State-Owned Ent erprises (SOEs) were once a pride of the nation. During the decade of the seventies a Board of Industrial Management (BIM) was created to oversee these much-needed industrial entities. Professional experts were called in to lead the crusade.

Pakistan had to be self-reliant. Major focus was on basic industrialization, which was missed in the earlier decades. After gaining independence in August 1947, we started off well. Honesty, integrity and hope were the order of the day. Nation-building was the top agenda.

The discovery of Natural Gas (Sui Gas) in 1952 provided the country a big boost. At 12 TCF (Trillion Cubic Feet) it was one of the largest deposits of the world enough to meet our energy needs for a century. An effective development framework was developed for rapid growth (PIDC, PAEC, Wapda, PCSIR, PSI, Planning Commission, etc.) were all operational. The first Asian Tiger was getting ready to roar. In 1956, a constitution was also enacted. Our Bengali brothers accepted population parity by giving up their majority claim.

Republic of Pakistan was born with Iskander Mirza the last Governor General and first President. National elections under the constitution were scheduled to be held in later part of 1958. But then tragedy struck, individual interests and greed took control of the new land.

Nation-building was replaced with empire building. Concentration of wealth in a few hands started to surface. In the decade of the sixties 22 families were identified that controlled the financial resources of the land.........

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