KARACHI: The flour crisis has intensified as people facing hardships to buy the essential food item on increased price.
In Karachi wheat flour, ghee and edible oil have not been available at most of the utility stores. The flour if available at a utility store being sold at Rs. 155 ten kilogram instead of the official rate of Rs. 130/-
Long queues of the people can be seen outside the utility stores in the city for flour, ghee and edible oil.
The 10-kilogram bag of wheat flour being sold at155 rupees instead of the official rate of Rs. 130/- at utility stores in the city. The other shops are selling the 10-KG bag of flour at Rs 280/-
The flour price in Zhob, Mastung, Loralai and other parts of Balochistan has hiked, while the food item is unavailable at utility stores in Quetta and other cities of the province.
The chief minister of Balochistan has issued directives to the concerned officials for action against hoarders and called report on the issue within two days.
According to the provincial secretary food Azam Baloch, 20-KG bag of flour being sold at Rs. 278, at 130 Fear Price Shops in Quetta and at various sale points arranged by the flour mills.
In Peshawar wheat flour is available only at few shops and being sold at Rs. 500 per 20-KG bag.
According to the shopkeepers the flour supplies from the mills have decreased.
The crowds of people can be witnessed at the utility stores but a spokesman of Utility Stores Corporation has said the stores could not meet the rising demand of the flour.
According to the NWFP Flour Mills Association the crisis was the result of dwindling supplies of wheat and flour from Punjab.
Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=34951
Mismanagement and flour mafia to be blamed?
Full Version: Flour Crisis Aggravates
An interesting study report that sheds extensive light on the shortcomings in the wheat production sector of Pakistan. I've only posted the abstract. See source for full read.
Wheat Production in Pakistan: Saga of Policy Disincentives
Naheed Zia Khan, Munir Ahmad and Asia Rasheed
Abstract
This study probes into the interplay of the factors operating on supply side of the wheat economy of Pakistan. The analysis is carried out to determine the performance of the agricultural policy of the country in securing a sustainable measure of self-sufficiency in food production. It is argued that, compared to the developed countries, the developing countries like Pakistan have done too little and too late for their farm sector. The authors hold that the agricultural performance of the developing countries is directly affected by the high subsidies paid to the rich country farmers by their governments. The study attempts to determine the relationship of both wheat production and wheat productivity with the prices promised to the growers in Pakistan by government's agricultural policy over the period 1966-2001. The results show that support price policy, adequate water availability and technology together helped enhance the wheat production of the country. The estimated coefficient showing the relationship between support price and wheat productivity, however, turns out to be insignificant. The analysis also incorporates the shocks in the economy that are independent of the usually normally-distributed random error. The results show that shocks are affecting both wheat production and wheat productivity. It is argued that achievement of the proclaimed objectives of the wheat support price policy in Pakistan has been constrained because of the incumbent governments' high political stakes, usually warranting protection of urban consumers and producers by keeping food prices low. The study concludes that wheat production is not some peripheral issue and the target of increasing both wheat production and wheat growers' income must be central to the macro management policy in Pakistan. Finally, the authors maintain that developing countries, while trusting the promise of freer trade in farm goods offered by the Doha Round, must remember the raw deal they got from the Uruguay Round.
Source: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/psde%2019AGM/Na...a%20Rasheed.pdf
Wheat Production in Pakistan: Saga of Policy Disincentives
Naheed Zia Khan, Munir Ahmad and Asia Rasheed
Abstract
This study probes into the interplay of the factors operating on supply side of the wheat economy of Pakistan. The analysis is carried out to determine the performance of the agricultural policy of the country in securing a sustainable measure of self-sufficiency in food production. It is argued that, compared to the developed countries, the developing countries like Pakistan have done too little and too late for their farm sector. The authors hold that the agricultural performance of the developing countries is directly affected by the high subsidies paid to the rich country farmers by their governments. The study attempts to determine the relationship of both wheat production and wheat productivity with the prices promised to the growers in Pakistan by government's agricultural policy over the period 1966-2001. The results show that support price policy, adequate water availability and technology together helped enhance the wheat production of the country. The estimated coefficient showing the relationship between support price and wheat productivity, however, turns out to be insignificant. The analysis also incorporates the shocks in the economy that are independent of the usually normally-distributed random error. The results show that shocks are affecting both wheat production and wheat productivity. It is argued that achievement of the proclaimed objectives of the wheat support price policy in Pakistan has been constrained because of the incumbent governments' high political stakes, usually warranting protection of urban consumers and producers by keeping food prices low. The study concludes that wheat production is not some peripheral issue and the target of increasing both wheat production and wheat growers' income must be central to the macro management policy in Pakistan. Finally, the authors maintain that developing countries, while trusting the promise of freer trade in farm goods offered by the Doha Round, must remember the raw deal they got from the Uruguay Round.
Source: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/psde%2019AGM/Na...a%20Rasheed.pdf
i thought we produced over 22 millions tonnes of wheat this year, so why is there a shortage when we have had a bumper harvest.
and why are the prices so inflated
i mean seriously how can a poor person a mazdur who earns barely 100 rupiah a day gonna afford to eat and feed his family.
and why are the prices so inflated
i mean seriously how can a poor person a mazdur who earns barely 100 rupiah a day gonna afford to eat and feed his family.
QUOTE(Nickel-Beluga @ Jan 4 2008, 07:47 PM) 
i thought we produced over 22 millions tonnes of wheat this year, so why is there a shortage when we have had a bumper harvest.
and why are the prices so inflated
i mean seriously how can a poor person a mazdur who earns barely 100 rupiah a day gonna afford to eat and feed his family.
and why are the prices so inflated
i mean seriously how can a poor person a mazdur who earns barely 100 rupiah a day gonna afford to eat and feed his family.
Those are also the questions that are buzzing through my head...
Its hard to believe that in 2008 a country of a size of Pakistan still dealing with wheat, sugar, onion and tomato crises. Dictator is playing more attention to his master's requests than the need of our population. I doubts he is even taking 5 minutes our of his busy time to look after his people, he is busy taking phone calls from 2 bit us senators and congressman on how to do more for them so they can keep doing more for his personal benefits.
WTF is going on? there is no electricity, no gas, and now no food. the situation has never been this bad.
Actually there was a flour crisis before of epic proportions during Nawaz era.
There has been alot of utility stores established, but the wheat is just not there for some reason. Someone is gulping it behind the scenes to jack up the prices.
There has been alot of utility stores established, but the wheat is just not there for some reason. Someone is gulping it behind the scenes to jack up the prices.
Hoarding started the crisis. Now people are avoiding trading in Karachi/Sindh due to safety fears compunding on the problem.
well its all due to supply and demand.
my cosin runs a flour mill and says all mills are running 24hrs round the clock now at 100% capacity, we have had a bumper crop but that is all being wasted as we dnt have the mills and factorys to make the flour, wheat is being wasted.
these days the demand of flour has gone so high and supply is so low, we just lack entrepreneurial skills, flour mill owners are laughting all the way to the bank these days making millions and millions, any businessman with a pea size brain would put his money in this industry but our business community is just full of nutcases.
my cosin runs a flour mill and says all mills are running 24hrs round the clock now at 100% capacity, we have had a bumper crop but that is all being wasted as we dnt have the mills and factorys to make the flour, wheat is being wasted.
these days the demand of flour has gone so high and supply is so low, we just lack entrepreneurial skills, flour mill owners are laughting all the way to the bank these days making millions and millions, any businessman with a pea size brain would put his money in this industry but our business community is just full of nutcases.
Could this be to divert the attention of the people after the BB crisis and all other s h i t that has been going on lately? After all, stomach has priority... People tend to forget quickly...
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
QUOTE(MoThSmOkE @ Jan 8 2008, 01:03 PM)
Actually there was a flour crisis before of epic proportions during Nawaz era.
There has been alot of utility stores established, but the wheat is just not there for some reason. Someone is gulping it behind the scenes to jack up the prices.
There has been alot of utility stores established, but the wheat is just not there for some reason. Someone is gulping it behind the scenes to jack up the prices.
Pakistan (Gujrat) has the biggest storage depot facility in Asia...
electricity is not there because the rioters burned one section of the Hubco plant and OIL based electricity producers could not get their oil supplies on time, forcing them to shutdown.
Once the oil became available it will take upto a month for the system to become fully functional.
Blame BB for sticking her head out the ###### sunroof.
Once the oil became available it will take upto a month for the system to become fully functional.
Blame BB for sticking her head out the ###### sunroof.
Sadly, we wouldn't have a flour crisis (or even a slight chance of it), if we can actually raise our production per acre, which is pathetic. We can easily triple that level, there was a thread earlier on this topic....
QUOTE(joshi @ Jan 8 2008, 07:33 AM)
well its all due to supply and demand.
my cosin runs a flour mill and says all mills are running 24hrs round the clock now at 100% capacity, we have had a bumper crop but that is all being wasted as we dnt have the mills and factorys to make the flour, wheat is being wasted.
these days the demand of flour has gone so high and supply is so low, we just lack entrepreneurial skills, flour mill owners are laughting all the way to the bank these days making millions and millions, any businessman with a pea size brain would put his money in this industry but our business community is just full of nutcases.
my cosin runs a flour mill and says all mills are running 24hrs round the clock now at 100% capacity, we have had a bumper crop but that is all being wasted as we dnt have the mills and factorys to make the flour, wheat is being wasted.
these days the demand of flour has gone so high and supply is so low, we just lack entrepreneurial skills, flour mill owners are laughting all the way to the bank these days making millions and millions, any businessman with a pea size brain would put his money in this industry but our business community is just full of nutcases.
NOthign could be farther from the truth........... we hav ejust too many Flour Mills to grind wheat, in the past Government used to do rationing and permits to grind more were a bribe dolled out to favourites.
Now its been deregulated but still we have more than enough of grinding capacity but all the wheat is gone across the border into Afghanistan.
In the past ( as late as 2006 or 2007) the GoP bought all the "ghana" and sold it at a low stabile price.
I believe that it was in 2007 that GoP dropped that and now let the "ghana" follow market rate.
Maybe someone will start earning more, but many Pakistanis will have extreme difficulty buying "ghana"/ Flour now, thx to the genius that privatized/liberated (call it what you will) this.
Some people will say that since 1999 there has been ONLY progress in Pakistan, well no one is perfect, even not Musharraf, although I recognize some of the good things he is responsible to in Pakistan but some stuff has gone backwards too, this being an example.
I believe that it was in 2007 that GoP dropped that and now let the "ghana" follow market rate.
Maybe someone will start earning more, but many Pakistanis will have extreme difficulty buying "ghana"/ Flour now, thx to the genius that privatized/liberated (call it what you will) this.
Some people will say that since 1999 there has been ONLY progress in Pakistan, well no one is perfect, even not Musharraf, although I recognize some of the good things he is responsible to in Pakistan but some stuff has gone backwards too, this being an example.
Only in Pakistan would an excess of something mean we have hoarding....lol
Anywhere else in the world due to a bumper crop we would have had lower prices as atta was excess to demand.
We need state regulated farming and proper tracking of food.
Anywhere else in the world due to a bumper crop we would have had lower prices as atta was excess to demand.
We need state regulated farming and proper tracking of food.
Provinces to sell atta directly
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, approved a comprehensive programme to ensure abundant supply of flour to consumers at controlled price of Rs 295 per 20kg bag across the country.
In addition, the ECC also approved import of additional 0.5 million tons of wheat to improve supply of the commodity to flour mills. The government has already placed an order of 1.5 million tons of wheat from various sources and shipments of nearly 200,000 tons had docked at Karachi.
Of this 1.5 million tons imported wheat, the government has allocated one million tons to provinces while the remaining half a million tons would be used as strategic reserves. Under the programme, provincial governments would directly sell flour to consumers, Dr Salman Shah, adviser to the prime minister on finance and revenue, told The News after the ECC meeting.
Dr Shah said that the government would now sell flour directly to consumers at various distribution points in major cities across the country. “This will help substantially overcome the flour crisis.” He said 4,500 outlets of Utility Stores would also be used for this purpose. The supply of flour to all Utility Stores outlets would be doubled so that people are not made to stand in queues to get a bag of flour. In addition, the government would also provide flour directly to people in all union councils.
When his attention was drawn towards exorbitantly high price of flour in Karachi and particularly in the NWFP and Balochistan, he said steps taken by the government would help reduce these complaints. He said the government is releasing 32,000 tons of wheat to flour mills per day and within days this issue would be resolved.
About the electricity crisis in the country, Dr Shah said that out of 1,500 MW of electricity which had gone out from Wapda system in the wake of damage to towers of Hubco and disturbance in supply of oil to Kapco following the December 27 tragedy, Pepco has retrieved 1,200 MW owing to which it managed to get some breathing space. He claimed that power situation would further improve by January 25 when water release from dams would be increased.
He said Pakistan sustained a loss of over Rs 200 billion in the form of damage to infrastructure, roads, railways and banks after the December 27 tragedy. A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat about the ECC meeting says that the State Bank of Pakistan governor briefed the ECC on the recent report released by the bank on balance of payments position and overall economic situation.
The ECC was informed that in spite of unprecedented hike in global oil prices and recent political developments in the country, the economy has shown greater resilience. The prime minister said despite challenges and shocks Pakistan is doing well economically and we should continue to make hard efforts with a focused approach to sustain economic progress.
The next six months would be crucial for the macro-economic management of our economy particularly the policy of subsidising oil, power and food items, he said. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman brifed the ECC on collection of tax revenue. He informed the ECC that tax collection in December 2007 has dropped sharply due to recent disturbances and extended Eid holidays coupled with load-shedding and gas shortages.
This has reduced growth of tax collection from 14.8 per cent in the first five months of the financial year to 4.7 per cent in the first six months (July-December 2007). The prime minister directed the FBR to take steps for improving tax-to-GDP collection ratio. While appreciating the performance of FBR, the prime minister said: “We still need to put in extra efforts to identify impediments to broadening of tax base and collection of revenues in an efficient manner.”
The ECC was also briefed on the country’s exports during the first five months of the current financial year. The commerce secretary informed the ECC that the special export zones set up by the government have shown better results and the country has registered 10.5 per cent growth in exports compared to the corresponding period of last year.
He hoped that Pakistan’s exports performance would improve in the next six months. The prime minister directed the commerce ministry to launch aggressive initiatives for boosting exports of the country and also look for diversification of exports. As regards efforts to increase exports, the prime minister emphasised modernisation of the industry to be able to compete in the international markets.
Highlighting the need for reducing import of edible oil, the prime minister directed the ECC to look into the possibility of utilising country’s long coastal line to grow palm trees. The ECC was informed that the international prices of palm oil have gone up by more than $1,000 per ton since January 2007.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=12176
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, approved a comprehensive programme to ensure abundant supply of flour to consumers at controlled price of Rs 295 per 20kg bag across the country.
In addition, the ECC also approved import of additional 0.5 million tons of wheat to improve supply of the commodity to flour mills. The government has already placed an order of 1.5 million tons of wheat from various sources and shipments of nearly 200,000 tons had docked at Karachi.
Of this 1.5 million tons imported wheat, the government has allocated one million tons to provinces while the remaining half a million tons would be used as strategic reserves. Under the programme, provincial governments would directly sell flour to consumers, Dr Salman Shah, adviser to the prime minister on finance and revenue, told The News after the ECC meeting.
Dr Shah said that the government would now sell flour directly to consumers at various distribution points in major cities across the country. “This will help substantially overcome the flour crisis.” He said 4,500 outlets of Utility Stores would also be used for this purpose. The supply of flour to all Utility Stores outlets would be doubled so that people are not made to stand in queues to get a bag of flour. In addition, the government would also provide flour directly to people in all union councils.
When his attention was drawn towards exorbitantly high price of flour in Karachi and particularly in the NWFP and Balochistan, he said steps taken by the government would help reduce these complaints. He said the government is releasing 32,000 tons of wheat to flour mills per day and within days this issue would be resolved.
About the electricity crisis in the country, Dr Shah said that out of 1,500 MW of electricity which had gone out from Wapda system in the wake of damage to towers of Hubco and disturbance in supply of oil to Kapco following the December 27 tragedy, Pepco has retrieved 1,200 MW owing to which it managed to get some breathing space. He claimed that power situation would further improve by January 25 when water release from dams would be increased.
He said Pakistan sustained a loss of over Rs 200 billion in the form of damage to infrastructure, roads, railways and banks after the December 27 tragedy. A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat about the ECC meeting says that the State Bank of Pakistan governor briefed the ECC on the recent report released by the bank on balance of payments position and overall economic situation.
The ECC was informed that in spite of unprecedented hike in global oil prices and recent political developments in the country, the economy has shown greater resilience. The prime minister said despite challenges and shocks Pakistan is doing well economically and we should continue to make hard efforts with a focused approach to sustain economic progress.
The next six months would be crucial for the macro-economic management of our economy particularly the policy of subsidising oil, power and food items, he said. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman brifed the ECC on collection of tax revenue. He informed the ECC that tax collection in December 2007 has dropped sharply due to recent disturbances and extended Eid holidays coupled with load-shedding and gas shortages.
This has reduced growth of tax collection from 14.8 per cent in the first five months of the financial year to 4.7 per cent in the first six months (July-December 2007). The prime minister directed the FBR to take steps for improving tax-to-GDP collection ratio. While appreciating the performance of FBR, the prime minister said: “We still need to put in extra efforts to identify impediments to broadening of tax base and collection of revenues in an efficient manner.”
The ECC was also briefed on the country’s exports during the first five months of the current financial year. The commerce secretary informed the ECC that the special export zones set up by the government have shown better results and the country has registered 10.5 per cent growth in exports compared to the corresponding period of last year.
He hoped that Pakistan’s exports performance would improve in the next six months. The prime minister directed the commerce ministry to launch aggressive initiatives for boosting exports of the country and also look for diversification of exports. As regards efforts to increase exports, the prime minister emphasised modernisation of the industry to be able to compete in the international markets.
Highlighting the need for reducing import of edible oil, the prime minister directed the ECC to look into the possibility of utilising country’s long coastal line to grow palm trees. The ECC was informed that the international prices of palm oil have gone up by more than $1,000 per ton since January 2007.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=12176
Plati bro, that arent great news at all, because the system of the government selling Wheat at stable prices was there before, untill some genius removed it in 2007. So reintroducing the system (or even parts of it) shouldn't make anyone heroes.
hero's or not, it fixes a problem.
In Denmark do supermarkets sell food or do governments?
Is it really wrong in a free open market to leave the responsbility of selling food to people rather than the state?
In Denmark do supermarkets sell food or do governments?
Is it really wrong in a free open market to leave the responsbility of selling food to people rather than the state?
"Flour millers' monthly profit up by 712 percent"
Unmindful of people's miseries due to worst crisis of wheat flour, the flour millers are minting money and their profits have surged by 712 percent per month, industry sources told Business Recorder.
According to a detailed study on the flourmills' costs, expenses and sales value, the flourmills are the major beneficiaries of flour crisis in the country and they are exploiting the situation at the cost of consumers.
Sources said that despite a huge supply of wheat by the food department on subsidised prices, the millers were selling flour at exorbitant prices, arguing that they (millers) were buying some wheat from the open market at higher rates to meet the demand of the masses. According to reports, some 72 flourmills, operating in Karachi, have a demand of some 30,000 bags of 100-kilogram per month.
The milling, transportation and other expenses have been calculated at some Rs 83 per bag, while the gain on per bag is calculated at three percent or Rs 50.73 per bag, therefore, the flour cost is calculated at some Rs 1,723 per 100-kilogram.
However, despite the fact that the average cost of wheat has been calculated at Rs 1,723 per 100-kiloram bag, the millers are selling the commodities at Rs 2,018 per 80-kilogram bag in the local market, thus rapidly increasing their profits.
Sources alleged that some officials of Food Department are also involved in the flour crisis, and were reluctant to take action against the flourmills, selling flour at exorbitant rates. They said that some millers were also involved in the sale of their quota to the other mills or in the market and they just milled the wheat purchased from open market.
"The Food Department has already increased the wheat quota for the mills by some 700 bags. At present, they are getting some 3,500 bags of 100-kilogram per week as against 2,800 bags in December," they added.
They said that presently the millers had huge stocks of wheat and if the millers stopped buying from open market and by depending on the government wheat, then the wheat grain prices would decline. They claimed the millers were also paying nominal taxes to the government by showing minimum profit of around Rs 0.4-0.8 million per year.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=6771...m=&supDate=
Unmindful of people's miseries due to worst crisis of wheat flour, the flour millers are minting money and their profits have surged by 712 percent per month, industry sources told Business Recorder.
According to a detailed study on the flourmills' costs, expenses and sales value, the flourmills are the major beneficiaries of flour crisis in the country and they are exploiting the situation at the cost of consumers.
Sources said that despite a huge supply of wheat by the food department on subsidised prices, the millers were selling flour at exorbitant prices, arguing that they (millers) were buying some wheat from the open market at higher rates to meet the demand of the masses. According to reports, some 72 flourmills, operating in Karachi, have a demand of some 30,000 bags of 100-kilogram per month.
The milling, transportation and other expenses have been calculated at some Rs 83 per bag, while the gain on per bag is calculated at three percent or Rs 50.73 per bag, therefore, the flour cost is calculated at some Rs 1,723 per 100-kilogram.
However, despite the fact that the average cost of wheat has been calculated at Rs 1,723 per 100-kiloram bag, the millers are selling the commodities at Rs 2,018 per 80-kilogram bag in the local market, thus rapidly increasing their profits.
Sources alleged that some officials of Food Department are also involved in the flour crisis, and were reluctant to take action against the flourmills, selling flour at exorbitant rates. They said that some millers were also involved in the sale of their quota to the other mills or in the market and they just milled the wheat purchased from open market.
"The Food Department has already increased the wheat quota for the mills by some 700 bags. At present, they are getting some 3,500 bags of 100-kilogram per week as against 2,800 bags in December," they added.
They said that presently the millers had huge stocks of wheat and if the millers stopped buying from open market and by depending on the government wheat, then the wheat grain prices would decline. They claimed the millers were also paying nominal taxes to the government by showing minimum profit of around Rs 0.4-0.8 million per year.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=6771...m=&supDate=
QUOTE(platinum786 @ Jan 10 2008, 07:12 AM)
hero's or not, it fixes a problem.
In Denmark do supermarkets sell food or do governments?
Is it really wrong in a free open market to leave the responsbility of selling food to people rather than the state?
In Denmark do supermarkets sell food or do governments?
Is it really wrong in a free open market to leave the responsbility of selling food to people rather than the state?
Bro,
THEY created the problem, and now they are supposedly fixing it!
You can't even compare the situation in Pakistan with Denmark, and you should know why.
In Denmark we don't have a inflation like in Pakistan, in Denmark people have a lot more money than people in Pakistan meaning that in Denmark people can still afford it.
And besides, the wheat wasn't selled to the people directly in Pakistan but to mills and others who then sold it to people.
Yes it is, when the people can't buy it because of poverty. The responsibility of the state is firstly to make sure people don't starve and things like this, and when the system worked in the past why was it then changed? Privatizing everything isn't ANY solution.
Bro, I know you love PML-Q and hate every other, but seriously, you should still see when they make mistakes, because they make mistakes too.
For my self, I don't stick with any party so don't start calling me a crazy PPP or NS or whatever fan.
And Tarbela just posted a news, now the floor millers have really used this situation, and the big losers are the people of Pakistan... :-(
Corruption is still everywhere in Pakistan :-(
With Salam and regards /Shahid
I did not tsay they made a mistake in thinking Pakistani's were capable of handling food distrubition, that was indeed a mistake. However i would have done the same thing.
The wheat is produced by private landowners and farmers and sold to private mills who supply private stores. That is how it should be. All the governments role should be is to keep tabs on national demand based on observing prices, yield and reports from suppliers. The government should not be sellling atta.
The private sector is the one hoarding and smuggling, not government policy.
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
The wheat is produced by private landowners and farmers and sold to private mills who supply private stores. That is how it should be. All the governments role should be is to keep tabs on national demand based on observing prices, yield and reports from suppliers. The government should not be sellling atta.
The private sector is the one hoarding and smuggling, not government policy.
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
how do you suggest it should work? Government buys all the atta from the farmers, sends it to mills, pays for it to be processed, then sells it to shops and private retailers and gets the expense back from the public? Is this how many modern country does this?
QUOTE(platinum786 @ Jan 10 2008, 11:00 AM)
how do you suggest it should work? Government buys all the atta from the farmers, sends it to mills, pays for it to be processed, then sells it to shops and private retailers and gets the expense back from the public? Is this how many modern country does this?
I suggest it should be done as before,
As you mentioned before the private sector is not ready to take this job, since our country is filled with corrupt people, selfish people etc.
Pakistan is not yet able to be compared to "many modern countries" even though we want to.
Once again, you can't just privatize everything and beleive it would be perfect...
The GoP isn't earning much on selling wheat to mills, aka. the old way, but they kept people from starving, The mills/processing buildings in fx. Gujrat were before filled with "ghana" ready to be turned into wheat, but this year there weren't "ghana" to be seen as before.
"The private sector is the one hoarding and smuggling, not government policy. "
Two things to this:
1. So why did the GoP change the system? Couldn't they themselve see this?
2. As the news Tarbela mentioned and as the reality also confirms, we really have some bad elements (read corrupt people) in our government too. (What about the Chaudris, they are really Gangsters, but they are in our government!?)
Side note: I would mean that this old system that was perfect for Pakistan is somewhat socialistic, but some people here are afraid as hell of anything red and think that liberalism is the answer to everything, well we just saw what liberalism did to our wheatprices. There are good and bad parts for both liberalism and socialism, see them both.
Im guessing the government wanted to loosen some of the industrial aspect of the government. So buisnessmen that are in the political field wouldnt have alot of say in making personal buisness? After Pakistan is an agriculture based economy.
This is where we need our lawyers. Bring up more laws that regulate these private mill owners.
Rules are needed for everyone, the military, the lawyers, the buisnessmen, the politicians, everyone.
This is where we need our lawyers. Bring up more laws that regulate these private mill owners.
Rules are needed for everyone, the military, the lawyers, the buisnessmen, the politicians, everyone.
I think Pakistan is again heading for ration systems, where Ration Shops were scattered all over Pakistan ( East & West ) in Ayub era. Ghee, Atta and Sugar were sold on ration cards .
I agree with platinum, it is not the job of government to sell every consumer good to the public. This is what leads to paralysis, when government get involved in all activities, they achieve little because of the sheer size of bureacracy. All that would happein under nationalisation is the officials would siphon off the product to their friends and relatives. It would all be subsidised by the tax payer, a few people live jolly while the rest of the country pays for it. We have to learn from past mistakes.
Privatisation is the answer to many of Pakistan's economic ills, in regard to the flour issue, there should a government regulator with the power to punish anyone who misbehaves, is there no regulator in this regard? The private market when created properly, will solve these hoarding issues, by making sure anyone who did would lose out.
The government's role is to regulate not buy and sell everything.
Privatisation is the answer to many of Pakistan's economic ills, in regard to the flour issue, there should a government regulator with the power to punish anyone who misbehaves, is there no regulator in this regard? The private market when created properly, will solve these hoarding issues, by making sure anyone who did would lose out.
The government's role is to regulate not buy and sell everything.
Theoritically speaking...aren't these the kinds of situations that make it ripe for retired military officers to begin setting up businesses of their own regarding wheat, flour, etc? Think about it...a local Pakistani brand is run by ex-military personnel - from the agricultural to the industrial processing, all run by ex-soldiers - and they begin selling at good prices and start to eat into companies owned by non-military civilians. Essentially this societal corruption is creating a military or pro-military aristocracy where by sheer will to 'help the nation' a retired officer could 1) start up a healthy firm, 2) buy land from feudals, 3) eventually look to evolve into advanced corporatism.
Buss what can we say....this is Pakistan. We basically cant trust the private sector because they'll do anything for a profit. Geo news reported that apparently 150 trucks of flour cross into afghanistan on a daily basis. All they have to do is pay off the custom gaurd at the border crossing and its pure profit making from there on.
ISLAMABAD: Paramilitary troops have begun escorting trucks carrying wheat to stop supplies being stolen amid shortages of flour that have inflamed anger among the people, an official said on Sunday.
People are complaining bitterly about a shortage of wheat flour and rising prices of the staple food which the government has blamed on hoarding and smuggling to neighbouring countries. National Disaster Management Authority chief Lt-Gen (retd) Farooq Ahmed Khan said some supplies had been going missing somewhere along the supply chain.
“It seemed there could be something wrong along the chain from warehouses to mills and then to distribution points,” Khan told Reuters. “Basically, we’re providing escorts and will monitor the entire chain so there is no chance of pilferage,” said Khan, whose authority is supervising the monitoring.
Authorities have also been given “special powers” to detain hoarders and smugglers, he said. Khan said wheat stocks were sufficient and he described the flour shortage as “artificial”. The government was monitoring borders to stop flour being smuggled out of the country, he said.
“Within a few days thing should change for the better,” he said. In recent days, angry shoppers have been queuing for hours to get their hands on flour. A top official of the agriculture ministry said the government had sufficient wheat stocks and about 1.5 million tonnes of imported wheat would reach Pakistan by the end of February.
Authorities were releasing more than enough supplies to meet demand, especially from the urban population, Agriculture Secretary Ziaur Rehman. “There’s no shortage. Forty-two thousand tonnes a day is now being released which is more than enough,” Rehman said.
The Federal Food Committee has agreed over substantial increase in quota of wheat supply to provinces and mills to rectify the prevailing flour crisis. “The committee would facilitate and assist provincial governments to manage the prevailing flour crisis and devise measures to rectify the problem of people,” Farooq Ahmed Khan said during meeting of the committee on Sunday.
He said the FFC would also take all four provincial governments into confidence to implement the decision as soon as possible. Presiding over the meeting of the Federal Food Committee, the chairman said law-enforcement agencies are engaged with immediate effect to guard the movement of wheat from storage sites to mills and flour from mills to market.
“All records of distribution of wheat and flour will be maintained in detail by different authorities on daily basis,” he said. Provincial governments have been advised to establish control rooms to monitor the situation and special powers have been given to district administration to ensure execution of all FFC decisions at all levels, he added.
He said a comprehensive strategy has been chalked out for ensuring energy supply to mills, curbs on smuggling and transportation of wheat. The meeting was attended by senior officers from ministries of the interior, railways, water and power, planning and development divisions while representatives of provincial governments, NLC, Rangers, FC, DG utility stores corporation and chairman all Pakistan Flour Mills Associations were also present on the occasion.
Pakistan Rangers took over control of 349 flourmills and 77 wheat godowns in Punjab late Saturday night. Deputy Director General of Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, Brig Kaiser Khan Tareen disclosed this to media men at Rangers Headquarters here on Sunday.
Tareen said Rangers took this initiative on the request of the Federal Food Committee and the Punjab government. Pakistan Rangers would monitor all affairs of the mills ranging from arrival of wheat consignments to mills, its grinding and then transportation and distribution to ensure that it was being reached at right places, he added.
He further said that on receiving any information about mismanagement or smuggling in this regard, the relevant district government would conduct raids under the supervision of Rangers.
All resources including helicopters would be used in the raid to tighten noose around the wheat flour mafia, he maintained. Spokesman of Sindh Rangers Capt Fazal told media that Rangers have been deputed at more than 150 flourmills and godowns of Sindh, including Karachi, for monitoring. Check-posts have also been established to stop smuggling of atta, he maintained.
On the other hand, Frontier Corps have been deputed at more than 65 flourmills and 49 godowns of Balochistan, Inspector-General FC Maj-Gen Salim Nawaz said. Due to strict checking at Pak-Afghan border, he said, the FC foiled a bid to smuggle 180-tonne wheat to Afghanistan.óAgencies
Our Karachi correspondent adds: On the directive of President Pervez Musharraf, Sindh Rangers have been deputed at flourmills and wheat godowns for monitoring.
Spokesman of Sindh Rangers Capt Fazal said a high-level meeting presided over by Director-General, Sindh Rangers, Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali was held at Jinnah Courts on Sunday to take stock of the situation.
Besides, Rangers director-general, the meeting was attended by provincial agriculture secretary and other officials concerned. It was decided that personnel of Rangers would be deployed at godowns to ensure wheat supply to flour mills and in the open market.
It was also decided that Rangers in league with officials of the provincial food department would carry out inspection of flour available in the market so as to prevent supply of substandard quality to consumers.
Moreover, three check-posts would be established at Hub Chowki, Jhampir and Kashmore, to be manned jointly by officials of the food department and Rangers to prevent smuggling of flour to Afghanistan and Iran via Balochistan. The meeting resolved that flour would be sold at officially fixed rates and those selling at exorbitant prices would be taken to task.
The meeting decided that stern action would be initiated against hoarders and profiteers. Sindh Director-General Rangers Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali has called upon masses to extend all possible cooperation to Rangers.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=12280
People are complaining bitterly about a shortage of wheat flour and rising prices of the staple food which the government has blamed on hoarding and smuggling to neighbouring countries. National Disaster Management Authority chief Lt-Gen (retd) Farooq Ahmed Khan said some supplies had been going missing somewhere along the supply chain.
“It seemed there could be something wrong along the chain from warehouses to mills and then to distribution points,” Khan told Reuters. “Basically, we’re providing escorts and will monitor the entire chain so there is no chance of pilferage,” said Khan, whose authority is supervising the monitoring.
Authorities have also been given “special powers” to detain hoarders and smugglers, he said. Khan said wheat stocks were sufficient and he described the flour shortage as “artificial”. The government was monitoring borders to stop flour being smuggled out of the country, he said.
“Within a few days thing should change for the better,” he said. In recent days, angry shoppers have been queuing for hours to get their hands on flour. A top official of the agriculture ministry said the government had sufficient wheat stocks and about 1.5 million tonnes of imported wheat would reach Pakistan by the end of February.
Authorities were releasing more than enough supplies to meet demand, especially from the urban population, Agriculture Secretary Ziaur Rehman. “There’s no shortage. Forty-two thousand tonnes a day is now being released which is more than enough,” Rehman said.
The Federal Food Committee has agreed over substantial increase in quota of wheat supply to provinces and mills to rectify the prevailing flour crisis. “The committee would facilitate and assist provincial governments to manage the prevailing flour crisis and devise measures to rectify the problem of people,” Farooq Ahmed Khan said during meeting of the committee on Sunday.
He said the FFC would also take all four provincial governments into confidence to implement the decision as soon as possible. Presiding over the meeting of the Federal Food Committee, the chairman said law-enforcement agencies are engaged with immediate effect to guard the movement of wheat from storage sites to mills and flour from mills to market.
“All records of distribution of wheat and flour will be maintained in detail by different authorities on daily basis,” he said. Provincial governments have been advised to establish control rooms to monitor the situation and special powers have been given to district administration to ensure execution of all FFC decisions at all levels, he added.
He said a comprehensive strategy has been chalked out for ensuring energy supply to mills, curbs on smuggling and transportation of wheat. The meeting was attended by senior officers from ministries of the interior, railways, water and power, planning and development divisions while representatives of provincial governments, NLC, Rangers, FC, DG utility stores corporation and chairman all Pakistan Flour Mills Associations were also present on the occasion.
Pakistan Rangers took over control of 349 flourmills and 77 wheat godowns in Punjab late Saturday night. Deputy Director General of Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, Brig Kaiser Khan Tareen disclosed this to media men at Rangers Headquarters here on Sunday.
Tareen said Rangers took this initiative on the request of the Federal Food Committee and the Punjab government. Pakistan Rangers would monitor all affairs of the mills ranging from arrival of wheat consignments to mills, its grinding and then transportation and distribution to ensure that it was being reached at right places, he added.
He further said that on receiving any information about mismanagement or smuggling in this regard, the relevant district government would conduct raids under the supervision of Rangers.
All resources including helicopters would be used in the raid to tighten noose around the wheat flour mafia, he maintained. Spokesman of Sindh Rangers Capt Fazal told media that Rangers have been deputed at more than 150 flourmills and godowns of Sindh, including Karachi, for monitoring. Check-posts have also been established to stop smuggling of atta, he maintained.
On the other hand, Frontier Corps have been deputed at more than 65 flourmills and 49 godowns of Balochistan, Inspector-General FC Maj-Gen Salim Nawaz said. Due to strict checking at Pak-Afghan border, he said, the FC foiled a bid to smuggle 180-tonne wheat to Afghanistan.óAgencies
Our Karachi correspondent adds: On the directive of President Pervez Musharraf, Sindh Rangers have been deputed at flourmills and wheat godowns for monitoring.
Spokesman of Sindh Rangers Capt Fazal said a high-level meeting presided over by Director-General, Sindh Rangers, Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali was held at Jinnah Courts on Sunday to take stock of the situation.
Besides, Rangers director-general, the meeting was attended by provincial agriculture secretary and other officials concerned. It was decided that personnel of Rangers would be deployed at godowns to ensure wheat supply to flour mills and in the open market.
It was also decided that Rangers in league with officials of the provincial food department would carry out inspection of flour available in the market so as to prevent supply of substandard quality to consumers.
Moreover, three check-posts would be established at Hub Chowki, Jhampir and Kashmore, to be manned jointly by officials of the food department and Rangers to prevent smuggling of flour to Afghanistan and Iran via Balochistan. The meeting resolved that flour would be sold at officially fixed rates and those selling at exorbitant prices would be taken to task.
The meeting decided that stern action would be initiated against hoarders and profiteers. Sindh Director-General Rangers Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali has called upon masses to extend all possible cooperation to Rangers.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=12280
QUOTE(BaburMissile @ Jan 8 2008, 10:20 AM)
Could this be to divert the attention of the people after the BB crisis and all other s h i t that has been going on lately? After all, stomach has priority... People tend to forget quickly...
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
Bingo! The best way to forget something is to fast.
The private sector is the one hoarding and smuggling, not government policy.
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
That's the main point, we have shortage of businessman ... or rather shortage of businesses which need effort & returns are nominal.
I am sure with the Atta problem now that businessman have realized that they can become rich in a fortnight will lead to them to invest in this.
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
This is our main problem. We do not know the amount of smuggling requirements for Afghanistan. Like presently the govt. should stop all sorts of smuggling of Pakistani wheat / flour into Afghanistan for atleast 3 months period.
Theoritically speaking...aren't these the kinds of situations that make it ripe for retired military officers to begin setting up businesses of their own regarding wheat, flour, etc? Think about it...a local Pakistani brand is run by ex-military personnel - from the agricultural to the industrial processing, all run by ex-soldiers - and they begin selling at good prices and start to eat into companies owned by non-military civilians. Essentially this societal corruption is creating a military or pro-military aristocracy where by sheer will to 'help the nation' a retired officer could 1) start up a healthy firm, 2) buy land from feudals, 3) eventually look to evolve into advanced corporatism.
Mark .. the problem is we don't have people who want to invest in Pakistan. Look at overseas Pakistani businessman .. in U.A.E. just show 1 mega mall owned by a Pakistan, Indians have : Lulu Market, Emirates Market, K.M. Market, Lal's, Choitram, etc. In UAE nobody is discriminating Pakistani businessman .. why than they are not here ! Likewise if we are not opening businesses in Pakistan, of course ex-Military men are opening and earning. Is that a crime ?
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
That's the main point, we have shortage of businessman ... or rather shortage of businesses which need effort & returns are nominal.
I am sure with the Atta problem now that businessman have realized that they can become rich in a fortnight will lead to them to invest in this.
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
This is our main problem. We do not know the amount of smuggling requirements for Afghanistan. Like presently the govt. should stop all sorts of smuggling of Pakistani wheat / flour into Afghanistan for atleast 3 months period.
Theoritically speaking...aren't these the kinds of situations that make it ripe for retired military officers to begin setting up businesses of their own regarding wheat, flour, etc? Think about it...a local Pakistani brand is run by ex-military personnel - from the agricultural to the industrial processing, all run by ex-soldiers - and they begin selling at good prices and start to eat into companies owned by non-military civilians. Essentially this societal corruption is creating a military or pro-military aristocracy where by sheer will to 'help the nation' a retired officer could 1) start up a healthy firm, 2) buy land from feudals, 3) eventually look to evolve into advanced corporatism.
Mark .. the problem is we don't have people who want to invest in Pakistan. Look at overseas Pakistani businessman .. in U.A.E. just show 1 mega mall owned by a Pakistan, Indians have : Lulu Market, Emirates Market, K.M. Market, Lal's, Choitram, etc. In UAE nobody is discriminating Pakistani businessman .. why than they are not here ! Likewise if we are not opening businesses in Pakistan, of course ex-Military men are opening and earning. Is that a crime ?
QUOTE(must7 @ Jan 14 2008, 01:05 PM)
The private sector is the one hoarding and smuggling, not government policy.
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
That's the main point, we have shortage of businessman ... or rather shortage of businesses which need effort & returns are nominal.
I am sure with the Atta problem now that businessman have realized that they can become rich in a fortnight will lead to them to invest in this.
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
This is our main problem. We do not know the amount of smuggling requirements for Afghanistan. Like presently the govt. should stop all sorts of smuggling of Pakistani wheat / flour into Afghanistan for atleast 3 months period.
Theoritically speaking...aren't these the kinds of situations that make it ripe for retired military officers to begin setting up businesses of their own regarding wheat, flour, etc? Think about it...a local Pakistani brand is run by ex-military personnel - from the agricultural to the industrial processing, all run by ex-soldiers - and they begin selling at good prices and start to eat into companies owned by non-military civilians. Essentially this societal corruption is creating a military or pro-military aristocracy where by sheer will to 'help the nation' a retired officer could 1) start up a healthy firm, 2) buy land from feudals, 3) eventually look to evolve into advanced corporatism.
Mark .. the problem is we don't have people who want to invest in Pakistan. Look at overseas Pakistani businessman .. in U.A.E. just show 1 mega mall owned by a Pakistan, Indians have : Lulu Market, Emirates Market, K.M. Market, Lal's, Choitram, etc. In UAE nobody is discriminating Pakistani businessman .. why than they are not here ! Likewise if we are not opening businesses in Pakistan, of course ex-Military men are opening and earning. Is that a crime ?
Yes the mistake was made to trust the private sector, they are obviously not mature enough to be free, they need to be dictated to and it is happening now.
That's the main point, we have shortage of businessman ... or rather shortage of businesses which need effort & returns are nominal.
I am sure with the Atta problem now that businessman have realized that they can become rich in a fortnight will lead to them to invest in this.
PS. I heard that transport vehicles are queuing up even in this time of distress to supply Americanistan a.k.a. Afghuniland… What about our shortage?
This is our main problem. We do not know the amount of smuggling requirements for Afghanistan. Like presently the govt. should stop all sorts of smuggling of Pakistani wheat / flour into Afghanistan for atleast 3 months period.
Theoritically speaking...aren't these the kinds of situations that make it ripe for retired military officers to begin setting up businesses of their own regarding wheat, flour, etc? Think about it...a local Pakistani brand is run by ex-military personnel - from the agricultural to the industrial processing, all run by ex-soldiers - and they begin selling at good prices and start to eat into companies owned by non-military civilians. Essentially this societal corruption is creating a military or pro-military aristocracy where by sheer will to 'help the nation' a retired officer could 1) start up a healthy firm, 2) buy land from feudals, 3) eventually look to evolve into advanced corporatism.
Mark .. the problem is we don't have people who want to invest in Pakistan. Look at overseas Pakistani businessman .. in U.A.E. just show 1 mega mall owned by a Pakistan, Indians have : Lulu Market, Emirates Market, K.M. Market, Lal's, Choitram, etc. In UAE nobody is discriminating Pakistani businessman .. why than they are not here ! Likewise if we are not opening businesses in Pakistan, of course ex-Military men are opening and earning. Is that a crime ?
Must, no point in complaining about non entry of Pakistani business people, they all enter when it suits them. If there is a market there why don't you try something? I mean after all, it is PDF members who will lead the rest of Pakistan to resolve its problems.
QUOTE(must7 @ Jan 14 2008, 08:05 AM)
Mark .. the problem is we don't have people who want to invest in Pakistan. Look at overseas Pakistani businessman .. in U.A.E. just show 1 mega mall owned by a Pakistan, Indians have : Lulu Market, Emirates Market, K.M. Market, Lal's, Choitram, etc. In UAE nobody is discriminating Pakistani businessman .. why than they are not here ! Likewise if we are not opening businesses in Pakistan, of course ex-Military men are opening and earning. Is that a crime ?
That is the issue...no non-military person is going to do good business, hence the ex-military men take up the task - and at the end of the day get blamed for the lacking ability of civilians! I think the military is the one institution that could guide Pakistan through an industrial transition so long as there is a proper civilian political outfit to manage policy and politics - while the military deals with the technical issues of infrastructure and energy.
Must, no point in complaining about non entry of Pakistani business people, they all enter when it suits them. If there is a market there why don't you try something? I mean after all, it is PDF members who will lead the rest of Pakistan to resolve its problems.
Wing Commander .. I fully agree with what you say but you do realize that I take problem at face value without accusing finger at any one as it is human nature to earn from the suffering of others.
I reply back only when people put each & every problem of common life on the working of the govt. .. That's when I point out that if anybody wants to start the blame game, than it should be the businessman who are actually not only hoarding but not going into business.
I have not done business since day one, and every time I tried business ventures in UAE or Pakistan it was a flop, suppose I am in the working class category. Again .. it this type of attitude (like mine) which bodes not well on our business ventures, but on my mistakes I would not like to call the govt. bad.
Wing Commander .. I fully agree with what you say but you do realize that I take problem at face value without accusing finger at any one as it is human nature to earn from the suffering of others.
I reply back only when people put each & every problem of common life on the working of the govt. .. That's when I point out that if anybody wants to start the blame game, than it should be the businessman who are actually not only hoarding but not going into business.
I have not done business since day one, and every time I tried business ventures in UAE or Pakistan it was a flop, suppose I am in the working class category. Again .. it this type of attitude (like mine) which bodes not well on our business ventures, but on my mistakes I would not like to call the govt. bad.
you cannot blame government for everything, our people blame their lack of prospects on governments when its up to all of us to take charge of our own destiny.
Must, if you have not been successful in business ventures, I will let you into a secret. every failed venture I bet taught you invaluable lessons.
In the US if you want a bank loan, they look at your history, if you have 2 or 3 failed businesses behind you, you're actually more liekly to get the money! The reason for this is you have more experience and having learnt from past mistakes, are therefore more likely to succeed. something too many of have never understood properly. Eventually persistence succeeds.
Must, if you have not been successful in business ventures, I will let you into a secret. every failed venture I bet taught you invaluable lessons.
In the US if you want a bank loan, they look at your history, if you have 2 or 3 failed businesses behind you, you're actually more liekly to get the money! The reason for this is you have more experience and having learnt from past mistakes, are therefore more likely to succeed. something too many of have never understood properly. Eventually persistence succeeds.
Must, if you have not been successful in business ventures, I will let you into a secret. every failed venture I bet taught you invaluable lessons.
In the US if you want a bank loan, they look at your history, if you have 2 or 3 failed businesses behind you, you're actually more liekly to get the money! The reason for this is you have more experience and having learnt from past mistakes, are therefore more likely to succeed. something too many of have never understood properly. Eventually persistence succeeds.
Wing Commander : I remember an old English definition of words written by an learned person " Experience : (Definition) What grown up people call their past losses" ! hahaha.
Past ventures has surely tought me that I cannot do work & get involved in business at the same time. It has to be 100% business or 100% employment. Also in business one must manage and operate the business yourself, there is no "doosray kay kandhay per rukh ker goli chalana!" ... It is simple as that ...... and I prefer (as the French saying) to "eat an egg today rather than wait to eat the chicken which got hatched from this egg"!
Coming back on the topic "Atta" ...
The Afghans are now closing all trades with Pakistan because we are trying to cater to our own needs ! ... Nashukray Afghan. What happened to their happiness on destruction in Pakistan !
I think we should start on a system that if Afghanistan closes it's border for 1 day .. we should receiprocate the closure for 2 days i.e; multiply X 2 for any days closed.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/01/16/top8.htm
Kabul closes border over wheat ban
By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Jan 15: Afghanistan closed its border with Pakistan on Tuesday, stopping all kind of traffic and movement of people.
The Afghan border authorities suddenly closed the Friendship Gate at Chaman and deployed extra army personnel.
They said the border would remain closed for an indefinite period.
Afghan border commander at Spin Buldak Abdul Raziq Panjsheri said various cities and towns in southern Afghanistan were facing an acute shortage of flour after wheat and flour supply from Pakistan was stopped.
He said the situation would worsen if the ban was not lifted.
“Border with Pakistan at Chaman would remain closed till the decision to ban the supply of wheat and flour is withdrawn,” he said.
Hundreds of trucks and other vehicles carrying various goods, other than wheat and flour, were struck on both sides of the border.
Fuel supply to Nato forces was also suspended as dozens of oil tankers were also stopped at Chaman.
Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan businessmen in Vesh and Chaman could not cross the border.
Frontier Corps IG Maj-Gen Saleem Nawaz said the Afghan officials closed the border because the FC had stopped smuggling of wheat and flour and the Pakistan government had also stopped their export through private channels.
“We will not allow smuggling and export of wheat and flour to Afghanistan at any cost,” he said, adding the decision had been taken in view of shortage of wheat and flour in the country.
“Our own people are not getting enough flour due to its smuggling across the border,” Gen Nawaz said, adding that the FC was allowing supply of wheat by the World Food Programme to Afghanistan.
He said the supply of wheat sent by the Pakistan government under its commitment to Kabul was not being stopped.
“The Afghan government has not informed us about the closing of its border,” the IG said.
It is learnt that the price of wheat has gone up manifold in southern Afghanistan.
In the US if you want a bank loan, they look at your history, if you have 2 or 3 failed businesses behind you, you're actually more liekly to get the money! The reason for this is you have more experience and having learnt from past mistakes, are therefore more likely to succeed. something too many of have never understood properly. Eventually persistence succeeds.
Wing Commander : I remember an old English definition of words written by an learned person " Experience : (Definition) What grown up people call their past losses" ! hahaha.
Past ventures has surely tought me that I cannot do work & get involved in business at the same time. It has to be 100% business or 100% employment. Also in business one must manage and operate the business yourself, there is no "doosray kay kandhay per rukh ker goli chalana!" ... It is simple as that ...... and I prefer (as the French saying) to "eat an egg today rather than wait to eat the chicken which got hatched from this egg"!
Coming back on the topic "Atta" ...
The Afghans are now closing all trades with Pakistan because we are trying to cater to our own needs ! ... Nashukray Afghan. What happened to their happiness on destruction in Pakistan !
I think we should start on a system that if Afghanistan closes it's border for 1 day .. we should receiprocate the closure for 2 days i.e; multiply X 2 for any days closed.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/01/16/top8.htm
Kabul closes border over wheat ban
By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Jan 15: Afghanistan closed its border with Pakistan on Tuesday, stopping all kind of traffic and movement of people.
The Afghan border authorities suddenly closed the Friendship Gate at Chaman and deployed extra army personnel.
They said the border would remain closed for an indefinite period.
Afghan border commander at Spin Buldak Abdul Raziq Panjsheri said various cities and towns in southern Afghanistan were facing an acute shortage of flour after wheat and flour supply from Pakistan was stopped.
He said the situation would worsen if the ban was not lifted.
“Border with Pakistan at Chaman would remain closed till the decision to ban the supply of wheat and flour is withdrawn,” he said.
Hundreds of trucks and other vehicles carrying various goods, other than wheat and flour, were struck on both sides of the border.
Fuel supply to Nato forces was also suspended as dozens of oil tankers were also stopped at Chaman.
Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan businessmen in Vesh and Chaman could not cross the border.
Frontier Corps IG Maj-Gen Saleem Nawaz said the Afghan officials closed the border because the FC had stopped smuggling of wheat and flour and the Pakistan government had also stopped their export through private channels.
“We will not allow smuggling and export of wheat and flour to Afghanistan at any cost,” he said, adding the decision had been taken in view of shortage of wheat and flour in the country.
“Our own people are not getting enough flour due to its smuggling across the border,” Gen Nawaz said, adding that the FC was allowing supply of wheat by the World Food Programme to Afghanistan.
He said the supply of wheat sent by the Pakistan government under its commitment to Kabul was not being stopped.
“The Afghan government has not informed us about the closing of its border,” the IG said.
It is learnt that the price of wheat has gone up manifold in southern Afghanistan.
don't equate Karzai with all Afghans, as one report said, his remit extends only to the doors of his office.
there is little point in us antognising Afghanistan, we have enough problems to deal with currently. lets hope the closure will resolve the Atta issue.
there is little point in us antognising Afghanistan, we have enough problems to deal with currently. lets hope the closure will resolve the Atta issue.
QUOTE(BaburMissile @ Jan 4 2008, 01:50 PM)
Those are also the questions that are buzzing through my head...
Because we have a big industry in EXPORTING our agricultural produce, and we import less of it in return. I was seeing in Geo the other day (or ARY was it?) that one of the regional ministers was saying that they will build another dam to combat the shortages of flour as well as electricity. While these are now in the LONG RUN, short term solutions such as to import the flour from countries such as Russia, the African continent, and South American continent is very necessary. But I would not advice any agricultural imports from Western Europe or North America as majority of their produce is genetically modified, and thus possibilities of massive health risks.
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