Zakhilwal to mend “broken relations”

Zakhilwal  to mend “broken relations”

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The Afghan-Pak relations are multidimensional , interdependent and unique. The two nations co-existed for thousands of years. However, they  presently suffer from “broken relations” syndrome due to many factors. They suffer from trust deficit. Pakistan is viewed by Afghanistan as the least country while Afghanistan is viewing Pakistan as the second least country. Because the relations are unique and special, they require special attention. Afghanistan looks forward to obtain substantive  help from Pakistan to stop the ongoing civil war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is bleeding as a result of the civil war, which kills daily 200-250 persons most of whom are civilians.

Those were the highlights of a lecture by His Excellency Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan. He was speaking on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations as a guest speaker of The Oxbridge Lecture of March, 2016.

Zakhilwal dilated on all aspects of the bilateral relations in a bold and authoritative manner. He was in full control during a marathon over  two hours lecture and Question-Answers session . Exercising commendable self-restrain, Zakhilwal was undeterred by some hostile questions and comments by a house full audience representing the elites of the civil society. He went to the extend to proclaim that he was an “envoy” of Afghanistan to Pakistan and not a diplomat. Therefore, he set aside diplomatic necessities to speak up his mind and soul; making the audience receptive to his presentation by loud applause.

Zakhilwal welcomed the formation of QCC but maintained that the inclusion of United States and China in QCC could not bring about pressure on either  countries. His point was that Pakistan and Afghanistan needed to resolve their problems bilaterally and through direct dialogue. However, he was not compromising on the issue of the sovereign rights of Afghanistan to establish relations with any other country. He pointed out that Afghanistan had never taken anti-Pakistan stance during her wars with India.

He dismissed the notion that the Afghan Government was aware of the whereabouts of TTP  chief  Mullah Fazlullah. He reminded a questioner that the TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah  proclaimed full support of Afghan Taliban and that Afghanistan was unable today to stop the advance of Taliban, “How can Afghanistan know the whereabouts of Mullah Fazlullah when it is fighting  Taliban and when  the  two outfits support each other?,” he asked.

The last part of Zakhilwal’s lectured was confined to the “need to take genuine attempts to mend the broken relationships.” In this regard, he noted:

·       The continuation of war by Taliban made Afghanistan unstable, giving rise to the notion that Taliban was nurtured in Pakistan.

·       The deep mistrust is due to misconception and negative media role in both countries.

·       The international community is held responsible. The comity of the nations is required to play a positive role to ensure genuine and frank dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

·       The Afghan war damages the image of Pakistan internationally and economically. Now, Pakistan suffers from huge debts.

·       Afghanistan and Pakistan are one family suffering from a broken relationship and missed opportunities. The solutions should be from within and not from outside.

·       Afghanistan appreciates the burden Pakistan has taken to accommodate 5 million refugees. This has happened and is continued to be happening due to the nature of special ties between the two countries.

·       Peace in Afghanistan is number one priority of Pakistan and vice-versa.

·       Pakistan needs to convince Afghanistan that it respects its sovereignty. Afghanistan has the right to establish relations with any other country so does Pakistan.

·       APTA could not been reached though  the two countries initiated talks on the issue since 2003.However, Zakhilwal took only 2 hours to convince both countries to sign it in 2010.

·       Afghanistan is  Pakistan’s gateway to Central Asian Republics. Similarly, Pakistan is Afghanistan’s gateway to South Asia.

·       Both countries should cooperate to implement TAPI and CASA projects.

·       Afghanistan has made it clear that it would never permit anyone to use its territories against Pakistan. Furthermore, Afghanistan’s benefit is not at the cost of Pakistan.

While some members of the media and audience were visibly annoyed with the extra-ordinary openness of Zakhilwal, as evident from their questions and comments, Dr. Irshad Ullah Khan, a senior Rotarian, Rhodes Scholar and the nominee to Nobel prize for Literature, was smiling. I immediately realized that Dr. Khan had taken his verdict on the guest speak of Oxbridge. My impression was authenticated when Dr. Khan paid rich tributes to Zakhilwal and his presentation, describing him as a friend of Pakistan. 

Towards the end of the event,  a member of the audience whispered, “ When Pakistan  could accommodate 5 million Afghan refugees,  and the relation is so unique , why would the two countries don’t consider  forming a confederation ?” Dr. Irshad Ullah Khan  responded affirmably while forecasting that Zakhilwal would be the next foreign minister of Afghanistan. 

Sufis' Brevity

Sufis' Brevity

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The Sufis think a lot and  speak only when it is necessary. When they speak , they opt for brevity. Their stories are short but full of meaning. They make you think  and  conclude what they meant. The central  premise of brevity is the real knowledge  of how to realize the difference between the container and the content.

Giving fiery and lengthy speeches or writing hundreds of books would not influence people or add  to their knowledge. For Sufis, redundancy is the negation of knowledge. What really matters is the ideas, the creative methodology of discourse and how would such methodology bring about inner and social change.

Brevity   is a tool of self –control whereby you may say anything you want  under any circumstances. Brevity teaches you how to speak and write effectively and powerfully. The discourse should touch the soul.

Sufis attempt to ask you what you remember from reading  a huge book. And what you remember constitutes the real knowledge you attained from the book or from hearing a discourse. It resonates in your inner-self,  dominates your thinking and activates your brain. 

Human are superior living things because they can think and express their thinking  either by speaking or writing. Hence, they need to  develop their communication skills through orderly thinking. If you think rationally, you can write convincingly and express yourself in a brief way.  Conversely, if your thinking is confused  or irrational, you tend to speak for a long time or write  irrationally.

This reminds me of the majestic brevity of a Sufi that brought about tremendous transformation in Rabiáh ( The Fourth in Arabic). Rabiáh lived in Basra, Iraq. She was a dancer , singer and entertainer with high degree of "physical" beauty. One day, a Sufi approached her camp asking for  water. He was ridiculed and denied water. 

Hearing the episode, Rabiáh rushed to him and gave him water. He looked at her. She was physically fascinating. He told her that she had a much better beauty: inner beauty and prayed for Almighty God to make her inner beauty prevail on her physical beauty. Subsequently, a transformation in Rabiá's life took place. 

She refused to sing, dance and sell her body. She was arrested, tortured and put in jail for a long time by the Emir of Basra. However, she endured untold hardship by the power of her inner beauty. Before she died, the Emir visited her. He asked her forgiveness. She gave him   the mother of all answers  that you would never ever forget." O Emir ! My heart is so  full of God that there is no place in it for hatred toward anyone."

Inspirational Tweets

Inspirational Tweets

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Twitter is rising among the  social media. A positive trend is noticed with highly respectable and inspirational tweets. Here are some most wise tweets that can also serve as psychological counseling of frustrated people:

·       You are much more capable of happiness than you think.

·       Sometimes friends can break your heart  too.

·       You  always don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for.

·       The expert in anything was once a beginner.

·       But none of the baths lead back to who I used to be.

·       You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.

·       Go after dreams, not people.

·       People don’t change. They just reveal who you are.

·       You are not alone in this universe.

·       Do what is right, not what is easy.

Love and Romance:

·       Eve is the thief who steals the heart of her admirers.

·       Live or die, ask the wise…sermons fades and die

·       Dreaming in daylight, weaving a shade, becoming my soul, my food and bread.

·       Sofi brought us many fantasy flowers, making me upright full of power.

·       I want to be the person you’re scared to lose.

·       I want people to know our secret, not so-secret romance.

·       Asked me to tell you, she tried to like your tweets.

·       Love, the deadliest of deadly things.

·       Although not believe it, I still believe in you, and what we could become.

UNIDO-TRTA FUNCTION

UNIDO-TRTA FUNCTION

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, March 30, 2016 - The speakers at Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) have recommended to explore Dairy, Horticulture, Fisheries and Light Engineering sectors to expedite the export-led value chain development for employments and growth in the country. The two-day Consultative forum was opened today at The Marriott (Islamabad) with assistance of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to compile recommendations on “Export-led development of employment and growth”. The forum was conducted under auspices of European Union funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA-II) Programme, implemented by UNIDO in association with ITC and WIPO.

The Federal Secretary for Industries & Production Mr. Muhammad Arif Azim inaugurated the Dialogue. He said that it is very important to discuss the gaps and issues faced within these sectors so necessary steps can be taken to overcome them and this will take Pakistan’s trade further at a global level. He also thanked all partners and stakeholders for their invaluable efforts; specially EU, UNIDO and SMEDA for supporting such initiatives. European Union Deligation to Pakistan’s representative Mr Johan Sorensen and Unido representative to Pakistan Mr. Esam Alqararah also participated in the Inaugural Ceremony. Mr Sorensen appriciated all the partners’ efforts and highlighted the impact it would have if the issues were effectivley resolved on overall economy of the country. Mr Alqararah shared UNIDO’s vision on Export-led development and the efforts UNIDO is making to promote employment and growth in Pakistan. Mr. Steffen Kaeser from Unido also participated in the forum discussions.

The main focus of the forum was to highlight key achievements made by the TRTA programs since 2004 and as it approaches closure in May 2016, what areas related to employment generation and pro-poor and rural development may be addressed as next steps to build on TRTA successes. These interventions would be in line with the government's Vision 2025 agenda.

This Forum was attended by more than 25 participants from public and private sectors, including the representatives from Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Port and Shipping, Economic Affairs Division, Planning Commission, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) and “Aik Hunar Aik Nagar” (AHAN). From the private sector, representatives from the Fisheries Development Board, Fan manufacturers, light engineering goods-automotive parts, dairy and horticulture sectors. Mr Noman Wazir from KPK and Eng. Jabbar provided keen insight on the needs and development of the industrial sectors. 

As an introduction to the debate, SMEDA CEO Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry gave a ppresentation on SMEDA sector studies, which was followed by overviews on Vision 2025 and TRTA achievements.

The speakers were of the unanimous view that export oriented sectors of the small and medium industries should be provided with the necessary support to fill in the gaps in production and marketing so as compete export market. They acknowledged that the 13 sectors identified by SMEDA for generating new space for exports and employment generation could play pivotal role in raising national exports and job opportunities in the country.

The speakers in this regard, recommended to apply SMEDA’s SME Development strategy, targeted to generate 10 million new jobs with an addition to the exports worth US$ 36 millionwithin five years. Majority of the speakers agreed on a cluster based development approach of SMEDA to promote economic development of the country by improving the competitiveness of designated business sectors; Logistics, ICT & Allied Services, Gems & Jewellery, Horticulture, Construction, Fisheries, Energy, Dairy & Livestock and Engineering .

The forum has also recommended to make SME sector more competitive through common facilities, training centers, and benefits of the clusters’ scale by resolving the issues to be faced in financing and marketing.

It is notable that the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP), through SMEDA is assisting in employment generation and value addition to the national income by helping increase the number, scale and competitiveness of SMEs and providing an enabling environment and business development services to small and medium enterprises. Further SMEDA, being a subsidiary body of MOIP is not only an SME policy-advisory agency for the Government of Pakistan, but also facilitates other stakeholders in addressing their SME development agendas.

The key output of this 2-day forum is a concept note, strategic paper on key areas of intervention in specific sectors, that may be used as a template for development of project documents that the government can then use mobilize both national and international funds.

Gallup’s Behavioral Economics

Gallup’s Behavioral Economics

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Chairman Gallup Pakistan(PHD, MIT) and Dr. Umar Taj, PHD, University of Warwick &MSc, London School of Economics &Political Since), stole the show in a workshop organized by Gallup in Islamabad Club. The topic was Behavioral Economics in practice  for social and economic research. A large number of economists, university professors, NGOs and the elite of Islamabad attended the marathon workshop.

Dr. Gilani spoke extempore. His words and expressions were simply fascinating. He looked like speaking prose and poetry.

Dr. Taj outlined in a highly professional manner all the aspects of the workshop using PowerPoint.

The theme was extremely important. Dr. Taj successfully applied the theory into practice, using psychology, pisometry (behavior linked to economic logic) to explain social change. He discussed satisfaction as a drive for individual  identity. In this aspect, Dr. Taj relied on the famous book, “Social Construction of Reality,” by Peter  Berger and Thomas Luckmann . He showed  the participating CEOs how to use the methodology to promote their businesses.

Halo Effect was explained and used on how to predict  and correct vague behavior. This reminds me of the linguistic  “ Least Effort Theory,” and how it creates ambiguity in discorse. Through the concept of “interference” of mother tongue with the target language, errors take place unconsciously.

Discussion also centered on the dynamic of human brain , who would resist complexity. As a result, a method is designed to simplify decision-making through simplicity.

This should be a reminder to FBR and incentive to simplify income tax forms. The complex forms repel even highly educated people from paying their taxes.

The audience  were vigorously engaged in a very lively discussion  on all aspects of the workshop. The majority of the participants were young with eves outnumber men, giving a hope that the youth are rising. The dynamic and highly educated women are now the hope of the nation. Only, women can genuinely fight corruption and enforce transparency. Men have failed. Now, women are destined to rule Pakistan.

Security Council Press on terrorist attacks in Lahore

Security Council Press on terrorist attacks in Lahore
Al-Bab Report

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the 27 March terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of more than 70 people, while leaving over 250 injured, and for which Tehrik-e-Taliban, has claimed responsibility. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the People and Government of Pakistan. They also wished a speedy recovery to those left injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. 

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).


The members of the Security Council commended the resolute efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism.  The members of the Security Council underscored that this or any other attack by the Tehrik-e-Taliban would only strengthen their resolve to support the people of Pakistan and fight terrorism.  The Security Council will continue to support the efforts of the Pakistani authorities in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The Christian Girl

The Christian Girl

Jassim Taqui

When I start  to feel , see universe  light

It  is  your  grace,  divine elegance

from  the  first  sight

It is you, so fresh   so full of  life

in the early  morning

standing before  my  eyes

like  a mirage

the  tenderness  high

the   angle

descended  from the  sky

You’re  darling  then  and  now

You ’re a dream, so  fine

on the  dotted  line

In  my  heart

You’ll always    forever  stay

light  of  my  life  ,every day  

fire  of   emotion  your say

You’re everything,

my  early  strange   world,

far  infinite  long,

my  suffering, happiness

my  blessed   song

Your  memory revives  me in excess,

marks  me for  life

beyond  my  guess

You've  frozen something in  me

love, warmth, all  I can see

Your  love  stays in  my  heart

like a  seal,

Your  love is  life ,

a medicine that  can  heal

Love  you  more  than  anything

I'd ever seen or  imagined on earth

even  if  you  wither , fade  from  the  world,

even if you 'r   cold  ,  indifferent, rude  as  flood

I  would  still  go  mad,

Face my  God,

pray to   my Lord,

beg  heaven and  angels,

use  my mind, soul  and  senses,

crush my  ego,  pride,

seeking  all blesses,

sell my  remaining   time ,

end the story of  my life,

just  to  embrace

a  look on  your  tender  face.

Statement of UNSG on the bombing in Pakistan

Statement of UNSG on the bombing in Pakistan
Al-Bab Report

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide bombing on 27 March 2016 at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in the Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least 60 people and wounding over 100, including many women and children.
The Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act to be brought swiftly to justice, consistent with human rights obligations. He urges the Government to do its utmost to put in place protective measures to ensure the personal security of all individuals, including religious minority communities living in the country.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan.

United Nations Country Team in Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms, the murderous attack on hundreds of people at  Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park in Lahore,  mainly  women and children.



All people in Pakistan have  the right to  peaceful lives.   Brutality such as that in Lahore contradicts that universal right.  Our thoughts are with the Pakistani people, with the victims and their families.    

Punjab: A case for cleanup operation

Punjab: A case for cleanup operation

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The tragic suicide bombing of the innocent Christian minority in Lahore has brought to the fore the extent of the penetration of banned terrorist outfits in Punjab.

Lahore is a maximum security region in the province of Punjab. Yet, terrorists can have a field day, hitting wherever the terrorists will. Imagine other cities and districts of Punjab, where security measures are extremely loose or nonexistent.

Punjab is today the center of terrorist organizations that pose grave danger to Pakistan including LeT, JuD, SSP, LeJ, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Jamat-ul Ahrar, TTP, AQIS and many others.

The Provincial government has closed its eyes on these terrorist organizations despite their history of terror. However, the friends of yesterday have turned against their rich supporters, who opted, for mow, for “ liberalism.”

We pay tribute to the brethren Christian community in this hour of grief. Holy Quran stated majestically,  “قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ (Al-Baqara:136, that translates, “Say We believe in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one of them and we have Muslims (Al-Baqarah:136)

Human Rights: The feeling of Freedom

The feeling of Freedom

Dr. Jassim Taqui

One of the most impressive quote of the legendary leader George Washington is “ If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

Today, the people throughout the world are rising demanding their freedom. The rise is phenomenal in states ,which are ruled by autocratic regimes.

Having surveyed the Twitter in the Middle East for over two weeks, I am surprised to read and enjoy the tweets of the young generation. One could feel that they feel that they are liberated by Social Media. You would see festivity, romance, literature, poems, music, inspiring quotes, issues and solutions and very many other fascinating subjects. You can see solidarity of people with diverse views and cultures. Simply, you can imagine what you see of videos, tweets and powerful mode of expression on the Twitter.

What makes it even more fascinating  is the fact that invariably all tweets are of utmost decency. I had come across only one twitterer  who used obscene language.  But wait. Twitter blocked that tweet. Well done Twitter. The peaceful rise of the discontent is around the corner.