Saturday, March 31, 2018
Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani - Intelligentsia must think why Pakistan deemed dangerous by others
Haqqani unveiled his book at the event organised by the Centre for International Security Studies at the Princeton University. He said that he has laid out the vision of a tolerant, inclusive, democratic federation in the book titled ‘Reimagining Pakistan – Transforming a dysfunctional nuclear state’.
He noted that Pakistan has the world’s sixth largest population and army but lags behind in most international rankings that measure a nation’s success, including education, economic productivity and opportunities for citizens. He predicted that unless Pakistan drastically alters course, the country will come under greater pressure from the rest of the world while also having to deal with internal pressures from a growing population divided by sectarianism and ethnicity and without economic prospects for most people.
“It is true that Pakistan’s direction can best be changed by Pakistanis,” he told the audience. “But genuine debate inside Pakistan remains impossible as long as the nation is mired in a national narrative of hyper-nationalism, grievance and conspiracy theories,” he warned.
Pakistan has the world’s highest infant mortality rate according to a recent Unicef report, Haqqani stated, while lamenting that this troubling news got little attention in the country’s vast media.
“The Pakistani media discusses politics and corruption but ignores human development or the world’s negative perception of the country especially in relation to religious extremism and terrorism,” he said.
“Pakistanis are told about imaginary American, Israeli or Indian conspiracies and there is an outrage industry that keeps Pakistanis angry about perceived threats to Islam and their homeland,” Haqqani said, adding, “The real threats -- of inadequate economic performance, low human capital development, poor health and education statistics, and rising extremism -- are being ignored.”
He listed what he described as “many factual inaccuracies” in accounts of history that are taught to Pakistanis in schools and discussed on mainstream and social media. Haqqani also offered what he described as “practical, step by step remedial measures.”
The former ambassador is currently Director South and Central Asia at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute.
#Pakistan - Judicial martial law
By Afrasiab Khattak
In a free season on the Constitution some people have floated the idea of imposing a judicial martial law for holding general elections in the country. Apart from being a contradiction in terms it’s also a totally meaningless concept because a martial law is martial law and a prefix or a suffix doesn’t change its character in any manner. We know it because we have been here before. Under normal conditions such a demand would have been regarded as a constitutional blasphemy and the courts might have taken suo motto notice of it. But we are at a stage where the de jure is too weak to challenge the overbearing de facto and the higher judiciary has better things to do. Otherwise the trial of General (r) Pervez Musharraf for abrogating the Constitution would have been a priority and he wouldn’t have enjoyed the type of impunity that he has been enjoying in the recent years.
Be that as it may, it is interesting to look into rise of the phenomenon of the judicial martial law. It isn’t very complicated. The credit goes to the much maligned 18th Constitutional Amendment. One just has to have a look at the contents of the Article 6 of the Constitution before and after the 18th Constitutional Amendment. First let’s see Article 6 before the aforementioned Amendment;
1: Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.
2: Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall be guilty of high treason.
3: ( Majlis-e-Shoora ( Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.
Article 6 after the 18th Amendment;
1: Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.
2: Any person aiding or abetting (or collaborating) the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.
2A: An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.
3: ( Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.
As we can see Article 6 has been strengthened by the 18th Amendment unanimously approved by the Parliament in 2010. It was done because General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf could get away with the abrogation of the Constitution in 1977 and 1999 respectively. So now the Constitution can’t be suspended or held in abeyance like it was done by the two military dictators. Moreover there is a bar on judiciary to validate abrogation, subversion or suspension of the Constitution. This helped in breaking the vicious cycle of direct intervention by usurpers. But the anti democratic forces have resorted to other means for ousting the elected prim ministers. Selective accountability has become the most favourite means for disqualifying them. It led to the judicialisation of the country’s politics and policisation of judiciary. Yousuf Raza Gilani, the prime minister from PPP was disqualified in 2012. Court proceedings for disqualification of his successor Raja Pervez Ashraf were also initiated but the constitutional term of the Parliament expired before the completion of the court proceedings. Recently we have been witness to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif by the Apex Court of the country. Although Nawaz Sharif and his party have accepted the court orders but the military has made it very clear that it would stand by the Supreme Court in case of resistance by anyone against the Court’s order. We have been through the Senate elections very recently and the “independents” from Balochistan were not so surprisingly able to hold their sway on the process.
But it’s pertinent to note that all this political engineering wouldn’t have been possible without the major political parties lending their shoulder to the “political engineering department”. PPP and PML (N) had their musical chairs games in 1990s. They took turns to aid and abet the security establishment in overthrowing the governments of one another. In 2006 they signed the Charter of Democracy ( COD) which was subsequently approved by most of the other political parties. It resulted in the general elections of 2008, the 18th Amendment and democratic transition of 2013. Even in 2014 the spirit of COD was able to foil the aims of scripted aggressive sit ins. But after that PPP and PML (N) went back to 1990s mode. Both of them have unfortunately justified their unprincipled positions by the past wrongdoings of each other as if two wrongs make a right. They tend to settle scores on the pattern of tribal feuds. By stubbornly clinging to these vindictive positions they are in for learning the hard way that it’s counterproductive for both of them.
There is a lot of talk about supremacy of Parliament but this remains an empty rhetoric as the present ruling party and some of the opposition parties have ignored the people’s elected representatives in taking important decisions. That isn’t obviously the path towards strengthening the Parliament. The attitude of the political parties and the level of people’s support will determine the status of Parliament and not just the constitutional provisions. If the people are ready to come out in support of Parliament no other institution will dare to usurp its power.
It’s also important for the political leadership on all sides to realise that the erosion of civilian rule has reached to a level where the process of democratic transition has not only halted but it is also faced with regression. It means that mobilisation for coming elections, particularly in the Punjab, will not be just about winning majority seats in the Parliament. It will also be about reviving democracy and civilian rule according to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
#Pakistan - Editorial: #MalalaComesHome #MalalaInPakistan #MalalaYousafzai - #Malala Comes Home
Malala Yousafzai has finally set foot in her homeland after a long wait of five and a half years. This is a very significant moment not just in her life but also for the people of Pakistan. Her journey is no ordinary journey. Having to witness extremism in such proximity and young age and refusing to be intimidated is heroic as it is, but her following campaign for the cause of education and peace is what has really propelled her to the world’s attention. Her return to Pakistan – brief as it is – bring that journey to a close, and attests to the fact that Pakistan has battled hard against extremism, and is winning.
The Pakistan Malala is returning to is a different Pakistan than she left it. It is clear to see how much the security situation in the country has improved. Instead of being the terror stricken country that it was, Pakistan is well on the way to peace, has development and economic growth to look forward to, and, a few political controversies aside, is relatively stable. Her return enforces that notion, and it commendable to see that the government is reinforcing the same narrative.
It is heartening to see the dignitaries and the authorities of Pakistan completely ignoring the wild conspiracy narrative against her and welcoming her back as a “daughter of the nation”. The meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi shows how much the country owns her and is proud of all her achievements. She has managed to put forth a soft image of Pakistan and is the youngest Nobel laureate in the history. Such achievements need to be celebrated by the nation as a whole.
Even on this four day visit to Pakistan, we see that her mission for education, particularly women’s education is something that she is passionate about, and her discussion with the Prime Minister on her future plans and possible cooperation is commendable one. The Malala Fund has contributed over $6 Million to the education sector of Pakistan and the campaign still goes on. The government should continue to support such assets of Pakistan, who are so dedicated to the country and continue to help in developing its neglected sectors. One can certainly hope that one day such a path can be paved for her to be able to work in Pakistan.
‘I left Swat with my eyes closed and now return with my eyes open,’ says Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, visited her hometown in Swat on Saturday, for the first time following the attack on her by Taliban gunmen.
“I left Swat with my eyes closed and now return with my eyes open,” she told AFP. “I am extremely delighted. My dream has come true. Peace has returned to Swat because of the invaluable sacrifices rendered by my brothers and sisters,” Malala said at a school outside Mingora.
On Saturday, Yousafzai flew by helicopter, to visit her childhood home in Swat amidst heavy security, accompanied by her father, mother, and two brothers.
“I miss everything about Pakistan … right from the rivers, the mountains, to even the dirty streets and the garbage around our house, and my friends and how we used to have gossip and talk about our school life, to how we used to fight with our neighbours.”
Malala commented further that she has wanted to return ever since before, but aside from security concerns, she had to follow through her hectic schedule at school and her entrance exams for Oxford, where she began studying last year for a degree in politics, philosophy, and economics. After taking an army helicopter from Islamabad, Malala met friends and family before paying a visit to the all-boys Swat Cadet College in Guli Bagh, some 15 kilometres outside Mingora.
Malala had said earlier that she would address the students there, however, she stayed only a few minutes to take photographs before making her way to return back to Islamabad. Malala was kept out of range of local media on Friday, making it difficult for people to learn about her activities on the day.
Malala, the youngest Nobel Laureate returned to Pakistan on Thursday for the first time since Taliban militants shot her in the head almost six years ago for her efforts to promote girls’ education in Pakistan. She was flown to Britain in 2012 to receive medical care and then went on to impress the world with her eloquence on rights issues. She won the Nobel Peace Prize peace prize in 2014, sharing the laurel with child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi.
Bilawal Bhutto extends greetings to the Christians in Pakistan and the world over on Easter
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended greetings to the Christians in Pakistan and the world over on the eve of Easter, being celebrated on Sunday.In his felicitation message, the PPP Chairman said that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to every Pakistani citizen, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, and they can freely observe and celebrate their religious and spiritual festivals without any fear.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appreciated the sacrifices of Christian community during the independence movement of Pakistan under Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and in the nation’s struggle for restoration of democracy under Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
He said that PPP considers our Christian brothers and sisters as equal partners and do everything possible for protecting and promoting their political, economic and social rights.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appealed for special prayers for the peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan on the Easter.
https://mediacellppp.wordpress.com/2018/03/31/bilawal-bhutto-extendeds-greetings-to-the-christians-in-pakistan-and-the-world-over-on-easter/
ہمیں سیاست کو پیری مریدی سے الگ کرنا ہوگا،بلاول بھٹو
چیئرمین پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا ہے کہ ہمیں سیاست کو پیری مریدی سے الگ کرنا ہوگا،ظالم حکمرانوں نے غربت نہیں غریب مٹانے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے ،عوام اپنے مسائل کا حل چاہتے ہیں، ہم نے 6لاکھ خاندانوں کو غربت سے نکالا ہے۔
سانگھڑ میں خطاب کے دوران بلاول بھٹو نے کہا کہ عوام کو اس سے غرض نہیں کہ کسی کو کیوں نکالا،عوامی مسائل حل کرنے کے لیے نہ ان کے پاس منشور ہے نہ ان کی صلاحیت ہے
ان کا کہناتھاکہ روز گار کے وسائل نہ ہونے سے غربت بڑھتی جارہی ہے ،ہم نے چھ لاکھ خاندانوں کو غربت سے نکالا ۔
پی پی چیئرمین نے یہ بھی کہا کہ آج ن لیگ اٹھارویں ترمیم پر حملے کررہی ہے ،جو اختیار صوبوں کو منتقل ہوا ہے انہیں واپس لینے کی سازش ہورہی ہے،پی پی یہ برداشت نہیں کرے گی ۔
بلاول بھٹو نے کہا کہ سندھ پینے کے ساتھ زراعت کے لئے بھی پانی کی کمی کا سامنا ہے ،وفاق صوبے کو ترسا رہا ہے ،ارسا سندھ کو اس کے حصے کا پانی نہیں دے رہا ۔
ان کا کہناتھاکہ سانگھڑ کو تباہ کرنے والا کوئی اور نہیں فنکشنل لیگ ہے ، گرینڈ الائنس سیاسی یتیموں کا ٹولہ ہے جو ادھر ادھر پھر رہا ہے ، یہ سب لوگ وزیر مشیر اور وزیراعلی رہے ،گھوٹکی کے عوام نے انہیں ان کی حیثیت دکھادی ہے ۔
چیئرمین پی پی نے یہ بھی کہا کہ ن لیگ والوں سن لو ،تم نے انکم سپورٹ پروگرام سے بینظیر بھٹو کی تصویر تو ہٹادی ہے لیکن اسے دلوں سے کیسے نکالوں گے؟ سب کچھ ٹھیک نہیں ہوا ، ہمیں ابھی آپ کی اور خدمت کرنی ہے۔
https://jang.com.pk/news/471881
IRSA not giving Sindh its share of water: Bilawal Bhotto
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto said that Sindh is
facing a shortage of water while Irsa doing the injustice with province, here on Saturday. While addressing the inauguration ceremony of a water project at Sanghar, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari alleged that Indus River System Authority (Irsa) is not giving its share of water to Sindh province.
He said that the federal is carrying out discrimination against Sindh province over water resources. Bilawal said that PPP believes in the service of public and his party work for the people. Chairman PPP said that at least 85 villages of Achro Thar of Sanghar district will get benefit of this project.
Talking to his opponents, he said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) have wasted 5 years in their personal fight. Bilawal said that they have done nothing for public, but both parties doing only the politics of allegations.
http://www.thesindhtimes.com/blog/2018/03/31/irsa-not-giving-sindh-share-water-bilawal-bhotto/
He said that the federal is carrying out discrimination against Sindh province over water resources. Bilawal said that PPP believes in the service of public and his party work for the people. Chairman PPP said that at least 85 villages of Achro Thar of Sanghar district will get benefit of this project.
Talking to his opponents, he said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) have wasted 5 years in their personal fight. Bilawal said that they have done nothing for public, but both parties doing only the politics of allegations.
http://www.thesindhtimes.com/blog/2018/03/31/irsa-not-giving-sindh-share-water-bilawal-bhotto/
#MalalaYousafzai - Nobel winner #Malala visits hometown in Pakistan for first time since shooting
Asif Shahzad, Jibran Ahmad
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai visited her birthplace in Pakistan’s Swat Valley on Saturday, bursting into tears as she entered her childhood home for the first time since a Taliban gunman shot her in 2012.
The 20-year-old told a family friend she planned to return home after completing her education at Oxford, where she is reading for a degree in politics, philosophy and economics.
Roads were blocked off in the town of Mingora as Yousafzai, known universally by her first name, flew in by military helicopter with her parents and brother.
Security was tight around her former home, now rented by a family friend, Farid-ul-Haq Haqqani, who has kept the young woman’s room intact with her books, school trophies and luggage.
“They were weeping. They were kneeling on the ground. They were touching the mud with their eyes,” Haqqani said of Malala and her family. He agreed to be interviewed inside the family home and pointed out a shelf in her room with books including Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” and “Romeo and Juliet” as well as a copy of the television series “Ugly Betty”.
“I asked her when are you permanently coming back and she said ‘God willing, when my education is completed, I will God willing come back to Pakistan.’”
He added that Malala chatted in her room with four friends from her school days in Swat, while her parents greeted neighbors who dropped by - since the security detail would not allow her to go to other houses or even up on the roof of her home.
Malala has been visiting Pakistan since Thursday, her first trip home since she was shot and airlifted abroad for treatment. The government and military have been providing security.
It had been uncertain whether she would be able to visit Swat, a scenic mountain region parts of which spent nearly two years under the control of Pakistani Taliban militants and their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, due to continued concerns for her safety. “I miss everything about Pakistan ... from the rivers, the mountains, to even the dirty streets and the garbage around our house, and my friends and how we used to have gossip ...to how we used to fight with our neighbors,” Malala told Reuters in an interview on Friday.
“I had never been so excited for anything. I’ve never been so happy before,” she said of returning to Pakistan. “WEAPON OF EDUCATION” Two security officials told Reuters the trip to Swat would likely be just for one day.
Another family friend, Jawad Iqbal Yousafzai, who is from the same Pashtun clan as Malala, said the family also visited a local army cadet college. The Pakistani army wrested control of Swat back from the Taliban in 2009 and the area remains mostly peaceful, but the militants still occasionally launch attacks, including one on the military a few weeks ago. The Taliban claimed responsibility in 2012 for the attack on Yousafzai for her outspoken advocacy for girls’ education, which was forbidden under the militants’ rule over Swat.
She wrote an anonymous blog for the BBC Urdu service as a schoolgirl during the Taliban rule and later became outspoken in advocating more educational opportunities for girls.
In 2014, Malala became the youngest Nobel laureate, honored for her work with the Malala Foundation, a charity she set up to support education advocacy groups with a focus on Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, Syria and Kenya.
This month, a new girls’ school built with her Nobel prize money opened in the village of Shangla in Swat Valley.
“The people of Swat and the whole of Pakistan are with Malala,” Jawad Iqbal Yousafzai said.
“God willing, we will counter the terrorism and extremism in our region with the weapon of education, with the weapon of a pen, with the weapons of teachers and with the weapons of books.” Haqqani said Malala and her brother requested to be sent dried plums from a tree in the garden once they were harvested. The family visit lasted about 90 minutes, he said.
“They were leaving the house slowly. They were dragging their feet. They were coming back inside again and again,” he said.