Andleeb Abbas Soul Search

2012-01-30T14:58:00.003+05:00

'2012:Managing by non-managing ' published on Sunday,January 29, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

2012: Managing by non-managing

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 29, 2011

The hiring/firing style of management and governance belongs to the Stone Age. In an obsolete style, the ‘ruler’ would rule without accountability. This centralised hoarding of power is no longer valid in this open and global world

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2012-01-16T10:57:00.004+05:00

'2012:Me vs you ' published on Sunday,January 15, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

2012: Me vs you

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 15, 2011

With such heated statements being exchanged, all institutions are losing a sense of balance and while the government takes a lead on it, many of the statements issued by the army and the Supreme Court are not really reflective of the comments that would warrant such institutions’ stature and domain

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2012-01-10T15:46:00.005+05:00

'2012: a year of rise and fall ' published on Sunday,January 08, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

2012: a year of rise and fall

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 08, 2011

What was in abundance in this year was a display of greed, of deception, of corruption and of a general disrespect of human principles. For 2012 to be different, individuals, countries and companies must think and behave differently

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2012-01-10T15:43:00.002+05:00

'Personal vs political ' published on Sunday,December 25, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Personal vs political

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 25, 2011

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Whenever this spirit of democracy is crushed, it will become a meaningless exercise open to attack and abuse Politics is dirty, and the dirtiest wins.

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2012-01-10T15:40:00.000+05:00

'Media bazaar ' published on Sunday,December 18, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Media bazaar

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 18, 2011

There is a huge opportunity for channels that dare to be different, that decide to risk a new approach, that try to balance the negative with the positive, that try to have discussions with rules of ethical conduct in their talk shows and other programmes

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2012-01-10T15:37:00.005+05:00

'License to kill ' published on Sunday,December 04, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

License to kill

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 04, 2011

The more corrupt the government, the weaker the economy, and greater the US control. Thus, the present PPP rule was tailor-made for a US takeover

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2012-01-10T15:34:00.003+05:00

'Letter to the facilitator' published on Sunday,November 27, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Letter to the facilitator

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 27, 2011

Whatever the truth may be, the shadows cast on the credibility of our already corruption-riddled government and our weakened military institutions are areas of concern for all Pakistanis

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2012-01-10T15:32:00.000+05:00

'From affection to defection' published on Sunday,November 20, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

From affection to defection

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 20, 2011

Relationships are broken on the basis that a few years ago would be considered ridiculous and new ones are formed as fast as the older ones are discarded

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2012-01-10T15:27:00.004+05:00

'What now?' published on Sunday,November 13, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

What now?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 13, 2011

To be in denial and to be irresponsible is a deadly combination. Denial takes you away from reality and makes you unprepared for the inevitable

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2012-01-10T15:24:00.003+05:00

'The game changer ' published on Sunday,November 06, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The game changer

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 06, 2011

With charisma oozing out of every inch of his personality, Imran Khan’s stardom had been a handicap rather than an advantage. However, it was strange that a man of his credibility was considered worthy to be liked and adored but not elected

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2012-01-10T15:20:00.003+05:00

'Bad is good' published on Sunday,October 30, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Bad is good

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 30, 2011

For the public to be aghast at these social and financial atrocities, they need to compare them with better examples around them. Sadly, there are none. Education is a disposable political and social nonentity in our leaders’ list of what matters

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2012-01-10T15:11:00.003+05:00

'Rage and riots' published on Sunday,October 23, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Rage and riots

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 23, 2011

Nobody quite realised the extent of the rot, and now that every day there is one giant or the other collapsing, the shivers are felt not only in the US but in Europe and all across the world

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2012-01-10T15:07:00.003+05:00

'Stability wanted' published on Sunday,October 16, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Stability wanted

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,October 16 2012

When the basics are flawed, all artificial economic and political makeovers will crack with time. The root cause of what ails our state enterprises is never addressed

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2012-01-10T15:03:00.005+05:00

'Thriving on crisis' published on Sunday,October 09, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Thriving on crisis

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,October 09 2012

If you do not solve an issue it becomes a monster. That is exactly what has happened to electricity in Pakistan. We all know it is not a capacity but a money issue

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2012-01-10T15:01:00.002+05:00

'Beck and call' published on Sunday,October 02, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Beck and call

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,October 02 2012

As long as the decision makers of this country remain insincere to national interests, every conference and meeting will end up in statements that are as meaningless as the intent of our leaders

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2012-01-10T14:29:00.003+05:00

'Pray, lie and beg' published on Sunday,September 25, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Pray, lie and beg

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,September 25 2012

The present regime feels that the ordinary man is too battered by survival needs to rise against it. This is a folly most leaders indulge in when they deliberately become blind to their own reality

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2012-01-10T14:19:00.002+05:00

'Live and let die' published on Sunday,September 18, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Live and let die

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,September 18 2012

The IQ level of the federal government and provincial government is highly competitive. While the federal government is thinking of going back to two days off in offices to solve the energy crisis, the Punjab government is going to the10 day closure experiment to exorcise the demon of dengue

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2012-01-10T14:14:00.000+05:00

'Mind your language' published on Sunday,September 11, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Mind your language

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: ,September 11 2012

We are dependent on the foreign curriculum with foreign examples in a foreign language creating an ideal culture for students to do rote learning without really understanding the crux or the context

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2012-01-10T12:41:00.000+05:00

'Manic obsession' published on Sunday,January 1, 2012 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Manic obsession

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 1, 2012

The awareness level of an average Pakistani on the street on political issues is much higher than the man on the street in the west, especially in the US. One difference is the variance in the socioeconomic status between an average Pakistani and an average person in the west

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Corruption unlimited

2011-09-05T16:52:00.000+05:00

'Corruption unlimited' published on Sunday,August 28, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Corruption unlimited

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 28, 2011

Regardless of the importance of the job and regardless of the competence of the person, all you need is to be in the good books of the president or the prime minister and you are heading ministries and industries you have no clue about

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All the president’s men

2011-09-05T16:48:00.001+05:00

'All the president’s men' published on Sunday,September 4, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

All the president’s men

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: September 4, 2011

It has become a society on the edge, always ready to erupt, always looking for reasons to fight and rebel. But, unfortunately, the fights are all for the wrong reasons and causes

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Civilisation lost

2011-08-30T13:37:00.001+05:00

'Civilisation lost' published on Sunday,August 21, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Civilisation lost

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 21, 2011

The UK has the highest number of teenage pregnancies in the world. If girls are having babies at such a young age, it is but natural that the children of such single mothers are bound to have serious social disabilities and a strong tendency for violence and disorder

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Priority number one

2011-08-15T15:36:00.001+05:00

'Priority number one' published on Sunday,August 7, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Priority number one

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 7, 2011

The process of problem solving should be pretty straightforward in Pakistan. Everybody knows that a complete indifference to the socioeconomic conditions of Pakistan is why Pakistan finds itself where it is

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The spirit of independence

2011-08-15T15:05:00.001+05:00

'The spirit of independence' published on Sunday,August 14, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The spirit of independence

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 14, 2011

Fear and insecurity are the cancers of independence. When you think twice or thrice about coming out of your house, and when you revel in talking negative and bashing any talk of hope as misguided idealism, you have lost the ability to feel free

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Charity begins at home

2011-08-02T15:22:00.001+05:00

'Charity begins at home' published on Sunday,July 31, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Charity begins at home

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 31, 2011

Remember, the PPP stood for democracy, rule of law and the party of the common man. However, the damage done to the PPP brand by being oblivious the clamour of the public to give some heed to the devastation on all fronts is almost fatal now

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The invisible hand

2011-08-02T15:17:00.001+05:00

'The invisible hand' published on Sunday,July 24, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The invisible hand

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 24, 2011

The ‘foreign hand’ theory has been so old and antiquated that the mere mention of it raises mocking eyebrows even before the statement is out

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Back and beyond

2011-08-02T15:14:00.001+05:00

'Back and beyond ' published on Sunday,July 17, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Back and beyond

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 17, 2011

The trait of a failing leadership is its constant denial of reality. It is amazing how the government representatives constantly and consistently claim that things are fine

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The unholy alliance

2011-08-02T15:12:00.001+05:00

'The unholy alliance' published on Sunday,July 10, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Money ill spent

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 10, 2011

All these alliances, no matter how disgusting they may seem, are always shrugged away as all being fair in politics and war. However, this is not always true. The time for traditional politics is over and these parties must understand that the emergence of the non-traditional politician is on the rise

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Money ill spent

2011-08-02T15:09:00.001+05:00

'Money ill spent' published on Sunday,July 3, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Money ill spent

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 3, 2011

Obama’s use of online social networks opened up that political process to anyone who cared to join, made it easy to participate, and by doing so, created a fundraising machine that could practically print money

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Down and Out

2011-08-02T15:05:00.001+05:00

'Down and out' published on Sunday,June 26, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Down and Out

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 26, 2011

With so much focus on bringing other parties down, none of these parties realise that they lower themselves much more in the process. What the public is sick of is hearing about how damaging the other party is and how the present problems are a result of the bad policies of each of their opponents while in power

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‘True’ colours

2011-06-23T14:00:00.000+05:00

'‘True’ colours' published on Sunday,June 19, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

‘True’ colours

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 19, 2011

The problem with being politically myopic is that most of our politicians cannot see beyond the present and the immediate. The government has failed to realise that such acts of declaring and then disappearing are costing them their credibility in a big way

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Devolution or dissolution?

2011-06-23T13:55:00.003+05:00

'Devolution or dissolution?' published on Tuesday,June 14, 2011 in Pakistan Today. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Devolution or dissolution?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 14, 2011

Devolution is the vehicle through which the government tries to legalise its irresponsibility.If education is expensive try ignorance. This saying proves tailor made for those who have been entrusted with the charge d’affaires of the most crucial element missing in the country, education. The federal budget 2011 as usual gave a cursory importance to education.

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Economics of war

2011-06-13T09:52:00.001+05:00

'Economics of war' published on Sunday,June 12, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Economics of war

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 12, 2011

The Americans have discovered that war is a short term strategy to boost their huge defence industry and scare the world into believing in their superpower might, but they keep on getting lower and lower in the ranks of nations which are to be looked up to

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Who cares?

2011-06-06T15:31:00.002+05:00

'Who cares?' published on Sunday,June 5, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Who cares?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 5, 2011

The PML-N’s philosophy of banking on the mood of the hour rather than a solid principled stance has cost them a huge dent in their vote bank. With a history of doing these emotional big bang activities with little impact, they have added to the economic ruin of the country

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The ‘chief’ degradation

2011-06-02T08:59:00.000+05:00

'The ‘chief’ degradation' published on Sunday,May 22, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The ‘chief’ degradation

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 22, 2011

The leader’s philosophy and conduct reflects what the mindset of the organisation is. Thus the IMF’s leadership style and conduct is perhaps the reason for the IMF having the reputation of an institution that is more of a destroyer of the independence of small and weak economies rather than a builder of countries in the hour of need

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Open to attack

2011-06-01T15:23:00.001+05:00

'Open to attack' published on Sunday,May 29, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Open to attack

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 29, 2011

The fact that a bunch of terrorists could take on the total force of our armed forces and escape to destination unknown depicts how paralysed the state and its institutions have become

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Till death do us part

2011-05-17T09:39:00.001+05:00

'Till death do us part' published on Sunday,May 15, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Till death do us part

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 15, 2011

Being accountable for their own actions is only a value people with self-respect possess. Unfortunately, our leaders have gotten away with such unpardonable crimes before that they are very confident that this will also be a passing atrocity the people of this country are too lazy to pursue

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The beginning of the end?

2011-05-09T12:36:00.002+05:00

'The beginning of the end?' published on Sunday,May 9, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The beginning of the end?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 9, 2011

Pakistan is an ideal country for Obama to make some impact to boost up his completely lacklustre tenure where his strategies to revive the economy or to win the war in Afghanistan have completely failed

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'Power' crisis

2011-05-02T14:02:00.002+05:00

''Power' crisis' published on Sunday,May 1, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

'Power' crisis

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 1, 2011

As the budget approaches, the government finds itself short of partners who may support a budget that is further going to crush the already squeezed public. To make up for this shortage the government is thus busy buying loyalties of the unfaithful

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Call to duty

2011-04-12T09:46:00.002+05:00

'The ‘Call to duty' published on Sunday,April 24, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Call to duty

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: April 24, 2011

The call to conscience is deafened by the call to seek the easy way out. While most people struggle to choose between the call to duty and call to conscience, the leaders of our top parties have flagrantly shut their ears to any call at all

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The president’s speech

2011-04-04T14:58:00.001+05:00

'The president’s speech' published on Sunday,April 3, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The president’s speech

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: April 3, 2011

The president and his men must realise that the impact of the content depends on the intent behind the content. No amount of well-worded verbosity can make up for intentions not above board

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Parliamentary legitimacy

2011-04-01T10:06:00.002+05:00

'Parliamentary legitimacy' published on Sunday,March 27, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Parliamentary legitimacy

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: March 27, 2011

As the foundations of democracy get weakened by the strong arm tactics of the powerful, the difference between autocratic and democratic rule becomes blurred

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The great escape

2011-03-21T15:24:00.002+05:00

'The great escape' published on Sunday,March 20, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The great escape

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: March 20, 2011

The Americans, rattled in the beginning by the stand of the country against giving diplomatic immunity to Davis, soon discovered that the decision makers of this country know only one language and i.e. money

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War for prosperity

2011-03-15T10:15:00.001+05:00

'War for prosperity' published on Sunday,March 13, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

War for prosperity

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: March 13, 2011

The US may be revamping the financial sector and restructuring the auto industry to revive the economy, but to revive the defence industry the only strategy is to make the world more frightened, vulnerable and scared

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Spot-fixing

2011-03-15T10:03:00.000+05:00

'Spot-fixing' published on Sunday,March 6, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Spot-fixing

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: March 6, 2011

Any money that is not earned from a process of income generation is equivalent to a robbery. As the sources of cash flows dry out, the fatal strategy of printing more money to make do is being recklessly exercised

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Men without substance

2011-03-15T09:15:00.006+05:00

'Men without substance' published on Sunday,February 27, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Men without substance

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: February 27, 2011

Decision-making done on criteria based on who can show off the best allegiance to the leaders is a sure method of nourishing incompetence and
non-performance. Such decision-making is always going to backfire in the long run

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Integrity loot sale

2011-02-21T14:32:00.002+05:00

'Integrity loot sale' published on Sunday,February 20, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Integrity loot sale

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: February 20, 2011

The media that has played a pivotal role in creating awareness in the country has gone overboard on Raymond Davis’ case. TV channels and their star anchors have latched on to this opportunity for snatching viewership from one another with gimmicks, which have become boring

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Lost and not found

2011-02-18T15:38:00.002+05:00

'Lost and not found' published on Sunday,February 13, 2011 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Lost and not found

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: February 13, 2011

The World Bank report on poverty in Pakistan has not been allowed to be published. The report highlighted the decrease in poverty from 39 percent to 22.5 percent from the year 2006 to 2008 while in 2008 to 2010 it has spiralled once again

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Uprising virus

2011-02-07T11:35:00.002+05:00

'Uprising virus' published on Sunday,February 6, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Uprising virus

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: February 6, 2011

Hosni Mubarak is a special personal assistant to the US in obeying their commands on Israel’s peace pretence with Palestine. In return, he has been gifted with generous aid dole outs that, like all other dictators, have enriched him and his family and have impoverished the country

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The fear factor

2011-02-01T12:51:00.001+05:00

'The fear factor' published on Sunday,November 14, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The fear factor

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 14, 2010

Bomb blasts and target killing aside, food insecurity has stolen the limelight from energy security. With no law, no rule and no path available for catching wrongdoers, it is an open invitation to loot and kill

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The midlife crisis

2011-02-01T12:42:00.002+05:00

'The midlife crisis' published on Sunday,November 7, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The midlife crisis

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 7, 2010

As the midterm election tempers the political climate into a more realistic balance, it will give time to Obama to rethink and reshape his approach and strategy to deliver better on the promise of a prosperous and peaceful US he committed to the public to get into power

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Size Matters

2011-02-01T09:32:00.002+05:00

'Size matters' published on Sunday,January 30, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Size matters

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 30, 2011

With no direction, no accountability and no vision, the country is in a chaotic destruction zone of all that is right and good. The ‘declare, deny and dismiss’ strategy of the government as well as the opposition has made them ideal targets for political blackmail

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Future imperfect

2011-01-29T14:44:00.002+05:00

'Future imperfect' published on Sunday,January 23, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Future imperfect

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 23, 2011

The government’s ability to be decisive and action oriented has been reduced to a laughingstock. Their inability to power through with their decisions to enforce any new legislation has suffered serious setbacks due to differences with their friends and foes

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Competing for dishonour

2011-01-18T15:51:00.003+05:00

'Competing for dishonour ' published on Sunday,January 16, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Competing for dishonour

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 16, 2011

Democracy has been politically short-circuited many times in the past. Both the PPP and PML-N have had two year stints to manage the country twice before and have made a mess of it each time

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Wrong 'rights'

2011-01-10T11:52:00.003+05:00

'Wrong 'rights'' published on Sunday,January 9, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Wrong 'rights'

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 9, 2011

How do you prevent the ritual from overtaking the spiritual? The right thing is to look at the common teachings of all religions, as they are surely the principles that have indisputably been proved as the true ways to live

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To hope or not to hope

2011-01-04T15:48:00.003+05:00

'To hope or not to hope' published on Sunday,January 2, 2011 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

To hope or not to hope

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: January 2, 2011

The real reason for worry is the corrupt and inefficient leadership that, despite being openly accused of bankrupting the government and having policies detrimental to national security and economic stability, will continue to run under the guise of a misplaced perception of safeguarding democracy in Pakistan

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The dragon smirks

2011-01-04T15:45:00.001+05:00

'The dragon smirks' published on Sunday,December 26, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The dragon smirks

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 26, 2010

The fear is not that the Chinese may not fulfil their promises but that our own government may, due to their insatiable greed, once again go on a rampage of kickbacks and payoffs and crush yet another opportunity for revival

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Artificial ingenuity

2011-01-04T14:10:00.003+05:00

'Artificial ingenuity' published on Sunday,December 19, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Artificial ingenuity

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 19, 2010

The poor, who have no access to law and justice, merit and fair play, find themselves edged out by the rich who get things done instantly either through cash or connections. Such societies, impregnated with might ruling right, inevitably kill hope, creativity and positivity and become breeding grounds of cynicism, apathy and disbelief

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Wicked leaks

2011-01-04T14:04:00.001+05:00

'Wicked leaks' published on Sunday,December 12, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Wicked leaks

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 12, 2010

Our leaders have selectively believed in those few leaks that have favoured their own false claims and dismissed all others that do not tally with their self-aggrandisement

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Trading concessions

2010-12-04T10:45:00.002+05:00

'Trading concessions" published on Sunday,November 28, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Trading concessions

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 28, 2010

The art of negotiation and marketing are rare skills both at the government and industry levels. This explains the reason why Pakistan produces 14 percent of the top class quality cotton in the world and yet has an exporting market share of barely two percent

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Marketing Terror

2010-12-04T10:28:00.004+05:00

'Marketing Terror'published on Sunday,November 21, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Marketing Terror

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: November 21, 2010

Our leaders have cashed in on each terror incident to prove their merit for more aid. Every single visit abroad and every single forum having American and European representatives are given all sorts of presentations to horrify them at the regularity of the occurrence of manmade and natural disasters in the country

Click Here for the rest of the article.

In the name of God

2010-11-08T10:57:00.003+05:00

'In the name of God' published on Sunday,December 5, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

In the name of God

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: December 5, 2010

Religion has become license to categorise and exorcise personal vendettas. The Blasphemy Law, which itself is blasphemy against the legal system of Pakistan, is a shameful intention of maligned intentions and misrepresentation of Islamic law, letter and spirit

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Degenerating Investment

2010-11-08T10:53:00.002+05:00

'Degenerating Investment'was published on Sunday,October 31, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Degenerating investment

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 31, 2010

The government is busy investing in areas that are monstrous in their consumption of subsidies and are true liabilities on the taxpayer, and they are busy making the life of the genuine investor difficult by posing so many hurdles in their path to sustainability that they may have no choice but to pack up and leave for more conducive and hospitable environments

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Threat or opportunity?

2010-10-26T09:43:00.005+05:00

'Threat or opportunity?'was published on Sunday,October 24, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Threat or opportunity?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 24, 2010

While most success stories of BRIC economies have based their progress on providing basic and functional education to the larger public, each of our governments has tried to make splashy investments in brick and mortar for building physical resources, rather than investing in building mental reservoirs of skill and talent

Click Here for the rest of the article.

In the name of ‘loyalty’

2010-10-18T14:51:00.001+05:00

'In the name of ‘loyalty’'was published on Sunday,October 17, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

In the name of 'loyalty'

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 17, 2010

Why do leaders not see the folly of making decisions that alienate them from the public, their own supporters and from reality? The answer lies primarily in not having people around them who can question their authority and show them the long-term destructive impact of their short-term skin-saving tactics

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Strokes of ‘genius’

2010-10-11T11:11:00.002+05:00

'Strokes of ‘genius’'was published on Sunday,October 10, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Strokes of ‘genius’

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 10, 2010

Politicians have a re-launching strategy that ranges from changing their appearance to changing their vocabulary. They make heroic attempts at looking repentant and admitting to their mistakes. They also try hair transplants or hair dyes highlighting their black hair vs white sideburns

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Uncommon Commonwealth 'Games'

2010-10-04T14:38:00.003+05:00

'Uncommon Commonwealth 'Games''was published on Sunday,October 3, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Uncommon Commonwealth 'Games'

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: October 3, 2010

The South Asian countries have a legacy of having a hierarchical culture where being subservient to position is the ultimate dream of the majority of its inhabitants. Having seen the British rule tower over them, most countries in the region have found the civil service rule installed by the British and the legacy of bureaucratic government procedures extremely difficult to dismantle

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Open to attack

2010-09-27T09:22:00.002+05:00

'Open to attack' was published on Monday,September 27, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Open to attack

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: September 27, 2010

The question is, why does the ICC not blame any other visiting team? Why is this special treatment only reserved for our cricketers? The obvious answer is that it is the complete professional and moral vulnerability prevailing in cricketing circles of Pakistan that has made it open to attack from the English media and other nations as well

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Tax for life

2010-09-21T09:15:00.002+05:00

'Tax for life ' was published on Sunday,September 19, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Tax for life

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: September 19, 2010

Provincial ministers have been making ridiculous demands for the rehabilitation of the flood affectees. The demands, in the trillions, are made in the hope that even if they are cut down they will end up with a sum enough to further pad their overflowing personal accounts

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Commodistising immorality

2010-09-14T10:30:00.002+05:00

'Commodistising immorality' was published on Saturday,September 11, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Commoditising immorality

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: September 11, 2010

While the army of officials of bowling coach, fielding coach, physio, manager and liaison officer are really not adding much value, a personal consultant for grooming the raw mind of a budding star and making him see what he cannot see would be much more effective

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Rebuilding a lost cause

2010-09-06T14:31:00.003+05:00

'Rebuilding a lost cause" was published on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Daily Times. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Rebuilding a lost cause

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: September 5, 2010

The real crisis is not of floods or recession but of the deterioration in the moral fabric of society due to corrupt leadership, no law to punish criminals and no justice for the deprived and marginalised of society

Click Here for the rest of the article.

A tale of two parties

2010-08-30T09:53:00.002+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'A tale of two parties' on Sunday,August 29th.

Here is an excerpt and click on the link at the bottom for the full article.

A tale of two parties

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The danger with cash and ready-made food schemes is that they turn respectable individuals into desperate beings whose own abilities and faculties in the long run become undermined

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

Fuelling fundamentalism

2010-08-23T10:02:00.003+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'Fuelling fundamentalism ' on Sunday,August 22nd.

Here is an excerpt and click on the link at the bottom for the full article.

Fuelling fundamentalism

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, August 23, 2010

While the Jews and Indians have invested heavily in education, skills and research, Muslim countries have been busy trying to build inequitable societies where the accumulation of wealth in a few hands is more important than an accumulation of knowledge in the minds of the masses

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

The art of deception

2010-08-16T09:51:00.002+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'The art of deception' on Sunday,August 15th.

Here is an excerpt and click on the link at the bottom for the full article.

The art of deception

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The fight for market share makes organisations look at more and more ways of impressing upon customers what they do not have and what they ought to have. In order to convince the customer, they actually take him into a world of fantasy

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

The king and ‘I’

2010-08-09T12:29:00.002+05:00

'The king and ‘I’was published on Sunday, August 8, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The king and ‘I’

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 8, 2010

When the ‘I’ becomes bigger than the ‘We’, the writing on the wall predicts doom. However, the writing is visible to only those who have a vision to see beyond their egos; this moral blindness is a virus, which infiltrates into each organ and like a carcinoma cell destroys the living functionality of the organ itself

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Leadership myopia

2010-08-02T12:00:00.002+05:00

'Leadership myopia' was published on Sunday, August 1, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Leadership myopia

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: August 1, 2010

The people of this country have to realise that a nation gets the leaders they deserve. If they feel that they deserve better leadership, they have to earn this by converting from the cynical talking mode to the positive action mode

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The ‘not so’ lesser half

2010-08-02T11:54:00.000+05:00

'The ‘not so’ lesser half' was published on Sunday, July 25, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The ‘not so’ lesser half

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 25, 2010

A working woman carries a negative perception in society, especially if she is a businesswoman. Parents feel that her chances of attracting a good marital prospect go down because she is not perceived as good material for focusing on the house and family

Click Here for the rest of the article.

United we rule

2010-07-20T11:17:00.001+05:00

'United we rule' was published on Sunday, July 18, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

United we rule

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 18, 2010

Why do we not let go of a past that yielded more damage than benefit? The answer is that we do not want to learn. Flaring up the past to create present and future tensions is the favourite pastime of politicians who are unable to create internal harmony and unity

Click Here for the rest of the article.

An incovenient freedom

2010-07-12T12:55:00.003+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'An inconvenient freedom' on Sunday, July 11, 2010.

As usual, below is an excerpt and click on Full Article at the bottom of the excerpt for the full article.

An inconvenient freedom
Andleeb Abbas
Sunday, July 11, 2010

Barak Obama’s inability to be decisive and meaningful is now eroding his image as the man who will make other nations look up to the US as a role model. His recent mumbling stance on the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla was a sad exposure of his inability to stand on principles and commitments

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

Et tu,water...

2010-07-12T12:47:00.001+05:00

'Et tu,water...' was published on Sunday,July 4th,2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Et tu,water...

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: July 04, 2010

Pakistan has one of the lowest agriculture productivity per cubic metre of water in the world. Our cash crops like sugarcane, rice and cotton are all water guzzlers and therefore we really need to question whether it is worth using 97 percent of the water on them

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The depth of inhumanity

2010-06-28T15:17:00.002+05:00

'The depth of inhumanity' was published on Sunday,June 06, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Shoot the messenger

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 06, 2010

This desire to bring all those who do not believe in the Taliban brand of Islam to task is equivalent to assuming the role of God. Thus this attitude is a serious disbelief in the ultimate power of God

Click Here for the rest of the article.

'Un' social networking

2010-06-28T15:00:00.003+05:00

''Un' social networking' was published on Sunday, May 30, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Un social networking

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May,30 2010

The reckless interpretation of freedom by the West and the vengeful response of the Muslim world have created an endless battle of the aggrieved and the griever

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Shoot the messenger

2010-06-28T14:40:00.001+05:00

'Shoot the messenger' was published on Sunday,June 27, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Shoot the messenger

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 27, 2010

Any leader who goes to Islamabad starts living under the illusion that all is well. With eight star luxuries available in their residences, they can never imagine the misery the ordinary citizen feels in the searing heat, with extensive load shedding

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Farewell to Tango

2010-06-28T14:35:00.002+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'Farewell to Tango' on Sunday,June 20th.

Here is an excerpt and click on the link at the bottom for the full article.

Farewell to Tango

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, June 20, 2010

The skill and knowledge deficit has brought our industries to their knees where they have been irreparably hit by external factors like recession, competition and inflation

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

How to de--develop a country

2010-06-28T14:23:00.002+05:00

'How to de-develop a country' was published on Sunday, June 13, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

How to de-develop a country

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: June 13, 2010

Pakistan’s rating on the human development index is appalling; it has one of the lowest literacy rates and one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The strength of resolve

2010-06-28T14:08:00.002+05:00

'The strength of resolve' was published on Sunday, May 23, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The strength of resolve

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 23, 2010

The reason why each democratic government has not lasted beyond a couple of years in the country is not because democracy has failed as a system but because the people chosen to run the system are feudal autocrats who do not have the courage to let merit and justice rule

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The corruption epidepic

2010-06-28T13:51:00.003+05:00

'The corruption epidemic' was published on Sunday, May 16, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

The Corruption Epidemic

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 16, 2010

Capacity building of the bureaucrats has become a lottery for most of the high-ranking officials where each one is going to prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford and Princeton at exorbitant costs

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Legally Unjust?

2010-06-28T13:47:00.003+05:00

'Legally Unjust?' was published on Sunday, May 09, 2010 in DailyTimes. Below is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

Legally Unjust?

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 09, 2010

How the Mighty Fall

2010-06-28T13:43:00.003+05:00

DailyTimes published my article 'How the Mighty Fall' on Sunday, May 02, 2010. Here is an excerpt of the article along with the link below.

How the Mighty Fall

By Andleeb Abbas

Date: May 02, 2010

Organisations without a true purpose, mission and values are always in danger of losing their way in their fanatical obsession for more and more growth and profits

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Power-‘less’

2010-05-05T09:54:00.001+05:00

Power-‘less’ —Andleeb Abbas, an article that Daily Times published on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

Power-‘less’
By Andleeb Abbas
Date: April 25, 2010

The cost of providing security to the 90 plus fleet of ministers is more than the health budget of Punjab. The bulletproof cars that have been provided to them are shamefully expensive. A tyre replacement for any of these super-secure vehicles can cost up to Rs 1.6 million

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Pakistan, Naturally Beautiful

2010-04-27T10:49:00.004+05:00

'Pakistan, Naturally Beautiful', another article of mine that Daily Times recently published on Sunday, April 18, 2010.

Pakistan, Naturally Beautiful
By Andleeb Abbas
Date: April 18, 2010

While the Indians have perfected the art of marketing and exaggerating their strengths, Pakistan has excelled in its pursuit of highlighting and splashing its weaknesses. A reverse strategy can not only do damage control to the battered international perception of the country but also help lift the bruised spirits of the people of this nation.

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The Media Mafia

2010-04-26T16:17:00.005+05:00

Daily Times recently published my article 'The Business of Aid' on April 11, 2010.

Below is an excerpt of the article.

The media mafia

by Andleeb Abbas

Date: Sunday, April 11, 2010

The popular anchorpersons’ power to make or break opinion creates an arrogance in them that is displayed through condescending sneers and mocking jeers, inciting their guests to lose their cool and be reduced to a laughing stock.

Click Here for the full article.

Business of aid

2010-04-05T14:44:00.004+05:00

Daily Times recently published my article 'Business of aid ' on April 4, 2010.

Below is an excerpt of the article.

Business of aid

by Andleeb Abbas

Date: April 4, 2010

The net effect of aid is more dependence and more deterioration of the economy in the client country, while the aid agency and its networked organisations become financial powerhouses

Click Here for the rest of the article.

The Price of Pain

2010-03-27T15:06:00.003+05:00

Daily Times recently published my article 'The Price of Pain' on March 21, 2010.

Just as before, below is an excerpt of the article.

The Price of Pain

by Andleeb Abbas

Date:March 21, 2010

The government had merrily been declaring that all the terrorists have been nailed and had blown the horns for victory celebrations. The recent bomb blasts are a harsh reminder that dealing with just the symptoms and not the root causes of the problem will always have a short-term impact of a lull before the storm

Click Here for the rest of the article.

Cricket Woes

2010-02-11T16:27:00.004+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'Cricket Woes' on Sunday, February the 7th 2010.

Here is an excerpt of it:

Cricket Woes

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, February 07, 2010

The PCB has no strategic planning where it defines its mission, vision and values or sets performance targets for winning matches or improving international ranking, etc. It is run on the famous ‘ad hoc’ basis where the antique system of being led by the whims and fancies of its power holders has made it a ship without a captain

Click Here for the full article

Tear and wear

2010-01-29T11:24:00.009+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'Tear and wear' on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

As usual, below is an excerpt and click on Full Article at the bottom of the excerpt for the full article.

Tear and wear
Andleeb Abbas
Sunday, January 10, 2010

As they say, a nation gets the leaders it deserves. As voters, either we are cynical and indifferent or do not believe that change can come and thus do not even bother to vote, or we are led away by the shallow declarations and staged actions of these leaders and choose them over and over again

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

Moral Bankruptcy

2010-01-11T12:57:00.007+05:00

Daily Times published my article 'Moral Bankruptcy' on Sunday, January 3rd.

Here is an excerpt and click on the link at the bottom for the full article.

Moral Bankruptcy

Andleeb Abbas

Sunday, January 3, 2010

The common trait which brings PML-N and PML-Q together is their tainted and corrupt past. A few days ago, these two parties were sworn enemies. However, despite their inherent dislike for each other, they somehow always ended up ‘compromising’ with each other

Here is the link to the rest of the article

Full Article

Leading Change

2009-12-22T17:31:00.004+05:00

Daily Times published my article “Leading Change” on their editorial on Sunday 20th December 2009.

An excerpt of it is on this blog and, as always, the full article link is given below.

Leading change

Sunday, 20th December 2009

Andleeb Abbas

Every era has seen a region or a race trying to fight wars and annex freedom and power from other nations. The word ‘superpower’ is at fault. The obsession to be larger, richer and more powerful than the rest has resulted in a complete erosion of values of fairness, justice and equality.

Change or be changed, that is the tough choice we face as the year approaches its turbulent end, which perhaps in most of our lifetimes and the history of this world will separate the true from the false, the strong from the weak, the old from the new. The world has literally turned on its head this year, with everything spinning upside down from politics to economics, from psychics to cynics and from values to ethics. As citizens of this world we need to revisit all our philosophies and models of what is better for whom; as people of this country we need to activate total transformation to save ourselves from extinction; and as individuals we need to examine our purpose and mission and develop the urge for contribution. Without these changes, the writing is on the wall, i.e. act or be acted upon. Let us look at some changes needed at all levels to make this world a better place for all.

Here is the link to the full article:

Full Article

2009-12-14T10:44:00.008+05:00

Daily Times recently published my article “Wanted – Leaders with Integrity” uncut on their editorial on Wednesday 9th December 2009.

As always an excerpt of it is on this blog and the full article link is given below.

Wanted: Leaders with Integrity

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

By Andleeb Abbas

Leaders with integrity are an endangered species in Pakistan; in fact they are almost on the verge of extinction. The painful process of seeing the same faces shamelessly denying proven facts, making promises which are broken as a matter of routine, and continuing to use and abuse their political positions has become an agony the public can no longer bear. The fact that the president of this country has merrily and unabashedly announced that his position gives him amnesty despite the lapsing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is an admission of the fact that his title is the only thing saving him from prosecution; this ‘exemplary’ leadership has set the pattern for many of his ministers to follow.

Here is the link to the full article:

Full Article

Managing Your Boss

2009-11-25T11:04:00.004+05:00

Change Yourself rather than expecting the boss to change- Two people in the world are never wrong, the customer and the Boss. Donot expect him to change for you, you will have to change first to make him change for you. Thus the recommended attitude is to treat the boss as a difficult customer who is going to complain and crib, but who needs to be marketed skillfully, so that he buys your ideas thinking that they are really his own.

Understand his highs and Lows- Get to know what makes him rant and what makes him rave. Understand when, how and where to feed his hobbies and interest. If he likes golf or cricket make sure that you stir up the topic and thereafter become an animated listener. He will take an interest in your interests if you take an interest in his interests.

Adjust your Style-If he is a numbers guy talk and present with logic and facts; if he is philosophical guy get into anecdotes and examples. Use his language and vocabulary and give him the credit of teaching you new ways of professionalism.

See the good in the bad- If he is a tough boss look at how tough and strong you are becoming to deal with such a difficult boss. Learn to look at his strengths rather than weaknesses and understand that growth comes only if two people are different. If two people are the same, learning and growth stalls; thus take a cheerful note of a good thing you have learned from him, rather than just scowling over his flaws.

Earn his Trust- Work on becoming his trustworthy partner. Whenever he comes up with a new task, instead of resenting, have a “why not attitude” to convince him of your ever readiness to go along with him into areas of uncertainty. Eventually he will become dependent on you and will accede to your requirements knowing that he cannot do without you.