Foreign Investment
Shahzad Kazi June 20, 2003
#11 Posted by Puri on April 12, 2006 11:49:14 am
A Brief Happening of events:
Irfan Iqbal Puri, tortured to extract money, officials driven by greed of reward and appreciation. Irfan was subjected to a total six months of illegal arrest including two months of a 24 hours a day solitary confinement, which also contains a 14 days period at The Attock Fort, in a 4ft x 7ft dark death cell, Irfan was not shown day light for the 14 days at The Attock Fort, was physically, mentally and verbally abused to the limit, perhaps treated as an Indian spy (They are Kept in these cells).
Irfan, was victimized for pure pleasure and greed,
1. A businessman of repute carrying on businesses among others as a member of the Karachi Stock Exchange, Oil Trading, Tank Farms for Oil Storage, Software development, Property Development, etc... Prior to his arrest on December 15, 1999, the victim carried out businesses in Pakistan with Hard work, integrity and acumen, the victim at an age of 37 had earned irreparable reputation for honesty and fair play in all his dealings, national as well as international.
2. NAB without making any good faith investigation or inquiry, which was obligatory on them, arrested Irfan, on December 15, 1999 from his office at Karachi, (On the Jan 16, 2000, the victim was forced to sign some per-dated documents, at Malir).
3. The arrest was not based on reasonable grounds. The victim was never informed of the grounds of his arrest. He was detained at Malir Cantonment for about seven weeks until February 12, 2000, then was shifted and kept at National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Police Station at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi. On February 27, 2000, he was shifted to Attock Fort where he was confined until March 11, 2000 and on which date he was shifted back to Karachi.
4. At Malir Cantonment, he was interrogated several times by the Joint Investigation Team, which included army personnel, and F.I.A. members of the Joint Investigation team searched and collected extensive records of the Companies in futile endeavor to find evidences of corrupt practices on the part of Irfan Puri. The thrust of inquiries and investigation related to foreign currency accounts and evasion of income tax. Irfan, maintained and explained that in view of the Tax Amnesty Scheme announced by the Chief Executive, General Pervaiz Musharaf, on December 15, 1998 and in view of the provisions contained in the protection of Economics Reforms Act 1992 there was no warrant or justification on the part of the Joint Investigation Team to investigate and inquire about his foreign currency accounts and income tax matters. In course of this investigation, it further appeared that Irfan, was detained due to a malicious complaint by one Mr. Mohammad Taufiq El Khattani motivated by enmity and greed for extracting money from his ex-employer, Saudi Pak LPG. Mr. Khattani was pressurizing him to use his business influence on Saudi Pak LPG to which he did not agree.
5. During his confinement at Malir Cantonment, he was kept in Solitary Confinement with effect from January 15, 2000 until he was shifted to the NAB police station situated at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi.
6. Due to extreme agony and distress caused by his detention, both mental and physical health of his wife was gravely affected and his wife suffered a miscarriage.
7. Time and Time again his wife Naveen Puri through her lawyers requested NAB through letters, fax etc to inform of the grounds of arrest and to allow clarification of any alleged Corruption of which he may have been accused. But NAB never informed the grounds and substance on the basis of which the he had been arrested. NAB had no valid ground for his arrest and detention.
8. On February 12, 2000 he was shifted to Nab Police Station at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi where he was kept in Solitary Confinement without any facilities. He was not allowed to meet anyone and was neither provided with proper food or medical facilities despite requests, which were of utmost importance as he is suffering from heart problem since his childhood. Here too he was extensively interrogated and was threatened that his family members would also be arrested if he would not agree with them.
9. ON February 27, 2000, Irfan was flown to Islamabad and was then taken to Attock Fort. There he was confined in a solitary cell, measuring about 4 feet x 7 feet with 18 feet high walls. There was a yellow zero watt bulb on top of an extensively high ceiling and a flat sheet steel door. Light was such that he could not even read the Quran. he went through a series of interrogations at all hours of the day and night. As a form of torture he was forced to keep his hands above his head for hours and was manhandled, pushed/thrown from one to another with a sack covering his head, was subjected to the worst verbal, physical, mental torture. He was threatened with dire consequences, including risk to his life and his family members. Sleep deprivation methods were used upon him. He would be taken out of the cell at odd hours and his head covered with a black sack/hood and a band tied over the hood around his eyes and army men holding him by his arms for interrogation purpose dragging him to another room where he would be interrogated for hours on end. Time and time again he would be asked what his family members were willing to pay to save his life. They would threaten him that if he would not pay up his family members would also be arrested and brought to Attock Fort, the family received phone calls at odd times, also in the middle of the nights and by FIA/NAB officials giving threats, and calling for family members to visit the NAB office/FIA center.
10. After spending 14 days in this death cell without seeing light, Irfan was allowed to meet his father and wife in light and in presence of army men, where his father told him that the NAB officials have been making phone call to Irfan’s father asking him to come over to the NAB offices, that was the final breaking point where Irfan asked his dad to hold it for two days and that Irfan will try is best to settle one way or the other with NAB… if only one could imagine what this meant to Irfan…
11. Since his unlawful arrest he underwent extreme mental torture leading to a complete nervous breakdown and deterioration in his childhood heart condition. He lost more than 12 kg in weight.
12. He finally broke down under threat intimidation and coercion and it was in such a state that he agreed to make payment of sum of Rs. Three Hundred Million to the NAB.
13. After his verbal agreement at Attock Fort to arrange for payment of Rs. 300,000,000/-, he was brought to Karachi on PIA flight from Islamabad in handcuffs on March 11, 2000. The Plaintiff saw sunlight for the first time since he was brought to Attock Fort when he was taken out of his cell without any cloth covering his eyes.
14. At NAB Police Station in Karachi he was threatened, pressurized coerced to agree in writing to the payment of Rs. 300 million, of which Rs. 100 million had to be paid in advance before his release. He was told, “there is no law just pay up”.
15. The FIA and other staff of NAB started visiting the offices and house of Irfan from day to day and harassing the staff members and hindering work, rather making it impossible to run a business. The offices were surrounded by FIA, NAB, Rangers` officials and military personals demanding the remaining payment and threatening dire consequences otherwise. The abuse stretched to a point where some senior office executives were made to strip naked by removal of all clothes hence torture and harassment to unparalleled height.
16. He was also coerced to hand over property documents as “security” for payment of the remaining amount of Rs. 200,000,000/- (Rupees two hundred million). Hence, had to hand over original property documents over to NAB of five (5) properties which actually have an aggregate value of Rs. 400,000,000/- (Rupees Four Hundred Million)..
17. Even after all this, NAB did not release him, but kept him under house arrest / unlawful detention until June 14, 2000.
18. Whilst Irfan, was under house arrest two dozen Rangers were stationed around the clock in and around the house.
19. Irfan, ultimately released from house arrest on June 14, 2000 after 3 months. Total captivity being six months, had several meetings with General Amjad, and suggestions made by Irfan, resulted in savings of over a billion rupees in Oil imports.
20. General Syed Amjad made many promises/ commitments in the name of justice that money extracted from Irfan Puri would be returned to him. General Amjad appreciated and understood that grave injustice had been done, both in private and in presence of various individuals.
21. Irfan, in frustration filed a number of court cases against NAB, FIA, etc, giving the ordeal of the experience gone through, as a result, bogus Income tax/Wealth Tax demands have been issued by the department on the behest of NAB officials visiting the department forcing tax officers to issue demands.
22. Irfan, then also had meetings with General Khalid Maqbool the new Chairman of NAB for justice but regrettably no action was taken.
23. However, on the 17th of May 2003, General Munir Hafiz (as NAB Chairman) visited Irfan`s house in Karachi to meet with his family, Said ``all you have seen of NAB is tha hard side, I want to show the family the softer side of NAB``, during the earlier meetings that Irfan had with General Hafiz, Irfan was told a number of times by General Hafiz that he would arrange for a face to face meeting with General Amjad, Himself (to witness) and Irfan, however, when Irfan asked General Hafiz, as to when the meeting would happen, General Hafiz said ``The meeting can`t take place, I would not want to embarass the General (General Amjad)``.
General Hafeez, on his visit was Kind, straight fowrard, and honest, however, he asked Irfan to withdraw legal prodeeding against NAB, and that NAB would make sure Irfan benefits in other areas, or else.... you can`t fight us.
23. He also sought an appointment with Chief Executive General Pervaiz Musharraf, without success.
Still goes on...
Irfan Iqbal Puri, tortured to extract money, officials driven by greed of reward and appreciation. Irfan was subjected to a total six months of illegal arrest including two months of a 24 hours a day solitary confinement, which also contains a 14 days period at The Attock Fort, in a 4ft x 7ft dark death cell, Irfan was not shown day light for the 14 days at The Attock Fort, was physically, mentally and verbally abused to the limit, perhaps treated as an Indian spy (They are Kept in these cells).
Irfan, was victimized for pure pleasure and greed,
1. A businessman of repute carrying on businesses among others as a member of the Karachi Stock Exchange, Oil Trading, Tank Farms for Oil Storage, Software development, Property Development, etc... Prior to his arrest on December 15, 1999, the victim carried out businesses in Pakistan with Hard work, integrity and acumen, the victim at an age of 37 had earned irreparable reputation for honesty and fair play in all his dealings, national as well as international.
2. NAB without making any good faith investigation or inquiry, which was obligatory on them, arrested Irfan, on December 15, 1999 from his office at Karachi, (On the Jan 16, 2000, the victim was forced to sign some per-dated documents, at Malir).
3. The arrest was not based on reasonable grounds. The victim was never informed of the grounds of his arrest. He was detained at Malir Cantonment for about seven weeks until February 12, 2000, then was shifted and kept at National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Police Station at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi. On February 27, 2000, he was shifted to Attock Fort where he was confined until March 11, 2000 and on which date he was shifted back to Karachi.
4. At Malir Cantonment, he was interrogated several times by the Joint Investigation Team, which included army personnel, and F.I.A. members of the Joint Investigation team searched and collected extensive records of the Companies in futile endeavor to find evidences of corrupt practices on the part of Irfan Puri. The thrust of inquiries and investigation related to foreign currency accounts and evasion of income tax. Irfan, maintained and explained that in view of the Tax Amnesty Scheme announced by the Chief Executive, General Pervaiz Musharaf, on December 15, 1998 and in view of the provisions contained in the protection of Economics Reforms Act 1992 there was no warrant or justification on the part of the Joint Investigation Team to investigate and inquire about his foreign currency accounts and income tax matters. In course of this investigation, it further appeared that Irfan, was detained due to a malicious complaint by one Mr. Mohammad Taufiq El Khattani motivated by enmity and greed for extracting money from his ex-employer, Saudi Pak LPG. Mr. Khattani was pressurizing him to use his business influence on Saudi Pak LPG to which he did not agree.
5. During his confinement at Malir Cantonment, he was kept in Solitary Confinement with effect from January 15, 2000 until he was shifted to the NAB police station situated at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi.
6. Due to extreme agony and distress caused by his detention, both mental and physical health of his wife was gravely affected and his wife suffered a miscarriage.
7. Time and Time again his wife Naveen Puri through her lawyers requested NAB through letters, fax etc to inform of the grounds of arrest and to allow clarification of any alleged Corruption of which he may have been accused. But NAB never informed the grounds and substance on the basis of which the he had been arrested. NAB had no valid ground for his arrest and detention.
8. On February 12, 2000 he was shifted to Nab Police Station at M.P.A. Hostel Karachi where he was kept in Solitary Confinement without any facilities. He was not allowed to meet anyone and was neither provided with proper food or medical facilities despite requests, which were of utmost importance as he is suffering from heart problem since his childhood. Here too he was extensively interrogated and was threatened that his family members would also be arrested if he would not agree with them.
9. ON February 27, 2000, Irfan was flown to Islamabad and was then taken to Attock Fort. There he was confined in a solitary cell, measuring about 4 feet x 7 feet with 18 feet high walls. There was a yellow zero watt bulb on top of an extensively high ceiling and a flat sheet steel door. Light was such that he could not even read the Quran. he went through a series of interrogations at all hours of the day and night. As a form of torture he was forced to keep his hands above his head for hours and was manhandled, pushed/thrown from one to another with a sack covering his head, was subjected to the worst verbal, physical, mental torture. He was threatened with dire consequences, including risk to his life and his family members. Sleep deprivation methods were used upon him. He would be taken out of the cell at odd hours and his head covered with a black sack/hood and a band tied over the hood around his eyes and army men holding him by his arms for interrogation purpose dragging him to another room where he would be interrogated for hours on end. Time and time again he would be asked what his family members were willing to pay to save his life. They would threaten him that if he would not pay up his family members would also be arrested and brought to Attock Fort, the family received phone calls at odd times, also in the middle of the nights and by FIA/NAB officials giving threats, and calling for family members to visit the NAB office/FIA center.
10. After spending 14 days in this death cell without seeing light, Irfan was allowed to meet his father and wife in light and in presence of army men, where his father told him that the NAB officials have been making phone call to Irfan’s father asking him to come over to the NAB offices, that was the final breaking point where Irfan asked his dad to hold it for two days and that Irfan will try is best to settle one way or the other with NAB… if only one could imagine what this meant to Irfan…
11. Since his unlawful arrest he underwent extreme mental torture leading to a complete nervous breakdown and deterioration in his childhood heart condition. He lost more than 12 kg in weight.
12. He finally broke down under threat intimidation and coercion and it was in such a state that he agreed to make payment of sum of Rs. Three Hundred Million to the NAB.
13. After his verbal agreement at Attock Fort to arrange for payment of Rs. 300,000,000/-, he was brought to Karachi on PIA flight from Islamabad in handcuffs on March 11, 2000. The Plaintiff saw sunlight for the first time since he was brought to Attock Fort when he was taken out of his cell without any cloth covering his eyes.
14. At NAB Police Station in Karachi he was threatened, pressurized coerced to agree in writing to the payment of Rs. 300 million, of which Rs. 100 million had to be paid in advance before his release. He was told, “there is no law just pay up”.
15. The FIA and other staff of NAB started visiting the offices and house of Irfan from day to day and harassing the staff members and hindering work, rather making it impossible to run a business. The offices were surrounded by FIA, NAB, Rangers` officials and military personals demanding the remaining payment and threatening dire consequences otherwise. The abuse stretched to a point where some senior office executives were made to strip naked by removal of all clothes hence torture and harassment to unparalleled height.
16. He was also coerced to hand over property documents as “security” for payment of the remaining amount of Rs. 200,000,000/- (Rupees two hundred million). Hence, had to hand over original property documents over to NAB of five (5) properties which actually have an aggregate value of Rs. 400,000,000/- (Rupees Four Hundred Million)..
17. Even after all this, NAB did not release him, but kept him under house arrest / unlawful detention until June 14, 2000.
18. Whilst Irfan, was under house arrest two dozen Rangers were stationed around the clock in and around the house.
19. Irfan, ultimately released from house arrest on June 14, 2000 after 3 months. Total captivity being six months, had several meetings with General Amjad, and suggestions made by Irfan, resulted in savings of over a billion rupees in Oil imports.
20. General Syed Amjad made many promises/ commitments in the name of justice that money extracted from Irfan Puri would be returned to him. General Amjad appreciated and understood that grave injustice had been done, both in private and in presence of various individuals.
21. Irfan, in frustration filed a number of court cases against NAB, FIA, etc, giving the ordeal of the experience gone through, as a result, bogus Income tax/Wealth Tax demands have been issued by the department on the behest of NAB officials visiting the department forcing tax officers to issue demands.
22. Irfan, then also had meetings with General Khalid Maqbool the new Chairman of NAB for justice but regrettably no action was taken.
23. However, on the 17th of May 2003, General Munir Hafiz (as NAB Chairman) visited Irfan`s house in Karachi to meet with his family, Said ``all you have seen of NAB is tha hard side, I want to show the family the softer side of NAB``, during the earlier meetings that Irfan had with General Hafiz, Irfan was told a number of times by General Hafiz that he would arrange for a face to face meeting with General Amjad, Himself (to witness) and Irfan, however, when Irfan asked General Hafiz, as to when the meeting would happen, General Hafiz said ``The meeting can`t take place, I would not want to embarass the General (General Amjad)``.
General Hafeez, on his visit was Kind, straight fowrard, and honest, however, he asked Irfan to withdraw legal prodeeding against NAB, and that NAB would make sure Irfan benefits in other areas, or else.... you can`t fight us.
23. He also sought an appointment with Chief Executive General Pervaiz Musharraf, without success.
Still goes on...
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#10 Posted by sarwar on July 31, 2003 7:20:59 pm
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#9 Posted by dialogue on July 26, 2003 9:02:21 am
1. Significant local market for goods and services. This is dependant upon the purchasing power of the population and the size of the middle class that forms the bulk of the consumers who drive demand. [THINK JAPAN COUPLE OF DECADES BACK!! SEA LOCKED AND POPULATION STATISTICS NOT MUCH DIFERENT FROM PAKISTAN.] [THINK ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF A LARGER MARKET IF WE CREATE A UNITED MARKET WITH INDIA AND STREAMLINE TRADE WITH CENTERAL ASIAN STATES]
2. Availability of raw material at low cost with consistent supply. [THINK JAPAN AGAIN!! LETS STOP BORROWING FROM CHEAP ECONOMICS BOOKS AND START SOME POSSIBILITY THINKING???]
tayyab rashid
2. Availability of raw material at low cost with consistent supply. [THINK JAPAN AGAIN!! LETS STOP BORROWING FROM CHEAP ECONOMICS BOOKS AND START SOME POSSIBILITY THINKING???]
tayyab rashid
#7 Posted by sri on June 24, 2003 10:27:53 am
Shahzad,
I saved this article as part of my collection. Chowk may have this in their archives but I just did not want to take chances.
This article may apply to the current day pakistan more than anything also but it also gives an idea to clear thinking indians on how they should prevent India from going back on its economic reforms process. It was not long ago that investment scenario in India was similar to present day Pakistan. Thank god, we moved away from a lot of that negativity and an average indian (atleast in my native place A.P )now feels confident enough to do something on his own.... it`s the feeling of confidence that matters most.
thanks for the article.
#6 Posted by jay on June 22, 2003 1:53:34 am
shazad,
When tahmed is celebrating the bounty of foreign exchange reserves, when romair is trupetting the economic stabilisation by the khaki, yuor article has dared to tell the truth, and as can be expected, duly ignored by all the pakistanis.
I do see signs of hope, the article by bina sha, that karachi is a good place and the times report is lie has been condemned rather surprisingly by all pakistanis on chowk. This is a good sign, it is time that pakistanis accept their country as the hell hole in the world. This hopelessness of the common man is the only hope as it will acclerate the decline of pakistan, the eventual jihadi take over, followed by afghan style liberation. That is the only reasonable path for pakistan.
Keep writing the truth.
When tahmed is celebrating the bounty of foreign exchange reserves, when romair is trupetting the economic stabilisation by the khaki, yuor article has dared to tell the truth, and as can be expected, duly ignored by all the pakistanis.
I do see signs of hope, the article by bina sha, that karachi is a good place and the times report is lie has been condemned rather surprisingly by all pakistanis on chowk. This is a good sign, it is time that pakistanis accept their country as the hell hole in the world. This hopelessness of the common man is the only hope as it will acclerate the decline of pakistan, the eventual jihadi take over, followed by afghan style liberation. That is the only reasonable path for pakistan.
Keep writing the truth.
#4 Posted by tahmed32 on June 21, 2003 7:13:46 am
A very good analysis of what we need to do to attract foreign investment. Interestingly, these issues are the same ones that are of priority to the ordinary pakistani: that is, law and order and small, efficient, accountable bureaucracy.
Musharaff has the chance to bell the cat on this one. So far, all he has done is give us fat cats in beards.
Musharaff has the chance to bell the cat on this one. So far, all he has done is give us fat cats in beards.
#3 Posted by SR on June 21, 2003 7:13:45 am
Kazi sahib,
Great summary of all the reasons why foreign investors would avoid Pakistan. Few observations:
Under economic factors you state that 1 & 3 are non-existent, which implies that 2 & 4 are fine. That is cheap and uninterrupted flow of raw materials and cheap and skilled labor.
Given the ground reality I don`t know what materials would be cheaply and reliably available? And as for cheap and skilled labor, that too isn`t true when you have neighbors like India, China, Bangaladesh etc where labor is cheaper, more disciplined and better skilled.
Let alone foreign investment, there is hardly any local who has been investing in any productive industry either. All the investment I saw during my visit last year was in real estate. And there is a real estate bubble there also.
The problem ultimately is that rump-Pakistan is a failed state whose government establishment is a cancerous growth that behaves like an alien paracite which has literally killed off any future possibility whatsoever. Until and unless the existing establishment structure (I don`t mean just this or that government, but the whole state entity itself) is not completely dismantled, disintegerate and eliminated, no new sun can ever shine on that beleagured land and no dream of the unfortunate people can ever come true.
...SR
Great summary of all the reasons why foreign investors would avoid Pakistan. Few observations:
Under economic factors you state that 1 & 3 are non-existent, which implies that 2 & 4 are fine. That is cheap and uninterrupted flow of raw materials and cheap and skilled labor.
Given the ground reality I don`t know what materials would be cheaply and reliably available? And as for cheap and skilled labor, that too isn`t true when you have neighbors like India, China, Bangaladesh etc where labor is cheaper, more disciplined and better skilled.
Let alone foreign investment, there is hardly any local who has been investing in any productive industry either. All the investment I saw during my visit last year was in real estate. And there is a real estate bubble there also.
The problem ultimately is that rump-Pakistan is a failed state whose government establishment is a cancerous growth that behaves like an alien paracite which has literally killed off any future possibility whatsoever. Until and unless the existing establishment structure (I don`t mean just this or that government, but the whole state entity itself) is not completely dismantled, disintegerate and eliminated, no new sun can ever shine on that beleagured land and no dream of the unfortunate people can ever come true.
...SR
#1 Posted by sri on June 20, 2003 1:19:01 pm
This is an excellent article. I love it. Concise, logical and to the point. Kudos shahzad.
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