I want to write about another piece of Heaven

I want to write about another piece of Heaven!
By Syed Haider Raza Mehdi – 4 May, 2019

I was so tempted to write about Nawaz’s bail rejection; Shahbaz’s Great Escape ; Maryam’s ascent to the throne (nearly); The sacking of the State Bank Governor and the FBR Czar.

Was itching to comment on PTI’s 23 Anniversary, where a message by a couple of the new spineless minions, who’ve taken over the party was delivered to Hamid Khan on the morning of the event to not attend the event, as his presence may offend King Khan, because of Hamid Khan’s views about his new “Deputy PM” Jehangir Tareen.

A resounding slap on the face of Saifullah’s Niazi’s subsequent high sounding speech on the occasion!

I even contemplated writing a note, following the recent DGISPR presser, on why the ISPR must relook and review how it articulates and manifests the perspective of the Army Chief, the Institution of the Army, the Government and Pakistan without having guns being fired at them and consequently causing great damage to their own credibility, that of their Chief, Gen. Bajwa, the Institution of the Army, the Political government, Imran and Pakistan.

Weakening all!

I so wanted to write why key decision makers and senior leaders in the military will find great merit and value in regularly, frequently and, proactively seeking perspectives and opinions that are very controversial, contrarian, thought through, analytical and insightful but aligned to our National interests, and most importantly very different to their’s, rather than only those they hear in their own “echo chambers” with everyone singing from the same music sheet!

I also so wanted to share my insights with the Army’s leadership that perhaps the greatest service they could do for this country and also atone for their many sins of omission and commission, past and present, is to help build capacity in our civilian public sector institutions transferring their own brilliant best practices, processes and systems onto the civilian institutional infrastructure.

They could help build capacity in the Establishment Division, Foreign Office and Key Ministries of Finance, Power, Petroleum (Oil and Gas), Information, Planning and Development and Commerce, all critical for future growth and success, by instituting an MS Branch type of system which delivers a very effective and transparent system of performance management, postings, transfers, promotions, punishment etc.

I so wanted to write why, despite his monumental blunders, his ignorance, his inexperience, his incompetence, his narcissism, arrogance and hubris, his complete lack of competence in selecting the right people for the right job, Imran must still be fully supported by all of us, to succeed for the sake of Pakistan.

Supported, so the wolves of the Houses of Sharif and Zardari and the interests they represent are buried under six feet of political earth, never to return and God Forbid, continue their terrible loot and plunder!

I so wanted to write that this could be done by “someone” getting people of competence and integrity around Imran, in place of the vast majority of extremely incompetent and in many cases also corrupt Special Assistants and Advisers and Cabinet Members he currently has. This coupled with his own inexperience results in the poor decisions he has been making. He has to be made to get rid of many and bring in new ones. One current Special Assistant, earlier rejected by Imran, to head a government media organization because of his “colorful” past in a similar role, because Imran couldn’t afford to have his government’s credibility scarred, now “manages” Imran’s media engagements.

I so wanted to comment on the cringing feeling I get watching Fawad Chaudhry chair meetings of scientific organizations attended by scientists who must be wondering the reasons behind this terrible punishment being inflicted on them and Pakistan’s scientific landscape, by King Khan!

I so wanted to write about the Punjab CM Buzdar, who in the words of a very close insider says the following about Buzdar

“He (Buzdar) has bought the (power) bullshit hook line and sinker, he now wants all of us to do baait on his hands. Not for ourselves but in order to make a difference in our ministries we will either choose to do so or spit on his face. Choice is ours. The biggest problem is, we are now in the place we have wanted to be to make a difference. Are we going to let his ego get in our way or will we overcome our own egos and March on?

March on, I advised!

So its now King Buzdar, in Punjab, who King Khan insists on continuing with!

But none of this.

I want to write why, despite all of the above, despite Imran’s follies, despite the ISPR’s ham handed heavy handedness and communication indescretions, Pakistan will unleash its Potential and become a great Nation!

Here is why!

I want to write about a person and an organization who has impacted the lives of 33 lac (3.3 million) very poor people, by giving Rs. 80 Billion in INTEREST FREE small micro credit loans, through a network of 817 offices, in over 400 cities, towns and villages spread all over Pakistan, employing 7000 of the most dedicated, committed and awesome people, I’ve ever come across in my life!

I want to write about an organization which has unleashed a near and quiet revolution in our rural heartlands through some of the most effective community participatory models, I have seen, uplifting them not just economically, but socially, culturally and behaviourally!

I’ve personally experienced two such “model villages” funded through the philanthropic magnaminity of a Media Mogul!

I want to write about an organization which does not distinguish between class, colour, creed, sect, gender, ethnicity in who they employ and who they help.

I want to write about an organization which uses the many Houses of Allah, be they Mosques, Churches, Mandars to engage with the poor communities they serve and help!

I want to write about an organization which disburses interest free “Liberation Loans” to the most deprived segments of our society, handcuffed and shackled by “Money Lenders” charging interests ranging from 100% to 300% annually.

No longer is this the proverbial money lender from a particular ethnic group, but mostly women who now control this evil!

One woman money lender when contacted over the phone so that her money could be returned, (she was charging 150% interest) was told “wo abhee Ithaykaaf may bayhtee haen”!

I want to write about an organization whose board of directors and Executive Director do not draw a single paisa from the funds of the organization! Who’s administrative and operating costs do not exceed 7% to 8 %.

I want to write about an organization which has collected and disbursed millions and millions of clothes to the poor and the needy!

I want to write about an organization which employs transgenders to give them a fair chance in life!

I want to write about an organization that has used its Rs.18 billion credit pool nearly five fold to disburse over Rs. 80 billions in interest free loans.

I want to write about an organization which is visited by research teams from Harvard and Columbia to study and understand this remarkable interest free poverty alleviation phenomena.

I want to write about an organization which started with Rs. 10,000, 18 years ago and has now disbursed over Rs. 80 billion. And today, is the world’s largest interest free poverty alleviation organization!

I want to write about an organization which is inspired and hence implements and emulates the core principle of “Muakhat” of Riasat e Medina of our Holy Prophet PBUH!

I want to write about an event planned by this organization in early Ramzan, 2019 to disburse over Rs. 2 Billion in micro finance, interest free loans to over 77,000 poor people, 20,000 alone in the Badshahi Mosque and the rest in mosques, churches and mandars all across Pakistan, in one single day at the same time!

I want to write about this organization which has invited King Khan to this event and have yet to hear from His Highness or his Rasputins!

I want to write about this organization which has committed to build 1 million houses for the poor as part of the PM’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program, if the government funds them with Rs. 50 Billion, and then also promises to return the entire amount back to the government in 4 years!

I want to write about Dr. Amjad Saqib and Akhuwath!

And that is why, because of pieces of Heaven like them and thousands of others, Pakistan will succeed!

Salaams and Prayers
Haider Mehdi