Cheap Land for Arabs.....

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/news/021112_birdshunting_shaikh.shtml

This report on BBC Urdu web page shows how the land in Pakistan are given to rich arab sheiekh on long leases for cheap. Not only these rich arabs spent their time in Pakistan hunting and enjying in the placs they made, they are also involve bitter disputes with other arabs.

Another thing that this article mentioned is the misterious crimes happening around the land.

The article mention one sheikh a rich emerates businessman who acquired 2000 acre of land in 90’s for price of peanuts. He has converted this land for hunting ground and breading place for horses.

One thing thats is mentioned is these shiekh’s have links with powerful people.

No offense but I feel that Pakistani land was sold cheap to these arabs. No government should be allowed to distribute land on such scale, I would rather happy if this land was given on cheap lease to pakistani’s.

NB
Apologies to the people can read udru as this web page is in urdu.

2

Well a contract is a contract and one has to honor it

If its a lease then its ok.... just charge them in US$
to renew it.

As for selling them land ......... NO WAY!

If we cant buy land there they shouldnt be able to buy land in Pak!

3

100%

If we cant buy Land in the M.East they cant buy land here!!
Simple

4

I dont think that we can buy land there...

5

I think pakistan should takeover some arab land
UAE and Oman are pretty close

And i know they wont show any resistance
As long as we give them enough time to transfer
their bank account to switzerland

CALL IT CAMPAIGN TOFA

Take the oil from the Arabs lol

6

I am not against the leasing land. All I am concern is the amount charged and land is given on a lease of 99 years. The Govt should ask Pakistanis first to disperse any land before any foreigners.

Also the second biggest concern was that these people have strong links with people in administration and they considered above the law. Now this means these people are running a states within a state. That should not be allowed. These people should respect the law of our country.

But again we ahve other states within pakistan as well. Every influential person rty to make a state and run his own law. Mullhas, Landlords, Industrialist and army officers they all do same.

7

gentlemen it’s time we sent some battleships and carriers Oman and UAE’s way to ‘ensure their safety’ from other evil regimes and each other :hehe:

8

Arabs bought lots of places in Britain too and there was a big hue and cry about that at the time. Whichever mug sold the land for peanuts is the one who should be shot.

9

Re: Cheap Land for Arabs.....

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Insaaniat: *

No offense but I feel that Pakistani land was sold cheap to these arabs. No government should be allowed to distribute land on such scale, I would rather happy if this land was given on cheap lease to pakistani's.

[/QUOTE]

Arabs do a lot for us....we gotta do sumthin fr them!

10

may be pakistanis should be allowed to lease land in gulf and if they find oil they can profit from that.

11

Re: Re: Cheap Land for Arabs.....

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Bilal_Tarar: *

Arabs do a lot for us....we gotta do sumthin fr them!
[/QUOTE]

Bilal,

Would like to elebroate on what Arabs have so far done for Pakistan? If this is the case then other countries have done a lot as well for Pakistan, why not distrubute more lands to other foreigners?

12

Those brothers are investing in Pak, we are just helping brothers out.

13

Enough of this rubbish...its all politics.

These wealthy arabs are just trying to help pakistan's poor ministers get another bmw or two.

14

Re: Re: Re: Cheap Land for Arabs.....

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Insaaniat: *
Would like to elebroate on what Arabs have so far done for Pakistan?
[/QUOTE]

The arabs built your faisal mosque.

15

Re: Re: Re: Re: Cheap Land for Arabs.....

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by hskhan: *

The arabs built your faisal mosque.
[/QUOTE]

Correct. But do remember, it was Shah Faisal who wanted to bear all cost of the Mosque. Later Govt. of Pakistan, named the Mosque, 'Faisal Mosque'

16

heres a little example…insaaniat

Saudi oil greases wheels of Pakistan’s economy

By Nadeem Malik

29th August, 2001.

The Saudi Oil Facility (SOF) and strong fiscal management have helped Pakistan narrow its balance of payments and budget deficits since 1998.

The government has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Saudi Arabia has been extending oil as a grant and not as a loan since 1998. An IMF team is visiting Islamabad for its last review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), and it has factored in US$850 million as an oil grant for fiscal 2001-02.

Pakistan needs to satisfy the IMF about the state of the economy so that the existing $596 million SBA can be replaced with a $2 billion-$2.5 billion new funding line in the shape of a Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) before the end of this year.

The Saudis extended the friendly oil facility following the nuclear tests Islamabad conducted in May 1998 to alleviate the threat of an outright default, as the country was building a debt arrears in the wake of nuclear-related sanctions imposed by the developed world. “The authorities have confirmed that the SOF is grant, not a loan,” the IMF stated in its report.

The report says that actual budget deficit for the current fiscal year would come down to 3.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) after accounting for the oil facility, against the publicly announced target of 4.9 percent of GDP. Last year, the government announced a deficit of 5.2 percent, which was actually 3.9 percent of GDP after adjusting the grant component.

Read the rest at:
Asia Times

17

Seen the Saudi Pak tower in Islamabad?
This is what its all about

Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company (Pvt) Limited (Saudi Pak) was established in December 1981 under an agreement signed between the Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, primarily to promote industrial development in Pakistan. It’s initial paid -up capital of Pak Rupees one billion has since been doubled to Rs. two billion. The paid up capital is held in equal properties by the two governments.

Saudi Pak offers a wide range of financial products and services to medium and large industrial projects both in the private and public sectors. Over the years, it has enhanced the scope of it’s product mix:

Saudi Pak extends long-term project loans and provides short-term working capital financing. Additional flexibility in the financing mix is provided through lease financing and non-fund based commitments such as letters of guarantee.

Whenever feasible, Saudi Pak participates directly in the equity of industrial projects.

To enable entrepreneurs to access the capital market, Saudi Pak underwrites public issues of shares and Term Finance Certificates

(TFCs) and organizes syndicates of banks and financial institutions for this purpose.

Saudi Pak financing is governed solely be commercial considerations. It maintains rigorous standards of evaluation for scrutiny of projects for financing and to identify sound and profitable investment opportunities. Saudi Pak is professionally managed and is well-capitalized financial institution of Pakistan.

Its aims:

Promote investment in industrial projects with high value addition potential preferably those involving technology transfer to Pakistan and maximum utilization of indigenous resources.

Extend timely financial assistance to projects experiencing difficulties.

Build and maintain a diversified equity portfolio promising optimum return consistent with acceptable risk.

Mobilize funds for matching investments.

Achieve sustainable growth in operations.

Achieve and maintain a cutting edge in our commercial operations.

Provide consultancy and advisory services in the areas of project financing, capital market and Information Technology to the corporate
sector.

saudipak.com

18

Re: Re: Re: Cheap Land for Arabs.....

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Insaaniat: *

Bilal,

Would like to elebroate on what Arabs have so far done for Pakistan? If this is the case then other countries have done a lot as well for Pakistan, why not distrubute more lands to other foreigners?
[/QUOTE]

who has helped us with the right intention?
the US and the west?
they help us till they need us n then we're forgotten!
who do u think is responsible for the klashankov culture in the NWFP!
The USA is supportin us n what were giving them in return is our sovereignty....so isnt it better if we just give away land to the arabs

19

Saudi n UAE got huge investment in Pakistan…they even had it before September 11 as well…thats when we are facin bad times!

some more about SaudiPak

Saudi Pak approves Rs490m for 13 firms

The 81st board of directors meeting of Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited approved a total financing of Rs490 million to 13 companies in manufacturing services and financial sectors. According to a press release issued here on Monday, the financing will facilitate expansion of existing production facilities and creation of additional capacities.

The board’s meeting was held at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 23, 2002, under chairmanship of Dr Adbullah T. Al- Thenayan, who is also director general of Arab Company for Livestock Development, Saudi Arabia, the press release said.

The board reviewed the operating performance of the company for the 10 months ended October 31, 2002, of current financial year and expressed its satisfaction on the key areas of operations, including approvals and disbursements of new financing and position of collection of dues from long-term and short-term financing portfolio.

The board expressed satisfaction over the role performed by Saudi Pak in promoting growth of industrial sector in Pakistan.

Since inception Saudi Pak has provided financing facilities of Rs14,325 million, which includes direct equity investment of Rs1.615 million, and term financing of Rs12,710 million. In addition, the underwriting of public issue of shares and guarantees have also been provided for a total amount of Rs1.966 million.

The board also approved the operational strategy and budget for the year 2002. The company’s financing operations are planned to be geared up in 2003.

Saudi Pak, a joint venture of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is playing an important role in promoting brotherly relations between the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. it is committed to accelerate industrial development in Pakistan by providing loans and investment facilities to industrial projects sponsored by the private sector.

Its financing is spread over all the key economic sectors, including chemicals, engineering, textile, cement, communications, etc. The projects financed by Saudi Pak are located throughout the country.

The paid-up capital of the company is Rs2 billion, held in equal proportion by the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Pakistan.

(DAWN)

SaudiPak approves Rs490m for 13 firms

20

Bilal,

Thanks for the post, yes I gree that Saudies are doing a lot for Pakistan right now, but I dont have a figures for how much arabs are investing in Pakistan compare to investment in wet or india.

BTW the guy that turned the 2000 acre into a hunting ground is a UAE businessmen, not a Saudi Royal family.