Shehzad Hameed Ahmad

This book contains the secret reports sent by the Governors of Sindh to the Governor General of India from 1937 to 1947, which are coming to the public for the first time. These reports were sent by Sir Lancelot Graham, first governor of Sindh and Sir Hugh Dow and Sir Frances Mudie, the last British Governor in Sindh. These confidential reports were sent every fortnightly. In these reports, the Governor General was informed about the political situation in Sindh at that time and the problems facing the province. This means that this was inside viewpoint of the Sindh government at that time on every issue. After almost eighty years, these reports have been declassified. Every document is a disclosure. Not only the Viceroy/ Governor General was informed about the current political movement, but he was also informed about the ongoing political struggle, situation of agriculture, irrigation, health, development planning of the province, labor and students and media movement as well. We have had an opinion regarding the situation of Sindh at that time, but how the government and rulers of Sindh were thinking and doing at that time is being read for the first time. It is sometimes shocking and surprising. This book will spark a new debate about the important events and personalities of this eleven-year decisive history of Sindh. Historians may rewrite it regarding that span of time. Let’s wait for the book.

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Pakistan’s VPN restrictions are sparking heated debates after PM Shehbaz Sharif’s posts on X stirred up concerns. With throttled access and restrictive measures, citizens are questioning their #DigitalRights and #FreeExpression. As #InternetFreedom takes center stage, is the current ban sustainable? Read more at https://lnkd.in/dZK78Qc6 . . . #VPNBan #Pakistan #InternetRestrictions #DigitalWorld #ShehbazSharif #SocialMediaAccess #PakistanX #Netizens #InternetUsage #DigitalPakistan #SecureInternet #PrivacyMatters #DigitalInclusion #RightToAccess #SocialMediaDebate #FreedomOfSpeech #NetFreedom #VPNServices #OnlinePrivacy #DigitalCitizenship #InternetSecurity #RestrictedAccess #AccessDenied #PakistaniVoices

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My latest op-ed published in The News today: Highlight: Pakistan’s strategic conundrum involves promoting economic ties with China, while further developing defence ties with the US. Under Trump, Pakistan might face increased scrutiny over its collaboration with Beijing as the US-China rivalry intensifies, while Harris might try to keep a balance by focusing on broader coalition-building without alienating strategic partners. This might offer Pakistan a chance to navigate a more balanced relationship. https://lnkd.in/efMBwNin

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Reform agenda By Mansoor Ahmad Pakistani planners, despite tall claims, are still shy of investing in their human resources and reluctant to provide a level playing field to all citizens. Meanwhile, they continue to keep major utilities under their control. Stabilizing the economy without reforming those who manage this country might keep us afloat a little longer. However, the affluence that the common man aspires to is unlikely to materialize until the mentality, approach, and culture of governance change. We need to remove hurdles to growth instead of exacerbating them through non-implementation of reforms. Countries that have attained and sustained rapid economic growth share three prominent commonalities. First, they invest in their human resources, recognizing that a country cannot develop with underdeveloped people. Productivity and global integration require a skilled and capable workforce. Second, no country has developed without being able to sell its products to others and acting as a destination for goods, services, and capital. Encouraging exports and foreign investment is essential for accelerating growth. Third, countries relying heavily on the public sector for economic strategies have been left behind. Even countries with authoritarian political structures have made rapid economic progress by liberalizing their economic systems.The most critical measures to improve the profitability of private investment fall under the domain of what is commonly termed ‘governance.’ These measures include addressing the workings of the bureaucracy, judicial system, taxation system, regulatory framework, price mechanism, institutional arrangements for education and technical training, and more. Unfortunately, Pakistan ranks at the bottom globally in these areas. Our planners often neglect small and cottage industries. These sectors require state facilitation for research and innovation. Currently, most training, research, and innovation occur in larger market share firms due to the lack of facilities for formal risk-taking. Investment climate improvements primarily benefit these larger firms, which are better equipped to cope with adverse forces and take advantage of upturns. Corruption imposes a tax on productivity and competitiveness. The system is so corrupt that reforms and regulations are rarely implemented. Each new regulation increases the bribe rate, perpetuating the cycle. Although the quality of regulation is improving in Pakistan, antiquated laws enforced by autonomous and government institutions at federal, provincial, and local levels hinder progress. The openness of the economy, rapid globalization, and sophisticated firms operating in Pakistan expose inadequacies in the regulatory framework. As a result, enforcement often involves arbitrary discretion, imposing high compliance costs on formal firms and forcing others to operate informally. Legal https://lnkd.in/e6Yvs3zK

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Today in Asia Times, I wrote about India’s strategic shift in military procurement, as evidenced by its recent test of the Israeli-made Crystal Maze 2 missile. This missile test represents a pivot away from traditional reliance on Russian weaponry towards incorporating more advanced technologies from other global partners such as Israel. The choice of the Crystal Maze 2, with its capability to perform in GPS-denied environments and penetrate heavily fortified areas, marks a significant enhancement in India's precision strike capabilities. This recalibration of military assets and strategies is part of India's larger goal to achieve greater self-reliance and diversification in its defense procurement, moving away from its historical dependence on Russian military supplies deemed less reliable following their performance in the ongoing Ukraine War. I also discussed the broader implications of this shift for India's defense strategy, particularly its nuclear posture against Pakistan. Integrating such advanced weaponry indicates a potential move toward a preemptive counterforce strategy to neutralize threats, including nuclear assets.

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The Business of Pakistani Visas in Kabul! Afghans have shared documents with foreign journalists revealing that, after the fall of the Afghan Republic, the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul has exploited vulnerable and desperate Afghans by turning the issuance of visas into a large-scale business. Pakistan has introduced an online visa system for Afghans, requiring every applicant to pay $20 to Pakistan to register online for a visa. However, unfortunately, 99% of visa applications are rejected without any explanation. Due to this high rejection rate in the open registration process, people are forced to turn to the black market. Many people report: "A one-year multiple-entry visa costs $2,000 on the black market, a six-month multiple-entry visa is $1,500, and a three-month medical visa is $550." They complain that it takes a month and a half to receive a rejection response from the online system, but on the black market, visas are issued within 24 hours. The Afghans who shared the documents claim: "The Pakistani visas are being sold by the Pakistani Ambassador, the Consul in Nangarhar, and the Deputy Consul." They further allege: "These Pakistani diplomats have recruited several Afghan brokers who collect money from the people." For the past three years, there have been continuous complaints about the corruption and blatant exploitation by Pakistani diplomats in Afghanistan.

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Pakistan produces many fantastic dramas for television programs commonly referred to as TV dramas. In 2024 new interesting dramas that people are waiting to watch air on television. The shows have different storylines related to love, family, friends, and even history. Some of them are funny some shed a tear and some make you look at things from a different perspective. There are many famous stars in these new dramas. This article is all about ten new shows. We will then be describing what the show is about and the cast list. It does not matter if you are into love stories, family dramas, or dramas that involve doctors, this show has you covered. Read more at https://lnkd.in/d2zPBjsV . . . #entertainment #pakistan #produces #dramas #television #programs #onair #love #family #friends #history #differentperspective #covered #thepakistannews #2k24

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Today, we honor the courage and sacrifices of journalists reporting from the frontlines of crises and emergencies. The tragic toll is a stark reminder: since October 7, 2023, at least 134 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in the Israel-Hamas war alone. Pakistan ranks 12th out of the 13 worst offenders on CPJ’s Global Impunity Index 2024. At least 39 journalists have been murdered in the country since 1992. In the vast majority of these cases, 36, nobody has been held accountable. Journalists bear witness to the world’s crises, often at the highest personal risk. Let’s stand together to demand justice, safeguard their right to report, and ensure accountability for crimes against the press. Source: Committee to Protect Journalists #cejatiba #EndImpunity #SafetyForJournalists #pressfreedom #JournalismMatters

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Pakistan is seeing a mad rush for solar It is the third-largest destination for Chinese panels. Some traders have imported up to 250 megawatts worth every month Solar panels are so cheap that the frames they’re supposed to be mounted on cost more now, some farmers just lay them on the ground "The numbers are staggering," says Muhammad Mujahid About $1.7 billion of solar panels have been imported this year, that would equate to 17 gigawatts of generation and more than a third of Pakistan’s entire total power capacity if deployed The frenzy wasn’t restricted to the energy sector: real estate companies and electronics firms started flipping panels, according to Usman Ahmad, chief executive officer at solar distributor Nizam Energy Pvt. People were pooling money to bring containers of solar panels. For corn and potato grower, Mohammad Murtaza, installing panels has enabled him to slash his power bill by 80%. Almost all farmers in Kasur have moved to solar panels, ditching diesel generators and pricey grid electricity. With the savings, he’s able to plant three crops a year instead of two It’s hard to tell how much of the imported equipment has actually been installed due to a paucity of official data. Most panels have been deployed almost equally across homes, factories, and farms, solar distributors say Pakistan’s power companies are permanently losing a major chunk of demand and revenue. The IMF has said retaining demand should be a key objective of reforms https://lnkd.in/eMDFDiMJ

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