ON MAY 8, 2023 AT QUETTA
INTERACTION REPORT ON BTTN SEMINAR
A Seminar was held at BUITEMS (University) Quetta under the auspicious of Balochistan Think Thank Network (BTTN). The topic was Strategic Planning to overcome the obstacles in Pakistan’s Social political and economical progress, Governor Baluchistan Abdul Wali Kakar, Brig Agha Ahmed Gul, Ambassador Qazi Dr. Syed Jaffar ahmed, Former Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Former Governor Owais Ahmed, Mehfooz Ali Khan, Dr Sanaullah Banezai, Former ambassador Asif Durrani and Dr Jahanzaib Baloch addressed the seminar. While concluding remarks were given by Lt. Genereal ® Khalid Ahmad Kidwai Advisor Development Nuclear Command Authority.
Addressing the audience, Governor Balochistan said that this seminar has broaden his spectrum and helped him understand the local and international issues. Concerned departments will definitely consider valuable suggestions given by the learned speakers. We should work as a team for Pakistan for political and economical development, he added. He expressed his concern over climate change and emphasized the need to take some serious steps to cop up with these challenges. Otherwise, our upcoming generations will have to bear the consequences, he said.
Brig. (R) Agha Gul tracing the history of constitution said first constitution was framed on 23rd March 1956, in 1962 temporary constitution was framed and in April 1973 first unanimous constitution was passed but unfortunately it was not implemented. It was suspended by General Zialul Haq. Then for a decade from 1989 to 1999 democratic rule was seen when General Pervaiz Mushraf took over. Without respect of constitution how we can progress.
While addressing the seminar, Gen Khalid Ahmed kidwai said that right now Pakistan has to deal with multiple issues like political, social, economical and environmental, But he firmly believes that we will be out of this situation soon only if we show solidarity towards our country. We have seerat-ul-Nabi of our beloved prophet (P.B.U.H) as a guideline following which we can deal with all the difficulties lying ahead of us. We as Pakistani nation are well aware of our strategic importance and the enormity of our neighbor’s negative propaganda and planning. We will surprise them even harder than 27th Feb 2019. We are just waiting for the right time, ” He added.
Revisiting the historic events, Dr. Syed Jafar Ahmed said that are would have been listed as a developed nation only if we have had our law and constitution fully imposed and would have followed it. The involvement of unseen powers didn’t allow the direction of our progress to be determined. We haven’t learnt our lesson from the tragedy of East Pakistan. We will reach the goals of development only through the rule of law and constitution.
Former ambassador Qazi Khalilullah was of the opinion that Pakistan’s economic problems go hand in hand with political instability. Lack of priorities, governance and corruption are the root cause of all this mess. Lack of accountability system is a reason for prevailing corruption in the society. The widening fiscal deficit is due to a decline in export. We will have to bring revolutionary changes in agriculture, industries and IT sectors. Former Chief Secretary Mahfooz Ali Khan Said that the trend of paying taxes in the country is very disappointing. Our expenses are more than 9579 billion Rupees. While the tax recovery was only 46,000 Rupees. The burden of loss-making government institutions has reach 3,930 billion Rupees. Payment oof pension has become a problem like other countries, a mechanism has to be made for it. As the inflation rate has increased 35% problems of low-income community have increased. Government will have to provide relief.
Addressing the seminar, former governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Owais Ahmed Ghani said that we will have to recognize our political system. The eighteenth amendment has empowered the provinces many times while the local government on provincial level is kept deprived of any authority this creates on administrative crisis.
Parliament has been made a status symbol by the feudal, although these institutions are considered to protect the public’s basic rights and for the legislation as well. Lack of governance has caused further destruction. It’s a bitter fact “he said that as compared to democratic governments, governance has been better during material low.
Former ambassador Asif Durrani while describing the world situation said that the impact of China America tension can clearly be seen in Pakistan. China’s one road one belt project, involves nearly five billion people China has improved the lifestyle of more the 80 million people who were living below poverty line. In 2019 trade between China and India was 90 million dollars which has now reached up to 130 million dollars. AKUAS and QUAD are made to keep China in its limits, the trend of military industrial complex is increasing global tension, he said,
Former ambassador Ali Sarwer Naqvi said that we have had many setbacks in last 75 years but we have also covered some great milestones. Nehro claimed at the time of partition that I bet that Pakistan won’t survive more than 6 months but we proved him wrong but it’s also a fact that we failed to stands as a nation which is the only reason why we have to face on these challenges.
Sharing his concerns about climates change with the audience Dr. Sanaullah mentioned the effects of global climate change on Pakistan, he said that Pakistan’s share in overall carbon emission is only 0.05% but Pakistan has been ranked 8th in the list on 10 most affected countries.
We have to deal with unexpected rainfall in addition to this, the glaciers are melting and we haven’t built any dams to store all this waters, although we have five rivers but we haven’t made any efforts to improve our shortage capacity while in contrast, the only river Afghanistan has is Kabul river on which they are constructing 21 dams in collaborations with India, Baluchistan is being affected the most due to the climates changes.
Most of its districts are comprised of dry land and desserts while Zhob, Sherani and Moosakhel are its monsoon areas level of underground water in capital city Quetta is dropping down quickly, despite of heavy rainfall we are facing waters scarcity. In Baluchistan due to lack of any proper storage system.
We should try to learn a lesson from countries like Bangkok where it rains continuously from 7 to 8 months but still, they manage to store and utilize all this surplus water by using up to the mark modern methods. Talking about the colonialism Pr. Jahanzain Baloch said that it all started with the British rule which is long forgotten but nowadays underdeveloped countries are being controlled by international organizations like IMF and World Bank.
We are facing financial deficit. We are being pressurized by the international powers due to our strategic value and importance and to avoid this, we need some serious reforms. Senior dignitaries from different departments of BUITEMS University, teachers, students and some of the attendees asked relative question from the speakers. Vice chancellor Kohlu University, journalists and people from different walks of life, also attended the seminar. Governor Baluchistan Abdul Wali Kakar was awarded with shield and the logo of BTTN while Mr. Abdul Wali Kakar also handed over some shields and mementos to Gen (R) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Dr. Syed Jafar Ahmed, Brig (R) Agha Ahmed Gul, Qazi Khalilullah and other speakers of the seminar.