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ISLAMABAD: The Senate was provided on Wednesday details of commercial entities being run by various wings of the armed forces in the country.
In a written reply to a question asked by Senator Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif informed the house that there were nearly 50 “projects, units and housing colonies” functioning in the country under the administrative control of Fauji Foundation, Shaheen Foundation, Bahria Foundation, Army Welfare Trust (AWT) and Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs).
According to the details provided in the reply, eight DHAs were established in major cities. These DHAs — mostly created through ordinances — are in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Quetta.
Besides, there are 16 “projects/units” functioning under the AWT, 15 under the Fauji Foundation and 11 under the Shaheen Foundation.
The house was informed that Bahria Foundation was not administrating any housing colony in Pakistan, “however, an offshore tolling type LNG project is under its consideration”.
Bahria Foundation not administrating any housing colony, Senate told
The projects/units being run by the AWT are:
- Two stud farms in Pakpattan and Okara
- Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin
- Askari Project (shoe and woollen), Lahore
- Army Welfare Mess and Blue Lagoon Restaurant, Rawalpindi
- Real estate comprising three small housing schemes in Lahore, Badaber and Sangjani
- Askari General Insurance Co Ltd Rawalpindi
- Askari Aviation Services, Rawalpindi
- MAL Pakistan Ltd Karachi
- Askari Guards (Pvt) Ltd, head office (HO) in Rawalpindi
- Askari Fuels (CNG) with HO in Rawalpindi
- Askari Seeds, Okara
- Askari Enterprises, Rawalpindi
- Fauji Security Services (acquired from Fauji Foundation), HO in Rawalpindi
- Askari Apparel, Lahore
- Askari Lagoon, Faisalabad.
The projects/units under Fauji Foundation are:
- Fauji Cereals
- Foundation Gas
- Fauji Fertiliser Company Ltd
- Fauji Cement Co Ltd
- Fauji Oil Terminal and Distillery Co Ltd
- Fauji Kabirwala Power Company Ltd
- Foundation Power Co (Dharki) Ltd
- Askari Cement Ltd
- Askari Bank Ltd
- Foundation Wind Energy (I and II) Ltd
- Noon Pakistan Ltd Lahore
- Fauji Meat Ltd
- Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim Ltd
- Fauji Akbar Partia Marine Terminal Ltd, HO in Karachi.
A company under the name of Pakistan Maroc Phosphore SA was set up in Morocco by the Fauji Foundation in 2008.
Similarly, the projects, units and housing colonies under the administrative control of Shaheen Foundation, which is a trust of the Pakistan Air Force, are:
- Shaheen Airport Services
- Shaheen Aerotraders
- Shaheen Knitwear
- Shaheen Complex, Karachi
- Shaheen Complex, Lahore
- Shaheen Medical Services
- Hawk Advertising
- Fazaia Welfare Education School System
- SAPS Aviation College
- Air Eagle Aviation Academy
- Shaheen Welfare Housing Scheme, Peshawar.
The Senate was told that Shaheen Foundation was established in 1977 under the Charitable Endowment Act 1890 “to promote welfare activities for the benefit of serving and retired PAF personnel, including civilians and their dependents, and to this end generate fund through industrial and commercial enterprises”.
Turkish people supported
Later, the house unanimously passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the democratic government and people of Turkey. The resolution was tabled by Azam Swati of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
“The Senate admires, congratulates and pays its tribute to the brave people of Turkey who displayed an uncommon courage by upholding democratic norms and defeated military coup and saved their country from anarchy and civil war,” says the resolution.
“It was so moving to see common Turks took to the streets and world witnessed that human flesh stopped steel tanks on just a single call of its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” says the resolution, which “admired all opposition political parties for their historic and unprecedented resolve to protect democracy.”
During the question hour, Law Minister Zahid Hamid informed the house that India had made 460km-long fence along the Line of Control (LoC).
He said the issue of LoC violations by India had been raised at the UN Security Council through a letter that had also been circulated among all its members.
Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2016
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Comments (106) Closed
Jul 21, 2016 07:50am
All tax paying entities working within the framework of the law. Well managed and profitable if I may add. What's the issue?
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Jul 21, 2016 08:40am
@Sonny Afridi Indeed, whats the issue....
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Jul 21, 2016 10:05am
These are well managed organizations that are being run transparently and are contributing towards significant income generation for the country.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:22am
Having working in on of these entities, I can surely say that these kind of highly professional organizations are example for other industries in the country. They are creating jobs for people like myself and other civilians, and are pride for the nation. Its a matter of taking initiative which unfortunately is not taken by Government, then whoever is taking this initiative let us support them instead of making an issue out of it.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:23am
At least organisation are self sufficient and properly managed.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:26am
The housing societies being run by the armed forces are efficiently managed without any fear of Qabza group taking over the plot. Most politicians, even those who are owners or manage their own housing societies, prefer to live in Defence housing socities. Kh. Saad Rafiq who became billionaire through real estate, lives in DHA Lahore. I wonder how many politicians or govt officials live in DHAs in cities where these socities are available. Whereas defence forces should not be involved in such activities, this can only be stopped if govt. or private schemes are equally efficient and safe. Even Malik Riaz started Bahria Town in partnership with the Navy and is reluctant to change the name from Bahria to his own or any name inspite of court orders.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:28am
Very transparent and detailed information
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Jul 21, 2016 10:42am
What about EBIT & tax disclosures of these companies? Do they declare P&L to Govt Of Pakistan or not?
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Jul 21, 2016 11:16am
@Misha these are all welfare organizations, how about tax and other duties??
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Jul 21, 2016 11:22am
There is no mention of Radio stations.
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Jul 21, 2016 11:21am
@Sonny Afridi Where did the capital come from?
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Jul 21, 2016 11:25am
Issue is very simple. Armed Forces are not supposed to carry on business like this. This certainly adversely affects their professional focus and capacity. Will you allow Supreme Court sitting judges to carry on business? Or Police department to do the same thing? Or, for that matter, any other Govt Department e.g Income Tax department to get indulged in such business? After all Armed Forces are as Govt Departments as others. However, Retired Generals may do this to pass their time!
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Jul 21, 2016 11:38am
Ayesha Siddiqa wrote a book on military economy. These sort of things are run by most of the armed forces in the world. The book is worth reading in which Pakistan army and its economy is discussed in detail.
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Jul 21, 2016 11:44am
These are examples for other organizations. NO loss and transperency. Well done armed forces keep it up.
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Jul 21, 2016 11:45am
@Sonny Afridi : It's not their job. Period.
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Jul 21, 2016 12:00pm
Good, other institutions should also follow this for the welfare of their retired employees. Many good organizations in the world do similar projects for the welfare of their employees by creating trusts & welfare organizations. In Pakistan, other than military we see many similar examples like WAPDA Employees Co-operative Housing Society Lahore, Muhafiz Town (Police), Sui Gas Co-Operative Housing Society, Royal Palm Golf & Country Club (Pakistan Railways) to name the few.
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Jul 21, 2016 12:01pm
Problem with such organizations is that they get privileged treatment, contracts and compete with private sector which hinders foreign and private investment in businesses. We need to have a fair and level playing field in order to promote private sector businesses and FDI in our country and hence need to cut down on entities being run by Armed Forces. Must add that I have great respect for our Armed forces for their core responsibility which is the security of the country, they are doing a great job in that respect.
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Jul 21, 2016 12:03pm
@Zeeshan AWT and Fauji foundation are trusts run by retired officer and not serving officers. DHA. Yes run by some uniformed people but government bills thier pay to DHA for the duration they are on deputation there. U mentioned judges. There is a supreme court housing society run from the supreme court building in islamabad
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Jul 21, 2016 12:08pm
@Shoka Laddoo
Even there is a PdD thesis by Sarfraz which explains how these entities are helping governement of Pakistan and government should promote such organization
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Jul 21, 2016 12:11pm
@SM
and you have no idea how economy and taxation works. Please get some knowledge than come to discuss
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Jul 21, 2016 12:26pm
Its not recommended that our army indulge in commercial projects....
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Jul 21, 2016 12:52pm
the organizations are being run by retired personnel, and are transparent and very well managed
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Jul 21, 2016 01:08pm
Are they privately-owned or govt-owned? Do they get any subsidy or tax-exemptions from the govt? What are they registered as - Private Trusts or Welfare Boards or NGOs or Govt-owned Welfare Trusts? What are they considered as - like any other business entity or Non-Profit entities? Do they have and how many Directors and is there any govt-representative in those Boards?
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Jul 21, 2016 01:19pm
@Sonny Afridi
These are registered under the umbrella of "welfare organisations". This status is applicable for charities and the like, hence have a different tax regime applied. What this means is that all the above mentioned entities have reduced level of taxation compared to their competition. This gives them an unfair advantage and of course means the national exchequer is deprived of tax revenue.
The issue with this.....I will let you make your own opinions - thanks!
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Jul 21, 2016 01:59pm
@Zeeshan 100% agreed!
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Jul 21, 2016 02:16pm
@Salman million dollar question.
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Jul 21, 2016 02:15pm
My question is what about the: navel Anchorage: a housing society apparently run by naval force established to benefit the retired people from the navy.
Also shaheen foundation not mentioned the SF block at Al-hamra avenue lehtrar road Islamabad.
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Jul 21, 2016 02:34pm
@Sonny Afridi well said, there should not be any issue, profitable and being run professionally. extrapolate it for rest of the entities and have an idea of profitability ;)
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Jul 21, 2016 02:36pm
Question is from where the investment come and where the profit goes.
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Jul 21, 2016 02:56pm
@Shoka Laddoo
Can you name other armed forces those run commercial set up like Pakistan.
Pakistan armed forces carry legacy of British,like Indian armed forces also.British Armed Forces don't run commercial organization nor does Indian.
Indians Armed Forces do run medical ,engineering,law,Fashion ,hotel management,MBA institution but strictly for wards of Defence Services only.no other commercial activities are carried out by them.
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Jul 21, 2016 02:58pm
They registered these companies under the guise of trust to evade taxes and how they establish such large entties wheres the finance come from why the army need to run business at first place its a conflic of interest
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Jul 21, 2016 03:05pm
Army is supposed to protect the country not do business !
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Jul 21, 2016 03:12pm
@Sonny Afridi: Well said, our country desperately needs effectively run business ventures. Army has done tremendously well to attract and channel hard earned money of overseas Pakistanis back into the country by giving them confidence and value for their investment in reliable schemes like DHA, Askari etc.
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Jul 21, 2016 03:14pm
@Zeeshan all have welfare organisations like police foundation. Capital come from contributions during service of pesonnel dear.
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Jul 21, 2016 03:16pm
@Atif Every one should be proud of Pak Army . Not only securing the country from enemies and terrorists, they are also creating jobs and improving the economy. They are a role model for all armies in the world.
When they are contributing so much to the economy, why any body should object?
They are securing the country as well as improving economy. We are all proud of Pak army.
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Jul 21, 2016 03:24pm
The DHA alone must be making millions. If tax was paid on these properties every time they were sold. Imagine how much money the government can raise
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Jul 21, 2016 03:29pm
This happens all over the world. However, some do it covertly and secretly like the next door "big brother." However, transparent, open, free and fair managements like the Pakistan Armed Forces do it overtly and openly for which credit must be given to them.
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Jul 21, 2016 03:30pm
These organization are as good as any private corporate entity of Pakistan. Compliance with Law of Country is as good as any other similar entity, then Whats the issue?
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Jul 21, 2016 03:37pm
@DifferentPerspective you are righ, these army organisation have competative edge and they are distroying and polluting general business envirnment... These should be banned and nationalised or sold to private business .................... Let's army do their job and to answerable to the people of Pakistan
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Jul 21, 2016 03:54pm
@Zeeshan they are retired officers not commissioned. Also, they support retired and shuhada's family. Otherwise government would have had to side aside huge allocations for the purpose.
As long as they are run transparently by retired officers we shouldn't have problem
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Jul 21, 2016 03:56pm
I belong to a Goods Transport Business and I would love to do business with these Companies rather than privately own one which never pays on time
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Jul 21, 2016 04:06pm
What I don't understand is why is the military in the business of doing business? Isn't their job all about defending the nation?
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Jul 21, 2016 04:17pm
I have great respect for our armed forces, however, this is also true that they are not supposed to run commercial organization such as mentioned above. The retired officers are always welcome to serve under any commercial organization, but creating commercial organisation under Armed forces umbrella is not fair.
Do you know that there around 30 odd government agencies who keep nagging every commercial organisation to comply with these agencies law and regulations, and thus make them difficult to run the business, off course to get bribes. but these agencies do not dare to get in to the gates of armed forces companies because they know that they can not take "Panga" with faujis. thus this does not leave the level playing field for Fauji and non Fauji business companies.
Also, no where in the world you will find that Faujis running businesses.
These fauji companies should be nationalized and then sell out to the public.
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Jul 21, 2016 04:22pm
despite better management..........the biggest concerns here is that we clearly have a surplus defense budget, funds are not being spent on weapons or other military hardware and instead funds are being redirecting to projects that don't benefit the nation but a niche segment of the armed forces only...........i personally believe these entities should become public with the continuation of being run by the armed i.e. if claims of better management stands.
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Jul 21, 2016 04:23pm
Now whats the issue if you just check the financial conditions of any one of the mentioned you will find profit genrating rather then losess
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Jul 21, 2016 04:38pm
Where did the capital or funding for these entities came from, obviously from defense budget. Then these entities belongs to people of Pakistan.
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Jul 21, 2016 04:55pm
@Sonny Afridi "What's the issue?" The issue is and should be firstly that Pakistan army is unique having such a huge corporate role of enterprises and secondly having such role can not ever have the moral authority to question the widely rampant corruption at every level of any civil government.
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Jul 21, 2016 04:57pm
There is one Fazaia Housing Scheme on Shahrah e Faisal KarachI.Recently the people have invested a lot in this scheme carrying Fazaia name as well as operating from Fazaia land.Clarification required.
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Jul 21, 2016 05:22pm
@atif khan Great, why don't we then go ahead and nationalize the entire private industry, financials institutions and hand them over to the most efficient, honest and capable body of Pakistan-namely the glorious armed forces of Pakistan.
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Jul 21, 2016 05:42pm
@K Maliks Perfect suggestion and if sold to the private entrepreneurs, management would be automatically efficient as it shall be their money at stake and profit in their own interest. Let army do what it is designed to do best-the defense of the country.
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Jul 21, 2016 05:46pm
Their primary purpose is welfare of retired military personals of three services and to do this they do business whose funds not only used for welfare purposes but that businesses itself create employment in the country. All these projects / industries are well managed and creating employment across the country
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Jul 21, 2016 05:55pm
Thank God there is DHA and Fazaia Housing schemes being run in this country by armed forces. At least there are few societies where you can have a reasonable living standard. Otherwise all non official Pakistanis would be living a substandard lives. Horrible, I can't even think of living outside DHA, it suffocates. Way to go Military boys... Bless you
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Jul 21, 2016 05:56pm
50 commercials entreprsise run by military. It is becoming Omni potent. One day only there will military and only poor citizens
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Jul 21, 2016 06:04pm
... I like the business model... Self Sufficiency ... can not trust the economy to take care of welfare of the ex soldiers....
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Jul 21, 2016 06:45pm
I think they looking to privatize some of these companies.
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Jul 21, 2016 06:46pm
@Salman army doesnot run profit organizations . If they do they always have monopoly . So you people are as stupid as anyone can be . Good luck with your unemployment and low paying jobs
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Jul 21, 2016 06:55pm
@Usmaan .......Nobody can even touch these businesses just like DHA which has resisted all types of pressures from the top. Thanks DHA for the fraud proof functioning and offering a respectable standard of living.
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Jul 21, 2016 06:53pm
@SM There are lots of things that Army should not be doing but unfortunately they have to, because Govt. is not doing it. so some one has to. Period.
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Jul 21, 2016 07:22pm
If the army is so successfully running commercial businesses, then it will be very wise of Govt. to hand over loss making entities like Pakistan Steel Mill & PIA to the armed forces.
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Jul 21, 2016 07:53pm
I will blindly support/invest in schemes run by the Armed Forces due to their transparency and corruption-free system.
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Jul 21, 2016 07:58pm
@Zeeshan - Wrong. Pakistan's tax collection and pathetic track record of corrupt civilian government and inefficient and corrupt Income Tax Department requires the Armed Force to take these measures. The profits generated are used to create employment and support those who give their lives to defend the country. The paper tigers have no idea what it takes to spend the day and night in Kargil's chill and the excruciating heat of the Wagah and Tharparkar. Grow up criticizers, get educated and fix the civilian system. You are enjoying the freedom because of your armed forces, otherwise some politicians would have sold the country for nothing.
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Jul 21, 2016 08:31pm
Its stupid to say armed forces should not get involved in commercial and industrial activites.. if you look at china, its industrial revolution was actually started by its armed forces. We can definately benefit from chinese model.. secondly these organisations provide jobs to thousands of civilians and generate revenue.. so there is absolutely nithing wrong with it.
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Jul 21, 2016 08:33pm
These organizations are primarily meant for the retired, war wounded personnel and families of shuhadas. Pak army takes care of their personnel even after retirement. No army does that, even in USA every 1 out of 4 homeless people is a US war veteran.
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Jul 21, 2016 09:42pm
@Zeeshan
I agree with your comments.
Armed forces were created for defence purposes.
They are fully funded with our tax money.
How did they get into the business enterprises?
This is clear conflict of interest.
Supreme court should show the courage and separate all these entreprises from the army.
They need to focus on one thing only:
How to defend the country if and when civilian government decides to declare the war.
Further, foreign policy must be managed and controlled by the civilian government.
All wars must be declared by the civilian government.
Pakistan can only prosper if we let civilian governments run without meddling and let people select it's own leaders, good, or bad.
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Jul 21, 2016 09:46pm
@Fayyaz
Why do we need armed forces to run civilian matters. This is the aftermath of Martial Laws.....
Our wonderful military should focus on the job given to them under the constitution:
DEFEND THE COUNTRY. ...
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
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Jul 21, 2016 10:00pm
@Lalat
By your logic:
Let's go one step further, let milatary manage the whole country. ...
Well it is called Martial Law
Our Turkish brothers and sister just rejected it....
Military should focus on war games and training it's soldiers and officers.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:07pm
All said and done The army should not handle calamities like earthquakes, floods, elections, electricity, law and order or recovery of kidnapped persons. There are separate departments being paid by the national exchequer they must do the jobs and don't call army. For welfare of retired, Shaheed's family welfare, disabled etc etc there should be a separate grant from the govt, let the talent go waste of generating own finances. Let the central govt face the additional brunt.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:19pm
@Salman Have a look at the list and you will see many entities that are working in competitive environment such as banking & fertilizer sectors. Do your research before commenting negatively about a respectable institution of the country
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Jul 21, 2016 10:22pm
Profitable, proper checks and balance, tax paying and providing jobs to millions of civilians.
So when are we going to see the assets of Shareef's, CM's and MPS's?
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Jul 21, 2016 10:47pm
What a commendable summary of achievement of Pakistan Army,"50 commercial entities being run by armed forces."If this is such a true fact then all failed civilian government enterprises should be given to Pakistan Army for making it profitable organizations.
With regards to "Turkish people supported,"what a country Turkey,as compared to Pakistan,do Pakistani's have such a political system&a President like Turkey has?First deserve then desire.
With regards to Indian line of control ongoing violation of UN resolution,what will the letter do to stop Indian Army&its government that Pakistan has diplomatically achieved in nearly last 7 decades of significance through diplomatic negotiations.
What is Pakistan's civilian government doing at national level in cooperation&coordination with Pakistan Armed Forces to be even similar to country like Turkey.
Pakistan needs to rise from scourge of terrorism&its corrupt civilian political leaders day in and day out practices&fix its priorities.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:52pm
Conflict of interest is the biggest issue that's way it should be ban.
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Jul 21, 2016 10:55pm
Army is running a Bank, ridiculous.
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Jul 22, 2016 12:40am
This is very similar to N.Korea where the army runs export import business, construction and other business as in Pakistan. This guarantees employment to all retired ranks and money is no object as it's funded by Govt and no P&L needs to be shown. Basically it's a retirement job for the senior officers.
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Jul 22, 2016 12:49am
The people need to know that serving officers or men do not run these organisations. They are employed as civilians. Not a pie of investment comes from the Govt. The capital investment is a mere sum of monthly contributions by embers of Armed Forces when they were serving. The profits earned are ploughed back into various welfare schemes particularly the widows, orphans and the disabled. Nobody stops the civilians from doing the same things; they simply lack the honesty of purpose and an organisation to do it.
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Jul 22, 2016 12:56am
@Zeeshan . You have not understood these organisations. These are not run by serving soldiers, sailors or airmen. All employees are retired people. The capital investments come from monthly contributions paid by men in uniform out of their earned salaries; not a penny of public funds. I established the Bahria Foundation in 1981. It was approved by the Cabinet and Parliament of the day.
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Jul 22, 2016 01:00am
I can do hundred times better if I have the same access to the resources and power as the army has.
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Jul 22, 2016 01:08am
The purpose of housing societies were for martrys which now turn into a mega corruption. For housing societies army almost by force take these land from provinces at a mearge amount then they sell it at an exorbitant amount. Only in Karachi as per supreme court hearing army is illegally occupying Rs. 1 Trillion worth of land, isn't it the property of Karachi?
Where the amount generated goes? do they deposit it in Government of Pakistan Kitty? as per my knowledge the answer is No.
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Jul 22, 2016 02:16am
They get Free Govt. Land and then sale it at extremely high prices to civilians through DHA
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Jul 22, 2016 02:38am
so if Pakistani army is in business, then there is substantial conflict of interest in serving the nation!
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Jul 22, 2016 03:07am
What are the sizes ( in rupees ) of the entities.
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Jul 22, 2016 03:21am
@Shoka Laddoo Not really. Most countries severely restrict such business by armed forces.
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Jul 22, 2016 04:17am
We will see more disclosures and discussions about such matters relating to Armed forces in coming days. Asma Jahangir has knocked the door of Supreme Court to get information on TV/Radio stations being channelised by Army. Nawaz Sharif is back after 2 months with new mindset.
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Jul 22, 2016 05:07am
@Zeeshan can't believe there are people asking "so what's wrong with that".
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Jul 22, 2016 05:32am
@SM
Yes, you are right it is not their job, it is pertinent to note that holding of elections is not their job, providing medical treatment to civilians is not their job, training the national team is not their job, constructing highways specially in the northern areas is not their job and the list goes on. Fact of the matter is that all these are the jobs are our corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who are nothing more than parasites.
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Jul 22, 2016 08:33am
@Sonny Afridi The Army is not there to do business and pay taxes , by doing that they are becoming just a "Pakistani Baniya" and not soldiers.
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Jul 22, 2016 09:53am
Great job ! they are providing people of Pakistan jobs dignified living while as the politicians are amassing wealth transferring it to foreign banks , buying villas & luxuries all over the world while public rots for basic amenities of life , Ironic
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Jul 22, 2016 10:19am
Where there is money to be made, there you would find the real powers that be.
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Jul 22, 2016 01:32pm
@Zeeshan most of the posts are manned by retired officers/men.
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Jul 22, 2016 02:01pm
It is my personal experience: DHA karachi is a very corrupt organisation. I was involved twice in a Power Plant & Desalination units - once based on houshold Waste burning and thereafter gasturbine & Waste heat recovery units both with MSF units for watter production. Both times ordets were placed, bribes were distributed by foreign suppliers. The Plants never went on stream.
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Jul 22, 2016 03:38pm
@Zeeshan These organizations are mostly run by retired officers, so I do not think your point is valid here. Another thing to note is such a framework is necessary to help the people in general and at the same time earn revenue for the betterment of the society. All audits are carried out transparently and the revenue is strictly monitored.
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Jul 22, 2016 06:08pm
I think the portfolio of the ministry of commerce and industries should be given to the army to run permanently.
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Jul 22, 2016 09:19pm
Well run commercial corporations that are all profitable for both the stakeholders & investors. They should expand their commercial operations.
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Jul 22, 2016 10:11pm
One should read book with the name millitary millitary inc. by Aysha sadeeqa.
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Jul 22, 2016 11:52pm
@Jay not when u have corrupt piliticians that arnt doing their job in d 1st place!
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Jul 23, 2016 01:21am
@Mehak Gulab yes they do dear
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Jul 23, 2016 02:41am
@Fazl Rab "... established the Bahria Foundation in 1981. It was approved by the Cabinet and Parliament of the day"
Are you kidding?
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Jul 23, 2016 07:44am
In democratic and developing countries Armed forces are never allowed to engages in Business activities and ventures in such a huge scale as matter of principle(Turkey, Malaysia, India ...100 more). Reason is simple Forces because of its might and power there is no accountability of corruption. If there is corruption it is pulled under the rug. Because vast majority of those investigating corruption in case of Pakistan are also from Armed Forces(NAB). That loss due to corruption is almost all the times is transferred to tax payers (99% of them are general public). DHA multi billion Rs scams came to surface only due to insider complaints ie. thousands plots belonging to martyrs were misappropriated by those at the top.
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Jul 23, 2016 08:47am
Where do the funds come from for such projects. Is it mentioned in the budget.
Lets take Lahore Cantt. Would like to know how and why plots are being distributed among officers. Surely this is Govt land and should be handed back if not used for the required purpose. Also would be interested to know if any tax is paid by the colossal rent from Fortress St. shops & advertisements etc.
Its a great fighting army if it stays away from civilian matters.
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Jul 23, 2016 08:50am
So, if I understand correctly, army is into commercial business. As IK said, people will share sweets when army take over full control. Looks like people always want dictatorship. below comments prove that
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Jul 23, 2016 08:52am
@Abdul Sheikh
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Jul 23, 2016 08:54am
Agreed
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Jul 23, 2016 10:02am
no where in the world army running project like pakistan...there are still more undeclared project
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Jul 23, 2016 10:29am
@Zeeshan The income from these entities is used for the welfare of low income armed forces personnel (retired), shuhadas families. Some examples are more than 100 welfare oriented schools/colleges, 116 Healthcare facilities spread across the country. If the military doesn't would the government care to take this burden?
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Jul 23, 2016 11:40am
These organizations are running welfare hospitals, schools for poor children. The retired officers and soldiers are provided jobs. Why to high light this issue at this stage when our officers and Jawans are engaged against terrorism.
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Jul 23, 2016 11:21pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Prove it. Without evidence it is just propaganda.
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Jul 24, 2016 02:13am
They are building a museum for OBL in the Abbotabad plot , as it is owned by the Army.
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