| Pakistan is a nation of 180 million people. Our | | | | power and energy demands. That will be vital for |
| economy is stifled and we are living on handouts | | | | reinvigorating the national economy. This |
| dished out by the IMF and foreign remittances sent | | | | reinvigoration of the economy will be essential for |
| back home. The IMF has been responsible for the | | | | much needed GDP and job creation. It will be the |
| debacle of a number of economies and Pakistan | | | | only way for paying back internal and external debt. |
| seems to be one of its latest victims. The World | | | | We have to find a way of being a self reliant nation. |
| Bank and IMF are financial institutions that are used | | | | In order to become a global power, Pakistan needs |
| by USA to enforce its policies on hapless victims. | | | | to fight Corruption. |
| The IMF is concerned more about curbing inflation | | | | Pakistan will not be able to survive without social and |
| and not about curbing high unemployment. In | | | | economic justice. There can be no end to the |
| Pakistans case, Pakistans forces are busy waging a | | | | corruption and injustices without accountability. And |
| War on Terror that isn't ours in the first place. It has | | | | there can be no accountability if the rich and |
| been established by experts that the Tehreek e | | | | powerful are immune to the arms of the law. |
| Taliban is a band of mercenaries that have been | | | | Therefore the judicial system has to be immensely |
| funded by CIA and MOSSAD. Instead of stabilizing | | | | powerful. Secondly there should be meritocracy in the |
| Pakistan, theres an image that's been created that it | | | | nation and people who are educated and capable |
| is an unstable nation that is host to a number of | | | | need to be appointed as heads of important |
| terrorist organizations. | | | | ministries. It is time that feudalism is done away with. |
| I find it amusing that all the acts of terror are being | | | | We need reformers, social workers and economists |
| perpetrated in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and | | | | to become a part of the ruling classes. If 10 core |
| none whatsoever in Western countries. I don't | | | | rupees are needed to stand for election, then the |
| advocate terrorism but why is it that all these | | | | people who do so will first seek to recover that |
| terrorists are targeting men and women in Muslim | | | | amount by hook or by crook. Therefore we need a |
| countries if indeed these are Muslim terrorists. | | | | system where men with finances and power are not |
| Consequently our army is being used in Waziristan to | | | | essentially those who come into power. We need |
| flush out these militants and to kill them. But to be | | | | people who can lead the people and those who are |
| very honest, how many of them are there that the | | | | willing to contribute to solving the problems of the |
| Pakistani forces have not been able to finish off. The | | | | people. |
| lions share of our budget is being used for financing | | | | Pakistan faces a number of problems and those |
| the army. How long can Pakistans ailing economy | | | | include: |
| sustain such pressure? If austerity measures are | | | | 1) Religious Intolerance |
| required for us to survive, then why is it that the | | | | 2) Wrong men in positions of power |
| politicians and bureaucrats need an increase in salaries | | | | 3) Illiteracy |
| and incomes when they already live lives of the rich | | | | 4) Wealth in the hands of a few people |
| and the famous? | | | | 5) The elite don't pay their taxes |
| A politician like Nawaz Sharif requires 300 security | | | | 6) Lack of access of people to education, food, |
| personnel to protect him. That means that the Prime | | | | healthcare, jobs, justice, clean water and sanitation |
| Minister, Chief Minister and President must also be | | | | 7) Elements of social and moral corruption are not |
| maintaining private armies to protect them. These | | | | being curbed |
| men don't pay taxes and use taxes paid by the | | | | 8) Degeneration of a so called Islamic society |
| common man to finance their lavish and luxurious | | | | 9) Disunity between the people and sentiments of |
| lifestyles. Do we really need such men and women? | | | | provincialism |
| Wouldn't it be better if we elected men such as Mr. | | | | 10) Traditions that are Un-Islamic are being spread |
| Imran Khan or Mr.Zaid Hamid to key posts in the | | | | throughout the society |
| government. Pakistan needs sincere men and women | | | | 11) Lack of merit and accountability |
| who work for the nation. We don't need men and | | | | 12) High Unemployment and High Inflation |
| women who are insincere and selfish and corrupt. In | | | | 13) The disparity between rich and poor increases |
| the current situation, I find it difficult to imagine how | | | | 14) The presence of bribery, usury, prostitution,child |
| Pakistan will overcome its energy crises. | | | | abuse in the society |
| We should have welcomed the Iranian gas deal. | | | | 15) Women are being murdered in the name of honor |
| However as usual, the Pakistan Government seems | | | | 16) Police is ineffective. Serves as a tool for rape and |
| concerned that it may offend USA by doing so. | | | | murder of people |
| Similarly China's offer to build 2 nuclear reactors in | | | | These are just some of the many problems that the |
| Pakistan is welcome but is the Pakistani government | | | | nation faces today. Over the course of time, our |
| willing to make moves that may offend the people in | | | | rulers have been too busy abusing their powers and |
| Washington. The fate of the Pakistani people maybe | | | | have setup a system which is intensely corrupt. |
| effectively sealed unless we take steps to meet our | | | | |