Micro-Organization

&
Local Self-Reliance
for
National Defense:
1

Micro-Organization & Local Self-Reliance for National Defense: Lecture 1_____________________________________________________2

INTRODUCTION____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2
Description & Justification:___________________________________________________________________________________________________4
Description & Justification:___________________________________________________________________________________________________4
Urgent Attention!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________9
Problem Areas__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10
Part III Technical Parameters:________________________________________________________________________________________________15
The Actors:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________17
True Representation_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21
Converting Adversity to Opportunity________________________________________________________________________________________22
How to Respond!________________________________________________________________________________________________________23
Provincialism Vs Nationalism:___________________________________________________________________________________________23
Harmonious and Coordinated Development.__________________________________________________________________________________26
Devolution of Power to Grass Roots Level:___________________________________________________________________________________27
Islamic Injunctions!____________________________________________________________________________________________________30
Crisis Management.______________________________________________________________________________________________________33
Alternatives_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________36
A real world laptop for real world change.__________________________________________________________________________________37
Goal and Objective____________________________________________________________________________________________________38
Management Systems____________________________________________________________________________________________________39
Challenges:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 40
Program Approach____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 41
Livelihoods Strategy___________________________________________________________________________________________________41
Resources and Opportunities____________________________________________________________________________________________41
CHECKLIST__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 42
Adopt intermediate and/or transitional technologies_________________________________________________________________________43
Needs-Based Community Development:___________________________________________________________________________________43
Assets-Based Community Development:__________________________________________________________________________________44
Economic Gardening___________________________________________________________________________________________________46
Flow Chart______________________________________________________________________________________________________________47
Part IV: Conclusion:________________________________________________________________________________________________________50

Presentation Plan:

Lecture 1
1.

Part 1:INTRODUCTION:

For The Cause That Lacks Assistance!

For The Wrong That Needs Resistance!
And For The Good That We Can Do!
Imagine holding an entire Nation hostage to mediocrity!
A former IGP of Punjab, Sardar Mohammad Chaudhry, has termed Pakistans Governance as The Ultimate
Crime in his book by the same name.

When the Population reaches critical mass and living conditions reach deprivation on a large enough scale,
something is bound to give!
The Media revolution and resultant instant access to information will leverage this reaction and intensify
emotions very swiftly.
It is not necessary to dwell over long on the negative aspects of the State of Society!
Rather a suggested adequate response to 21 st Century AD challenges and opportunities is being presented.
The World is beset by a number of problems, some of which are:
Hunger.
Extreme poverty.
Malnourishment.
Illiteracy.
Poor health and sanitary conditions.
Degraded Ecosystems.
Burgeoning populations.
Dwindling and degraded Natural Resources.
Vanishing Biodiversity.

Deforestation.
Global Warming/ Climate Crash.
Gross pollution of the Atmosphere and Ground Water.
Crime and desperation.

Aggressive and vigorous action needs to be taken at all levels in order to ward off the great dangers that
we are faced with.

2.

Part 2: Description & Justification:

The state of affairs in the Green Sector is positively not sustainable! At the present rate we will have

completely degraded and/ or exhausted our Renewable Natural Resources within a matter of a decade or two.
The tremendous population pressure that we are exerting will soon reach crisis proportions. The era of beg and
borrow is now almost at a close. It is a great shame that when there is plenty of scope for improvement and
enhancement, we are forced to face a situation of need and scarcity. It is not my intention to expose our National
Dirty Linen in Public. The tale is too well known to bear repeating. The causes of this situation are myriad and
are beyond the scope of the present effort. However, the cures to some of the physical manifestations are
presented for consideration. No claims to excellence are made; rather, an effort has been made to gather a

bouquet of treatment. The effort towards Devolution was a step in the right direction and should have been
supported to its logical conclusion. Vested interests may hide behind a screen of campaigning for Provincial
Rights and declaring scarcity of capacity within Districts to be a limiting factor rendering them incapable of being
masters of their own fates. An appeal is made to all right thinking individuals to cast aside the veils of prejudice
and self-interest and take into account the sorry state of the environment and the fact that over 30 % of our
population is faced with malnutrition! If this was a condition that was inescapable, it could be borne with
resignation. When there is plenty of room for improvement and only a matter of getting our act together under
visionary leadership, it is a crying shame.
A serious attempt to make a diagnosis in order to arrive at a cure is definitely the first step towards
recovery. Therefore, in order to achieve complete recovery the diagnosis must surely itself be complete and the
prescription offered must be effective.
Take into account the fact that despite being guilty of self inflicted wounds, our society is never the less
subject to innumerable conspiracies that take advantage of our weakness and herd us towards situations that
are in consonance with the designs and aims of these conspirators. As such they cannot be discounted but
rather have to be included in our diagnosis. Is it not possible, as held by some responsible members of society,

that due to the long history of dictatorships, we have developed a strong culture for conspiracy theories can
read that as a result of long history of conspiracy, we have developed a strong culture for dictatorship!
It is important to first reveal as to who is referred to as we. Which part or whole of our society can be
included in this mythical proactive we? Do we include the dispossessed; marginalized and exploited yet silent
majority, desperate for some small modicum of relief in the never ending battle for survival and subsistence? Is
the we all inclusive or is it the exclusive and elitist few that are the real actors who determine the course that is
set for the Nation to steer by?
Is it not possible that the root cause rests upon the failure to establish or rebuild a vibrant and home made
ethos that would drive us towards progress? The present dispensation is that of a dying colonial establishment
assailed by the masses that were recognized and empowered as a direct response to the socialist agenda of a
political party and is this not the real power base of that party? The exclusive right, itself divided between so
called religious, conservative middle class; feudals; industrialists and westernized elite hobbling together to
pursue conflicting special interests, fails to attain majority without vested interest support at the ballot.
If we are to fix responsibility and

understand why we are where we are it is important to first

understand where we are in the first place! The social order of yesteryear consisted of the degenerated
remnants of feudal imperialism subject to colonialism whose successors, the economic neo-colonial imperialists,
won the Second World War. The evolved social context was that of rigidly stratified yet self reliant microcosms

existing within a survival of the strongest and most ruthless milieu. With increasing awareness and the opening
out of economic opportunities, this framework broke down to create a disjointed free for all attempting to attain
personal self-reliance. In order to attain some form of a harmonious whole we turned towards the model of
British parliamentary system at National and Provincial levels. With failure to attain National or Provincial selfreliance the experiment of Local Bodies was tried out twice and on both occasions on the behest of Military
Leaders trying for some semblance of National cohesion, ostensibly to devolve governance to local selfgovernance, surely a contradiction in terms! The truism that any system is as good or as bad as the people who
run it, overwhelms the intrinsic efficacy or otherwise of any system.
I strongly believe that the best leaders are those who after they depart the people say we did it, the it
being progress and prosperity. This transient personality and dynasty based leadership, subject to delusional
visions and messiah complexes on the part of leadership can only serve or disserve in accordance with their
inherent ability or lack thereof. True development can only come about if the skill and drive of the people is
tapped and channelized in accordance with a vision that is mutually acceptable by all involved or affected.
The promise of freedom, democracy, prosperity, and social justice in accordance with the principles of
Islam that galvanized the Muslims of South Asia to launch (the) Pakistan movement followed by strong civil and
military bureaucracy hijacked the state as political institutions were weak and in early formative stage.

In order to attain the promise and eschew hijacking, which must include corrupt politicians, we need to
consider the following. Should we not resolve the choice between westernized elitism and traditional culture?
Will this step not include the vast majority of our populace who may have better leadership; vision; solutions etc.
that could be tapped to achieve progress and prosperity? Secondly, can we establish Local Self-Governance at
the Grass roots level that is the Village or Mohallah and not the Union and District Council level as touted by the
late regime? In order to avoid replicating the divisive and competitive system of first past the post rule of the
largest minority as a practical result of the democracy as practiced by us that is a masquerade for oligarchy or
the rule of the rich, with Page-Rank Algorithm Social Network analysis that uncovers the nexus of trust by
highlighting the flow-betweeness of individuals within a social network. This would quite easily avoid the self
aggrandizement, abhorrent to the principles of Islam, with a rehabilitated and rationalized, egalitarian Panchayat/
Jirga system whose leaders are replaced by more deeply representative members who do not compete or vie for
leadership? Can we engage in a dialogue to weigh the pros and cons of an alternate system that seeks to
replace the exploitive structure with a truly participative and empowered local self-reliance? Given a workable
mechanism and framework can we rethink our Taqleedi development with rational measures in consonance
with our peculiar circumstances, culture, identity and history? Can we not establish a response to current
challenges and imperatives based upon a rational development of Islamic society that would have been
emplaced if it was not subverted by opportunists, plagues and external forces? Do we have to go through the

10

rigors of re-evolving a modern society by repeating the mistakes of others? Do we change the system or just the
faces?
Ah, Love! Could thou and I with Fate conspire?
To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire!
Would not we shatter it to bits-and then.
Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire!
Omar Khayyam.

Urgent Attention!
The impotent efforts on the behalf of the Ecological Preservation proponents are not enough to stem the
tide of oblivion that threatens to engulf the sordid remains of what is a noble attempt on the part of Nature to
bring Order to Chaos. What can an ordinary Citizen do in the face of Vested short-term interests and pressure
groups fuelled by black money often made by the immoral proceeds of activities that are directly contributing to
the very problems enlisted above?
Over the years Governments and Politicians have contributed in well intentioned schemes that have failed
to have maximum impact and have resulted in a great deal of waste and indebtedness. More emphasis has
been placed upon infrastructure than economy generation. Opportunities and jobs have not been created.
Resources have been over-exploited.

11

Problem Areas
It might be pertinent to enlist the underlying problem areas that have to be concentrated upon in order to
overcome the very real threat of Eco Disaster!
Subsistence, non-irrigated agriculture is the rule rather than exception.
Use of unstabalized fertilizers in inefficient manner is causing atmospheric pollution, below grade water
pollution and raising soil pH, thereby restricting available nutrient uptake by the plants
Soils are depleted and yields are low.
Poor cultural practices and lack of storm water drainage contribute to loss of precious topsoil in large
quantities every year.
Forests are heavily exploited and not sustainable at less than 5% of the area.
Infrastructure in the shape of roads is less than sufficient and usually in a state of disrepair.
Water supply is mostly self-arranged; this is usually a burdensome task. A few schemes in the area provide
water to the doorsteps of about 30 % of the inhabitants. Springs and running streams are available but
highly polluted. Recharging of shallow aquifers is slow and restricted. The area is increasingly facing water
scarce months and lower rainfall in one of the two seasons that formerly prevailed, i.e. delayed winter
rains.

12

Electricity is practically unavailable to most households due to load-shedding and line losses/
inefficiency/dishonesty.
Sanitation if present though not hooked up to central or efficient systems even in Islamabad. Solid and liquid
waste is a major pollutant.
Poor maintenance standards of vehicles available to commuters are causing air pollution by emission of toxic
fumes.
Schools and Basic Health Units are lacking in facilities and under-staffed, both in qualitative and quantitative
terms.
Livestock is poor in quality and exerts pressure upon the existing resources. Local inhabitants resort to
clearing of trees and burning of grass at particular seasons, to ensure more availability of grass to their
ruminants. This grass is usually harvested in winter to supply winter-feed.
Thus, overall, rural infrastructure is poor. However, rudimentary infrastructure does exist but is poorly
maintained and grossly under-utilized.
The above factors need elaboration to bring home their importance.
The Petro-Based Economy seems to be the root cause of many of our problems. Degradation of the EcoSystem; Global Warming and Pollution of the Atmosphere and possibly Climate Crash leading to a return

13

of the Ice Age can be directly attributed to the Petro-based Economy. The Geo Strategic maneuvering of
the 21st Century is very much hinged upon the control of dwindling Oil Resources. The ugly faces of
religious differences and racialism are mere window dressing to the actual reasons of conflict in the Middle
East, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and soon Central Asia. Much desperation and suffering results from the
callous pursuit of materialism that reaps a bonanza of material returns by fuelling the Armaments industry,
that most criminal of human activities. A small fraction of the expense undertaken at preserving their hold
upon Oil Sources would adequately pay by seeking breakthroughs in Solar, Fuel cell, Ethanol, Methane,
Thermal and other sources of low-cost power.
Water, the most precious resource is estimated to be short by 40% by the year 2025 as, according to the UN,
3 billion people or 40% of the Worlds projected population will be facing acute and chronic water
shortages. Recycling; Desalination; Water Harvesting; Aquifer Recharging; Lined Channels and Drains;
Conservation Irrigation and a host of other measures will have to be taken in order to curtail the deleterious
affects of water shortages.
Food is yet another source for major concern. As according to the World Bank, per capita acreage of
cultivated land supporting food production dropped by almost 50% between 1961 and 1997. It is projected
that by the year 2050 this figure will fall further by 40% or more. Already around 800 hundred million
people go hungry every day with more than half of them severely malnourished. Intensive food production

14

with higher and better quality produce is the only recourse for a hungry and desperate world. The BioTechnology revolution, with stringent checks and balances, is more than likely to provide a solution to this
critical problem. That is provided that rationalism and elegantarism prevail over materialism, whether
dialectic or otherwise.
Sanitation is essential to continued and healthy existence. What manner of civilization will tolerate the
constant degradation of its biome? Solid and Liquid Waste can be readily treated by the Biotechnology
Tools at our command today. It is imperative that resources and technologies are marshaled in order to
stop further befouling of the nest that supports our existence.
Bioenvironmental Management, the absence of which is deemed a problem, is itself capable of providing
an amazing range of solutions to most of these problems. Hunger; Extreme Poverty; Malnourishment; Poor
Health and Sanitary Conditions; Degraded Ecosystems; Dwindling Natural Resources; Vanishing
Biodiversity; Deforestation; Global Warming; and Gross pollution of the Atmosphere and Ground Water.
Population Control is obviously a number one priority for any rational human being. The proponents of
religious intervention with claims of divine intervention are simply too absurd to be considered as a barrier
to achieving some semblance of control over a problem that eats into whatever advances are made to
support its growing demands by rapidly increasing that demand to outstrip supply. As the Holy Quran

15

states They are themselves the perpetuators and yet they say the Allah (SWT) has done it! And Allah
(SWT) is swift in Punishment (Sareeh ul Iqab)!
Health is obviously a highly prized and valued adjunct to life itself. Bio Medical and Natural remedies to old
and new man made problems in the health field are very much a possibility.
Literacy is so basically important for fulfilling the inherent talents and latent possibilities within humanity that it
should be a crime to deprive anyone the right to a basic education. Ask most people today if they have
heard of Naimat-e-Abdi, Sarmadi or Naimat-e-Uzma; Quwattat-e-Moassara whether positive or
negative; Tawajjuh-e-Muntaqilla and they will reply in the negative. Yet these are the very aims of what
humanity should strive for. This is a direct result of abandoning our own Culture and traditions and Divine
Guidance! What we have emplaced is a system that is unaware of the latent potential inherent within
Mankind!
Equal Opportunities are vital to a healthy and thriving society. No social system can bear the strains of
bondage and slavery for too long a period without crashing down upon the heads of unjust and exploitative
society. The very secret to dynamism is upwards mobility and equal opportunities afforded to most of the
population.
Justice is perhaps the single most important factor that needs urgent consideration and constant attention. It
is justice to Nature to institute Bioenvironmental Management; it is justice to provide equal opportunities

16

and a share of essential commodities to each and every living organism that inhabits the Globe. It is justice
that fuels and propels humanity towards excellence and prosperity. Exploitation and deprivation must be
made things of a shameful past that needs to be buried before it buries humanity.

3.

Part III Technical Parameters:

The Current Financial State of the common man and women is perhaps best illustrated by the cost of living
versus income. Annual Estimated Expenses of an average HH of 7 Members Rs. 2,66,189. Annual
Estimated Income of an average HH Rs. 1,55,800. Difference between Expense and Income:
Rs. 1,10,389.
Annual Estimated Expenses of an average HH of 7 Members(Rs.)
#
Item
Unit
Unit Price Total Consumption (Kg)
1
Flour
22 Ounce/
650/kg
1757
Person/Day
2
Ghee
120 gram/
200/kg
306.6
Person/Day
3
Pulses
75 gram /person/Day 150/kg
191.6
4

Rice

Sugar

Clothes

250 gram
/Person/day
140 gram/
Person/Day
Two suits/year

Medical

Lump Sum

Total Expenditures
57,104
61,320
28,740

95/kg

175

16,625

54/kg

350

18,900

750/suit

14 suits

10,500
15,000

17

8
Utilities
9
Tea
10 Spices
11 Milk
12 Transport
Total

Lump Sum
Lump Sum
Lump Sum
Lump Sum
Lump Sum

3,000
6,000
4,000
20,000
25,000
2,66,189

Annual Estimated Income of an average HH (Rs.)

#

Item

Unit

Unit Price

Monthly Income

Total annual Income

Labor

Daily wages

250

6,250

75,000

Dairy

2.5 kg/day

50

3,750

45,000

Poultry

6 eggs/day

900

10,800

Livestock Sale

Cow/ Goat

25,000

Total

1,55,800

Household Income and Expenditure Annual Gap 2,66,189 155,800 = 1,10,389

18

The Actors:
The people who fall into the categories of users, managers and regulators of the usage of Natural Resources
may be classified as follows:
Local Communities: The Local Communities that inhabit the area delimited as a Village or Mohallah Council,
may be sub classified as:
Land-less households with members engaged in labor or service, either locally or outside the area.
Land owning small to medium households with members supplementing incomes by resorting to labor,
service or small retail business, either locally or outside the area.

19

Perhaps a large land holding household or two with members supplementing incomes by resorting to service
mostly outside the area.
These households consist of 6 to 8 members roughly evenly balanced between the two sexes; the three
age groups vary as most in the young and roughly even in the middle and old age groups with a slight bias
towards the middle age group. Education ranges from scarce in the older age groups and increases as age
decreases. Quite a few households contain Middle to Intermediate qualified young men and women. Higher
education is not absent from the area but consists mainly of non-technical degrees. A sense of deprivation and
frustration prevails due to high cost of living and lack of access to facilities, employment, credit and
opportunities. All this has led to erosion of social cohesiveness and a sense of rivalry and competition is
prevalent. Intolerance and hostility are growing with increasing economic and social pressures. The poorest of
the poor have been ignored and marginalized.
Local Administration:
This is based outside the Villages or Mohallahs in the District Administration.
The Devolution Plan called for Citizens Community Boards and Village/ Mohallah Development Councils
operating within Union Councils consisting of elected Councilors from amongst males, females and
minorities.
The next tier consisted of Union Councils leading on to Tehsil and District Councils.

20

In case of single Tehsil Districts, like Abbottabad, this third tier was absent.
Particular Interest Groups mostly dominated these Councils.
This is truer for the higher tiers.
Members were supposed to man Citizens Community Boards and Village/ Mohallah Development Councils.
This is the immediate target group in so far as administration is concerned.
Union Councilors.
Capacities were low and skills were absent.
Interaction and cooperation was poor.
Responsibility was not taken and balancing forces quickly curbed and blunted initiatives.
Meager resources were wasted and miss-spent and facilities were under-utilized.
Non-productive pursuits and a general free for all in exploitation was the order of the day.
Provincial & Federal Governments: The tier of Government that has had the most say in development and
governance, through most of the existence of Pakistan, has been Provincial. Direct Central control has been
exercised over them for many of these years. However, actual day-to-day implementation has fallen to the
functionaries of the Provincial Governments and through them, to the Line Departments. At the Federal level a
few National bodies like WAPDA, PTCL and NHA and some Regional bodies implementing Projects are playing

21

their roles. Various Federal Ministries, Senators, as well as MPs of Provincial and National Assemblies and their
associates have had their roles to play as well. Technical know-how and competence is greater and some
notable attempts have been made to manfully cope with a situation in development, fraught with extraneous
pressures.
Development Agencies/ NGOs:
A growing number of Development Agencies and NGOs are very much evident in the Rural Areas. These
are usually not locally based or even locally staffed. Social Mobilization, Womens Development, Micro Credit
and Enterprise, Human Resource Development/ Capacity building, Small Projects Implementation and Natural
Resource Management are some of their more significant activities.
Particular Interest Groups:
These consist of various social, political, economic and religious groups. Members of regular, formal or
informal associations are finding an increasing share in influence. These consist of Community Based
Organizations and emerging Cluster Groups; Service related associations or relationships and Sectarian
groupings. Some are bound together as mutual interest groups linked through often, illegal ties, for instance an
alliance between Contracts awarding authorities and contractors. Nepotism and illegal gratification prevails and

22

strict accountability is now days being enforced through desperate necessity, caused by the sheer multiplicity
and astronomical proportions in resource drainage.
True Representation
True democracy or the rule of the maximum number of the populace is not served by eliminating those
who garner less support than others.
Does this not signify the disenfranchisement of large chunks of the populace?
Certainly not!
This leads to disaffection on the part of those who fail to achieve representation.
For example in a population of 10,000 souls we witness the following results.
Come election time only 4,000 people cast their votes.
These cast say 1,000 vote for the leading candidate, 800 vote for the second place and 700 for the third
candidate.
The rest are divided in small numbers.
Do we mean to say that the candidate supported by 10 % of the populace is a true representative of the
area?

23

Converting Adversity to Opportunity

Problems are structural; good people even with adequate resources are unable to produce favorable
outcomes working within such an environment.
The point that emerges is that technical solutions cannot, on their own, solve what are essentially failures
in policy.
Finally we must Learn to Nurture Nature in order to Ensure that
Nature Continues to Nurture Us!
Live in Harmony with Nature by creating vibrant, dynamic and locally self-sufficient communities.
The objectives of the Program will be achieved when the communitys skills and talents are tapped in such
a manner that they declare We Did It.
As such the present suggestions have been designed in such a manner that a new Management
Mechanism is emplaced that is more responsive and accountable to the common citizens.
In order to foster Self-Reliance we need to combat poverty; deprivation and fight hunger!
In order to do this we must
Release and tap the enormous potential of the people who can develop their own skills and local resources.
CHANGE?

24

Do we change the system or just the faces?

How to Respond!
21st Century Challenges have to be faced with Lo-Cost, Innovative and Eco Friendly, Hi-Tech.
Interventions.
What we need is a Way Ahead for Sustainable Development in complete Harmony with Nature and Human
Nature in the Light of Divine Guidance. In order to do this we need to answer some vital questions.
Provincialism Vs Nationalism:
The current state of Nationalism and the demand for new Provinces is nothing less than an attempt by
Leaders with less than National Status to carve out fiefdoms for their own exploitation but is based upon
discontent with maladministration on the part of Sub Nationalities. Efficient administration that at the same time
avoids fractionalism should be based upon Agri-Ecological Zones within the boundaries of Pakistan. There are
different ways that have been used for delimiting these zones. However, to my mind the best method has been
used by the Soil Survey of Pakistan,. This little known Organization has put in some of the best Surveys based
upon Districts which are however classified as Restricted for reasons best known to those who have imposed
this classification.
Their classification is depicted below:

25

1.

Northern Dry Mountains

2.

Western Dry Mountains

3.

Wet Mountains

4.

Northern Irrigated Plains (a & b)

5.

Southern Irrigated Plains

6.

Barani Lands

7.

Sandy Desert (a & b)

8.

Sulaiman Piedmont

9.

Indus Delta

10.

Dry Western Plateau

This makes a total of 12 sub divisions, the further a and b divisions in the Irrigated Plains separates Sindh

from the Punjab and is the only contiguous exception.

26

27

Harmonious and Coordinated Development.

Having had the rather unfortunate experience of serving an International NGO for a period of one year as
the Project Manager for the Abbottabad Conservation Strategy, I found a number of discrepancies that are
extremely pertinent to our present discussion. There was a greater need for a Sustainable Development Action
Plan rather than a Conservation Strategy. Secondly, the amount of resistance that I faced from the local staff
and line Departments was making it impossible to actually come up with a workable solution. Thirdly, 14 Sector
Papers were written which included two papers prepared by myself covering Agriculture and Horticulture
amalgamated into a single paper with a definite Action Plan. Further my paper Sustainable Development in a
Mountain District was not entertained. As my Contract was not renewed at the end of the year and the close of
the five year cycle, I found to my astonishment that my paper on Horticulture and Agriculture despite having
been worshopped amongst the stakeholders in the District and critically examined by various National and
International experts had been replaced by a neutered paper that was merely an eyewash. Secondly, the paper
had not been presented to the stakeholders. Thus the District Strategy was no longer a Strategy but merely an
exercise in wordplay. Vast sums of money had been expended that belonged to the Swiss Taxpayers in an
exercise in futility! This served to convince me that International Agencies were not the solution to our problems
and we had to come up with our own solutions. One such was the establishment of a District Development

28

Authority. Working on this concept I realized that in conjunction with the afore mentioned Agri-Ecological based
National Division there was a need of an Authority that worked out a Sustainable Development Action Plan on
National and Agri-Ecological basis. This is a very technical requirement that should be indigenously tackled in
order to provide a uniform Framework for all Regions to adhere to. Details that would have to be worked out will
follow later during the course of my Presentation.
Devolution of Power to Grass Roots Level:
The next issue is that of Grass Roots Local Self-Reliance or Localization for Globalization. I suppose that
from the top of Mount Olympus Grass Roots was the Union Council level. However, to my mind, Grass roots
mean Village or Mohalla level. Devolution of Power to District Level on the part of the past Government was a
step that did not go far enough to address mal-administration and incompetent Governance. If we truly wish to
empower our populace we must take into account this fact. This is nothing but a manifestation of a ruler and
ruled mentality.
Village/ Mohallah Council
The Village/ Mohallah Council geographical units are small enough to render close proximity between
Governance and Governed.

29

This ensures that administration is held accountable by being only a few minutes away from those who are
immediate afectees of administration.
The establishment of mutually competitive small time potentates is no solution to our problems.
Persons who are responsible for development and expend funds must reside in an area that is small enough
to be within easy access of the inhabitants of that area.
Secondly they must be of a level and stature that is approachable by the people.
When the inhabitants of a Village/ Mohallah Council can reach the door of their representatives within
minutes.
When these people can react to wrong doings on the part of those elected by them.
When Administrators have no alternative or means of avoiding those who have elected them.
When social cohesiveness has been attained through Associations and Networks.
When ostentation and lavish expenditure cannot remain hidden
When elected representatives have smaller problems to deal with.
Population levels are small enough to be dealt with.
They will perforce have to keep a clean nose.
Then and only then will Devolution be of any consequence.
At the same time the threat to provincial autonomy will be removed.

30

National integration will be ensured and true development will result.

In order to achieve all this we will have to work out the duties and responsibilities of each tier of Governance.
This does not mean unnecessary duplication and red tapism.
It means that Human Rights will have to be respected.
Tiers of Governance from Union Council to District to Regional to Provincial and finally Federal Level will
impart the necessary Checks and Balances and provide ample opportunity to ensure monitoring; supervision
and external audit. At the same time the threat to provincial autonomy will be removed. National integration will
be ensured and true development will result. In order to achieve all this we will have to work out the duties and
responsibilities of each tier of Governance. This does not mean unnecessary duplication and red tapism. It
means that Human Rights will have to be respected.
Further to the above concept there is the major issue of true representation. True democracy or the rule of
the maximum number of the populace is not served by eliminating those who garner less support than others.
Does this not signify the disenfranchisement of large chunks of the populace? This leads to disaffection on the
part of those who fail to achieve representation. For example in a population of 10,000 souls we witness the
following results. Come election time only 4,000 people cast their votes. Of these say 1,000 vote for the leading
candidate, 800 vote for the second place and 700 for the third candidate. The rest are divided in small numbers.
Do we mean to say that the candidate supported by 10 % of the populace is a true representative of the area?

31

Certainly not! Representation that is meaningful should include at least five members that are the Nexus of trust
within that particular society in a council of representatives. This is democracy and true representation! This is
enfranchisement! To claim otherwise is merely eyewash.
I strongly urge the Powers That Be to review their intentions and make sure that they know what they are
doing. The process of Selection and manipulation has got to stop. After all it has never worked before.
Islamic Injunctions!
Wa Tasaymu BayHubLillah Hay Jumeeya Wa La Tafurraku! Hold Firmly unto The Rope of Allah (SWT) and
Eschew Unjust Differentiation!
Is not the present system of elections directly opposed to this injunction?
The very essence of Islam is to negate transient selfhood and submit to Allah (SWT)!
How can this be upheld when a section of society with ample funds is allowed to promote themselves over
others and expend vast sums to brainwash the Public into supporting them.
The ideal in Islam is that of seeking out the best of the best and convincing them to assume responsibility of
guiding others.
When the Abbasid Khalifa Mansur was seeking a Kazi ul Kaza the shortlisted individuals tried their level best
to avoid this onerous responsibility rather than avidly seeking it for themselves. He asked Hazrat Abu
Hanifa (RA) to fill in the job but was refused on the grounds that he was unsuited to the post. You Lie

32

exclaimed the Khalifa, upon which the venerable Theologian replied You have stated my case as a liar is
unsuited to hold such an exalted post. The Khalifa condemned the sage to prison.
Can we aim at sustainable natural resource management and efficient resource utilization for the economic
uplift of the State through employment generation to increase household incomes?
This can be ensured through asset creation and increase in basic production while keeping environmental
protection and ecosystem regeneration as central to the effort.
It should be mandatory to form and strengthen grassroots institutions by following a process approach of
social mobilization for empowerment so that both the public and private sectors efforts towards the well
being of communities may be supported, accelerated, fostered and sustained.
Organizational vision, mandate, objectives, strategy and inputs should revolve around this concept that
ensures community participation and sustainability in the entire development process.
This entails preparation of Participatory Development Plans (PDPs) of localities by developing the capacity of
Community Members and enabling them to identify, prioritize, plan, implement and manage needs of the
entire population.
PDPs in line with Agri-Ecological Regions should become the basis for allocations of resources from public
and private sectors organizations that focus upon the establishment of a sound base and network of

33

grassroots institutions as recognized and uniform forums to identify, prioritize, plan, accelerate, implement,
manage and monitor development initiatives on a sustainable basis.
The V/ MCs are to be community institutions with total membership of a recognized geographical location that
joins to pursue solutions to local issues through collective participation, shared leadership, effective
communication and collaborative decisions.
Representative Character of the VCs should be established through a process of Page Rank Algorithm based
analysis of Structural Deep Democracy (SD2).
This system ensures universal participation to uncover Centrality (Nexus) of Trust within a given Social
Network.
Sophisticated software will graphically depict a 5 member Executive Committee (Jirga/ Panchyat) to run the
affairs of the Community.
This process ensures that Elite Capture and Vested Interests are distanced from the development process.
Additional benefit of social harmony by excluding competition from elections thus obviating clash of interest
and creation of animosity.
Further the exercise will be carried out through the use of simple electronic voting machines ensuring
simplicity and transparency of the exercise.

34

Accountability is in-built in the system as repeat exercises will automatically uncover whether the present
committee members have retained or lost their positions of Centrality within the social network.
The V/ MC elected members will act as an Executive Body and a primary level support organization in its
geographical proximity.
It will harness the willingness of people to integrate their thinking, resources and energies that leads towards
empowerment and prosperity.
The establishment of mutually competitive small time potentates is no solution to our problems.
Persons who are responsible for development and expend funds must reside in an area that is small enough
to be within easy access of the inhabitants of that area.
Secondly they must be of a level and stature that is approachable by the people.
Formation of Village/ Mohallah Councils is more in consonance with the problem of addressing a plethora of
issues that confront the Bewildered Poor on a daily basis.
Crisis Management.
We now come to the crux of the Lecture what are they ways and means to provide foolproof National
Defense in the modern era? To my mind the problem can be resolved in a twofold manner. First and foremost, as
you will undoubtedly agree, is Economic Prosperity. The means to provide Defense in this technological era is

35

possession of adequate National wealth and a vibrant base of productivity! The aims of the reforms covered in
this lecture are entirely devoted to achieving just such a strong base. When the loopholes in revenue collection
are effectively plugged sufficient revenues can be collected even from the present dismal state of the economy.
When adequate checks and balances are introduced the spending of these revenues can be directed towards
the welfare of the populace thus motivating them to ensure a vigorous defense of their liberty. Secondly, and
most importantly, the enemies of today are likely to rethink their antipathy when confronted by an upwardly
mobile populace living in harmony with Nature and thus heading towards even more progress and prosperity.
Such a Nation is bound to attain the Help of The Gracious Creator of the Universe in attaining Glory!
When a Nation is embroiled in either Conventional or Non Conventional Warfare it is the unstinted support
of the local populace that will ensure a strong Logistical base from which the Armed Forces can operate. If the
populace is faced with a complete breakdown in logistics and communications the operational effectiveness of
the Armed Forces is severely curtailed. Will they be able to engage the enemy or will they perforce have to
ensure the survival of the populace. What use will be any success on the battlefield, if at all achievable, if the
populace has been reduced to famine and a complete disruption of their way of life? What about the morale of
the troops if their immediate loved ones are living or subsisting in penury or if they have been reduced to famine
and infighting between themselves for survival? I am sure that we will all agree that a solid support from the
civilian populace is indispensable for success on the battlefield.

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Repeated crises have revealed the fact that we as a society are inadequately organized to respond in a
befitting manner to mitigate the horrendous results of disasters. Indeed our response often results in
further worsening rather than ameliorating the sorry state of affairs that arise from such situations. The
2005 Earthquake; terrorist strikes, possibility of War and countless other tragedies result in widespread
confusion and panic resulting in despair and despondency.
One such issue is that of rapid, coherent; coordinated and comprehensive response to emergencies whether
natural or man-made
In case a vigorous and dynamic organization is emplaced at the lowest of all tiers such a response can be
expected.
The Councilor or Union Council Chairman does not reside in the immediate vicinity of all but his/ her own
neighborhood.
Additionally, if only one person is empowered to represent the populace he or she cannot represent all but
only the largest minority especially in the case of a fragmented society such as ours.
In case that person is him/ herself a victim of tragedy immediate vacuum is the immediate consequence

37

If, on the other hand, we have a local populace that is equipped to meet the challenges posed by adverse
circumstances, we can be assured of a dynamic and adequate response. An entirely self first with no concern for
others attitude as prevalent in our society will reap a bitter harvest in the face of tragedy. On the other hand a
Caring and Sharing Society as envisaged in our Religion will be able to rise up meet the challenge and provide a
befitting response!
What, if any, are the alternatives?
An egalitarian alternative that is more suited to our culture and religion as compared to the elitist First across
the Post practice of traditional democracy as practiced by us.
At population levels of 2000 and below it is very much feasible to use this positive method of revealing the
first five individuals who are central to any social group.
In case of the objection arising that such complex solutions are impossible to implement, and that is a
undeniable fact, we can resort to relatively simple technology.
This can be done by using a simple hardware and allied software device that firstly recognizes the voter or
selector and then allows input of selecting only five out of the total number of individuals within that social
network excluding him/ herself (inbuilt into the software).
Selection of less than five is directly compensated by the software.

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A real world laptop for real world change. The XO laptop One laptop Per Child (OLPC)
Mission Statement: To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child
with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative,
joyful, self-empowered learning.
This type of computer, locally manufactured and operating in National and Regional languages will be a
powerful tool for Sustainable Development through Networking and connectivity. Translation Software in
Regional languages and the National Language will ensure instant and effective communications between the
populace and promote economic affairs tremendously. Electronic and Mobile phone based commerce and
access to Data and Knowledge Banks will ensure that we no longer pay for our ignorance. Speech to Writing
and vice versa Software will ensure inclusion of the illiterate. Some of the many uses will be Page Rank based
Elections; Local, Regional and National Data and Knowledge Banks; E-Commerce through wireless connectivity;
Revenue Data and Financial Spreadsheets; Education through standardized Curricula and Lessons and so on.

39

Created from poll data gathered by Sirdar Timur Hyat-Khan and Contact Youth in Islamabad Pakistan,
June, 2005. Mark Rosst processed the data with NetDraw. Groups were colored using the Newman/Girvan
algorithm. Image is public domain.

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Goal and Objective

Establishment of Village/ Mohallah Development Councils provided with Guidance, Training, Inputs and
Support through carefully worked out Management Systems.

SHELTER

ENERGY

SKILLS

TOOLS

Intensive Agri-Horti-FloriAqua Culture

Technical Vocational

Bio-Fuels
Solar Ponds
Passive Solar
Wind
Liquid Waste

Nutrients
Implements
Machines

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PRODUCE

MARKET

Agri-Horti-FloriAqua Cultural
Industrial

Community
ConglomocultureExport

Scope:
Data and Revenue Collection.
Interact with Union/ District/ Provincial & National Agencies/ Institutions.
Gather and Maintain Data and Statistics; Information Dissemination (IT).
Establishment of Training & Demonstration Centers for Skills Enhancement.
Serve as Center of Excellence to Demonstrate Alternates.
Pass on Viable and Appropriate Technology & Skills to the Populace.
Provide Hands on Training (HOT).
Establishment of Community Based Growing/ Production & Marketing (Export).
Provision of Quality Inputs on Credit.
Supervision of Correct & Innovative Cultural Practices.
Provision of Post Harvest Processing and Storage facilities.
Soil/ Water Conservation
Pollution Control; Solid/ Liquid Waste Processing.
Alternate Energy.

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Challenges:
To alleviate poverty by reducing the annual gap (Rs. 1,10,389) between income and Expenditure
To organize the communities into Village/ Mohallah Councils (500 Hhs) and build their capacities
To identify existing natural resources and undertake value addition
To develop Village/ Mohallah Development Plans for sustainable management of natural resources.
Program Approach
Promotion of Participatory Development
Institutionalisation of community driven Initiatives
Collaboration with the stakeholders
Building Synergies
Service provider
Sustainable Development
Livelihoods Strategy
Preparation of proposals based on the needs identified in the Village/ Mohallah Dev Plans
Integrating livelihood and environment sectors based on knowledge, innovation & demand driven approach.
Linkages & partnership for phasing of implementation plan.
Adaptation & Consolidation of technology.

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Formulation of network for producer organisations.

Resources and Opportunities
Talented population
Moderate cultural values and democratic society
Proactive women willing to participate in development process
Social awareness
Excellent weather zoning for cultivation of cash crops
Abundance of natural resources like water, minerals, herbs aromatic plants, forests, range lands, scenic
beauty etc
Foreign remittances
CHECKLIST
What is the geographical area?
What are the characteristics of the population?
What is the condition of housing?
What are the communications and transport facilities?
What is the condition of agriculture and livestock/ enterprise?
What is the situation regarding supplies?

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What is the condition of the health sector?

What is the condition of the education sector?
Adopt intermediate and/or transitional technologies contributing to:
Generating Economy.
Creating Basic Production.
Improving Employment Opportunities.
Ensuring Adequate Living Standards.
Bringing about gradual changes from extensive systems with low productivity to intensive ones with
higher productivity.
Reducing pressure from Natural Resources.
Producing an adequate Benefit/Cost Ratio.
Ushering in Prosperity.

Needs-Based Community Development:

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Traditional Model:
Based on

Needs

Goal

Institutional Change

Conversation

Problems and Concerns

Change Agent

Power

View of Individual

Consumer/ Client

Needs are based on Community Problems. This method of mobilizing citizens focuses on negative
characteristics of a community and demoralizes local residents, thus limiting proactive action at the local level.
Assets-Based Community Development:
Alternate Model:
Based on

Assets

Goal

Building Communities

Conversation

Gifts & Dreams

Change Agent

Relationship

View of Individual

Producer / Owner

Assets are based on Community Treasures

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Asset-Based Development:
Reorients development from a needs-based approach. Needs-based models seek to identify
weaknesses in a local community and then implement strategies to overcome those weaknesses
Focuses on local assets, instead of needs and deficits, allowing residents to identify possibilities for
change that they can control, and energizes residents to take action.
Asset-Based Community Development: Individual self-interest Relationships undeveloped

Asset Mapping Catalyst which causes Relationships to Develop

Relationships form based on Networks, Trust and Norms

One Outcome is Community Action!

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While the needs-based approach focuses on garnering external resources to solve problems, the
alternative asset based approach looks for residents personal skills and dreams and links them to action
through a public articulation of these local assets.
Economic Gardening
Using local resources to grow their own jobs through entrepreneurial activity Economic Gardening
instead of recruiting them from outside the community, or Economic Hunting. The idea evolved from work by Dr.
David Birch at MIT who argued that a majority of all new jobs in any local economy were produced by small local
businesses.
Core Elements of Economic Gardening
Providing information and infrastructure for local growth companies;
Providing connections between industry and academia;
Focusing on quality of life and amenities.

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1
0

7
8

49

11

#
1

ITEM
Formation of Eco Regions & Village Councils.

Asset Mapping. Survey of land Holding/ Skills/ Requirements and detailed data Bank of facilities

available.
Estimate of Input requirements.

Village Development Plans (VDPs).

Infrastructure establishment.

Capacity Building.

Provision of Micro Credit.

Implementation of Productivity Enhancement Interventions .

Close Supervision.

10

Planting/ Harvesting/ Manufacturing, Storage, Processing Packaging & Sale.

11

Distribution of

profits.

Part IV: Conclusion: Do not ask: What does it Cost? Rather ask: What would it cost
not to do it?

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