Rao Dilshad Hussain

The role of police has changed in recent years. It is now not just to maintain law and order but also to counter the menace of terrorism. The police force is gearing up for its new duties but a lot more needs to be done.

Police have to stop suicide bombers and provide maximum security to the general public. But one should not forget that a suicide bomber is bent upon giving his life. There is not much that can threaten him. Steps can be taken to ensure that the losses are minimised.

Despite having latest security gadgets and a lot of resources, Israel could not stop terrorist activities. At times police does get prior information about the possibility of suicide attack. But then it is always difficult to assess the modus operandi of the suicide bomber or as to exactly where he will attack. Police always strive to provide 100 per cent security services to the religious and political processions.

Police always draws strict security plans to ensure peace on special religious occasions like Eid Milad-un-Nabi, 10th of Muharram-ul-Harram and Hazrat Ali?s Martyrdom Day. It was the first day of September when the terrorists attacked the religious procession of Hazrat Ali?s Martyrdom Day near Karbala Gamey Shah. More than 2,000 policemen had been deployed. At that time police had 5 to 6 reserve brigades. Last year 1600 policemen had been deputed for the same procession.

It is very sad that after the blasts people in the religious procession attacked the policemen. They beat the police men. There was urgent need to deploy more policemen to control the situation. But that was not to happen and the whole security system seemed to have gone haywire. The mob rushed towards the Lower Mall Police Station and burnt it. All this could have been avoided had the rapid response unit reached the place in time.

Preliminary investigations showed that there was little lapse on the part of police. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Police were monitoring everything through roof top snipers-shooters and CCTV cameras while various intelligence agencies were also monitoring through surveillance video cameras. The situation entirely changed after cracker blast. People started beating policemen many of whom were critically injured.

Police does not have resources to install CCTV cameras across the city. Police officials encourage the business community to install CCTV surveillance cameras. Most shopping plazas and bazaars are regularly monitored through these CCTV cameras.

Punjab police have more than 300 sniper-shooters. They are very much effective during the public meetings of VVIP?s like prime minister and chief minister because at that time snipers can easily watch and monitor every one?s movements. Snipers get enough time to take down the attackers. In the case of Gamay Shah incident the area was too congested for the snipers to be any effective. In huge public gatherings it is too difficult to pin point the suspects. Some times with the help of sniper-shooters and surveillance cameras police does catch the suspects. Suicide bombers have been captured before they could launch the attack.

Police does not have the latest security gadgets to counter terrorism including explosive detectors, sniffer dogs and explosive scanners. Given these equipment police would be in a better position to counter terrorism. Punjab police has developed its own units to counter terrorism. It would be better if these units are properly equipped with the latest gadgets. The war on terror can also be won with good policing. It is not the fight of a tank and a man. It is a man to man approach that we should be taking.

Pakistani economy has lost billions of rupees in damages due to terrorism. The government has not been able to draw a proper strategy to counter terrorism. It is high time the government take decision and ban public rallies and processions. This step alone would save many lives and deter the terrorists from trying to create rifts in our society. Parliament needs to play a more constructive role. All the stake holders should be taken on board and political solutions should be sought. All political and religious groups need to be brought together at one platform in or outside the parliament to ensure one stand against terrorism. Otherwise the heavy price we are paying for terrorism will continue to mount.

In the era of machines, we are highly dependent on electricity and there is no doubt that electricity has become the most essential element to run our daily lives. On one hand it makes human lives easier, but on the other hand a slight gaffe can bring serious repercussions of inflicting shocks of thousand of volts particularly during the monsoon season leading to deaths of many.

The need of the hour is to take necessary precautionary measures while working on any electric project. But due to the negligence of the concerned department and the usage of low-quality wire during the constructions, the numbers of electrocution cases have been on a steady rise on a daily basis across the country. In the monsoon season the ratio of electrocutions are increasing and particularly in Lahore every hospital at least gets two to three cases of electrocution on a daily basis.

In this regard, these cases are registered lesser in number during the winter season. Sadly WAPDA has done nothing to prevent these incidents and the occurrences have become a routine matter. During this monsoon more than 200 hundred people including minors have lost their lives and hundreds are critically injured even the apex court is hearing some incident in which the kids have lost their legs. Sunday plus talked to some pertinent expertise to probe into the facts about the increasing number of the electrocution cases.

“The electrical switches are likely to capture more vapour and moisture from the air particularly in the monsoon season that is why short-circuiting has become more rampant and these days slight mistakes and negligence can lead to death on the spot. One of the major reasons behind rapid increment of the electrocution cases is due to the negligence of WAPDA. But it should be kept in mind that a person can get electrocuted though any reason. Some times heavy voltage of electric shocks doesn’t cause deaths while at times even low electric shocks can lead to loss his lives,” Electrical engineer Hammad Masood told while talking to the Sunday plus.

He further informed that, “If everyone turns the electrical switches off, there would be a tremendous reduction in deaths and would also reduce your electricity bills by 20 percent. During constructions people use bad quality of wires that result in short causing. Mostly labourers are electrocuted during construction works. Everybody should use the approved wires whether he is constructing plazas or homes. Mostly inconsistencies have been reported in WAPDA’s working. Main lines are broken and live wires cause deaths of many. Recently a main line fell down at a tractor trolley in the flood affected area where many people were electrocuted sustaining critically injuries due to electric shocks.”

“There are various reasons due to which electrocution cases have been on a rise such as open wiring, unsafe street poles, low-grade motor pumps, and large cluster of wires in old markets, under construction buildings, low quality usage of wires and fitting of the transformers near to the surface of the roads and houses, parks and other public places. People should avoid all these inconsistencies and prefer to utilise proper approved electric wires,” he added.

“Everyday we receive three to four patients that are hit by electric shocks at Mayo Hospital’s emergency. Those patients that are hit by light electric shocks can easily be treated but if the patients are hit by more than 220-voltage of electric shocks then it is too difficult to save their lives because electricity inflicts damages major body organs especially liver and heart. So the patient suffers a lot if they reach hospitals late for first aid. Patients should immediately be hospitalised within the few minutes,” Dr. S. Kunwar told while talking to the Sunday plus.

LESCO Assistant Director Zia Gondal confided that when monsoon is about to initiate LESCO launches a proper campaign in which the Chief Executive of LESCO issues directives to the PR department to advertise the precautionary measures that people should follow. The ads must be published in all the national dailies before the monsoon. Strict actions are taken against the line superintendents and SDOs if they don’t check the main lines and pole conditions.

“But unfortunately the electrocution cases are on a steep rise than before. Mostly children are affected because they don’t know about the street poles that are in fact always dangerous. We post danger signs at every pole but while playing on the street kids normally embrace poles unconsciously and they receive electric shock. So beware of it and people should not allow their kids to play near the electric poles whether it is monsoon or winter,” he added.

Asim Malik CEO, Future Concern Associates on the functioning of the consultancy firms 

The consultant plays an imperative role during the process of getting immigration, study, visit, skilled and business visas of the developed countries. In the beginning it usually seems like a simple procedure but when the visa application is being rejected because of some technical errors then people realise the value and importance of consultancy firms.

At times visa applications are also rejected despite the involvement of the firms. The victims then claim the consultancy firms responsible.

Then they file many legal applications against the consultants in the FIA and many other investigation agencies for interrogation but they fail to materialise anything because government of Pakistan has not yet introduced any legislation to take actions against the consultancy firms.

But every single firm cannot be categorised under this group as there are some firms like Future Concern Associates that is one the leading consultancy firms of the country. It has been rendering consultancy services in the field of immigration and student admissions abroad since sixteen years. Asim Malik is the Chief Executive of the firm.

While talking to Money Plus Asim Malik told about the functioning of the Future Concern Associates. “Basically Future Concern Associates is specialised to provide the consultancy services for gaining the immigration and study visas. So far we have provided the services to more than 170 thousand people who are living and studying abroad in different countries. We have their complete record with their messages” he said.

Future Concern Associates has been successfully facilitating its clients with two offices in Lahore and Islamabad while five offices worldwide in Australia, Canada, America, England and New Zealand. This is the major thing that distinguishes among the many other consultancy firms.

“It is our pride to serve more individuals in and across the borders in a broad market than any of our competitors. I am also grateful to all our clients who believed in us and their faith and trust reckoned us as one of the best immigration and student’s consultancy firms since last 16 years. Our insight and knowledge about the business grants us better opportunity to success hence helping you to a brighter and prosperous future,” he further added.

“It was a moment of great achievement and excitement when our client received his HSMP approval in just one day. This spark on the face of our valued customer is our true success and award. We strive for this success therefore, our motto, is to pay attention to our client’s interest. During this process we have been successful in paving our path to a series of achievements, leading us to become the most successful consultancy firm. We are firm about protecting the rights and dreams of our valued clients by assisting and showing them in the best possible way,” Asim Malik explained his obligations while talking to Money Plus.

He further explained about the functioning of the firm, “In today’s global village when we have little time and want all information in our laptop, FCA has stepped forward to assist and provide with a data-base technology, imparting the clients with on-line consultancy and status in an extremely user friendly manner. Our office is also based upon high-tech systemized data information tracking system to make all documentation foolproof, putting you at ease. So you can be sure that all your information is safe with us.”

FCA provides the complete information to the clients regarding all the aspects to get immigration and admission in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States of America, Ireland and Sweden as well. Here is the information of the said countries.

United Kingdom has always been proved one of the most important destinations for the students, skilled migrants and investors all over the world. The UK work permits scheme is also very important for employment based entry. UK has introduced many new and important changes in their Visa policies and if anybody is interested in UK Immigration. FCA provides complete information to the clients about new UK visa policies and points systems as well.

Every year Canada grants over 320000 skilled migration visas. Under the skilled worker immigration programme more people can migrate due to low pass makes. A Canadian Lawyer, who is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and has the right to represent FCA’s clients in Canadian immigration cases, has been employed by us.

Every year, millions of people try to enter the USA. It is the most favourite destination for everyone who wishes to migrate to starti a new life, develop their career, or join family members overseas. With huge cultural diversity and geographical variety, applying for immigration to the USA can provide a wealth of opportunities for potential US immigrants.

Australia is one of the world’s great immigration success stories. Today, nearly one in four of Australia’s 20 million people were born overseas, and it continues to welcome migrants who will contribute the future strength and well being of the country and its people.

Since last few years, Ireland has changed from being a country of emigration to a country of immigration. Ireland can offer excellent working conditions, low unemployment and low crime rates in addition to excellent healthcare and education as well as a rich cultural history and sense of national identity.

Sweden government proposes new rules for labour immigration to Sweden. These rules will create a more effective and flexible system, which will make it easier for people to come to Sweden to work and for companies to recruit labour from outside Europe. Sweden also has good health system, family life, good climate, political stability and security.

On a query Asim replied that a number of companies ventured into this profession but they did not exist after one or two years. Most of them do not have a good repute but fortunately FCA has. Because there is no such consultancy firm that carries 16 years credibility, which is our real asset. Credibility matters and nobody has a number of clients as FCA has. We have more than 300 employees just in the Lahore office. Through consultancy firms a lot of remittances are coming here. FCA has a lot of clients. That is why people should prefer to hire FCA’s services.

“In fact this business has become an industry but it is having complications as well because thousands consultancy firms are working without having any registration. Government is yet unable to make any law in this regard due to which all these firms could be registered,” he informed.

“I personally had a number of meetings with the interior ministers, many other high influential people like President Asif Zardari, President Pervez Musharaf and several other concerned authorities for tabling a bill in the National Assembly to streamline all the existing consultancy firms. It is a very grave issue but nobody takes initiative to rationalise, which is so bad that is why this profession is defaming.”

“Legislators do nothing but sit together for one or two hours to prepare the clauses and then sanction the bill from the National Assembly. But unfortunately they don’t have time to legalise this business. I have written 26 letters to the secretary of the Interior and Labour Ministry in which I have requested that FCA and existing consultancy firms should be registered. But both the ministries have failed to form legislations. In fact the government has to bear the loss of millions everyday due to this failure,” he explained with grave concern.

“For instance if anybody bears the loss of five to six hundred thousands in terms of non-refundable charges during the process of getting immigration to the British embassy then why can they not pay fifty thousand to Pakistan. He can easily afford but because of lack of legislation government can’t charge any penny. I myself want to do fair and legal business but due to the government negligence we are unable to do so. Government should at least charge 5 percent of the paid amount when any person migrates. In this way government can generate a lot of revenue after regularising the consultancy firms.

“We have been facing a lot of inquiries of FIA because people considered us as visa officers. When they were refused to get visa by the foreign embassies then they file the applications against us. FCA has to face almost fake 80 inquiries but none of them proved truly. We can just provide the legal expertise rather than visa. No one deals with this but in abroad they have special migration ministries. This should be streamlining at any cost.” He demanded to bring law to regulate this business.

When people are deprived from their fundamental rights then they decide to leave the country. Every year a lot of Pakistanis are leaving the country for getting better career and education opportunities. The migration rate is increasing rapidly. In fact every body wants to leave the country to secure its children’s future.

Answering to a quest he deplorably said that we have frail economy and foreign policy. We can’t stand anywhere before the modern world rulers should have to focus the economy’s issues rather than their personal agendas. Muslims are being attached with terrorist activities but rulers can do nothing to project the nation’s soft image in the abroad.

“Non-professional people ruined this profession and they are also indulged into many fraud cases. They did nothing but are minting money through unfair means. Priory government does nothing to prevent these people but when they have made fraud then many agencies are involved to capture fraudsters at that time they have left the country. On behalf of the FCA I have personally requested to every government for regularising this business but nothing has been done in this regard. Establishment of the separate ministry for looking after the consultancies matters is the need of the hour. Government should realise these matters,” he requested.

Asim Malik said that Government can earn a lot of money if government generates skilled people because thousands of jobs and opportunities exist in developed countries but unfortunately because of not having proper polices and guide line due to which the people could be trained for having the opportunities in abroad. Government should be on board and organised several training courses and must avail the opportunities. Skilled people can easily get the immigration than the others.

FCA has provided the consultancy services to more than one hundred and seventy thousand clients. It has the complete record of its clients. The visa approval rate of 98.93 percent distinguishes FCA than others consultancy firms while the refusal chance is just 10 percent.

“It is entirely a technical business that is why FCA has separate department that consists of 18 experts who just have to vet the immigration policies and laws of the developed countries and they timely aware us about the rapid changes of the rules and regulations. Lack of awareness just UK embassy has declined a number of applications recently. It was happened because of negligence of the non-professional consultants. UK has banned more than one thousand colleges and cancelled their licences due to provide the fake admission,” he maintained.

The procedure of FCA is that it firstly signs agreement and consultancy charges are not refundable. After hiring the services, client must receive the calls and everything is now available here in recorded farm. FCA doesn’t create any confusion. Everything is told to the customer call a spade a spade.

“This business has a lot of potential but just needs to be streamlining this sector. Because of this business every month country receives millions of the remittances and with having insurgency in the country we can’t improve the exports due to which economy runs. If government facilitates us then millions of rupees can be got easily through export the skilled people,” he added.