Vulnerable Muslim Community Deserves Respect

Beyond doubt, the ongoing climate of “hatred and fear” targeting Muslims is injurious to the good image of Canada. Anti Muslim attitude has been developing aggressively for some time followed by no corrective action from the government. Shamefully, there are those who are openly involved in Muslim bashing, while some are constantly busy working behind the scenes to manufacture maximum hatred against Canadians with Muslim names. But, the practising Muslims are the ones who are hit hard; this negative fact is bound to endanger the well established reputation of Canada.

Most probably, manufacturing Islamophobia offers a profitable business to many. However, the cost seems to be too high in terms of rising discrimination and bias against the Muslims at the workplaces.
The frustrated victims are already complaining about a “fishy odor” coming from the ongoing cultivation of Islamophobia. And, momentum, of course, continues to be building up.

So debating over the issue of veil or head scarf is merely aimed at diverting the people’s attention.
The rising anti-Muslim sentiment makes the Muslim community very vulnerable.
Hostile environment continues to get poisoned 24/7 by some undeclared stakeholders and beneficiaries. In other words, the manipulative industry seems to have some motives and interests.
The number of Islamophobes is on the rise, because the biased media spreads misinformation on regular basis to make the entire Muslim community look like the real culprits for every incident.
However, the good Muslims in the view of the Islamophobs are the moderates, liberated and the ordinary ones who are only yes-persons.

Why are the Canadians and Quebecois being encouraged to have an anti-Muslim sentiment? Doesn’t it amount to fueling/fanning the anti Muslim fire?
Digging deeper, one may find the purpose of anti-Muslim propaganda which seems to be maintaining a constant climate of fear. Also, a deliberate stirring up prejudice against Muslims for political advantage is well calculated. Conveniently, the created ‘Muslim-issues’ can easily be used to gain in the polls through distracting people's attention from real economic and social issues.
The fact is Muslims deserve to be treated with dignity and respect because they contribute to Canada immensely.

Furthermore, majority of Muslims are law-abiding citizens who adhere to the teachings of their faith based only on peace and justice. Hence, Islam becomes the fastest growing faith in the west. Muslims are not forcing anyone to convert, because it’s the logic that attracts others towards the religion of peace. The Quran was sent for the benefit of all Humankind including the believers indeed. The Quran (2:256) says: There is no compulsion in religion.285 The Right Way stands clearly distinguished from the wrong. Hence he who rejects the evil ones286 and believes in Allah has indeed taken hold of the firm, unbreakable handle. And Allah (Whom he has held for support) is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (2:257) Allah is the Guardian of those who believe, He brings them out of every darkness into light.287
(http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=2&verse=254&to=257)

The irony is the hate mongers tell Muslim Canadians to go back from where they come from without realizing that the entire country has been built by immigrants consisting of people of multi cultural/religious back grounds.
Religious and visible minorities experience racism, hatred bad mouthing and dirty comments, the same scenario currently is responsible for discomforting the Muslims who are being discriminated against on the basis of their religion.

Shockingly, the alarming trend has put the Muslims specifically in terrible situation even at the work places: Although, Human rights laws protect employees from being treated unfairly because of their sex, age, race, religion, or disability, yet the “anti Muslim virus” seems to be becoming airborne at a much faster pace than it was thought.

It’s about time that the Muslim workers should be aware of their legal rights by visiting Labour Program's Equality in the Workplace Web pages. All Canadians have the right to be treated fairly in workplaces free from discrimination. Remember! Canada has laws to protect workers from discrimination on the basis of color creed or ethnicity. A further read of the Employment Equity Act will be beneficial. Also, visit the Canadian Human Rights Commission Web site.
Section 15 - Equality Rights
1. Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
2. Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
The Supreme Court of Canada has stated that the purpose of section 15 is to protect those groups who suffer social, political and legal disadvantage in society. Discrimination occurs where, for example, a person, because of a personal characteristic, suffers disadvantages or is denied opportunities available. At the same time as it protects equality, the Charter also allows for certain laws or programs that favour disadvantaged individuals or groups.

Endeavour to re-unite all communities:
The aggrieved Muslim community must handle the odds with grace and dignity to rid Canada of hatred and fear. Hopefully, one day we can all live in harmony and accept one another for who we are.
Repairing the wounded culture of understanding, reaching out to the marginalized members of society and working together to remove discrimination in all its forms are the keys for the common good of all. Certainly, we need to work and share together as Canadians. Media must show injustices against the rights of Muslim Canadians that are protected by the Charter. At the end of the day, Canada would continue to be place of acceptance and diversity.
It’s responsibility of the State to come up with more clear legislation so that judicial discretion is minimised in legal proceedings with regard to making equal rights available to all indiscriminately.
========================================================================
SOURCES:
http://openarchive.acadiau.ca/cdm/printview/collection/HTheses/id/769/type/singleitem
http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=2&verse=254&to=257
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/handy-psychology-answers/201101/the-psychology-prejudice-and-racism
http://rabble.ca

Let's Grow as a Proud Nation

SPECIAL EDITION

Constantly, the people of Pakistan are being subjected/roughed up by a variety of mafia groups. Democracy is only the name of the game; there is power-mafia focused on political power, others include land mafia, and extortionist (Bhatta) mafia. Maybe, weakening the commercial hub is part of the strategy. Any unlawful wealth that these thugs generate ends up becoming their effective passport to enjoy respect, power and influence.
Tragedy is the miserable populace is inherently set up or is manipulated to continue remaining deprived of a good feel of the concept of nationhood. Sadly, the nation-building effort remains only in the books. Unless remedied, the concept of nationhood remains a misconception.

Most probably, people are driven strategically by the hidden hand to keep them divided along regional, ethnic, linguistic, and religious lines. So, expecting good results from bad harvest doesn’t make sense.
Unfortunately, the military/civil rulers of the past came to fix the wrongs but all disappeared leaving the status quo intact. And, the current rulers face governance challenges. Administrative paralysis is all time high.

Equality is missing: Major culprit is lack of equal opportunity of quality education to all regardless of ethnicity, colour, creed, or socio-economic level.
Shamefully, the ruling elite and religious leaders have exploited the banner of Islam to attain and retain power without ever trying to reform state and society in line with its egalitarian principles.
Issue of East Pakistan was mishandled by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the then Military Chief, and there is a lesson but it’s forgotten. No one seems to have learnt.

Moreover, there are vested interests, state or non state actors that are bent upon making Pakistan a sacrificial goat under all circumstances. They don’t want Pakistan to progress economically and Pakistan doesn’t know how to convince the international community about the rape it has been constantly subjected to.
After the projects of Kalabagh dam and Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline are shelved, the proposed “Pakistan-China economic corridor” faces criticism and opposition. This non sense political wrangling is detrimental to Pakistan.

Messing up will be costly: The $45 billion Pakistan-China Economic Corridor was termed as a flagship strategic cooperation project, a potential game changer in South Asia. If completed, the corridor would connect Gwadar with Chinese city of Kashgar through highways, rail link and oil-gas pipelines as expected, however, the uncertainty shrouds the mystery.

Pain in the neck: The political mafia knows every trick of the trade and loves dynastic politics. They manage very well using “clichés of democracy” as their best defence whenever they are challenged.
Though, they claim their commitment to genuine democracy, yet it’s best reflected in how they handle their political parties.
Actually, it’s nothing more than a fake democracy where civil politicians are apparently the worst dictators because they want their kids to inherit the party. In other words, democracy becomes the best revenge in their dictionary as it gives them an opportunity to further rob and plunder the wealth of this country. Not funny, but the sad part is that they find allies among the many good people who are part of media and civil-society organisations.

Constant attempts to undo Pakistan: Foreign sponsored terrorism as well as the sectarian differences have added fuel to the ongoing fire and all is blown out of proportion under state patronage. Definitely, it poses an existentialist threat to Pakistan.
Mr Jinnah said, “If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor... you are free- you are free to go to your temples mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state... in due course of time Hindus will cease to be Hindus and Muslims will cease to Muslims- not in a religious sense for that is the personal faith of an individual- but in a political sense as citizens of one state” ._. Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Karachi ...August 11, 1947*****

In response to Zarb e Azb, the terrorists are on a suicide bombing spree throughout the country, while the chief terrorist is hiding in Afghanistan.
Pakistan needs a tighter disciplinary policy to catch those involved in money laundering. Money laundering is a criminal offense and Switzerland is a signatory to the law as is Pakistan. If a Pakistani court can indict particular individuals, then Switzerland is bound to disclose the holdings. And, there is tons of misappropriated money deposited in UAE banks by the Pakistani rich elite, but irony is Pakistan government has no objection. There is no serious effort on the part of government to bring back money looted from the Pakistani exchequer.

Furthermore, politicians have huge amounts of deposits in the U.K., Switzerland and Dubai. Several billions in U.S. dollars means a lot. Pakistan will be saved from economic disaster if the loot is brought back using all legal channels.
In order to keep the country intact and put it back on track, the political leadership has to show some wisdom and think only what is in the best interest of the people of Pakistan. The gaps must be bridged to avoid disasters.
History has proof that the political differences between the two leaders culminated into the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971.
There is no doubt in my mind that building dams and roads is essential for economic development, but nation-building should be treated as priority before it’s too late.
For a stronger Pakistan, the federal government must address concerns of the smaller provinces by protecting their political and economic interests.
The foreign sponsored separatist insurgency in Balochistan has to be overcome for a smoother development.

A rapid development of Gwadar will give satisfaction to the local populace. The projected economic corridor must go ahead successfully till development in Gwadar is broadened.
Groundwork on the project has already begun, the federation of Pakistan must address any misconceptions surrounding it on priority basis. For Pakistan’s sustainable economic development needs, the politicians must refrain from helping the growth of negative hype around the Pak China project.
It’s imperative that the stakeholders are on single page to play their role in developing a national consensus for the economic corridor.

The Pakistani people are in need of a democracy that not only ensures fundamental rights and rule of law but also has inbuilt mechanisms where there is no such thing as defiance.
“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” (Jinnah)

Journalism in North America

Journalism in North America
In the past, journalism used to be of sensational nature, however, that eventually developed into more literate and responsible organs.
Actually, the news papers gradually continued to be becoming larger and larger, whereby, advertising became more lucrative as a source of income. As the publishers and editors knew that the readers wanted current news based on facts, there came editorial independence giving new stature to the news function as well.
In modern time, newspapers are ready to be printed in one city and are simultaneously generated in other cities.
The Canadian example of mainstream media includes the Globe and Mail and the National Post (Toronto) among others; they are locally published/printed and they transmit all information verbatim by verbatim and line by line to printing plants in major cities across the country. Similarly, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal among others are active in the U.S.
The global newspapers of today include the “print editions” as well as the “online editions,” so do the North American daily newspapers, pod casts, interaction, multi-media, video, partnerships with broadcast, news databases, and email newsletter etc.
Like other countries, newspaper law covering matters of libel, contempt of court and copyright, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were passed as part of the Canadian constitution in 1981; all this guarantees "freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, and freedom of media to all people.
Nevertheless, Canadian newspapers continue to face challenges and competition in their role as bearers of news in the information technology age. Despite the challenges, newspapers excellently keep up with performing the job of giving the people what they want to know with clarity.
In other words, there is a commitment of Canada's newspapers to operate in the public interest. A newspaper is a vital source of information and is a private business enterprise that serves the community with responsibility.
Freedom of Press is essential to the democratic society; it’s based on Canadian's right to freedom of expression available with guarantee through the Canadian “Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” It includes the right to collect and publicize information. It’s the “free press” that enables readers to use their Charter rights to receive information and make informed judgments on the current issues.
It means that the newspaper's primary obligation is trustworthiness towards the public good.
Gathering the truthful information for making part of news is expensive but is the only available option to utilize the credible sources with precision and accuracy.
Care must be taken when there is conflict of interest; it can’t be left undeclared.
Furthermore, the newspaper is obliged to protect its independence from the private and public sectors.
Ethically and legally speaking, only accurate and unbiased reporting is acceptable: Obviously, the newspaper keeps faith with readers by presenting only correct and up to date information.
All errors/mistakes should be reported and highlighted to maintain the trust of readers/audience.
The community newspapers are said to be of sound practice if there is clear distinction in news reporting along with expressions of opinion, and materials produced for and by the advertisers. Therefore, the altered images, if any, must be reported because people have right to know.
Other challenges: Community religious leaders including various associations tend to keep the newspaper editors and owners under pressure; they are interested in the coverage the way they want regardless of the consequences. In fact, controversial ads make the news paper editors/owners bend backward while looking for a way out. And no one seems to realize the free newspaper only can continue in business through putting ads in the paper in order to generate revenue.
No matter what, newspaper remains responsible to its readers, its shareholders, its employees and its advertisers, of course.
True, a newspaper plays a variety of roles for the civil society but building community opinion is the most important one. Despite the odds, editors strive hard to paint a representative picture of its diverse communities in order to encourage the expression of disparate views. At the same time, it has to be accessible and accountable to the readers of all kinds and levels.
Under all eventualities, respect is of paramount importance: The newspaper should strive to treat the people it covers with courtesy and fairness.
Modern Journalism faces a tough re-adjustment phase in response to the ongoing social, cultural and technological changes. Like it or not, journalists are beginning to leverage on social media to gather stories and are using news aggregators and subscribing to RSS feeds and blogs to assist them in their work. This means the challenged media continue to undergo drastic adjustment scenarios.
Furthermore, the publishers of weekly or bi weekly news papers. are people of courage, integrity, and tenacity as they stand against authority, community evils, national evils, international issues, and they take strong positions too in some cases.
Meanwhile, news managers and editors are concerned for Face book and Twitter as these sources are used for newsgathering especially during breaking news stories. But, there is some hesitancy in using social media ground to distribute content for fear of losing control of the information. No one can deny the possibility that social media seems to be changing things; it will surely bring about transparency, accountability and a broader range of voices and viewpoints.
The current tide of change is likely to bring about pressures on the need for more skills, and ability to respond quickly. This translates into compromised quality to ascertain the authenticity and verification of facts which can invite a serious handicap jeopardizing the flow of truthful information.
Surely, a journalist will soon have to have a good sense of whereabouts of the potential audience. They will have to figure out how to reach that audience whether they are online, in print, broadcast, mobile or social media platforms.
Hopefully, social media will not be allowed to damage the value of journalistic credibility. At the end of the day, we see journalism is still alive however merely adapting.


sources:
http://comjig.blogspot.ca/.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_school
http://www.newspaperscanada.ca/Connecting-to-Canadians-with-Community-Newspapers

National Interests Come First

Most of the countries are in competition with one another as they want to accelerate and protect their economic progression to gain an improved standard of living for their populace. Similarly, both India and Pakistan are interested in the eradication of poverty so that living conditions of their peoples get improved significantly. In doing so, they have to compete with each other in securing an influential position in the comity of nations.

India has strived hard to reach a point where business and infrastructure growth is being aligned to propel the nation to “a position of world power.” And, there is absolutely no doubt that with a true visionary leader like Modi, India is all set to be heading towards the right direction.

Furthermore, nationalistic spirit is at all time high in India, people are getting wealthier, and businesses keep on booming throughout the country. That’s why, the whole world wants to do business with India, because the market is highly lucrative there.

Both President Obama and P.M. Modi have jointly demonstrated a “political will” to significantly elevate the U.S.-India relationship.

Indeed, the 2015 January 25 Joint Statement builds on the September 30 Joint Statement of 2014 which presents an exhaustive and comprehensive vision for mutual future cooperation and collaboration between the two economic powers. India is likely to enjoy the U.S. assistance ranging from high tech & space to defence, climate change, and energy.

Nevertheless, with the U.S. tilt towards the arch rival India, the Pak-U.S. mindset of understanding seems to be somewhat fading away. Obviously, there are no more fake smiles. Most probably, Islamabad is in a “wake up mode” after having been frustrated due to the U.S. foreign policy of favouring India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Apparently, Pakistan has been denied what India is getting in the form of specific exemption to join the Nuclear Supply Group. This would allow India to import American civil nuclear technology.

According to media sources, Islamabad has warned that the US policy would compound the already “fragile” strategic stability atmosphere, and there could be detrimental impact on the peace in South Asia.

What is it that has convinced the U.S. to go ahead with preferential treatment favouring India and ignoring its long term ally Pakistan?

Reasons are following among others:

(A) The country’s “image building” matters a lot. And, India has succeeded in uplifting/projecting its image through its foreign service and its people working in the West. While, Pakistan usually falls short of sending smarter personnel and ambassadors abroad who could diligently handle matters to promote national cause.

(B) Indian media has always been very active in portraying Pakistan as terrorist state. Now with the help of some elements in Pakistani media, their job is getting easier.

(C) Also, Pakistan doesn’t even have a foreign minister yet - so what can you expect from the paralysed government other than embarrassment? In Pakistan, almost eighty percent of people are illiterate who have no clue whatsoever of national interests, however, everyone is bickering about the unsatisfied personal interests.

Thought provoking:

When President Obama was in India, Pak army Chief General Raheel Sharif dashed to China which described its friendship with Islamabad as irreplaceable in a changing geo-strategic environment in south Asia.

Pakistani leadership is in shock as the U.S.-Pak traditional alliance is set to face gradual erosion ahead. For much of its history, Pakistan has been an ally of the U.S., while Russia had stronger ties with India, even backing it during that country’s 1971 war with Pakistan.

It’s very frustrating that most of the Nato troops have left next-door Afghanistan – and the Pakistani army is straining to overcome Islamist militants on its western border – the concerned officials fear some unpleasant surprises may erupt as the United States of America’s regional interest is tilting toward India, Pakistan’s eastern neighbour and arch-rival.

Analysts are of the opinion that Pakistan's strategic partnership with the U.S. is aimed at short term gains to fight off the ongoing militancy in the region. Therefore, Pakistan is skeptical about its alliance with the U.S. in so called war on terror. That is why, Islamabad is fast expanding its economic and geo-strategic partnership with China. Pakistan believes China as its time tested friend.

Lesson for Pakistan:

The people of Pakistan must be educated enough to elect a visionary leader and the right kind of government next time to eliminate the stinky status quo.

Pakistan needs a commercially oriented foreign policy on urgent basis.

All Ambassadors and their subordinate staff should have high negotiating skills so that they are able to sell Pakistan’s point of view while serving abroad.

Mineral and natural resources/reserves rich Pakistan is in need of regaining its lost self esteem; it needs to stop its addiction of being a donation receiving country.

Pakistanis must realise that no one is capable of solving their problems other than themselves.

The fact is a nuclear Pakistan is unacceptable to many who will do everything to neutralize it.

Despite Pakistan faces an excessive amount of terrorism, it is managing to have an annual growth rate in the neighbourhood of 4.5 percent significantly more than many European States. Pakistan has been surviving against the odds including anti Pakistan proxy war, hence is not a failed state. Actually, the term “failed state” only applies to countries like Greece, Spain and others that have received hundreds of billions of US dollars as rescue packages, yet no growth.

Most importantly, Pakistan leadership needs to understand that for attracting foreign investment along with enhanced trade, the ongoing state of political instability and militancy has to end, sooner the better.

Pakistani business elite including political leaders must show their sincerity to the nation by bringing back their capital from abroad to give an economic facelift to their own country. Indeed, it would be helping Pakistan to stay competitive internationally.

___________________________________________________________________________________

SOURCES:

http://www.theguardian.com/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/25/us-india-joint-statement-shared-effort-progress-all

www.dawn.com, www.thenews.com.pk, www.nation.com

Democratic Masters of Incompetence

Democracy is a form of government that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950).

Historically, Pakistan suffers from the uneducated populace that has habitually shown nothing much beyond submissiveness during the previous elections; this kills the level playing field right there.

Secondly, wrong candidates tend to play dirty politics; curse of stealing the “public mandate” including ballot stuffing and other types of rigging being among the most painful wrongs. Naturally, the nation ends up with repercussions in the form of lost merit, disrespecting rule of law and the constitution. Most of the time, the judiciary is blamed for their “slow paced deliverance of justice.” despite the existing malfunctioning system.

Previously, the  ruling PPP (Pakistan people party)under the co chairmanship of president Asif Zardari, could not offer other than a sub standard governance that continued with its inherent ‘chronic sufferance’ from the worst administrative paralysis.

Unfortunately, the current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was on tour abroad along with finance minister, and no one knew what to do with petrol crisis. Ironically, the cabinet ministers were seen bashing their own government. The painful scenario is the federal government delayed actions to address the worst petrol crisis leaving the consumers unattended. This shows the worst manifest of bad governance.

Despite the delivery failures, the PPP luckily managed to fully enjoy the five long years of inefficiency and national loot. On the other hand, the N league is in the driver’s seat with no sense of direction whatsoever.

Since the Nawaz regime is prematurely on the ventilator, it does not seem to continue running the show for the full term. The reason is simple: It’s generally assumed that even the most incompetent is not too incompetent to see the country running out of fuel.

The reliable sources point fingers towards the government as it is part of the circular debt. Why is it unable to pay its dues? What did stop the ministry of finance to have ensured collection of needed funds ahead of time to keep them available?

Actually, the government doesn’t have“know-how” or a “workable strategy” in place to eliminate the circular debt once and for all.

It is certainly true that PSO (Pakistan State Oil) should have realised that its continual default on payment would have a negative impact on its credit lines, however, its precarious financial condition is partly the fault of the past and the current governments. Hence, total blame shifting to PSO is just an attempt to get off the hook.

Sadly, the consumers have been running around back and forth for a week or so in search of petrol but all in vain. Other scenario is waiting time for gas and electricity’s load shedding has also been increased adding to the existing stubborn misery.

No electricity-no gas-no petrol, maybe the next one will be “no breathing.”

All over the World, price of oil is at its lowest point in years, but the Pakistanis have to wait in mile-long line ups – isn’t that shameful! God forbid! looming fear is furnace oil stocks with the power companies are running out. If the government doesn’t have a clue how to handle fuel crisis, then the political, economic and security issues are a way more complicated issues.

The sequence of events that led up to the shortages is quite obvious by now, and it is disingenuous on the finance minister’s part to try and shrug off responsibility.

It is hard to understand as to why the so called democratic prime minister and finance minister prefer to keep all power in their own hands. When they are out of country, there is no appropriate action to solve the emerging issue in their absence. Furthermore, as a large part of the crisis grows up because of the funding requirements of PSO, credit lines are affected adversely due to defaults in payments of furnace oil imports, yet no explanation comes from the finance ministry.

Beyond doubt, managing the oil supply chain is tricky business and technical in nature; this requires advance planning because limited storage capacity for petrol at Karachi site. Also, managing the supplies becomes much difficult if the company placing the order does not know whether it will have the funds to honour the required payment. In fact, suppliers demand money upfront before a vessel is loaded. The fact is the vessels have transit time, berthing is often not available on demand, and discharging the fuel for upcountry transportation can take days. 
Thus, whole process of supply is very complicated so the funds and management have to be certainly available all the time 24/7.

Obviously, the worst form of negligence is the current unprecedented shortage of petrol in the country for the last week or so has never been seen before. This alone exposes the government’s tall claims of good governance, improving national economy and running the country’s affairs. Wow!

Not importing even a single litre of oil during the month of December and importing only once during January is not the way to go. Is it inefficiency on part of the government or is it something cooking up merely for privatising the PSO? Time will tell.

But for now, the government needs to take a serious look at how it is running things and as to why this situation did arise in the first place. Although, the best option is the prime minister, finance minister and petroleum minister must step down immediately to pave the way for better governance in future, yet fashion of resigning is not for Pakistani democracy. Democracy by the incompetent is likely to continue.

Suggestion: 
True, crises do erupt in fuel supply/ power supply due to circular debt, nevertheless, the government is responsible to legally bind the defaulters to repay the debts. No immunity should ever be given to the defaulting institutions, provincial departments/federal ministries. Govt including OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority) and PSO must go after recovering of the unpaid bills of electricity, gas and petrol.

Though slower, yet the alternate means of transportation in the meanwhile including Tonga and cycle rickshaw are the best options plus there is unpolluted clean air to breathe. Follow the Chinese model of simplicity using bicycles; that’s good for health and is very economical indeed.

==============================================================2

Does Death Penalty Help?

Though the likelihood of executing an innocent person is too strong to be ignored, yet the death penalty saves lives of potential victims in future. In other words, there is taking of certain risks in exchange for safety. The opponents of death sentence claim lots of innocent people are wrongly executed because of the flawed methodology employed for evidence gathering by the investigators.

In fact, the resulted delaying tactics involve a number of loopholes that are disguisedly advantageous for the offenders who manage to walk away free. The delayed justice is no justice as it is caused by the obsolete/age old procedure in the judicial system. Hence, there is a state of compromised merit system leading to lack of transparency.

Unless the executive/ the judicial administrators take extra precautions, the innocent people and their rights would continue to remain unprotected. And, in some case, the chronic condition tends to cost their lives of innocent people needlessly.

Furthermore, there are those who argue that the capital punishment amounts to brutalizing; some label the penalty as “legalized murder.”

Nevertheless, there is certain benefit of having deterred the potential offenders or repeat criminals through death penalty, thus it’s absolutely essential to protect the society.

Legally speaking, capital punishment is still part of the law, which means that as long as parliament does not amend the law, Pakistan is under no obligation to “not to carry out sentences” awarded under it.

Maybe, Pakistan is liable as a signatory to the international conventions, but is under no obligation or pressure to not executing those who have been tried and found guilty.

Admittedly, there are certain economic benefits of extremely high value, as the GSP Plus status was given by the European Union to Pakistan.

The problem is if the moratorium is not lifted, the terrorism can’t be dealt with effectively. In other words, there is more benefit in going ahead with hanging the terrorists along with their abettors and facilitators.

It’s about time for executing those who have been awarded the death penalty after they have been heard at all levels, right from the trial court to the superior courts, and they have also gone ahead unsuccessfully with appeals exhausting review petitions as well. After their sentences are confirmed through a prescribed sequence of events, there isn’t much left to save them from getting hanged.

The question arises for protection for the innocent: The Fair Trial Act and the Protection of Pakistan Act will actually protect innocent people from prosecution. The Fair Trial Act provides the state the opportunity to identify actual suspects: people against whom evidence is collected through surveillance that is considerably accurate. Yet again, it all depends on the lines on which a thorough investigation has been carried out to collect genuine intelligence permissible as evidence in the court.

Religiously speaking: The Quran regarding the death penalty clearly states,"...Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you, so that you may learn wisdom" (6:151). Therefore, the death penalty (capital punishment) is a reasonable option to save potential victims’ lives.

Furthermore, with regard to legality of capital punishment, Pakistan is ranked fifth after the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The fact is European Union has no problem with it, so it continues to do business with Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and USA.

Actually, “Human Rights Watch” opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty. Pakistan’s use of the death penalty is inconsistent with international human rights law, according to statements of United Nations human rights experts and various UN bodies.

Human rights law upholds every human being’s inherent right to life; it limits the death penalty to those serious crimes that result in death. In Pakistan’s case, terrorists’ activity has killed many thousands which is very serious matter indeed. Killing innocent children by the barbaric terrorists is highly intolerable.

There was an expired moratorium which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government did not extend, however, a ban on executions of over 8000 convicts awaiting execution was maintained. Nevertheless, the lifting of the moratorium in the death penalty has angered the European Union (EU); the demand of immediate restoration of moratorium has also angered Pakistanis.

Despite the immediate demand for restoring the moratorium; Pakistan will not restore the moratorium after what had happened in Peshawar.

Obviously, the EU fails to take into consideration Pakistan’s number one foe which is terrorism; rather it should offer a helping hand to facilitate the elimination of bad guys.

Death penalty may not be the best deterrence against the suicide attackers because they lose their lives right away, yet it would definitely scare their abettors and financiers.

War on terror will receive a real blow once the execution of the convicted terrorists is allowed to continue uninterrupted all the way till its logical ending.

Hopefully, the long awaited normalcy will return followed by economic national betterment. Then the EU may advocate for the humanitarianism as much as it wants.

Currently, the jailed convicts awaiting executions are being held due to appeal-scenario; many have been enjoying because of the moratorium on death penalty.

There is a lot of talk about “military courts;” this development is against the spirit of democracy. Under the ongoing negative circumstances, non military courts/anti terrorism courts have not been fully successful in providing quicker justice, therefore the dream of rooting out terrorism never really came true.

Since the terrorists cannot be permitted to be roaming free among the vulnerable populace, they need to be nabbed to be put to death within a reasonable time frame in the best interest of the entire nation.

Political parties have already developed consensus to setup military courts for the period of two years. The house is also expected to approve a bill to amend the Pakistan Army Act.

With the recent passage of Constitutional Twenty-first Amendment Bill to provide a constitutional cover to military courts, the scenario will be a different one.

Let’s wait for the dust to settle in favour of perpetual peace.

The Manipulative Oil Politics

Upon experiencing the cheaper prices at pumps, general public expected a drop in food prices as well, yet that hasn’t happened simply because Canadian dollar (known as “petro dollar”) gains its strength from the higher fuel prices. This means the higher the price of oil goes, higher the value of loonie will be and vice versa. Second, Let’s not be surprised as the price of imported grocery continues its trend of rising or staying the same at least; it’s all based upon the going exchange rate.

As long as Canadian dollar negatively travels below parity with the US dollar, the imports will be becoming more expensive and costlier.

Declining oil prices have significant economic consequences around the world; there is some uncertainty over how long the low oil prices would last. However, the ongoing global over-supply of oil despite the weak demand due to economic slow-down in China, and Europe is a cause of concern for the oil producing countries. Beyond doubt, cheaper gasoline brings relief to the general consumers.

As said above, the countries doing trade in the US currency are in trouble, because the imports remain expensive for them.

The Canadian buck already nosedived quite a bit below parity against the greenback. Since the Canadian oil is also priced in US dollars, the lower loonie keeps offsetting most of the price drop.

The factor of weaker demand and higher supply caused oil prices to start lowering from their June 2014 peak of $115 per barrel down to around $70-$75 per barrel now; but a decade ago or so it was around $40 per barrel.

Energy economist James Hamilton points out, instability in Libya, Iraq, or Nigeria could do it. And, of course, if Canadian and the US oil producers pull back sharply in response to lower prices to stabilize the oil market, that will be great.

True, the producers prefer to sell despite the lower going price to avoid extremely high cost of storing. Actually, oil production can’t be paused/discontinued, as such exercise of stopping oil production and then starting is highly expensive, hence not recommended.

Obviously, the winners are those who have more than enough financial resources to outlast the competitors.

Negative effect of low interest rates: Most probably, over-production of shale oil is result of a long stretch of too low interest rates. Easy money has resulted in over supply causing a big inventory all over. Other fear is prolonged availability of low interest rates may cause deflation. But the current dis-inflation is the result of low priced oil and low interest rates, if the condition persists and becomes chronic then deflation will ruin us all economically.

Furthermore, there was a lot of heated debate among OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) in Vienna on November 27, about how best to respond to this currently low oil prices. Venezuela and Iran, wanted Saudi Arabia to cut back on her production in order to jack up the price of oil.

Bad news/good News: If the price of oil keeps falling, some US producers may go out of business. If oil prices stabilize and OPEC maintains its market share, the beneficiaries would be dancing.

According to the International Energy Agency, about 4 percent of US shale projects need a price higher than $80 per barrel to stay afloat. But many projects in North Dakota's Bakken formation are profitable if prices are above $42 per barrel.

It seems as if the “strategy of over producing” is designed to push the vulnerable oil boomers out of the market.

Apparently, some oil producing countries are playing manipulative politics by over supplying to make oil boom of other countries vulnerable.

Steven Mufson of The Washington Post estimates that the annual revenue of OPEC nations could shrink by $590 billion if prices stay this low. Russian government, for its part, have been planning for $100-per-barrel oil in its 2015 budget. As prices are down to around $70, Russia is likely to go through a difficult economic condition.

Moreover, the price-fall also poses unpleasant economic scenarios for some of the US states that are particularly dependent on oil drilling. Wyoming, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Alaska, and Texas are likely to be hard hit. Certainly, lower prices mean less revenue and less economic activity.

It was the high prices that also spurred companies to mine the oil sands of Alberta — leading to a similar boom up in Canada. This year, oil prices have been crashing, with the price for West Texas Intermediate crude falling from $100 per barrel in July to below $70 in early December. That's partly because there's so much new oil coming out of the US and Canada, and partly because demand in Europe and Asia continues to weaken. Some experts believe falling oil prices may adversely affect US and Canadian oil production.

Scotia Bank’s estimates of the breakeven price for various US shale and Canadian oil sands projects:

"The reasons for the oil price collapse are varied. China’s energy-reliant economy is slowing down. New shale oil production from the U.S. is creating an excess. The OPEC has been unwilling or unable to enforce high prices."

Most of the OPEC nations except the Saudis are willing to "enforce high prices," through production cuts. Nevertheless, the Saudis are fearful that Congress would lift the overseas export ban on U.S. crude, so they're attempting to push as many of the U.S. shale oil producers out of business as they can.

The U.S. shale oil drillers can survive with $42.00 per barrel.
while, Saudi Arabia can break even at $30.00 per barrel. It’s sitting on huge foreign currency reserves, so it can afford the expensive strategy of keeping the oil oversupplied to keep cheaper oil available. This appears to be the classic price manipulation on the part of Saudi Arabia to retain market share for some time to come.

Is there a ‘U Turn’ in future? Yes, it can be safely forecast based on past experience: Provided, there is a shortage in supply in the next few years, the prices will start soaring back up as part of the next economic cycle.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

points out                                          http://econbrowser.com/archives/2014/11/a-glut-of-oil

NRNovember 30, 2014 at 4:19 pm http://econbrowser.com/archives/2014/11/a-glut-of-oil#comment-186456

was a lot of heated debate        http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/28/us-opec-meeting-shale-idUSKCN0JC1GK20141128

about 4 percent                              http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/28/us-opec-meeting-shale-idUSKCN0JC1GK20141128

..http://www.vox.com/2014/12/2/7319307/gas-prices-falling

spurred

oil prices have been crashing

estimates                                          http://www.gbm.scotiabank.com/English/bns_econ/bnscomod.pdf