Independence Day September 2, 2007

“Independence Day …. Wow… Another holiday.” These are the comments that we used to get by the today’s generation when they heard about the Independence Day. The day on which we got on our own nation, the identity, the way to live and Our home. Its not just a ordinary day nor a ordinary holiday but it is the day which reminds us our history- The subject people hates to study. It is the day to revive those memories of great heroes of nation who fought till their last breath to secure a place in world map for us. But unfortunately, Today’s 18 year old kid wants to sleep till noon on this day and send SMSs to his/her friends not to celebrate the Independence Day but to be in pipeline of trends. I wish our heroes knew about this.

Problem isn’t only that today’s generation doesn’t know the true meaning and value of this day but also they don’t have any respect for our nation and heroes. The nation isn’t only just the piece of a land but it is its people who make it to call it a Nation. When its own people don’t have the respect of its own home then why would others respect it? Now the question is why is so? The answer is simple and straightforward, Humans realize the importance of things in their absence. I wish I could put every one of us in British rule for at least single day of our life to feel the difference, to feel the frustration, to feel the feelings being helpless and unjustified.

 I have seen people mocking the picture of our nation’s father Quaid-e-Azam every day and night without knowing what he has done for us and our generations to come.

But still cordial Happy Independence Day to The Nation.

Democracy in Pakistan II September 2, 2007

I have highlighted a bit of history about what happened in past in politics in Pakistan in part one of “Democracy in Pakistan”. Now let’s see how the today of Pakistan is reshaping in this regard.

“Deal-No Deal” are the words that are all around nowadays. Every person has few following common questions.

1. Will Musharraf compromise for the sake of the power?
2. Will Musharraf join the hands of exiled leaders to whom he referred as “Corrupts” in past.
3. If yes, then what can be the reasons behind this?
4. Why the generals of the past haven’t done that?
5. What will be the outcome of this in future?

The story of joining the hands of Benazir and PPP was quite a setback for me because he was going to join the hands of a leader who made her best to bankrupt the Pakistan.As I am always been in favor of Musharraf’s policies because even in dictatorship people of Pakistan have witnessed the awesome economical policies, rampant development, mega projects which only been discussed in Past but never taken action by any government and most importantly irreversible process of freedom of speech by opening up the media and giving more rights to it. One can judge the openness and activeness of media by counting the no of microphones at any political gathering. Gone were those days when we have to wait for 9 pm for listening the news at PTV.

This nation of 160 million people witnessed something which was never done by any government in any aspect then who cares for democracy? It isn’t hard and fast rule that there must be democracy in country for progress but the right and consistent economical policies. Take the example of Thailand, very well developed, major tourist destination but no word of democracy. I believe that one nation doesn’t need a right form of government only but also the right government and most importantly the determined leader.

Let’s see what Musharraf has done for us:-

1. If we suppose that Musharraf started from Rs.100 of total size of GDP then today after 7 years we have GDP of Rs.156. And the total size of GDP is US $146 Billion now.
2. Per capita income increase from $492 to $924 in just seven years. Isn’t it remarkable achievement? By the way per capita income in India is about $520 only.
3. FDI (foreign direct investment) increased from mere $420 million to $6 billion. Means increased by almost 1500%.
4. Education budget increased from 1.2% of GDP to 4% now.
5. HEC budget increased to Rs.28 Billion. I must say “WoW”.
6. Exports  hase risen to $16 Billion. It is also true that trade gap has been increased to $10 billion as well. But it is very natural sign of booming economy because most of the money of import was spent on import machinery and engineering goods which will encourage the exports in future.

These are the just major achievements by Musharraf. Now tell me who wants the democracy? Pakistan has seen the 31 years of democracy but no one has achieved even inch of it.