Lahore Metro Train : Orange Line

[Jolie]

Re: Lahore Metro Train : Orange Line

@Med911

I didnt say anything about a dictatorship…

Yes we need a strong opposition… But an opposition that is pragmatic and reasonable. Dharnas and threats are not conducive to the promotion of democratic norms. And being antagonistic about everything, just for the sake of it, isn’t helpful either. The metro bus for example, is something that is needed… Why oppose something that is clearly of benefit to the masses? Besides, even the KP govt is now ready to build a similar BRT system in Peshawar, despite having heaped scorn on the same in Lahore.

There are two factors needed for development… They work in unison. You need social, political and economic stability, and you need the physical infrastructure to facilitate that process. You cant have social integration without motorways and rail. Cities can offer employment but only if they can integrate and manage the people that live in it.. you cant have that without mass transit. Likewise, you cant build physical infrastructure without sociopolitical stability… Case in point, Balochistan has neither sociopolitical order, nor infrastructure. When they try to build the infrastructure, security becomes a deterrent. When the try to imporve the social factors, the lack of infrastructure is a deterrent. So another words, you need to have both to function.

As far as the arabs are concerned, many would be envious of Pakistan. They have built a lot of infrastructure, but because they havent evolved politically, and havent empowered their own people, they remain backwards despite their world class infrastructure. Look at the Saudis, you know their worried about what will happen once their oil dries up and they can no longer afford to pay their people…

And whether you like it or not, all crimes, from electoral fraud to rape and abuse, also have to be proven… Assuming guilt without evidence or a trial,negates the very purpose of having a Judiciary. I mean its simple stuff, if you assume others guilty of something without evidence, what to stop others from assuming the same of you? Its what seperates civilization from barbarity. Should we just reinsitute the old trial by ordeal stuff if you think Pakistans courts are inefficient? You know, if she burns then she be a witch!

I haven’t read more than a quarter of your post because the highlighted bit just shows we are just going round and round in circles, with you not even trying to get the point, and I think it’s time to make this post my last post of this conversation.

In this whole conversation I have mentioned numerous times why Metro got criticized. You just see Metro as a big shiny red bus, you think it’s the best thing ever and should not be criticised at all no matter what. While there are people who like to think outside of the box and can argue that Punjab Metro project (not the need for an effective bus system) is a shady project because the way its records and dealings have been handled, making it the most expensive bus project in the world (with all records conveniently burned). The project adds nothing to the revenue; in fact government pays 50 billion every year to run it. Now don’t talk about passenger saving Rs.10 as some massive achievement when government imposes many other indirect taxes on essential items to get money. And billions wasted on Metro annually means that the government has no money left to spend on education, health and other departments.
I’m sorry if all this in depth analysis sounds like criticism for sake criticism. Your posts have been full of contradiction. On one hand you talk about political awareness and development, but on the other hand you want none of Sharif brother’s shiny projects to be questioned.

I am pretty sure there were groups in Arab countries that simply did not allow the population to question their rulers on the merit of their shiny infrastructure projects, and therefore the population could not grow politically because all actions of their governments were made to look absolutely fine in every context. They were made to feel great about themselves by looking at their roads and building blocks. They weren’t allowed to think outside the box. Pakistan can’t afford this Arab world culture, where you push infrastructure down people’s throats, and say here, take it, it’s the best hing ever and now don’t utter a word.

As with KPK, first of all, you really need to learn to differentiate between mass transit bus service and Sharif style Metro project. Yes, KPK has thrown heaps of criticism on Sharif brothers’ Metro Project and that they are under healthy pressure to find a much cheaper, viable and cost effective project to prove their point and vindicate all their criticism, and I appreciate this. Not that Sharif brothers will release their NFC, Net Hydel Project and gas royalties so they can have a decent budget.

So this is where you and I differ. I believe that genuine criticism is absolutely vita for political growth and awareness, and it leads to improvement in future projects and it leads political and economic awareness. Don’t insult yours and mine intelligence by only seeing dharna as the only face of opposition.