortage of gas forces SNGPL signing new gas agreements.
• Cement price may go up by Rs 20-30 per 50kg bag

Foreign priorities

• Foreign Minister emphasized Sir Creek, Siachen, visa and trade issues which Pak India needed to make immediate progress on. I wish the same focus could have been on water issues between our two countries. I had pointed the same on the floor of the house.
• IPI seems all clear from India and Iran side. Parliament needs to be briefed on details. In anycase it seems that people have not been told all the truth, since instead of ‘all’ issues being resolved, it’s the principles of charging transit fee which have been settled not fee itself!
• Whilst our Foreign Minister dines with Indians, Yasin Malik of JKLF being thrashed in a demo! Balance between ‘other’ issues and the Kashmir cause please! Terror camps jeopardize Indo-Pak peace says Zardari- best of statements whilst in London? National interest?

Law & Order issues

• Military operation in Khyber through paramilitary to establish writ of law. So far so good since Namandar group has been brought to talks through this stick. They claim to want to talk since they are not Taliban.
• PM and Defence Minister on record for giving army full authority on FATA ops. Blame game should stop and ownership of civilian govt not to shift away because of this, we hope!
• Peshawer and Islamabad are on red alert after  actions in FATA.
• ANP Mohammad Afzal Khan admits government lost writ in Swat.
• Suddle appointed new IB DG.
• ROZ bill before Congress but some labour provisions may hamper economic opportunities for Pak says State dept. I suppose not enough pre lobbying by govt on the subject.
• Baitullah who seems to be heavily linked to neighboring country has suspended peace talks. Surprise surprise!
• Baitullah threatens attacks in Sindh and Punjab. High alert.
• In Tank girls being forced to become suicide bombers in Madrassahs!

Federation issues

• President had in Oct 2007 made it clear that NALA (Northern Area Assembly) would be fully empowered to make its own budget but despite that NALA budget session not summoned. Delays have become routine in NA leading to discontentment with federation.
• IRSA mediation committee formed to resolve Baluchistan Sindh water issues. If only Telemetry can be put up this entire saga will be resolved instead of being in news all the time.
• Why is Balochistan development budget less than ICT development budget?
• Net hydel profits of NWFP not given by WAPDA (Rs 110b).

Environment

• Coal dumping near the beach front hazardous . Govt needs to act.

 

 

June 28 2008

Golf after ages

PTV talkshow on extremism and misgovernance

Dinner for outgoing French Ambassador at Chaudhry Shujaat’s house with many other ambassadors with spouses.

 

 

June 27 2008

PTV talkshow on by-election

Northern Area delegation

My comments on today’s news:

Very sad..PTDC gets torched in Malamjabba. No writ of government in settled areas. To the extent that Military has been given front driving seat in deciding carot and stick at least someone is taking charge. US seems pleased with this saying it finally endorses FATA startegy. i suppose govt’s mismanagement ahs tested everyone’s patience. Its a worrying sitation if the goernment’s policies are not working. Are their peace deals working? Dont see any positive results. I am fairly tired of listening to their leaders say everything we have inherited is from PML  and President. They dont seem to be taking any ownership of governance or misgovernance. The headlines syaing NWFP govt accepts Swat Taliban demands is equally worrying. If NWFP govt has been brought to its knees after attacks since 4 days, the future of peace deals is bleak.

 

Was happy to read that President stands his ground and is firm. Those who dislike him will dislike him more but those who support him will see this as consistency and standing by your guns. G8 grants $4b for Afghan Pak border development. My question is I hope this money will be used productively, transparently and not be going in hands of development agencies.

Interestingly JUIF agrees with judiciary part of package but considers PPP package of 80 points not so pro parliamentary democracy. They dont believe that all the clippig of presidential powers will lead to change of system nor will it lead to parliamentary democray. I wonder what will!?

Faisal Saleh’s statement that there is no justification for government federation moving case in SC for an individual who is not an office holder in govt is interesting comment. I agree with him and would like to add that this is not just wrong trend setting but also useless lolipops being given to PMLN which they are not naive enough to accept.

JI has stated that it wants US war on terror discussed. I agree but I wonder where they were when discussed the same over Bajaur adjournment motion!

FM Quereshi leaves for India today for continuing of Composite Dialogue talks. I hope he brings back more success than when the Indians came over this month. We need forward mmovement and whoever can get it, will be welcomed.

The govt has been challenged in SC as to how it paid for 7 months salary of sacked judges. One more example of coalition govt not being in step with each other. Interestingly deposed judges have disowned PPP’s cosntitutional pakage.

I watched with interest how North Korea is being given carots to dismantle its nuke filities. Lets see who has the last laugh on this subject.

US legislators (4 of them) asking for direct access to dr AQ. What good has all of Dr AQ’s statement’s done if not to beckon such statements.

Increase in rice prices has made wheat crisis worse since consumers are switching to wheat and not having enough supply. Price hikes is a subject we have seen little governance on. Equally problematic is what I warned of in my budget speech that roti kapra makan, makan component will also be hit badly. Cement prices will shoot up by Rs 85 due to heavy taxation.

Punjab Finance bill after carfeul study by our leadership seems to be a copy past of last govt, so what is all the fuss about one may wish to ask PMLN. They have endorsed our policies in centre as well by approving supplementary grants.

 Our mega project progress is in jeopardy due to poor law and order situation. Where is governance. Kachhi canal progress by Chinese in jeopardy.

Treasury and opposition both.. everyone in NWFP is concerned about Taliban entry into metro. Govt writ??

 

 

June 26 2008

IT software house meeting to understand their issues.

Jang interview

Submitted second bill- Language Bill -

Geo interview on the same

Office backlog work which has been pending since session especially filling website!

Aaj TV interview post midnight on by-elections

 

What struck me in my meeting with Isb IT software houses this morning was their sense of dismay at lack of ownership by any government Ministry. The total potential for this industry worldwide has been estimated at $300 billion of which India has a share of $41b and Pak $116m. Pretty sad situation. Whilst India is getting costlier, and China still has language barrier to overcome Pakistan seems to be a market which has tremendous potentialif harnessed. with 200 serious software houses it has many barriers for being internationally competitive. Infrastructure, electricity loadshedding, political instability, building related Isb vacating notice issues and visa restrictions. Its a perfect knowledge based economy sector which can provide high end salary renumeration if their issues were to be handled. The issue of the building were even sadder since due to Ministry of Minorities not getting reimbursed the chairman had given a 7 day notice asking IT companies to vacate which was against the contract. even the Ministry of IT had not been spared of vacating orders. Why the media crew was not allowed into premises to film our meeting is beyond my nderstanding in this free media age. Other than that generator restrictions were equally problematic. The rental subsidy is the right of these companies given by President till govt can build software parks which is late on its schedule. Considering the fact that China has given free one year connectivity and rent as incentive, does Pakistan stand a chance? On the loadshedding fronnt if 3 out of 9 hours are uptime and the rest downtime, per programmer it comes to a cost of $300 per person which the company suffers. There were many issues identified and a pth of resolution drawn whereby I would assist them through committee, through media highlighting and through floor of the house speeches (already done once before). lets see how I am able to deliver to this important constituency of mine….

 

June 25 2008

drafted language bill. Discussed with Mr. Mujib Pirzada whose bill it was originally and who was a PPP MNA in the last assembly.

Dinner at Chinese embassy.

 

June 24 2008

Last day of budget session was yesterday- today was last day of current session. PMLN staged walkout against its own government. We spoke against it outseide parliament and one speech inside parliament. Questions were submitted.

Khabrain interview

Small dinner for outgoing French ambassador by Turkish ambassador

 

 

June 23 2008

Supported Wage board award demo of journalists outside parliament gates. spoke on judges clause issue.

Met Hurriyat leadership at PML dinner

 

 

June 22 2008

Prepared 100 questions for submission

On Supplementary grant i spoke on the following: by approving supplementary grants of president and PML government the current government had recognised the President as constitutional. Plus by putting clause of judges increase they had validated the PCO.

I spoke on the minority issue and proposed that a resolution be moved to grant minorities same protection as that envisioned by Quaid.

Finance bill was passed. We abstained due to the judges clause.

Aaj kalinterview at home

PM dinner- we went in bloc with our parliamentary leader