In a letter to media, leader of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Hakimullah Mehsud says his group is focused on jeopardizing democracy by hindering elections in the country. He urged TTP militants to target senior politicians and party leaders and continue the battle against the security forces. In attacks on the election rallies so far, the TTP has claimed lives of nearly 60 individuals. Amidst mounting fears of terrorist attacks, most leaders are shying away from holding public gatherings. With the political parties' subdued, the TTP rhetoric comprising threats and vows from undisclosed locations have become more frequent, making the overall election environment dreadful and frightening, indeed. In Multan, a young TTP activists and student Bahauddin Zakariyah University, has been found flashing posters and banners scripted with inflammatory messages to encourage people to refrain from going to polls pleading that democracy was 'un-Islamic and Haraam-a term often used for religiously illegal activity.' Good news is that the police have caught the TTP activists and are looking for his two accomplices. More details will follow in due course of police investigation. The incident, however, has given a big lead to the law enforcing agencies. Earlier, similar activity has been witnessed in other parts of the country too. Across the board, scanning of students at this point is a difficult task; yet, the best course that the administration can undertake is to shutdown all student hostels and residences affiliated with the government and private schools, colleges, universities and religious institutions immediately till elections are held. The closing down the educational institutions for a couple of weeks or so to save the country's system and the lives of the innocent people is not a big deal. The move will disrupt rather uproot the network of the TPP activists at once, bringing some respite--may be for time being. The caretakers governments in the Centre and the provinces must not live under the illusion regarding the extent of penetration of the TPP men across Pakistan.

Coupled with the Army vigilance, the volunteers of all the political parties should also guard each and every polling station across the country. Despite terrorist threats, the people are pouring out large in numbers to attend public meetings notcaring for their lives. The political leaders should not take refuge inside armoured vehicles escorted by armed security men or behind the bulletproof glass screens; rather, they should come out in the public to lead the nation from the front-the Awami National Party despite loosing a number of activists and leaders-- is a classic example to follow, and its fortitude deserves appreciation. The support to the ANP will deny encouragement to the terrorists that they can disrupt the system of the country. The security is clearly a major preoccupation-it is just too dangerous, yet the fate of life and death lies in the hands of God only. No amount of security can save a life if it is not blessed by Allah Almighty. A handful terrorists cannot contest might of the nation if the people stand firmly stands behind political leaders. There are several countries, including Iran and Sri Lanka where the leaders weathered even-worst terrorist storm to form their governments in the best interest of the countries. Deriving courage, conviction and determination from faith, many believe in, the three main parties in the outgoing government. The PPP, the MQM and the ANP have curtailed public gatherings in the face of direct Taliban threats; however, this must not leave their followers disappointed in this critical phase of the Pakistan's history. It is a good omen that All Party Conference held in Karachi has united the political forces at one platform.
Notwithstanding the measures the All Party Conference suggested and adopted, the moot would send a strong signal to that finally the political will of the people does not allow for any self-styled doctrine under any pretext, and that popular will, will prevail, All political leaders must show some spine to lead the country and the nation from the front. The salvation of the country is hidden in an upfront political response of the masses to the terrorist threats.

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By:Spearhead Research


Election Day is May 11 and everyone across the board wants elections on time with no delay. Even the parties that are at the receiving end of the TTP’s election disruption plan have vowed to take part in the elections. The TTP has however become a factor in Pakistan’s elections. Their selective targeting of political parties has created the perception of a right and left wing divide and led to speculation that by restricting the activities of the targeted parties – the PPP, the MQM and the ANP – they are indirectly giving an advantage to the PML-N, the PTI and the religious political parties whose campaign goes on unhindered. This in turn has spawned rumours about who else could be supporting the so-called right wing grouping – speculation ranges from ‘establishment’ to the US and the UK – but these are rumours and nothing else.

Many new factors shape the environment for the May election. The media is free and if it is fragmented and biased then it is so by choice and not under any compulsion – and this is by no means an unusual happening. The judiciary is free, impartial and active – really active. The ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) selected by consensus is impartial, and though under some criticism for the scrutiny procedure, is fully in control of the process and prepared for the big day. The caretaker government has been accepted by all and is keeping itself restricted to its role of caretaking till the elected government takes over. The military or more comprehensively – the ‘establishment’ as it is called – is remaining strictly neutral with not even a whiff of its involvement in any manner. The Qadri intervention focused attention on the ECP and the scrutiny of candidates and perhaps served a purpose. The return of the former president did create ripples but has morphed into a drawn out judicial process as have many other happenings. What more could Pakistanis want? This truly should be the mother of all elections.

The one factor that casts a long shadow is the specter of unmanageable violence. Against the backdrop of recent sectarian attacks, attacks on security personnel, bombings in urban areas, the ongoing TTP insurgency in the western areas, its linkages with militant outfits and threats to disrupt elections and the cross border attacks from Afghan territory all combine to make the threat of violence very real. So far state power has not been orchestrated to confront the threat but it will be and the timing for this is important – too soon and you have running battles, too late and you have lost critical space. The perception is growing that militant violence is not just about elections – it is a threat to the state’s survival and must be defeated. There could be an impact on voter turnout though Pakistanis have shown enormous resilience in the face of the threat. Candidates being assassinated or polling booths attacked could also create issues. The threat in all its dimensions has been analyzed at the appropriate level and the indications are that it will be contained. The military stands ready in an over watch role.

Crystal ball gazing can be tricky and difficult. There are, however, some figures that are persistent. Voter turnout is expected to average between 45 and 55 percent. It was 44 per cent in the last elections and if the traditional non voters – women and youth – step out it could be higher. Voters especially in rural areas expect transport and nourishment and do not want to spend to vote. There are restrictions on such support being provided by parties and candidates but there are safe and legal ways to circumvent the restriction. The magic figure that can result in a ‘good’ functional coalition is 110 or more seats by a party – short of this and the inevitable coalition can be messy. As of now the PML-N is expected to get 80 to 90 seats, the PPP and its allies between 50 and 60 – they had 92 in the last elections – and the PTI about 30 to 40 seats. The smaller parties and the Independents will be important commodities once the post election coalition forming activity gets underway. A possibility is that PML-N gets more seats or that PTI sweeps the polls as its leader is incessantly predicting – these can be the surprises.

Spearhead Analyses are collaborative efforts and not attributable to a single individual.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013....rxee3hPR.dpuf

Election campaign and the disposition of political parties can be judged at two levels: the election manifesto and the statements of the top party leaders, and the issues and questions that get highlighted in the constituency-based electioneering. It is important to examine how do candidates project them to the voters and what kind of demands the voters make on them. The issues at the two levels, the leadership and the constituency, are not necessarily identical which often cause problems for the parties in the post-election period, especially for the party that assumes power.

The party manifestos are high-sounding, catch-all documents that attempt to sell the dreams of a better future. The impression that the manifestos create is that the political parties have workable solutions of the problems of the state and society.

The manifestos are important because they reflect the top leadership’s perspectives on national and global issues and their preferred political, economic and administrative direction for the political system. The manifestos for the May 2013 elections are strong on promises and visions of the future but weak on giving the plans of action to realize the goals. There is a noticeable absence of understanding of the ground realities of Pakistani politics, economy and society. There is no recognition of the declining capacity of the Pakistani state to perform its basic function. Its effectiveness and implementation capability has declined.

Therefore, the notion of increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from 9 to 15 percent, as claimed by the PMLN, appears unrealistic in view of the undocumented nature of Pakistani economy, increased political power of the business and trader community, especially their capacity to shut down markets and block main roads in the urban centres. Further, the PML-N depends heavily in the political domain in the Punjab on the business and trading community it says it wants to tax.

There is hardly any clear-cut ideological divide among the political parties when one examines the socio-economic agendas of major political parties. In fact, ideology is missing from the electoral context. Islamic political parties, especially the JUI-F, are focusing on worldly socio-economic agendas similar to other parties. However, Islamic parties often raise the issue of implementation of the Sharia and making Pakistan into a genuine Islamic state without giving the details of institutions and processes they want to establish in order to realize their version of Islamic state. Some of them raise the slogan of ‘Islam is in danger’ and that they would not allow secular system in Pakistan.

Ideology surfaces in the election campaign when we look at the violence employed by the Pakistani Taliban and their affiliates in the course of the election campaign. The Taliban are targeting liberal-left and democratic parties, i.e. the PPP, the ANP and the MQM. Their election meetings, party offices and leaders are being targeted by bombings and suicide attacks. Islamic parties and others on the right like the PML-N and the PTI that are known for sympathetic attitude towards the Taliban are relatively free to engage in electioneering, although these parties adopt security measures for their election meetings.

On shortages of electricity, the PML-N leader, Shahbaz Sharif, promises to overcome this problem in two years and the PTI would need three years to address this problem altogether. The PPP blames the PML-N for sabotaging its efforts for power generation in the past. However, no party provides the plan of action for generating more power or saving wastage and line losses. Above all, how would they mobilize resources? How would the PTI and the PML-N get Western, especially the US, assistance when they want to completely revise the current U.S-Pakistan relations? The PTI wants to end ‘American slavery’ and withdraw from ‘American-sponsored’ war on terrorism.

With the exception of the PPP, the MQM and the ANP, the political parties have a vague stance on terrorism in Pakistan. All parties condemn terrorism but none other than the above named three parties are willing to criticize any group involved in terrorism even when a group takes the responsibility of the terrorist attack. The Jamaat-i-Islami and Islamic parties subscribing to Wahabbi/Deobandi and Ahle-Hadith (Hadees) Islamic traditions either support or strongly sympathize with the Taliban. The groups and parties associated with the Barelvi and Shia Islamic traditions are publicly critical of the Taliban and sectarian groups.

The PTI treats terrorism as an internal security issue and wants to abolish militant wings of political parties but its silence over the militant Islamic groups using violence is rather surprising. In fact, the PTI’s perspective on war on terrorism and security operations in the tribal areas overlaps with the Pakistani Taliban point-of-view.

The PML-N maintains ambiguity on the violent activities of the Taliban and other militant groups, although it condemns terrorism in principle. Both, the PMLN and the PTI are talking of changes in government policies on terrorism and the long term socio-economic development of the tribal areas. These parties are not addressing the immediate threat of terrorism by the Taliban and other militant-sectarian groups. Given the strong presence of conservative and hard line Islamic groups and sectarian organizations in the Punjab, the PMLN and the PTI are courting them for votes.

The PMLN has offered a detailed set of guidelines for salvaging Pakistani economy. It also talks of revamping and privatization of the state enterprises that are suffering perpetual losses. How practical is the suggestion of privatization when the labour unions oppose it? The PML-N will not get any support from the PPP or the PTI for this purpose. All political parties do not talk of land reforms with fixed maximum land ceiling.

The manifestos of the major political parties want to pursue friendly interaction with the international community, especially the neighboring countries. There is no manifestation of hostility towards India. In the public meetings and statements of the political leaders there is hardly any reference to India and Kashmir. Even Islamic parties are not talking about Kashmir, although they may refer to Kashmir and water issue in formal statements. India and Kashmir do not appear to be on the political radar of the political parties. The attempts to play up anti-American sentiments by the PTI and Islamic parties have not got much response. The focus is on domestic issues.

When we compare the leadership discourse and manifestos with election campaigning in constituencies these appear to be two worlds far apart. No high policy matter is being taken up there. Only local, constituency related issues are discussed. We will discuss this aspect of election campaign in some later article.

The writer is an independent political and defence analyst.

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That Jeay Sindh Muttahida Muhaz (JSMM) is a separatist group is well known. While some of the groups branching out of GM Syed’s Jeay Sindh movement have joined mainstream politics, the JSMM aims at carving out a separate state called Sindhu Desh. A study of contemporary history would show that democracy is the best remedy against separatist tendencies as shown, among others, by Canada and Spain. The problem with the JSMM leadership is that it has renounced constitutional forms of struggle in favour of violence which no country can tolerate. It was on account of the network’s violent actions that it was banned recently. The methods being employed to suppress the group however are likely to produced unintended results.

The tortured bodies of two JSMM activists, reportedly taken away on April 24 by security agencies, were found lying on a link road in Dadu on Sunday. This led the network to announce a province-wide strike. Consequently there was a shut down in a number of towns in the interior of Sindh. The JSMM activists also blew up Railway tracks and set two trailers on fire. Two persons were killed and at least six others wounded when gunmen threw crackers and fired at buses, roadside restaurants and a police check-post.

That the group has over the last few years taken recourse to acts of terrorism and sabotage is indicative of weakness. The Sindhi masses continue to support mainstream parties. Despite their differences with the policies pursued by the centre, they are keen to resolve issues through democratic means and by forging alliances with mainstream parties. None of the nationalist groups is ready to support secession and all hope to settle the disputes in the context of a united Pakistan, albeit with greater autonomy for the provinces. The way JSMM is being dealt with by the agencies however raises questions. A number of its office bearers and activists have gone missing only to be found dead later, some bearing the telltale torture signs. The policy did not help in Balochistan. It has no hope of success in Sindh. Instead of repeating its mistakes the establishment should improve its intelligence gathering, shadow the banned outfit’s activists, collect evidence against those responsible for sabotage or violence and bring them to justice. High-handedness on the part of the agencies would project the JSMM as an aggrieved party and add to its sympathisers. The treatment would be condemned by HR organizations in Pakistan and abroad. A credible enquiry needs to be conducted in the kidnapping and killing of the JSSM activists and those found responsible punished.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013....3iZ7clDc.dpuf

Pakistan has very complicated and painful history of power politics. Today where-ever Pakistan stands because of selective approaches and selective attitude of justice. Hence, if you said bitter truth, you would get orders by state which tell you, not to speak. Same orders never come in hands of criminals.

But can anyone hide mirror of history? It seems interesting whenever undemocratic faces come over power politics then they always try to make themselves democratic, while asking mirror of democracy that Tell me, how much I am democrat, instead listening to an answer of mirror of democracy they reply themselves that I am democrat more than anyone.

Alas! Mirror of history has its answers where killers and guilty will not get easily answers at their own wishes. Tradition of history is different, history is like city of Heroes and villains, when villains to be treated badly. In Pakistan, dictators never got chance to stand before court and neither had accountable, their sins and crimes went with them.

It is an eerie behave, whole media and self-styled educated opportunist class talk against density in Politics, corruption of politicians and feudalism. Do they ever say a single word against density in dictatorship by establishment, naked corruption of dictators and lords of establishment?

Unfortunate, where nation must sit-on at the door of dictators and to be condemned their wrong deeds, dictators are being supported by opportunist class and when dictators done badly with country and their time period is about to finish then same faces put masks of people’s politics and will say sorry. Though, nation must hold trial real culprits and be hanged them only then nation would be able to move on real path of democracy. In Pakistan, dictators are freed from trial and never to be punished. Nowadays we are hearing that in Pakistan’s history dictator has been sent to the courts and his trail will be held. It is funny when we see a man who has committed many crimes, has avail high security and living in rich house, his trial to be held. Does Pakistan treat its thugs and criminals like Musharraf? Why our brave media and champion of freedom expression, is unable to speak against Musharraf as they once did on case of Memo gate.

Musharraf being a dictator, he thought he would never be accountable. Consequently, he jumped into politics; it was Musharraf who claimed as Commander, he was commander on the salary paid. Therefore, there is a big difference between paid commander and political commander.

But now he must realize that political commander was Benazir Bhutto, who came, fought and assassinated. Benazir Bhutto (late) never put herself around golden walls. She refused to sit in and walked on the edge of political sword.
What does Musharraf do? He ran from court room but late ZA Bhutto stood in court room even he knew he may be going to be hanged on the based of fake case. Musharraf has committed grave mistakes which cannot be forgiven. Balochistan is burning because his wrong and footless actions. He thought while killing big leaders, people would become helpless and keep silence but he was wrong he didn’t know what political consciousness is and how it works among people. That’s why dictators remain dictators unless they don’t know what the importance of political sensitivity is if they knew, dictator would never have walked on undemocratic road. Musharraf is facing cases in the court but he is still in safe hands and being treated as like King. However he has violated and killed from constitution to political leadership, too. If anyone says, he is innocent in assassinating of Shaheed Akbar Bugti and Benazir Bhutto; that person may live in heaven of fools. Does Musharraf shift his face in case of missing persons of Balochistan? Musharraf says, he was innocent man and nothing was in his hands; to whom he spoke, people of this country are well enough aware and have had enough experience of dictatorship. If nothing was in his hands, why he is claiming that I have done better things for Pakistan? According to him, nothing was in his hands, Ohh, does he want to connivance that all goody things were in his hands and bad things were in other people’s hands? Musharraf is making fool of himself, even he cannot see eyes of time which are telling him that not to tell lie.
Why Musharraf is on row of trial?

Will he be punished of his crimes? While looking at his hearing trail, it doesn’t seem that his case will face any kind of punishment. There are some views that Musharraf’s case whether writes history or not but his case is giving soft picture of establishment before the world. Establishment of Pakistan wants to come on the stage of world with fair face and they may be able to claim that our hands are not in power, nor in judiciary system. We want healthy and democratic system, moreover if establishment repeated its mistake and took over power, Musharraf’s case provides them excuse that they didn’t play role during Musharraf’s trial and trying to see democracy but due to bad governance and politicians’ stupidity, has forced to us for saving our country. Moreover, Musharraf will have bunch of excuses if he runs off the country and lives whole life in abroad. Then, Musharraf would be able to say that he was not convicted in any case. Thus, his trial will provide tissue paper for cleaning faces of establishment and his own either but on the other side of people can say that in our history one dictator was sent to the court, only for few minutes…!

Maybe Musharraf would be freed to the abroad, in the name of security purpose and his trail that never be heard. Doubts are in the air of power politics, Musharraf’s trial is nothing more than cold drink in hot weather of politic of Pakistan. Well, if Musharraf fled away and courts of Pakistan would not be able to say anything. Whether he cannot slip from the mirror of History, history has its trial where none will run, nor be able to make any excuse because History always as says as Pathan says Maafi Nishta means no forgiveness.

Mr. Musharraf can get safe way for saving his life but he remains guilty in the court of history--a history that has no forgiveness for dictators and culprits. Is there anyone who can go and tell to Musharraf that you may escape from these cases but the history of court has Maafi Nishta how will escape from it?

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The Supreme Court of Pakistan, Pak Army, political and religious parties including media and civil society remain keen to see democracy flourishing in the country by favouring the elections, going to be held in May 11, 2013. Although election campaign is now on peak, yet it is most regrettable that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accelerated its terror-activities to sabotage the polls.

In this regard, terrorists continue to target the election-sites of the political parties and assaults on the independent candidates. On April 29 and 28, they killed several people across the country including ten in various districts of KP. Twin bomb blasts in Karachi near the office of MQM killed four persons on April 27, while a third blast occurred near public gathering of Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate. On April 26, terrorist targeted a meeting of ANP through explosives and killed eleven people in Karachi. On April 25, seven people were killed in a bombing on the office of the MQM.

TTP which accepted responsibly for latest terror-assaults, especially on the ANP leaders has pledged to continue such attacks in future. Meanwhile, in the recent days, the TTP militants distributed pamphlets in Buner, Peshawar and different areas of Karachi, warning citizens against attending political rallies and casting their votes at polling stations. TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said that democracy was un-Islamic, western system of government, and was the agenda of secular forces in Pakistan. In the recent past, TTT insurgents gave similar threats to the people. For the purpose, a leaflet was distributed in North Waziristan Agency to reject the democratic system in FATA.

It is notable that after passing through various forms of governments such as monarchy, dictatorship, Communism etc., western countries established the democratic system, as it empowers people to govern through their elected representatives, and make decisions as agreed by the majority. Despite it, the opposition is free to oppose any decision of the ruling party. In case of any violation of the constitution or democratic norms, the opposition party can go to the court. In fact, it is a representative system which is based upon equality of all the people, ensuring enforcement of rule of law through an independent justice. Based upon the system of accountability, it provides justice to all—majority and minority elements of the country. Nothing is forcibly imposed on the political will of the people who fully enjoy the freedom of thought and action. It is due to these merits that democratic system is widely popular in the world. While Islam is a religion of universal application, as it emphasises peace, democracy, moderation and human rights including tolerance of political groups, religious communities and sects which are in minority in a country. The Constitution of 1973 which was unanimously adopted, clearly states that Pakistan is basically a democracy guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah.

Notably, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his sermon at Hajjatul Wida issued directions for protection of life, property and dignity of the whole mankind. The sermon became a charter of democracy which was included in the constitutions of the western elected governments in one way or the other. While addressing the Constituent Assembly on August, 11 1947, Quaid-i-Azam who wanted Pakistan as a democratic state, said that he did not want Pakistan to be a theocratic state. He wanted Pakistan to be a liberal, secular and progressive state where both Muslims and non-Muslims were treated as citizens of equal status.

Besides, Islam respects women, while democracy also advocates the same. In fact, democracy does not evaporate respect for elders of a tribe or family and the process empowers the people to make their own rules for governance. Diversified people and religious scholars (Ulemas) participate in the system which does not exclude or discriminate any one on basis of caste, creed and sect. It does not destroy the established cultural norms and tribal system. It makes police and security forces answerable to elected members, making the tribal elders more powerful.

Islamic laws can be implemented through a system of governance, hence, elections are essential for placing the elected representatives to make rules and govern in any part of the country. Laws of Sharia (Islamic Jurisprudence) can best be put to practice through democratic system which does not make us un-Islamic or anti-Sharia.

Pakistan has to move along with the demands of modern time. Therefore, periodic reinterpretation of Islamic teachings in the light of inventions and discoveries is essential so that it can offer inspiration to all the people at all times. Such movement is called Ijtihad, which could provide new perceptions to Islam in accordance with the changed world vision.

However, Islam considers killing one innocent person equal to murdering the entire humanity, while Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering political leaders, innocent women and children is not Jihad. These Taliban and their banned affiliated groups are defaming Islam and are weakening Pakistan.

Taliban’s earlier threats to the Pakistan Peoples Party, ANP and the MQM have worried these parties which have almost curtailed their political activities in public to save lives of their leaders as well as those of general masses.
However, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has vowed not to bow down before the militants. And the lack of interest by the PPP in the election campaign has confined itself to mere newspapers and TV advertisements. While setting aside the orders of the Supreme Court, MQM which has declared the redrawing of constituencies in Karachi as an attempt to push the party against the wall has hold the Chief Election Commissioner and the caretaker government responsible for the present terror-attacks in Karachi due to non-provision of security. Showing determination, these parties have not boycotted the polls.

Nevertheless, these TTP related terrorists who have been carrying out ferocious attacks on the workers, leaders and offices of PPP, ANP and MQM also take pride in claiming the responsibility for the same. Now, people from all segments of life and majority of politicians want that a handful of terrorist elements must not be allowed to dictate their agenda and to impose their self-perceived ideology on the majority of Pakistanis through their undemocratic and un-Islamic practices.

It is mentionable that President Asif Ali Zardari declared that polls would be held on time, but his reference to ‘conspiracies’ makes it abundantly clear that attempts are being made to derail the process of elections which has entered into a crucial phase. The conspiracy theory is also strengthened as Information Minister Arif Nizami too has repeatedly talking about attempts to sabotage the election process or its postponement. In fact, based in Afghanistan, secret agencies like American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad are supporting TTP, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar militant groups to thwart the process of elections and to create chaotic situation in Pakistan, as the latter is the only nuclear country in the Islamic world. A continued wave of targeted killings, suicide attacks, assaults on the places of worships, security forces, sectarian violence etc. are also part of the same plot. In this context, especially, RAW has hired the services of Indian Muslims who have well-penetrated in the BLA and TTP which have been conducting subversive acts on the political leaders and their offices.

Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has repeatedly disclosed that militants along with huge cache of arms are being sent to Pakistan from Afghanistan. As regards foreign plot, it is noteworthy that like PPP, ANP and MQM, PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are also liberal parties, but they are launching election campaign freely, and has not been threatened by the TTP.

Recently, PPP, ANP and President of BNP Sardar Akhtar Mengal requested the Chief Election Commissioner, caretaker government at centre and the provinces to provide security for their candidates, particularly by Pak Army.
While Army is already deputed across the Pak-Afghan border to stop incursions from Afghanistan, and is also engaged in tribal areas in coping with the insurgents. However, Army Chief Gen. Kayani has approved plan for army deployment to provide security during polls.

Yet the external-backed TTP ploy should not be taken lightly because it is a wake-up call for the entire nation. Now, the right hour has come that Pakistan’s media, politicians and leaders of religious parties including security forces must show practical unity against these zealots who seek to create anarchy in the country to accomplish their self-motivated designs by sabotaging the elections.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

According to South Asia Terrorism Portal, from January IST 2013 to April 21, 1536 individuals have been killed and 1263 sustained injuries as result of terrorism in Pakistan.

However, in last eight days, 55 individuals killed and over 120 injured. Elections are being held just after few days on 11 May 2013. But the visible elections campaign can only be seen in Punjab, whereas dreadfulness environment is prevailing due to militant activities in others 3 provinces.
PTI, PML (N) and parties having Islamic stamped are fearlessly running their campaign. The other major parties like PPP, ANP and MQM and their leadership are on terrorists hit lists. In this regard, TTP openly claimed the responsibilities of blasts in the meetings of ANP, PPP and MQM. TTP Spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan declared un-Islamic and mentioned it as the agenda of secular forces in Pakistan. In this connection recently, TTP insurgents issued similar warning to the people to stay away from polls which were only serving the interests of enemies of Islam.

This organization also started propagating that democracy is western system of government which is against Islam. The question comes up that if PTI and PML (N) come into power, whether these political parties will able to control TTP. Will these parties reject agenda of enforcing Islamic system of TTP choice? I think another regime of anarchy will be started just after the departure of U.S. forces since TTP favourites’ political parties will not be able to stop militants from spreading terrorism in the country. TTP and the organization advocating for Islam should know that the Constitution of 1973 which was unanimously adopted, clearly states that Pakistan is basically a democracy guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah. Earlier, the leaflet was distributed by the TTP-led Pasban-e-Shariat Organisation in North Waziristan Agency to reject the democratic system in FATA, while propagating negative notions. Their leader Maulvi Fazlullah had also expressed his disdain for democracy, parliament and the Constitution of Pakistan. Afghanistan is also not making serious efforts of stopping terrorists those cross Durand line and carries out militancy deep in Pakistani territory.

Moreover, on 29 ten individuals killed in a bus explosion on University Road Peshawar. On 28 April election office of an independent candidate Nasir Khan was targeted on Charsadda road in Peshawar’s Maqsoodabad area killing at five persons and injuring 15 others. In another blast a bomb exploded near the election office of NA-39's independent candidate Syed Noor Akbar Alam on Hangu road in Kacha Pakka village of Kohat region killing at least five people and injuring 15 others.

The blast was heard across Kohat city and caused damage to nearby shops, buildings and parked cars.

Moreover, twin bomb blasts in Karachi near the office of MQM killed four persons on April 27, while a third blast occurred near public gathering of PPP’s candidate. On April 26, terrorist targeted a meeting of ANP through explosives and killed eleven people in Karachi. On April 25, seven people were killed in a bombing on the office of the MQM. On April 24, there were series of blasts in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Sindh in which 23 people were injured.

Meanwhile, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has simply failed to prevent 55 candidates from the Punjab of 10 different sectarian groups, from contesting the elections despite the fact that intelligence agencies had warned the ECP that they were on terrorist lists and had provided all the names. These names are also listed on the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for their alleged involvement in terrorist activities. According to the media reports and reliable sources, the intelligence agencies had provided to the ECP a complete list of 55 candidates who had filed their nomination papers to contest the national and provincial assemblies’ polls from 20 districts of the Punjab.

In fact, all these blasts are part of the agenda of weakening democracy and depriving real representatives come into power. Foreign intelligence agencies and some of Islamic countries are directly or indirectly funding the banned organizations and political figures of their own choice. Not condemning responsible of terrorism, linking the militancy with former President Pervez Musharraf or support to U.S. and none suggesting of military operation against anti Pakistan Taliban, indeed amounting to strengthen the militants and their masters’ causes of derailing democracy and weakening the country foundation. For countering of terrorists move, segments of whole society should come up to condemn the Talibanization and their militant activities.
Moreover, PTI, PML (N), JI, JUI (F) and other political parties should openly criticize the terrorists, instead remaining deliberately silent over the militancy just to cash the votes of people of peculiar mindset. Thus, without doubt one can presuppose that the parties or collation of PML (N) and PTI will not be able to resist the militants, if they are afraid of condemning the ongoing militancy.

The major parties should instead leg pulling each other and showing sympathies with Taliban in the name of GWOT, get united to fight and defeat the terrorism. Political and establishment should know that none participation of PPP, ANP and MQM actively in the election 2013 will put the stigma on the fairness of the election commissions and definitely drag the country towards further instability.

One more fact can be noticed that political parties are not deliberately touching national issues like: terrorism water, Kashmir, and Afghanistan. None of the party is has said anything about the security situation of the country on post departure of U.S. and NATO in 2014.

In Islamabad, an advisory issued by the Intelligence agencies claims that the Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has reportedly made a comprehensive plan to kidnap former President Pervez Musharraf for which it has constituted different teams. This is not the first time that the intelligence agencies through its mouth-piece the interior ministry have made revelations, predicting more bomb blasts and suicide attacks in various parts of the country.

Predictions regarding bleeding of country by the theorists during the campaign of upcoming elections in the period of the previous regime even came true, giving the former interior minister Rehman Malik a chance to brag. The terrorists have also targeted railway line and trains in Sindh and innocent citizens of Karachi and Peshawar in the six attacks on 28 April 2013.

Anyhow, the repeated failure of the government agencies in performing their duties has rendered the entire country vulnerable to the terrorists. The foreign sponsored terrorists are on proxy war and easily carrying out their nefarious activities on both sides of Durand Line. They are being supported, funded and trained by RAW and Afghan National Intelligence Agency. Thus, their actions against Pakistan military, political leadership and innocent populations have become more significant due to their tactical planning, conviction and courage to execute. But our forces despite looking after interiors and exterior boundaries are putting up a brave fight against the militants. Nevertheless, on 29 May 2013, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has led a meeting of Corp commanders and discussed issues related to security during the upcoming elections.
The meeting has decided and determined to take all possible steps for the conduct of fair the general elections. The security during campaign and on the day of elections is possible if, political leadership, security agencies, ECP and other forces responsible for law and order remain watchful against any attempt of sabotaging the election process. The Supreme Court should direct ECP to allow these 55 alleges candidates to contest the elections because they had been involved in terrorist activities due to which their names were placed on the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The government should carry out audit of all banned organizations those have reappeared after changing their names, Madrassas and NGOs. No foreign funding without the knowledge of the government should be allowed directly to any private outfits and NGOs. The efforts should be made to curb the militancy while taking strict steps against the terrorists and condemning the attempt of sabotaging elections 2013 by TTP and foreign forces. Lastly, Government and ECP should ask security agencies to provide protection to all political parties in general and ANP and PPP in particular for organizing and running their elections campaign since these parties have stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in elimination of terrorism, from Swat, North Waziristan and rest of the country.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

Nothing better the nation can hear from Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on ‘Youm-i-Shuhada’. Indeed, it was a listening pleasure. The Army chief made a timely intervention to dispel all sorts of fears, apprehensions and rumours holding minds of the entire nation hostage for last several days. Once again, he made it categorically clear that the general elections will be held on 11th of May thus must not harbour any doubts or misgivings about it. The message of the Army chief is loud and clear for all those who are making the system vulnerable. The assurance of the army aims at strengthening the democracy and rule of law is a consolation for the nation and a stern warning to the terrorist outfits making repeated vows to disrupt elections to uproot the democratic system from the country. Slamming debate about the origin of the war on terror, the Army chief says if a small faction wants to enforce its distorted ideology over the entire nation by taking up arms and for this purpose defies the Constitution of Pakistan and the democratic process and considers all forms of bloodshed justified, then does the fight against this enemy of the state constitute someone else’s war? Definitely, it is Pakistan’s war, the army and the people of Pakistan have to fight collectively in a bid to flush out these killers of innocent Muslims including elderly men, women and children from the country. These disgruntled groups are neither justified nor acceptable. Hence they should not be allowed to distort ideology of the country—the Army Chief’s resolve to continue the fight against terrorism deserves endorsement and unflinching support of the masses. Across the world, no treason or seditious uprisings against the state had been quelled without masses’ participation in the armed forces’ fight. Pakistan situation is not an exception—here again he is right to mention this.

Last but not least, the Army chief indirectly expressed the military’s reservations about the treatment being meted out to his predecessor retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. The people of Pakistan do respect the institution of the Army more than any thing else. But every individual—be he is a civilian or military officer—is responsible for his ‘endeavors’. The accountability of an ex-general who plotted a coup against a civil government –regardless the it was good or bad—should not be construed as an action against the institution. If the Army Chief really believes in what he says in public then all are equal before the law. There must not be any exceptions. The Army as an institution should whole-heartedly support the impartial trial of ex-military dictator. The law of the country does not allow any body to overthrow a government to grab power for nine years. Indeed, the trial of ex-military man is not a mere retribution rather it would shut doors on future coup-plotters. It is a fact, the May 11 elections are another opportunity for the people of Pakistan to elect their representatives to form the government representing their aspirations.
The Pakistan Army offered steadfast to support the government during last five years, bearing out even some of its worst and bad endeavors. The nation, of course, appreciates conviction of the army it showed for democracy. But in the absence of precedent of retribution of the coup-plotters, the possibility of yet another overthrow of the government continuously looms large over the small pretexts. A fair, free and transparent trial of ex-military ruler will set new terms for the rulers—thereafter no one would dare to bend, doctor or temper the law for his own interests. The much trumpeted corruption, misrule, nepotism and favouritism will automatically come to an end. The supremacy of the Constitution that Pakistan needs the most. Every individual and institution must learn to live within confines of the Constitutions only then aspiration of the people can be translated into the success that will steer the country towards betterment. The superior judiciary must also exercise extreme caution in making judgment on Musharraf cases—the hasty or biased decision can be counter productive for the country especially when the destination is in sight. We must not err in accomplishing our responsibilities towards the election process; the message of the COAS is crystal clear yet the rulers, armed forces and judiciary, well supported by each and every Pakistani, should participate in hot pursuit against miscreants, religious extremist, nationalist insurgents and terrorists to purge the society.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/46/

Sometimes perception is almost more important than the reality. This is exactly the case in Pakistan’s political minefield. Righteousness is tearing apart our country and it does not seem to matter what the facts are. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but not facts. Perception is created and twisted so effectively that if the facts do not coincide with perception, conspiracy theories are produced to correspond to it.

It is the function of all-powerful media to renew or reverse our perception. The media pundits shake up the familiar situation, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.Once the perception is built, nothing can undo it. Take for example Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, the man in charge of the transition of power in Pakistan. He has stainless decades of service to the nation, shining with honesty and integrity. That is the general perception but let us take account of what the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has actually achieved under his auspicious leadership.

According to news reports, ECP has simply failed to prevent 55 candidates from Punjab, belonging to 10 different sectarian groups, from contesting the general elections despite the fact that intelligence agencies had warned the ECP. After a 14-day period during which the eligibility of nearly 25,000 candidates were examined under the criteria laid down in articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, no one has been disqualified for tax evasion, non-filing of tax returns, defaulting on payment of bank loans or for false declaration of assets and liabilities. At least 35 former members of national and provincial assemblies who failed to get their degrees verified from Higher Education Commission (HEC) are running for May 11 elections.

The TTP is targeting the liberal parties like PPP, ANP and MQM in election campaign. On the other hand, there are no threats to other parties including PTI and PML-N. How can Fakhrudin G Ebrahim term these elections as free and fair, since level playing field is being negated to the three important political players?The only response from ECP on this alarming situation is nothing but deafening silence.

Recently, I had a chance to interact with and observe the operations of ECP officials. I was utterly surprised to see that, Farkhru Bhai, as he is called among his close circles, is treated as merely a symbol of integrity and his subordinates don’t even trust him to talk to the media. “He sometimes doesn’t know what he is saying. We don’t want him to make any factual errors while talking to the media,” said an ECP official while denying us the interview Fakhru Bhai had earlier cordially committed to give. After that, he was not even allowed to speak to us. It left me consternated if the octogenarian election commissioner was even allowed to take his own decisions or he was being manipulated and is too weary to stand up for himself. I personally feel he just wants the elections to be held on time, by any means, so that he can go home triumphant.

The perception about him, however, is that of an upright man, struggling to fix all ills for ‘free and fair’ elections.

Talking about perception, one cannot ignore the myth of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s incorruptible omnipotence. An epitome of justice and integrity, as goes the perception, but a quick glance at the facts without going into the details of the decisions taken in our national interest, reveals uncomfortable truths.

Iftikhar Chaudhry is an institution in himself, literally. There has been no dissent in any major constitutional case in the past years. During the days of Lawyers’ Movement, courts have somehow assumed themselves to be the representative of the people. Judicial activism has gone to an extent of populism. Judges, along with media, have formed a parallel establishment, sending elected prime minister home while ordering the arrest of another, as was done in the past by the military dictators. The double standards, exhibited during the Memogate case and the way Arasalan Iftikhar case was dealt with, is no secret. At one point, it was even difficult for the media to defend the courts. According to a report by the US State Dept, ‘every three out four terrorists are acquitted by the courts’. Judges have issued contempt notices to the politicians for not obeying their orders while keeping hush when the agencies did the same in missing persons’ case.

As for the perception, he is the messiah, the righteous one, the saviour.

The real test case of this curse of perception is President Asif Ali Zardari. Nothing has benefited media more than his notorious image, which was sold to the nation round the clock, for five years. The stamp of Mr 10 percent is still wet on him and obviously, according to some, he had Benazir Bhutto murdered so that he could become the president of Pakistan.

Contrary to the perception, his achievements are historic and unprecedented. From the passing of 18th amendment bill and giving away of his powers to the parliament to the first ever completion of the democratic government’s tenure, Zardari has made history while others have merely made headlines.

His smart handling of party and state affairs during the ongoing judicial activism, smear campaign by the media, pressure from the military and other political opponents, natural calamities and the pugnacious wave of terrorism in the country have visibly unnerved and frustrated the harbingers of his doom.

There is a lot of hullabaloo about corruption but even a journalist like Ansar Abbasi or Kamran Khan cannot point out one corruption scandal that involves presidency. Credit must also be given to his nerves for listening to such callous criticism against him and remaining neutral and dignified.

Other than that, his sharp focus on foreign policy has set Pakistan’s position right on the international front. Our relations with UK and US are excellent, so are our ties with China. We have achieved much access into EU and its markets. We are back in the Commonwealth and playing a positive role. We have no disputes with the Muslim world. Gwadar port agreement and Pak-Iran gas pipeline projects will go down in the history as a turning point for our economy and regional stability. Let us also not forget the immense pressure from the US government to halt this deal. Zardari’s most laudable achievement is a gradual shift in the relationship between India and Pakistan and a policy shift in the strategic depth doctrine in Afghanistan.

Although, the above-mentioned and several other steps are not popular among masses and media, the fact remains that Zardari has proven himself to be a successful and visionary statesman. But then again, as Gustave Flaubert once said, “There’s no truth in the world. There is only perception”.



The author is a senior producer in a news channel and can be reached on twitter @zeekhan_

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Many would welcome the categorical assurance by the COAS that the elections would be held on May 11 as scheduled. That the CJ too has issued a similar statement indicates an awareness on their part of the lingering scepticism among the public at large. This being the first time that power is going to be transferred from an elected civilian government, which has completed its full tenure, to a newly elected administration, people watch the rare event with dire premonitions based on real experience. The remarks by the general, therefore, are all the more reassuring. Thanks the shoddy performance on the part of the political parties whenever they come to power, the country has to hear a lecture from the army chief on democratic values and good governance. This time neither the PPP and its erstwhile allies nor the PML-N administration can claim that they would have done wonders if their tenure had not been cut short. Gen Kayani is spot on when he says that the success of democracy is intimately linked with the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation. He is also right that the forthcoming elections provide a golden opportunity to usher in an era of true democratic values in the country. With fresh assurances from the army that it values and wholeheartedly supports democracy, which some will take with a pinch of salt because of their past experiences, the next government would hopefully work hard to consolidate the system. It has to continue the recently established tradition of tolerance of the opposition and media criticism. It has however to focus on governance, be responsive to the common man’s problems and take a clear cut stand vis a vis the terrorists.

Ironically, here too the political parties need to pay heed to what Gen Kayani has said. To start with the general has owned the war against terrorism. He has designated those ordering terrorist attacks from their remote strongholds as a small faction which wants to foist its misconceived notions of Islam on the entire nation. As he put it, the terrorist ideology defies the constitution and the democratic process and considers all forms of bloodshed justified. As the formulation does not come from the Army Green Book, which, we have been told, may not always reflect the thinking of the army high command, but which the COAS himself said carries the stamp of institutional authority. There is need on the part of all political parties, many of whom have been reluctant so far to do so, to take a clear cut stand against the terrorists. In their election manifestoes too they have preferred to tiptoe around the issue of terrorism. The political parties must provide support to army action against those who conduct attacks in Pakistan.

It is interesting that while the PPP, ANP and MQM have opposed military deployment in Karachi, the Sindh government, set up with the consensus of the three parties, has called out the army to help it hold peaceful elections. The army’s presence would discourage the terrorists and increase the voter turnout.

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