CONTENTS:
- Unconstitutional rule By Qazi Faez Isa
- Fat, pure fat By Dr Farrukh Saleem
- Economic cost of power shortage By Mansoor Alam
- Letters to FreePakistan
- Humor Wise
- Issues of the Month:
- From the National Press
- CSR Views & News
Quotes of the Month:
Nation's are built from within; they cannot be imposed by foreign officials, however well-meaning.
[Ted Galen Carpenter]
A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution is power without a right. All power exercised over a nation, must have some beginning. It must be either delegated, or assumed. There are not other sources. All delegated power is trust, and all assumed power is usurpation. Time does not alter the nature and quality of either.
[Thomas Paine, 1737-1809]
Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights; it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims. When unlimited and unrestricted by individual rights, a government is man's deadliest enemy. It is not as protection against private actions, but against governmental actions that the Bill of Rights was written.
[Ayn Rand, 1905-1982]
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.
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.
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UNCONSTITUTIONAL RULE
By Qazi Faez Isa
[This article first appeared in Dawn http://dawn.com on January 12, 2009.]
GEN Ziaul Haq hanged Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, but could not destroy Bhutto’s 1973 Constitution — the only constitution unanimously adopted by the directly elected representatives of the people of Pakistan.
The constitutional bill tabled by the PPP was endorsed by every shade of public opinion, including Bhutto’s powerful detractors Wali Kan and Mufti Mahmood. But those who inherited the business of politics from their family members appear committed to destroying the constitution that binds Pakistan; each step designed to attain absolute power and remove all checks and balances.
Usurpers, Zia and Musharraf, after the holding of general elections and upon the restoration of the democratic order, sought to have their actions validated by parliament otherwise they may have faced the hangman’s rope for dismembering the constitution. Accordingly, Mohammad Khan Junejo’s government secured the requisite two-thirds majority from parliament and enacted the Eighth Amendment, and Zafrullah Jamali’s government the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution. These amendments respectively inserted Articles 270A and 270AA and provided constitutional cover to the aberrations.
No effort, however, has been made by this PPP government to govern constitutionally. They accept Musharraf’s Nov 3, 2007 imposition of one-man rule, the abrogation of the constitution, the devastation of the superior judiciary, the enactment of anti-media laws and the removal of conscientious judges.
Whilst the PPP was not the perpetrator of the crime committed against the institutions of the state on that bleak day in November, it has acted as an accomplice and co-conspirator ever since. It reaps the benefit of Musharraf’s unconstitutional and illegal actions, without obtaining the required validation from parliament. It governs, like Musharraf did after his Nov 3 action, on the strength of a non-existent amendment to the constitution, the infamous ‘Article 270AAA,’ which Musharraf sought to write into the constitution without tabling a constitution-amending bill.
Musharraf realised his untenable constitutional position after his Nov 3 actions and sought to have the same ‘assailed’ before the remnant of the Supreme Court. On Nov 2, 2007 the Supreme Court comprised 18 judges, the following day it was left with only five. The 13 Supreme Court judges who refused to violate their oath to preserve, defend and protect the constitution were immediately placed under house arrest and remained incarcerated, whilst those who had been appointed to fill the ‘vacancies’ only a few days earlier determined the fate of the nation. The petitions challenging the Nov 3 actions were dismissed in a record 13 days.
One petition was filed by Tikka Mohammad Iqbal, who was well known to NAB, and the other by his lawyer, chairman of the unknown Watan Party. The reconstituted Supreme Court announced its order on Nov 23, 2007. This judgment followed a long line of controversial judgments that justified the overthrow of civilian power by the force of arms. However, these judgments protect the usurper only until the new parliament convenes whereafter parliament’s validation is required.
The court’s verdict of Nov 23, 2007 did not refer to ‘Article 270AAA,’ promulgated only two days earlier. However, when the reasons were given, several months later, ‘Article 270AAA’ was mentioned in the penultimate paragraph, in passing and for the very first time. However, these reasons did not state that Musharraf could himself validate his actions of Nov 3 or that this could be achieved by ‘Article 270AAA.’ The PPP government, however, acts as if this was the decision of the court. Let us assume that PPP is correct to consider the effect of this judgment.
Jurisprudential principles and well-settled precedents of the Supreme Court dictate that only a dispute before a court can be adjudicated. ‘Article 270AAA’ had not been enacted when the petitions were filed and the petitions were not amended subsequently to cover this matter. The court therefore neither had the mandate nor the jurisdiction to determine the validity of ‘Article 270AAA.’
Another entrenched principle mandates that all interested parties must be provided an opportunity to be heard before deciding a case. The power to amend the constitution vests in parliament therefore the proposition that one man could validate amendments, made by himself, to the constitution would be a matter that impinged on the powers of parliament, making each parliamentarian an interested and necessary party in the determination of the dispute. However, not a single parliamentarian was made a party to the petition, either directly or through his/her political party or even through the chairman or speaker, respectively of the Senate or National Assembly.
Yet, another legal principle prescribes that the core and binding part of a decision is its ratio decidendi, meaning reasons for deciding. It is the decision on the issue raised by the facts. As no discussion took place in the judgment on ‘Article 270AAA,’ reference to it can at best be regarded as obiter dictum and not binding.
Why then is the party founded by the maker of the 1973 Constitution enamoured of Musharraf’s unconstitutional ‘Article 270AAA?’ The machinery that preserves Bhutto’s 1973 Constitution and protects against tyranny has been bartered away. Judas’s betrayal of Christ was for 30 pieces of silver, what is the price of this betrayal?
Systematically, the co-chairman of the PPP has gathered all power in his hands. His is the prime minister, his is the speaker and his friends occupy all important cabinet, advisory and nearly all constitutional positions. He himself is the president, an office acquired by climbing over a heap of broken agreements. He also retains the position of the chairperson of the PPP against all propriety and decorum. Either he trusts no one in the PPP or he wants to be all powerful or perhaps both.
The court uprooted by Gen Musharraf also suits his successor just fine. The federal law secretary of the PPP government, who attended school at Petaro with the president, has issued a seniority list of judges wherein he has placed himself at the very top. With respect, the question arises whether one can be a judge in one’s own cause? The PPP government’s seniority list rebukes the seniority list of the judges list issued by the high court.
The bayonet plunged deep into the constitutional belly on Nov 3, 2007 still lies embedded and the gangrene spreads. The constitutional garment clings to the body politic like a soiled pamper and our lives are turning into a putrid nightmare. Zia deposed and hanged an elected prime minister, but failed to destroy Bhutto’s legacy. Will the present leadership of the PPP succeed where Zia failed? [Courtesy Dawn]
FAT, PURE FAT
By Dr. Farrukh Saleem
[The writer is an Islamabad-based freelance columnist. This article first appeared in The News http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews on January 04, 2009.]
The government of Pakistan is fat, so fat that all the excess body fat has now put Pakistan’s cardiovascular health in extreme danger. All that accumulated fat has attracted diabetes, osteoarthritis and may be even cancer. So fat, that the airway is obstructed, breathing interrupted. Neither exercise nor dietary control is the solution. The Government of Pakistan cannot do without surgery, Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery).
Imagine; the government owns and runs a Tomato Paste Plant and the Roti Corporation of Pakistan. There’s the Pakistan Stone Development Company, Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company, Pakistan Gems & Jewelry Development Company, Technology Commercialization Corporation of Pakistan, National Industrial Parks Development & Management Company, Technology Up-Gradation and Skill Development Company, National Productivity Organization, Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees and Labor Market Information System and Analysis Unit. Our government spends millions of our tax rupees on each and every one of these but does anyone know what these high-sounding entities do?
Did you know that our government actually spends real rupees on the Center for Applied & Molecular Biology? The Center even has a webpage but the only things on the webpage are two rather meaningless emblems, nothing more nothing less. Then there’s the Council for Work and Housing Research (the webpage has 10 icons but the same page appears regardless of which icon is clicked), National Institute of Electronics, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Technology, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, Central Inspectorate of Mines, Directorate of Dock Workers Safety, Directorate of Workers Education, National Institute of Labor Administration Training, National Talent Pool, National Training Bureau and a Pakistan Manpower Institute. What do these organizations do? What is their mission and what have they achieved ever?
Has the National Institute of Electronics ever produced something even distantly related to electronics? What good has the Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies ever done? Has the Center for Applied & Molecular Biology ever produced anything even distantly related to molecules, or for that matter, biology? Pakistan National Accreditation Council what a joke! Has the Pakistan Automobile Corporation ever produced anything even distantly related to automobiles? Has the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan ever done anything even remotely related to trade?
Dr Nadeem Ul Haque, the best Pakistani economist still within Pakistan’s geographical boundaries (and who helped me collect data for this article), estimates that our Ministry of Commerce must have sent some five dozen commercial counsellors around the world. Each one of these counsellors, roughly, cost the government a crore rupees per year and that’s Rs60 crore a year. Dr Haque insists that all these high-sounding organizations should at least be asked to justify their existence.
How much software has the Pakistan Software Export Board exported so far and what has the Engineering Development Board developed? How much tourism has the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation developed?
That isn’t the end of the story. There is even more fat. PIA, SME Bank, First Women Bank, National Insurance Corporation, Hazara Phosphate Fertilizers, Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Machine Tool Factory, Morafco Industries, Sind Engineering, Lakhra Coal Mine, Khewra Salt Mine, Pakistan Steel Mills, Services International, National Fertilizers Corporation, State Engineering Corporation, Pakistan Steel Fabricating Company Limited, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, Ghee Corporation of Pakistan, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan Railways, State Cement Corporation of Pakistan, State Petroleum Refining & Petrochemicals Corporation, Pakistan Industries Development Corporation, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, Cotton Export Corporation of Pakistan, Rice Export Corporation of Pakistan, Pakistan Industrial and Technical Training Center and Pakistan Engineering Company.
Fat is bleeding the state of Pakistan dry. Obesity cuts down life expectancy. If each and every one of the entities mentioned in this article is shut down, Pakistan will be better-off, not worse-off.
Postscript: I am confused nay, perplexed. On July 23, 2008, we were told that UN’s investigation into the assassination of Shaheed Benazir could cost up to $100 million. On Dec 25, PM Gilani told reporters in Garhi Khuda Baksh, ‘It was Shaheed Benazir’s demand that her assassination be investigated by the UN.’ On Dec 27, President Zardari said that he ‘knew the killers of Benazir Bhutto.’ [Courtesy The News]
ECONOMIC COST OF POWER SHORTAGE
By Mansoor Alam
[This article first appeared in Dawn http://dawn.com on January 20, 2009.]
It is all too apparent that human existence is dependent on electricity in this day and age. Hence even a few hours of load-shedding causes enormous hardship and loss to the people and the country. Man’s dependence on electricity has assumed such critical proportions that a day’s shutdown of power would cause any country to plunge into not only darkness but the dark ages.
However, while the nation is gasping for electricity, just as an asthmatic gasps for breath, the government bigwigs, who have never had to suffer load-shedding, are busy calculating the cost of producing additional energy. They do not seem to understand that in situations as dire as this the cost becomes irrelevant. “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse,” cried King Richard III when faced with death. Who can deny that no price is too high when the choice is between life and death?
And we are exactly in such a situation. Our industries and agriculture are dying because of shortage of power. Our exports are declining because we cannot meet our commitments. Our people are suffering from diseases and dying untimely deaths because load-shedding shuts down hospitals and clinics for hours. Recently, two children in Karachi fell to their deaths in a manhole because of load-shedding that caused total and sudden darkness to envelop the footpath on which they were walking.
So let us not worry about the cost. It simply needs to be done and done now no matter what the cost. One need not be an economic expert to know that even an hour’s load-shedding costs us billions in terms of lost production and productivity. Hence, the investment of billions in power-generation will be worth every penny. Some may say that we did that once before and paid a high a price to the independent power producers (IPP) for building power plants which are now costing us an arm and a leg. Some may ask, in any case where is the money to build new power plants?
These are, however, false arguments. Firstly, shortsightedness always imposes a heavy penalty on the shortsighted. That is what has happened to us. Since the construction of the Mangla and Tarbela dams all our governments thought that we had become self-sufficient in power forever. They seemed to have completely ignored the fact that the population was growing at three per cent (before this figure was brought down somewhat) per annum and its per capita consumption of power at a higher rate. Hence, unless at least six per cent per annum is added to our existing capacity, we were bound to run into serious difficulties as is happening today.
Secondly, it is wrong to think that we paid too high a price to the IPPs. It is a law of economics that the price of a commodity depends on its demand and supply. Thus we had to agree to IPP terms because our need for energy was causing economic, political and social havoc. Our shortsighted and selfish leaders had brought us to a pass where we had to choose between the devil and the deep sea. Hence we had to pay the price demanded by the IPPs or else descend into chaos, anarchy and bloodshed.
We are once again in a similar situation. Therefore, one must reiterate that it is not the time to worry about the cost. Let us get the best deal possible and end the load-shedding rather than worry about its cost and endanger our very existence. The high cost of today will be compensated for by the high dividends of tomorrow. But any further delay would amount to being “penny wise and pound foolish.”
Some may ask how this can be done in days and weeks while ministers talk about months and years? The answer is simple; know the value rather than the price of things. That being the case, make existing power plants fully operational at any cost. Two, hire power-producing ships and meet the shortfall. Three, minimise the line losses and power theft. Four, end the inter-agency cycle of debts by giving one-time interest-free loans to the debtors to clear their debts to the power producers, then institute a system to prevent its recurrence. Five, buy power from neighbouring countries which may have excess power to sell.
These may cost us dearly but we have no choice. It has to be done. One way would be to reduce to the bare minimum all non-productive expenditures be it defence, administration, junket foreign trips, luxury cars or anything else. These must be curtailed and even stopped until uninterrupted power supply to our industries, agriculture, hospitals, educational institutions etc has been restored. Once it is done we should start working on long-term solutions; hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind power, dams, fossil fuel and nuclear-based power plants.
So the problem is not lack of solutions or funds but lack of common sense and priority objectives on the part of our leaders. They need to understand that they will have to solve the nation’s problem of power shortages or the country will go up in flames. They do not have to be geniuses to understand this simple fact that unless load-shedding ends, jobs cannot be created, poverty cannot be alleviated, crimes cannot be controlled, Moreover, public unrest will persist, extremism will prosper, investment will disappear, tourism will die and our economy will come to a standstill. Very soon, in the words of Hobbes, “life will become nasty, brutish and short.” [Courtesy Dawn]
Letters to FreePakistan
[ABDUR RAUF, PESHAWAR]
Thanks for Mailing Letter # 97 of January 01, 2009 to me. Let me, briefly, say a few words that Constitution is there, law is there, rules are there, Institutions and Departments are there, but a honest ruler Like Omar is required.
[COLONEL (RET.) GEORGE L. SINGLETON, USA]
It is outrageous and shameful, and distinctly unMuslim for the Taliban and al Qaida to be dictating morals and what females must in their opinion wear, along with blowing up schools for girls and women right and left.
God will judge the murdering thugs who have done and are doing this.
Meanwhile, where is the Pakistani Army whose sworn duty is to equally protect all citizens of all parts of Pakistan?
[KHUSHID ANWER, LAHORE]
Once he was a fairly personable, popular, articulate young lawyer, one the few people in the People's Party who was also liked by the non-smitten majority in the country. He fought many a court battle for Bhutto's daughter and never left her side even when many others like
Dr Mobashar Hasan, Mumtaz Bhutto and Mustafa Khar, seeing through her shallowness, left her. He was a permanent feature in the Assembly or the Senate and the up-front spokesperson. Such a stick-in-the-mud for Party policy that once I wrote, any one valuing his/her peace of mind would not like to be in the same room with Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani, khurhshid Shah and to a lesser extent Iqbal Haider.
Coming to the recent times, he was a stout defender of his leader in exile, "She will never meet the military dictator", he told the anchor persons. Raza Rabbani went further, "I will resign if she meets the military dictator". Generally the mood in the Party was predominantly anti Musharraf, go-Musharraf-go was the pet refrain.
When Musharraf did his March 09 stunt , Aitzaz Ahsan as per the prevailing mood, stood up against the dictator and stood by his victim, taking him also to be 'her chief justice'. How was he to know that in the meantime his dear leader had done it yet again, for the umpteenth time - turned turtle and left every one guessing. Never mind him, even the PPP big wigs assembled in London did not know that she had secretly left for Abu Dhabi to seal-the-deal. The meeting was kept secret, with Mohd Ali Ghaltbiani being the loudest in saying there had been no meeting.
A month later I myself heard Benazir admitting to a foreign reporter, "Yes, we were supposed to keep it secret, but now it is an open secret". She said this with a big grin on her face, having outsmarted the opposition. Can a political leader whose favourite pastime was outsmarting the opposition, be called a democrat? I think not. But in doing so she also had her own people fooled, including Aitzaz Ahsan.
Will those who enjoy being fooled again and again, be it by the father (the people are stupid and I know how to fool them, said he to Asghar Khan, even he did not know they would remain fooled for ever) or by the daughter, please raise their hands.
Aitzaz by this time was too far out on the limb to turn back. He first sensed trouble when he did not hear from his leader on his exploits in the supreme court against the military dictator, and what he mistakenly thought, on behalf the Party and its leader.
Once the dust settled and people saw for themselves, 'oont kis karwat betha hai', two transformations took place overnight. The once, every one's chief justice, became zero from hero, and by direct association, so did Aitzaz Ahsan.
When I see educated, well placed people abdicate their own good judgment to the whimsical, flip-flops of their leaders, I am thoroughly dismayed. Until people learn to become the masters of their own minds, from being his/her's master's voice, I see no hope for this unfortunate country, and her even less fortunate people.
[MESSAGE FROM AFZAL KHAN LALA, DRUSHKHELA, SWAT]
Muhammad Afzal Khan lala is determined to stay in Swat and refused to abandon his people and his land. He along with his family members and followers is fighting the militants. Khan lala’s message to international community is that please help pukhtoon nation as it needs peace more than other nation of the region. We have been cut into pieces, our body is in pain and is continuously bleeding. We are a non-violent nation but have been portrayed as a barbaric nation. It is being said in Pakistan that Islam is in danger. We are committed muslims and there exists no danger to our religion. We believe there exists grave and worst danger to our honour, national identity , history and culture. Pukhtoon national unity needs protection and encouragement from the world community.
Millions of Pukhtoons have been killed, displaced, orphaned and widowed. Militancy and terrorism is at the peak. Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are involved in dangerous conspiracies against each other. We pukhtoons are the loosers and the most miserable people in the region. Today I am alone facing a horrible situation, O people of the world what your conscience says!
[KHUSHID ANWER, LAHORE]
I am learning a new meaning of the word 'politicized': When Aitzaz Ahsan and Zummarad khan of PPP were performing driver duty for CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry,
he was not politicized. When Latif Khosa of PPP was in the forefront of the lawyers protest and getting his head bust, the CJ was not politicized. When many PPP workers died waiting to receive their chief justice outside the Suprem Court, he was not politicized. When the CJ travelled to Lahore accompanied by and welcomed by all political parties, including PPP, he was not poiticised. When he travelled to Karachi, and PPP (including SherryRehman) was out in great numbers to welcome him, he was not politicized, because if he had been then Sherry Rehman would not have been there to welcome him and address him as chief justice.
When Benazir Bhutto went to his house and declared, "Iftikhar Chaudty is my chief justice", he was not politicized, because if he had been, an astute politician like Benazir Bhutto would not have said what she said (unless of course she did not mean it).
But when PPP pulled out of the movement because of the Abu Dhabi deal, CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry suddenly became politicized. How lovely!
I must have annoyed some friends with my mail of yesterday. My anger at PPP and oppoisition to it is because PPP is playing politics with the future of the country. It is throwing money at the poor in aid of its election manifesto, and in the process swelling its vote bank. Also employing thousands upon thousands of Jiyalas in factories, corporations (6,000 alone in PIA) and public sector organizations, WHERE JOBS DO NOT EXIST, thereby crippling these entities, as was done in all previous PPP tenures.
The percentage of people below the poverty line increased in all three PPP tenures. This is a verifiable figure. PPP should carry out a poverty survey now and another at the end of its tenure. This will expose its wrong priorities.
The only way to eradicate poverty is to go full speed ahead with growth of industry and agriculture no matter how long it takes. Only that will create jobs for the poor. Instead indutries in unacceptable numbers are shutting down and food production is down by 24%, causing food inflation. But Industry and agriculture will not grow without power and water.Water and power will not come by without dams. This is where PPP is falling flat on its face.
Also industry will get a boost only though investment, local and foreign. Investment will not come in unless there is an independent judiciary. As long as judiciary is the hand maiden of the government there will be no protection for the investment of an investor and he will go elsewhere. The Pakistan entepreanure is investing in Ajman ina big way.
My opposition to PPP will continue as long as it continues on this suicidal path. Pakistan is not a country of the poor as PPP sees it, Pakistan is a poor country which needs development.
HumorWise
SACKING OVER LUXURY TASTE
[N. Zubairi, Karachi]
Dawn reported on December 30 that a Chinese official was sacked from his government position after being spotted wearing a luxury watch and smoking an expensive cigarette. The public servant was also spotted driving to work in an expensive car. It left me wondering if a similar criterion was adopted by our government, the ministries, upper and lower houses would certainly give a deserted look. [Dawn]
THE PUTTED SOCIETY
[Dr Fuad Shafiq, Lahore]
Miss Farah Dogar in her Physics paper answer sheet has interestingly written However to decrease the electrostatic factor a dielectric media is PUTTED in between them. This statement reminds one of a country where things need to be PUTTED back in order. Where the judiciary has been PUTTED in by a military dictator, the governments PUTTED in and dissolved by hidden hands, bureaucracy PUTTED in place to serve the rulers and the common man PUTTED out to suffer at the hands of the corrupt system It is suggested that all those who helped Miss Dogar to get an admission in the Medical College should sign an affidavit that they would get themselves and their dear one treated by Miss Dogar once she qualifies to become a doctor. It is a pity that the elite of our country can only be treated abroad or by the top Professors of our country while the poor have to suffer because of corrupt system. [The Frontier Post]
WITH YOUR PERMISSION!
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
CCPO Lahore in a recent statement has encouraged the civilians to nab and kill the dacoits themselves for which, he said, they would be awarded commendations as well as money. Going by the same logic, are we allowed to kill the 'dacoits' who have looted this country in the last 61 years. Most people are prepared to do this sacred duty regardless of the prize.
[The Nation]
PROMOTING ‘CORRUPTION’
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
After the implementation of the National Reconciliation Order all corruption done by rulers in the past has been given a legal cover. The Federal Board of Revenue has recently introduced a scheme which has allowed holders of black money to whitewash their wealth by paying two per cent tax. It seems that the only way left now to eliminate corruption from our society is to legalise it systematically. Not a bad idea considering the ineffectiveness of the successive governments to do anything sustainable to bring the corrupt to ‘justice’.
Time has come when we should institutionalise corruption by giving it a legal cover and by introducing it in our educational curriculum as a compulsory subject, thus enabling our future generations to get proper directions before entering the practical world. The government should also request the Dale Carnegie Institute to reprint an amended copy of the book, ‘How to win friends and influence people’, for Pakistani students, renaming it ‘How to win friends and influence people by massive corruption.’ [Dawn]
ASK NOT . . .
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
First it was the posting of a son, then came the case of allocation of extra marks followed by a cushy job to a daughter in a foreign mission. As if this was not enough, a bank accommodated another candidate on a 'fast track' appointment basis. US President John F Kennedy's famous quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" can be very rightly rephrased for Pakistan as "Ask not what the children can do for their parents but what the parents can do for them." [The News]
EDUCATION FOR MPAS
[Moeen Ayaz Qureshi, Islamabad]
This refers to the news, ‘Govt committed to providing education to all: MPA’ ((Jan 20). It would have been more appropriate if it would have read like “Govt committed to providing education to all MPAs.” [Dawn]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Manzoor Iqbal Awan, Islamabad]
Ms Dogar rightly deserves an increase in her English marks from 58 to 67 for her language skills as she wrote 'putted' instead of 'put'. Well done -- keep it up. [The News]
INCOMPARABLE INDEED!
[A Citizen Of The World]
An Israeli doctor says: “Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him looking for work in six weeks.” A German doctor says: “That is nothing; we can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him looking for work in four weeks.” A Russian doctor says: “In my country, medicine is so advanced that we can take half a heart out of one person, put it in another, and have them both looking for work in two weeks.” An American Texas doctor, not to be outdone, says: “You guys are way behind, we recently took a man with no brains out of Texas, put him in the White House for eight years, and now half the country is looking for work.” [Dawn]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Maryam Ali Khan, Swat]
I heartedly congratulate Farah Dogar for pleading her case successfully. We, all daughters of the nation, are proud of her for being the daughter of the chief justice of the Supreme Court in the regime of Mr Zardari. She has proved that might is always right. She must be now attending her college with her head raised high. I wish her good luck. It is my utmost desire to shake hands with her. After all she is the celebrity of our country. Her name would be written in the history with golden words, particularly in the history of our judiciary. The elite class students will now be able to get their marks raised in future. Hats off to Farah Dogar for this valuable service to them! [The News]
PAKISTAN "FIRST" IN THE WORLD
[SAJID ANSARI]
To have two systems of government, Presidential form of government as well as Prime Minister form of government, running parallel with a huge cabinet. Now Pakistan should progress leaps and bounds. [The Nation]
MUSLIM COMEDIANS
[Zubair Butt, Lahore]
This is with reference to Khalid Hasan’s column “Comedy, Muslim style”. (Daily Times, January 4) I must thank Mr Hasan for finally pointing out that we, as a culture and a people, need to be able to laugh at ourselves and look at the lighter side of life sometimes. One must also applaud and encourage these Muslim comedians who are not only seeking laughs, but are also doing an extremely important job of positively promoting Muslim culture and values. [Daily Times]
SABR!
[M. H. Rehimullah, Sukkur]
PPP government has come out with a new solution on loadshedding of electricity, gas, petrol, pani, atta, etc; they have told the public to do the sabr. The Minister for Loadshedding hardly knows a thing about his ministry. All he has been doing so far is to vacillate from one stance to the other. That is actually a forte of all PPP men who copy their NROed President in this. [The Nation]
Issue of the Month:
Marching along
NO DITHERING!
[Editorial The Nation]
THE Lahore Bar Association elections have thrown up as the winner the panel that supports strong measures to compel the government to restore the deposed judiciary. Unlike the elections for the Pakistan Bar Council earlier, the government did not put up its candidates because it feared that it would lose as it did previously. The LBA elections were contested by two panels, one supported by Hamid Khan and the other by Ch Aitzaz Ahsan. Both panels are in the forefront of the struggle for an independent judiciary but with one big difference, the former supports measures like the Long March and a sit-in in front of Parliament to press the issue, and the latter, whose leader, Ch Aitzaz, is a PPP central committee member, is accused of being soft on the government. His failure to get his nominee elected is a strong indicator of the belligerent mood of the bar.
The government ought to wake up to the reality that the issue of restoring Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges cannot be brushed under the carpet. Not only the legal fraternity, but also civil society and the PML(N), are committed to continue the struggle indefinitely. Besides the PPP-led government is a signatory to both the Charter of Democracy and the Murree Declaration, with its leader Benazir Bhutto having said categorically that in case her party was voted to power, it would reinstate Justice Chaudhry. Unfortunately, following her assassination this point has been overlooked.
Under the circumstances prevailing in the country, the reinstatement of the deposed judges should serve as a guarantee for the independence of the judiciary. The desire to have an independent judiciary is shared by the general public and lies at the root of the movement led by the legal fraternity. The government's refusal to accept the reality constitutes a big hurdle in the normal business of the state, which has alienated the PML(N) and a majority of the population. One would very much wish that the authorities take immediate steps to restore the judiciary.
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Tariq Nazir Syed, Rawalpindi]
A nation without justice is a nation in grave peril. The judgement in Farah Dogar's case is proof that justice does not prevail in Pakistan, at least for the lower echelons of this unfortunate country. The lawyers' community, civil society and political parties must take note of this brazen affront to the law of the land, and renew their drive for the establishment of a free and independent judiciary. [The News]
NO HOPE FOR US
[Asif Mahmood, Attock]
Hazrat Ali (RA) had said that a country can survive in disobedience of God but cannot survive injustice'. A country cannot hope to survive in the absence of independent judicial system. What is the yardstick of an independent judiciary? Very simple, go to the common man and ask him. If he has trust in his country's judicial system, the nation is not in peril. Unfortunate is the country where even the Chief Justice cannot secure justice for himself. What hope is there for common citizens in such a country? [The Nation]
TRICKY-DICKY POLITICS
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Richard Nixon was accused by his opponents of tricky-dicky politics. Here in Pakistan the party in government is indulging in the same. As long as the PPP has been a part of the picture, after March 9, 2007, whether on the Constitution Avenue or outside the Supreme Court as part of the lawyer’s historic caravan to Lahore, or on the streets of Karachi on May 12, 2007, there was no talk of deposed CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry having become politicised. It was only after the PPP pulled out of the lawyer’s movement (for some unknown reasons) that this tricky-dicky propaganda was launched.
Again when the PPP, in the person of Aitzaz Ahsan, Latif Khosa and Zummarad Khan, was fully involved with the movement in support of the deposed CJ, there was no talk of the PPP trying to takeover the lawyer’s movement or of using lawyers for its own political agenda. However, now that the PPP has left the field (again for some unknown reasons), suddenly the canard has been floated that PML-N is tying to make political capital from the situation and is using lawyers for its own purposes. Can any thing be more tricky-dicky, I ask you? My dear, you can fool all people some of the time, and some people all the time, but never all the people all the time. Also what can be expected from a leadership that does not hold sacrosanct, verbal promises, solemn agreements and written accords? Even the mammoth long march on March 9 will not make any difference. No way has yet been discovered of shaming the shameless. [The Post]
SAVING DEMOCRACY
[Editorial The Nation]
Those who believed that Mian Nawaz Sharif has given up on the issue of the reinstatement of the deposed judges must have been disappointed when he announced that his party would join lawyers’ long march on March 9, which would mark the second anniversary of the unconstitutional dismissal of Chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Addressing the 103rd foundation day ceremony of the Muslim League, organised by the Nazria-i-Pakistan Trust in Lahore on Saturday, he rightly observed that an independent judiciary and the rule of law were fundamental to democracy. It was also good to hear from him that, despite having pulled out of the federal government, the PML-N was supporting the PPP to prevent democracy from being derailed. There is no disputing his point that the people had voted the PPP into power on the basis of its manifesto, of which the implementation of the Charter of Democracy was an operative part. But then Mian Nawaz must also keep in mind that to strengthen democracy he would have to demonstrate flexibility in his approach.
The second issue that figured prominently in his speech was his demand to strip General Musharraf of his honours and award him exemplary punishment for abrogating the Constitution, and compromising the country’s sovereignty just to perpetuate his rule. And he had a point in saying that punishing him for his misdeeds could deter others from nursing Bonapartist tendencies in future. Leaving aside everything else, Musharraf must be called to account for the mysterious kidnappings and killings of innocent citizens on the suspicion of their links with terrorist networks. The cold-blooded killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, known for his strong pro-federalist leanings, forced the Baloch to not only take up arms against a most repressive dictatorship, but also lend an ear to separatist elements. That the Military Intelligence was deeply involved in carrying out excesses against civilians in the name of fighting insurgency in Balochistan, was confirmed by the removal of the former DG MI soon after the assumption of power by the democratic regime.
It, however, remains a cause of concern that the Baloch have not yet been compensated for the excesses committed against them, despite President Zardari’s public apology and promise to do so. Mian Nawaz, meanwhile, asked this paper’s Editor-in-Chief to initiate talks for the merger of different Muslim Leagues, but at the same time ruled out the possibility of joining hands with those who had supported dictatorship in the past nine years. Hence, it seems he is yet to make up his mind about the merger. The PML-Q leadership also seems inclined to maintain its separate identity or to form an alliance with the PPP. The leaderships of the two factions would be well advised to rise above their differences and think about the national interest.
RIGHTEOUS GRIEVANCES
[Editorial The Nation]
Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, in his speech on the occasion of administering oath to the office bearers of the Karachi Bar Association on Saturday, listed some of the grievances of the legal community and the general public, that it would be difficult to question. His view that the Western powers' interests had hampered the establishment of the rule of law finds proof in the American and British support of the former regime, which had indulged in wrong-doing, and open opposition to the restoration of the judiciary that wanted to undo its wrongs. Chief Justice Chaudhry, whose arrival in Karachi on May 12, 2007, had sparked brutal riots resulting in the deaths of 50-odd persons, including lawyers, visited the city to an enthusiastic reception and with what he described as mixed feelings, reflecting his sad thoughts at the loss of valuable life. He questioned the commitment to an independent judiciary of those who victimised former Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Sabihuddin Ahmed, and his colleagues for initiating a probe into these killings.
He wondered why the Prime Minister was not nullifying the acts of November 3 (the promulgation of the State of Emergency and the PCO), reinstating the deposed judiciary and taking action against those who had deposed them, and the perpetrators of the May 12 carnage, if indeed he enjoyed the full powers of his office. Expiating on the virtues of an independent judiciary and the rule of law, he maintained that they were a prerequisite for the survival of the country. While in office, Chief Justice Chaudhry had established a cell specifically to ensure justice to the poor people from the rural areas and resolved thousands of cases, and he felt that he had been victimised for finding holes in the Steel Mills privatisation case and taking up the issue of the missing persons. And in this, his hunch was most likely right. Nevertheless, he assured that the legal community would not hesitate in rendering sacrifices in the noble cause, warning the authorities that if its genuine demands were not met, the people would come out on the streets.
It is, indeed, hard to find fault with the above observations. The ball has been in the court of the PPP-led government for so long. The longer it stays, there the trickier it will be to deal with it. It must be acknowledged by the powers that be that an independent judiciary and the rule of law are two of the key pillars of a smoothly functioning democratic order. They are the best guarantee against injustice, and help firm up institutions required to sustain democracy.
Issue of the month:
Strengthening the establishment PPP style
POWER OF THE STREET
[SKH, Karachi]
Law Minister Farooq Naek says judges will not be restored through campaigns on the streets. He is wrong. Campaigns on the street will not only restore the judges, they would also solve the problems caused by the rulers’ self-indulgent brazenness in leading the nation down the garden path with vows made to be forgotten, with honey words uttered not to be honoured, with commitments made not to be met, with promises made not to be kept, with pledges given not to be delivered.
The plundering of the faith and trust of the people, the dashing of their hopes, by the rulers has created problems that haunt the land and grow more worrisome with each passing day. Hopefully the transformation will be peaceful. [Dawn]
SO, TELL US, MR PRESIDENT
[Faiza Abbas, Piscataway, NJ, US]
The president of Pakistan has said that he knows who Benazir Bhutto’s killers are — so why doesn’t he tell us who they are? [The News]
HUMPTY DUMPTY …
[S.Khalid Husain, Karachi]
President Zardari spoke for long at Garhi Khuda Bux on Dec 27. He pointed to the Presidential flag flying on Naudero House, and said the prime minister was also from the PPP, so was the first-ever woman speaker of the National Assembly anywhere in the Muslim world. In Altaf Bhai and the grandson of Badshah Khan the PPP had strong partners, the opposition in Punjab was immature and yet to grow up. The PPP’s present triumphant times were well driven home by the president.
He did not say though why, despite all above, and a year having gone by, there has been no progress whatever in finding Benazir Bhutto’s murderers. What more power and authority does the PPP need, beyond the virtual absolute hold it has on the country, to unmask the faces behind Ms Bhutto’s murder. Why was the UN involved, what has it delivered until now, or what has the UN delivered on the Rafiq Harari case it has been supposedly investigating for longer than it probably can recall itself?
What did the Scotland Yard investigations achieve? If these were a ruse by the former government to obfuscate rather than solve the murder, why should the nation, in absence of any movement, not feel the same about involving the UN? Statements that the PPP will soon unmask the killers of Ms Bhutto do more to disillusion than reassure. The president had nothing to say on his lines ‘I have asked the parliament to revisit Article 58(2)B…’ ,which he delivered with great flourish like a Shakespearean thespian during his presidential address.
His dig at a politician who looks good, and even better on TV, but apparently says ‘all the wrong things’ must have made that politician feel good. His words are getting to where they should, and hurting. They are also getting to where they matter, to the people. The PPP too has pretty faces, and handsome profiles, but they don’t come across as such because of the claptrap they have to dish out with half believing looks on their faces. Why does the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty…….. come to mind when listening to the PPP types reciting their mantras. [Dawn]
SO, TELL US
[Ather Imran Nawaz, Rawalpindi]
President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that he knows the killers of Benazir Bhutto and will expose them in due course of time (Dec 28). I would like to point out a couple of things to the worthy president. Firstly, if he is privy to any information about a criminal case, he is legally and morally bound to bring it forth immediately. It is an obligation and not a matter of his convenience or preference. Secondly, if he already knows the killers, can he spare the taxpayers' money of this poor, hapless and economically crippled nation on the United Nations investigation? [The News]
PROPERTY TAX
[A Citizen, Karachi]
The previous Sindh government had exempted property owners residing on the land up to 120sq yards, which provided a great relief, especially to the lower class. But the present Sindh government, which claims to be the representative of the poor, has resumed property tax and issued challans not only for the current year but for all the last five years, totaling a huge amount. The poor people are in a state of shock over this. The government should immediately take back this decision. [Dawn]
DEFENDING THE PRESIDENT
[Adnan Gill, Los Angeles]
This is in reference to the passionate defence of Mr Zardari by Aniq Zafar titled "Unwarranted attack on Zardari reflects anti-democratic sentiment" (Dec 27). Would Mr Zafar be kind enough to share with us why PPP workers are resigning from the party positions, en masse? Any idea why the PPP General Secretary Jahangir Badar was (proverbial) slapped in the face when virtually every office-bearer of the party, New York State, resigned from their party positions in protest and staged a walkout from the meeting held to pay tributes to Benazir Bhutto? Does Mr Zafar also consider Naheed Khan, personal secretary to late Benazir Bhutto, to be a bitter woman too, because she also literally echoed Mr Sehbai's analysis of the current PPP leadership? At the very least, could Mr Zafar please share with us what motivated his passionate defence of the president? [The News]
SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF A PROVINCE
[Mubarak Ali Lashari, Islamabad]
It was in December 2007 when the nation lost a remarkable person, Benazir Bhutto. She was a courageous leader, a bold voice in the world and a symbol of women’s independence. She successfully continued the struggle for the people of this country, which was undertaken by her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and grandfather Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto. History is witness that the Bhutto family have sacrificed their lives for the sake of the people to establish democracy and the rule of justice. In return the people responded by electing the Peoples Party into power. But unfortunately the fruit of that was not received by the common people of this country.
It should be the primary objective of this government to address issues that concerning the common. So far this government has been busy in its own affairs. Issues of high prices, unemployment, education’s deterioration, health problems, peace, terrorism, the restoration of judges, etc., are yet to be addressed properly. This situation is the same throughout the provinces of Pakistan, but I would like to state the grievances of the Sindh province, which supports this government whole-heartedly and unconditionally. Yet the province has been left at the mercy of anti-people elements.
When the people faced acute shortage of flour in the province, the Sindh chief minister, instead of providing solace and support, suggested that the people eat ‘rice’ instead. The countryside of Sindh is teeming with dacoits who kidnap innocent people, specially from the Hindu community, which plays an important role in the economics of Sindh. The youth of Sindh is not being given job even after passing the examinations held by the Sindh Public Service Commission. Its performance has been questioned many times. It does not conduct its combined competitive examinations regularly. The record shows that the said examinations were conducted in 2001 the last time. The tests to recruit lecturers were conducted randomly but the successful candidates were not given appointments. Thus the youth of this province suffers due to unemployment.
The standard of education is deteriorating day by day, and no significant change has been seen in recent times. Due to unbearable prices people are committing suicide and selling children. Instead of reducing prices, transport owners are charging the same fares, increased during the hiked fuel prices. There are no checks and balances. Local industries are closing down and people are forced to leave jobs in factories. Is there anyone listening? [Dawn]
WHY WASTE MONEY ON UN PROBE?
[Farid Ullah, Swabi]
Our president has said repeatedly that he knows about assassins of former prime minister and his wife, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Then why is he not exposing them? Rather he is emphasising on a UN probe in the matter. Mr President, why are you so eager to spend so much huge amount on investigating the matter through the UN when you already know who killed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto? That huge amount could be utilised in some constructive projects beneficial for our country. Think Mr President, think. [The News]
INQUIRY INTO BENAZIR’S MURDER
[A PPP Supporter, Karachi]
Mr Zardari was quoted from Nau Dero (by a TV channel) that he knows the killers and he will expose their names. He also said that ‘friends’ asking him questions about the killers should come and help him, sounds as if Mr Zardari is under some kind of pressure. He has said it many times that his own life is at risk, maybe conditional to his naming the killers. If this may be the story, then it is very sad that a president of the country having full security protection and chief of the party, finds himself helpless before the criminals and killers of Benazir Bhutto.
If Mr Zardari knows the killers, then hiding them for a whole year is not justified for law and order of the country and also for the understanding of the party workers that the killers are still unknown. BBC radio that presented a special programme on the first death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, said that the UN commission for investigating Ms Bhutto’s death will only be a fact - finding commission and its results will not be binding on anyone. The cost involved will be $40m and will be paid by the government of Pakistan. So if Mr Zardari knows the killers, then why should there be a call for UN commission and why should the national exchequer part with this heavy amount, especially if its results will not help identify the killers as against the expectation of the PPP workers and the nation that the UN commission will reveal the killers? [Dawn]
BENDING THE RULES
[Rehana Rahman, Rawalpindi]
This is in reference to Col (r) Riaz Jafri's letter "Of sons and daughters" published on Dec 21 in which he mentions how General Ziaul Haq changed the law to accommodate the daughter of an important personage in the Army Medical College. What the writer really intended to convey is not very clear. Is he praising the army for being so arrogant as to change the entire law on its slight whim? While civilians are at fault for increasing the marks of one candidate, the army simply changes the rules of the game and the colonel seems satisfied.
Is this not similar to abrogating the constitution to take power? Is this not an example of the fact, which we all know already, that the powerful elite -- military or civil -- makes laws just to break them for its own gain? [The News]
UNEMPLOYMENT
[S.J. M. Shah, Karachi]
Unemployment is increasing in Sindh. The PPP won the election on the mandate that unemployment ratio will be reduced but it has not. The Chief Minister is advised to take heed of the fact that Sindh is giving away almost 90 per cent of its oil and gas but the population still faces hunger and unemployment. [Dawn]
WHO KILLED BB?
[Dr Ikram Azam, Islamabad]
Please refer to Mr Saeed Qureshi letter published in Pakistan Observer on December 28. William Shakespeare’s plays: King Lear, and especially, Hamlet, may carry some clues on “who killed BB”? [Pakistan Observer]
INVESTIGATE, PLEASE
[Rafat Mahmood Ansari, Islamabad]
Your editorial, ‘Investigate, please’ (Dec 28), has rightly raised some valid questions which remain unanswered about the investigations into the murder of Benazir Bhutto. Whether one is a supporter of the PPP or not, the biggest question in his mind is, why is the PPP government, with all resources at its disposal, hesitant to initiate an inquiry into the murder of its chairperson? Leave alone a thorough probe, not even an FIR of the incident has been lodged so far. Likewise, after her death it was strange that Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of the deceased, did not insist on the post-mortem examination of Ms Bhutto’s body.
Now the occasional demand from the PPP leadership for UN investigation into Ms Bhutto’s murder does not make much sense either. It is fine if they want a world body to investigate into Ms Bhutto’s death, but what is harm in carrying out an indigenous inquest on her murder? [Dawn]
WRITING ON THE WALL
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
This refers to Shaheen Sehbai’s incisive analysis titled “Zardari given enough rope to hang himself” published on Dec 26 and a subsequent rejoinder by Aniq Zafar on Dec 27. The hollowness of Mr Zafar’s arguments was aptly highlighted by S Khalid Hussain in his letter “Who is mourning whom?” published in your newspaper on Dec 30. What Mr Sehabi has said in his news analysis is in line with the current public perception and reflects a view widely held by the country’s intelligentsia and civil society. The quagmire the president finds himself in is getting worse day by day because of the ruling clique’s lack of sagacity. The situation has certainly become untenable due to the credibility crisis in the government.
[The News]
LOADSHEDDING AND LIP SERVICE
[Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral]
A few days back President Asif Ali Zardari ordered the highups of Wapda and gas authorities to finish the unscheduled loadshedding within the country. Anybody having slight common sense can visualise the real situation. Is it possible to get rid of 20 hours’ loadshedding with only an announcement? Is it entirely within the control of government authorities? Because Pepco has recently announced that our country is facing 4,000 MW of power shortage in the night, 2,000 MW in daytime. In reality has our country been facing power shortage or has deliberately put into darkness the country to take away the attention of the common man from the drone attacks or economic downfall of our country? [Dawn]
AWARDING BOUCHER FOR WHAT?
[Samad Khurram, Cambridge, Harvard University, US]
This is to express my uttermost disgust at the awarding of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam to Richard Boucher. People are well aware of the anti-Pakistan role that Boucher and Negroponte have played and awarding one of them a medal instead of condemning their work has irreparably hurt many Pakistanis. The Bush regime is hated all around the world, welcomed with shoes in Iraq, unwelcome in Iran and our government is the only one that is honouring members of this failed regime. It is pertinent to mention that Zardari has the unique honour of being the only head of state who has claimed that the world has become a 'safer place’ because of wars waged by George Bush! Such statements show the stark disconnect from reality that Asif Zardari and his advisers face and corroborate the reports leaked earlier this year which claimed that Zardari suffers from severe dementia.
Since Sept 6, the presidency of Asif Zardari has brought nothing but severe humiliation to the countrymen. Whether it is flirting with Sarah Palin or going around the world with a begging-bowl, the actions of Asif Zardari have reduced the sanctity of the President House to a machine for unending embarrassment. For democracy’s own future, the PPP must get rid of Asif Zardari before Asif Zardari gets rid of the PPP from the political spheres of Pakistan. [The News]
ACTIONS NOT TO BE CHALLENGED
[Anis Siddiqui, Islamabad]
The government is reported to have agreed that it will not challenge Pervez Musharraf’s actions (Jan 14). The Human Rights Watch in its annual report claimed that the new government in Pakistan had agreed that it would not challenge the legal basis of Pervez Musharraf’s rule, nor would it attempt to hold him responsible/ accountable for the coup and abuses during his time in power. It also said President Zardari had ‘reneged’ on commitments and his signed agreement with the opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, to restore the deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
The human rights group also highlighted the elevation to the cabinet of two parliamentarians, namely Israrullah Zehri and Hazar Khan Bijarani, in spite of their anti-human rights statements and activities. The veracity of the report regarding any such decision is, however, yet to be confirmed by official sources. Although there is nothing new in the report, yet it serves as a document by a reputed human rights body and a reminder to the present government regarding its duties towards its people.
It is ironical that no usurper or wrongdoer was ever caught and punished in this country, be it a uniformed person, a civil bureaucrat or a politician. A dictator hanged a popularly-elected prime minister of an international stature to save his own soul. Another popular leader was eliminated during the rule of another dictator. These cold-blooded murders went, as if, nothing happened. There is a general perception that Pervez Musharraf is responsible for many gross violations and wrongdoings. He is also held responsible for the catastrophic situation Pakistan is in now. Perception shall remain as such until the accused does not present him for a judicial trial.
No individual or any invisible power can pardon or give a clean chit to himself. If it happens under a democratic setup, it would be unfortunate for the nation. A democratic setup is the most ideal and appropriate forum for initiating fair accountability. The unconstitutional and forcible takeover in 1999, the Fata operations, the tragedy of Lal Masjid and the killings of Benazir Bhutto and Baloch leader Akbar Bugti and many other happenings need to be probed and the real culprits and conspirators brought to justice. President Zardari should wipe out the stigma of ‘reneging’, attached to him, by adhering to his commitments. This is fatally damaging his party. As the top leader of a progressive party, he is also expected to promote human rights and stop promoting those who want the nation to plunge into primitive society. [Dawn]
AWARDING BOUCHER FOR WHAT?
[Dr Farooq Rathore, Rawalpindi]
I cannot understand why someone like Richard Boucher has been awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian award. Thank God, I never vote for the PPP. [The News]
QUESTIONS THE NATION ASKS
[Mohammad Zubair, Lahore]
Pakistan at the moment is going through a tough time in every department. Price hike, energy crisis, terrorism, women discrimination, religious extremism, deteriorating law and order situation, judicial crisis and unemployment have added significantly to the miseries of ordinary people. Moreover, the power crisis has rendered tens of thousands of people jobless across the country. Each passing day is pushing thousands of people under poverty line. It is becoming far difficult even for the middle class to manage two square meals for their family. Federating units are losing their faith in the federal system. A democratic government is back to this country almost after a decade but it is not able to turn things for the better of the common people of this country. The government seems to fail on every count, right from diplomatic affairs to price control.
Now bomb blasts are the things our homeland is identified with. And the irony is that our top leadership thinks that only by condemning the attacks they are absolved of their duty and no more things to be expected from them. This state of hopelessness raises some questions: if a democratic government of the day is unable to provide basic rights to the citizens of this country, then where should this nation go? Is there any ray of hope at the end of the tunnel? Do citizens of this country deserve this treatment meted out to them? [Dawn]
AWARDING BOUCHER FOR WHAT?
[Barrister Faisal Khan, Islamabad]
While awarding the US assistant secretary of state, Richard Boucher, with the highest civilian award of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam, I wonder what our president was thinking. Perhaps he wanted to show his appreciation for all that the US has done for our nation over the past many years or, perhaps, this was a personal way of saying, 'Thank you for the ongoing drone attacks – it not only helps cleanse our country of vicious terrorists, but by doing the job for us, you are also doing us a great favour'. The people of Bajaur, Swat, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Wana and other tribal areas should especially be proud of Mr Zardari in taking such a 'wise and prudent’ decision of conferring such a coveted title, on such a distinguished personality, for such valuable services rendered! [The News]
IS IT JUSTICE?
[Nazish Arshad, Islamabad]
Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar’s daughter was given a head-start over thousands of other students merely because she’s the daughter of the Chief Justice. What a shame! If giving extra marks to a student after re-assessment of papers (which the federal board doesn’t allow otherwise) isn’t illegal then what name would you give to such a action? Do all the medical admission-seeking students need to have a father who is the chief justice of Pakistan? Is it ethical? Do your conscious allow you to take such a morally incorrect step? Well, if you think otherwise then… Welcome to Pakistan! Because all this can only happen in a sham democratic State!
One of my friends who got about 915 marks in her Fsc equivalent did not get admission in any of the public or private medical colleges, simply because her father is not the chief justice but an ordinary teacher. She didn’t even get into the college where Ms. Dogar easily got into, on a reserved seat after revising her whole mark sheet. What a deliberate effort! Thanks to her dad! Why is the power given more importance than the merit itself? However, my friend who was in the waiting list under the strictly merit seat wasn’t given the competitive edge.
On the other hand, I read a news published in this paper a couple of weeks ago, it was about a young hard-working boy from Sind who got 968 marks in his Fsc, but was denied admission in any of the medical college just because he’s physically impaired. Why didn’t this intelligent and hard-working student get into any medical institution? Why such a bias? Why Ms. Dogar who got just 641 marks given an edge over others who are intellectually and morally at high standards than herself? I ask, “Is it justice?” Is position and power stronger than merit and intelligence? Let the Chief Justice of Pakistan alone answer these questions! Anyone who sells out the principles of his/her profession for position is despicable.
[Pakistan Observer]
WHITHER ACCOUNTABILITY?
[Muhammed Idris, Stockholm]
Before the PPP leadership had corruption cases against it withdrawn in exchange for giving Pervez Musharraf a safe passage, Mr Farhatullah Babar used to write high-sounding articles in the press exposing corruption and misuse of authority by senior officers of the armed forces. He was a vocal proponent of bringing the army-dominated intelligence services under civilian control. Now Mr Babar has become President Asif Ali Zardari’s spokesperson and has gone quiet on these issues. In the light of his articles (a record of which is available in The News archives), and his current position of authority, may I ask him how many officers of the armed forces his government has brought to book on charges of corruption? How many generals have been tried on charges of treason which the former COAS committed on Nov 3, 2007? [The News]
NATION’S MISTRUST
[K B Leghari, Quetta]
PPP party ministers day and night sermonise the nation, columnists, intellectuals, intellengisa, TV guests and especially ML-N,MLQ to act better Pakistanis by giving PPP-Zardari and associates a blank cheque of acting as they wish in matters of national importance. They assume themselves as ultimate wisdom-optimism and all others are fools. The entire crisis has been created by PPP-Zardari worst ever management, despotism worst than Musharraf. Nation does not trust them. [Pakistan Observer]
THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT
[Imtiaz Akhter, Rawalpindi]
I refer to two articles "It is nothing but democracy" by S Rehman (Jan 18) and "Prophets of doom" by Waqar Mehdi (Jan 20). Mr Rehman states that the Charter of Democracy is essential for progress and that the 17th amendment must be repealed -- but that now isn't the right time. I wonder what the implication of this argument is: does the president not want to relinquish some of his powers to the prime minister?
As for Mr Mehdi, he seems annoyed by Roedad Khan's article "Judging the president" which argued that President Zardari's ascendance was more accidental than anything else. Mr Mehdi defends the president and wants people to give him time to do his job. He also asks Mr Khan to substantiate allegations of cronyism, lack of integrity and credibility made against the president. I am no Roedad Khan but I would say that all what he has written holds true and cannot be denied. Who can deny that the government doesn't want to repeal the 17th amendment, is not sticking by the principles of the CoD and doesn't want to repeal Article 58(2)(b)? After all, what does the result of the Farah Hameed Dogar case show? The leaders and workers of the PPP should rise to save their party and the legacy of its founder.
[The News]
PPP’S POLITICAL DISCONNECT
[Nazeer Abro, Hyderabad]
PPP which was and is the largest political party in the federation is today totally disconnected with its workers, who have always been the backbone of this party. It were the PPP loyalists who carried on the fight and stood by it through thick and thin, when the leadership was in exile during Zia’s tyrannical rule and Musharraf’s oppression. The workers unquestioned loyalty is for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s legacy and his political heiress Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Since her death, there is a vacuum, which has widened the gap between the workers and new leadership, whose priority are its personal friends and hanger-ons, while the workers have been ignored. The workers are agitated that even after the passage of a year, those who plotted and sanctioned her murder have not been held accountable.
To add salt to injury the party co-chairman has stated that he knows who was behind her murder, yet he has chosen not to name them. These sorry state of affairs have disturbed the party loyalists, whose anger was vented on the occasion of her first death anniversary at Garhi Khuda Baksh and elsewhere. Today political orphans like Sheikh Rasheed, who have on record insulted both ZAB and BB, are meeting the President. Those whom Mohtarma had accused of plotting her assassination are being considered for coalition partnership. Mohtarma’s last political document Charter of Democracy, which she signed, has been shelved by her party. What is happening just does not make sense, nor does the silence of CEC members, who have succumbed to temptations of power, instead of loyalty to Mohtarma. [Pakistan Observer]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Madeeha Rafi, Kharian]
This is with reference to the IHC's verdict on award of additional marks to Farah Hameed Dogar. In my FA, I had also applied for rechecking and was told that this did not mean that my exam would be remarked but only that it would be re-totalled and it would be confirmed if all the questions had been marked or not. In the end, I gained no extra marks at all and was not shown the answer sheet. Of course this case reminds me of George Orwell's novel 'Animal Farm' -- where the moral of the tale was that while all animals are equal, some are more equal than others. We all students are equal, but Farah Hameed Dogar is clearly more equal than us. [The News]
INSTITUTIONALIZE CORRUPTION
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
After the implementation of the shameful National Reconciliation Order (NRO) whereas all the corruption done by rulers in the past has been given a legal cover, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recently introduced a scheme which has allowed holders of black money to whitewash their wealth by paying a two per cent tax.
It seems that the only way left now to eliminate corruption from our society is to legalize it systamatically. Not a bad idea considering the ineffectiveness of the successive Governments to do any thing sustainable to bring corrupt to “Justice” (ever heard this word?). The time has come that we should institunalize corruption by giving it a legal cover and by introducing it in our educational curriculam as a compulsary subject thus enabling our future generations to get proper directions before entering the practical world. Government should also request the Dale Carnegie Institute to reprint ammended copy of the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” for Pakistani students by renaming it as “How to Win Friends and Influence People by massive Corruption.” [Pakistan Observer]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[An overseas Pakistani, Kedah, Malaysia]
This is with reference to the news item in your paper regarding the judgment by the Islamabad High Court in Farah Dogar's case. The fact is that each year hundreds of students are denied reassessment of examination papers based on the rules of examination boards which clearly state that no case of reassessment will be considered. That includes some genuine cases of hardships. Denial of reassessment became a rule of thumb in recent years.
Farah Dogar's case for reassessment was never directed by the Islamabad High Court or the Federal Board but by the board's chairman who does not have the authority to relax the rules. The IHC's judgment seems to validate this action. The judgment was not all that unexpected though, given our recent past and the role of the judiciary in our country's chequered history. If we were a civilised society, the chief justice would have stepped down and let his subordinate court decide the case without fear or favour. Such practices make people willing to seek justice even from the Taliban. [The News]
PPP’S MANIFESTO BETRAYAL
[Aneela Chandio, Sukkur]
While the Muslims observed the anniversary of the Shahadat of Hazrat Imam Hussain, we need to reflect and learn from history. Imam Hussain made the supreme sacrifice, aware of the consequences, because he had an obligation to perform as the Holy Prophet’s grandson, to uphold the dignity of his grandfather and stand up for what he believed in, so that he may be judged fairly by history. It was his leadership, which gave Islam an impetus and glory that will keep the Prophet’s message alive till eternity.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also had a choice either to make a compromise or make a place for himself in history. ZAB chose the path of glory, so that his legacy is carried out by his loyal workers. He was succeeded by his daughter Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who acquired his political skills, but her image was tarred by controversies involving her husband. However inspite of her human shortcomings, Mohtarma with passage of time started emulating her fathers commitment to his political legacy. Benazir was well aware that the PPP had survived inspite of intrigues by Zia ul Haq, because of the dedication and commitment of her loyal party workers, who stood by her, whilst many who had benefitted materially had betrayed the party, in face of adversity. Her death has left a vacuum, which was very difficult to fill.
The PPP workers today feel betrayed, because in their opinion, ZAB’s legacy has been betrayed. Those who stood by the party in difficult times, are being ignored and Mr Zardari’s personal friends and acquaintances, many of whom had no allegiance to the party are calling the shots. Key appointments in major corporations and state institutions like PIA, Banks etc, have not been allocated on merit, but doled out to sycophants, most of whom do not qualify and have controversial backgrounds. The leadership lacks skills and coherence and has lost credibility, because of the poor choice of appointments and adherence to stated commitments. The workers are agitated as to why the murderers of Benazir have not been caught, nor those held accountable, who had ordered removal of all forensic evidences from the crime scene. It is for the CEC to stand up and be counted, otherwise neither history nor party workers will forgive them. [Pakistan Observer]
NRO OR PEOPLE’S MANDATE?
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
In his letter of Jan 16, Brig (r) Mateen Mohajir says that “as far as the NRO and Asif Ali Zardari’s ascension to presidency is concerned, he is there because of the mandate given to the PPP by the people in the February 18 election”. He is wrong on both the two counts. The fact is that Mr Zardari would have never taken the liberty to return to Pakistan had he not been absolved of all the charges and cases pending against him — this was possible only because of the protection provided by the National Reconciliation Ordinance. Mr Zardari would have had no role to play in the politics of the country or, indeed, in the running of the PPP, had Benazir Bhutto been alive. Also, had Ms Bhutto been alive today, it is likely that Mr Zardari would have not been the president. Last, but by no means least, had the PPP been a democratic party and not a veritable ‘private family concern’, Mr Zardari would have little or no chance of heading it as its co-chairperson. Mr Zardari is in total command of the PPP because of a ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach where loyalty and subservience is gained through the grant of favours, perks and privileges — all at the cost of taxpayers’ money.
It is the NRO and the turn of events, not the Feb 18 mandate, which is responsible for his becoming president. [The News]
BOUCHER PAYS BACK
[Salma Khanum, Multan]
Mr Boucher has returned the favour of Hilal Quaid Azam.” You have to do more”. More appeasement to India-USA, UK, more drones: more killings, immediate: public statements coming from Ex Security Advisor, Information minister on Kasab belonging to Pakistan. She should also be sacked for bypassing prime minister. The tragic mess up on Kasab issue on 7th inst only happened due to unconstitutional authority wielded by MR Zardari who is the chief of PPP-President and arbitrarily making hidden -one to one decisions with foreigners and breaking political judicial, institutional, economic, welfare, infrastructure to smithereens due to his worst management and dictatorial powers. He must be removed and national government formed to save Pakistan going slaves to India-USA, few stock, estate, commodity, money brokers, Mncs, meg corporations, looters, plunderes and corrupt elitists once again under citi bankers holding financial-economic reign. [Pakistan Observer]
WHITHER IDEOLOGY?
[Ahmad Khan, Peshawar]
This is in response to Shoaib Abbas’s letter titled 'The PPP will never die' (Jan 4). Yes, the PPP has an ideology but unfortunately the party as it stands today does not respect merit and seems only to be for the benefit for those who support it, not ordinary Pakistanis in general. It does not provide the common Pakistani any semblance of justice and its leaders seem to be more concerned about foreign trips than with governance. [The News]
WHY SPECIAL COMMITTEES
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
President Zardari wants to exempt parliamentarians and politicians from accountability through NAB, by giving this right to the Parliament through its special committees. My question is, (1) why the NAB is being kept intact when it was established by dictator Musharraf for his own selfish motives? Will it not be tantamount to believe that the PPP Govt. is continuing the policies of dictator Musharraf? (2) We have already been witnessing the fate of the Special Committee regarding Farah Dogar, which is unwarrantedly being hindered by the Govt. at its every step to manipulate its proceedings. The need of the hour is to replace the NAB with a viable institution which should be authorised to probe even the armed forces personnel, who are involved in corruption of public money. [The Frontier Post]
WHY PEOPLE WELCOME DICTATORS
[Imtiaz Akhter, Rawalpindi]
Three letters in your Sunday edition (Jan 4) could make an interesting tale had they been published consecutively in the following manner. 1. The PPP will never die. 2. Where is Benazir’s PPP? 3. Musharraf a thousand times better. Motive: when the political leaders go back on their promises, defend obvious culprits, give priority to self-interest and hide in their palaces for fear of life, then some unwise people say, 'a military dictator is better than an elected politician.' [The News]
WESTERN DEMOCRACY
[Moez Mobeen, Islamabad]
President Asif Zardari’s conferring of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam to the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and Vice President-elect Joe Biden is beyond comprehension. In fact the only plausible reason which comes to mind is PM Gillani’s explanation, ‘Mr Biden helped Pakistan People’s Party ousted Musharraf.’ Another reason could be the Prime Minister’s clarification of his previous statement that it was not Mr Biden but the PPP which ousted Musharraf and what he meant to say was that Mr Biden was pro-Pakistan. Given the past record of our prime ministers and presidents toeing Washington’s line, the awarding of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam to the future Vice President of the US and terming him as pro-Pakistan, can be interpreted as securing the future of the PPP government.
However, awarding Boucher with one of the highest civil awards of Pakistan, when he is set to leave office in a few weeks cannot be in any way justified unless President Zardari and the PPP feel they owe the man something. Mr Boucher, along with former British High Commissioner Mark Loyal Grant are credited for brokering a power sharing deal between Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf, which resulted in the PPP coming to power after the February 18 elections. No wonder the West backed the return of the dictatorship of the political elite called democracy, in Pakistan. Mark Loyal Grant must be pondering a visit to Pakistan any time soon. [The Post]
WHY AN AWARD FOR BOUCHER?
[Naeem Sadiq, Karachi]
US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher distinguished himself by undertaking weekly visits to Pakistan — missions that involved great personal hardship and risk to his life. Acting beyond the call of duty, he brokered the NRO deal that allowed some of the most corrupt individuals to occupy the highest seats of power in Pakistan. Although it was none of his business, he went out of his way to render unprecedented advice to ensure that the judiciary is not restored and that Musharraf’s PCO laws are retained in Pakistan.
He acted with remarkable sagacity and used the highest diplomatic skills to convince Pakistani rulers on the social, political and economic benefits of the drone attacks on Pakistan. For his outstanding contribution and unparalleled services in causing systematic harm to the state of Pakistan, he is hereby conferred the award of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam.
PS: Will all the previous recipients of Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam please consider returning their awards in protest? [The News]
UNWORTHY OF HER LEGACY
[Zubair Rahimullah, Multan]
TV coverage on Benazir's first death anniversary showed the stark reality of the third class, incompetent, political leadership we have today. They have not only ruined the economy but also made the country subservient to IMF. Mr. Zardari has played hell with the institutional integrity of country by making self-serving appointments without merit against all norms. BB would never have appointed wrong people in these jobs nor would she have robbed the national exchequer by one penny. The way appeasement of USA, UK, India is being done must be making BB turn in her grave. The present PPP leadership does not even deserve to be called followers of the great BB. They are only exploiting her image for their advantage. They are the sort of shoddy political wheeler-dealers that would probably end up breaking the country if they did not resign now to form a national government. [The Nation]
WHY AN AWARD FOR BOUCHER?
[Bilal Habib, Washington DC]
It is very disappointing to learn that President Zardari has conferred a medal on Richard Boucher. He represents the Bush administration that is equally unpopular here in the US as anywhere else in the world for its biased and unfair foreign policy. [The News]
TIME TO LEAVE
[Shahbano Leghari, Quetta]
The worst point in nine years where Musharraf left is starting point of Zardari: going worst every day. His conduct of business is beyond every definition of constitutional norms and disgusting violations. That explains, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), never restoring deposed judges and continuing with PCO-pliant judges for keeping umbrella of pliant judges. Through them — sycophants, moneygrubbers, enemies of the poor – the president wants to perpetuate his power. A president, who cannot walk without hundred million dollars security around him costing the poor nation, ceases every right to rule. It is time for him to leave the power corridors before the people oust him out of power themselves. [The Post]
THE MYSTERY OF AJMAL KASAB
[Shakir Lakhani, Karachi]
This is with reference to your editorial "Cracks at the top?" (Jan 8). Ever since the UK newspaper, The Observer, sent its correspondent to Faridkot and reported that Kasab's parents lived there, it was obvious that the killer was a Pakistani. So why did the government not admit this fact earlier? Secondly, almost everyone in Pakistan (except the prime minister) knows that the real chief executive of the country is the president. No wonder he was deeply shocked when his national security adviser failed to consult him before confirming Kasab's Pakistani nationality to the media. [The News]
TIME FOR ACTION IS LIMITED
[Aasma Bashir, Rawalpindi]
I just want to convey to the rulers that Napoleon had once said, ‘Take time to deliberate but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.’ Our country is today facing a number of challenges, external and internal. Our internal problems have made us vulnerable to external challenges because only an internally stable country can cope with the external threats.
We have water crisis, flour crisis, electricity crisis and most of all law and order crisis. Insecurity feeling public needs action. The time of making mere promises has gone. It’s the time to fulfil promises. If any action wouldn’t be taken now, that could lead to disastrous situation. The fighting in NWFP can extend to other provinces as well, in fact, it is spreading gradually. The delay in action is not only creating hatred against the government but also amongst the provinces which are struggling for basic rights. Please do not disappoint the people. Remember if the public is not secure, the government will not remain secure.
[The Nation]
A PARTY ADRIFT
[Aneela Chandio, Sukkur]
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had a choice to make — either go for a compromise or make a place for himself in history. And we all know that he chose the latter. He was succeeded by his daughter who inherited his political skills though her government was tarred by controversies involving her husband. However, in spite of shortcomings, with the passage of time she started emulating her father’s commitment. She was well aware that the PPP had survived dictatorship because of the dedication and commitment of its workers, who stood by their leader.
Benazir Bhutto’s death has left a vacuum which — as should be clear to anybody — is becoming increasingly impossible to fill. PPP workers today feel betrayed because in their opinion ZAB’s legacy has been betrayed. Those who stood by the party in difficult times are being ignored and personal friends and acquaintances of the party’s leaders, many of whom with no allegiance to the party, are calling the shots. The leadership has lost credibility because of the poor choice of appointments and adherence to the party’s own stated commitments. It is for the PPP CEC to stand up and be counted, otherwise neither history nor party workers will forgive them. [The News]
THE LYING SPECIALISTS
[Amjad Habib Mirza, Lahore]
The entire country is grueling due to run of power outages. It is the worst time in the history of Pakistan. No amount of agitation, protests, or lamentation would suffice in describing it. In these trying times, it is particularly irksome to see press conferences of our federal ministers. Rude and uncouth, they have terrible body language when they are lying which is too often for comfort. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Sherry Rehman are two specialists of the craft that do it on a daily basis. I think 5-6 hours of black-outs are understandable but to have it stretched to 12 or 14 hours due to mismanagement and wrong planning, is a bit too much. [The Nation]
RENAMING SPREE
[Tayyab Rashid, Islamabad]
I am all for honouring the late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. However, honouring exercise should not be done for the sake of making the sponsors look good. The end result should actually reflect positively on the person being honoured. The currently ongoing naming spree has gone a little too far. And the choice of things being named or dedicated to her is certainly poor. For instance, issuing a new coin in her memory was not necessary at all. [The News]
THE GREAT BHUTTO
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
This is in response to a friend who extolled how Bhutto gave "self respect" to the people. This was a cruel joke on the nation. Bhutto had no altruistic motives in doing what he did. He incited the workers, the students and the common people to come out against authority only to get them behind him, to build up his own vote bank. He offered them a free ride, all play and no work. The indiscipline this caused amongst the workers and the students played havoc with industry and education. No amount of high sounding words about having given self respect to the people can compensate for the colossal damage done in perpetuity. Now again the student unions have been let loose on the peaceful academia, yet again to build up PPP vote bank. Benazir Bhutto brought the students on to the voters list for this very purpose. [The Frontier Post]
BIDEN AND MUSHARRAF'S OUSTER
[M Aurangzeb, Swat (out of control)]
The prime minister has said that it was Senator Joseph Biden who played a key role in making Pervez Musharraf retire from the post of army chief. I take this to mean that where 170 million Pakistanis failed, one Biden succeeded. This should be a new formula in our arithmetic books: 170 million Pakistanis = one Biden. [The News]
THE BACHA SAQA RAJ
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Remember the maashqi (water carrier) who became a king accidentally and appointed all his relatives to high government posts. To raise funds for this largesse, he decreed that coins cut out of a mashq (a large leather water carrying bag), will be the sovereign currency from then onwards. I forget now what happened to that country. Just like some one might well ask one day, not in the too distant future, what happened to Pakistan? [The Post]
MY SON IS NO FARAH DOGAR
[Munzar Ata, Islamabad]
My son, who is presently studying in LUMS, got very upset to see his marks in Chemistry in 2004 matric examination. He contested that something drastically has gone wrong as there was no way that he could have got so low marks in this subject. Owing to his good academic record, I decided to peruse his case with the Federal Board. I approached the chairman, Commodore Shamshad, who advised me to deposit required fee and apply for rechecking of the paper. I was also told that the 'only' provision available in rechecking of the paper is to check if the totalling has been done right and no answer has been missed out while marking. He also said that under no circumstances the originally given marks could be altered. My son was also not permitted to see the paper to verify if it had not been changed with someone else's paper. As a result I was told that the marking of the paper was found good.
Now after reading the judgment of the Islamabad High Court decision in the Farah Dogar case, I assume that the increase in her marks has been found good as per the laws of the Federal Board. I, therefore, request the chairman of the Federal Board to clarify if the board authorities lied to me in 2004 or there are some more equals under the equally applicable laws of the Federal Board. [The News]
SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE
[Malik Tariq Ali, Lahore]
Pakistan has been a victim of the insatiable greed of its soldiers of fortune, some of them in uniform, while others out of uniform, busy in their role of making hay while the sun shines. The misfortunes of the people of Pakistan are due to the rampant corruption, which to our predicament has been institutionalised through official patronage, while state institutions stand marginalised and weakened to facilitate loot and plunder. A nation that owes its existence to men of integrity, courage and determination, led by Quaid e Azam, is today ironically a country, where corruption is no longer a vice, but a privilege of the elitist mediocrity that has misruled it for years. There are so many precedents of men tarnished by corruption, living beyond their means, who have never paid any tax, qualifying for getting elected or selected to constitutional offices, that investor confidence stands tarnished, our economy is in ruins, with no hope in sight that plunderers will ever be held accountable.
Leona Helmslay, the wife of an American billionaire was jailed in USA, because she being a celebrity stated that "Fools pay Taxes", ending up being sentenced and imprisoned for tax evasion, in spite of best legal attorneys hired for her defence. In Pakistan tax evasion is not a crime for the elitist mediocrity but a privilege. Another measure of the elite individual's social standing is the ease and frequency with which he flouts rule of law, without any fear. It is only in Pakistan that a man like Musharraf, who has usurped the constitution twice without any remorse, gets official protocol, while elected Prime Ministers have been sent to gallows or exiled, in spite of Supreme Court rulings to the contrary and constitutional rights.
We are the only nuclear armed state, which cannot provide basic necessities like clean drinking water, electricity, transportation, subsidised education, health and security to our populace. The Pakistani state coffers are on the verge of default, while individuals have amassed billions in US dollars and yet enjoy tax holidays. Loan default by design is also a privilege for the elite. Our survival as a nation is hostage to the vices of our ruling elite and our failure as a nation to stand up and be counted. [Business Recorder]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[M Saleem Chaudhry, Karachi]
This is with reference to your editorial "More equal than others?" published on Jan 17. It highlights the conduct of our superior courts which throughout our chequered history have tried to rationalise misdeeds to give them a veneer of legality. In the past they invented the 'law of necessity' to legitimise the actions of military dictators and now they have legitimised the clearly wrong action by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education to award an extra 22 marks to the daughter of the sitting chief justice of Pakistan. One can only wonder what this will do to the already poor perception that the people of this country have of their judiciary. [The News]
PPP DIMINISHING
[Nazeer Abro, Hyderabad]
PPP, the largest political party of the country today is totally disconnected with its workers. These workers have always been the backbone of the party that have stood by the leadership through thick and thin whether it was in jails during Zia's tyrannical rule or in exile due to Musharraf's oppression. The workers unquestioned loyalty was for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's legacy and his political heiress Benazir Bhutto. Since her death, there is a vacuum which has widened the gap between the workers and new leadership whose priority seem to be personal friends and hanger-ons. The workers are very agitated that even after party's being in power for a whole year, those who plotted her murder have not been held. To add insult to injury the party co-chairman has stated that he knows who was behind her murder and yet he has chosen not to name the murderers.
This sorry state of affairs is causing a great deal of heartburn to the party loyalists who even vented their anger on the occasion of Benazir's first death anniversary at Garhi Khuda Baksh. Today political orphans like Sheikh Rasheed, who is on record having insulted both ZAB and BB, are meeting the President. Those whom Benazir had accused of plotting her assassination are being considered for coalition partnership. What is happening right now just does not make sense to workers. They are also totally disillusioned with the silence of CEC members who have succumbed to trappings and temptations of power instead of showing loyalty for the legacy of Benazir.
[The Nation]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Munzar Ata, Islamabad]
In response to my letter "My son is no Farah Dogar" published in your newspaper on Jan 17, I got a call from my old history teacher. His only question was whether I had forgotten what happened to the people in the times of the Dogra Raj. [The News]
POLITICISED
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
I keep hearing people saying Iftikhar Chaudhry has become politicised. When did this happen? Did he become politicised when Latif Khosa and Zummarad Khan of the PPP were in the forefront of the lawyers movement; or when he traveled to Lahore accompanied by and welcomed by all political parties, including the PPP; or when the PPP workers waiting for him outside the Supreme Court were losing their lives; or when he traveled to Karachi and the PPP (including Sherry Rehman) was out in great numbers facing bullets to receive him; or when Benazir Bhutto said at his house, Iftikhar Chaudhry is my chief justice.
Or is it only now when the PPP has backed off from the lawyers’ movement because of a certain deal, that he has suddenly become politicised? Is it him or these people who are politicised? [The Post]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Dr Muhammad Yaqoob Bhatti, Lahore]
With reference to the dismissal of the case against Farah Hameed Dogar, may I ask how the court could dismiss the petition given that Ms Dogar's marks were increased by such a magnitude that her grade improved from a C to a B? And I am quite sure that most people think along these lines -- that if the existing rules do not permit reassessment of marks then how the student's grade was improved? [The News]
PETTY CASH OF TAXPAYER
[Dr Irfan Zafar, Islamabad]
Not that it really matters any more but can any official or PPP office-bearer clarify whether PM's trip to Garhi Khuda Baksh on December 25 to pay homage to late Benazir Bhutto was an official or a private one? If it was an official visit, why was the taxpayer's money utilized for a private purpose. If it was a private visit, did the PM travel on a commercial flight or paid for all expenses from his own pocket? [The Nation]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Dr Habib Usmani, Muzaffarabad]
With reference to the dismissal of a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court challenging the grant of extra marks to the daughter of the sitting chief justice of Pakistan, all I can say is 'shame on us.' [The News]
PARTY OF THE POOR
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Mohammad Shahzad says that PPP is the party of the poor. Then why does the percentage of people below the poverty line increase every time PPP is in power. It is because priorities of PPP are quite wrong. It tries to look after the poor (the PPP voters) through schemes like 'Benazir Bhik Program', and giving 'unproductive' employment to Jiyalas in their thousands in industry and public sector, ruining their efficiency and profitability. A few thousand Jiyalas benefit and PPP's vote bank swells but the national economy suffers, and poverty overall increases. The correct approach is to expand industry and agriculture which will give permanent employment to many thousands, apart from earning foreign exchange through increased exports.
The money wasted on a few thousand poor should be invested in small scale industry to help the poor on a permanent basis. The problem is that industry and agriculture can only expand if there is sufficient power and water available. For that mega dams have to be built as is done the world over, including in India. But mega dams are not on PPP agenda. This is where the priorities go wrong. Well wishers of PPP should advise their party on these lines and not praise the wrong policies which have never worked before. Statistics do not lie, just check the poverty graph of all three PPP tenures. [The Frontier Post]
PICTURE PERFECT
[Nasir Tajuddin, Rawalpindi]
Newspapers today have a photograph of President Asif Zardari meeting with the chief minister of Balochistan in the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Interestingly, one can see Benazir Bhutto's portrait strategically placed right in between the two gentlemen. I'm curious as to whether photographers receive specific instructions to ensure that Ms Bhutto's photograph appears in every picture that they take. [The News]
NATIONAL LEADER
[Zarka Butt, Lahore]
There are a few people in this world who are born politicians or leaders by inheritance like Benazir Bhutto. But, of course, there are some who prove their mettle in the face of challenges and crises. President Zardari is one such personality who possesses wisdom and discretion, pre-requisite to turn to be a good politician and a national leader. Luckily, Zardari got a lifetime opportunity to become a politician and certainly a national leader after the assassination of his wife after getting a heavy mandate in the general elections of February 18.
Zardari after becoming the President accepted the challenge of re-building the foundation of the country that was shattered by the eight-year rule of a dictator. Zardari, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December 2007, showed tremendous political acumen by holding together the PPP and steering it to electoral victory. He understands the issues instantly. [He] understands what the problems are. He is a person who fixes up things very quickly. He is a person who does not linger on with decisions and he makes decisions as warranted by the circumstances. Zardari has a long journey ahead to improve his image as a national leader who can deliver under tremendous pressure. It is an uphill task, however, the kind of passion he has exhibited reflects he will rise above the challenges confronted the country. Allah has provided Zardari with an opportunity to prove his leadership. [The Post]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Asif Mehmood, Chakwal]
All I can say is that the decision by the Islamabad High Court will only reinforce the blatant misuse of authority and power that happens in this country. [The News]
MISPLACED ADULATION
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Razia Masood in her 'Taking it head on' and Zarka Butt in her 'Man on the spot', are full of praise for the PPP government and president Zardari. They are ignoring the sad fact that PPP and Zardari by going back on their verbal and written commitments of restoring the judiciary broke up the PPP/PML-N coalition which held great promise for the country. It will not be wrong to say that but for that the situation in the country today would have been much better. Also the dog-eat-dog politics (in Punjab) would have been avoided. Developed societies have advanced on basis of their ethical values. Can you imagine a British prime minister or an American president reneging publicly on his promises. He would be hounded by their free press into quitting. Such unethical behaviour can only be eliminated by criticism and not by blind adulation. [The Frontier Post]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Cdre (r) M Ilyas, Islamabad]
If the judiciary can enforce and justify jacking up marks in board examination and then subsequent admission for higher learning; and in other cases, undeserving appointments; God help ordinary people in Pakistan. I am pained and distressed. [The News]
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
[M. Mohammad]
Mr Zardari is more than an absolute ruler heading a party and a President who is not conforming to the constitutional postulates. He can appoint a street janitor as head of any national institution or remove a constitutional officeholder from his position or give awards to anyone he takes a fancy to. But, pray, we will have to discuss what is the merit of giving Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam to Mr Boucher, a glorified clerk of the US State Department. What good did he bring to Pakistan? Threats, intimidation, coercion and drones invading our territory killing our people? Strange are the decisions of our rulers! [The Nation]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Iftekhar Khan, Mingora]
Farah Hameed Dogar won — and 170 millions Pakistanis lost. And we complain that militancy is increasing. In Swat the local band of criminals-turned-Taliban have been citing the goal of a speedy and just judicial system as their primary cause and this latest decision will greatly ‘help’ them. [The News]
INDISCIPLINE HE CAUSED
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
This is in response to the friend who extolled Bhutto's favour of giving people a 'sense of self respect'. That, in my view, was a cruel joke on the nation. Bhutto had no altruistic motives in doing what he did. He incited the workers, the students and the common people to come out against the government of the day only to get them behind himself, to build a vote bank of his own. This was dirty politics at its worst. He offered them a free ride, all play and no work. The indiscipline this caused amongst the workers and the students played havoc with the industry and education, the effects of which have not dissipated till now. No amount of high-sounding phrases, like 'giving self-respect to people' can compensate for the colossal damage he has done in perpetuity. Now again the student unions have been let loose on the peaceful academia and the purpose, yet again, is to build the PPP vote bank. Benazir Bhutto brought the students on the voters list for this very purpose. [The Nation]
MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS?
[Sarwat Jehan, Peshawar]
The IHC's dismissal of the Farah Dogar case has further frustrated an already frustrated and angry nation. If such injustices continue a bloody revolution is not far. Such injustice is the root cause of the growing influence of the Taliban. The whole nation is sick of the Taliban but there are people in Swat who seek justice through them because they have lost trust in the judicial system. [The News]
PPP STYLE
BB’s photographs
[Major (Retd) Anwar Pasha, Lahore]
In the Presidency and in most of the offices of PPP ministers we see the photographs of Benazir Bhutto. In some of the offices, it is just next to the Quaid-e-Azam’s photo. I would like to know that under which law or constitutional act this photo is placed in the Presidency and ministers offices. If it is due to her assassination then there should also be the photographs of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan and General Ziaul Haq. The only office where her photo should be placed is prime minister’s office being an ex-prime minister. [The Post]
BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER
[Mahabat Khan Bangash Peshawar]
It was yet disappointing news that the daughter of Commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim has been appointed as First Secretary in Ireland through back door. There was no harm if she had gone through the laid down process of qualifying the appointment. Amin Fahim, once was considered to be an upright and fair leader of the PPP, who stood against the then military rule of Gen. Musharraf and issued statements in support of democracy. After the February elections the people expected him wholeheartedly to become either the PM or President of the country for his fair stance. But the current adventure proved that he too belongs to the same pack of hypocrite politicians, who don't mind to deny the rights of the deserving general public. According to a saying "Although certain animals seem to be formed of all gold, but when their tail is lifted, some signs of brass is visible there"! Do these people have any conscience to realize as to why do they deprive the general public of their genuine rights for their selfish motives, when they are in power? [The Frontier Post]
'DON'T GO TO DAVOS'
[Sahar Masroor, Karachi]
Our leaders are so fond of foreign trips on national exchequer. They even left aside the grim economic conditions of the country. Since coming into office in early 2008, the top leadership has been going on foreign trips with large entourage. In this regard Business Recorder's editorial "Don't go to Davos Mr Prime Minister " is a correct advice to the prime minister. Citing reasons for not going to Davos, the editorial said, "past attendance at this forum has shown that it does not provide a mechanism to generate official (public sector) assistance though it can assist in forging of economic/business ties at the level of the private sector, and, therefore, is regarded as an appropriate forum to attract foreign private sector investment".
The theme for the current year is managing the current economic crisis and shaping the entire post-crisis agenda, from economic reform to climate change. Pakistan, however, does not fit in with the 2009 theme because the country's economic managers have been at pains to inform the public that the current economic malaise is entirely attributable to the Musharraf era; and that our economic problems are not due to the global financial crisis that much of the rest of the world, integrated into the global economy unlike ours, is currently suffering from. So our PM will neither be able to generate financial support from other countries at the forum, nor, be able to generate private sector interest in Pakistan. We must learn lesson from our neighbour which has indicated their inability to attend the summit. [Business Recorder]
A CHALLENGING AMENDMENT
[Anwar Jalal, Peshawar]
The submission of a bill for the repel of 17the amendment and 58 2 (B ) in parliament, (in the senate by Q league , and in the National assembly by MQM while PML (N) too has submitted its proposed bill to the PPP leadership )can be termed as a sort of challenge to the PPP government and in particular to its parliamentarians. Though ,in the presence of Charter of Democracy , PPP repeatedly declared stance of repelling the 17th amendment , and the constitutional package ( the PPP government has already presented , which besides other recommendations, also suggests for the abolishment of 58(2) B) .PPP is also rightly supposed to be in favor of the bill with out any big objection .
However some circles fear that in the changed political scenario PPP may not stick to its earlier stance and may soon show fluctuation regarding it. For this reason the bill is considered as a sort of challenges to PPP . After Zardari assuming the presidency and also owing to his peculiar style of politics( his being imposing and prevailing on govt policies and decisions and also his not sticking to pledges ) few can now believe that PPP would stick to its old stance. In particular changes curtailing president powers may not receive Zardari approval, the reason being that he is not supposed to become president just to be powerless and ceremonial head .Since the last few days speculations are that PPP seems to be deviating from its earlier stance .The statements of some ppp leaders are cited in this regard.
In case of Zardari disapproval it would be seen how and on which logic the ppp leaders change their old stance and also what line the Prime Minster and the democratic minded parliamentarians of PPP may take regarding the amendment. In this regard there are two views. One is that they as the top leadership will follow what the all prevailing and imposing president will like and instruct so all the previous rhetoric and tall claims of ppp leaders regarding the removal of 17th amendments will be set aside and ignored while some new grounds and interpretations will be sought or some political crisis will be created so that either on the pretext of disagreement or in the cover of the crisis it can be made pending for long time. In the coming days it will become clear in which manner the PPP leadership and parliamentarians deal with this challenge .In case they manage to repel the amendment and in particular remove the 58(2) B it would be really a great achievement for the cause of parliamentary democracy. [Pakistan Observer]
COD, WHAT COD?
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Mukhtar Ahmed Butt in his letter says Zardari was not in the picture on CoD hence not responsible for it. Benazir Bhutto signed CoD as the chairperson of PPP and not in her personal capacity. He says a Bhurban like accord should again be attempted. My question is, what is to stop Zardari from backing out of that also? If learned writers keep mollycoddling him and do not criticize him for behaviour unbecoming a president of a country.
[The Frontier Post]
FOR AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
[Khurshid Anwer, Lahore]
Pakistan Peoples Party wants to strengthen the institution of judiciary and is all for the independence of judiciary but the President shall appoint the Chief Justice, says Latif Khosa.
Why do perfectly learned and intelligent people in PPP go so overboard when it comes to supporting the party chair? Why do they behave like sheep devoid of common sense?
[The Nation]
CORRECT PREDICTION
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
This refers to a news report about CJ Abdul Hamid Dogar, who is likely to be appointed as CEC after his retirement in March this year, by President Asif Zardari. In this regard my prediction, in my letter "Argument of Farah Dogar", published on December last, was correct as I had foretold that 'in defending the CJ by the incumbent Govt. in Farah Dogar case, apparently the PPP intends to get a favourable Chief Election Commissioner in the future. However when CJ Dogar stands disputed over the unique jacking up of his daughter's FSC marks by the FBISE it would be improper to appoint a controversial figure as CEC. The case of Justice (R) Irshad Hassan Khan, who was made CEC by Musharraf for certain reasons, is still fresh in our minds. [The Frontier Post]
HYPOCRITICAL SERMONS
[Shahida Habib, London]
Any president of Pakistan has to be non-political, non-partisan, non-interfering in state functions and not holding any party office etc. Mr Zardari for all standards and practical purposes is acting ultravires of national constitution, needing hardly any mention. His remarks about Nawaz Sharif are most unconstitutional and un-president like. His loyalist Rehman Malik meets Nawaz Sharif to give sermon on lawyers’ long march (not to participate) as it would complicate national security situation. It, nonetheless, did not in earlier long marches in two years excepting mayhem.
This is all happening under Zardari’s watch. Tragically, PPP does not see any threat from such statements day and night out in public, press, TV by its loyal politicians which are timed-coincide with Indian threats to war on Pakistan. But Zardari has sermons for Nawaz Sharif. PPP is total failure. Its non-restoration of judiciary, pliant judiciary, NRO, drones, worst ever economy, king like presidency, and flouting constitution suggest it should be replaced by a national government immediately. [The Post]
HILAL-I-QUAID-I-AZAM AWARD FOR BOUCHER
[Munawar Husain, Lahore]
This is in reference to the investiture ceremony held on Jan 5,2009 at Aiwan-e-Sadr wherein our President conferred the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Mr. Richard Boucher (US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia) for strengthening Pakistan-USA relations. So far I was thinking that this award is only for those high profile personalities who have really rendered very valuable and most prestigious services to our nation and not for one who is the key person behind NATO forces for making unlimited strikes on innocent citizens of our territory. [The Frontier Post]
From the National Press
TIME FOR SOUL SEARCHING
[Rizwan Asghar Chaudhry, Lahore]
Aristotle, a famous Greek philosoher, said the justification of state was to ensure security of life for its citizens. If a state fails in its primary mission, it is not a state but just a loose association of people. Unfortunately after 62 years, Pakistan is unable to fulfil the very purpose of its existence. Of late the CCPO of Lahore has shocked the whole nation by brazenly saying that the people have right to kill a dacoit who breaks into their house. This statement is tantamount to sanctioning the law of the jungle in this country. In other words, the state has abandoned its function of maintaining law and order.
Our forefathers did not sacrifice their lives for attaining such kind of Pakistan .Today there is time for soul-searching and we have to adopt a progressive line for development in this country, otherwise our next generations will confront an uncertain situation. [Dawn]
ARE WE TERRORISTS?
[Abdul Haseeb Qureshi, Lahore]
I chat on the internet quite frequently and what I have found in recent weeks is that it’s not just people in India but also people who live in countries like Iran, Bangladesh, America, the UK and even China who think that all terror activities have their base in Pakistan. Why this disconnect between what the world thinks of us and what is reality? After all how much of the population in the country consists of terrorists or their supporters? [The News]
THE ‘QABZA’ GROUP
[Yousuf Abdullah, Karachi]
A group of law-breakers known as the qabza group in the area has illegally occupied my premises (godown), situated in Lyari, breaking the locks of the doors. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Baghdadi police station. I am the legal owner of the property which has been in my use as a godown for the last 20 years. I was informed by my employee that when he objected to the occupation, the these persons took out automatic weapons and threatened to kill him. The next day I, along with three other businessmen of the area, requested the SHO of the Baghdadi police station to arrest the culprits and to lodge an FIR. To our surprise, the SHO refused to do so and said that if he lodged an FIR and tried to arrest the culprits, they would ‘kill me’.
The SHO further said that he was going to arrange a meeting of the culprits with me at the police station to see how dangerous they were. I have been continuously requesting the SHO for the removal of the illegal occupants and arresting them, but there is no response. I cannot go to my premises because my life is in danger. If the so-called protectors of citizens are the guardians of criminals, then any sort of extremism and terrorism can grow under such circumstances. [Dawn]
PERMIT FOR WEAPONS
[Dr Zafar Elahi, Islamabad]
With reference to Rauf Klasra’s report of Dec 23 about weapons’ permits being issued by the interior ministry, I would like to say that there is nothing wrong with issuing licenses or permits for weapons and in effect legalising them. We have to remember that weapons don’ t kill people — people kill people and that there maybe a thousand and one different ways to kill somebody with your bare hands. Coming back to the point, I think it’s a good idea for the government to legalise the possession of firearms. That will enable the government to keep track of weapons that citizens may have. [The News]
VISIT TO PAKISTAN
[Mohsin Malik, Dubai]
A visit to Pakistan turned out to be a bigger fiasco than I had imagined. The main culprit was electricity which would go out every hour for one hour. There was no water during my whole stay of around four days and I had to take a shower after returning to Dubai. I needed some medicine which was not available here. There was no gasoline available and I saw long lines of motorbikes and cars at gas stations. The national carrier was able to mismanage their baggage handling system and were using the old system of tagging the baggage. The only road leading to the city from the airport was broken. There were vendors everywhere occupying city property. No one here knows how to handle garbage and dispose it off.
Add to that the mess of the suicide bombers who are onto their jihadi mission. Thank you Pakistan. Usually when I go to another country I have my camera in hand and take nearly 200 pictures. I did not take any picture in Lahore as nothing was worth taking. [Dawn]
WHAT ABOUT ATROCITIES IN PAKISTAN?
[Adnan Cyprian, Riyadh]
Recent debates on Pakistani television and the print media have strongly focused on the plight of religious minorities in India and their inhuman treatment. Furthermore, the same people have raised a hue and cry at the atrocities being committed in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Indian-held Kashmir, Iraq and the most recent in Gaza. However, comparatively little is being said about what happens in the local thana, north Pakistan, Karachi and other places. While we are quick to point out that Indian colonels involved in blasts should be handed over to Pakistan, almost nothing is shared about who is blowing up things in Pakistan. Charity should and must begin at home. [The News]
SUGAR BARONS
[Engr. S. T. Hussain, Lahore]
According to the press report, Ecnec accused the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association of behaving like the East India Company. I agreed with Shaukat Tareen that most of politicians, including the president, the speaker of the National Assembly and leaders of the PML(N), are owners of sugar mills. There are some questions which need to be answered:
1) Who are the middlemen, buying from growers/farmers and selling sugarcanes to sugar mill owners?
2) Who are the sugar dealers who do forward purchases of sugar from mills?
3) Why should the TCP purchase stocks from sugar mills when they produce in excess of the market’s demands?
4) Why does the government support while the national exchequer is used to help the sugar mill owners?
5) Why is the government helping sugar mill owners?
6) Why are mill owners not paying to the growers for the supply of cane?
7) Why is no action taken against sugar mill owners defaulting on payment to growers? 8) Why was de - zoning of sugarcane done, and by whom?
8) Why did the government not try to preach general public to use less sugar as it will not affect their health?
If the government takes the following actions it can protect the interest of the consumer:
i) By reimposition of the old zoning system for cane that will prevent price wars among competing sugar mills for purchase of canes.
ii) By taking action against the sugar mills which are not paying the cess development charges in time.
iii) By ensuring cash payment to farmers at the factory gate based on sucrose content of cane delivered and not just on the basis of cane weight.
iv) By setting up of an autonomous sugar board at the federal level with provincial counterparts.
v) By establishing sugar research centres and institutes to ensure qualified manpower for the sugar industry.
vi) Every sugar bag should have Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority stamps to ensure the quality of sugar being sold in the market.
It should be financed by special levy of 0.5 per cent of the value of sugar sold by every sugar mill. This will not only ensure its independence from political interference but also lead to rapid development of the industry. It is government responsibility to protect the interest of the consumer rather than the interest of the sugar mill owners. [Dawn]
SUGAR INDUSTRY: A VEHICLE OF RURAL UPLIFT
[Javed Kayani, Chairman, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, Lahore]
Apropos of Engr S.T. Hussain’s letter, ‘Sugar barons’ (Jan 6), it is clarified that the sugar industry is a vehicle of rural development, and employment of millions of people is directly and indirectly associated with it. The issues misconstrued are replied in seriatim:
a. PSMA has been voicing its concern at all levels for elimination of middlemen. They operate unauthorised weighbridges and fleece the growers and, on the contrary, overcharge the mills. We have already requested the Punjab government to take a stern action against them as the industry is being blackmailed by such unscrupulous elements.
b. The forward purchase of sugar is being done by the traders in conformity with internationally defined ethics of futures and derivates business. We have requested the government to also list sugar on commodities exchange so that the business could operate in a more systematic manner. The exchanges provide mechanism to protect the interest of buyers and sellers.
c. The industry does not produce surplus by choice as we are law-bound to crush until the last stick of sugarcane available in the field. We facilitate the growers for disposal of their sugarcane and, as a consequence, the industry ends up with excess sugar where TCP intervention is imperative as the sugar industry acts as a processor to convert the entire crop into sugar. Sugarcane like cotton and wheat cannot be stored. Therefore, to enable payments to growers, the stocks are to be sold. As sugar produced during crushing season is meant for sale throughout the season. therefore the TCP buys stocks for helping the growers’ payments.
d. Sugar mills cannot sell the requirement of 12 months in one go. Therefore, TCP dynamics were evolved which not only cater for strategic buffer stocks but also for the timely payment to growers. The purchases by the TCP have been contingent on clearance of growers’ dues. The payments were released by the TCP on certification by the cane commissioner to the effect that growers dues have been cleared.
e. The government support is only meant for the welfare of growers. Growers are getting cash payments. All previous dues are clear. About Rs9bn has so far been paid for the first crushing month in Punjab. Payments to growers are in the interest of the millers to ensure future supplies and cultivation. The allegation of non-payment is ridiculous.
f. The punitive action should be taken but the industry has been making an earnest effort to clear the growers’ dues as it is the only bond of relationship between the growers and the mill.
g. PSMA has been orchestrating for a long time to allocate a minimum radius of 15km to every mill as a gate area to develop varietal cane. [Dawn]
WHAT ABOUT ATROCITIES IN PAKISTAN?
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
Why do we talk about atrocities in Kashmir, Palestine and elsewhere, when we are victims of atrocities ourselves by the hands of our own governments? People's lives are not secure and we are living in economically precarious times. No one except the rich and powerful has access to justice and corruption is rampant in just about every government department. Those who are more concerned about the people of Kashmir or Palestine first need to look and see the plight of their fellow Pakistanis. [The News]
SUFFERING TAXPAYERS
[Masroor Ahmed, Karachi]
A ten per cent advance withholding tax is being recovered from commercial/industrial consumers through electricity bills . The amount of this withholding tax has increased considerably after 70 per cent increase in electricity tariff. This withholding tax is recovered from taxpayers without considering their business and income history. The Peshawar High Court had recently suspended the recovery of this tax. The KESC is also recovering GST at 16 per cent of the billing amount. These two taxes form a huge amount and have become an unbearable burden on consumers. The FBR has neither evolved a system of refund of the GST to those industrial consumers who come under zero per cent rating of the GST, nor has it been refunding IT refund claims for the last three years.
In the light of the PHC decision, the FBR and the KESC are urged to suspend the recovery of the withholding tax and the GST as shown in electric bills to provide some relief to the hard-hit consumers. [Dawn]
NEPRA AND POWER TARIFF
[Abdul Haq, Lahore]
In a recent press conference, the federal minister for water and power told journalists that the various power distribution companies turn to NEPRA for requesting a revision in the power tariffs. And the result of this is before us NEPRA usually agreeing to the request which ends up increasing the cost of electricity for the consumer. My question is that why cannot the minister ask NEPRA to instead direct the distribution companies to put their own house in order instead of continuously passing the burden of their inefficiency to consumers?
[The News]
IMF AID
[Amad Ahmed Shaikh, Khairpur]
A few months back, according to our media, Pakistan was on the edge of a financial crisis. It was said that if help was not taken from the IMF within nine weeks, the banks of the country would default, which is extremely bad for a state. The dollar was at the time Rs80, and when the government was questioned about this, the reply was that when aid would be received from the IMF, the dollar would come down to Rs75. A few weeks after Pakistan was to receive $7.6 billion from the IMF, which was supposed to be transferred to the State Bank within 23 months, according to Shaukat Tareen’s statement on Nov 15 in Karachi.
Pakistan received its first installment of $4.2 billion in November, and news appeared in Dawn that the amount had been transferred to the State Bank. Today, after a month, the dollar is Rs78.78 (approx), while it was said that the dollar would be Rs75 after receiving the first installment from the IMF. The government knows very well what to do with the money received, but being a citizen of a democratic state, it’s my right to know what they are doing with it. So please tell me. [Dawn]
LISTENING TO FM IN SWAT
[Khalid Khan, Mingora, Swat]
This is in reference to a news report by Rahimullah Yusufzai in your newspaper on Jan 5. I am a resident of Swat and Mr Yusufzai has very rightly expressed the current law and order situation under Taliban control. We, the people of Swat, are totally dependent on the sympathy of the Taliban as no security person can be seen around. We are forced to listen to their FM radio channel because it is the only source of information available. As far as control of the Taliban is concerned, one can't dare talk against them even inside one's house. Anybody found doing against the desire of the Taliban, his name is aired on the FM channels throughout the district the next day. Defaulters are cautioned by name and informed that their names have been entered in 'the list.' [The News]
MOCKERY OF LAW
[S. Shah Nawaz Shah, Tando Adam]
The report, ‘Government buildings exempted from KBCA approval’ (Jan 6), disclosing that the provincial government has exempted its buildings from mandatory approval of the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA), is a shattering blow to the law - abiding citizens. This unfair immunity has raised queries in the minds of people who are obliged to follow the regulations, i.e. either the government - constructed buildings have some super qualities or the authorities are trying to hush up indiscretions. As has been rightly mentioned in the investigative report, it was the government structures which collapsed en bloc killing thousands of people during the earthquake in the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir in 2005 and Ziarat, Balochistan in 2008.
Obviously these substandard buildings were constructed under the supervision of the government agencies, violating all construction rules and using low quality material. It appears that instead of learning some lessons from these destructive incidents, the provincial government has decided to make a mockery of the law by giving exemption to the government buildings whose record was never enviable even when the KBCA regulations were applicable. The KBCA is a regulatory and supervisory body whose prime objective is to make certain that building plans are in conformity with the existing building and town planning regulations.
The quality, soundness and implementation of approved design/specifications are the sole responsibility of the relevant professionals licensed by the KBCA under Karachi Building Control Licensing Regulations 1982. Allowing exemption from town planning regulations is tantamount to encouraging substandard construction. The chief minister should intervene and get the highly damaging notification by the chief secretary rescinded at the earliest. [Dawn]
LOADSHEDDING AND THE MINISTER
[Mansoor Jaffery, DHA Lahore]
Last evening while watching news on TV the audience was being told that loadshedding in major towns/cities had been stopped. The facts are to the contrary, however. There has in fact been no respite in the mandatory loadshedding of nine to ten hours. I am writing this on Jan 9 and our power went off at 4pm. I rang the LESCO supervisor for DHA and was told that loadshedding was continuing. I told him about the statement by the minister for water and power that there would now be no loadshedding and the supervisor laughed! I am not sure who is lying — the minister or the supervisor. [The News]
MULTILNATIONAL GOVERNMNET CORPORATION
[Rafique Ahmed Siddiqui, Karachi]
After about a decade I recently had an opportunity to visit the Income Tax Building situated opposite the Sindh Secretariat, Karachi. I was amazed the way this public office of the federal government has been lavishly refurbished. It now looks more like an office of a multinational corporation or foreign bank than a government office of a poor country. This 12-storey building is now centrally airconditioned. Rooms of officers, staff and waiting areas for the public are immaculately ornamented with beautiful wood paneling and artificial ceilings. However, one element which was conspicuous by its absence was the firefighting equipment. So much so that even there was no emergency exit available in such a huge building. I was aghast when I found that almost on all floors people were smoking while some of them even threw burnt butts of cigarettes in corners of rooms and on the main stepladder.
Wood and false ceilings made of highly inflammable material have been extensively used in the building and there are huge numbers of files of important financial matters. The situation can turn out to be disastrous if proper attention is not given at the earliest. Not long ago were twice the Pakistan National Shipping Building and Sindh Board of Revenue’s camp office gutted. Though loss to life was negligible as offices were closed due to public holiday, the fire caused colossal loss to the national exchequer and the most valuable government records, some of which was lost permanently. In order to avoid catastrophic like situation like those of the PNSC and BOR, I make the following suggestions that may help contain the damage:
1. Providing emergency exits catering for all the floors of edifice.
2. Installation of fire extinguishers on every floor.
3. Training of staff through civil defence to use fire extinguishers at the right moment and
facilitate the people in case of emergency.
4. In view of inflammable material used in the construction, the smoking should be banned completely in the building. Well trained vigilante teams should be deputed to catch hold of violator on the spot. [Dawn]
OWN THE IMF PROGRAMME
[Dr Meekal Aziz Ahmed, Virginia, US]
I see frequent reference in the newspapers, including yours, to the 'IMF programme' and 'IMF targets'. Is the present 'IMF programme' not Pakistan's as well? Or has the government of Pakistan left it to the IMF to design the programme and set targets for us, while we sit there stupefied and in a trance? If we do not 'own' a programme, it will fail. There is ample empirical evidence around the world to prove this. We have been down this road before. Maybe I was naive to think it would be any different this time. [The News]
WHO SERVES WHOM?
[Shahnaz Quadri, Karachi]
The other night I was watching the show of an outspoken and well-known anchor, whose talk shows have gained a lot of popularity amongst the masses. I, too, watch his programmes regularly. Lately, however, I have noticed that like many other anchors he has adopted the same mantra: the politicians are not to be blamed for everything (true to a certain extent) and provide proof of corruption charges made against these politicians. The other day he started by giving the assets of a few of our parliamentarians. He has not even scratched the surface of the iceberg. He has not told us who the richest man in Pakistan is. He also suggested that if 170 million people would contribute 20 per cent of their pay to the nation every month, Pakistan would be out of the woods.
He should know that a large section of our poor and rural population has no regular record of their earnings. The people who are rich and matter do not pay their bills, let alone their taxes, and are simply not interested in the well-being of the country. Incidentally, most of these rich people are either parliamentarians, their close relatives, our bureaucracy or industrialists. A small portion of the population comprises educated people who are content with very little and live within the law. If this anchor’s impulsive and thoughtless suggestion is accepted, we, the pensioners, along with those whose taxes are deducted at the source, will be the victim. Mr Anchor, please let us live, we cannot afford to pay anymore to support the lavish lifestyle of our rulers.
We thought the electronic media would finally come to the aid of the ordinary Pakistani, but our hopes have flickered and died as every channel caters to the problems of the rich and influential people. The new leadership promised us good governance, austerity and a change of the system. Do we witness any of these today? The people expected that the present lot would fulfil their promises and serve the people, but it seems that the people have again ended up serving the rulers. [Dawn]
WHY I DON'T COME TO PAKISTAN
[R Iqbal, Crawley, UK]
Why is it whenever I arrive and leave from the Islamabad airport I remember the reasons why I do not come to Pakistan. Is it not obvious to the powers that be that an international airport is the first and last contact an individual has with a particular country? For as long as I can remember the Islamabad airport has not changed other than the name and the new departure lounge. The same unhelpful staff, the bribes, the queue jumping, the pushing and the shoving -- and this is all before we get to the check-in desk! Every time I have landed at the Islamabad airport people are jumping out of their seats as soon as the tyres touch the ground. Now is it because they love their country so much that they need to rush or is it because they know something I don't? I keep forgetting that I need to rush because I will get stuck at the end of the queue at immigration. [The News]
POLITICO-RELIGIOUS PARTIES’ ROLE
[Sayed Gb Shah Bokhari, Peshawer]
Activists of politico-religious parties staged a protest demonstration on Dec 29 to condemn Israel for bombing the Hamas-populated area of Palestine. There is no doubt that bombing of innocent homo sapiens anywhere in the world is a nerve-wraecking and must be condemned with all the force at one’s command. Nonetheless, the most shocking aspect of the recent public demonstration in Pakistan is that on the day the Israelis bombed Palestinians thousands of miles away from Pakistan, extremists in our own country, in Buner district where Pakistani ‘Qalma Go’ had gathered at a polling station to cast their vote in the by-election, bombed the place with their explosive-laden vehicle that resulted in killing 43 and rendering hundreds crippled for life.
Why the gory incident taking place in the home-country of the activists of the politico-religious parties was ignored while an incident of bombing taking place thousands of miles away in Palestine should provide them an opportunity to exhort the workers to condemn it through public demonstration cannot be understood by the compatriots. In fact, the leaders of the politico-religious parties never in the past, too, condemned or publicly demonstrated against any act of terrorism that has taken toll of hundreds of lives of the Pakistanis. Extremists have bombed Pakistanis within sacred premises like mosques, imambargahs, funeral prayers but these inhuman, anti-Islamic acts never evoked any reaction from the leaders of politico-religious parties. Should we assume then that bombing by extremists on Pakistan population is ignored by the leaders heading religious parties because they owe their loyalties to their former madressah-educated students turned ‘fidayeens’?
During the Israel-related demonstrations, the other day, the participants criticised the Pakistani government, saying military operation against militants in Fata and the NWFP should be stopped immediately. Such a stance clearly shows to which camp the politico-religious parties owe their sympathies. Leaders of these parties have often announced in public that the military should not take action ‘against our own people’. These leaders are right: between the aggressive militants and the victimised population they have chosen the former to be “their people” and hence to protect every act of the militants is their obligation. [Dawn]
WORRY ABOUT SWAT, NOT GAZA
[Iftikhar Bashir, Rawalpindi]
I find it extremely incongruous that everyone's very quick to jump on the anti-Israel bandwagon and condemn the bombings on the Gaza strip and yet no one says a word about the situation in Swat. I think we have enough problems of our own to be worried about the Gaza strip; let the Arab states worry about the Palestine issue. Qazi Hussain Ahmed and our other religious leaders have shown they are nothing but hypocrites. Why isn't anyone doing anything about the situation in Swat? At least our so-called civil society members should step forward. [The News]
A DARK, COLD WINTER
[Abdul Ghufar Sohail, Lahore]
This is winter but loadshedding of 14 to 18 hours a day is routine these days. The Minister for Power claims he was done with the loadshedding by December 2009. But there was, apparently, no plan to meet the current shortfall in electricity. No dam, powerhouse or any type of power project was planned. People are bracing for the long, hot summer ahead in which they will have to do without electricity. The industrialists don't know how they are going to run their industries without electricity. [The Nation]
A THOUSAND CUTS
[Tayyab Rashid, Islamabad]
Jihadi outfits were cultivated by Pakistan to bleed India with a thousand cuts. But India was able to conduct elections in the entire occupied Kashmir, thankfully, without a single suicide attack. Suicide attacks happened in Buner instead, where we were trying to hold a bye-election in one constituency only. It is clear today that it is Pakistan bleeding with a thousand cuts, and not India. The recent attacks in Mumbai are said to have been planned in Pakistan, by non-state actors, without the knowledge of the government. The Pakistani government apparently stands absolved. However, the mere fact that the ‘non-state’ actors planned and launched operations of such a massive scale, without the knowledge of the Pakistani security establishment, proves that these actors have today become larger than their intended size. It doesn’t reflect positively on the ability of our security agencies, commonly clubbed as establishment.
It is thus in our own interest to weed out such outfits, and all networks that support them in any way, shape or form. Propagating an impression, that jihadi outfits would bleed India, in some sense downplays the importance and stature of our professional military — not just outside, but more importantly in the minds of ordinary Pakistanis like me. I would like to believe that Pakistan is safe, and that our enemies are being deterred by our professional soldiers, and not because of jihadi outfits. [The News]
ATROCITIES IN PAKISTAN
[Mahabat Khan Bangash, Peshawar]
Why do we talk about atrocities in Kashmir, Palestine and elsewhere, when we ourselves are victims of atrocities at the hands of our governments? We endured atrocities for eight long years under Musharraf's military regime and are still under it since the last 10 months under the incumbent Govt. The people are under continuous stress of life security, unemployment, and non-availability of the daily necessities like atta, power, gas and oil while the prices have gone sky high and are beyond the reach of common citizens. They are facing social injustice, corruption in every Govt. department which is due to the failure of the governance. There is a regular blackout of TV due to continued load shedding and the public is unable to know about the latest situation in the country. The President, the PM and his cabinet is in a state of confusion, and whenever approached they are reluctant to redress the prevailing crises faced by the public round the clock. [The Frontier Post]
HIGHWAY HARASSMENT
[Javeria Ahsen, Islamabad]
I used G T Road on Jan 23 while travelling with my family from Islamabad to Sialkot. We were continuously harassed by some MNA who was also travelling on the said route at that time. He was in a Honda civic and had a police van in front and a Pajero behind. The police van was being driven most rashly with a police constable half out of the front passenger seat and screaming at other cars to move out of the of the way. Whenever the traffic would slow down or come to a halt -- as happens often on G T Road -- the van would sound its siren and begin honking -- as if that would speed up things!
All the three cars were travelling at extremely high speed and couldn't seem to care less about other people's safety. The tension only ended when this most unruly motorcade stopped in front of the house of local PML-N MPA. May Allah have mercy on us and rid us and our country of such people. [The News]
DISHONEST NINCOMPOOP
[Khuram Khan, Lahore]
The summer power consumption is four times higher than the winters. Winter is the season of surplus for power but we are experiencing the worst kind of power outage in these winters. My conclusion is that the minister incharge, in addition to being clueless about his job, is also dishonest with the people of Pakistan. I am also quite puzzled as to why a portfolio that needed an expert has been gifted to this nincompoop. Doesn't it reflect on the regime's bankruptcy in talent? I don't know why he is afraid to tell the truth? There is no coordination whatsoever between the agencies involved. Closure of canals is an absurd excuse.
The gas and petroleum companies are operating in their own fiefdoms, as are the ministries. The funds are being diverted to purchase bulletproof vehicles, maintain an insensitive parliament and a ridiculously large cabinet. Payment to purchase furnace oil or gas for power plants is not on anybody's priority list. [The Nation]
TIME FOR SOUL-SEARCHING
[Rizwan Asghar Chaudhry, Lahore]
Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, said the justification of state was to ensure security of life for its citizens. If a state fails in its primary mission, it is not a state but just a loose association of people. Unfortunately, after sixty two years, Pakistani state is unable to fulfil the very purpose of its existence. The CCPO of Lahore has shocked the whole nation by brazenly saying that people have the right to kill a dacoit who breaks into their house. This statement is tantamount to sanctioning the law of the jungle in this country. In other words, the state has abandoned its function of maintaining law and order. Our forefathers did not sacrifice their lives for attaining such a place for living. Today, there is time for soul-searching and we have to adopt a progressive line for development in this country, otherwise our next generations will confront an uncertain situation. [The Post]
SWAT FINANCING
[Syeda Shahr Bano, Abbottabad]
Whenever I read anything about what is happening in Swat, this question comes to my mind: "who is financing the Taliban in Swat?" I am at a loss to find answer to my question. A continuous supply of ammunition is required to carry on a war. Fazlullah and his fighters have waged a war against the Pakistan army. It is not a joke. Besides, a lot of money is also needed for their daily expenditure and communication. From where is he getting all this? [The News]
GATES OF DIVIDE!
[Shaukat Amir, Lahore]
Even the most feeble-minded among us understands that what we have here is not a country it's an ever-increasing graveyard. Just look around, the eight foot high walls around every house in the country hold enough bricks to make a second city for every city we already have. We continue to be suspicious of our neighbours as if they are "prying indecent foreigners" bent upon looking at our daughters. Is this a country of Muslims afraid of neighbours who are themselves Muslims? Organs of our State are either under attack by its own people or they are involved in genocide, encouraging civil war and ethnic cleansing. Karachi is a case in point, where all these things are happening right now. Gigantic gated housing schemes have gated "societies within", the very existence of which smack of elitism and paranoia.
No government or legal authorities have ever taken "suo motto" notice of these, because they themselves are the architects of these "Gates of Divide". Where lazy dogs lay in wait to announce the arrival of a guest or intruder, ill trained security guards sit with weapons loaded ready to shoot at visitors or themselves. The sheer numbers of security guards involved beckons the question why not have a regional approach to security and save all that money paid for these worthless guards. The encroachments created by these micro-security posts are a strange phenomenon to the inhabitants of these fortified villas. On the one hand, they are afraid for their lives and at the same time they refuse to let their security guards share even a portion of the lawn of the house.
Women of substance, who inhabit these villas, thwart any progress by chaining themselves to trees on the roadside and yet they will not plant a single tree in their own palatial lawns because they can't grow flowers in the shade. They say that hell has no fury like a woman's scorn, and now one can add (nor any respite from the demands of their kinfolks). The odds of finding two Nobel Prize winners in one mid-sized European city are astronomical yet in Pakistan one village north of Rawalpindi can boast of three generals in the same army. We suffer 15 hours of power blackout and still continue to trust our future to Fulbright and MBA types. Clearly we should have paid more attention to the chief engineer's warning- The future of mortician and obituary writer is going to shine for 2009. Happy New Year!
[The Frontier Post]
ELECTROCUTION OF ECONOMY
[Shakil Ahmad, Muzaffargarh]
Dearth of electricity is destroying our industry and agriculture as a result of which our GDP is bound to shrink by many percentage points this year. That means our balance of payment would widen making our national economy ever more vulnerable. The powers that controlled our economy since the beginning never cared to adopt policies that would shift dependence from external sources of energy to the indigenous ones. That is why we are in the mess we are in. At this stage, it is not just the shortage of generating units but the lack of money to buy foreign fuel to run them that is causing the present series of blackouts. [The Nation]
SUMMONS FROM SWAT
[Col Riaz Jafri (Retd), Rawalpindi]
Maulana Fazalullah has served summons to 47 prominent persons of the province including serving and ex-ministers, MNAs & MPAs, nazims & councillors to appear in his court failing which they should be prepared to face the consequences. Consequences in Taliban parlance could mean bombing, killing, kidnapping and beheading. Nothing could be more outrageous than this challenge to the writ of the government. The masses are not only losing faith and confidence in the government for failing in its prime duty of protecting the life and property of the citizens, but also getting scared of the open threats and challenges being given by the Taliban and the Maulana. The provincial and the federal governments must act fast to wrest the drastic situation which otherwise could spill over to the settled areas of the province in not too distant future.
I think apart from clamping down curfews and taking other counter measures, the first thing that the government should do is send the Maulana and its regime incommunicado from the peaceful citizens of Swat. All their edicts and warnings are communicated to the people through FM broadcasts. The location of each FM station could be pinpointed by direction finding and be terminated. The transmissions could also be easily jammed. Same could be done for the distribution of written material as it should not be difficult to track down the printing presses printing them and action taken against them. Masses must be kept befriended to gain their support and sympathies for eliminating the bane of the Taliban from Swat, which they earnestly want. [The Post]
KILLING OF MUSLIMS
[Anwar Jalal, Peshawar]
Qazi Hussain Ahmad of Jamat-i-Islami and other religious parties have strongly condemned the killings of Palestine Muslims by the Israelis and even JI organized protest rallies against it throughout the country on Sunday. Of course this is rightful act, however, ironically neither Qazi Hussian nor any other religious party or its leader has condemned the brutal event at Buner where more than 40 innocent people who were not only Pakistani but were also Muslims, were killed by militants. One does not understand such dubious approach on the part of the religious parties and leaders. [The Frontier Post]
PUNJAB POLICE
[Samiya Ahmed]
Although PML-N has been portraying itself as a principle loving political party through backing the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of judiciary, but all the event that have been unfolding in Punjab reported in the media show that they too believe in the use of force and repression of voices for their rights. I would like to bring your attention the following three very well reported and heart-breaking incidents committed by the Punjab police.
1) Two weeks ago, more than a dozen people in Lahore were forced to march naked in busy streets by a high ranking police officer (No inquiry yet). Apart from that they were also forced to lie down and were beaten up. The incident was reported in Daily Express and the programme ColumnKaar.
2). On Monday, Nusrat Javed and Mustaq Minhas reported that two teachers (Dr Moeen Haider and Dr Shireen Haider) of English department of Bahauddin Zakariya University had been thrown out of the university for protesting against burning of women alive in Balochistan. Not only that but Mr Moeen Haider was tortured and put in jail on the basis of fake cases and when his brother (Fawad Haider) tried to get him released he was too charged under fake cases and put in jail.
3). Yesterday, Dunya News reported that the doctors of Services Hospital Lahore were protesting and during the protest a policeman slapped a female doctor.
It seems that the Punjab government and its way of governance is not quiet different from its opponents. [The Post]
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
[Manzoor H. Kureshi, Karachi]
“Patience is bitter, but its fruits are sweet”. — Rousseau
“Everything comes if a man will only wait”. — Tancred
A. WAHEED Khalfe’s discourse, ‘Patience is a virtue’ (Dawn Magazine, Jan 18) is definitely a breath of fresh air, especially in an intellectually suffocating atmosphere of this land. Nevertheless, while delving on the topic of ‘patience’, Mr Khalfe started discussing another, though not less significant, human value, i.e. ‘tolerance,’ the nature has bestowed on its creature. ‘Patience’ and ‘tolerance’ are two most amazing human virtues, though at times used as a synonym but are having different connotations and usages.
According to ‘The New Webster Encyclopedia Dictionary’, patience means the quality of being patient; the power or capacity of physical endurance; character or habit of mind that enables one to suffer afflictions, provocation or other evil, with a calm unruffled temper, calmness; composure; quietness or calmness or waiting for something to happen; forbearance; long sufferings; constancy in labor or exertion; perseverance, a card game played by persons alone.
Tolerance, however, is the quality of being tolerant; the capacity or act of enduring; a disposition to be patient and indulgent towards those whose opinions or practices differed from one’s own. Tolerance comes with age and the urge to coexist peacefully with others who have fundamentally different beliefs or values. According to Goethe, “I see no fault committed that I myself could not have committed at some time or other”. Within western political philosophy, toleration was first discussed during Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants. When attempts to impose a single religion failed, the assumption that political stability required a common religion was replaced by the principle of toleration.
Thus with war and destruction, on the one hand, and enormous intellectual activities, on the other hand, started after Renaissance in every field of life created space for awakening: suggesting that better life cannot be achieved unless tolerance is made an article of faith. This was the period when Voltaire said: “Tolerance of all religions is a law of nature.” Patience, however, is a cardinal virtue practised by prophets and men of exalted understanding and knowledge: having enormous capacity to comprehend universal laws of nature. These immutable laws have been functioning from times immemorial in such perfection and precision that only a discerning eye can comprehend. The Holy Quran has laid much emphasis on seeking patience.
Mr Khalfe is correct in saying that that there was a time when tolerance walked these lands. Even the best instance of tolerance for a Muslim is provided in the Quran wherein a non-believer is urged “for you your religion, and for my religion (109-7).” Then what went wrong? The reason is obvious, ie the basic source that develops in a person such value is the quality education, which has received the least importance in the last more than four decades. Therefore, unless we teach and practise the significance of this important human value, the well-being of society will remain at the precipice of narrow-mindedness and bigotry, to our own peril and sufferings. [Dawn]
CSR Views & News
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
By Asif Baig Mirza
[This article first appeared in Business Recorder http://www.brecorder.com on January 15, 2009. The writer is the CEO of M/s ABM Securities (Pvt) Limited, Corporate Member Of Lahore Stock Exchange (G) Limited]
In today's integrated global economy and the ensuing recession, it is evident that the social and economic challenges do not and will not respect national borders. This reality strongly supports the expanded view of risk management to include extra financial issues. The global crisis in financial markets raises a range of important and urgent questions, regarding corporate sustainability. As such, it is imperative, to adopt, universally practised corporate values. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), an already growing phenomenon, in the West, is required to be thoroughly understood in the developing economies for its socially beneficial effects. Being a voluntary initiative, it would definitely carry premium, as a management tool and is advised for prioritised adoption.
We all need to know, what is it all about? It is basically an obligation, working for the benefit of social good, as well as, for profit maximisation. In other words CSR refers to business's decisions and actions, taken for reasons, at least, partially beyond the firm's direct economic and technical interests. There are, of course, arguments for and against the concept of CSR. One can argue that it entails costs and burden on the resources of the company, which is an economic entity and lacks ability to pursue social goals. The other set of people strongly emphasise that the businesses, as corporate citizens, cannot perform, on sustainable basis, with the sole purpose of enhancement of their commercial interests. It would be a very short-sighted approach and may result into contracting business opportunities.
It is emphasised that a better society means better environment, for doing business. So businesses, with their corporate power, can create better and congenial environment for better business opportunities. At this point, it is necessary to understand as to who benefits from CSR. It is a matter of enlightened self-interest ie, it is the realisation that the business ultimately helps itself, by helping in the social problems. The short-term costs, ultimately pay off, in much bigger proportions, to the firm, as well as, to its stakeholders and the society in general. It helps to make the management of the business, more stable and self-assured. During the current changing paradigms, the consumers have a pro-active role in the process of social-accountability.
Corporate governance, ethics and transparency are increasing in importance to overall, corporate reputation. The public now feels empowered and actually votes on how companies operate as corporate citizens. Three dimensions of corporate citizenship, namely, its social programs, management practices and employee relations are the critical benchmarks for any perceptional change towards any corporate entity. The art of management today, requires, assessing situation pre-emptively, devising corporate strategy, planning its management and positioning the firm, to get competitive advantage. It is very much strategic, as it helps in value-creation, which undoubtedly, is viewed, as the most critical objective of the firm. The business has to strategize to jointly serve its own business interests and the societal interests of its stakeholders.
The empirical evidence confirms the correlation between the socially responsible behaviour and financial performance, which is not readily measurable in true mathematical terms, because of their time mismatching. For clearer understanding of CSR concept and its adoption as a part of the corporate business plan, a multi-dimensional review would provide useful guidance. Broadly, CSR has four components, namely, economic responsibilities, legal responsibilities, ethical responsibilities and philanthropic responsibilities, which are being explained as under:
(1) ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Economic responsibilities serve as the base of the whole philosophy of CSR. The businesses are required to perform in a manner to maximise profits, maintain a strong competitive position, achieve high level of operational efficiency and demonstrate sustainable growth.
(2) LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Businesses are expected to play by the rules of the game. Law is the society's codification of right and wrong.
(3) ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Further the businesses responsibility is to be ethical. This is the obligation to do what is right, just and fair and to avoid or minimise harm to stakeholders.
(4) PHILANTHROPIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Businesses are expected to contribute financial and human resources to the community and to improve the quality of life. Stated in more pragmatic and managerial terms, the firm should strive to make profit, obey the law, be ethical and be a good corporate citizen. The strategic planning for management of CSR behaviour requires, the firm to integrate the said four components.
People's attitude is fast changing and philanthropy and giving back to society will become a pattern of behaviour. We would have to believe that "giving is new buying". The businesses will have to make conscious attempts to create reasonable balance between the stockholders and the stakeholders. The management's challenge is to assess the stakeholder's legitimacy and their power. There are no standardised textbook formulae, which can help for uniform implementation, on CSR programme of any firm.
Each firm has its own peculiarities, in the shape of its product line, business classification, corporate age, balance sheet size, profitability, positioning on its growth curve, stakeholder's societal concerns, etc. The management will have to evolve strategy to prioritise and customise its CSR initiative. The businesses, as corporate citizens with corporate conscience, do enjoy prominent role and the society expects from them, much more than the philanthropic work. In fact, it would be argued that philanthropy is highly desired and prized, but actually less important than the other categories of CSR. In today's ever-competitive landscape, the management should endeavour to perform distinctively. Brands are becoming increasingly important. The reputation leverage, which the business enjoys through its CSR initiatives, adds to the value of the brand and strengthens the firm, in immeasurable terms.
On the basis of empirical knowledge, one can list down some of the following benefits, which do occur, due to adoption of CSR:
1. Promotion of the firm's image in order to help insulate the firm from the unfavourable tax or regulatory polices.
2. Educational support would increase the long-term supply of the skilled employees. There would be increased employee morale and productivity.
3. Other promotional considerations that may reduce operational and capital costs.
4. Customers will have brand loyalty towards business resulting in increased sales.
5. Help to correct environmental problems.
6. Social groups and public opinion would support plant expansions, industrializations, etc. Illicit operations like bribery, money-laundering, etc would be reduced.
If the good society is to become a realisation, the corporate entities are expected to be in the forefront and their management should be conscious of the fact that their actions should have ethical dimension. As corporate citizens with exemplified leadership, they should be loud and visible while transacting and interacting with social groups and all other stakeholders. [Courtesy Business Recorder]
Edited and prepared by
Khalil Ahmad
Email: khalilkf@yahoo.com khalil@asinstitute.org
[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.]
