One World – My Utopia

I am Pakistan

// March 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // Pakistan

My Suggestion to Abid Beli

// November 3rd, 2010 // Comments Off // Pakistan

Status of VOIP in Pakistan – Appeal to Chairman Pta

// May 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Pakistan, VOIPPakistan

   “Salman Ansari” <salman@.net.pk>
    “‘Chairman PTA’” <Chairman@pta.gov.pk>

Subject:    FW: Permission to set up VOIP server
Date sent:    Wed, 27 May 2009 12:20:11 +0500

Dear Dr. Yasin
 
With the USF Telecenter initiative underway and a lot of public service entities in the Private and public sector are currently using and will increasingly use the best medium for this integrated service delivery to end users. This will invariably  involve VoIP – on existing platforms like Skype, IM, etc or bespoke developed software e.g. direct dial-outs from Portals to end users. All these are integral for the Service Delivery regardless of it being in the Urban or Rural Areas.
 
I know your very positive views on this but somehow the matter has not been fully clarified by the PTA and people are apprehensive about using a perfectly normal technological innovation One of the fears stem from Faisal’s incarceration on the ‘VoIP’issue which turned out be to be wrong on all counts. In that case PTA had incorrectly quoted the ETO so that Faisal could not get bail. In the more current time, the Cyber crime Act and its misuse is even more troubling. The cybercrime act has been now used incorrectly, to create the FIR for the Mumbai suspects for exactly the same reason.
 
PTA needs to come out with a clear statement which can allay the fears of innocent people who must use this without confusion.
 
The forwarded mail is from Dr. Shahida Saleem who is a part of growing network of Tele-medicine practitioners whose systems are usually being used to bring health facilities, diagnostics, epidemiological studies, training and referral networks, consulting etc to the remotest parts of Pakistan because of a dearth of doctors. Very integral to this is voice and voice which may also need to transit PSTN and Cellular networks to make sure remote sites and doctors can log-in on voice and audio conferencing networks.
 
Going forward, ALL networks in the developmental space (billions of dollars to come in from USAID, JICA, DFID, etc) will all use VoIP as an integral feature. All Telecenters (MCITs), ALL education and distance learning networks will have VoIP. More and more corporate entities will install hosted IPBX services and will transit many calls via the public internet without knowing that this is happening.
 
Dr. Yasin, please try to bring some sense into the narrow view of how technology is perceived. We never discussed TDM, PCM, FDM, DM, etc when we used these. VoIP is just a technology, please get this into mainstream. Ironically it already is, but is covered by unnecessary fear and trepidation, since there are mixed signals from the PTA on this issue.
 
The reason for making VoIP was the forbidden fruit was for limiting grey traffic – this is a lost case , however I will write separately to you on this.
 
Thanks and Regards
 
Salman
 
From: Shahida Saleem [mailto:shahida@.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 10:00 AM
To: ‘Salman Ansari’
Cc: zahara@.com
Subject: Permission to set up VOIP server

 
Dear Salman,
 
Do we need formal permission from PTA to set up a VOIP server?  If yes, how do we get it?
 
Shahida Saleem | Chairperson
021-4552179 021 455 2984
shahida@.com|www.sehatfirst.com 
                    

The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. SEHAT FIRST (Pvt ltd). is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt.                                                                                                                                                                                                            
 

 
From: Zahara Khan [mailto:zahara@.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 4:31 PM
To: shahida@sehatfirst.com
Subject: Update: Telecon with Murtaza

 
Dear SS
 
Murtaza has told me that we need permission from PTA for using VOIP server over public IP (internet). I have made an offer to him to work for us freelance to:
 
1)     Make telehealth operational from CG/RG centers (including VOIP server setup)
2)     OpenMRS implementation
 
He said he was also thinking on the same lines. He will be discussing the technical details with Sher Shah and get back to us tomorrow.
 
Zahara Khan | COO
T 021-4552984 021-4552179
zahara@.com |www.sehatfirst.com
 
The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. SEHAT FIRST (Pvt ltd). is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt.   

——- End of forwarded message ——-

Mosques in Pakistan – The source of education for all

// May 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Education, mosques, Pakistan

Problem:
Pakistan’s one of the biggest problems we face is Educational system.

Scenario:
However every single city and village in this country has a mosque, not even a mosque but mosque’s are there by the dozens.

Each of these mosque is a place for worship and education of the child and adult in that area.

Unfortunately the imam of that mosque is one of the most un educated person when it comes to the knowledge of the world mostly and in some cases he does not even have the proper knowledge of the religion he is actually trying to teach.

He is however most respected, listened person and a role model to many in his community.

Almost no one can say anything to an Imam, its like a dead lock of communication, thus the imam day by day thinks he is right, and keeps on preaching what he thinks is right.

Solution:
I believe we need to train the trainer, and on a massive scale.

The thought process of these imams need to be changed, we can take advantage of them and use them to educate via them the masses.

I think that the educational NGO’s should work on getting a computer to each of this imam, with a broadband connection, so that there would be a means to track them, to contact them, and to be able to train them.

Once all these imam’s are on a mailing list and a forum, they will start talking , learning and thus transferring the information and knowledge to the people around them.

We would then be able to use them to deliver better quality sermons and better nation will start to emerge.

Will YOU take me up on this ? Start with your Muhalla Imam, does he has an email ? Can you afford to buy a 4000 rs computer for him ? can you afford to sponsor his first 6 months broadband connection fee ?

Can you afford to teach him how to use Social networking , email, and youtube  ?

Once you do this, you will see that this imam will start to upgrade himself and thus slowly all his surrounding will start to change.

Rehan Allahwala – BE the change !!!

Dubai E-Gate Card for Pakistanis

// May 6th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Dubai, Pakistan

For the last few times, I have been traveling back and forth to Dubai, My Egate card has
not performed and i have had to come to the immigration counter and get the Passport
stamped by them.

I have asked them many times, that why is this happening, they say we do not know, and get
it corrected from the main office.

I went to the main office, and asked them, and they said that we have fixed it and nothing
is wrong.

Today when i was coming from Dubai, the same thing happened again and I had to go to the
immigration Counter.

I asked the same question, and the guy gave me a very strange answer.

He said, What is your nationality, i said, Pakistani, He said, Well That is the problem
No other problem and Laughed.

Well I think since the nationality Pakistani is a Problem for the Egate people, I think
That I will not be renewing my egate card and spend 40$ every 2 years on it and I suggest
other Pakistani’s to do the same, as what is the use of doing so, when since we are Pakistani
We can only Pay for the privilege but not actually benefit of it.

I understand that Pakistani Nationality is not the most famous in the world in the good way, but
the world should keep in mind that if 170 million PROBLEMS do exist in this world, it is a BIG
problem for the entire world, and they may want to reconsider their attitude towards them.

Watch the movie “”CRASH”" What goes around, comes around.

Rehan

Mapping Pakistan

// April 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Google MapMaker, Pakistan

Google has released Google Mapmaker, that allow’s us to create the correct map of Pakistan on Google Maps.

This service also allow’s us to use it for Driving Directions and searching businesses and addresses via the map.

YOU as a Pakistani should add the places that YOU KNOW already on the Google MapMaker and Help other’s who have less knowledge.

I for one have sat with non educated people that I know, who worked with me, and have shown them their cities, and they have helped me create many landmarks on these maps.

I hope that you will also take the initiative and at least mark the landmarks and shops near you, your house, and your place of business.

Rehan Allahwala.

To learn more about google Maps, Visit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U8V86-yEBc

To learn how to use Google Map Maker visit http://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleMapsHelp

Google Now gives Driving Directions in Pakistan

// April 1st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Google MapMaker, Google Maps, Pakistan

I was just running the google Map Maker www.google.com/mapmaker and I was SHOCKED to see that I can not get driving directions via it.

They were not 100% accurate, but one can see how to go, and the total approximate distance, which is incredible.

I am used to using this in the United States for years, but Pakistan, OH MY GOD!! It is just amazing amazing amazing.

I mean I can count the thousands of problems that would be solved via this.

I hope that the Pakistani Websites will start using this service extensively and so will people use it to save time, and energy.

I also hope that the Govt of Pakistan agencies will also promote this amazing service.

I always wanted to know how long it takes to get from Karachi to Lahore, and finally I got the reply via google Map Maker check it out

http://www.google.com/mapmaker?hl=en&ctype=0&saddr=karachi&daddr=lahore&dirflg=&gw=56&ll=28.185932,70.704924&spn=8.824988,20.566406&z=6

Thank You once again google, for making our lives easier.

Rehan

Pakistan’s Second Richest Man Believes Country will Prosper (Update 1)

// January 31st, 2009 // 3 Comments » // akd, Pakistan

Pakistan’s Second Richest Man Believes Country will Prosper (Update 1)

By Naween A. Mangi

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) — The stock market is synonymous with one name in Pakistan, Aqeel Karim

Dedhi or AKD. Blue Chip Magazine, an Islamabad based business publication calls him “Big Dedhi”

and teenagers in the city of Karachi chant “Ready, Steady, Dedhi” at the opening bell of the

stock market. He is believed to be the second wealthiest man in Pakistan having shot from

relative obscurity seven years ago to the most powerful man in the stock markets today.

The story of Pakistan’s stock markets is one of immense wealth creation in this country of 165

million but also of immense volatility. The markets were closed for 110 days (some say at the

behest of Dedhi) and reopened this month. Since reopening, they have entered a state of

freefall. Billions of dollars have been wiped out in market capitalization and hundreds of

thousands of investors have lost their savings.

This is not uncommon when compared to other emerging markets such as Russia, India, Vietnam and

China but what is different is that the credit for the rise, and the fall of the markets in

Pakistan is largely given to one speculator – Dedhi.

Rags to Riches

AKD’s father was a small time real estate developer and member of the Memon community, who are

immigrants from India and are one of the primary business and trading communities in

Pakistan. Dedhi grew up with a strong sense of community and links to the major memon business

families: “My close friends became groups like ARY a big Memon business whose ARY television and

gold business is famous, Hussain Lawai who is a famous banker and Khanani and Kalia group,

Hussain Dawood Group so I upgraded my friends from middle sized memon business families to big

sized memon business families.  Now the big families are my friends and partners. Today I am

bigger than all those groups also. Only Mansha is bigger.” Mian Mohammad Mansha is Pakistan’s

richest man.

It was the stock market boom starting in 2002 that made Dedhi famous as a speculator. He invested

heavily using the entire capital of AKD Securities in one single stock at a time. Market

commentators allege that he had access to earnings announcements of state-owned enterprises

before they became public, a charge Dedhi denies. AKD Securities prospered and his story of

speculation added to his aura. ”I am like Midas, who could touch anything and make it gold,”

Dedhi remarks confidently.

Clients flocked to him and Dedhi’s business prospered. He started to hold daily audiences at his

house where stock market brokers, government ministers and politicians, fundraisers for major

charities, journalists, military officers etc. attended. ”It is like a daily ‘Diwan-e-Khas’ [an

audience of special people] that Mughal emperors had. They come to me for advice on national

issues but also for tips on hot stocks” he says.

Dedhi threw parties and entertained politicians. Most famous was his Lahore house and its annual

Basant kite festival party complete with all night entertainment including dancing girls.

Political and Regulatory Ties

“I have always been friends with all politicians in Pakistan, MQM, Musharraf’s PML (Q), Nawaz

league, ANP or PPP. To do business in Pakistan, one has to be friends with them. Many politicians

attended my Basant party every year.” Dedhi says.

Dedhi is a major political contributor to all parties and most recently, when he needed

assistance convincing the PPP-led coalition government, MQM sprang to his assistance, hosting a

press conference at AKD’s palatial house, where MQM’s leader, Altaf Hussain (who lives in London)

made a statement via audio conference in AKD’s favour.

“In the same way, I have a close relationship with Razi Ur Rahman, the Chairman of the Securities

and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Some say that Razi owes me money. This is not the case. It

is true that before he joined the SECP and became Chairman he used to come to my office and do

trading in the stock market. I was his personal adviser and he made money and lost money. All

dues he had were settled amicably. He is my friend and my relationship is professional.” says

Dedhi, seated regally at the head of a conference room table. ”People are jealous of me so they

say that when major regulatory changes are made in the stock market, my employees such as Faisal

[Bengali] sit with Razi to write the regulations on my behalf. This also is not true.” AKD says.

“I have even criticized Razi when he has done stupid things and also criticized him in public for

his lack of understanding of how the market works. But Razi wants to learn and he has a hungry

mind which is a positive sign.”, he says.

In the recent stock market fall, some brokers and clients are considering legal action against

Dedhi and AKD Securities, the brokerage he is Chairman of for not allegedly honoring trades and

using client shares in custody for AKD Securities own margin calls. ”All lies. Lies, lies,

lies. Not one case has been filed against me so far. No one can prove I did anything wrong.”

Dedhi says, visibly agitated.

When asked that some brokers had alleged that he was their client using street names rather than

his own and that billions of Rupees trading losses at up to 22 brokers were actually proprietary

trading losses of AKD Securities, he states “If someone accepts a benami [street name] clients,

it is their problem. It is risk versus reward. In good times they made money. In bad times they

are complaining.”

Family Members in Business

Few family members are involved in the AKD Group but Dedhi singles out one family member as

special.

“My nephew Jamil is my favourite. He is the smartest person in my family. His instinct is like a

tiger. He will be the next Dedhi family leader after me.” Dedhi says proudly.

“I have tried again and again to hire top professionals but frankly they could not manage my

companies and they made huge losses for me.” he says.  “Professionals cannot do business in

Pakistan.”

Diversified Interests

“My family history has been of real estate development and we are developing a huge apartment

complex in Defence Housing Authority Karachi in partnership with the Pakistan Army’s DHA. It is

big and will have huge profits. There is a shortage of quality apartments in Karachi.” he

remarks.

“I am a big investor in Dubai property also having more than US$200 million invested in Dubai

alone. My buying power is more than that as I have big groups as friends who invest with me in

Dubai.” he says. When asked whether the downturn in Dubai has affected his investments, he admits

that he too has taken losses in his Dubai portfolio but is optimistic that things will turn

around in Dubai.

“My best investment has been in oil and gas. My oil business investment is in a company that

bought a closed oil and gas field from Pakistan’s state owned Oil and Gas Development Corporation

in partnership with Dewan Group, a famous group of Pakistan. We fixed up the company and now it

is very very big. I am told my oil business is worth US$100 million at least. Even more as we

will have more discoveries.” he says smugly.

When asked about investments in other parts of the world Dedhi states that his goal is now to

invest in the UK property market. ”The UK market will boom. It always does. Right now it has no

confidence and this is the best time for investing. I am making investments in UK property right

now. Even last month I sold a big plot in Punjab to Mansha and used the money to buy a property

on the famous Oxford Street in London.” he says.

Pakistan’s Prospects

Dedhi believes in Pakistan’s continued growth. ”I have made my money in this country and believe

in this country. While I invest abroad to diversify, I believe Pakistan has the most money making

power for me.”

Pakistan’s economy is undergoing an IMF stabablization program and until some weeks ago was on

the brink of default.

“Yes its true that the economy is not performing right now as it performed under Shaukat Aziz,

who was the best prime minister in Pakistan’s history as he got many foreign investors to put

money in Pakistan while the current government has failed to bring even one investor. Temasek of

Singapore invested in buying banks and even now they are putting in Rs. 12 billion into NIB Bank

after already putting in over US$400 million under Shaukat Aziz. Shaukat has done this new

investment of Rs. 12 billion also as he is a Advisor of Temasek after being Prime Minister. They

[Singapore] also invested in Warid Telecom, a mobile company of the Abu Dhabi royal family, who

are also my friends. Aside from Singapore investors, Shaukat got investors from Abu Dhabi royal

family, Dubai’s Emaar and Nakheel property groups and Prince AlWaleed of Saudi Arabia in whose

hotels I am considering investing into. But give the new government some time to perform. Its

only been one year since they came to power.” he says.

The Future for AKD Group

Dedhi expects his business to significantly more market share from competitors who will go

bankrupt. “Many competitors of mine are selling everything they own to pay off their losses. 

Arif [Habib] has sold his bank and is selling his fertilizer, Javed [Omer Vohra] is out of the

business already and First Capital [a securities firm owned by Governor of the Punjab Province,

Salman Taseer] has defaulted and they are all finished. In the badla crisis, AKD Securities was

one of the first to pay off our borrowings and there were many companies who are defaulting there

also.”, he says.

“I want to buy companies in privatisation. The government is bankrupt and needs money. I can buy

assets that will come for sale and help the people of Pakistan as a result by enriching the

government. I want a stake in key assets like PSO [Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan's largest Oil

marketing company] and SSGC [Sui Southern Gas Company distributes half of Pakistan's natural gas]

as they have a good LPG business but under dubious contracts have given the business to third

parties. The current government should investigate these companies who are minting money while

SSGC is not making much. But the people involved are powerful and make political contributions to

all parties and the army. If I buy SSGC, it will be the end of private LPG and I will have the

LPG market. I have already made a huge investment into SSGC shares over the last 2 years like

Hussain Dawood, a close business partner of mine, on my advice as AKD Securities manages his

personal stock investments, did in SNGPL [Sui Northern Gas Pipelines is the other gas utility in

Pakistan].”, he says. When pressed to give up the name of the LPG companies in question Dedhi

declines, saying that he did not want to open a controversy in public, but that everyone knew the

name of the ‘King of the LPG industry’.  “He was close to the last President and is close to the

current President.”, Dedhi says.

“Buying assets in privatisation will be easy for me as I have good relations with all banks. Even

in crisis times, many banks want to give me loans but it is me who doesn’t want them.”, he says

confidently.

To contact the reporter on this story: Naween A. Mangi nmangi1@bloomberg.net

Last updated: January 1, 2009 08.00 EST

Pakistan’s Second Richest Man Believes Country will Prosper (Update 1)

// January 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Pakistan

Pakistan’s Second Richest Man Believes Country will Prosper (Update 1)

By Naween A. Mangi

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) — The stock market is synonymous with one name in Pakistan, Aqeel Karim

Dedhi or AKD. Blue Chip Magazine, an Islamabad based business publication calls him “Big Dedhi”

and teenagers in the city of Karachi chant “Ready, Steady, Dedhi” at the opening bell of the

stock market. He is believed to be the second wealthiest man in Pakistan having shot from

relative obscurity seven years ago to the most powerful man in the stock markets today.

The story of Pakistan’s stock markets is one of immense wealth creation in this country of 165

million but also of immense volatility. The markets were closed for 110 days (some say at the

behest of Dedhi) and reopened this month. Since reopening, they have entered a state of

freefall. Billions of dollars have been wiped out in market capitalization and hundreds of

thousands of investors have lost their savings.

This is not uncommon when compared to other emerging markets such as Russia, India, Vietnam and

China but what is different is that the credit for the rise, and the fall of the markets in

Pakistan is largely given to one speculator – Dedhi.

Rags to Riches

AKD’s father was a small time real estate developer and member of the Memon community, who are

immigrants from India and are one of the primary business and trading communities in

Pakistan. Dedhi grew up with a strong sense of community and links to the major memon business

families: “My close friends became groups like ARY a big Memon business whose ARY television and

gold business is famous, Hussain Lawai who is a famous banker and Khanani and Kalia group,

Hussain Dawood Group so I upgraded my friends from middle sized memon business families to big

sized memon business families. Now the big families are my friends and partners. Today I am

bigger than all those groups also. Only Mansha is bigger.” Mian Mohammad Mansha is Pakistan’s

richest man.

It was the stock market boom starting in 2002 that made Dedhi famous as a speculator. He invested

heavily using the entire capital of AKD Securities in one single stock at a time. Market

commentators allege that he had access to earnings announcements of state-owned enterprises

before they became public, a charge Dedhi denies. AKD Securities prospered and his story of

speculation added to his aura. “I am like Midas, who could touch anything and make it gold,”

Dedhi remarks confidently.

Clients flocked to him and Dedhi’s business prospered. He started to hold daily audiences at his

house where stock market brokers, government ministers and politicians, fundraisers for major

charities, journalists, military officers etc. attended. “It is like a daily ‘Diwan-e-Khas’ [an

audience of special people] that Mughal emperors had. They come to me for advice on national

issues but also for tips on hot stocks” he says.

Dedhi threw parties and entertained politicians. Most famous was his Lahore house and its annual

Basant kite festival party complete with all night entertainment including dancing girls.

Political and Regulatory Ties

“I have always been friends with all politicians in Pakistan, MQM, Musharraf’s PML (Q), Nawaz

league, ANP or PPP. To do business in Pakistan, one has to be friends with them. Many politicians

attended my Basant party every year.” Dedhi says.

Dedhi is a major political contributor to all parties and most recently, when he needed

assistance convincing the PPP-led coalition government, MQM sprang to his assistance, hosting a

press conference at AKD’s palatial house, where MQM’s leader, Altaf Hussain (who lives in London)

made a statement via audio conference in AKD’s favour.

“In the same way, I have a close relationship with Razi Ur Rahman, the Chairman of the Securities

and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Some say that Razi owes me money. This is not the case. It

is true that before he joined the SECP and became Chairman he used to come to my office and do

trading in the stock market. I was his personal adviser and he made money and lost money. All

dues he had were settled amicably. He is my friend and my relationship is professional.” says

Dedhi, seated regally at the head of a conference room table. “People are jealous of me so they

say that when major regulatory changes are made in the stock market, my employees such as Faisal

[Bengali] sit with Razi to write the regulations on my behalf. This also is not true.” AKD says.

“I have even criticized Razi when he has done stupid things and also criticized him in public for

his lack of understanding of how the market works. But Razi wants to learn and he has a hungry

mind which is a positive sign.”, he says.

In the recent stock market fall, some brokers and clients are considering legal action against

Dedhi and AKD Securities, the brokerage he is Chairman of for not allegedly honoring trades and

using client shares in custody for AKD Securities own margin calls. “All lies. Lies, lies,

lies. Not one case has been filed against me so far. No one can prove I did anything wrong.”

Dedhi says, visibly agitated.

When asked that some brokers had alleged that he was their client using street names rather than

his own and that billions of Rupees trading losses at up to 22 brokers were actually proprietary

trading losses of AKD Securities, he states “If someone accepts a benami [street name] clients,

it is their problem. It is risk versus reward. In good times they made money. In bad times they

are complaining.”

Family Members in Business

Few family members are involved in the AKD Group but Dedhi singles out one family member as

special.

“My nephew Jamil is my favourite. He is the smartest person in my family. His instinct is like a

tiger. He will be the next Dedhi family leader after me.” Dedhi says proudly.

“I have tried again and again to hire top professionals but frankly they could not manage my

companies and they made huge losses for me.” he says. “Professionals cannot do business in

Pakistan.”

Diversified Interests

“My family history has been of real estate development and we are developing a huge apartment

complex in Defence Housing Authority Karachi in partnership with the Pakistan Army’s DHA. It is

big and will have huge profits. There is a shortage of quality apartments in Karachi.” he

remarks.

“I am a big investor in Dubai property also having more than US$200 million invested in Dubai

alone. My buying power is more than that as I have big groups as friends who invest with me in

Dubai.” he says. When asked whether the downturn in Dubai has affected his investments, he admits

that he too has taken losses in his Dubai portfolio but is optimistic that things will turn

around in Dubai.

“My best investment has been in oil and gas. My oil business investment is in a company that

bought a closed oil and gas field from Pakistan’s state owned Oil and Gas Development Corporation

in partnership with Dewan Group, a famous group of Pakistan. We fixed up the company and now it

is very very big. I am told my oil business is worth US$100 million at least. Even more as we

will have more discoveries.” he says smugly.

When asked about investments in other parts of the world Dedhi states that his goal is now to

invest in the UK property market. “The UK market will boom. It always does. Right now it has no

confidence and this is the best time for investing. I am making investments in UK property right

now. Even last month I sold a big plot in Punjab to Mansha and used the money to buy a property

on the famous Oxford Street in London.” he says.

Pakistan’s Prospects

Dedhi believes in Pakistan’s continued growth. “I have made my money in this country and believe

in this country. While I invest abroad to diversify, I believe Pakistan has the most money making

power for me.”

Pakistan’s economy is undergoing an IMF stabablization program and until some weeks ago was on

the brink of default.

“Yes its true that the economy is not performing right now as it performed under Shaukat Aziz,

who was the best prime minister in Pakistan’s history as he got many foreign investors to put

money in Pakistan while the current government has failed to bring even one investor. Temasek of

Singapore invested in buying banks and even now they are putting in Rs. 12 billion into NIB Bank

after already putting in over US$400 million under Shaukat Aziz. Shaukat has done this new

investment of Rs. 12 billion also as he is a Advisor of Temasek after being Prime Minister. They

[Singapore] also invested in Warid Telecom, a mobile company of the Abu Dhabi royal family, who

are also my friends. Aside from Singapore investors, Shaukat got investors from Abu Dhabi royal

family, Dubai’s Emaar and Nakheel property groups and Prince AlWaleed of Saudi Arabia in whose

hotels I am considering investing into. But give the new government some time to perform. Its

only been one year since they came to power.” he says.

The Future for AKD Group

Dedhi expects his business to significantly more market share from competitors who will go

bankrupt. “Many competitors of mine are selling everything they own to pay off their losses.

Arif [Habib] has sold his bank and is selling his fertilizer, Javed [Omer Vohra] is out of the

business already and First Capital [a securities firm owned by Governor of the Punjab Province,

Salman Taseer] has defaulted and they are all finished. In the badla crisis, AKD Securities was

one of the first to pay off our borrowings and there were many companies who are defaulting there

also.”, he says.

“I want to buy companies in privatisation. The government is bankrupt and needs money. I can buy

assets that will come for sale and help the people of Pakistan as a result by enriching the

government. I want a stake in key assets like PSO [Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan's largest Oil

marketing company] and SSGC [Sui Southern Gas Company distributes half of Pakistan's natural gas]

as they have a good LPG business but under dubious contracts have given the business to third

parties. The current government should investigate these companies who are minting money while

SSGC is not making much. But the people involved are powerful and make political contributions to

all parties and the army. If I buy SSGC, it will be the end of private LPG and I will have the

LPG market. I have already made a huge investment into SSGC shares over the last 2 years like

Hussain Dawood, a close business partner of mine, on my advice as AKD Securities manages his

personal stock investments, did in SNGPL [Sui Northern Gas Pipelines is the other gas utility in

Pakistan].”, he says. When pressed to give up the name of the LPG companies in question Dedhi

declines, saying that he did not want to open a controversy in public, but that everyone knew the

name of the ‘King of the LPG industry’. “He was close to the last President and is close to the

current President.”, Dedhi says.

“Buying assets in privatisation will be easy for me as I have good relations with all banks. Even

in crisis times, many banks want to give me loans but it is me who doesn’t want them.”, he says

confidently.

To contact the reporter on this story: Naween A. Mangi nmangi1@bloomberg.net

Last updated: January 1, 2009 08.00 EST

Pakistani Gift Shop

// November 26th, 2008 // No Comments » // Gift Shop, Pakistan

I signed up for CafePress.com a very very long time a go, Never got ahead and started to use it, but today while i was trying to setup a store for DIDX.net I went ahead and also setup a store for Paki.com also and now any one can buy t shirts, caps, mugs, badges with a Pakistani Flag on them on the Paki.com online gift store.

Cafepress is a pretty neat Idea I hope it will spread around the world soon.

Lookup the store at http://www.cafepress.com/Pakicom maybe you can create one for yourself also, 

Enjoy