Tazeen Akhtar
Mohsin Naqvi, formerly correspondant of CNN in Pakistan and later to the astonishment for many, the owner of two B class Tv Channels is now sorting out the most complicated matters in Pakistan thanks to his connections with the most powerful person of the country that is no secret and everyone knows it. First he was appointed Caretaker Chief Minister of the largest province and later incharg of all security departments of the state as Interior Minister without elected and later made Senator to fill the legal gap only.
He was in Karachi where he held meetings with the big businessmen. His conversations there speak a lot about the constraints one page government troica is facing to prepare the next budget despite all anti public steps taken so far in shape of petroleum electricity M-tag, other taxes. The tall claims of economic stability can also be seen in the same perspective.
He said , ” We know 100 billion dollars have been sent abroad from Pakistan in 3 years. “
He said, ” We can investigate everything by picking up two three people.”
He said, ” Ok it is gone but now we ask you to bring back at least 2–30 % or 10 billion dollar at least.”
What does it mean ?
It means you are actually threatening the business community and seeking 10 billion dollars support from them for upcoming budget.
It means you and your one page government troica are accomplices to this money laundering outside the country. That because you know the crime and you know who to arrest for investigation but you are not arresting and investigating and you have closed your eyes. How a minister incharg for upholding the law can state such thing so easily?
It means you can not take actions against the big guns and your law enforcement is only for commoners as we see at the airports where young job seekers are not allowed to take flights despite having valid visas and documents.
It means you are not acting as per law and you have different standards for the people of different levels.
It means the officials of the departments under your control are fully involved in this huge money laundering and you have no check and balance in the law enforcing agencies of Ministery of Interior of Pakistan.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Federation House in Karachi, he said ;
The government would facilitate the business community but at least give this one gesture over the next three months, before the budget and then see what happens. It is not tedious. You have to go online and use an app. Pakistan offered strong returns on investment. He said that if the business community took this one step, it would compel the government to take more measures in their interests.
“So, before the budget, bring back $10 billion … This is easily possible,” he said.
In his address, he also said that a proposal for a separate passport for businessmen would be shared with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif soon.We have almost prepared a proposal … which will be taken to the prime minister soon,” he said. He said that “genuine businessmen” face visa issues, highlighting China, the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom as their priority destinations.
He said that everyone inadvertently suffered when certain people tried to acquire visas through illegal means.“We thought a lot about what to do about this … Let’s see what the cabinet approves and what feedback the prime minister gives. But we are taking this proposal for which we have taken all these countries on board for issuing a separate visa for businessmen,” he said.
“The passport will be [used] for a limited extent with the authorities having knowledge of tax return, the extent of business [and] related information,” he said, adding that it may have between 100 to 150 requirements as well as a fee.Explaining the benefits of such a passport, he said the embassies would know that the passport holders were genuine businessmen. He asserted that the document would be issued after complete verification. He also said that separate counters would be established for the passport holders at airports.
Highlighting governance reforms, Naqvi said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would be made more business-friendly, stressing that the entire business community should not suffer due to the actions of a small minority. However, he warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in illegal money transfers.
He acknowledged concerns regarding the role of money changers, stating that several major transaction groups in Karachi had already been identified and would face action without leniency.
Lets see when this action is taken. It seems hard because the money changers are main facilitators for money laundering abroad for not only few persons but for all including who are sitting in government and in departments and in security agencies. This is no secret in this country. Money changers are hands in glove with all power corridors of the country. Laundering 100 and returning 10 is the only law enforcement that is nothing more than a hoodwink only.
