Aamir Ali Ansari’s Weblog

Attack on GHQ in Pakistan – Failure of our agencies?

Posted by: aamiransari on: October 11, 2009

The attack on GHQ in Pakistan has clearly exposed loop holes in our security mechanism. This is obvious that the presence of these militants was not taken seriously by our law enforcing agencies, as they made it to the gates of GHQ a fortress that looks invincible.

This is high time now to upgrade our police and automate their operations. The police is not in a position to control the terrorism if they are not supplied with equipment PCs in offices as well as hand held ones for timely access to important data. All their systems should be tightly integrated with NADRA and Motor Vehicle databases. The spot checking should be vigilant and timely with proper photographs/video taken of all snap checking. Every critical location should be identified and numbered.

This is the right time when police force should be replaced by well educated and trained personnel with full authority to enforce law and order in decent and uncontroversial way. All existing ill trained and uneducated force should be used for not so important tasks like VIP protocol, for security of banks and financial institutions security.

All police stations from different cities should be connected to each other for proper sharing of data with secured portal to identify common threats, most wanted criminals and SOPs. Furthermore, salary packages and standard of living of police force must be raised.

Citizens of Pakistan cannot feel protected if our police remain the same.

Become a good father – Important tips

Posted by: aamiransari on: September 25, 2009

1. If you wish to become a good father you should be a good time manager. You have to spare at least 45 minutes a day for your kids. If you are living far away, always give them a call on regular basis.

2. This is utmost important to give more time in early age as this leave deeper impression in your kids’ minds. They will remember this association for ever.

3. Always involve your kids in your religious practices (if you follow one). Your kids will give you greater respect and will be more involved with you.

4. Try to take your family for outing or picnic at least once a month and play with them. They will enjoy and will create a lasting bond.

5. Spend time with your kids especially when they go to bed. If you tell stories they will love you more than you imagine. If you don’t remember one, get some story books

6. Always involve your kids when you are doing some repair or technical work. Take their help in terms of asking them for tools or holding some equipment.

7. Keep communicating with kids whenever you get time. You can guide them about road sense, self security, ethics and general knowledge. This will make your kids confident.

8. A father should not be like and army officer, he should be very friendly and open for questions and queries. Always answer their questions in decent and reputable manner. If you don’t know some answers then get back to them at later stage.

Sad Collapse of an IT Giant..Lessons learned

Posted by: aamiransari on: September 10, 2009

The recent collapse of KalSoft the IT giant of Pakistan has raised lot of eyebrows. Being an active part of its team in recent past, I had learned lessons from their experience. This is always good to expand but a sustained expansion is absolutely necessary to stand strong in storms and economic downturns.

Ground Reality
KalSoft being a subsidiary of one of the largest money changers of the country enjoyed sound support from its parent firm. This enabled KalSoft inject its presence in the region with a big bang. They were one of the few companies in Pakistan which gave tremendous services to the region in collaboration with Microsoft.

Collapse of Giant
The collapse of Khanani and Kalia last year due to government raids and alleged wrong doings had exposed the Software Giant which was not ready for this immediate jerk which halted its 90 degree growth. The balloon expansion of the firm resulted in out of limit salaries and overheads which was not possible for them to manage in the absence of enormous support of KKI (Khanani and Kalia International). This resulted in salary delays and squeezed funds to run day to day chores.

Wrong Doings
The Kalsoft management did one thing extremely wrong, they ignored their strength and kept silence about their bad condition which left their staff wondering about their future. If the company had released its unnecessary and non productive staff from the day one of the crisis, they would have survived for a longer period of time. Furthermore, the absence or hiding of top management in view of government raids had left not so authoritative individuals to face the music of customers and staff.

KalSoft Branding
The KalSoft decided to cash the name of KKI from the day one which had left itself directly hooked up with all bad things associated with KKI. Now they cannot alienate themselves with their parent firm, nor can they sell off the firm having impressive clientele and links in the market.

Turn Around possible?
The turn around in positive direction is still possible if bold and balanced steps are taken but the management seems frozen and is unable to think in positive direction. The journey seems to be towards a sad end with KalSoft either completely closed or frozen to a bare minimal. There can be a long hibernation for the firm which once enjoyed top ranking.

Extra security measures needed at releif camps of Swat and Dir

Posted by: aamiransari on: May 16, 2009

The recent influx of displaced Pakistanis due to recent military action in swat exposed the readiness of government authorities. Although they took pace late but its still below par. The security measures taken at these camps looks slim as there are more than expected people on ground waiting for tents and allied material as visible on TV channels.

This is utmost necessary to put boundary wall or fence guarded and protected by security professionals. There is always a chance of mishap and terrorist activities at thes densly populated areas. There must be quick and concrete measures taken. I dont know what the security advisors are doing but things not look satisfactory.

Government should immediately install cameras, restrict exit and entry points to these camps and increase patrolling of the area including nearby colonies as preventive measure. All tents provided should be fire proof and people coming should be educated to avoid any disaster.

Health and medical facilities should be boosted to avoid any epidemic. Clean environment with proper garbage disposal facilities should be raised to keep all families

All measures should be taken on faster pace with life and security of all individuals must be on top of the list. May Allah help these Pakistanis face this situation with courage.

Violence in Karachi – Whats next??

Posted by: aamiransari on: April 30, 2009

The recent wave of violence once again crippled the economic backbone of Pakistan. The highly populated city with major slice of educated citizens is hostage to unknown bandits and terrorists.

When I was driving car back home yesterday I was constantly getting calls from home as my family was worried after getting reports of violence. This is unfortunately true that from my route from II Chundrigar road to Gulshan I observed that there was not a single mobile of either Police or Rangers. The street lights were off and it was showing horror movie like situtation.

Who is in charge of Karachi?? Where is the writ of the government?? I could not see. The sense of security was missing so the security personnel.

The main reason for these violence is the undertstanding of the weaknessess of our law enforcing agencies. The terrorists and culprits are well aware of the strength of our law enforcing agencies who come out to grab innocent citizens and mint money for their own pockets. The recent ban on pillion riding opened door of earnings to police who were spotted arresting innocent youths even riding close to their homes.

The present state of law and order situation clearly exposed that our law enforcing agencies are niether proactive nor reactive. They are simply a symbolic force just to show thier very existence which is meaningless.

The only protected areas are Army installations and colonies which enjoys total safety and protection.

Lets pray for the betterment of the city. All we can do is to be careful and stay close to our families. Pakistan is not meant for peaceful citizens nowadays.

Pakistan should review its internal security practices

Posted by: aamiransari on: April 18, 2009

With growing number of terrorist attacks on law enforcing agencies, Pakistan should plan and incorporate best practices in law enforcing agencies. This is true that successful terror attacks on law enforcing agencies creat panic in public as they themselves feel insecure.

This is ground reality that Pakistani security agencies like Police and Rangers are still following old practices of road blocks and snap checkings without considering their own safety measures. The spots selected are totally exposed to terrorist activities. They are not provided with ample bullet proof jackets, night vision equipment, cameras, and information technology support.

In view of recent attacks government should invest in betterment of our police by providing them proper training which matches international standards. All security staff should be insured and compensation should be healthy in case of injuries and death. This will give boost to confidence of forces.

This is real fact that there is no coordination in security operations. There is no numbering or identification of grey, black or red zones. If Interpol website is visited there is wealth of information regarding SOPs (Standard Operational Procedures) which I feel is not communicated to our forces.

In order to get results our forces should be proactive rather than reactive. All “Kutchi Abadis” and Goths (Villages) should be walled and proper and restricted entries and exit points. All these points should be closely monitored because these are safe hiding places of law breakers.

In short a comprehensive overhauling of law enforcing agencies is needed with larger percentage of educated individuals preferably from same regions/cities for better results.

IPL matches telecast should be banned by PEMRA in Pakistan

Posted by: aamiransari on: April 16, 2009

This is unfortunately true that Pakistan was framed in so called terrorist drama in India. In result India moved fast to cut off all links with Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand tried a lot to calm down the situation but India was not ready to melt the ice.

The greatest move was elimination of Pakistani players from IPL although they were in contract with them. On the other hand our media shamefully broadcasting the event and publicizing in big way to attract viewers.

I dont know where we stand as a nation. With so many bad moves from across the border, we are not even raising eye brows. The government of Pakistan should immediately ban all IPL coverage in Pakistan through PEMRA and also give special instructions to print media to boycott the event in big manner. This will be a big move to register protest against Indian actions.

IT Security Awareness Workshop at Kalsoft Academy

Posted by: aamiransari on: March 11, 2009

On 6th March 2009, KalSoft Academy arranged a free workshop on “IT Security Awareness”. The workshop was well attended by Senior IT Professionals from prominent firms including UBL, Sui Gas, Siemens, PSO and alike.

The workshop was addressed by Mr. Raheel Ahmed CISSP and CEH, Mr. Ali Sakhi MCT and CEI. I was anchoring the workshop for KalSoft Academy. KalSoft Academy wishes to launch new groups of ECSP and CEH EC Council Certification courses in April.

On 24th February 2009, I had a chance to speak to hundreds of students of Muhammad Ali Jinnah University as a guest speaker. This time I had selected a generic topic “Path to Success”. The presentation was delivered in order to convey the right way to youngsters who wish to be successful in job market.

The presentation was made with slides explaining key steps to achieve goal. The seminar was very important for young mindes.

In recent days religious processions and ceremonies are main target of our enemies in Pakistan. They are trying their level best to open new front for the government in the name of sectarian violence. This is to be noted that in recent past major ceremonies including those in the months of Moharram and Rabi-ul-Awal turned bloody due to suicide attacks.

This is also visible that even after spending millions on security arrangements and deploying thousands of law enforcing forces, the number of bloody events could not be reverted. This is my humble appeal to all religious leaders to realize the gravity of situation and either postponed such events or halt if for indefinite period until the security situation is normal in the country. After all the loss of precisous lives can be avoided with their decision which is top priority.

People on the other side should avoid attending events where there are visible security loop holes. They should attend only those events where proper security measures are taken.

We all are concenred aboout our love ones and attending such events with limited or no security is equivallent to suicide. Please take note of this situation which will help us save precious lives.