See What Cyber Crime Law Can Do to You – A Must Read for Every Internet User in Pakistan!

Cyber Crime bill, that has been approved by National Assembly’s standing committee on Information Technology, is now likely to be presented in National Assembly for approval to soon become a law of the land.

Once passed in National Assembly, the cyber crime bill will become a law and would be used against any Pakistani within Pakistani boundaries for prosecution.

Why Such a Hurry in Passing the Bill?

While a framework for cyber crime laws should have been made decades ago, processing it in such a haste raises some questions that should concern every citizen of Pakistan.

Before we dissect the the bill in parts to help you better understand the problems, it is important to note that NA’s standing committee approved the bill within a few hours after the critics raised their voice.

Moreover, standing committee’s representation included only PML(N) members. 14 PML(N) members out of a total of 20 members of the committee were present and approved the bill without objecting anything, while five out of six remaining members from other parties didn’t participate in the meeting.

Yes, we know that government has every way of proving that other members were invited but they couldn’t make it to one of the most important meetings of the year — we know how it works for government offices — but the fact of the matter is that Standing Committee’s approval for Cyber Crime bill doesn’t represent any party other than PML(N), which is more or less like dictatorship.

This hurriedness is alarming.

Touching a Phone, or Hitting a Keystroke can Put You Behind the Bars for Six Months!

The bill, as a a whole is decidedly ambiguous and incomplete. Let me explain how.

Let’s have a look at section 3, which says:

Whoever with malicious intent gains unauthorized access to any information system or data shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with both.

The term “Malicious” is very vague. No one bothered to define it and I am not sure what things are malicious and what are not — but what I know is that I can be put behind the bars for six months for just touching a phone by mistake.

Moreover, anyone can call my intents malicious, meaning that I am on the fence already.

Unauthorized access — by mistake for example — without resulting into any harm is punishable as well. That’s just as simple as clicking keystroke of your boss’s computer — who can get you convicted for accessing his/her laptop with malicious intent.

If you are Unlucky, Touching a Phone can Get You Behind the Bars for Three Years Too!

If you were thinking that six months for touching a phone was too much, then you were wrong. Touching a phone can in fact get you three years of imprisonment or a million rupees in fine if you are up against a minister.

So here’s the corresponding section you should look at:

Unauthorized access to critical infrastructure information system or data: Whoever with malicious intent gains unauthorized access to any critical infrastructure information system or data shall be punished with imprisonment upto three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.

If you are wondering what this “Critical Infrastructure” is, then here’s how it is defined in the bill:

“critical infrastructure” includes the infrastructures so designated by any Government in Pakistan and such other assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the State or its organs including judicature that their incapacitation or destruction may have a debilitating effect on national security, economy, public health,safety or matters related thereto;

So evidently, touching any thing related to government can cause you 5X damage.

If you think I am exaggerating things a little then you might be right actually, but I am just trying to explain the worst case scenarios. And trust me, they are as dangerous as I am telling you.

Note: ProPakistani wants unauthorized accesses to get punished. All we want is more clarity on this “Malicious” thing and a guarantee that how this “Intent” thing won’t be used against a common man.

Hacking a Government Website Can Get you Behind the Bars for 14 Years and/or Rs. 50 Million Fine

So if you used to hack government websites in past, just don’t dare to do that again. Otherwise you can be put in jail for 14 years along with Rs. 50 Millions in Fine. Below are the corresponding sections for you!

Section 5: Unauthorized access to critical infrastructure information system or data:

Whoever with malicious intent gains unauthorized access to any critical infrastructure information system or data shall be punished with imprisonment upto three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.

Section 7: Criminal Interference with critical infrastructure information system or data:

Whoever with malicious intent and without authorization interferes with or damages, or causes to be inferred with or damaged, any critical information system or any part thereof, or critical infrastructure data or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or with fine which may extend to five million rupees or with both.

Section 8: Cyber terrorism:

Whoever commits or threatens to commit any of the offences under sections 5 and 7 where:

(a) the use or threat is designed to coerce, intimidate, overawe or create a sense of fear, panic or insecurity in the Government or the public or a section of the public or community or sect or create a sense of fear or insecurity in society; or

(b) the use or threat is made for the purpose or motive of advancing a religious, ethnic or sectarian cause; shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with fine which may extend to fifty million rupees or with both.

You Can be Randomly Picked Up by LEAs

Since we are discussing the worst case scenarios, if LEAs think you are are monster then you can be picked up by the officer, any time of the day — with a warrant from court without proving anything.

Read corresponding section yourself:

Section 24: No warrant, arrest, search, seizure or other power not provided for in the Act:

(1) No person whether a police officer, investigation officer or otherwise, other than an investigating officer of the special investigation agency shall investigate an offence under this Act:

Provided that the Federal Government or the Provincial Government may, as the case may be, constitute joint investigation team comprising of the officers of special investigation agency and any other law enforcement agency including Police for investigation of events involving commission of offences under this Act and any other law for the time being in force.

(2) No person other than a prosecutor designated as such by the special investigating agency shall prosecute any offence under this Act.

LEAs Can Come and Confiscate Your Laptop/Mobile or anything They Want 

Yes, you read it right. Below is corresponding section:

Section 25: Expedited Preservation of data.

(1) If an investigating officer is satisfied that

(a) data stored in any information system or by means of an information system, is reasonably required for the purposes of a criminal investigation; and

(b) there is a risk or vulnerability that the data may be modified, lost, destroyed or rendered inaccessible, the investigating officer may, by written notice given to a person in control of the information system, require the person to ensure that the data specified in the notice be preserved and the integrity thereof is maintained for a period not exceeding ninety days as specified in the notice.

(2) The period provided in sub-section (1) for preservation of data may be extended by the Magistrate if so deemed necessary upon receipt of an application from the investigating officer in this behalf.

Your Website Can Get Blocked, if Someone Thinks its immoral!

As you might know, ProPakistani has favored blocked blasphemous and anti-state content. But with this law, any website that PTA might not like can get blocked.

Here are reason that PTA can give to block a website if its content is:

• Against Islam or its integrity,
• Against security or defence of Pakistan
• Against friendly relations with foreign states
• Against a public order
• If content is indecent or immoral
• Or if it incites an offence

Theoretically speaking, PTA will be able to block any content on internet — without asking anyone. And no one would be able to challenge PTA in the courts as they will have a law to defend them.

Below is corresponding section from the bill:

Section 31: Power to issue directions for removal or blocking of access of any intelligence through any information system:

(1) The Authority or any officer authorised by it in this behalf may direct anyservice provider, to remove any intelligence or block access to such intelligence, if it considers it necessary in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission of or incitement to an offence.

(2) The Federal Government may prescribe rules for adoption of standards and procedure by the Authority to monitor and block access and entertain complaints under this section.

(3) Until such procedure and standards are prescribed, the Authority shall monitor and block intelligence in accordance with the directions issued by the Federal Government.

Spamming Can Cause You a Fine of Rs. 1 Million

There are many spammers in out country. Individuals and even the multi national companies (Like Daraz, Nokia, Qatar Airways, HP Pakistan etc.) send (or used to send) spam emails. If you are one such person then you can fined up to Rs. 1 million.

So this is a hard time coming up, stop spamming right away.

While I think that spamming should be penalized, Bolo Bhi believes that spamming shouldn’t be included in the bill as an offence. Farieha Aziz, director Bolo Bhi, told me that the proportionality of damage done through spamming isn’t in proportion to the fine and there are other ways of blocking spam such as tightening privacy laws so that emails aren’t shared with the spammers.

Publishing a Meme on Facebook can Fine you With Rs. 1 Million

Arsalan (from Comics by Arsalan) and our other similar friends this is for you: Close your pages and start doing something else, but not comics. Because in Pakistan this law, when passed, will get you behind the bars or a fine of up to Rs. 1 million for creating and publishing memes.

Check below section for your satisfaction:

Section 18: Offences against dignity of natural person

(1) Whoever dishonestly and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any false electronic communication, which is likely to harm or intimidate the reputation or privacy of a natural person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine up to one million rupees or with both.

Provided, nothing under this sub-section(1) shall apply to anything aired by a broadcast media or distribution service licensed under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 (XIII of 2002)

(2) Any aggrieved person or his guardian, where such person is a minor may apply to the Court for passing of such orders for removal, destruction or blocking access to such material referred to in subsection

(1) and the Court on receipt of such application may pass such orders as deemed proper for securing, destroying, blocking access or preventing transmission of such material.

So naturally, all memes, cartoon or caricatures are going to get forbidden in the land of the pure.

Publishing a Picture of Nawaz Sharif can Fine you with up to Rs. 1 Million

No more trolling on the internet again. Yes, publishing the pictures of anyone with their consent or knowledge can get you behind the bars for two good years and/or with a fine of up to Rs. 1 Million

Below is the corresponding section in the bill:

Cyber stalking

(1) Whoever with the intent to coerce or intimidate or harass any person uses information system, information system network, the Internet, website, electronic mail or any other similar means of communication to:

• communicate obscene, vulgar, contemptuous, or indecent intelligence; or
• make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature; or
• threaten any illegal or immoral act; or
• take or distribute picture or photograph of any person without his consent or knowledge; or
• display or distribute information in a manner that substantially increases the risk of harm or
• violence to any person, commits the offence of cyber stalking.

(2) Whoever commits the offence specified in sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine up to one million rupees, or with both:

Provided that if the victim of the cyber stalking under sub-section (1) is a minor the punishment may extend to five years or with fine upto ten million rupees, or with both.

(3) Any person may apply to the Court for issuance of a restraining order against an accused of cyber stalking and the Court upon receipt of such application may pass such order as deemed fit in the circumstances of the case including an order for removal or destruction of, or blocking access to, such material.

The Core Focus is to Curb Digital Media (While Exempting Print and Electronic Media)

Interestingly, section 18 mentioned above (that imposes a fine of Rs. 1 Million for publishing memes) isn’t applicable for Electronic or Print media. Here’s the clause that says so:

Provided, nothing under this sub-section(1) shall apply to anything aired by a broadcast media or distribution service licensed under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 (XIII of 2002)

So if you are print media or an electronic media then publishing memes is okay. In such situation, what kind of law is this? Where same thing is lawful for one and unlawful for another?

Proportionality of Crime and Punishments are Senseless

Industry stake holders say that the proportionality of crimes defined and the corresponding punishments are simply mindless. For example if a kid hacks a website then he can be sent into jail for 14 years — which is way beyond common sense.

Industry is calling for more rational approach towards punishments, especially in Pakistan where corruption and lawlessness is at its peak. There must be some safeguards in place to make sure that politicians aren’t given a free hand to use the law against innocent citizens.

If passed in its current form (which is expected to be much worse than the version we produced above), it will impact everyone (individuals, businesses, media etc.) in a big way. This needs urgent attention as bill can be passed in a speedy manner through the National Assembly.

How to Stop this Bill

Raise your voice. That’s the only thing that can make a difference. Flood your Facebook and Twitter feeds. Make yourself heard by the law-makers as they are the ones who are confining your freedom.

Do this today, as tomorrow it may get too late!

Go ahead and share this page on your Facebook walls! Become a part in stopping this bill!

Cybercrime bill: Bored teens, ethical hackers can end up in jail

ISLAMABAD: 

Ignoring all reservations of the citizens’ Joint Action Committee on Cyber Crime Bill 2015, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication adopted the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015 on Thursday and referred it to parliament for the final nod.

If the parliament approves the “controversial” bill, then on the one hand white-hat (ethical) hackers and bored teenagers venturing into the illegal activity can end up in jail, and on the other, the officials investigating electronic crimes will be granted omnipotence with no checks and balances whatsoever on their actions.

The parliamentary panel was supposed to deliberate on the bill on Thursday, but majority of the members did not care to turn up to the meeting. This paved the way for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) legislators to grill all the critics of the bill, which include the media, internet service providers, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

Anusha Rahman, Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecom, told The Express Tribune that the perception that the legislation was not transparent or that there wasn’t much consultation behind it was wrong. “Safeguards have been ensured against any possible misuse. There is no substance in the criticism on the legislation.” She said that once the legislation is passed, Pakistan would succeed in winning over Google to launch a localised version of the video-sharing website YouTube.

Farieha Aziz, Director of not-for-profit Bolo Bhi, disagrees. “The draft bill in its current form will seriously impact the internet users, ICT (information and communications technology) industry, print and electronic media, academics, researchers, legal community and ordinary citizens – particularly the educated youth.”

PML-N MNAs, however, were all praise for the bill. Tallal Chaudry said: “We should trust in our institutions that they will not misuse this new legislation.” Capt (retd) Mohammad Safdar took a different course: “There is no concept of freedom except which is defined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.” As for Maj (retd) Tahir Iqbal, he said the legislation was perfect. “Only one out of 100 officers would misuse this law.”

The only legislator in the meeting who did not belong to the PML-N was Ali Raza Abidi of the MQM. He raised a few objections regarding various sections of the proposed legislation, but the PML-N members seemed to be in a hurry to approve the draft bill.

Under the bill, political criticism and political expression in the form of analysis, commentary, blogs, cartoons, caricatures, memes, etc have been criminalised; white-hat hackers, hobbyists, people who hack for academic purposes to identify security flaws in systems, or teenagers who, albeit wrongly, deface websites for recreation could end up getting convicted as cyber terrorists.

The committee believes that in its current form, the draft bill would not counter crime or terrorism. Moreover, it feels that by removing checks and balances on investigation agencies, the authorities would be granted omnipotence.  

Fourth Ladies fund Entrepreneurship Conference: successful entrepreneurs share experiences with audiences

The successful male and female entrepreneurs have shared their experiences with the audiences at 4th Ladiesfund Entrepreneurship Conference (LEC 2013). The LEC-2013 was held at a local hotel here on Saturday with the joint efforts of Dawood Global Foundation (DGF), Higher Education Commission (HEC), French Consulate, German Consulate, Indonesian Consulate, British Deputy High Commission, Turkish Consulate, Honorary Moroccan Consulate and Ozygin University Turkey. 

The LEC 2013 was a milestone event for Pakistan that attracted a big number of people including women entrepreneurs, male and female students, dignitaries, international delegates and media who gathered to hear the inside scoop to success from people who have innovated and changed their industries. 

This year's theme was "Game Changers," and the event featured speakers from Turkey, France, Germany, Indonesia, UK and Switzerland, as well as the best of local entrepreneurship. Sherry Rehman gave the Keynote address, former UK First Lady Cherie Blair sent a special video message saying she had fond memories of her visit to Pakistan and wished to come again, pop star Zoe Viccaji sang the National Anthem along with her band. 

The day was filled with cutting-edge panels, interactive workshops, educational presentations, and theatre performance by Nida Butt, Yoga Stretch Break by Jeanette Faruqueand Indonesian cultural dance by Indonesian delegates. The event was a fundraiser for women empowerment in Pakistan and in particular vocational scholarships for grassroots girls for media studies at the Institute of Journalism as part of Ladiesfund Educate a 1000 girls programme. 

There were three panels: How to Start, Pitching for Finance and Global Game Changers. The first panel, how to start, consisted of Nida Butt, Muriel de Saint Saveur (France), Masarrat Misbah and was moderated by Rohan Malik. The second panel, pitching for finance had Cherie Faiella and Masood Lohar as panelists with Zeenat Saeed Ahmed as moderator. The third panel, Global Game Changers, included Dr Diana Kisro-Warnecke (Germany), Indri Bachitiar (Indonesia) and Imge Sabanci (Turkey) as panelists and was moderated by Shahrukh Hasan. The Speakers included Ameena Saiyid, Yasin Paracha, Hasnain Raza Laddu Bhai whose sessions were moderated by British Deputy High Commissioner John Tucknott, MD Gillette Saad Khan and MD HOM Moidul Hasan respectively. 

Amin Hashwani gave a presentation on Business Beyond Borders and Kamal Faridi gave an educational presentation on Social Media Obama 2012 Campaign in which he shared his experiences. Ladiesfund International Fellowship to China was presented to Alina Makhani by Deputy Chinese Consul General Pan Qingjiang with a special video message from Alina who was in China. Nazneen Tariq Khan and Shanaz Ramzi, donors of Ladiesfund Vocational Scholarships, were on hand to meet the winners, while DGF presented the cheques. LADIESFUND former Student Ambassadors from 10 universities across Pakistan ensured a diverse and gung ho crowd. 

Ladies Fund brings world to Pakistan

KARACHI: The German Consulate, Indonesian Consulate, British Deputy High Commission, Turkish Consulate, honorary Moroccan consulate and Ozygin University Turkey came together to hold the 4 Entrepreneurship Conference (LEC 2013) on Saturday. 

The event was a fundraiser for women empowerment in Pakistan and in particular vocational scholarships for grassroots girls for media studies at the Institute of Journalism as part of the Ladies Fund Educate a 1,000 Girls Programme.

LEC 2013 was a milestone event for Pakistan that attracted well over 400 VIPs, women entrepreneurs, male and female students, dignitaries, international delegates and media who gathered to hear the inside scoop to success from people who have innovated and changed their industries. 

This year’s theme was ‘Game Changers’, and the event featured speakers from Turkey, France, Germany, Indonesia, UK and Switzerland, as well as the best of local entrepreneurship. 

Sherry Rehman, former UK First Lady Cherie Blair recorded their sentiments, pop star Zoe Viccaji sang the National Anthem along with her band.

Amin Hashwani gave a presentation on Business Beyond Borders and Kamal Faridi gave an educational presentation on Social Media Obama 2012 Campaign in which he shared his experience. Special guests were Senator Nasreen Jalil and Khushbakht Shujat.

Atlas Asset Management surprised Zeenat Saeed Ahmed with trophy and flowers in appreciation of her journey as a woman entrepreneur who was a role model for other women.

LadiesFund International Fellowship to China was presented to Alina Makhani by Deputy Chinese Consul General Pan Qingjiang. 

LadiesFund Bachelors Scholarships for Vocational Scholarships to grassroots girls were presented for studies at Institute of Journalism. Dawood Global Foundation presented the cheques. There were stalls from sponsors including IBEX-a TRG Company, Meezan Asset Management Ltd, Indonesian Consulate, Atlas Asset Management and M S Collections and AKD Securities sponsored first teabreak. 

LEC 2013 is organised by Dawood Global Foundation in partnership with the Higher Education Commission, French, German, Indonesia, British and honorary Moroccan consulates.

Rape Instinct or Rape by Fault

Mama and Baba, can we go back to home? You know I am scared. I am in terrible pain – why can’t I speak? This is unfathomable for me. I am uncharacteristically nervous! I want to become free – I want to be safe.

After finding myself in the hospital bed, I tried to change my direction several times, wanting to hold my teddy bear back and wanting to stand up, but I found it a terrible and painstaking task. Whenever some time passes while I am awake, an auntie in a white dress injects something in my drip and then things gradually become blurry and I fall asleep. However, since last week, I want to tell mama about the pain, about my nightmares but I do not know why I cannot talk. My uncles and aunts used to call me a chatterbox. This time I planned to ask the nurse to not inject any liquid in my drip because whenever I sleep I see a group of haunting large men who are chasing me, ripping my teddy bear which grandma gave me on my fifth birthday, this year. No doubt, teddy has lost its original color but I still prefer to place it with me before going to sleep.

Whenever I cry and tears drip down I can feel that the itch on my cheeks is becoming intense day by day. The terrible thing is that I want to move but I cannot. My arms and legs have become heavy. I cannot even lift them. I silently watch when doctor comes; when my mama sobs in front of me, when baba just nods in front of the doctor who probably talks about me. I have felt that baba has not slept for a week because his eyes seem watery and red. He looks too tired. Everyone was so happy a week ago.

I remember the evening last week when mama dressed me with a skirt and a blouse.  She carefully combed my hair and made a single pony on top of my head. I have been always very careless about losing my hair accessories when playing with my friends. Every time she has to open a new packet of it for me with the same old instructions about taking care of my things. However, in all this baba has proved that he is quite generous. He does not bother to count how many I have lost since and every time places a packet of colorful pins in mama’s hand. I remember the same goes for my erasers and pencils. Nevertheless, they have had a stock of them also. Now lying here, I realized that I am no longer wearing that blue skirt. My hair is undone.  I am stunned altogether.

I am horrified to see the marks of their bites on my arms. Whenever my sleeves touch me, the pain is intense. They are now gradually turning purple and ugly. Some of the wounds had to be wrapped in bandages because I remember my arms were also bleeding when their nails were tearing the flesh.

I know something very bad has happened to me. Something that is very painful and very new.  That evening I remember when I was playing in front of my house and the Azaan of maghrib had started. One by one, my friends started leaving the game because their parents have asked to come back. When I was going back to my house, I remember a man came to talk to me. He offered some sweets as well. I guess I have seen him in our street couple of times.

Then I also remember he was talking to me. Then he started walking while picking me up and when listening, I placed my arm on his shoulders. He was probably asking questions about me. Soon I realized during the conversation that I was no longer in my street. It was already dark. I told him that I want to go back because mama has always advised to come before Azaan. However, he did not change his direction and insisted I to listen to him carefully.

Things were soon changed. Now he was talking to some men. I felt my heart was beating faster because it was quite dark by then.  I was afraid that I was not with my mama and baba. They were complete strangers to me. Some of them started biting at my arms. It was painful. My clothes were torn.  Everything that was happening was alien to me. Then I was shrieking loud and loud because I was now drenched into my own blood.

I have a dim imagination when the hospital guard carried me when he saw me lying unconscious in front of the hospital. My body was placed in some sort of a moving bed and I arrived in a room. Then couple of doctors seemed disturbed after seeing me and then more darkness followed. 

I know I was hurt and injured. Whenever during playtime I got a bruise, mama always scolded me to be careful. Now she always cries. Baba always used to kiss me on my forehead, and would ask a couple of questions which my qari sahib had taught.  Now he does not say anything. I want to see my friends also. I want to tell them I would not be able to join them in the coming days because I cannot speak, let alone move.

Just a while ago, my uncle was telling my mom that police has obtained closed circuit camera footage of me. I guess it must be something useful for family and me.  The last time, when someone came into my room, they said police has arrived to ask me some questions. The very thought of strangers jolted me but before I could protest the doctor told him that I was not in a condition to do that. He is stranger but amazingly, whenever he comes he inquires about my health. I am grateful that he is not cruel.

I am waiting for when I will be able to talk and tell them about my agony and fears.  I remember everything and I am afraid that I will not forget it for the rest of my life.

 —- 

Tailpiece:

Section 376 of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 provides that whoever commits rape shall be punished with death or imprisonment for either description for a term, which shall not be less than ten years or more than twenty-five years and shall be liable to fine.

When a rape is committed by two or more persons furtherance of common intention of all, each of such person shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life. 

Wrote by Qurat-ul-ain Haider is founder & CEO at Amal (facebook: facebook.com/amalpakistan ) (www.amalpakistan) 

She can be reached at @annyzaidi And on facebook: facebook.com/anny.haiderzaidi

Innovation Culture Roadmap in Pakistan

Ask the question, “What does a culture of innovation look and sound like?” and you’re likely to get a variety of answers. That’s not a bad thing. It’s probably slightly different – and articulated differently – in each organization.

If the person being asked can articulate a definition, that’s major success and a foundation to build from. You may just as likely get blank stares, and responses like, “I know it when I see it, but can’t put my finger on it” or “It’s when people are coming up with new ideas all the time.”

Of course, these are not measurable or meaningful … or manageable, for that matter. And many leaders see benefit in building a culture of innovation. So how can such a culture be defined, as an objective, such that it can be nurtured and cultivated?

Culture is an aggregate built from human dynamics, processes, and structures. The endlessly fascinating part is the people dimension. Do the people in the organization have the ability and willingness to be innovative?

Here are some interesting questions, organized under the construct of a competency (knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, beliefs), to help start thinking about ways to define a culture of innovation:

Knowledge: Do people know how to think creatively to solve problems or capture opportunities, individually and collectively? Do they understand the process to follow to translate a promising idea into tangible value, and how to divide roles/responsibilities to do so?

Attitudes: Is there a predisposition of collaboration and benevolence, or does everyone want to be the hero visionary or problem solver? Are opinions, diversity in thinking, and perspectives encouraged, tolerated, or discouraged?

Behavior: Are ideas shot down by the classic “devil’s advocate” argument (finding reasons why something won’t work instead of reasons it could or alternate approaches) or are they embraced as part of the process of progress?

Beliefs: Is there a widely held belief in community, the values/vision of the organization, and working to win together? Do employees believe that they are respected, valued and empowered to make improvements?

Taking a slightly different tack toward understanding the human dynamics of innovation, we can identify unwritten or formal rules or norms. These may be established and perpetuated by management’s handling of situations and by individual employees at all levels.

These rules might include, “Complaining is OK, but you must have an idea for resolution (be part of the solution, not part of the problem).” Or, “It’s acceptable and expected that individuals will take risks, within reason, but if their actions pan out negatively, they must learn from the experience and transfer their learning to others.” Or, “Individuals are expected as a condition of employment not just to perform their duties, but also to make improvements on a daily basis.”

What are the innovation competencies or norms that are thriving in your organization? Which ones are lacking? Taking the time to study and map the human dimension can lead to identifying opportunities to ignite change and develop a culture of innovation.

Pakistan Earthquake Create a New Island in the Arabian Sea

Tuesday's major earthquake in southern Pakistan led to some intriguing reports of a new island appearing just off Pakistan's coast.

The Associated Press says following Tuesday's 7.7-magnitude tremor, witnesses reported that a small island appeared near the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, about 150 miles northeast of the quake's epicenter.

Gwadar Police Chief said the new island was about 30 feet high and 100 feet long.

WAITING FOR SHAHBAZ TASEER

TWO YEARS TO THE DAY HER HUSBAND WAS TAKEN, A BRAVE WIFE SPEAKS ABOUT HER STRUGGLE.

It’s been five Eids, two wedding anniversaries, and four birthdays since Shahbaz has been gone. Friends have gotten married, children have been born, and world-changing events have taken place all around us. And yet if you were to ask me what my overwhelming sense of the time that has passed has been I would say it has been one of stillness. It is as if nothing has moved at all. He walked out of that door that day, two years ago, and I am sitting where he left me, waiting for that door to open again.

You hold on. You hope. You pray. You survive. You wish the best for him yet you know that there is suffering. You can abide your own pain, but what do I do about the pain that he might be going through and that I know nothing about?

I am told that all suffering has a purpose. Such pain can either break you or make you. I am told that I have become stronger, and knowing how Shahbaz is, I know this is true for him too. Wherever Shahbaz is being kept, I know he is worried for us. Those who know him have no doubt that this trial will make him braver, wiser, and stronger. And that perhaps will give some meaning to his senseless and violent abduction. I would like to think that my love for him and his commitment to me are helping him through this immense trial.

People ask me often how it feels, how I handle the pain. There is no frame of reference for this kind of a situation. How does one cope with something like a kidnapping? It is easier to explain away other, more familiar traumas to attain some sense of comfort and even closure. A kidnapping is rarer, harder to examine and more difficult to process. It helps to speak with those who have gone through similar trials, forced to brave the taking away of those dearest to them without reason and without there being any surety of what the outcome will be. This is what makes the experience—a cycle of hope and despair—so much more difficult.

I have been fortunate in many ways. I have family and friends to turn to. I have a job which keeps me occupied, more so as I deal with people whose pain and suffering I can ease as their psychological counselor. Yet when the day is over, the overwhelming feeling is of being very alone and isolated. This is a loneliness that nobody can really relate to. People can comfort you, but it is difficult to fathom what it really means to just wait and wait and wait. How do you explain what it means to be without your best friend, your soul mate, for reasons that have nothing to do with either him or you? Such pain changes you. Such loneliness could leave one embittered, if you did not have faith and hope, and a deep conviction that your love, loyalty, and commitment will triumph in the end. There is a future that you must constantly keep before you, if the present is to be survived.

The unexplained absence of a loved one changes you forever. I know our lives will never be the same again.

But in all this, there are also these great positives that keep coming through. Kind words are a powerful thing. I have received thousands of messages of support and prayers for Shahbaz, from people of all ages and from all corners of the world. A 16-year-old Sikh has taken an oath at the Golden Temple to cut his hair the day Shahbaz returns home. An 18-year-old sends me a message every single day to stay strong. Thousands of prayers have been said at Mecca for his safe journey home. People who go there and to Sufi shrines in Pakistan and India tell us they have prayed for him. It is these heart-healing prayers that keep us hopeful, that help me push back the darkness, that strengthen my resolve.

My husband is a brave man. That was obvious in the way he handled his father’s assassination. The character he has shown in this period of time speaks of a great future awaiting him. With courage to fight, power to survive, and the ability to inspire, I know that Shahbaz will be an icon for his generation.

There is much that lies beyond one’s control. Every day brings a new rumor, a new speculation, a new fear. Truth is trumped by sensationalism by an irresponsible and insatiable media that has no visible regard for those it may be hurting. Media organizations do not seem to care about the pain they cause from their wrong reporting and they certainly don’t think twice about jeopardizing the safety of those at risk, like Shahbaz. Social media only magnifies and makes inescapable such reports. What is the protocol for handling all this when shutting out the world is not an option? What does one do when hope is constantly challenged by “breaking news”?

Here in Lahore, the mind is never far from the lawless federally-administered tribal areas, where most kidnapping victims are whisked off to. Now more than before, one thinks about the families there ravaged by violence, one thinks about the byzantine politics which surround that part of the country, one thinks about the rituals of routine violence there. One also thinks about the mundane: the weather there, the food, health care. And then there are drone strikes and the actual and collateral damage they bring. When those who have abducted your husband are being targeted from the skies, drones are not just an abstract concept but a living reality, a pressing and deeply personal concern. I am sure Shahbaz lives under this fear. I know I do.

I often think whether this experience would have changed Shahbaz. It is not easy living in isolation and captivity but a deep-rooted conviction tells me that these cruel circumstances would not have broken him. He will come back to me the same humorous, warm-hearted, caring person that he was when he left. He would have changed, yes, but only to have become more empathetic, more sensitive, and much more fearless than before. What would be left to fear once you have gone through something like this? These last two years have taught me a lot. The unexplained absence of a loved one changes you forever. I know our lives will never be the same again. They will be better informed by a visceral appreciation of choosing to journey together in a world of great uncertainty come what may, powered by a conviction to make every day count not only for each other but for others around us.

The traumas that Pakistanis go through can be soothed by those who have struggled with similar suffering. Support groups that make these experiences and shared wisdom available are so important and vital for the survival of others who feel alone and despondent. There have to be ways to help make things better for those who suffer, to have their voices heard, to make sure that our streets are safe. It is our collective duty to think about and care for families coping with unnatural traumas. I think of all that we can do once Shahbaz is home. Assisting such families will be a small but meaningful service to all those praying for Shahbaz’s safe return.

The author is a psychologist who married Shahbaz Taseer, the son of Punjab’s assassinated governor Salmaan Taseer, in 2010. Her husband was kidnapped in Lahore on Aug. 26, 2011. His whereabouts remain unknown.

 BY MAHEEN TASEER

Source

Entrepreneurship in Pakistan

An Entrepreneur is the one who takes on the risk of starting their own enterprise or investing in other start-ups. Successful entrepreneurs are known for finding innovation and market gaps for new products and services. Entrepreneurs have the ability to take business to the point at which it can sustain itself on internally generated cash flow. The future of entrepreneur is to reform and revolutionize the pattern of production. 

Entrepreneurship spurs improvements in productivity and economic competitiveness, and with technological advances and economic liberalization, the assumption that nurturing entrepreneurship means promoting a country's competitiveness which today appears more valid than ever. Entrepreneurship development has the potential to create jobs through the formation of new business ventures; utilization of available labor and resources to create wealth, stimulate growth, boost the economy and increases a nation's GDP, and reducing dependence on social welfare programs. Entrepreneurs create new businesses and new businesses in turn create jobs, intensify competition, and may even increase productivity through technological change. High measured levels of entrepreneurship will thus translate directly into high levels of economic growth. While it is easy to see that starting a new business to exploit a perceived business opportunity would lead to economic development, it is also possible that necessity entrepreneurship may not lead to economic development. Being pushed into entrepreneurship (self-employment) because all other options for work are either absent or unsatisfactory can even lead to under development.

According to many, the two widely acknowledged causes of small business failure are 1) lack of knowledge about the business, and 2) insufficient capital to sustain the venture through break-even and profitability. The issue of knowledge can be overcome by given proper instruction, most entrepreneurs can learn the basics of running a given business. Information and learning can be obtained through traditional schools, franchisors, books, consultants, or on the job training as an employee. Than is the matter of capital, with a bit of intelligence and careful planning, a venture can be started with limited means and grown as finances, time and ability permit. However, the actual root cause of entrepreneur failure is the non-existence of two things. There is not a passion for the work involved and/or there is not a quality, personal fit with the venture. The root cause of business success or failure is not due to a lack of knowledge or capital, it is due to a poor fit between the owner and the chosen venture. The successful entrepreneur always enjoys a good relationship with the business.
In case of Pakistan, the entrepreneurs face many challenges and problems. The factors for such low levels of entrepreneurial drive lie within our culture, bureaucracy, financial hurdles and academic perceptions of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is associated with small and cottage industries; there is a stigma with failure and a general resistance to new ideas; businesses are rooted in traditional and low value-added sectors such as textiles, rice and leather. Also, younger business communities, often educated abroad, do not have the requisite experience or financing to establish businesses, family-owned businesses are slow to adopt professional modes of management; business culture is excessively male dominated with very few women entrepreneurs or business heads. 

Other factors include corruption at practically all levels, high taxes and stringent government regulation creating unnecessary hurdles for entrepreneurial businesses. On the private sector front, multinational corporations and international banks have rapidly expanded their presence and they provide good, salaried opportunities to young professionals. The typical aspiration of an MBA student graduating from a Pakistani business school is to secure a stable job with a multinational or other large corporation where they can advance through a stable, prosperous career. However, with the growing population and fewer job openings, traditional avenues of employment are limited.

Other hurdles towards establishing independent businesses include financial barriers to entry. The venture capital industry is almost absent in Pakistan. Despite reforms initiated by the State Bank of Pakistan, access to equity and formal debt financing have not improved. Access to finance is a recurring constraint to enterprise development in Pakistan, especially in the case of new and small enterprises. 

The other major constraints in entrepreneurial growth are with regards to tax administration and tax rates, electricity, and access to financing, security, housing, capacity building and infrastructure. The list of less constraining issues includes crimes, access to land, labor regulations, and telecommunications. The issues related to financing costs, economic policy uncertainty, corruption, macroeconomic stability, customs and trade regulations, anti-competitive practices, business licensing and operating permits, skills and education of the labor force, energy efficiency and transportation are cross cutting in nature and affect all sizes of enterprises. But regarding tax issues and electricity, medium firms express the strongest complaints, followed by large firms, small firms, and micro firms. However, small firms complain most about for access to the finances. 

In such scenarios the government should eliminate the barriers to entrepreneurship by providing infrastructure, defense, land, education. Such set ups should be provided which encourage start-ups and support existing small and medium size enterprise by enabling them to adapt innovative strategies and technologies and thus compete more effectively at the global level. The educated, young, and emerging entrepreneurs need to take the lead and be encouraged to become the vanguard of Pakistan’s economic growth.

BY Anum Batool first publish at HWeb

20 FACTS OF PAKISTAN – We are proud of #PakistanZindabad

We all hear and read about how people criticize and insult Pakistan, and unfortunately there are times when we cannot blame most of the reasons due to the increasing violence. But if there’s one thing I’ve been taught, it’s never to generalize. The good points of Pakistan have been hidden in this layer of violence. Lets reconsider our potential by reviewing our past/present achievements.


1. In the last five years, Pakistan’s literacy rate has grown by 250%, the largest increase in any country to date.
2. Pakistan is the first Islamic country to attain nuclear power.
3. Edhi is running the World’s largest Ambulance network.
4. World’s youngest certified Microsoft Experts Arfa Kareem and Babar Iqbal are from Pakistan.
5. Pakistan has the sixth largest military force in the world.
6. Pakistan’s national anthem tune ranks first in the top three tunes of the world.
7. Fourth largest broadband internet system of world is in Pakistan
8. World’s largest deep sea port is Gwadar.
9. About 50% of the world’s footballs are made in Pakistan.
10. Pakistan is notable for having one of the best trained air-force pilots in the world.
11. Pakistan has world’s youngest civil judge, Muhammad Illyas.
12. The highest railway station of Asia is in Pakistan.
13. First PC virus was created by two Pakistani brothers. (Maybe not something to be very proud of, but it still might have required an impressive level of intellect to do so).
14. Dr. Abdus Salam – Nobel prize winner (Physics 1979).
15. LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences) attracts students from Middle East, the Far East, Central Asia, and other parts of South Asia.
16. Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, hailed as the most important Qawwali singer of the 20th century and received many awards around the globe such as The “Legends” award at the UK Asian Music Awards (2005).
17. World’s 7th largest Pool of Scientists and Engineer.
18. The Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad can accommodate almost 100000 worshipers. Completed in 1976, it could at that time probably hold the city’s entire population.
19. Karakoram Highway runs through the northern areas connecting Pakistan with China’s Xingjiang province is often described as ” Eighth Wonder of the World” due to the marvel of civil engineering as it has taken 15 years to complete by the Pakistan Army Engineers in collaboration with China. It’s been labeled as ” World’s highest paved international Road” under world’s toughest terrain.
20. Air Commodore MM ALAM has a world record of shooting down 5 planes in less than a Minute.

Despite all the mishaps, destruction and loss, we’ve shown alot of progress. We still have time to improve more since hoaxes such as Y2K and 21st December 2012 actually did turn out to be a false alarm. One of the most amazing facts which people are seeing is that a majority is protesting the violence.

We want to change. And since we’re still living let’s bring out the best of us and our country. Ameen!

Pakistan Zinda Baad.

#PakistanZindabad

Change Your Wall & Cover, Youth all over the world through history, has been a revolutionary force. Join us Celebrate Independence Day Tweet About Your Country using ‪#‎PAKISTANZINDABAD‬ on August 14.

International Youth Day and #PakistanZindabad

Youth all over the world through history, has been a revolutionary force. It is the precious asset and opulence that can revive a nation going through hard time. Youth of a nation can do wonders if availed, trained, educated and informed in an optimum fashion. Literally it refers to all the human force in a nation lying between the age group of 18 – 29 years. Though tender an age, yet the intellect, physical strength and wisdom it possesses has no parallel.

Pakistan, our much-loved homeland; is passing through challenging times in regard to economic, social and political turmoil. Crime rate is increasing, with a fast depletion of natural resources, deteriorating agriculture and power shortages, with instances of severe human right violation and sufferings of the common man. There are demonstrations and strikes, brutalities and scourge that affect hundreds everyday. In such a chaos there is still a huge quantum of hope along side, there is anticipation and prospects en route for accomplishment and triumph. Consequently, there is a huge responsibility lying on the young generation’s shoulders, towards nation building. To bring the state of affairs back on track the youth has to play its proactive role to help change things for better, and to revive the state of affairs from getting worse.

Literally a tolerant society refers to the one which supports for practices that prohibit ethnic and religious discrimination, and likewise a peaceful society is the one undisturbed by strife, turmoil, or disagreement, there is existence of a tranquil environment . An amalgam of the aforementioned traits, which are a prerequisite of an ideal society, will lead to good governance and democratic practices. Thus in the long run it will determine the state of well being of the nation. In Pakistan, one of the main hurdles towards progress and development has been the continuous intolerance and restlessness among all segments of the society, leg pulling of the political leaderships and democratic rulers, which eventually led to undemocratic practices over the course of the past decades. Youth, especially students have been exploited for the self interests of different pressure groups. Hence, in present time the youth has to differentiate and target the required sources to prevent the history from repeating itself; hence join hands for the cause of the nation.

Youth comprises the major portion of the demography in Pakistan. An educated and well informed youth can revive the present state of restlessness in the country. However, we shall elucidate the youth role towards a peaceful and tolerant society in an elaborate manner. It follows a hierarchical procedure in order to trigger, implement and then maintain a desired state of mind among the people. Theory without practice is of little use. Change and innovation needs to be implemented at the grass root level for sufficient and desirable outcomes.

Foremost of all youth should avail their right to vote, which can and certainly will bring a desired change with their huge power in term of population and strength, in the political and social arena. They should make an active use of their civic rights like freedom of speech, form groups for certain national interests; attend to conferences, use Internet, avail the press, radio and television, by offering an article or feature in the newspapers, holding press conferences, distributing hand-outs for sharing their particular point of view among others, and should report on the problems facing the nation in an objective manner with responsibility. Youth should get motivated to becoming part of commissions and participate in youth action plans; which will give a vent to the voice of the youth in an effective manner. Such forums can help in policy making specifically for the youth betterment and in general for public welfare. Consequently, a society built on the needs, wants and demands of its majority populace will be a justice provoking and tolerant one in kind.

Youth participation in governance related issue is essential to have a corruption free society in our country. Youth should advocate against any discrepancies and incongruity that affects the socio political culture within Pakistan. Student unions and groups can mobilize and advocate their point of view by writing to newspapers, participating in media, internet blogs, net communities, and magazines; by pressurizing the authorities to bring those elements answerable to the court of law. A sense of responsibility among all the citizens and among the youth in specific can trigger change towards a tolerant and peaceful society. Henceforth, an educated and proactive youth can find solutions in a peaceful manner rather than deteriorating the affairs.

Youth should get motivated and also encourage their peers, colleagues and friends to bring about a change n the mind set of the whole nation towards critically analyzing the on going state of affairs in the society and bring all the possible solutions at a table; by joining hands together with various stake holders including the private sector, Non-government organizations, the educational institutions and citizen groups. Dissecting and analyzing the basic cause of the problem will lead to a better understanding of the problem and will lead to health some solutions. Rather than engraving extremism, intolerance and hatred; there will be a rational decision making with more effective outcomes. For instance, the on going sugar, power or fuel shortage ;the youth should be curious and inquisitive enough to support rational decision making and hence educate the people to all the means mentioned before. This will lead to reduction of frustration in the minds of the people. An idea, to conserve resources and help the government achieve its objectives can be a stance adopted by youth. Possessing a better awareness and analysis, there will be a positive drift towards the conservation of resources rather than hatred and an unpatriotic feeling towards the state and the government. However, after achievement of the primary goal; as a secondary achievement the youth together as a coercive force should raise their voice for the conservation of resources by the Government run institutes and representatives. So, that together the public and private sector can reduce the sense of dispossession, disparity and hatred among the masses.

Youth; having all the strength of the physical and mental abilities; possessing the superiority of their power as a dominant demographic group can over come the differences and sense of deprivation existing between the provinces. Student Groups; or individuals at the floor of all forums should inculcate patriotism and nationhood among the youth from other areas all over the country. Keeping the national interest ahead everything and anything else, and crossing the barriers of language and culture, youth should amalgamate and seek solutions to all problems. Understanding, analyzing and then finding solutions to the demands of a deprived group; Youth should propose solutions based on justice and efficient participation.

For the matter of fact, one of the major causes behind intolerance in Pakistan is the poor performance of the bureaucracy and government officials over the past few decades. Now, in order to revive and revitalize the system of government, Youth should seek admissions into the Civil Services of Pakistan, as it would provide an honest workforce keeping in view the factors of moral and mental determination of the youth, which will lead to a better functioning of the systems.

Youth of today is vulnerable to many external influences in the Pakistani society. The individual youth, at the level of its own individual entity needs to create a balance between his internal dynamics and external influences. Internal dynamics should be firm and persistent enough that pity matters should not overcome the emotional and psychological aspects of an individual mind. However, in the state of a paradox, conflict resolution between individual desires and available resources has to be disentangled with a mature and considerate approach. Only, when the individual young mind is firm and determined; can the whole society reform. In case the individual young mind of a youth is in a state of conflict and discord, then many similar souls will together perish the whole society with intolerant and highly irritable outcomes and consequences. Such a practice in societies consequently leads to unrest and anarchy.

The next level at which tolerance needs to be sustained is the family life and with friends and peers. Youth should start by helping each other with the little chores to execute. Self discipline and helping each other should be made a part of daily routine. Teams should be made to complete the tasks assigned or to fulfill a certain responsibility. In a situation of conflict, effective dialogue and negotiations can work out the problem. Often it happens that with the interference of a third party, the state of paradox resolves much effectively.

Similarly, in a commune and in town; the youth should formulate teams to coup up with the challenges and difficulties faced by that particular group of people. Be it environmental, social or a similar hindrance, an efficient group effort executed by youth, can lead to sufficient positive changes. While making teams, the team leader nominated as a result of a popular vote should be capable of delivering justice and coordination between the different members of the task force. If justice prevails, it will further lead to successful achievement of the goals. Resolution of a problem will not lead to conflict and intolerance, rather in time of a calamity the teams can provide work force through the principle of self help and solidarity. Such practices at the level of our homes and community will nurture tolerance and peace will have a great impact at the macro level.

While dealing with problems facing youth now a day in Pakistan, personal integrity, character and determination is very important. I would describe character as a macro effect of three components namely; humility, self discipline and tolerance (to both external and internal stimulants). A Youth, sufficiently acquainted with character will depict the character of the whole nation. In my point of view, it is each individual human who needs to build up his or her morale, attitude, capability and character. Together many strong individuals will evolve into a strong society resistant to the negative influences, which will enable them to take the corrective action in time of insecurity or difficult times.

On the National level youth can play miraculous roles towards the sustenance of a peace, tolerant and a prosperous society. However, over the course of history youth has been misguided by political parties and other interest groups in a tug of war against each other. Youth has been exploited as well. In present days youth must indulge them self towards a national goal, along side with their academic and professional carrier. For this purpose a number of practical approaches can be followed.

Youth can have intimation with a political party based on the Party’s agenda and vision. Student unions should become active in institutes, as this will enrich a democratic culture and thus lead to the fulfillment of the Youth’s demands. Peace can only prevail if there is supremacy of justice in the society. Justice and juristic practices can be enhanced and practiced with an informative participative and a youth well acquainted with responsibility for instance if we try to validate the following prevailing conditions that the “Food and economic crises have increased food insecurity. Prices of essential food items rose over 35 per cent in 2007-08, compared to an 18 per cent increase in labor wages. Ongoing conflict in the north-west has displaced some 2 million people since 2008, with most displaced since April 2009. About a tenth of those displaced live in camps for internally displaced people.” Evaluating and analyzing the consequences of such a situation may speculate an increased risk and susceptibility to crime rate and intolerance. However, the youth can debate on all available forums and take initiative to help calm down the psychological and behavioral tendencies that my result in restlessness in the society. For the sustenance of stable and prosperous future, government institutions answerable to law the youth can play a vital role.

Consequently, youth has miraculous capabilities; which if availed in an optimum fashion can help attain a course of success, prosperity and progress. Youth in Pakistan, specially the privileged, educated and well-informed part of the society; through all measures can shun intolerance and help prevail peace and prosperity in the society.