The Pakistani Spectator

A Candid Blog

Posts Tagged ‘government’

In-Camera Parliament Session or a Shut-up Call

By Farid Masood • Oct 16th, 2008 • Category: Politics

After two days of briefing by Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha during in-camera joint session of Parliament, now the in-camera session continues for the briefing of government’s internal and foreign policies. 
Government seems to be sticking on the policies handed-over by its successor care-taker government. This has been witnessed by the […]



UN Refusal to Probe Benazir Bhutto’s Assassination

By Farid Masood • Oct 9th, 2008 • Category: Politics

Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of United Nations (UN) has refused the direct probe in Benazir Bhutto murder case, but he offered help in investigation process.
This is more likely decision the Pakistani Nation was expecting from UN and this also has revealed foreign elements’ involvement in this murder on December 27th, 2007 (evening).
This decision […]



Ministries and Ministers

By Farid Masood • Sep 26th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look

In 2002, politicians were barred to contest election without possessing a bachelor degree. This condition was good but was used to oust many politicians who are ‘Juddi Pushti’ land lords having thousands of acres of land, some production units (textile, sugar etc) and many other tangible assets. These are the people who don’t need to […]



31% Taxation on Cell Phone Calls

By Farid Masood • Aug 17th, 2008 • Category: Misc

Government, in budget 2008~09, has increased sales tax on mobile calls from 15 % to 21%. Increase in sales tax on other general items was also increase from 15% to 16%.
In 2005, total revenue from cell phone sector was around US $ 4.0 billion. Cell phone industry has enormous growth rate in Pakistan so […]



More Troops to Afghanistan, More Trouble for Pakistan

By Farid Masood • Jul 30th, 2008 • Category: Politics

America has announced that it would send more troops to Afghanistan. Almost eleven thousand fresh troops to be added in near future. Adding more troops may also help to control insurgency within Afghanistan and may also expose these more troops to insurgent activities against them.

More pressure will build on Pakistan for food […]



Preventing US / NATO Attack on Western Border: An Effective Option

By Farid Masood • Jul 18th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look

Time is running out for Pakistan, due to our wrong foreign policies we have to face such days. From July 15th, next two months are very crucial for Pakistan’s safety. Time has passed for dialogue; time is running our for our political leaders, they should abandon foreign tours join Parliament to make a goal oriented […]



Selling the Cash Cows

By Farid Masood • Jun 14th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look

Certainly not any organization sells its Cash Cows, but dogs. Stars are tried to be converted into Cash Cows. Privatization Commission of Pakistan is up to selling every asset owned the government in business sector whether profitable or not. Theme behind this policy is that its not function of the government to run business. If […]



The Political Reconciliation: Need of the Hour

By Farid Masood • Feb 19th, 2008 • Category: Pakistan Vote'08, Politics

There are many speculations done by the government and by the various political parties about the elections and rigging. There are many statements from the Attorney General and the President of Pakistan. The yesterday’s statement of the president has not been faded out from the minds of the people.
There are many provoking statement from the […]



Let’s See Who Rig the Polls?

By Farid Masood • Feb 18th, 2008 • Category: Pakistan Vote'08, Politics

In every elections held in Pakistan, we hearing the shouts of rigging in polling process. Yes rigging was there, always there. Sometimes by the care taker government and sometimes by ‘Sombody’. But the results were never beyond expectations. In 1970s we did not honored the leading party and Pakistan was split into two pieces.
In 1985 […]



Is it in the manifesto? Part-9 Pakistan Elections 2008

By Farid Masood • Feb 18th, 2008 • Category: Pakistan Vote'08, Politics

Accountability is a democratic process in which any elected member parliament, Prime Minister and the Present have to answer before the nation for any charge on them.
Unluckily, Pakistan during the decades had many forums of such kind (e.g. NAB) but none of them were able to perform neatly.
It becomes very hard if a member of […]