Ikram Sehgal

A profile of Ikram Sehgal, a member of the EastWest Institute's Board of Directors, appeared in the publication of the Pakistan Institute of Management, where he discussed his life, family, and work.

"I have a dream of establishing an Islamic electronic microfinance bank which will be providing loans to poor people through technology," said Sehgal of his next endeavor. "We want to have a true Islamic banking in the country. My aim is to have financial inclusion for people of Pakistan."

Of his approach to business, Sehgal said "you are there to give service to the people and you must be paid for it. You should not have a hit and run approach, (you must) develop an association with your clients."

Click here to read the full interview in the May-June 2017 edition of PIM Magazine.

The democratic values of the American people will prevail over attempts at reversing the core principles of that country, a senior Pakistani defense and international trade expert said, taking stock of the multilateral issues concerning the current world order from the lens of both the economic as well as the judicial. 

Ikram Sehgal elaborated that Islamic countries could depend on the goodwill of the people of the United States as well its judicial system to ensure that racial discrimination is not institutionalized. 

Read the full interview here.

Given the present situation in the Middle East and the connected problems in adjoining regions, this timely initiative to bring focus firmly on Afghanistan was badly needed. Efforts to revive the stalled Afghan peace talks between the Afghan govt and Taliban group must be encouraged.  

Seven foreign ministers are participants, including all the four neighbouring countries of Pakistan.  Visiting Islamabad for the second time this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and unusually upbeat on arrival, India’s Minister for External Affairs Ms Sushma Swaraj with Iran’s Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif making his third visit in about four months.  High-ranking delegations from 14 participating countries, 17 supporting countries and 12 international and regional organisations included the former US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson (now US Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan), with senior representatives coming from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE. 

An Afghanistan and Turkey joint initiative, the “Istanbul Process” provides a fresh agenda for regional cooperation by engaging the ‘Heart of Asia’ countries in sincere and result-oriented cooperation to secure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.  Political initiatives between land-locked Afghanistan and its near and extended neighbours will include a continuous and effective dialogue concerning all issues of common interest and importance. “Confidence Building Measures” (CBMs)  identified in the “Istanbul Process” document enhances the building of trust and confidence among the regional countries.  Existing regional organisations have an important role in strengthening and promoting of economic cooperation and integration, improved security and enhanced people-to-people relations. Not a substitute for existing efforts, this process complements the work of regional organisations, particularly relating to Afghanistan.

Following his inauguration, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani had made a courageous outreach to Pakistan, this included a historic visit to Pakistan’s GHQ.  Hopes were raised very high, to quote my article of Nov 20, 2014, “The Making of History”, “Throwing aside diplomatic norms, the Afghanistan’s President visited GHQ immediately after landing at Islamabad. A foreign Head of State heading straight towards a military HQ on arrival carries a lot more than ceremonial importance, the Afghan President means business because he well understands where the real power concerning national security rests. Subsequently Ashraf Ghani described his discussions the next day with the Pakistani PM as “a shared vision to serve as the heart of Asia, ensuring economic integration by enhancing connectivity between South and Central Asia through energy, gas and oil pipelines becoming a reality and not remaining a dream. The narrative for the future must include the most neglected of our people becoming stakeholders in a prosperous economy in stable and peaceful countries, our faiths are linked because terror knows no boundaries. We have overcome obstacles of 13 years in three days, we will not permit the past to destroy the future,” unquote. 

The past came to haunt us when the last minute news of the death of Mullah Omar, the former spiritual head of the Taliban, was deliberately leaked, motivated by “spoilers” to not only derail the talks but raise serious doubts about Pakistan’s intentions.  With this huge setback the talks failed and Kabul witnessed several major terrorist attacks, forcing Ashraf Ghani to backtrack on his peace initiative, deciding to only resume talks when Pakistan was ready to talk “honestly” about peace in Afghanistan.  This week’s conference is a real opportunity for the two countries to work out their differences and negotiate a settlement. To quote former Afghan govt official (and now Consultant) Habib Wayand, “This Conference is a chance to out-flank the “spoilers” on both sides and produce a far-sighted vision for the region, producing strategies for achieving lasting peace and prosperity.” For its part Afghanistan needs to avoid pursuing irresponsible and irrational anti-Pakistan agendas, blaming Pakistan for every terrorist incident.  Kabul needs to concentrate on job-creation to prevent the exodus of young Afghans from the country and/or their being recruited by insurgent groups.

Peace in Afghanistan will create opportunities for greater economic links between Central Asia and South Asia.  Afghanistan has been conducting its foreign trade largely through Pakistan and could facilitate Pakistan for its trade with Central Asia and, more importantly, for bringing electricity and gas from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan into South Asia. To quote my article of Dec 12, 2014 a year ago, “Reconnecting Afghanistan”, “Economic resurgence for land-locked countries requires facilitating trade to and through their territory.  The EastWest Institute (EWI), a New York-based leading US think tank, headed by Ross Perot Jr, initiated the “Abu Dhabi Process” — a cross-border trade dialogue co-funded by Abu Dhabi and Germany — between Afghanistan and the countries on its periphery. Hosted by the EWI, the recent Istanbul conference encouraged businesses in South and Central Asia to themselves take necessary initiatives to unlock trade and kick-start the war-ravaged Afghan economy.” 

Welcoming Ms Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad, Advisor to the PM Sartaj Aziz said that beyond the confines of the Conference itself, bi-lateral discussions between India and Pakistan focussed on resumption of composite dialogue between the two countries but included various matters.  He had earlier said, “The visit is part of efforts to restart peace dialogue plagued by militant attacks and distrust. This is a good beginning. The deadlock has eased to some extent.” Modi’s Govt seems set on a “course correction”, maybe PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan will not have to bend on his knees begging India anymore for resumption of cricket ties.

For Pakistan it was important to showcase the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an economic force-multiplier for peace and stability in the region.  With its vast pool of skilled manpower to go with its enormous raw material reserves, this country has the potential of becoming one of the most powerful economic engines in the region.

Whether it is Paris, Mali, San Bernardino, Yemen, Libya or the Iraq/Syria virtual cauldron, the world is in a state close to undeclared world war where borders are of least (or even no) consequence given the rise of the “Islamic State” in the areas adjacent to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey (with Kurdistan, a State that is not a State thrown in).  Every small step to contain such destructive and brutal forces is a giant step towards peace and stability in the world.  The “Heart of Asia” initiative is an appropriate epitaph for our brave soldiers who have selflessly shed blood giving the ultimate sacrifice securing Pakistan and making it peaceful.

Click here to read Ikram Sehgal's article "Reconnecting Afghanistan".

Click here to read EWI's report on "Afghanistan Reconnected: Advocacy and Outreach Mission to Tajikistan".

The lack of economic opportunities for the populace in Afghanistan is a major impediment to peace and stability. Without an adequate industrial base and/or agriculture infrastructure, guns-for-hire in abundance as a means to finding income is neither conducive for foreign direct investment nor for domestic entrepreneurial initiatives. That a small elite cabal with fixed mindsets returned after the fall of the Taliban to occupy seats of power in Kabul, does not help.

Economic resurgence for land-locked countries requires facilitating trade to and through their territory.  The EastWest Institute (EWI), a New York-based leading US think tank, headed by Ross Perot Junior, initiated the “Abu Dhabi Process” — a cross-border trade dialogue co-funded by Abu Dhabi and Germany — between Afghanistan and the countries on its periphery. Hosted by the EWI, the recent Istanbul conference encouraged businesses in South and Central Asia to themselves take necessary initiatives to unlock trade and kick-start the war-ravaged Afghan economy.

For the short-term, the recommended ways forward included: a) a regional business council comprising influential business leaders from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, CARs, Turkey and Iran; b) one-window custom clearance systems by Afghanistan and improved border sources at Torghundi, Hairatan, Torkham, Chaman, Wagah and Sher Khan Bandar and other border points to reduce time and cost of crossing; c) a generous visa regime to enable businesses to move around easily (under Saarc for the short-term and the Economic Cooperation Organisation for the long-term); d) regional entrepreneurship exchange programmes to promote trade and investment opportunities.

The mid-term recommendations included: a) a unified transaction mechanism system and a regional banking framework; b) standardising the Afghan tax structure to entice business investment; and c) a free trade zone Fata. The long-term recommendations were: a) a regional infrastructure trust fund, with India, Turkey, China, Russia, Pakistan and Afghanistan as donors to invest in designing, developing and expanding transport means, such as railways; and b) the implementation of CASA-1000, TAPI projects and other regional energy projects (without mention by name of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline). The threat of US sanctions remain, and while Pakistan has no intention of bucking that, the Iranian portion is in place at the border at two places, 70 kilometres from Gwadar and 250 kilometres to connect into the extensive Pakistani gas pipeline infrastructure, with planned connections into Fata and Swat.

Recent significant and symbolic events confirm that Ashraf Ghani is a game-changer in the context of the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship.  To quote a recent article of mine,“Throwing aside diplomatic norms, the Afghanistan’s President visited GHQ immediately after landing at Islamabad. A foreign Head of State heading straight towards a military HQ on arrival carries a lot more than ceremonial importance, the Afghan President means business because he well understands where the real power concerning national security rests. Ashraf Ghani described his discussions later with the Pakistani PM as ‘a shared vision to serve as the heart of Asia, ensuring economic integration by enhancing connectivity between South and Central Asia through energy, gas and oil pipelines becoming a reality and not remaining a dream. The narrative for the future must include the most neglected of our people to become stakeholders in a prosperous economy in stable and peaceful countries, our faiths are linked because terror knows no boundaries. We have overcome obstacles of 13 years in three days, we will not permit the past to destroy the future’.” How will the Afghan president overcome the ‘hate Pakistan’ mindset of a few Kabul diehards, some of these ingrates even born and educated in Pakistan, who must even now be conspiring to cut him down to size?

That the future would not be held hostage by the past was symbolised by the US repatriating (with Afghan consent) Latif Mehsud along with two other militant commanders from Bagram into Pakistani custody. In another one of my articles, I had said, “The capture of the senior leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hakeemullah Mehsud’s No 2, by US Special Forces represents the ‘smoking gun’ about the Afghan regime’s sustained involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. In the company of the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) agents taking their prized asset to Kabul to meet senior government officials, Latif Mehsud was simultaneously on the American ‘most wanted list’. India’s RAW is using the NDS as a proxy to sustain and support the TTP’s brutal campaign within Pakistan. To its credit, despite Karzai’s fury at the US for his capture (Daily Telegraph, October 13, 2013), this cut no ice with the US, and it signalled that as its enemy, Latif Mehsud would remain in its custody.” The act of handing over this terrorist is a confidence-building measure that will reduce the trust deficit and build on the excellent fast developing working relationship.

Realpolitik is the product of cold, calculated pragmatism based on economics. Afghanistan will make billions of dollars from system-collected royalties from the Central Asian Corridor passing through its geographical location. Without a continuous flow of gas and power, economic resurgence in Pakistan will remain moribund. The EWI’s Abu Dhabi Process emphasises that the entire region stands to gain exponentially from constructive trade and commerce engagement.

Afghanistan has finally found its man of destiny in Ghani. How long before a leader in Pakistan rises above selfishness and greed for the sake of the country? 

Does one need Sherlock Holmes to deduce that the nasty and misleading story aired by a foreign news agency about a “split” in the army originated from a partisan source?

Most politicians can be economical with the truth even at the best times. With Khursheed Shah critiquing in the joint session of parliament the prime minister buckling under pressure from the army and the resultant threat to democracy, Mian sahib crossed the failsafe line that an awakened public is now increasingly not likely to tolerate between truth and falsehood. “Sotto voce” a solemn-faced prime minister categorically denied requesting the army for mediation to defuse the political standoff and assured the house about upholding the joint parliamentary resolution supporting the Constitution in letter and spirit. 

Recall his struggle along with the late Benazir Bhutto: “Governments come and go but principles cannot be sacrificed.” Describing the opposition leader’s speech as reflecting his sentiments he said, “How can one expect a U-turn from me, who endured the hardships of arrest and exile for the cause of democracy?” The prime minister’s recollection of sequence of events was that after he was telephonically informed in Lahore in the presence of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan about the PTI and PAT leaders’ request to meet General Raheel Sharif, he did not object. “If they want to meet the army chief then they should certainly meet. The army did not ask to play the role of mediator, neither have we requested them to play such a role.” This confirmed that the army had been specifically instructed by the government to step in. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) flatly contradicted Mian Nawaz Sharif’s statement.

The two dharna (sit-in) leaders vehemently denied requesting the army to broker a settlement, insisting that the prime minister was blatantly telling lies to parliament. Referring to the Director General ISPR, Major General Asim Bajwa’s Twitter update “(The army chief) was asked by the government to play a facilitative role for resolution of the current impasse, in yesterday’s meeting, at (Sharif’s) house” as proof, Maulana Tahirul Qadri said, “The request to resolve this issue as mediator came from the prime minister and incumbent government.” Following the public denouement of Nawaz Sharif’s credibility, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) admitted a petition seeking the prime minister’s disqualification for telling lies to parliament. Declaring that the ‘who said what’ was between the prime minister and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the SC bench put the credibility of at least one of them on the line. Prima facie, the facts are pretty open and shut; does one really expect anyone to fall over themselves to deliver justice? 

Nawaz Sharif whispering “Geo, Geo” on primetime television, attempting to prompt the federal interior minister during the joint session of parliament was really uncalled for. That stage whisper seen and heard by millions fully exposed Information Minister Pervez Rasheed’s remark to the media: “Now you know which side we are on,” after the Sharif visit to Hamid Mir’s bedside. Given the innuendos and accusations about scriptwriting from the ‘democrats’ in and out of the house (and disparate television anchors), the military has been forced to repeatedly ‘clarify’ they were “not siding with anyone”. Being reactive instead of being proactive, appeasing detractors on the one hand and on the other taking friends for granted, or even ignoring them altogether, no wonder they end up on the receiving end. Munich, 1938, is a historic precedent that appeasement is always counter-productive. Appeasement should have ceased after the wake-up call rendered by the Hamid Mir affair. Does one need Sherlock Holmes to deduce that the nasty and misleading story aired by a foreign news agency about a “split” in the army originated from a partisan source? 

These sideshows unfortunately detract from the change that the people of Pakistan want (and deserve). Imran Khan must get his priorities right: redemption for the electoral deviations suffered by his party or the struggle to change the destiny of the people? Fixing the electoral system being the primary objective, those planning and executing strategy need boning up on Clausewitz’s first principle of war, the “selection and maintenance of aim”. Demanding a judicial commission for the 2013 elections diverts from the selected aim. Consigned invariably to the dustbin of history, which commission’s report has ever achieved anything in Pakistan? A legal passage to nowhere geared to derail aspirations for a free and fair electoral process, the suggested terms of reference (TORs) were tailor-made for filibuster. Imran is playing into the hands of feudals comprising the majority in parliament. Look at their influence in preventing the local bodies elections. The fountainhead of democracy is local governance; without it democracy is a farce.

Freedom from the evils associated with the present democratic bondage should be the greatest gift for the poverty-stricken and discriminated populace of this country. Feudalism and democracy cannot coexist. Is this the moment where history will record that democracy finally got the better of feudalism in Pakistan? Deviating from the selected aim will render us an unfortunate footnote to history. It will simply pass us by.

Do not hold your breath about getting justice from those responsible to render it or enforce it. Lack of an honest agenda, the arcane laws of evidence and a battery of glib lawyers will likely give legal sanction to ‘our constitutional duty to tell lies on (and off) the floor of the house’. To serve and further the cause of democracy — that should be an ideal follow-up resolution of the joint session of parliament.

Better late than never, the much awaited assault on North Waziristan has begun, 75 days later than it should have. To quote my article, “Non-stop” of Mar 6, 2014, “The precision strikes of the PAF disrupted the TTP’s administrative and operational deployment. More importantly, ‘actionable intelligence’ was available for these to be carried out, that knowledge is bound to have made the TTP nervous. No collateral damage was reported, confirming these targets were pure militant bases. TTP badly needs time and space to regroup after suffering the PAF’s precision strikes and re-locate its hideouts to safer havens. The “snowline” at 8000 ft is preventing the militants from leaving the valleys and dispersing into the mountains before May. With aircraft/drones overhead this is not easy”, unquote.

Using their proxies within Pakistani civil society to campaign for “ceasefire” and “peace talks”, the militants got the requisite time and space, roping in part of our irresponsible electronic media to do their dirty work of spreading propaganda.  The govt’s vacillation has only add to the casualties, both among our soldiers and civilian non-combatants. Azb was the Sword carried by our beloved Prophet (PBUH) at the Battle of Badr, operation Hazb-e-Azb was preceded by extensive precision air attacks carried by the PAF. This took out a number of Uzbek and other foreign militants, including Abu Abdur Rehman Almani, alleged mastermind of the terrorist attack on the recent Karachi Airport. PAF air strikes, helicopter gunships, field artillery, etc are supporting the ground offensive. Possible exit points have been blocked by using heliborne SSG, supplemented by regular units where possible and necessary. One must not hold one’s breath expecting the Afghan Army to seal the border. In any case the plight of the disintegrating Iraqi Army in the face of Sunni militant onslaught is a harbinger of things to come in Afghanistan post-2014.

Asked during a panel discussion arranged by the US think tank Atlantic Council in Washington DC whether Pakistan Army ever planned going into North Waziristan, my answer “when good and ready” was met with scorn and disbelief. As our jawans spill their “blood and guts” establishing the writ of the State by clearing the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Al-Qaeda elements, one hopes the skeptical will be good enough acknowledge their sacrifice.

Operation Al-Mizan (2002-2006) was the first time the Pakistan Army went into FATA, “Zarb-e-Azb” is the 8th. Combat experience over a dozen years is a great equalizer, the battle conduct of well-equipped, motivated and trained troops  marks the transformation of this Army after the disastrous Al-Mizan into a truly magnificent fighting force top down through all ranks, accelerated after Rah-i-Rast (Swat 2009) and Rah-i-Najat (South Waziristan 2009).  Facing this juggernaut, will Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Mullah Nazir manage to remain aloof from the TTP?  Discretion will probably dictate they stay away. The sacrifices of our officers and jawans notwithstanding, without a dedicated Counter Terrorism Force (CTF) we will not be rid of terrorism in even 100 years. Instead of passively waiting for a “blowback”, the civilian law enforcement agencies (LEAs) need take to the initiative rooting out the militants from their urban hideouts.  Army units being used as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) should never be deployed in urban areas. The Rangers have done excellent work in Karachi, simply beef them up and give them a free hand.

Pervaiz Rasheed “appealed to the whole nation to stand united behind the govt and the Armed Forces in the war against terrorism.” What a hypocrite! To quote my article “Dangerous Games” of May 14, 2014, “A dozen plus of Mian Sahib’s close political aides seem afflicted with the “Masada Complex”, pushing the Sharifs into a stupid no-win confrontation with the army”, unquote. Mian Nawaz Sharif has a number of sincere, committed and capable leaders, there are quite a few others who are not.  The PEMRA farce only goes to prove the PML (N) Govt siding with Geo against the Army.  In any case the PML (N) Govt has set the ball rolling for its departure in 3-4 months by the brutal police firing in Lahore killing 8 Tahirul Qadri supporters in cold blood. Evoking memories of the shocking PML (N) attack on the Supreme Court (SC) in 1998 was known PML (N) worker Gullu Butt running riot damaging over 20 vehicles and then celebrating by doing “Bhangra”. The SP in-charge publicly embraced this “Goonda” for doing a “good job”.  When criminals function in the name of justice, justice becomes a crime.

CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah blamed the Federal Govt for the Airport attack, the octogenarian conveniently forgetting that while it was a intelligence failure both at the Federal and Provincial levels, that the base, logistics etc of the Uzbek terrorists were the prime responsibility of the Karachi Police and its intelligence arms directly answerable to the Sindh Govt. This public abdication of responsibility by the Province’s Chief Minister gives sufficient reason to appoint a Lieutenant Governor and put Karachi in a state of emergency for a period of not less than 2 years. A Taliban-led insurrection in Karachi could quickly spread over the country, we do not wait to descend into anarchy like it is happening in Libya, Syria and Iraq. 

KPK’s PTI-led govt is the worst affected by terrorism. Shrugging of the mind-games of PTI’s vociferously pro-Talibaan Rustam Shah Mohmand, Imran Khan and PTI are now thankfully supporting the Army action to rid this country of the menace of terrorism.  PTI’s leader must recognize realpolitik in Pakistan consists of a mix of conservative thinking blending pragmatically with liberal ideas.

The Pakistani electronic media has unfortunately become an inadvertent tool in the terrorist’s hands to successfully propagate their evil objectives, spreading venomous propaganda and creating fear and apprehension to demoralize the population and weaken their confidence in the existing system. Nowhere in the world is time and space given to terrorists as by our irresponsible electronic media. On the other hand they target the army on any given reason. In “Fight or unite?” of May 8, 2014, I had said, “Given that the freedom of the media is a must for sustaining democracy, the media must not use this freedom as a license to tar and feather the Army. Without their continuing sacrifices on a daily basis, the freedom that the media enjoys today would be lost, as would be the country. Close your eyes for one moment and imagine ‘media freedom’ under a Taliban-run country. We must remain within the parameters of good common sense and not cross fail-safe lines”, unquote.  

Appeasement is not an option, terrorism cannot be wished away – and certainly not by good faith and misplaced logic when your brutal antagonists pursue their living by your deaths. There is only one solution to the terrorist problem, and that is to eliminate it.

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Read the piece here on Pakistan Today. 

Photo Credit: martnpro

The first time I saw Ross Perot Sr was during the graduation of my son Zarrar from Boston University in 1994. The US presidential candidate for 1992 was the commencement speaker. 

This day was a high note for me since my son was graduating summa cum laude, topping Boston University in both his majors. My only regret that day was not being able to shake Ross Perot’s hands personally. Thanks to coordination by Darcy Anderson, Ross Jr’s number two in Hillwood Estates, and Dr Ehsan ul Haq (along with his wife Naseem, our wonderful host in Dallas), the father of my son’s best friend Dr Faisal Haq, it was an honour for us almost 20 years to that day to visit this great 83-year old American. Ross Perot Sr took great pride in personally describing the amazing collection of historical memorabilia in his office in Dallas, Texas.

This incomparable privilege would not have been possible without the mutual friendship and respect developed serving as a Board Member alongside Ross Perot Jr, Chairman of the Board of EastWest Institute (EWI) New York (and Brussels), one of the leading think tanks in the world. Two days earlier I was given a helicopter tour of the vast Perot land holdings converted into bustling commercial and residential areas in the farmlands north of Dallas. 

When Ross Jr said that he would personally take me on a helicopter ride and would put me on the helicopter’s controls, I thought he was joking. Reality did not hit me till I was occupying the left seat of the dual controls of his Bell 407 for over an hour from Dallas Fort Worth Airport. 

Flying an Alouette-3 helicopter fully 43 years earlier, in contrast the cyclic was light and sensitive. It took some time before I could prevent the aircraft from lurching and dipping. Out of Texan courtesy Ross Jr and the pilot-in-command Bill Force, a renowned helicopter test pilot, formerly of the US Marine Corps and Eurocopter, pretended not to show any anxiety. 

The Perots of Texas are truly one of the great American families. Eulogised as one of the greatest Americans living, graduating from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Ross Perot Sr served five years in the US Navy till 1957, opting thereafter for civilian life as an IBM salesman. 

When the CEO of IBM found out that he was earning more than him because of sales commissions he changed the rules the next year to cap his earnings. Perot Sr reached that cap in the first month. As a salesman, he became acutely aware of the lack of services facilitating operations to the full capacity of the huge computers manufactured by IBM. The ideas he presented to the IBM management were ignored. 

Frustrated, Ross Sr quit in 1962. With a capital of only $1000 he formed Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and did just that. He proudly showed Dr Ehsan and me a copy of that historical $1000 cheque. 

EDS went on to become a success story beyond compare. IBM changed tack later. The irony is that today IBM Global Services is the most profitable part of IBM worldwide. Making it into one of the great corporate successes of the century for method and organisation for others to emulate, Ross Sr eventually sold EDS to General Motors for $2.4 billion in 1984. 

Waiting for the ‘no compete’ period to be over, he founded Perot Systems in 1988 along with eight associates. This was acquired by Dell Systems in 2009 for US$ 3.9 billion, the US$ 30 per share representing 61% premium over the existing share price. An entrepreneur with vision par excellence, Ross Sr invested US$ 20 million in Steve Jobs’ initiative when he left Apple in a power struggle to found his next success story “NeXT”.

Opposing the US entering the First Gulf War, Ross Perot Sr ran as an independent candidate in the 1992 US presidential race. Well ahead with 39 percent of the electorate behind him, he inexplicably quit the race in July. When he decided re-enter the race on Oct 1, the momentum had been lost in the nearly 60-day hiatus. Clearly winning the first debate with his candour, Ross Sr finished third at 19 percent with about 20 million votes in the November elections behind the eventual winner Bill Clinton (45 percent) and George Bush (37.5 percent), the best showing by an independent presidential candidate in US history. 

His son Ross Perot Jr is not just another rich man’s kid. While it does not hurt having the Perot name, it is Ross Sr who struck lucky having him as a son. His calm focus on integrated and organised strategic plan of action for the EWI Board made me soon realise that Ross Jr was no ordinary person. Showing early signs of his father’s determination, he had created history by being the first person (along with Jo Coburn) to fly a helicopter (Bell Long Ranger) around the world in less than 29 days at the age of 21. Graduating from Vanderbilt University he served the US Air Force for nearly nine years as an F-4 pilot. 

Comparably, except for sons of industrial magnate Lt Gen Habibullah Khan Khattak, Lt Gen Ali Kuli Khan Khattak one of the most outstanding sons of the Pakistan Army and Wing Cdre Ahmad Kuli Khan Khattak (winner of the PAF Academy’s Sword of Honour) serving the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), how many sons of our billionaires go into the armed forces to serve the country? Following his father’s sky trail, Ross Jr’s son, Hill, is flying F-16s in the USAF like Ahmad Kuli did in the PAF. 

One was struck by both his vision and eye for detail when Ross Jr briefed me on the map at the Perot-owned Alliance Airport. The ‘Circle T Ranch’ mostly comprises Hillwood Estates, an 18,000 acre landholding in its 25th year of development (40 million square feet of developed space). 

Ross Jr has aggressively expanded the family fortunes through real estate, focusing on development around the Fort Worth Alliance Airport, generating business of about $50 billion and creating 37,000 jobs affecting the lives of millions of people. His great pride in providing economic opportunities for the 1200 persons coming to Dallas per day from other states seeking both secure employment, lesser taxes and a better quality of life was very visible. 

While very much his father’s son, Ross Perot Jr has independently implemented a remarkable and unique entrepreneurial vision along with the family commitment to the bedrock values of ‘integrity, respect, excellence and teamwork’.

Visiting the Perots was both a rare privilege and an eye-opener. While we do have Pakistani magnates like Lt Gen Ali Kuli, currently president of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA), who give back in service to the people in gratitude for the opportunity this country has given them, many Pakistani tycoons can (and should) do much more than what they presently do for the country in providing jobs and a better quality of life for the people.