20.05.2013

Friends and foes

Speaking at his first major press conference in Peshawar, the man nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as its chief minister for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Pervaiz Khattak, has said the party will begin a process of “re-negotiation” with the Taliban. He has also said that his party had “no fight” with the group, and was, therefore, quite willing to open up a process of dialogue with it.

In the first place, in the light of Mr Khattak’s words, we must say that we, as citizens, do indeed have a fight with the Taliban. This is not because of ideological differences but because of the crimes they have committed against the people of our country, slaughtering and butchering thousands in bomb blasts, targeted killings or other acts of terrorism. Many more have died in such attacks than in US drone strikes, which the PTI has in the past said much about. They include women and children slain in bazaars, people targeted in other public places and health workers shot dead simply because they were working to protect children against disease. In other places, such as Swat before the 2009 military operation, they have spread mayhem and terror of the worst kind, beheading people in public, flogging those they wished to punish and taking terrible revenge against those they see as enemies. Teenager Malala Yousufzai is one example. The scores of dead ANP workers another. In places like the Kurram and Khyber agencies, the process of terrorising tribes people who oppose the militants continues. Thousands of families have, as a result, had to flee their homes.
In these circumstances, it is hard to say how any responsible individual can claim to have no enmity with an outfit responsible for the most atrocious crimes. All of us, on principle, have an enmity with the Taliban. This is something the PTI must not forget, and it must then consider if it is wise to say that it has no enmity with the TTP instead of than punishing them for the terrible suffering they have inflicted on innocent people all over the country. Yes, in K-P peace is a priority — but a policy of appeasement to achieve it could prove counterproductive and very dangerous.

Broken tax system

Allegations of corruption and incompetence at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are common, but this time, the old boys’ club at the organisation appears to really have outdone themselves. With less than six weeks left to the end of the current fiscal year and tax collection trailing badly behind even twice-lowered targets, instead of putting their backs into trying to fix the problem, the top brass at the FBR is busy engaging in the kind of petty personal rivalries that would look immature on a high school squad.
That the taxation system in Pakistan is broken is beyond doubt, but what is more perplexing is why there seems to be virtually nobody in authority who seems interested in fixing it. The one person who seems to have had some sensible ideas on how to approach the problem — former FBR chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem — has been sacked by the Islamabad High Court, in yet another example of how litigious the civil service has become.
The fact is that the FBR, as it currently stands, is more akin to a medieval fiefdom than it is to a modern tax collecting authority. Allegations of corruption abound, with entire networks of officers seeking to support one another in collecting graft for themselves rather than taxes for the national exchequer. And like any other gang of individuals that lives on corruption, these groups often battle with one another for influence and control over what they call “lucrative” posts, in turf wars that are only marginally more civilised than the ones played out on the streets of Karachi.
The system will take years to clean up completely, but in order to ensure that he can get anything done, the new prime minister must tackle this creaking corner of the bureaucracy first. After all, if he does not fix the tax men, where will he get the money for all of those infrastructure and investment projects he has in mind?
Hakeem’s plan was to use the power of Big Data to identify tax evaders and go after them. That would be a good starting point for the new administration.

22.05.2013

Changing tack

We are going to see a significant change in direction as far as tactics on the war on terror go. Mian Nawaz Sharif, as he stands on the starting blocks ready to begin his third tenure as prime minister, has told a gathering of elected representatives from his party in Lahore that he will be initiating dialogue with the Taliban. He said he does not believe that bullets can succeed and he has pointed out that so far, the battle being fought in the north of the country against terrorists had cost some 40,000 lives and millions of rupees. Mr Sharif is reported already to be in touch with intermediaries ready to begin the process of dialogue, while several independent candidates elected from tribal areas have also joined the PML-N.
The prime minister-elect certainly has the mandate to pursue the policies his party chooses. Its position on engagement with the Taliban had been made clear many times in the past. We must, as such, wish him well — for there can be no bigger gift to the country than an escape from terrorism and the menace it brings with it. People living in the conflict zone, too, desire nothing so much as peace. But the PML-N, and its policy team, should keep in mind the past history of talks with the Taliban and the repeated breach of agreements by the militants — a pattern seen over and over again through the past decade. Indeed, these interludes of “peace” have simply allowed the Taliban to regroup. It is also true that before the current military operation was launched in 2009, the Taliban held all seven tribal agencies and other territories, such as Swat. The description of the Taliban as a “misguided minority” rejected by the people by army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani must also be kept in mind.
Mian Nawaz Sharif must keep all these factors in view as he begins the negotiation bid. So far, the parameters of these talks have not been spelled out — but we must hope these will be made known to us as citizens, so we know where our leaders stand on key issues.

Eradicating IEDs

The fact that the army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has taken up the issue of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is very welcome. Such devices are widely used by militant groups in the country and have left behind a long trail of death and destruction. Reports in the past have suggested that IEDs are manufactured on a large scale within small laboratories, with banned outfits having gained more and more expertise over the years in producing these weapons and training others in doing so.
Speaking at a conference titled “Saving Lives by Jointly Defeating IEDs”, held at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, General Kayani told the gathering of experts from countries including the UK, the US, Australia and Turkey that the issue needs to be dealt with together. Given this reality, the conduct of the conference augurs well. It should be noted that there have also been US claims that 80 per cent of IEDs used against forces in Afghanistan originated from Pakistan and were assembled using the CAN fertiliser manufactured in the country. Most terrorist attacks in Afghanistan involve IEDs. However, General Kayani firmly refuted the line that their source of origin lay in Pakistan, pointing out that other countries in the region also produced similar or even more potentially dangerous substances, which could be used to make IEDs. He also said Pakistan had taken steps to control the movement of CAN.
It is logical to say that nations need to work together to resolve issues linked to militancy, including the production of IEDs. It is a wise decision to take up this matter. The army chief needs to be applauded for doing so, openly and sensibly. It is only when problems are spoken about that they can be solved. As such, the conference on IEDs holds very real significance and marks an important step forward in eradicating weapons which can be built quickly and easily, and which, over the last many years, have been used for terrible terrorist attacks, inflicting death and suffering on thousands.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

23.05.2013

Saving fuel

We are all aware we face a severe energy crisis. We cannot help but be, with electricity shutdowns often lasting 18 hours or more being experienced through the country. In the light of this situation, the ban placed on the use of CNG for vehicles over 1000cc by the government is welcome. In his order, caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has pointed out that a commodity intended to facilitate low-and middle-income groups was being used to run large cars and jeeps, creating a greater demand for it. CNG is, of course, sold at subsidised rates. In view of the priority being given to the power sector, gas supply to CNG stations has already been reduced, and the PM has directed that the latest measures announced be implemented within days.
Certainly, given the scale of our energy crisis and the toll it is taking on so many aspects of life, we need to do all that we can to salvage a grim situation. We know now that the CNG policy, put into effect during the tenure of former General Pervez Musharraf, was ill-conceived. This is unfortunate for the many who switched to CNG as a result of official encouragement. But it is clear also the commodity has been misused. At any rate, change is essential and we must welcome the move from the government.
Indeed, more measures are needed to conserve energy. Attempts had been made to create awareness in the past, but even so, it is astonishing how many citizens, notably residents of posh areas, leave gate lights and other un-required energy using items switched on, much longer than they are needed.
The same applies, at the official level, to street lights, which in some localities can be seen lit up even during the day. We all need to work together to overcome what is a crippling energy shortfall. An important step forward has been taken by the government, but other similar steps are also required so we can get the country moving once more. This has become an essential requirement which cannot be delayed.

Unwanted residents

All but around 30 of the 171 MNAs who lost their places in the legislature after the May 11 election have failed to vacate the parliamentary lodges allotted to them for use during their stint in parliament. This means 141 lodges, which should have been vacated to allow newly elected MNAs to move in, remain occupied. Even a notice served to the ex-MNAs by the National Assembly Secretariat, asking them to leave the premises by March 20 has had no impact, with the accommodation still in use by them. Several ministers are reported also to have not moved out of the residences provided to them in the Ministers’ Colony in Islamabad, adding to the problems for authorities. Of the 276 suites reserved for MNAs, around 80 will be retained by those who have kept their seats. The 30 ousted MNAs who have moved out are said mainly to be linked to the PPP. The identities and affiliations of the 141 who have chosen not to shift remain unclear. Their names should be made public.
Similar situations have arisen before. After the 2008 polls, the CDA had to move in to forcibly evict defeated MNAs reluctant to move out. It is reported to be considering such action again. The failure of the MNAs to act in a legal and ethical manner does not reflect well on our politicians. Since these honourable persons have themselves failed to do the right thing, setting a terrible example to others, perhaps their parties need to step in. It is important they enforce some element of discipline on their own members, for their actions, after all, also reflect on the groups they are associated with. We need to develop a more wholesome political culture. This is important for our nation so that respect can be built for democracy. Persons who play a role in this must do their bit by acting responsibly and not abusing their positions. We need to see a dignified exit from the parliamentary lodges within the next few days, rather than the ugliness of a forced eviction.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

25.05.2013

Drone drift

There appears to have been a change, or at least a drift, in US policy on drone strikes. Speaking on the controversial attacks by unmanned aircraft at Washington’s National Defence University, US President Barack Obama broke away to some extent on his predecessor George W Bush’s stance on drones, stating that in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan, their use would be “limited” and they would be deployed only when the capture of a key target was impossible. He also said civilian casualties would be avoided at all costs. It may be noted that drone attacks have recently come under fierce criticism from rights groups including Amnesty International, which has said they are illegal. The drone attacks have, of course, been a key issue of political and humanitarian debate at home, figuring prominently in the recent election campaign.

President Obama’s words on more controlled use of drones are welcome, but they are simply not enough. The strikes need to be stopped completely — given the deaths of civilians they have caused and the deep sense of outrage they have given rise to. They, of course, also erode Pakistan’s sovereignty. This, too, has been an issue brought up many times at home. The damage inflicted by the drones comes in many forms. But putting emotion aside for a while, we need also to look at reality.
The truth is that had the state done a more efficient job, the drone strikes across the north may never have been necessitated. We need to consider why various key militants, including the late Baitullah Mehsud, were reached by drones, obviously on the basis of very sound intelligence, but could not be captured by our own apparatus. Other examples exist, too. Yes, the drone attacks must stop; the death and terror they bring must end. We hope President Obama will recognise this and accept that limiting strikes is not enough. But to make this more likely we must also consider our policy at home and ensure that at our own end, we are doing everything possible to remove the militants from our midst, ensuring no other force feels the need to do this for us.

An unending scourge

Terrorism appears to have become a feature in our lives that simply refuses to go away. Quetta, in the past, has repeatedly been the epicentre of such violence, and on May 23, the city saw yet another terrorist attack on security personnel when around 100kgs of explosives planted along the route of a bus carrying members of the Rapid Response Force of the Balochistan Constabulary detonated as the vehicle transported persons on duty from Qasim Lines into the main city. Thirteen were killed and at least 17 others injured. Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Durrani has admitted an intelligence failure and as a province-wide hunt begins, six arrests have been made.
According to Reuters, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban, according to the report, say this was in retaliation for the recent arrest and killing of some of their colleagues belonging to the Swat Taliban. This comes after prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for dialogue with the Taliban. The Taliban, according to reports, have responded by saying that it is too early for them to respond to such an offer. In the meantime, murder and mayhem continue, and we clearly need greater efficiency from our law-enforcing apparatus and intelligence network — though, of course, in the final analysis, even this may not be enough.
These latest attacks, of course, only compound the convoluted problems of Balochistan, which are by now so deeply entrenched in its soil that the solutions will need to be worked out at the highest policymaking levels. The task falls squarely on the shoulders of the government due to take oath in the province. Its degree of success in this will determine a lot about a province, which appears to be on the brink of falling apart, torn to shreds by violence that has come in so many different forms. Indeed, this government cannot afford to fail. It carries a huge responsibility on its shoulders and must deliver if Balochistan is to be saved and prevented from falling into a still further state of anarchy.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

26.05.2013

Tackling the energy crisis

Prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif reportedly asked for assistance from Beijing for fixing Pakistan’s energy crisis in his meeting with the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, last week. A reference to the civil nuclear technology sector was also made during the meeting. As an astute politician, Mr Sharif also emphasised the need for investments in Pakistan’s energy sector instead of aid during this important meeting. It has also been stated by PML-N circles that a team of experts will accompany Mr Sharif during his visit to Beijing, once he takes charge of the country, to discuss proposals, which include energy-related assistance from China.
The PML-N’s election campaign centred on the energy crisis and it promised that it would lift the nation out of “darkness”. This promise and the current state of play worked well for the PML-N. Indeed, the power sector has played havoc with the economy, debilitating industry and rendering thousands jobless. Tackling the circular debt issue would be the short-term priority while the long-term and much neglected reforms in the energy sector would require swift, well-coordinated efforts by the new administration.
Where does China and other foreign powers stand in this crisis? The key expectation of the new government would be to obtain concessional oil supplies from Saudi Arabia that may help with the short-term alleviation of the structural issue. China can also surely help Pakistan through expertise and investment in the sector. Pakistan’s vast and largely untapped coal reserves can be utilised with Chinese assistance (a far more practicable idea than reliance on civil nuclear technology). Similarly, the ongoing, planned hydropower projects need to be expedited. But all these measures require a medium term for fruition. Political governments are handicapped by public pressure and the need for delivery in a short span of time.
Perhaps, the most challenging aspect of the energy sector crisis would be to cough up additional revenues from an over-committed budget to manage the circular debt. To achieve this, the new government has to introduce fiscal reforms at the earliest. The forthcoming budget, therefore, would highlight the PML-N’s intent as to how serious it is to reduce wasteful expenditures and overcome the culture of political expediency.

School van explosion

In a tragic incident, an explosion in a school van in Gujrat killed a teacher and 17 schoolchildren when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol. The death of children aged between five and 15 years is heartbreaking and we cannot even imagine the pain their parents must be going through. Five of the children are reported to be in critical condition and have been sent to Lahore for treatment. Needless to say, every effort must be made to save their lives.
Moreover, this incident highlights the dire need to pay acute attention to safety standards, which seems to be missing in Pakistan, whether it is in the case of fires breaking out in buildings, or in this case, in the installation of gas cylinders in vehicles. The option to switch from gas to petrol is economical and may indeed enable not only the driver to make a living, but also the parents to be able to afford sending their children to school. However, notwithstanding the economics of using gas for cars, the least that can be done is that safety standards in installations be followed.
According to news reports, the driver of the bus has fled the scene. Indeed, he must be apprehended and the case investigated to the end. We have seen many other incidents, which have led to terrible loss of life because of negligence and carelessness. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.
The incident also highlights the need for a good public transport system in the country, which adheres to all safety standards and provides a viable alternative to citizens. With the incoming government’s stress on infrastructure, we hope these issues are addressed and, more importantly, done in a well thought out manner that leaves no room for the kind of gross criminal negligence that was at display in this particular incident. What is needed is strict scrutiny of gas cylinders before they are installed in vehicles and routine checks after their installation. The lives of our citizens, especially children, are too precious to risk in such a manner.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

27.05.2013

Popularity ranking

Pakistan will need to look very seriously at its image in the world and determine what can be done to fix it. The way things stand at present are not good for it or its citizens, with the prevailing perceptions about the country affecting investment in it, tourism to it, visas for Pakistanis and the reception they receive in most countries as they arrive at airports.
This is borne out by a new survey of 16 countries, carried out by the BBC and involving 26,000 people. The results show that Pakistan is one of the least popular countries in the world, finishing at 15th place on the list topped by Germany. Only Iran finished behind Pakistan in the poll, with participants asked to judge a country on the basis of its “positive” or “negative” influence on the world. Fifty-five per cent of respondents thought Pakistan’s contribution was “negative”, with only 15 per cent judging it as “positive”. India finished four ranks ahead of Pakistan, with 34 per cent judging its role as a positive one.

We may, of course, differ with these opinions. Many — indeed, most of us — do not like to see our country in this light. But we must accept this is the view the rest of the world holds and find ways to combat it. This is possible only if we make an effort to change ourselves, to examine problems and to tackle them. Yes, the government needs to play a key role in this but we too, as citizens, must contribute. The conduct of Pakistanis living overseas, as students or part of the workforce can also play a part in this and help us move higher up this ignominious listing. We need to take measures to root out corruption and extremism, which have given us such a bad name globally, and focus on development and education. We currently do not stand at a good place at all and need to act to change things before global opinion about our country hardens even further. This would be unfortunate in many ways and will do nothing to gain us the dignity and standing we need in the world. This alone could, to a very considerable extent, help us escape the increasing sense of isolation we currently face, regarded as a country with little hope of recovery in the near future.

Terrorist outrage

There are some things that appear never to change. In yet another incident of terrorism, on May 24 in K-P, at least six policemen were killed and four others, including the district police officer (DPO), Kohat, injured when militants ambushed their vehicles on the Indus Highway near Mattani. The DPO, Dilawar Bangash, was on his way to Kohat from Peshawar when the convoy was ambushed near Ghaziabad check post. According to reports, the militants who completely destroyed one vehicle, were equipped with RPG-7 rockets and other sophisticated weapons. As the DPO was taken to Kohat by his driver, who had also been injured, the militants — said to be dozens in number — attacked another police mobile, triggering a gunfight between the two parties that lasted for some hours and resulted in still more injuries.
It is clear this was a well-planned and meticulously executed attack. The militants were not only well prepared and trained, but also armed with good intelligence. It would appear they were familiar with the travel plans of the DPO and his convoy. Investigations are on to determine if Bangash was a specific target or whether this was yet another of the attacks so regularly carried out against security personnel in many parts of the country, but perhaps most frequently in K-P. We also see that even now, the militants remain organised, efficient and quite capable of continuing the reign of death they have inflicted. Scores of security personnel have, over the years, died as a result. Their graves stand in many places.
Tackling this tragedy should be a priority for the incoming government. It has to be. There is really no choice in the matter. The new K-P government will, almost certainly, be led by Imran Khan’s PTI. The challenges before it are quite enormous. We can only hope that ways can be found to meet them and bring down the almost daily toll of death, which has already taken far too many lives and left behind a landscape spattered with the ugly stain of blood.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

28.05.2013

Time for talks

Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, arguably the country’s most powerful Deobandi cleric and undoubtedly a man with close links to the Taliban, has apparently shown possible willingness to take on the task of acting as the facilitator in talks between the incoming PML-N government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He has, however, at the very outset made it clear that this is a delicate matter and that the PML-N should think carefully before engaging in it. Maulana Samiul Haq has also emphasised any talks will be with the TTP and not the Afghan Taliban.

We may soon see that the process of dialogue could prove very relevant to our future. Maulana Samiul Haq has said that the PML-N and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which will form the next government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, must make sure they are in accord with the security establishment, before taking on this task. This, of course, is perfectly sensible advice. Quite regardless of whether it is a good idea or not to talk to the Taliban, it is obvious that any hope of success can come only if the military and civilian government are both in agreement about the future course of action to take. The terms for talks should be discussed and decided upon between them. The matter is all the more significant since the TTP wants political parties to act as guarantors that any accord reached with the military, will be implemented. It is important to note that a few months ago, the Taliban and other militant forces were, of course, labelled the main security threat to the country by the military high command.
Maulana Samiul Haq has also warned that the government must not succumb under US pressure over the issue. He is quite right in stating that a number of complications are involved. The PML-N needs to keep this in mind and chalk out a clear path. The talks issue is not one that can be taken lightly. It is vital that all players are on the same page, and only then can a serious endeavour be made to move towards a process of talks in the hope of resolving the key national issue of militancy.

Power collapse

The tripping of all units of the Guddu Thermal Power Station on May 26 goes to illustrate just how grave our power problem is, with any glitch creating a full-fledged crisis. The collapse at Guddu, due to reasons which are still being investigated with over-loading being the most likely culprit, plunged towns in upper Sindh, including Sukkur, as well as parts of Balochistan and Punjab, into a state of prolonged darkness. With temperatures soaring and, in parts of the country, hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark, the suffering of the people was, of course, acute. This is the second time Guddu has fallen apart this week, perhaps a sign of the aging power infrastructure sprawled out across our country. The problem has worsened over the years, with greater and greater load falling on this structure.
It is obvious that the power problem needs to be addressed in a holistic fashion. There are many dimensions to it. That of circular debt and demand exceeding production has already been discussed many times over. There seems to be little doubt the energy crisis has become a key priority for our nation. It has to be addressed as urgently as possible. There is no longer any time to lose. Indeed, the incoming government has made it clear that the issue stands at the apex of those to be solved. How we go about this is still to be seen. A survey of the entire situation is required, so we can fully understand the nature of the problem and then set about putting solutions in place. We have waited far too long to find these solutions and the result is not only severe suffering for citizens and grave disruptions in daily life, but also a hobbling of the economy, leaving it to stagnate still further as machines everywhere come to a halt.
The power situation adds up to a very grave crisis. It is one we need to tackle sensibly, keeping in view both short-term needs as well as longer-term ones, which affect life everywhere in our stricken country.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

29.05.2013

The US and the Afghan Taliban

The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has vigorously defended the peace overtures made by the US to the Afghan Taliban. After a decade of spending trillions and the human destruction, the US is taking the pragmatic line before it pulls out of Afghanistan next year. The public opinion in the US has clearly titled towards an early withdrawal and doing all it takes to wrap up the unsuccessful Afghanistan adventure. Secretary Kerry’s rationale is rather linear: he has said that the greatest issue between the US and the Taliban was the handing over of Osama bin Laden, who is now dead. Furthermore, the US also considers al Qaeda to have been defeated in Afghanistan and therefore, a broad-based Afghanistan government, which includes the Taliban as a power stakeholder, makes sense.

Secretary Kerry’s optimism notwithstanding, it remains to be seen what the framework for talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban is and whether there are conditions attached to these parleys. For example, what are the key areas of discussions and can these talks lead to a durable post-Nato stasis. Would the larger questions remain shrouded in mystery: would the Afghan Taliban accept the existing constitution and what would be their stance on women’s participation in politics? Would the Afghan Taliban stick to agreements, or renege on the commitments made? What would be the fate of non-Pashtun political players in these arrangements? Most importantly, what would be the relationship between the Afghan Taliban and their Pakistani counterparts wreaking havoc in the neighbouring country?
In Pakistan, this olive branch to the Afghan Taliban is viewed as some sort of a justification to engage in talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This is somewhat problematic, as the TTP does not agree to the Constitution of Pakistan, and wants to undo the state structure. The Afghan Taliban do not reside in the ungoverned corners of the United States, therefore, talking to them is definitely not the same. Despite the hype created around the proposed talks with the TTP, it may just turn out to be an exercise in futility as the earlier half-a-dozen peace agreements with them failed. This is an existential crisis that Pakistan will have to grapple with, regardless of what happens between the US and the Afghan Taliban.

Sectarian violence

A Sindh High Court lawyer Kausar Saqlain and his two sons, aged 12 and 15, were killed in Karachi on May 28. The Karachi police chief said it seems to be a sectarian killing though the case is still under investigation. If this is indeed a case of sectarian violence, the authorities must look into the reasons behind why sectarian terrorist organisations operate with impunity in the country and target innocent citizens indiscriminately.
This is not the first time that innocent citizens have been targeted on a sectarian basis by terrorist outfits. Karachi has seen an increase in sectarian violence, while members of the different communities have been targeted indiscriminately in other parts of the country, too. Back in February, a doctor and his 12-year-old son were gunned down in Lahore while another lawyer was gunned down in Peshawar in front of his children. Hundreds of Hazara Shias have been killed this year in brutal attacks. It seems that terrorist organisations are targeting professionals, who belong to different communities.
The disturbing factor is that despite the authorities’ claim of putting curbs on the activities of these outfits, their sources of funding and arms are fully intact. A look at recent incidents of this nature would reveal that these have not suffered. Sectarian violence is the ugly fallout of the policy of jihad supported by the pumping in of weapons during General Ziaul Haq’s rule, leading to the militarisation of society. The use of these elements by the state for its own purposes has incurred a heavy cost, which our society is now paying in blood. Militancy is in nobody’s interest and terrorist elements in society must be rooted out as a priority. We cannot afford to give space to these groups in our society and allow them to attack with such impunity. They must be tackled with, once and for all, so people of all castes and creed can enjoy freedom in the country.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

30.05.2013

NAB controversy

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC), on May 28, ordered the removal of Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari from his post as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and directed the federal government to appoint someone else in his place.
The Court held that Fasih Bokhari’s appointment was illegal, in violation of Section 6 of the NAB Ordinance, and, therefore, null and void. Admiral (retd) Bokhari had been appointed to head NAB at the end of 2011, and since then, has been accused by the SC of violating its orders on several occasions. The ruling delivered by the Court is based on its interpretation of the said clause, which seeks “meaningful consultation” in the appointment. The bench hearing the matter has said the leader of the opposition at that time did not agree on the choice made. This version of events is disputed by Admiral (retd) Bokhari’s counsel, who says no objection was made by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. He has also pointed out that Syed Deedar Shah’s name was previously rejected by the opposition and asked what would happen if no name could be agreed on.

This, of course, is a very pertinent point. The removal of a NAB chairman is no small matter and raises for the future the possibility of all kinds of complications. To avoid these, it is important the apex Court clarify precisely what it sees as being meant by the term “meaningful consultation”. It should also tell us what is to happen if no agreement can be reached between the government and the opposition, and name after name is rejected. This, of course, is a very real possibility given the nature of politics in our country.
The NAB chairmanship is, of course, a key post. There should be no confusion or controversy over the appointment of a person to this position. It is unfortunate this has not been the case and the latest verdict only adds to the general sense of confusion. It is important this be cleared away so we can say with certainty how the appointment is to be made and what is involved in this at every stage.

Missed budgetary targets

In normal countries, the business of running the nation’s finances is often given to a highly important member of the ruling party, a person who commands the absolute confidence of the head of government. In Pakistan, however, under the previous administration and the current caretaker set-up, it seems the only reason we even appointed a finance minister is because it would look bad to have a civil servant lead what seems to be the perpetual negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Given the lack of seriousness about managing the country’s finances, it comes as no surprise that the annual announcement that the government is about to miss its budgetary targets by a wide mark has become something of a political tradition.
This week, for instance, it was revealed that the fiscal deficit would reach 7.6 per cent of the total size of the economy, on account of the government’s failure to curb runaway power subsidies and pressure the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to do its job and actually collect taxes for a change. We would express shock, but it is hardly surprising that the government has failed in its responsibility to manage its money properly.
This is now the second time in a row that an outgoing government has left in place several populist measures (it was energy subsidies last time too) in a failed bid to win re-election. But it seems that, twice in a row, the Pakistani people have proven too smart for such gimmickry.
That being said, however, spending is not the real problem. Yes, the government spends its money unwisely on subsidising today’s consumption rather than investing in tomorrow’s growth opportunities, but the actual level of government spending is not really the problem. Islamabad has a very serious revenue problem, one that needs to be tackled with ruthlessness. Until the FBR is made to get its house in order, all reform efforts will come to nought.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)

31.05.2013

Drone attack

According to reports, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has lost its deputy head, Waliur Rehman, to a US drone strike in North Waziristan. Though the TTP has not confirmed the incident, and spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan has, in fact, denied it, the various reports coming in suggest that Rehman is indeed one of those killed in the attack, which killed five persons at a guest house in Miramshah. The others killed are believed to be middle-level TTP commanders and Uzbek militants. Few other details are known, but it is thought that four missiles targeted the guest house. The intelligence on which this strike was based obviously appears to be precise.

The loss of Waliur Rehman, understood to be the operational head of the TTP, and the man behind much of its planning and strategy, naturally comes as a big blow to the TTP — indeed, the biggest it has received since the death of former head Baitullah Mehsud in a 2009 drone strike. However, while we certainly do not wish the TTP to flourish, the killing of Rehman raises all kinds of questions. The fact is that drone attacks violate our sovereignty and go against international law. As we already know, they are also a source of much angst within the country. This strike, coming at a time when the incoming government is planning talks with the Taliban — in the hope of gaining the peace we desperately need — will only complicate that task.
The fact is that we, as a nation, need to resolve the militancy issue itself. There must be no intervention from other lands, given that this creates further issues. Pakistan must determine how to tackle the TTP and then set out on this mission swiftly and determinedly, whether through the use of force or through dialogue. Indeed, we need to resolve this issue once and for all, and do so in so decisive a manner that no such intervention from any other country is required. To some degree, at least, failure on our part to do so results in drone attacks. We need to convince the world we are capable of handling the Taliban problem, which has affected our nation worst of all, and then set about demonstrating this ability through actions on the ground.

Changing over

The process of transferring power over to the newly-elected leadership has begun, completing the five-year democratic cycle for the first time in our history. MPAs in Sindh and K-P have duly taken oath. In Sindh, many who previously held seats have returned; in K-P there is a whole sea of new faces. But in both provinces, the expectations of people are the same: they seek committed leadership that can help resolve the complex problems they face and work to improve the basic quality of their lives. We must hope these thoughts were uppermost in the minds of the MPAs as they took their places.
The challenges that lie ahead of them are many. It will take disciplined effort to meet these. The fact that the inaugural session of the Sindh Assembly was a rowdy one, with workers of various parties loudly shouting slogans through proceedings against all rules and protocol is not terribly encouraging. But we hope things will settle down and that governance will proceed smoothly, with Syed Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP set to serve his third term as chief minister. In K-P, quite in contrast, the PTI will be heading a coalition government and taking on this role for the very first time. Right now, the party appears to have the backing of most major parties, and, indeed, such cooperation may be required into the future given that managing the troubled affairs of the province will almost certainly bring with it its share of difficulties.
We must hope all the new MPAs are ready to prove their worth. Too often, democracy has been maligned in our country because of the actions of elected representatives. This unfortunate tradition must change, and persons in whom people have reposed trust must rise up to the task of serving them as fully as they can and proving they can offer the kind of guidance and inspiration needed to build a better future for a country and a people who will be looking at the assemblies with renewed hope. They must not be disappointed this time around.

__________________
"Nay! man is evidence against himself. Though he puts forth his excuses." Holy Qur'an (75:14-15)