January 19, 2017

A Paradigm Shift with Trump in the Driver Seat

“I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created, I tell you that. I’ll bring back our jobs from China, from Japan, from Mexico and from so many places. I’ll bring back our money. …Sadly, the American dream is dead. But if I get elected president, I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before, and we will make America great again.“ (Donald Trump)------
Though Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United State of America, is known for his ability to sniff out things that don’t smell right, he remains a potential risk for the foundation of existing political and global order. He tends to speak without thinking. In other words, he is brave enough to say what he thinks, and he can certainly voice an opinion. If he has an issue with you, he will say it to your face. In fact, a politician in office with that level of transparency can’t be dishonest.
Other factors for his win: He went along with popular sentiment of anti Muslim bashing. He praised Putin on his stand on Syria that went against Hillary’s approach to resolve conflicts in the Mid-East. Yet at the same time, Russia is alleged to have manipulated the western public opinion through successfully molding Western mainstream media into behavioral models for facilitating Trump’s win.
Question is why did the frustrated Americans become Trump’s supporters? Obviously, his loyalty only focused on America and the Americans—not any political party, any special interest group or foreign entity. Like his slogan reads, “Make America great again!”
The amazing confidence level: Trump is so much self-assured and a powerful personality that is perfectly suitable for the future political environment.
Unlike other politicians who tend to be swayed by lobbyists and special interests, Trump is his own special interest and is unlikely to give that power away to anyone but Trump. He is undeniably a great negotiator, and despite his outrageous public statements in the recent past, he knows how to navigate complex deals and convince a wide variety of industries, businesses, and investors to do what he wants. His track record for his financial success proves that he knows how to build a successful empire.
He has his priorities straight: He has emphasized beliefs in free enterprise and a strong military. He repeatedly highlights his acumen for success, his ability to get things done, and understanding of finances
He intends to keep nuclear weapons out of the wrong hands
Trump said it himself–he will single-handedly stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. We aren’t entirely sure how, but he’s Trump; anything is possible.
Why would Trump make the best president of all time?
He claims to save billions of dollars on the UN Climate Change Programs
He intends to ban foreign lobbyists fundraising for US Elections.
Trumps opponents imply that he was involved with Putin, and that Russia was having an influence on the election.
Furthermore, Trump seems to be the only candidate talking about how important it is that foreign governments and lobbyists shouldn’t have any power over US elections. According to him, Hillary, for instance, has been taking millions from corrupt governments for years.  Thus, a ban on foreign lobbyists from fundraising for United States governments means that it will be only American people  who should be able to have a major influence on the result of an election.
Another one of his ‘Drain the Swamp’ policies is that he will ban all White House officials from lobbying for foreign governments, meaning it will be harder than ever to work with foreign governments and bend the rules to benefit them. That would be great!
Trump said, “America comes first.” This policy shows he really means it.
This policy will ensure that government officials are bound to work in the interests of the United States, and not the rest of the world.
Other negativity on Trump’s part: Trump has unleashed a series of aggressive tweets against the U.S. intelligence community and his political rivals in the recent weeks, and he responded by implying that Brennan had done a bad job as CIA director — and suggesting that he might even have been responsible for information leaking from the intelligence agencies.
Anxiety among the Muslim community: The nervous Muslim-Americans Remain worried about Trump Administration. Many fear they will no longer be welcome in America during the Trump era. "We have a new president who has the support of a lot of people who are not very friendly to the Muslim community."
Moreover, Trump continues to advocate a policy of "extreme vetting" of potential immigrants, to screen out those, such as radicalized Muslims, who might be perceived as a security threat.
Some of Trump's immediate challenges:
How the United States' complicated relationship with Russia will improve?
Both China and the U.S. bilateral trade is 650 billion dollars, in this neoliberal world they are intertwined; how can they damage each other's economic interest?
How to tailor an affordable ‘Health-Care Alternative’ that doesn't strip coverage from millions of Americans?
Removing doubts on the questioned legitimacy of his presidency: Civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., is among several Democrats in Congress who vowed to skip Trump's inauguration, charging that Russian interference in the 2016 election delegitimizes his presidency.
In closing: President Trump is determined to construct a wall on southern border between the U.S. and Mexico to stop illegal migrants. The worst case scenario is he wants Mexico to pay for that wall - WOW!
The inexperienced president needs some practice to improve his thoughts towards the friendly Muslim World. Also, he must remember Pakistan for its sacrifices in its fight against terrorism. America’s friendship with Pakistan means an economically vibrant World, of course.
At the same time, Pakistan must re-evaluate the international economic and political environment in order to prioritize its foreign policy options in its own best interest.
Other problem is Trump intends to scrap NAFTA creating a major economic concern for Canada. Since the global situation is expected to change significantly, Ottawa has smartly planned a large-scale economic expansion with China as its central ambition. Certainly, President Trump is going to serve his people. Nevertheless, if things go wrong, he may not be able to complete his tenure.


Sources: https://todaysinfo.net/13-reasons-why-donald-trump-will-make-the-best-president-ever/, CBC, Globe and Mail, Dawn.com, The News International, Nation.com.pk

January 3, 2017

Probing the Panamagate Case

There is a five-judge larger bench looking into the Panama leaks case. With three of the original five justices still part of the bench, the hearings can now be undertaken more efficiently, however, the newly inducted judges will need extra time to be familiar with the case
Removal of one judge from the previous team of five is due to his upcoming retirement in a couple of months. This suggests that Chief Justice is serious about continuity without disruption.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa is heading the bench. The case is to probe Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children over alleged investments in offshore companies with no obvious money trails to fund the deals.
Having accepted the new bench, the PTI looks forward to pressing its case against the Prime Minister. The regular hearings of the Panama issue will give the opposition a political advantage, and the Sharif family is likely to be on the defensive for the most part. It’s up to the honourable bench to reframe the issues and determine the onus of proof on any party to the case.
Of course, there are lessons to be learned from the earlier set of hearings. An overall intense media scrutiny and informed commentary is good for the democracy, but creating negative hype is equally dangerous.
Panama leaks revelations briefly
An investigation published in the past by an international coalition of more than 100 media outlets ─ based on 11.5 million records and 2.6 terabytes of information drawn from the internal database of Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca ─ details how politicians, celebrities and other famous people use banks, law firms and offshore shell companies to hide their assets.
According to documents available on the ICIJ website, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's children Maryam, Hasan and Hussain were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies.
The data leak revealed the financial wheelings and dealings of over 200 Pakistanis, including the late Benazir Bhutto, Rehman Malik and other prominent politicians and businessmen.
Since the data leak, PM Nawaz has been under immense pressure at the hands of the opposition to ensure a transparent inquiry is held to justify the sources of funding for his children's offshore companies.
Test Case
It's a test case for the Supreme Court, and it's now or never for the country. If the culprits are set free this time, then it's a defeat of 200 million people allowing the mega corruption to end up as legalized unfortunately.
Mystery: The PM is stuck in a difficult scenario from where getting out is a real challenge.
Either he lied before the honourable apex court bench or in the National Assembly and getting out would not be possible without a miracle.
Hopefully a verdict will be delivered by the bench in due course (sooner the better).
According to general and the expert opinion, if supreme court convicts Nawaz Sharif and puts him behind bars, it will be a defining moment in the history of the country. And if he gets clean chit then this country has no future.
Repercussion of corruption and mismanagement
Almost everyone has the feeling that country is on the verge of financial insolvency, however, the government talks about macro-economic stability.
The question is, if the revenues collected by the government are insufficient to service even debt payment obligations, isn’t there some kind goof up at play in the country’s fiscal and economic policies? The imports are increasing heavily, while cheating on taxes is common.
Yes, the CPEC is a game changer and is most likely to upgrade Pakistan economically generating a better image of the country internationally, yet there are economic fault lines which need be taken care of through the improved justice system based on allowing the equality to all regardless of class.
Culture of plea bargains like the recent ones nourishes corruption for the looting mafia. Pakistan is sinking in the corruption of ruling elite (previous and the current). Karachi stock market showing positive results but the corrupt elements would help it erode away gradually.
PTI Chairman expressed disappointment over former Chief Justice Zaheer Jamali’s decision to delay the Panamagate case hearing and proceed on vacation instead.
Nevertheless, welcoming the formation of a new bench, he said he wishes the new bench would wrap up the case as soon as possible.
Nonsense of Javed Hashmi Factor:
Hashmi is doing as advised by federal minister khawaja Asif. During 2014 sit-in, Justice Nasir ul mulk (person of integrity) was heading the Judiciary. How can Hashmi malign the honourable justice and General Raheel Shareef after their retirements? Openly criticizing the honourable apex judiciary as well as the Pakistan army is highly idiotic, immoral and unconstitutional. Accusing them of bringing judicial martial law or foji martial law certainly amounts to maligning the top institutions of the country.
Truth is, whenever there is an issue of national importance involving the rulers, a new development designed to sideline the main issue happens. Hashmi’s claim is designed as a strategy to weaken the grilling of the Sharifs:
Message to supporters of corruption: Apex court is constitutionally powerful, therefore, no anti biotic may work to save the culprits.
Summing up:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children on Tuesday submitted documents in the Supreme Court (SC) notifying a change of counsel in the Panamagate case.
There is new evidence already submitted but the Supreme Court has to be able to define the guilt or innocence in a clear manner. Jumping to conclusions is interference in the ongoing legal battle.
As the apex court is highly responsible to uphold its integrity, the current larger bench would make the law prevail by giving the right verdict in the most discussed Panama scandal(a landmark case), where the serving prime minister and his family are involved. Hopefully, it would change the destiny of Pakistan.
In other words, an outcome of this case is most likely to help the nation in weeding out the white collared criminals – the most powerful corrupt mafia.
Beyond doubt, a logical ending of the case would confirm that those in power are not above the law, and the system doesn’t favour the privileged few.
●A judgment has been done but is reserved●

Sources: dawn.com, nation.com.pk, thenews.com.pk

Pakistan celebrates 72nd Independence Day: Prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan

Mr Jinnah envisioned Pakistan to be a democracy, not a theocracy. He said, “In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State t...