01.06.2013

Stalled talks

As many had predicted when there was the news of the drone strike and the resultant death of Taliban deputy chief Waliur Rehman, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have withdrawn their offer for talks. This brings to a halt the ongoing conjecture about negotiations and the pros and cons of this approach.
The fact also is that the proposed talks were in many ways a non-starter in the first place. Only the most fortunate, indeed miraculous, combination of factors could have got them off the ground. In the first place, the man approached by the incoming government to act as mediator, Maulana Samiul Haq, has stated he actually had no idea of whom to contact or where to go. The Taliban remain a shadowy entity, with confusion over their location. It is also rumoured that the group may have factionalised, adding to the complications in engaging them in talks.

It is also quite obvious the US, meanwhile, will be continuing its drone programme. President Barack Obama has spelled this out quite clearly in a recent speech, stating that drones would be used more carefully and directed towards specific targets to avoid civilian casualties but would not stop. It will be next to impossible for Islamabad to persuade Washington to change its mind on this, at least, until the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in 2014. The policy has been laid out in black and white and this factor makes talks with the Taliban even less likely.
In this context, we must also, in the strongest possible terms, advise the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader, Imran Khan, that his suggestion that drones be shot down — using aircraft that came our way from the US — is inherently unwise. Realistically speaking, much as we value our sovereignty, this would be a disaster. The far wiser approach would be to continue a campaign against drones on the international stage, build opposition to their use in the US as well and use this as a means to build pressure against drones so that the invasion of our territory can finally stop. There are really no other options available to us.

DNA and CII

It sometimes seems we truly live in strange times. Another such moment has come with the opinion expressed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) that DNA-based evidence cannot be used as the main evidence in cases of rape, though it can be used as “supplementary” evidence. The prerequisite of the presence of four witnesses to testify to rape is to come into play as the central evidence in such cases, the CII has said after a meeting. It was addressing the various queries put before it by courts seeking an opinion on the matter.
Till now, as a matter of standard practice, the police have relied on DNA evidence when registering rape cases. Courts, too, have used this to determine matters. In this age of science, this, of course, is the norm around the world. The general consensus within the women’s rights community appears to be that this has generally led to a higher rate of conviction for rapists, given that forensic evidence often provides the most solid proof in such crimes as well as in others. Indeed, it has revolutionised criminal investigation, making it possible to more accurately pinpoint those behind various crimes. If DNA evidence was not admissible, many investigation forces would feel paralysed.
Ours will, too. The CII observation, suggesting the use of DNA evidence be limited, sets us back and makes it harder to determine crime with certainty. It will mean not only fewer convictions, but also leave greater doubt hanging over decisions reached. This is a negative development, all the more so where, judging by the incomplete data available, hundreds of rapes occur each year. As a nation which forms a part of the global village, it is important we move ahead with modern times. As it has done in the past, under more progressive heads, the CII needs to take a realistic view of matters and recognise that impeding the use of DNA evidence would only obstruct the course of justice — and this cannot be a good thing in any society.

02.06.2013

Credible constraints

It is early days yet, but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s proposal to limit its own power to undertake populist decisions in the energy sector is a welcome one. The incoming administration appears to have agreed to a proposal that has long been espoused by energy reform advocates: removing the power to make appointments in state-owned power companies from the prime minister’s office. It appears that Nawaz Sharif is willing to relinquish that power and hand it over to independent boards of directors at these companies.
And just for good measure, to ensure that the temptation never overwhelms any future prime minister, the Nawaz Sharif Administration appears to be contemplating selling more of the government’s shares to private investors, a move that would increase private sector representation on the boards and limit the government’s power to interfere in the running of state-owned energy companies. Such attention to institutional development is a refreshing change for the energy sector, particularly after the disastrous inaction of the previous administration.
The economy is best served when the private sector is left to run businesses and the government focuses on regulating those businesses. While a full privatisation would be preferable, the government placing credible constraints on its own authority is a significant step in the right direction, one that is likely to be welcomed by investors, local and foreign alike.
The incoming Nawaz Sharif Administration appears to be showing a great deal of political maturity so far and has given indications that it is more interested in solving the energy crisis than increasing its own powers. We hope this trend continues throughout the five years to follow. Here is one incentive for the new administration: energy sector stocks have skyrocketed since the election in anticipation of the PML-N undertaking real reform in the energy sector, driving up the broader stock market. If the administration dithers in the path towards that goal, it will face a stock market crash and a capital flight by foreign investors, who have been gearing up to pour money into the country.

Prisoners’ dilemma

The plight of those accused under the blasphemy law is highly disturbing. A report in The Express Tribune highlighted the sad case of Hamid Hussain, who has been in prison since March 2012, and is currently in solitary confinement. Accused of distributing objectionable pamphlets, his case is unusual in that his name was apparently inserted in the FIR four months after it was first filed. Mr Hussain claims that he has been wrongfully implicated.
These prisoners face abuse of their rights in jail, with other prisoners, as well as jail officials, threatening them. The conditions in which they are kept are deplorable and they are kept in solitary confinement for long periods of time for reasons of “security”. Many of those accused of blasphemy in the past have been murdered in custody. The mental anguish these prisoners go through takes a toll on them; many face psychological problems and die in prison. It is the state’s responsibility to appoint competent lawyers to fight their cases but lawyers are often reluctant to endanger their own lives.
An estimated 1,274 people have been accused under the blasphemy law since 1986, when they were introduced by General Ziaul Haq, until 2010. The law is blatantly misused and has become a tool to victimise minorities. What is frightening is the currency that it has found among citizens, with religious zealotry and a growing intolerance becoming a hallmark of society. Punishment under the laws includes life imprisonment and the death penalty and while the death sentence has never been implemented, many are murdered before facing a fair trial. At times, on the exhortation of certain clerics, these murderers are celebrated rather than condemned, as was Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of the late Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer. The fact is that the blasphemy law is in urgent need of reform since, at present, it is often used to settle personal vendettas. It is high time that those who make false allegations of blasphemy are brought to the book themselves.

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

03.06.2013

Welcome words

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s remarks stating that both Pakistan and India sought good ties with each other, and that both he and Mian Nawaz Sharif wanted to work towards a closer relationship, signal the way that lies ahead. We must hope the leaders from both nations succeed in walking calmly down it, laying down solid foundations of peace as they do so.

This process will, of course, take time, but possessing strong will would be an important factor along the way. Prime Minister Singh, talking after completing a visit to nations in the Far East, made it clear that both he and Mr Sharif shared a common vision as far as this was concerned. He said both the heads of government had invited each other to their respective countries and he hoped these trips would materialise soon. It may be recalled that Mr Sharif had said that he would consider inviting the Indian prime minister to his inauguration, but Dr Singh had suggested a trip across the border a little later down the line, which may yield better results. Good results are, of course, what we need most of all on this front. With elections in India due to take place next year, one hopes that the incoming government in New Delhi is also inclined towards peace and closer cooperation on several fronts.
The fact is that both nations and their people would benefit tremendously from less acrimony. The friction we saw after the Mumbai siege of 2008 set us back a long way. The movement forward has begun again, but momentum needs to be picked up. It must be hoped the good intentions expressed by the Indian head of government will help in this. Improved trade links could alone help people in both lands. Easier visa procedures to enable people to meet are also imperative. For Pakistan, caught in its own net of problems, looking towards India could help us rediscover the wider South Asian whole that is so important a part of our history and culture. This, in itself, could help build tolerance and harmony. The Indian prime minister’s words are then significant, both for us as a nation and for the region as a whole. They must be taken forward so that the vision both leaders share can be transformed into reality.

Power of taxation

In the year 1215, almost exactly eight centuries ago, the barons of England forced King John to sign a document that would limit his power to tax the people of the country by requiring approval from their elected representatives, who would meet in a body to be called parliament. Thus was born Westminster.
On the eve of the completion of Pakistan’s first democratic transfer of power, it is worth reminding ourselves why we bother to elect our governments in the first place: the government has the power to collect taxes from us and then use the money thus collected to provide us with services. We elect our representatives to make sure that our voices are heard when it comes to decisions of both taxation and distribution. So, it is somewhat refreshing that the bureaucrats at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have decided that they are finally willing to relinquish the power of deciding taxation policy to parliament.
We say this with some degree of irony, because that power should never have belonged to the FBR in the first place. It is one of the most gaping oversights in the transition to democracy: we seem to have forgotten that our military dictators decided to empower civil servants at the expense of elected representatives by giving the FBR the power to arbitrarily change the rates of taxation on virtually whomever they like, whenever they like and with very little parliamentary control over what they do. In essence, the money bill passed by the National Assembly can be completely undone in the corner offices across the street at the FBR headquarters.
At a pre-budget seminar organised by Express News, senior FBR officials generously offered to give this power back to parliament. We urge the incoming members of the National Assembly to take up the bureaucrats on their so-called offer and eliminate this power permanently for the FBR, making taxation policy the exclusive preserve of the elected representatives of the people. The evolution of our democracy will remain incomplete without this measure.

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

04.06.2013

Wisdom for Balochistan

A wise decision has been made, which could well determine a great deal about the future of Balochistan and possibly help calm its many woes. After a meeting in Murree with Baloch leaders who included Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai and National Party (NP) leader Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Mian Nawaz Sharif has nominated Dr Abdul Malik Baloch for the slot of chief minister (CM) of Balochistan.
The decision is a remarkably unselfish one, and suggests that Mr Sharif genuinely wishes to solve the many issues of Balochistan. While his party holds the largest number of seats in the provincial assembly, with nine candidates elected to general seats and the support of, at least, eight independents, he has decided to grant the CM’s post to the NP, and that of governor to the PkMAP. As Sharif said, values should be put ahead of personal gains. This is indeed a positive mode of thinking and represents a new start in our politics. If such an approach to the province is taken on other issues as well, we can hope for progressive steps on many issues.
There are also other new factors. Dr Baloch becomes virtually the first commoner, without the title of “Sardar” prefixed to his name, to become the chief minister of Balochistan. This in itself is a huge step forward for the province. He is also an individual who commands a great deal of respect and is regarded as a man of much sincerity to the cause of his people. This, and the NP’s close links with nationalists may help solve the problems of Balochistan — though it would be unfair to expect immediate progress. It is also worth noting that Dr Baloch was recommended by hundreds of civil society organisations who favoured him to head the next government in Balochistan. It appears that Mr Sharif has, very sensibly, taken note of their wishes, dropping his own party candidate Sanaullah Zehri, a somewhat controversial figure.
Under Abdul Malik Baloch, the future of our nation’s most troubled province may brighten. Let us hope this is indeed the case.

Increase in targeted killings

June 2 saw a spate of targeted killings in Karachi; amongst them were three political workers. Violence has become a permanent phenomenon in the metropolis that was once known as the city of lights but is now known for targeted killings. In the past few years, thousands of people have been killed in targeted attacks, yet the authorities seem helpless in controlling the situation. Apart from militant wings of political parties, many of these killings are a result of banned terrorist outfits operating with impunity. In most cases, the killers are not caught and when they are, they go scot-free due to our weak investigation system.
Our police lack the training and technology to collect forensic evidence. In cities where crime and violence is high, police and intelligence networks operate underground to catch criminals but in Pakistan, we rarely see such sting operations. In many cases, the law-enforcement authorities are hampered by their own politicisation. Apart from this, witnesses do not like coming forward when they know that the state cannot protect them or their families. In the absence of an effective witness protection programme, it is unfair to ask ordinary citizens to come forward so the authorities could nab criminals. Not only are witnesses scared to come forward, sometimes the judges and prosecutors are wary of punishing these killers for they, too, are often targeted.
Under these circumstances, it would be better if technology is used to remove the physical presence of the judge and prosecutors during the proceedings of the case in order to protect their identities. This way, the judges and prosecutors can do their jobs without any pressure or threats. There is an urgent need for an improved law of evidence, having a good witness protection programme and the need to train the police in gathering evidence and stopping the practice of arresting suspects before solid evidence, which would stand in a court of law, is gathered. The next government must address these issues before the situation in Karachi gets worse.

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

05.06.2013

Leaked secrets

The trial of US army intelligence analyst, the diminutive, bespectacled Bradley Manning, 25, is one that will be watched closely from around the world. Manning has already admitted that while posted in Iraq, he had passed on thousands of documents to the anti-secrecy website, Wikileaks, founded by Julian Assange, who currently remains a virtual prisoner at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. It is said that the US is also keen to try Assange in a case involving the largest-ever leakage of military information in its history.
The case, being heard at the heavily secured Fort Meade military installation in Maryland, raises some very delicate questions, pitching the issue of military security — which all nations do indeed consider vital — against the right of the people to know the truth. The leaked papers did indeed give us a startling insight into the world of US foreign policy and revealed a great deal about how it is shaped. Manning’s lawyer says that the young man was confused and wished to put the truth before the American people, including the killing of civilians by troops. The prosecution says, he delivered information straight into the hands of al Qaeda, jeopardising security.
The affair, of course, divides people, not only in the US but also around the world. The issue of national security interests, as opposed to the right to know, is an extremely emotive affair. The decision of The New York Times and the Guardian to publish the leaks also, in some ways, upset the age-old concept of media ethics. Manning’s supporters are already claiming he will not receive a fair trial. They have been pointing to steps taken by the US military, such as being forced to turn their ‘truth’ t-shirts inside out before entering the court to follow proceedings. It will have to be seen which way things go. But the whole matter has certainly thrown light on just how covertly and secretly states act, telling quite a different story to people while acting in a completely different fashion. The Wikileaks controversy has brought this out into the public and exposed a great deal that the US would have preferred never be known. This can surely not be a bad thing for the world in the long term.

Tackling the energy crisis

It has been obvious for, at least, five years now that the subsidies given by the government on electricity have grown beyond any reasonable limits. But, perhaps, the scale of the waste being perpetuated has not been fully understood. The report that over half the subsidies being paid out are essentially covering the cost of theft and people not paying their bills should be an outrage to law-abiding citizens who pay their taxes and bills on time. Sadly, it appears that there are too few of such citizens in Pakistan.
While it is apparent that electricity tariffs must be increased from their current levels to cover the full cost of generation, transmission and distribution, no solution to the energy problem can be achieved without addressing the problem of theft. To this end, an approach that relies on discriminating between areas where most customers pay their bills and those areas where most do not would be a rational approach to incentivise good behaviour on the part of electricity consumers.
This model has already been successfully applied by the Karachi Electric Supply Company with remarkable results that have reduced power cuts to nearly zero in about half the area of the country’s financial capital. An application of this model, particularly in regions like Punjab, which have very low and concentrated levels of theft, would be a boon to electricity supply in the province that has been among the worst hit by the energy crisis.
Why this has not already happened is a testament to the government’s adhoc approach to policymaking in the energy sector. Originally, the government created 10 separate electricity distribution companies as a means of ensuring the ability to crack down on theft and inefficiency. It was a good idea, but the transition was never fully completed, with all of these companies remaining under a single government bureaucracy, largely because the civil servants in charge in Islamabad did not want to give up their powers. For the lights in Pakistan to come back on, it is necessary that the government serve its people, not the bureaucrats.

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

06.06.2013

Third time lucky?

Mian Nawaz Sharif has become the first person to serve a third term as the prime minister of Pakistan and makes history. The constitutional transition of power, too, represents a novelty in our history. All these are, of course, excellent signs. The entire process of the transfer of power has gone ahead remarkably smoothly and this in itself is a huge achievement given our past — and it is now up to Mr Sharif and the PML-N to extract maximum advantage from this, serve the country well and prove that democracy has real value for all of us.

To do this, Mr Sharif, despite the fact that he has a solid, simple majority in parliament — receiving a total of 244 votes in the National Assembly — will need to overcome a number of immediate difficulties. The first among these is possibly the power crisis. It has left our country crippled and our people badly affected by the daily hours of load-shedding. Equally pressing is the matter of drone strikes, which he also addressed in a speech made in parliament, calling for the United States to end its campaign of drone attacks and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty. The economy, too, needs attention — while the relatives of hundreds of missing persons in the country staged a demonstration in Islamabad as voting for the prime minister slot took place to draw attention to their own concerns.
The next five years will be shaped by the degree of success Mr Sharif enjoys in solving, or at least easing, the problems the country faces. Right now, he seems to be committed to the task. Whether this will be enough — time will tell. Beyond commitment, we need well thought-out policies which incorporate all groups in the country so that it can become a more united one. The last five years have proved that governments need to deliver if they are to succeed in office. The PML-N will no doubt have this in mind with Mr Sharif saying that the trust the people have placed in him is an asset for him, as well as his strength. The prime minister has already earned for himself a name in the history books. Other questions regarding, what we hope will be a five-year tenure in power, can only be answered once the task of governance gets underway.

Shot in cold blood

In a rather unfortunate incident, Rangers’ officials shot dead a man in Karachi, when he failed to pull his car over despite their signal. DG Rangers has taken notice of the incident and ordered the immediate suspension and detention of the accused individual, while an FIR has been filed, implicating at least five Rangers personnel. A thorough inquiry must be launched and concluded in a timely manner so that justice can be served.
While the violent situation in Karachi demands the presence of Rangers, the heavy-handedness of the authorities, including the Rangers, is not something new. In the past, we have seen how the law-enforcement authorities have manhandled innocent civilians. This is not the first time something like this has happened, case in point being the Sarfaraz Shah case, which was caught on camera. Incidentally, Sarfaraz’s family has now decided to withdraw the case. Visuals of Sarfaraz pleading to the Rangers to let him go at the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Park in Clifton, while they shot him point-blank, cannot be erased from our memories. They are a stark reminder of how, sometimes, our law-enforcement agencies violate the law. Karachi’s security situation is already precarious. Criminals of all sorts roam the city’s streets with impunity and a sense of privilege, yet no action is taken against them. Instead, innocent civilians usually come in the line of fire.
Such actions by law-enforcement agencies do not make the lives of citizens any easier. Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies are meant to protect them, instead of targeting them needlessly. As it is, people feel that the powerful are above the law and they have nowhere to go to redress their grievances. The government must take action against all security officials who make the lives of citizens difficult or take the law in their own hands. Security officials need to be careful with their actions and made accountable for breaking the law. Karachi has seen enough violence of late. It is now time to heal the wounds of its citizens.

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

Champions Trophy hopes

Pakistan’s One-Day International performance has been patchy over the last 12 months — the team has lost more than it has won and the show against Ireland confirmed the presence of cogs that needed heavy oiling. There have also been talks of kinks in the 15-man squad and the dodgy weather looks set to pull the strings but Pakistan start the final edition of the Champions Trophy, which kicks off today and is the only International Cricket Council event they have not won, as worthy contenders. This is not due to form or superior skill-set compared with the opposition but the unpredictability and the sudden — and random — urge to make it happen when it matters. And they can pull off the mightiest of heists on a given day.

The team has stayed clear of controversies ever since Misbahul Haq was appointed captain. He also brought about a calm self-belief, one that has produced unexpected results on the field. However, the English conditions will prove testing for the brittle batting line-up although there exists enough flair to light up the nation’s hopes. Pakistan have a promising top-three even though reliability and consistency are factors missing from there. Later on in the order, Asad Shafiq, Misbah and Shoaib Malik are capable of not only steadying the ship but providing the impetus when needed.

But it is Pakistan’s bowling — Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan — that the nation has rested its hopes in. Young, old, tall, fast, cunning, deceiving and gifted, the bowling line-up is blessed with variety and talent. While experience is lacking in the fast-bowling department, Irfan and Junaid’s show in the last six months has been nothing short of exemplary. What the trio needs though is for vulnerability with the bat to ease off in order to make another semi-final appearance possible. Standing in Pakistan’s way will be West Indies’ Chris Gayle, a South African team that humbled them in the recent Test series and a mouth-watering clash with India on June 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.

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Yes We Can Do It!

Welcome remarks

The seasoned Congress leader and India’s well-known dove Mani Shankar Aiyarhas made some bold remarks at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. He has reminded his countrymen that it is time to change how they view Pakistan. Citing the recent developments in Pakistan, he has rightly pointed out that Pakistani public opinion and its political discourse does not view India as an enemy. More importantly, the generations, which witnessed the horrors of the 1947 Partition, have given way to a younger population, which has a different set of aspirations.

Mr Aiyar’s statement must be welcomed on both sides of the border. Such voices of sanity must be heard and especially his correct perception that the “visceral anti-Indianism of a previous generation is almost out of the picture now”. He also challenged the orthodox perceptions in India that “since the Pakistanis have been hostile in the past, they are necessarily hostile now.” While Aiyar’s detractors will refute these assertions, the objective conditions in Pakistan lend much credence to his point of view.

During the May 2013 elections, India and the Kashmir issue barely figured in the electoral campaigns. Not a single political party raised India as a bogey, as Pakistan has witnessed a rare consensus on moving ahead with the peace process. Even the right-wing political parties are committed to this goal. Similarly, most of Pakistan’s business lobbies are also tilted in favour of extending trade ties with their Indian counterparts. Last year’s progress has already impacted the trade volume as the recent figures record a noticeable surge. Lastly, Pakistan’s powerful military has prodded along this civilian consensus and appears to be on board in terms of improving ties with India.

Aiyar also spoke of the challenges that Nawaz Sharif may face and cited his previous record in office. His prognosis on the way forward once again is spot-on. The best way forward is to ensure that there is “uninterrupted and uninterruptible” dialogue between India and Pakistan.

We hope that Mr Aiyar’s remarks are also heard in India and the democratic impulses of its citizens are noted. It is time to shed the stereotypes about Pakistan as India’s enemy.

Trouble in Turkey

Turkey has, for some days now, been caught up in a wave of violence as protesters take to the streets to make their feelings known against the policies of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The rallies and meetings, often organised by young people over the social media, have spread across the country, with another demonstration staged by trade union workers on June 5 in Istanbul.

This time, less violence was used than before, with the deputy prime minister making an apology for previous attacks on protesters using rubber bullets and other weapons. However, those engaged in raising their voices against Mr Erdogan’s government maintain the gesture is a merely cosmetic one. The initial protests were directed against the bulldozing of a park in Istanbul in order to construct a shopping mall in its place. The highhanded response by the authorities to this protest resulted in them spreading across the country and people demonstrating against other alleged repressive policies of the Erdogan government, including attempts to enforce a stricter religious code in a country, which is constitutionally secular. Secularism is a tradition Turkey has held onto for a very long time and over which many in the country pride themselves.

Mr Erdogan has appealed to people to remove themselves from the streets and instead, wait for elections next year. Of course, peaceful means are best to settle disputes. But it has become clear that many in Turkey vehemently oppose Mr Erdogan’s approach. The government would do well to tackle the situation with calm. Force will only aggravate matters and add to the anger running through Turkey, worsening the situation. The Erdogan government needs to demonstrate that it has the ability to sort out problems with acumen and show respect for the wishes of all groups in a currently troubled nation. It is necessary that it succeed before further damage is caused and there is a growth in rage.

‘O’ level exam leak

The leak of ‘O’ level and IGCSE exam papers has cast doubt on the credibility of the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Although details of what happened are as still murky, it seems that a security breach caused the Pakistan Studies and Islamiat papers offered to students on May 7, 9, 14 and 15 to leak. The two exams will now be held again on June 13 and 14, according to the CIE. Students in Pakistan have vehemently protested against the CIE’s decision to retest them, especially since initial reports said that the leak had not occurred in Pakistan. Many of the students had already left the country for vacations and it seemed unfair to make them pay for the CIE’s carelessness. However, the CIE Chief Executive, Micheal Sullivan, said on June 5 that some students in Pakistan had indeed seen the paper, which makes a retake of the exam necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the exam and ensure that the result given to students is valid.

Around 30,000 students in Pakistan are affected by this, a substantial number, and many are now questioning whether there is any difference in sitting for a CIE exam versus one from the local Inter/Matric system, which is notorious for leaked papers and brazen cheating. These exams are one of UK’s main exports, since they come with a credibility often lacking in different countries’ local exam boards.

The CIE has taken full responsibility for the incident, calling it “highly regrettable” and “exceptional”. The only positive side to the story is that it has offered students a host of options: they may retake the papers in June, or in November, or opt for a full refund and not take them at all. However, it needs to clarify how the lapse occurred and take steps to rectify the problem. Students spend years preparing for these exams and they are part of their permanent academic records. The CIE needs to conduct them more efficiently.

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Yes We Can Do It!

Solving our energy problem

Having raised the hopes of Pakistan’s energy sector with promises of permanently resolving the power crisis, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif now must tread prudently with regard to the issue. The prime minister has been elected with a clear mandate to solve the crisis and should use the initial honeymoon period of his term to get the toughest decisions out of the way first, rather than postponing them for later.

The initial reports about the Nawaz Administration’s energy plan had been promising. The free market-supporting PML-N seemed interested in reducing the government’s ability to take populist measures that caused the energy crisis in the first place by reducing the role of government in the energy sector to that of a regulator, not that of a producer and service-provider. That would have been a welcome step in the right direction. But now, judging by what was said on the first day of the energy conference in Lahore on June 6, it appears that the initial focus of the PML-N-led government will be to reduce power outages through adhoc measures first and only then institute measures that would lead to a permanent resolution of the problem.

It is a strategy that may well work, but we have reason to be sceptical. Raising tariffs on industrial consumers while leaving residential consumers untouched, borrowing heavily from banks to pay off circular debt, allocating power from one part of the country to another: all of these are measures that have been tried before by the former Pakistan Peoples Party-led administration. We all remember how badly that turned out. The wholesale rejection of the PPP’s strategy by the voters should be a case study for the PML-N on how good intentions are no longer enough: the voters demand results.

The fact is that the adhoc measures never produce enough of a reduction in load-shedding to gain popular support fast enough, and by the time the government realises how futile its efforts have been, it is already too late and the honeymoon period is over, making it difficult to then initiate the kind of unpopular but necessary reforms needed in the first place.

The government will find, for instance, that raising tariffs for industrial consumers is not enough, since the real spike in demand occurs when domestic consumers turn their air conditioners on to beat the oppressive summer heat. Data from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) show that peak electricity demand in the summer takes place between 10pm and 11pm in July, when all the offices and factories are closed.

We applaud the PML-N’s effort to try to fulfil its campaign promise as quickly as possible, but the party needs to realise that governments need to be agile enough to talk and chew gum at the same time. The short-term measures and the long-term reforms need to be initiated simultaneously, a task that would be made easier if the prime minister were to go ahead with his initial pledge to integrate the petroleum ministry and the water and power ministry to create a unified energy plan.

The decision to cut power supply to Karachi and divert some of the electricity to Punjab may indeed have some merit, but we do hope that the new administration realises that adding 700 megawatts to the electricity supply in Punjab will have only a marginal effect on power outages in the largest province. It also has the added disadvantage of reneging on one of the government’s contracts with a private sector entity, and one that has been remarkably successful in reducing theft and curbing power outages in its service area. If the government plans on attracting investment in the power sector, reneging on a government promise as one of its first moves is unlikely to be viewed as an encouraging sign by investors, who are already sceptical of the government’s ability to keep its promises.

We are grateful that the prime minister has decided to so publicly bring the energy crisis to the centre of the national political conversation. We would urge him to use this opportunity, this rare moment, to push through the toughest reforms.

Punishment at school

The private school where a 12-year-old boy, Suleman Manzoor Bhatti, died as a result of drowning on June 5 — apparently during a school competition — has been punished by having its registration cancelled by school authorities in Lahore. The incident is still shrouded in mystery, with very few details surfacing as to precisely how a child drowned during a competitive event. Some accounts that emerged on June 6 suggested that a group of boys was in the pool, totally unsupervised, when Suleman sank to the bottom. Medical assistance appears to have been provided too late.

According to a report in this publication, students and parents present at the time of the tragic incident are refusing to talk about the details. But regardless of this, the EDO and other staff, after conducting inquiries, have punished the school. They have noted that inadequate safety measures obviously appeared to be in place, with the competitors not given life jackets or other safety aid.

This, of course, is what happened at a single school. But the fact is that across the country there are many others which do not take enough precautions to keep children safe. This applies not only to swimming pools but also to other activities conducted at these institutions. Learning the lessons from Suleman’s tragic death, measures should be taken to put in place rules intended to safeguard children. These should include the presence of first aid trained staff at every institution and also proper instructors and life guards for swimming pools at these schools. If this does not happen, it is only a matter of time before some other accident such as the one we saw on June 5 takes place. Beyond penalising the school concerned, we need to do everything that is possible to make sure that this does not happen again and to make sure that children at private institutions, to which their parents often pay sizable sums as fees are safe. It is necessary to act now — to inspect all summer camps currently taking place, both at schools and at other centres and ensure that suitable precautions are in place to avoid any dangerous situation from arising.

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Justice in Shahzeb’s case

The death sentence awarded on June 7 by a Karachi anti-terrorism court to Shahrukh Jatoi and Nawab Siraj Talpur, the prime accused in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, was attended by gasps of relief by the victim’s loved ones. Treating the verdict with utter disdain, the principal accused took recourse to courtroom theatrics — clapping his hands as the judge read out his sentence and flicking a victory sign as he emerged out of the court premises. The smug gesture appeared to convey his belief that his powerful family will ultimately buy him freedom from the clutches of the law.

The culprit’s conceit is understandable, given the clout he brought to bear in fleeing the country soon after committing the crime: he travelled to the UAE without being intercepted by the immigration staff. When he was finally brought back to Pakistan, he realised, much to his chagrin, that personal influence can go only so far. Shahrukh and his accomplices were found guilty of murdering the young man in cold blood on December 24, 2012, over a trivial matter.

Under due process of law, the convicts can file appeals against their conviction. The grieving family and a tight band of online warriors, who have pursued the case with remarkable perseverance and tenacity, will need to wait a little longer until the superior judiciary either upholds or sets aside the sentence. In a country where wheels of justice turn agonisingly slowly, the judgment in this case, which had riveted the civil society’s attention from the outset, must be noted for its remarkable speed. This swiftness may not have been possible had it not been for the social media’s vibrant role in keeping the case in the spotlight, which also ensured that the accused could not suppress the case or erase it from the public’s memory. The case had evoked the interest of all and sundry because it had begun to be perceived as a litmus test of which way the class struggle settles. At least for now, the weaker side has won half the battle.

Cabinet challenges

The new 25-member cabinet, which will spearhead national affairs in the coming years, has taken oath. Key portfolios have also been announced, with Ishaq Dar to take charge of finance, as we already knew, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of interior and Khawaja Asif the hot seat of water and power in a country starved of energy. Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has himself, at least for now, kept the key ministry of defence, Sartaj Aziz will be an adviser on finance and Tariq Fatemi on foreign affairs.

The cabinet reflects the nature of the PML-N’s mandate. At least 20 of the cabinet members are from Punjab with only one from the south of the province, and a handful from the other provinces. The issue of Punjab-centrism has come up before during Mr Sharif’s tenures in power. The cabinet, of course, needs to be chosen on merit, so it can complete the tough work that lies before it. But at the same time, Mr Sharif also needs to ensure that he can establish his government as a truly national one and escape the notion that it is essentially a Punjab entity, reflecting an agenda associated mainly with that province. We all know the issues associated with this. Also to be noted is the fact that in a country where half the population comprises women, only two women are part of the cabinet, and that, too, as ministers of state.

Perhaps, what should concern us more is the matter of how the cabinet will tackle the long list of issues stretched out before it. Its degree of success in this will determine how the Sharif government is perceived in the longer run. The challenges are many. As Mr Sharif has already emphasised, reviving an economy close to collapse is a central issue. This issue has to be resolved to put the country back on track. Tied in to this is the energy crisis, law and order, militancy and the intricate issues of foreign policy. How these are handled will be of immense significance to all of us, given the desperate need to move towards progress and resolve the quandary of a nation pinned down by a tightly woven net of problems.

An impractical project

In retrospect, it was inevitable. The Asian Development Bank’s decision to pull its funding from the project to link Pakistan’s electricity grid with that of Central Asia should come as no surprise to anyone. The project is doomed to failure and does not, in any way, constitute a realistic plan to help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis.

The reason this plan was dreamed up in the first place was because Washington wanted Islamabad to pursue alternatives to the Iran-Pakistan pipeline and the diplomats at the US State Department dreamed up a scheme that would have looked absurd even if proposed at a high school Model UN conference. Do not buy gas from Iran, they said, and we will make sure that you can import cheap electricity from Central Asia. Never mind that the wires would have to cross through unstable Afghanistan and that the Central Asian states are poor now, but will soon have expanding economies that will need that electricity for themselves.

The debate on whether or not the Iran-Pakistan pipeline is advisable is a separate one. But the electricity import project from Central Asia was just plain absurd and rather than wasting the time of international lenders, somebody at the water and power ministry should have had the good sense to say so. Why this was not done is beyond understanding.

Instead, Pakistan was made to look a fool for pursuing a nonsensical idea that was cooked up by American diplomats who have yet to come up with a straightforward answer to a simple question: why should Pakistan not import hydrocarbons from one of its neighbouring countries that has one of the largest surpluses of natural gas in the world? Because the United States has some ill-defined animosity towards Tehran? That does not seem to be a good enough reason for Pakistan to put the growth of its entire economy — and the future of its estimated 190 million people — on hold. Washington may not care about them, but Islamabad should have had better sense.

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Yes We Can Do It!