Pakistan’s ‘sky high debt’ worries Army Chief, urges Govt to expand tax base to break 'begging bowl'

[WebGuru]

Pakistan’s ‘sky high debt’ worries Army Chief, urges Govt to expand tax base to break 'begging bowl'

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said Pakistan needs to expand its tax base, bring in financial discipline and ensure continuity of economic policies to be able to break the begging bowl, military's media wing reported.

"The economy is showing mixed indicators. Growth has picked up but the debts are sky high. Infrastructure and energy have improved considerably but the current account balance is not in our favour," the army chief reportedly said while addressing a seminar on the interplay of economy and security on Wednesday.

"Our tax to GDP ratio is abysmally low and this needs to change if we are to break the begging bowl," read the text of Bajwa's speech shared by Inter-Services Public Relations.

He also shared that economy remains a major concern during National Security Council meetings, also revealing that he reads the business and economy page of the newspaper right after the main page because of its importance.

"Pakistan is capable of creating sufficient fiscal space to address underlying structural problems through tax reforms, documenting economy, diversifying the export base, and encouraging savings to finance a level of investment that could sustain growth rate higher than the rise of population," but the benefits should also reach all parts of Pakistan including interior Sindh, Fata, Balochistan and Southern Punjab, he said.

Gen Bajwa said that after the end of cold war people were claiming that economic interests alone would dictate national security but the "reappearance of age-old fault lines and reassertion of ancient parochial passions of race, language, religion and identity" has led to security once again becoming "the foremost business and task of the state".

"We have to continuously ensure a viable balance between economy and security," the army chief said, focusing on the security-economy nexus. "Only then will we arrive at a future that ensures sustained peace and happiness for our people."

Many of the planned measures of the National Action Plan (NAP) will contribute directly to the economic and political stability of the country, he said, giving examples of police, judicial and madrassah reforms.

"We cannot afford to leave a large segment of our youth with limited options — madrassahs must enable their students to become useful members of the society who are not left behind in any field of life."

He cited the peaceful commencement of Muharram, Bohra community holding its annual gathering in Pakistan and sports and cultural events as examples of peace reiterating in the country.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is "a complete development platform that has the potential to act as a powerful springboard for shared development in the entire Central Asia-South Asia region," Gen Bajwa said.

"Our destinies are inextricably linked," he told India and Afghanistan, adding that he sincerely believes that the region "will sink or sail together."



Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1363138/bajwa-urges-govt-to-expand-tax-base-in-order-to-break-begging-bowl

 

[WebGuru]

COAS is worry about about economy while the finance minister and govt are too busy defending their money laundering and doing more corruption in day light....

 

[Varun]

Even if the economy is a mess, the army should just stick to the borders.

 

[JaDed]

No offense but Army should be least worried about the debt,or open up their docs for audit as well. Pak army must be very hard to deal with for every gov coming in,will be interesting to see how Imran deals with it someday.

 

[Varun]

No offense but Army should be least worried about the debt,or open up their docs for audit as well. Pak army must be very hard to deal with for every gov coming in,will be interesting to see how Imran deals with it someday.

The downward spiral in the books probably means they don't get the pay raise they are hankering for. That can be the only explanation here.

 

[www787]

No offense but Army should be least worried about the debt,or open up their docs for audit as well. Pak army must be very hard to deal with for every gov coming in,will be interesting to see how Imran deals with it someday.

High debt could turn into national security issue, which it will if Pakistan's government does not take serious actions. Army has given the incompetent government warning, probably should have done in private but since current government is busy trying to safe their illegal money Army had had to make public comments.

So, Yes! Army should be very worried about Increasing debt.

 

[Syed1]

Army is well within its rights "to advice" government to do its job. Keep in mind Pak Army is fighting on two fronts and on top of them the added responsibility of keeping CPEC assets safe. If the economy isn't running who will pay for these?

 

[WebGuru]

No offense but Army should be least worried about the debt,or open up their docs for audit as well. Pak army must be very hard to deal with for every gov coming in,will be interesting to see how Imran deals with it someday.

Even if the economy is a mess, the army should just stick to the borders.

High debt can turn into a national security issue because you will have to negotiate with big guys very soon. Corrupt govt and politicians are too busy defending their own ***** in courts and media so army chief had to give a clear warning. When there is a question mark on state security thn democracy is a secondary thing...

 

[Syed1]

High debt can turn into a national security issue because you will have to negotiate with big guys very soon. Corrupt govt and politicians are too busy defending their own ***** in courts and media so army chief had to give a clear warning. When there is a question mark on state security thn democracy is a secondary thing...

Well said

 

[cricketjoshila]

Well said

So you will be alright if canada suspends democratic rights in the name of national security?

 

[cricketjoshila]

High debt can turn into a national security issue because you will have to negotiate with big guys very soon. Corrupt govt and politicians are too busy defending their own ***** in courts and media so army chief had to give a clear warning. When there is a question mark on state security thn democracy is a secondary thing...

If i am not wrong this was the reason for not letting Sheikh Mujib become PM even though he had majority in Pakistani NA in 1970?

National security?

 

[Syed1]

So you will be alright if canada suspends democratic rights in the name of national security?

I'm not that well-read on Canadian law, but every country prioritizes safety and security of the country over institutions in emergency situation.

 

[WebGuru]

If i am not wrong this was the reason for not letting Sheikh Mujib become PM even though he had majority in Pakistani NA in 1970?

National security?

Bhutto ego was like K2 and he wasn't ready to accept the result and Mujib mandate so it wasn't only milt establishment fault. And thn later Bhutto ego and non negotiable attitude with opposition played a major role in his down fall in 77 and created space for military to jump in again.

Wait a minute i thought you mentioned it repeatedly in different threads that what happens in Pakistan and to Pakistanis isn;t your concern?

 

[cricketjoshila]

I'm not that well-read on Canadian law, but every country prioritizes safety and security of the country over institutions in emergency situation.

God forbid
So if ISIS or Al Qaida carry out attacks in Canada will you support Canada targetting people of islamic faith with extra vetting or restricting their rights?

PS: This isnt about India or Pakistan so please keep that bias away and think what suspension of democratic rights may mean.

 

[Syed1]

God forbid
So if ISIS or Al Qaida carry out attacks in Canada will you support Canada targetting people of islamic faith with extra vetting or restricting their rights?

PS: This isnt about India or Pakistan so please keep that bias away and think what suspension of democratic rights may mean.

If God forbid such an attack does take place in Canada, the extra vetting will be for all citizens equally and not on any particular religious group because in Canada religion and state are completely independent. Which will explain why Jagmeet Singh a practicing Sikh was recently elected as the leader of the NDP which is the third largest political party in Canada.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Bhutto ego was like K2 and he wasn't ready to accept the result and Mujib mandate so it wasn't only milt establishment fault. And thn later Bhutto ego and non negotiable attitude with opposition played a major role in his down fall in 77 and created space for military to jump in again.

Wait a minute i thought you mentioned it repeatedly in different threads that what happens in Pakistan and to Pakistanis isn;t your concern?

This isnt about Pakistan.I am talking about democracy in general.

Also lets not forget 1971 was a result of 1970 and 1971 is an event whose consequences are being felt by people like me even today.

Tell me, will you be alright if NS and Zardari refuse to vacate power for IK if he wins the election?Mujib won the election fair and square, there is no question of the defeated not accepting such a result etc.Mujib should have been sworn in and that would have been the end of that.Is there a provision in Pakistan that allowed ZAB to stop Mujib from becoming the PM?

Ofcourse no one in Rawalpindi or Islamabad wanted to have a East Pakistani as Pakistans PM.They held the east pakistanis in contempt and treated them with disdain.

 

[cricketjoshila]

If God forbid such an attack does take place in Canada, the extra vetting will be for all citizens equally and not on any particular religious group because in Canada religion and state are completely independent. Which will explain why Jagmeet Singh a practicing Sikh was recently elected as the leader of the NDP which is the third largest political party in Canada.

You do realise that ISIS and Al Qaida claim to follow a twisted and convulated version of a religion and hence after attacks by them some countries may have started increased vetting and surveillance etc of a particular community.In almost all these states the state and religion are separate.

Btw what is your opinion on relation between state and religion?

 

[Syed1]

They held the east pakistanis in contempt and treated them with disdain.

That was true then and it is true even today, unfortunately.

 

[cricketjoshila]

That was true then and it is true even today, unfortunately.

I could never quite fathom the reason.Why?

The East Pakistanis broke centuries old bonds of Bengalis sticking together irrespective of religion to support the idea of Pakistan.They left their centuries old idea of being united by Bengali culture to embrace Islam as the uniting factor. You would be surprised to know that the British in 1905 divided Bengal into east and west.The bengalis unitedly fought to get that division rescinded.So they left all this to be with Pakistan.They were economically not a drag either.

So, why the contempt and disdain?

 

[LegendInzi]

This thread and replies give an apt representation of the state of two countries. India, the biggest democracy of world and on the other hand Pakistan, a nation of boot polshiye like Aamir liaqat, zaid hamid and their ilk.

No wonder the growing disparity between the two. Keep shining 'em with Cherry Blossom, Pakistaniyo! :

 

[JaDed]

High debt could turn into national security issue, which it will if Pakistan's government does not take serious actions. Army has given the incompetent government warning, probably should have done in private but since current government is busy trying to safe their illegal money Army had had to make public comments.

So, Yes! Army should be very worried about Increasing debt.

High debt can turn into a national security issue because you will have to negotiate with big guys very soon. Corrupt govt and politicians are too busy defending their own ***** in courts and media so army chief had to give a clear warning. When there is a question mark on state security thn democracy is a secondary thing...

So the analogy here is Army can go on to do anything without a check,but civilian government can't?
Security issue came up coz Zia's decision as well,debt issues came much later,whom did Zia answer to?(Plz don't say almighty).

The Army can show its concern behind the door to the government,but their job is to guard borders be the defense and take care of their own,they are going around talking to media about expanding tax base?What they want to do?Maybe the army should know better about increasing tax base,they were in power for so many years.

 

[Zahid87]

I could never quite fathom the reason.Why?

The East Pakistanis broke centuries old bonds of Bengalis sticking together irrespective of religion to support the idea of Pakistan.They left their centuries old idea of being united by Bengali culture to embrace Islam as the uniting factor. You would be surprised to know that the British in 1905 divided Bengal into east and west.The bengalis unitedly fought to get that division rescinded.So they left all this to be with Pakistan.They were economically not a drag either.

So, why the contempt and disdain?

Thats not quite the whole story though is it....East Bengali's felt neglected by the Hindu dominated West. The rise of Kolkata and the Babu's had left them and Dhaka behind. If I recall, the demand for even a University in Dhaka was put down.

And in 1947, East Bengal was quite happy to keep Bengal united...and yes, join Pakistan. It was the Hindu's in the West who then subsequently wanted Bengal to be split again - despite the agitation they created earlier.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Thats not quite the whole story though is it....East Bengali's felt neglected by the Hindu dominated West. The rise of Kolkata and the Babu's had left them and Dhaka behind. If I recall, the demand for even a University in Dhaka was put down.

And in 1947, East Bengal was quite happy to keep Bengal united...and yes, join Pakistan. It was the Hindu's in the West who then subsequently wanted Bengal to be split again - despite the agitation they created earlier.

Neither the hindus nor the muslims ruled bengal.Britishers did.Calcutta was their capital for over 150yrs so no doubt it was developed more than any other place under their rule.The agitation to unite bengal was supported by both hindus and muslims, which finally happened in 1911.

After the Direct Action day riots and Noakhali riots of 1946 it was pretty evident to the hindus of bengal that the muslim bengalis have forsaken the bengali identity for a muslim identity.There was no question of joining Pakistan as a whole because even though United Bengal had muslim majority of 51 to 49(Huge hindu areas of western bengal were carved out and merged with the provinces of Bihar Odisha and Assam in 1911)West Bengal was predominantly Hindu.

When Suhrawardy realised that the hindus will go separate and Bengal will be divided, he tried to be cunning a wanted united Bengal as a separate country.He realised what they would lose economically and strategically.But people saw through his facade and bengal was divided.

But none of that explains why West Pakistanis treated Eastern ones with contempt.

 

[Zahid87]

Neither the hindus nor the muslims ruled bengal.Britishers did.Calcutta was their capital for over 150yrs so no doubt it was developed more than any other place under their rule.The agitation to unite bengal was supported by both hindus and muslims, which finally happened in 1911.

After the Direct Action day riots and Noakhali riots of 1946 it was pretty evident to the hindus of bengal that the muslim bengalis have forsaken the bengali identity for a muslim identity.There was no question of joining Pakistan as a whole because even though United Bengal had muslim majority of 51 to 49(Huge hindu areas of western bengal were carved out and merged with the provinces of Bihar Odisha and Assam in 1911)West Bengal was predominantly Hindu.

When Suhrawardy realised that the hindus will go separate and Bengal will be divided, he tried to be cunning a wanted united Bengal as a separate country.He realised what they would lose economically and strategically.But people saw through his facade and bengal was divided.

But none of that explains why West Pakistanis treated Eastern ones with contempt.

From what I have read, and forgive me as I can quote no sources sitting here at my desk, and neither do I really care that much to engage a prolonged debate - East Bengali's were rather not as agitated as West Bengali's when it came to the split in 1905. They got a taste of running their own administration, away from the Bengali Brahmin or Thakur.

And whilst the British technically were in control of Bengal - who ran the administration? It was not the poor muslim peasant, or the displaced Muslim gentry.

As to why West Pakistani's treated the East with contempt....its a difficult question. You have to look at the fervor created around the birth of Pakistan. Look at the narrative the state tried to spin. How the 'Wild North West' was separate culturally and somehow racially from the rest of the SC. You will find an answer there.

 

[cricketjoshila]

From what I have read, and forgive me as I can quote no sources sitting here at my desk, and neither do I really care that much to engage a prolonged debate - East Bengali's were rather not as agitated as West Bengali's when it came to the split in 1905. They got a taste of running their own administration, away from the Bengali Brahmin or Thakur.

I am not surprised you read something like that. If such a narrative isnt created post 1947 then the case of Hindus exploiting Muslims and need for partition wont be made.

And whilst the British technically were in control of Bengal - who ran the administration? It was not the poor muslim peasant, or the displaced Muslim gentry.

In united Bengal post 1911, Muslim league won elections and Suhrawardy was CM.Infact the bengal assembly had more muslim elected representatives.So the united Bengal was actually detrimental to the Hindus and not Muslims. The british made the rules, the indians only implemented it.So in truth the british ruled.

As to why West Pakistani's treated the East with contempt....its a difficult question. You have to look at the fervor created around the birth of Pakistan. Look at the narrative the state tried to spin. How the 'Wild North West' was separate culturally and somehow racially from the rest of the SC. You will find an answer there.

If West Pakistan was racially different from East then the demand for country should have been on the basis of race and not religion. East would have been a separate country. This makes no sense if you go through the two nation theory.

 

[KB]

And in 1947, East Bengal was quite happy to keep Bengal united...and yes, join Pakistan. It was the Hindu's in the West who then subsequently wanted Bengal to be split again - despite the agitation they created earlier.

There's a good work on this by historian Joya Chatterji called Bengal Divided.

 

[WebGuru]

ISPR should refrain from commenting on state of the economy: interior minister

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in a statement issued by his public relations officer on Friday said that the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, should refrain from commenting on the country's economic situation, DawnNews reported.

Ahsan's response comes a day after Maj Gen Ghafoor's interview on a private TV channel in which he had said: "If the economy is not bad, it is not doing so well either."


Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1363592/i...ing-on-state-of-the-economy-interior-minister

 

[Black Zero]

ISPR should refrain from commenting on state of the economy: interior minister

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in a statement issued by his public relations officer on Friday said that the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, should refrain from commenting on the country's economic situation, DawnNews reported.

Ahsan's response comes a day after Maj Gen Ghafoor's interview on a private TV channel in which he had said: "If the economy is not bad, it is not doing so well either."


Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1363592/i...ing-on-state-of-the-economy-interior-minister

Well said..
If Army is running the show then why we spend billions on elections, parliaments, ECP, NAB etc..

let COAS, ISPR, ISI, MI take control...

 

[WebGuru]

Well said..
If Army is running the show then why we spend billions on elections, parliaments, ECP, NAB etc..

let COAS, ISPR, ISI, MI take control...

Why not name the COAS directly instead of shooting the messenger... Aristotle of Narowal Mr Ahsan Iqbal is all words and no actions. Still remember how he said i will resign the day my govt allow Musharraf to leave the country (When Musharraf left during PPP times). Thn he said i will resign i can't be a puppet interior minister but statement against backfired when ISPR appreciated Rangers.

Still waiting for his 2 resignation...

All these jamhuryat ke champions were happy when Mush the bad milt dictator was there in oath ceremony... Only Hashmi kicked the ministry instead of taking oath.

 

[Black Zero]

Why not name the COAS directly instead of shooting the messenger... Aristotle of Narowal Mr Ahsan Iqbal is all words and no actions. Still remember how he said i will resign the day my govt allow Musharraf to leave the country (When Musharraf left during PPP times). Thn he said i will resign i can't be a puppet interior minister but statement against backfired when ISPR appreciated Rangers.

Still waiting for his 2 resignation...

All these jamhuryat ke champions were happy when Mush the bad milt dictator was there in oath ceremony... Only Hashmi kicked the ministry instead of taking oath.

Do not wait for resignations.
however-->>
Saying "ISPR should refrain from commenting on state of the economy" itself is a huge step in right direction.

and he named ... the person...(Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor)

 

[WebGuru]

Do not wait for resignations.
however-->>
Saying "ISPR should refrain from commenting on state of the economy" itself is a huge step in right direction.

and he named ... the person...(Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor)

The person was COAS and he was the one to start talking about economy.

 

[Syed1]

So layman like me can talk about the economy day in and day out but the chief of the armed forces cannot... Hahaha these politicians are the worst thing to ever happen to Pakistan. All of them need to be put behind bars.

 

[Gubol123]

So layman like me can talk about the economy day in and day out but the chief of the armed forces cannot... Hahaha these politicians are the worst thing to ever happen to Pakistan. All of them need to be put behind bars.

you are a citizen and have freedom and can talk about anything. They are military with a defined role and getting paid to carry out those roles and responsibilities. They need to stick to that..

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

you are a citizen and have freedom and can talk about anything. They are military with a defined role and getting paid to carry out those roles and responsibilities. They need to stick to that..

Military is not some other Makhlooq from Allah.

They are the defenders of Pakistan and have all the rights to think about and comment for the state's betterment.

 

[Black Zero]

Military is not some other Makhlooq from Allah.

They are the defenders of Pakistan and have all the rights to think about and comment for the state's betterment.

Military got so many privileges hence responsibilities.
Ofcourse pakistan military interested only in privileges.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Military got so many privileges hence responsibilities.
Ofcourse pakistan military interested only in privileges.

As long as their privileges coincide with the betterment of Pakistan, no one should be having any issues with them voicing their opinion on the economic development of Pakistan.