The writing on the wall

One step at a time

2008-10-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

So, while in Canada, as the global financial crisis driven election campaign reaches voting day, elsewhere on another continent, an indirectly elected president of a theocratic nation-state (at least on paper), is not only tackling religious extremism and power shortages, but is also determined to stabilize what for many is Pakistan's worst political and economic crisis.

On September 9, 2008, Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and widower of Benazir Bhutto, was sworn in as the president of Pakistan. Along with the office, the newly appointed president also took on far-reaching problems that had earlier punctured the popularity of his predecessor, Pervez Musharraf, eventually forcing him to resign.

In fact, even before the election Mr. Zardari was widely expected to win because PPP and its allies have an overall majority in the assemblies; but does he have the much needed support of his people, the 164 million or even one-third of them, in his endeavour to achieve political and economic stability?

The question opens another chapter, one that can interestingly present a plethora of views as to why leaders in Pakistan are admired by the masses one day and considered unfit, the next. As seen at the time of 1999 military coup when majority of Pakistanis were either indifferent, or in favour of a military personnel overthrowing the legitimate government of then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Most apparent one of these is mistrust between the voters and elected; another is the current prevailing mindset of the people as a result of decades of political and economic instability. Similarly, the lack of belief in the system and political unawareness due to repeated military takeovers which never really allowed the system of governance to develop or prosper, are two more.

Interestingly enough, neither of the views expressed above can be imputed to the common man, who, after being emotionally downtrodden by powerful slogans such as 'Roti, Kapra Aur Makaan' is left convinced to vote for the influential candidate; and nor can the candidates be held responsible as slogans and influence are politicians' instruments used all around the world to win campaigns.

This brings us back to the issue at hand, of President Zardari, who is neither a military dictator, nor an unelected president, but someone who spent more than eleven years in prison (before the twist of fate), and is now facing tough challenges in the wake of a post-Musharraf Pakistan.

Just a few days over a month since he took the oath, and the media has been constantly filled to the brim with news stories of how uncouth and inapt the man is. Perhaps understandably so, Mr. Zardari has been convicted of murder and corruption charges, or as the March 11 issue of International Herald Tribune reports, “he is one of Pakistan's most ostracized figures.”

In spite of the fact that his double-dealing diplomacy has not done good to the core issue of judicial independence, the reshuffling in top brass of Pakistan Army, and the replacement of Inter-Services Intelligence Director, was a well thought-out move.

Some would even bring forth the argument that President Zardari's recent statement acknowledging that the USA has permission to attack and kill militants and terrorists inside Pakistan is nothing but a diplomatic gesture.

And to come to think of it, as long as General Ashfaq Kayani, Chief of Staff Pakistan Army, knows what he is doing the gesture does make a lot of sense. As seen when he warned the United States that “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country will be defended at all cost.”

One has to admit that among other things it is this independent functioning of the government and the armed forces that proponents of democracy spoke of when Pakistan was being run by a military dictator. Now that it is not, what needs to be understood is that the the road to political and economic stability is a long one with many winding turns. It is indeed a step-by-step process and for it to be complete, one has to be patient and positive.

Old man in the games

2008-08-09T09:09:00.001-07:00

Gentlemen, like a narcotic, when the addiction to power permeates the leader of a nation, it is safe to say that the process of social unrest and political deterioration has begun.

In 1963 when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visited Beijing under President Ayub Khan to negotiate trade and military agreements with the Chinese regime, who would have thought that the same man would later be in a position to refuse the Awami League government and promise to "break the legs" of any PPP member who dared to attend the inaugural session of the National Assembly of Pakistan?

As the demise of powerful men is more than often the result of an ally conspiring against them, it had to be the then Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq (appointed by Mr. Bhutto himself), who imposed the 1977 military coup with an assurance to the nation to hold the National and Provincial Assembly elections in the next 90 days.

But after President Zia had Bhutto executed in 1979, it was his turn to play the role of ‘The Saviour’. Never mind the formation of Majlis-e-Shoora, a body with 284 members - all nominated by the President; never mind that he famously dismissed a United States proposed 325 million dollar aid package as “peanuts”; never mind the ‘Referendum of 1984’; and never mind his involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War after being repeatedly told by several cabinet members to refrain from interfering.

With such ‘greatness’ already bestowed upon us it is absolutely just and fair for the people of Pakistan to have little tolerance when it comes to matters relating to the government in power.

Gentlemen, it took almost six months after the Feb 18 elections for the two major coalition partners PML-N and PPP to reach an agreement on the issue of whether the 12th President of Pakistan remains in his office or not, let alone the real issues faced by people – the rising costs of food items, social unrest, and Pakistan’s growing isolation to name a few.

Strangely, the solutions to these problems are expected to be provided by the two leaders Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, both unelected and having the political power to oust President Pervez Musharraf, who is accused of violating the constitution and causing a critical economic deadlock by the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, it is the arrival of the 2008 Olympics in China that has caught the attention of everyone, including Pakistani politicians. With the invitation sent to the chairman of the ‘hereditary party’ Bilawal Bhutto by the Communist Party of China, it was a matter of time before the President also decided to attend the opening ceremony of the games.

However, not for the very first time Mr. Musharraf has forgotten the way Pakistani politics is played – only big players visit Beijing and the U.S.

For many, the sacking of the Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhary on charges of "misconduct and misuse" of authority was the beginning of the end of a far-stretched Musharraf regime.

While others who did not want to grasp the grave reality of the situation continued to proclaim Musharraf as the only man able enough to resolve issues such as Talibanization and a tide of militancy within Pakistan – not taking into account the ability of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who, ever since the campaign of PML-N for the Feb 18 elections has sworn to reinstate the disposed judges and remove “the dictator” from office.

And now, gentlemen, the situation of the 12th President and 4th military dictator of Pakistan is similar to that of the last of the Great Mughals Bahadur Shah Zafar II who, according to the historian William Dalrymple, in his book The Last Mughal (ISBN 978-0-7475-8726-2) was no better than “A Chessboard King” deprived of real power, dominion and authority.

As day 3 of the 2008 Olympics begins on August 11, so does the process of impeaching the president who, is reported to have said that he has the right to defend himself. Sure, we all do Mr. President, but mind you, sir, in the case of impeachment please get ready for the celebrations which will be carried out by the proponents of the very basic civil and political right, equality before the law.

Let the games begin!

SAARC Summit – Success

2008-08-04T12:19:00.001-07:00

Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met over breakfast on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit on Sunday, July 3.

Amid accusations of Pakistan’s intelligence service ISI, helping the terrorists plan the July 7 bombing of India’s embassy in Kabul and the recent reversal of decision by Pakistani government to place the intelligence agency under civilian control, the Karzai, Gilani meeting held in Colombo proved beneficial for Pak-Afghan ties.

According to a joint statement, the leaders recalled strong bonds of brotherhood between the two countries and agreed to coordinate their efforts to stop cross border terrorism.

A day before, while delivering a speech at the summit, President Hamid Karzai had accused Pakistan of not having done enough to rein in terrorists.
“Terrorism and terrorist sanctuaries were gaining greater ground there,” he said.

President Karzai had earlier also threatened to invade Pakistan in chase of Taliban insurgents on Pakistani soil, saying his war-torn country had a right to do so.

However, Prime Minister Gilani at the summit, did not respond to these allegations and instead emphasized that it was the joint responsibility of all countries of the region to get rid of terrorism.

So far, the United States has played a vital role in resolving what could have been a crisis between Islamabad and Kabul.

According to Dawn Newspaper, in an interview on Friday, August 1, Pakistan’s Ambassador to United States Husain Haqqani, said that the understanding reached between Pakistan and the United States during the prime minister’s visit to fight terrorism will produce results in the next few days.

Mr Haqqani said Pakistan’s concerns “about its sovereignty and about civilian authority and control and its concerns relating to Afghanistan and India” would also be addressed.

Similarly, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, also expressed his view that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was determined to “conquer the problems of extremism and terrorism.”

“I do remember it’s a new government. There are enormous challenges,” he said.

Finally, for opposition leader in the National Assembly of Pakistan Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who has been claiming that Prime Minister Gilani’s visit to the United States could not attain the objectives set by the government, the success achieved at the two-day SAARC Summit is evidently enough to keep him silent for some time.

A familiar situation

2008-08-01T08:41:00.000-07:00

On Monday, July 28, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani attended a dinner hosted by Pakistan's ambassador to United States Hussain Haqqan.

Also present at the occasion were top US officials, including CIA chief Michael Hayden and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Mr. Gilani at the dinner reception said that the war against terrorism is not just an American war and Pakistan is fighting for its own cause.

"This is not a Charlie Wilson's war - it is Benazir Bhutto's war," the Prime Minister said.

Whether it is Benazir Bhutto's war or not - just days before Mr. Gilani had left Pakistan for talks with US officials, Khalid Shahanshah, a key witness in the Benazir Bhutto case was assassinated outside his residence in Karachi.

Shahanshah, also the chief security officer of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, was interviewed by the Scotland Yard team which visited Pakistan to investigate the assassination case of Benazir Bhutto. The case remains unsolved to this day.

At the dinner, Prime Minister Gilani also said that the government would not negotiate with terrorists and would not let its territory be used as a sanctuary for attacks on its neighbours.

This year, the government signed peace deals in North Waziristan, Swat, Dir, Bajaur, Malakand, and Mohmand. The Taliban have violated the terms of these agreements in every region where accords have been inked.

However, a majority of Pakistanis continue to demand a peaceful settlement with the tribal leaders through dialogue and not force.

With the ongoing military operation in the tribal areas and the talks between the two countries in Washington, the present government has found itself to be in a similiar situation in which the Musharraf regime was once - the only difference being, now a democratic government is making undemocratic decisions.

"Ridicule me, please"

2008-07-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Once again, the time has come for officials of the Government of Pakistan to render their services and obedience to the United States Government, as Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani visits Washington next week ‘to help further enhance bilateral ties’ between the two countries.

The Prime Minister, assisted by his senior advisers will be arriving in Washington on Sunday, July 27 for two days of talks with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. While in Washington, Mr. Gilani will also have a working lunch with President George W Bush at the Oval Office.

The two leaders first met at The World Economic Forum on Middle East earlier this year in Egypt.

According to Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Prime Minister Gilani in a meeting with U.S. Ambassador, Ms. Anne W Patterson said that, Pakistan accords high priority to its strategic relationship with the United States and is keen to further expand its relations in various fields.

Among the enhancement of ties and expansion of relations lies the core issue of Pakistan’s sovereignty over its areas. The recent NATO and Afghan military incursion into the Bajaur tribal belt of Pakistan has not only alarmed the entire region, but is also being seen as a violation of both international law and the country's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad the officials seem to care more about who Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani will bring with him, as part of the delegation visiting Washington.

According to Dawn Newspaper, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Asif Ali Zardari had invited himself and also, former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to accompany current Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani before these reports caused a mini-diplomatic crisis in Washington, and Mr. Zardari had to cancel his plans.

However, everything seems to be settled now. As both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, have realized that Mr. Gillani is the Prime Minister of Pakistan after all - at least for now.

The common man's verse

2008-07-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Four months before August 14, 2008, inside the gates of Aitchison College, Lahore (a prestigious public school in the Indian plains established by the British in 1886) are sons of the influential, being served an English-style breakfast – educated enough to stuff-up their noses with arrogance in a campus that sprawls across two-hundred acres of land in the heart of an already congested city.

Just outside the main gate of the College on The Mall Road (also built by the British in the 1880’s) is a Pakhtun gentleman, bargaining for fare with his first customer of the day. As his noisy, but beautifully decorated Auto Rickshaw displays the common man’s verse,

“Main youm-e-Azaadi us waqt maanaunga jab hum Amreeka say azaad hongay...” (I will only celebrate Independence Day once we have learnt to not be slaves of The West)

In an interview, the Indian writer Farzana Versey who also happens to be the author of the book ‘A Journey Interrupted: Being Indian in Pakistan’ was questioned about the difference in pre- and post-9/11 Pakistan.

The concern expressed by the writer seemed shocking at first, but is actually remarkably true in the context of present-day Pakistani society.

“…anti-Americanism is perhaps more prominent as indeed are American accents. A society full of contradictions...” she remarked.

Those who have visited or lived in any of the few urban centres of Pakistan must have had their experiences. It is most uncommon to not be overwhelmed by densely populated, vibrant and polluted cities like Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

According to a report titled ‘Life in the City: Pakistan in Focus’, released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more than half of the total urban population of Pakistan lived in 2005 in eight urban agglomerations: Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Hyderabad, Gujranwala and Peshawar.

Each year thousands of rural laborers, peasants and landlords from all four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and North-West Frontier Province), advance to these cities in search of employment and a better future for themselves and their families. Many of them succeed in doing so, while others remain within the city boundaries and continue their quest for happiness.

However, the underlying phenomenon remains the same for all; they now further diversify the already varied chunk of population within the confines of one urban centre.

In the book ‘Pakistan: A Country Study’, writes Peter Blood,

“The Punjabis (People belonging to the province of Punjab) predominate in the upper echelons of the military and civil service and in large part run the central government. This situation is resented by many Pakhtuns, Baloch, and, particularly by Sindhis, (People belonging to the provinces of N.W.F.P, Balochistan and Sindh) whose numbers and wealth are comparatively small and claim to be underrepresented in public positions,” he writes, “Central to identity as a Pakhtun is adherence to the malecentered code of conduct, the pakhtunwali. Foremost in this code is the notion of honor, nang, which is articulated in a starkly black-and-white, all-or-nothing manner. Without honor, life for a Pakhtun is not worth living.”

The difference in backgrounds and cultures of these migrants is a fact that cannot be bypassed in order to understand the issues faced by the Pakistani society.

It is not 9/11 or the ongoing War on Terror that has led the present-day society of Pakistan into a mess. It is not even the cause of the contradictions that prevail in the society, as they have always been there since the time of Indo-Pak Partition. But it is the result of an outcry of millions of people in search of National Identity for the past sixty years and still not being able to find it.

Pakistan's search for its identity seems to be the quest whose outcome first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a vision of optimism, prophesied: "A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the sound of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance."

Sources:

1. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C28%5Cstory_28-6-2007_pg7_9

2. Peter Blood, ed. Pakistan: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1994.

Democracy on popular demand?

2008-06-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

The concept of Democracy is still new for a country that has spent much of its life under martial law and the remaining under a feudal.

In youth we are wild. But with age, even the nastiest of us learn a lesson or two. The sixty-first year of Pakistan's independence from the British begins this August. And the question echoes again, "Have we learnt a few before the firecrackers really begin to crack?"

Most certainly we have, according to our politicians and their children. "Definitely, maybe" (in a perplexed tone) will likely be the reply of an average Pakistani worker. And while all this drama carries on, elsewhere the influential either sit and remember their days of glory or are in search of ingredients to oust the government in power.

The tension deepens. As the media industry (local or foreign), continues to do what it is paid to do. This must just be the beginning of the end.. but not yet.

One evening last year, we unitedly recollected the word 'Democracy' , "a form of government in which the people have a voice in the exercise of power .." ( as defined by Oxford English Dictionary). And began hankering over a process which majority of us to this day do not fully recognize or understand.

None the less, the events that followed led to General Elections - 2008.

The allowance of a demonstration such as the demand for democracy and it's implementation, is not in itself an expression of political freedom? If we really are portrayed as a failing Third World Nation, why is it that we cannot settle for anything less than the utopian definition of Democracy? Could it be that Pakistan was already democratized before the Elections - 2008 had even begun?

This may seem ironic but feudalism still prevails in Pakistan and the majority of the politicians are themselves feudal landlords.

Overall, the recent turn of events might just prove to be right for us as a nation. But a good way to at least start the process of Democracy would be to ask ourselves, "Are we really democratized?"

Instability is the word.

2008-06-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

I was reading about the growing tension between U.S military and Pakistan army today. It amazes me how the general has just shut himself up. Could it be that the unexpected defeat of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) in the recently held election, and the formation of a so-called 'coalition' between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) has left President Pervez Musharraf bewildered? Perhaps so. But if so, what does this mean for PML (N) leader, Mian Nawaz Sharif?

The cat and mouse game probably began with some missing cheese more than nine years ago. But it is definitely not over. The former prime minister, who was skeptical of his return from an exile a year ago, is now leading a party that is tactfully poised between a diplomatic policy of opposing the president and an alliance with the ruling political party (PPP).

However, what concerns us as a nation is more than the juvenile display of instability shown by political leaders and their parties. It is quite obvious that the newly formed government has failed to capitalize on the foreign polices developed by the Musharraf regime. These policies were strategically implemented to help present a better and moderate picture of the country to the International Community. Now we are back to square one. And the suffering endured by every common Pakistani, has yet again gone to waste.

This may sound ironic, but our national cricket team and political climate have alot in common.