"Mazloom" - Use of Govt funds for anti-PTI media campaign and Lifafa Journos

Courtesy: "Daily "Jang" (18 Sep 2012)
Source Link: http://e.jang.com.pk/pic.asp?npic=09-18-2012/Pindi/images/06_09.gif

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Disclaimer: This blog is not an official PTI webpage and is run by a group of volunteers having no official position in PTI. All posts are personal opinions of the bloggers and should, in no way, be taken as official PTI word.
With Regards,
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA Volunteers" Team.

#WaziristanPeachMarch PTI North Waziristan plans warm welcome for Imran Khan

Courtesy: Daily "The News" (9 Sep 2012)
NWA PTI plans warm welcome for Imran Khan

MIRANSHAH: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Miranshah chapter president Naseem Dawar Friday said students and people of the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) would welcome the party chairman Imran Khan during his long march to Waziristan against the drone attacks.

Speaking at a news conference here, he said the number of the US drone attacks was increasing and killing mostly the civilians. He said that Imran Khan was the only leader who raised slogan against it and decided to stage the march to highlight the issue internationally.

A branch of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital would also be opened in the area, he added.
Link Source:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-130775-NWA-PTI-plans-warm-welcome-for-Imran-Khan 

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Disclaimer: This blog is not an official PTI webpage and is run by a group of volunteers having no official position in PTI. All posts are personal opinions of the bloggers and should, in no way, be taken as official PTI word.
With Regards,
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA Volunteers" Team.

"PTI's Economic Vision" - By @Asad_Umar - a good analysis of what PTI Economic Policy stands for

Courtesy: "The News" (1 Sep 2012)
The PTI's Economic Vision
By Asad Umar

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced its five-year economic vision recently. There has been a varied response to it, but a recurring theme in many of the responses, including that in the editorial on the subject in The News, has been that the analysis of issues is spot-on but implementation-level details are insufficient. To quote from the editorial, “The PTI’s economic policy plan gets full marks for intention and vision.” High praise, indeed. It has never been lack of plans for detailed implementation which stops reform from happening. The roadblocks are lack of political will and unwillingness to take the entrenched vested interests head-on and compromises made for political expediency and self-interests. The second major hurdle is governance failure and weak institutions, and that causes even sincere efforts to fail. The economic vision of the PTI addresses each of these and takes a bold political stance on them.

The PTI’s economic vision is based on five national emergencies that have to be declared to deal with the core structural problems of Pakistan’s economy. The first is energy reform. The key elements of resolving the energy crises include changing the fuel mix, revamping the rundown low-efficiency generation and distribution system, fast-tracking new generation capacity and gas imports, incentivising exploration activity, developing the local coal reserves, harnessing the hydroelectric potential of the country, utilising its renewable energy potential and getting the regulatory and incentive structure right for the whole energy sector. Detailed work on most of these aspects has been done, and is underway in a couple of areas. Just the conversion of furnace-oil based capacity to coal would save approximately four billion dollars a year and we would be able to get rid of the circular debt crises by reducing the cost of power generation, instead of increasing tariffs. Recognising the importance of fixing the energy crises we have included 20 billion dollars of government investment in this sector in the five-year period. Private investment will be in addition to this.

"Courting change" - PTI Economic Policy and Media's Cynical Reaction to it (By Babar Sattar, The News)

Courtesy: Daily "The News" (1 Sep 2012)
Courting change
On Media's Cynical Reaction to PTI's Economic Policy
By Babar Sattar

It is hard to poke holes in the PTI’s economic policy which highlights and addresses pressing problems of economics and governance confronting us without telling us that milk and honey will begin to flow the moment the PTI is voted into power. Being the sensible and pragmatic CEO that Asad Umar has been, he has told us that there are no quick fixes to Pakistan’s maladies, but neither are they incurable. Essentially his party will try and enhance our resource pool, curtail state opulence and undesirable expenditure and use the money freed up to reduce budget deficit on the one hand and invest in basic citizen services (health, education and skill development) on the other. What is there to disagree with in any of this?

Yes, the devil is always in the detail. The PTI says it will come up with sector-wise specific policies that will include implementation plans. We should critically review the macro plan and the detailed policies. We should examine if these policies and plans address the problems that are holding Pakistan down. We should scrutinise PTI’s priorities reflected in these policies and determine who will they benefit. We should analyse whether they are pure rhetoric or can actually be implemented. We should compare and contrast them with the policies and performance of the other mainstream parties – the PPP and the PML-N. Why is it that we have seen none of this in the public debates since the release of the PTI’s economic policy?

The media’s perfunctory and cynical response to PTI’s economic policy is worrying. The problem is not that the media didn’t like the policy but that it is not interested. We are interested in the Swiss letter and whether or not the Supreme Court will send another prime minister packing. We are interested in corruption scandals and who all can be named and shamed. We are interested in conspiracy theories of all sorts, in gossip, in violence. We have ample time and energy to be cynical and dismissive, but none to be constructive. We love the blame-game but have no interest or patience to engage with the real issues. If the media sells what people buy, what does its lack of focus on problem-solving say about us as a society?

Irony of Eid: PTI alone while Status-Quo felicitating as Pakistan burns (The News, 23 Aug 2012)

When Imran Khan says all Status-Quo forces will unite against PTI; some people seem to doubt it. Just read this news-item and get the real point. :)

.Courtesy: Daily "The News" (23 Aug 2012)
Source: http://images.thenews.com.pk/23-08-2012/ethenews/t-16962.htm
Zardari asks partners to be ready for polls next year

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: President and Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari on Monday greeted the heads of political parties on the occasion of Eidul Fitr and asked the coalition partners to prepare for the general elections next year.
The president felicitated the Pakistan Muslim League-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif, Quaid-e-Tehreek Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain, President Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Amir Moulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat Islami Amir Munawar Hassan, JUI-S Amir Maulana Samiul Haq, President Pakistan Muslim League-F Pir Pagara, President Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (Pk-MAP) Mahmood Khan Achackzai, President National Party Dr Abdul Malik, President Balochistan National Party (Awami) Mir Israrullah Zehri and the heads of their own groups from Fata Munir Khan Aurakzai and Hameedullah Jan Afridi.
Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said the president, while greeting the party heads, wished them well in the months ahead, as the government nears completion of its term and braces itself for holding the general election as stipulated in the Constitution.
Later, leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House Monday and exchanged Eid greetings with him.
Those who met the president, included Dr Farooq Sattar of the MQM, Rafique Engineer of the PPP and Senator Shahi Syed of the ANP
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday offered Eid prayers here at a mosque near Bilawal House.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain and Senior Minister Sindh Pir Mazhar ul Haq were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, President Zardari complimented Interior Minister Rehman Malik, all the law enforcing personnel of the four provinces and that of Gilgit-Baltistan and AJ&K for their efforts to maintain peace on the occasion of Eid.
In his felicitation message, the president said that it was a matter of satisfaction that no major untoward incident of law & order happened in the country during the Eid days, and people were able to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in a peaceful atmosphere. He said that this was made possible by the concerted efforts, vigilance and coordination among the law enforcing authorities in all the provinces.
The president especially complimented the interior minister for coordinating the security arrangements during Eid.
The president expressed the hope that the same level of vigilance will also be observed in the future for ensuring law & order in the country and to foil the designs of militants and extremists to threaten peace and security.
The president said that the government was determined to ensure safety and security of the civilians at all costs. He said that democracy was about exercising political options freely through the ballot and not under threat or coercion. He said that no one will be allowed to use force, coercion and intimidation in the exercise of political choices and options.
The president also complimented the personnel of the law enforcing agencies for rendering great sacrifices in the fight against the militants. He said that in view of the determination of the people and security forces, the nation was fated to succeed in this existential fight.
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Disclaimer: This blog is not an official PTI webpage and is run by a group of volunteers having no official position in PTI. All posts are personal opinions of the bloggers and should, in no way, be taken as official PTI word.
With Regards,
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA Volunteers" Team.

One more Khan Column - Adiah Afraz writes how PMLN used technicalities to fabricate crude lies against SKMH (The News, 12 Aug 2012)

Courtesy: "The News" (12 Aug 2012)
One more Khan column
Adiah Afraz

Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to a fellow columnist. When he heard my name, he stood there with glazed eyes for a few minutes and finally exclaimed: “Oh! The girl who writes about the Khan!”

Now, happy as I was for having been referred to as a “girl” in the almost middle part of my life, the label “who-writes-about-the-Khan” sort of caught me off guard.

I mean, c’mon guys; I do write about stuff other than the Khan, don’t I?

But then I should have seen it coming. For although I have written only five or six Imran Khan columns in the entire history of the world, I am often told not to do this, or people will stop taking me seriously.

Well, for everybody’s kind information, nobody takes me seriously anyway. While on the other hand my last Imran Khan column generated more than nine thousand hits on the internet, and there are no prizes for guessing why.

Actually, if written with conviction, an Imran Khan column can launch you, put you on the map, and make you famous. You are splashed all over the social media, distant relatives call you to enquire about your health, you get candid emails from PML-N bigwigs and, the biggest of all achievements, your colleagues across the hall give you printing paper for free.

Now, if you don’t know what that means in today’s world of budget cuts and cost controls, then you’ll never know the power of an IK column.

"Storm in a Tea Cup" - Imtiaz Hydari clarifies myths; blasts PMLN & Kh Asif's SKMH slander campaign

Courtesy: Daily "The News" (5 August 2012)
Link: http://images.thenews.com.pk/05-08-2012/ethenews/e-124781.htm

Khwaja Asif vs Imran: investor speaks and answers key questions


ISLAMABAD: The man at the centre of the PML-N vs Imran Khan controversy over Shaukat Khanum investments, Imtiaz Hydari has come out publicly and blasted Khwaja Asif and his party declaring that his company handling $1.8 billion in funds has already absorbed the drop in value of a sound investment decision taken by the board.

“My company, HBG has taken steps to absorb the impairment in value by granting increased shares to SKMT i.e. the reduced value of Sugarland shares will be compensated by higher percentage shareholding of SKMT in Sugarland BVI. This preserves and protects SKMT investment. Additionally, HBG has also provided an undertaking to assist SKMT’s exit from the investment with Capital Protected,” Hydari said in a response released to the media on Saturday.

Reacting to the charges by Khwaja Asif, he stated: “I was amazed but more amused as I witnessed the Sherlock Homes-style performance of Khawaja Asif on television. Khoda Pahar aur Nikla Mara Hua Chooha!” The Urdu proverb means nothing came out of a huge storm in the tea cup.

Hydari said: “It is appropriate to set the record straight since his great discovery from publicly disclosed documents was gathering false alarms and in the process was hurting the finest public charity in Pakistan. If he is a man of any substance, he will appear again on television to Apologise to Imran Khan, SKMT and Imtiaz Hydari. Let me tell you why?”

Ibtila nahi, ye Khush-khabri ki ibtida hai" - Haroon Rasheed on SKMH allegations (Jang, 4 Aug 2012)

Courtesy: Daily "Jang" (4 Aug 2012)
http://e.jang.com.pk/pic.asp?npic=08-04-2012/Pindi/images/06_03.gif

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Disclaimer: This blog is not an official PTI webpage and is run by a group of volunteers having no official position in PTI. All posts are personal opinions of the bloggers and should, in no way, be taken as official PTI word.
With Regards,
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA Volunteers" Team.

"The Dirt Games - Legal Eye" | Legal perspective to SKMH allegations - by brilliant Babar Sattar >

Courtesy: Daily "The News" (4 August 2012)
The dirt games...Legal eye
Babar Sattar

Mohammad Ali is celebrated as a great fighter because other than being a tremendous athlete he knew when to hold his punches. But most fighters worry little about their legacy and focus squarely on winning. Elections are a fight too. They produce winners and losers. And like in all other fights some chose to fight dirty. At the end of the day, the support or lack-thereof for tactics employed in politics is a matter of taste. Politics is a dirty business. In an election year you see a lot of dirt smeared around even in mature democracies. Some judge those who are smeared. Others judge those doing the smearing. Elections campaigns whether negative or positive bring forth information into public domain. And as constituents we have a right to judge the information, those bringing it and the manner in which it is brought.

By now it is settled that someone who vies for public office doesn’t have the same right to privacy as an ordinary citizen, as privacy must give way to the public’s right to information. If someone paddles lies about you, you can take them to court for defamation. If someone expresses an opinion about that paints you black, you respond with your arguments and let people decide who is right. The theory of democracy suggests that in a marketplace of ideas where political leaders have more or less equal access to the media, the superior argument wins. Thus in reacting to the accusations levelled by the PML-N, there is no room for Imran Khan and the PTI to mount a high horse. If they want the job of managing this country, voters have a right to seek answers to all prickly questions.

"ISF - Tehreek-e-Insaf Uqaabi Rooh" - by Hassan Nisar (Daily Jang, 25 Jul 2012)

Courtesy: Daily "Jang" (25 Jul 2012)
By: Hassan Nisar
http://e.jang.com.pk/07-25-2012/lahore/pic.asp?picname=02_01.gif

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Disclaimer: This blog is not an official PTI webpage and is run by a group of volunteers having no official position in PTI. All posts are personal opinions of the bloggers and should, in no way, be taken as official PTI word.
With Regards,
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA Volunteers" Team.

"The PTI argument" by Adiah Afraz - A primer on bashing of PTI and Imran Khan

Courtesy: Daily "The News" (13 May 2012)
The PTI argument

By Adiah Afraz

My interest in the PTI is academic in nature. Well sort of. Actually as a PTI supporting columnist I often find myself in a strange position of being answerable for many PTI actions.

“Your Imran Khan has sent a letter to a JD rally?” I would be accused.

“Your Imran Khan has refused to share roof with Salman Rushdie in India” I would be smirked at.

“Your Imran Khan is calling us liberal scum...” long whine.

From Jamat-ud-Dawa to Sita White, and the philosophy of hair colour to the possibility of Botox, I am increasingly held accountable for a variety of things Imran Khan does or says. And frankly, being a layman of sorts especially when it comes to making polite conversation in the social sciences jargon, it is not always easy to avert the IK hating onslaught from the intellectual dragons.

I either make an emotional argument about Imran Khan’s honesty and philanthropy, or rephrase his theory of ‘engage the marginalised’, or simply just maintain a stubborn mulish stance that Imran Khan is good for Pakistan simply because he is. Period.

Thus begins a regimen of watching re-runs of Imran Khan interviews, tediously going through print sources, and randomly going to PTI events, quietly sitting in dark corners, and taking notes.

In order to inform, I need to stay informed.

Now no matter how much I want to make use of my notes from the PTI gatherings and write a ground breaking piece about how the PTI is a party of the liberal, by the liberal for the liberal; yet this one is not about the PTI as much as it is about my genuine inability to understand why there is so much scepticism about Imran Khan among certain intellectuals despite his spotless credentials.

The argument against Khan has three categories. The basic argument, the before and after argument, and the more ridiculous argument.