Archive for May, 2009

The delivery of Israeli Phalcon to India, significantly, upsets the balance of power in South Asia. An outcome of this development will be the alienation of Pakistani people and it’s Armed Forces from the West and its policies. The duality of approaches towards India and Pakistan by the West and it allies like Israel, may significantly affect the current campaign of Pakistan’s armed forces to crush Jihadists.

When, Pakistan was offered AWACS, during the 1980’s, the United States retracted the offer, after India raised the objection of “introducing strategic technologies to upset the arms balance between India and Pakistan.”

Why are we as a nation and state declining since 1947 and why has the speed of decline gained momentum from mid-80s onwards. In our societal matters civility and cultural interaction is vanishing fast. And who does not know about the deteriorating economic conditions of the state! Since the inception the masses have been politically exploited conceptually distracted and ideologically miss-guided, hence the entire social fabric is in peril. Who should be blamed, the regimented forces that enter into power corridor too often, apathetic executives, unorganised democratic forces or the ineffective institutional mechanism of the state.

Why consciously or otherwise the intelligentsia also participated throughout in creating an environment of deception for the state and society is another big question. From the very beginning deception is ruling over, from top to bottom, all those minds that matter. The irony is that even the concept of a progressive state has been made controversial by design. The driving ideology “two nations theory” which had significance in attaining an independent state, was given unnecessarily a religious dimension even after achieving independence. Unwise internal forces with the support of external elements played a significant role to strengthen the deceptive perception of the religious dimension of our nationhood and that affected eventually every segment of society. Different schools of religion started shaping the political scenario to their advantage and according to their religious beliefs and perceptions and that finally influenced the state system. The role of various power groups other than the religious ones was equally harmful. They, using the cultural and linguistic divisions to their advantage, created or adjusted their space in developing situations. The feudalism and tribalism being the dominating factors jeopardized the whole scenario to safeguard their interests. Consequently divergent multiplicity instead of becoming an advantage was converted into the most acute problem for the state. A non-harmonized system wherein religious bigots and various interest groups acted on their own and in their own interests without caring for the national interests facilitated visionless people to have a hold over the state affairs. So bad governance was a natural outcome and that resulted in creating feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment in the people, who thus lost trust in government and also in the state institutions. It is not matter of examination, it is very much a reality that the prevailing system is not compensating the poor masses; it is rather protecting the interests of the elite only. This gross imbalance in social equilibrium is tearing apart the social fabric. Our rulers’ ultimate objective from the day first was to achieve power, wealth and ability to dominate the others. They planned and thought about evolving things on the basis of personal loyalties and not for common or national causes. The particular environment that came into being due to the thinking and working of the religious ideologues, various interest groups and the ruling elites alienated progressive forces from civil society and helped combine the reactionary forces like the feudal lords, wayward capitalists, land mafias and the opportunists. This environment has turned the culture of whole society incoherent by wisdom and views and by attitudes also. We are not clear on the fundamentals of the state and its future orientation; we are in an illusion about our future vision of the state. We stand divided on every issue. We are a confused lot that cannot differentiate between the black and the white. We do not know what we want to be, the free market traders or inhabitants of a welfare state, moderates or conservatives, and hard or soft liners; and we are also stuck between the authoritarian or democratic way of governance. All this had to create confusion about future destination and formulation of the state and national direction. And that happened should not be a surprise. The promotion and protection of the political and religious extremism and unjust economic order are two of the core problems. The global movers and shakers of political chessboard become the beneficiaries of these anomalies. Religious extremism is the product of our wrong policies and shortsightedness. The prevailing anomalies of the state’s system have given birth for deceptive perception of religion. It has been done by design and global nexus of geo-political players had presumed that un-stable and chaotic Pakistan can serve the interests of regional and international players. According to the agenda they are interested to keep Pakistan as buffer state. This has made the whole scenario difficult to address. Unfortunately we are neither formulating our policies in accordance with the regional and global environment nor addressing the problem properly or neutralizing the world impression. Economic deprivation, bad governance, no vision, no direction to the nation and particularly self-centeredness of our ruling elite and selfishness of bureaucracy has strengthened the ideology of extremism, and pushed the people in disarray. We have to formulate the national strategic framework to readjust our position in regional context, and national policies to meet the internal challenges. Religious extremism can be curtailed in two ways, (a) with full scale military action to eliminate the rogue elements (by tactical and guerrilla warfare). (b) State and its institutions should neutralise the sensitivity of religious groups by introducing the counter ideology encapsulating development and building the socio-political infrastructure in federally administrative areas. Government should enforce its writ and should not allow the minority to impose its ideology on the majority those are moderate liberal and progressive; law must be fallowed by every individual, group and institutions in totality. The task cannot be achieved without building consensus among the democratic forces firstly then within the nation and finally nation should be given the national agenda for future of state. The corrupt and inefficient judicial system has totally failed to deliver justice to the people. Administrative structure of the state’s institutions are suppressing the masses and serving the interest of dominating segment of society, capitalist elite only. Public has no faith and hope to get justice for their rights, which has compelled the society to opt for wrong and illegal means to manage their life affairs. Unfortunately the very perception dented the ethics, moral, nationalism and ruined the society so eventually corruption has become the part of culture. Corrupt, inefficient and incapable personnel and heads of the official department have no intention to serve the public; they are over rooting the rules and procedures of institutions for their ulterior motives, acting as masters and destroying the integrity of institutions. Their very attitude is not only destroying institutions but annihilating state and its writ. Corruption on the top levels of government, nepotism, mismanagement, incompetence and political favoritism has badly damaged and derailed the state’s system. The top appointments from ministerial to administrative levels are shadowed by political influence and affiliations. Most of the national projects have been failed or made ineffective because of the kick-backs managed by the corporate entities with the blessing of political elite. Power corruption and non-professional approaches are the end product of these irregularities; hence dented macro and micro circle of national economic development of the state. A majority of the masses were not provided education as there were not enough schools around. Even those who had access to the schools were again divided into different categories. We have schools of the kind such as the Urdu medium, English medium, and the madrasas; and for elites there are entirely different ones. Same is the condition of the universities and colleges. Even the technical skills and capacity of academic faculties are designed to suit class rater than national interests. Since the independence educational system has been used by the dominating groups as a tool to segregate the society and divide the masses into various classes. Such an irrelevant, stereotype system and thinking is still going on. And the apathy is that no one is planning to revisit this orthodox and coercive system, which is producing a non-productive crop for nation’s future. Top appointments should be made in accordance with the merit with strict measures of accountability. Non-productive and un-just governing system, fragmented non-institutional political structure and non-rational policy formulation mechanisms need to be restructured. The approach can promise developing, progressive nation of the world community. Political parties are the vital source to craft the policies for socio-economic prosperity, internal cohesion, national unity, good governance and coordinated working order between various states institutions in the best national interests. Without reforming the vital areas state cannot negotiate the national interest in better ways as well as external affairs. Nonprofessional institutional mechanism and short-term education policy is not only destroying the social culture, but also is supportive of extremism, which inculcate negative perception in national behaviour. The ongoing educational system by fanning the communal hatred is subverting the national interests also. The present policy direction and prevailing system would not help in building a bright future for us; it will rather accumulate problems and bring in national distraction during the days ahead. A unified policy and educational system can empower the masses which can build, civilize, moderate and progressive nation. Quality education and state of the art knowledge in science and technology along with continuity of research is essential to meet the challenges of 21st century. It is the vital medium to eliminate negativity, to ensure development of civil society and for broadening the mental horizon besides building the cultural harmony. Research based policy formulation; along with the best possible implementation mechanism are the prerequisites to overcome the problems we are confronting. Public awareness, communal development, their capacity building and engagement for enhancing the conceptual understanding about state and their own responsibilities are vital to meet the challenges. Coordination and re-structuring of internal institutions, insuring economic equality, economic justice and affective judicial system are the tools to create the harmony within society. State as factor should provide conducive environment to the nation and engage civil society for setting up national agenda. Political forces should formulate strategies on these dimensions along with the support of media. We do need to evolve research institutions and think tanks that can support the process of policy-making by bridging the gap between the ground realities and the policy makers. And can also provide rational analyses for readjustment in policy direction and for implementation mechanism. These institutions with the combination of media can exert the role of civil society for nation building and monitoring process. They should also aline and advance the networking with the regional and global counterparts for better understanding and for building country’s image. There is a dire need to change the asymmetrical relationship between the state and the society. These institutions can also play vital role to harmonize Pakistan’s interests with the rest of the world.

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The Israeli Defence Forces have been heavily influenced by contemporary philosophy, highlighting the fact that there is considerable overlap among theoretical texts deemed essential by military academies and architectural schools.

The attack conducted by units of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on the city of Nablus in April 2002 was described by its commander, Brigadier-General Aviv Kokhavi, as ‘inverse geometry’, which he explained as ‘the reorganization of the urban syntax by means of a series of micro-tactical actions’.1 During the battle soldiers moved within the city across hundreds of metres of ‘overground tunnels’ carved out through a dense and contiguous urban structure. Although several thousand soldiers and Palestinian guerrillas were manoeuvring simultaneously in the city, they were so ‘saturated’ into the urban fabric that very few would have been visible from the air. Furthermore, they used none of the city’s streets, roads, alleys or courtyards, or any of the external doors, internal stairwells and windows, but moved horizontally through walls and vertically through holes blasted in ceilings and floors. This form of movement, described by the military as ‘infestation’, seeks to redefine inside as outside, and domestic interiors as thoroughfares. The IDF’s strategy of ‘walking through walls’ involves a conception of the city as not just the site but also the very medium of warfare – a flexible, almost liquid medium that is forever contingent and in flux.

Contemporary military theorists are now busy re-conceptualizing the urban domain. At stake are the underlying concepts, assumptions and principles that determine military strategies and tactics. The vast intellectual field that geographer Stephen Graham has called an international ‘shadow world’ of military urban research institutes and training centres that have been established to rethink military operations in cities could be understood as somewhat similar to the international matrix of

After death of the creator of Pakistan and assassination of its first Prime Minister the country, created on an ideology, lost direction and till to day all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put it on the right path again. The Constituent Assembly constituted under Government of India Act 1935, although addressed by Quaid-e-Azam on August 11, 1947, failed to complete its job for more than eight years and thus stood packed. The new Constituent Assembly framed the Constitution which met unfortunate end of having been abrogated. The next Constitution was also axed by a General of same creed, the one who engineered it.

For more than quarter of a century the Politicians, Generals and Bureaucrats played with the destiny of the nation by power and intrigues to plunder and fleece like alien rulers. Although a consensus Constitution was framed in 1973, the framer made many amendments in a shady and non traditional way that it lost its basic character and since than it has become a controversial document. It is neither parliamentary nor presidential. It has seen both bulldozed and dictatorial amendments.

Leaving nature of the Constitution, the Laws and the Rules aside, the most unfortunate aspect of our cultural trend is that everybody feels proud of breaking the laws considering it sign of power and status. It is climax of an apathetic behaviour that not less than Head of State scorns and scolds the Constitution as a bunch of papers. Unless the laws are faithfully followed and forcefully got implemented the system can not work successfully. Formation and transformation of a society is dependant on the coterie bonded by principles. However the man by its nature is greedy and aggressive. Therefore the Creator sent his Messengers for guidance of the man warning simultaneously of rewards and punishments.

In this modern world those who have separated religion from governments and politics are very successful and powerful not because religion impedes progress and development but because they are extremist in following the principles made and laid down by themselves. Unfortunately we the Muslims neither follow our religion nor follow the principles laid down by ourselves. No doubt Constitution of Pakistan was agreed, workable and progressive, not a single amendment has been made in the interest of the country and good for the people. Rather all are politically motivated and in the self interest. And the consequences are evident because the basics of the Constitution are under challenge.

We are surrounded by enemies from all the four corners and their agents are within our ranks and files. The time has come for us to be serious as our survival and existence is at stake. The only force which can unit us is our Constitution. We may not redraft it but reshape it bringing the amendments making it parliamentary but not with absolute authority. It must contain a system of checks and balances. Therefore the following proposals are suggested.

Pakistan is an Islamic state with 95% population as Muslims. A Muslim is one who submits to the Will of God and follows His Messenger. Within these boundaries we are free to make principles, frame rules and determine our objectives. The first Constituent Assembly passed a resolution called ‘Objective Resolution’ and made it preamble of the Constitution. The subsequent Constitutions of 1962 and 1973 adopted it as preamble. However the Objective Resolution was formed part of substantive provisions of the Constitution in March 1985 and till today it has got the same status and force. In the Objective Resolution, inter-alia, the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed and the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. Article 227, establishment of Council of Islamic Ideology (Article 228) and Federal Shariat Court (Article 203-C) are supportive of the version that Article 2-A controls the Constitution and superior Courts, subject to Article 203-G, can declare illegal or unlawful any decision of any Authority which may be in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and other laws but repugnant to the provisions of the Objective Resolution. Therefore it would be more appropriate to remove the ambiguity, if there is any, by adding “overriding any provision in the Constitution not in consonance with the provisions of the Objective Resolution” in the end before full stop in Article 2-

Since its formulation and promulgation, the Constitution has thrice been subverted but the provisions of Article 6 have never been attracted, an encouragement for the aspirants in future. To block such easily accessible road the relevant provisions needs to be more elaborate leaving no chance to escape for the violators. Therefore Article 6(1) may be rewritten as ” Any person who abrogates or suspends or holds in abeyance or subverts or attempts or conspires to abrogate or suspend or hold in abeyance or subvert the Constitution or any of its Article or clause or paragraph by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason”

The Powers of the President vis-

PARIS – Pakistan finally bowed to Washington’s angry demands last week by unleashing its military against rebellious Pashtun tribesmen of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) — collectively mislabelled “Taliban” in the West.

The Obama administration had threatened to stop $2 billion US annual cash payments to bankrupt Pakistan’s political and military leadership and block $6.5 billion future aid, unless Islamabad sent its soldiers into Pakistan’s turbulent NWFP along the Afghan frontier.

The result was a bloodbath: Some 1,000 “terrorists” killed (read: mostly civilians) and 1.2 million people — most of Swat’s population — made refugees.

Pakistan’s U.S.-rented armed forces have scored a brilliant victory against their own people. Too bad they don’t do as well in wars against India. Blasting civilians, however, is much safer and more profitable.

Unable to pacify Afghanistan’s Pashtun tribes (a.k.a. Taliban), a deeply frustrated Washington has begun tearing Pakistan apart in an effort to end Pashtun resistance in both nations. CIA drone aircraft have so far killed over 700 Pakistani Pashtun. Only 6% were militants, according to Pakistan’s media, the rest civilians.

Pashtun, also improperly called Pathan, are the world’s largest tribal people. Fifteen million live in Afghanistan, forming half its population. Twenty-six million live right across the border in Pakistan. Britain’s imperialists divided Pashtun by an artificial border, the Durand Line (today’s Afghan-Pakistan border). Pashtun reject it.

Many Pashtun tribes agreed to join Pakistan in 1947, provided much of their homeland be autonomous and free of government troops. Pashtun Swat only joined Pakistan in 1969.

As Pakistan’s Pashtun increasingly aided Pashtun resistance in Afghanistan, U.S. drones began attacking them. Washington forced Islamabad to violate its own constitution by sending troops into Pashtun lands. The result was the current explosion of Pashtun anger.

I have been to war with the Pashtun and have seen their legendary courage, strong sense of honour and determination. They are also hugely quarrelsome, feuding and prickly.

One quickly learns never to threaten a Pashtun or give him ultimatums. These are the mountain warriors who defied the U.S. by refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden because he was a hero of the anti-Soviet war and their guest. The ancient code of “Pashtunwali” still guides them: Do not attack Pashtun, do not cheat them, do not cause them dishonour. To Pashtun, revenge is sacred.

HAM-HANDED

Now, Washington’s ham-handed policies and last week’s Swat atrocity threaten to ignite Pakistan’s second worst nightmare after invasion by India: That its 26 million Pashtun will secede and join Afghanistan’s Pashtun to form an independent Pashtun state, Pashtunistan.

This would rend Pakistan asunder, probably provoke its restive Baluchi tribes to secede and tempt mighty India to intervene militarily, risking nuclear war with beleaguered Pakistan.

The Pashtun of NWFP have no intention or capability of moving into Pakistan’s other provinces, Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. They just want to be left alone. Alarms of a “Taliban takeover of Pakistan” are pure propaganda.

Lowland Pakistanis repeatedly have rejected militant Islamic parties. Many have little love for Pashtun, whom they regard as mountain wild men best avoided.

Nor are Pakistan’s well-guarded nukes a danger — at least not yet. Alarms about Pakistan’s nukes come from the same fabricators with hidden agendas who brought us Saddam Hussein’s bogus weapons.

THE REAL DANGER

The real danger is in the U.S. acting like an enraged mastodon, trampling Pakistan under foot, and forcing Islamabad’s military to make war on its own people. Pakistan could end up like U.S.-occupied Iraq, split into three parts and helpless.

If this continues, at some point patriotic Pakistani soldiers may rebel and shoot the corrupt generals and politicians on Washington’s payroll.

Equally ominous, a poor people’s uprising spreading across Pakistan — also mislabelled “Taliban” — threatens a radical national rebellion reminiscent of India’s Naxalite rebels.

As in Iraq, profound ignorance and gung ho military arrogance drive U.S. Afghan policy. Obama’s people have no understanding what they are getting into in “AfPak.” I can tell them: An unholy mess we will long regret.

Published on Sunday, May 17, 2009 by Winnipeg Sun