View CNN Video (here) 

Read interview below: This is a rush copy and may be updated. Interviewed 8 November 2009.

ZAKARIA: As we try to make very clear on this program, you can’t talk about the United States’ problems in Afghanistan without talking about the problems with Afghanistan’s next-door neighbor, Pakistan. Now, for almost 10 years, from 1999 until last year, Pervez Musharraf ruled over that nation, first as the army’s chief of staff, then as president of Pakistan. If anyone knows the Pakistani Army — what they are capable of and, moreover, what they are willing to do in this war on terror — it is Pervez Musharraf. If anybody knows the strategic landscape of the region, it is Pervez Musharraf.

And so, I talked with him a few days ago, when he was in the United States.

The conversation ranged widely, but I want to draw your attention to two issues in the first segment — Musharraf’s view of Hamid Karzai, which is very dim, but also, what kind of government is possible in Afghanistan. He is of the view that, Afghanistan always had a loose, consensual arrangement between the central government and the regions — a so-called “Misak-i Milli” — and we should try to return to that kind of arrangement, not a strong central government.

ZAKARIA: Thank you for joining us.

GEN. PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, FORMER PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: Thank you, Fareed.

Watch Video (here) and read excerpts of interview given below, on 22nd October 2009.  

Now at the same time, next door to Afghanistan, there is Pakistan to deal with. Last week Mr. Obama signed an aid bill that will give Pakistan more than $7 billion over five years with some strings attached. I sat down with former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf the other day to talk about all this starting with U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan.

COOPER: Do you think the U.S. should send in more troops to Afghanistan?

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, FORMER PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: From a purely military point of view, I believe that the military come when you apply force to an area. It has an optimum troop to space ratio is very important.

At the moment I think purely military point of view, the U.S. forces and coalition forces are diluted in space.

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf sat down for an interview with “Good Morning  America” co-anchor Chris Cuomo Sept. 23, 2009. The following transcript of their interview has been edited for clarity.

CHRIS CUOMO: Mr. Musharraf, let’s start with you and your future. Have you given thought yet to returning to Pakistan, returning to power?

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF: Well — I give thought to what is happening in Pakistan. And I give thought to what the people of Pakistan are desiring, and I also give thought to whether I can do anything for Pakistan. Collectively — I have to take a decision based on all these three elements.

CHRIS CUOMO: Is a decision coming soon?

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF:I wouldn’t be able to say that –

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF: One has to look at this environment, and the issue of timing, of course, is — very, very important. So if I was to say it’s coming very soon, or a little later — I think the — I’m very conscious that the timing is extremely important — but one thing is — very sure, that I will return to Pakistan.

CHRIS CUOMO: Are you concerned that if you return, you may be arrested. You may be put on trial for treason.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF: Well, these are realities which one has to face. But however, I am very sure of one thing, that whatever I have done till now, constitutionally and legally, there is no charge against me. So if at all, anything happens against me, it will be not according to the constitution and not according — to legal (UNINTEL).

CHRIS CUOMO: With time and the benefit of looking back on your time as president, do you regret having removed the supreme court judge and the other jurists?

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF: I would — I would say that — I put it like this, that it was a correct action. I do not regret that it was a wrong action. It was very constitutional, whatever I did, and very legal. But however, the fallout then was bad. (UNINTEL) fallout, which led to upheaval that we’ve seen, and therefore, one would like to rethink if, with hindsight now, whether it was wise to do even a legally and constitutionally correct act.

Interview given on 13th September 2009

A particular section of this interview by General Musharraf, was misquoted and misinterpreted by the international, Indian and Pakistani media. Indians including the Indian Minister for external affairs Shahsi Tharoor , accused General Musharraf and Pakistan of misusing the US aid, and cited these media reports as proof of Pakistan’s mala-fide intentions in its WoT. Please read a wonderful article and refute by Mr. Nadir Hassan below courtesy Newsline and view that particular video at YouTube.

Interview given on 11th September 2009

For complete non-stop video, view at StopDesi

In a SPIEGEL interview, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, 65, discusses the dramatic  situation in Pakistan, where army troops are fighting Islamist extremists in the Swat Valley, his people’s ambivalent relationship with the United States and his country’s failures in combating the Taliban.

SPIEGEL: Mr. Musharraf, there’s a bon mot that states that ruling Pakistan is like riding a tiger. You were in power for nine years. Are you bored now?

Musharraf: I recently was in Saudi Arabia, China and London giving lectures. I have engaged the famous Walker Agency …

SPIEGEL: … which Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Gerhard Schröder all work with …

Musharraf: … In Prague, I am giving a lecture on leadership in front of high-level managers at a company which owns Pizza Hut and KFC.

SPIEGEL: Pakistan is in a major state of crisis. Close to 2.5 million people have fled the areas of fighting in the northwest and the Swat Valley. There are attacks almost daily. Is Pakistan on the verge of collapse?

Musharraf: This is wrong. Nothing can happen to Pakistan as long as the armed forces are intact and strong. Anyone who wants to weaken and destabilize Pakistan just has to weaken the army and our intelligence service, ISI, and this is what is happening these days. Lots of articles have been written claiming that Pakistan will be divided, that it will fall apart or become Balkanized. I personally feel there is some kind of conspiracy going on with the goal of weakening our nation.

One of the most prominent problems of the world is terrorism. RT spoke to a man who is no stranger to the “War on Terror”, ex-president of Pakistan and a man who ruled the country for nine years, Mr. Pervez Musharraf.

RT: To your opinion, what is the role of Russia in the “War on Terror”, and, specifically, in the region of Afghanistan?

Pervez Musharraf: Yes, Russia has been very familiar with the region, and therefore it must have a very positive effective role in stabilizing Afghanistan. What we need to develop in Afghanistan is a homegrown political system which keeps the integrity of Afghanistan intact.

Therefore, Russia must contribute towards that, and develop a homegrown political solution to the situation inside of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan was together for 300 years, more than that, through a term called Missah-ke-Milli. This is a socio-political contract, a national covenant, where all the ethnic groups: the Tajiks, Uzbeks, Khazars, Pakhtuns. They decided to remain intact and accepted the sovereignty of the king.

CNN (Video-1) (Video-2)

(YouTube 1) (YouTube 2) (YouTube 3)

Read Full interview below: This is a rush copy and may be updated.

17 May 2009 – FAREED ZAKARIA, HOST, GLOBAL PUBLIC SQUARE: This is GPS, the GLOBAL PUBLIC SQUARE. Welcome to all of you in the United States and around the world. I’m Fareed Zakaria. If Pakistan and Afghanistan are the biggest global stories of the moment, the man who can shed the most light on them is surely Pervez Musharraf, who was Pakistan’s president for almost a decade until just last year. He is my guest today for the hour.

ZAKARIA: Joining me now is President Pervez Musharraf. Welcome, sir.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, FORMER PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: Thank you.

ZAKARIA: Well, a lot of people watch what’s happening in Pakistan and ask, why is this happening in Pakistan? Why does Pakistan seem to be filled with these radical elements, extremist movements, Taliban, elements of al Qaeda? Ten years and $10 billion later, it appears they are stronger.

But why has it not been successful? Let’s just take what the end result is. You have the Swat Valley overrun by Taliban.

MUSHARRAF: Why is it not succeeding? Because of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, more than 50 percent of Afghanistan is under Taliban control. Why are U.S. forces and coalition forces not — if you succeed in Afghanistan, all of this will be over.

View Video of Musharraf’s Interview 

Read full interview below Courtesy of  ‘Af-Pak’ War

Frost: Hello, and welcome to Frost Over the World. Today, in an exclusive interview, we are speaking to the man who ruled Pakistan for almost a decade. Former president Musharraf is with us here in the studio, now. Later we’ll hear about the South African elections, and ask why it is that the Somali pirates appear to be so successful, and untouchable. But first, it was a miitary coup in 1999 which brought General Musharraf, the head of the Pakistan army, to power. You remained in charge for almost ten years. And during that time Pakistan changed quite a lot. Most notably perhaps it became a focal point for the US war on terror, declared after 9/11. President Musharraf fell from power in August last year when in a rare — indeed what became a very rare — show of unity, opposing political parties worked together to oust him. In the end he resigned, and is here now. Thank you for being with us.

Musharraf: My pleasure.

Frost: Tell me, uhm what are your feelings today; as you look at the current state of your homeland, of Pakistan. I mean, uhm, what are your emotions, as you see the situation now?

Musharraf: Very sad, I feel sad, and… [pause] despondent, at whatever is happening; because, Pakistan is suffering.

Frost: Despondent, and sad, yes. And, do you think with all the list of problems that there are at the moment, and food shortages and power shortages and turmoil with… and indeed the insurgents and the rise of extremism and all of these things and the economy… uhm do you think … if you’d, still been there, that you could have dealt with some of those, successfully. Or, is it just an, insoluble problem?

Musharraf: No, no, not at all, I think my experience of nine years shows that the nation has a great potential and it has all the resources, it also has the acumen, the people are intelligent, to understand what the problems are and resolving them. So its not the problem of lack of understanding, of lack of resources,  or lack of potential. The people unfortunately…. The people have to have confidence in the government, and if that happens, I think the situation is recoverable.

Musharraf’s Speech  (Video)

Q&A session with Musharraf  (Video)

Bismillah Rehman Ur Rahim.

Aroon Puri Sahab, excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is indeed my proud privilege to be speaking to such an august gathering. I would like to express my gratitude first of all to Aroon Purie sahab for having invited me and then giving me this opportunity to speak frankly to this august gathering. I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for being here together and for honouring me. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the officials of Government of India for all the care that they have taken and they are taking for my security and protocol. Thank you very much ladies & gentlemen.

The subject that I have been given to speak is indeed the challenge of change. I am presuming, obviously, that the challenge of change in the context of Indo-Pakistan relations and not the world. So therefore, I presume ki yeh ek apas ki baat hain, apas ki baat karni hai and we have to be very frank and forthright in this apas ki baat. The subject indeed is most apt. It is apt because it rally depicts what is happening in the world, in our region and also may I say in our respective countries and there is an urgent requirement of a change. But when we say change, I take it implies breaking the status-quo, burying the past, moving forward positively. That, to be exact, is the essence of my speech or my lecture today.

Ladies & gentlemen, I stand for peace. Peace between Indian and Pakistan, whether you believe it or not, irrespective of all the cover, what you have said on the cover. And I mean every word of it again whether you believe it or not. I stand for peace, for the sake of the whole world, which today considers our region as a nuclear flashpoint. I stand for peace for the sake of our region, the South Asian region, where progress and development is tied to harmony between India and Pakistan. I stand for peace for the sake of the people of our two countries. The down-trodden, toiling masses of India and Pakistan and I stand for peace for the sake of our future generation to whom we owe a better life and a better environment.

   

 

 

 

 Chronological record of events, that validates President Musharraf’s election as President and  subsequent endorsements by Supreme Court

Written by: Afreen Baig

1-      On 13 May 2000, Pakistan’s 12 member Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coup and granted Musharraf executive and legislative authority for 3 years from the coup date. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was one of the judges that validated. (Link)

2-      On 7 October 2002, the 5 member bench of Supreme Court validated LFO and amendments to constitution. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was one of the judges that validated. (Link)

3-      On 29 Dec 2004, PML-Q government passed the 17th constitutional amendment bill in National Assembly, with 2/3 majority, also approved by Senate that allowed President Musharraf to hold dual offices. (Link)

4-      Constitution of Pakistan – Article 63 clause (1) paragraph (d), read with proviso to Article 41 clause (7) paragraph (b), allows the President to hold dual office.

5-      On 13 April 2005, the 5 member bench of Supreme Court gave judgment in favor of 17^th amendment and President’s uniform. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was one of the judges that validated. (Link)

6-      On 28 September 2007, the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Pervez Musharraf to seek another five-year term, and stand for Presidential elections, when six of the nine judges, rejected a tangle of petitions against him and threw out a major legal challenge to his re-election plans. Presided by Justice Rana Bhagwandas. (Link)

7-      President Musharraf was elected President of Pakistan, on 6th October 2007, by a combined electoral of the Senate, National Assembly and the FOUR Provincial Assembles.

8-      President of Pakistan declared emergency on 3^rd November 2007, as per Article 232 of the constitution.

9-      The 10 member bench of Supreme Court (SC) on 24 November 2007 directed the chief election commissioner and the government to declare Pervez Musharraf president for a second term. (Link)

10-  On 24 November 2007, the Pakistan Election Commission confirmed Musharraf’s re-election as President. (Link)

11-  President Musharraf won by 58% votes, declared in November 2007, as the constitutional President of Pakistan!

12-   On 28 November 2007, Musharraf relinquished the office of Chief of Armed Staff, as per November 2007 verdict of the Supreme Court.

13-   On 15 Feb 2008, the Supreme Court validated the proclamation of emergency of 3rd Nov 2007, PCO 2007 and oath of the judges. This full court judgment was written by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar. (Link)

By: Tariq Saeedi, with Sergi Pyatakov in Moscow and Mark Davidson in Washington

 

Mumbai episode is the latest in a long and nefarious story that started unfolding some 16 months ago in the barren hills of Baluchistan, a sparsely populated province in western Pakistan.

 After more than 22000 kilometers of road and rail travel, endless legwork chasing small and seemingly unrelated clues, hundreds of interviews and many dozens of field trips, all we have been able to do is just remove the lid on the American designs on Pakistan and India. Equally disturbing is the reality that Central Asia, China and Russia are also in the crosshairs of the United States. What we have found is sheer in scope, mind-boggling and frightening.

 The USA seems to have decided to:

• Bifurcate Pakistan using all possible means, including the religious elements that can be bought, coerced or tricked;
• Pull the plug on the Indian and Pakistani economies by creating a situation of perpetual confrontation;
• Prevent India from becoming an economic rival of the United States in foreseeable future by denying it the energy resources of Central Asia and Iran, and draining its precious human and material assets in dead-end pursuits;
• Promote drug addiction in South and Central Asia so that all the opium produced in Afghanistan is consumed in the region and little or none is left for export to the American markets;
• Block the economic growth and expanding regional influence of China and Russia;
• Acquire logistics facilities and infrastructure network for military action against Iran;

 

Written By: Afreen Baig

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s ‘The Military Inc.’ is a book deflective of reality, highly derogatory and against the very notion of sovereignty.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa launches the book by giving the impression that her intention is to cover the entrepreneurial activities of military worldwide. However, in depth reading reaffirms suspicions that her book massively targets the Pakistan Military and the top echelons of the Armed Forces, most of which are based upon self serving assumptions and intentional hoodwinking. A labyrinth of financial figures is presented to further obscure the ordinary reader’s intelligence.

The book sets forward four arguments. First, that MILBUS (Military Business) is military capital that perpetuates the military’s political predatory style; and is kept concealed and includes questionable transfer of resources from public sector to individuals connected with armed Forces. Second, the military’s economic greed increases in totalitarian systems. Third, Military convinces the citizens to bear additional costs for security on basis of conceived threats to the State. Fourth, the book considers the Pakistan Military the cause of all ills, social disparity and democratic fiasco.

Let’s start by setting the record straight. MILBUS in Pakistan – is the result of honest intentions and visionary policies – to raise independent resources, to self-finance the on-going national technological development, to modernize strategic assets, and most importantly, the determination to rely less on Foreign Aid. While at the same time, build facilities for retired military personnel and their families; and slowly withdrawing from National Defense budget allocation as a percentage of GDP.

 

 

Written By: Afreen Baig  

Foreign Reserves – a significant economic indicator and of vital importance to every expanding economy. Foreign Reserves is the first and basic economic indicator that transmits an air of confidence and trust, amongst the potential foreign & local investors and the nation. Foreign Reserves are held in abundance and accumulated – in order to sustain the confidence of a country’s capacity to carry out external trade confidently, to balance the momentum between demand & supply of foreign currencies, and also used as an intervention tool by the State Bank. Reserves also bail out the economy in times of financial crisis.

By October 2007, at the end of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s tenure, Pakistan raised back its Foreign Reserves to a handsome $16.4 billion. His exceptional policies kept our trade deficit controlled at $13 billion, exports boomed to $18 billion, revenue generation increased to become $13 billion and attracted foreign investment of $8.4 billion.

Pakistan recently has seen a drastic drop in its Reserves by 50% and its currency devalued by 40%, which has left ordinary people confused and the usual cynics have started heaping the blame onto the policies of Mr. Shaukat Aziz, without even knowing the basic macro-economic indicators nor understanding the relationship b/w Foreign reserves, Trade deficit and Currency devaluation.

The Trade deficit (Exports minus Imports) is always managed in ratio to Revenue generation, Capital inflows and Reserves. Almost all developing economies face the dread of trade deficit but their abundant foreign reserves gives them the fiscal space to overcome those grievances.

Illustrating in mathematics for ordinary readers, on October 2007, when PM Shaukat Aziz left us:

Exports – $18 billion

Imports – $30.53 billion

Trade deficit – $12.53 billion

Foreign Reserves – $16.4 billion

The only safe ship in a storm is leadership – Faye Wattleton

 

18 August 2008, has become a day of gloom for all Musharraf lovers. Today, our eyes and hearts cry! The man we so loved, honored, admired and cherished for his determination to deliver for Pakistan – and deliver he remarkably did! He was a man who believed & practiced in ‘Pakistan First’. The only honest and visionary leader we ever had. Pakistan progressed and prospered under his leadership. Pakistan had hope under his selfless & patriotic policies. We love you Musharraf!

 

Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things – Jesse Jackson

General Musharraf in his historic speech to the nation, also enumerating the successes of his 8 years rule, announced to resign as President of Pakistan. General Musharraf was his confident self and his message optimistic. He bowed out with dignity and courage, to avoid confrontation, and in the best interest of the nation and the country. In his words, it was not the time for individual bravado. He received a guard of honor before he parted the Presidency.

 

Nonetheless, despite his mistakes, he has been that rare phenomenon in Pakistani politics — an honest man with good intentions who tried to serve his country to the best of his abilities. In a country that has suffered so much over the years from corrupt and self-serving politicians, there have been too few figures like him. (Editorial Arab News)

 

 

For us – General Musharraf  is our Hero – Our Leader !

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be – Rosalynn Carter

Highlights of President Musharraf’s last speech  (Here) and (Here) and (Here) and (Video of Speech)

Updated September 2009!

Compiled by: Mirza Rohail B and Afreen Baig

 

Pak Economy in 1999 was: $ 75 billion (Source)
Pak Economy in 2007 is: $ 160 billion (Source) and (Source)
Pak Economy in 2008 is: $ 170 billion (Source)

 

GDP Growth in 1999:  3.1 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2005:  8.4 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2007:  7 % (Source)

GDP Growth in 2009:  2 % (Source) and (Source)

 

GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1999: $ 270 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2007: $ 475.5 billion (Source)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2008: $ 504.3 billion (Source)

 

GDP per Capita Income in 1999: $ 450 (Source)
GDP per Capita Income in 2007: $ 926 (Source)

GDP per Capita Income in 2008: $1085 (Source)

 

Pak revenue collection 1999: Rs. 305 billion (Source)
Pak revenue collection 2007: Rs. 708 billion (Source) and (Source)

Pak revenue collection 2008: Rs. 990 billion (Source)

 

Pak Foreign reserves in 1999: $ 1.96 billion (Source)
Pak Foreign reserves in 2007: $ 16.4 billion (Source) and (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 2008: $ 8.89 billion (Source)

Pak Foreign reserves in 2009: $ 14.4 billion (Source)

 

Pak Exports in 1999: $ 8 billion (Source)
Pak Exports in 2007: $ 18.5 billion (Source)

Pak Exports in 2008: $ 19.22 billion (Source) and (Source)

 

Textile Exports in 1999: $ 5.5 billion (Source)
Textile Exports in 2007: $ 11.2 billion (Source)

 

KHI stock exchange 1999: $ 5 billion at 700 points
KHI stock exchange 2007: $ 75 billion at 14,000 points (Source)
KHI stock exchange 2008: $ 46 billion at 9,300 points (Source) and $20 billion at 4,972 points (Source)

KHI stock exchange 2009: $ 26.5 billion (Source) at 9,000 points (Source)

 

Foreign Investment in 1999: $ 301 million (Source)
Foreign Investment in 2007: $ 8.4 billion (Source)

Foreign Investment in 2008: $ 5.19 billion (Source)

 

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 1999: 1.5% ( Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2005: 19.9% (Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2007: 8.6% (Source)

Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) in 2008: 4.8%  (Source)

 

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1988: $ 18 billion

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 1999: $ 39 billion (Source) and (Source)

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2007: $ 40.17 billion (Source)

Debt (External Debt & Liabilities) in 2009: $ 50.1 billion (Source)

 

Debt servicing 1999: 65% of GDP (Source) and (Source)
Debt servicing 2007: 28% of GDP (Source) and (Source)

Debt servicing 2008: 27% of GDP (Source)

 

Poverty level in 1999: 34% (Source) and (Source)
Poverty level in 2007: 24% (Source) and (Source)

 

Literacy rate in 1999: 45% (Source)
Literacy rate in 2007: 53% (Source)

 

Pak Development programs 1999: Rs. 80 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2007: Rs. 520 billion (Source)
Pak Development programs 2008: Rs. 549.7 billion (Source)

 

© Our leader – Musharraf

 Compiled by: Afreen Baig

1. Pakistan economy was the 3rd fastest growing economy after China & India in 2006. [Source]

2. Pakistan in 1999 was an economy of $75 billion and now in 2007 it is a $160 billion economy. [Source]

3. Under Musharraf’s vision: 9 world class Engineering universities being developed. [Source. Project halted due to Political uncertainty]

4. Private sector institutions have increased from 36,096 (in 1999) to become 81,103 (in 2006). (Source)

5. Pakistan is the 3rd best in world Banking profitability. [Source].

6. Pakistan IT industry now values around $2.8 billion, including $1.4 billion of IT exports. [Source] and [Source].

7. Around 80,000 direct jobs & 500,000 indirect jobs have been created by the Telecom sector alone. [Source].

8. Industrial Parks are being setup throughout the country for the very first time. [Source & this & this].

9. Major Mega projects like the Saindak, Rekodiq, Marble production, Coal production and Mining & Quarrying are being pursued. [Source].

10. GDP growth is now 6%. Earlier it was 3.5%.

11. Foreign Reserves from $1 billion to $17 billion. (Source)

12. Karachi stock market: rose from 700 points to 13,000 points. [Source].

13. Literacy rate has improved by 11%. [Source].

14. Poverty levels have decreased by 10%. [Source].

15. 3 dams have been constructed: Mirani, Subakzai, Gomalzam dams. [See this, this, and this. (Kurram Tangi Dam)].

16. 6 Motorways completed or under construction: M1, M3, M8, M9, M10, M11. [Source].

17. Six major highways under construction. [Source].

18. GWADAR advance Mega Sea port developed under Musharraf’s vision. [Source].

19. Historic 100% increase in Tax collection of $11 billion. [Source & this].

20. Large scale manufacturing is 30 year high. [Source].

21. Construction activity is 17 years high.

22. Newly found World class copper- gold deposits in Chagai will fetch around $600 million per year.

23. A new Oil refinery with UAE will fetch $5 billion & will process 300,000 oil barrels a day. [Source].

24. CNG sector has attracted over $70 billion investment in last 5 years. [Source].

25. Industrial sector registered 26% growth. [Source].

For detailed Information see - Musharraf Era: Pakistan Flourishes

©Our leader – Musharraf

Compiled By: Mirza Rohail B

 

The right Manager manages his company with whatever resources he has, and manages to set it towards an unprecedented growth and prosperity, utilizing all internal and external factors. Musharraf proved to be the right Manager for Pakistan! MNC’s also provide excellent job opportunities; and with them bring in the required Capital, latest Technology, developed Human resources, management, quality & safety standards.

 

1.     Dubai Ports World announced on 1 June 2006, that it will spend $10 billion to develop Real estate, infrastructure and transport in Pakistan.

2.     Emaar Properties announced 31 May 2006, three Real estates developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi. The projects with a total investment of $2.4 billion will include developing commercial and residential property.

3.     Emaar Properties also signed a unprecedented $43 billion deal to develop two Island resorts – Bundal Island and Buddo Island – over the decade.

4.     International Petroleum Investment Co, owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; has received approval from Pakistan’s government to build a $5 billion Oil refinery at Hub in Baluchistan. The refinery, which will be Pakistan’s biggest, have the capacity to process 300,000 barrels of oil a day.

5.     2006: The government is all set to establish an ‘Oil city‘ with an investment of $40 billion at Gwadar Port to make it the biggest crude and refined oil storage base in the region. The government has allotted 12,500 acres of land in Gwadar. The Chinese Petroleum Chamber would come up with $12.5 billion investment plan for the project.

6.     Kuwait will establish an Oil refinery at Port Qasim, 50 km southeast of Karachi, at expected cost of $1.2 billion. Refinery would have the capacity to refine 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

7.     The Canadian conglomerate Cathy Oil and Gas signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2006 to invest $5 billion in oil and gas exploration, development, production and commercialization in Pakistan.

8.     Canadian Oil & Gas Company signed with Pakistan a $ 200 million project that would generate 50,000 direct jobs in Sindh. It will explore, develop, produce and commercialize of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) in Pakistan up-to 70,000 barrels a day for about 20 years.

9.     July 2006: The Government awarded three blocks in the country’s offshore Indus Delta to British Petroleum Pakistan. BP Pakistan (formerly known as Union Texas Pakistan) will Explore gas blocks U, V and W, covering an area of 21,000 square km, for oil and gas reserves.

10.  Dubai’s Foreign investment in Pakistan’s capital markets recorded significant growth in 2006 and more than doubled to Dh1.278 billion ($351.5 million) by June 30 this year. It stood at Dh554.9 million last year.

Written by: Afreen Baig

Picture Courtesy Waleed Irfan Superbikez

War on Terrorism (WoT) did not start with the advent of 9/11, rather it started in 1980’s when Russia was defeated in Afghanistan, and the USA pulled out abandoning the hundreds of thousands of equipped and trained guerillas. Those guerillas and militants integrated in small pockets in various regions of Afghanistan and NWFP. They utilized their militancy to influence domestic tribes and mosques to instigate and promote radicalism. In 2000-01, Government of Pakistan was forced to ban several extremist outfits due to increase in sectarian violence and its effect on the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. For Pakistan – it was already at war with extremism!

9/11 further changed the political dimensions for USA, and also changed Pakistan’s destiny. A destiny that is full of expectations, decision making, media trial, uprising opportunist and extremist hoping to destabilize Pakistan. Who will be the ultimate winner is yet to be seen. The regional environment is a complex one and Pakistan is fighting a multi-faceted battle that will change the course of history.

9/11 put Pakistan in a complicated situation, where tough decisions had to be taken. Richard Armitage’s threatening message forced Pakistan to gauge the urgency and seriousness of the episode. The message was clear – the USA will do anything, to do what it had to do in its National Interest. NATO will follow suit. Pakistan was left alone to decide and protect its National Interest. The President decided in Nation’s self-interest and self-preservation. War on terrorism (WoT) marked its presence – it was inevitable!

Implications of war are grave and Pakistan having gone under a similar situation in 1980’s knew better. Millions of effected immigrants will insist & require safe dwellings in the tribal areas of NWFP. Keen RAW and Russian espionage missions will try to cross over and operate from our tribal areas. Transport of illegal weapons and arms would have taken place to support our local opportunist rebels. Desperation might have compelled the US and NATO forces to march into a sovereign Pakistan. Above all, India was more than willing to extend its support and services to US on its WoT. Keeping in mind these ground realities; we had to choose our destiny carefully.

Compiled By: Mirza Rohail B

©Our leader – Musharraf

All this is all the more amazing when one considers that just six years ago, Pakistan was on the verge of bankruptcy, with only a little more than $1bn in foreign exchange reserves and its stock market teetering at 1,000 points (worth $5 billion only) and foreign debt servicing at 65% of GDP. Our exports were at a pitiful $7.5 billion.

The once ever-declining rupee stood stable at around 60-61 to a dollar since Musharraf took over. Of the 184 member countries of the IMF, Pakistan’s rate of economic growth 7% is one of the best in the world. The Karachi stock market is now above 13,000 points and worth around $65 billion. Now foreign debt servicing has lowered to become 28%. Our exports increased to become $18 billion.

1. Pakistan economy is among the fastest growing economies in the world as its economy has reached the size of $170 billion in 2008 from a mere $70 billion in 1999. Pakistan attracted a record FDI of $8.4 billion in 2007.

2. 2007: National revenues had swelled from Rs 308 billion during 1988-99 to around Rs 800bn in 2008; and Federal Board of Revenue estimates now 2.8 million Income Tax payers.

Year             Total CBR     Direct         Indirect      Custom     Sales     Central excise 

1998-99       308.5bn        110.4bn       198.1bn     65.3bn      72bn         60.8bn

2005-06       712.5bn       224.6bn       487.9bn     138.2bn    294.6bn      55bn   

2008-09       810.3bn        305bn             –          105.3bn    319.3bn       80.5bn  (2008-09 Progressive)

3. Public sector development program (PSDP) has also grown from Rs 80 billion in 1999; to Rs 520 billion in 2007 and increased further to Rs 549.7 billion in 2008.

4. FACT of 2006-07: The rate of growth in Pakistan Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) is at a 30-year high. Construction activity is at a 17-year high.

LSM: 1999-00 was  1.5% and 2004-05 was 19.9% and 2006-07 was 8.6% and 2007-8 is 5%.

5. FACT of 2007: The Infrastructure Industries Index, which measures the performance of Seven industries, i.e. Electricity generation, Natural gas, Crude oil, Petroleum products, Basic metal, Cement and coal, has recorded a 26.2 percent growth in Industrial sector of Pakistan.

6. FACT of 2006-07: Jan 14: Pakistan now has a total of 245,682 Educational institutions in all categories, including 164,579 (i.e. 67 per cent) in the public sector and 81,103 (i.e. 100 per cent) in the private sector, reports the National Education Census (NEC-2005). The census — jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM) and the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) — reveals that the number of private-sector institutions has increased from 36,096 in 1999-2000 to 81,103 in 2005, i.e. by 100 per cent. 45,007 Educational Institutions have increased in Musharraf Era.

7. FACT of 2006-07: Pakistan is 3rd in world in Banking profitability, a report of IMF said. On the IMF chart, in late 2006, Pakistan’s banking profitability is on third position after Colombia and Venezuela. On the IMF chart India is on 36th position and China is on 40th position. Pakistan’s Banking sector turned profitable in 2002. Their profits continued to rise for the next five years and peaked to Rs 84.1 ($1.1 billion) billion in 2006.  Pakistan’s Financial Services

8. 11 May 2009: By producing 7.746 tonnes of gold during the last five years – 2004 to 2008 – Pakistan has joined the ranks of gold producing countries. According to the data with the Saindak Metal Limited – during the last five years – Pakistan has produced 86,013 tonnes of copper, 7.746 tonne gold and 11.046 tonne silver, besides the production of 14,482 tonnes of magnetite concentrate (iron), bringing in a total of $633.573 million.

9. In 1999 what we earned as GDP: we used to give away 64.1 % as foreign debt and liabilities. Now in 2006, what we earn as GDP: we give ONLY 28.3 % as foreign debt and liabilities. Now we are SAVING 35 % of Our GDP for economic growth.

External debt & liabilities (EDL):

1988 – $ 18 billion

1990 – $ 20 billion

1999 – $ 39 billion

2007 – $ 40.17 billion

2008 – $ 45 billion

2009 – $ 50 billion

 

10. According to Economic Survey 2005. Poverty in Pakistan in 2001 was 34.46%. And, now after 7 years of Musharraf; Poverty in 2005 was 23.9%. Poverty DECREASED by 10.56%. Overall, 12 million people have been pushed out of Poverty in 2001 -2005!

11. 2007: Literacy rate in Pakistan has increased from 45% (in 2002) to 53% (in 2005). And, Education now receives 4% of GDP and English has been introduced as compulsory subject from grade 1.

12.  12-4-07: The IT industry, which was virtually non-existent seven years ago, has grown to be worth $2 billion of which $1 billion is export related. It rregistered a 50% growth. 55 foreign IT companies have already entered the market. Now the sector employed 90,000 professionals.

Written by: Afreen Baig

History

 After the construction of the Hydro-Electric Tarbela Dam and the Mangla Dam, by General Ayub Khan and General  Yahya Khan in the 1960’s, our governments failed to conceive and initiate major electricity projects.

 The inept governments of PML-N and PPP, that still consider themselves vital to democratic dialogue within the provinces, failed to create dialogue within provinces, on the most important issue facing Pakistan’s energy survival – the Kalabagh Dam. Their governments failed to plan for the future growth and energy requirements. Recently the government of PPP has scraped the project altogether.

 

Unexpected Economic Boom & Energy Consumption in the last 10 years

 Pakistan’s $75 billion economy boomed into a $160 billion economy, with the consumption of gas, electricity and coal increasing YEARLY to an average rate of 7.8 percent, 5.1 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively.

 The number of electricity consumers grew from 15.9 million in 2005-06 to 16.7 million in 2007, showing a growth of about 70 percent over the last 10 years.

 The major Energy consumption sectors of the country are: Industrial (38.3 percent), Transport (32.8 percent), Residential and Commercial (25 percent), Agriculture (2.5 percent) and others (2.2 percent).

 As regards Electricity, the Household sector has been the largest consumer over the last 10 years, on average consuming 44.8 percent, followed by Industrial sector (29.4 percent), Agriculture (12.2 percent), Commercial sector (5.9 percent), Street lights (10.6 percent), the officials say.