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Enough is Enough

LETTER TO EDITOR

December 5th, 2012

 

Enough is Enough

 

Every Tom, Dick and Harry of a politician lets go of no opportunity in making fool of the masses in the name of democracy.  Any legit criticism of the govt. or a political party for their plunder and corruption, appalling law and order situation in the country, poor and bad governance, dwindling economy, closure of industries, ever increasing prices of commodities and utilities, unemployment, power and gas shortage, long queues at the CNG stations and yet at the same time their unabashedly shameful and callous extravagant and Nawab like life style, perks and privileges, foreign tours – official and private – Hajjes and every other day Umeras at govt. expense, etc. etc. are projected by them as yet another effort at the weakening of the democracy and usurpation of the rights of those who elect them!  Oh, for God’s sake, why don’t these good for nothing nincompoops and visionless self eulogizing avaricious so called leaders  come out straight that th eir only and only concern is how to either get or remain in power for another five years or so to fill in their family coffers for their coming next seven generations?  Why must they harangue on the hollow words like democracy and all power to the awaam etc. into it?  Why can’t they be honest for a change and admit that all that they are doing and maneuvering is just to get themselves elected and rule over the same hapless awaam whom they promise stars but do not give them even dust to eat once they are returned  to the power?  What a shameless breed of critters they are?

Oh, Allah – the most merciful – when shall You show Your mercy and get us rid of such unethical and greedy persons and bless us with the leaders who could place the wellbeing of the masses and good of the country before their own selves!

 

Someday someone like that will sure be there on our national horizon, ameen.

 

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
30 Westridge 1
Rawalpindi 46000
Pakistan
Tel: (051) 5158033
E.mail: [email protected]

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INVITATION TO ALL PAKISTANIS AND GLOBAL WRITERS TO WRITE FOR UQAAB, THE PAKISTAN THINK TANK ORGANIZATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asalam Alaykum 

This is an invitation to UQAAB, The Pakistan Think Tank Organization, which belongs to 180 million Pakistanis. It is a national dialogue amongst all viewpoints to understand the cross-currents and events impacting Pakistan. It is also a dialogue of Pakistanis with the Global Community. We ascribe to the principles of Quaid-e-Azam Speech of September 11, 1947. Pakistan is a modern, progressive, Islamic, and Nuclear Nation. Let all enemies beware, 180 Million Pakistanis and their Brave Armed Forces know how to defend the ideological foundations of Pakistan. Pakistan’s new generations have greater capacities and skills to take Pakistan to the next level of national achievement.

 

https://pakistanthinktank.org/

 

It is also an invitation to you to be an UQAAB, the great Allama visualized in his poetry. Please be a key part of this organization.   We are in the U.S. and Pakistan. Therefore, we are NOT constrained by censorship and meddling by governmental organizations. We are also very dependent on our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and U.S. and other nations to project our Sohni Dharti to a global audience. This site’s name begins with Pakistan, so it belongs to every Pakistani including you.

 

Our Structure

 

We have no hierarchy, except an Advisory Board, I am just the Editor. In this way we avoid the political infighting for leadership, which plague all Pakistan Organizations.  So this is an organization based on equality of all members. PTT is a voluntary organization mainly based on efforts of professionals in the North America, Europe, Middle East, East Asia and Pakistan ranging from Political Scientists, Economists, Business Managers, CEOs, Scientist, Intellectuals, Physicians, Lawyers, Serving and Retired Armed Forces, Students, Academics, essentially, Pakistanis in all professions, both men and women make up the organization.   

 

Our Outlook

 

We are non-partisan.  We support one party that is 160 Million people of Pakistan. We discuss all ideas, including constructive criticism of the Military Govt, PPP, all the leagues, all the Jamaat, etc. We are for Quaid’s Pakistan. We have a one point Agenda, Make Pakistan Great through cross fertilization of its peoples ideas and promote Pakistan as a land, where lively debates occur and great intellects reside. This is a non-partisan, non-parochial, altruistic effort to get the thoughts and ideas of Pakistanis about the present, past, and future of Pakistan in every endeavor.   

 

 

Our Mission

 

Our mission is to project Pakistan as a nation of dynamic and goal oriented people.    All Pakistanis have a stake in a democratically free Pakistan.  It is an ideal we are striving to achieve even after 60 years. We do not believe that our faith and democratic principles are in resonance. After, the death of our Prophet (PBUH), the succession of leadership was based on ELECTION, not SELECTION.   We promote critical thinking and expansion of intellectual horizons through debate and consensus. We have no desire to achieve income or glory from UQAAB, the Pakistan Think Tank Organization.    It adheres to the dictum of debate and decorum but not casting aspersions on Pakistan as a nation or its founders. We believe in Quaid’s vision of Pakistan as a pluralistic nation for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.  

 

Pakistan ‘s Image

 

We combat the propaganda generated in the West by the Zionist and Indian media.    We build bridges by presenting writing of Pakistanis to the global intellectual community and thought leaders.  Our audience is global, but most hits we get are from North America, and Europe.

 

You Are the Key to UQAAB’S Success

 

Every Pakistani is an UQAAB. This untapped potential of Pakistanis has been harnessed by other nations, including those in the West. Pakistan will be a great nation, if its people understand the powerful message of its founder, Quaid-i-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah based on Unity, Faith, and Discipline. It will take visionary leadership to realize this potential of Pakistanis.

 

 Please contribute your thoughts, ideas, opinions, or articles (you have found interesting), we will present them to our global audience..

For all original articles, internet articles of interest, and documents, please send them directly to me at [email protected]  .

 

 

Website Editor-in Chief,

M. J. Durrani, B.Sc (Punjab), M.Sc (Karachi), A.B.(Wittenberg), M.S., Ph.D. (The University of Michigan),  Dip.Management, innovation & Technology (MIT)

Editor, UQAAB Web Journal

UQAAB, The Pakistan Think Tank Organization, Lahore, Pakistan

Scottsdale, Arizona and Plantation, Florida

U.S.A. and Pakistan

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All the king’s horses

 

 

Thinking Aloud : All the king’s horses — Razi Azmi

It is hard to see how Israel can continue to defy the world and persist in its policy of aggression, annexation and occupation, even with US support. The vote count and the writing are on the wall

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall/ Humpty Dumpty had a great fall/ All the King’s horses and all the King’s men/ Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.”

 

 
Substitute just a few words in this popular children’s rhyme, “Israel” for “Humpty Dumpty”, “separation wall” for “wall”, and “USA” for “King”, and what you get is history in the making. November has been a bad month for the ‘bullyboy’ of the Middle East and what I am now inclined to describe as his sidekick, the world’s lone — increasingly lonely and decreasingly powerful — superpower.

Correspondingly, it has been a good month for Palestine, no matter the 160 or so lives lost and the infrastructure destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Both Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) have reason to rejoice. If Hamas won a significant military and political victory by its successful resistance to Israel’s military might, the PLO won a resounding diplomatic victory by attaining a non-member observer-state status in the UN.

The vote in the UN General Assembly was 138 in favour and only nine against. The international community overwhelmingly and emphatically said yes to Palestine despite vehement Israeli opposition and relentless US pressure. The list of the seven countries that supported the Israeli-US position makes for very sorry reading: Canada, the Czech Republic, Panama, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Palau.

Such prominent western-bloc (non-Muslim) nations as France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Ireland voted for the resolution, besides Russia, China, Japan, New Zealand and 124 others. All the (staunchly Catholic) South American countries voted in support (except Colombia). Even such dependable American allies as the UK, Germany and Australia abstained rather than vote against.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The decision at the United Nations will change nothing on the ground. It will not advance the establishment of a Palestinian state. It will delay it further.” Denigrating the vote as “meaningless”, Mr Netanyahu accused Mr Abbas of spreading “mendacious propaganda” against Israel in a “defamatory and venomous” speech. Defamatory and venomous? Mahmood Abbas? Judge for yourself.

Speaking at the UN, Mr Abbas said, “We did not come here seeking to delegitimise a state established years ago, and that is Israel; rather we came to affirm the legitimacy of the state that must now achieve its independence, and that is Palestine.” The world was being asked to undertake a significant step in the process of rectifying the “unprecedented historical injustice” inflicted on the Palestinian people since 1948, the Palestinian president added.

In comments to the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigor Lieberman went so far as to threaten the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority if it went to the UN.

And what does Washington think of this historic vote? US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said: “Today’s grand pronouncements will soon fade and the Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and find that little about their lives has changed save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded.”

Lest you have not noticed Ms Rice, the Palestinian people have woken up every morning, 6,636 mornings to be exact, since the much-heralded Oslo Peace Accords signed under your government’s auspices in Washington on September 13, 1993, to find themselves under the boot of the Israeli army and at the mercy of armed Jewish settlers. And thanks mainly to the financial, military and diplomatic support that your country provides to Israel.

Even the former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert sounds more fair-minded than Ms Rice and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who called the vote “unfortunate and counterproductive”. Mr Olmert wrote, “I see no reason to oppose it.”

Perhaps Mac Deford, a retired US foreign service officer writing in the Global Post, is right in wondering why the US “bother[s] to have embassies in the Arab World any more …since our diplomacy consists primarily of…blindly supporting whatever Israel wants at whatever cost to our strategic interests in the Arab world.”

Assured of the US policy of letting Israel get away with anything, a mere one day after the UN vote the Israeli cabinet authorised the construction of 3,000 more housing units in the occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and commenced zoning and planning in the highly sensitive and contentious E-1 area of East Jerusalem. And to inflict immediate financial pain on the Palestinians, Israel seized $ 120 million of this month’s tax money that belongs to Palestine.

Although it might seem like the behaviour of the street bully who bashes a child and then damages his bicycle too to show its anger, there is a method to this madness. While the world talks, the UN votes, Europe ‘deplores’ and the US ‘disapproves’, Israel grabs more and more Palestinian land. Lest the world has not taken notice of his actions, Mr Netanyahu also thundered: “No matter how many hands are raised against us there is no power on earth that will cause me to compromise on Israel’s security.” This from the prime minister of a country with a population of 7.6 million (a quarter of whom are non-Jewish Arabs), ranked 97th in the world, about the same as Eritrea, Togo or Laos, and a GNP of $ 237 billion (world ranking: 52), less than a third that of Taiwan ($ 875 billion), less than half that of Egypt ($ 519 billion) or Pakistan ($ 488 billion), even less than Bangladesh ($ 283 billion). What is more, he threatens Iran, with a population of about 80 million and a GNP of $ 990 billion!

It is hard to see how Israel can continue to defy the world and persist in its policy of aggression, annexation and occupation, even with US support. The vote count — and, may I add, the writing — are on the wall. The Palestinian flag is flying in the United Nations. Transcending political, religious, racial and ethnic differences, the international community has spoken with a very strong voice, a far stronger voice than the one that had said yes to the founding of the state of Israel in 1947. That vote was 33 for and 13 against (with 10 abstentions).

The writer is a former academic with a doctorate in modern history and can be reached at [email protected]

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Let Us Not Despair About Pakistan

 

 

 

 

 



Pakistan has remained in the throe of a perennial multi-faceted crisis. But let us not despair about its destiny and a glorious future ahead. Pakistan a nascent state has remained caught in myriad problems ever since it came into being on August 14, 1947. These problems are both internal and external. A new nation under an inept and self-seeking leadership remained lost and distracted from its course of moving forward to progress, prosperity, and stability. Pakistan’s dilemma is that its leadership that created and struggled for Pakistan did not live long enough to set the parameters that could have transformed it into a vibrant and viable state.

In the modern times, Pakistan and India’s emergence as two independence states is a unique phenomenon that has few parallels in the history. Both the sub-continental states were the result of a sustained movement for independence kept in high gear by Muslim and Hindu leaders. For a variety of undeniable factors and divergent dynamics, these two communities could not opt to live together in one united state.

Immediately after partition of the British India; Pakistan was beset with refugees’ problem and the settlement of the incoming immigrants from the territories that became part of India. This country fell into the hands of the nasty bureaucrats who were averse to making a constitution and embarking Pakistan upon a democratic course. The intriguing politicians, whose predominant lot came from the feudal classes, hijacked the political power and until this day are overt or covert power brokers and wielders. With the feudal culture still rampant and dominant, the democracy seems to be tainted and hijacked.

The perennial Kashmir issue has given ascendancy to the armed forces as the savior of the nation although it was during the military rules that Pakistan suffered ruinous setbacks and detrimental downfalls. As is commonly known, the first military ruler Gen (how could he become Field Marshall) Ayub Khan deprived Pakistan of three rivers, lending a devastating blow to Pakistan’s agricultural based economy. Yahya Khan truncated Pakistan. Gen Ziaul buried a democratic government, hanged an elected prime minster, promoted religious extremism and sectarian animus, and turned Pakistan into a mercenary hatchet man of the foreign imperialism.

Finally, Gen Musharraf played havoc with the constitution of Pakistan. He consolidated his power by manipulating with self-preserving amendments in the constitution and pushing Pakistan further into the lap of foreign hegemonic designs and reinforcing Pakistan’s mercenary role. Now this is history. With the popular elections in February 2008, Pakistan has been set on a new democratic path after almost ten years of one-man rule, and 32 years of cumulative military domination of Pakistan. Despite the ferocious and unrelenting insurgency and frequent suicide bombing, Pakistan is doing well with the rest of the world and at home.

The religious based militancy that is apace for a decade or so would have challenged the authority of state at some juncture. The thorns of sectarian and ethnic bad blood that Gen Zia had sown have been growing into full-scale stature. It was foregone that eventually, the extremism within both Pakistan or of external import would descend upon Pakistan with full fury.

Pakistan could not have saved itself from the fanaticism of the religious militants after their victory in Afghanistan.

Logically they would have come home with more victories with a view to establishing an Islamic orthodox system (caliphate) of government in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. I doubt if Pakistan or Afghanistan governments or societies could hold their advance and check their unrelenting sway as was later witnessed in Swat and northern valleys.

It is here that the American and NATO forces’ presence in this region, to curb and weaken these merciless brigands, looks useful. Therefore, in a way the military might of NATO and of the United States to browbeat religious frenzy and militancy has been a kind of blessing in disguise for Pakistan.

Eventually the occupation forces will have to leave Afghanistan. So primarily, it would be both Pakistan and Afghanistan that would benefit from the weakening and bludgeoning of Taliban and Al-Qaida who could have turned this region into a hell engaging Pakistan army into a perpetual conflict. If there are people, who believe that Taliban would revive Islamic glory and pristine caliphate are morons and so to speak, living in fools’ paradise. If Taliban turn Pakistan into another Swat and Kabul, would we call it a genuine Islamic government?

Notwithstanding the personal objectionable character or the villainous volition of the individuals in power in Pakistan, the fact cannot be ignored that it is essentially an elected government. Still it is a democratic dispensation that is subject to some semblance of accountability and censure as exercised by media and judiciary. Gradually and imperceptibly the economy is showing resilience and revival, howsoever feeble and slow it may be.

Already the incumbent government would be completing almost five years its constitutional tenure by February 2013. Let it continue for a few more months and leave it to the people to reelect them in the next elections or cast them away in favor of new praetorians. The courts are relatively freer and so are the media and the civil society.

There is a barrage of problems for majority of Pakistan’s populace. The poverty, the insecure life, the shortage of water and power, the corruption, the unemployment, the red tape, the inadequacy of socio-civic services, the environmental degradation, and the appalling cost of living are some of the horrendous problems that afflict Pakistan. However, these problems were still there when a military junta was in power.

So by comparison a democratic government, howsoever, flawed is decidedly better than a stultifying military rule that gags freedom and rules by coercion. In the present set up, at least you can express and voice your grievances and problems. In an authoritarian system, one risks your honor, life and freedom by opposing or dissenting.

My vision is that Pakistan despite its countless problems including the oft-repeated skepticism about its viability and survival will stay its course and eventually move steadfastly on the way to becoming a modern state with all attending hallmarks. The women are more empowered now, the civil society is in the making, and democratic culture is taking roots.

There is some kind of accountability although the executive has not moved fast to address the law and order and similar grave issues. A stage would arrive when civil society would be vibrant enough to press for dire action against the defaulters, outlaws, delinquents, bribe-takers, thugs, public enemies and so.

Instead of condemning or berating the government for every major and minor fault, let us see it in a broader context. At least it is being run by the people’s elected representatives. Let us strive and wish that the incumbent government can move away from its mistakes and follies, corrects its rudder, and drives the country out of dire straits. The worst democracy is better than the best dictatorship, goes the adage.

The political parties can establish their credentials as the redeemers of the nation and builders of a new Pakistan that could be prosperous, safe, strong, and with efficient institutions. The leaders of the respective fleet of parties should present their manifestos, vision and programs for the service of the nation and grandeur of Pakistan and to transform it into a stable and viable state.

They can do for so till May next year when the elections are scheduled to be held. The statement of PMNL chief Mian Nawaz Sharif connotes positive and conciliatory undertones in that he offered to have a working relationship with president Zardari because of his being the constitutional head of the state.

The belligerency, brinkmanship and mere inane sloganeering is not going to drive away the maladies and misfortunes that overcast Pakistan. With a new democratic set up, the country would be moving forward since it would be for the first time for a smooth and democratic transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people of Pakistan.

The example of Egypt is instructive for Pakistani leadership. Egypt has been blessed with an elected popular government after several decades of autocratic rule. Incumbent ruling party the Muslim brotherhood was banned in Egypt for decades. Not it is the legitimate choice of the Egyptian people to rule. Against all propaganda that it would bring theocracy have proven to be wrong. It is now acceptable even to its bitter enemies namely USA and Israel as the true and popularly elected party of Egyptian people.

Its role in bringing the Israeli-Palestinians conflict to a peaceful end has won her laurels and appreciation of the international community. Democratic credentials are the best weapon for internal and external goodwill.  Democracy mirrors the collective will of the people and thus emerges as an acceptable vehicle of peace, conciliation. It brings about progress and uplift of a state through people’s chosen representatives.

We would counsel the hawks in Pakistan’s political arena to tone down their aggressive rhetoric and join the quest, mission and journey for a better and democratic Pakistan and take part in the next elections with all the enthusiasm and sincerity they can muster.

It is a rehashed and updated version of my article on the same theme.

The writer is a senior journalist and a former diplomat.

 please write us at [email protected]

 

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Pakistan Army : Myth & Reality

Pakistan Army : Myth & Reality 

 

 

Dr Farrukh Saleem
December 02, 2012

The army should not indulge in politics. Definitely not. The army should not be buying off politicians. No question about it. Every citizen of Pakistan, whether an army general or a civilian minister, should be punished if found guilty by a court of law. Absolutely no debate about that one either.

Yes, the army would have to learn that a unidimensional national security strategy singularly focused on ‘defence’ cannot guarantee the longevity of the Pakistani nation-state. Yes, our future really depends on three ‘Ds’, not one. And they are: defence, development and diplomacy. Let us now dissect some long-held myths:

Myth 1: Pakistan’s military eats up the largest chunk of our budget. Not true. The largest chunk goes for servicing domestic debt and the second largest chunk is eaten up by losses at public sector enterprises like the Pepco, PIA, Pakistan Steel and Pakistan Railways. The third largest chunk is routinely allocated for the Public Sector Development Programme. In 2012-13, the fourth largest chunk, an amount of Rs545 billion, was allocated for ‘defence affairs and services’.

Myth 2: The military consumes a very high percentage of government expenditures. Not true. In 2012-13, ‘Defence Affairs and Services’ consumed a meagre 17 percent of all government expenditures. What that means is that a full 83 percent of all government expenditures are non-defence related.

Myth 3: Over time, our expenditures on the military have been on an increase. Not true. In the 90s, our defence budget used to be 3.6 percent of the GDP. Since then there has been a steady decline. In 2012-13, allocation for defence was under 2.5 percent of the GDP – a 33 percent decline over a decade.

Myth 4: We spend a very high percentage of our GDP on defence. Not true. There are at least fifty countries that spend a higher percentage of their GDP on defence. They include: India, Egypt, Sri Lanka, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, France, Eritrea, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Liberia, Brunei, Syria, Kuwait, Yemen, Angola, Singapore, Greece, Iran, Bahrain, Djibouti, Morocco, Chile, Lebanon, Russia, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Namibia, Guinea, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria, Serbia and Montenegro, Armenia, Botswana, Ukraine, Uganda, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Lesotho and Sudan.

Myth 5: The Pakistan Army has received billions of dollars in the form of coalition support funds. Not true. Of the $10 billion that the US claims to have reimbursed to the government of Pakistan, the army has received a total of $1.8 billion (presumably the rest has gone into filling the deficit). Remember; the $1.8 billion is not additional funds for the army but mere reimbursements for expenses already incurred under the ‘war on terror’.

Myth 6: Commercial undertakings by the military are a burden on our economy. Not true. To begin with, commercial undertakings have literally nothing to do with active duty personnel – and everything to do with the welfare of retired soldiers. Defence Housing Societies are self-financing and popular both among investors and residents (because of superior management and security of title). Fauji Fertilizer, a public limited company, for instance, contributed a wholesome Rs91 billion to the tax kitty.

And now some facts:

Fact 1: Current losses at our public sector enterprises can pay for 100 percent of our defence budget.

Fact 2: Pakistan’s armed forces are the sixth largest but our expenses per soldier are the lowest. America spends nearly $400,000 per soldier, India $25,000 and Pakistan $10,000.

Fact 3: Pakistan’s armed forces undertook successful operations like Operation Rah-e-Haq (Swat), Operation Sherdil (Bajaur), Operation Zalzala (Spinkai) and Operation Rah-e-Nijat (SWA) without any significant additional financial allocation.

Fact 4: Of all the armies in the world, Pak Army is the largest contributor of troops to the UN peacekeeping missions. Of all the armies in the world, Pak Army has received the highest number of UN medals.

The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. Email: [email protected]

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