We Don’t Need You Shaukat Aziz

``Atmosphere of fright prevailed in entire constituency due to PPP workers murder in Attock,``

so there is already blood on Mr. Shaukat`s hands -- so early in his new career...!

Apropos Shaukat Aziz drawing no salary
By Amir Wasim
http://www.dawn.com/2004/08/12/nat1.htm

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistan Muslim League-N information secretary has accused prime minister-designate Shaukat Aziz of violating elections rules and the Constitution by what he called ``deliberately concealing`` details of his assets in his nomination papers , submitted for contesting by-elections.

Our Staff Reporter Khaleeq Kiani adds: Shaukat Aziz has paid a total of Rs15,876 income tax during the last three assessment years against his declared assets of over Rs3.7 billion.

The finance minister, along with his nomination papers, filed last month the statement of his assets and liabilities as of June 2003, although he was required under section 12(2) (f) of the Election Rules to file his statement of assets as of June 2004.

According to Mr Aziz`s declaration of assets, his domestic as well as foreign bank accounts, other sources of income and the value of his assets, have remained unchanged for the last two years. Seemingly, he is not drawing salary as finance minister and he is spending nothing.

The statement of assets and liabilities filed by the finance minister to the Election Commission of Pakistan suggest that he paid an income tax of Rs4,908 in assessment year 2003-04, Rs1,854 in 2002-03 and Rs9,114 in 2001-02.

A petition was filed by a freelance journalist Shahid Orakzai before the Chief Election Commission here on Tuesday under Article 62 of the Constitution and section 108(2) read with section 103 of the Representatives of the People Act of 1976.

The minister was not available to explain despite repeated calls. The petitioner drew the attention to the two statements of assets and liabilities by the finance minister, published in the Gazette of Pakistan and submitted along the nomination papers which has an intervening period of more than one year.

He said the balance in an unidentified account in Citibank, New York, is given as $2,912,348 on June 30, 2003 and exactly the same amount is shown in the account on July 6, 2004.

Further the deposit in an account in Lloyds, London on June 30, 2003, was shown to be pound sterlings 310,388,57 and is now showy barely as 310,388 sterlings. If the last two digits, i.e. 57 represented a fraction or was a typographical error, the operational status of this account is almost the same.

The current account (2238-59) at HBL, Islamabad, shows a balance of Rs580,393 and this account, too, apparently remained unchanged. A saving account (5700684018) at Citibank, Islamabad shows a balance of Rs145,467 and this account has not moved by a digit during the period in question.

The balance in an account, identified as foreign exchange (FE) 25 accounts at Citibank, Islamabad, was shown as $761.62 and the same now stands at $761.00. All these bank accounts have not been operated during the last one year.

The petitioner contends that since the minister did not have any other declared account inside Pakistan, the question arises as to how did he meet his expenses during the period between June 2003 and July 2004 if he did not operate a single account.

It may be noted that he had shown a sum of Rs5,000 in his purse on October 15, 2003, and on July 6, 2004, once again, he had exactly the same amount in his pocket. ``That is sufficient to prove that he has other sources of income which he did not declare in the latest nomination forms``, he alleged.

The petitioner said the minister paid Rs40,000 to his party as the fee for the two party tickets for NA-59 and NA-229 and also deposited Rs4,000 each as security for each nomination.

He contended that from where did he receive the money because the withdrawal was not shown on his bank record. He said the election campaign of the minister was going on with great pomposity but it was not known who was financing this when he was not using his own money.

Dear readers, draw your own conclusions

Mr. Naeem, it is easy to crticise especially if you dont let facts come in the way of your analysis. You have claimed that Mr. Aziz is a foreign citizen. Do you have any proof of that? Have you read it in credible newspaper? Or is it just your hunch? I dare you to present any proof of his foreign citizenship.

You have not raised any issue with Shaukat except that he will become an American agent. Well by that argument I can accuse anyone of having the potential of being a zionist/indian/american agent and assume him to be not qualified for any political job.

Shaukat Aziz has done a marvellous job as our Finance Minister and has been constitutionally elected as Prime Minister. Give him a chance and I for one firmly believe that he will be great for our country and steer us towards a better economic future

#32 by whiteorchid on September 6, 2004 11:31pm PT
``Frankly...what is real democracy mean ?``

``Real`` democracy in the present context means dictatorship!!

In reply to comment #26 I would direct the commenter to this reply by Shaukat Aziz (SA) regarding this issue in the dawn newspaper.

I was personally impressed at the aggressiveness of SA in asking each minister to declare set defined goals and objectives while allocating a 3-month probationary period to evaluate their performance. He clearly states that in previous administrations, no goals were ever defined. This aggresiveness has definitely created panic amongst the beaurocracy as is evident by its ample press coverage following the declaration of allocation of ministeries.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/09/07/top1.htm

BIGGER IS BETTER: The prime minister defended the large size of his cabinet of ministers and ministers of state totalling more than 60, calling it ``totally in line with what we require``.

``You could have had a cabinet half this size but then you would create bottlenecks.`` He said a country like Malaysia with a population of only 25 million people had 32 full ministers and as many ministers of state while Pakistan has a population of 150 million.

``If you create large monolithic ministries, then you create bottlenecks in execution and accountability gets defused,`` he said. ``If you create clear identifiable ministries which have clear task, goals... it all fits in with the paradigm which is different than the past.``

He said ministers looking after too many divisions would not be able to focus on their job. Ministers of state would act like junior ministers and given some specific responsibility and they would report to the minister. ``That way you train somebody, you teach governance and you get a spare pair of hands.``


TARGETS FOR MINISTERS: The prime minister said clear goals would be set for ministers as well as secretaries of ministries to be monitored by him and `people in my secretariat`.

``I will personally review the performance of each minister, minister of state and secretary together, and the goals have to be in sync,`` he said. ``Now all three will have clear goals and... it is my job and their job to see that they are in sync, so they are not working at cross-purposes.``

The prime minister said a letter would go out next week to these functionaries asking them to cite six to eight of their key priorities with deadlines to achieve their targets, in an unusual move that he said was ``making a lot of people nervous``.

This process, he said, would introduce an accountability of performance in which the chief executive would help ministers and other functionaries to succeed through dialogue with them.

He said his government would be `result-driven` contrary to the previous culture of mere `activity` in the shape of meetings and nodding without caring for results. ``Result is what will matter (now).`` This, he said, might be difficult in some ministries because of known `intangibles` and easier in others. ``But those are managerial issues which can be resolved.``

TOUGH ON PERFORMANCE: The prime minister said a secretary, as the principal accounting officer of any division, would have a major role and targets synonymous with those of the minister and the minister of state.

``He can`t hide, he can`t be in what I call the ping-pong mode - transfer the file here and there.`` Mr Aziz said he would be ``very tough on performance... because if we can`t perform then really we have no right to be here``.

He disagreed with a suggestion that big size contributed to failures of some previous cabinets and asked: ``Did they have any goals, did they know what they are supposed to deliver, were they managed? The answer is no, no, no.``

Al Guida....Nasah ji in his element!


Al Shaukat can be good for Pakistan. Yet there are genuine issues that many well-meaning Pakistanis have with his elevation. And chowk is nothing if not a well-meaning progressive Pakistani website with subcontinental vision :)

First and foremost let me make clear that MQM has never endorsed military rule or approved this form of back-stage democracy (ie, electioneering of Mr. Shaukat Aziz).

However, keeping in mind the current geopolitical atmosphere, existing national threats, and internal problems, our nation`s governing policy should be based on rational expectations. For instance, eliminating poverty should not be our goal, reducing it should be. Why, because the former is practically not possible. Let us give him a chance, he seems to be slowly moving in the right track at least from an economic stand point.

The establishment has realised that without economic stability and progress, the nation is not going anywhere fast. Hello, what has MQM been saying all along. Develop Karachi, it is YOUR economic powerhouse regardless of if you like it or not. If you don`t maintain and feed your generator properly, do you still expect it to provide energy for your honey-moon jako0zee? Why have dubai, hong kong, singapore, kuala lampur, mumbai, and other port cities thrived during the century? Why have their governments been pumping above and beyond into these cities, and our government opts to take instead of giving? The reasons are abound, form ethnic and class discrimination, jealousy, power greed, and last but not least repression of a democratic institution that every citizen in Pakistan is a victim of.

I believe that the word`s of visiting former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad that ``Pakistan has the potential to become a strong Muslim country`` should be read with keen insight. Pakistan has the potential to be ... , currently IT IS NOT ... despite its array of nuclear bombs, hurray hurray for our military!!! Today`s might comes from economic strength, innovation, education, and progress; not from nuclear bombs.

Democracy in Pakistan is nonexistent. You have to demand and fight for your rights as if your are living under occupation. Our military has served only to destablize our internal power structure, creating rifts amongst political movements reminiscent of British colonial standard operating procedure.

A prime example was the ruthless crackdown by the millitary on the MQM. True, there was a law an order problem in the 90s but who caused it. Why is the blame so easily placed on MQM`s shoulders and not on the millitary who financed an underground operation using thugs and criminals in a futile attempt to eliminate the demands of a people? Why is there such prejudice against the legitimate demands of the inhabitants of the city that provides more than 70% of your nation`s revenue? As Dr. Muhatir indicated while explaining his point of view on democracy, ``Mahathir said he was of the view that democracy was not a perfect system, as sometimes a small minority could play effective role in the democratic process.`` Alas, someone sees the light.

Unfortunately, the wrong minority has been in command for the past 57 years. The minority comprised of the corrupt. Not the minority, that deserves to have the power.

Democracy means rule by the people, not rule by another people. What is happening in Iraq is exactly the same that has been happening in Karachi. Why do we have nonlocal police speaking a different language and dialects policing towns and villages foreign to them? If you don`t talk the talk, how do you expect to walk the walk?

MQM`s demands have simply been a more fairer allocation of resources towards those who contribute vastly more compared to other parts of our country. MQM has never been unloyal to its nation, and never intends to. When its representatives visit Inida, they are labeled as traitors, and when high-ranking officials of other parties visit, they are given the status of peace-maker and dialogue-seeker?

Money and politics go hand in hand. No government has ever functioned without the proper backing of financial resources. However, unfortunately in Pakistan, corrupt rulers and feudal powers have since 1947 been abusing the power and money of the people for their own nefarious designs and to fill in their personal cofers. The power struggle in Karachi has been and still remains, between the people of Karachi and the establishment and military over the issue of control.

An effective propaganda campaign against the MQM on all levels in the past decade has attempted to tarnish the image of the MQM as purely a terrorist organization. True, a number of illegal and improper activities have taken place under the guise and name of the MQM, but if you are to fall in this trap then you are commiting the same wrong that the US government is doing by stereotyping all Pakistanis in the US as possible terrorists.

The fact of the matter is, that due to MQM`s organized structure and middle class urban following, it has manifested into a thorn in the side of the establishment. It is proudly the only political party than even had a proven corruption case against it. It has during its tenure, done its utmost best to promote civic projects, and introduce pure governance. Its rapid mobilization, zealous following, and goal-oriented approach is worthy of consideration. It is the only party that requires its elected representatives to submit sealed resignation letters to be used by the party in case they do not perform in accordance with the demands of those who they represent. Accountability to the public is a must for democracy to flourish.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has done one thing that is worthy of praise. He has set defined goals and endpoints for his ministers and for himself and has asked that this should be in writen form signed on official paper and letterhead. Thus, for the first time the public can scrutinize the performance of these ministers. I believe this is a first step towards keeping the public online with what is going on and is a sign of progress.

#17 by nasah

Using your own logic Don`t bite the hand that feeds you -- or -- don`t poison the soup that u may have to ask for a sip of later on, since you are mercilessly critical of Pakistan and of Musharraf’s policies, that country should never let you in. Also, since you have been very critical of the US and Bush’s policies, the US should kick you out of this country because, after all, you are “biting” the hand that feeds you. So much for your “liberal” outlook!

You are a critic only when you know your attacks will not be responded with severity. I guess Chowk being a South Asian site you know what you are talking about. You know your own kind well, Mr. Hasan. Thanks for your advice. You know how to smoke your pipe. I do appreciate your concern and “pleading” with me!

PS: I couldn’t help but laugh at your insinuation that I’m biting the hand that is feeding me and that I may need a sip of the soup later on. Yes, I know, my hefty check is in the mail.

Let us be pragmatic. Look at the brilliance with which Shaukat Aziz has reformed a dead economy. Instead of being grateful to him, we are indulging in mud-slinging. Isn`t it shameful on all of us that a man capable of making Pakistan move ahead is being looked at as another country`s choice.

Having said that, let me plead to all my fellow Pakistanis that in the largest interest of this nation we ought to give this technocrat PM some time to prove his credentials...and I am sure they are magnanimous.

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Pakistan Constitution per Shaukat Aziz:

“Today, the President of Pakistan is also holding the post of Chief of Army Staff which is constitutional. I am fully sure that whatever decision he takes will be as per the Constitution as well as the law and in the interest of the country as well as the nation and we will back it,” he said.

He said there is nothing wrong in a General’s heading the country’s democratic system. In a parliamentary democracy, the holding of office of the President by the Army Chief is in accordance with the Constitution,``(Nation)

now here is a Constitutionally Loyal Prime Minister -- of a Constitution-Molester President -- courtesy Constitutional Sleight of Hand Illusionist ....... Sharifiuddin Pirzada.....

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In 1986 i.e. at the time of MQM`s coming to prominence, Karachi was the only economic engine in this country. Your party`s campaign has resulted in wholesale shifting of industry to Lahore and area around Lahore. There was almost no textile industry in Lahore at that time. Now Lahore is the mainstay on textile industry. Almost all the new knitwear and finishing industry that has come up in 1990s has been in Punjab. The Chinioti businessmen who migrated from Calcutta/East Pakistan have shifted to Punjab. The greatest gift of your party has been to provide approx. USD 3 bln in textile investment over last 5 years to Punjab which could have come to Karachi. This has provided jobs and brought a new level of prosperity to Lahore. One visit to Lahore can show how well the city is doing and how much better it is run. Any major MNC that has come to Pakistan in the last 15 years has put offices in Lahore/Islamabad e.g. Pepsi, Nestle, Telenor, Honda, etc.

In my view this is by design because if Karachi develops than there will be no disconteted youth which is the reason of existance of your party. Its the anger of these young people that is your main support base and there will be no anger if there is peace and prosperity. Your agenda is not the agenda of this country.

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Take a good look at this picture. This is not a picture of a helpless Iraqi father, it is a picture of all Muslims around the globe who are currently being ruled by foreign puppets and a social class that survives by sucking blood from their veins. This social class is the custodian of foreign imperialist interests in their respective countries. This is a picture of Pakistani nation. Just like this helpless man, the gun totting fauji criminals, their civilian goons, and plaincloth thugs have also taken the whole nation as hostage, gaged them, and put a hood on their head. A common Pakistani is as disenfranchised as he never was before. He does not have a constitutency. He has been rendered a foreigner, a refugee, a prisoner in his own home by these criminals. A Pakistani- whose only crime is the accident of birth; of being born in a lawless land that is being ruled by ruthless criminals. Today, he is not even sure how long the comfort that he finds in his family and children would last. He has nothing to offer to his children, accept a corrupt, indecent, and frustrated life in a lawless society and land - a land which was once his.