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Old Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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Default Editorial: The Nation

September/08/08
Need to walk the talk

IT was good to hear Mr Asif Ali Zardari reiterate on Saturday, while addressing partymen and wellwishers on having been elected President of the country, that Parliament was sovereign and the President subservient to it. That should put to rest any doubt about the possibility of his retaining the notorious Article 58(2b) and any other amendments in the basic document that have lent it an undemocratic colour. One expects that the President-elect's first priority would be to have such provisions removed.
Deleting the draconian accretions to the Constitution apart, President Zardari would have to ensure that all those who represent his party, including the Punjab Governor, do not indulge in uncouth and provocative language and pick a row with the PML(N), which apparently has become the target of some of them. Mian Nawaz Sharif's party has unequivocally demonstrated its majority in the Punjab Assembly during the presidential poll, and to talk of bringing it down and berating Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif are highly unbecoming. The PPP, led by President Zardari, has been proclaiming the defence of democracy and preservation of the federation as its mission. One should expect him to walk the talk and rein in those elements in the PPP's midst, who are itching to disrupt the process of democracy taking root. At the same time, PML(N) leaders must not respond to such provocative remarks; for that would once again open an ugly chapter in the two parties' relations.
Letting the federation's different units function smoothly in the spirit of the Constitution would make it possible for President Zardari to take everyone along in the uphill task of solving the people's multifarious problems. The acute economic woes have broken their back and before desperation sets in, the government would have to do something to check the inflationary pressures. An imperative of the situation is to put an end to the practice of cronyism and favouritism. People of proven merit should be roped in to set the economic house in order, and in this respect the best course would be to hold consultation with the business and industrial classes to learn how they visualise bailing out the country from the current dire straits. Widespread incidence of corruption is another potent factor that tends to defeat all good intentions of the policymakers. This corrosive malady has to be taken head-on, if the general public has to have a taste of genuine democracy. As none of these issues can wait, the President-elect must do all he can to maintain political harmony to facilitate their resolution.


Another ghastly act

A suicide bombing at a police checkpost in Peshawar on Saturday, which left 30 people dead and around 80 others wounded, needs to be condemned in the strongest possible manner. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the checkpost and two nearby markets. A number of bodies are reportedly still lying under the rubble. A news report, meanwhile, quoted police sources as indicating that the explosives, weighing between 35 kg and 40 kg, were equal in strength to the one used in the bombing of the FIA building in Lahore early this year. The NWFP Police Chief told the media that after receiving intelligence that a suicide car bomber would target the Provincial Assembly building on Saturday, the entire area was declared a 'red' zone to pre-empt the entry of subversive elements.
This was the second ghastly act after the double suicide hit at the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah, about a fortnight ago, for which the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan readily claimed responsibility. A security official believed that Saturday's attack could be a backlash of the Army's intensified campaign against militants hiding in the tribal region. That the TTP is not only hurling threats, but is actually carrying out terrorist acts, should be a cause of concern for our security establishment. Soon after the Ordnance Factory attacks, Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar was quoted by a newspaper as warning the government that more such attacks would be made across the country if the military operations in Darra Adamkhel, Swat and Bajaur were not immediately stopped. It would not have been hard to fathom the enormity of the disaster had the bomber driving an explosive-laden vehicle succeeded in reaching the provincial assembly building which was swarmed by political workers on the occasion of the presidential poll. There is no doubt that this time around the Peshawar Police acted vigilantly. But generally security inside cities does not seem to be tight enough to make it difficult for militants to carry out terrorist acts as and when they so desire.
President Asif Zardari has identified terrorism as one of the major challenges facing the country and warned that if suicide bombers continued their activities "we will use our might to eliminate them." There is no denying the fact the government should not waver in its resolve to curb militancy, but for that its reliance should not only be on the use of force. It bears repeating to those at the helm of the democratic dispensation that in order to resolve the crisis, administrative measures should go in tandem with political means.


The food crisis

EVEN though the provincial government had promised wheat flour at Rs 300 per 20kg bag by the beginning of Ramazan, nearly a week of the holy month has passed without the promise being fulfilled to a large measure. No doubt the situation has eased a little in the sense that trucks loaded with this staple food item are seen selling it at certain designated spots at prescribed rates. However, that helps but a small minority; generally, the shops keep charging exorbitant prices and most people have nowhere else to go. The government's Sasta Bazaars at which wheat, along with other edibles, were supposed to be available at official rates are hardly operating. The situation has occurred despite Shahbaz Sharif being the Chief Minister, under whom previously Ramazan meant free availability of all kinds of edibles at controlled rates, at least in the Sasta Bazaars, which had a knock-on effect on the permanent markets.
The current political crisis is hardly to blame, for there was not much intelligence or effort required to find out which were the trouble areas in terms of supply for Ramazan, and then concentrating on them. Flour was reasonably obvious, with the crisis ongoing and not new. Once wheat goes down, it should act on other items, which have been overpriced for Ramazan, notably edibles.
Until the Shahbaz government gets the supply part of the equation right, it cannot hope for a positive impact on prices. In fact, it should have got them right some time ago, for the impact to be felt during Ramazan. Even if it gets them right at once, the impact may not be felt, in terms of falling prices, until the holy month is towards its end, or is actually over. However, the scale of the human suffering witnessed in the beginning of Ramazan has been such that any reduction, whenever it occurs, will only be welcomed. No one expects Mian Shahbaz Sharif to do anything new, or even to improve upon past performance, but merely to repeat what he has already done.


Voted to power

MR Asif Ali Zardari's victory over his rivals by a wide margin to become the 12th President of the country was a foregone conclusion. He obtained 479 electoral votes against PML(N) candidate Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui's 153 and PML(Q) candidate Mushahid Hussain Sayed's 43, as the counting at the National Assembly, the Senate and four provincial assemblies came to an end on Saturday afternoon. Enjoying the support of several other parties, the PPP's Co-Chairman will be perhaps Pakistan's most powerful civilian head of state, especially with the fate of 58(2)(b) and the 17th amendment not yet clearly determined. And unless his political support wanes, he would, in effect, retain undisputed control over affairs of the state, even though he would have these constitutional appendages removed. Now, all and sundry, both from within and the outside world that is worried at the rising phenomenon of militancy in the tribal areas and the unending violence in Afghanistan, would be having their eyes on him to see whether he is able to deliver.
On the domestic front, the people not yet fully reconciled with Mr Zardari's fortuitous ascent to power would have great expectations of his government. The promised vesting of real power in the office of prime minister by making him the effective chief executive, corresponding to the practice prevalent in recognised parliamentary democracies of the world, has been a most basic demand of all political parties, including the PPP. An ineffective prime minister has been one of their major grouses against former President Musharraf. Would he, then, divest himself of the authority to dismiss the parliament and exercise undemocratic power in other fields by getting rid of 58(2)(b) and the 17th amendment of the constitution? The precarious economic situation made worse by the mounting inflationary spiral, particularly of food products, and despondency in the industrial and commercial sectors because of lack of a well-directed policy is another of the public's concern giving them sleepless nights.
Going by the recent armed action by Pakistan's security forces on the anti-terror front, the United States, which is preoccupied with the thought of Al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries in the tribal belt serving as a principal support behind defiance of its authority across the border, would not be unhappy at his elevation to the presidency. Notwithstanding what foreign reports about Mr Zardari's commitment to Washington on aggressively pursuing the War On Terror, the people of Pakistan sincerely hope that their elected representative would not repeat history and adopt anti-people policies à la Musharraf. Not only their sensitivities but also the supreme national interest call for negotiated rather than military solution to the problem.


Second best option

MANY had considered the alliance between the PPP and PML(N), which had initially formed the nucleus of the ruling coalition, as the best available option to deal with the country's economic woes and militancy and for strengthening democracy. While Prime Minister Gilani has said the PML(N) would again be invited to join the government after the restoration of the deposed judges, there is little likelihood of this happening after the government's decision requiring the deposed CJ to take a new oath and to act subsequently as subordinate to the incumbent CJ. This seems to have made parting of ways irrevocable. Mian Nawaz Sharif has meanwhile called on the PPP to sit on the opposition benches in Punjab Assembly following the example of his party in the NA and Senate. This too indicates that the PML(N) has decided to take on the role of the opposition
The second best option is now for the PPP and PML(N) to maintain relations on the basis of the principle of peaceful co-existence wherein differences are kept within well defined limits so that they do not overturn the applecart. The parties are well within their right to criticise each other's policies without indulging in character assassination. What they need most is to respect each other's mandate and continue to maintain working relations. Both parties have demonstrated their respective strength in the Presidential elections and it is amply clear that the PPP has the requisite majority at the Centre whereas the PML(N) has the majority in the Punjab. Hence the PML(N) should do nothing to destabilize the PPP government at the Centre while it should be allowed to hold Punjab where it has emerged as the largest single party after the February elections. Attempts to remove it through wheeling dealing at the behest of the Centre would create doubts about the PPP's commitment to provincial autonomy. Similarly recourse to no confidence moves against the federal government or calls for shutter down strikes and road and rail marches have to be avoided because attempts of the sort tend to endanger the economy which is already in bad shape. What is more, they help the Establishment to keep the elected government under thumb or remove it when it suits it.
The PPP and PML(N) have signed the Charter of Democracy which strictly forbids them from conspiring with the offstage players. While they are divided over a number of issues, they have committed themselves to changes in the system to strengthen democracy in the country. The 17th Amendment has to go and 58(2)(b) struck down. They have also agreed to form an independent and powerful Election Commission and set up a number of bodies to ensure the rule of law and good governance. Unless they cooperate to bring about the agreed changes, their credibility would be at stake.


A reign of terror

THE naked US aggression on our soil is fast complicating the Pak-American equation. A number of people including two women and three children were reported dead in a fresh airstrike near the Pak-Afghan border in North Waziristan on Friday. This is the third attack in three days and has raised fears about Pakistan's support in the war. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid has rightly remarked that Pakistan would hit back in future. Commenting on the situation with particular reference to Angoor Ada attack, the first ground assault into Pakistani territory, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said that had the FC troops been there they would have challenged the US forces. Certainly no one wants a direct confrontation with the world's sole superpower but the US had better behave more responsibly. Unfortunately there appears little hope that it is willing to do so. It is a pity that Pentagon officials and military commanders while responding to offensive against Taliban strongholds in Pakistan have threatened that more attacks could occur in the days to come.
In the meanwhile, a major supply line of NATO starting from Indian Ocean's seaport of Karachi into Afghanistan via Torkham has been blocked by the government. The coalition forces should get the message: the war cannot be won without Pakistan's support. The US must also understand that attacks of the sort would do more harm than good and only damage the cause of fighting the scourge. There is no disputing military spokesman's warning that the US adventurism could provoke the tribal population into a rebellion against Islamabad. Thousands of tribesmen chanting 'Allahu Akbar' in South Waziristan bear testimony to that.
The sincerity of Pakistan in reining in terrorism should be beyond doubt as recently it has carried out a successful operation in tribal region and is making headway in establishing its writ there. Violating our national and territorial sovereignty would reverse all that.
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Old Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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September/09/08
A word of caution

MIAN Nawaz Sharif has called on President-elect Asif Zardari before proceeding to London, without there being any breakthrough in the talks. The PML-N has also formally submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat Ch Nisar Ali Khan's application for being nominated Leader of the Opposition. The party has also reiterated the demand that the PPP withdraw from the Punjab cabinet. Unless Mr Zardari restores in a surprise move all the remaining judges and agrees to the appointment of Justice Iftikhar as the Chief Justice, there is little chance of the fulfilment of his desire to have a genuinely broad-based coalition running the country. Whether the PPP sits on the opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly or not, the PML-N should try to develop a working relationship with it. At the same time the PPP should not deprive the PML-N of its mandate to rule the province. Any attempt in that direction would revive the post-1988 rivalries and constitute the first step towards the unravelling of the democratic system. Commitment to the principle of provincial autonomy would require that the Centre does not take recourse to the ploys available to it to destabilize the Punjab administration. Let the two-party system, that was being formed before the 1999 coup, be revived and allowed to function without recourse to conspiracies and vendettas. It is time the two mainstream parties run the country in accordance with the Charter of Democracy.
The most vital issue on the government's agenda after Mr Zardari is sworn in is to restore the Constitution to its original shape. While talking to a US TV channel, President-elect Zardari emphasized that Parliament was to be supreme and that he would hand over many responsibilities to it. How the Constitution is to be amended and what precise powers need to be handed over to the Prime Minister is clearly and unambiguously defined in the Charter of Democracy signed by both Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif. In the words of the accord, "The 1973 constitution as on 12th October 1999 before the military coup shall be restored with the provisions of joint electorates, minorities and women's reserved seats on closed party list in the Parliament, the lowering of the voting age and the increase in seats in Parliament, and the Legal Framework Order 2000 and the 17th Constitutional Amendment shall be replaced accordingly." Further, "The appointment of the Governors, the three services chiefs and the CJCSC shall be made by the Chief Executive who is the Prime Minister as per the 1973 constitution." The best tribute to Benazir Bhutto would be to carry out earnestly all the provisions contained in the Charter regarding constitutional changes.
Sycophants at home and vested interests abroad would like Mr. Zardari to be a powerful head of state like former President Musharraf. Falling victim to the lure of power had set into motion events that finally led to the downfall of Mian Nawaz Sharif. To avoid a similar fate, President-elect Zardari should fulfill the undertakings given in the CoD in letter and spirit.

A flawed strategy

THE War on Terror has certainly veered off track, forcing Pakistan to seriously rethink its policy in the global struggle. The attacks, which were a rarity a year ago, have become somewhat of a routine and incline one to think it was no more Iraq or Afghanistan, but Pakistan which is the new fault line. At least 20 people were killed, and many injured, including women and children, in an attack on a residential compound believed to have been owned by Jalaludin Haqqani, a local Taliban leader who at the time of attack was in Afghanistan. A number of houses surrounding the target were also razed to the ground, causing fear among the local population.
However there is a pattern to these raids. It was after talks at the highest level, particularly those aboard the Abraham Lincoln between COAS Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and US commanders, that something went wrong. Though statements from both sides confirmed that a framework had been hammered out in areas of counterterrorism, the fact is that the number of attacks into Pakistani territory increased manifold. It is a pity that the air strike yesterday was the fourth attack in five days. The number of people killed now stands at well over 60, most of them civilians. Contrast this situation with the Afghan war. Despite the all-out support given to the US-led Afghan resistance, comprising the Mujahideen, the Soviets never attacked directly inside Pakistan.
It is worrisome to learn that Pentagon officials have warned that missile strikes of the sort could continue indefinitely. Add to it the hostile statements by presidential candidate Barack Obama, particularly his recent one about the country diverting $10 billion in aid from counter-insurgency operations to a military build-up against India. On the other hand, the volley of attacks since they were few and far between in the days of Musharraf also points attention to the fact that the US was not that happy with the civilian set-up and wanted someone submissive like the general toeing their line without raising any fuss. Thus by creating trouble in our tribal region and forcing the tribal population to stand up against the government, the US seems intent on destabilizing the democratic regime. This would be contradictory to the US claims of supporting democracy throughout the world. Moreover, by taking the war to Pakistan, the US wants to sell the idea around that its struggle had been successful. The reality is that the world is now a more dangerous place to live.

Causes of distrust

PRIME Minister Manmohan Singh's congratulatory message to President-elect Asif Ali Zardari, indeed, contains noble thoughts about turning the corner in Pakistan-India relations that "responds to the aspirations of our two people". There is little doubt that like anywhere else in the world most people in the two countries would like to have friendly ties with their neighbours to live in peace and harmony. But mutual trust that invariably serves as the bedrock of such an equation is woefully lacking between Pakistan and India, and that makes the development of a relationship of understanding improbable.
A dispassionate assessment of what went wrong to create a climate of distrust would point a finger at the Indian leadership taking the helm soon after Partition. Unfortunately, the succeeding generations of leaders have continued to pursue the adversarial policies rather than look at the sources of tension and try to remove them.
By far the biggest bone of contention is the Jammu and Kashmir state that India forcibly occupied and has stubbornly refused to vacate despite commitments enshrined in the UNSC resolutions and made directly to the occupied people that it would settle the matter in line with the wishes of the people expressed through a UN-sponsored plebiscite. But subsequently it stymied all attempts of UN representatives to hold a plebiscite. The two countries went to war more than once on this issue and the people rose in rebellion to get out of its clutches. New Delhi has not spared any repressive means to put down that freedom struggle, which remains alive despite the loss of more than 80,000 people. Against all canons of law and justice it is planning to build a large number of dams in Held Kashmir to deprive Pakistan, the lower riparian, of this vital ingredient of life. India should listen to the sincere voices in the country, like that of Arundhati Roy, who has pleaded with the leadership to recall the troops and let the issue be resolved in line with the people's wishes.
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Old Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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Lesson to learn

10/ sep/ 2008

AFGHAN Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta's observation that the battle against insurgents in Afghanistan must be taken to its "breeding ground" in Pakistan is in line with President Hamid Karzai's policy of passing the buck onto Islamabad for his government's failure to curb terrorism in his country. The comment coincided with the US drones attack in Miranshah on Monday, fourth in the latest series of cross-border strikes, that left 20 people killed and many others injured. Mr Spanta, who is in Berlin for talks with his German counterpart, told journalists that the ideological and military training camps for extremists active in Afghanistan were in the mountains of Pakistan, and "we need to stop that. We must not give them a chance to use terror as an instrument of foreign policy." It is no surprise to see him indulge in a vicious blame game. After all, he represents Mr Karzai, whose utterances are often found to disobey any diplomatic norm.
The US attacks that came in the run-up to the presidential elections and continued afterwards as well, were certainly aimed at pressurizing Pakistan to intensify its efforts to curb terrorism in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan. But instead of reproaching the Bush Administration for carrying out missile strikes on our territory and killing innocent citizens, the government simply described these attacks as violations of our sovereignty and interference in our internal affairs. This muted response will only strengthen the perception that the current democratic dispensation will further capitulate to the US diktat in the days to come. The Americans are already propagating the new civilian set-up in Islamabad as fully supporting their counterinsurgency strategy and participating in the US-led actions against militants. The White House spokesman told a press briefing on Monday that Pakistan's civilian government now fully stood with the US in the fight against the militants, whereas her counterpart at the State Department simply evaded a question on the recent missile strikes, saying "I have seen a lot of news reports...I'll refer you to the Pakistani government for any comment." But his observation that the Pentagon was investigating a missile attack in Afghanistan indicates that the US is more concerned about the security situation on the other side of the Durand Line.
President Zardari's initiative to invite Mr Karzai to his oath-taking ceremony may help in containing the Afghan government's brinkmanship towards Pakistan. Both neighbours can fight the battle against terrorism more effectively by reinforcing each other, rather than indulging in the blame game. Islamabad must also compel Washington to adhere to the agreed principle of intelligence sharing, instead of violating its sovereignty over and over again. Otherwise, the democratic dispensation will be seen doing the US bidding á la Musharraf.

Chinese offer

THE highlight of President Asif Zardari's first visit abroad, to China, is to be a deal on nuclear issues similar to that the USA has tried to offer India, which would involve cooperation in the civilian sector on applications of nuclear technology. This has come after the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which China is a member, agreed that Pakistan should be allowed to receive civilian technology, as much as other states. It was announced by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, during a visit to New Delhi, that China hoped to fulfill the needs of all parties, while acting as a member of the NSG. When this is combined with the Chinese announcement that it would sign with Pakistan, during President Zardari's visit, an MOU on nuclear energy cooperation.
This is not to be ascribed to the superior diplomacy of President Zardari, for Pakistan had raised the issue at the time that the USA offered India nuclear unprecedented civilian-technology cooperation, more than two years ago, in exchange for India opening its non-military nuclear sites for inspection, even though it was not a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Pakistan demanded equal treatment, especially when the deal clearly overcame the non-proliferation regime that had been put in place to stop more states from testing nuclear weapons. India violated this ban as early as 1974, and again in 1998, when Pakistan, provoked deliberately by India beyond endurance, also responded. The USA tried to work out ways of overlooking India's development of nuclear weapons, and came up with the civilian nuclear cooperation idea, which once again accorded India special status and left Pakistan out in the cold. It was thus natural for Pakistan to ask the USA to be even-handed in its treatment of sovereign states, and to accord it a similar deal. The USA demurred, but Pakistan's all-weather friend, China, agreed in principle, except inasmuch as it was bound by its international agreements, such as by virtue of its membership of the NSG. Now that the NSG has agreed to accommodate India, China obviously feels freer to let Pakistan have the civilian nuclear cooperation that will bring something like 2000 MW online. With the persisting power shortages, these power plants will be more than welcome; they are essential to the future of not just our industry but our agriculture as well.
Such agreements are hammered out by diplomats well in advance, and President Zardari is only going on a visit planned for his predecessor. But it will be to his credit that the nuclear cooperation deal with China will go.

Limiting the damage

THE statement by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif the other day that he was not concerned about Governor Punjab Salman Taseer badmouthing his party shows that the political temperature is far from normal. While there is no denying his assertion that his government in the province enjoys the people's mandate, his subsequent warning to the Centre that it should brace itself for a crisis in case an attempt is made at destabilising the provincial government seems to carry an unfriendly undertone. This will doubtless increase the acrimony between the two main political parties in the country and put the future of the Punjab government in jeopardy.
Now that Mr Zardari has lived up to the expectations of his party, fulfilling the promise that the Presidency will house a PPP diehard, he should take up the issue of reconciliation between the two mainstream parties with renewed interest. A day ago he took appropriate notice of Mr Taseer's uncalled-for criticism of the PML(N) and stopped him from giving irresponsible statements. That prompted Mr Taseer on Monday to confirm that no one would destabilize the Punjab government. That should certainly help assuage the worsening scenario on both fronts, but the reality is that it was the appointment of the governor that proved to be the problem. Just after assuming office, Mr Taseer, through his anti-PML(N) posture, sidestepped the job ascribed to him by the Constitution which requires the governor to play a non-partisan role, brought the two parties at loggerheads.
The country's present situation demands more political wisdom from its politicians. Settling scores or playing the politics of vendetta will lead nowhere, except to increasing the misery of the people who still look up to their leadership for the redress of their grievances. There is little doubt that bitterness between the two parties had already sapped a lot of government's energy in matters of governance. The present state of the economy, and the general restlessness, is a proof of that.

A word of caution

MIAN Nawaz Sharif has called on President-elect Asif Zardari before proceeding to London, without there being any breakthrough in the talks. The PML-N has also formally submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat Ch Nisar Ali Khan's application for being nominated Leader of the Opposition. The party has also reiterated the demand that the PPP withdraw from the Punjab cabinet. Unless Mr Zardari restores in a surprise move all the remaining judges and agrees to the appointment of Justice Iftikhar as the Chief Justice, there is little chance of the fulfilment of his desire to have a genuinely broad-based coalition running the country. Whether the PPP sits on the opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly or not, the PML-N should try to develop a working relationship with it. At the same time the PPP should not deprive the PML-N of its mandate to rule the province. Any attempt in that direction would revive the post-1988 rivalries and constitute the first step towards the unravelling of the democratic system. Commitment to the principle of provincial autonomy would require that the Centre does not take recourse to the ploys available to it to destabilize the Punjab administration. Let the two-party system, that was being formed before the 1999 coup, be revived and allowed to function without recourse to conspiracies and vendettas. It is time the two mainstream parties run the country in accordance with the Charter of Democracy.
The most vital issue on the government's agenda after Mr Zardari is sworn in is to restore the Constitution to its original shape. While talking to a US TV channel, President-elect Zardari emphasized that Parliament was to be supreme and that he would hand over many responsibilities to it. How the Constitution is to be amended and what precise powers need to be handed over to the Prime Minister is clearly and unambiguously defined in the Charter of Democracy signed by both Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif. In the words of the accord, "The 1973 constitution as on 12th October 1999 before the military coup shall be restored with the provisions of joint electorates, minorities and women's reserved seats on closed party list in the Parliament, the lowering of the voting age and the increase in seats in Parliament, and the Legal Framework Order 2000 and the 17th Constitutional Amendment shall be replaced accordingly." Further, "The appointment of the Governors, the three services chiefs and the CJCSC shall be made by the Chief Executive who is the Prime Minister as per the 1973 constitution." The best tribute to Benazir Bhutto would be to carry out earnestly all the provisions contained in the Charter regarding constitutional changes.
Sycophants at home and vested interests abroad would like Mr. Zardari to be a powerful head of state like former President Musharraf. Falling victim to the lure of power had set into motion events that finally led to the downfall of Mian Nawaz Sharif. To avoid a similar fate, President-elect Zardari should fulfill the undertakings given in the CoD in letter and spirit.
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Old Thursday, September 11, 2008
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Elusive and vague

sep/11/2008

SOON after taking oath, President Asif Zardari addressed a joint press conference along with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This was rather unusual as people expect the newly elected President, during his first public exposure, to underline his priorities. President Karzai leads neighbouring Afghanistan, a country with which we share common faith, culture, and ethnicity along with also a number of serious problems. Of late his government has unleashed a smear campaign against Islamabad. Only a day before his arrival in Islamabad, his Foreign Minister had advised the US troops to take their war on terror inside Pakistan.
To many Pakistanis, the joint press conference indicated that President Zardari's foremost priority was the pursuit of the War on Terror in collaboration with Kabul, and the US and NATO troops. There are many who see the War on Terror as America's war and insist that national interests, rather than Washington's concerns, need to be given priority. There is also a perception that the government has gradually abandoned the multi-pronged approach to fight militancy that best suits the country in favour of military operations, under American pressure. Others think that instead of lodging half-hearted protests, as President Zardari also did, Washington needs to be told firmly that its attacks inside Pakistan's tribal areas, which have increased during the last few days, are in violation of the country's sovereignty and are simply unacceptable. If the government wants to change its strategy vis-à-vis dealing with the militants or on how to respond to Kabul's provocations, it has to take all domestic stakeholders, Parliament being the most important, into confidence.
President Zardari was not as prepared for questions as many had expected. He was by and large vague while responding to questions about inflation, abrogation of the 17th Amendment and an indemnity to former President Musharraf. He failed to mention how the government was going to fulfill its election pledge of roti, kapra aur makan. He remained non-responsive when asked about the restoration of the remaining deposed judges. His response to a question about the proposed gas pipeline with Iran was evasive and created doubts about the government's intentions. What he said about 'good news' regarding Kashmir within a month was promptly countered by an Indian spokesman, who displayed ignorance of any move in the direction, and said no talks had been held with the PPP's present leadership on the issue. Hopefully, President Zardari would be better prepared and more precise when he addresses Parliament in days to come.

Washington's word

WHILE greeting President Asif Zardari on telephone after his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, President Bush pledged full support to Pakistan in its efforts to meet the challenge of terrorism, but his spokeswoman expressed her confidence that President Zardari would do what was right for the country "regardless of public opinion." The blatantly undemocratic advice, openly tendered, by the country that is never found wanting to praise the absolute necessity of adopting democratic principles sounds, in the first flush, quite bizarre. But then Mr Bush has for long been ignoring the majority view in the US on the unjust war in Iraq and one could not have expected anything better from the White House spokeswoman; rather, where American interests are involved, the US is known for not bothering about matters like the popularity of rulers or their policies.
Nevertheless, if President Zardari has to take the nation along, he must pay heed to what the people think and feel. Mr Bush, coming to the end of his term at the White House, might be in a hurry to score points with his people to boost the prospects of the Republican presidential hopeful. However, the Pakistani leadership ought to do things that clearly are in the national interest. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is right in engaging in plain talk about the deaths of innocent civilians as a result of American attacks in Pakistani territory. Loss of human lives cannot simply be explained away, as Mr Bush did during his speech at the National Defence University, by words like the history of human warfare proved its inevitable occurrence and that the US "mourns every innocent life lost". When there is an element of deliberate disregard of life, his point loses all value and recalls the era of barbaric warfare when the idea of human rights was pooh-poohed.
The nascent political set-up of Pakistan must not bow before the US wishes and make sure that national interests are under no circumstances put on the line.

A working relationship

PM(N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif should be complimented for responding positively to Mr Asif Ali Zardari's elevation to the office of President. Highlighting the need for both parties to develop a consensus on various issues, he said that it was now up to the PPP to decide about the fate of their partnership. His plea that all should extend support to the PPP to complete its term deserves praise. This would surely help assuage the rising temperature on both sides. While one hopes that President Zardari will react earnestly to Mian Nawaz' call, there is nonetheless need to focus on other pressing matters raised by the latter, like removing Article 58(2b) and restoring Parliament's sovereignty.
With its own prime minister and president, the onus is on the PPP to bring the country back on the rails. Among the most vexing problems, so far as relations between centre and provinces are concerned, is the acrimony between the PPP and the PML(N), with Punjab becoming the main fault line. Apparently, the ball is in the PPP's court and, as the PML(N) chief has said, it depends on the party bigwigs' response to the country's challenging tasks, notably the judicial crisis. That is precisely the point where the shoe pinches and must therefore be addressed on a priority basis. Keeping in view the President's statements on various occasions, it seems he is willing to go in the right direction: his efforts at reducing the tension in Punjab between the governor and the chief minister and clipping his own powers. It nevertheless remains to be seen how he would take on the uphill task.

Pushing the engine

THE government's economic performance so far remains dismal, though there are reports that it plans to push the economic engine with renewed vigour in the coming days. At present inflation is breaking all records, with the rupee dipping to unprecedented lows against the dollar. To begin with, the government should make concerted efforts to bring down the budget deficit, for that is where the trouble starts. The current deficit, standing at a staggering Rs 777.7 billion, only shows its failure to meet the deficit target set at 4.2 percent. Another area in need of urgent reform is that of revenue collection. The government should ensure that its decision to tax heavily the import of non-essential and luxury items is strictly implemented and no exception is made, and should also seek to raise exports. It bears repeating that our export industrial units should have state-of-the-art machinery. A great deal has been done in the context of textile manufacturing units but a lot more needs to be done. Efforts on war footing are required to lighten up this bleak scenario.

source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...sive-and-vague
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sep/12/08
Rules of engagement

WHILE General Kayani's statement on defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity would be widely hailed, many would have wished the condemnation of the killing of innocent citizens in Angoor Adda had been more prompt than delayed for a week. It would also be questioned if routine protests, to which Washington has become impervious, are the most proper response to the violation of the country's territorial integrity. It remains murky how it was possible for two dozen US Navy Seals to conduct a ground attack, spread over hours, without being challenged by Pakistani troops. If The New York Times is to be believed, President Bush, who has already declared the Pak-Afghan border a front line in the War On Terror, had given approval for ground attacks inside FATA in July. The statements of the US CJCS, Defence Secretary and White House spokesperson also indicate the Bush administration has decided to include FATA in its area of operation. According to JCS Chairman Adm Mike Mullen the war in Afghanistan, currently being lost, can only be won if the new strategy, which stresses targeting FATA, is urgently implemented. Seven attacks within 12 days indicate Washington is following a highly aggressive policy.
While General Kayani has clarified the Army's stand, what remains to be done is for the political leadership to come clean. According to the NYT story, quoting unnamed senior officials, Mr Bush had initially ordered assaults without the prior approval of the Pakistan government. However, what White House Spokesperson Dana Perino has said creates the perception that the new government in Islamabad had perhaps given a wink of approval to Washington to implement its new strategy. Prime Minister Gilani has meanwhile supported the position taken by the COAS. Considering the way President Zardari, still armed with the extraordinary powers of his predecessor, has been able to override the Prime Minister on important issues like the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, only a clear-cut and authoritative policy statement from him will clarify the government's position.
The US attacks are a highly serious issue. All stakeholders in the War On Terror need to realize that any indiscretion on their part can lead to horrendous consequences. Unless the US is stopped in its tracks, Pakistan is likely to suffer the fate of Cambodia. What is required on the part of the government is to take all political parties on board, which it has miserably failed to do. There must not be any perception of secret deals. The Parliament has to be taken into confidence, if needed in an in-camera session, about the rules of engagement and the options the country has to stop such attacks. The US and the militants have to be confronted with a policy that has the support of all major political parties.

Punjab's power tussle

ONE had hoped that after the election of Mr Zardari as President things would start calming down in Punjab, the fears of the PML(N) government getting destabilised would finally be put to rest and the two major parties would, whether working in government or opposition, act in the positive spirit needed under a democratic polity. Unfortunately, however, some elements have shown a marked disposition towards keeping an atmosphere of inter-party tension alive. Their political wheeling-dealing might have been motivated by the desire to pressurise the PML(N) to rejoin the PPP-led coalition at the Centre if it wanted to maintain its government intact in Punjab. This outlook is contrary to expectations and, indeed, disquieting, considering the long and arduous struggle the politicians have just been through to oust an army dictator. The Punjab Governor's unguarded utterances and his Wednesday meeting with the Chaudhry brothers give rise to suspicion.
The interest of the country could be best served if the ruling PPP were to show a large heart and accept the PML(N) rule in the Punjab, where it has obtained the people's mandate. Now the PML(N) is not insisting on the exit of the PPP ministers from the Cabinet and has given repeated commitments not to unnecessarily put a spoke in its wheel at the Centre. The PML(N)'s stand about the restoration of deposed judiciary and repeal of Article 58(2b) and the 17th Amendment fall in line with the declared objectives of the PPP as well, and should not cause any worry in its circles. The sooner the PPP implements its promises in this regard, the quicker will the friction between the two end. PML(N) leader Chaudhry Nisar's statement that his party would not extend unconditional support to the central government is nothing unusual, coming from an opposition leader.
The daunting multi-pronged challenges the country faces both in the local and foreign domains also strongly argue in favour of the smooth sailing of the relaunched political ship. The fallout of our association in the War On Terror and the economic squeeze of the current inflationary spiral have created an unprecedented crisis in the country. Besides, various political parties had vowed not to revert to an attitude of confrontation and to devote their full energies towards establishing democratic traditions in the country in a manner that would exclude the possibility of another military ruler stepping in. The need of the hour is for the major political parties to develop a consensus on the main issues confronting the country and work in unison to get over them.

A deadly attack

Our western border region is facing two evils at the moments: American adventurism, coming out in missile strikes and raids, and the homegrown sectarian bloodletting. Though both have exacted a heavy toll on the local population, it is a pity that the local sects, notably Sunni and Shia, continue spilling blood. Consider the latest attack. At least 25 people were killed and many more injured in a grenade attack followed by indiscriminate firing by unknown assassins in a mosque located in the Maskanai area of Lower Dir on Wednesday. What pinches the most is the fact that the attackers cared little for the children who were inside the mosque. Though authorities are not sure who exactly was behind the attack, the possibility of warring tribes creating mischief cannot be ruled out.
Considering the complexity of the situation, one cannot help but think it was a free-for-all with the miscreants taking advantage of the situation made worse by the War on Terror. On the other hand, the government's lacklustre approach in rooting out this menace has proved to be another stumbling block. Of late, the rival sects, including members of the Tori and Bangash tribes in Kurram Agency, turned the area into a virtual battlefield, thinking they had the impunity to do so. Despite the assurance by Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik earlier of a crackdown on these troublemakers, the scourge is very much alive.
Meanwhile, little is being done for the local population as they continue moving back and forth in the area to avert violence. The humanitarian crisis should be dealt with efficiently. There are about 250,000 internally displaced persons, many of them seeking refuge in poorly managed camps. The 45-day ceasefire that was announced at the start of Ramadan led many people to venture back to their homes, only to find that the area had sunk deeper into violence. Apart from reining in the warring sects, the government must come up with a more holistic approach in dealing with the plight of the refugees.

source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...-deadly-attack
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September/13/08
Government's priorities

SOON after the election of President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani had promised that with Gen (retd) Musharraf no more in the driving seat, the coalition government's performance would improve radically and it would start delivering on its promises. To make this possible, the government has to urgently determine its priorities.
It is now for President Zardari to ensure that the federal parliamentary system with the Prime Minister enjoying central position is restored in letter and spirit. For this he has to initiate measures to repeal the 17th Amendment. Unless this is done, the system will retain the distortions introduced by General Musharraf, which have turned the President into the most powerful man and led to the weakening of Parliament and the office of the Prime Minister. The February elections had led to a split mandate which requires that policies are formulated on the basis of consensus rather than the thinking of any one party or individual. The forum best suited to evolve consensus is Parliament. It is highly dangerous to rely on the wisdom of any individual when the country is coping with rising militancy combined with violation of the country' geographical integrity, faces serious foreign policy challenges and an economy in bad shape.
The Prime Minister needs to complete the Cabinet, which has worked on nearly half strength for about five months on account of unresolved coalition issues. Pakistan has been turned into a front line state in the War On Terror, while it has yet to evolve a national policy on militancy. For this the government has to consult all the stakeholders inside and outside Parliament, take all political parties into confidence and allow Parliament to evolve guidelines to be followed by concerned organs of the state, both civil and military. Instead of making tall claims about an early resolution of the Kashmir issue, the fundamentals of a national policy on Kashmir should be thrashed out in the same way. The statement by President Hamid Karzai backing US plans to launch attacks inside FATA two days after a joint press conference with President Zardari should make the later realize the limitations of personal diplomacy. While it is praiseworthy that he is proceeding to London on a normal flight, there is little chance of his being able to convert Prime Minister Brown, who already shares Mr Karzai's views on US attacks inside Pakistan's tribal areas. Talks of the sort are liable to create misunderstandings. What is more, with an overactive President, the message is bound to be conveyed that those in power in fact favour a presidential system. The lack of harmony in the two mainstream parties has created political uncertainty, which is harming the economy. Nothing should be done that can add to the existing polarization.

The killing spree

TWELVE more people have died and many others wounded as a result of the US missile strike that destroyed a residential compound and a primary school on the outskirts of Miranshah in North Waziristan on Friday. It is shocking to learn about the death of six security personnel along with the rest. This is the fifth crossborder attack in just two weeks and lends credibility to the reports indicating that the US had extended its War to Pakistan's tribal region. Recently a report published in The New York Times revealed that the Bush administration had authorized such raids inside Pakistani territory and that its tribal areas were now treated as a war zone. The statement by US JCS Chairman Adm Mike Mullen just the other day also made it clear that a new strategy had been chalked out to take the war across the border.
Regardless of what the US is doing, the question why the attacks continue to occur despite the government's strong opposition to them keeps coming to mind. COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, after a Corps Commanders meeting, categorically stated that no such air raids or ground assaults would be tolerated. Likewise Prime Minister Yousuf Reza Gilani, along with a number of other voices from the political front, is joining the chorus in condemning the US missile strikes. But it is nonetheless quite strange to see the Americans simply ignore these proclamations by the leaders of a frontline state, and continue bombing its territory. One cannot help but think there was some sort of understanding or rather some secret deal between the two leaderships that is resulting into these raids. It is quite interesting to hear some US officials confirm to the media that Pakistan's government had 'privately assented' to ground assaults inside its area. What really transpired in a meeting between General Kayani and the top US commanders on a US aircraft carrier last month is also not known. It may be possible that the Americans were just informing the General about their plan to take the war into our western border region, because immediately after that the aerial attacks increased manifold. It bears repeating that the Angoor Ada raid, the first ground assault by US special forces, was also carried out soon after.
The government would have to realise that military adventurism of the sort is an infringement of the country's sovereignty and should be prevented at all costs. There is also a need to be more clear about the rules of engagement between the two allies. The authorities need to take the people into confidence and spell out publicly its strategy of coping with the menace.

Unsolved issue

THE PPP government imagined that all that was needed to solve the judges issue was to swear in afresh the affected judges, and announce that they were to enjoy their previous seniority. It did not imagine that any of those judges, who had duly remained on their respective courts by taking the oath administered under the PCO, might have an objection that they were affected and disturbed in their new seniority. The judges making fresh oath also probably did not foresee this, though as judges learned in law they perhaps should have. But that very eventuality has arisen, and that too in the Supreme Court. This is being faced by Justice Shakiullah Jan, who in principle has returned at No 2 in the seniority list, but is not being accepted as such by Mr Justice Qaim Jan, who has refused to surrender his driver, while Mr Justice Saeed Ashhad has refused to hand over his courtroom. Though the position of both judges has not been tested in court, they seem to be taking the view that the fresh oath cannot confer seniority, but the judges thus restored must take position at the end of the line, and must not claim their old seniority. The deposed judges restored by a fresh oath must not rely on the commitment of the federal Law Minister at the time of the fresh oath, because that did not count; what will be enforced will be court decisions. At a time when this particular storm is brewing up, the government has also decided to retire Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and make him vacate his official residence in 10 days, thus closing his chapter, and depriving the lawyers' movement of its centre.
The government should keep in mind the wishes of the people when making decisions. The lawyers' movement has become one for the independence of the judiciary, of which Chief Justice Chaudhry's restoration is a symbol. The government must realize that the simplest way out is the one it is avoiding, even at the cost of abandoning a coalition formed with such difficulty: a simple notification backed by a National Assembly resolution.

Source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...Unsolved-issue
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sept/14/2008
Defending sovereignty

COAS Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's reiteration of the determination to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity would hopefully provide some reassurance to those in Pakistan who have been baffled and shaken by five attacks by the US forces within the last 10 days. That the statement, like an earlier one, had the endorsement of the corps commanders conference is all the more satisfactory. According to Gen Kayani all elements of national power under the new government will safeguard the territorial integrity of Pakistan with the full support and backing of the people.
To ensure the backing of the people there has to be a policy on dealing with militancy and foreign attacks based on national consensus which the government has so far failed to evolve. It is widely recognized that those burning girls' schools, attacking government installations or killing innocent people by launching suicide attacks are somehow to be stopped. It is also realised that no outside force should be permitted to violate Pakistan's territory. It remains however to be spelt out clearly and definitively how the two issues are to be tackled. Soon after it took over the ruling coalition vowed to deal with militancy through a multi-pronged policy but soon left the task to army. As things stand every party in the coalition has its own views regarding how to tackle militancy and respond to the US attacks, with MQM on one extreme and the JUI-F on the other. Under the conditions the political leadership has to play a decisive role by taking all stakeholders on board and resolving their differences. Once a policy has been formulated the government has to ensure that no organ of the state or government functionary deviates from it. As things stand the coalition administration seems to have run short of options. Governor Owais Ghani complains that the allied forces and Taliban are both working on an anti-Pakistan agenda. While asserting that it is only Pakistan's right to take action against militants on its territory, PM Gilani says helplessly the country can't go to war. One expects the government to provide answers to challenges instead of throwing up arms in despair.
And now a word for Washington. Despite wishes by many Pakistanis to maintain friendly ties with the US, which is beneficial for both sides, there is a rising tide of public opposition to America's aggressive policies which no elected government can afford to ignore. While the country may not have vast petroleum resources like Venezuela, its people possess, like those in Bolivia and Honduras, an equally vital resource i.e., dignity and self-respect. Unless Washington pays due respect to Pakistan's sovereignty, it may not be long before they force their government to take a direction many countries in South America and other parts of the world are opting for.

No to IMF

AN International Monetary Fund team has reached Pakistan and is set to begin 10 days of consultations, which started formally on Friday with a series of meetings. The IMF has been to Pakistan before, under the first Benazir government, and has been invited again to help in the turnaround of Pakistan's economy. The Fund is notorious for its interference and its refusal to allow a country following one of its programmes to follow not merely its national interests, but sound economics. The government has turned to the IMF, after the World Bank and the friendly countries have refused it budgetary support in the form of loans. The Bank has turned down a request for a loan of $500 million, which has left Pakistan the option of turning to the IMF. The IMF's record in Pakistan was not exceptional, but its interfering ways and economic incompetence have been noted in all those parts of the world to which it has extended a programme. The IMF has been anti-growth and anti-employment historically, and there is no reason to suppose it has changed. It imposes such harsh conditions for its loans that the contracting nation is permanently crushed, and its programmes are further reinforced by the World Bank an other international lending agencies, which insist on adherence to Fund conditions as the prime conditionality of their loans. As it is, even though Pakistan is no longer in an IMF loan programme, it is still receiving IMF advice on such matters as tax revenue administration, macroeconomic policy and macroeconomic indicators. Going onto a programme will mean following this advice to the letter.
The IMF men are in town at a particularly bad time. The Federal Bureau of Statistics has announced that inflation had reached a new high, measured year-on-year, and was 25.33 percent in August, compared to 6.45 percent the year before. That year, which was the last fiscal, Pakistan witnessed one of its worst years for inflation, because of the tremendous rise in the prices of food and oil. While oil prices internationally are apparently stabilizing at around $100 a barrel, still punitive but stable, commodity prices have not yet steadied, with wheat reaching Rs 2500 per 100 kg in Karachi. This inflation is more than likely to spook the government, what with the foreign exchange reserves being drawn down to very old levels, and make it liable to the blandishments of the IMF, and accept its programme, which will be designed to subject it to the wishes of its Western masters. It will not be designed to extract Pakistan from its current crisis, but to keep it there, and dependent on the IMF.

Testing times in prison

IT is commonplace to see inmates in Pakistan serving extra-terms despite having completed their imprisonments merely because of non-payment of monetary fine. According to a report published in Nawa-i-Waqt a prisoner was kept behind bars for 50 years over his failure to pay Rs 20,000 in fine. Shocked by his story, a lawyer paid the sum and secured his release.
The case of this poor man rotting away in jail for half a century is just the tip of the iceberg and clearly indicates the weaknesses prevailing in our judicial system. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has freed 36 prisoners languishing in Adiala jail after paying their fine earlier this year. This is surely a welcome step but indeed a lot more needs to be done to reform our legal system. According to a report hundreds of inmates are still pining away in jails around the country who should have been out but it is a pity that their inability to pay the compensation money is keeping them in. There is also need to ensure the provision of better facilities to the inmates. Separate lock-ups for women and juvenile offenders, reining in errant jail authorities, providing health and recreation facilities, eliminating overcrowded conditions, setting up libraries, permission to sit for exams are just some of the things that could go a long way in the reformation of jails.
There is urgent need to address the problem. In the NWFP, the issue needs to be taken up on a priority basis as the number of convicts serving extra sentence over their failure to pay the fine is quite large. The people's pleas to do something about the system changing it with something more effective seem to be falling on deaf ears. On the one hand, access to justice is beyond the reach of the common man and, on the other, it takes too much time (4 years at an average) for a case to be resolved. The government should ensure that dispensation of inexpensive and speedy justice is made available to all and sundry.

source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...ng-sovereignty
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Sept/15/08
A grand betrayal

ATTORNEY General Sardar Latif Khosa's observation that Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry cannot be reinstated as Chief Justice even if President Asif Ali Zardari wishes to do so, can only be described as a lame excuse. Talking to a private television channel on Saturday, he said that the process of restoring deposed judges was not yet complete and a number of judges had contacted the government to seek reinstatement. The argument that Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar was the chief justice because he had been appointed in this position by President Musharraf is devoid of logic since it does not grant legitimacy to an illegal act committed on November 3 and is also a grand betrayal of the movement which paved the way for return to democracy and end of illegitimate Musharraf rule.
Mr Khosa claims that the PPP-led government started bringing the deposed judges back to their chambers only after other coalition partners refused to support an amendment to the constitution for their restoration. But he need not forget that the PPP floated the idea of introducing a constitutional package after reneging on its commitment to restore these judges through an executive order backed by a National Assembly resolution. The AG must be fully aware of the situation because when the lawyers were planning to re-launch their movement to keep pressure on the mainstream parties to adhere to their commitment about reinstatement in the light of the Bhurban Declaration, he was among a group of five members of the Pakistan Bar Council who had requisitioned the Council's meeting in full strength to consider the planned protest as a threat to parliamentary democracy. They had a point that the political leadership should be afforded full opportunity to fulfil their promise to restore the judiciary to the November 2 status within 30 days. But it was also seen as an attempt to divide the legal fraternity so that the PPP leadership could be relieved of the pressure being exerted on it by coalition partners to honour its commitment to reinstate the deposed judges through an executive order. It bears repeating to Mr Khosa who no longer supports Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's reinstatement that he had been on the forefront of the movement after General Musharraf staged a judicial coup in anticipation of an adverse verdict against his candidature for the presidency.
Those who believe that the judges issue will be resolved by administering fresh oaths to the deposed members of the superior judiciary willing to return to their chambers must be mistaken. One can understand the reasons for President Zardari's opposition to the reinstatement of Chief Justice Chaudhry. But then Mr Khosa would be doing injustice to his office by toeing the party line rather than advising the government to prevent the issue from turning into a constitutional crisis by restoring all the judges through an executive order.

Delhi outrage

PASSING through a worse predicament, Pakistanis can well appreciate the outrage that Indians would be feeling at the series of bombs that exploded in the busiest business centres of New Delhi on Saturday. The blasts killed 22 persons and injured more than 100, leaving behind a trail of misery for the bereaved families, which must have stood shocked at the sudden turn of events in their lives, and a deep sense of insecurity for the rest of the citizens. As a result, the authorities have tightened the security measures in different parts of the country, including the southern state of Hyderabad where about 700,000 Hindus were scheduled to take part in a religious festival yesterday.
Pakistani leaders, including the president, prime minister and PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, have strongly condemned the deadly incidents. Newspaper reports suggest that a militant, disaffected group known as Indian Mujahideen, which had earlier also committed similar criminal acts, has claimed responsibility for these explosions and the police have taken 10 persons into custody on suspicion of involvement. If they are the right catch, they might provide the lead to the investigators to the real culprits and the motive behind these acts of violence would most likely be revealed.
One hopes and wishes that the Indians do not fall into the old convenient groove of putting the blame on Pakistan. Considering the problems Islamabad at present finds itself surrounded by from all sides, no Pakistan policymaker worth the name should be trying to do anything that holds the prospects of further complicating the situation. Before jumping to any conclusion that might point a finger at Islamabad, the Indian authorities would do well to take into account the views of a senior leader of BJP Arun Jaitley that the profile of the bombers over the years had changed indicating that the attacks could not be blamed on outsiders and "home-grown terrorists are on the increase...we cannot shut our eyes to that reality." India, like several other countries, has a host of dissent groups, which are unhappy at the way they have been treated by their governments, including of course its oppressed Muslim minority. However, a sincerely pursued inquiry into the Saturday incidents should bring home to the authorities the real cause of dissatisfaction. Broadly viewing the militant scenario the world over, the curse can only be fought out with a cooperative effort of states, going to the bottom of the causes that spawn such feelings and removing them. The blame game could only help the terrorists.

A sheer heavy-handedness

THE Indian security forces in Held Kashmir have for some time past been oppressing the people of Kashmir heavily, who frequently come out on the streets in large numbers to protest at the continued illegal and brutal occupation of their homeland, maintained at the cost of their lives and peaceful existence. New Delhi, unwilling to honour its commitment to let Kashmiris decide their political future, would undoubtedly opt out of its forceful stranglehold, and unable to bludgeon them into accepting its rule, has also tried to have recourse to certain devious means, like devising plans to somehow convert the massive Muslim majority into a minority. Some time back, India's puppet Srinagar government allotted a big chunk of land to a Hindu shrine for the yatrees to put up buildings there, which because of its serious and far-reaching implications, was greatly resented by the people. The ensuing protests resulted in a fairly large number of casualties and disruption of business activity and life in general. Although the decision to allot the land was reversed, there are indications that it might be revived.
In the period following 9/11 the Indians found it convenient to dub the freedom fighters terrorists and drum up the so-called existence of training camps for Kashmiri infiltrators. New Delhi exploited to the hilt the Western suspicion that Pakistan was not fully cooperating in the anti-terror war and, in that climate, raised its level of oppression by several notches. Murders, abductions, rape and other possible means of torture were freely employed.
On Friday, eight persons were killed and an important Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik among dozens others injured, when thousands marched in Shopian shouting the slogan, "We want freedom." President Zardari, who has promised good news about the disputed state soon, is fully aware of the Kashmiris' yearning, for which they have sacrificed hundreds of thousands of their kith and kin. His government should devote its full energies towards realising it.

source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...eavyhandedness
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Sept/16/08
Democracy Day

WHEN the United Nations General Assembly declared September 15 as the International Day of Democracy, it maintained that its aim was to raise public awareness regarding the importance of democracy in people's lives. Member states, organizations and parliaments were to celebrate the day by using the means at their disposal to emphasize the importance of democracy, what it involves, the challenges it faces as well as the opportunities it offers. On the first Democracy Day on Monday, the only move in the direction has come from President Zardari and that too in the form of a short statement expressing the hope that the celebration of the Democracy Day would srengthen pro-democracy forces and discourage political adventurists. Unless the political leadership takes stocks of a number of negative developments that have taken place there is little hope of the expectations being fulfilled.
The parliament plays a key role in a democratic system. While peforming its legislative functions, it also serves as a forum where issues of vital national importance are debated and policy guidelines hammered out for the guidance of the government. It is time for the ruling coalition to consider if it is allowing the parliament to fulfil its duties. Seven months after the elections the National Assembly has done little besides passing the budget. The legislative activity is on hold because the standing committees remain non-functional, leaving 23 bills in a state of limbo. The committees could not be made functional simply on accont of the failure on the part of the PPP and PML-N to settle their disputes. While the PML-N has finally bid farewell to the coalition the government seems to be in no hurry to elect the chairmen of standing committees.
To be able to educate the geneal public about the true functioning of democracy, the political leaders have to act as role models. The top leaders of the two mainstream paries had told people that they had learnt from the blunders committed by them in the past and promised never to revert to pracrices which were not in consonance with democratic ideals. With the deparure of the PML-N from the coalition, partly due to the failure of the PPP to honour its promises and partly on account of the inflexible attitude of the PML-N, the 1988-99 era seems to be fast returnig. The PPP mministers in Punjab cabinet are not on speaking tetrms with the CM. There is a lot of wheeling dealing by both sides which could be a precusor to horse trading, use of govenment machinery against opponents and a recourse to no-holds-barred struggle which can destabilise the syatem. It is time the top leaders of the PPP and PML-N realise the threat to democracy being posed and take corrective measures. Unless they do, the present democratic spell might turn out to be short lived.

Some food for thought

AT this point of time it might appear rather outlandish to imagine that the army could stage a comeback to the seat of power in Pakistan. Its track record in the four stints of the usurpation of power has been disastrous for the polity and the public is in no mood at all to stand such a situation. Yet, the warning of Mr Bruce Riedel, a US expert on South Asia, hinting at the possibility of military takeover in the eventuality of a certain scenario should give the governing leadership some food for thought and urge it to give serious attention to the people's concerns. It might be Mr Riedel's wishful thinking as the present military leadership has meticulously kept out of playing politics when he claims that the failure of the present political set-up to solve some highly debilitating problems - the deepening economic malaise and the flourishing militancy, for instance - the country is facing has the potential of creating a situation that might serve as a prelude to regenerating Bonapartist tendencies. He also cites a possible 'soft' attitude of the government to the Kashmir dispute as another factor of encouragement to the army to step in.
It is incomprehensible, though, that the government has somehow not been able to come to grips with the rising cost of living, which indeed is a most fundamental problem affecting the people in all walks of life. The satisfactory handling of this problem and insecurity holds the key to political stability and calls for urgent attention.
It is hoped that the Bush administration would pay heed to his other advice about putting pressure on the Afghan government to recognise the Durand Line that has been the frontier demarcated since 1893 between the two countries. Kabul's stand treating the line contentious has no legal justification and tends to keep the tension between the two alive. Mr Riedel, who has held important positions in previous administrations, has also called upon the US to pressurise the Indians to work towards a Kashmir solution acceptable to all sides, something that could bring peace to the Subcontinent.

New alignments

THE resignation of Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has caused quite a stir. The reason is obvious, though according to his own version it was 'in the interest of smooth working of the parliament' that he stepped down. Some reports indicate that the real cause of resignation was the PPP-PML-Q patch up and the former's propensity to forge a new alliance in Punjab. Mr Elahi, according to sources, could be handed out some important portfolio at the centre while arrangements might be made in Punjab for a PML-Q led government.
Hardly anyone would have been able to imagine the present political scenario a few months back particularly the prospect of Q-league gaining political ascendancy. It now seems as if the party has become indispensable to the survival of the government. Not long ago the PML-Q for its association with former President Musharraf was thought to be the source of all trouble and came under attack from both the PPP and PML-N with the former calling it Qatil league while the latter insisting that they wouldn't even touch it with a pair of tongs. But thanks to the mutual acrimony between the two, the party is now back in the driver's seat. This might be good for the party but it is a pity to see the PPP and PML-N reverting to the politics of the 90s. This has put paid to the hope raised in the aftermath of Feb 18 elections of a new era in Pakistan's politics.

Electricity shortage

IT is disturbing to learn that despite the recent raise in power tariff by over 30 per cent that should bring down consumption, the people continue to face prolonged load shedding. The situation all over the country is bleak but worse off in Karachi where people have been gathering in crowds on the streets to protest against the persistent power outages. One cannot help but feel pity for them and lend ears to their slogans that they would not foot the bill if the supply was not made smooth. Reportedly a conductor providing electricity to some colonies has been stolen cutting off the supply. However the truth is that the government's failure to bridge the constantly widening gap between supply and demand in the mega city is indeed the element that is causing all the trouble. A team has been formed by the Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf to fix the problem but it is unlikely that the power deficiency would vanish in this manner. It is quite strange that whenever asked about some technical problem the federal minister simply explains the matter away by saying that he was just a layman. Little wonder the power crisis persists despite his statement made shortly after the elections that the plague would be done away with in a few months.

source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne.../Democracy-Day
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Sept/17/08
Defending sovereignty

THE Pentagon and our military came up with quick denials of the phoney firing on two US helicopters trying to land inside the tribal territory early Monday. A foreign wire agency quoted a security official as saying that the US-led coalition troops in choppers came close to the border and tried to enter Pakistani territory, but were forced to return to their base camp in Afghanistan after our troops fired on them. There were conflicting accounts of the incident. Another version: two Chinook helicopters dropped several American troops at 1 pm on the Afghan side of the border near the Saway Waray area of Angoor Adda. They then started moving towards the Pakistani border villages with a helicopter gunship flying over them apparently providing air cover. Major Murad of the ISPR confirmed that there had been shooting, but maintained neither US helicopters had crossed into our airspace nor Pakistani troops were involved in the firing. In Washington, US Defence officials rejected reports of the firing as "false". "I've checked into that and find it to be spurious," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told journalists.
These denials were however contradicted by Pakistani civilian officials and villagers in Angoor Adda, who have seen the US troops causing death and destruction in the area two weeks ago during the first known foreign ground assault in the tribal region. It was bound to deepen resentment among tribesmen. But the Bush administration does not seem to relent in its tyranny. Leader of the House in the Senate Raza Rabbani believes that the Americans are annoyed with the current democratic dispensation because of General Musharraf's ouster and are launching attacks in our territory to pressurize the government to deal with the issue of terrorism the way they want. Mr Rabbani went to the extent of saying that the day the government announced its plan to impeach Musharraf, it came under immense pressure from the then President's foreign backers. But it was good to hear from him that the democratic leadership would not let anyone violate Pakistan's territorial integrity.
This is what an elected government is expected to do. But then there should be some consistency in the ruling leadership's approach in meeting the challenges facing the country. President Zardari expressed his optimism while talking to reporters after his meeting with UK PM Gordon Brown on Tuesday that the United States would not launch attacks in our territory, whereas Prime Minister Gilani observed a few days ago that Pakistan could not go to war against the Americans. It was Army COAS Gen Ashfaq Kayani who was the first to reproach the Bush administration for violating Pakistan's sovereignty. It is time that those in authority devise a comprehensive strategy to tackle the growing threat of militancy, demonstrating a complete unity between the civilian and military leaderships about the goals to be achieved.

The political squabbles

PML(Q) leader Ch Pervaiz Elahi, very much aware of the widening gulf between the PPP and the PML(N), said on Monday that his party could contribute to the ouster of the Punjab government. This indicates that his party is keen to play a role in upsetting the delicate balance of power in the province. To one's utter disappointment, Ch Pervez did not hesitate from saying that court decisions regarding Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif's disqualification might soon be announced.
Ch Pervez aired these views just a day after tendering his resignation as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly amid reports that he was being offered an olive branch by the PPP in the form of some ministry at the Centre in return for his support. Now that Mr Zardari has become President, it is obvious that the PPP has emerged as the most powerful player in the political arena, but using that leverage to pull the rug from under the feet of its former coalition partner would not benefit anyone, let alone the poor masses waiting for their leaders to perform miracles. There are reports that party's bigwigs, especially the Punjab Governor, are willing to go the extra mile to topple the PML(N)'s set up. Recently Mr Taseer met Chaudhry brothers in an effort to cobble a relationship and direct that against the provincial government. The PPP cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the repercussions that would follow. In the past, both parties suffered heavy losses merely because of the zero-sum game they played against one another. No sooner had the government been formed after the elections, than the mutual rivalry had started to drive a wedge between the two. Yet in another way both the PML(N) and the PPP are in the same boat and must therefore avoid creating trouble for the other. Just as the former is the single largest party in Punjab but not the majority party, more or less same is the case with the latter at the Centre. On the other hand, one is also dismayed to see that the PML(N), in an effort to save its set-up, is resorting to measures, which go against its stated stance of practising the politics of principle. It too is trying to woo the forward bloc in an effort to strengthen its rule.
There is no disputing the fact that the PML(Q) owes its political resurrection to the mutual acrimony between the PPP and the PML(N). Their rigid positions and failure to reach a consensus on vexing issues confronting the nation has brought the former King's Party back to the limelight. The leadership should end the constant bickering that so far appears to be the hallmark of their political philosophy. Time is running out.

Another blow

THE generic term for fuel in the local vernacular is "petrol". So when the government reduces the price of petrol by five rupees, it is to be met with relief by the general public. Only later do the plebeians realize that the fuel that affects them far more directly, diesel, has had a price hike of Rs. 3.50 per litre. It now stands at Rs 60 per litre. Diesel is the where-it's-at as far as fuel costs in the country are concerned. To put things in perspective: there is 1:8 ratio between usages of petrol and diesel.
This is going to have a direct bearing on the prices of a lot of commodities. First of all, diesel-fuelled freighting rates for commodities are going to go higher, resulting in price hikes in the goods market. Second, diesel-fuelled public transport fares are going to go higher. But dismissing the reduction in petrol prices as beneficial only to the elite would not be correct. Motorcycle and scooter owners, a larger, less affluent demographic than car owners in the urban centres, are definitely going to benefit from the decrease.
Criticizing the government at every opportunity one gets might not be in good taste. International fuel markets are, after all, in a state of madness. But it would be better, then, if our government were to have a method to its madness as far as pricing is concerned. We need to know with more clarity what the different factors are that go into OGRA recommendations and Finance Division approvals to the former. If a hike in the international prices of crude is used to justify price hikes, then why doesn't the argument hold, like it should now, when the price of Arabian light crude has fallen to $87 per barrel? The relation between crude prices and end-consumer prices are moderated by a number of variables. They all need to be brought to light. If the consumers cannot have cheap fuel, they at least deserve transparency.

source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...8/Another-blow
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