CONTENTS:
0 Announcements
0 The Greatest Battle for the Rule of Law in Pakistan
By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
0 Not Motivated by Politics
By Muneer A. Malik
0 Issues of the Month: Judiciary’s Moment of Redemption; The
Partial State; and, The Monopoly’s Failures
0 From the National Press
0 Private Initiatives
0 Letters to FreePakistan
0 Free Pakistan Highlights
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Quote of the Month:
Unlimited power is in itself a bad and dangerous thing. Human beings are not competent to exercise it with discretion. God alone can be omnipotent, because his wisdom and his justice are always equal to his power. There is no power on earth so worthy of honor in itself, or clothed with rights so sacred, that I would admit its uncontrolled and all-predominant authority. When I see that the right and the means of absolute command are conferred on any power whatever, be it called a people or a king, an aristocracy or a republic, I say there is the germ of tyranny, and I seek to live elsewhere, under other laws.
[Alexis de Tocqueville, 1805-1859]
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DISCOVER YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS! World's Smallest Political Quiz
Take the Quiz now and find out where you fit on the political map!
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
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PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY
What is Philosophy of Liberty? A screensaver by Lux Lucre and Ken Schoolland explains it.
Download and install it. http://www.free-market.net/rd/321907219.html ; http://www.jonathangullible.com
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Announcements
NEW BOOK: FIGHTING THE DISEASES OF POVERTY
Un, Governments’ Policies Cause Avoidable Disease And Suffering
Press Release
Lahore: May 01, 2007
Many health policies promoted by intergovernmental bodies and governments in less-developed countries are counterproductive and lead to unnecessary suffering, according to a new book, “Fighting the Diseases of Poverty” launched here by Alternate Solutions Institute, a partner organization of Campaign for Fighting Diseases. In it, global experts challenge conventional wisdom about the diseases of poverty and set out pragmatic approaches to fighting disease.
The book's editor, Philip Stevens, says:
"Too often governments and international health bureaucracies promote grandiose and politically-motivated schemes that prove unworkable and lead to increased suffering and death. This is what happened with malaria and HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, millions of children die every year from simple things like diarrhoea or chest infections. Governments need to prioritize their work better and get back to basics if there is any hope of meeting the Millennium Development Goals."
The contributors to the book show how:
* The explosion of counterfeit medicines in less developed countries gravely damages the health of the poor and is encouraged by a lack of enforceable property rights and weak rule of law.
* Endemic corruption in the health systems of less developed countries imperils the health-related Millennium Development Goals.
* Government attempts to plan and control universal healthcare systems result in rationing, inequitable access and entrenched corruption.
* The structure and funding of the World Health Organization leads it to focus resources on the modish health issues of wealthy countries instead of its core business of fighting the diseases of poverty.
For a copy of the book, please contact the Institute at info@asinstitute.org
To download the full text pdf (1,613 kb), click here:
http://www.fightingdiseases.org/images/pictures/Full_FightDisofPov.pdf
ATLAS'S 2007 IBN KHALDOUN ESSAY CONTEST
Theme: “Economics and Freedom in Islamic Societies”
The Atlas Economic Research Foundation announces the second annual essay contest about freedom in the Islamic Societies. This year’s theme addresses the relationship between free-market economic policies and freedom in the Islamic societies. The contest is named after Ibn Khaldoun to honor the scholarly work of this prominent Islamic historian, economist, and sociologist of the 14th century. His writings continue to inspire free-market scholars to this day, promoting the necessity of responsible government to promote economic prosperity and civilized nations. The Atlas Economic Research Foundation was founded in 1981 by the late Sir Antony Fisher. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia (USA), it is a non-profit organization that advances freedom around the world by helping develop and strengthen a network of market-oriented think tanks.
The 2007 Ibn Khaldoun Essay Contest invites young people to write essays that reflect their views about the relationship between economics and freedom within the Islamic context. Students are invited to write about historical or modern-day economic policy or policies in enhancing or diminishing freedom and prosperity in their country or region. They may propose policy recommendations, emphasizing the principles of property rights, free trade, globalization, etc. within the context of Islamic economic thinking.
* 1st Prize Winner: $2,000
* 2nd Prize Winner: $1,000
* 3rd Prize Winner: $500
* Two Honorable Mentions: $250 (each)
The winning essays will be posted on our website www.atlasusa.org and on Azad - Atlas’s newsletter about freedom in the Middle East. Winners will be given priority to attend our regional leadership workshops in different parts of the Middle East, potentially in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, and Morocco.
Submission Guidelines: Entries should be no fewer than 800 words and no more than 1,400 words, typewritten, double-spaced, and footnoted. Submissions may be written either in English or Arabic.
Who may join: The contest is open to university students, undergraduate and graduate levels, who are or below 30 years of age. Each contestant is required also to send a brief curriculum vitae, summarizing his or her academic and, if it applies, work history. All qualified individuals will be considered for the contest, regardless of race, sex, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, or religious affiliation.
Deadline: All submissions must be received on or before November 15th, 2007.
Judging Process: Entries will be judged by a select group on the following criteria: clarity and conciseness, coherence and logic, persuasiveness, and ability to offer practical recommendations or solutions.
Send Submission to: sajid.anani@atlasusa.org
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THE GREATEST BATTLE FOR THE RULE OF LAW IN PAKISTAN
By Dr. Khalil Ahmad
The law is for the honest; for the dishonest, there is no law.
It is said when someone is caught in a life and death struggle, when his existence or his vital interests which ensure his survival are at stake, he comes to exhibit his original self. He stands exposed what he really is.
That is what’s happening at the moment with certain elements in Pakistan. They have come to show their original features. They are coming to unveil how their faces really look like.
How and why this “unveiling” is happening? Actually, it was the first ever NO by the judiciary before a dictator that triggered this process.
One remembers an episode from Mughal history: as the tradition goes, Jehangir the Just wanted Hazrat Mujaddad Alf Thani to bow down before him as the other presences in the court used to do. But he refused. Then, Jehangir contrived the act of Alf Thani’s submission by erecting a wall with a small-sized door in it to enter the court. (Isn’t it exactly what the present ruling elite did on May 12, 2007, in Islamabad by contriving a rally?) But Alf Thani defied the authority of the emperor, and first entered his feet through the door, then his head, and transgressed his lord the emperor.
After the act of “defiance” by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, everything that’s happening is a contrivance by the opposing forces. More than that, as the lawyers and media and then those who saw a ray of hope in the defiance of Chief Justice are getting together and stronger, and are focusing on the vital issues of supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, and independent judiciary and rights/freedoms of people, the opposing forces which are intent upon playing with the constitution, law, judiciary and rights/freedoms of people are also rallying and using their last-ditch tactics and cards.
As in the very start of this judicial crisis, a wise and seasoned law expert termed the situation a “defining moment,” and exhorted the opinionated people not to miss this opportunity; till May 12, it was still a defining moment, though on one side, the ruling elite side, a re-deployment of forces was in progress. But, conspicuously, what happened in Karachi and Islamabad on May 12 has demonstrated that the forces from one side, which until the moment got their real identity hidden under various garbs and guises, have unveiled their original faces. These are faces of fascism asserting itself in Pakistan. So, May 12 has brought a new clarity to the situation: it’s no more a defining moment, but a “decisive moment.”
The individuals, groups, parties, elites, etc. have started making choices to which side they need and want to belong. In the coming days, this division will be clearer. In Karachi, it was clear to the most dangerous extent. The show of arms and killings and attack on Aaj TV/Business Recorder offices by a certain party under the aegis of Sindh government is sufficient to show how grave is the situation in the eyes of ruling elites. Probably, they feel threatened. And, of course, it shows well how they are reacting to it. Another addition to the list of their frustrated reactions is the recent dacoity-cum-murder of Additional Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan. And, it’s worth-mentioning that how often, and it has become a usual practice, the information, news, etc is policed by the executive and its organ PEMRA. Now this TV channel is blacked out and now people cannot access that channel.
A government that claimed moderately enlightened but which was in fact a dictatorship in disguise has come to be what it is. A party that came to represent one of the most down-trodden communities of Pakistan has finally come to act like a mafia and has taken hostage the community it represents. The community needs to be liberated from its liberators. A political party that boasts its lineage from Quaid-e-Azam has come to behave very un-Quaid-e-Azam-ly. All this shows that a decisive battle is going to be fought, and the powerful ruling elites are taking it as a struggle of life and death. Their survival is at stake. Also, the recent events tell without a grain of doubt that they can go to any extent.
The situation is clear and divisions are visible. On one side are those who are for the supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, independent judiciary and rights and freedoms of individual citizens. They include judges, lawyers, lawmen, media men, political activists, political leaders, traders, intellectuals, literary people, laymen and many more others. They represent and comprise an aware and responsible community who think that without these things a society can never be civilized. Without which, it can never be a just society. These include religious-political parties too who have been an accomplice of military dictatorships but are repenting now and are seeking apologies from the people of Pakistan.
On the other side are those who think that judiciary is an integral part of the government, it must not be independent. It must take dictates from their masters be they military or civil. This nullifies the notion of a constitution and rule of law and rights and freedoms of individual citizens. The elites on this side want to perpetuate their kingly rule for ever in Pakistan. They include militarily, economically, politically, socially, powerful elites. They also include those who are directly or indirectly connected with these elites. They believe in the reflex category of G. W. F. Hegel, a German idealist philosopher. Under reflex category, a king thinks that there are subjects because he is king. Whereas other men stand in the relation of subjects to him that is why he is king. These elites think that without them Pakistan and Pakistanis cannot survive; whereas it is they who cannot exist without Pakistan and Pakistanis.
So, at last, after a suffering of sixty years there is silver lining that Pakistan and Pakistanis want an inviolable constitution, rule of law and an independent judiciary to survive with and Pakistan to run with. They want their rights and freedoms to be protected by the judiciary. This is good omen.
Under the circumstances, in this decisive battle for the rule of law and independent judiciary, the onus is on the shoulders of honorable judges. The fate of this battle and the fate of Pakistan also will be determined by their integrity. Whether they stick to the Constitution and its Spirit or not is what is important to decide this battle. But, if it doesn’t happen, there will be widespread discontent. That is why this battle is decisive. This is decisive also because the most learned section of our society cannot stop short of what they have stood for now, i.e. rule of law, not the rule of anything else. The next battle for the rule of law in Pakistan will never be fought. There will be only skirmishes!
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NOT MOTIVATED BY POLITICS
By Muneer A. Malik
[The writer is President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. This article first appeared in Dawn on May 11, 2007.]
The reference against the Chief Justice has placed government spokesmen in a tricky spot. Early on, they realised that a direct attack against the Chief Justice would be imprudent. It would contradict their stated position that the president had simply put certain material about the Chief Justice before the Supreme Judicial Council for assessment and determination, and that the government was entirely neutral in the matter. How then would the government go on the offensive?
It was Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, that fearless defender of downtrodden dictatorships, who arrived at an ingenious solution. Why not target the lawyers instead? After all, the whole fuss had been created by the bar associations (albeit fuelled by the media). If the legal community could somehow be discredited, the media would lose interest and the opposition parties would get distracted by other issues.
Unfortunately, the resultant government-generated propaganda aimed at discrediting the legal community has been blindly adopted by some in the ostensibly independent media. Even reputed columnists of this paper have chosen to attack the acts of the protesting advocates rather than the cause of these protests.
While devoting all its energy to the single-minded defence of the Chief Justice, the legal community neglected to explain its own actions to the public and left itself open to attack. This article aims at remedying that failure.
The first charge against the bar associations is that they have unduly politicised an issue that should, more properly, be a subject of pure constitutional and judicial debate. Let there be no doubt on this score; our struggle is political to the core.Our struggle is about the independence of the judiciary and the preservation of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. These are not arcane legal issues to be dryly debated in closed courtrooms. They are issues that affect the lives of every single Pakistani.
Every citizen has the right to expect that he will live his life in a system based on the rule of law and not the arbitrary whims of a military dictator. Every citizen has the right to expect that, when he approaches the courts for justice, he will be heard by truly independent and fearless judges and not timid bureaucrats who hold on to their offices at the pleasure of a capricious ruler.
When the rulers of the day attempt to snatch away these basic fundamental rights, it is the right and duty of every conscientious citizen to speak out, loudly and clearly, against this outrage.
It is, of course, not surprising that the stooges of a military dictatorship view the word “political” as an insult: to be used to tarnish the image of any cause or movement that they oppose. Non-democratic rulers loathe any references to politicians or to the masses they represent.
The very existence of politicians reminds them of the ugly fact that their own power stems from the barrel of the gun and not the will of the people. But when I use the word “political” to describe our struggle, I do not refer to party-based electoral politics.
“Politics” is a word of Greek origin deriving from “polis” which means “city-state”. When Aristotle wrote of ‘ta politika’, he meant “affairs that concern the state and the citizens.”
Is the summary removal of a Chief Justice by an army chief not a question that concerns the state and its citizens? We forget, too often, that the Constitution is not a legal document created by lawyers for lawyers. It was a document created by politicians on behalf of the people. It is the embodiment of the people’s will as to how they wish to be governed.
Questions relating to its preservation and supremacy fall squarely within the political domain. Thus if political parties also wish to register their protest against the desecration of the Constitution and the stifling of the judiciary’s independence, they are fully entitled to do so. Rather, if they claim to be democratic parties, they are obliged to do so.
When undemocratic regimes wish to quell public resentment about an unpopular move and stifle all public debate on the issue, they adopt a time-honoured strategy.
First, they label the issue as one of exceeding technical complexity that is not fit for public purview. The public is informed that the issue is beyond their comprehension and hence they should abandon open debate on the matter in favour of a decision by “experts” behind closed doors. Then the functionaries of the regime hunker down and wait for the tide of public opinion to pass so they can continue with their destructive agenda unimpeded.
Well, the instant issue is certainly not beyond the comprehension of the people of Pakistan. Every man on the street fully understands that a sitting Chief Justice was removed and then publicly humiliated on the president’s orders because he dared to make decisions that were popular with the masses but unpopular with the establishment. And every man on the street is competent enough to express his viewpoint on the matter.
Implicit in these charges of “politicisation” is the suggestion that the legal community is acting on the anti-government agenda of some political parties. The very idea is ridiculous. The bar associations are professional bodies comprising a large number of diverse individuals with a wide range of political opinions and persuasions.
All bar associations in all four provinces are united in the current struggle. It would have been impossible for us to maintain this unity had we aligned ourselves with any particular political party. This unity is forged solely on the basis of a common commitment to the independence of the judiciary — irrespective of any other political beliefs.
This is not an abstract ideal. Unless the security of a judge’s tenure is guaranteed, he cannot be independent. When a judge is not independent, he becomes useless to the people. Once people lose confidence in the judiciary, when they perceive it as ineffectual, when they refuse to have their disputes adjudicated by the judiciary and seek to settle them by other means, the descent of the nation into chaos and anarchy becomes inevitable.
One does not have to be an anti-government politician to be disturbed at this prospect and to speak out against it. Members of the bar have been the most vocal in their opposition to the government’s maltreatment of the Chief Justice because they are best placed to observe, day to day, its devastating effects.
The most frequent litigation in our courts is brought by citizens aggrieved by the acts of the government and its agencies. If this regime’s move to remove the Chief Justice is successful, no judge in future will have the confidence to decide such cases solely on the basis of merit and free from all fear of the consequences.
Lawyers are also being criticised for the fact that they have not confined themselves to the issue of the removal of the Chief Justice but have gone on to comment on the illegitimacy of General Pervez Musharraf’s military regime. Only a fool (or an apologist for the current regime) could argue that these two issues are not inextricably linked.
The sitting Chief Justice was summoned to the Army House and summarily removed by a uniformed general heading a military junta. Are we, then, supposed to criticise only the effect and not the cause? No doubt, our immediate objective is the restoration of the Chief Justice so that the instant attempt to dominate the judiciary can be defeated. But, in the long-term, the judiciary can only be truly independent in a democratic dispensation, where the rule of law and the Constitution reigns supreme.
We have all respect and reverence for those courageous heroes of the armed forces who risk their lives for the defence of the motherland. But we cannot extend this respect to those who misuse their power to trample upon the Constitution and democratic institutions.
The second charge laid against the legal fraternity is that their boycott of court proceedings on days that the Supreme Judicial Council conducted its hearings caused great inconvenience to litigants.
The members of the bar are fully cognisant of the plight faced by ordinary litigants when their cases do not proceed on the scheduled day. We are the ones who deal directly with them and can best appreciate their distress. However, what critics ignore is that the litigant is not there simply to have his day in court. He is there because he wants justice; and only independent judges can provide justice.
The wife of a missing person needs to know that the judge hearing the case is capable and willing to stand up to the government and take on the intelligence agencies and get her husband released. If the bar gives up its struggle and the government succeeds in its attempt to dominate the judiciary, such judges will be a thing of the past.
In the meanwhile, sacrifices are being made all around — not least by members of the bar; many of whom have given up or cut back on monetarily rewarding law practices to single-mindedly devote themselves to the struggle for the independence of the judiciary.
The boycott of court proceedings serves a dual purpose: firstly, it sends a clear message to the government that the entire legal fraternity will strongly resist any attempt by the executive to interfere with the judicial organ of state. Secondly, it reminds judges that the entire judicial edifice and its workings are founded upon the guarantee of their independence. Once that independence is lost, you might as well close down the courts.
Also, what the mouthpieces for the government intentionally fail to point out is that the leading cause of judicial delays remains the appalling shortage of judges. A judge of the Sindh High Court can typically expect to deal with at least 40 to 50 cases a day. The position is similar throughout the country. How is he expected to master the voluminous facts and complex points of law and deliver judgments in all the cases within the space of four to five hours?
By way of comparison, a judge sitting in the high court of England hears a maximum of one to two cases in a day. Despite repeated requests from the bar over the last several years, the government has refused to raise the sanctioned strength of judges. The reason is clear; the government does not want to make its own life difficult by raising the level of judicial scrutiny in the country.
What is more, as a direct result of the government’s ulterior motives, most of the courts in the country are operating far below their sanctioned strength. For example, the Sindh High Court currently has only 21 judges whereas its sanctioned strength is 28. But there is no hope of appointment of new judges in the near future.
Our Constitution mandates that superior court judges can only be appointed in consultation with the Chief Justice. In the famous case of Al-Jehad Trust (also known as the “Judges case”) it was settled that this function cannot be performed by an Acting Chief Justice. By restraining the Chief Justice from performing his functions, General Musharraf has personally guaranteed the prolonged misery of litigants.
Until the Chief Justice is allowed to resume his functions, no new judges can be appointed and the superior courts will continue to be woefully undermanned. It is not out of place to mention here that, in the last judicial year alone, the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s stewardship, decided a total of 23,353 cases thus reducing the number of cases pending adjudication from 38,139 to 14,786.
This was hailed as a “landmark achievement” and the Full Court of the Supreme Court unanimously termed it as a “clear manifestation of the commitment and resolve of the Hon’ble Judges under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan”. Law Minister Wasi Zafar and his cohorts who now support the reference against the Chief Justice would do well to remember this fact before shedding crocodile tears in purported sympathy for the plight of litigants.
The third charge against us is brought by our own. Those poor souls who have become government mouthpieces for 30 pieces of silver or for the lure of high offices are unhappy that the bar associations and councils have cancelled their memberships. The legal profession is not a trade; it is a calling. When joining this profession, one makes a commitment to uphold the rule of law and the cause of justice.
I can only remind my errant learned friends of their professional duty by quoting from the ‘Canons of Professional Conduct and Etiquette’ that every advocate promises to observe:
“Whereas the Rule of Law is an essential feature of a civilised society and a pre-condition for realising the ideal of justice…
“… And whereas (there is to be) a community of Advocates… dedicated to the task of upholding the Rule of Law and defending at all times, without fear or favour, the rights of the citizen;
“And whereas by their efforts Advocates are expected to contribute significantly towards the creation and maintenance of conditions in which a government established by law can function fruitfully so as to assure the realisation of political, economic and social justice by all citizens;“…No client, corporate or individual, however powerful nor any cause, civil or political, however important, is entitled to receive, nor should any Advocate render any service or advice involving disloyalty to the law whose ministers they are, or disrespect the judicial officer, which they are bound to uphold… nor indulge in deception or betrayal of the public. When rendering any such improper service or advice the Advocate invites and merits stern and just condemnation.” (emphasis added).”
When they chose to turn their backs on the legal fraternity and abandon all pretences of serving the rule of law and upholding the judiciary, our erstwhile friends made a conscious choice. Now they cannot expect to have their cake and eat it too. But should this handful of misguided individuals realise the enormity of their blunder and the consequences of their greed, and resolve to abide by the ‘Canons of Professional Etiquette’, we shall have no hesitation, once again, in enfolding them in our embrace.
Finally, there are those cynics and nay-sayers who dismiss our efforts as futile and akin to creating a storm in a teacup.
First, let us objectively examine what our efforts, in the court rooms and outside, have already achieved. We have secured the release of the Chief Justice from his virtual house arrest and enforced isolation. The government has been compelled to backtrack and essentially apologise for its maltreatment of the Chief Justice.
After unlawfully removing the Chief Justice, the government had sought to install Justice Javed Iqbal as Acting Chief Justice in his stead. The president had attempted to have his decision to remove the Chief Justice hastily rubber-stamped by the Supreme Judicial Council in the absence of the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Rana Bhagwandas. Those attempts have failed.
We have procured the reconstitution of the Supreme Council to include Justice Rana Bhagwandas. Public opinion has been mobilised. The media is up in arms. The government’s actions have drawn strong criticism by the international community, not least by the International Commission of Jurists. For once, the bar and the bench are united. And now, the Supreme Court has been pleased to stay the proceedings before the Supreme Judicial Council.
These are no mean achievements. This “storm in a teacup” has already ensured that, in future, only the most foolhardy of governments would dare to lay a hand on the judiciary’s independence. No doubt, the struggle ahead remains long and arduous. It shall require further efforts and sacrifices and the full cooperation of other forces in civil society. But the longest journey starts with a single step. [Courtesy Dawn]
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Issue of the Month: Judiciary’s Moment of Redemption
RECKLESS TENDENCY
[Gheewala, Karachi]
If better sense had not prevailed among the capital police, who stopped the pro-government rally led by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain from marching on to the Supreme Court building, a confrontation with the anti-government rally in progress there would have been inevitable. Just what were the PML chief and the accompanying ministers aiming at? (Dawn editorial, April 26).
The interference of executive in the independence of judiciary, the commission said, was nothing new in Pakistan, adding that incidents like President Pervez Musharraf, in military uniform, seeking resignation from the Chief Justice of Pakistan at the Army House on March 9 could not take place in a civilised society. (Mr Gumaraswamy ICJ-Dawn April 27)
Sir, now what remains to be said in simple words. Civilised society is not there in Pakistan. It has been into a militarised society where rule of the thumb is the order of the day. The president of a country is supposed to be the guardian and the custodian of the country, as well as of the people. If he comes out to be a proxy power wielder through his cronies against a legal cause to save the independence of the judiciary, one shivers to think of the resultant nightmares. [Dawn]
'ENGAGING TALES OF TWO JUDGES'
[Saeed Najam, Lahore]
Tariq Butt's above-titled piece (May 1) seems to fit in with the anti-chief justice 'propaganda blitz' launched by the establishment as part of its new 'policy' worked out at the meeting at the Camp Office before President Musharraf embarked on his latest tour abroad. It is amusing to notice the sudden avalanche of 'tales' and 'stories' attributed to 'informed sources', and 'confidants' of our president.
As opposed to such tales, the 'facts' witnessed by the people themselves are: the CJP sitting like an accused in the Camp Office; the filing of the reference and eventually the CJP being sent on forced leave; his virtual house arrest, his walk to appear before the SJC, his manhandling by police officials and the government's violence against the spontaneous outburst of popular support. Yes, these are facts as opposed to hearsay.
It is a misfortune that the truth of the popular support for the CJP has still not dawned upon our rulers. It is not their new-found love for the judiciary; it is not support for the Supreme Court and it is not liking for the CJP's personal image. It is in appreciation of his act of defiance in the face of total might, an act which took the nation by surprise, a nation which had become accustomed to the judiciary's meek submission to rulers and the 'law of necessity'.
This crisis is too deep and profound to be wished away. It would be futile to attribute the intensity of the reaction to the media or discredited political parties. People have come to distrust 'extremes' of all denominations. Scratch a 'conservative' and you find someone who prefers the past over any future. Scratch an 'enlightened moderate' or a 'liberal' and you find a 'closet aristocrat' or a dictator. The present crisis is a crisis of the people and requires a people's solution which, regrettably, our state-managers seem incapable of doing.
[The News]
LEGAL ACTION IS POLITICAL
[Capt Mansoor E Khan]
This refers to Mr Najam Sethi’s news analysis ‘Government mulls drastic remedy against CJP In SC’ (Daily Times, May 07) and various other articles regarding this topic in the press. I find it mystifying that all analyses, with the exception of Mr Sethi’s, are falling for the technical distinction between legal and political aspects of the issue. They do not seem to realise that no social action is apolitical. Politics is reviled in Pakistan and sometimes in other parts of the world as an undesirable activity; to an extent, corrupt politicians are responsible for this. The spirit of service to society guides politics in their true form. Political activities, as now being witnessed in Pakistan, are spontaneous acts of bold defiance against tyrants. Like the Boston Tea Party, a call for freedom prompts these actions. We should not let this opportunity, provided by Justice Chaudhry, slip by without freeing ourselves from the suffocating control of institutions that put their interests above that of the State of Pakistan. We must have our national priorities in right order and be governed only in accordance with laws conforming to basic human rights. [Daily Times]
LAHORE WELCOMES CJ
[T. Mallick, Lahore]
The historic welcome given to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry by the people of Punjab, all along the GT Road from Islamabad to Lahore, is a manifestation of the resentment against the present government. It also brings to the fore the credibility gap between the established political leadership and the masses, who came out in the thousands to express their allegiance to the head of the superior judiciary for his courage to stand up. At least over a million people showered rose petals and welcomed him as he passed every town, village and city, on his way to Lahore. No other large-scale spontaneous display of public sentiments has been witnessed in Pakistan, except the welcome given to ZAB, when he toured the country on a train after he left Ayub's cabinet.
The people of this country are fed up with escalating prices, unemployment, oppression, poor law and order, defiant plunder of national assets, and corruption scandals like Stock Exchange, Steel Mills, real estate scandals, etc. There is a message for men in uniform to submit to rule of law and stop meddling in politics. People are also angry over the widening gap between the rich and the poor. The regime has shortage of funds to invest in health, education and provision of basic needs like clean drinking water, but abundance to waste on buying several aircraft, luxurious limousines and frequent foreign junkets by VVIPs, with scores of hangar, all paid for from the national exchequer.
Our judiciary must also understand that the people of this country have the political maturity to appreciate a judge, who stands up for human rights and takes suo motu action to help the common man of Pakistan.
This nation has condemned former members of the judiciary like Justice Munir who did not listen to their conscience and decided to sell their soul, and seal the fate of millions of the poor. [Dawn]
STEELY SPINE
[A Bajwa, Lahore]
On 9.3.07, the Khakis were surprised to find a steely spine in Justice Chauhery instead of the usual judicial fluff. The CJ refused to be over awed by the commando fatigues. He remained steadfast in house confinement and deprivation of perks. He did not flinch even when dragged by the hair. He walks with his head held high when the common practice is to succumb. (chali hai rasm keh koi na sar utha ke chale.) This man he made the whole nation proud, not just the judiciary whose tarnished image he is trying to restore. The khakis were long nibbling on the state institutions leaving them hollow. Now they have sunk their teeth in steel. [The Nation]
JUDICIAL CRISIS
[Saeed Najam, Lahore]
By applying the definition of 'political', we will find that almost all of us, particularly the voters, are 'political'. But in its narrower sense, we can call people who are either members of a particular political party or engage in politics to obtain power to rule a country as 'political' or 'politicians'. Before deciding whether our chief justice is a political person, we should examine whether our president, who is also the commander-in-chief of our army, is 'political' or not. This is important because as C-in-C he commands our army and is sworn to be 'apolitical' and uphold our constitution.
With due respect, the president addresses large audiences at our expense where he tells the audience to elect candidates belonging to the PML-Q. He is, therefore, a political commander-in-chief. On the contrary, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry neither belongs to a political party nor actively supports the agenda of a political party. He is a professional judge who has honoured the oath of his office. In all his speeches, he has restricted himself to topics of 'supremacy of law' and 'fundamental rights'. He has always unequivocally declared himself as a professional judge.
It is a twist of fate that, when our CJP was being treated like a criminal the lawyers' fraternity arose in unison to defend him. Aitzaz Ahsan, one of our best lawyers, voluntarily offered to plead his case. That he is a PPP high ranker is just a coincidence. Should the CJP have refused Aitzaz's professional services? One does not ask for the leading surgeon's political affiliation when having a heart transplant. The allegation of 'political chief justice', therefore, does not hold water.
As for the lawyers' community, every conscientious voter has voted for someone at one time or the other. Our lawyers, who belong to the educated and politically aware segment of society, must also have voted for candidates of different parties including the PML-Q. Simply voting for a candidate does not amount to being a member of the candidate's party. The media cannot and should not black out the protests and gatherings of the political parties. It is their job to show everything which affects our lives. They are there to cover every activity which concerns us.
Brushing off the unprecedented support of the people shown for the CJP on his mammoth drive to address the Lahore Bar as a non-event will be harmful for this country. It was an exhibition of political distrust in the ruling political setup and we don't have to be apologetic about it. The political parties represent the masses and no one has to pretend that the current crisis is not a national issue. In any case, this 'judicial crisis' has become a political crisis of serious dimensions. [The News]
THE CHIEF JUSTICE ARRIVES IN LAHORE
[Manzoor Ahmed Ahsan, Lahore]
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry made an epoch-making journey from Islamabad to Lahore. He opted for a populist mode of travel, instead of the inconspicuous flight suggested by the government. If his objective was building up pressure of public opinion against the government, he was wholly successful. This is borne out by the tumultuous reception which he received, despite huge obstacles created by the government, not only from the lawyers but also the workers of virtually all political parties. The extraordinary enthusiasm shown by common citizens and activists of civil society was also heartening.
As many journalists have argued, a quiet revolution is coming about in Pakistan. The lawyers are united in trying to preserve the independence of the judiciary on the one hand, and in consciously maintaining their distance from political party agendas on the other. The CJP, too, seems to appreciate the need to trudge carefully and not allow vested interests to take advantage of his personal prestige.
The movement should avoid bringing public pressure to bear on the adjudicators, to allow them to dispense justice in a free and fair manner. The paramount need is to keep all rallies and manifestations of opinion non-violent, to ensure that the movement does not lose its primary focus — meting out justice to the CJP. [Daily Times]
LAWYERS TO DO MORE
[Air Cdre (R) Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, Chaillianwala, Mandi Bahudin]
This has reference to Khwaja Zaheer Ahmad’s letter, ‘The dormant mischief’ (May 1). The president’s reference has done one thing very good — it has woken up the lawyers’ fraternity, which had hitherto been lying dormant. In fact, some of their big wigs had served as catalysts in getting the doctrine of necessity qualified from the honourable courts.
During the last four decades the legal fraternity had been almost in deep slumber and their recent awakening, or should we say a U- turn, is now helping civil society to talk about the rule of law and the Constitution. The interpretation of the relevant laws, the Constitution and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), has enhanced the awareness of a common citizen about what is lawful and what is not, and for this we need to commend the lawyers.
Your esteemed paper, in particular, and the press, in general, have rendered a great service by publishing the interpretation of legal positions as written for public understanding by renowned lawyers and retired judges.
I now understand better why civil society calls the legal fraternity an intelligentsia group. I hope that, in addition to this reference matter, the wise amongst them will continue to resist and highlight in our courts all illegalities that the Pakistani nation may face in future. A small letter in a newspaper or a petition in a court of law will do the job of awakening our civil society.
Suo motu notices by courts can help to curb the dormant mischief as Khwaja Zaheer Ahmad likes to call it and we, the citizens of Pakistan, like to ask the lawyers to do more as the Americans continue to ask Pakistan to do more in their war on terrorism. [Dawn]
THE LAWYERS' MOVEMENT
[Zeenate Jehan, Karachi]
The lawyers' movement in Pakistan is for the independence of judiciary, rule of law, integrity of the institutions of state, against military intervention in the state affairs. Its real aims are nobler than a mere struggle to undo the injustice done to the Chief Justice. The government of Pakistan is aggravating the political environment by confusing the issue. Those in authority and their political lackeys have adopted a devious, confrontational politics to counter the lawyers' movement. They fail to understand that the duel between the President and Chief Justice it is between the independent judiciary versus the military rule.
[The Nation]
UNCONSTITUTIONAL?
[Dr Amjid Nazir, USA]
Musharraf has accused Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of ‘politicizing’ the presidential reference and termed this act unconstitutional. I don’t know why? The honorable CJ has not invaded Islamabad and ousted an elected Prime Minister. Nor has the CJ twisted the arms of the judges to pass verdict in favor of Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). The CJ has not even created an accountability bureau to stifle the voices of his opponents. [The Nation]
NO REVOLUTION
[Dr. Maqbool Akhtar, Faisalabad]
This is not a revolution. Not yet. The change, nevertheless, is revolutionary. The whole nation (an estimated two and a half thousand people by the government reckoning) came out in force to demand justice for the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The perpetrators and direct beneficiaries of injustice abstained. Justice for the poor, the weak especially the weak, justice for women and justice for minorities is still far off.
Justice for all is beyond the ken of legislating madrassa graduates and graduates of madrassa-like universities as we learned today. They cannot imagine extending to others the rights they demand for themselves. They probably did not listen to their CJP in Lahore when he said that a group cannot legislate against the basic rights of another group. They do not recognise the injustice of abusing elders of minority people. This, they believe, is the prerogative of the strong and numerically superior. The minorities should stop wasting their time by unnecessarily appealing to the non-existent sense of fair play of the pious majority” pious because in the majority.
Justice for all may be a dream today. Surely, the day shall dawn when injustice will flee for the wrong is bound to flee. [The Post]
WHAT NEXT?
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
May 5 witnessed two diametrically opposite events, the "epic journey" of chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, as described by your editorial 'Journey into history' (May 7), through the heartland of Punjab, by road into the provincial capital, Lahore and the helicopter flight taken by the president into a far-flung, largely unknown, impoverished and by no means a politically conscious or mainstream town, Naukot, located in the desert of Sindh.
Despite the "technical blackout" of the TV channels, the snippets covering the journey and extracts of the address of the chief justice at the meeting organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, was telecast repeatedly. Coverage of the president's address to the peasantry of Naukot was marginal and did not invoke much interest or enthusiasm.
The immediate reaction, ramifications and possible fallout of the "Journey into history" is that there is no question that the suspended chief justice has become the symbol and torch bearer for the increasing legal and public activism against the military rule and thus he enjoys immense support of, though undemonstrative, the silent majority. The government has truly been cornered and does not know how to handle and manage the judicial-cum-political turmoil, hence the blinking of red lights and sirens of distress being echoed by a beleaguered, incoherent and off-balance leadership which has forced even the prime minister to openly talk of a possible imposition of emergency. That is essentially an admission of the government's failure to control and effectively manage the situation.
One possible way out of the current mess and mayhem, is for the president to withdraw the reference against the suspended chief justice, dissolve the cabinet, install a non-partisan national government, following by free and fair elections. He should also shed his uniform, possibly put himself up for election to the presidency, restore the 1973 Constitution and ensure that the presidency is non-partisan. [The News]
REVIEWING MUSHARRAF’S STATEMENT
[Girdhar Gopal, NY]
It was interesting to read in your paper that President Musharraf filed the reference against the chief justice to avoid the label of a failed state for Pakistan (Daily Times, May 09). Pakistan falls in the Danger Category according to the Failed State Index, annually published by the US think Tank Funds for Peace.
The yardsticks used for failed states vary, but to use Wikipedia’s basic definition, “all the legitimate use of power is concentrated within the state”. It is essential to this definition that power be exercised constitutionally under the rule of law by the state. Concepts like the writ of Habeas Corpus, production of an accused before an independently constituted court, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, freedom of speech, freedom of religion etc are legal instruments used to exercise ‘legitimate’ power. All such rights emanate from the people and are granted to the people. They are protected as basic human and legal rights. And the only body that can protect those rights is a duly constituted court of law, subject only to the laws of the land and dismissal by constitutionally declared procedures. Thus the independence of the court of law that protects constitutional rights is the sine qua non for a non-failed state. Further, the state as the sole repository of the use of power implies that private organisations and religious groups etc must not be able to use such power to do violence to individual rights. And if they do, the state should have the means for punishing those who use power illegitimately.
Shouldn’t Musharraf’s assertion be reviewed against this backdrop? [Daily Times]
RED RAG TO THE BAR BULL
[Aslam Minhas, Karachi]
Let us laugh a bit, smirk if you will, at the prevailing situation. Here we are: a general taking his uniform rather too seriously and as proof against anyone and anything. It is a time-tested GHQ-formula-mix for longevity and a perpetual ‘I’ and ‘ayes’ unsullied and undisturbed by the politicians and the provincial hordes. After all, Ayub doffed his uniform only after becoming a field marshal (a ‘lifer’ in uniform).
What battles and wars he won to merit that rank only the GHQ archives can reveal. Yahya had to be pushed out in his fatigues. Then Bhutto came out with the universal truth that generals could only be relieved of power if they got defeated in war. Zia, "the longest-serving army chief" remained untouched till the last.
Zia's colleagues alive (Jahandad Khan for one and MAB another) agreed that Zia did not take off his uniform for fear of ‘noose’. Once astride, "the noose syndrome" prevents the dismount but takes its toll.
With such a glorious track record, our commando was cocksure no one could touch him as long as he wore you know what to intimidate the rabble-rousers.
We, the civilians, do not dare touch even a policeman in his dark-grey for fear of "the long arm of the law." Please refer to Wasi Zafar, the lawman, for the real meaning of this quote, absolutely innovative he is. The Ides of March arrived on the 9th. That day, according to Barrister Kamal Azfar, the presidency was turned into a police lock-up (thana). Then the inevitable happened: uniform became the red rag to the bar bull.
That day on lawyers and the intelligentsia raised the bar for the power-brokers in Islamabad. The bar and the bench have made the politicians look redundant by opening up the core issues of rule of law and the legitimacy.
It is a different ball-game today. The old and fatigued system stands challenged for the first time in six decades of our history and it is about time. It is said that the general served the reference on the CJ. Truth is, it is the other way around. [Dawn]
REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE
[Dr Safiullah Afghan, Coventry, Uk]
It will be right to say that the president’s action of March 9 and the shameful treatment meted out to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) as a result of his defiance in the face of adversity have been transformed into a defiance against the regime. The extent and intensity of the public reaction may have even surprised the CJP himself. The current national mood can be rightly described as a harbinger of a great revolution in our body politic aimed at real empowerment of the people, salvaging of state institutions and ensuring the supremacy of law.
The regime’s March 9 actions were a mere catalyst to many years of dissatisfaction and frustration felt by ordinary citizens due to inequitable distribution of resources, impoverishment, exploitation and neglect. The public awakening and reaction in favour of the CJP is the main driver that has given resilience to the struggle by the lawyers and the protests by the opposition political parties. The only acceptable and workable exit strategy left for the Musharraf regime is to hand over the reins of the government to a judiciary-led neutral government that will hold impartial elections and hand over power to people’s genuine representatives.
We are passing through defining moments of history. The hour of change has finally struck. The people of Pakistan are ready to march enthusiastically, defiantly and passionately along with the tide of change in the making of a great revolution. [The Post]
POLITICAL SITUATION
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
The impending decision of the Supreme Judicial Council in the matter of the reference filed against the chief justice will either result in the upholding of the government's position detailed in the reference, in which case the chief justice will be relieved of his responsibilities, or alternatively, it will be rejected, leading to the reinstatement of the chief justice. In either situation the chief justice will come out as the winner. In the event he stands terminated there is every likelihood of a massive surge in the support for him to be whipped up by the opposition, the legal community, political activists and civil society. He will become a hero, a champion of justice and rule of law, and a crusader against dictatorship, autocracy and authoritarianism. If he gets reinstated, it will be seen as a victory of justice against dictatorship. The opposition will walk laughing all the way to the next elections if they are not canceled through extra-constitutional measures which may be invoked by the ruling junta to prolong and perpetuate its rule.
However, every crises also brings along great opportunities for a change for the better. Now it is up to the president to seize the opportunity and act decisively, dispassionately, fairly and sincerely to put the country on the right track. This can only be done if he dissolves the current government, installs a non-partisan national government, removes his uniform, makes the judiciary and the election commission independent and answerable only to parliament, holds free, fair and transparent elections and hands over power to elected representatives of the people. [The News]
JUDICIARY—THE ONLY HOPE
[Dr Tanvir Hussain Bhatti, Lahore]
The CJ Iftikhar M. Ch.received heroic welcome wherever he went because he is fighting for the sanctity of a highly reverend institution. Judiciary provides the last ray of hope to the disappointed people to get justice. The CJ took a bold decision to strengthen judiciary. He all and sundry. It speaks volume that how people want fair play&justice.
The lawers community is with him,vehemently protesting shoulder to shoulder with him for the independence of the judiciary&supremacy of the constitution. Brutal killings in karachi, firing on a private TV channel, forcing the Chief Justice not to address the Sindh HCBA barbaric murder of Supreme Court’s Additional Registrar Syed Hammad Amjad Raza , nationwide shutdown on Monday have further complicated the already grim situation. These untoward incidents have exposed the hollowness of the slogan “freedom of expression” and has drawn wind out of the sail of “Enlightened Moderation”.
The future of country depends upon the decision of the 13-members reconstituted bench of the Supreme Court. The decision can act as a stepping stone for the independence of judiciary, supremacy of the constitution, dispensation of speedy justice, holding impartial accountability which can ensure the establishment of true parliamentary democracy. [Pakistan Observer]
JUDICIARY’S HEROIC ROLE
[Sher Hassan Khan, Quetta]
I fully endorse Khalid Jawed Khan’s vision in his article ‘Judiciary’s heroic role’ (May 16) in which he wrote that the judiciary should not be left alone in its struggle for freedom and must be supported by the people of Pakistan.
The forces who are against this judicial struggle and are trying to disrupt, through undemocratic and violent means, people’s peaceful support for it are only attempting to maintain the status quo and deprive the people of this country of their basic human and civil rights.
Gone are the days when such tactics of violence, disinformation and censorship were considered useful means to fool the masses. Today the media has further enhanced awareness among the masses as is evident from the reaction of the people throughout the country against the tragic incidents in Karachi. I am very hopeful that the alliance of the people, judiciary and media will pave the way for a civilised way of governance. [Dawn]
A SCARY THOUGHT
[Aziz Narejo]
The stand by the chief justice has unquestionably raised the spirits and rekindled the hopes of the disheartened people of Pakistan. It has inspired the indifferent and depressed people to stand up against the military dictatorship. Imagine what a Mush-CJ deal at this time would do to the present movement for democracy, rule of law and the independence of judiciary. Such a deal will make the people lose hope in any good ever happening in the country. Why would any one think that a Mush-PPP deal would be any less devastating for the people of this country? [Daily Times]
A LOUD WHISPER
[Gheewala, Karachi]
Argued by a learned advocate before the large bench of the apex court that if the CJ claims to be different from other honourable judges, he can be removed by a simple notification by the federal government. Came the quick but louder whisper from Justice Ramday that even that was not necessary. A letter was enough (May 18). This remark speaks of despotic government which governs the people of Pakistan. [Dawn]
HANDLING OF THE CJP
[Dr Ghayur Ayub, London]
On March 13, 2007, the honourable CJP, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was pushed and pulled with disgrace by the elite force of General Musharraf grabing him by his hair like a common criminal. On May 6, 2007 he was pushed and pulled with respect by the public showering him with petals and kissing him with affection. That is how the government and the public treat the CJP who brought justice to the doorsteps of the poor and who wants to stand for the rights of the people. [Pakistan Observer]
RECOMMENDATIONS
[Waqas Akram, Stockholm, Sweden]
I share the perception of the vast majority of the lawyers’ community that the actions of the president and authorities constitute a direct assault on the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. I therefore recommend:
i) That immediate steps be taken to restore confidence in the judiciary and to demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to the independence of the judiciary and respect for the rule of law.
ii) That the president rescind the order of March 9 purporting to restrain the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) from carrying out his functions.
iii) That the president rescind the order of March 15 purporting to place the CJP on “compulsory leave.”
iv) That the president withdraws his direction to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) that it inquire into the allegation of misconduct against the CJP contained in the reference.
v) That the CJP be restored to his office.
vi) That the allegations of misconduct against the CJP contained in the reference be referred to the appropriate authority, as determined by the Supreme Court, to be dealt with according to law, fairly, expeditiously, transparently and without executive interference.
vii) That allegations of misconduct against other judges be referred to the SJC to be dealt with according to law, fairly, expeditiously, transparently and without executive interference.
viii) That clear procedures be followed to ensure the timely and judicious treatment of complaints against judges to ensure respect for judicial independence, procedural fairness, and judicial accountability for improper conduct. [The Post]
Issue of the Month: The Partial State
INDIFFERENCE OF THE SOUL
[Ahmer Azhar Karimuddi, Saskatchewan, Canada]
It has been hard for the last several days, for when I turn the computer on, I cannot turn myself away. I cannot pull away from the news stories and images pouring out of Karachi. My heart sinks another notch every time the death count rises, every time I read a story like the one on metroblogging Karachi where physicians were forced to fight, fight for the right to look after and save the life of a wounded human being.
It’s not the strike that bothers me. There have been many in Karachi. It’s not the shutdown of the airport. That can happen. It’s not the blockade on Sharea Faisal. It’s happened before, and it may happen again. That there were altercations between political parties but this has been happening since before partition. That everyone is blaming everyone else? Since when has anyone taken responsibility in Pakistan for anything? But yet, what I cannot, simply cannot fathom is how Karachi was left to burn.
Images and photographs have come pouring out of Karachi. Blog entries, news reports, newspaper summaries have been prolific. Yet, no matter where you look, all you see is chaos. All you see is ‘Lord of the Flies’ at its worst.
Where were the 90,000-strong Sindh police? Where were the 18,000 Rangers who are stationed in Karachi? Where were the representatives of our home ministry in Sindh? Where were the soldiers situated in bases all across Karachi in army, naval and air force bases? Where were these servants of the people, these people sworn to look after us and ours? Why were the streets of Karachi a site of bloody carnage and lawlessness? Why were television reporters and television stations being shot at, with no one to defend them? Why were the Edhi ambulances the only signs of civilised society anywhere on the streets? Why did it take till Sunday evening for the government to declare section 144, or till Saturday evening for anyone in authority to appear on television?
It is right to label May 12 as a significant day in the history of Karachi. People in Pakistan and Karachi have tolerated corruption, inefficiencies and callousness for the past 60 years. People have tolerated the collapse of civic services and have adapted and moved forward. Yet, this was the day that Karachi was left to burn.
Andre Maurois said: "The true evil is not the weakening of the body, but the indifference of the soul", and that is what we have seen in Pakistan. The body politic, and the government may have been weak for many years, but on 5/12 all the powers that be were indifferent to the fate of Karachi. [Dawn]
KARACHI’S 12/5
[Gulzaman Khan, Paris, France]
The state-sponsored systematic and permitted murder of innocent citizens on May 12 by the ethnic mafia that rules Karachi, was flashed on television screens all over France. The eye of the camera speaks the truth. The image of a man getting out of a black Toyota, shooting an automatic gun, wearing the colours of MQM, while an impotent policeman stood by, is repressive, repulsive and unacceptable.
On May 12 there was no rule of law in Pakistan, it was worse than jungle law, because men were killing men to spread terror and intimidate them. It was as if they derived pleasure from killing other human beings. These were beasts in the shape of men, with their perception of politics as if all is fair when you have the gun in your hand and a government to back you up. This was an act of cowardice, which only villains are capable of performing. Blood was spilled to appease their treacherous master sitting in London and their benefactors who have usurped the Constitution. It pleased both their godfathers, because one openly praised their show of force in a rally held at Islamabad, while the other called it a victory.
Karachi’s image as a safe metropolitan city has been damaged and it needs to be healed, not by those who are the cause of this cancer, but by law abiding peaceful citizens. The majority of Karachi’s various multi-ethnic components still believe in living in harmony, with an independent proactive judiciary to protect their civil liberties, life and property.
[The Post]
WRONG, MR PRESIDENT
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
While addressing the faculty and students of the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (The News, May 9), the president is reported to have said that in the matter of the judicial reference against the suspended chief justice, he “stood for the state”. With profound and due apologies, the president is wrong. As far as the assertion that he stood for the state is concerned, one may be constrained to ask the president that where is he with regards to establishing the writ of the state, ending the illegal occupation of public property, confronting the extremists and the misguided students of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa?
[The News]
MAYHEM IN PAKISTAN
[Mohammad Asif, Lahore]
Despicable incidents unfolding since May 12 prove that lives of citizens are hostage to hooligans in Karachi and the myopic policies of our rulers. The ethnically driven MQM is behind it all. This ‘party’ — if it is politically correct to call it a party at all — has no genuine political vision of its own. In its wisdom it announced May 12 as the day to rally for ‘free judiciary’, knowing quite well the fact that the chief justice was travelling to Karachi for that very purpose. It advised the CJP not to travel to Karachi on the day, as the situation was volatile. Its management dug up the route of the CJP’s travel to the tomb of Quaid-e-Azam. It took over Shahrah-e-Faisal and littered Karachi with blockades, rendering it impossible for anyone to move freely. Its boys continued to shoot at the building of Aaj TV. Meanwhile the rangers and police had simply ‘disappeared’. The city administration disobeyed the orders of the Sindh High Court of removing blockades. Then finally came the orders to extradite the lawyers. And then there is no end to the nonsense ever since.
As a citizen of this country I feel that we are now no longer a governable state. We are lost. We have lost every opportunity of getting us any respect in the international community. Our leadership speaks lies or speaks through the barrel of the gun. President General Musharraf’s incorrigibly foolish advisers have carried him too far. MQM, PML (Q) and their allies like Jamia Hafsa have made Pakistan a hell... God save Pakistan!!! [Daily Times]
AGAINST CIVILIZED NORMS
[Nasir K. Kakakhel, Peshawar]
The courageous lawyers of Punjab set the trend when they faced the wrath of government’s lathi-charge in Lahore. Since then, lawyers and the civil society all over Pakistan have pledged their loyalty to the courageous and noble stance of Chaudhry Iftikhar to uphold the dignity of his constitutional office. It is against all civilized norms that the President in military attire, with five other generals and a PM with no constituency, summons the sitting Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan and fire him. What business did the five generals have to be present, except to intimidate the Chief Justice. The nation pays them to defend our geographical boundaries, not to violate the constitution. [The Nation]
UNWANTED HAPPENING
[A Pakistani, Karachi]
I would like to ask a few questions: Why did MQM plan a rally on the same day as on the visit of the chief justice? Where were the security arrangements? Who were the people roaming around freely with automatic weapons? If the chief justice had been allowed to carry on with his plan, would this have happened? If the PPP is using the CJP, isn’t the MQM supporting a uniformed general for power? What about the fiasco at AAJ TV? Where was the security? A revolution always starts with the bloodshed (especially if it falls in Karachi) of the innocent. That process has started. [Dawn]
A LA REVOLUTION
[Imran Fazal, Rawalpindi]
Before the revolution France was very similar to where Pakistan stands today. The major factors that caused the mass upheaval were resentment to royal absolutism, grossly inequitable division of wealth and taxation, feudal privileges and absence of justice in the society. Hatred towards King Louis reached tipping point when he removed Jacques Necker, a financial minister, who fought for the people’s rights. [The News]
RUTHLESS GOVERNANCE
[Syed Jawaid Hussain, Multan]
The shocking and ruthless slaughter of innocent human beings by armed thugs, wearing bandanas of an ethnic party, exposed the fascist mindset of those responsible. While hundreds of people bled to death, the men who had blocked Shahrah e Faisal with large containers, trucks and buses, prevented ambulances to help them. All this happened while the rangers and police stood by and let the carnage proceed unhindered. The Sindh government has now deployed rangers to safeguard the city from more killings.
What is the credibility of rangers headed by the same man under whose orders they stood by passively on May 12 while the citizens of Karachi were being slaughtered?
What happened in Karachi was organised murder by a powerful component of the ruling coalition similar to what happened in Rwanda, Congo and Bosnia. Instead of condemning this inhuman slaughter, the president endorsed their actions, while addressing a stage-managed public meeting in Islamabad on the same day, and praised the show of force by his supporters in Karachi.
Maintenance of peace, law and order is the responsibility of the state. Today the state has failed to perform its primary function. Karachi is home to multi-ethnic population. It is the financial capital of Pakistan and should not be surrendered to an ethnic party, which resorts to politics of violence and has no tolerance for dissent. [Daily Times]
INCORRIGIBLE VISIONS
[Samar Jamil Khan, Lahore]
I would not dilate much on the events that led to the mayhem on May 12 since every Pakistani saw live on many private channels the gory events and made independent judgments of those responsible for the most dastardly bloodbath. Most offensive, warlord like statements of MQM leadership(as if they are the proprietors of Karachi and permission to enter has to be taken from them much before the CJP put his foot on the sovereign land of Karachi. Their attitude, in my opinion is tantamount to rebellion and treason against State which should not be lost sight for any legal pursuit.
All explanation by MQM after the bloodbath are infractious and redundant. The attempt of Karachi based private channels and their anchorpersons to give maximum free airtime to MQM (hour long press conference aired even by PTV must be accounted for it costs the taxpayer). Now sending their ministers, MNAs, MPAs on TV for damage control should be constrained and equal airtime should be allotted to ‘Opposition’. Further an independent judicial enquiry should be held to ascertain the truth.
In conclusion; I would beg Supreme Court of Pakistan to take serious note of events which are threatening our integrity and soverngnity. Please take earliest decision to settle the malafide case against CJP and proceed to take suo moto notice on ‘uniform’ case which contravenes all postulates of constitution whether be under 17th amendment. Also put a stop to President and Army chief to address public meetings for electioneering purpose for himself and his kings’ party and doling billions on local projects etc. I would most humbly beg to retrospectively declare Doctrine of Necessity as null and roid. Such safeguards are necessary to ensure check to future military interventions.
[Pakistan Observer]
STATES WITHIN STATE
[Ahmad R. Shahid, London]
Thanks to the stand taken by the Chief Justice, serious proposals are now being set forth to rein in the 'Agencies'. Over the years, the 'Agencies' have flouted their mandate and have gone far beyond it to assert themselves, at times playing havoc with the political stability in the country. They had become the virtual 'state within the state', which was answerable to no one though everyone else seemed to be answerable to them. The time is ripe to set the system straight once and for all by reining them in. [The Nation]
UNWANTED HAPPENING
[Dr Jamil Hyder, Oman]
A division bench of the Sindh High Court issued very clear directives on May 11 to the Sindh government to provide foolproof security to the chief justice of Pakistan upon his arrival in Karachi to administer the oath to office-bearers of the Sindh High Court Bar Association. The bench also mentioned in its directives that the chief justice should be free to decide the route of his journey through the city. In clear violation of the court’s directives, the entire Sharea Faisal was barricaded and the C JP was left stranded at the airport and later forced to leave the city. I hope contempt of court proceedings shall be started against the provincial government. [Dawn]
KARACHI ON MAY 12
[Muhammed Umer Farooq, Dammam, Saudi Arabia]
The MQM’s decision to show blind loyalty to General Pervez Musharraf has severely damaged its reputation in the rest of Pakistan. Before the events of May 12, the party could have hoped to expand its appeal beyond urban Sindh. But now many will perceive it as nothing but an ethno-centric, violent organisation symbiotically linked to the army and led by people with a narrow vision. The party may have achieved its tactical goal of stopping the Chief Justice from reaching the Sindh High Court but it has irretrievably harmed its efforts of becoming a national political party. [The News]
OBLIVIOUS PROTECTORS
[A Ahmed, Karachi]
One is reminded of the Sherlock Holmes story in which he remarks to Dr Watson about the curious incident of the dog in the night. Watson protests that the dog did nothing only to be chided by Holmes that that is what was curious.
I don’t wish to trivialise the issue but how can 15000 rangers and troops in the cantonments allow murder, mayhem and carnage of its countrymen? Shame on all of them! There are several cantonments in and around Karachi — what were the troops doing there on May 12? I’m sure they all have televisions and could not have remained oblivious to the happenings in Karachi. While the whole world watched, the law enforcement agencies simply turned a blind eye to the carnage.
Responsible police forces and rangers, especially officers, cannot hide behind the excuse that of “we are only following the orders”; civilised societies do not accept that!
March 12 is a day of infamy for law enforcement in Karachi. I fear the repercussions have caused much irreparable damage to the national fabric, which may take a long time to heal. [Daily Times]
PAKISTAN’S DILEMMA
[Rustom Irani, Karachi]
The reporters of most of the TV channels did a marvellous job on May 12, capturing the cross-firing by the civilians who demonstrated a perfect example of terrorism and illiteracy. On the contrary, the Sindh police should learn something from these reporters who went an extra mile in covering these acts in such places where the police could not be found. No government official has given any logical reason as to why the police were not doing anything unless we are paying our tax money for them to patrol round the city the whole day? [Dawn]
MORALLY INDEFENSIBLE
[Dr Ikram Azam, Islamabad]
Both the Govt. of Pakistan and of Sindh are to be blamed for what happended in Karachi. The ruthless rallies in Karachi and Islamabad were preplanned and eerily orchestrated, as a show of brute force to intimidate the Chief Justice and prevent him from addressing the Karachi Bar.
What is worst the President, Prime Minister and Altaf Hussain said the same things in their speeches, in the same stark idiom of show of strength, hurling threats and accussion at the Chief Justice and the Opposition. Both of the government rallies could have been postponed, had the two governments concerned desired sincerely to avoid blood-shed.
But being fascists who are against Justice, they did their devilry in broad day-light. The MQM is the sole secular terrorist party in the country, with a bloody track record and countless criminal cases still pending against its misleading leaders. But it has not been banned, unlike many religious parties. The reason is that it is one of the ruling parties a coalition partner of the so-said PML(Q), in Sindh and the federation.
Gen Musharraf is really an MQM man, ethnically and ideologically. He is simply using the army and the PML(Q), for his own survival and longevity. He bragged about fighting two wars with India. One wonders! But he has certainly proved himself to be an expert in killing his own compatriots in the claimed Western War on Terrorism.
The MQM, allegedly a creation of the ISI, while retaining its acronym, has only changed its claims, hypocritically, and colours, chameleon-like. It still retains the siege-mentality and ethnic bias of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement, which are revealed in the tell-tale Freudian slips of the tongue in the speeches of its leaders.
Under the flase claim of being transformed into the Mutahida Qaumi Movement, it has been helped manipulatively by the federal government to slip into other provinces, also —even though it has yet to establish its creadentials as a truly national Pakistani party. Alas! it has exposed itself and betrayed Pakistan most callously in Karachi. Thanks to its PML(Q) patrons, the Quaid must be turning in his grave!
Will Gen Musharraf invite Altaf Hussain in his second round of power politics to replace PM Shaukat Aziz? Altaf Hussain has challenged the Chief Justice to resign and enter politics. Whey doesn’t he do so himself by returning to Pakistan? But can he, as a foreigner, being a national of Britain?
What happended in Karachi and Islamabad on May 12, 2007 is a foretaste and preview of the election-time scenario later this year! If the present people get another term and tenure, they will Indianize Pakistan culturally, Zionize it ideologically, and Westernize it military-secularly like Turkey. Such, as is the extent of their deviant alienation from Pakistan’s Islamic Ideology.
May Allah Almighty save Pakistan from hypocritical scavengers and deviant compradors who impose Indigenous Imperialism on their own country as agents of International Imperialism and callous Colonialism. [Pakistan Observer]
ATTACKING TV CHANNEL
[Mrs Shehla Ahmad, Islamabad]
The attack on a private TV network on May12 was a sad and despicable event. The television footage aired by this network exposed armed men of a political party walking hand in glove with the Sindh police on the streets of Karachi, unleashing violence on their political opponents and the free press. The true character of the party's leadership now stands revealed thanks to the TV channel. The private cars and motorcycles of employees of the said TV network were burnt by these thugs to vent their anger and this too was shown live. If such people are coalition members of our ruling alliance then may God help us and forgive us for our sins. [The News]
WELL DONE!
[Behram B Atashband, USA]
Reading about Aitzaz Ahsan’s announcement to file a damages suit of Rs2 billion against President General Pervez Musharraf (Daily Times, May 17) is the best news in reference with the carnage that happened on May 12 in Karachi. Not only the current government officials, but also high federal level bureaucrats, members of the government of Sindh and high level provincial bureaucrats, including the supporters of this mayhem should be prosecuted and brought to justice. Actually the prosecutors should take this a lot further and get the United Nations involved as was done in the murder of Rafik Harriri of Lebanon.
With all these actions, we as a nation can send a clear message to the ruling elite that Pakistani politics is not their private playground! [Daily Times]
AFTER THE BLOODBATH
[Nazim F. Haji, Karachi]
I fully endorse your demand through the editorial (‘Battlefield Karachi’, May 15) that there should be a judicial probe into Saturday’s carnage. The crimes committed that day are too horrendous to be ignored. The nation has the right to know why the police and the fabled paramilitary rangers disappeared, who barricaded the key traffic junctions and was manning some of the roadblocks with weapons in hand, what party or organisations the killers belonged to, and whether the Sindh government did all that it did on Saturday on instructions from Islamabad to frustrate Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s programme in Karachi.
Furthermore, I would also like to know why it took more than six hours for the LEAs to respond to Aaj TV’s desperate call for help, when the home secretary promised help within 30 minutes (I heard this live). [Dawn]
KARACHI ON MAY 12
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
The ministry of information and broadcasting has placed a quarter page advertisement in national newspapers of May 15, under the heading "Let's Give the City A Healing Touch!" and the bottom line asserts "Karachi, we shall give you the healing touch!" What a cruel joke on traumatised Karachiites. The very sight of this advertisement is very distressing since it is these very people (now claiming to be healers) who passively watched the day of May 12 from the comforts of their homes and offices, without taking any action to stop the massacre of innocent citizens, and the acts of arson and vandalism. [The News]
PROBE THE CASE!
[Mohammad Asif, Lahore]
Talking to a private news channel on May 17, the Sindh chief minister, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, ruled out an inquiry into the mayhem of May 12, stating that it would not serve any purpose to rake the ashes. On the same day, the self-exiled MQM supreme, Altaf Hussain, while shedding crocodile tears reiterated that his party was in favour of ethnic homogeneity and was not involved in the May 12 carnage. He revealed, to the utmost surprise of the people, that it was actually he who “requested the provincial government not to create any hurdles in the way of the CJP and gathering of the lawyers” (so he admits that the government was involved in creating trouble). Interestingly, lawyer Khalid Ranjha also noted from Islamabad that an inquiry of May 12 incidents will create more problems because “some big shots might get exposed”.
Now if we put all these statements together, it becomes quite clear that they intend to provide a safe passage to the Sindh government and the MQM — the execution wing that brandished its true self while killing dozens of innocent citizens and setting scores of vehicles on fire. While I listen to the statements of the government and its religio-ethnic militant outfits, I wonder if the honourable Sindh High Court or the Supreme Court of Pakistan could take suo motu action against the government for failing to prevent the killings of 40 citizens.
We the citizens of Pakistan wait for another favour from the honourable court(s) of this country: to issue orders for an inquiry to expose the ‘big shots’. We are already greatly indebted to the Sindh High Court for issuing contempt of court notices against the mishandling of the honourable CJP and the court itself on May 12. [Daily Times]
AFTER THE BLOODBATH
[Ayesha Mahmud, Karachi]
While Karachi has been the epicentre of political upheaval and mayhem, the recent carnage witnessed on May 12 speaks of the selfish, self-centred attitude of the rulers of the country. If it were not for political gains and to show their strength with the entire state machinery at their disposal, one fails to understand the need of confrontation with the chief justice.
Did the powers feel so insecure or threatened that they had to spend millions from our taxpayers’ money to organise a frivolous show in Islamabad and carry a bloodbath in Karachi, where human lives were lost and millions lost due to closure of business? How greedy and corrupt can man be, that he disregards human lives for his selfish gains, forgetting the Hereafter. [Dawn]
KEEP THE CANDLES BURNING
[Dr Yasmin Raashid, Lahore]
It was a heart-rending ordeal to watch television on the fateful day of May 12. The government's inability to help or protect innocent people being killed was apparent. The chief minister of Sindh repeatedly saying on television, "I told you so". The provincial and federal governments should be ashamed of themselves to allow people to get killed without doing anything.
Watching General Musharraf standing behind a bullet proof glass, surrounded by sycophants, addressing an almost uninterested crowd to convince the people of Pakistan about his popularity while 37 lives had been lost in Karachi, revealed how interested the leaders are in the plight of the masses.
After May 12, people in general are questioning the relevancy of this rule that can't protect them in the time of need. We do not need development, which has increased the poverty index, usurped our freedom, killed innocent people in Balochistan, WANA and now in Karachi. We need security.
Hats off to the media for its excellent reporting, particularly the private channel that was attacked. I appeal to the media to keep the candles burning. You are our only hope.
[The News]
A DEAL FROM LONDON!
[Mohammad Asif, Lahore]
The MQM’s central committee after long deliberations in London has presented the following options: resignation from either federal or provincial ministries; resignation from both; or complete disassociation from the coalition government and crossing over to the other side. The committee has sought the opinion of party workers before any final choice is made and endorsed by Altaf Bhai. While this decision fails to win the MQM the impression of being a democratic party, in view of its history and the Black Saturday, it successfully presents a new demands package to the GHQ and PMLQ in exchange for support for the ‘uniform’ from the MQM. MQM’s Convener Dr Imran Farooq has ruled out the May 12 incidents as the factor behind this decision, stating that ‘the party already had many differences with the government on various issues related to the well being of the citizens of Pakistan’. The truth is that the MQM is just looking for new concessions. Unfortunately, its calls have already seen miraculous results. The chief minister of Sindh has assured his ‘partners’ that they will not be left in the lurch; Musharraf too has also promised his unwavering support to the MQM. He has blamed the opposition and the CJP’s visit to Karachi for the incidents of May 12.
This is a very pathetic moment in the political history of Pakistan. The president, who represents the federation and thereby is constitutionally bound to be non-partisan, is openly siding with a fascist party. It is time that the citizens of Pakistan take serious note of this situation and dispose of the MQM through the power of their votes and unbending struggle for the rule of law and revival of democratic norms. [Daily Times]
‘CRIME SCENE’
[A Citizen, Karachi]
One greatly appreciates the wit and sharp observation of your photographer, Mr Tanveer Shahzad, illustrated by the photograph on page 2 of the May 12 issue. The three-picture combo shows some containers being unloaded by cranes for the stage being set up at the venue of the president’s public rally of May 12 organised by the PML in Islamabad. This is cordoned off by a band used by the police to mark a crime scene and the words on it read, “Crime Scene…” The two smaller photos underneath display some government assets — a “Tehsil Municipal Administration” vehicle and Wapda’s electrical equipment — that were obviously used in making the rally arrangements.
This clearly belies the government’s loud claims that public money or resources are not used on such occasions. On May 11, a BBC Islamabad correspondent also had asked two labourers and another person over there as to who had employed them. The workers said they were from the CDA and the third man named a CDA contractor.
The BBC has made similar exposes in the past, too, including at the time of Gen Musharraf’s rally in Rawalpindi by the Leh Nullah, whose cost in terms of real expenditure and losses to the citizens had been put by its correspondent at Rs180 million, i.e., one million rupees per minute for the three hour meeting. The May 12 ‘carnival’ would undoubtedly have cost a bigger amount.
Therefore, these are indeed ‘crime scenes.’ The chief justice of Pakistan has been charged with misconduct but how about the ones costing the public much more and amounting to far greater and readily visible misconduct? The Supreme Court is urged to take suo motu notice of this and initiate proceedings against the president and other state officials concerned.
In contrast, the government machinery in Karachi was invisible when people were being killed and also when Aaj TV was under attack, but was available for preventing the CJ and his associates from reaching the venue of their meeting. According to reports, the chief justice was manhandled by the IG at Karachi airport in an attempt to force him to fly by helicopter brought for the purpose, instead of going to the High Court with his hosts. Thus, the ‘crime scene’ in Islamabad complemented other crime scenes to be enacted in Karachi.
The leaders of the MQM and Information Minister Durrani didn’t have an adequate reply when questioned by the BBC from London as to why no violence had occurred during the CJ’s visits to Lahore, Peshawar, Hyderabad and Sukkur?
Also, why did they decide to hold a rally here when one was already scheduled for the same day? Additionally, according to their reporter, he had documentary proof of written instructions for the LEA to not carry any weapons on the 12th. Obviously, they were disabled from countering the armed MQM cadres.
Anyway, Emerson’s words give greater meaning to and predict the outcome of wrongdoing by some in the country: “There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. — Commit a crime and the earth is made of glass. — Commit a crime, and it seems as if a coat of snow fell on the ground, such as reveals in the woods the track of every partridge, and fox, and squirrel.”
The intrigue of the MQM has backfired, making it immensely unpopular throughout the country and even the shocked western media have held it and the government responsible for the carnage in Karachi. As a result, it has had to hurriedly close down its offices everywhere. But, the worst damage done by them has been the reopening of the ethnic wounds that had started to heal after many years. About Islamabad’s newest crime scene, the killing of the Supreme Court’s additional registrar, Emerson’s tidings seem to be coming alive. [Dawn]
IN THE LINE OF FIRE
[Nasir Farooq, Karachi]
It was shocking to watch the helplessness of the media on May 12 in Karachi. Armed assaulters surrounded a building belonging to a channel and newspaper for over six hours. It was in fact a threatening message for the entire media thereby justifying that they are the truest representatives of the nation. Therefore, this is the time for all media to support and sustain each other. The government must take immediate steps to arrest those behind the violence on May 12. [The News]
COLD WAR MENTALITY
[Maryam Mufti, Lahore]
The United States seems to be slipping back into its blind and bifurcated Cold War mentality. Replace the words “reliably anti-communist” with “reliable US ally in the war on terror”, and despair at the Bush administration’s willingness to excuse heinous repression from Egypt to Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan. Worst of all is its policy toward Pakistan, where the administration refuses to distance the US from the increasingly errant and autocratic Pervez Musharraf. In fact, Washington has given the general the benefit of every doubt. Now Musharraf has sacked a Supreme Court justice who appeared hostile to his scheme to rig himself a third term as president and generalissimo. Even for Pakistan’s nascent civil society, this was the last straw. This month, lawyers, rights activists and ordinary citizens demonstrated in the streets against Musharraf. Their demand? The rule of law. Yet the US has been virtually mute. The US needs to show that it has a long-term commitment to the Pakistani people and an abiding interest in promoting peace, human dignity and economic development in the region. It must make clear that it will support whatever democratically chosen leader emerges in Pakistan. And as long as Musharraf resists the discipline of democracy, the United States must not pretend to give him unqualified support.
[Daily Times]
PERTINENT QUESTIONS
[Engr. S.T. Hussain, Lahore Cantt.]
While addressing the 13th convocation of the Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering College Rawalpindi. President Pervez Musharraf said that he was convinced about the reference and that is why he sent it to the SJC by setting aside personal relationships. The pertinent question is why did he have to call Chief Justice to the Army Camp office and why he kept him detained for five hours while another judge was sworn in as Acting Chief Justice? Here are some other pertinent questions: why this reference was not sent like others 42 references lying with the Supreme Judicial Council? Why was the residence of Chief Justice declared a prison for days? Why was he deprived of all contact with the outside world? Why was the Chief Justice first declared as 'suspended' and then 'non-functional' before being sent on forced leave? [The Nation]
CITY ABANDONED BY AUTHORITIES
[Maher Alavi, Karachi]
Karachi, the city of my birth, the city where everybody used to respect everybody, the city where discipline and dignity was the password, the city where authority rules supreme was turned into a nightmare. I asked “why, how, who”. The answer to this lies in the fact that those in authority schemed, planned and executed their designs so well that it could be termed a ‘military’ exercise.
Hence there is no one to question who is responsible for ‘murdering’ 34 lives? Killing and injuring scores of people and then we are told that all this was done by the opposition! Are we so gullible to believe that. Thanks to the brilliant TV coverage we saw and now know who the killers were? No political party worth its name would use violence to silence the other’s point of view.
This is done by trained people who do not mind killing to obtain their desired results. One day, Allah, Who knows who had killed would surely punish those responsible? [Dawn]
BLOODBATH
[Sana Javed, Karachi]
What happened in Karachi on May 12 was organised street crime. Sharea Faisal was blocked from all sides, with access remaining only for MQM workers. The provincial home affairs advisor Wasim Akhtar had already said that his party alone rules Karachi. It was, therefore, a show of street force with the support of law-enforcing agencies like the police and no medical relief was provided to the injured. Ambulances were not allowed to ply on the roads blocked by gun-toting men. Passengers arriving in the city on various domestic and international flights were stranded at the airport. Nobody was allowed to leave except those who had connections with the MQM.
Karachi cannot run on the whims of a party which believes in the politics of violence. It is the financial hub of Pakistan. There is no moral or ethical ground for the IG police and the DG Rangers to continue with their present assignments since both failed to protect human lives. In fact, both were silent partners in this crime of hatred and ethnic cleansing.
[The News]
BANANA REPUBLIC
[Nisar Sindho, Hyderabad]
During his visit to the US in September 2006, General Musharraf responded to rumours about a coup in the country by saying it was nonsense and that “Pakistan is not a banana republic. Everything is normal.” But reality shows otherwise. Pakistan is not a standard country and it has more blazing curses than any other banana republic.
It was a banana republic in 2006, and it has been proved after strangling superior judiciary by military and killings in Karachi. The term is used for politically unstable states, dependent on limited agriculture, and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy and corrupt clique with colonial policies.
In modern usage the term has come to be used to describe a generally unstable or ‘backward’ dictatorial regime, especially one where elections are often fraudulent and corruption is rife. By extension, the word is occasionally applied to governments where a strong leader hands out appointments and advantages to friends and supporters, without much consideration for the law.
But Pakistan has more serious concerns than being a simple banana republic — suicide squads, the ‘Burqa brigade’, enforced disappearances and target killing of political dissidents, mushroom growth of corrupt clique, absence of rule of law, strangled judiciary and, above all, continued erosion of national unity due to continuous state offensives against innocent people of Waziristan and Balochistan. [Dawn]
KARACHI CARNAGE
[Mohammad Arslan, Lahore]
People were watching the gruesome scenes being enacted on the roads of Karachi, while our leaders in Islamabad watched camel dances, chanted slogans and asked for votes singing the tunes of good governance. Anyone with sense, dignity and self-respect would have bowed his head in shame at these horrifying scenes.
The closure of Munir Malik’s Karachi office and ruthless firing on his home clearly showed who was going to dictate terms in Karachi on May 12. At dawn on May 12 all kinds of sophisticated weapons were littered on Karachi’s roads, roads were blocked. It seemed to be a well-laid out plan by MQM. The most humiliating thing of all was the way the MQM treated the honourable chief justice, as if he was their political opponent. They called him a criminal, murderer and only God knows what else without any fear or shame. They ridiculed the orders of Sindh High Court to clear the roads
I ask the general whose slogan is war against terror: What does he call this massacre in Karachi? Is this not terrorism? Is the open display of weapons and killings not terrorism? Did you bomb any terrorist den in Karachi? [The News]
CONSTITUTIONAL RULE
[Lt-Col (R) Ghulam Nabi Malik, Rawalpindi]
Having served for over 27 years in the army, I feel embarrassed and guilty when accusations are hurled on the institution where I dedicated the prime of my life. It is indeed sad to see that lust for power of the top hierarchy is reaping ignominy and dispute for an institution where the rank and file put in their best under austere conditions in the service of the nation.
The other day I was nonplussed when a civilian friend said that the army shared a major part of the blame and responsibility for dismemberment of the country, systematic decimation of institutions and internal instability while it had no role in its creation.
I could not counter his arguments because Pakistan has been directly under rule of generals for 32 years out of 60 since its independence. Civilian governments from 1988 to 1999 were also an indirect form of military rule because the COAS played the role of a king-maker.
It is a fact that frequent military interventions and long spells of dictatorial rule have wrought havoc all around. Each takeover left the country much bruised and the societal fabric weakened. Corruption flourished, sycophancy got institutionalised and nepotism prospered under military regimes.
Time and again, the Constitution was violated on the plea to rid the country of maladministration by politicians. The evils which were to be eradicated found the most congenial environment for growth under the patronage of the junta. A look at people in power reveals the bitter truth that they have been ruling us in all the governments, military or civilian, since independence.
They have found the generals their favourite patrons as they can avail themselves of the opportunity to plunder with impunity. The generals enjoy and have become addicted to the power, pelf and perks unheard of even in developed countries.
This state of affairs can only continue at the expense of the state which is tottering at the brink of collapse due to continued misrule and constitutional void. Recent happenings have amply demonstrated the dire need to revert to the rule of law and restoration of power to the people of Pakistan. The whole country is crying for it. Will the military leadership heed to it? [Dawn]
KARACHI CARNAGE
[Adnan Rashid, Swat]
Though unaware of the reasons behind the May 12 incidents in Karachi, the common man considers the forces, eligible to take decisions in the ‘best interest of the nation’, responsible for the bloodshed.
Literally speaking, the power to take decision in the best interest of the country lies with citizens of Pakistan, but the question is ‘who are Pakistanis’? I don’t think that a common citizen have the right to call himself a Pakistani. This is a copyright reserved for the agencies and armed forces personnel and as a Pakistani they are in a position to do anything in the name of the country, even if it means killing and abduction.
I do not have the right to ask why this bloody game is going on, for I did not have the courage to ask even that after 60 years of country independence as to why am I denied the rights of a free man when I am born free.
I am not free to ask why the ex-premiers are living in exile; I am not free to ask about my missing brethren, although I have a Pakistani green card I am unable to change the government by my vote. Although I know that the judiciary is trying to free itself, journalists are seeking freedom and political parties are struggling for the restoration of democracy, I am not free to voice my concern. [The News]
WHO AMENDED SECURITY PLANS?
[M. Rafique Zakaria, Karachi]
In a news item on May 18, the adviser to the Sindh chief minister for home affairs, Waseem Akhtar, has defended his security plan for the chief justice's May 12 visit to the city. I want to ask Mr Akhtar the name of person who changed the security plan between Friday night and Saturday morning.
According to a Geo reporter, he had seen the security plan two days before the bloodshed took place in Karachi. He has submitted that there were no roadblocks shown on Sharea Faisal in the security plan and all pedestrian bridges and flyovers showed deployment of security personnel, (as is normally done when there is VIP movement on this road).
Another reporter of the same news channel said that when he approached some uniformed policemen near Malir on May 12 and requested them to stop the people involved in firing incidents, one of the policemen replied that they have orders from high-ups not to intervene. Who stopped the police and Rangers from performing their duties?
Whosoever ordered blockade of Sharea Faisal and the removal of security personnel from the bridges and flyovers on May 12 is responsible for the deaths of 40 people. No matter whether it was one person, a department or a political party, the responsible should be taken to task. Mr Akhtar also said that if Talat Hussain, the journalist at Aaj TV, had called him for help, he would have reached the spot himself.
Past records show that when Altaf Hussain addresses the public gathering, no one from the audience leaves the venue. How Mr Akhtar would have done so is best known to him. As far as Talat Hussain's request for help is concerned, he called everyone who mattered in the security department of Pakistan, including the interior minister but nothing doing.
If President Musharraf is interested in addressing the issues of May 12, some heads must roll. This action will not make President Musharraf's position any better but some justice will be done because "justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done." [Dawn]
CJ CRISIS
[Muhammad Afzal, Attock]
The News on May 14 carried an article by Rauf Klasra under the heading "UK media blames Musharraf supporters for Karachi violence". The article was good in that it gave a broad background on how the coalition government blocked roads to prevent the chief justice's exit from the airport. The Daily Telegraph said 15,000 personnel of the law-enforcement agencies were deployed but did nothing to stop the violence. The Guardian quoted witnesses who said that there was firing all over the city with no one to check the armed gunmen.
One feels that the Sindh government should not have blocked the CJ's travel route by putting containers at critical points. The blame is now being put on the lawyers' community for having politicised the issue. The lawyers are in fact fighting for a cause, and that is safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. Furthermore, those questioning the involvement of political parties need to understand that the parties represent the wishes and aspirations of the people and one of these is the constitutionally-mandated right to have a free and independent judiciary. [The News]
MAY 12 MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
[Maher Alavi, Karachi]
Apropos of Maheen Rashdi’s piece, ‘May 12 must never be forgotten’, I should like to say that it was forceful and forthright, which even infused new hope and morale into an old man like me -- I have seen 78 winters -- to roll up my sleeve, willing to march against those who criminally resorted to killing and maiming so many of my fellow citizens. But then the saner side took over and told me that it is going to serve no fruitful purpose.
When the people did not shed a single tear when half of this country was gone, the inner self again shook me to ask: "In the annals of military warfare, is there an example of 90,000 trained army personnel surrendering and its general placing his cap and pips before the victorious Indian army? It took several years and the army was back again to rule us. Will you raise your voice to protest against the killings of the fellow citizens?
The guilty have the gall to produce a film showing the vanquished challenging the victors. They expect us to believe, and why not? Because no less a person than the president of the country is defending them? The inner self asked: "Are you going to shed your tears?" Of course, they all believe that we, the people, have neither the brains nor the intellect, for all have gone to them.
They must remember that one day those who used the sword shall most certainly die by it. I pray and hope that this comes sooner than later. Films can be made to show falsehoods in the guise of truth. But we know the truth live on TV. The killers were visible and what was more terrible was to see the law enforcers take a drive in front of the AAJ TV, and a large number of flat dwellers came, they saw and they retreated.
The only hope, and that also a lame hope, is that the people of Karachi shall remember to use their vote properly. Here again, if the polls are held as earlier, then the devil shall descend to fill the ballot boxes, so help us God. [Dawn]
'FREEDOM FROM FEAR'
[Maher H. Alavi, Karachi]
If any one in Pakistan had any doubt about the use of weapons in a political struggle, he should by now be able to know all about it if only he watched the fearless reporting by Aaj TV and its anchor person Syed Talat Hussain.
I offer my congratulations and express gratitude to the management, the brave staff of Aaj and above all to Talat. Never have I stayed tuned to one TV Channel as I did on 12th May, 2007. Never had I ever seen such deception being displayed by those who claim to be the custodians of public safety.
All private TV Channels did a wonderful job to keep the people informed of the truth and had this not been so the people would have been confined to PTV - the Channel which seldom conveys the true happenings!
On 12th May, 2007 I am a witness to the Police blocking almost all exits that could lead to the Airport. At about 6.45 am I saw traffic police lining trailers and containers blocking the Submarine Chowk and from there right upto the FTC bridge.
In doing what they did, those who blocked Shahrah-e-Faisal by their buses were responsible for the death and destruction wrought in the city. The people of Karachi now know the truth. [Business Recorder]
CJ CRISIS
[Akbar Jan Marwat, Islamabad]
No matter, how one looks at the recent killings of the innocent in Karachi, the MQM and the provincial government, of which the MQM is a coalition partner, cannot be exonerated. The blame squarely lies with the allied party and the provincial government. The federal government also has to share blame, for not only acting as a silent spectator but also showing scant respect to those who died in Karachi by organising a cheap rent-a-crowd rally, beating drums and performing bhangras in Islamabad.
According to some reports, PML-Q MNAs complained to the prime minister and the president that it would not be possible for them to face the electorate if the party continued supporting such organisations. The president, however, brushed aside these allegations and instead advised the MNAs to concentrate on the coming elections. [The News]
INNOCENCE LOST
[Amir Gill, Mississauga, Canada]
I am writing in response to the letter that highlighted the abduction of a nine-year-old by Frontier Constabulary men in Balochistan (May 22). What have the state of affairs in Pakistan come to? Is General Musharraf still trying to diagnose what is wrong with his country? Why are people up in arms? Why are the NWFP and Balochistan in a state of civil war?
The intelligence agency/security forces lead abduction of children, killing of innocent people, disappearance of people and registration of false cases against those that complain (Justice Iftikhar). It has resulted in a sense of insecurity among citizens.
General Musharaf was our hope, but we can once again see that the saying "absolute power corrupts absolute" holds true. He might still have the support of vested interests within and outside Pakistan, but he has lost my respect. [Dawn]
SLAVES OF PERSONAL WHIMS
[Aneela Chandio, Karachi]
What happened in Karachi after midnight of May 11, extending well past late into the evening of May 12, was an organised street crime, aimed to inflict maximum loss of human lives, by a Karachi based ethnic party. Drigh Road ( Shahrah-i-Faisal) was blocked from all sides, with access only for MQM workers. The Provincial Home Minister Wasim Akhtar, had already threatened to prove that his party alone holds street power and rules Karachi.
This show of street force, with support of law enforcing agencies like police and rangers was done, by resorting to ruthless murder of innocent citizens, with no medical relief provided to the critically injured. Ambulances were not allowed to ply on roads blocked by gun totting MQM activists to achieve maximum fatalities. Passengers coming from various domestic and international flights, were stranded at the airport. Nobody was allowed to leave except those, who had connections with MQM.
Karachi cannot be made hostage to the whims of party, which believes in politics of violence. It is the financial hub of Pakistan and home to various multi ethnic citizens of Pakistan, with numerical numbers far more than dedicated MQM sympathisers. No moral grounds exist for the IG police and DG Rangers, to continue with their present assignments, since both failed to protect lives of citizens. In fact both were silent partners in this crime of hatred and ethnic cleansing under garb of politics. [Pakistan Observer]
WEEPING
[M S Hasan, Karachi]
The president in an emotionally charged speech (May 22) given on the occasion of the stone-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the Balakot city stated that he would "weep if lies and deception prevail". Despite being traumatised, distressed, harassed and helpless, we, the beleaguered citizens will not let the president weep, for we are already weeping on his behalf, for all the lies and deception we are being fed and subjected to.
We were promised safety and security of life and property by the state. This remains a promise and we continue to weep, along with the families of 40 innocent citizens who were brutally murdered in Karachi on May 12.
We were assured a corruption free administration and today, Pakistan's corruption rating, according to independent global evaluation, is an all time high. We are weeping for being one of the most corrupt countries in the world!
We were promised good governance. Militants, mafias, mullahs and criminals govern cities, towns and villages. We are weeping for the absence of the writ of the state. We are weeping also for being one of the most impoverished nations in the world.
We were promised rule of law, justice, fair and transparent accountability. The country is run by bank loan defaulters, hoarders and black marketers, (remember the sugar and cement crises). We are weeping for the blatant discriminatory and selective accountability.
The list of broken promises, lies and deception is very long which goes on and on and yet we the helpless citizens, will not let the president weep and subject him to the same torture we go through every day and night of our miserable existence. [The News]
DEATH OF PTV
[Barkatullah Marwat, Kuwait]
According to our national channel, PTV, all is just well. Except for the coverage of our president, prime minister and government dignitaries and functionaries, there is no violence shown on the channel. Meanwhile, the content seen on private TV channels is just fake and conjured-up movies. There is no violence in Karachi. Islamabad cannot see any blast, fires nor bloodshed in Karachi because it is not telecast or aired on PTV.
PTV is dead, long live private channels. [Dawn]
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Issue of the Month: Monopoly’s Failures
POWERLESS
[Dr Aamir Nisar, Karachi]
To my knowledge, there is no area in Karachi (inhabited by the middle and lower classes) that does not face, on an average, at least three to four hours of power outages every day, plus the additional time it takes for what we are told is “repairing cable faults." This altogether amounts to almost three to four days per month without electricity.
The other day the federal minister for power, Liaquat Jatoi, was quoted by various news outlets as meaninglessly stating that "there is no power crisis in the country" (or something like that). Even more unwisely, he advised the people of Karachi to conserve energy (or what little is left of it after these power outages) in order to lessen their own sufferings. Interestingly, the minister is also reported to have blamed the chairman of Wapda for not listening to him.
Is there no limit to the brazen lies told by our politicians and ministers who so audaciously distort the truth? Does their conscience ever bother them? [Dawn]
THE PROBLEM IN KARACHI
[Aneela Chandio, Karachi]
The government’s much hyped privatisation policy has failed to resolve the KESC problems, because the regime lacks political will to enforce the writ of law. Distribution losses in electricity supply are 15 % countrywide but in the case of KESC, they are stated to be around 40%. Kunda connections are so rampant, that in some localities, the utility gets less than 45% of its expected revenues for the electricity supplied. Lesser funds mean lesser money to maintain the existing systems and no money for further power generation. That, in a nutshell, is the problem in Karachi. [The Nation]
CONTENTED OFFICIALS
[Zafar Iqbal, Lahore]
I was surprised to learn that WAPDA employees and officers are being provided free electricity, up to 3000 units per month. This facility varies according to ranks; lower level officers avail a smaller quantity of free units as compared to higher-level officials. The same facility is extended to retired and armed forces officers as well. It is obvious that the general public bears the burden of the cost of free electricity provided to these employees.
While WAPDA is advocating energy conservation among the general public, I am sure those getting energy for free are utilising it to their maximum level of entitlement. The free electricity is an incentive for these users to consume as much energy as possible. What a pity!
The department employees seem unaware of the energy crisis currently plaguing Pakistan. Since these officers do not have to worry about the colossal costs of high-energy consumption, they can never feel the pain caused to the general public due to lack of electricity. This is sheer victimisation of taxpayers. [Daily Times]
OVERCOMING ENERGY CRISIS
[Muhammad Saleem Usmani, Dubai]
In the past decade, Pakistan’s energy crisis has worsened every year. Despite some prolific economic growth and increase in industrial output, not a single mega watt of power has been added to the national grid. As a nation we have either become oblivious to the problems energy shortage can create or we have developed a faith that the lack of electricity is a phenomenon that will never go away. This situation calls for a radical approach in tackling the problem.
First is conservation of existing energy. This can be achieved through multiple means. Pakistan is a land which has been endowed with plenty of sunshine for almost eight months of a year. The entire western world observes daylight saving, but we don’t. The experiment was made in our country some years back but since there was no knowledge of the issue at the higher levels, therefore it was not continued.
In fact, it was a very practical means to save energy. The biggest plus is that the working hours start an hour earlier; offices, factories, industries all make big use of electricity for airconditioning. Since morning time starts early, therefore the load will be less in absolute terms and, consequently, the load on the grid will be substantially lower, when the sun sets.
Work times need to move from 9-5 to 8-4. It will also allow the office to close down much before sunset (sunset mean summer time is 1910 Hours, which will become 2010 hours once daylight saving is applied). Since the lights will go up later, after the sunset load on national grid will be substantially lower. Ordinary light bulbs and tubelights should be replaced with energy savers. This will ensure that at least 60 per cent energy consumed by ordinary bulbs is saved. Televisions, microwaves and other devices that have a standby facility can be turned off, this is expected to save another 3-5 per cent electricity.
Second, the generation of energy. Thar coal deposits are larger in energy value than the entire proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined. The quality of coal may not be good, but in terms of long-term energy security, it will not be expensive.
The argument is that oil is cheaper. But the question is till when and what are the real costs? Besides, Pakistan needs to introduce some serious nuclear energy on the grid. Instead of planning for only 8 per cent from nuclear sources by 2025, it should be aiming at generating at least 40-50 per cent.
The initial cost of setting up plants will be offset by higher oil prices down the line. Besides that, it is the only form of energy that is guaranteed to run longer than any other natural reserve. Hydel energy is the cheapest. Pakistan wastes roughly 30 per cent of water in ocean. Unfortunately, our leaders have been too busy with other things to build hydel resources, which will not only provide electricity but will also provide water reservoirs.
The other major source is solar energy. Throughout the world, solar energy farms have come up, but in our country we are yet to see the first solar energy farm. Our indifference is also reflected in the fact that we are the only nation in the region which is not a signatory to any of the world’s top solar energy cooperation pacts.
Pakistan can generate an estimated one million mega watt energy through its deserts, with water as a useful side-product. We also have ample natural wind resources, throughout our coastlines and across Pakistan with the Kirthar mountain range, but nothing is being done to harness that source as well.
In case private firms are not ready to invest, then the government should invest. Energy security is very closely tied to national security as well as to national economy and industrial well-being at large. [Dawn]
From the National Press
THE PROPENSITY FOR ECONOMIC JARGON
[Imtiaz Piracha, Karachi]
In ‘Meeting of the challenge of MDG” (Dawn, May 3) Sultan Ahmed has highlighted most important economic issues of our country. He also writes:
“Despite the challenge to his data, Shaukat Aziz has reaffirmed that acute poverty in Pakistan has come down from 34.5 per cent in 7 years to 24 per cent. He asserts that urban poverty has come down from 20 to 15 per cent and rural poverty from 39 to 28 per cent.
“He maintains that as a whole 13 million of the 160 million people have come out of acute poverty. Per capita income in Pakistan will reach next year 1,000 dollars, having crossed 950 dollars this year. That is the average of the income of the richest man and the poorest put together. He admits 25 per cent of the 160 million of the people are acutely poor and that comes to about 40 million people as 25 per cent of the population and they are not amused by the projection of a sustained 10 per cent annual growth soon.”
The question is how many people in Pakistan understand these figures, what they really mean and how they are reached? The answer is obviously very few. And even fewer have any faith in them. Then why use a language which the listeners don’t know?
There are good reasons for this credibility deficit. Half, if not more, of our economy and the assumptions on which development projections are calculated happen to be undocumented and at best very weak guesstimates.
Secondly, people are becoming wiser about the worth of these statistics since the times of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, and the likes of Sartaj Aziz, Khalid Ishaq Dar and other number-rattling economic ‘wizards’, who talk about all good things happening in the elusive future tense, and percentages.
However, publishing one true statistic of the past eight years would be revealing: foreign exchange wasted on private import of generators for the desperate citizens.
On the other hand, people do understand economic indicators that are more relevant and less challengeable.
For instance, after almost eight years of absolute power, what do the escalating street riots against electricity supply in the country prove? Has the water availability for drinking, industry and agriculture become better?
Have the government schools and educational standards (including those of universities) become better? Has the health sector improved?
The less said about the judicial system and the law and order situation the better. Has our country managed to crawl out from under the recognised international ratings for standard of living, investment-friendliness, quality of life and corruption? Hardly. Has the middle class expanded, or has the polarisation between the rich and the poor shot up? Is bulk of the population upbeat and optimistic about its future? Not at all.
Which facet of our country is not worse than it was eight years ago? It is a long enough period for any government to convincingly show its worth on the ground, not on paper. [Dawn]
GDP IS JUST A NUMBER
[Nasir Riaz, Lahore]
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while addressing a press conference after the meeting of the National Accounts Committee (Daily Times My 29 2007) told the nation that the country recorded 7.02 percent GDP growth during 2006-07 against the projected 7 percent. He added that the total value of the economy stood at US$146.3 billion with the country’s per capita income jumping to US$925 from US$833 in one year. In a nutshell the PM is saying every thing is fine and Pakistanis are enjoying their newfound wealth. I find these figures quite misleading as they give the impression that an average Pakistani is living a better life now. The GDP is not the correct way of judging the economic performance of a developing country. Does this US$925 per capita income show that 30 percent of the total population is living below poverty line and that the middle class in our country is slowly disappearing? Does this number tell us any thing about inflation and the cost of living in Pakistan which is making life difficult for a common man? Does this number tell us anything about the miserable quality of life of the majority of our people who don’t even have basic health facilities and access to clean drinking water? No Sir, US$925 is just a number! I’d like to remind our honourable PM that foreign rating agencies and financial institutions these days don’t look at per capita income when it comes to evaluating developing countries like Pakistan. They go for a different approach which they call “looking beyond GDP”. Therefore, it would be better for the interest of the whole nation if our leaders should face the realities on the ground and come up with a realistic approach to improving conditions at the micro level instead of painting rosy pictures. [Daily Times]
POVERTY: WAKE UP PAKISTAN
[Maher Alavi, Karachi]
International definition of extreme poverty implies a daily income of less than
Rs 60 a day and moderate poverty an income of Rs120 a day.
According to the World Bank’s world development indicator, 74 per cent of Pakistan’s population survives on a daily income of less than Rs 120.
These figures, therefore, blatantly belies the trumpeting claims made by high functionaries of the government that poverty has reduced in the last seven years.
Those of us who have the eyes to see, ears to listen and a heart to feel the people’s conditions would testify that the truth is that the poverty has not decreased.
One feels extreme pain when one sees the colossal expenditure on the defence, the lavish spending on mind-boggling living and, above all, the big, big gap between the very rich and the poor.
Let us ponder and think, is it justified for the people of Pakistan to suffer in this manner? Islam tells us that no one should sleep hungry and if he does, we all are collectively and singly responsible for this. Wake up Pakistan. [Dawn]
A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE
[Muhammad Ashraf, Lahore]
It has become the fashion these days to employ highly-paid consultants and re-hire retired bureaucrats and generals for dubious jobs at hefty salaries often running into high six- or even seven-figure payouts, metaphorically called ‘packages’.
This group of corporate raiders preys upon their allotted fiefs with a cavalier attitude of total abandon and devil-may-care cynicism.
In this environment of get-rich-quick carpetbaggers, and fly-by-night adventurers, one might mention an example of a man from our neighbouring country which might not make many heads hang in shame but would surely be a sobering thought to some.
E. Sreedharan is a career railway engineer who is credited as the spirit and the prime mover behind India's two mega railway projects, namely, the Konkan Railway, from Mumbai to Mangalore, and the Delhi Metro.
These multi-billion-dollar projects, long considered an engineer's and a planner’s nightmare, were made possible by this genius within the shortest possible time.
His only condition to the government before he took up these jobs after his retirement was that he would brook no political or other interference in his mission.
He is now 74 years old and has been persuaded to stay on to finish work on Delhi Metro by 2009. His last reported salary was Rs38, 000 per month. [Dawn]
WE ARE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE
[Rana Faisal, Karachi]
This is with reference to the news, ‘Girl sets example for consumers’ (May 22). A Class IX girl, who believed that a company by not printing the price on its products is deliberately providing an opportunity to shopkeepers to overcharge, took the company to court.
I don’t know how much importance readers gave to this news item but if things are bad, we are equally responsible for it. Please learn to fight for your right.
I feel extremely proud of her and strongly believe that youth like her is ray of hope in this country. [Dawn]
A WORRIED FATHER
[Michael Karolus, Lahore]
I am a common man of this country, a white-collared citizen. The bad planning of the government in virtually every sector has put the country on the track of corruption, lawlessness, insecurity and above all, the ever-increasing inflation, which is the last nail in the coffin of a common man like me. I have tried my level best to provide quality education to my children and my eldest son has just attained the qualification to be in college. My children are my future and their education means a lot to me.
While I am contemplating a bright future for my children, a recent alarming news about the use of a banned Hepatitis-B vaccine (Euvax-B) in hospitals throughout the country (daily The Nation, 28 May) has really shaken me up. This is because my children were also vaccinated recently with the first dose, the second of which was to be injected next month. It is reported that the vaccine has been banned because of its fatal results in Vietnam, Philippines, Russia and Bangladesh. Who is going to be responsible if God forbid something goes wrong with my children? Will someone from the Health Department help me?
[The Nation]
DR GOON
[Muhammad Saleem, Islamabad]
I was really shocked to read the news about the beating of a patient and his family members in the emergency centre of the General Hospital Lahore. It is very sad that the doctors were unwilling to attend the patient and later on even refused to provide a stretcher for the shifting of the patient to another ward. Providing medical treatment to the patient is a duty of the doctors, but the doctors at the Lahore General Hospital were so disdainful towards their duty that they resorted to severely beating up the patient and his attendants. This is really a shameful criminal act. [The Nation]
WEF REPORT
[Saadia Sadaf, Lahore]
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) global competitiveness report has identified health as one of the most important factors in Pakistan’s low ranking in the competitiveness index. Economists and health professionals in Pakistan have known this all along, though the government in its wisdom has chosen not to do anything about it. The pervasive impact of the poor health of the people on the economy not only takes the form of heavy expenditure in the health sector, it also translates into high absenteeism at work places, inability to cope with work, and lethargy that robs people of their motivation and interest in life. How can such a person be expected to be productive?
Moreover, a good health delivery system also helps in poverty reduction and is basic to a humanitarian approach. The problem is that the government has gradually disengaged itself from its responsibility of providing healthcare to the people. While primary healthcare, which is universally recognised as the people’s right, has been neglected, tertiary care has also been allowed to go by default to the private sector. [The Post]
ILL-DISCIPLINED UN WORKERS
[Malika Ayub, Lahore]
The United Nations has said that it is investigating claims about its peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo trading gold and weapons with militia groups they were supposed to be disarming. Local traders have allegedly confirmed transactions between Pakistani officers and two notorious FNI militia leaders, called Kung Fu and Dragon, who controlled the gold mines. The gold extracted from the mines formed the basis of their friendship. They used to meet in the UN camp in Mongbwalu and work out deals to transfer gold to Pakistan and other countries.
This is not the only case of its kind with regards to UN peace workers’ misconduct. According to a report in a London-based newspaper The Independent nearly 200 UN peacekeepers have been disciplined in the past for sex offences ranging from rape to assaults on minors. According to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, during the first 10 months of 2006, 63 percent of misconduct allegations involving peacekeeping personnel related to sexual exploitation and abuse, a third involving prostitution.
What is it about these ‘sacred’ positions in organisations like the UN that compel its personnel to commit heinous crimes? The insensitive attitude of UN workers towards their ‘humanitarian’ work in troubled areas around the world makes one wonder about the efficacy of organisations like the UN! [Daily Times]
PLIGHT OF THE COUPLE
[Dr Farhat Moazam, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi]
This is in reference to the news items appearing in the national press about two young persons from Punjab who have been labelled as the ‘she-couple’, and the sensational way in which the events, especially involving Raj, are being portrayed.
I write in my capacity as a physician who has taken care of many individuals born with medical conditions that fit within the broad category of gender ambiguity or transgender disorders. These are conditions over which the affected individuals have no control and which can lead to tragic consequences for them and their families.
I am, therefore, appalled and horrified at the insensitivity and ignorance with which this couple is being dealt with.
Whether one develops the identity of a ‘she’ or a ‘he’ in life depends on a combination of factors that include the chromosomal structure which will determine whether testis or ovaries will form in the foetus, the external appearance of the genitalia at birth, and the gender in which the parents raise the child in the first two to three years of life. The majority of us are fortunate that at birth all these factors ‘match’ and thus there is no unclarity in our gender.
However, there are well-known, well-reported medical conditions in which a child is born with various mixtures of the above three factors, leading to gender ambiguity at birth. The vast majority of our physicians are unfamiliar with these conditions and such children often remain undiagnosed at birth.
I have managed many children raised as ‘girls’ who were brought to me at puberty because they had begun to sprout facial hair and undergo a change in their voice.
Psychological assessment revealed many to be clinically depressed and sometimes even suicidal.
The issue of gender ambiguity is complex and requires specialised medical and psychological experts for diagnosis and management. Raj is said to have been examined by a ‘panel of doctors’ and determined to be a ‘she’. From the news reports available it is unclear on what basis this opinion was formed and what was the background and expertise of the doctors involved in this assessment.
What is evident, however, even to a ‘non-medical’ eye is that Raj’s photographs appearing in the newspapers reveal a normal male facial hair distribution and a normal male body physique.
One of the most regrettable parts of the story is the insufficient attention being paid to the social context within which the two young people took this step. Shahzina Tariq has reported (Dawn, May 21 and May 23) that she was being forced by her father and uncle to marry against her wishes, and that her father had threatened to kill her if she refused.
This case raises not only troubling questions about our lack of understanding of a complex medical and psychological condition by dismissing it merely as a ‘sex change’, but also profound concerns about our lack of compassion as a society and our strange notions of what constitutes justice. [Dawn]
DE-COUPLING COUPLES
[Concerned Citizen, Lahore]
A report in the May 20 issue of Daily Times informs us that the “Muhafiz” force is actively seeking out young couples and harassing them. The cops prowl along the boundary walls of parks and, finding a target of opportunity, a couple looking for nooks and crannies, home in on them. The method of terrorising the boy and girl is the oldest trick in the book: “Pay up or we take you to the police station and inform your parents.” In most cases, they succeed in getting the money out of the couple who obviously, are prepared to do anything to avoid being taken to a police station and reported to their parents. This is policing at its best. While the entire liberal Pakistan is crying hoarse over the prospect of the fundos coming to power and subjecting errant citizens to a Taliban-style moral code, here we have the brave jawans of Punjab puls taking out young love birds because that is the easiest thing to do in a country where laws maintain no distinction between sin and crime. What a country.
Another aspect of this problem is socio-economic. It seems like those who are not connected and cannot go to swanky places to party and have fun must be subjected to the capers of the law more stringently. If you aren’t rich, don’t have a boy or girlfriend. What nonsense. Could the enlightened leader of this country spare some time from trying to hold on to his uniform and inform Punjab puls that enlightenment is here and maybe they should focus on fighting crime rather than ‘de-coupling’ the couples. [Daily Times]
LOST RS 50 BILLION
[Batool Raza, Karachi]
It was astonishing to learn that under the tenure of a former SBP governor, Rs 51 billion was lost from the country's treasury on account of exchange rate transactions during the period between 1999-2005. This is a tremendous loss for a country where the poverty level has increased manifold during the same period, distribution of income has become more skewed and suicides have become a common occurrence. There seems to be no accountability for such blunders and misdeeds in Pakistan. [The Nation]
SPREAD EAGLED
[Inayat Ullah Sheikh, Karachi]
In the last few years, the banks in Pakistan have earned fabulous profits due to extraordinarily favourable monetary policies followed by the Central Bank. This is endorsed by the federal government in the name of keeping the inflation low. The ‘banking spread’ (i. e the difference between lending rate and deposit rate) is the highest in the history of this country. Estimated to be between 13% to 15% at present, it is also the highest in the world today.
If you do not pay the full amount of your credit card, the markup charged is between 24 to 36%. The interest charged on consumer finance can be between 21% to 24%, on auto finance between 21% to 24%, on running finance between 15% to 18% and on personal loans between 20 % to 24%. The deposit rate? Believe it or not, between 7% to 11% tops. [The Nation]
EXPLOITATION BY BANKS
[Major (r) Anwar Pasha, Lahore]
There is no justification for the massive difference between the interest paid to depositors and mark-up that they charge from their borrowers. Banks give a normal account holder only six per cent and that too if the money is deposited for more than five years. On the other hand those who take loans are charged between 16 and 19 per cent. How can this be justified? What does the SBP have to say in this regard? [The News]
HAPPY IS THE MAN...
[Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral]
Happy is the man who acquires the habit of reading when young. He has secured a life long source of pleasure, instruction and inspiration. So long as he has his beloved books, he need never feels lonely. He always has a pleasant occupation in his moments of leisure, so that he is never bored. He is possessor of wealth more precious than gold. Ruskin calls books "the King's treasures"... filled, not with gold and silver and precious stones, but with riches much more valuable; knowledge, noble thoughts and high ideals. Poor indeed is the man who does not read and empty is his life. [The Nation]
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Private Initiatives
GOD LIVES HERE
By Saadia Salahuddin
In a scenario where real estate is the most profitable business of all and a house of one's own looks like a remote possibility to many, a group of people have turned the dream of owning a house into a reality.
At 25 minutes drive from Lahore and five minutes walk from Kala Shah Kaku railway station, is a housing scheme for the poor, Khuda ki Basti. Once a person buys the land he has to move on it within a month. He cannot pass it on to anyone, not even his brother. If a person pays for a plot and doesn't move in within a month, his plot is cancelled. He can't sell, rent or leave it vacant for a period of five years. So this is not a scheme for speculators who buy land and leave it vacant for years to reap profit later.
The 20 acre colony has 12 blocks and 460 houses. There are 23 houses in each block. The plot size is 3 marlas. By Lahore's standards it makes 24x34ft. The plot is for Rs. 80,000. The down payment is Rs.40,000 while the rest of the money is to be paid in installments which is Rs 1000 per month to be paid in the next forty months. Booking has been done for sixty houses by now.
Saeban is offering construction of houses as well whose rates vary according to the kind of construction. A one room, one bath house with boundary wall costs one lakh sixty thousand rupees. Construction of two rooms, one bath house costs two lakh twenty thousand rupees and full fledged house which has two rooms, one lounge, two baths and a kitchen, cost four lakh rupees.
House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) has agreed to provide fund on 70-30 basis, that is if people give 30,000 to Saeban, they will get 70,000 from HBFC. The interest rate of HBFC is 12-13 per cent. This Basti was initiated in Kala Shah Kaku in June 2006. Construction work started here in September 2006 and by February 2007 13 families had moved on the land.
People living at Khuda ki Basti at Kala Shah Kaku presently, are masons, drivers, electrician, teacher, lawyer and a widow. The plots and houses are for people in the low-income bracket. Anyone can buy the plot but he/she cannot sell it.
Saeban is the brainchild of Tasneem Siddiqui, former chief secretary Sindh and director Katchi Abadis at one time. The first Khuda ki Basti scheme was launched in Hyderabad with 200 houses. Saeban has already provided 3000 houses to poor people in Karachi under this scheme and people are living there. Saeban meets the community once a week to educate them.
The person who is looking after the Khuda ki Basti project in Punjab is Jawad Aslam. He was born in the United States and got all his education there. He came here to serve his country in January 2006. Since then he is with Saeban. "We see whether the party genuinely wants to live on the land. There is no question of fraud here. Payment is made through bank by filling a chalan form which is available at the bank. The bank gives him a receipt. It is a one-window operation. The person can take possession of the land immediately," says Jawad.
The scheme 'Khuda ki Basti' has some amazing features like underground electricity lines and septic tank. Muawin, the NGO which has laid the sewer here, has put EME technology in the septic tank -- a water treatment method where fruits and vegetables rind and refuse are kept in water for 25 days. This cleans waste water and dispels smell. This water is particularly good for plants and costs three rupees a day only.
At present water that is being used in the Basti has been drawn from 60 feet deep and people living there invariably find it good but PCSIR tests call for drawing water from 600 feet down the earth. This will cost 40 to 50 lakh, says Jamshaid, the Saeban person at the spot. "Work on it will start as soon as funds are made available," he says.
Arooj of Muawin tells The News on Sunday, "This water will be released for one hour in the morning in a day so that people store their drinking water while water drawn from 60 feet deep will be used for the rest of the daily chores." This approach is certainly new and educated and says a lot about the importance of being responsible with natural resources.
To ensure that the community interacts and thus develops in a better way, the scheme offers one and a half kanal playground in the centre of every block of 23 houses. Every block has one gate used both for entrance and exit. The ground has benches in it for people to sit and chat there. The lane before the houses is 30 feet wide.
At present construction of one block has been completed. Saeban has initiated construction of road from railway station to Khuda ki Basti. There is two murabba land just before Khuda ki Basti -- another housing scheme where land is selling for forty thousand rupees per marla and there are one kanal, ten marla and five marla plots in it. Construction of a poultry farm is going on nearby. Though Khuda Ki Basti comes in Sheikhupura district, the telephone numbers start from '042' which is the Lahore code. Ring Road will be only one and a half kilometre away from Khuda ki Basti and a 40 feet road connects the basti to the railway station. "For those who want to move in when the pucca road is there, the scheme allows them to shift here after one year of payment of one lakh ten thousand rupees in a year," says Jamshaid, the Saeban person at the site. The rail ticket to Lahore from Kala Shah Kaku is Rs. 7 only and the train takes less than 30 minutes to reach Lahore.
Khuda ki Basti has a medical complex, two schools and a graveyard in its plans. Citizens Foundation has plans to open a school here and their schools are all purpose-built, providing good education to children wherever they are. Then Baqai Foundation has promised to establish the medical complex on the pattern of famous Baqai Hospital in Karachi.
On visit to Khuda ki Basti at Kala Shah Kaku, TNS found that though there is no school there at present, the community is looking well after its children. A young woman was teaching some ten small children in a room. There was a blackboard in the room and all the children were learning counting.
Another family TNS got to talk to was of a driver in Gulberg, Lahore whose family lived in Sargodha earlier in a rented house while he was working in Lahore. Now they are living together and are very happy. The family shifted four months back. They are two brothers living side by side. There are houses in a line in the scheme which are called reception area. People can stay there and construct their houses. A community worker, Saif-ur-Rehman's house is under construction at present. He is all praise for the scheme and goes about convincing people to avail this golden opportunity to live here.
There is something truly striking in the name of this housing scheme. It is said God lives in the hearts and homes of the poor and this is a housing plan for the poor, rightly named 'Khuda ki Basti'. It's noble work by all means. Kudos to the persons behind this project. Jawad says they would initiate more such projects in Punjab once this one is complete. [Courtesy The News]
A BETTER WORLD
[Shagufta Khan]
A four-member student group of a Lahore-based college has been successful in completing a community work project. The project is about renovating the recovery room of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and providing life saving drugs to deserving patients. The students believe that the project will be able to help the poor people who cannot afford expensive treatment.
The students believe that service to the mankind is the key to happiness. Indeed, service to mankind does seem to be the redeeming feature of our lives. Let us all join hands to make this world a better place to live. [The Post]
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Letters to FreePakistan
This is a very interesting newsletter [# 77]. I was particularly interested in the critique of U.S. aid to Pakistan. State to state aid is always problematic, particularly when the aid is concentrated to political elites who strengthen their power vis a vis society. The aid has apparently impacted Pakistan's GDP favorably, I have seen strong growth in that sector, but it apparently has not strengthened the institutions necessary to create a sustainable economy rooted in strong institutions protecting property rights. I see the logic of these critiques and I do not disagree with their substance. Yet, does not the inability to maintain control of the country in the West limit the possibility of establishing the rule of law that is essential to a market economy. Did a spontaneous order in the past better protect property rights than the post colonial military and civilian regimes of the country? It would be interesting to document this history.
Clearly colonialism and the empowerment of a political elite informed by socialist ideals has hampered the development of meaningful market institutions, but I am wondering what is the historical genesis of the institutions that will sustain markets and how does a near civil war impact a society's ability to build market institutions? In my country's political history, we wrestled with this problem and constitutional rule was in part suspended to save the Union. There are critics who believe it would have been better to allow secession than fight such a war. It was the bloodiest war in our history. Yet, this society grew into a state dedicated to protecting the environment for market orders to emerge. Admittedly, in recent history, as in the past, my country has failed to do this without problems, conflicts of interest, and serious missteps. Yet, my society is committed in principle, if not always in practice, to greater liberty. Our present historical situation leaves us in the tragic position of sometimes sacrificing principle to expedience even if we do not abandon the compass of principle.
Todd
Todd Myers, Ph.D.
CEO
Asia Institute for Social, Philosophical, and Economic Research
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Free Pakistan Highlights
IDEAS FOR A FREE AND RESPONSIBLE SOCIETY
Ideas have consequences. They influence the political, economic and social systems that govern our actions and thereby affect the way we live our lives. Ideas have inspired many of the political and economic arrangements that have existed at different times in different places.
Some of these arrangements have promoted creativity, innovation, peace and prosperity, leading to improvements in quality of life and enabling people to fulfill their myriad needs and goals. Other political and economic arrangements have undermined creativity, inhibited innovation and lead to civil unrest, oppression, starvation, poverty and misery.
For most of history, in most places the latter type of arrangements prevailed and as a consequence the large part of humanity was poor, oppressed and miserable. Beginning around 1500, the political and economic arrangements in some Western European countries began to shift - and improvements in living standards began to be felt throughout those societies.
Over the course of the past two hundred years, the number of countries with such beneficial political and economic arrangements has gradually increased. As a result, this period has seen rapid improvements in technology and economic conditions. Meanwhile, the number of people living in abject poverty has been declining in absolute terms for fifty years in spite of a dramatic rise in the world population. Nevertheless, over a billion people continue to live in miserable circumstances.
“Ideas for a Free and responsible Society” is a collection of writings published on a CD. The CD contains a selection of contributions by some of the most important scholars and thinkers, both historical and contemporary, which explain the general intellectual concepts, some of the challenges, and some applications to public policy issues. This CD is designed for those who are interested in what these beneficial economic and political arrangements are that lead to economic growth and have the capacity to eliminate poverty. It does not pretend to provide a definitive answer but rather to point people in the right direction. The title of the CD, "Ideas for a Free and Responsible Society," was inspired by the observation that the political and economic arrangements that seem to be most conducive to peace and prosperity are those that exist in free and responsible societies.
In such societies, there exist certain institutions that guarantee political, economic and social freedom, and those institutions are in turn underpinned by ideas. Such ideas have been explored by individuals from many different perspectives, starting with ancient Chinese, Roman and Greek philosophers and continuing to the present day. The reader will find that a rich intellectual debate about the nature of these ideas exists even among the authors of texts on this CD.
The contents are not intended to be a comprehensive review of the literature of the subject, which is enormous. Instead, the CD contains a selection of contributions by some of the primary scholars and thinkers who have developed ideas which relate to a free and responsible society. Their contributions explain some of the general intellectual concepts and challenges, and the application of these ideas to public policy. It is hoped that the selections included on the CD will inspire readers to consider the advantages of a free and responsible society, to further investigate the wide array of literature on these topics, and even to put these ideas into practice.
If you live in Pakistan and want to own the CD: Ideas for a Free and Responsible Society, please download and fill out the following pro forma, and send it to the following address via mail only. This pro forma will enable us i) to remain in contact with you and ii) to have feedback as to the influence this CD would be having on your ideas and thinking.
Download the pro forma: http://ipn.lexi.net/images/uploaded/7-45a8aaa87c958--CDOrderForm.pdf
Released and distributed in Pakistan by
Alternate Solutions Institute
Email: info@asinstitute.org
Address: P. O. Box No: 933, GPO,
Lahore-54000 Pakistan
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A NEW PUBLICATION: IMPETUS PAPERS ON PRIVATIZATION IN PAKISTAN
The process of privatization and privatization itself are under fire in Pakistan. Various quarters on the opposite side are shifting their target from the process to privatization. While one can always question the process of privatizing state enterprises, to oppose it is something that requires serious attention: it is to bring Pakistan back to seventies when nationalization played havoc with the private sector in Pakistan. There are parties and groups who threateningly declare that the moment in power they will again nationalize everything privatized or in private hands. This does not augur well for the ongoing process of privatization in Pakistan.
To clarify the confusion and formulate a sound policy regarding both the process of privatization and privatization, Alternate Solution Institute, in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation Pakistan, has published a booklet titled “Impetus Papers on Privatization in Pakistan.” The booklet includes three papers: i) Backgrounder by Gulmina Bialal Project Coordinator Friedrich Naumann Foundation Pakistan; ii) Righting a Wrong by Dr. Khalil Ahmad Executive Director Alternate Solutions Institute Pakistan; and, iii) Privatization: The Pakistan Case by Syed Mohammad Ali a professional researcher.
If you need a copy, please contact us at: info@asinstitute.org or officepakistan@pakistan.fnst.org
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THE INSTITUTION OF ASLAM EFFENDI MEMORIAL LECTURE
To promote the mission and work of Late Aslam Effendi (1924-2006) a great free marketeer from Pakistan, Alternate Solutions Institute has instituted Aslam Effendi Memorial Lecture. The First Aslam Effendi Memorial Lecture will be held in February 2007.
To read about Aslam Effendi, please check the following links:
http://asinstitute.org/www.free-market.net/rd/page.php?instructions=page...
http://www.free-market.net/news/effendi-obit.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreePakistan/message/7
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SPECIAL PAKISTAN EDITION
OF THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM OF THE WORLD 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
For quite some time Pakistani government is pursuing diligently a policy of privatization and de-regulation but keeping its hold intact by over-regulating and over-taxing, and not only is the size of government increasing but its spending also! This amounts to less and less space for economic freedom and free economic activity for the people of Pakistan.
All of the Reports (such as UN Human Development Report), Indices (such as The Index of Economic Freedom, prepared by Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal), etc. published world-wide that measure the stages of economic development or economic freedom reflect figures that do not augur well for Pakistan.
One such report based on reliable data and considered very authoritative is annually published by the Fraser Institute, Canada. To introduce and promote the concept of Economic Freedom in Pakistan, Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Pakistan, has published a Special Pakistan Edition of the Economic Freedom of the World 2005 Annual Report. This is second in the series first being the Special Pakistan Edition of the Economic Freedom of the World 2004 Annual Report (available at http://ipn.lexi.net/images/uploaded/7-4257db45139a4--efw-2004-pakistan.pdf) that was published and launched last year in July
The Special Pakistan Edition of the Economic Freedom of the World 2005 Annual Report was launched on March 29, 2006, in Islamabad. For a copy of the Report, contact khalil@asinstitute.org or click the following link: http://ipn.lexi.net/images/uploaded/7-458044e235be9--EFR2005-Part1.pdf
For more information and feedback, info@asinstitute.org
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CIVIL SOCIETY REPORT ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INNOVATION AND HEALTH
This report from a global coalition of 16 civil society groups, including the Alternate Solutions Institute Pakistan http://asinstitute.org analyses the relationship between intellectual property, innovation and health. It was released ahead of the report of the WHO's Commission on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Public Health. Experience shows that such UN reports are typically biased by political considerations and subject to heavy influence by vocal interest groups. As representatives of civil society, the 16 civil society groups have produced their own report on the same issue. Their aim was to produce a report untainted by political influence and based on sound economic analysis of the situation. It was motivated in part by a concern that the WHO's Commission on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Health, would not address the fundamental issues because of concerns about the response of member governments. The report has been written by a group of independent experts from think-tanks and health organizations around the world and reviewed by senior academic economists and health experts.
The coalition's research finds that 50 per cent of people in parts of Africa and Asia have no access to medicines due to a range of harmful government policies including: weak health infrastructure; taxes and tariffs on medicines; price controls; bureaucratic drug registration requirements; and regulations that prevent the formation of health insurance markets.
For a copy of the Report, contact khalil@asinstitute.org
To read the report online, click http://www.policynetwork.net/uploaded/pdf/Civil_Society_text_web.pdf
To read the Executive Summary online, click http://www.policynetwork.net/uploaded/pdf/Executive_summary_web.pdf
For more information, please contact info@asinstitute.org
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TRADE AND SECURITY: A VIEW FROM PAKISTAN
Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, participated in a project of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation , and contributed the following report that can be accessed by clicking the following link:
"Trade and Security: A View from Pakistan" by Khalil Ahmad
http://www.townsquareforum.net/archive/esid0034_pakistan.htm
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STATEMENT CALLING FOR SOLUTIONS TO END THE WAREHOUSING OF REFUGEES
Alternate Solutions Institute has endorsed the Statement Calling for Solutions to End the Warehousing of Refugees. For details, please visit <
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PDF VERSION OF THE SPECIAL PAKISTAN EDITION OF EFW 2004 ANNUAL REPORT
The PDF Version of the Introduction to the Special Pakistan Edition of the Economic Freedom of the World 2004 Annual Report is now available online.
To download, click one of the following links:
http://asinstitute.org
http://asinstitute.org/page.php?instructions=page&page_id=505&nav_id=93
http://ipn.lexi.net/images/uploaded/7-4257db45139a4--efw-2004-pakistan.pdf
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TAX EVASION AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN PAKISTAN: AN OVERVIEW
Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, participated in a project of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation , it contributed the following report that can be accessed by clicking the following links:
"Tax-Evasion And Money-Laundering In Pakistan: An Overview" by Khalil Ahmad
http://www.atlasusa.org/reports/esid_Pakistan2004.doc
http://www.townsquareforum.net/archive/esid0012_Pakistan2004.doc
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ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE’S FIRST BOOK OF TRANSLATION
Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, has published its first book of translation, Ken Schoolland's "The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey," in Urdu which is understood not only in Pakistan but throughout South Asia. Ken's modern fable has so far been published in 29 languages of the world Urdu being the 30th. This book explains the principles of market economy in a simple manner and helps promote the concepts of open market and property rights. The book has been translated into Urdu by Khalil Ahmad. A. S. Institute is indebted to Irshad Ameen for his tireless efforts in getting the book out of the press.
It is hoped that the book will give a new direction to the discussion of welfare state in Pakistan.
If you want to purchase the book, contact at info@asinstitute.org ; khalil@asinstitute.org
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HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER
Aslam Effendi, an old and unsung Libertarian of Pakistan, has written three books on free market philosophy: HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER, HARD FACTS OF HISTORY, and, ECONOMICS FOR THE CONFUSED. When no publisher agreed to invest in the project, he spent out of his own pocket to get HOW TO END ALL WARS FOREVER printed. But, for want of a distributor, this book which has been praised as a classic remained dumped and could not find its way to the market. For details, read ‘Aslam Effendi: A Free Marketeer in Pakistan’ <
or visit http://asinstitute.org/articles.php. Alternate Solutions Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, has purchased all the copies of the book from Aslam Effendi to make it available to the right persons and to compensate the author as well.
If you want to purchase the book, contact at info@asinstitute.org ; khalil@asinstitute.org
A. S. Institute intends to publish all of his books; if you are interested in this project, please contact at the above-given email addresses.
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HARD FACTS OF HISTORY
The Foreword of this second book of Aslam Effendi was written by Henry Hazlitt in 1992. Since then this book remained unpublished, but now Alternate Solutions Institute has taken up the task of publishing this book in a befitting manner. The book will be out most probably in July 2005.
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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.]
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