- Pakistan’s crisis – its roots By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
- Letters to FreePakistan
- HumorWise
- Issue of the Month: Brutalizing the law
4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
SCIENCE VS. ALARMISM
May 16-18, 2010 Chicago, Illinois, USA
Reconsidering the Science and Economics
The Fourth International Conference on Climate Change will be held in Chicago, Illinois on May 16-18, 2010 at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile Hotel, 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago. It will call attention to new scientific research on the causes and consequences of climate change, and to economic analysis of the cost and effectiveness of proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To register for the event, or for information about the program, speakers, co-sponsors, and more, please click on the link below.
Quote of the Month:
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is in an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
[Frederick Douglass, Speech on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (April 1886)]
Free Pakistan, a monthly newsletter, exists for the promotion of limited government, rule of law, protection of property rights, market economy, individual freedom, and private initiative. Its vision is a free and prosperous Pakistan; for only such a Pakistan can contribute positively to the creation of a free and prosperous world.
The Newsletter is an affiliate of Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, http://asinstitute.org, the first free market think tank of Pakistan. Urdu website: http://Hum-Azad.org
The Alternate Solutions Institute is a registered, non-profit, non-political, non-governmental, educational and research organization. Its mission is to promote a limited responsible government in Pakistan under the rule of law protecting life, liberty, and property of all of its individual citizens without any discrimination.
DISCOVER YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS! World's Smallest Political Quiz
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PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY
What is Philosophy of Liberty? A screensaver by Lux Lucre and Ken Schoolland explains it.
Download and install it. http://www.free-market.net/rd/321907219.html ; http://www.jonathangullible.com
By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
Pakistan is in the grip of a deadly crisis. Whether it is political or economic domain, social or religious life, private or public sphere, the chaos is overriding. Watch for the utter disregard for social and moral values, and social norms on the one hand, and on the other for rules and laws, and the constitution, rampant at every level without any exception. That tells not only of the moral bankruptcy of Pakistani society but of the gravity of the deep moral crisis also.
This piece traces the roots of this moral crisis.
The morals of the ordinary people reflect those of the dominant elites of the society. In Pakistan, this broadly includes military, political, religious, and intellectual elites. These elites set the tone and tenor of moral quality and direction of our society. Since it is they who form the ruling class by way of election or military overthrow or other such routes, ultimately it is they who are responsible for implementing the constitution, laws and rules of the country. Thus, it is they with whom rests the responsibility of setting examples of moral uprightness and regard for the laws and rules. Being in a position of authority, or as a popular personality, it is for them to be icons of honesty, truthfulness, and dutifulness. Also, it is for them to be men of principle, as well as tolerant, consistent and considerate beings.
But the Pakistani elites utterly failed on all these counts. Rather, they defied and defiled all these norms, and more than that ridiculed them so much so that such arrogant behavior itself came to be regarded as a norm of pomp and power, and that made the ordinary people learn utter disregard for the rules and laws of the land. That fatally struck at the root, at the morality and value system of the society.
Let us have a quick look at the role of each elite.
The Military elite is a monolithic entity. Throughout the history of Pakistan it played on the logic of ‘might is right.’ It was not one institution among others to serve the purpose for which it was created, rather eclipsed all the other institutions leaving the civil government in a wilderness. In one sense, this is the cart that was put before the horse in Pakistan. It did not entertain an iota of regard for the greatest value of the country, i.e. its constitution(s) and laws, and distorted and disfigured them at the will of this or that military ruler, as a result of which the greatest value of human society, i.e. ‘right is might’ just disappeared from the society giving rise to mafia groups and fake parties in every realm of social life. That was the end of social and moral values.
The Political elite comprises all the parties on the right and left with divergent interests. It is a heterogeneous entity but mostly without any substantial difference in their political philosophies. Power politics is the focus of their electoral and day to day activities. It is just now and then that one sees a major difference in their political opinion and goals. One such example is Pakistan Muslim League (N)’s struggle for the restoration of the deposed judges which can be set against the Pakistan Peoples Party’s position vis-à-vis the same issue.
The only contribution that the Pakistani politicians made is the constitution of 1973. But at the same time they are the main culprits who could not protect its sanctity. Their crime is more horrible as they always acted hand in glove with the military rulers in disfiguring the constitution. Also, on their own part they did not spare any opportunity to distort the constitution to strengthen their interests. To keep their grip on the political reins of the country strong, they too created various types of mafia.
The Religious elite comes from a number of groups, and extends its presence to political and intellectual domains that help it multiply its influence many fold. Their singular ‘achievement’ consists of strengthening religious formalism, and weakening the religious spirit. That caused a divorce of morality from religion in social life. By also putting their political interests over and above the religious spirit and its moral ideal, they became part and parcel of the power politics. They have their share in disfiguring the constitution also, in complicity with military and civilian rulers by justifying their immoral, illegal and unconstitutional acts with the help of religious endorsement.
The Intellectual elite, an amorphous entity, consists of academia, media, madrissa, think-tanks, free-lance intelligentsia and literary/artistic figures. Some take sides towards this or that elite, or towards this or that political or politico-religious party, or hold independent opinions like free ideologues. However, by virtue of their dealing in ideas they influence and drive the environment of public opinion to a great extent. Not only did they badly fail in achieving quality and excellence in their fields, but they suppressed independent opinion and committed the crime of not letting a hundred flowers blossom let alone allowing the truth to be regarded as the highest value to be sought for. This dried the font of knowledge in Pakistan. They also provided intellectual support to the political and military adventurers. Instead of being part of the civil society to safeguard the interests and fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan, they rallied around the military, political and religious elites to grab the crumbs from their tables. Surprisingly, they too enjoyed the fruits of rent-seeking and claimed it as their right, being the servers of the nation. For instance, this or that poet or artist whom people loved and government showered with its favors, in the final analysis turned out to be a burden on the tax payers till he died.
In view of this quick survey, it is evident that in the totally morally bankrupt Pakistan there is no prospect of amelioration in any domain. This finds its proof in the fact of the independent-minded judges being denigrated, pressurized, and attacked not only by the ruling classes, but all the above elites directly or indirectly also. This also warns those of us who want to see the country come out of this crisis, to be on guard to protect the independent judiciary, which is the only hope in this darkest hour of our history. It is crucial because the only way out of the deep moral crisis is the establishment of the rule of law in Pakistan which can only be achieved if this independent judiciary survives.
[The writer is founder/head of the Alternate Solutions Institute.]
FEES
[Ahmad Kamal Khattak, Peshawar]
According to the American defense Secretary, they don't want to grab an inch of Pakistani land and they have no intention of keeping Air Bases on Pak Land. Has the US already Paid any thing for the bases they kept in the past and they are still keeping? For how long and how much they paid? This is what the people of Pakistan want the Generals want to ask Mr. Secretary in NDU.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING
[John Forth, Australia]
Hi I am from Australia. Whatever sympathy I may have had with your various causes has completely vanished on seeing that you are promoting a conference sponsored by the (dead) Heartland Institute----one of the most blatantly BIASED propaganda outfits on the planet. They used to promote the interests of Big Tobacco in the USA, using the bogus "claims" that there was no evidence as to the harmful effects of smoking.
Meanwhile please check out these related references on the state of the world altogether by an author who really knows what he is talking about, because of his unique Divine and truly global perspective.
1. www.beezone.com/AdiDa/reality-humanity.html Reality Humanity---a very sobering assessment of the state of the world altogether.
Plus an essay with a sub-title "there is only one force operating in the world and it wants to take over everything" ---which is the "world"-view uniformly championed by those on the right of the culture wars, all in the name of "freedom"
Plus a related critique of the above "world"-view titled Right Human Life and the Materialist "Culture" of Death
By the way the author once commented that Tocqueville was accurately prophetic in his writings, and he thus wrote this 3 essays in appreciation.
1. www.dabase.org/popdisgu.htm on the function of the media----especially in the case of the USA, right-wing media such as Fox "news", which also of course includes the National Review
ALSO BEFORE HE DIED IN LATE 2008, Adi Da commented that the previous eight years of the Bush "administration" were easily the WORST and most culturally destructive years in USA history.
[EDITOR’S NOTE]
Thank you for taking time and expressing your concerns! We hold the view that re man-made climate change the scientific evidence is inconclusive, and arguments need arguments to be countered, not blaming one who argues.
RE: ELECTRICITY CRISIS AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (FREEPAKISTAN NEWSLETTER # 104)
[Mohammad Ataullah, Business Design Planning Associates]
Shukran Jazeelan, JazakAllah Khair for this info. Although Allah (swt) has provided so much Al-Hamdulillah, but due to Shaiytan's Fitnah & Corruption, we have old system, artificial shortage & lack of positiveness to find solutions. The solution is forget government. Go for Green Alternate Energy like Solar, Wind, Thermal & Water.
RE: MEDIA RELEASE: NEW STUDY REVEALS THE IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN
[Todd Myers, Director, AISPER, Grossmont College, USA]
Congratulations for putting together a very interesting policy piece that will have a meaningful impact on the debate about development within Pakistan.
DANGER: THE ELECTRICTY BILL MIGHT KILL YOU!!!….
[Mohammad Niazi]
It seems the greatest danger with electricity is no longer electrocution but the bill.
The Govt. has decided to burden the already suffering Awam with yet another massive increase in the Electricity tariff. Inevitably this will lead to a knock on effect, as the price of other commodities will also sky rocket. This action has been taken to appease the IPPs (Independent Power Providers) in order to satisfy their lust for profits at the expense of the Awam. The increase is as follows:
Units From New Inc Per Unit
Under 100: 3.46 3.96 0.50
100-200: 5.26 5.97 0.71
Over 300: 8.51 9.67 1.16
The Capitalist Economic system being implemented upon us sees no problem with Privatising Natural Resources and generating profits from them. As long as this oppressive system is implemented we will be economically burdened, but more significantly we will have attained our Creator’s displeasure & punishment.
The Solution lies with Islam alone. Islam’s solution is based on its view of ownership and non-permissibility of generating profits from natural resources. Islam is the only system that defines 3 types of ownership; individual, public and state property. The Prophet SAW in his Hadith has included natural resources that combust (oil field, gas field, coal mine, etc) as well as other natural resources as public property.
Ibn Abbas Narrated that the Prophet SAW said “Muslims are partners (associates) in three things water, pastures and fire” reported by Abu Dawood.
Public property cannot be transferred to the state or private sector, but remains the property of the public (Muslim Ummah) and is run by the State for her benefit. This view would lead to a massive decrease in the price of Energy and a positive knock on effect on other commodities.
This is but one example of how Islam solves problems. If we want a comprehensive solution that will allow us to emerge from the darkness and never ending problems we face in our society, then we need to return to Islam in it entirety and re-establish that entity, the Khilafat, that will implement Islam and Islam alone. Not only will we have a just system, but above all we would have achieved the ultimate goal of having pleased of our Creator.
NA 123 LAHORE
[Farzana Sabir, Lahore]
The worst suitvation in NA123 Lahore its look like zoo and animal living area. only responsible are these people of NA123 no other. Ye Gashti kangeri awam hai why they going to cast their votes? by knowing that they will nothing get in return. Ye 123 ke dale or harami logo ka kasoor hai. hone dain in ke sath esa hi hona chaiye.
PAKISTAN’S EDIBLE OIL SITUATION – 1.776 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUAL IMPORT STUFF
[Fazal Maula Zahid]
Pakistan’s Edible oil import bill reached to US$ 1.776 billion last year. This is largest food item, ranking 2nd on the import list after petroleum and its product. The import is further expanding with the growth in population and will touch soaring 3 billion dollars in the year 2014, just 4 years later. Catastrophic increase in import of this commodity is too punching; taking into account the non-utilized and underutilized natural and abundance of human resource base we have. Why we are showering on American and Malaysian farmers’ heap of dollars and not thinking to divert its 1% to local farmers to facilitate them to grow their own Dalda?
WAY OUT IS SIMPLE
[Farzana Sabir, Lahore]
The way out is that no one cast their vote in these elections specially in NA 123 and make a history in elections. May be this will be the break through and turning point of our country. But this will not be happen because we are still slaves after british rule. we are slaves of Choudry, Waderas, Khans and Bhugtis.
We are slaves of Nawaz Sharif, Pervais Elahi and Zardari and Qazi Hussain. And our people are responsible for their doing no others let them die and let them remain hungry and die in hospitals without care of doctors and medicine.
RE: NRO, POWER TRACHEOTOMY, STATE AND INDIVIDUAL (FREEPAKISTAN NEWSLETTER # 110)
[ju jioo]
i am reciving ur mails for the last one year and this is very useful and having very good information in the begning it was monthely bases but now a days i think its not monthly base? r some other problems. i hope i will have positive response
[EDITOR’S NOTE]
Thank you, Khan Sahib, for your concern and appreciation! Actually, compiling the newsletter on a fortnight basis is too time consuming and requires resources accordingly, that was why it was made a monthly newsletter.
[KINDLY READ THIS ABOUT OUR MEDIA ROLE]
[Farzana Sabir, Lahore]
I don't know about turn out (in NA 123) but just say that our country is falling day by day in every field like in sports cricket and hockey in which we were having good position in hockey which is our national game we played for 11th and 12th position match and in cricket our number is 7 out of 9. Our President and Prime minister and chief Ministers are quite no comments on Australian tour flop tour in cricket and in hockey world cup that type of sad end. All government officials and board are enjoying their foriegn tours and luxurious life.
They are blind suger price was 25 Rs and now 70 Rs but no one is taking action against black marketers and those have suger mills. Load sheeding has become permanent activity in our country. And so many other problems of our country but sadly Media like Geo tv, Express news, Ary Digital, Waqt tv, Aaj tv , Dunya Tv and so many other channels are doing injustice with common people and at 8.00 pm to 9.00pm daily from monday to thusday in these talks shows like capital talk and others only judges issues, MNA's fazool talks meaningless subjects and they waste precious time of the people. Allah will ask them in Roz-e-Qayamat from Dr Shahid, Himid Mir, Nusrat Javed, Javaid Chowdry, Talat Hussain, Kamran Khan, Kashif Abbasi and others that Allah has chosen them for the solution of poor and needy people and what they did and in Roz Akhirat those who suicide like Bursha in lahore and many others their hands will be in these Hosts Girebans that why they not touched serious Issues of Medicine, Clean water, Mahangai, Unemployment, And other issues Allah will not forgive these Media People.
MARCH 23
[Anwar Jalal, Peshawar]
[Anwar Jalal, Peshawar]
March 23 is the day on which the Pakistan resolution was passed in 1940. Different functions are arranged to celebrate the day while scholars and Pakistan movement veterans shed light on the need to achieve a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent. As for the real purpose of Pakistan, often two views are stated which are totally opposite to each other.
One view is that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam. Proponents of this view cite the well known slogan, Pakistan ka matlab kia, la ilaha il Allah. The opponents of the above-stated view say that Pakistan was not created to be made an Islamic state, saying that Quaid-e-Azam was a secular person who barely followed Islamic traditions himself. They quote the speech of Quaid-e-Azam that he delivered on August 11, 1947, in the Constituent Assembly in which he said religion has nothing to do with the business of the state.
A common Pakistani gets confused when they come across two conflicting views on an important issue like this one. A layman cannot conclude which point of view is correct. I think the confusion regarding the aim of achieving a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent and its political/constitutional setup is the root cause of many a problem Pakistan is faced with.
Until the ambiguity regarding the need for creating Pakistan is not removed, Pakistanis will remain engulfed in identity crisis. On Pakistan Day, I request that a nationwide debate should be started by learned people in order to determine the real ideology of Pakistan. This will help resolve the ideology conflict and end unnecessary confusion in the minds of ordinary people.
I QUIT
[Atif Shamim Syed]
I watched 3 idiots yesterday. In the beginning of the movie, a student Joy Lobo requests an extension on his project but is refused. He cannot take the pressure and hangs himself in his dormitory room. When his friends barge into the room, the most horrifying thing is not Joy hanging down from the ceiling, but the two words written in bold letters across the room on the opposite wall: I quit.
How could he do something like that? I mean, to end something as beautiful and precious as life itself is beyond my comprehension. It is not just an act of extreme cowardice. It’s a crime against God.
And how can you quit? Have you seen all the beautiful things in the world. Trees, birds and faces. There are no two things alike. There have never been two sunsets alike. Each face is different with its own beauty. Everyday is new. Every experience is new. Every emotion, every sentiment is new.
The easiest thing in the world is to be what you are. The hardest thing to be is what other people want you to be. Though there are some rules of the society that must be followed. But there are ways to meet the needs of society and still do what you want to do. You just need to know where and when and how.
Quitting is not an option. I can, and will, never quit.
I exist, I am, and I am here. I make my life and no one else makes it for me. I must face my own shortcomings and mistakes. No one can, or should, suffer for me. But tomorrow is another day, and I must decide to live. And if I fail, I don’t have the luxury of blaming you or life or God.
SLAPPING OF JUDGE
[Sher Gondal, Mandi Bahauddin]
A lawyer slapped a judge in the court at Faisalabad, a few days ago. This is an ugly incidence that must be condemned. Wise people say every problem has reason and one must inquire deeply to find out reason for resolving the problem. Normally judges show personal bias and use their discretion while deciding cases. Strong and wealthy parties with the support of Influential lawyers get relief of their choice. Lawyers having no rapport with judges and influence, often fail to get relief for their clients. Facts of the case are ignored or inferences are drawn to suit the interest of strong and powerful parties. This culture is prevalent in all echelons of judiciary.
I am doing as an advocate at Mandi Bahauddin. At the beginning of my job, I purchased some law books to update my knowledge. Seeing the books, one senior lawyer said that books hardly matter in making a good lawyer implying that rapport with judges’ help making good lawyer. I have seen poor and weak clients being deprived of their legal rights as result of biased and capricious judgments of the courts.
Recently I dealt with a pre arrest bail. It was an old case of alleged theft. Accused were granted bail in 2005 on complainant’s filing affidavit to the effect that accused had not committed theft hence he had no objection on their release and bail. Later on trial of the case commenced and they regularly appeared in the trial court. After some time in 2006, court staff told them that case file was displaced and as and when the file was found trial would start and they would be informed through service of summons.
Now in January 2010 the trial court declared them proclaimed offenders without cancelling their bails. The court did not follow legal procedure under the law. The accused however learned through some reliable source about the proclamation. They approached me and I moved their pre arrest bail petition in the court of Sessions judge.
On hearing date, I argued that accused were innocent, they were declared proclaimed offenders without cancellation of bails and therefore they should be directed to appear before the trial court for filing fresh bail bonds.
From the conduct and attitude of Additional Sessions Judge, it appeared that he was not in a mode to confirm bail. After arguments I told my clients that the court might not confirm their interim bail. They approached another lawyer who enjoyed influence over judges. The lawyer went to the court and asked the judge to direct the accused to appear in the trial court. I was told by the accused that the judge changed his decision and passed order directing the accused to appear
The accused appeared in the court and executed fresh bail bonds. They are again appearing in the court on fixed dates but their trial has not yet commenced.
There is another aspect of the issue relating to slapping of judge and strike by judges. Slapping is not cognizable offence. Under the law in such cases one has to lodge FIR or file complaint in the court of area Magistrate after obtaining injury report from medical authorities. Rule of law is equally applicable to every citizen. Judges are not exempted. Judge neither obtained injury report nor did he file complaint. Chief justice after taking sue motto action ordered arrest of accused lawyer. In routine cases of similar nature high court directs concerned police authorities to proceed with the case under law. This shows that the Chief Justice is biased with his subordinate judge.
Punjab Bar Council, it is learnt, cancelled license of the accused without hearing him. The bar took side of the judge because judges are strong and appointment holders have to seek their favor in cases. They must maintain impartiality in their judicial work.
Judiciary is the strongest organ of the government. Lawyers played historical role to bring judiciary to present level of the strength. Call of the hour is that judges and lawyers should work with honesty and in harmony to deliver visible, speedy and transparent justice to people. Presently justice in the society is not visible. Litigants are dragged over decades.
THE CHARTER OF CLEPTOCRACY
[Zaheen Tariq Bukhari, Chakwal]
At the conference of Speakers and Deputy Speakers held in Lahore, the Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Dr Fehmida Mirza came up with a very valuable proposal. She said that like the President, the Speakers and Deputy Speakers should also have constitutional immunity from all sorts of crimes. I suggest her proposal should immediately be approved by the Parliament and the new cover of immunity be extended to include all members of Parliament who should all have immunity for life from all crime. We might also include members of the provincial assemblies in this package too for they are all also working so very hard, day and night, for welfare of the people. Who knows we would ever get such a philanthropic Parliament ever again or not? I say why can’t Mrs Mirza’s valuable advice be made a part of the Charter of Democracy? [The Nation]
GRAVE TRIAL
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The Supreme Court, that had ordered the PPP government in the NRO judgment to reopen the Swiss cases against the Bhutto/Zardari family, has now been informed in the updated review petition by the federation that their order is tantamount to putting "the grave of Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bux on trial". The fate of this country would have been different had we tried the ones in graves too.
[The News]
DONATION OF BODY ORGANS
[Wing Cdr (R) H. A. Khwaja, Islamabad]
President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari has announced a donation of his body organs after his death (News item). How noble of him? This would mean transferring his physical properties to the receiver of his organs. That will benefit only a few. I would rather suggest instead, if he repatriates his entire "property", in cash and kind, along with his colleagues who like him have their properties and accounts in foreign land, by fair or foul means, should also bring it back into Pakistan. This noble act will benefit the entire country. Thus the country will prosper. This Mr. President you will see in your lifetime and also earn the gratitude of the nation. [The Nation]
AWAITING DEATH?
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Every time the honourable president makes a speech from his safe bunker, the one line he always utters is: "I am not afraid of death". This reminds one of a quote of the American comedian, Woody Allen, "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." [The News]
TWO YEARS VS TWO DECADES
[Dr. Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The honorable President has said that what his government has achieved in two years could not be achieved in the last two decades. Again a multiple of 10. [The Nation]
ZARDARI'S FINGERS
[Javed Pasha, London]
I would like to bid for Donor President Zardari's fingers, as his fingerprints will enable me to access his Swiss accounts. If that becomes possible, I will thank the president now. [The News]
GOVERNMENT…NO QUESTION!
[Dr. Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The other day my son told me that he is considering a career in ‘organized crime’ and wanted my advice if he should opt for the government or private sector. I was speechless. [The Nation]
ZARDARI'S DONATION
[Muhammad Rashid, Tokyo]
I congratulate President Asif Ali Zardari on becoming the first president to donate his body organs. While he is at it, I request him to donate all his savings too. This may benefit a lot more people.
[The Nation]
ZARDARI'S DONATION
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
President Zardari has reportedly donated his body organs. But his track record shows that he always breaks his promise. Therefore, I request the president not to wait any long and immediately donate one of his kidneys to a needy patient. [The News]
TAKING PAIN AWAY
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The lyrics of the rap song written and sung by the daughter of Ms Benazir Bhutto, Bakhtawar, reads: “I would take the pain away.”
Please take the “pain” away, the whole nation is waiting for that moment of happiness and peace. [Daily Times]
ERASING HISTORY
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
President General Ziaul Haq will be deleted from Pakistan’s constitutional history when the 18th Amendment, to be moved in Parliament in a few days, is passed as the ruthless military ruler will be stripped of his title of President of Pakistan, 22 years after his death in a plane crash. I wish history, like memories, could be erased so easily. [Pakistan Observer]
PML(N) STAND
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
A piece of advice for the government: never trust the one whom you have stabbed multiple times. [The News]
CAREER IN “ORGANIZED CRIME”
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
The other day my son told me that he is considering a career in “Organized Crime” and wanted my advice if he should opt for the Government or the Private Sector. I was speechless.
[Pakistan Observer]
REWARDS UNLIMITED
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
After being made the national ambassador on environment by the government, Shahid Afridi has now been appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as captain of the T20 team. It is really thoughtful of our authorities to reward the respected cricketer for ball-tampering. But a much better job for the cricketer would be in a toothpaste advertisement – he can show his healthy, strong teeth which enabled him to chew a cricket ball easily. [The News]
Issue of the Month: Brutalizing the law
BAD PUBLICITY FOR POLICE
[Dawn Editorial]
When the law of unintended consequences operates, it is not advisable to defend or justify an action. The wisest course is to accept responsibility, apologise if necessary and move on. Explanations and justifications in such cases can lead to complications. A Punjab Police advertisement published in Lahore’s newspapers on Friday demonstrates how. The ad, meant to instil public awareness in the wake of the recent attack, mistakenly carried the Indian police emblem, making the local law-enforcement authority the butt of public derision. For, in the public perception, how could the police be trusted with making adequate security arrangements if they could not get their own logo right? But the police are accustomed to such expressions of public distrust. What is worrying is that the ad fiasco has unintentionally cast a revealing ray of light on the working of the Punjab government. And it is not a gratifying sight. It shows a government in disarray: administrative oversight is almost non-existent, departments lack mutual coordination and private service providers are not hired through a process that ensures that only the best work with the government. The provincial authorities only made matters worse by passing the buck until it was dumped on some hapless minions.
This should be embarrassing for a provincial administration that champions good governance. Apparently it is not, as the whole fiasco is being blamed on a not-so-Internet-savvy clerk at the private agency that designed the ad. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, never known for being reluctant for making heads roll for smaller mistakes, should move to fix responsibility where it belongs. He should not hold his administrative punches even if those responsible are among his chosen ones. If he fails to act, as he may, the law of unintended consequences will catch up with him. His image as a tough task master is certainly at stake.
POLICE TORTURE
[Engr S T Hussain, Lahore]
The policemen lashing citizens in public have shamed the whole nation. It is a fact that the police all over the country resort to torture as a matter of routine. The Punjab police are overactive under the PML-N government these days. They have been accused of extra-judicial killings in the previous government. The crime rate has also increased during the last two years. There are also reports that policemen are involved in robbery and street crimes like phone snatching. Fake police encounters are on the rise. The widely reported extra-judicial killings are in the knowledge of the Punjab chief minister and senior police officers. But perhaps they consider it the quickest way of administering justice.
There is an urgent need to reform the present police system and its administrative structures. The police department has been politicised by politicians who often use it for their personal interest. At the lower level, policemen are incompetent, corrupt and ignorant about criminal laws as well as basic human rights. There is an urgent need to change the thana culture which the Punjab chief minister has vowed to do many times besides providing huge funds to the police department for the purpose. The Police Order 2002, which was introduced by General Musharraf, was a right step towards changing the colonial police system. But its implementation has been patchy as it may make the police force independent of bureaucracy and political influence. [The News]
BRUTALITY AT ITS WORST
[Rija Farooqui, Karachi]
The recent case of police torture inflicted upon alleged criminals in Chiniot is an example of brutality at its extreme. In police stations all over Pakistan, the use of torture is a routine procedure to extract confessions. This tradition of torture is due to the high level of illiteracy among police recruits and a lack of training given to the police department. Even animals do not act in such a vile manner. The victims suffer many years of anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, and, at times, mental retardation. Some people have even been tortured to death by the very police that are supposed to be providing protection to them. The government needs to take immediate action. [Daily Times]
NEED TO CURB POLICE EXCESSES
[Muhammad Jehangir Bharwana, Lahore]
I salute the media for exposing the police flogging of innocent citizens in two separate incidents that took place in Chiniot and Hafizabad. However, I wonder why human rights organisations did not raise any voice against these incidents. When the video of a girl being flogged by the Taliban was shown on the media, civil society showed a lot of resentment. Even the Chief Justice of Pakistan took suo motu notice of that incident. Ironically, this time when it came to the police, everybody is silent except the media.
The immediate response of the highups of the police was the suspension of police officials concerned. It is a mock attempt intended to make people fool because everyone knows that they will be restored soon. The need is to search a permanent solution. The police became more brutal after the previous regime granted them full independence. Earlier, they were under the supervision of the district magistrate, who would visit police thanas to ensure that none is detained illegally. The police then were more careful because of the dual check of the district magistrate and the sessions judge. The media should expose the highhandedness of the police and all other departments which are committing violence against humanity. [Dawn]
BRUTAL POLICE
[Mubashir Mahmood, Karachi]
The video footage shown by different channels is very ugly and total violation of human rights. All those people who are shown beaten by the police may have done the crimes but this is total inhuman and these people doesn’t look powerful. Because in this country the law, the illegal law like in this case all are implemented on common people and all the people who are powerful can’t be handle like this by police because the police maintain their security. [Pakistan Observer]
MR SHARIF’S SAVAGE POLICE
[Amjad Habib Mirza, Lahore]
I am sure we are all stunned by excess of outrage at what we saw of police atrocity against our people on a private channel last night. I do not know from where to begin and what to say? In the 21st century, we have this law of the jungle being applied to our public? I am glad that the Inspector General Police has offered a personal apology to the public over this ugly incident and am sure that he must have probably went personally to the concerned police station. My plea to him, and the government would be to not let this reported incident pass lightly. This is an opportunity for the report to be called in, as per the usual procedure and once the report, corroborated by the TV footage, comes to his table, he should devise exemplary punishment for these policemen who had beaten up their hapless victims with the rubber-lashing (Chittre) ———in full public view and on camera. The DPO/SSP of the area should also be taught a lesson for his ignorance. [The Nation]
ABSENCE OF ANTI-TORTURE LAW
[Mubushar Ali Sulehria, Wah Cantt]
According to an estimate, some 5,000 suspects are tortured by policemen each year. Recently seven suspects were whipped publicly with a leather strap by the police and were watched by people. Each person received 30 lashes. Two of them became unconscious even when the lashes were not complete. Not only did schoolgoing boys and girls watch this nauseating scene on the ground of one of Chiniot’s police stations, different TV channels showed the footage of this mindless cruelty all over the world to millions of people. The accused were arrested on a charge of stealing rice from one of the trucks loaded with victuals but they were held responsible for dacoity. The inhabitants of the area have revealed that the SHO, who committed this heinous act, has been meting out torture to different accused in his police station every night. Rather it was his wont to do so.
The Punjab government has cut cute with the people of Pakistan by suspending and arresting the SHO and three other policemen on a charge of torture. But the big question is: is torture a crime in the Constitution of Pakistan? The crux of the situation is that torture in custody is not a crime in the eyes of Pakistan’s law. It is due to this lacuna in the law that the police have been resorting to torture with a carte blanche as they have no fear of being punished by any other state organisation. It has become their legal right to beat and punish suspects in custody. The Pakistan Penal Code has not mentioned the word ‘torture’ but mentions the word ‘hurt’ and that too covers the disputes between civilians only. Torture by the police and other state organs has not been mentioned in the law. Unequivocally, there is no specific law for torture but Article 14(2) does not allow the police to transgress their limits for extracting evidence. Sections 339, 340 and 349 cover the aspect of ‘hurting’ not ‘torturing’.
The parliament must make a comprehensive law that should hold torture in police custody as a crime equivalent to felony. Or it will become difficult for the government of Pakistan to sustain its presence in the UN Human Right Council and will become a laughing stock in the eyes of comity of nations. The government should realise that Pakistan is a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture, 1984, and Article 9 of its Constitution says that no person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with the law. It is worth mentioning here that the induction into the police department should be done after thorough psychological tests lest any sadist or mentally sick should find his way in this department who takes delight by inflicting pains on others. Many custodial deaths, rapes and encounter-killings have taken place at the hands of the police but the quirk of the circumstances is that not a single policeman has ever been convicted, not to talk of punishment. [Dawn]
THANA CULTURE!
[Aisha Saleem, Lahore]
Thana culture is so deep-rooted in Pakistan that mere statements and cosmetic measures are not enough to bring about a meaningful change. This culture of torture, abuse, corruption and arbitrary detentions is closely associated with the political culture of Pakistan where police is considered an instrument of personal power. The police department is completely subservient to the whims and fancies of the powerful. The police are so used to serving those in power at the cost of ordinary citizens that it is hard to expect them to change overnight without changing the prevailing culture of abuse of power. We can only wish that the police change their old ways! [Daily Times]
“CHITROLING” GETS HIGHEST ATTENTION
[Mehbooba Ali, Sargodha]
I am glad that SCP took notice of 'chitroling'. However, I am pained that they have gone oblivious to the misery of 170 million poor due to the horrendous corruption, misgovernance, scams of seven billion rupees in various state institutions. Not one suo moto notice was taken but for police torture. People are tired of reporting that President House, Governor House Punjab has been converted into PP-Z headquarters without getting any notice. President rules like a king and Governor Punjab acts like his viceroy; most extra constitutionally against their oath of office. Aitzaz Ahsan openly preaches 'immunity' of President and Governor as last word on constitution. Not one of his action is noticed, Government has failed to pursue his Swiss bank account without tough note by the SCP for flouting the SCP judgments for months. [The Frontier Post]
ANATOMY OF POLICE WHIPPING
[Qudrat Ullah, Lahore]
Although the police battering are not an uncommon arcane in Pakistan, yet the shocking telecast of flout police torture of some hapless accused, in the presence of flabbergasted on-lookers, in a remote Punjab locality by the acerbic media, has unnerved the whole nation. Its subsequent admonish of the antiquated police system shows that much debated change in ‘Thana-culture’ is still a far cry; rather it has become a hopeless cliché for the ordinary public who have lost every hope of any meaningful social change in their lives. This battering fiasco has happened at a critical time as the police order-2002 is about to be replaced by a ‘balanced’ police act-2010 and the Punjab government is already working to slot in necessary legal changes to make the police system more functional and people-friendly by removing its extraneous portions.
The police order-2002 has failed to improve this situation. According to a research conducted by a Ph.D. scholar for gauging the total number of police tortures during the last five years in Lahore alone, 16.42 percent of youth aged between 15 to 19, 25.38 percent adults aged between 20 to 24 and 18.9 percent of adults aged between 25 to 29 years, were tortured by the police, during the period of research. Similarly, 18.62 percent of detainees were subjected to some sort of mechanical torture, including all forms of violence, besides domestic violence and blunt-tools were most commonly used. A similar study on prisons has further noted with concern that 91.54 percent of detained men and 8.46 percent detained women were victims of physical torture by the police therein. Moreover, 12.14 percent of detained women were subjected to psychological torture by the police. Because of their socio-economical helplessness, labor community, followed by the business community, was an easy prey of the police.
It was also pointed out that body parts most frequently targeted for battering included buttocks, foot soles, back, front and back of thighs, palms and wrists. The ruling clique should strive to make police system professional, service-oriented and accountable to the people, having inbuilt mechanisms to curb illegitimate political interference; while enhancing police accountability through civilian oversight. There is a dire need to make torture a heinous crime now. Until and unless the use of torture is not criminalized through law, there are fewer chances to stop this grave violation in the future. [Pakistan Observer]
NOTICE TAKEN, JUSTICE AWAITED
[G. Omar, London]
I am glad the SCP has taken notice of the police torture (Chithrol) in Punjab. But it may be worthwhile mentioning that the abominable practice is not just specific to the Punjab Police but true of police in every province. Finally then, the overall responsibility also rests with the federal Interior Ministry. However, it is most unfortunate that a vile smear campaign has been whipped up on television channels to antagonize the public opinion against the PML-N and Shahbaz Sharif on the pretext of this issue. This campaign is spearheaded openly by President Zardari’s blue-eyed Governor Punjab who is resorting to this as a tactic of electioneering for the PPP. It is a pity that neither the judiciary, nor eminent jurists of the country, take notice of the highly partisan, and therefore unconstitutional, role of the President and his Governor Punjab who are abusing their offices to benefit their party PPP. [The Nation]
POLICE BRUTALITIES
[Mehran Leghari, Lahore]
The recent public display of police torture of suspects has unnerved many citizens. IG Punjab police has issued stern instructions to SHOs of all police stations not to allow media persons with cells inside the police stations. Wise precaution by the IGP, indeed! Police stations are the interface of law-enforcers with the public on whose taxes the police force fattens. Has anyone noticed the paunches the policemen, including the officers, carry? These big bellies in districts metaphorically carry in them all the wildlife such as partridges, houbaras, and the quails. Back to police torture of the innocent. Police brutalities of the hapless people are directly proportional to the wealth of the high police officials, who live in palace-like homes and farmhouses. SHO and his den, called the police station, is a money-churning factory that mostly operates at night when the innocents are beaten to pulp until their kiths cough up sums to rescue them. You’d notice that most of the tortured are from the lower rung of the society because the rich buy their way out of trouble or they have good links with higher policemen. The police is a tool of the politician without which the politico is an impotent imbecile. In tehsils and districts, it is the local MNA, Senator or minister of the ruling party who controls the police force. These politicians manage to get their favourite SPs and DIGs posted in the districts and the wheel of business for both parties moves on smoothly. I have observed that educated and decent people don’t wish to associate with the police officers. Wise men of yore used to advise: stay away from police whose friendship and hostility are equally deadly.
[The Frontier Post]
THEREFORE, CHITTHROL?
[T. S. Bokhari, Attock]
The Pakistani media is raising such hue and cry about ‘chitthrol’ of the anti-social elements by police. No doubt every sane person, and especially one who has not suffered at the hands of criminals like the house-breaking dacoits, would condemn such treatment meted out to any citizen and would do so with abstract arguments like need for a civilized law, entitlements of human rights under the constitution, etc, etc. But strange as it may seem to them, it is looked upon differently by those who have gone through the life-changing experiences in this blighted country. I also used to stereotype police as a criminal department, devoid of any human sensibility. I had personally withstood police torture as a student political activist in Lahore Fort and had a very bitter experience of reporting a case of theft to police also. But I attribute all this to flaws in our political and judicial system now.
It is when I went through the earth-shaking experience of a house-breaking dacoity in our house that my entire perception about the basic values of civilized existence and behavior changed. I realized that the house-breaking dacoits verily turn into beasts of the jungle when they enter a house to take a family hostage to do whatever they like with their property, life and honour. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the other day, called ‘police chitthrol’ as akin to ‘law of the jungle’. He forgets that human beings suffer a fate worse than that of jungle animals at the hands of dacoits. His suo mottos afterwards, do nothing to provide justice to their victims. It even failed to provide any to Mukhtaran Mai. In fact our judicial system is meant only for a civilized society, whereas the society is entirely uncivilized, corrupt to the core including, dare say, the judicial system. Not even the law of jungle can work here. [The Nation]
INJUSTICE AND POLICE
[Malik Javed Iqbal Rehan, (advocate) Islamabad]
AS a matter of routine all and sundry try to blame the police and hold them responsible for lawlessness, violation of human rights and injustice being carried out anywhere in the country. In reality, the police cannot solely be held responsible for every mischief that takes place in our society. Let me explain: it is a well-known practice that when a crime takes place, people are falsely implicated along with real culprits, and fake witnesses are cited in the FIR just to strengthen the case. After registration of the FIR, defective investigation is conducted either due to the element of corruption or political pressure. And when the court of law takes cognisance of a criminal case, it can unhesitatingly be said that angels are not sitting in courts. At the same time it would not be impertinent to mention here that lawyers do use delaying tactics either for the sake of protecting interest of their party or for some extraneous reasons. Consequently, it can hardly be said that just decisions are given in majority of the cases. In a nutshell, justice demands contribution and exertion of energies from all segments of society and not merely from the police. [Dawn]
Edited and prepared by
Khalil Ahmad
[FreePakistan Newsletter, among other things, is a compilation of views and news taken from the national newspapers’ print and online editions. It is not possible to mention the source of every piece of news or view made use of herein; but as a matter of policy, where possible the source is mentioned with due thanks. However, no opinion expressed here should necessarily be taken as reflecting the view of Free Pakistan Newsletter.]
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