NAZIM KARACHI WARNS OFFICERS TO MEND THEIR WAYS

Karachi City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has warned the officers of city government to avoid unusual delay in the completion of development works or they will have to face strict disciplinary action.

During a review meeting held at the KWSB Chairman Office on Tuesday, City Nazim took serious notice of the slow pace of work on the ongoing projects and viewed that lack of interest of the concerned officers and bribes were the main reason behind unsatisfactory speed of work and the citizens were facing hardships despite of timely payments to contractors.

City Nazim further said that he had visited ongoing development projects in the city on Monday and Tuesday and found the speed of work unsatisfactory. Construction of over head pedestrian bridges was one such example of this sluggish pace of work.

He said that despite of financial problems City Government ensured provision of funds and resources for these projects specially construction of pedestrian bridges so that the citizens could be provided convenience in crossing roads but the concerned officers were not showing interest in the early completion of the projects causing unusual delay in the works.

Nazim Karachi said that construction of 23 pedestrian bridges has been going on since last three months. Despite of payment of Rs200 million, pace of work on these projects has not been accelerated.

He also said that due to the bargaining for commission at higher level, contractor firms were not receiving payments on time and that is why they were not taking interest in development works and the situation causing delay in the completion of works.

He again warned all those officers to mend their ways or be prepared to face the disciplinary action. Citing the example of EDO Iftikhar Qaim Khani who has been removed from his post for committing negligence in his duty, he said that more officers will be removed from their post in next few days.

Transparency International CPI 2009, reveals Corruption in Pakistan increased

The 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index looks at perceptions of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, - and is a composite index that draws on 13 expert opinion surveys. It scores countries on a scale from zero to ten, with zero indicating high levels of perceived corruption and ten indicating low levels of perceived corruption. The vast majority of the 180 countries included in the 2009 index score below five on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption). The CPI measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in a given country and is a composite index, drawing on 13 different expert and business surveys. The 2009 edition scores 180 countries, the same number as the 2008 CPI.

In the DOHA UNCAC Conference held on 9-13 November 2009, the United Nations has put a price tag on political corruption -- estimating that up to $1.6 trillion in public assets move across borders each year through networks such as money laundering or into secret holdings.

“Stemming corruption requires strong oversight by parliaments, a well performing judiciary, independent and properly resourced audit and anti-corruption agencies, vigorous law enforcement, transparency in public budgets, revenue and aid flows, as well as space for independent media and a vibrant civil society,” said Labelle. “The international community must find efficient ways to help war-torn countries to develop and sustain their own institutions.” Highest scorers in the 2009 CPI are New Zealand at 9.4, Denmark at 9.3, Singapore and Sweden tied at 9.2 and Switzerland at 9.0. These scores reflect political stability, long-established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions. Pakistan 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index Score is 2.4, and out of 180 countries, its ranking as most corrupt country has slipped 5 ranks, from 47 in 2008 to 42 most corrupt country in 2009.The CPI 2009 reveals the effects of corruption in the subcontinent, which is more alarming in Pakistan, as Bangladesh which was the most corrupt country in 2001, 2002 and 2003, has improved its ranking from 38th most corrupt country in 2008, to 42nd most corrupt country in 2009.

Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman TI Pakistan said TI Pakistan is of the view that Terrorism is the direct result of poverty, resulted only and only due to corruption ( defined as “ Misuse of authority fro private gain”), mainly illegal direct/indirect Armed Forces Rules in Pakistan since 1951 to 2007, fully endorsed by corrupt Judiciary. He further said the positive impacts will be visible next year of the few steps of good governance taken during last one year of the restoration of Judiciary by the Prime Minister by an executive order on 16th March 2009 ( after lawyers movement supported by opposition parties, civil society and above all Media), declaration of Judiciary by the Chief Justice to be Zero Tolerance for Corruption and withdrawal of draft NRO Bill from National Assembly ( on strong protest of opposition of parties and civil society). Transparency International Pakistan also congratulates Pakistan Army, which has proved to the world that Pakistan Armed Forces are the best. The elimination of terrorists in Swat in two months by Pak Army is what USA and NATO forces failed to achieve in 8 years in Iraq and Afghanistan, which has made Pakistan a proud nation. Army Chief has also taken up seriously violation of Public Procurement Rules by DHA and Armed purchases, and advised to follow the rules, which is a healthy sign and warning for those who are violators of rules. He said but the government is governing Pakistan without governance and Pakistan has lost credibility all over the World, due to which the country is facing serious economic threats,, poverty, inflation, food & electricity shortages and increase in unemployment, which are direct results of the massive on going corruption. He said that the government must make serious efforts to apply rules and regulation across the board, to achieve the goal of reducing corruption. In the last ten years, the economic growth of Bangladesh, and deterioration in Pakistan economy can also be judged from the currency parity rates of Pakistan, Bangladesh vs Dollar in 1999: 2009 , Taka/Pak Re was 49.65:51.84 and in 2009 it is Taka/Pak Re 70.39:83.46. He said Pakistan need immediate enforcement of good governance and Transparent administration, to counter the acute problems, of billion of rupees corruption scams reported in Pakistan Steel, TDAP, EOBI, PIA, Rental Power Plants, KESC, NIC, NHA, OGDC, PSO, PEPCO, CDA, DP Division, DHAs, Pakistan Steel TCP, NBP, PC, and many other organizations.
Bribery, cartels and other corrupt practices undermine competition and contribute to massive loss of resources for development in all countries, especially the poorest ones. Between 1990 and 2005, more than 283 private international cartels were exposed that cost consumers around the world an estimated US $300 billion in overcharges, as documented in a recent TI report..
In the 2009 CPI, major sources provided data based on expert analysis were African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Bertelsmann Foundation, Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, Global Insight and the World Bank.

Syed Adil Gilani said Political will of the government to fight Corruption is urgently required and must also be seen by public and donor countries, like, formation of Independent Accountability Commission as required by United Nation Convention against Corruption under HOPO Act 2009, to report only to the Parliament or Judiciary and not to the Ministry of Law ( to avoid Conflict of interest and unbiased accountability), and to include all Public Office Holder belonging to Civil Services, Armed Forces Service, Judicial Services and Elected Representatives. All land scams of Punjab, CDA NWFP, Sindh ( specially like gutter baghicha, unauthorised allotments by Nazims, fraudulent change in land records by revenue officers ) , reported in last one year in Media shall be investigated by a Judicial Tribunal, and all Land records shall be computerized within one year. He said Pakistan also requires immediate action through a surgical operation on review and cancel the appointments and promotions not made on merit, and extension of services or reappointment after retirement, remove from the key public offices those who are facing corruption charges, and implementing the effective non-discriminatory accountability mechanism for those civil/defence departments not complying with the procedures including privatization, transparent implementation of rules by regulatory authorities, SECP, CCP, PPRA, EPA, SBP, OGRA, PEMRA, PTA, PFRA etc in order to restore donors agencies, IFIs and investor's confidence.

JSQM’s ‘Azadi March demands pre-1843 status

By S J A Jafri

Scores of workers of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Muhaz (JSQM) yesterday took out an “Azadi March” rally here yesterday and demanded of the world community to take notice of the plights of people of Sindh and Balochistan.
Addressing the rally, JSQM Chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi said that Sindh’s land, industries, ports, jobs, natural resources and revenues, providing 75 percent of revenue to Pakistan, are not under the control of people of Sindh.
“Sindh collects a tax of Rs 1200 billion, whereas it also generates 70 percent of Pakistan’s total oil production and 65 percent of its total gas production,” he said.
He demanded that the pre-1843 independence status of Sindh should be re-established.
The participants of the rally chanted anti-Pakistan slogans. They vehemently criticised the government and accused them of being responsible to destroy Sindh and Sindhi people.
Thousands of workers participated in the rally.
Worst traffic jam was witnessed particularly in and around Saddar areas and the commuters have to waits for hours to reach their homes. M.A. Jinnah road was almost closed for few hours due to the rally while the shopkeepers of the main markets were also forced to close their shiops.
Thousads of police and Rangers were deployed to take care of rally in the city.
Helicopters and CCTV’s were used to monitor and record the entire activities of the rally.(NC Report)

Qadir Khan Mandokhail Welfare Trust

To awareness of human rights and laws in general public, few country friends and human friends formed this trust in 1995. The priority of goal is struggle for peace, justice and protects the oppression. This is a non-profitable organization, which is providing free legal services to the innocent and heirless prisoners in Karachi and Pakistani Jails. QT Has Also Providing Free Medical Aid And Ambulance Service To The Poor Citizens Of pakistan. QT is running 45 Ambulances in Pakistan, on first phase trust is providing 24 hours free ambulance service through out Pakistan for Bomb Blasts and other emergences.

QT has helped out to release more than 6200 innocent and heirless prisoners and more than 1356 cases which are under trail in Karachi and different Courts are being handling by QT. More than 1700 (separation case) dissolution of marriages has been cleared by QT. More than 21060 on record cases, family fighting etc. have been solved without any court interference.

One-hundred Sixty Million (160,000,000) population of the motherland is excessively facing adversity for lack of understanding & know-how about their citizenship rights and their illiteracy towards laws is minimal to protect their rights. The general public was never effectively divulged about the laws in affect & about their rights. That’s the reason why violation of general public rights has become a daily routine & display in all the affairs of our society?

In the beginning, achievement of the objectives of this mission was apparently next to impossible but Mr. Qadir braved the darkness by staying determined; he glimmered a lamp of awareness, information & endurance against injustice. Anybody could guess, the resistance was staunch at first but gradually subsided by the Grace of God, Al-merciful and All-powerful; so much so, continual support of general public has helped advance the activities which has turned this mission into a noble cause at national level.

Today this QT is known to be a safe heaven for those who are deprived, suppressed and those whose rights have been taken away by false interpretation, misrepresentation of law. That comprises Human Rights violations, Juvenile & Family matters and Crimes etc. Moreover, Petitioning against unbalanced prevailing acts, laws and ordinances and pleading cases for the law-abiding citizens of Pakistan.

The core services offered thru QT are:
Free-of-cost Legal Aid
Free-of-cost Medical Aid &
Ambulance Services

The QT Chairman had been an active, participating member of Jail Reforms Committee, Government of Sindh. Successfully petitioned to establish Juvenile Courts. Prisoner Database Services established to provide information about their cases, proceedings, whereabouts and likewise. First Aid & Medical Center established at City Courts to provide necessary medical services.

The doors of Qadir Khan Mandokhail Welfare Trust are open to all deserving & deprived of the County and for those who are willing to engage lawyer for challenging tasks.

SIR AGA KHAN III REMEMBERED

By Munir Moosa Sewani

The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims commemorate 132nd birthday of Highness Sir Aga Khan III on 2nd November 2009, all over the world.

Sir Aga Khan III was born on Friday November 2, 1877 at "Honeymoon Lodge" in Karachi. He proved to be an Intellectual asset for the Muslim Ummah. He was among the prominent leaders of South Asia, who helped in laying the strong foundation of Pakistan. He was respected for his extensive knowledge about Islam, for his philanthropy and for his commitment to human dignity. He contributed not only towards the political cause of the Muslims of sub continent, but also promoted education and health sectors for the development of Muslims.

He was one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League. He led the Muslim delegation to Simla in 1906 where the Muslims, for the first time, put forward their demand for a separate electorate. This man of vision realized that Muslims can only fight for their rights, if they will have proper education. Therefore, he generated funds for Aligarh University, which is still a symbol of fountain of knowledge for the Muslims to date.

He was a great supporter of Khilafat Movement, and he tried his best to resolve conflict between British and Muslims, to gain the power in Turkey. He was made the president of the All Parties Muslim Conference held in 1928-29. He also participated in the Round Table Conferences, held during 1930-33, along with the notable personalities such as Quaid-i-Azam, Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, Allama Iqbal, etc.

Sir Aga Khan III was nominated to represent India at the League of Nations in 1932.
Due to his effective decision making skills and statesmanship qualities, he was elected President of the League of Nations in July 1937.


He had close friendships and affiliations with the Quaid-i-Azam, Allama Iqbal, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Queen Elizabeth, Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Mountbatten and numerous other famous personalities.

He wrote two famous books, India in Transition and The Memoirs of Aga Khan. He was honored with the title of Knight Commander of the Indian Empire, Knight Grand Commander, Knight Grand Commander of the Indian Empire

He died on July 11, 1957. He is buried in Aswan, Egypt. After his death, he was succeeded by his grandson, Aga Khan the IV, who is currently promoting his grand father vision. Prince Aga Khan is leading Aga Khan Development Network, and working on the projects of health, education, poverty alleviation, etc., , which proves to be an asset for the world, particularly the third world countries.

Throughout the life of Sir Aga Khan III, he sedulously endeavored to improve the situation of the Muslim community. The people of Pakistan salute Highness Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III for his strenuous work for the Muslims.