Resisting Subjugation Re: # 1

You can see how vehemently I have been writing against Musharraf-Shaukat Aziz policies on economic and political issues when ther were in power.

How to End Politics of Hate and Intolerance Today's chaotic world needs a new leadership that believes in non-violence and proves it through actions and not words alone.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful Tragic reality. Ver well written. No society can be called a "civilised", unless it demonstrate by ation, not words alone, that life, honour and rights of women are protected. Western society is equally exploitative when matter comes to women's emancipation (see work of Simon de Bouvoir) Read my detailed study of 'How to attain women's empowerment in Pakistan" (details avaulable at www.huzaimikram.com

Mother of all Elections Dear Dr. Moeed Pirzada

We read with great interest your articles. In today's Daily Times 'Murder, Media & Intolerance is really very timely. You must have seen our 'Politics of hate' at chowk.com that attracted very huge response.

Below is detail of some recent initiatives

Regards,

DR. IKRAMUL HAQ
LLD, MA, LLB
International Tax Counsel
-----------------
Lahore Law Associates
(member of HUZAIMA & IKRAM)
167-G/I, Johar Town
Lahore-54770, Pakistan
Tel : (+92 42) 5300721 & 5304421
Fax: (+92 42) 5310721
Mob: (+92 300) 849 6205
website: http://www.huzaimaikram.com
email: ikram@huzaimaikram.com

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Subject: RE: How to come out of debt enslavement


Dear Ms Huzaima and Dr Ikram Sahib,

This is a very timely topic you have taken up. Swedish Social-Democracy is based on heavy taxation to support perhaps the most generous welfare system in the world - although the neo-liberal onslaught which is currently going on in the world has begun to make dents in it. But Swedish social-democracy was built by a mass, democratic movement of the working class that rejected the extreme measures and policies of orthodox communism in favour of democracy and reform. Without a strong social democratic party emerging in Pakistan the chances that our parasitical ruling elites will pursue radical taxation is rather small. But I am glad you are developing an argument in favour of taxation as a way of entitlements to services. This needs to be stressed.
Best regards,
Ishtiaq

Professor Ishtiaq AHMED :: Visiting Senior Research Fellow :: Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) :: 469A Bukit Timah Road, #07-01 Tower Block, National University of Singapore, Singapore 259770 :: 65-6516 8105 (DID) :: 65-6776 7505 / 65-6314 5447 (Fax) :: isasia@nus.edu.sg (Email) :: www.isas.nus.edu.sg (Website)

ISAS is dedicated to the study of contemporary South Asia.

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Dear all

The article (link below) highlights the pro-elitist character of our tax system, where the poor are bearing the tax burden of the rich!. It is a national shame. It also suggests ways and means to remove dichotomies, distortions and anti-people biases in the prevailing tax system. Pakistan can easily overcome its fiscal deficit through alternative solutions and innovative means in the very next budget for 2008-09 provided the new coalition government shows political will, devise rational, pro-growth, equitable tax polices policies and implement them with the backing and support of all the stakeholders. The strongest resistance will certainly come from the rich lobby within the coalition partners, vested interest in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) having unholy alliance with tax evaders and unscrupulous business giants. Intelligentsia, masses and civil society representatives will have to raise collective voice and exert pressure on these elements. We need to come out of debt enslavement and make Pakistan a self-reliant economic entity, which alone will free us from political subservience of Washington and its allies (beggars cannot be the chooser).

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=723071&currPageNo=1&query=&s earch=&term=&supDate

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=723337&currPageNo=1&query=&s earch=&term=&supDate=

The other articles for your consideration are:

http://dawn.com/2008/04/11/op.htm#3

http://dawn.com/weekly/encounter/encounter3.htm

http://www.thenews.com.pk/editorial_detail.asp?id=106460

http://thepost.com.pk/Previuos.aspx?dtlid=154227&src=Huzaima%20Bukhari%20a nd%20Dr.%20Ikramul%20Haq&date=08/04/2008

http://thepost.com.pk/Previuos.aspx?dtlid=150983&src=Huzaima%20Bukhari%20a nd%20Dr.%20Ikramul%20Haq&date=21/03/2008

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=716185&currPageNo=1&query=&s earch=&term=&supDate

http://209.85.135.104/custom?q=cache:fe3L18s3r6UJ:www.eias.org/publications/bu lletin/2006/novdec06/EB_NovDec_06.PDF+dr,+Ikramul+Haq&hl=en&ct=clnk& cd=2

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/23march2008/index.html#4

Cynicism Amongst Pakistani Youth Re: # 7

These are the most pertinents comments. All of us realise our responsibility towards our children.

Overcoming Learned Helplessness and Apathy Is this criticsm or.....We wonder how somebody can be so indifferent and sensless!

Cynicism Amongst Pakistani Youth Re: # 1

Karl Marx's analysis of religion and your comments; both are very relevant. The point we want to make is that repression and authoritarinsm are curse for humanity. Young people need to know how to break the shackes of helplessness

Cynicism Amongst Pakistani Youth Re: # 3

No. The government is busy doing something else, i.e. how to perpetuate one-man dictatorial rule.

Cynicism Amongst Pakistani Youth Re: # 3

I am not "short chaning" the youth. In Pakistani perspective their cynicism is totally justified. Repressive states produce disasterous results for individuals and nations. The only point we tried to make is that in so-called "idelogical States" even basis human values are violated and the result is before everybody. Now even the USA started calling its "idelogical State" with self-acclaimed responsibility of "safeguarding the ......."

Overcoming Learned Helplessness and Apathy The 'change' going to take place on 29th November will be just an eyewash. The 'military complex' will keep on ruling and will never allow supremacy of people's rule and independence of judiciary. People will have to stand and liberate themselves.

Dispensation of Justice is the Main Pillar of Democracy Re: # 7

I fully agree with you. The proponents of so-called "islamic order" fail to understand that Islam without a responsible and representative government is nothing but "mulukiat", which is the worst kind of punishment for the Ummah. History is evident to this and we must not be trapped again and again in this pitfall.

Dispensation of Justice is the Main Pillar of Democracy We need to give some serious thought to the issue of repeated failure of democracy in Pakistan. Is it due to the failure of a political leadership? Why these leaders always seek the help of "military complex" and try to please them. How people of this land are betrayed by politicians and ruthlessly (mis)ruled by the generals pinches me a lot.