Some of Democracy’s Dividends…

Why the judges are the only target

ISLAMABAD: Why is only the judiciary being made the target of extraordinary parliamentary oversight? The good work of the Rabbani-led constitutional committee apart, it is not seeking any parliamentary oversight of any of the other key civil or military appointments….

The 10-year crime picture gets dirtier

Despite spending hundreds of billions of rupees on policing, prosecution and courts in the name of reforms to secure the life and property of the people during the last 10 years, crime throughout Pakistan has increased by almost 50 per cent in this period….

Another Mush Bitch Selected By ‘Democracy’

Amazing! The guy who helped rape the country as privatization minister under Musharraf has been selected to be new Finance Advisor (to replace Shaukat Tareen). I am sure IMF/WB are delighted!

Wah Ray Democracy!

But no surprise, really. Remember the four governors of all four provinces are still those installed by Musharraf, the policies being followed are all those of Musharraf, the COAS is the one selected by Musharraf. So who needs Musharraf. It does remind me of the old Eric Margolis article ‘Zardari is the New Musharraf’

UPDATE:

Just financial wizardry that we will see in the days to come can well be gauged by today’s article by Mohammad Malick.

A Quickie: Worst Democracy Is Better

(Well, he did say “Democracy is the best revenge!”)

Is There Life After Democracy? asks Arundhati Roy

[The only problem I have with this is that Arundhati assumes there IS something called “Democracy”! It IS — and always has been — a charade, be it in India or Pakistan or UK or US.]

SOLD!

(Just watched “Islamabad Tonight” featuring Ahsan Iqbal of PML-N and Senator Safdar Abbasi. Perfect example of this fraud called Democracy. And I think Safdar Abbasi is trying to mend fences with Zardari, trying his best to kiss @ss. What a shame….Another proof of this: Safdar Abbasi had himself announced as Member, Central Executive Committee (CEC), PPP. Now I know he was thrown out of the CEC. Should we shout “Sell out!”?) 

July 06, 2009 “Dawn” — – While we’re still arguing about whether there’s life after death, can we add another question to the cart? Is there life after democracy? What sort of life will it be? By democracy I don’t mean democracy as an ideal or an aspiration. I mean the working model: Western liberal democracy, and its variants, such as they are.

So, is there life after democracy?

Attempts to answer this question often turn into a comparison of different systems of governance, and end with a somewhat prickly, combative defence of democracy. It’s flawed, we say. It isn’t perfect, but it’s better than everything else that’s on offer. Inevitably, someone in the room will say: ‘Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia . . . is that what you would prefer?’

Personification of Shameless Incompetence

"I am incompetent."

“Hina Rabbani Khar blamed the current economic crisis on the incompetence of the last government. It should be noted Ms Khar was Minister of State for Economic Affairs in that very government”

Isn’t it any surprise then that we have a “pro-poor” budget raises the price of items that they consume the most and encourages them to spend what’s left on cheap cell phones(see Pulses, tea to become costlier, cellphone cheaper)?

Some other interesting features:

Petroleum development levy to end in FY10 BUT Carbon surcharge will be introduced in FY10. So Hina giveth and Hina taketh away….

Withholding tax on domestic vehicles ended. Ah, the poor must be really excited since they can’t even afford a bicycle….

Agriculture and value addition to be given special attention. Ah, so Rs 18 billion for Agriculture will cover it. Compare that to Rs 262 billion allocated for federal ministries.