Pakistan: The Reckoning Begins (Book Discussion)

This book, authored by late Shahid-ur-Rehman, is about our progress and graduation from the use of coal/firewood, kerosene, LPG, and natural gas in our homes and tens of millions others like ours. It covers the pipeline politics, the power politics of oil, gas, LPG, LNG and refineries, building SPMs [single point moorings] in the ocean, capturing and making inroads into the nearly USD 20-30 billion business of oil, gas and power in Pakistan. It is more of a regional political game rather than the old game of imperialists, multinational and international power brokerages. The resources given to this country, how we misused or abused them, the opportunities, challenges and the prospects. Rental power plants and Independent Power Producers and LPG and LNG.

It is the story of Aitzaz Ahsan’s Indus Saga and Qurratulain Hyder’s Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire), which revolve around the Indus and Gandhara Civilization and making sense of Pakistan. And it is the story of a journalist friend, who has lived in Hyderabad as a child and saw Indus in its glory and heard it roaring from his house, but he is found in tears, when he crosses the bridge over the river at Sukkur.

About the Author:

Late Shahid-ur-Rehman was correspondent of Kyodo News Service of Japan in Pakistan and also stringed for Asia Week and McGraw-Hill economic magazines including Business Week. Starting with Pakistan Press International (PPI) in 1971, as an economic reporter, later as bureau chief, Morning News, he had covered the federal economic ministries for nearly 27 years. He had reported and contributed on economic matters, to almost every major newspaper in Pakistan.In 1980, he was awarded a fellowship by World Press Institute, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota. Regional cooperation and Pakistan’s energy policy was his special interest and in May 1995, he was invited by Wisconsin Project of Winsonin University to assist in the preparation of special report about Pakistan, of its publication “The Risk Report” which tracks nuclear issues all over the world.

Discussants:

• Arslan Shahid: Lead Accountant with vast expertise in UK accountancy services and taxation, providing consultancy for a prominent UK-based firm.
• Khaleeque Kiani: Economic journalist with a career spanning over two decades, currently associated with Daily Dawn and previously worked with reputable publications including The News, Business Recorder, Bloomberg, Daily Finance, Daily Sindh Tribune & PPI.
• Mehtab Haider: Senior Staff Reporter affiliated with The News Int. He possessed experience of over 26 years mainly covering macroeconomic and developmental issues.

Moderator:

• Dr. Naazir Mahmood: Writer, author, educator, social and political commentator.