Flash Flood Destroyed Chitral

Chitral observed a very devastating flood this July. Almost 500 houses were destroyed and more than 40 people lost their lives. Link roads, bridges, markets, electric power stations, cash crop flown by the flood. Almost 90% of population of the area effected by the flood. The whole geography of Chitral is changed, no one can imagine the looking the photos taken after the flood who have been to these areas.
 

A Noble Pair

IT IS a bitter irony that, in the days before the Nobel committee announced joint Indian and Pakistani winners of the 2014 peace prize, their armies have been shelling across their disputed border in Kashmir. In the past week or so both countries have been steadily breaking a decade-long ceasefire, killing each other’s soldiers and civilians. So far the dead in the latest exchanges are said to number at least 18.

In Oslo, naturally, the attention is on the two winners of the peace prize. The committee has returned its focus to individuals, after two successive years of giving it to institutions (the European Union in 2012, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 2013). On the Pakistani side Malala Yousafzai, at 17 years, is its youngest-ever recipient; many had believed she might have received it last year. She is the girl who was shot in the neck and head while returning from school on a bus, in 2012. The Pakistani Taliban admitted the deed. A spokesman for the extremists said she was targeted for spreading "secular ideology". She had shown immense courage in the face of the repressive religious thuggery that grows ever more pervasive in Pakistan.

As The Economist wrote last year: "She was already famous at the age of 11 as the writer of a blog for the BBC Urdu service, giving an impression of life under the rule of the Taliban in her native Swat valley. Along with the routine details of her existence, she described the Taliban's crackdown on culture, music and on schooling for girls." After her shooting she got medical care and then took asylum in Britain. She now runs a trust there, the Malala Fund, that promotes education for girls. She had already earned a host of prizes, including the European Union's Sakharov prize for human rights.

The committee awarded the prize jointly this year, including a second figure, a Hindu man from India who is far less famous—but arguably he has achieved just as much. Kailash Satyarthi campaigns against child slavery in India, leading a group called Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), formed in 1980. His group suggests that, over the years, he and some 80,000 volunteers have been responsible for winning the freedom of more than 78,500 children in India, each of whom had been in some type of slavery. Among the most typical forms of exploitation is bonded labour, including debt bondage—when children are in effect made into slaves to serve the debts of their parents. Though such debt bondage has been banned in India since 1975, almost nobody is prosecuted over it. Among the most vulnerable families are Dalits (formerly "untouchables") and the impoverished peasants who migrate to work in brick kilns.

Mr Satyarthi has suggested that millions of children are trafficked within India, and that tens of millions are used in some form of labour—on farms, as household servants, weaving rugs and more—many of them in dreadful conditions. Inadequate laws which are anyway poorly enforced, along with a reluctance among society’s most traditional elements to admit to the scourge, all make it harder to combat. In fast-growing cities, too, young labourers are exploited in construction sites, and used as near-slaves in households.

Will the fact of a jointly awarded prize in any way encourage better relations between India and Pakistan? The award committee may perhaps hope so, though neither of these two recipients has made a point of looking at relations between the rival countries. There have been many other dual recipients of the Nobel prize, for example Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk in South Africa, or John Hume and David Trimble of Northern Ireland, but in such cases the pairings were rewarded for efforts made to settle long-running conflicts. In this case, though the recipients are both South Asian, and both promote the interests of children, there is little reason to expect any relief from the long-standing and bitter confrontation that divides their nuclear-armed countries. Others will have to work on bilateral peace. No doubt the Nobel committee would be willing to dish out another award to a couple of South Asian winners, if progress were to be made on that front, too.

The article is published in The Economist on 10th October 2014

One.Two, Three & Go…NAWAZ

Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation. But here in Pakistan no one is ready to do the above, so real meaning of democracy smashed day by day either by one extreme of corruption or by the other extreme of not to be ready for debates.

It became so difficult in Pakistani politics to maintain and run a government democratically that a group of one or two hundred thousand people come and sweep away the whole system of 1.8 million people. The current situation of Pakistan is the reflection of my words. IK and TUQ have their own demand to take resignation from PM Nawaz and PM, Govt. and other stake holders are insisting them to make a middle way solution for the current political downfall in the country.

Yesterday, when the TUQ attacked on parliament and made hostage the PM along with other ministers and members, then a team for dialogue sent by the government towards TUQ to resolve the issues, he also made a team to deal with, that time it looked that he will make a deal with the government but after IK's address he refused to accept the deal and like IK he also demanded the resignation of PM.

IK has given an ultimatum to the PM to resign till 8pm today. Pak Army has also given assurity not to involve in the political matters of the country, but it is interesting if IK and TUQ entering the PM house then what will happen, Army will react or not, PM will resign or not??  Let’s wait till 8pm today what will happen. But one thing is confirm if security forces stop the protesters to go PM house then we all will have to see another martial law in the country by tomorrow morning because,

 “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.”  Plato

Preparations are on Peak to Burn Islamabad

Nowadays it becomes more difficult to enter in Islamabad due to the worst law and order situation as Imaran Khan and Tahir Ul Qadiri announced a long march towards Islamabad on 14^th August 2014. Petrol pumps are closed, roads are blocked, Traffic on the roads remains half, public transport is disappeared, staff in public and private companies reduced to one-third etc, all these are not due to the bad law and order situation but all these are due to the precautionary tips of Govt. to stop the march.

Islamabad is handed over to Pak Army on 1^st August apart from this today I have seen large number of containers on the entrance point of Islamabad, which are filled with sand to make them heavy, these are kept on the main road. Entrenchments have been made on both sides of the road giving an impression of war in the city.

IK and TQ are not doing good to make the country destabilize in this condition as it is already in bad stage due to previous Martial Law and Zardari Tenure. All the projects started and plan planned  by the present Govt. will be stopped if it happens from which all Pakistan afraid, by pushing back the country. All faults cannot be thrown upon IK and TQ, Govt. is also equal responsible for all these, it should handle this expediently not by force of power.

Shisha or Water Pipe || Tobacco Smoking

Nowadays, shisha, or water pipe, is quite popular amongst the youth of Karachi. Many lounges are operating all over the city, even though the authorities have taken steps to outlaw its usage.
Experts have identified the leading factors responsible for the rise of water-pipe usage among the youth. These include peer pressure, mental and physical stress due to economic conditions, depression due to educational pressure, unemployment and the modern lifestyle.
According to experts, peer pressure is one of the most influential factors for youth to start smoking. Generally, a young individual gets involved in such activities to get fame amongst his peer group. However, such consumption can turn into a lifelong habit.
The water pipe has been popular in Persia, India, and Arab countries for centuries. But in the modern age, shisha is all the rage in urban centres. It contains fruit-scented tobacco flavours, which are burnt by using coal passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose.
The popular misconception about it is that this form of smoking is not harmful. But according to research it has more risks of serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular and renal ailments in the long run. In simple words, it is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes.
Various surveys conducted by different institutions show that it has harmful effects on the health of both males and females, but the youth continue to use it without realising the serious consequences of its use.
There is a dire need to design awareness programmes in order to wean the youth away from tobacco. We need to take certain steps to educate the youth about the serious effects of smoking, including the use of shisha. We need to talk to them and discuss and listen to their voices and involve them in meaningful activities. Instead of wasting their time, money and health on dangerous substances, the youth should be encouraged to participate in healthy activities such as sports, arts and crafts.

The parents’ role here is critical. They should regularly discuss substance abuse with their children and guide them to stay away from such unhealthy habits. They should spend more time with their children. The stronger the relationship between parents and children, the more impact it will have on their development.
Also, it is vitally important for our institutions to provide a safe and healthy environment for the development of our youth.
http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=09_07_2014_118_008
The above article was published in Dawn written by Mr. Farhan Jumani

Enabling the poor: Pakistan ranks 3rd in favourable microfinance environment

By Kazim Alam

According to the report Pakistan is considered to have one of the most enabling environments for microfinance. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID

KARACHI: Pakistan has the third-best microfinance business environment in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s analysis of the microfinance business environment in 55 countries.

In its recently released report titled “Global microscope on the microfinance business environment 2013,” the business information arm of The Economist Group puts Pakistan after Peru and Bolivia on the overall microfinance business environment ranking.

“Pakistan… is considered to have one of the most enabling environments for microfinance regionally and globally,” said the report, which ranks countries on the basis of two broad categories: Regulatory Framework and Practices, which examines regulatory and market-entry conditions; and Supporting Institutional Framework, which assesses business practices and client interaction.

Interestingly, Pakistan is nearly tied with Bolivia for the second position because the difference in their respective scores on the index is only 0.1 point.

“Pakistan is an extremely attractive microfinance market. We have a regulator (State Bank of Pakistan), which is ranked among the best in the world,” said Mohammad Mudassar Aqil, CEO of Kashf Microfinance Bank, one of Pakistan’s major microfinance banks, while speaking to The Express Tribune in an interview.

He said Pakistan has one of the most progressive sets of regulations for microfinance banking. “A fully functional credit bureau for microfinance banks with about 93% of the adult population of the country having a unique CNIC number is a great combination of all ingredients,” Aqil added. “What’s missing is the ability of the practitioners (of microfinance banking) to innovate. Now the onus is on us,” he observed.

Pakistan holds the third position in both ‘Regulatory Framework and Practices’, and ‘Supporting Institutional Framework’ categories. However, besides the two core categories, The Economist Intelligence Unit also adjusts each country’s score for political instability into the index.

Based on a complex scoring methodology, this category evaluates political shocks to the microfinance sector and general political stability. Pakistan performs rather poorly on this count, as it ranks 30 among the 55 economies when it comes to political stability.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) tightened its prudential regulations that apply to microfinance banks by increasing minimum-capital requirements. It expanded the scope of potential microfinance clients in 2011 by raising the maximum income level for clients who can qualify for microloans.

While the regulator does not impose interest-rate caps, it does limit the size of loans.

The Economist Intelligence Unit says the launch of the Microfinance Credit Information Bureau (MF-CIB), which was rolled out in June 2012, has been a key development in microfinance business.

“The MF-CIB will be a positive registry (with information on all clients with an outstanding loan, rather than just defaulters) and will cover all types of players serving the industry,” it said.

The total number of active borrowers in Pakistan at the end of the last quarter of fiscal 2013 was 2.6 million, up 4% from the preceding quarter. The penetration rate of the microfinance banking sector has increased from 9.2% to 9.6% due to an increase in overall outreach, according to the latest data.

Gap Widens Between ACCA and ICAEW

The accountancy profession is still an attractive proposition as a career for young people in the UK, according to the Financial Reporting Council.

The latest annual key facts and trends in the profession report shows that total membership of the seven UK and Irish accountancy bodies continues to grow steadily. Over the past five years, it has increased by 2.7% in the UK to 327,000 and by 3.5% worldwide to 465,000.

Over the same period, the number of students training for UK qualifications increased by 3.4% overall (529,000), largely driven by the numbers of overseas students. In the last 12 months alone, numbers worldwide have gone up by 4.5% compared to the level in the UK which has remained broadly static (up 1.6%).

“It is clear from the report,” said Paul George, the FRC’s executive director conduct, “that the profession remains attractive with the number of students and new members indicating there is a good flow of bright, young accountants coming into the profession.”

ICAEW remains the largest body in terms of members based in the UK and Ireland. At 31 December 2013, it had 120,513 members, compared to its next largest rival, the ACCA, with 80, 442. However, when the number of members based outside the UK is added to the totals, the ACCA is by far the largest body, with 165,625 members compared to ICAEW’s 142,334.

It is also the richest institute with an income in 2013 of £160m (v ICAEW’s £88m) and has the largest number of students (85,259).

CIMA is the next largest body with 95,925 members (55,295 students), followed by CAI with 22,828 and ICAS with 20,109. CIPFA, whose numbers are in decline and which has the oldest age profile of members, has 13,328 members and the Association of International Accountants 8,545.

Although ICAEW has seen students numbers increase over the past five years by 9.5%, female representation remains woefully low.

The percentage of women ICAEW members worldwide is 26%, the lowest of all the seven bodies. This compares with an average of 35% for all seven bodies.

The ACCA is way out ahead with 45% women members, followed by the CAI which has 39%.

Julia Irvine