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Emulating Nawaz Sharif
Critics of Mian Nawaz Sharif, three-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, have consistently lacked the courage to acknowledge his significant contributions to country’s economic development. Unfortunately, this is not surprising. In our country, there is a long-standing tradition of criticizing rather than appreciating one’s opponents. People in our part of the world often focus on fault-finding rather than recognizing positive contributions, driven by self-interest. While this mindset is deeply regrettable, it remains the reality.
The contributions Nawaz Sharif made during his three interrupted tenures as Prime Minister are unmatched. Regardless of what his critics may say, their biased opinions have neither diminished his achievements in the past nor will they in the future. His work for the nation’s progress and prosperity stands as undeniable evidence of his leadership.
While we may lack the moral courage to openly acknowledge the economic policies and overall contributions of Nawaz Sharif, it doesn’t mean others won’t recognize them. The late Manmohan Singh, a renowned Indian economist and two-time Prime Minister, demonstrated remarkable honesty and courage by openly confessing during a conversation with eminent Pakistani columnist and analyst Najam Sethi that his economic reforms as India’s Finance Minister in 1991 onward were inspired by Nawaz’s policies.
This candid acknowledgment speaks volumes about Manmohan Singh’s integrity and magnanimity. The question remains: will we, as a nation, ever develop the courage to show such fairness and appreciation for the contributions of our leaders, as Manmohan Singh did?
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
FBR not bias against elite
but poor
Shamim Ahmed letter published in today’s English daily, having scrutinized inside out of CBR during my assignment as Member, FACC, It was my candid opinion that CBR is not only involved in the doctrine of figures to dodge the rulers but the donors who were crying in the wilderness. Doctrine of figure was firstly leakage of revenue by officials of tax administration but in league with the unpatriotic tax advisor representing the elite and multinational companies not paying due but helped to obtain status quo and involve in long-lasting litigation first creating a shortfall in annual targets then collecting advance tax for the next quarter, role of Chartered Accountants and Advisors has been shameful, I had written article “Accountability of Accountant & Auditors”
CBR / FBR actually was never biased against Elite, rather the on-going practice of seeking lucrative posting after greasing the palms and recovering with profit was only possible after associating with accountants and auditors who also had some share in the booty. The incompetent Politician’s appointing spineless and corrupt revenue collectors who facilitated in abuse of authority then by changing SRO’s and now the amendments is new path for corruption leading to IMF intervention and heavy imposition of GST on infants milk and diapers that has forced poor unable to secure one meal a day for family and starve to death or suicide. Nero is playing his flute and singing. Everything is working for the poor and plundered and looters are sleeping under the umbrella of their patrons avoiding from the wrath of accountability.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Convicted & sentenced
With the conviction and sentencing of 85 of those accused of involvement in the attacks on 9 May 2023, the courts martial have carried out the permission given by the Supreme Court to carry out the trials, which had earlier been stopped. However, it is not to be assumed that the last has been heard of the matter, for the establishment wants the “mastermind’ of these attacks tried. The material which has come out so far has indicated that the May 9 attacks were carefully planned and designed to have led to a coup.
That ‘mastermind’ is supposed to be Mr Khan, and he has been nominated in cases related to May 9. With the PTI saying it intends to appeal these convictions in courts, leading to a legal battle besides political rivalry. It is astonishing that if these convicted are not owned by the PTI’s leadership then why they are making hue and cry on these convictions. It is pertinent that Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Niazi, has also been tried and sentenced 10-year as well. He made himself prominent by waving around the trousers of the Corps Commander Lahore, he also focused the attention of investigators on himself.
While his conviction and sentence will demonstrate to the military that justice has been done, it will also show Mr Imran Khan what could happen to him. It should not be forgotten that not only are there still May 9 charges he must answer, but the verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case has been reserved. There can be no justification for the desecration of military symbols on May 9. Punishment and trial should not simply become a political tool, and should not be used to make one side talk.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
