I found this article extremely thought provoking in terms of how we can expect to bring a true democratic environment in Pakistan. What I really found appreciative in this article is that the writer is well aware of the complexities of the Pakistani society as well the constraints Pakistan is facing in terms of this new war on terrorism. Therefore, he is extremely rational and practical in his ideas, thoughts and solutions.
The article explicitly addresses the need of developing a liberal environment first that would be conducive to the growth of a true democracy later. No one can expect a true democratic setup to prevail in a society like Pakistan where people have never experienced social justice, economic stability and a well-educated liberal atmosphere.
The article also clearly outlines the reasons why the military rule will be able to prevail in Pakistan for now (because of lack of international pressure in view of war on terrorism and a dire need of crushing the terrorist networks in Pakistan).
Re: How can we develop a true democratic environment in Pakistan
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*Originally posted by phoenixdesi: *
....The article explicitly addresses the need of developing a liberal environment first that would be conducive to the growth of a true democracy later. No one can expect a true democratic setup to prevail in a society like Pakistan where people have never experienced social justice, economic stability and a well-educated liberal atmosphere.
The article also clearly outlines the reasons why the military rule will be able to prevail in Pakistan for now (because of lack of international pressure in view of war on terrorism and a dire need of crushing the terrorist networks in Pakistan).
.....
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PD I generally agree with your comments but this article is nothing but a leftie-liberal bull dished out through our anarchist-Urdu-Press. 30 years ago we had hope that our well-educated liberal elite will lead us to a better Pakistan. Unfortunately the liberal-educated-elite have very liberal tendencies to become anarchist. Look what we did to the beautiful city of Karachi. Shia-Sunni tussle of 1980s easily turned into an armed militancy in the name of the most liberal and educated group called “Muhajirs”. Bottom line is that the article simply promises more of the same shame.
There is one possible path for Pakistan to reach its potential and that goes through massive and continuous reforms in tax system. 90% of our people are still subject to taxation at the hand of archaic system based on Patwari. This grade 5-7 government official is God in Pakistan. His unlimited powers in land management and revenue collection are unmatchable by even President Musharraf or PM Aziz.
Patwari is managing our fertile land on sheets of cloths with hand-drawn maps. This is atrocious in the age of GPS. The same person maintains huge century old records for tax collection from ordinary Pakistanis.
A similar draconian old system is being used in the cities as well. The result is horrific push of money into black market. Unlimited government regulations are choking off every iota of entrepreneurship among Pakistanis.
We need less of liberal and more of republican (less taxes and smaller government) policies in Pakistan. Unless we evolve out of our dilapidated tax system, we would remain stuck in poverty.
Re: Re: How can we develop a true democratic environment in Pakistan
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*Originally posted by antiobl: *
There is one possible path for Pakistan to reach its potential and that goes through massive and continuous reforms in tax system. 90% of our people are still subject to taxation at the hand of archaic system based on Patwari.
A similar draconian old system is being used in the cities as well. The result is horrific push of money into black market. Unlimited government regulations are choking off every iota of entrepreneurship among Pakistanis.
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An interesting point ANOBL......i know you have stated many times in the past that Pak needs a total reform in its tax system and i do agree with you. But are you sure that our business community is being taxed based on a patwari system as mentioned in your post? I am not aware of Pakistan tax System that well and therefore not in position to comment. I thought that patwari system is only in place for land management and it has nothing to do with the tax system. I think we do have a proper tax department in pakistan and some kind of tax ordinance in place also. Whether this sytem is working or not is another topic. can anyone throw more light on this? thanks
The main person who practically not verbally and theoritically;stood up and did the hard work of bringing together of all people to one platfrom, without any greed, so much he was dedicated, that he did not even feel necessity to announce his believe well,(and today Pakistani say he was not a strong believer) so that muslims of different firqas, should stay on one platform as muslims only----. OUR BELOVED QUAIDE AZAM (R), had announced to have a Islamic state but not theocratic, since there are many sects of muslims who saccrificed their lives and wealths to follow him to get a new state Pakistan. His idea was/is very very clear in his speaches that he intended to have sacular kind of islamic pakistan.
If we do not pay attention to NARA BAZI of opportunists leaders of those days and pay attention to a practical Man Quaide AZAM's Vision and planning to have free, liberal islamic MASHRA in pakistan. Everything would solved. Peace would prevail.
Re: Re: Re: How can we develop a true democratic environment in Pakistan
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*Originally posted by phoenixdesi: *
....But are you sure that our business community is being taxed based on a patwari system as mentioned in your post?
....thanks
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You are welcome PD.
Patwari is a combo deal, burger and fries both. He is the land record holder and the agri-tax collector. 90% of Pakistan survives on agri-economy so it is pretty easy to see why a Patwari will have positive or negative impact on so many lives.
Land recording should be taken away from Patwari and given to a new organization like NADRA. I am not their biggest fan but they did bring in technology and a whole bunch of young men and women. A similar group can go out with a laptop and a gps and get the records computerized.
No the business community doesn't deal with Patwari. But the system of business taxation is equally archaic.
Bottom line is that taxation system in both cities and rural areas is out of whack and in dire need of an overhaul.
Come to think of it, every major issue is linked with tax system. The way we tax pretty much determines the flow of money through the society.
PD educated elite like you must approach Pakistani community in US and beg them for a united stand on tax overhaul. US aid should also be linked with the change of tax system. Believe me we can be a first world nation in 10 years if we fix our tax system in the next 2-3 years.