Amjad Iqbal Malik graduated from Bedfordshire University

CORNERS OF POLITICAL MISADVENTURES

By T.H  Shah

 

T.H. Shah

Nottingham ( T.H. Shah):Thanks to numerous international political shifts and geopolitical scenario of South Asia, Pakistan’s foreign policy confronted many vicissitudes like military adventures with India, Russian inroad on Afghanistan and Pakistan’s involvement in Capitalist camp, Sino-Indo war in its vicinity, and of the late is its participation in war against terrorism. The pattern of Islamabad’s policy within the context of all these factors is reflection of dissonance with the ground realities. The on-going carnage being inflicted by Drone attacks in tribal areas and also by military operations display injudicious political management. Throughout human history, it’s the first instance to observe that the inland army is pitted against the people of its own land claiming scores of innocent lives including women and children.

Behind the smokescreen of this tumultuous political and economic scene, is the remoteness of national interest with the determination of foreign policy. Instead of safeguarding the national interest, vested interests have kept haunting the overall objective of our relations with the foreign powers on account of which the rulers in any interval of time continued feathering their own nests; and the result is the possession of the piles of wealth by these rulers in foreign banks whether they coming from military or civil top-brass. After Asif Ali Zardari scandal of Surrey Palace, former president Rtd. General Pervez Musharraff is reported to have bought Richmond Palace worth fifteen millions pounds in the County of Surrey in London. Where came from this money is the question can be answered in the light of political and military intrigues during his political regimen. Moreover, most of our political leaders are owner of big estates and business in Dubai as well as in European countries. When having a look on NRO, facts become self-evident, for, in the name of political reconciliation those gone scot-free who looted the wealth of this country making teeming millions hapless and helpless.

Economic stability and prosperity of the people is one of the important determinants of foreign policy. The current scenario is indication of system failure in this regard because country is enmeshed in heavy foreign debts, worst balance of payments, inflation and growing poverty.

The necessaries of life going out of people’s access due to decrease in their purchasing power; industry and agriculture are on the downhill at the hands of energy crisis. Apart from financial support from other international development agencies, it is surprising to say that Pakistan is recipient of heavy foreign aid in the name of war against terrorism which comes in billion and trillion rupees, but where this huge sum of money disappears is unknown. If this aid is spent on development projects, welfare of the people, then why poverty is rampant? Reason is the formulation of policy according to the needs of privileged social groups in society. These social groups can be categorized into military and political cliques. Whether it is inflation or energy crisis, disappearance of basic necessaries of life such as sugar, flour and oil etc. these cliques remain unaffected in their cocoons.

Since very inception of Pakistan, military and political cliques have framed social and political system on such pattern which suits their own needs under any circumstances. Military establishment has its own education, health, finance and residential system where civilian are treated with worst discrimination. Children of the poor can not conceive of getting education or medical treatment due to heavy expenditures. From civilians only the affluent rush there for qualitative treatment and services both in health and education. Same is case with political ruling elites who got such a luxurious life style which is inconceivable by political leaders of developed countries. These sections of society have willingly developed such a social system for the common people of the country in which the children of the poor born to serve the affluent. Education and health system provided for the destitute is absolutely outmode and unable to prepare them for dealing with the requirements of modern age. In far-flung areas of Sindh and in the constituency of President Asif Ali Zardari himself, the generations of poor people are destined to live miserable life; these people are deprived of the facilities of health, education and water; and political cliques of these territories have nothing to do with their life except their vote. These people don’t know the value of their vote and unknowingly cast it to continue the state of constant slavedom. This situation is common almost in all rural areas where strong feudal hold prevails.

The body politics of Pakistan revolves round handful of political and military groups whose sole object is to fill their lockers in overseas banks with unfairly earned wealth by exploitation of the poor. Newly nominated finance minister Mr. Hafeez Pasha said that to persuade the overseas Pakistanis to invest in their country is one of his top priorities; but the question arise the billionaires rulers would like to deposit their own wealth in the banks of this poor country? When these rulers divulge their assets before the Election Commission after spending millions of rupees for winning elections, then one cannot help laughing at the poverty of these affluent. For the reinstatement of Chief Justice, the lawyers made many people killed in country-wide strikes, but on an unavailability of sugar, flour, gas and electricity no one bother to come forward to raise voice against this injustice. On the threshold of justice and corridors of power, instead of protecting the rights of people, war of musical chairs seems full in swing. Same rulers who could be seen lamenting over autocratic rule of President Musharraff, state terrorism, poverty, and Drone attacks on tribal areas have become silent spectators now. The nature of parliamentary proceedings sound focussed on the problems of privileged political groups because NRO, seventeen and eight amendment etc. has nothing to do with the problems of the common people.

The land of Pakistan is rich in all resources, and by generating electricity from fierce blowing winds in sandy planes of Sindh, scorching heat of sun and underneath coal in Thur, each and every corner of the country can be made lit. But by doing so can be brought about revolution in the lives of the poor who if come out of the morass of problems will not spare the rulers. In United Kingdom, there is not hydro power station and natural gas, in spite of this there is no single house even in rural areas not deprived of gas and electricity. Its main cause is equitable education system and friendly-oriented socio-economic and political policies for which are pining for the downtrodden peoples of Pakistan.

(The Writer is associated with Press For Peace(PFP) as Director Research. He could be accessed

at: shah@pressforpeace.org.uk )

Tags: Muzaffrabad PaK

Power cuts in Mirpur ignite violent protests

By Tariq Naqash 
Thursday, 25 Mar, 2010

MUZAFFARABAD, March 24: A massive protest against prolonged loadshedding in Mirpur city on Wednesday escalated into pitched battles with police, causing injuries to dozens of people and damage to public and private properties. 

The demonstration was part of a complete shutter down and wheel jam strike. The protest over power outages of upto 18 hours a day was called by a citizens’ action forum of the lakeside city in southern Azad Kashmir.

The protesters initially assembled at Chowk-i-Shaheedan, where a number of leaders delivered fiery speeches, accusing the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) of discriminating against the people of Mirpur “by subjecting them to unscheduled and non-stop loadshedding.”

Warning that they could not tolerate such a treatment, they demanded that their district should be exempted from loadshedding.

The protesters then started a march on the Mangla Road to express indignation outside the Mangla powerhouse, located some 14 kilometres away from the town centre.

However, they came across barricades, erected by the administration, near Sukhiyan village and as they tried to move beyond the obstacles they had to face the wrath of police who after being pelted with stones resorted to use of teargas and baton charge. 

Resultantly, several persons from both sides were injured. Police alleged that the demonstrators also torched a Water and Power Develo-pment Authority vehicle at the scene. 

A group of protesters, which succeeded in making it to the other side of the barrier, was however stopped and pushed back by strong police contingents, amid intense tear gas shelling and baton charge as they moved closer to the powerhouse. 

Back in Mirpur, the angry protestors continued to play hide and seek with the police during which they also torched cables and some other stock in an electricity department’s complaint office as well as an education department vehicle. 

Mirpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said the demonstrators had breached an understanding with the administration that they would not go beyond a certain point. 

“The police were compelled to resort to use of tear gas shelling and a mild baton charge to prevent them from nearing the sensitive installation,” he said, referring to the powerhouse. 

He said talks would be held with Wapda to reduce the duration of loadshedding. 

Earlier in the day, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider also took serious stock of unscheduled and prolonged loadshedding in Mirpur, and asked the central government and Wapda to exempt the residents of Mirpur from power outages in view of the great sacrifices rendered by them for progress and prosperity of Pakistan.(Source www,dawn.com)

Internet threatens rare species, conservationists warn

The internet has emerged as one of the biggest threats to endangered species, according to conservationists who are meeting in Doha, Qatar.

Campaigners say it is easier than ever before to buy and sell anything from live baby lions to polar bear pelts on online auction sites and chatrooms.

The findings were presented at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

Several proposals to give endangered species more protection were defeated.

Delegates will vote on changes to the trade in ivory later this week.

Web effect

"The internet is becoming the dominant factor overall in the global trade in protected species," Paul Todd of the International Fund for Animal Welfare was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

He said thousands of endangered species are regularly traded on the internet, as buyers and sellers take advantage of the anonymity - and vast global market - the world wide web can offer.

Those trying to police illegal sales say the size of problem is almost impossible to estimate. They say the US is the biggest market, but that Europe, China, Russia and Australia also play a large part.

On Sunday, delegates voted to ban all international trade in a rare type of Iranian salamander, the Kaiser's spotted newt, which the World Wildlife Fund says has been devastated by the internet trade.

But more high-profile attempts to ban trade in polar bears, bluefin tuna and rare corals have all failed, leaving environmental activists dismayed, the BBC's Stephanie Hancock reports from Doha.

A proposal from the US and Sweden to regulate the trade in red and pink coral - which is crafted into expensive jewellery and sold extensively on the web - was defeated.

Delegates voted the idea down mostly over concerns the increased regulations might impact poor fishing communities.

(Source BBC News)

Rare Birds spotted in Mangla Lake

CIVIL DICTATORSHIP IN POLITICAL PARTIES

By T.H.Shah

“The political parties created democracy and modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the political parties”   (Schattschneider)

Dictatorship came under plumb criticism with the emergence of democracy as it lays emphasis upon social justice, rule of law and supremacy of human rights without any discrimination. Even in countries with modicum of political consciousness in peoples, dictatorship is regarded as abhorrence. The dawn of democracy has also waned the monarchical rules in the world; and where incumbent has reduced it to the figurehead only with ceremonial powers; whereas in England emotional attachment and conventional nature of the people has lent justification for the existence of monarchy. It is parliament, indeed, stands to be all in all. When roots of democracy become strong, then it gives rise to stability of political and social institutions, efficient dispensation of justice; the values ultimately make welfare state as is the case with most of the developed countries of the world.

Democracy inter per se is nothing without political force which stems from the masses. When rein of power remains in the hands of the masses, vigilant and conscious in political sense, democratic norms and values are always in constant bloom. On the contrary, when the masses are stricken with poverty, deprivation, unemployment and shorn of even the basic necessaries of life, then democracy makes the state El Dorado for vested interests. Same is the case with Pakistan where demagogues trumpet establishment of democracy, but still dictatorship exists in a different guise. Though at present, coups d'état seems dormant, but the squalor of civil dictatorship has enslaved the political system in Pakistan.

The mouthpiece of political forces in democracy is political parties who on winning elections become responsible to administer the whole governmental enterprise. History of democracy is in a sense the history of political struggle by political parties whether in western countries or Islamic countries like to be put moderately. Strong and robust political parties able to ensure representation of citizen and formulation of welfare-oriented policies in a state are inevitable to democracy. The actors in policy formulation and political sages recognise the centrality of political parties to the democracy because the political institutions are able to measure up to the public expectations only if they are well-entrenched in a democratic environment. When political parties become aloof from the citizens and elected leaders restricts themselves in their political cocoons, then happen decline of democratic values resulting extremist and hawkish elements in the society. Political parties in Pakistan have never been in harmony with the democratic model and their failure has given birth to the issues like non-representation of common masses in political system, decline of liberal democratic values, and everywhere the image of the society is misrepresented in political and social sense along with stagnancy in economic development. The political parties in developed European countries resemble with true democratic model. These may have relatives or kith and kin, but their mode of working is set towards the pursuit of democratic values in the society; these values imply economic justice, protection of environment, alleviation of poverty, judicial justice, gender equality, and in total the provision of equal opportunities of development to all the peoples within the state.

The picture is reverse in Pakistan where the whole structure of political parties is designed within the parameters of family members like Pakistan People Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Motehida Qumi Movement (MQM) known to be the most prominent for being in power. Same situation prevails in the rest of political factions or groups characterised with the membership of their own bloods. This evil in political parties has stayed since very inception of the establishment of Pakistan. Feudal nawabs, choudhries, khans, Bhuttos, Wattos, legharis, mazaris, doltanas, tawanas and many other have been overcastted the political system sustaining the status quo in the form of civil dictatorship sidelining the common peoples who still have no say in politics except manipulation of their vote due to ignorance. The plight of the poor in the constituencies the political demagogues belong to is miserable as these political manipulators have willingly barred the avenues for their people that may lead to development and prosperity. The worst injustice, to me, is being done to education system especially in rural areas where schools and education exist in name only while the progenies of these civil dictators are studying in European countries. Education is one of the most important prerequisites of democracy and it has not been given due attention because these civil dictators know well that education will make the peoples free mentally and financially as well and that it will result the breakdown of political slavedom.

Strange phenomenon is the continuous trumpeting of establishing democracy in the country while the political parties by themselves are barren of democratic spirit. No one has even seen internal elections within the political parties, no code of political ethics can be found but same faces same slogans aiming at corruption, nepotism and favouritism. At time when economy is on the downhill, water resources are diminishing leading to energy crisis, debt trap, is widening and country is besieged with the war against terrorism, civil dictators of political parties are engaged in musical chairs being quite oblivious to the gruesome crisis the whole nation is enmeshed. Apart from other social and political ills, the worst is NRO suffice to unveil the so-called supporters of democracy. As basic necessaries of life are disappearing, the people have started missing the halcyon days of the military regimes which in a way ensured the availability of foodstuffs in the market.

The civil dictators of political parties are adept in contriving political structure suiting their own interests regardless of the wears and tears of such individualistic policies upon the peoples’ destiny. Their political regimens is survivable with the ignorance of the masses; when the masses becomes educated, politically aware, no NRO, or Mesak-e-Jamhooriat, eight amendment will be able to withstand against the political accountability of the peoples as mostly happens in Europe and United States.

(Writer is PFP Director research:tajammulhs@gmail.com) 

Terrorism and Internal Security Threats

By

T.H.Shah

The principal concern of Pakistan's national life is security, both internal and external i.e. country's defense from inimical forces from within and without. The temperament of Pakistan foreign policy smacks of peace, security and tranquility not only in South Asia but also on international level. It actively seeks a peaceful international order and strongly adheres to the terms of the UN Charter and UN Declaration of human rights.

Pakistan holds the standpoint that any territorial acquisition by force is totally unacceptable, and it has always sought and advocated peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes. Despite this policy of peace which is hallmark of Pakistan's ideology and orientation, the first quarters of its existence catapulted it into three military quagmires i.e. war of 1947, 1965 and 1971.

In making the fabric of Pakistan foreign policy, the main determinants playing crucial role have been Indian threats due to occupation of Kashmir, relations with USA and China, economic security and relations with the Muslim world. But the drop scene of Cold War, dismemberment of USSR, proclamation itself as a nuclear state, and tragedies of 09/11 and 07/07 have put some serious challenges to the managers of foreign policy both the civil and military echelons. Its foreign policy underwent tremendous change with the involvement of war against terrorism coupled with religious extremism. Currently, the Pakistan’s security centers round the factors like defense and terrorism, extermination of Jihadi culture from the society, sectarian strife and killings, infiltration of foreign terrorist groups in the Tribal Areas of the country as happened in the vale of Swat. Though Pakistan is wishful of maintaining cordial relations with India, but Indian intentions and attitudes within the pretext of enhanced military preparation have direct bearings on Pakistan’s national security.

Pakistan has always framed its foreign policy keeping in view the factors like Indian threat, Occupied Kashmir, strategic relations with USA and China, economic security both at internal and external, and its relations with the Muslim world. But subsequent to the end of cold war, crumbling down of USSR and proclaiming itself as nuclear state and the tragedy of 9/11, the course of its foreign policy has changed. It had to reorient its foreign policy in the light of terrorism, the propaganda widely trumpeted by the Western countries of the world. Pakistan wants normalization of relations with India, but Indian hostility, intentions and attitudes, and enhanced military preparations have direct imprints on Pakistan's national security.

As far as terrorism is concerned, Pakistan is quite opponent to this social demon which is construction of vested interests. It avowedly criticizes it in whatsoever form and manifestation it exists not only on the land of Pakistan but on every part of the world. It is recognizable fact that the most affected ones in war against terrorism is Pakistan whose military forces are in war on its own land. To counter the menace the on diplomatic level, Pakistan has signed 11 of the 12 international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism and is a party to 10.

Subsequent to 9/11 tragedy, the Government of Pakistan has taken many laudable steps to counter the threats of terrorism which include becoming partner in global coalition against terrorism and also waging war in the tribal areas considered to be the abode of terrorists. Pakistan’s military is in cooperation with USA and government has also banned several militant and sectarian groups in the country. In similar, pursuant to its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1267, 1333, 1390, and 1455, Pakistan continues to work with the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to freeze the assets of individuals and groups identified as terrorist entities linked to al-Qaida or the Taliban. In 2002, the United States and Pakistan established the Working Group on Counter-terrorism and Law-Enforcement Cooperation. The meetings provide a forum for discussing ongoing US-Pakistani efforts, as well as a means for improving capabilities and cooperation. Pakistan provides significant assistance in the investigation of international terrorism. Still Pakistan is making its best efforts to counter the Al-Qaida terrorists. In beginning it provided diplomatic and logistic support to the military coalition forces but later on it itself jumped into the war whose circumference is on the rise.

Moreover, government of Pakistan both under military and civil set-up has conceded due attention to the implicit and likely threats of terrorism from Deeni Madaris (Conventional Religious Schools) considered by the western decision makers as “breeding factories of terrorism” It has some reality as some terrorists arrested has been found studying in the Madaris. But is doesn’t mean all Deeni Madaris are involved in violent Jihad; it maligns the good name of Deeni Madaris. To rectify the situation, government has taken revolutionary measures and subjected all Deeni Madaris to official registration with introduction of teaching modern knowledge focusing upon study of civic and social sciences. This all have been done under Religious Training System and Madrassas Reform Program aiming at bringing the religious seminaries into the main stream of the education culture. Even now the attempts to regularize all the Madrassas are in action and the students of these essentially religious institutions would get the opportunity to learn modern subjects like English, Economics and Computer Sciences. This is indeed a great step forward for the cause of literacy in the country as well as for religious seminaries for earning social and international acceptance.

Fighting terrorism is in the interest of Pakistan because it encourages sectarianism and has been a destabilizing factor in the country. There can be neither development nor local or foreign investment without stability and peace in the region, and terrorism cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Extremists in any society are in a minority but Pakistan in general and Islamic world in particular is facing a formidable challenge on all fronts. It should be understood that concept of Enlightened Moderation as presented by Ex President Musharraff in his address to OIC summit in Malaysia, is not a new phenomenon in Islam as Islam is itself a religion of peace, brotherhood, liberality and tolerance in all spheres of life. The need and challenge before all the Muslim countries is how to interpret the modern civic and sociological trends within the universal teaching of Islam.

(Writer is Director Research Press For Peace  : tajammulhs@gmail.com)