Thursday, June 28, 2018

Text of the Speech of Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto at the launching ceremony of PPP’s Manifesto for 2018 General Elections at Islamabad Press Club on Thursday

Bismillah ir-Rahman Nir-Rahim
Ladies and gentlemen,
Assalam-O-Alaikum!
Benazir Bhutto made a promise to the people of Pakistan. It was the promise of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan for all our people.
The current economic situation is unstable, intolerable and unsustainable. Above all it is exclusionary. The bottom half of our population have seen their condition become more precarious as profiteers and contractors have seen their fortunes soar. Short-sighted quick fixes directed at the welfare of a tiny elite have compromised the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable, denied them economic justice, and at the same time compromised Pakistan’s economic sovereignty.
Many of our measures for ensuring the devolution of power have been subverted, and the momentum for further reforms has been stalled. Devolution was meant to deliver resources more equitably and more transparently. All institutions for accountability were subverted. The parliament was reduced to the position of a bystander, as major crises threaten the state and the economy. State institutions appear to be at loggerheads. This raises alarm bells for Pakistan.
Despite all its sacrifices in the struggle against terrorism, the country remains isolated in the global community, unable to project a positive image. This drift must stop. We must get the government on a track that is modelled on serving the people.
Why do we claim that the incumbent government has not served the people? Because poverty, hunger and malnutrition stalk large segments of our society. Unemployment, low pay, and harsh working conditions are everyday realities in which the majority of our people try to provide for their families. A secure home remains a distant dream for millions who live in shanty towns without water or municipal services, urban informal settlements or under the shadow of rural powerbrokers in villages. Health services are severely stretched and a family that has the misfortune of facing ill health or an accident, rapidly becomes vulnerable to extreme poverty. Education, which was once seen as a way out of poverty, is increasingly expensive, and of questionable quality. Being educated does not, in any case, guarantee a decent job.
We feel that it is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens not only from foreign aggression and internal violence, but also from poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, unemployment, and hazardous work and environmental conditions. It is the government’s duty to ensure stable, sustainable and inclusive growth in an equitable economy for all, so that there are decent jobs and living wages for ordinary women and men struggling to look after their families. For the government to do its job, it must be empowered but also inclusive and legitimate.
Democratic reforms never cease; they are an ongoing process to make sure that the government does its duty. The people’s government brought reforms that were discontinued, and today, Pakistan is institutionally paralysed. The common person views the government as distant, an entity fixated on personal gain and corruption instead of public interest. This patronage model must change to alter the public’s mindset.
Our Record
Our party has led from the frontlines on all issues that matter to the people of this great country. Be it the first democratic constitution in 1973, the empowerment of the masses through the democratic process, the fight for constitutional government, economic sovereignty, justice for hard-working women and men, women’s empowerment, or social protection for the weak and the vulnerable, we have the honour of being pioneers. Our vision of peace, prosperity and progress for all our people, particularly those who have suffered injustice and exploitation, has guided us through the decades. We have been called upon to make sacrifices for the country and have never flinched. In the wake of violence and provocation, we have pursued the path of reconciliation. We have been steadfast in our defence of the state and the integrity of its institutions, even when our leaders, workers and voters have suffered injustices at the hands of individuals leading these institutions. We can stay the course because our hearts beat with the weak and vulnerable, and we derive our will from the strength of the persevering women and men of this land.
We, the Pakistan Peoples Party, steered the first generation of constitutional, political, fiscal, institutional and social protection reforms in 2008-2013 aimed at consolidating democracy and strengthening the federation. The 18th constitutional amendment, the 7th National Finance Commission Award, the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment Order, and the establishment of the Benazir Income Support Programme are historic achievements. The momentum generated by these reforms was lost and needs to be recovered. Much more needs to be done. We shall now embark upon a second generation of reforms in line with our party’s ideology of social democracy and people’s democracy, both aimed at rebuilding our country, reaching out to all of our people, and reclaiming Pakistan’s place in the world. The government shall be for all, not a privileged few.
Manifesto Pledge
Today, once again we have been called upon to steer the ship of the state away from danger, to put it on the path of peace, progress and prosperity. Now we pledge:
• To free all our people from the fear of hunger, thirst and helplessness
• To open opportunities for all our children and youth so that they may excel, become active citizens of Pakistan and confident members of the global community
• To rebuild and build an economy that works for all our people, now and into the future.
• To deepen democracy by fostering harmony among our people, between our people and our state, and among the institutions of our state, and to make the government accountable and answerable to the people by strengthening the parliament and other institutional frameworks.
• To secure rights and peace – for our state and for all our people
• To reclaim Pakistan’s rightful place in the world
When we say ‘ALL OUR PEOPLE’ we mean everyone, and particularly those whose voices are heard less. We mean people of all faiths, genders, ethnicities, provinces, and regions. We mean rural and urban workers, as well as the millions who are searching for livelihood, those who are unable to seek it, and the millions of women whose labour is not recognised. We mean the children and the young, but also the elderly, those in good health as well as those who are infirm, the able-bodied and the differently-abled. We aspire for relations between and among individuals, families, and communities, based on equality, rights, respect and compassion.
When we say ‘FREEDOM FROM HELPLESSNESS’ we mean freedom from deprivations such as hunger and thirst, ill-health, lack of secure shelter, provisions which form the very basis of human survival. We mean freedom from dependence on others and from the loss of dignity.
When we say ‘OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH’ we mean not only the acquisition of academic and vocational skills, but also the inculcation of self-confidence, socio-emotional wellbeing, ownership as well as openness.
When we say ‘REBUILD THE ECONOMY’ we mean major structural reforms for inclusive and sustainable growth and development, while ensuring economic justice for all.
When we say ‘DEEPEN DEMOCRACY’ we mean not only voting for national and provincial legislatures but making all levels of government and all state institutions more responsive to the needs of citizens. Our emphasis will be on fostering a culture of accountability and transparency in public monies and enhancing access to an answerable, open government.
When we say ‘SECURE PEACE’ we mean not only the absence of violence but also the active pursuit of peaceful measures for resolving conflicts before they can become violent. We mean security not only from external threats, but also threats based on gender, class, ethnicity, caste, faith, and political views.
When we say ‘RECLAIM OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD’ we mean a progressive, vibrant and enterprising country at peace both at home and abroad.
This is what Benazir Bhutto had dreamt of.
اور ہمیں بی بی کا وعدہ نبھانا ہے؛ پاکستان بچانا ہے
خواتین و حضرات!
آج جو منشور ہم لائے ہیں، بی بی کا غیرمکمل مشن ہے۔
یہ منشور میرے لیئے اس لیئے بھی اہم ہے کہ میری عملی سیاسی زندگی کا آغاز ہونے جا رہا ہے۔ اور میں پہلے الیکشن میں، اس ملک کی عوام کے سامنے اپنی سیاسی سوچ، میری نظر میں، اس ملک کے بڑے مسائل، اور اُن کا پریکٹیکل حل پیش کرنے جا رہا ہوں۔ بی بی کا پاکستان بچانے اور بنانے جا رہا ہوں۔
خواتین و حضرات!
آج کے پاکستان میں، آپ جس شعبے کی طرف نطر دوڑائیں، وہ بدحالی، اور deterioration کا شکار ہے۔ ہر طرف استحصال ہی، استحصال ہے۔ وہ تعلیم ہو یا صحت۔ قانون نافذ کرنے والے ادارے ہوں، یا انصاف کا نظام۔ معیشت ہو یا ماحولیات کا مسئلہ۔ بیوروکریسی ہو یا خارجی تعلقات۔ ہر طرف مسائل کا ایک انبارف کھڑا ہے۔ اور ان مسائل کو حل کرنے کے لیئے جو بنیادی اصلاحات، شاید ہمیں بہت پہلے کرلینا چاہئیے تھی، وہ ابتک ہم نہیں کرسکے۔ کچھ بڑی اصلاحات جو پی پی پی نے اپنے پچھلے دوَر میں کیں، جیسے اٹھارویں ترمیم، ساتوں این ایف سی ایوارڈ، معاشی و زرعی اصلاحات۔ جن کی وجہ سے پاکستان کی ایکسپورٹس، ایک رکارڈ سطح پر پہنچیں۔ ہم اس سفر کو جاری رکھیں گے۔ ہم آج پھر جنوبی پنجاب صوبے کے قیام کے لیئے سیاسی اور جمہوری جدوجہد جاری رکھنے کا اعلان کر رہے ہیں۔ ہم فاٹا کو جلس از جلد صوبے میں شامل کرنے، ایف سی آر کے خاتمے اور فاٹا کے لوگوں کو مکمل بنیادی حقوق دینے کا وعدہ کرتے ہیں۔ گلگت بلتستان میں جو غیرسیاسی اقدام ن لیگ نے لیئے ہیں، انہیں ہم رِورس کریں گے۔ گلگت بلتستان میں انتخابات، پاکستان میں انتخابات کے ساتھ کریں گے، تاکہ مرکزی حکومت اُن کے انتخابات کو انفلیونس نہ کرسکے۔ ہم نے اپنے پچھلے دور میں انسانی حقوق سے متعلق اصلاحات کیں۔ بدقسمتی سے آنے والی حکومت وہ سفر جاری نہ رکھ سکی۔ اور آج یہ بات اہلِ وطن ہم سب کے لیئے نہایت ہی تشویشناک ہے کہ پاکستان نہ صرف مقروض تر ہوگیا ہے بلکہ خارجی اور سفارتی سطح پر بھی تنہا ہو چکا ہے۔ ہزاروں جان کی شہادتوں اور قربانیوں کے باوجود آج کوئی پاکستان کو سننے کو تیار نہیں۔
In the past on numerous occasions and at different International Forums,
I have had the opportunity of interacting with world Leaders,
and all I have seen is vicious and poisonous propaganda against Pakistan.
There is absolutely no recognition of sacrifices laid down by our brave soldiers,
Police and innocent civilians,
instead there is a serious trust deficit and a concentrated effort under way to make Pakistan a scape goat for other’s failures.
Make no mistake,
PPP has always stood for peace in the region, but we have always sought a just peace.
We realize that many 21st century challenges recognize no borders. Terrorism and climate change require regional and global solutions, so we must always seek to be in dialogue with our neighbours and all global powers.
We have to take responsibility for our country by taking a realistic view of our internal challenges, and address them urgently for our own sake, for our own future, and not only in response to external demands.
اسی وجہ سے میں کہتا رہا کہ وزیرِ خارجہ لگاوَ۔ نیشنل ایکشن پلان پر عملدرآمد کرو۔ مگر چار سال تک یہ ملک بغیر وزیرِ خارجہ کے چلتا رہا۔ کوئی دنیا کو ہمارا نیریٹو بتانے کے لیئے تھا ہی نہیں۔ نیشنل ایکشن پلان کو غیر فعال بنا دیا گیا۔ تمام معاملات میں پارلیامینٹ کو بے خبر رکھا گیا اور آج نتیجہ آپ کے سامنے ہے۔ آپ کو یاد ہوگا کہ ہمارے دوَر میں ہمیں کتنے بڑے فاریئن پالیسی چیلینجز کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔ سلالہ میں امریکا کے ہاتھوں پاکستانی فوجیوں کی شہادت کا معاملہ، بہت بڑا سانحہ تھا۔ ہم نے ہر دفعا پارلیامینٹ کو اعتماد میں لیا۔ شمسی ایئربیس بند کیا۔ عوام کے نمائندوں کی رائے اور پارلیامینٹ میں کیئے گئے فیصلوں کو اہمیت دی۔ سات مہینوں تک نیٹو سپلائیز کو بند کیا۔ آنکھوں میں آنکھیں ڈال کر امریکا سے بات کی اور اس کے نتیجے میں پہلی دفعا تاریخ میں ایک سُپر پاور نے پاکستان سے معافی مانگی۔ پی پی پی نے ہمیشہ چائنہ کے ساتھ تعلق کو اپنی فارئن پالیسی میں ایک خاص درجہ دیا ہے۔ شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو نے اس لازوال دوستی کی بنیاد رکھی اور صدر زرداری نے اپنے دوَر میں چائنہ کے وزیراعظم کے ساتھ سی پیک معاہدا کرکے اِن تعلقات کو مزید جدت دی۔ ہم نے خطے کے دیگر ممالک افغانستان ہو یا بھارت، سب سے ایک ورکنگ رلیشن شپ قائم کرکے رکھا۔ Connectivity کے ثمرات کو ضایع نہیں ہونے دیا۔ اگر اس ملک کے عوام نے ہمیں موقعا دیا تو میں آپ کو یقین دلاتا ہوں کہ ہم اس ملک کے وقار پر کوئی سمجھوتا نہیں کریں گے۔ بلکہ دنیا کو یہ باور کرائیں گے کہ پاکستان کی قربانیوں کو نظرانداز نہیں کیا جاسکتا۔ ہمیں خطے میں پائدار امن کے لیئے کشمیر کے مسئلے کا حل نکالنا ہوگا۔ ہمیں بھارت کی آبی دہشتگردی سے دنیا کو آگاہ کرنا پڑیگا۔ ایک پروایکٹو خارجہ پالیسی کے تحت دنیا کو بتانا ہوگا کہ کشمیر میں انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزیاں عروج پر ہیں۔ یہ ہمارے منشور کا حصہ ہے کہ ہم دنیا کے ساتھ برابری کی سطح پر ہی تعلقات رکھیں گے۔ ہم خارجہ پالیسی پر پالرلیامینٹ کی رائے کو اہمیت دیں گے۔
Our foreign policy should be rooted in economic diplomacy and strategic security.
خواتین حضرات!
حقیقی معنوں میں کسی بھی ملک کا وقار اور عزت اس وقت تک بحال نہیں ہوسکتا جب تک وہ اپنے پیروں پر کھڑا نہ ہو۔ اس کی معیشت آزاد اور طاقتور نہ ہو۔ اور افسوس کے ساتھ کہنا پڑ رہا ہے کہ پچھلی حکومت کا معاشی رکارڈ اس ضمن میں خراب ترین ہے۔ کشکول توڑنے والوں نے جتنا قرضے لیئے، پاکستان کی تاریخ میں تمام حکومتوں نے مل کر بھی نہیں لیا۔ ہمارے دور میں پاکستان کی ایکسپورٹ عروج پر تھی اور آج وہ زمین پر آگئی ہے۔ جس سے خسارے میں خطرناک حد تک اضافہ ہوگیا ہے۔ اور آپ کو یہ بھی یاد ہوگا ہمارے دورِ حکومت میں تیل کی قیمت 140 ڈالر فی بیرل تک چلی گئی تھی۔ اور اِن کے دور میں 40 ڈالر فی بیرل ہو گئی۔ لیکن اس کا فائدہ عوام تک منتقل نہیں ہوا۔ نہ تو آپ کو سستی بجلی ملی، نہ سستا پئٹرول اور نہ ہی کوئی اور اشیاء سستی ہوئیں۔ بلکہ آج گردشی قرضہ 1000 ارب سے بڑھ چکا ہے۔ پاکستان کا یہ شدید ترین استحصال بند کرنا ہوگا۔ اور مت بھولیں کہ ہمارے دور حکومت میں پوری دنیا ایک تاریخی معاشی محران سے گذر رہی تھی۔ سوات سے پاکستان کا جھنڈا اُتر چکا تھا اور پاکستان میں دہشتگردی عروج پر تھی۔ دو بڑے سیلاب بھی آئے اور لاکھوں لوگ اپنے ہی ملک کے اندر بے گھر ہوئے۔ ان کی بحالی بھی ایک بہت بڑا چئلینج تھا۔ لیکن ان تمام مشکلات کے باوجود ہم نے زرعی معیشت کو اپنے پیروں پر کھڑا کردیا۔ ایگریکلچر و ٹیکسٹائیل سیکٹر کو اتنا مضبوط کیا کہ ایکسپورٹ پہلے سے بھی بڑھ گئی۔ اور ساتھ ساتھ ہم نے معاشی انصاف کو یقینی بنانے کے لیئے پاکستان کا سب سے بڑا سوشل پروٹیکشن پروگرام بینظیر انکم سپورٹ پروگرام جیسے انقلابی پروگرام کو حقیقت بنایا۔ اس ملک کی لاکھوں غریب ترین خواتین کی مالی مدد کے لیئے ایسا نظام لے کر آئے جو اپنی ٹرانسپیرینسی اور effectiveness کی وجہ سے مسلم لیگ (ن) کی حکومت جاری رکھنے پر مجبور ہوئی۔ ہم نے لاکھوں سرکاری ملازمین کی تنخواہوں اور پینشنز میں اضافہ کیا اور کم سے کم اجرت میں بھی اضافہ کیا۔ خواتین و حضرات یہاں پر میں آپ کی توجہ ایک اہم حقیقت کی طرف دلانا چاہتا ہوں کہ اقوام متحدہ کے اعداد و شمار کے مطابق پاکستان کی 64 فیصد آبادی اس وقت 30 سال سے کم عمر لوگوں کی ہے۔ دوسرے الفاظ میں پاکستان ایک نوجوان ملک ہے۔ اور ہمارے ہاں یہ Youth Bulge سال 2045ع تک رہے گا۔ ہمیں بحیثیت قوم اس چیز کا فائدہ اٹھانا ہوگا۔ ہمیں ایسے اقدامات اٹھانے ہونگے جس سے ہم نوجوانوں کے دو بڑے مسائل حل کرسکیں گے۔ اور وہ ہیں معیاری تعلیم اور روزگار۔ ایک کنزرویٹو اسٹیمئٹ کے مطابق پاکستان کی جاب مارکیٹ میں ہر سال 40 لاکھ نوجوان شامل ہوتے ہیں۔ کیا ہماری حکومت اور معیشت اتنی نوکریاں پیدا کر رہی ہے۔ اگر ہم نے اس مسئلے کو بروقت حل نہ کیا تو ہمارا معاشرا وقت گذرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ کروڑوں بے روزگار نوجوانوں کے غیض و غضب کا شکار ہوجائیگا۔ ہمیں نوجوانوں کو امید دلانی ہے اور اپنے اس منشور میں ہم Guaranteed Job Internship Programme کا وعدہ کیا ہے۔ جس کے تحت 17 سے 21 سال تک کے نوجوانوں کو 12 مہینے کی انٹرنشپ گارنٹی کی جائیگی۔ نوجوان خواتین اور محروم طبقے کو ترجیح دی جائیگی۔ ہم سمجھتے ہیں اور یہ ہمیشہ پی پی پی کے فلسفے کا حصہ رہا ہے کہ حکومت کی یہ ذمیداری ہے کہ نہ صرف وہ لوگوں کو روزگار دے بلکہ ایسے حالات پیدا کرے جس سے معاشی سرگرمیاں پیدا ہوں اور اس سے روزگار کے نئے مواقع پیدا ہوں۔ ہم نے اپنے منشور میں کہا ہے کہ ہم امپلائمنٹ بیورو بنائیں گے، جس کا کام صرف اور صرف یہ ہوگا کہ وہ ہمارے بے روزگار نوجوانوں کے لیئے روزگار کے مواقعے پیدا کرے۔
خواتین و حضرات!
ہم ایک زرعی ملک ہیں اور ہمارے ملک کی 40 فیصد آبادی سیدھی طرح زراعت سے منسلک ہے۔ ہمارے ملک کی سب سے بڑی انڈسٹری ٹیکسٹائیل بھی زراعت سے منسلک ہے۔ اور ہمارے ملک کی لگ بھگ 40 فیصد ایکسپورٹ ٹیکسٹائیل سے ہے۔ اور آج ٹیکسٹائیل سیکٹر کا بڑا حال ہے۔ 150 فیصد سے زائد یونٹس بند ہوچکے ہیں۔ ہم اس سیکٹر کو حکومت میں آکر مکمل overhaul کریں گے۔ جیسے کہ ٹیکسٹائیل ایکسپورٹ پر زیرو ٹیکس ہوگا تاکہ ریفنڈز کا بوجھ بھی پیدا نہ ہو۔ ہمیں انڈسٹریل گروتھ کو بڑھانے کے لیئے کاسٹ آف ڈوئنگ بزنس کو نیچے لانا ہوگا۔، جو اس وقت خطے میں پاکستان میں سب سے زیادہ ہے۔ ہمارے دور میں صنعتی بجلی کی قیمت 8 روپے فی یونٹ تھی اور آج 15 روپے فی یونٹ تک پہنچ چکی ہے۔ میری نظر میں ملک معاشی طور پر ترقی صرف اور صرف اس صورت میں کرسکتا ہے جب ہم معیشت میں زراعت کی اہمیت کو پہچانیں۔
خواتین و حضرات!
کسان جتنا پی پی پی کے دور میں خوشحال ہوا، اس کو اپنی فصلوں کی جتنی رکارڈ سپورٹ پرائس ملی، وہ بعد میں نہ مل سکی۔ اور 2008ع تک جہاں گندم امپورٹ ہوتی تھی، وہیں ان اقدامات کی وجہ سے ہم گندم ایکسپورٹ کرنے لگے۔ اس دفعہ ہم نے اپنے اس منشور میں زرعی اصلاحات کا ایک انقلابی پروگرام دیا ہے۔ اگر اس ملک کی عوام نے ہمیں موقعا دیا تو ہم اس ملک کے کسان کی رجسٹریشن کریں گے اور ان کو بینظیر کسان کارڈ دیں گے۔ اس کسان کارڈ کے ذریعے کسان کو ڈئریکٹ سبسڈی دی جائے گی۔ اس کسان کارڈ کے ذریعے کسان کو براۃ راست سستی کھاد ملے گی۔ ڈی اے پی کی قیمت 1700 اور یوریا کی قیمت 500 روپے کردیں گے۔ اور اسی کسان کارڈ کے ذریعے کسان کی فصلوں کی انشورنس ہوگی، جو قدرتی آفات کے نتیجے میں ہونے والے نقصان سے اُنہیں بچائے گی۔ خواتین، جو کہ زرعی لیبر فورس کا ایک بڑا حصہ ہے، ان سب کسان خواتین کی بھی رجسٹریشن ہوگی۔ اس کے ذریعے ان کو پہلی بار Recognition ملے گی۔ ہم گندم کے علاوہ کپاس اور چاول کو اور بارانی کی فصلوں باجرا، مکئی اور دالوں کو بھی سپورٹ پرائیس دیں گے۔ ہم گنے کے کاشتکاروں کے لیئے Cane Price Receipt کو چیک کا درجہ دیں گے اور ساتھ ساتھ کسانوں کو بھی وہ سب حقوق ملیں گے جو صنعتی مزدور کو ملتے ہیں۔ ہم یہ سمجھتے ہیں کہ زرعی انقلاب لائے بغیر اس ملک میں معاشی انقلاب لانا مشکل ہے۔
خواتین و حضرات!
ہمارا ماننا ہے کہ کسان کے ساتھ مزدور اور محنت کش پاکستان کی ریڑھ کی ہڈی ہیں۔
We have always been in the forefront for the fight for labour rights in the Pakistan.
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی نے شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کی قیادت میں پہلی بار اس ملک کے مزدور ہر محنت کش عوام کیلئے نہ صرف لیبر قوانین بنائیں، لیبر کورٹ بنائیں، ان کی محنت کا مناسب معاوضہ دیا، بلکہ ان کے لئے فلاحی ادارہ بھی قائم کیا۔ ہم نے پچھلی حکومت میں ظالمانہ لیبر قانون آئی آر او 2002 کاخاتمہ کیا اور انڈسٹریل ریلیشن ایکٹ آئی آر اے 2008 کا نفاض کیا۔ مزدور دوست لیبر پالیسی 2010کا اعلان کیا، سابق اور آمریت کے دور میں سیاسی طور پر برطرف کئے گئے ملازمین کو بحال کیا ، سرکاری ملازمین کے تنخواہوں میں ایک سو 35فیصد اضافہ کیا ، سرکاری ملازمین کے پیسوں میں سو فیصد اضافہ کیا ، سب سے اہم یہ کہ حکومتی ملکیت کے مختلف 84اداروں میں بینظیر ایمپلائز اسٹاک آپشن اسکیم کے تحت 12فیصد شیئرز ملازمین کو دیئے ۔ سندھ وہ واحد صوبہ ہے جس نے ٹریپریٹ لیبر پالیسی بنائی،ہم اقتدار میں آکر نہ صرف ان صلاحیت کا تحافظ کرینگے ، محنت کشوں کے مفادات کا تحفظ کرتے ہوئے مزید انقلابی تبدیلیاں لے کر آئے گے ۔ کنٹریکٹ یا سیلف ایمپلائیڈ اور ذریعہ مزدور کو لیبر لاء اور سوشل سکیورٹی کے دائرے کار میں لایا جائے گا اور انہیں بھی مستقل مزدوروں کا تحافظ دیا جائے گا ۔ ٹریڈ یونین پر تمام پابندیاں ختم کی جائیگی ۔ ساتھیوں اپنے اس منشور میں پہلی دفعہ لیونگ ویج کا کانسپٹ دیا ہے ، لیونگ ویج کا تعین ایک مزدور اور اس کی فیملی کے رہائش ،خوراک ،تعلیم ، صحت اور ٹرانسپورٹ وغیرہ کو مد نظر رکھ کیا جائے گا۔ وہ لیونگ ویج جو ہر کام کرنے والے مرد و عورت خوداری کا تحفظ کرینگے ،اس کسی کے سامنے ہاتھ پھیلانے سے روکے گے اور پانچ سال کے عرصے میں کم از کم ویج کو لیونگ ویج کے برابر لانے کیلئے عملی اقدامات اٹھائے جائینگے۔
خواتین و حضرات اب میں آپ کی توجہ ایک ایسے مسئلے کی طرف دلانا چاہتا ہوں جس کا تعلق ہمارے مستقبل سے جوڑا ہے اور وہ مسئلہ ہے پانی کی کمی کا ماہرین کی رائی ہے کہ موسمی تبدیلی کی وجہ سے 2025تک پاکستان خشک سالی کا شکار ہونا شروع ہوجائے گا یہ خبر ہمارے لئے خطرے کی گھنٹے سے کم نہیں اور ہمیں جنگی بنیادوں پر اس خطرے سے لڑنا ہوگا اور آج اگر ہم نے پانی بچانے کے اور بہتر استعمال کرنے کے فیصلے نہ کئے تو یہ آنے والی نسلوں کے ساتھ زیادتی ہوگی۔ پی پی پی وہ واحد جماعت ہے جو اس مسئلے پر کام کررہی ہے ہم 18سو کلو میٹر پانی کی نہروں کو پکا کیا اس سے نہ صرف پانی بچت ہوئی بلکہ لاکھوں ایکڑ بنجر زمین آباد ہوئی اور لاکھوں کو روزگار ملا ، کھارے پانی کو میٹھا کرنے کیلئے 2ہزار آر او پلانٹ لگائے ۔مثال کے طور پر ہم نے مٹھی میں آر او پلانٹ لگایا جس سے دو ملین گیلن پانی حاصل کیا جاسکتا ہے ہم نے جامشوروں میں دراوت ڈیم بنایا اور ساتھ ساتھ سندھ بھر میں کئی چھوٹے ڈیم بنائے ۔افسوس کہ کے پی کے اور پنجاب میں ایک نیا پانی کا منصوبہ نہیں بنا ،میں یہ سمجھتا ہوں ، حالانکہ ہم نے مثبت اقدام اٹھائے ہیں مگر ہمیں قومی سطح پر اس مسئلے کو حل کرنے کیلئے مل کر کام کرنا ہوگا ہمیں کنسنسس سے لوئر ریپاریاں کے حقوق کا تحفظ کرتے ہوئے ڈیمز بنانے ہونگے ، ڈرپ ایریگیشن کو متعارف کروانا ہوگا ، ڈسیلینیشن پلانٹس سے سمندری پانی کو میٹھا کرنا ہوگا اور عوام کے شعور میں یہ بات بیٹھانی ہوگی اور پانی کی بچت محفوظ مستقبل کی ضمانت ہے ۔وہ مستقبل جو ہم اپنے بچوں کیلئے محفوظ کرینگے ۔
ساتھیوں جیسے پی پی پی وہ واحد جماعت ہے جس نے پانی کی بچت کیلئے کام کیا ویسے ہی ہم غربت کے خلاف بھرپور جنگ لڑی جہاں ہم نے وفاق کے تحت بی آئی ایس پی پروگرام شروع کیا وہی سندھ میں ہم نے یونین کونسل کی سطح پر پیپلز پاورٹی ریڈیکشن پروگرام بھی شروع کیا اس سے خواتین کو بلا سود قرضے دیئے تاکہ وہ اپنے کاروبار شروع کریں اور خود مختار بنے اب تک آٹھ لاکھ خاندان اس پروگرام کی بدولت اپنے پیروں پر کھڑے ہوچکے ہیں ۔ ہم اس پیپلز پاورٹی ریڈیکشن پروگرام کو پورے پاکستان میں پھیلائے گے اور نہ صرف یہ ہم ایک اور انقلابی پروگرام متعارف کروائیں گے جو بھوک مٹاؤں پروگرام ہے ہم غذائی قلت کے سنگین مسئلے کے حل کیلئے پیپلز فورڈ کارڈ متعارف کروائینگے اس سے مستحق خاندان کھانے پینے کی اشیا کم دام پر حاصل کر سکے گے ہم ہر یونین کونسل میں فوڈ اسٹور بنائیں گے جہاں یہ اشیا ملے گی اور یہ اسٹورز بھی خواتین ہی چلائے گی اس سے نہ صرف وہ خود مختار ہونگی بلکہ ہم غربت بیروزگار اور غذائی قلت کا مقابلہ کر سکے گے ۔غذائی قلت کئی بیماری کی وجہ ہے اور اسے کاؤنٹر کرنا ہماری ترجیحی ہے ،معیاری صحت کی سہولیات کی فراہمی کسی بھی حکومت کی ترجیح ہونی چاہی ہے جہاں پاکستان میں 23فیصد اموات دل کے امراض سے ہوتی ہے وہاں ہم نے کراچی سمیت حیدرآباد ، ٹنڈو محمد خان، سیہون ، خیرپور، مٹھی، لاڑکانہ، نوابشاہ میں دل کے اسپتال کھولے ہیں اور سکھر میں جدید ترین آٹھ منزلہ اسپتال بنایا ہے جہاں پر بلکل مفت علاج ہوتا ہے اس طرح خیرپور میرس کی تحصیل گھمبٹ میں انٹرنیشنل اسٹینڈ کا اسپتال بنایا ہے جس میں جگر کی پیوند کاری کا مفت مرکز بھی ہے۔ ایس آئی یو ٹی کی مزید شاکیں کھولیں جہاں گردون کی مفت پیوند کاری کی جاتی ہے۔ ہم نے پیشنٹ اید فاؤنڈیشن کیساتھ ملکر کراچی کے جناح ہسپتال میں سائبر نائف ٹیکنالوجی کے ذریعے سرطان کا جدید ترین علاج متعارف کروایا۔ پوری دنیا میں ایسی صرف 250مشینیں ہیں جبکہ ایسی واحد مشین پاکستان بھر میں صرف کراچی میں ہے۔ اس کے ذریعے دنیا بھر میں سات سے آٹھ ملین روپیہ کے اخراجات آتے ہیں لیکن یہاں مفت علاج ہوتا ہے۔اسی طرح بدین میں جدید جنرل ہسپتال اور منو بھائی ہسپتال تعمیر کیا۔ ہم نے اپنی پوری توانائی صرف کی کہ ہر شخص کو مفت اور معیاری علاج میسر آئے۔ہم آگے جاکر اس ہیلتھ کےئر کے جال کو مزید وسیع کرینگے، ہم اقتدار میں آکر صحت کے اس نظام کو پورے ملک میں وسعت دینگے۔پی پی پی صحت سب کے لئے پر یقین رکھتی ہے اور اس کے عملی نفاذ کے لئے ہم ایکسپینڈنگ لنکنگ اپ اینڈ جوائننگ ان پروگرام (علاج) کا آغاز کرنے جارہے ہیں۔اس علاج پروگرام کے تحت جدید ٹیکنالوجی کا فائدہ اٹھاکر ہر مریض کو معیاری صحت کے دائرے میں لائینگے۔لیڈی ہیلتھ ورکر پروگرام کوتوسیع دیجائے گی۔پاکستان میں پہلی بار فیملی ہیلتھ سروس کا آغاز کرینگے۔ماں اور بچے کی صحت سے متعلق پروگرام شروع کیا جائے گا۔شہری علاقوں میں بھی سرکاری شفاخانے کھولے جائینگے۔فیملی ہیلتھ کارڈ جاری کیا جائے گا جس کے تحت ہسپتالوں میں مفت علاج کروایا جاسکے گا۔
خواتین و حضرات!
آج اس ملک میں جمہوریت کے تسلسل کے تحت دوسرا مرحلہ مکمل ہونے جارہا ہے۔جہاں پر بظاہر یہ درست سمت میں یہ ایک بڑا قدم ہے وہیں پر اس وقت جمہوریت کے دشمنوں کی سازشیں عروج پر ہیں۔بے یقینی اور خوف کی فضا پیدا کی جارہی ہے۔ ایسا جمہوریت میں نہیں ہوتا۔ آج سماجی آزادی پر جس طریقے سے پابندیاں لگائی جارہی ہیں اس کی ماضی میں نظیر نہیں ملتی۔اور میں یہ بات کھل کر عوام کے سامنے کرنا چاہتا ہوں کہ پی پی پی کو جکڑی ہوئی اور نپی تلی جمہوریت قبول نہیں ہے۔اداروں کو اپنی آئینی حدود میں رہ کر کام کرنا چاہیے۔کیا یہ وہ جمہوریت ہے جس کیلئے بھٹو شہید اور بی بی شہید نے اور پی پی پی کے ہزاروں کارکنوں نے قربانیاں دیں؟لیکن دوسری طرف یہ ہم سیاستدانوں کی بھی ذمہ داری ہے کہ ہم پارلیمان کو اپنے رویون سے مظبوط کریں۔سالہا سالپارلیمنٹ سے غائب رہ کر ووٹ کو عزت دو کی بات نہیں مانی جائے گی۔
اور دھرنے اور پارلیامینٹ پر لعنت بھیجنے سے بھی جمہوریت مضبوط نہیں ہوتی۔ پی پی پی نے ہمیشہ پارلیامینٹ کی بالادستی کی بات کی ہے۔ ہر مسئلے کو پارلیامینٹ کے فورم پر حل کرنے کی بات کی ہے۔ اور پی پی پی ہمیشہ کوالٹی ڈیموکریسی کے لیئے جدوجہد اور آواز اٹھاتی رہے گی۔ ہمیں پارلیامینٹ اور جمہوریت اور پارلیامینٹ کا استحصال قبول نہیں۔ آج جدھر دیکھو انسانی حقوق کی دھجیاں اُڑائی جا رہی ہیں۔ پی پی پی نے ہمیشہ استحصال کے خلاف آواز اٹھائی ہے اور ہر شخص کے رائیٹس کو سیف گارڈ کرنا اپنا فرض سمجھا ہے۔
We believe firmly in every individual’s inalienable rights, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, religion – as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.
We have previously, not only made laws and ratified Conventions, we have also now proposed provisions to further safeguard personal freedoms.
Today, ladies and gentlemen, we stand at a crossroads.
Faced with threats and insecurities- both internal and external – we are engulfed in uncertainty.
What we need at this time is the promise of stability.
The promise of hope.
The promise of a better tomorrow.
And we stand before you today, making that very promise.
And taking forward the promise made by my mother – the promise of a peaceful, prosperous, progressive and democratic Pakistan.
ایک ایسا پاکستان جو ہرقسم کے استحصال سے پاک ہو، جس میں معاشی استحصال نہ ہو، مظلوم کا استحصال نہ ہو، خواتیں کا استحصال نہ ہو، اقلیتوں کا استحصال نہ ہو، صحت کا اور تعلیم کا استحصال نہ ہو، پارلیامینٹ اور جمہوریت کا استحصال نہ ہو۔ بی بی کا وعدہ کیا تھا؟
لے کر رہے گا ہر انسان،
روٹی، کپڑا اور مکان۔
علم، صحت سب کو کام،
ایک جمہوری پاکستان۔
اور اب بی بی کا وعدہ نبھانا ہے، پاکستان بچانا ہے۔ اپنے اس منشور کے ذریعے میرا تمام استحصالی قوتوں کو یہ پیغام ہے؛
جینے دو، بند کرو یہ استحصال۔
ایک مضبوط جمہوری نظام کا وعدہ،
پاکستان کے استحکام کا وعدہ۔
https://mediacellppp.wordpress.com/

#Pakistan - #PPP to present ‘revolutionary’ manifesto tomorrow

Pakistan Peoples Party leader Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that the party’s co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will present a revolutionary manifesto tomorrow for the forthcoming polls.

In a statement released to the media, former president said that the PPP’s struggle is aimed on getting bright future for the masses.

“PPP’s manifesto is in light of the late Benazir’s philosophy,” he said. “Our mission is to materialise the dreams of Bhutto.”

Zardari said that the romance between masses and late Bhutto will remain established till the day of judgment.

Its only in the history of Bhuttos to be martyred for the people.

“We will win elections with the power of masses,” the former president said.

http://www.thesindhtimes.com/pak/06/ppp-present-revolutionary-manifesto-tomorrow-zardari/

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Video Report - Van Jones: There's complete rebellion in both political parties

Video Report - Bernie Sanders: Ocasio-Cortez focused on the right issues

Video Report - Ocasio-Cortez: When you know your community, it gives you an edge to win

How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won: Ultra-liberal pitch drew first-time voters in changing district



Herb Jackson 

The message 28-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered in a web video last month may not have been specifically about federal issues, but it went viral and struck a chord in the diverse New York City district where she beat 10-term Rep. Joe Crowley in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
"After 20 years of the same representation, we have to ask: Who has New York been changing for?" Ocasio-Cortez said as Crowley was shown on the screen.
"Every day gets harder for working families like mine to get by. The rent gets higher, health care covers less, and our income stays the same. It's clear that these changes haven't been for us, and we deserve a champion," she said.

It's not that Crowley, 56, had ever been considered a conservative. He was potentially in line to succeed California Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the Democrats' leader next term, and in a tweet gloating about Crowley's loss, President Donald Trump called him a "Big Trump Hater." But in a climate where some liberals want Democrats to use every tactic available to resist Trump – and were angered they agreed to end a government shutdown in January without ensuring protection for young undocumented immigrants – Crowley, as the No. 4 Democratic leader in the House, was painted as part of the establishment.
Ocasio-Cortez ran on a platform promising paid family leave, Medicare for All, a universal government jobs guarantee, justice reform to "demilitarize our police," and abolishing ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. "I was the only candidate in the race that did not take corporate money in a time when economic marginalization is really increasing in New York City," Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday on the program "CBS This Morning." "So I think that created a lot of trust in our community and our message really inspired a lot of folks that don't usually turn out in an off-year midterm primary."
Though Ocasio-Cortez had been an organizer on Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, it was her first run for office. Many of her campaign workers were also new to the process, inspired by Trump to get involved through grass-roots organizing efforts such as the Indivisible Project.
"They were new to the political system, and that mindset is really important to this moment. The knocked on doors, they made phone calls. They reached out to people who are often dismissed as infrequent voters," said Ezra Levin, co-executive director of the Indivisible Project.
The district also changed since 1998, when Crowley was first tapped by his predecessor to run for the seat. Back then, the 14th District was 28 percent Hispanic, according to the Almanac of American Politics. Under the lines drawn after the 2010 Census, that figure was more than 50 percent. More than 45 percent of the district is also younger than 35, and Ocasio-Cortez, if she wins in November, would be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. "The future of the Democratic Party isn't old white men, it's people of color, it's youth," Levin said. Republican campaign operatives seized on Ocasio-Cortez's support for government health insurance and job guarantees, and her call for eliminating immigration enforcement, as a way to motivate their own supporters.
"If there was any doubt that their party has moved drastically to the left, Democrats just elected a self-avowed socialist over the current chair of the House Democratic Caucus," Michael Ahrens, spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said in an email Tuesday night. "Just wait until 2020."
Crowley not only became the highest-ranking House member to lose a primary since Republicans rejected Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia in 2014, he was also the first Democrat to be turned aside in this election cycle. But Crowley had not faced a primary in more than a decade, so having to turn out his base was not as routine as it is for some other politicians.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., said he asked Crowley at a Mets game in Queens two weeks ago if he might need any help, since Crowley had helped others in the region in the past.
"He thought that he had handle on the election, that he knew what he had to do," Pascrell said. "He knew there were changing demographics, but he felt he had compensated for that. I believed him."
Pascrell said he was surprised at how low the turnout was. Unofficial returns tallied by The Associated Press showed that with 98 percent of precincts counted, Ocasio-Cortez had 15,897 votes to Crowley's 11,761 "There's a lot of angry people, angry with both Republicans and Democrats, and a lot of first-time voters who voted in the 14th District. I think that had a lot to do with this." Pascrell rejected the suggestion Crowley wasn't doing his job for the district, and rejected the suggestion Crowley had surrendered in January when Democrats agreed to help reopen the government without getting a vote on protecting young immigrants.
"Joe fought harder than anybody I know in the New York or New Jersey delegation. That's a bad rap," Pascrell said. But Pascrell said Ocasio-Cortez worked hard for the win.
"Any career can be ended on a random Tuesday night," Pascrell said, praising the way Crowley congratulated Ocasio-Cortez and said he hoped for her victory in the fall.
Disclosures with the Federal Election Commission show that through June 6, Crowley spent $3.4 million, including nearly $1 million since the beginning of May, with $840,000 going for advertising, direct mail and polling.
Ocasio-Cortez, who touted her refusal to accept contributions from corporate political action committees, raised $310,000 and spent $207,000 through June 6.
A large portion of her fundraising came in the final weeks before the election, with about $234,000 raised from April 1 through June 6.
She had a few celebrity donors, most notably actress and producer Susan Sarandon and the husband-wife television writing team of Neal Marlens and Carol Black, whose credits include "Growing Pains" and "The Wonder Years."

U.S: - Democrats see major upset as socialist beats top-ranking US congressman

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old Democratic socialist from the Bronx, has unseated Joe Crowley, a 20-year congressman, in a stunning political upset that sent shockwaves through the party.
The victory, in a New York district primary election to determine who stands against the Republicans in November’s midterms for a seat in Congress, immediately prompted debate about the wider ramifications for the Democrats, and whether it heralds a further move to the left.
Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and a former organizer for Bernie Sanders. She would be the youngest female member of Congress in history if she wins as expected in November.
She won by a margin of 57.5%- 42.5% over Crowley in a majority minority district that included parts of Queens and the Bronx.
In the election – one of several primary victories by progressives – Ocasio-Cortez won 57.5% of the vote and Crowley had 42.5%. The district includes parts of Queens and the Bronx.
When the result was called, a visibly shocked Ocasio-Cortez clasped her hands to her mouth. “Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,” she repeated. She then said: “We meet a machine with a movement, and that is what we have done today … working-class Americans want a clear champion and there is nothing radical about moral clarity in 2018.”
Crowley, head of the Queens county Democratic party and the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, was widely rumored to have ambitions to succeed Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader in the House when the California Democrat stepped down. He had raised over $3m for his campaign, 10 times the amount raised by Ocasio-Cortez.
He had expressed confidence about the race in private conversations and as one national Democratic strategist told the Guardian: “The Crowley team did not raise red flags or ask allies for help with his primary.” Prior to 2018, Crowley had not even faced a primary since 2004, years before his 28-year-old opponent was even eligible to vote.
The upset was compared by observers to the shock defeat of Eric Cantor, the number two House Republican, to a Tea Party candidate, David Brat, in 2014. Cantor’s defeat stopped any momentum for Republicans in Congress on immigration reform. It also helped to create the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and drive out the former speaker John Boehner.
Pelosi, who is under pressure to step aside and pave the way for a new generation, insisted the win for the left of the party was not representative of a wider trend.
Pelosi said: “They made a choice in one district. The fact that in a very progressive district in New York, it went more progressive … is about that district. It is not to be viewed as something that stands for anything else.”
Asked if Democratic leadership should be more reflective of a party that is increasingly diverse, progressive and young, Pelosi replied: “I’m female, I’m progressive – so what’s your problem? Two out of three ain’t bad.”
Ocasio-Cortez ran on an unapologetically left wing platform that included a federal jobs guarantee program and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for border enforcement. The Puerto Rican American also benefited from the changing demographics of a district with a growing Hispanic population and attacked Crowley for his ties to Wall Street, accusing him of being out of touch with his increasingly diverse district.
She ran on a platform of universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee program and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), the agency responsible for border enforcement. Like Sanders, she shunned corporate donations and attacked her opponent’s ties to Wall Street, accusing him of being out of touch with his increasingly diverse district.
“I think a lot of working-class Americans and voters here have been waiting for an unapologetic champion for economic, social and racial dignity in the United States,” Ocasio-Cortez told CBS. “And we provided a very direct message, a very clear message.”
Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Donald Trump weighed in on the result, taking shots at the Democratic incumbent: “For Crowley to lose that election was a shocker. I was surprised.” Trump added: “I think he probably took it for granted. I can’t say that I’m disappointed because I was never a big fan. But he lost his election, he probably shouldn’t have lost his election.”

Victories for progressives

In Maryland, Ben Jealous, the former president of the NAACP, won the Democratic primary for governor against the Prince George’s county executive, Rushern Baker. Jealous ran as an ardent liberal and touted national supporters such as Bernie Sanders as he called for free college tuition and marijuana legalization. Baker ran as a mainstream Democrat with a host of local establishment endorsements. Jealous will face the incumbent Republican Larry Hogan in November.
In Colorado, congressman Jared Polis won the primary for governor. Polis ran on a leftwing platform, including single-payer healthcare. He will face off against the Republican Walker Stapleton, a member of the Bush political dynasty, in November.
Two Republican candidates endorsed by Donald Trump also held off primary challengers Tuesday night.
On Staten Island, the former congressman Michael Grimm failed in his comeback attempt against the incumbent Dan Donovan. Donovan, a comparative moderate, received Trump’s endorsement as part of an effort by Republicans to keep themselves from making a seat that Obama won in 2012 even more vulnerable in the midterms.
In South Carolina, just one day after Donald Trump appeared on his behalf at a raucous rally, Governor Henry McMaster pulled off a narrow victory against the businessman John Warren in the runoff for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
McMaster will face the Democratic state representative James Smith in the November election.


#PPP Song - Ab Waqt Ki Zaban Hai BILAWAL

#Pakistan - NAB seeks police help for producing Shehbaz Sharif

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday sought help from the police for producing Shehbaz Sharif before NAB Lahore in the Saaf Paani case, a private TV channel reported.
Shehbaz has been summoned on July 5 to appear before the accountability watchdog. NAB reached out to the Lahore capital city police officer and directed the relevant authorities to ensure that Shehbaz appears before the bureau. NAB will also direct the SHO concerned to submit a report of the notice served to Shehbaz. The report will be submitted before July 4 with details of Shehbaz’s appearance and delivery of notice. The notice will be sent to Shehbaz’s official address in Model Town.
On Monday NAB arrested Engineer Qamarul Islam Raja – former chairman of Punjab government’s Saaf Pani Company – for his alleged role in awarding contracts to ‘favourites’. He is also the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) pick in the general elections against the party’s disgruntled leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan from Rawalpindi’s NA-59 constituency. Interestingly, the arrest took place within 24 hours of Raja’s nomination as the PML-N candidate for NA-59 and the PP-10 constituencies of Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, PML-N’s former finance minister Miftah Ismail has been summoned by NAB Karachi on July 5. Senator Rubina Khalid was summoned on Wednesday at NAB Rawalpindi. The bureau has authorised complaint verification against Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hassan for having accumulated assets beyond known sources of income.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/259148/nab-seeks-police-help-for-producing-shehbaz-sharif/

Pakistan Army’s Graduation from Military Coups to “Judicial Coups”

By Dr Subhash Kapila
Published: 2017
Pakistan Army yet again succeeded in overturning the strong electoral mandate with which PM Nawaz Sharif rode into power for the third time in 2013 and this time by a “Judicial Coup” with a complicit Supreme Court Judiciary.
The Pakistan Army has moved away from its traditional military coups for regime changes of its elected Prime Ministers to ‘soft political coups ‘attempted by the previous Pak Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, and in 2017 finally succeeded in displacing PM Nawaz Sharif through a “Judicial Coup” with full complicity of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Judiciary and Pakistan’s pretender for Prime Ministership Imran Khan who is widely believed to be a stool pigeon of the Pakistan Army military hierarchy and the ISI.
The above was foreseen presciently by noted Indian Columnist and policy analyst, M.D. Nalapat who had noted this in his writings in the Indian media organ ‘Sunday Guardian’ of 16 November 2016 wherein he noted that: “Analysts in key countries who are engaged in tracking developments in Pakistan warn that General Headquarters, Rawalpindi has initiated a plan to remove Prime Minister Nawaz before middle of 2017. Instead of a Musharraf-style military coup this time around the planning is for Pakistan’s Supreme Court to perform the (not very difficult) task of finding Nawaz Sharif guilty of corruption and initiating his prosecution. The grounds given will be the Panama Papers revelations along with fresh evidence gathered by GHQ Rawalpindi, military intelligence authorities including undeclared assets in the United States and Canada”.
Pakistan Army’s HQ, Rawalpindi, script has panned out as scripted with a compliant Pakistan Supreme Court Judiciary as a willing accomplice.
The case and implicit charges of complicity of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Judiciary stand articulated by Pakistan’s noted Human Rights activist and lawyer, Asma Jahangir who has commented scathingly on this whole process of judicial fudge-up to remove PM Nawaz Sharif from office. The main charges made by her against the Pakistan Supreme Court Judiciary are as follows: (1) JIT report was an investigation report by an agency. Veracity is still to be proven (2) Unprecedented for a JIT to include ISI and Military Intelligence officers as members of JIT investigating allegations against the Prime Minister (3) Investigation report is not a verdict.
Asma Jahangir pointedly observed that Panama Papers included names of many other Pakistanis. Why have they not been included in the ambit of JIT investigations which focussed on PM Nawaz only? More pointedly, Asma Jahangir notes that why did Pakistan’s Supreme Court not proceed against PM Nawaz Sharif as long as he was seen close to the Pakistan Army GHQ and why now when Pakistan Army GHQ perceives that Nawaz Sharif was not toeing the Pakistan Army GHQ line? Could complicity of Pakistan Supreme Court Judiciary with Pakistan Army GHQ need to be proven further?
Observers have pointed out that ousting of Pakistani Prime Ministers by judicial intervention is becoming a trend and cited past such judicial interventions of unseating PM Gilani (2008-12) and PM Raja Pervez (2013-13).
The New York Times commenting on PM Nawaz Sharif’s ouster last week observed that Pakistan’s Supreme Court legalised three military coups in the past in 1958, 1977 and 1999 under the dubious pretext of the “Doctrine of Necessity”. In another stirring indictment of Pakistan Supreme Court Judiciary commented that: “The empowered judges have become media-courting populists and having typically joined forces with the military by using allegations of corruption against disobedient prime ministers.”
It was also observed that no Supreme Court Judge has ever proceeded against Pakistan Army generals for Human Rights violations or on corruption allegations.
The ouster of PM Nawaz by a judicial coup would certainly impact the internal dynamics of Pakistan’s political landscape. In an ‘Opinion ‘article in the English Daily ‘The Independent’ it has been observed that “For a State that has been dominated by the military throughout its 70 years of existence, and where every military coup has been sanctioned by the judiciary,, yet another premature dismissal of an elected leader, even if on perfectly legal grounds —- could further tarnish the credibility of the civilian authority and reinforce the Army’s grip on the country’s fate”.
Crucially, there are two questions that hover in the analysis of PM Nawaz Sharif’s ouster by the Pakistan Army through the instrument of a ‘Judicial Coup” by a complicit and compliant Supreme Court Judiciary. The first is why has the Pakistan Army struck now when there was hardly a year for PM Nawaz Sharif’s five year tenure to have ended—the fist by any Pakistani Prime Minister? Secondly, where did the external stimulus come from for the Pakistan Army regime-change impulse at this juncture?
Pakistan Army’s intense dislike for PM Nawaz Sharif and the political direction that he wanted to give to Pakistani foreign policies are well-known and well-discussed in media analyses. Suffice it to say, that the Pakistan Army was deadly against PM Nawaz Sharif’s soft line approaches to India and the Kashmir issue and also Afghanistan. This clashed with Pakistan Army’s strategies. Also was the Pakistan Army’s displeasure with PM Nawaz Sharif not letting General Musharraf off the legal straightjacket as desired by the Pak Army?
In terms of external stimulus for regime change in Pakistan, it can be logically analysed that this stimulus has come in a big way from China. China openly has been calling for an orderly transfer of power. But the main question, pray may I ask is the transfer of power to whom?
Relative to the CPEC, while Pakistan’s civilian leadership including PM Nawaz Sharif, himself as a good businessman, were well-disposed to the CPEC but China was intensely concerned that with the deteriorating law and order situation in Baluchistan and Gilgit-Baltistan could hit its CPEC massive investments and CPEC could be derailed. The Pakistan Army in a much stronger driver’s mode in Pakistan’s affairs was seen by China as the preferred insurance to protect its CPEC investments. This again has to be viewed in the backdrop of the growing resentment in Pakistani civilian circles of the Pakistani wisdom of joining and facilitating the CPEC to please China. Some have questioned the Army’s commitment unreservedly.
China however was not in favour of an outright direct military coup which could in contemporary circumstances have possibly invited economic sanctions from the US and the West besides stringent criticism of China already under attack on its complicity over the North Korea missile tests issue.
A Pakistan Army GHQ engineered “Judicial Coup” was seen by China as a no-cost low-cost option especially it could be passed-of as yet another Pak Army-Supreme Court Judiciary complicity traditional pattern.
Pakistan seems set for yet another one year of political turmoil till the My2018 General Elections. Who knows that the Pakistan Army GHQ could prolong Pakistan’s political turbulence by directly stepping-in on its traditional pretexts of restoring law and order? Logically, vociferous protests and demonstrations by Sharif’s supporters to bring Pakistan Army’s accomplice Imran Khan also for legal trial over similar allegations could rock Pakistan’s domestic scene.
So while China gains it is the United States and India as the other pivotal powers with a stake in South Asia peace and security that would be significantly impacted by Pakistani turmoil. While India is accustomed and conditioned to Pakistan’s turmoil, the danger is that the United States should not stumble again into adopting Pakistan-appeasement policies.
Concluding, perceptionaly, it is not Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who stands guilty today but the unholy nexus and complicity of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Judiciary with Pakistan Army GHQ in derailing Pakistan’s nascent democracy. Ironically the Pakistan masses ELECTED LEADERS are always rejected by the Pakistan Army GHQ-Supreme Court nexus through dubious “Judicial Coups”.

Pakistan’s July General Elections – Analysis

By Dr Subhash Kapila
Pakistan’s General Elections are scheduled for mid-July 2018 but the perspectives on it remain clouded in that in the run-up what has become abundantly clear is that the Pakistan Army-Supreme Court Chief Justice Combine carried out a “Judicial Coup” and thereby attempting scripting the outcome by pre-empting the return to power of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by an unprecedented verdict of his ‘Disqualification for Life.”
Reinforcing the above contention, Pakistan’s politically hyper-activist Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nasir passed orders that all remaining appeals of Former PM Nawaz Sharif be decided upon before the General Elections. Implicit in such an order was the over-drive to convict Nawaz Sharif before the General Elections are held.
Before a further analysis of perspectives of Pakistan General Elections 2018 is attempted what needs to be flagged is that the future of Pakistan’s democracy is at stake. The Pakistan Army got the jitters at the prospect of Former PM Nawaz Sharif completing a full five year term in office. Fortunately, the Pakistan Army had in place a Supreme Court Chief Justice with identical aims and the result was not only the unseating of the Prime Minister but also his ‘Disqualification for Life”. That prompted my Paper in Julyn2017 entitled “Pakistan Army Graduates from Military Coups to “Judicial Coups”. The last named term thereafter entered public discourse.
Also needs to be flagged is the fact that how long can the Pakistan Army continue to dominate civil-military relations in Pakistan and determine the course of Pakistan’s political destiny? Pakistan General Elections 2018 do not foretell that a change is around the corner. Till that political dawn materialises Pakistan’s political dynamics will see no change.
Pakistan’s first military dictator initiated the concept of “Guided Democracy” for Pakistan and the Pakistan Army is intent on a continuance of its divine right to ‘Guide Pakistan’s Political Destiny.” It is a pity that whatever civil society that exists in Pakistan could not galvanise the Pakistanis- at- large to overturn this self-proclaimed dubious role.
Contextually, the above overhang needed to be highlighted before attempting to explore the relevant perspectives that emerge in the confused and complex political dynamics at play on Pakistan’s domestic scene. The above overhang generates a number of political developments that could likely determine the final outcome of Pakistan’s General Elections in July 2018.
With the new Pakistan Army-Judiciary Combine at play in Pakistan for last couple of months and which seems determined not only to prevent the return to power of Former PM Nawaz Sharif but also to return to power of Pakistan Muslim League-N to power, this has spawned two political developments. The Army-Judiciary Combine has signalled that the favoured Establishment’s Political Party is Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf Party (PTI).
Pakistan Army has an intense dislike for Former PM Nawaz Sharif for two reasons and what it perceives is that Nawaz Sharif is inclined to encroach on Pakistan Army’s traditional turf of foreign policy towards India and changing existing equations in civil- military relations. Reconciliation with India and development of friendly relations with India has been in the past the electoral plank of Nawaz Sharif.
In Pakistan’s traditional ‘Lota Politics’(defections) this has magnetised the PTI as the natural choice for all defectors from PML-N willing to cross-over to the perceived favourite political party of the Establishment. However, the number of such PML-N defectors is not too large. It mainly is composed of politicians of Southern Punjab wanting a separate State. On current indications, Former PM Nawaz Sharif and his PML-N party’s strongholds in Heartland Punjab seem to be intact.
Pakistani political analysts still root for the return to power of the PML-N as Imran Khan’s PTI has not been able to make major inroads in Heartland Punjab. The PPP also does not seem to have been able to make a sizeable political presence in Heartland Punjab. It is Punjab as the majority province that determines who will form the civilian government in Islamabad.
If that be so, then what becomes debatable is whether the political script choreographed by the Pakistan Army-Supreme Court Judiciary Combine to prevent the return to power of PML-N would hold good or unravel? It can only hold good if the Establishment resorts to wholesale rigging. The Establishment in such an eventuality would have to run the gauntlet of the Pakistani media-watch and international observers.
Moving to the personal popularity of the political leaders of the three major Pakistani political parties former PML-N PM Nawaz still leads over PPP’s Zardari and PTI’s Imran Khan, despite the Pakistan Supreme Court’s political disqualification. Zardari may have been President of Pakistan in earlier years but has no widespread political support in Pakistan. The same applies to Imran Khan.
Perceptionaly, Former PM Nawaz Sharif being prosecuted on flimsy grounds by the Supreme Court emerges as a political leader grievously wronged by the Establishment and hence will be seen as a ‘political martyr’. How much political capital accrues to Nawaz Sharif because of the foregoing will become evident only in end-July 2018.
Because of the Ramzan period which ended last week hectic political activity was not noticeable, but now it can be expected to pick up and also become acrimonious because of the high stakes involved for all major political parties and moreso for the Pakistani Establishment whose single-point agenda has been to prevent the return to power of PML-N conscious of the fact that even with Nawaz Sharif politically disqualified, he would still continue to be the Mentor-in-Chief of the PML-N alternatively led by his brother Shahbaz Sharif.
Political analysts in Pakistan are worried that voter turn-out in General Elections 2018 may not be all that high because of the July weather and maybe possible heavy rains. In Punjab this could affect the PML-N traditional vote banks. But the reverse side of this aspect could also be a reality that Pakistani voters in Punjab may turn out in larger numbers impelled by the belief that Nawaz Sharif has been wronged by a politically-activist Chief Justice of Supreme Court straying into Pakistan’s political minefields perceptionaly his own or at the behest of the Pakistan Army.
Pakistan’s General Elections are also susceptible to influences of major external powers that may not directly intervene to determine the outcome of the elections but resort to other means still to protect their national interest. The United States and China have the biggest stakes in the outcome of Pakistan General Elections 2018. The United States present interest in Pakistan is in relation to US military presence in Afghanistan where the Pakistan Army is the major disruptive factor. China has major strategic investments in Pakistan far outweighing those of the United States. China has effectively colonised Pakistan today.
Both the United States and China prefer to deal with the Pakistan Army in power or a political party enjoying the support of the Pakistan Army. But it cannot be forgotten that China’s prestigious $ 64 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor was concluded with PML-N Government in power headed by Former PM Nawaz Sharif.
Not visible on the electoral scene in Pakistan with just a month to go for General Elections 2018 is heated and hectic election campaigneering. Many reasons contribute towards this phenomenon. In the recent past the Pakistan Establishment has clamped down hard on media personalities including forced disappearances of journalists, including women. Within Pakistan, it is being speculated that the Establishment has thrown many subtle hints that the PML-N should not be given prominence in coverage.
The other plausible reason could be a sense of weary resignation within Pakistan that the election outcome is a foregone conclusion in that the Pakistan Army-Supreme Court Judiciary Combine will ultimately have is way according to their scripted version.
There is another scenario in which the Pakistan Punjab electorate unmindful of the Establishment’s preferences votes back PML-N to power both in Punjab and in Islamabad. What would then be GHQ Rawalpindi’s options? Accept the verdict or engineer another constitutional breakdown?
In Conclusion, what emerges from the above perspectives is that Pakistan’s political landscape will remain clouded not only in the run-up to General Elections2018 but possibly shortly thereafter. In the overall analysis, the final outcome of Pakistan’s General Elections is not determined by the verdict of the ballot boxes but by Pakistan Army’s jackboots and regrettably in 2018 even by the tilted scales of Justice of Pakistan’s highest Judiciary in the persona of the politically activist Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court.

#Pakistan - #PPP - ‘Sindh Nahi Darbaari Ka’, Bilawal reacts to Shahbaz’s statement over Sindh

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari has strongly reacted to PMLN President Shahbaz Sharif’s election campaign in Karachi, saying ‘Vote Mangnay Niklay Hein–Rasta Tak Pata Nahi Liyari Ka” (They came here to ask for vote even they don’t know the route to Lyari).
Bilawal took to twitter after Shahbaz Sharif kick started election campaign in Karachi here Tuesday. PPP Chairman said “Mazdoor Ka Hay Haari Ka —Sindh Nahi Darbaari Ka’ (Sindh does not belongs to sycophant, it belongs to peasants and labourers)
Upon his arrival in Karachi on Monday to kick start his election campaign, Sharif avowed to strive for progress and affluence for the metropolis.
“We will make Karachi better than Lahore if given a chance. You are free to compare our performance with that of our competitors,” Shahbaz said.

http://www.thesindhtimes.com/sindh/06/sindh-nahi-darbaari-ka-bilawal-reacts-shahbazs-statement-sindh/