Pakistan

'Spiritual democracy and its followers'

Written

2 years ago

Oct 12, 2021 03:50 AM

Imran Yaqub Khan

There are such 'seasoned and shrewd' politicians present in Captain's cabinet who are crying out for wisdom every day to invite us to think.

Imran Yaqub Khan

The pearl of the latest wisdom was discovered when Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, while addressing a gathering, told the people about the recipe for combating inflation. He said: "9% inflation is nothing in the country. Eat nine less morsels of bread out of 100 morsels and consume nine sugar grains out of 100 grains."

What the minister said is in fact an example of the captain's vision, in fact "spiritual democracy" is at work in the country. Yes! Spiritual democracy. The new system was unveiled on the captain's birthday on October 5, when renowned singer and filmmaker Salman Ahmed premiered a documentary on the Prime Minister's birthday-- "Spiritual Democracy" --at the Governor's House in Karachi. When the announcement was made, I was shocked to hear the name of the film, but when the detailed report of the premiere came, I was satisfied that there is indeed democracy in the country which does not look like me because it is "spiritual".

The documentary includes a detailed interview with the captain, in which the captain uses the term super virtual democracy and defines it. He says "being human is spiritual and where democracy is in the interest of the people it is spiritual democracy". Wow, what to say. The philosophy of the system of government that emerged from ancient Greece and what form it took when it reached Pakistan is amazing.

Inflation is setting new records every year during the PTI's three-year rule. It's common practice for food items to disappear from the market and then return to the market at double the price. The price of sugar, that disappeared from market, was more than doubled by the government and was brought back to the market with new rates. When the flour disappeared, it appeared with a new rate. The petrol pump owners stopped the supply of oil and set an arbitrary price. We used to consider these three years of "successful" measures as bad governance and incompetence because we were unfamiliar with the "spiritual version" of democracy.

One of the basic requirements of "spirituality" which is also called mysticism and behavior is self-purification ie less food, less sleep and less talking. In fact, the captai's spiritual government continued to increase the prices to guide the nation, so that the nation would eat less, if the stomach was full, then the nation would fall asleep in a state of negligence. Efforts have also been started on talking less, like most journalists and anchors usually speak, the Media Development Authority Bill has been introduced to get rid of this habit. When the media will be quiet, the nation will also have no topic to discuss and debate. Thus the basic requirements of self-purification will be fulfilled automatically.

Ali Amin Sahib is a high-ranking Sufi (saint) involved in this spiritual government, so those who misunderstand his advice to eat less as a government official are misguided, they should immediately repent and be afraid of being caught.

One of the most important virtues of spiritual democracy is "U-turn". There is also an explanation of this in the interview included in Salman Ahmed's documentary. The captain was asked, "You have issued many statements in the past but later did the opposite." To which teh prime minister stated, "If you make a statement somewhere, you have no idea that the surrounding conditions may change".

Salman Ahmed's documentary and the minister's statements have opened the eyes of less knowledgeable people like me. Growing poverty, unemployment and other economic and social problems are now to be solved under the spiritual system, giving jobs to the people is not the mission of the government, the nation should spend its time in "meditation" and should go to anchorage in case of being hungry. Earlier, instead of providing employment opportunities, the policy of anchorages could not be exposed to the ignorant and in my ignorance I committed the sin of criticizing it as well, which is now the time to repent.

The first and foremost requirement of spirituality is "Iradat Sheikh" ie perfect follower of the Murshid (Who is followed). Since spiritual democracy is established in the country and the Prime Minister, as the head of this spiritual democracy, holds the rank of Murshid Kamil (Who is followed in total), any criticism of him is nothing but misguidance and disobedience can lead him astray. The government sometimes arranges "light" punishments with the help of law enforcement agencies and, if necessary, with the help of unknown individuals to bring the lost to the right path and teach obedience to the Sheikh.

Most of the misguided and disobedient people are also from media and opposition but true followers of Murshid Kamil bring some new prescription every day to bring the rest of the nation on the right path. Whether its new NAB ordinance or Media Development Authority Bill ... and so on, many prescriptions have not only been proposed but will also be strictly enforced. If the government completes its term, the entire nation will have reached many levels of spirituality and will be seen wandering everywhere.

Young poet Syed Shadab Asghar of Rohtas India says in his poetry:

کچھ تو اس کی بے حسی سے مر گئے
اور کچھ سادہ دلی سے مر گئے

Someone should explain to the spiritual democrats that the dervishes have no interest in the government, they have nothing to do with the court and the government, politics and government have nothing to do with spirituality, mysticism and conduct. The one who has to reach spiritual heights should wear green robes, go to the deserts and sit in solitude and enjoy meditation.

Those who recommend eating less snacks may not be aware that people don't even have one meal at a time. The lower middle income scale was used to measure poverty in Pakistan, according to data released by the World Bank in June this year on people living below the poverty line. In this regard, the number of poor in Pakistan was 39.3% in 2020-21 and is likely to remain 39.2% in 2021-22.

If you look at the data of the World Bank, it is estimated that there is hunger in every house and the dervish ministers are advising to reduce the number of snacks.

I am recalling the poem of Balwan Singh Azar at the moment:

لوگ بھوکے ہیں بہت اور نوالے کم ہیں
زندگی تیرے چراغوں میں اجالے کم ہیں

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Imran Yaqub Khan

Imran Yaqub is senior journalist and analyst

Business

Two-day ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum’ to start on May 2

The forum is organized at the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who will participate in the event.

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024 09:55 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Islamabad: The third two-day, ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum” (TIIF) will be held on May 2-3, this year in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

The forum is organized at the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who will participate in the event. Two-day 'Tashkent International Investment Forum' to start on May 2.

Meanwhile, 30 businessmen and investors from different sectors from Pakistan will participate in the third Tashkent International Investment Forum, in which mutual economic and investment meetings will be held between the two countries, said a release issued here.

More than 2500 investor’s, delegates from different countries and various businessmen will participate in the ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum, ‘who will discuss the promotion of investment and regional business.

The TIIF aimed at attracting foreign companies, investors and development partners to expand their activities as well as implement new projects and programs.

TIIF will serve as a unique platform of regional importance to promote business contacts with emphasis to such areas as digital transformation, transport connectivity, infrastructure development and green growth.

The Tashkent International Investment Forum will be the region’s largest international platform for discussing strategies to enhance Central Asia’s role in the international investment market.

This event will create a new international platform for Central Asia, which will attract leaders of major investment, financial and economic organizations and companies interested in finding new growth points in the dynamically developing market of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile addressing the business community in Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Oybek Arif Usmanov said the ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum’ to be held on May 2 under the patronage of President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The ambassador highlighting the importance of ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum’ said that in this forum, foreign investors and businessmen will gather in Tashkent, to discuss bilateral and multilateral investment and business opportunities.

He said that many agreements regarding investment and businesses will be signed during the forum, which will not only promote global investment but also businesses in the region.

Oybek Arif Usmanov said that major investment institutions and investors of the world will participate in the ‘Tashkent International Investment Forum’ which would provide a huge opportunity for multilateral cooperation to the partners.

He said, it would be great opportunity for FPCCI to participate in this international forum and become a part of the international investment.

The Uzbek envoy said that there will be G2B and B2B meetings in the Tashkent Investment Forum.

“We need to start the Afghanistan-Pakistan corridor for smooth trade and economic activities, ” he said.

He said that direct flights will be started from Islamabad and Lahore soon and we are committed to resolving visa issues as well to provide facility to the local business community.

Meanwhile, President FPCCI, Atif Ikram Sheikh said that Tashkent International Investment Forum is a pivotal forum for global investment, which has great opportunities for Pakistan’ businessman in various sector, in which the participation of Pakistani businessmen is extremely significant.

Atif Ikram said that Uzbekistan is an important trade partner of Pakistan with which Pakistan’s economic and trade relations are extremely important.

President FPCCI said that at the end of 2023, mutual trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan was $387 million, which is an increase of 130 percent, compared to 2022, and adding that in the first quarter of 2024, the bilateral trade between the two countries was $104 million, which is 107 increases as compared to same period last year 2023.

He said Pakistan’s exports with Uzbekistan have increased gradually in the previous years, which has to be further increased.

He said that bilateral trade can be promoted in textile, pharmaceutical, rice, machinery, agriculture machinery, electromechanical and other sectors.

“We have to explore different avenues to further promote bilateral trade,” he added.

The high-ranking officials and business leaders from China, US, European Union, Gulf countries, Central Asia, South Asia and other regions will participate in the Forum with arrangement of bilateral, G2B and B2B meetings.

Pakistan

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation delegation meets Punjab governor

Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman says good work of welfare organizations which are serving the humanity should be acknowledged as it motivates other people too.

Published

4 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024 07:38 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Lahore: The delegation of Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation met Governor Punjab, Muhammad Balighur Rehman, at Governor House Lahore on Sunday.

The delegation comprised Chairperson Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Cecilia Lazaro, founder and Executive Director of Akhuwat Foundation, Akhuwat Foundation, Abubakar Siddique and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that good work of welfare organizations which are serving the humanity should be acknowledged as it motivates other people too.

Governor Punjab said that those who dedicate their lives for humanity are great. Governor Punjab while appreciating the welfare services of Amjad Saqib, head of Akhuwat Foundation, said that conferment of Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Award on him is honour for the country. He said that in Pakistan, Akhuwat, Edhi, Indus Foundation and other organizations like them are playing an important role alongside the government in poverty alleviation and social development. Governor Punjab said that people to people cobtact is very important in the relations between the two countries.

He said that many foreign delegations meet him and tell him that got a different perception about Pakistan from media before visiting, but they found it otherwise. The participants of the delegation thanked the Punjab Governor for inviting them to the Governor House. While expressing their views, they said that the people of Pakistan are very hospitable. On this occasion, the delegation was also given a visit to the Governor's House.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of senior politician, Afzal Tarar. Governor Punjab also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the late Afzal Tarar's daughter, Saira Afzal Tarar and other bereaved family members. He said that the late Afzal Tarar was a man of principles. The deceased served the country and the nation with sincerity, he added. Governor Punjab said that his services for the country and the party will be remembered. He prayed that Allah Almighty raise the ranks of the deceased and give patience to the bereaved.

Besides, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman attended the walima ceremony of the sons of Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal at a local hotel in Lahore. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood thanked the Punjab Governor for attending the walima ceremony of his sons.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister of Law, Nazir Tarar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, provincial ministers, vice chancellors of universities and important personalities attended the Walima ceremony.

Pakistan

IDB vows to complete projects in Pakistan at earliest

The meeting reviews progress on ongoing projects and deliberated upon opportunities for future cooperation between Pakistan and Islamic Development Bank.

Published

6 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024 05:55 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Riyadh: Islamic Development Bank has vowed to complete its projects in Pakistan at the earliest.

The expression was made during meeting of President Islamic Development Bank Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, on the sidelines of special meeting of the World Economic Forum.

The meeting reviewed progress on ongoing projects and deliberated upon opportunities for future cooperation between Pakistan and Islamic Development Bank.

The Prime Minister thanked the Islamic Development Bank for its investments in Pakistan and appreciated the Bank’s assistance in rehabilitation after 2022 floods.

He said the Bank’s fruitful partnership with Pakistan is instrumental in achieving the government’s sustainable development goals along with providing support for reconstruction and employment.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that Special Investment Facilitation Council is fully functional to channelize foreign investment in the country, address all concerns of foreign investors and provide one-window operations.

On the occasion, the President of Islamic Development Bank said Pakistan is an important member of the Bank and is blessed with rich natural and water resources.

He said Pakistan’s large manpower is an asset to be utilized optimally.