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Posted by admin in Domestic Policy on September 3rd, 2014
Over a century and a half ago, Claude Frédéric Bastiat, a political economist, a liberal theorist, and member of the French Assembly warned:
“When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.”
Non-Violence Versus The System
NAJMA SADEQUE
September 03, 2014
To settle disputes, parties follow universally accepted rules. So the current standoff arises from opposed perceptions of democracy. Some take human rights very seriously, not just on paper. For others it’s a convenient label slapped onto an established feudal and patronage system. What some see as elitist entitlement, others see as corruption and nepotism. Entire economies can be dynastic fiefdoms or special-interest cabals; police and bureaucracy are merely tools of enforcement. Democracy is perfectly adhered to in appearance and form. — Except that the media exposes its ugly, hidden side.
Some sections of relatively comfortable civil society insist that the ‘democratic process’ should not be ‘derailed’ under any circumstances; but that’s exactly what protestors don’t want either; that they be activated instead. There is deafening silence on the part of some ‘democratic process.’ Even a section of civil society working for social and human rights don’t see the dead-end reality of double standards; of laws selectively applied to the weak but not the strong. The Model Town case is no big deal; nor the other underhand police actions that followed! Diversionary tactics swept primary issues – basic needs and curtailing corruption – under the carpet. Not once did the government offer to correct these with clear-cut plans. Yet revolutionaries — out to undo the status quo – are expected to follow ‘rules’ that government itself refuses to. After two generations, and millions having passed away without ever knowing a decent life, many are unwilling to wait for the turtle-slow ‘process’ to bring results. After 17 days of peaceful, determined non-violence, viewers watched in horror and incredulity the unexpected all-night assault that unfolded on television screens, with militarized riot police using methods usually reserved for enemy combatants on battlefields. Comparisons flashed through countless minds. How is this qualitatively different from the way the Israelis enclose and oppress the hapless, unarmed Palestinians in Gaza? Or was it more like Iraq, where phosphorous and other chemical weapons were used, passed off here as ordinary tear gas? Or did it resemble the infamous 1919 Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar) massacre when Colonel Dyer and his men mercilessly gunned down a crowd trapped in a walled-off area? A non-violent movement gives despotic governments a bad image. Once the idea is understood, non-violence makes it easier for the poor and weak to join up and swell the ranks. So it becomes necessary to nip it in the bud – to drive people to a breaking point that can spark violence in the most non-violent of persons, when opportunistic mobs can no longer be differentiated from real political workers. When the call was made to move to the lawns of the Prime Minister’s house, it was touching to watch the women carrying their babies, their rolled-up mats, their water-cans and bundles of clothes, to trustingly walk forward. That day the crowd had swelled to a peak: an unexpected side-effect of the ‘dharna’ was that it served as ‘langar’ (free food kitchen) for the curious or unemployed looking for a free meal. Several times during the 17 days when police contingents would suddenly appear and surround the protestors, there would be a palpable “silence of the lambs” – before police relaxed or melted away. Protestors were lulled into confidence by government statements that they’d never be fired upon. Unfortunately, their non-violence made them sitting targets. It takes a particular kind of person to be violent on order without any compunction whatsoever. If lucky, soldiers trained for war may never see battle, while others return as psychological wrecks because they belatedly discover they can’t stomach killing and atrocities. After all, people are not born violent, cruel and sadistic. The potential may be dormant, but degree and willingness vary. Some cops are able to impersonalize the violence they inflict on others. Some come into it for livelihood because of a lack of choice; some to acquire power which they don’t otherwise have, so that others can’t push them around. Few choose it so they can be Robin Hoods. What kind were those involved in the Model Town and PM House operations? It’s a frightening thought, especially when it’s been going on and growing for almost seven decades. With fellow-citizens like these, who needs enemies? With ‘democracy’ like this, who needs martial law? Some emperors become so devoid of guilt and shame, they no longer care about being seen without any clothes on. An old adage from Bengal baldly summed up the attitude of ancient kings: “It’s because I am shameless, the kingdom is entirely mine.” One question remains unanswered. When unarmed protestors, including women and children were shot from the back and shelled all night, why didn’t the army step in — not to declare martial law, but to stop the Punjab Police assault? Can’t citizens expect that much without compromising the army when their own government attacks them? Hopefully PTI and PAT have learnt many lessons:
They inadvertently armed the sharp-speaking lawyer, PPP’s Aitzaz Ahsan, who set the tone for other speakers to safely follow, to take pot-shots at the PM to grab away some bargaining chips while leaving the dynastic parties of the three provinces intact (in the same breath undermining PAT and PTI – albeit to an already captive National Assembly).
Posted by admin in Rana SanaUllah: Paindoo Minister From Hell on December 10th, 2013
Misapprehensions of the ‘Minister’ about ISI
By Sajjad Shaukat
After a US drone attack which killed six students at a Madrassa (Religious seminary) in Hangu on November 21, this year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) halted the NATO supply across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Afghanistan through sit-in protests and various rallies in order to denounce that these strikes are violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and are illegitimate acts of killing innocent people, while causing collateral damage to the property. Besides, on November 22, PTI-led government in the province also filed First Information Report (FIR) to nominate US and the CIA in connection with the deaths of innocent people in the Hangu-strikes. PTI also decided to register a FIR against CIA Director Johan Brennan and a man identified as the agency’s Station Chief in Islamabad.
Unfortunately, some leaders of the ruling party, PML (N) used the FIR issue as a plea to score political points against PTI. In this regard, while showing his misapprehensions, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah issued derogatory remarks against Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) by stating that ISI might have revealed the name of CIA Station Chief in Islamabad.
But when media reporters contacted the US Embassy in Islamabad, its spokesperson did not confirm the self-created statement of Rana Sanaullah. Even, PTI did not blame the ISI in this respect.
However, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s statement about ISI is entirely irresponsible, offending and thoughtless. He has been opposing the legal protest of the PTI against the CIA-operated drone attacks. While showing contradictory remarks and his resentment against the PTI move, earlier, Rana Sanaullah said, “the whole nation mourns over the childish step taken by PTI to implicate CIA director who sits in Washington DC.” While, he, himself, indicated childish approach by linking ISI and CIA Station Chief in Islamabad in connection with the strikes of pilotless aircraft in Hangu. In his pro-American tilt, he also forgot to grasp ground realities by ignoring the facts that various segments of civil society, political and religious leaders, and the experts of international law have opined that these attacks by the spy planes are illegal, unethical and violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty as well as the UN Charter. In this context, he also set aside the parliament resolution, the trip of Director General of ISI, Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam to America, various rallies and processions in Pakistan, while ignoring the recent report of Amnesty International and the decision of the All Parties Conference (APC) against the drone strikes.
Notably, key leaders of his own party, PML-N like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who did not link ISI and CIA, have strongly condemned the attacks by the US manless aircraft on Pakistan’s tribal areas. But surprisingly, Rana Sanullah’s statement against the superior spy agency, ISI has exposed his ill-conceived thoughts which need special analysis, so that general masses must know the real face of this politician who is still serving as the law minister in the Punjab province.
It is of particular attention that some politicians have already pointed out that Punjab Law Minister has connections with the banned extremist outfits. Regarding general elections 2013, while commenting on a statement by Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat that the PML-N had approached him for seat-adjustment, a PTI spokesman had disclosed on February 25, this year, “PML-N government in Punjab has links with the militant groups, requesting the Taliban of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) not to target them because the PML-N and Taliban had the same ideology.” The spokesman elaborated, “People remembered how the Punjab law minister had accompanied leaders of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and attended its rallies.” However, TTP did not target the leaders of the PML-N during the election-campaign.
In 2010, a large number of civil society activists staged a rally from Sindh University’s old campus to the press club to condemn terror attacks on worship places of Ahmadis in Lahore. They raised slogans against Taliban and urged the Punjab government to dissociate itself from banned outfits and remove its irresponsible minister Rana Sanaullah who has given shelter to the country’s most violent Islamist militant groups.
It is notable that on March 3, 2013, the deadly twin blasts killed more than 50 people in the Shia-dominated Abbas Town of Karachi, and on February 17, same year, the deadly suicide attack killed more than 100 persons of the Hazara Shias in Quetta at Kirani Road. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed responsibility for these terrorist acts.
Regarding these two major terror-attacks, the former Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in the National Assembly on March 5 that four activists of the LeJ, involved in Karachi’s Abbas Town bomb blasts have been arrested, and assured the Assembly that he would present a fact sheet that apart from the TPP, some other outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were also involved in recent terrorist activities, while LeJ is openly holding its meetings in Punjab. Earlier, he revealed that Punjabi Taliban of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi which had its headquarters in Punjab were behind the terror attacks in Karachi’s Abbas Town and Quetta’s Alamdar Road and Kirani Road. He explained that the Punjab government’s ruling party, the PML-N was in an electoral alliance with the banned organisation. Therefore it had taken no action against the militant group. Former Governor, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Masood Kausar expressed similar thoughts on March 5.
Besides, in its report, submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 20, 2013, ISI stated that the agency had already shared information with the civil administration about procurement of explosives by terrorists from Lahore to Quetta and possibility of fresh terror attacks on Hazara community.
It is worth-mentioning that in the 2010, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer (The Late) had also disclosed that Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had links with Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Therefore, he was not taking effective measures against these banned outfits to curb extremism and sectarianism.
At this critical juncture when foreign elements like the CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad have accelerated their conspiracy against the integrity of Pakistan in order to complete their hidden agenda, the media of the US, India and some western countries have also intensified anti-Pakistan propaganda, especially targeting ISI. But, it is regrettable that without taking cognizance of the ground realties, and without knowing the functions of the ISI, some political leaders, media anchors and so-called human rights groups of our country have developed misperceptions about this agency. And since the Supreme Court of Pakistan has been dealing with various cases like the memogate scandal, mehrangate scandal and that of missing persons, our internal entities have continuously been maligning ISI.
In these terms, while speaking in the tone of external enemies, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has followed stereotypes about ISI, which are likely to misguide the general masses. Instead of manipulating the country’s key spy agency, he must better know its functions, performance and role regarding protection of country’s the national interests.
Rana Sanaullah should know the ISI services such as capture of renowned Taliban commanders, castigation of pre-terror attacks, sacrifices of ISI personnel, suicide attacks on agency’s premises in various cities of the country, blockage of the activities of Blackwater including CIA agents and submission of pre-information about terror assaults.
In the recent past, very differences started between Pakistan and America as ISI interrupted covet activities of the so-called diplomats. In this regard, on the information of this top spy agency, Pakistan’s establishment expelled several American spies operating in the country in the guise of diplomats. On the other side, US withheld $800 million in military aid to punish this agency ISI.
ISI has always preferred the external and internal security of Pakistan. Externally, through its invisible mechanism, it thwarted the anti-Pakistan plot of the US, India and Israel—also against China and became an obstacle in the secret strategic designs of these hostile elements.
Nonetheless, if PTI is creating some kind of pressure on US to stop drone attacks in Pakistani territory, then it should not be made controversial by Rana Sanaullah by damaging the very reputation and esteem of ISI. Pakistan’s media must condemn Rana Sanaullah for accusing ISI without any proof due to his misapprehensions about this spy agency which has been severing as the first defence line of the country in safeguarding country’s national interests, particularly in wake of the war against terrorism.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
Posted by malika in PAKISTAN POLITICS on August 21st, 2013
Asif Haroon Raja
Presidential election held on 30 June 2013 kicked up lot of dust owing to PPP’s cranky behavior. PML-N’s demand to seek a change of date was not with mala fide intention. It was wrong on part of well-meaning but secular Fakhru Bhai not to understand the significance of 27th Ramadan which fell on 6th August and that many either sit in Aitiqaf or perform Umrah during last ten days of Ramadan. He should have owned his mistake and changed the date rather than showing his inability to do so when requested by PML-N. He displayed weakness when he was required to act firmly to stop pre-poll rigging and rigging on polling day, but became rigid at a wrong time. Rather than taking decision he passed the buck to the Supreme Court.
PPP’s attitude was debatable and it gave an impression as if Raza Rabbani would win the contest if held on 6 August and not otherwise. Judging from the political strength of each party and alliance of MQM and JUI-F with PML-N, victory of Mamnoon Hussain was a foregone conclusion. The only wishful possibility visualized by Rabbani was absence of large number of PML-N and JUI-F Parliamentarians on 6 August because of Aitiqaf/Umrah might pave his way to victory. He also naively thought that nomination of a weak candidate by PML-N might help him in winning over dissidents from PML-N and allied parties. Hidden motives were to make the election and judiciary controversial.
Notwithstanding some undesirable reservations expressed about Mamnoon, none will disagree with me that anyone howsoever mediocre but clean would be better than tainted Zardari. Hence boycott of election by PPP and its two worthless allies was in bad taste. PTI wisely decided to take part in election and field its candidate, although Imran Khan has still not got reconciled to general elections results and has landed himself in avoidable trouble. Mamnoon won with an overwhelming majority and will enter the presidency as a ceremonial president in September, putting an end to palace intrigues pursued by his predecessor.
Presidential election was no issue; what concerns Pakistanis are insecurity of life and property, energy crisis, faltering economy, declining morals and values, erosion of national sovereignty and honor, media’s negativity and foreign interference. Blood is oozing out of every pore of Pakistan for the last many years without blood transfusion to replenish the loss. As a result, the state is getting enfeebled with every passing day. The only preventive measure taken is to barricade the country by putting string of barriers and check posts and pitching security forces against faceless enemy which is well-trained, well-equipped and supported by external powers. While lawless FATA has to some extent been secured because of heroics of Army and FC, settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and urban centres where police is in the forefront remain in turmoil. Militants stab the chosen target with ease and get away. No fool-proof system has been devised to nip the evil in the bud by preventing occurrence through timely intelligence.
This myth has also been broken after the DIK jail break about which all concerned had been forewarned well in time. Police sluggishness, ineptness and collusion with the militants were reasons behind the embarrassing outcome. It was in knowledge of all that the police are involved in high scale corruption and in league with the criminals particularly in Balochistan and in Sindh. Performance of KP police was relatively better in facing militancy. Some say this downslide is owing to unclear policy of PTI government regarding TTP.
While the effect of this demoralizing event had not faded away, the nation was subjected to another embarrassment in Islamabad on August 15 where a lone gunman kept the capital city police in a spin for over five hours. But for Zamurrad’s bold act, the high drama would have continued till next morning. Having seen the conduct of Islamabad Police and its senior officials on TV, it can be safely concluded that it is unfit to confront even minor challenges.
It is indeed mind boggling that our security forces have been fighting war on terror haphazardly for a decade without national security and counter terrorism policies. This is despite the fact that Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism. Reason behind this criminal neglect is that the elites have secured themselves within the confines of Red and Green zones, bulletproof vehicles, and ring of security guards while leaving the masses to fend for themselves. In hundreds of acts of terror, the underprivileged class has suffered the most. This unfortunate class had neither been taken into confidence to participate in US imposed war nor is in direct clash with the militants. It is caught between the crossfire of security forces, militants and foreign agents.
The police which are the frontline force to check crime and terrorism have been thoroughly corrupted and politicized by the elites to serve their ends. Moral turpitude of all segments of society has nosedived and distinction between good and bad blurred. Rather, dishonest officials are patronized and rewarded while the honest are seen as misfits. This downslide started during Gen Musharraf era which allowed complete liberty of action to Washington to neo-colonize Pakistan and India given a free hand to crush freedom movement in occupied Kashmir. Five-year inglorious rule of PPP-ANP-MQM combine ruined Pakistan’s economy, social fabric and state institutions.
Till 2002, FATA was unofficially recognized as Illaqa Ghair where murderers, absconders, car-lifters, abductors and criminals could find refuge from hand of law. Now whole of Pakistan has turned into Illaqa Ghair since there is no rule of law, elites are biggest law breakers, accountability is absent, law enforcers and lower courts are corrupt. Terrorists having confessed committing over hundred murders are set free; terrorists nabbed during close combat in war zones are given bail; those in jail are freed by terrorists. Anti-terrorist courts violate mandatory timeframe and take their time to decide high profile cases, and those sentenced to death are not hanged.
A stage had been set to declare nuclear Pakistan a failed state, but God saved Pakistan from sinking by turning the victory of USA in Afghanistan into defeat and thus checkmating its imperialist designs. Since ISAF cannot possibly pull itself out of the quagmire without the help of Pakistan, the US is grudgingly tolerating Pakistan. Issues on which the US has been making hue and cry are being put up with and friendly gestures made. Its affability is however not at the cost of annoying India which continues to remain in its good books. USA is not putting any pressure on India to stop its hostile acts against Pakistan as is evident from ongoing escalation of tensions along the LoC. TTP and BLA have not been bridled by CIA.
It is heartening to note that the new government has firmed up to stem the rot and to not only clean the mess but also improve the economy and living conditions of the downtrodden. Some positive steps have already been taken. Electricity policy has been formulated and curse of prolonged load shedding marginally controlled. PM Nawaz Sharif’s address was inspirational and well-intentioned but good intentions require speedy and result oriented implementation. What is needed now is to take all stakeholders on board and finalize coherent national security policy and counter terrorism policy at the earliest to control the scourge of terrorism. Setting up of Rapid Response Force (RPF) and Joint Intelligence Secretariat to combat terrorism by the close of this month is satisfying, but police needs a big overhaul and so do investigating and prosecution agencies and lower courts. Effective RPFs and effectual intelligence setup are also required in each province.
As regards foreign policy, friendship with immediate neighbors is desirable, but it should not be one-sided and at the cost of honor and dignity. Clear distinction should be made between friend and foe since enemies guised as friends have caused more harm to Pakistan. It is good that grant of MFN status to India has been put on hold till normalization of relations. China being all-weather and time-tested friend, should be trusted and envisaged long-term projects executed.
The writer is a retired Brig, defence analyst, columnist and author of several books. asifharoonraja@gmail.com
Posted by Azahir in Altaf "Bhai Ka Qatil"Hussain, NAWAZ SHARIF US & SAUDI AGENT, Nawaz Sharif US Agent, Nawaz Sharif Womanizer, Nawaz Sharif-The Prime Minister from Hell, Nawaz US Agent on May 20th, 2013
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has announced peaceful protest demonstrations against the killing of Zahra Shahid and appealed to the people of Karachi to participate in the protest today (Monday).
In a video message from Lahore’s Shaukat Khanam Hospital, Khan said that murder of Zahra Shahid was atrocity and he held MQM chief Altaf Hussain and the British government responsible for the killing of his party leader.
He said that though he would not demand re-election, Fakruddin G Ibrahim should ensure free and fair inquiry into complaints regarding poll rigging.
Posted by Brave_Heart in Pakistan-A Nation of Hope on May 4th, 2013
Addressing a mammoth public gathering in Abbottabad, he said if voted to power he would not use his position to his own advantage and would not transfer his assets out of the country. “I don’t believe in telling lies to the people for the sake of getting votes,” he maintained.
Terming the independent candidates as blackmailers, he urged the voters not to vote for them in the forthcoming polls.Imran promised that all-out efforts would be made to eradicate corruption after coming into power. He said the land record would be computerised to limit the role of patwaris and other revenue department officials.
The PTI chief said his party didn’t need to enter into an electoral alliance with any party. “The change is not coming, rather it has already arrived,” he said.
He said the PTI’s victory would bring an era of development and prosperity in Pakistan. He said tax evaders would be brought to book and the tax money would be spent on public welfare. He maintained that the development funds would not be utilised through the MNAs and MPAs.
Imran promised that the PTI would introduce a uniform educational system and the country would be made an Islamic welfare state. He said the poor would be provided inexpensive and speedy justice.
The PTI founder delivered a short speech that was heard by a big gathering. Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting in Mansehra, Imran Khan said he would make a new Pakistan after coming into power and bring the corrupt rulers to justice.
“I have been waiting for 17 years for the change and now it is going to take place on May 11. We will break the partnership of Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif as people are fed up with them,” he said.
Earlier, the PTI chief addressed public meetings in Oghi in Mansehra, Allai in Battagram and also in Torghar district.Imran, who declared himself a “lion-hunter”, said the enthusiasm of the youngsters would overwhelm the PML-N in Punjab.
He said the previous government was not sincere in addressing the energy crisis.Imran contended that making roads couldn’t put the country on the path to progress. “This country will become prosperous and developed when justice is dispensed without any discrimination and philosophy of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is implemented in letter and spirit,” he said.
The PTI chief said time was not far off when people would respect the green passport and the citizens from other countries would come to Pakistan for seeking employment.
He said if voted to power, the PTI would introduce a system on the pattern of the one enforced by the rightly-guided caliphs of Islam that brought about a revolution. “We would end corruption and uphold the rule of law as the four rightly-guided caliphs did,” Imran said.
Without naming Maulana Fazlur Rahman, he said that the Maulvi was not sincere and there was a stark difference between his words and his deeds due to which he couldn’t win hearts and minds of the people.
The PTI leaders in Hazara including Sajid Mumtaz Khan, Khurram Khan, Azam Khan Swati and Ali Asghar also spoke on the occasion.Speaking in Allai, Imran Khan said he would introduce local government system if voted to power.
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