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Archive for category Domestic Policy

The Baloch youth and Balochistan crisis

Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Domestic Policy on May 29th, 2012

Balochistan Map. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan [Area Wise]

The Baloch youth and Balochistan crisis

 February 21, 2012

By Muhammad Akbar Notezai

In present scenario, of course, disgruntled Baloch youth is bristling with anger motto is the killing of their brethren brutally at the hands of establishment, which has alienated them from Islamabad.

They show aversion from any reconciliation process set up by the government because they have been betrayed many times. On one hand, government tries to negotiate with them, but on another hand, their ‘kill and dump’ policy is going on.

Unfortunately, abduction of youth, in Balochistan, is substantially increasing day by day, which has put their relatives behind the eight ball.They have been protesting against the abduction of their loved ones for years, but no one seems to resolve these manifold issues.

They are being shown stick usually to not stand for the fundamental rights of the Balochistans’ people, who despite living in mineral rich province, are bereft of basic necessities.

Undoubtedly, the corpses of Baloch youth is being thrown in abandoned areas of the Balochistan mercilessly by so called democratic government. If they have committed any crime, then they ought to be produced before court because court can only castigate them if they are blameworthy.

Recently, chief of PML-N Nawaz Sharif went to Karachi to meet veteran Baloch leader Sardar Attah Ullah Mengal who point blank criticized the army and entitled it ‘Punjabi army’. He further said, “The leadership is in the hands of youth, they don’t want to live in a country in which they received bodies of their brethren.” He further opined that the situation reached the point of no return.

Nawaz Sharif declared Sardar Attah Ullah Menagl’s allegations legitimate, and committed to negotiate with Baloch youth after coming in power, but many questions raise here: Will disgruntled Baloch youth negotiate with him? Will packages soothe the bereaved families of the ‘missing’ persons who tendered sacrifices for a great purpose? Will they be given their rights? It will definitely be a toughest task for him.

Subsequently, Nawaz Sharif met Talal Akbar Bugti (President of the Jamhoori Watan Party), he pledged him to give his father’s killers exemplary punishment, but he didn’t bother to ask about whereabouts of the bereaved families who are protesting for their relatives. It shows that PML-N chief merely gives priority to Baloch people for the coming election; unfortunately, he doesn’t want to pour oil on the troubled waters.

It is beyond comprehension that why is Imran Khan sympathetic to Baloch people? Does it mean that he has the support of the establishment? Well, he may have, because without support of the establishment none of them can rule in the country. That is why he discusses Balochistan’s concerns in his rallies because establishment may bring him to soothe Baloch people, especially the disgruntled Baloch youth, but they can not be tricked this time.

In fact, Imran Khan has become the leader of the turn courts who have enjoyed government with PPP, PML-Q and PML-N as well as has been the part of the military operations in Balochistan. PTI’s chief, with them, can never resolve the situation of the Balochistan.

Many of the political parties after coming in power, apologized Baloch people, then they became brutal to them. Imran Khan is going to follow their foot steps.

But Baloch people, especially Baloch youth is well acquainted with their policies that at first they apologize and then start suppressing them. Its instance is the Ex-General Parvez Musharraf’s regime and PPP’s government.

Ex General Parvez Musharraf apologized, and then launched fifth military operation in Balochistan which is still going on.

On another side, PPP did same that president Asif Ali Zardari apologized, then throwing of mutilated corpses of Balochs started, is continued up till now.

All political parties seem to be puppet in the hands of establishment which has treated Balochs and Baloch youth very badly. They are even killing educated Balochs who are raising voice for the disappearance of their brethren; therefore, it is going to alienate them more and more from Islamabad.

The political leaders had better think for the Balochistani people, who are downtrodden. They need to take stern steps for removing their sense of deprivation, because through barrel of gun they can never be brought into national mainstream.

Reference

Ex-corps commander calls for talks on Balochistan issue

By Amanullah Kasi, DAWN

Former corps commander Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch has urged the government to resolve the Balochistan issue through talks and avoid using force which is alienating the Baloch youth.

He said provinces should get the authority to exercise control over their mineral resources and the federating units should contribute a part of their revenue to the centre.

Gen Abdul Qadir, who served as governor of Balochistan under the present government, was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the Quetta Union of Journalists at the Idara-i-Saqafat here on Monday. Balochistan Assembly Speaker Jamal Shah Kakar was chief guest.

The retired corps commander said that Balochistan with 13 members in the 342-member National Assembly could not protect its rights.

Therefore, the provinces should be given equal representation in the assembly.

He said he did not support the army rule because it was dangerous for the country. But, he added, political groups were involved in toppling civilian governments and clearing way for military rulers.

He also accused politicians, journalists and the judiciary of encouraging army generals to run affairs of the country, and said that on every occasion politicians welcomed army generals, journalists praised the army rule and judiciary endorsed the military takeover under the “doctrine of necessity”.

“Nawab Akbar Bugti was a respectable Baloch leader and he was badly treated but no-one could deny the fact that in 1973, the PPP government launched a military operation and Nawab Bugti supported the oppression in which hundreds of innocent Balochs were killed,” he said.

He claimed that political governments had done nothing for the development of Balochistan and military governments had played a better role in this regard by launching development activities and providing facilities to people in the province.

Gen Abdul Qadir regretted that governors and chief secretaries were often imposed on the province from outside, which showed that the federal government did not trust the Baloch and Pakhtuns of the province to become constitutional heads of the province.

Similarly, he said, personnel of the Frontier Corps did not belong to Balochistan; there was no Baloch diplomat or federal secretary in Islamabad and the province had no representation in hundreds of corporations.

He said the people of the province were not against the Gwadar port but they had certain reservations about development activities in Gwadar. The government, he said, must address the reservations.

He stressed the need for changing the “system of exploitation”, saying it had created disharmony and misunderstanding between provinces and the centre.

The government should recognise the right of the provinces over their resources, he said.

Speaker Jamal said that the corrupt among the educated people – whether they were politicians, doctors, bureaucrats, judges, lawyers or civil servants – were responsible for the current state of affairs in the country. He said the illiterate were sincere people, but they had lost faith in the system and believed that the educated were the source of their problems.

 

Reference

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A LETTER FROM PAKISTAN:CALL TO ELECT HONEST AND SINCERE LEADERSHIP

Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Domestic Policy on April 21st, 2012

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 

Dr.Raees M. Mushtaq Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan

Contact

Email [email protected]

 

You have been reading newspapers and witnessing several TV channels hoping against hope that one day you will find a person who can unite this nation together and make Pakistan a peaceful country where every citizen will have equal rights and opportunities. Unfortunately no leader so far could do anything for the nation.

 

Whenever there are elections in the country the so called, self styled leaders come to your doors for votes assuring you that after their elections to the assemblies and taking command of the nation they will serve us but unfortunately when they reach the high rise chairs of power, they are over drunk in enjoying luxuries of power and forget their commitments to the people and occupy huge houses built by our blood and  sweat, use big cars along with fleet of security vehicles and deployment of several security officials, without paying even a single rupee. Not only this, they draw millions of rupees as salaries, fringe benefits and unlimited foreign tours taking a fleet of flatterers free of cost. Even they perform UMRAHS along with several stooges at our cost. For small ailment, they go to foreign countries for treatment. They manipulate foreign tours for purchasing expensive materials for the country and receive huge commissions in foreign exchange. Their money is transferred in their newly created accounts in Switzerland and Banks of other countries.

 

There are presently more than 76 registered political parties and TAHREEKS in Pakistan. But no one has come out with any practical manifesto so far. Therefore people of Pakistan cannot trust them, People cannot be impressed by gathering hired crowds and performance of singers and dancers. They collect poor people by different means, alluring them on the pretext of taking them for receiving donations or ZIARAT etc.

 

Under present system no upright and honest person can dare to contest elections unless, he has unlimited financial resources and muscle power. This is why the so called elected leaders do not care for their voters and their  multiple problems.

 

I, as non political person used to write to several so called leaders and rulers of the country from time to time submitting  practical result oriented solutions to our ever multiplying problems, but except letters of appreciation nothing was done.

 

 

 

Seeing this all, I have published my latest book “PASSWORD TO PROSPERITY“ giving positive solutions to all our National problems. I sent complimentary copies of my book virtually to all politicians and known media owners and anchor persons, but unfortunately I could not get any response.

 

There was function of  supreme court bar association of Pakistan on 9th September 2011 in five star hotel at Lahore where all leading advocates of Pakistan and SAARC countries were in attendance, I distributed complimentary copies of my book  “PASSWORD TO PROSPERITY “ and I expect that my professional colleagues will give serious thought and play some positive role.

 

I was invited on 13 September 2011 by senior members of Lahore Press Club where I made a small speech on my book which was highly appreciated and I was made life member of Lahore Press Club.

 

According to me for bringing honest and competent leadership in the country it can be done by any of the two means, either instead of persons contesting direct elections, parties should contest and the party securing majority of votes maybe called upon to nominate good competent people from their party and form the Government or people are given option to elect such Selfless People to Rule them. If following suggestions are implemented through Law or Manifesto of the political parties, this country will become Heaven on Earth and will be the first country in the world known and respected to be an Islamic state in letter and spirit.

As general elections in the country are approaching, different opportunists are collecting like monsoon frogs with different political parties not on the basis of their manifesto but witnessing their show of numbers and how abusive and daring performances are being given in public and on national media. I foresee total havoc in coming elections as you will witness most of the Polling stations will be declared sensitive and innocent people will be herded like animals by different persons having muscle power.

According to me the best way to bring honest and competent leadership following steps are the only solution.

Every candidate contesting elections shall have to submit following Affidavit assuring the people of their constituencies to act in letter and spirit according to their affidavits on following major points :-

 

1:      If I am elected and inducted in the Government, I will not occupy Government residence nor claim any amount as a rent or otherwise for maintaining a house at place of my job.

 

2:      I, or my family members shall not avail official car for use during my period of power.

 

3:      For official travels by air, I would travel in economy class.

 

4:      During my official tenure, I and my children shall get treatment from Government hospitals.

 

5:     During my office in the Government my children shall get education in Government Institutions alone.

 

6:      During in the Government, I will not acquire any movable or immovable property in my name or in the names of any person.

 

7:      I do not have citizenship of any other country except Pakistan, nor I shall make any assets in any other Country and if so I shall renounce it before filing may nomination papers for the election.

 

8;      If at any time during my elected period, my conduct falls     and attracts provisions of our constitution, I shall be liable to lose the seat.

 

9:      That major time of my tenure I shall be available to my voters in my constituency and assist them in sorting out their problems.

 

10:    I will put all my efforts to curb corruption and create brotherhood amongst all citizens and take all positive steps for community development of my people.

Deponent

 

Certified that Mr. / Mrs. has been nominated by our party and we assure the electorate of His constituency that in case of violation of any of the above clauses, our party shall also be liable for disciplinary action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

President                                    General Secretary,

 

 

 

(Name)                                   (Name and Seal of Political Party)

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Dynamics of the struggle

Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Domestic Policy on January 20th, 2012

 

Dynamics of the struggle

PAKISTAN is witnessing a test of wills between its civil and military elite. It is a play of many parts and a thriller in its own right. It contains within it the subtext of provocation, courtesy Mansoor Ijaz. Pakistan is in the grip of ever-increasing speculation.
The question that I ask myself is: who benefits from the current turbulence? It is not helping the military as it diverts its focus from its main task that is to enhance the nation`s security and fight the insurgency. Recent reports indicate that the militants have increased their attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. Thus the tussle is threatening national security.
Rationality demands that it must be terminated.
The political leadership is already in the dock in the Supreme Court, where the government is being pummelled into a state of incoherence with each passing day.
The setback that it is facing at the hands of the judiciary and the military indicates that the ruling civilian clique is in a quandary and the prime minister and his advisers appear to be at their wits` end.
It is becoming increasingly clear that perhaps the only solution to this crisis is to call early elections otherwise the crisis will deepen. In the face of the military`s onslaught, it is the only viable alternative left. The recent resolution placed before parliament may be a tactical thrust, but it is unlikely to make much of a difference.
A study of Pakistan`s history and its civil-military relations shows that that there are certain features of the Pakistani polity that lays down the dos and don`ts of its politics and unless these are transformed there is unlikely to be a change in the civil-military dynamics managing Pakistan.
So what are the main featuresof the civil-military landscape? The `establishment` as it is euphemistically called is composed of an oligarchy consisting of politicians, the military, intelligence agencies, some civilservants, some media personalities and a sprinkling of those from other professions of lawyers, businessmen, landlords and the recent addition of militants.
What is not remarked on is the space provided to the militants to enforce the formation of a new identity.
This oligarchy has managed Pakistan since the 1960s. The military has kept the Pakistan political system under scrutiny for its alleged incompetence, failure to address the people`s problems and corruption. The military rests its case for right to influence policy based on competence, patriotism and a better understanding of the national interest.
Membership to this oligarchy, that numbers anywhere from 800 to 1,000, is dictated by belonging to an influential class and adherence to the oligarchy`s core values. Anyone who challenges these precepts is categorised as unsafe and removed from this group or eliminated in the new variant.
It is thus not necessary that all senior officers will be its members unless they also follow the value set that is largely determined by the military.
The core beliefs of the 011-garchy are: India is a threat to Pakistan; Pakistan`s security is foremost a military one; strategically the defence of Pakistan lies in the protection of Punjab and thus it forms the heartland of the state;the establishment agrees that social reform though theoretically necessary is too risky and can cause destabilisation.
Reforms are thus delayed and reliance is instead placed on seeking military and economic assistance for growth by forming alliances with the US and now China.
On the other hand, the politicians have attempted to slip out of the military`s stranglehold by banking on people`s power. Such efforts are only marginally effective.
Mr Bhutto used populism to bring changes but as support dwindled he was neutralised by the formation of the rightist Pakistan National Alliance under the manipulation of the ISI. An orchestrated agitation finally led to Gen Zia`s coup and Bhutto`s ouster and his subsequent execution.
In 1999, Mr Nawaz Sharif with his large parliamentary majority attempted to marginalise the ambitious Gen Musharraf he too faced a coup and was removed from power and arrested and made to leave Pakistan. If the past is any indicator, then it is clear that the military has placed the weak political government in a defensive position.
It is well known that the PPP was brought to power under an arrangement crafted between the military, the PPP and the US. The current army chief was at the time the head of the powerful ISI and obviously gave his consent to the arrangement. So what went wrong despite the attempt of the political leadership to keep the general staff happy? A good guess is that the military`s distrust of the PPP is rooted in its attempts to reform the ISI, while the May 2 raid on Abbottabad has dented the military`s claim of competence, protector of national security and obtainerof foreign resources for modernisation.
It is argued that perhaps there is a secret caveat between the US and the PPP as the price of being brought to power and that it is to open up Pakistan`s nuclear assets to greater transparency. The military fears that such an arrangement would compromise Pakistan`s deterrence against India and the PPP government might thus be harmful.
The other pieces in this puzzle like the prime minister`s remarks suggesting the military`s complicity in the Bin Laden affair or the `memogate` case are some of the other peripheral matters placing the PPP government under pressure. The acrimony will not end.
In order to reverse Pakistan`s decline, it is necessary that the `establishment` should have a realistic understanding of the international environment facing it instead of being cornered into isolation and have international sanctions imposed. The choice is ours.

 

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PAKISTAN’S WEALTH: Protecting Pakistan’s children

Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Domestic Policy on November 13th, 2011

Protecting Pakistan’s children

Pakistan is taking firm steps to try to help abused children, say experts. Kristin Elisabeth Solberg reports on the country’s new child protection unit, believed to be the first of its kind in south Asia.
A text message arrives in Pakistani children’s rights activist Naeem Zafar’s phone:

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Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Domestic Policy on May 28th, 2011

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