Uncles Kerry and Lugar

Amidst the debate whether or not to accept the Kerry-Lugar Bill, in the light of whether we can manage without their aid tied to this bill, here are some interesting figures:

The annual US aid of $1.5 billion, or $1,500,000,000 at Rs.83 to the dollar, amounts to Rs.124,500,000,000, or Rs.124.5 billion. The total projected tax collection for the present financial year is estimated at Rs.1.2 trillion (or Rs.1,200 billion). So this aid is only about 10.4% of our total tax collection. Those who claim that this is peanuts are not incorrect. Cannot this amount be made good by the FBR shunning their corruption & ensuring that all who are liable, including the feudal agriculturists, honestly pay their taxes according to law as legislated in the National Assembly passing the Finance Bill?

It is estimated that Pakistan has a tax potential of not less than Rs.3 trillion if all pay honestly. See the report by Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq, available in website:

http://huzaimaikram.com/download/Yet%20another%20hopeless%20document.pdf

This is a MUST READ as it also contains other important information on our nation’s woes.

Re: # 7
mushafir....
I have said from USA viewpoint...

Related to India, India do business with USA, but USA benefits more from it....In the area of military, India has very less dependence on USA and in fact, while USA is blocking sell of advanced weapon systems to Pakistan, US companies are trying to setup joint manufacturing with Indian companies to enter Indian market...At some point, being a good market and with reasonably well manpower resource, India dicatates over USA than the vice versa....Pakistan is not exactly in the same scenario now....
I object to the attitude of Pakistanis, when you take dole, cheat the donor, and then complaint about USA for not promoting Pakistan to the stature of India and whetvere problem Pakistan faces on this earth....
Can you tell us, why USA will not treat Pakistan as slave and not partner?

Re: # 8

" He cautioned that “we should not play to cheap galleries here”. He aslo said, “if you don’t want the money, say so. We’re not forcing you to take it”. In todays Dawn


So its a charity after all...

Re: # 7
mussafir...
the moment Pakistan cheated the donor US, Pakistan lost any right for further dole. You should be thankful to US rather than....

Re: # 6 Apollo
I think you missed the point of the article. Please read the whole article again, and not just the first and last paragraph. My contention is that people like Shakir Husain et al. who think this bill and the resulting aid is nothing less than Manna from heaven for the common people of Pakistan. I am not even discussing the clauses or sections of the bill, let alone think of them as offending. All I am saying is, and I will try to be brief for brevity's sake, is that this is a deal and Pakistan has every right to haggle over the conditions and money. Don't try to make it sound like charity or a favor. First rule of capitalism, you don't get something for nothing. Shortly, Kerry will go back and a small statement will be released to the press that all 'reservations' have been addressed to the full satisfaction of all the parties concerned and lets get on with the business of clearing out the 'Miscreants'.

And to answer your question about accepting a conditional gift from your neighbor, fortunately, I have never been in such a situation hence honestly, I don't know what I would have done, however I have witnessed people who would not trade in their honor for a piece of meat or a peace of legislation for that matter. But again, please read the article again, this talk of honor and pride is out of place and has nothing to do with the art of haggling and negotiating the best deal possible.
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Re: # 2 Sidhu
If Pakistan were worth nothing to uncle Sam, Sen Kerry would not have rushed to Islamabad to pacify the civilian government and Gen Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command doing the same at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. You seem like the kind of Indian that relishes in the thought that Pakistan is suffering at the hands of the monster it had created. There is no dignity in lashing out at someone who is already down on his luck. Trust me, times change, circumstances change. Pakistan will emerge from this muck sooner or later. However, there will come a time when you too will realize the price of your courtship with the only super power of the time when uncle Sam comes collecting on it's favors it is showering on your country right now. Some in your country have already realized this on the horizon, but no one is paying them any attention.
www.raastah.com

If the author and his kids were starving for days, he would agree to almost every stipulation attached with the meat.
Fortunately it is not meat. It is a piece of legislation. Here it is!!!
((http://lugar.senate.gov/sfrc/pdf/Pakistan.pdf))

Please advise what sections do you have a problem with?

yeah it does, doesn't it .. my condolences to you and your comrades.

Re: # 3
bhs...
truth hurts.....

Sid ...

Such emotions are a danger to your health early morning !!!

Sit down, have some "karak chai" and watch Zee Music. That will be good for your health :)

Musaafir...
Pakistan don't worth a penny...If Uncle Sam is paying you to change your course of action, then it is their generousity...Pakistan deservs severe punishment,not dole....

I have never seen an american senator proposing a bill and THEN fly to that country within days in order for that country to sign it. you cannot help feeling the sense of urgency.

we already paid heavily for "F16-Bill", let's see what we will pay dearly for this bill, looks like a "Kill-Bill".