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to migrate to the Unites States of America. Today you
are with the few hundred success stories of our communities.”
This statement was made because just few weeks ago
President of ISGH, Dr Aziz Siddiqui had already named Bill White as the best
mayor of the USA in an event at Dawa Center. How come we can judge a person
when he is in office for only few weeks?
In August 2004 Manzoor Memon then Advisor to Mayor was
summoned by Mayor Bill White (with cigar in his mouth a violation of city
non smoking policy) in his office with Michael Moore his Chief of Staff
present who wanted him to leave the Mayor’s office upon request from M.J.
Khan. During the discussion Mayor Bill White made the following statement”
Manny your community is not important for me and I have more important
things to do to run the City and I do not find a place for you in the
Mayor’s office for your $1 a year services as M.J. Khan has the full support
of the community and he wants you out from here. For me his vote is more
important therefore I offer you to pick any City board or commission and be
the chair.”
Memon’s response was “If my community is not important
I will pack up today and I don’t want your charity to be named on any board
which in my view was more a political bribe than any thing”
During first term election of Bill White Asian
communities must have donated more than $ 250,000 and in last six years he
must have received minimum of 1 million dollars from Asian and Muslim
communities. In return what he did for these communities is very minimal.
Except appointing Shukat Zakaria on Planning Commission no substantial
contribution was made to uplift this community. A grant for Al-Shaifa was
given to silence M.J. Khan to continue getting his vote in the council. Most
of the contracts were awarded to Caucasian contractors and all the
minorities were side lined. Most of the black leaders call his tenure as
dark days for minorities when he sidelined Affirmative action program. He
was ineffective and non-inclusive Mayor when City Crime rate went up due to
his ill decision of accommodating New Orleans refugees to settle in Houston.
This was only done for his political gain and media coverage. His Tow and
Safe ride program almost failed and traffic congestion still persisted
except helping some of his donors at the cost of driving smaller towing
companies out of business.
At the end of the day if you evaluate his 6 years every
thing was triggered to give him an edge to be the next Governor of Texas or
US Senator. This is the reason we give him an “F” for his contributions to
Asian and Muslim Communities.
Why Gene Locke Lost Mayoral Race
December 12, 2009 Houston Mayoral election was a big
upset for many veteran politicians. Downtown business community who picked
Bill White as establishment candidate six years ago failed to get Gene
Locke, a senior attorney and civil right activist to repeat history to get
elected as second afro-American Mayor of Houston. On the other hand with
limited cash but motivated volunteers from all over the country Annise
Parker made the history to get elected as 2nd woman and first
open lesbian to be the Mayor of a major City.
Gene Locke’s foremost handicap was name recognition.
His campaign staff and close advisors failed to showcase him as a qualified
candidate. In March 2009 advice from Manzoor Memon a member of his Finance
Committee was discussed at length to rent 12-15 large bill boards to
advertise his candidacy but idea was never implemented. This resulted in
lack of candidate knowledge to people until he hit the airways and TV which
was too late to bring him as a forefront runner. Peter Brown with all his
money and major TV advertising kept both Annise and Gene from the lime
light. Subsequently Gene was too a gentleman in his debates and was very
soft to his opponents as well as to sitting Mayor Bill White. This created
no fire for voters to see him different than any other candidates. He failed
to exploit financial problems of City for which then controller Annise
Parker was partially to blame.
On one side Peter Brown crossed racial lines and
persuaded many afro-American voters to cast ballot in his favor put Gene
Locke in a defensive position in his own community on the other side Annise
Parker showcased him as poor financial administrator. In desperate mode his
strong supporters Ned Holmes and Bob Lanier financed anti-guy activists to
send mailers to conservative voters. This created two problems for Gene one
was that Conservatives did not come to cast their ballot in protest as they
neither wanted to vote for a lesbian nor for a black candidate. The second
problem was igniting fire within Annise Parker’s gay supporters bringing in
more volunteers and money started pouring in from all over the country as at
this time Annise was winnable candidate comparing to general election when
Anise Parker’s campaign account was almost empty. Huge campaign funding
enabled Annise Parker to run two prong TV Ads, one to portray Gene as an
insider candidate of establishment and other to showcase her 12 years
experience in City Council and Controller’s office. At the end race and
weather played vital role. Historically weather plays a pivotal role for
blacks to come to vote and on a foggy day with low temperatures they stayed
home and expected number of votes coming from predominately black areas did
not make it resulting Gene loosing by 10973 votes by 7.89% margin. This was
in contrast to Mayor Lee Brown’s election against Moshbacher when majority
of black votes and partially Hispanic vote gave edge to his candidacy to
win. During this election Hispanics votes never made to the polls due to no
candidate from their race resulting election was decided by a thin
population of inner loop voters. Out of about 3 million registered voters
only 154,784 voters made to polls. This is sad part of our democratic
institution that only 5.16% people decide which candidate to be their leader
and 95 % people are asleep”. People wake up and stop complaining about the
system if you want to make a change in your lives cast your valuable vote.
If President Barrack Obama would not have been elected by us the change in
the society would never have come. A health bill to cover all poor
Americans would never have passed if we would have sat home and not vote for
him.
One more fundamental cause of Gene Locke’s failure was
his selection of staff. Most of his staff was young believed in face book,
twitter, Emails and no community involvement. His three time shuffle of
staff put him in a disadvantageous position. His volunteer office was run by
some one who had no roots and most of the paid volunteers made a pay check
but never believed in the candidate comparing to Annise who had dedicated
volunteers who wanted to make a point to the nation to accept gay community
as part of the society. During endorsement of Houston Police Officer’s
Association Senator Whitmire told Manzoor Memon a member of Gene Locke’s
finance committee to advise Gene to bring some local strong campaign staff
rather than running his campaign with some kiddos and outsiders from San
Antonio who had not much experience with local politicians. Many observed
several staffers coming to work unshaved and in untidy attires not
reflecting a business like attitude. The advice was passed on to him but he
took too long to make changes and his staff failed to get him endorsement of
Houston Chronicle and prominent community leaders. Sources reveal that Roy
Morales request to endorse Gene Locke was declined as well as Peter Brown
offered to endorse him for some position in his administration. According to
this source Gene did not wanted to commit any thing before elections for
support which morally very honest but practically poor decision looking to
today’s politics which is based on you scratch my back and I scratch your
back phenomenon. One can see all the money received from contractors and
major contributors does not come without any strings. Every one has their
agenda and wants some thing from politicians when they contribute to their
political campaigns no one is innocent in this pot. So why Gene did not take
support of two major candidates a poor staff advice or over confidence that
he could win without their help. A poor judgment call, who ever decided this
issue?
During general elections Asian community gave 24
locations to install large signs. Gene Locke’s staff failed to install those
signs and after 30 days Manzoor Memon personally took those signs and got
installed. This showed a very poor quality of staff to support the Gene
Locke’s candidacy. Also a advice given to rent 15-20 vans to drive voters to
polls was not implemented effectively as during Lee Brown’s election when 50
vans were used resulting almost 97 % black votes cast for him. A lady who
called to be taken to polls failed to get a ride since 2.30 PM as there was
no established program to help poor and Seniors to get a ride to polls.
Gene Locke was a seasoned gentleman and would have been
a very effective Mayor but many factors like his race, connections to
downtown establishment, lack of visibility and name recognition resulted in
his defeat. He should try one more time to run for office and correct his
mistakes and will be able to win easily.
FEW SUGGESTIONS TO ANNISE PARKER MAYOR CITY OF
HOUSTON
1.
Transition team should consist of Major donors for various
departments based on their experience. This way you recognize their
financial support as well as keep them on board for future fund raising
effort. Request the transition teams to produce hard copy proposals for
various problems of the city. Crime, Flooding, Mobility, Affirmative Action,
Homeless, Public works, Police Department and few more transition teams be
announced.
2.
In the past Mayor’s agenda could not be enforced due to lack of
authority with the immediate staff of the Mayor. Positions of Special
assistant to Mayor are renamed as Assistant Chief of Staff which gives
command to the staff to get things done from various departments to help the
public. The organizational chart should include one chief of staff, three
Deputy chief of Staff and 5 to 7 Assistant Chief of Staff, besides the Chief
Administrative Officer.
3.
Revitalize Mayor Advisory Board for International Business by
bringing key businessmen who supported you. This will bring you financial
support as well as help you to bring international business. Mayor White
appointed leaders of various community organizations to be the members of
this board which failed its purpose as those leaders were using this
organization to glorify their positions and no concrete work was done. You
need to foresee the need for financial support in upcoming elections and
help the major contributors to be placed on this and other boards.
4.
Mayor’s Advisory Boards For International Business should be divided
to the following:
Africa (All
African countries),
Asia (China
Japan Korea Malaysia),
Americas
(South America),
Europe
(Canada and European Countries)
South Asia
(India, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh Sri Lanka),
Middle East (Egypt, Iraq,
Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries)
Every Assistant Chief of
Staff should be made responsible for two of these boards to support their
countries based on their affiliation to avoid any man power deployment. At
present one person Helen Chang is handling all these boards. Helen has
interest in promoting only China therefore other countries never get a time
of the day from her causing frustration among other communities. These
boards can be made very effective tools to promote your agenda in all the
communities.
5.
One of the campaign promise has been to appoint Flood control Manager
where as few more initiatives like Homeless and implementation of
affirmative action be considered.
If you have any suggestions
for the Mayor please sent to us for publishing in our next issue.
Haroon Shaikh Forced to Resign from various Boards.
Reference to Houston Chronicle front page story, about
Haroon Shaikh, former President Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA, who is
involved in selling and promoting pornographic movies and material, at
various video outlets without SOB (Sexually Oriented Business) license. This
is to report that he was forced to resign from Harris County Sports
Authority, Karachi Houston Sister City Boards. Pakistan Chamber of Commerce
was contacted and it was reported that he does not hold any position in the
organization. However his name still appeared on the election material sent
to elect new officers of the Chamber. He is still serving as Director for
United Central Bank for which the Bank declined to respond to a written
request.
Why M.J.
Khan Lost Controller’s Race?
“ Duan kee
kamee thee votoon kee kamee naheen thee”.
M.J. Khan Former Houston City Council Member lost his chance to be the
first Asian to get elected as City of Houston top financial watch dog mainly
due to his own political mistakes. M.J. Khan an active worker of Islamic
Jamiat-I-Tulba in early 60’s was very involved with right wing religious
party of Pakistan Jamait-i-Islami whose President Qazi Ahmed stayed in his
Memorial home on his visit to USA. He was elected as President of Pakistani
Association of Greater Houston (PAGH) in mid 90’s and was termed out in 2002
leaving PAGH office locked out by the landlord for non payment of rent and a
total deficit of more than $11000.00 on the books. In his tenure as
President of PAGH, legal cases were filed and the PAGH lost more than
$100,000 in legal fees which brought PAGH at verge of bankruptcy. M.J. Khan
a media conscious has total love to be photographed and interviewed. Just
after 9/11 a Goodyear Store owned by a Pakistani was torched. M.J was the
first one to reach the scene. Without investigating the cause of the fire,
he made a bold statement of racism profiling with Houston Chronicle and
proudly took a picture with the storeowner, which was printed in Houston
Chronicle. Unfortunately, next day it was found out that the Pakistani
storeowner was responsible for the arson and had deliberately caused the
fire to get insurance money. Masrur never apologized nor felt bad because he
was only interested in getting his picture in the paper. Similarly, he
brought huge embarrassment to all Pakistanis on the day of his oath ceremony
at Miller Outdoor Theater when he would not leave Mayor Bill White’s hand
until all the media photographers took his picture. The night three
Pakistani store clerks were murdered in Houston, Masrur called Shah Haqqi,
who was working in the Mayor’s office as Assistant to the Executive
Assistant to Mayor. Shah responded that it was too late to call anyone and
asked Masrur to see him in his office next morning at 9 a.m. Frustrated
Masrur, then the President of Pakistani Association of Greater Houston,
called Manzoor Memon a close friend of then Mayor Brown who had his private
numbers. Upon his intervention within minutes then Chief of Police C.O.
Bradford formed a task force to put a search of the murderer and arrange a
meeting with community leaders the very next day. To review police progress,
a meeting was scheduled at Police Head quarters after two days on a Friday
after the funerals of the victims. Just before the meeting, a call came from
the Chief of Police informing that the murderer had been arrested. At a
media briefing at Police Head Quarters M.J was asked to lead the group where
he started his political career and subsequently he instigated Pakistani
businessmen to go on strike by shutting down all the gas stations in
Houston. Upon Mayor Lee Brown’s intervention a memorial for the victims was
held at Tranquility Park Downtown where M. J. Khan shined his political
skills. This complete scenario was first step for M.J. Khan to run for
political office. He utilized services of Manzoor Memon then Advisor to
Mayor for South Asian Affairs to meet with Mayor Lee Brown and get his
blessings to run for the office. Mayor Brown was very generous and guided
him and promised to endorse him and he kept the promise. Manzoor Memon got
him his major endorsements from sitting Mayor and Kase Lawal, Vice Chairman
Houston Port Authority. Kase, a billionaire, not only endorsed him but also
got him all the Nigerian votes in the district and donated a hefty amount as
a political contribution. He used all community resources to get elected as
City Council Member and all community leaders including Ghulam Bombaywala,
Zafar Tahir, Lutfi Hassan, Sajjad Burki, Ashraf Abbasi, Manzoor Memon and
many more were present on his victory party. No doubt Masrur is one of the
best political strategists. He knows how to drag a situation and people on
to favorable grounds at the time of need. However due to his poor
interaction and lack of mobilizing all groups on one platform, he lost his
creditability. However, as soon as he took oath his first target was to get
Manzoor Memon out of the City. Masrur is one of those people who want to
keep everyone, even his friends, one step behind due to his inferiority
complex and fear of loosing grip on power. If he would have continued
working together as a team, Pakistani community could have achieved a higher
position in the political arena. Unfortunately, minorities cut each other’s
throats and never let others climb the ladder. They spend more time in
intrigues to bring people down than to indulge in some positive work. Soon
after M.J. Khan’s election as City Council member his doors were shut for
most of our community members except for members of Masrur’s inner circle
and members of the MQM (Mohajir Quomi Movement). Masrur got exposed that he
used the community to get elected but would cater only for the selected
people. Most of his major contributors left him and formed alliances to
unseat him in the next election which he survived due to a very organized
and the most expensive campaign for any city council seat. He also survived
many allegations during his election including paying cash money to New
Orleans Katrina victims to get registered as Houston voters and made them
vote for him; using the City property phone system, E-mails and Blackberry
to raise funds for the election campaign, which is considered unlawful. One
of his inner circle members has been alleged for selling FEMA vouchers given
to M.J. Khan’s office to be distributed to New Orleans’s Katrina evacuees.
In his six years tenure he has not been able to get any major capital
project approved in his district F which is considered the poorest progress
among all districts of Houston. He has not attended any community events
hosted by community organizations like PAGH and Pakistan Chamber of
Commerce. However he has sponsored and openly served the MQM and its
affiliated people and served on ethnic lines not on the Pakistan level or in
the interest of the Muslims.
Masrur could have been very famous in our communities if he had helped
the younger generation to get internships and jobs in the City. An employee
of his office Sadaf Manzoor left the job due to certain allegations which
never surfaced but did reach to City hall insiders which caused lot of
embracement for M.J. Khan. Masrur could also have supported the affirmative
action program and got lucrative contracts to minorities instead of joining
hands with Mayor Bill White who has sidelined affirmative program
guaranteeing 30% contacts to minorities. In his tenure, this program has
been put aside and most of the contracts are awarded to the Caucasian
contractors who have supported Mayor White’s election campaign while filling
his campaign chest periodically. Masrur got a chance to serve the people but
he served himself to achieve his goals. He will always be remembered as a
part of the establishment and not people’s person. Masrur’s main strength
comes from his wife who, a successful cardiovascular practitioner, has
financed his election campaigns. On the other hand Masrur has never been
able to hold a steady job. A person’s character is always open to
interpretation when in power. It is the very time when one can see looking
in the mirror and ask this question from self: “If God gave me power, what
good did I do for the people then?” His staff in the City has been very
discontented and upset with him as he reduced the salaries of the staff and
increased his remuneration. A multimillionaire cut short the poor staff’s
livelihood only for his own sublimity shows the character of this man. The
biggest disfavor done by Masrur is that of working against the only
Pakistani community organization: PAGH. He has tried to damage the major
project of establishing the first Pakistani Community Center in North
America. Due to his negative tactics, this project was delayed and had
undergone loads of hindrances. During most of his tenure as city council
Member he worked against the Pakistani American Community Center and at the
end requested outgoing President of PAGH Ghulam Bombaywala to help him in
his bid for Controller in exchange for his support to Khalid Khan who also
failed to receive enough votes at District F elections. This was another
political maneuver of M.J. Khan who at this time had lost support of his
core members Zafar Tahir, Sajjad Burki, Anjum, Saeed Anwar and Khalid Ali.
Just after his second term, MJ Khan reduced the salary of his chief of
staff, Dionne Roberts, who leaked copies of bad checks of his opponent
before Election Day which gave him an easy victory by default. Dionne was
very furious with her demotion and the sad part was that MJ, being a
multi-millionaire, gave a pay increase to himself. Dionne unfolded the
details of many irregularities and illegal activities happening during the
2005 election, at the same time when Khalid Khan, a Pakistani, had
challenged MJ. Dionne did not want to be the whistleblower and wanted to
turn the material to the Inspector General for investigation. Major handicap
MJ had was that he was neither a resident of District F and forged his
residency to get elected from a district with a heavy South Asian population
nor he was resident of Houston to run for Controller as he lives in a tiny
city named Piney Pointe an unincorporated area within City of Houston.
Due to all these reasons and the last blow was a flyer sent by Ron
Green’s campaign office in retaliation to M.J’s flyer against Ron Green
about his IRS problems the election was turned in Ron Green’s favor.
Analyzing the election results total 154,784 votes were cast. In Mayoral
election Annise Parker received 81,743 votes and Gene Locke got 70,770 votes
with 2247 as under votes (Means these voters did not vote for either one of
them). In Controller’s race Ron Green received 71,881 votes where as M.J.
Khan got 69,690 votes with 13192 under votes. This was a big blow for M.J.
Khan that so many voters did not cast their ballot for either of the
candidates because both ran negative campaigns against each other which made
voters furious and they decided not to vote for either one of them. The
flyer sent by Ron Green two days before election did the trick for him and
M.J. Khan was paid back by poetic justice when he ran a flyer with a bad
check against Mconn who ran against him in District F election six years
ago.
In short M. J. Khan has not much to show on his report card, his all
friends left him and with so much investment from his own resources and a
lot of cash contributed by Pakistani community he lost his only chance to
step up to the next level only because of his mistakes and dirty politics of
divide and rule which back fired on him. According to one of his past
supporter “ Duan kee kamee thee votoon kee kamee naheen thee”. He added that
the money spent on all the political races if donated to PAGH would have
paid off Pakistan Center. If he would have taken all Pakistani community
members together M.J. Khan would have been shinning star of the community
and a future leader like Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.
How to
Minimize Houston Crime
Police Officers consume 40-50% of their time to
document their activities. If those officers are asked to park their police
cars at high crime locations to finish their paper work it will discourage
potential crime. Most of the murders occur at Convenience Stores or Night
Clubs. Police Dept in co-operation with local business owners should deploy
officers at such locations while filling out necessary paper work. Let us
reduce crime instead of wasting time on documentation. In last 10 years
about 25-30 Store Clerks have been killed during robberies and HPD due to
shortage of Police Officers has provided no protection to the stores. On the
other hand store owners are not ready to invest few dollars to protect their
employees by putting bullet proof cabins. According to some store owners
clerks need to be in close contact with customers to provide better service
but on the cost of their lives. Please have mercy on these low paid clerks
who give their lives for few extra dollars you make. We recommend inspecting
Chevron located at 7448 Spencer Hwy Pasadena TX 77505 where a bullet proof
cabin was build and in last 12 years of operation no crime has occurred.
This is a joint responsibility of Store Owners and Police Dept to provide
extra security for these innocent clerks.
Officer Muzafar Siddiqui suggested scrutinizing calls
made for petty things like loud music etc and diverting officers to fight
gangs and habitual criminals. If you have any suggestions how to fight crime
send your idea the Editor.
Community Demands accountability from Tasleem
Siddiqui
for Funds Collected for Muslim Cemetery in South
Houston.
About 10 years ago Mr. Tasleem Siddiqui Trustee of
Pakistan Association of Greater Houston PAGH and few of his relatives
Khursheed Jilani, Kaleem Jilani, Mazhar Jilani and Azmat Ali promoted an
idea of establishing a Muslim cemetery ( Ahala-Sunat Kabristan). Sources who
donated to this project reveal that about 30 thousand dollars were collected
from the community with a hope to get them final resting place. Since so
many years the project never materialized and community money donated to
this cause vanished. Promotional brochures indicate phone numbers
713-777-6688 and 281-435-4402 who collected the funds. Mr. Tasleem Siddiqui
never returned calls to comment on this story. Community demands a written
explanation where the funds were utilized. Story will continue in our next
edition. If any one who has donated money to this cause please let us know.
Let us identify the people who are cheating our community for their hard
earned money.
Pakistan Center May loose Tax Exempt Status.
PAGH (Pakistan Association of Greater Houston) a non
profit organization build a Community Center at 12638 Bissonnet Street
Houston Texas and obtained a tax exempt status from Harris County Appraisal
District. However due to negligence of then President Ghulam Bombaywala and
ignoring advice from Trustee Manzoor Memon the Banquet Hall was leased to a
fictitious identity Five Star Banquet Hall. Harris county records as well as
State offices could not find this identity doing business in Texas. However
due to commercial use of shops at the frontage of the Community Center and
Banquet Hall leased for commercial use PAGH may loose the tax exempt status
and have to pay taxes on the 1,077,551 value of property putting the
community with extra burden to operate this center. Per Manzoor Memon former
Trustee who recommended operating the Banquet Hall by hiring two individuals
getting 20% commission from the rental would have kept the center at tax
exempt status. However PAGH management decided to take an expensive route
which will cause more financial stress to the community. Upon request from
this reporter to provide audited financial records was ignored. PAGH is
requested to provide audited accounts of PAGH and the Community Center for
public information. We will continue our efforts to get PAGH accounts for
our readers.
ISGH New Management to Change Rules for Election
Eligibility
During last month’s annual elections of ISGH (Islamic
Society of Greater Houston) three candidates filed nominations for Vice
President and were put on the ballot. Upon complaints from many community
members the election commission was asked to disqualify Syed Rashid Bukhari
based on his indulgence in selling alcohol, pornographic material and
promoting gambling in his three stores. Reviewing an affidavit signed by all
the candidates Syed Rashid Bukhari denied his involvement in any major sin
outlined by Islam. However all the above activities are considered major sin
in Islam which disqualified him as a candidate to represent Muslim community
of Houston. Luckily he received only 141 votes comparing to his opponents
who received ten times more votes and he lost the election. Since then ISGH
new management has made promise to approve new election rules to be strictly
implemented to avoid such embarrassing situation when people with shady
character run for office to represent prestigious organization like ISGH. We
request the new management of ISGH to send copy of their approved election
rules to be printed in next issue.
Editorial
Is honesty the best policy?
After successful launching of my book Is honesty the
best policy? I was encouraged by so many of my friends who are silent
observers of the local, national and international behavior of people. The
society’s face is changing and dishonesty, corruption and a fraudulent
dealing is becoming part of accepted social behavior. Money has become the
God and we have forgotten our values to love and cherish things given to us.
Politics has become game of money making and charities are milking money to
build their dreams instead of fulfilling promise of helping the poor. Most
of the newspapers are struggling to get advertisements to keep going
resulting others agenda items and photographs printed in those newspapers
with no news about our social behavior. Intention of this newspaper is not
to crucify any one but to highlight good of the society and showcase evil
faces to the people who are cheating all of us under cover. This will be a
newspaper to bring consumer protection issues and help minorities to rise
and be part of the political and financial system. I thank Najam Shaikh
Editor Pakistan Times to encourage me and help me to bring this issue for
you which will be available on monthly basis till we get enough support from
the community to publish on fortnightly basis. I encourage you to write
about social issues and help others and prove that honesty is the best
policy.
Editor In Chief
Congratulations to President Obama
Editorial board would like to congratulate President
Barrack Obama for his historical win to get Heath care bill passed from
House and Senate. Providing health care to every Citizen is fundamental
right of every American. Let us uplift poor of this country as well as help
other countries to eradicate poverty in the world.
Immigrant Leadership
If you
study world history, you will come across the fact that 95% of immigration
occurs due to financial reasons. Most of the immigrants coming from the
third world countries come to USA to achieve financial independence. They
use right and wrong means to achieve their goals. After they become
financially independent, they realize that money does not bring glory and
fame. So they start their campaign to be recognized with their communities.
Then, these people become active members of civic organizations and become
philanthropist by using some charitable organization to achieve their
ambition. This is where again they manipulate and use vicious tricks to
achieve their goal. Once they are a part of any civic or charitable
organization, they use old political school of thought to divide and rule,
make dictatorial decisions to achieve the leadership of those organizations.
This breed of politicians once in leadership role do not want to leave the
power and glory and use all the right and wrong methods to keep themselves
in the front lines. They discourage the new line of leadership and undermine
their capabilities to come forward to the leadership role. So the fight for
power begins, they use the community as their pawn and keep on trying to
prove to everyone that they are the only ones doing excellent job for the
community. However, their actions are directed for personal gain and glory.
In the process if there were a few sincere leaders who want to do something
positive for their communities without any financial goals or personal
glory, become the biggest victims of these selfish leaders.
War
breaks out between good and evil. This is the reason civic organizations of
immigrants do not flourish and remain in chaos at all times. The main
problem is the lack of tolerance; excessive greed of power and projection of
personal glory. All this drives away sincere people and ultimately
leadership remains in the hands of a few selfish and self-centered people.
In some cases, if a clash between two leaders with similar evil agenda
starts, it splits the community by starting parallel organizations to
undermine the democratically elected leadership. We do not accept the will
of the people and do not let the elected office bearers to work for the
community but to keep them busy to defend their actions. Why? The reason is
that by birth most of the immigrants are born during dictatorship rule and
it becomes their second nature to believe in absolute power whenever they
get a leadership role. Though we preach for democracy and democratic values,
but are reluctant to accept majority’s decision during the elections and
never accept the elected leaders. From national level to smaller civic
groups the leaders do preach to have belief in democratic values but fail to
give the people the rights outlined by a true democracy. In the end, most
third world countries cannot claim to have practiced democracy in the real
essence. This is the reason why democratic institutions never flourish and
people’s desperation goes deeper and they are disgusted by the system. This
frustration brings an evil action and ends up on killings of the innocent
people. In general, it is the poor who suffer from the arrogant decisions
made by our leaders. The rich get richer and the poor go down in the hole
deeper day by day.
If we
have to survive, we must learn the rule of playing right, keeping community
or national interest a prime consideration to make decisions, encouraging
young leaders to come forward and take the leadership role to give new life
to communities.
A few years ago, in
summer, during a visit to the United States Senate building hundreds of
young kids ranging from 16-25 years of age were eating lunch. Upon our
inquiry it was found out that those were mainly interns working as
volunteers to learn how the government functions. This program not only
brings free labor for various elected officials but also produces next
generation of bureaucrats and elected leaders. This is the reason there is
no lack of leadership in developed countries like the United States as
compared to any other country in the world. The United States believes in
the true essence of the democracy and work constantly to improve
infrastructure and upgrade the standard of their institutions. This is the
reason why the United States is the most desirable country to migrate to.
Immigrants do come here with the hope to be part of this society but lack
desire to follow the basic principles of democracy.
I urge
the leaders of every level from third world countries to learn the value of
right and wrong and stop believing in mighty power. Finally truth prevails
and eventually two wrongs do not make a right. We must produce second
generation of leaders rather than creating suicide bombers. We need to
provide ground for the young generation to work hard, play by the rules and
achieve excellence in every field of life.
PAKISTAN, TALIBANS & USA
The word
“Taliban “has been misquoted, misused and misinterpreted in the media,
particularly in the western hemisphere. The real meaning of Taliban is taken
from Talib-ul-ilm which means, “Student “. This word has generally been used
for students learning Islam in religious schools. It has never been used for
militants or religious extremist as it is
beingportrayedrecentlyinthemedia.During the cold war, American policy makers
used students of these religious schools called Madrsas to wage war on
communist Russia showcasing jihad (Holy war) against atheist army of the
USSR. These students were called Taliban who won the American proxy war
against the Russian empire and brought them to their knees resulting in the
break up of the USSR into small fragments and tiny countries. This was not a
holy war for the USA but it took them one step forward to acquire the super
power status in the world and extend their control on few more oil rich
countries. During this war, Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was used to
provide logistical and financial support to the Talibans. This is the reason
why many Taliban leaders developedclosetiestoISIoperatives.The Americans
made a tactical mistake by abandoning those trained mercenaries called
Talibans after the end of the Afghanistan war. Subsequently when they
installed a CIA operative as the President of Afghanistan and General
Pervaiz Musharaf a military dictator to lead Pakistan these dictators
instead of giving Talibans soft cushion tried to crush those, resulting
initiation of a holy war against leaders sympathetic to USA. This in turn
created a division within ISI and a group compassionate to Talibans
clandestinely helped them to wage war on American interests. If USA policy
makers would have been smart they would have formed a program to recruit
these starved and poor Talibans to upgrade their lives and give appreciation
for the holy war against Russian.The same scenario was repeated in Iraq when
Saddam’s army was forced to wage war against American interests instead of
recruiting them in the newly established army. If planned correctly this
chaos and massive killing of individuals could have been avoided in Iraq.
Instead, Americans and its allies, particularly the British created an
artificial rift between Shia and Sunnis causing them to kill each other
while they quietly walked away from the scene leaving devastation and hatred
for the west in theirsoulandminds. Unfortunately, USA policy makers always
see the short term goals and have botched in making long term gains. This is
the reason a new front has opened for them in Afghanistan. Looking at the
history of this area, it is astonishing to note that no warrior has ever
been successful to conquer this part of the world. After many years of
operations, the USA has been unsuccessful in winning the hearts of people.
Looking to the historical facts, it will not happen until American policy
makers craft changes to help the poor people of this region. If necessary
steps are not taken, the current situation is ripe for Al-Qaida to recruit
these militants to create more turmoil and commotion for the western
countries and it’s supporting regimes all over the world. The tragic events
on 9/11 have already put the US economy in recession and any additional
incidents will put thewholeworldineconomicandsocialpandemonium.President
Barrack Obama has rightly said that this is not the war against Islam but
against the terrorists trying to disrupt our lives. American policy maker’s
unilateral support of Israel and India in respect to Palestine and Kashmir
issues has escalated the terrorism. President Obama must realize that until
and unless major disputes like Palestine and Kashmir are not resolved during
his administration America will continue suffering set back in the war
against terror. The followingareafew suggestions for Americans in
ordertoalterthewaveofhatredtowardsthem.
1. The financial aid sent to Afghanistan and Pakistan for the war on terror
has been misused and embezzled by the corrupt dictators of both of these
countries. There should be thorough auditing to find out where the money was
used and an attempt be made to recover billions of dollars stolen which were
supposed to be used for the poor.
2. Create two foundations one for Pakistan and the other for Afghanistan
which should be fully funded by the donor countries supporting the
revitalization of these two countries. Initially, these foundations should
be funded with at least 2.5 billion dollars each and
theirperformancebeassessedbyindependentagencies.
3. These foundations must create programs to provide vocational, trade and
computer skills to the students already part of the religious schools (Madrsas).
Instead of opening new schools, provide modern educational tools to the
students who are being converted into religious fanatics. This can be done
by donating computers to these schools to teach
moderneducationinconjunctionwithreligiouseducation.
4. Governments should be encouraged to change their curriculums to meet the
needs of moderntimes.
5. Provide food for the needy with pre-packaged food items promoting donor
countries. The distribution of food must be under taken by some honest NGO’s
otherwise most of the foreign aid sent to these countries has vanished and
sold in black market.
6. Provide portable water coolers with water filters to the people who are
living in villages where there is no drinking water. This will reduce
mortality rate and minimize healthhazardscausedbyimpurewater.
7. Provide solar powered lanterns to the villagers where electricity has not
been provided sothattheirproductivitycanbeimproved.
8. Establish health care facilities in district head quarters equipped with
mobile clinics which can provide health care to poor people of remote
villages who have no access to thecityfacilities.
9. Establish small industrial units based on availability of local raw
materials, at district levels to create jobs as well as business
opportunities for the middle class folks.
10. Education in women is the most difficult aspect as many of these areas
are not in favor of exposing females to the modern society. Therefore
conventional methods can be adopted to reach to these women. Television
programs that educate women should be created and free television sets
should be distributed to remote areas to enable them to
learnthebasicsofmodernsociety.
MEDIA & POLITICS
“The Pen is mightier than the sword” a very well said quote is factual in
its essence if it is used with honesty, dignity and integrity. A few decades
ago, people used to write out of passion to broaden their education by
highlighting the evils of society and cherished good deeds of individuals.
But today, the media which include television, newspapers and internet
communications have been used for special interest such as for self praise
and promoting personal or collective agenda to make financial gains.
This is no longer an era of honest reporting but every thing is done for
monetary gain where people pay handsomely to achieve their menacing and
sinister goals by misguiding and fooling innocent citizens. We believe that
media is reporting true facts which are altered to serve the agenda of the
people who have paid openhandedly for such services.
Politics has become a money making business mainly due to large appetite of
media outlets who promote right or wrong candidates to make a buck. This
practice eventually produces crooked, corrupt and egotistical politicians
who take control of the country’s institutions. This in turn discourages
straightforward, genuine and truthful people who are side lined by
malevolence elements allowing shady people to flourish.
George Bush won his election because of deceptive advertising portraying Al
Gore and then John Kerry as too liberal where as both these candidates were
more educated and experienced. They would have proved to be better
Presidents. Fox TV always supports right wing conservative agenda instead of
reporting what is right and what is wrong in the society. CNN is also
labeled as leaning towards left and considered as a major factor for Obama
to win elections.
Most of the major TV networks and newspapers are owned by Jewish businessmen
who dictate the agenda in getting those candidates elected who would support
Israel’s interests. Those networks do not report truthfully instead they
carry messages of special interest. This is the reason why society is not
leaning towards positivness but following unenthusiastic and apathetic
trends. We grumble about crime and many evil happenings but we forget that
if we encourage honesty, veracity and genuineness within people the world
can transform into a better place if not heaven. I blame the people, who
have the caliber and knowledge to write, and use their gift for the
betterment of society by eradicating hunger, poverty and health epidemics in
the world instead of promoting wars and devastation all over the globe.
During my tenure as Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Houston I used to
write all the time about contributions of first African American Mayor Lee P
Brown but seldom some thing would be printed in the local news papers. Mayor
Brown once commented “I wish there were some more writers like you who can
promote honesty and truthfulness”. Local newspapers and media outlets were
always biased with Mayor Brown and never gave him enough credit for what he
accomplished during his tenure. If you remember the Metro Rail, Convention
Center, Hilton Americas, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center Basketball Arena,
Reliant Football Stadium and many more infrastructure developmental projects
were completed during his tenure but he never received any credit for his
work. On the other hand, Mayor Bill White, who spent most of his time to add
cash to his political chest to use mayoral position as a step to climb as US
Senator from Texas, always received warm welcome in local media. If you
compare both, Mayor Bill White did not fulfill any campaign promises and in
fact worked against the extension of the Metro Rail to other parts of the
city just to help the special interest. During the six years of Mayor White
no newspaper wrote any articles about his poor performance, failed policies
and his favoritism in which a satellite City Hall made all the contractual
decisions. On the other hand Mayor Brown’s every action was an issue and he
was grilled on a daily basis. This is no honesty but it is bigotry and
chauvinism. Because of race we support one inferior candidate and condemn a
hard working individual.
The Houston Post wrote an article against an African American mayoral
candidate Sylvester Turner one night before the election which was based on
false and fictitious details which benefited Mayor Bob Lanier to win the
election. Later on during litigation between Houston Post and Sylvester
Turner it was proved that the story was based on fabricated information and
the litigation was won by Sylvester Turner.
Though I do sense the strength of the media, I have no respect for those who
report for special interest and avoid candid facts for financial gains.
Houston Chronicle still has been partially fair with many of us and I will
not say any thing but good words as far as I am concerned. They have always
printed articles about me with factual information and showcase many of my
contributions resulting four times on the cover page during the last 10
years which is appreciated. Their support always make me say to many of
Pakistani newspapers that good work never goes unnoticed by fair and fine
people.
Most of the western media have proved to be bias by distorting Muslim point
of view to the world. Muslims are portrayed as terrorist, revolutionary,
radicals and enemy to the western interests. Palestine and Kashmir which are
two global Muslim issues have never received fair coverage. US foreign
policy as well as western media is responsible for so much bloodshed due to
unilateral and unfair support of Israel and India. On one hand United States
cries over Iran’s nuclear ambition and show concern about security of
Pakistani nuclear arsenals, and on the other hand Israel has thousands of
nuclear warheads and US unilateral support to India will create another
monster in the region. With honest and fair media global problems like
poverty, health epidemic, global warming, nuclear perforation, global
terrorism can be eased out which will minimize global terrorism which is
spreading like endemic.
Most Pakistani media carry a very low standard of truthfulness, reliability
and genuineness. My first encounter with Pakistani media happened in 1966
when a distant relative of my father wanted money to print a story about my
dad, a symbol of honesty in Pakistani bureaucracy. I refused the proposition
then and subsequently made a principle of my life not to pay any media
representative for printing any story related to my activities. This was
because I was surprised to see that he would write stories about fraudulent
people after receiving donations which paid for the operation of the
newspaper. Today, after 40 years, I see the same tendency in Pakistani media
and analogous stories are printed for financial gain not for the betterment
of the society or honest reporting of the events. There are six Pakistani
newspapers published from Houston one in English and five in Urdu. Every
time I read those newspapers I find repetitive and imitative stories,
photographs of people who are either their advertisers or they pay weekly or
monthly donations to operate those newspapers. Most of their community
stories are published for personal gain or to achieve future objectives and
pecuniary goals. Most of them endorse people from their own ethnic roots and
never honor people who work tirelessly for the community without any
financial incentives.
During visit of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto to Houston some of the local sponsors
were upset because she held long three hours meetings with my cousin and me.
In despise, the local media were bribed to blackout any news or photographs
about our meeting. After four years one of the media people needed a favor
from me and he posted my picture with Benazir Bhutto on face book to start
relationship. This shows that media whose job is to report facts invariantly
support their personal goals, which is spreading more sleaze and corruption
in the society. Similarly there are two Radio stations broadcasting hundreds
of hours of live programs but most of the outlets are busy in self promotion
and no programs are targeted for the enhancement and augmentation of the
Pakistani community and society at large. In my personal case, the Houston
Chronicle ran three stories about the Pakistan Center which was built under
my supervision where as none of these Pakistani newspapers ever recognized
my work to show case the achievements of Pakistani Americans to build the
first Pakistani Community Center in North America.
While I worked as Advisor to Mayor they constantly wrote stories against me.
Shah Haqqi an Assistant to the Assistant to Mayor was always showcased as a
big leader whose contributions were very minimal. He worked on a handsome
salary where as I worked more than 40 hours a week for merely $1 a year. It
is amazing that during one week they published 36 of my photographs in all
the newspapers because I requested then Mayor Brown to recognize Pakistani
media by awarding them with a Letter of Appreciations from the City. I felt
so bad about so many photographs but they never thought one minute because
it was their interest to promote me. Until I was in the Mayor’s office and
served as President, of the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA they covered
me, not because they wanted to but it was giving them news though at many
times negative stories were written about me. On the other hand, Houston
City Councilman M.J. Khan who won election by defrauding District F
constituents about his residency, was always showcased as leader of the
community where as he is considered as an out cast and was never invited to
be part of main Pakistani events. Even then there has been no story or
editorial written against him, as were published against me mainly due to
ethnic ties.
When I launched my book “Is honesty the best policy?” one newspaper outlet
asked me for financial contributions if I wanted coverage where as most of
others shy away because they carry ethnic ties. However, in Pakistan I was
treated very well and was interviewed eleven times on various television
stations and one leading newspaper, The Nations wrote full page editorial
about my book. On the other hand Houston media completely ignored my book
because it contains true and honest stories about many local politicians who
would have been annoyed with them to give coverage to my writings. During my
book launching at the River Oak Bookstore one of the guest speakers
expressed his views that he feared that many law suits would be filed
against me after the initial launch of my book. Yet, no law suits have been
filed which shows that the book narrates truthful and accurate stories and
in reply I challenged the readers if any one can find falsification of any
events in my book.
My only submission to all the media is to be truthful, genuine and
demonstrate your uprightness, decency and honorableness when you are
covering people. Look at individual’s work not gender, color, race or
ethnicity and appreciate superior performance and emphasize malevolence
actions to improve the image of the society.
Pakistan Center Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
To accomplish great
things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan but also achieve
– Anatole France.
Since last 40 years
Pakistani American Association of Greater Houston (PAGH) had had a plan to
build a Pakistan Center. Per the constitution of PAGH, a Committee of
Trustees was nominated by the Executive Board of the PAGH to serve as
planners and executers of this project. Every year PAGH Executives held
community events to collect donations for the Pakistan Center Construction
fund. In 1988 a lavish party was hosted by PAGH in the Houstonian Hotel with
several gambling machines to raise funds for the Pakistan Center but this
dream of Pakistani community remained on the drawing table and most of the
money donated was spent on hosting other events in the hope of raising more
money.
During my tenure as Advisor
to the Mayor for South Asian Affairs, former PAGH President Masur Jawaid
Khan invited me to be one of the Trustees for the Pakistan Center. He made
this decision for two reasons: to use my services to convince Mayor Brown to
get a matching community grant of half a million dollars to build the
Pakistan Center and to exploit my resources to get him elected as a City
Council Member.
During my four years as a
Trustee, PAGH could not raise any funds which could enable Mayor Brown to
get us matching grant of half a million dollars. However MJ Khan took full
advantage of my position to promote himself and became the first Muslim City
Council Member in Houston.
MJ Khan always bragged that
it would be no problem for him to raise half a million dollars from the
Pakistani community, though he could not achieve any goal set for the
construction of the Pakistan Center. During meetings I always told him that
due to his policies of divide and rule it had brought so much polarization
in the community that he would not be able to raise even $ 50,000. On the
other hand our community members have no sense of patriotism and they are
too miserly to donate for the future generations which kept this project in
abeyance. After all, when MJ Khan left PAGH, this 20 year old organization
was at the edge of bankruptcy with $11,000 in pending bills, its office
locked out by the landlord and a piece of land which had no resale value.
Once Ghulam Bombaywala took
the oath as President of PAGH, he started massive fundraising efforts and
collected almost $250,000 in one year. Since then MJ Khan and his supporters
who lost the election against Bombay started an organized campaign against
him which eventually hurt the establishment of the Pakistan center. Most of
Bombay’s opponents were part of an ethnic political party, fully-equipped
with strategist propaganda mechanisms that resulted in complete polarization
and split the community. This made the civil society completely secluded
from the community activities.
However, Bombay being a
successful entrepreneur did not care for the criticism and sold the piece of
land acquired at the remote place for the building of the Pakistan center
and managed to save $500,000 in the bank to show to the City of Houston and
get the matching funds from a community grant. However, it was too late and
by this time Mayor Bill White took over and MJ Khan became a close associate
of the Mayor and our dream of getting the community grant was shattered. On
my final day, Mayor Bill White told me that our community was not his
priority and he could not do anything for us. I started thinking as to why I
was begging Bill White to help my community and that I should come forward
and facilitate to build the Pakistan center. At the same time, Bombay had
signed a letter of understanding with Haroon Sheikh and Dr. Barkat Charania
to purchase a 10-acre land parcel owned by them to build the community
center. From day one I opposed the idea to buy land and build the center
which would take a minimum of 10 years to complete the project. I therefore
kept on convincing Bombay to buy an existing building and convert it to a
community center. Due to severe opposition from the community, Bombay
finally dropped the idea of buying that land and negotiated with HEB to buy
a shuttered-down grocery store for 1.5 million dollars. Partners Bank of
Texas approved a 100% loan based on the fact that $500,000 raised by PAGH
would be used to remodel the building to transform it into a business
center. Bombay, knowing my experience in construction and contacts with city
officials, asked me to lead the Construction efforts to build the first
Pakistani American Community Center in Houston. This center was finally
opened for the community in June 2007 with enormous efforts from the two of
us. .Bombay raised the funds from the community and I managed the
construction. Ultimately, a project which was considered to cost 1.2 million
dollars was completed at the cost of $655,000, almost half of the projected
cost. This was only a two-man show. Houston Chronicle rightly proclaimed it
as one of its kind: a financially self–sustained project. Bombay loaned
$250,000 for the center, and I borrowed $239,000 from a financial
institution to accomplish the task. On completion of the center, the
property was refinanced and Bombay was paid back the loan. We have paid
$150,000 of the total loan I acquired, with a balance of $89,000 still to be
paid (Which was paid after intervention of the Bank). The best part of this
project is that today Houston is the only city in the world with a 37,000
square feet facility called the Pakistani American Community Center serving
the Pakistani community day and night. This facility consists of a free
medical clinic, a library, a computer lab, a youth center with a basketball
court, a senior citizen room, a women’s club, a Mosque, a community kitchen,
and a banquet hall for community events with room for 1,200 people. Part of
the frontage of the center has been built with seven retail shops that bring
enough revenues to pay off the monthly mortgage acquired to build the
center. The Banquet Hall has been used for parties and community events. In
her recent visit, County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia stated that she had
never seen a center offering so many services: she called it The Complete
Community Center. I would like to mention efforts of a few people: like
Tasleem Siddiqui, who claims to have donated the real estate commission of
$37,000 to PAGH Construction fund (We request him to provide documentation
for this donation to print in the next edition), Nargis Fatima and Mian
Nazir, who worked with me to accomplish this dream of Pakistani people. I
can never forget the efforts of Bobby Oakes of the City Of Houston, who
extended all his resources to make this project successful and complete even
though many city officials specially M. J. Khan were secretly working
against this project to fail our efforts.
At the end, I want to thank
Mayor Bill White, who opened my eyes by telling me that my community was not
his priority as it should be my concern as a Pakistani to help my community
which inspired me to complete this project with my passion. I thank God
Almighty and find myself privileged that He selected me to fulfill this
dream of my people. Since then my message has been the following:
To accomplish great
things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan but also achieve
– Anatole France.
History always remembers
the achievers not the sloganist or people who use negative tactics to bring
polarization in communities to achieve their personal goals at the cost of
national pride.
My biggest regret while
work on this project is lack of support from my fellow colleagues and
friends who always looked to me with suspicion as to why I have dedicated my
life to this project; they have been trying to find loopholes to criticize
my efforts. However, they did not realize that this became my passion and I
wanted to show the community that a few good people can make things happen
and achieve what many of us could not achieve in 30 years. It takes vision,
courage, and enthusiasm to accomplish massive tasks. Money is not the only
thing in life one needs to live for but to give back to one’s community is
what will be remembered after we all are gone.
After all the hard work
the center has been almost abandoned by most of the Pakistanis. It has been
used only for events organized by Ghulam Bombaywala for photo opportunity
but no concrete work has been done to make this center prosper. Due to non
payment of contractor’s bills mechanic lien was filed by the general
contractor. During refinancing of the project a hefty loan of 1.7 million
dollars was acquired with a monthly note of approximately $ 17000 and all
the personal loans were paid off but the contractor
bills were not paid giving
a strong reason to the opponents of this project to spread rumors about its
failure. After so many negotiations contractor was paid off and mechanic
lien was removed from the property. The community hall build to hold events
and rent the hall commercially has been sitting unutilized and after so many
meetings the PAGH executives have made no effort to generate the income to
pay off the loan received for the project. At present the center is running
with a deficit of approximately $ 10,000 which can be made profitable if
incompetent management is replaced by some sincere and business minded
people otherwise we foresee this project go down the drain and dreams of
Pakistanis shattered.
Ask Amber about your Life, Finances or
Relationships
Her column with your questions will appear in our next issue
Amber Memon is a gifted person can tell you about your life and help you in
solving your marital, financial or relationship problems. Here are few of
her stories.
A girl came to see her. She was not able to conceive though had been trying
to have a baby for the five years of her marriage. Amber told her that she
had been molested by someone and had gone through a trauma. Due to this
sexual contact, she actually hated to have copulation and had no way to
conceive. Initially, she denied but after a few sittings, she revealed that
the husband of her eldest sister, the bread provider of the family, started
molesting her since she was only 13 by forcing her to have intercourse.
Later on, this perverted man forced her to bring her other two sisters for
the same purpose and kept on molesting all the three sisters. Due to this
trauma, she could not have any relationship with her husband. Amber told her
that she needed to confront her perpetuator to have peace with herself. She
kept on promising Amber to counter the person responsible for her problem
but could not confront him and her family. Unfortunately, the sinner passed
away before she could reveal this traumatic situation to anyone. Later on,
she, along with her other two sisters, confided with her eldest sister and
revealed all the details of her husband’s sinful life and came to a closure.
Immediately after that, she conceived and strangely delivered a baby boy on
the same day as Amber was born.
A Muslim married woman came to see her and told her various problems and
asked Amber for guidance. As soon as she started her sessions, Amber told
her that her basic problem is infidelity with her husband. She denied the
charge and insisted that she was very honest with her husband. To break her
consistent lying streak, Amber told her the name of the man whom she was
having sexual contact with. She was very upset and started screaming and
crying. Later on she confessed that she was having an extra marital affair
very discreetly but that no one knew about it. She kept on questioning Amber
about the source of her information. She could not believe that Amber
acquired this information from her inner sources. She was so upset by the
leak that for the next few hours, she kept on trying to pinpoint the source
of her leak rather than admitting that God gives gift to some people who
could see what a naked eye cannot. In the Holy Quran it is very clearly
stated that God knows knowledge of the unknown only and only by those dear
ones whom God decides to bless with a part of His gifts. Fanatic people
always confront Amber with a shout out that she is doing wrong and it is
against the will of God to pursue the unknown. But they forget that she is
helping the people to solve their problems. So many people think she
indulges in witchcraft and try to hurt her feelings. But they do not know
that she does help people and has no financial gains from this practice.
In another case, one of her spiritual friends recommended a girl for her son
to get married. Her relatives visited the family briefly and later on
invited them to their house. Just after a few minutes of their arrival,
Amber asked the mother of the girl where her husband was? She responded to
her that he lived in Karachi and had not moved here as yet. Amber
immediately corrected her and said: “Yes, I know he is in Karachi but he is
in a jail (Penitentiary) and was arrested for smuggling drugs.” The woman
got so overwhelmed that she fell over Amber’s feet and kept on begging her
not to say anything to anyone. Later on she confessed that her husband was a
drug smuggler. Though very rich in his good days, was now serving time.
Superficially, the girl looked so delicate that if Amber had not had this
gift, her husband would have settled their son with this family without any
hesitation.
Her husband said that one of my biggest regrets has been to get my son
married without asking Amber while I was in Pakistan. The day Amber met the
daughter in law, she told me that she had been forced to marry our son and
that this relationship was not suitable for our family. Later on it was
found that she was in love with someone else. Her father forced her to marry
my son mainly for the money and for the reason that she could help the
family to migrate to the U.S.A. My son had to divorce her and we were saved
from a lot of future misery. However, it cost us at least $ 50,000 for the
wedding.
As
far as politics is concerned, Amber has always predicted about candidates
and foreseen the results of many elections. I always seek for her advice, as
she was 100% sure about Lee Brown and Bill White’s win as Mayor City of
Houston. During the third election of Mayor Brown, one day his opponent
Orlando Sanchez met us in a charity gala. When I told him about Amber’s
vision, he asked her about his election. Amber replied to him: “I see you
winning first but losing later on.” Orlando Sanchez and even I myself could
not understand what it meant. Amber could not explain to him what she just
said. After some time, I came to a realization as to what she meant that he
would win the first election but lose the run off election.
Similarly, Amber made predictions about President Clinton that he would be
impeached and later on exonerated from the charges. I wrote down all the
predictions she made for President Clinton and mailed him a letter. I never
received the response but on the day when the Senate was supposed to cast a
final vote, Amber and I were invited to meet with the First Lady, Hillary
Clinton at Tillman Feitita’s house. This meeting took place around 5 p.m.
and about an hour earlier, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of President
Clinton. I happened to have the letter written to President Clinton, which I
presented to the First Lady. She read the letter very patiently and
immediately asked Amber “Do you think I will win senatorial race?” Amber
replied: “You are already the Senator.” Mrs. Clinton told her she was not
the Senator as yet and was running for the seat. Amber again uttered
mysteriously: “You are the Senator.” Mrs. Clinton asked me: “Does your wife
follow politics? Doesn’t she know that Mayor Giuliani is running against me
and I am not the Senator?” Amber cut her off and said, “But I do not see
Giuliani running against you and you will be the Senator.” Mrs. Clinton
moved on to the other guests, without keeping faith in what Amber said to
her though she took the copy of her predictions. Just two weeks later
Giuliani was diagnosed with colon cancer and pulled out of the race. By this
time Mrs. Clinton understood what Amber was seeing she could not conceive.
During John Kerry’s presidential election campaign, she constantly told me
that George Bush was going to win which I kept on ignoring, as I am a
hardcore democrat. However, I did not invest any resources in that election
and everyone knows the result: Bush won the election. During democrat
primaries, I was one of the co-hosts for a reception for Howard Dean. On the
day of the reception, I was heading for Hotel Wormick. I called Amber and
asked her about chances for Howard Dean. She told me that it would be a
waste of time and $1000 donation and that I should rather come home. I
returned home and a few weeks later; Howard Dean’s popularity declined and
John Kerry surfaced as the candidate for Democratic Party. So far she thinks
that Hillary Clinton would be elected as first woman President of United
States of America.
One
of her astonishing cases was when a couple visited us with their child. The
woman was very talkative and kept on daring Amber for her supernatural
capabilities. Suddenly, Amber asked the man a very strange question: “Who is
this child in your lap?” The man replied: “She is my daughter.” Amber said,
“I know she is her daughter,” pointing to the lady, “but not yours.” The man
was very upset but the woman was very clever and kept on giggling and
changed the subject. Next day the man came to my office and spoke to me
about the comments my wife had made. He wanted to know more about it. I had
so much faith in Amber that I was ready to pay for the paternity test (DNA
Test). I made the deal with the man that if Amber was wrong I should pay for
the fees and would also extend him a written apology. However, if she was
not his daughter he would have to pay the DNA test fees. We mutually agreed
and got the test performed which came negative and it was confirmed that she
was not his daughter. Amber generally doesn’t tell negative things to hurt
people until someone challenges her abilities.
In a
similar case a family approached us with a marriage proposal for my
daughter. The boy was a doctor with a very respectable family background.
After our first meeting, we visited their home and were introduced to the
whole family. The father of the boy had remarried a younger woman. He had
four children from the first marriage and two from the second. He remarried
because his first wife had passed away. On the surface, the family was very
educated and nice and had all the ingredients that a normal family would
want in another to form relations. Amber had many reservations about the boy
and kept on analyzing him. She told me that the man did not father the
younger two daughters but it was the older son who was the biological father
of those little girls. After a few days, the father of the boy came to see
us and wanted to talk to Amber in private. Strange to note is the fact that
he told Amber that he was doubtful about the paternity of the girls and had
DNA tests done for them and was sure that they were his kids. I think he
knew that Amber had figured out the incest and illicit relationship between
his wife and his eldest son and was covering the ground with us to pursue
marriage with our daughter. Subsequently, Amber very bluntly told them about
the boy that he is having an affair with one of the nurses in the office
besides his involvement with the stepmother. This is one of the cases that
she was right on target to weigh the character of the boy. I always wondered
that why sex perversion is becoming an epidemic in the Muslim society as we
now often hear horror stories of molestation and incest.
Amber shows different dimension of her gift with every person she works
with, as she is excellent in reading people in person as well as through
photographs. In case of a Hispanic family, they brought photographs of all
their family members to be analyzed. Once all pictures were spread out on
Amber’s working desk, she picked up three photographs and returned to them.
She refused to read about those people and told them that those people were
dead and it is a sin to get into dead people’s past life. This family was
hugely overwhelmed by her assertion and I always wondered how she found out
that those three people were dead.
At
another occasion, we were attending a wedding when the father of the groom
came to invite us to come on to the podium and take picture with the newly
weds. Amber told him that she would follow him in a minute. After he left,
she made a comment in front of all the friends sitting on the table that she
would not like to take a picture with this witch. I got very embarrassed and
asked her to be quiet but she said that this girl has choose this boy just
to get the green card and was going to leave him merely in four months. It
is so strange to note that just before four months they were divorced.
Lately divorce is also becoming an epidemic in the Muslim community and
Amber has been counseling several girls but unfortunately some of them do
not listen to her advice and suffer. Amber has told several families not to
pursue marriages due to mismatch and in many instances her advice was
ignored and all of those marriages have failed. In recent past she has told
three girls to evaluate more about the man they were getting married but
they married them and ended up in divorce. Most of the divorces are
occurring due to either financial reasons or because of the infidelity of
either of the partners. Since our society is getting too open and sex before
marriage is becoming more acceptable by either of the partners, it has
opened a new dimension of the marriage, which is the major reason of too
many divorces. Parents need to counsel their children and educate them to
marry to make a family and try to adjust with each other’s problems rather
than divorce. If this epidemic continues, our next generation will be as
messed up as other advanced nations of western countries.
You can contact her at amberm786@aol.com . All information kept in strictly
confidence.
ISGH Awards Contract to HR Shaikh & Co
Since last two years ISGH (Islamic Society of Greater
Houston) was informed through former President Rizwan Saleh and President
Dr. Aziz Siddiqui to review CPA contract being awarded to Haroon Sheikh’s
company named HR Shaikh & Co. Reference to Houston Chronicle front page
story on Haroon Shaikh who is involved in selling and promoting pornographic
material at various video outlets contrary to all Islamic rules and
regulations. But the management of ISGH instead of terminating his contract
increased the contract price to $ 13,500 and issued new contract few months
ago. Upon enquiry from the President Siddiqui in the Mosque this reporter
was told that he did not know that such contract was awarded to Mr. Shaikh.
Immediately there the Treasurer of ISGH confirmed that such contact was
signed by the President and it is in full effect. Until and unless we
practice what we preach we can’t expect others to be good. The President
ISGH should be a symbol of Islam and avoid misleading and telling lies, a
great sin in Islam, rather than being a political puppet for his friends.
On one side Mr. Haroon Shaikh gives perception to all
the community that his work for ISGH is Pro Bono where as he is charging
$13,500 for the services which has increased from $10,000 in few years. If
he is working for free we can understand that he is doing some thing for
Allah. However a person doing all the business against the fundamental rules
of Islam should not be allowed to represent a prestigious institution like
ISGH. Demand is made to terminate his contract and find some honorable
company to represent ISGH.
First Death Anniversary of Shaheed
Benazir Bhutto
Following article was written about a
year ago. No action from the ruling party has been taken to find out who was
behind Benazir’s Murder. UNO enquiry has given no hope so far since the
committee has started working about six months ago.
27th December 2008 started
as the gloomiest day for many of us who were associated with Shaheed Benazir
Bhutto. It reminded me of the day when another Sindhi Prime Minister Shaheed
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was killed by then Army Junta after kicking him with
army boots to death and superficially hanged him till death though he was
already dead.
Till today no one even from the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership took the
pain to investigate Z.A. Bhutto’s murder and take the culprits to the task
who are still enjoying big retirement benefits and pensions except General
Zia who was taken by God with poetic justice. I would like to see an
investigation as to how and under what law he was sent to gallows when three
judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted him of the crime he was
charged.
In the mean while two sons of Shaheed Bhutto were also killed in suspicious
manner and no investigation was ever complete. Now after one year of
Benazir’s murder no formal investigation has started. Recent witnesses
reveal that there was a massive conspiracy to conceal the evidence of her
murder by then people in Power. I just wonder how come no one from the
Pakistan People’s Party high command has taken pain to initiate a formal FIR
in her murder and issued statement to start investigation of her atrocious
and vicious killing.
There are several scenarios circulating in the civil society, here are few
of those for contemplation.
1. She was victim of Al-Qaida as she was more progressive and anti terrorism
supporting so called USA’s international counter terrorism war. If that was
true then why USA has not helped Pakistan to investigate her murder to take
the culprits to the task. In my view this scenario is very weak and based on
false Pakistan army propaganda during General Musharaf’s era. I don’t think
Al-Qaida was ever involved in Benazir’s murder.
2. Benazir Bhutto in her last days never agreed in a set up with full
amnesty to Musharaf therefore then director ISI ,many neo-nationalists and
anti Benazir establishment leaders decided to eliminate her from the scene
and make a deal with the left over leadership of the Pakistan Peoples party.
In my view, Benazir would have not met the USA goals towards so called war
against terrorism therefore it was in their advantage to eliminate Benazir
from the political scene and negotiate deal with new soft and inexperienced
leadership who would extend many concessions to USA. This is the reason why
Army, MQM and top establishment leaders accepted Zardari as the President of
Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif with a large mandate in Punjab was silenced by Saudi
Arabia who in collaboration with US government brokered the deal. USA never
made any effort to investigate the killing because Pentagon might have
approved BB’s elimination to bring most flexible government to achieve their
targets in the region.
3. In her last days Benazir made Asif Zardari to go under ground and he was
practically asked not to take part in any political process which might have
provoked him. An anti peoples party element is secretly and silently
spreading rumors within civil society that Zardari in collaboration with
Musharaf executed this plan to eliminate Benazir in exchange of safe passage
for Musharaf and power for Zardari. Many people are of the opinion that
Benazir Bhutto’s brother Murtaza Bhutto was eliminated by Asif Zardari who
thought that his presence will hinder his opportunity to rise to the power.
This might be the reason why a sitting Prime Minister did not follow up with
the murder of her own brother which is the highest degree of ignorance and
lawlessness in the country.
4. Recently a Supreme Court Justice revealed to me a different scenario in
this regard. According to him during Bhutto’s arranged Islamic Conference a
secret fund was established in Swiss Bank to support Bhutto’s ambition to
acquire nuclear power. This fund was secretly financed by many Muslim states
kept in the name of Late Bhutto who used the funding for building the first
Muslim nuclear bomb. Due to early elimination of Bhutto from the political
scene the left over 4-5 Billion dollars were left over in the account. This
account was subsequently inherited by Benazir Bhutto and Murtaza Bhutto.
According to this Justice, elimination of Murtaza Bhutto could be because of
this inheritance which had risen to about 20 Billion dollars since then. If
this is true the beneficiary of Benazir’s Murder according to him is Asif
Zardari who not only got the control of 20 Billion Dollars fund as well the
Presidency of Pakistan. In short he seems to be the biggest beneficiary of
the murder of Benazir therefore it is very imperative that he should extend
full efforts to find out which forces were behind the assassination of
Benazir to eliminate him as a possible suspect.
According to one psychic who did a reading of Benazir’s told me a very
interesting analysis. She told Benazir that she could see only one of them (Benazir
or Asif Zardari) in active politics. She advised Benazir to keep Asif away
from politics as he was her biggest political liability and suggested
divorce to bring peace in her life. However Benazir was very adamant to keep
her marriage intact due to her children and wanted Asif to be side lined
from politics so that she can be more successful. In my view let us be
honest how many of us even visualized the current scenario before 27th
December 2007. Generally at the end of the day every one assesses the
situation with the fact that who is the beneficiary of the after myth. At
present Asif Zardari being the most benefactor of the situation, is in a
very delicate situation and he must make efforts to initiate enquiry to find
out who was the killer of his wife otherwise people will always point to him
for her elimination.
In my view this was a planned elimination by strong forces of establishment
of Pakistan who knew that they would not achieve the objectives from Benazir
therefore they ordered her killing by agencies and set the scene for Asif
Zardari to accept the after myth of her murder by accepting the Presidency
of Pakistan. No one would have thought of this scenario which would full
fill Asif’s dream. This is the reason that he is more interested to capture
power than investigate who murdered his wife. On the other hand all people’s
party leaders are busy in making their place in the new set up and have
forgotten who was responsible for their fame and glory. Today most of the
PPP politicians if they ran on a non party platform will forfeit their
deposits. I just wonder when these people will rise above their levels and
demand for the full fledge investigation of Benazir’s Murder.
National
Reconciliation Ordinance NRO
The Supreme Court (SC) of
Pakistan unanimously
set aside the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
This historical verdict was made by Iftikhar Choudhry and a full Supreme
Court Bench. This is the first time Pakistani Judiciary has rose to its high
ethical ground and instead of rubber stamping dictatorship rule, has put
most of the corrupt politicians on alert. Until and unless accountability of
public assets is not implemented and fraudulent political leaders who have
looted this poor country are not sent behind bars this nation is not going
to survive. With this historical decision all cases against
politicians and NRO beneficiaries will be brought back before the courts and
new judgments will be implementing on these culprits. We applaud the
Judiciary of Pakistan for this courageous decision and request them to bring
all such thieves who have looted national treasure to justice.
Sindh Today
Four years ago I visited
Pakistan and took a tour of Sindh and was very disappointed to see lack of
any development in any field. I was of the opinion that enemy has struck
successfully in a systematic degradation of all the institutions in Sind. I
was particularly disgusted with youth of Sind and carried back this opinion
that in next few years Sindh and its natives Sindhis will slowly be erased
from the map or converge into a small minority. Interior Sindh had become
like a baron land and green Sindh was more of a desert due to lack of Indus
water reaching to the down stream of Sindh.
However my recent visit to
Pakistan exposed me to a new generation of Sindhi youth and intellectuals.
This group of people coming from middle class Sindh have evolved in last few
years and developed a net work of social and literary circles. Every second
person I meet has written one or more books. Institutions like Sindhica
Academy are publishing books on every subject on a regular basis serving the
local people of Sindh.
News media outlets have
played an important role to link people of interior Sindh with metropolitan
areas and have transformed Sindh and its educated class to serve Sindhi
nation in the field of social, culture and education. Television has opened
a new breed of journalist and media anchors discussing local and global
issues very confidently with out fear of censorship bringing them at par
with other communities.
If this process continues and
a systematic in flux of educated Sindhi people from interior Sindhi villages
settle down in Karachi it will change the local political demography.
Due to Afghan war and
insecurity in North Western Frontier Province a large population has
migrated to Karachi and almost surrounded Karachi with new settlements which
will help Sindhis in the long run if they also continue the same process of
settling in Karachi.
This process in turn will
reduce MQM influence and a new balance of power will evolve. It is therefore
suggested to encourage educated Sindhis to migrate to Karachi and settle in
secured pockets of Karachi to reduce MQM political force which will further
help overall Sindhi cause.
MQM is already showing
concerns about Talibanization of Karachi which is merely resentment against
immigrant force of NWFP which has taken control of the transport industry of
Karachi and have acquired enough power to paralyze the city if asked to do
so. Local Sindhi leaders and intellectuals must open dialogue with leaders
of this emerging force to reduce MQM’s totalitarian influence in Karachi.
It is further observed that
leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party is busier in consolidating their power
base and achieve rewards for coming in power rather than planning future of
their motherland.
Feudal and career corrupt
bureaucrats have sent their children for higher education and systematically
inserted them in bureaucracy. Most of mediocre sons and daughters of Sindhi
feudal have captured key positions in policy making organizations hindering
emergence of middle class from Sindh. Most of feudals have been elected in
assemblies and in conjunction with this feudalistic bureaucracy they are
more interested in helping their feudal power base rather than helping their
people causing severe resentment in the middle class of Sindh.
I will urge all the Sindhi
officers to please divert some of your time to help at least one or two
families of your native village or town which can revitalize our youth and
bring us at par with other communities. I was very impressed from social and
cultural work done by Shikarpur Officer’s Association who are interacting
within their home town people. Officers of large townships should establish
social and cultural organizations and use network skills to help each other
and people from their respective hometowns.
In last several years Karachi
has been transformed into an international City with numerous infrastructure
projects completed by a young and dynamic Nazim of Karachi. Nazims of
interior Sindh have misused and misappropriated funds given to their
constituencies, where as Karachi has emerged as more versatile business hub
and a better place to live. Witnessing a massive improvement in the
infrastructure of the city I was forced to compliment Mustafa Kamal Nazim of
Karachi for superior work he has done for his constituents.
The leadership of PPP must
educate Nazims, MPA’s and MNA’s of Sindh to take up model projects within
their constituencies which will further strengthen their voter base. Sindhi
bureaucrats and political leaders must help youth and educated young men and
women of their respective areas to get settled in Karachi and other
metropolitan cities of Sind. If every influential person take task of
settling educated class of their respective village or city it can change
the fate of this weak nation. This will further reduce influence of MQM and
strengthen PPP power base.
During my Television
interviews I urged people of interior Sindh to form Citizen’s Committees
within smaller towns and prepare written list of things to do for the
elected representatives of their respective constituencies. Such lists
should be submitted to their MPAs, MNAs or Ministers and if not followed
through such committee members should sit on hunger strike in front of
residences of these elected representatives in Karachi or Islamabad. The
media should be informed in an advance to give them national coverage which
is a very strong tool to get attention from these elected representatives.
As mentioned above due to feudal system as well as new feudal bureaucracy
local citizens are in constant danger from police brutality if they raise
voice against their leaders within their constituencies but in Karachi it
will bring better results due to media coverage. Sindh Television is
performing great public service to unite people of interior Sindh and
deserve helping hand from all the quarters in the form of advertising and
logistic help.
The last thing I would
suggest would be to establish some kind of Sindh Human Service Center at out
skirts of Karachi where people from interior Sindh can come and stay at
subsidized rates and be given some logistic help to solve their minor
problems. People like Suleman Kalhoro who is doing community service on a
daily basis may be requested to become Executive Director of this center to
help poor people
of interior Sindh.
Former
Consul General of Pakistan in Houston G.R. Baluch under confinement in
Pakistan.
Former Consul General of
Pakistan in Houston G.R. Baluch was arrested by Pakistani law enforcement
authorities for issuing passports to some people wanted by USA FBI for
terrorism charges. In the same case a local businessman Imran Laulpuria, who
worked at Ashneel Travel and now affiliated with Horizon Travel, was also
arrested and sentenced for several months to a federal penitentiary by US
Federal Court in Houston. According to sources Imran Laulpuria operated a
business to facilitate people by fabricating fake documents to get passports
from Pakistani consulate. According to Imran he paid thousands of dollars to
staff of the consulate to get fake and fraudulent passports particularly to
many Indians Muslims, who could not travel to Pakistan with ease. He
co-operated with the local law enforcement authorities in exchange for
lenient sentence and provided all the material which is being used by
Pakistani law enforcement agencies to nail Consulate staff. When asked Imran
Laulpuria for comments he confessed to giving bribes up to $1000 for
issuance of such passports. According to him he was providing community
service but in our view he was selling his country by allowing non
Pakistani’s to enter in the country. Giving bribes and receiving bribes is a
equal sin. I wish our people be sincere with their motherland and avoid
fraudulent dealings for few bucks. On the other hand a competent officer
like G.R Baluch ruined his diplomat career by selling his country for few
dollars and put himself, his family and friends to reprehensible situation.
TIPS TO BUY, SELL, OPERATE OR MANAGE SMALL
BUSINESS.
Most of
the small businesses go under within the first year of the operation mainly
because of indigent planning, whether one procures a small business or
continues working for some one else. There are several factors to be
considered before buying a business. Here are a few practical tips on how to
buy, sell, operate and manage a small business. Also there are a few tips
given as how to manage manpower and paper work for a small to medium-size
business. If you are married, let one of the partners continue working to
bring kitchen expenses. If you are single you must keep minimum of six
months living expenses aside before going in business. You must live within
10-15 minute driving distance from your business place. This one factor will
affect at least 25% of success in your business. Also it will reduce your
operating expenses as well as driving stress and employee problems. You must
put a minimum of 50% equity in the business to reduce your monthly
liabilities. Larger the loan amount, bigger the monthly bills to pay. Make
a profit analysis of the business before you make an offer. A simple way is
to get the ‘gross sales, minus all the operating expenses’. This will give
you the expected monthly profits. Then multiply the figure by maximum of 36
or minimum of 18. The ideal number is 24. Which means the purchase price of
the business should be recovered within 24 months. For example: An ice-cream
shop with gross sales of $ 15k has operating expenses of $ 12k with a net
profit of $ 3K per month, should be valued in between $ 54,000 to $ 108,000,
depending on the following factors. The number of years in business and its
sales track record, Age of the operating machinery, location, Lease terms,
Type of neighborhood and the competition, How desperate the seller is? how
desperate the buyer is ? and availability of the manpower in the area.
Mostly the seller doesn’t inform you of many hidden expenses incurred to
operate the business. Most common expenses you should find out should be as
follows: Cost of goods, 27-33% of gross sales, Payroll, 17-20% of gross
sales, Payroll taxes, 10-11%, this includes 7.65% of the employer’s matching
social security and Medicare taxes, 2.7% state employment tax and 0.8% of
federal unemployment tax, Repairs, Office supplies, Credit card charges,
Rent, Property taxes: these are to be paid to the landlord as well as
to the
city, county and school district for your personal property like machinery,
inventory etc, Insurance, Payments for leased equipment, if any, Utilities
such as, water, telephone, electric, garbage pickup, Advertising and Royalty
payments to be paid to the franchiser. You must calculate all the sales and
expenses based on a 12-month period to get a realistic value of the
business. Smart sellers always try to sell the business in the peak months
and give figures of the highest month(s). You need to check the sales
receipts for the complete year and must deduct sales taxes to get the actual
gross sales. If the seller doesn’t have the whole year’s receipts, ask for
the receipts of all year’s purchases of the goods. The seller has to keep
such receipts for IRS returns. Calculate the gross sales from cost of goods
depending on what kind of business you are going in. Moreover ask for sales
tax records for the year, which can give you the gross sales. The percentage
of cost of goods can vary from business to business. Few examples are given
below:
Food
business, 27-33%, Convenient store, 40-50%, Income from Gas at Gas stations,
3c-12c/per gallon pumped, Travel agency, 90-93%, Dry cleaning and
Laundromats, 25-50%, Gift shops and other merchandising stores, 45-55%. Once
you have a sound analysis of the business, the expected profits will be
within a plus or minus 10% variation, based on some unforeseen expenses like
failure of A/C system or major appliance, extreme weather or sudden new
competition. Generally sellers don’t tell you why they want to sell their
business. They usually sell, if there is a new competition coming in the
neighborhood. If so, drive by and go to the Planning Department of the City
Hall and find out what kind of new businesses are emerging in the area in
the near future. This will give you an idea whether you should buy the
business or look for other options. The key factor of your decision is based
on what will be your net profit at the end of year, after paying all your
personal and corporate taxes. If you are close to 70% of your existing
earnings, you should take a chance but if your profit is less than 70% of
your current home take pay, look for some better business. Just don’t buy
yourself a job! Once you have decided to purchase the business, make sure
you get the title of the business checked out. Get a good sales agreement
drafted by an experienced Attorney to ensure to safeguard your interest. You
must include a restriction of opening similar business within 5-10 miles
radius by the seller to avoid future competition. If you have lots of other
assets, you must form a new corporation to safeguard your other savings, in
case of failure of the new business due to unforeseen reasons. If you don’t
have assets except home, two cars and personal belongings you should go for
sole proprietorship to avoid extra corporate taxes and extra paper work. If
you are opening a new corporation, apply for Chapter “S” corporation within
first month of the tax year. This will give you all the benefits of a
Corporation as well as keep your personal liability to a minimum. Once your
‘DBA’ (doing business as) is in place and your Corporation is registered,
and your agreement is signed, you should get all the utilities (telephone,
water, electric, garbage pick up) changed in your name. Make sure the past
bills are paid including unpaid taxes and lien on the property you are
buying, before making the final payments. Keep some money in escrow account
for such expenses. Once the seller gets the payment, it becomes hard to
collect the unpaid bills from the seller. This might end up in court and
your attention to operate the business is diverted to fight your legal
battles. So be safe and don’t be sorry, if you want to get a profitable
business. Before you are buying a small business you must take care of your
personal problems. Take a vacation; visit your relatives, get your
households in order; get your car fixed, etc. Your initial success in buying
the business will depend on your concentration on operating the business, as
first year you have to operate the business as well as learn the trade
secrets of the business. If unattended, your employees will run down your
business. Put your whole heart to the business. Be there every day, seven
days of the week, even if you are not supposed to work. Just your coming to
business will have a positive impact on your employees and your business.
Your few minutes stop may solve a few minor problems, which will save you
from greater losses. This will keep your employees on alert and you can
handle minor problems yourself rather than they call specialist for every
tiny matter. Here are a few common things that will affect your business:
Out of money change, Out of register tape, Cash register not working, Out of
basic ingredient of your product, AC, Heater, walk-in cooler or freezer gets
inoperative, Customer area being dirty. You can take the following measures
to reduce above problems but still your living close to the business will
reduce your stress level and business losses and you will enjoy your life a
little more. Keep extra change coins and bills in a separate box where
employees can buy the change. For bigger businesses buy a change machine
like Tidal II which can carry change for week’s operation of your business.
Keep a back up register, in case the main register breaks down. Keep extra
ribbons, cash register tape or computer paper, garbage bags, cups, lids,
etc. Order extra inventory and office supplies. Make a checklist of
temperature readings for your appliances. Educate your employees to call you
or your service company in case of inoperative machines. Keep a good air
conditioning and refrigeration service man, an electrician and a handy man
on your call list to ensure prompt service in case of emergency. Don’t call
different mechanics, as it will cost you more in the long run. Control of
the following items is very essential for a successful business.
INVENTORY CONTROL Keep good records of sales and purchases and calculate
your cost of goods every month.
PAYROLL
CONTROL
Based
on your hourly sales deploy minimum of manpower to get optimum result. Keep
a time clock to log in and out; check the time cards with your schedule
before paying the paychecks. On your random visit, check employees’ time
cards. Get an alarm system connected to your beeper system to let you know
when your store opens and when it closes. This will keep you aware whether
or not your employees open your store on time. And if you are within 10-15
minutes driving distance, you can operate your business with no
interruption. If yours is a fairly big-size business, where you can afford a
manager, make sure to give a list of duties to be performed. Make a quick
reference daily checklist for things to do every day. Be aware of state and
federal child labor laws, minimum wages and overtime laws. If your company’s
gross sales are more than half a million, you are liable to pay time and
half for every hour after 40 hours per week. If you own two businesses of
similar nature and your total gross sales is more than half a million you
are still liable for overtime compensation under common control law. Consult
the Department of Labor for getting copies of the latest laws in this
regard.
EMPLOYEE THEFT AND CONTROL
Offer
some discounts to employees on their personal purchases. If the register
comes short or over, on a constant basis, put a trap on them. Leave an extra
$20 or take $20 bill from their shift. If they show the same shortage or
overage then you might have other problems. Check your employees randomly;
it will save you a lot of money. Check over rings, voids, no sales and
refunds, to see whether those are genuine mistakes. Get a home Video
Monitoring system where you can watch your business on regular basis. Let
your employees know about this system so that they don’t goof around.
FINANCIAL CONTROL
You
must be in charge of the money. Check your daily sales, and investigate
refunds, over rings, discounts, voids and employee purchases. Make sure you
deposit money on a daily basis for safety; don’t go to the bank at a set
time. Change your schedule every day. Don’t be obvious that you are carrying
money, as you could be a target of robbery. Balance your checkbook on a
weekly basis and issue checks for your bills every week or every 10 days.
This way you will never be late in any payments and you will have control
over your finances. Make yearly profile of your profits and losses; set
goals for the future to be more successful. The key is to set up your
priorities in spending and watching your assets whether they are growing or
reducing. If your assets are reduced to 50% of your original value you must
get out of the business and work for some one else.
MAINTENANCE CONTROL
Preventive maintenance of the equipment should be done once a week, like
cleaning coils of refrigeration equipment; changing AC filters, cleaning
appliances particularly the ones used for food and other consumable goods.
If you are the owner as well as the manager, then you have a dual function:
to operate and manage the business. Most of the items to be done are already
stated above; however, as an owner you need to know additional items too.
EMPLOYEE HIRING AND FIRING
You
need to keep extra blank application available at your businesses to enable
you to hire someone without losing time. One of the biggest problems owners
of small business incur is finding good manpower; during good times when
unemployment is down, there are more jobs and fewer employees. Smart
employers pay a little extra wages to keep good employees. Interview
employees thoroughly and ask various questions to know their habits to
enable you to decide if they would be good for your business. A Few
questions you should ask are as under. Ask an employee his/her name,
address, social security number, driver’s license number and previous
employment history. Especially ask why he/she quit the last job. Ask about
their school record, medical history (what medications are being used). Ask
if they have claimed unemployment claim or disability claims in the past.
Ask who they like in their family; if you find that they have problems with
their parents, be very careful, as you will have discipline problems with
them. Go to local schools and ask them if they can provide co-op workers
from school who prove to be better employees as their job performance is
counted in to their grades. If you want to fire someone, don’t do it
abruptly. Document their shortcomings, late arrivals, money shortages,
thefts, etc. Give them written warnings and then you can fire them. This way
they can’t claim unemployment, which will affect your unemployment tax. If
you have personality problems then you can schedule them on the time when
they can’t work. And once they don’t show up for work you can document it
and after three days, fire them. This way you can skip the unemployment. You
have to be very careful in getting rid of your old employees because if your
tax rate goes up then you have to pay the penalty on the wages of every
employee of your company until your experience rate is reduced. Therefore it
is advised for the multi business owners to have separate accounts for each
company and if the rate goes higher on one company you can always hire the
employees on other accounts having lesser unemployment tax rate. This
practice is possible but you have to document the process very carefully.
Most important of all: don’t hire relatives and acquaintances unless you
know their ability to do better than other employees. My experience tells me
not to hire anyone you know to have a better control.
Miscellaneous: Inventory control has already been discussed; however, you
must check on a daily basis whether you are getting out of any major
ingredient of your business. This way you will not lose any customer. The
area that is visible to the customer must be kept clean at all times. You
should check rest rooms for toilet paper, soap and other necessities. Check
your toilets and faucets for leakage. A small leakage can cost you higher
water bill at the end of the month. Make sure all-unnecessary lights and
machinery are turned off at the end of the day to reduce your electric bill.
Get a basic telephone line with Caller Id and call waiting only until you
have a need for long distance lines. For your official use, use telephone
cards but don’t have a long distance company. Put a note on your phone “only
for business, limit personal calls”. Install a video surveillance system
with 24-hour recording in particular for high cash business. This system
comes equipped with a key where employees can’t shut the equipment and you
could review their performance as well as cash handling at your convenience.
Recently a new system has been launched in the market by which you can sit
at home and monitor your business. This is a very beneficial tool to manage
your business, as employees won’t know when they are being monitored.
Accounting, Taxes & Documentation: Managing paper work of a small business
is very simple if you are fairly good with numbers and are organized in
keeping your paper work. Accountants generally charge in between $200 to
$300 per month for a small business, to do basic paper work. You can add
that money to your profit if you are organized and keep a schedule to
complete your paper work. I have designed a schedule that can be efficient
for most of the small to medium size businesses. Firstly, make slots for the
following: Daily sales reports, Purchases, Employee time cards, Checks
issued, Bills to be paid, Bills already paid, Maintain cash books showing
cash in and out, Do your store inventory of goods on 4th or 5th of the,
month. Calculate your monthly sales, monthly purchases and payroll. Balance
your checkbooks to see how much is in your account ending balance once a
month. (Generally banks send the statements by 3rd or 4th of the month.)
Issue checks on three days of the month: 5th, 15th, 25th. On the 5th of a
month, pay the rent, advertising, royalty, employee tax with holdings, and
all other bills, which are due by 15th of the month. On the 15th, pay the
sales tax returns and all other bills due till 20th of the month. On the
25th, pay the remaining bills, which are due before 5th of the next month.
You should pay other bills like health permit, sign permit, sales tax
permit, tobacco and beer /wine /liquor licenses, alarm permit as received.
Every quarter fill IRS returns form 941 for employees withholding which are
due on April 30th, July 31st, October 31st, and January 31st, for preceding
quarter. However tax deposits are made on a monthly basis. Similarly, State
Unemployment Tax Returns are also due on the same days as IRS 941 forms.
Always file your returns a few days before the due date. This will reduce
chances of your audit to a minimum, as agents have more returns to look at
when it is close to the due dates. If you pay early more auditors are free
and they can check your returns with microscopic eyes and find small
mistakes, which can trigger a major audit. This in turn will cause you
mental anguish, loss of a few days of your time and penalties if your
mistake is not explainable. Following is the list of common returns to be
filled: State Franchise Tax Return (if you are operating a corporation) is
due on or before May 15th. IRS forms 941 quarterly employee withholding
taxes are due on April 30th, July 31st, October 31st and January 31st.
Quarterly State Unemployment Tax return is due on April 30th, July 31st,
October 31st and January 31st. IRS form, 940, Annual Federal Unemployment
Tax Return is due on January 31st.State Sales Tax Returns are due every
month generally due by 20th of the month but may vary from State
to State. IRS form 1120, Return for Corporation Income Taxes is due on or
before 15th March every year. IRS form 1040, and other related forms for
Personal Taxes is due on or before 15th April every year. My recommendation
is to hire a Certified Public Accountant to calculate your final corporate
and personal returns. This will reduce chances of your return being audited
by IRS auditors. Also it will help you to take some tax credits, which you
may not know. In my view it is a wise investment to pay a few hundred
dollars to get your return rubber-stamped from a certified CPA. Property
taxes are also a very important subject. Appraisal Districts generally mail
forms with appraised value of your property, business, equipment and
inventory by 15th of February. You need to evaluate the appraised value and
fill out these forms and send a written protest before the deadline. Once
they receive your protest, the District has to call you for an interview,
where you have to prove by documents and comparative study of similar
properties in your area, to get the appraised value reduced. If you are a
medium-size businessman (above $ 250,000 property owner), hire a property
tax consultant if you think your property has been valued too high. Most of
the retired Appraisal District Officials open firms to help you to get value
reductions due to their personal relations in the offices. My experience to
fight the value with Appraisal Boards is very poor, where a few political
appointees favor their fellow buddies but reject your claims if you don’t
know them. Therefore, if your property value is pretty close to the market
value don’t fight it. However if you learn how the Board members consider
the research then you have a good chance to get your property value reduced.
Property taxes are due on or before 31st January each year. If you balance
you budget right, there is no need to put the money in escrow. Use the money
for other expenses and pay the property taxes on or before 25th January.
Don’t delay the payment, as you will have to pay extreme penalties and loss
of property if you don’t pay taxes for a few years. Once I asked a multi
storeowner: “How is the business?” His response was: “if I pay my bills in
time, I am in good business.” American society is based on honest collection
of taxes and if you pay your dues you will have no trouble with any agency.
If you pay your taxes on time, no one will bother you and you can spend more
time to operate and expand your business. However, if you do one thing
wrong, it is going to haunt you forever. Keep copies of everything mainly
your tax returns. File all documents pertaining to your property in separate
folders, and by head of accounts and by month, quarter and year. Keep 7
years’ records as you could be audited for last seven years. Before giving
details of your sales and expenses you must check each head of account
acceptable to IRS, as how much you could claim as your expenses. Generally
if you claim more than IRS’s set limits for each head accounts, then there
is a good chance of getting audited. Some common head of accounts and IRS
acceptable limits are given as under:
Cost
of goods (25-38%), Pay roll (17-20%), Pay roll taxes (10-11%),Utilities
(7-10%), Office supplies (1-2%), Postage ($ 100), Property tax, (actual),
Rent (actual), Advertising /royalty (10%), Travel expenses (minimum),
Entertainment (minimum), Repair (2-5 %) , Charity (maximum 1%). Make sure
your expenses are realistic and within the range given above as extensive
claim red flag IRS officials for audits which can cause you extra paper
work, time and money.
SELLING
A SMALL BUSINESS
Selling
a small business is always the hardest as you have to convince the buyer
that it is a profitable business. Most of the buyers are new in business,
scared whether they should leave the weekly paycheck and join the
uncertainty of the new business. So you have to be prepared for a few silly
comments and questions. To avoid any extra pain you should take a few
measures to reduce wastage of your time. Prepare a business profit and loss
statement as stated earlier in the paragraph. This should be based upon
facts and back up material as it could be a factor to get a judgment against
you if you give false figures and the purchaser takes legal action against
you to recover the losses incurred per deceptive trade practices. Advertise
the business with basic numbers, gross sale, net profit, and location asking
price and terms (owner financing or cash). Give your cellular phone number
with a recorded message with extra details. After the prospective purchaser
hears your message, and if he is interested, he will leave his phone number
so that you can return his/her call at your leisure time. Once purchaser
shows interest, you can arrange a meeting at the business and show him
around but be careful. If your employees sense that you are selling your
business you may lose some dedicated and loyal employees. If possible, ask
the purchaser to visit your business in your absence and request him not to
discuss any business details with the employees. If your employees do find
out, tell them that you are assessing the market value of the business for
bank loan and you have no intention to sell the business in the near future.
Once you have signed up sales contract, you could take the owner to meet the
employees who should assure the old employees that no personnel changes
would be done. Generally new owners
don’t
make changes right away till they learn how to operate the business. By this
time it will be the new owner’s decision as who to keep and who to let go.
But don’t let the people go without proper planning, as your unemployment
rate will jump sky-high. Make slow and gentle actions. I generally don’t
recommend owner-financing. You can be sued on wrong grounds and lose the
loan amount; or new owner doesn’t know how to operate the business; or due
to some new competing business coming in the area, reducing the new owner’s
profitability, and his inability to pay the bills. In case you are financing
part of the purchase price, you should be prepared to take over the business
in case the buyer defaults in his payments. Don’t co-sign a bank loan for
the buyer, as you will be liable for the loan if the buyer defaults his
payments. If you are financing the part of purchase price; give an incentive
of 5-10% price reduction if the loan is paid within or before 6 months or a
year. If you have acquired substantial cash out of the sale of a business,
you need to reinvest the profits within the same tax year to avoid any
capital taxes. Plan accordingly before selling your business. Discuss with
your CPA for advice on a case-to-case basis.
The
success of American culture is due to the triumph of small businesses;
therefore, I encourage everyone to get out of the hole and take a chance as
you could be the next millionaire on the block. Human life is like a
straight line from ‘A’ to ‘B’. God has decided span of your life so as soon
as you are born you are losing part of the life. The graph of your
accomplishment in life either goes up or down but has to end at point “B”
which is the end of your life. So it is up to you to take the graph up and
be successful or take it down or be the loser. Your end will be carrying
nothing with you but the struggle you made in your life. So take a chance as
in the worst scenario you will be at the same place as the richest person in
the world would be. Do some thing positive, take risk, rinse your heart, put
honest effort, and love God’s creations, adore humans and anything which God
has given us. Be honest, hardworking and persistent in achieving your goals.
Don’t do any thing that wouldn’t make your Mom proud. Marry the right
person. This one decision will determine 90% of your success or misery. Eat
natural, reduce your expenses, and find happiness in small things. Expect
less give more. Be a superior human being and I am sure God will bless you
with everything: happiness, prosperity and spiritual satisfaction that all
are seeking from almighty God. Good luck with your new business.
Schizophrenia A mental
disorder.
Schizophrenia “is more than a single
disorder; the term actually encompasses several disorders, each of which is
distinct from others.” Like childhood diseases-mumps, German measles,
whooping cough, and measles-the various type of schizophrenia differs from
each of the pyrexias like brain disorders-physical and metabolic
disturbances of the brain. In other words, each type affects the brains’
functions of perception, thinking, emotion, and coordination of movement.
Here are a few thoughts on this subject;
which may help you in assessing your surroundings and may help you in
handling patient situations.
Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain
as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas. This can be worsened due to
inadequate sleep, poor eating habits, ingestion of coffee and alcohol, and
lack of exercise. One of the early causes of this disorder is in children,
which is attributed to the over protection by their parents and in
particular by the mother.
Paranoid people are extremely self
conscious, feeling that others are talking and plotting against them. They
have delusions and may hallucinate, hear voices and sounds of people and
things that are not present. Paranoid schizophrenics feel that they are the
center of everyone’s attention; they trust no one and keep themselves
distant from others. Their symptoms are varied. The spectrum of their
symptoms may go from quiet to stormy and retrospect from emotional to dull,
and from outgoing to dull. Characteristically these patients giggle, act
silly, and use childish mannerisms in reaction to stress that’s
disproportionate to the circumstances. Borderline patients recover within
days or even weeks from these characteristics once the stress is lifted.
Most of these patients face such symptoms
due to enormous stress from exhaustion, serious family problems, and usually
some physical ailments and / or loss of a loved one-that break the patient
down. Depression can be a very misleading prognosis as treatment and the
typical course of most depressions usually is different from those of the
most schizophrenia patients. Such patients start speaking and acting
strangely, laughing without mirth or apparent cause. In some cases students
become obsessed with their studies in so far as to exclude themselves from a
social life. They eat poorly, skip meals and get little exercise. As time
goes by they discover that the power of concentration and energy has gone to
the lowest point.
Process and paranoid schizophrenia develop
much more slowly and sometimes are as difficult to spot. One can look for
symptoms like sudden and excessively communicate inner thoughts of religion,
universe, and their mission in life. Their thought process may be expressed
through bizarre, mystical, desperate, vacant and humorous attitude. They
generally have hollow, unhappy, out of touch and empty tone in them.
Sometimes they feel that they are in a fearful dream world. For instance,
if they are driving the road and trees may look as if they are closing in on
them. The bushes and the sky may seem to be a moving beckoning to them.
Schizophrenic’s feel that they are unable
to think, concentrate, or remember as well as they did in the past. This
disease affects all portions of the brain. It upsets all thinking, feeling
and functioning of the patient during there actively sick period.
Today, Psychiatry is still roughly split
between psychotherapists and psychiatric counseling. These two medical
types tend to counsel less and treat the mentality of patients more.
Counseling therapy generally works poorly when the schizophrenia is active.
One should get a complete diagnosis of the patient in a particular cat scan,
which gives an accurate brain picture with its possible defects if any.
If the schizophrenic just can’t sit or is
always jiggling the legs like a teenager, then he or she may have akathesia,
which should be relieved promptly. Schizophrenics are generally depressed
and he or she usually feels worse in the morning and better as the day goes
on. Generally such patients notice drowsiness, distractions and an increase
tendency to sleep. Occasionally they will feel some dryness of the mouth,
slight constipation, a stuffy nose or a mild headache in the morning.
Schizophrenics’ simply don’t feel right unless they get the appropriate
sleep they need which in some cases that could be a 10 – 11 hours of sleep.
Whatever the individual needs, every schizophrenic should get at least 8
hours of sleep.
Caffeine is one of the biggest stimulants
for schizophrenics and is probably the least known as being a vital taboo in
the treatment of schizophrenia. Cocoa, hot chocolate, tea and carbonated
drinks and medications like Anacin, Empirin, APC, Asthma and cold
medications should be kept away from patients. Cold spring water, fruit
juices, decaffeinated coffee, weak tea, and many other diet drinks are
safe.
For schizophrenics, exercise is best if
done in the morning or afternoon to avoid any stimulation occurring during
exercise if done in the night hours or before going to bed.
Schizophrenics should never use alcoholic
beverages and should avoid smoking in particular during the peak of their
symptoms. They should eat plenty of fruits, salads, and unprocessed natural
foods. They must eat three to four meals of approximately the same size at
the same time everyday. (Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
and most ignored.) The large intake of carbohydrates only adds to the
schizophrenic’s thinking disorder. They should avoid copper which is
dissolved in tap water, lead which comes from automobile exhausts, lead
paint, storage batteries and from manufacturing processes which contaminate
air and drinking water. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be beneficial
in the treatment of basic chemical defects in schizophrenia. However
vitamin D in excessive doses causes kidney stones and hardening of
arteries. Encourage eating wheat and dairy products.
Family must create a non toxic atmosphere
at home, including avoiding blame on each other in their situations. For
schizophrenics this is very essential “Don’t live in a toxic atmosphere.”
They should be out of the house at least eight hours. If they stayed home
all day, they would have a very little chance to come out of there disease.
As a family head one should assume the responsibilities and have leadership
in the family and resolve problems of any kind which will help the patient.
Day dreaming or living in a television-orientated fantasy land causes lack
of action, interest and involvement necessary to a healthful living which is
very essential for such patients. Insomnia speeds up the relapse process so
as loneliness; such patients should not be living alone. Schizophrenics
should not work at night, on weekends, or on holidays. They should enjoy
these days to get a feeling to be a part of the social system.
Schizophrenics should get plenty of moderate exercise everyday as it
activates those parts of the brain that are involved with interest,
motivation, initiative and purposeful action. Jogging without stopping for
at least twenty minutes is recommended.
One thing you should know is that there is
no such thing as a completely smooth recovery from schizophrenia or from any
other disorder. In course of rehabilitation, the patient will always
encounter hills and valleys, plateaus, regression, crises and triumphs.
Reaction to normal life stress should not be feared because they are a part
of normal living. Symptoms will generally go away after a brief period of
time. Family produce toxic atmosphere through unsuccessful attempts to end
resentments, fears and guilt, plus the usual babying and overprotection
therefore the rehabilitation will be very slow. Schizophrenics should stay
at home until they are mature enough to leave the family. In the process of
rehabilitation such patients should be provided with a list of activities
expected from them on an everyday basis and the family should stand firm to
fulfill expectation outlined to the patient. Avoid situations where
patients feel cornered or trapped in a hole of a situation. Use a few of
the activities like visiting friends, going to a party, and visiting nursing
homes which will be very rewarding to schizophrenics. They should be
encouraged to social activities, volunteer work, parties and a career. Try
to remove the cosmetic problems and develop the confidence required to
abolish the stigma.
Schizophrenics’ are cautious drivers and
actually have fewer auto accidents than normal people. They should be
allowed to read adult and sex related books and should be educated about
sexual activities.
The Federal Government has some programs
to pay for rehabilitation of schizophrenia, look for Social Security
Disability Systems, and several local organizations that can help in the
rehabilitation process. In Texas there is a Texas Rehabilitation Commission
who would get all the testing done during school years and help in the
rehabilitation process. Most of the states should have similar programs.
If anyone needs any help on this kind of patient you
can contact me us.
Person of
the Month
Dr.
Naveed Saleem Chairman (MIS), University of Houston, Clearlake
Dr. Naveed got
aquatinted with me through Syed Shameem Ahmed, one of my best friends, my
tennis teacher and religious affairs mentor. Shameem and Naveed were
neighbors at times and we started playing tennis periodically and have
continued for the last fifteen years.
Dr. Naveed is a
born Christian from Lahore. But if he does not disclose his identity he is
more knowledgeable about Islam than many of us and due to his Muslim name he
can never be recognized as a practicing Christian. Naveed is one of those
special people presiding in my heart who always stood for the right. He is
a man of principles and a very dedicated and hardworking teacher.
His
noblest quality, which I found, was his care for his parents. His father
suffers from throat cancer and his mother is old but Naveed takes the time
to make sure they are healthy and happy. I think his rise and cause of
happiness is due to his dedication to his parents, his family and his
students.
Dr. Naveed and I
always discuss various issues and I always found him always giving me right
advice hinged on very strict principles. He is one of the few people who
constantly remind me that honesty is the best policy which may not
take you on the peak but does make you a first class human being and Naveed
is more than first class. I wish we had teachers like him who could help the
students round the clock and serve them rather than being bossy and arrogant
like many teachers who achieve higher positions in their academic life.
Naveed teaches extra classes to earn additional money which he donates back
to a scholarship fund to help the poor and needy students. His generosity
towards his students, his family and friends is hardly to find in many human
beings. If I had to give a humanitarian award Naveed would be on top of my
list for the best teacher and best human being.
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Filler News
Can Foreign Diplomats Endorse American Political
Candidates?
On August 14, 2009 during Pakistan Parade in Down Town
Honorable Consul General Aqil Nadeem endorsed Khalid Khan who was running
for District F City Council seat. At the parade CG was informed that as a
foreign diplomat, he can’t endorse any American political candidate but he
argued with the person who raised this concern. Subsequently he was
confronted by the editor of this newspaper and his response was “I know my
limitations”. A letter to clarify his position was sent to Honorable
Ambassador of Pakistan in DC but no response was received. However per State
department rules a foreign diplomat is not allowed to take part in American
political process and endorse any American candidates. CG Aqil Nadeem is
advised to clarify his position and issue a note of apology to the people
who correctly advised him.
Zeenat Foundation who made it and who controls its
assets.
Zeenat Foundation EIN #760644940 was approved by IRS in
year 2001 as its principal contact Ghulam M Bombaywala, 11111 Wilcrest Green
Dr Ste 425 Houston, TX 77042-6724. This is a Charitable Organization
classified as Public Foundations with Unconditional Exemption. This
foundation was funded by all the Muslim community members to establish a
Muslim cemetery located at Almeda Genoa Road Houston Texas. Most of the
donations were given with this understanding that Muslims will get their
final resting place for free as it perceived and propagated by the principal
founder of this foundation. However sources reveal that for each dead the
foundation receives $2000 and if an unfortunate person who has no money gets
buried there ISGH (Islamic Society of Greater Houston) pays the foundation.
In so many years and hundreds of Muslims finding their final resting place
this foundation must have received hundreds of thousands of dollars which
are being controlled by Ghulam Bombaywala. A call to him about the status of
this foundation and e Mail to him was not responded. Following questions are
being frequently asked by the community members. We request the Principals
of this foundation to provide details for our readers.
How much money has been collected by this foundation
and where the money is used?
Are there any audited financial statements of the
foundation?
Provide IRS returns for the foundation.
Why Muslims have to pay for the plot when this
foundation was established from community funds?
Bombaywala is always present on every funeral, is it
out of passion or to collect $ 2000 from the grieved relatives of the dead?
Haroon
Sheikh Library in Pakistani Consulate renamed.
Upon complaint from many
community leaders Consul General Aqil Nadeem was forced to remove name plate
of Haroon Shaikh from library established in Pakistani Consulate located at
Jones Road Houston Texas. It has been revealed that few Community leaders
advised CG Aqil Nadeem to remove his name but he resisted the idea however
was forced to take this action after front page news appeared in Houston
Chronicle about Haroon Shaikh. This news items carried details of his stores
selling pornographic material and videos without SOB (Sexually Oriented
Business) permits. According to some community leaders officials must check
credentials and moral character of the people before assigning them with
public positions like memberships on City or State Boards and Commissions.
Mayor Annise Parker has made announcement that her administration will make
thorough investigation about candidates recommended to serve on board and
commissions.
Manzoor Memon Demand refund of $22,000 from PAGH
Manzoor Memon former Trustee PAGH has demanded refund
of approximately $22,000 donated to appoint him as life time trustee for
Pakistani Community Center. According to sources PAGH executive board
approved agenda item to appoint 9 lifetime trustees if any one would raise
or donate $ 25,000. Manzoor Memon claims that he paid $ 22,000 by cashier
check numbers 51262 $2000.00 dated 06/14/2006 53312 $ 10,000.00 dated
10/25/2006 and 53669 $ 10,000 dated 11/24/2006 and raised more than
$10,000 and qualified to be lifetime trustee. Tasleem Siddiqui and Shouib
Bombaywala who donated similar amounts have been appointed life time
trustees but Manzoor Memon was denied the right due to dispute with PAGH
Executive body. Calls to PAGH executives on this subject were unanswered.
More details will follow once PAGH make any comments.
(Attach copy of three cashier checks)
Pakistanis
booked for Mortgage Fraud
Many members of Pakistani
business community were booked by FBI under a sealed indictment filed in the
federal court for mortgage and financial fraud. Rizwan Moiuddin and his few
family members, Aslam Kapadia partner of Bankrupt Restaurateur Ghulam
Bombaywala, Anis Khan and many more were arrested and are out on bond. The
details of their indictment will be published in our next issue. Sentencing
by federal court is set in some time February 2010. Iftikhar Khan of Khan
insurance company was also interviewed by FBI for providing insurance
binders for properties involved in financial fraud. Few years ago FBI and US
Attorney’s office busted another gang of Pakistani businessmen lead by
Farooq Samad who defrauded many financial institutions by exaggerating
property values and foreclosing businesses and pocketing extra cash. Farooq
Samad is serving his long sentence in federal penitentiary.
Ghulam Bombaywala being investigated by IRS.
Bankrupt businessman Ghulam Bombaywala is being
investigated by IRS and other agencies for his role to purchase 50 % share
of a local company Five Star Merchant Services for over 3 million dollars
out of which 1 million 50 thousand dollars were paid cash to the seller.
This company was purchased in the name of Shouib Bombaywala son of Ghulam
Bombaywala. However the trail of this money has pointed out that it came
from Ghulam Bombaywala who is considered bankrupt owing more than 5 million
dollars to IRS and many millions to his creditors. More details will emerge
as available
(Attach copy of the IRS summon & copy of the
1050000.00 check)
PAGH being
investigated by Zurich Insurance Company
for
fraudulent Ike Hurricane Insurance Claim.
Reliable sources have revealed that during hurricane
Ike PAGH (Pakistan Association of Greater Houston filed a fraudulent damage
claim with Zurich Insurance Company and received more than 400 thousand
dollars. This claim was made for a pre-existing condition of Pakistan Center
located at 12368 Bissonnet Street Houston. Investigators of Zurich Insurance
Company took sworn statements from former Trustee and Construction Manager
for Pakistan center and took copies of photographs taken during remodeling
of the center. It has been revealed that fraudulent claim about damaged roof
was filed which was already damaged before hurricane Ike. Calls to PAGH
executives were not returned. More information is expected soon.
(Attach copy of the bill for proposed roof repairs
dated September 3, 2007)
M.J. Khan’s Financial Flip-flops
Some 15-20 years ago M. J. Khan then a board member of
Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) purchased about 25 acre parcel
land near Beltway 8 at a cost of $100,000. He divided the land into two
portions, kept the 5 acre prime corner location in his name and donated the
rest to ISGH after conveniently getting it appraised for $300,000. By
donating this land to ISGH he took a tax credit of this huge donation to get
a hefty tax deduction on his joint return with his wife who is a successful
cardiovascular surgeon earning millions of dollars every year.
After five years of this donation while he was still
serving as ISGH Board of directors he was elected as President of Pakistan
Association of Greater Houston (PAGH). PAGH owned a parcel of land in
Stafford close to one of ISGH Mosque. He made a proposal to PAGH & ISGH to
swap those parcels so that Pakistan center can be built on the Beltway 8
locations. PAGH land was appraised for $ 250,000 where as Beltway 8 land was
appraised for more than a million dollar. ISGH rejected that swap and M.J.
Khan failed to get control of the land he has originally donated to ISGH and
taken a hefty tax credit.
Due to failure of his scheme M.J. Khan filed legal suit
against some members of the PAGH board including Late Dr. Daulat Shah,
Sajjad Burki (281-236-9492), Zubair Ashraf (832-567-9349) and Masood Ahmed.
This case was settled later on which cost PAGH approximately $100,000 in
legal fees taking the Association to edge of bankruptcy. Upon departure of
him as President, PAGH, association’s office was locked out due to non
payment of rent with a gross deficit of $11938.
Subsequently while serving as Houston City Council
Member, he again fabricated a new plan to acquire the same land, by
preparing a Low Income housing project under the umbrella of a 501C
charitable organization named Al-Shaifa foundation, where he serves as
Director. Dr. Moin Butt, ( 832-283-1944) President of this foundation made
frequent political contributions to M.J. Khan’s campaign including a check
of $5000 on 10/07/2009. This time he made a proposal to ISGH to transfer the
title of the same land to Al-Shaifa to build the low income housing with
help of City of Houston grant. It was proposed that after completion of low
income housing project Al-Shaifa will pay an amount of 1 million dollars for
the land. To get the City grant M.J. Khan used his political office to get a
$50,000 grant from the City of Houston to prepare feasibility report for the
above project. This contract was awarded to two of his friends Hashmat Wali
( 713-253-7748) an Architect and his brother Shamshad Wali an Engineer and
Contractor. This feasibility report was prepared on the cost of tax payer’s
money before acquiring the land from ISGH.
Once the proposal was submitted to the board of
Directors of ISGH the members suggested to get the land appraised which came
out to be 3 million dollars in today’s market. ISGH members rejected the
proposal and the project was killed and City of Houston grant to make the
feasibility report was wasted. If the Foundation had no contract on the land
City should not have wasted $50,000 of tax payer’s money for a project which
was designed by M.J. Khan to take control of the land he donated to ISGH.
To further reward the Al-Shaifa foundation a $500,000
grant for new low income housing was approved by the City of Houston with
clear cut conflict of interest with M. J. Khan. More details of this story
will be published in our next issue.
Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA Elections or
selections
Hurricane Ike Claims How Insurance Companies are
Defrauding
Businesses. Horror Story of one claimant
After Hurricane Ike disaster my store was closed for 14
days due to no electricity. The signs were down and substantial damage to
the building occurred. Just the next day we got every thing in order and
waited 13 days to get power and lost almost half a months sale and scrapping
$ 7000 food stored in freezers. The understanding of insurance policy
carried on the business gave us feeling of relief that loss of business and
damage to building will be covered as well we will be able to recover cost
of frozen foods. But it was not true. Zurich Insurance Company refused to
pay loss of business and cost of frozen goods on the basis that it happened
due to loss of power not the Hurricane. The damage to building was
depreciated and zero dollar claim was approved after the deductible. In
actuality our business lost approximately $30,000 with no claim recoverable
from the insurance carrier. After 6 months of arguments and few letters we
hired a Public Adjuster who promised to get a substantial recovery and after
almost one year they were able to get about 1/3 of the damage and we
received only $9547.39 and paid 10% fees to Public Adjuster leaving us only
$8593 which covered the damage to the building. If any attorney thinks he
can recover loss of business and cost of frozen food please contact us. It
has been reported that thousands of businesses have suffered due to this
small line print exclusions which Insurance Agents fail to identify to their
clients and many businesses suffer in case of a disaster. Ask questions and
get it in writing from your agents for your coverage before paying any
premiums. ( if you have a similar story please send us)
Insurance
Companies Trying to Make extra buck. Premiums UP 50%.
After Hurricane Ike, Insurance industry has to pay
billions of dollars in claims and now they are trying to recover the losses
from you. This is being done by escalating replacement value of your
properties to almost double the value of appraised value of your property
resulting higher premiums. Texas Fair Plan a State sponsored insurance
company has been silently raising your premiums by inflating the value of
your house. In a recent case a rental property built for $ 80,000 plus land
of $ 20,000 appraised by Harris County Appraisal Board for $ 130,000 has
been valued as $ 180,700 by Texas Fair Plan, increasing the last year’s
premium of $ 506 to $756 an increase of 49.40%. This is how they are trying
to recover the losses incurred from disaster. At the end of the day it is
you and me who pays for it and we have an inner relief that we are fully
covered. Let us fight to pass legislation to put cap of such practices to
help the poor people. Call your State Representative, Member of Congress or
Senate to propose such changes. ( if you have a similar story please send
us) |