WITH the killing of two scouts unarmed volunteers from the Buturab and Pak Hyderi scout groups in Karachi`s Numaish area on Sunday, the first of Muharram, a warning bell has been sounded. The incident occurred close to where the city` central majlis is held. The scouts were on duty to guide mourners when they were targeted reportedly after participants of a rally organised by the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the new name for the `banned` Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, were dispersing. For the authorities to allow a rally organised by a sectarian group in such close proximity to a Muharram flashpoint was clearly an illadvised move. But as tragic as the deaths are, it is a relief they did not spark wider protest. When passions run high, the slightest provocation can lead to violent reactions. The incident should prompt the security establishment and political administration to work overtime to ensure peace during Muharram.
Vigilance by the law-enforcement agencies as well as members of the Shia community is essential. Security forces and the community need to work together, as in the past, to thwart the designs of terrorists. Scouts and community volunteers play a major role in Muharram security arrangements by frisking mourners and, as Sunday`s incident has shown, put their own lives at risk. The contribution of these people deserves praise. And while community-police cooperation is important, it is the security establishment that must remain alert. Terrorists have used various methods in the past to wreak havoc and are known to change their strategy. Security forces countrywide must anticipate possible scenarios and prepare contingency plans to neutralise terrorist threats. For this, solid intelligence is essential. Also, by sowing panic, extremists are trying to put pressure on the government to curtail religious practices that go back centuries. This must not be allowed to happen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
White house wants relationship with Pakistan
WASHINGTON, Nov 28: The White House said on Monday that it understood why Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that there would be `no more business as usual` with Washington but it still wanted to carry forward this important relationship.
And the Pentagon said the US military would hold a separate investigation to determine what caused US and Nato aircraft to attack Pakistani positions. Nato is already holding an inquiry.
Prime Minister Gilani`s remarks that Pakistan was re-evaluating its relationship with the United States after Saturday`s Nato airstrikes echoed at a White House briefing where a reporter asked if the United States saw this statement as a threat.
`Well, we take the matter very seriously. And we understand concern that members of the Pakistani government, as well as the Pakistani people, have about this incident. And that`s why we`re very interested in having it investigated and finding out exactly what happened,` said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
Mr Carney noted that earlier in the day, the Pentagon asked the US Central Command to hold a separate inquiry because `we`re obviously very keen on finding out exactly what happened`.When a reporter asked how seriously was the White House taking Prime Minister Gilani`s remarks, Mr Carney noted that the USPakistan relationship has been complicated for a long time, but `it is also an important relationship and one that we need to work hard on because that cooperation is in the interest of the United States`.
Asked how President Barack Obama reacted upon learning of the Nato strikes, the White House spokesman said Mr Obama`s reaction was the same as that of others in his administration that the event that took those lives was a tragedy. `The loss of Pakistani life was a tragedy. We mourn the brave Pakistani service memberswho lost their lives and our sympathies go out to their families and go out to Pakistan,` he added.
Mr Carney noted that senior US officials had stayed engaged with their counterparts in Pakistan, including Secretaries Loen Panetta and Hillary Clinton, and those contacts would continue.
`It is very much in America`s national security interest to maintain a cooperative relationship with Pakistan because we have shared interests in the fight against terrorism, and so we will continue to work on that relationship,` he said.
Mr Carney, however, said that President Obama had not yet spoken to Pakistani leaders on thisissue, although `some of the most senior members on his national security team have`.
Asked if the situation had reached a crisis level, the White House said that this was `obviously a significant issue that we take seriously, and that`s why we, through Centcom, will be investigating to find out exactly what happened` The Obama administration, however, believed that it would be in not just the United States` interest but Pakistan`s interest too `to work with us cooperatively on our shared goals`.
Pakistan and the Pakistani people have been primary victims of terrorism, the US was workingwith them in dealing with this problem and this cooperative relationship had borne fruits for both.
At the Pentagon, Press Secretary George Little told reporters that the US was also to participate in a joint investigation with Pakistan.
The Centcom probe, he added, would supplement the findings of an initial assessment team sent to the scene by Gen John Allen, the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan. `The expectation is that Centcom will lead the investigation,` he said.
The Pentagon spokesman indicated that some details of a preliminary investigation in Afghanistan were likely to be shared by Tuesday.
He said he was not aware of any disciplinary action against anybody in this case yet.
The Pentagon, he said, was aware of Pakistan`s demand to vacate Shamsi airbase, but the US had no military personnel there at this point.
So far Pakistan has not asked the US to reduce its military presence in Pakistan, he added. The US Defence Department also knew thatPakistan had blocked Nato supply routes and was working to develop a way ahead and move beyond this incident with Pakistan. `We are looking at other supply routes too, because war efforts in Afghanistan against the enemy continue.
Mr Little said he could not say if US aircraft crossed into Pakistan. Top US generals, he said, had spoken to the Pakistan military chief and assured him that the US remained committed to relationship with the Pakistani despite these complications.
And the Pentagon said the US military would hold a separate investigation to determine what caused US and Nato aircraft to attack Pakistani positions. Nato is already holding an inquiry.
Prime Minister Gilani`s remarks that Pakistan was re-evaluating its relationship with the United States after Saturday`s Nato airstrikes echoed at a White House briefing where a reporter asked if the United States saw this statement as a threat.
`Well, we take the matter very seriously. And we understand concern that members of the Pakistani government, as well as the Pakistani people, have about this incident. And that`s why we`re very interested in having it investigated and finding out exactly what happened,` said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
Mr Carney noted that earlier in the day, the Pentagon asked the US Central Command to hold a separate inquiry because `we`re obviously very keen on finding out exactly what happened`.When a reporter asked how seriously was the White House taking Prime Minister Gilani`s remarks, Mr Carney noted that the USPakistan relationship has been complicated for a long time, but `it is also an important relationship and one that we need to work hard on because that cooperation is in the interest of the United States`.
Asked how President Barack Obama reacted upon learning of the Nato strikes, the White House spokesman said Mr Obama`s reaction was the same as that of others in his administration that the event that took those lives was a tragedy. `The loss of Pakistani life was a tragedy. We mourn the brave Pakistani service memberswho lost their lives and our sympathies go out to their families and go out to Pakistan,` he added.
Mr Carney noted that senior US officials had stayed engaged with their counterparts in Pakistan, including Secretaries Loen Panetta and Hillary Clinton, and those contacts would continue.
`It is very much in America`s national security interest to maintain a cooperative relationship with Pakistan because we have shared interests in the fight against terrorism, and so we will continue to work on that relationship,` he said.
Mr Carney, however, said that President Obama had not yet spoken to Pakistani leaders on thisissue, although `some of the most senior members on his national security team have`.
Asked if the situation had reached a crisis level, the White House said that this was `obviously a significant issue that we take seriously, and that`s why we, through Centcom, will be investigating to find out exactly what happened` The Obama administration, however, believed that it would be in not just the United States` interest but Pakistan`s interest too `to work with us cooperatively on our shared goals`.
Pakistan and the Pakistani people have been primary victims of terrorism, the US was workingwith them in dealing with this problem and this cooperative relationship had borne fruits for both.
At the Pentagon, Press Secretary George Little told reporters that the US was also to participate in a joint investigation with Pakistan.
The Centcom probe, he added, would supplement the findings of an initial assessment team sent to the scene by Gen John Allen, the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan. `The expectation is that Centcom will lead the investigation,` he said.
The Pentagon spokesman indicated that some details of a preliminary investigation in Afghanistan were likely to be shared by Tuesday.
He said he was not aware of any disciplinary action against anybody in this case yet.
The Pentagon, he said, was aware of Pakistan`s demand to vacate Shamsi airbase, but the US had no military personnel there at this point.
So far Pakistan has not asked the US to reduce its military presence in Pakistan, he added. The US Defence Department also knew thatPakistan had blocked Nato supply routes and was working to develop a way ahead and move beyond this incident with Pakistan. `We are looking at other supply routes too, because war efforts in Afghanistan against the enemy continue.
Mr Little said he could not say if US aircraft crossed into Pakistan. Top US generals, he said, had spoken to the Pakistan military chief and assured him that the US remained committed to relationship with the Pakistani despite these complications.
Pakistan - Nato Attack and Room for Fence Mending
ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: Two days into yet another crisis with the United States, the government was treading the predictable and well worn path on Monday.
Very little was heard from Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, while the civilian government swung into action on the diplomatic front, issuing warnings to the superpower through the media as well, though in private it was hinting that the incident did not spell the end of Pak-US relations as has been predicted in the aftermath of the Nato attacks on Pakistani border posts on the weekend.
At the forefront of the public diplomatic offensive were Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
In an interview with CNN, the prime minister warned that there would be `no more business as usual` with Washington after death of 25 troops in what his government has been describing as `unprovoked Nato/Isaf attack on Pakistani territory`.
He then went on to add that for the relations to continue there had to be `mutual respect and respect for Pakistani sovereignty` which he regretted was no longer the case. His words could be seen as a threat or an admission that the relations would continue as long asWashington made some concession on intangible values such as `respect` Mr Gilani, who also said that an apology this time would not be enough to satisfy his nation, is expected to take parliament into confidence about the review of relations with the US.
That his words did more than just represent the sentiments of the civilian government was evident from the statement of a senior government functionary who said that `consultations are continuing within the military and with the political leaders on revisiting the extent and level of cooperation with the US`.
However, there was no indication anywhere that Islamabad or Rawalpindi was considering a radical departure from the past and gearing up for a serious confrontation with Washington.
Background interviews with senior diplomats and military officials made it clear that despite the fury on display, `Islamabad-Washington relations` were `resilient` and were far from a breakdown.
Most of them were also of the view that Pakistan would seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
And as the prime minister revealed his government`s intentions through an interview, Ms Khar spoke to her counterparts in Beijing and Moscow and briefed them about the Nato attacks and the decisions subsequently taken by government.
She told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the attacks were a gross violation of established interna-tional norms as well as a threat to regional peace and stability.
Her counterparts responded with diplomatic language: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed deep shock and strong concern over the incident and called for respecting Pakistan`s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both the Russian and Chinese foreign ministers demanded thorough investigations into the incident.
Intriguingly, there was little information about the government`s contacts with the Americans and/or Nato officials the parties directly involved. However, it was confirmed that both Pakistan Army and Isaf/Nato were separately conducting their investigations into the attacks.
An Isaf spokesman, speaking to Dawn from Kabul over telephone, said that investigations were underway.
He refused to comment on a Pakistani claim that Nato attacks continued for close to two hours despite pleas to the contrary. `Everything is part of investigation what happened then and moments afterwards. I can`t comment on that.
Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas, while confirming the probe being conducted by the army, said it would like to determine how precision targeting was done.
Gen Abbas said the coordinates of all Pakistani posts had been shared with Nato to avoid such mishaps.
The general further added that the attack took place 200300 metres inside the border while rejecting Nato`s claim that Pakistan forces initiated the fire.
`Nato forces should present proof if they claim that firing was started from Pakistani side. No fire was opened from our side.
Saturday`s attack on border posts was the most serious incident so far during the ten years of Pakistan`s alliance with the US in the war on terror; the casualties on Saturday were far higher than the June 2008 deaths of 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops in a Nato aerial strike.An aerial incursion by Nato choppers and firing on a border post last year also led to the closure of critical supply route of western forces. Apologies by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) commander in Afghanistan had then helped defuse the situation and the supply routes were reopened after 11 days.
This time, however, the government is claiming that it will not settle for an apology alone. This is why officials are claiming that the government is yet to decide on whether or not to attend the Bonn Conference on Dec 5.
Very little was heard from Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, while the civilian government swung into action on the diplomatic front, issuing warnings to the superpower through the media as well, though in private it was hinting that the incident did not spell the end of Pak-US relations as has been predicted in the aftermath of the Nato attacks on Pakistani border posts on the weekend.
At the forefront of the public diplomatic offensive were Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
In an interview with CNN, the prime minister warned that there would be `no more business as usual` with Washington after death of 25 troops in what his government has been describing as `unprovoked Nato/Isaf attack on Pakistani territory`.
He then went on to add that for the relations to continue there had to be `mutual respect and respect for Pakistani sovereignty` which he regretted was no longer the case. His words could be seen as a threat or an admission that the relations would continue as long asWashington made some concession on intangible values such as `respect` Mr Gilani, who also said that an apology this time would not be enough to satisfy his nation, is expected to take parliament into confidence about the review of relations with the US.
That his words did more than just represent the sentiments of the civilian government was evident from the statement of a senior government functionary who said that `consultations are continuing within the military and with the political leaders on revisiting the extent and level of cooperation with the US`.
However, there was no indication anywhere that Islamabad or Rawalpindi was considering a radical departure from the past and gearing up for a serious confrontation with Washington.
Background interviews with senior diplomats and military officials made it clear that despite the fury on display, `Islamabad-Washington relations` were `resilient` and were far from a breakdown.
Most of them were also of the view that Pakistan would seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
And as the prime minister revealed his government`s intentions through an interview, Ms Khar spoke to her counterparts in Beijing and Moscow and briefed them about the Nato attacks and the decisions subsequently taken by government.
She told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the attacks were a gross violation of established interna-tional norms as well as a threat to regional peace and stability.
Her counterparts responded with diplomatic language: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed deep shock and strong concern over the incident and called for respecting Pakistan`s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both the Russian and Chinese foreign ministers demanded thorough investigations into the incident.
Intriguingly, there was little information about the government`s contacts with the Americans and/or Nato officials the parties directly involved. However, it was confirmed that both Pakistan Army and Isaf/Nato were separately conducting their investigations into the attacks.
An Isaf spokesman, speaking to Dawn from Kabul over telephone, said that investigations were underway.
He refused to comment on a Pakistani claim that Nato attacks continued for close to two hours despite pleas to the contrary. `Everything is part of investigation what happened then and moments afterwards. I can`t comment on that.
Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas, while confirming the probe being conducted by the army, said it would like to determine how precision targeting was done.
Gen Abbas said the coordinates of all Pakistani posts had been shared with Nato to avoid such mishaps.
The general further added that the attack took place 200300 metres inside the border while rejecting Nato`s claim that Pakistan forces initiated the fire.
`Nato forces should present proof if they claim that firing was started from Pakistani side. No fire was opened from our side.
Saturday`s attack on border posts was the most serious incident so far during the ten years of Pakistan`s alliance with the US in the war on terror; the casualties on Saturday were far higher than the June 2008 deaths of 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops in a Nato aerial strike.An aerial incursion by Nato choppers and firing on a border post last year also led to the closure of critical supply route of western forces. Apologies by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) commander in Afghanistan had then helped defuse the situation and the supply routes were reopened after 11 days.
This time, however, the government is claiming that it will not settle for an apology alone. This is why officials are claiming that the government is yet to decide on whether or not to attend the Bonn Conference on Dec 5.
The US State Department urged Pakistan on Monday to attend next week`s conference on Afghanistan`s future in Bonn
WASHINGTON: The US State Department urged Pakistan on Monday to attend next week`s conference on Afghanistan`s future in Bonn, Germany.
`It`s important that Pakistan attends this conferences for the future and stability in Afghanistan,` the department`s spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing. `There is no suggestion of postponing the Bonn conference at this stage.
The US media reported earlier that Afghan President Hamid Karzai might also call President Asif Ali Zardari soon and urge him not to boycott the conference.
`It`s important that Pakistan attends this conferences for the future and stability in Afghanistan,` the department`s spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing. `There is no suggestion of postponing the Bonn conference at this stage.
The US media reported earlier that Afghan President Hamid Karzai might also call President Asif Ali Zardari soon and urge him not to boycott the conference.
The United Arab Emirates has dived into troubled Pakistan US ties
ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: The United Arab Emirates has dived into troubled PakistanUS ties in a desperate effort to prevent them from unravelling and avert an immediate eviction of the Americans from the Shamsi airbase whose control they enjoy.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an unscheduled trip and met President Asif Ali Zardari and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
In both meetings, the UAE minister pleaded against pushing too hard for getting the airbase vacated.
During his meeting with Sheikh Nahyan in the Presidency, President Zardari is reported to have turned down a UAE request to extend the 15-day deadline set by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet for vacating the airbase in Balochistan.
`The one-on-one meeting ofthe UAE foreign minister with the president was followed by a delegation-level meeting, Mr Zardari`s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
According to media reports, Pakistan handed over the Shamsi airbase to the UAE in 1992 for hunting expeditions, but its authorities sublet it to the US for carrying out drone attacks.
The UAE delegation was apprised of the DCC decision, which also stopped Nato supplies passing through Pakistan into Afghanistan.
A statement issued by the ISPR said: `The visiting dignitary (Sheikh Nahyan) remained with the COAS (Gen Kayani) for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Besides strong diplomatic ties with Pakistan, the UAE has strong influence in Islamabad`s corridors of power. President Zardari is known for being too close to its royal family andWikiLeaks last year confirmed that perception.
According to one of the leaked cables, Mr Zardari had requested UAE President Sheikh Khalifa to allow his family to live in the Emirates in the event of his death.
The military also has strong relations with the UAE. It wasat Gen Kayani`s request that the UAE government had last year launched quick impact projects in Swat.
Some analysts believe that in view of the kind of influence the Emirates enjoy in Islamabad it would be `very difficult` for the Pakistani leadership to say `no` to them.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an unscheduled trip and met President Asif Ali Zardari and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
In both meetings, the UAE minister pleaded against pushing too hard for getting the airbase vacated.
During his meeting with Sheikh Nahyan in the Presidency, President Zardari is reported to have turned down a UAE request to extend the 15-day deadline set by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet for vacating the airbase in Balochistan.
`The one-on-one meeting ofthe UAE foreign minister with the president was followed by a delegation-level meeting, Mr Zardari`s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
According to media reports, Pakistan handed over the Shamsi airbase to the UAE in 1992 for hunting expeditions, but its authorities sublet it to the US for carrying out drone attacks.
The UAE delegation was apprised of the DCC decision, which also stopped Nato supplies passing through Pakistan into Afghanistan.
A statement issued by the ISPR said: `The visiting dignitary (Sheikh Nahyan) remained with the COAS (Gen Kayani) for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Besides strong diplomatic ties with Pakistan, the UAE has strong influence in Islamabad`s corridors of power. President Zardari is known for being too close to its royal family andWikiLeaks last year confirmed that perception.
According to one of the leaked cables, Mr Zardari had requested UAE President Sheikh Khalifa to allow his family to live in the Emirates in the event of his death.
The military also has strong relations with the UAE. It wasat Gen Kayani`s request that the UAE government had last year launched quick impact projects in Swat.
Some analysts believe that in view of the kind of influence the Emirates enjoy in Islamabad it would be `very difficult` for the Pakistani leadership to say `no` to them.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Palestinian unity talks
FATAH and Hamas leaders owe it to the Palestinian people to translate into reality their pledge in Cairo on Thursday to bury the hatchet and unite for the common cause. Even thoughthosepresentatthe talks were the top leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Meshaal observers would be sceptics, because a similar deal earlier this year collapsed.
The distrust between secular Fatah and Islamist Hamas widened after the latter `conquered` Gaza on 2007 after severe fighting with the former. The follow-up was even worse, for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas behaved very undemocratically, appointing Salam Fayyad, an independent, the prime minister even though Hamas had a majority in the assembly. Also, a decree promulgated by Mr Abbas exempted Mr Fayyad from seeking a vote of confidence from the assembly.
The latest agreement comes at a time when the United Nations is seized of the application by the PA for recognition as a fullmember. Even though there is little possibility that Palestine will get statehood status, the move will embarrass Washington, because it will have to use the veto power for Israel`s benefit to block a just demand by a people struggling for liberation.
But irrespective of what the world body does, Fatah and Hamas have no choice but to forge unity to advance the Palestinian cause. Thursday`s agreement provides for a caretaker government, which will hold presidential and parliamentary elections within a year. Whatever the results, the two sides must honour the people`s mandate and work for democracy. More important, Fatah must reconcile itself to the loss of its monopoly over Palestinian leadership. Times have changed and Hamas`s social services among the Palestinian people have added to its stature. By signing the agreement, Mr Abbas has called Israel`s bluff. Israel has threatened reprisals if Hamas were to become part of the PA.
The distrust between secular Fatah and Islamist Hamas widened after the latter `conquered` Gaza on 2007 after severe fighting with the former. The follow-up was even worse, for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas behaved very undemocratically, appointing Salam Fayyad, an independent, the prime minister even though Hamas had a majority in the assembly. Also, a decree promulgated by Mr Abbas exempted Mr Fayyad from seeking a vote of confidence from the assembly.
The latest agreement comes at a time when the United Nations is seized of the application by the PA for recognition as a fullmember. Even though there is little possibility that Palestine will get statehood status, the move will embarrass Washington, because it will have to use the veto power for Israel`s benefit to block a just demand by a people struggling for liberation.
But irrespective of what the world body does, Fatah and Hamas have no choice but to forge unity to advance the Palestinian cause. Thursday`s agreement provides for a caretaker government, which will hold presidential and parliamentary elections within a year. Whatever the results, the two sides must honour the people`s mandate and work for democracy. More important, Fatah must reconcile itself to the loss of its monopoly over Palestinian leadership. Times have changed and Hamas`s social services among the Palestinian people have added to its stature. By signing the agreement, Mr Abbas has called Israel`s bluff. Israel has threatened reprisals if Hamas were to become part of the PA.
Karachi- Urdu Conference
THE fourth annual International Urdu Conference came to an end at the Karachi Arts Council on Friday. The four-day moot gathered together scholars, teachers, critics, students and Urdu enthusiasts from Pakistan, India and the global diaspora.
Participants were treated to scholarly papers on Urdu classics and contemporary trends in literature, debates, questionand-answer sessions, a mushaira, music concerts and discussions on the evolving role of the language as a medium of instruction and in the media. It was a fulfilling endeavour and a rare opportunity for scholars and students of the language to interact with Urdu`s global literati, and share their experiences of the varying environments in which Urdu has found a home beyond the subcontinent. That the sessions were open to all, permitting capacity of the venues, was also a welcome step forward in a city where such moots are often held for restricted audiences thus limiting their reach.
Besides including papers and speeches by notable Pakistani scholars, writers, poets and critics of the language, including senior names in literature and criticism such asJamiluddin Aali, Intizar Hussain, Jamil Jalibi, Peerzada Qasim, Zehra Nigah, Farman Fatehpuri, Aslam Farrukhi, Sahar Ansari, Iftikhar Arif, Hasina Moeen, Fehmida Riaz and others, the conference also attracted international poets, scholars and enthusiasts.
Among the latter were Raza Ali Abidi, Qazi Afzaal Hussain, Obaid Siddiqui, Saeed Naqvi, Yashab Tamanna and Ghazal Ansari. Notable papers read at the moot included a critique of contemporary Urdu fiction by Masood Ash`ar, who argued that fiction being written today did not reflect the change that had taken place in society, especially after 9/11; in his paper, Nomaul Haq stressed the need to separate Iqbal the thinker from Iqbal the poet, arguing that the thinker had unfairly overshadowed the poet. The debate in one of the sessions on the usage of the language in contemporary media, especially in reference to electronic media, was also very robust. It is heartening to note that the critical papers read at the conference will be compiled in a book form by the Arts Council so as to make them available to researchers of the language and literature everywhere.
Participants were treated to scholarly papers on Urdu classics and contemporary trends in literature, debates, questionand-answer sessions, a mushaira, music concerts and discussions on the evolving role of the language as a medium of instruction and in the media. It was a fulfilling endeavour and a rare opportunity for scholars and students of the language to interact with Urdu`s global literati, and share their experiences of the varying environments in which Urdu has found a home beyond the subcontinent. That the sessions were open to all, permitting capacity of the venues, was also a welcome step forward in a city where such moots are often held for restricted audiences thus limiting their reach.
Besides including papers and speeches by notable Pakistani scholars, writers, poets and critics of the language, including senior names in literature and criticism such asJamiluddin Aali, Intizar Hussain, Jamil Jalibi, Peerzada Qasim, Zehra Nigah, Farman Fatehpuri, Aslam Farrukhi, Sahar Ansari, Iftikhar Arif, Hasina Moeen, Fehmida Riaz and others, the conference also attracted international poets, scholars and enthusiasts.
Among the latter were Raza Ali Abidi, Qazi Afzaal Hussain, Obaid Siddiqui, Saeed Naqvi, Yashab Tamanna and Ghazal Ansari. Notable papers read at the moot included a critique of contemporary Urdu fiction by Masood Ash`ar, who argued that fiction being written today did not reflect the change that had taken place in society, especially after 9/11; in his paper, Nomaul Haq stressed the need to separate Iqbal the thinker from Iqbal the poet, arguing that the thinker had unfairly overshadowed the poet. The debate in one of the sessions on the usage of the language in contemporary media, especially in reference to electronic media, was also very robust. It is heartening to note that the critical papers read at the conference will be compiled in a book form by the Arts Council so as to make them available to researchers of the language and literature everywhere.
Pakistan - Nato Strike
ON Friday, the Nato commander in Afghanistan met the Pakistani army chief in Islamabad to discuss communication and coordination across the Pak-Afghan border. Less than 24 hours later, troops at a Pakistani border check post in Mohmand became targets of Nato fire. Twenty-four of them died, according to the Pakistan military, and the incident appears to be the deadliest of its kind; a similar strike in September 2010 took the lives of two soldiers and another in June 2008 killed 11.
The Pakistani administration`s reaction seemed designed not just to handle the issue domestically but also to send a strong and justified signal to the US that this matter was not taken lightly. There was a flurry of activity in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday, with the prime minister placing phone calls to major political parties and rushing back from Multan to convene an emergency meeting of the cabinet`s defence committee. Gen Kayani called a meeting of senior army officers and declared the incident unacceptable, disapproval was conveyed in Washington and Brussels, and Nato supply routes to Afghanistan were blocked. Given the nature of the incident, the reaction was entirely warranted. Previous such incidents have been described as the result of miscommunication or of mistakes thattook place during the pursuit, or perceived pursuit, of militants. And it is true that Mohmand is an area through which militants do cross the border. But the fact that the strike was aimed at a military check post, and that a large group was targeted (there were reportedly about 40 soldiers at the post), makes that a tenuous explanation in this case. Only a thorough probe can settle the issue, and in promising one the Isaf chief has done the right thing. But Pakistan must be included in the investigation, and if a mistake was made, Nato must commit to ensuring that its troops will not repeat it in the future. Regardless of the outcome, a formal apology is also required.
Coming at a time when US-Pakistan ties had barely begun to recover, if at all, the incident`s timing is also particularly unfortunate for that relationship.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton`s visit last month had begun to improve the atmosphere somewhat after the latest controversy over the Haqqani network, but this threatens to sour relations and derail cooperation. The Pak-Afghan border has become increasingly dangerous for both countries, with incursions and attacks taking place in both directions. The need is for more cooperation, not less. But the mistrust that an incident like this can foster will do nothing to bring that about.
The Pakistani administration`s reaction seemed designed not just to handle the issue domestically but also to send a strong and justified signal to the US that this matter was not taken lightly. There was a flurry of activity in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday, with the prime minister placing phone calls to major political parties and rushing back from Multan to convene an emergency meeting of the cabinet`s defence committee. Gen Kayani called a meeting of senior army officers and declared the incident unacceptable, disapproval was conveyed in Washington and Brussels, and Nato supply routes to Afghanistan were blocked. Given the nature of the incident, the reaction was entirely warranted. Previous such incidents have been described as the result of miscommunication or of mistakes thattook place during the pursuit, or perceived pursuit, of militants. And it is true that Mohmand is an area through which militants do cross the border. But the fact that the strike was aimed at a military check post, and that a large group was targeted (there were reportedly about 40 soldiers at the post), makes that a tenuous explanation in this case. Only a thorough probe can settle the issue, and in promising one the Isaf chief has done the right thing. But Pakistan must be included in the investigation, and if a mistake was made, Nato must commit to ensuring that its troops will not repeat it in the future. Regardless of the outcome, a formal apology is also required.
Coming at a time when US-Pakistan ties had barely begun to recover, if at all, the incident`s timing is also particularly unfortunate for that relationship.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton`s visit last month had begun to improve the atmosphere somewhat after the latest controversy over the Haqqani network, but this threatens to sour relations and derail cooperation. The Pak-Afghan border has become increasingly dangerous for both countries, with incursions and attacks taking place in both directions. The need is for more cooperation, not less. But the mistrust that an incident like this can foster will do nothing to bring that about.
Pakistan - Furious over the pre-dawn Nato attacks on border posts
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Furious over the pre-dawn Nato attacks on border posts, the government on Saturday reacted sharply by indefinitely closing down supply routes used by western forces in Afghanistan and once again asking the United States to vacate an airbase previously used for drone operations. The government also said it would carry out a thorough review of its cooperation with the US and Nato.
The retaliatory decisions were taken at an emergency meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), the country`s highest forum for defence policy consultation and coordination. The meeting was convened to discuss the Nato air strikes and make strategies for a response.
`The DCC decided to close, with immediate effect, the Nato/Isaf logistics supply lines. It also decided to ask the US to vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days. The DCC decided that the government will revisit and undertake a complete review of allprogrammes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/Nato/Isaf, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence,` said a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office after the meeting.
The decisions, though sounding tough, apparently kept the window for negotiations open.
It was originally proposed to unilaterally terminate the Nato supply route, but ultimately the DCC settled for keeping it indefinitely closed even as it had been squelched soon after the incident and the decision by the country`s top civilian and military leadership appeared as a formal closure announcement.
The supply route remained closed for 11 days last year after Nato choppers intrudedinto Pakistani airspace and fired at a paramilitary force, killing two soldiers. The issue was resolved after apologies from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Nato leaders.
About 40 per cent of Nato`s non-lethal supplies are transported through Pakistanusing Chaman and Torkham border crossings -the preferred routes for being economical.
Nato has developed an alternative northern route through central Asian states as a contingency for a situation where the Pakistani route is choked.
It was for the third time this year that the US has beenasked to vacate the Shamsi airbase, 300kms southwest of Quetta. But this time it has been given a 15-day ultimatum for leaving the airfield, which is under the United Arab Emirates` control.
The two previous occasions when similar demands were made from the US were afterthe CIA operative Raymond Davis episode and then in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden denouement. Drone operations from the base were believed to have ceased in April and the facility is now supposedly being used for logistic purposes.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will brief parliament on how the governmentintends to conduct its rocky relations with Washington in the future.
The attack is likely to cause yet another dent in PakistanUS ties that were still recovering from strains following the raid on Osama bin Laden`s compound in Abbottabad.
Islamabad is also likely to reduce its cooperation for a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. According to a source, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar may cancel her trip to Bonn for a conference on Afghanistan and the country may be represented there at a lower level. A final decision may depend on how Washington moves to prevent the frayed ties from taking yet another slide.
PM, FM MEET PRESIDENT: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Foreign MinisterHina Rabbani met at the presidency before the DCC meeting to take stock of the situation and discuss response options.
The president, according to a presidency official, told Mr Gilani and Ms Khar that the strike constituted an attack on sovereignty, was totally unacceptable and merited a forceful response.
Earlier, US Ambassador Cameron Munter was summoned to the Foreign Office over the attack.
Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said Ambassador Munter was called, on the instructions of the prime minister, to see Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.
Mr Bashir told the ambassador that the `unprovoked attack by Nato/Isaf aircraft ...
deeply incensed the government and the people of Pakistan`. Ambassador Munter was further told that the Pakistani leadership believed that the `attacks are totally unacceptable, constitute a grave infringement of Pakistan`s sovereignty, are violative of international law and a serious transgression of the oft-conveyed red lines and could have serious repercussions on PakistanUS/Nato/Isaf cooperation`.
The American envoy regretted the incident and said Washington would work with Pakistani authorities in investigating the matter.
Protests were also lodged with the State Department in Washington and Nato Headquarters in Brussels.
The Chairman of the parliamentary committee on national security, Senator Raza Rabbani, asked the government to take up the issue at all appropriate forums with full force and sought an effective strategy to deal with any suchhappeningsinfuture.
The retaliatory decisions were taken at an emergency meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), the country`s highest forum for defence policy consultation and coordination. The meeting was convened to discuss the Nato air strikes and make strategies for a response.
`The DCC decided to close, with immediate effect, the Nato/Isaf logistics supply lines. It also decided to ask the US to vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days. The DCC decided that the government will revisit and undertake a complete review of allprogrammes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/Nato/Isaf, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence,` said a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office after the meeting.
The decisions, though sounding tough, apparently kept the window for negotiations open.
It was originally proposed to unilaterally terminate the Nato supply route, but ultimately the DCC settled for keeping it indefinitely closed even as it had been squelched soon after the incident and the decision by the country`s top civilian and military leadership appeared as a formal closure announcement.
The supply route remained closed for 11 days last year after Nato choppers intrudedinto Pakistani airspace and fired at a paramilitary force, killing two soldiers. The issue was resolved after apologies from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Nato leaders.
About 40 per cent of Nato`s non-lethal supplies are transported through Pakistanusing Chaman and Torkham border crossings -the preferred routes for being economical.
Nato has developed an alternative northern route through central Asian states as a contingency for a situation where the Pakistani route is choked.
It was for the third time this year that the US has beenasked to vacate the Shamsi airbase, 300kms southwest of Quetta. But this time it has been given a 15-day ultimatum for leaving the airfield, which is under the United Arab Emirates` control.
The two previous occasions when similar demands were made from the US were afterthe CIA operative Raymond Davis episode and then in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden denouement. Drone operations from the base were believed to have ceased in April and the facility is now supposedly being used for logistic purposes.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will brief parliament on how the governmentintends to conduct its rocky relations with Washington in the future.
The attack is likely to cause yet another dent in PakistanUS ties that were still recovering from strains following the raid on Osama bin Laden`s compound in Abbottabad.
Islamabad is also likely to reduce its cooperation for a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. According to a source, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar may cancel her trip to Bonn for a conference on Afghanistan and the country may be represented there at a lower level. A final decision may depend on how Washington moves to prevent the frayed ties from taking yet another slide.
PM, FM MEET PRESIDENT: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Foreign MinisterHina Rabbani met at the presidency before the DCC meeting to take stock of the situation and discuss response options.
The president, according to a presidency official, told Mr Gilani and Ms Khar that the strike constituted an attack on sovereignty, was totally unacceptable and merited a forceful response.
Earlier, US Ambassador Cameron Munter was summoned to the Foreign Office over the attack.
Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said Ambassador Munter was called, on the instructions of the prime minister, to see Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.
Mr Bashir told the ambassador that the `unprovoked attack by Nato/Isaf aircraft ...
deeply incensed the government and the people of Pakistan`. Ambassador Munter was further told that the Pakistani leadership believed that the `attacks are totally unacceptable, constitute a grave infringement of Pakistan`s sovereignty, are violative of international law and a serious transgression of the oft-conveyed red lines and could have serious repercussions on PakistanUS/Nato/Isaf cooperation`.
The American envoy regretted the incident and said Washington would work with Pakistani authorities in investigating the matter.
Protests were also lodged with the State Department in Washington and Nato Headquarters in Brussels.
The Chairman of the parliamentary committee on national security, Senator Raza Rabbani, asked the government to take up the issue at all appropriate forums with full force and sought an effective strategy to deal with any suchhappeningsinfuture.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Paskitan - Talks with Talibans.
REPORTS of peace talks with the Tehrik-iTaliban Pakistan have been surfacing in recent days. The first thing to note about them is their unreliability: various statements given to the media contradict each other and are hardly consistent with facts on the ground.
On Wednesday, the Taliban spokesperson himself denied the reports and claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in South Waziristan.
And even as some Taliban commanders were earlier telling reporters that talks were taking place, Hafiz Gul Bahadur was threatening the government from North Waziristan and forbidding civilians from working on army-led infrastructure projects in his area. Meanwhile, some reports said the ceasefire is limited to South Waziristan, while others claimed it is countrywide. Neither ring true. Kurram and Orakzai agencies continue to see clashes between militants and security forces, and the latter were attacked in South Waziristan last month. Schools continue to be blown up in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
Targeted killings of admin-istration officials have not ceased; over Eid, a suicide bomb attack in Swabi killed a former nazim belonging to the Awami National Party.
Speak to those with knowledge of how the Taliban are faring, and they will confirm that there is reason for scepticism. Despite these recent attacks, the TTP appears to be on the back foot in many tribal areas, and the Bajaur, Mohmand and Swat leaderships seem to have fled to Afghanistan.
In this context, suggestions of talks may in reality have been feelers sent out by the Taliban in light of the all-party conference resolution of Sept 29 that said the Pakistani administration would hold a dialogue `with our own people in the tribal areas`. The fact is that the implementation of that resolution is in the very early stages; the parliamentary committee in charge of it was formed just a few days ago. But as it does move towards talks, the administration must keep in mind the long list of past failed negotiations with the Taliban. If the TTP really is on the back foot, that is a position any peace process must take full advantage of.
On Wednesday, the Taliban spokesperson himself denied the reports and claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in South Waziristan.
And even as some Taliban commanders were earlier telling reporters that talks were taking place, Hafiz Gul Bahadur was threatening the government from North Waziristan and forbidding civilians from working on army-led infrastructure projects in his area. Meanwhile, some reports said the ceasefire is limited to South Waziristan, while others claimed it is countrywide. Neither ring true. Kurram and Orakzai agencies continue to see clashes between militants and security forces, and the latter were attacked in South Waziristan last month. Schools continue to be blown up in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
Targeted killings of admin-istration officials have not ceased; over Eid, a suicide bomb attack in Swabi killed a former nazim belonging to the Awami National Party.
Speak to those with knowledge of how the Taliban are faring, and they will confirm that there is reason for scepticism. Despite these recent attacks, the TTP appears to be on the back foot in many tribal areas, and the Bajaur, Mohmand and Swat leaderships seem to have fled to Afghanistan.
In this context, suggestions of talks may in reality have been feelers sent out by the Taliban in light of the all-party conference resolution of Sept 29 that said the Pakistani administration would hold a dialogue `with our own people in the tribal areas`. The fact is that the implementation of that resolution is in the very early stages; the parliamentary committee in charge of it was formed just a few days ago. But as it does move towards talks, the administration must keep in mind the long list of past failed negotiations with the Taliban. If the TTP really is on the back foot, that is a position any peace process must take full advantage of.
Pakistan - Memogate and FriendShip Concept in politics
HUSAIN Haqqani is out, clearing the way for an inquiry into memogate that could set the record straight and establish the truth behind one of the more bizarre episodes in Pakistan`s political-diplomatic history. While an inquiry has been promised and Mr Haqqani has vowed to clear his name, the details of how and by whom the inquiry will be conducted are vague. This is unfortunate. With so much speculation surrounding memogate and the state of civil-military relations, this is yet another opportunity for the civilian leadership to address matters that go to the heart of how the chain of command works in practice and which spheres of policy the civilians ought to have greater input in.
At the very minimum, the public deserves to know the truth about what transpired in the days after May 2 that led to a memo being delivered to Adm Mike Mullen from Mansoor Ijaz. Mr Ijaz has thus far come off as a particularly controversial character. After the memo he delivered did not seem to have the effect he desired, he seemed to take a U-turn and use his public comments about the memo to further undermine civil-military relations and perhaps even destablise the transition to democracy itself. At the very least, then, Mr Ijaz has serious questions toanswer about his credibility and his true motives. Mr Haqqani himself is no stranger to controversy, but in the present circumstances, there is prima facie case to be made that perhaps he has been a fall guy of sorts for reasons murky and probably never to be revealed to the public.
The one good thing to have come out of the affair so far is that the government has acted quickly to nominate Mr Haqqani`s replacement and in Sherry Rehman has found a person regarded as competent for the post. Still, these are very fraught times in Pakistan-US relations and it remains to be seen to what extent a single person can help nudge relations in the right direction. Moreover, as a noncareer diplomat entering the unfriendly, if not hostile, waters of Washington D.C. will Ms Rehman be able to influence labyrinthine foreign policy and national security machineries there? There are lessons to be learned from the fate of two of her counterparts. Husain Haqqani was regarded as very close to the Americans, but when push came to shove, the Americans arguably helped in his removal.
Earlier, Shah Mehmood Qureshi appeared to believe his `friendship` with Hillary Clinton would help solve the Raymond Davis affair to Pakistan`s advantage. It`s a lesson worth remembering: there are no friends, only interests.
At the very minimum, the public deserves to know the truth about what transpired in the days after May 2 that led to a memo being delivered to Adm Mike Mullen from Mansoor Ijaz. Mr Ijaz has thus far come off as a particularly controversial character. After the memo he delivered did not seem to have the effect he desired, he seemed to take a U-turn and use his public comments about the memo to further undermine civil-military relations and perhaps even destablise the transition to democracy itself. At the very least, then, Mr Ijaz has serious questions toanswer about his credibility and his true motives. Mr Haqqani himself is no stranger to controversy, but in the present circumstances, there is prima facie case to be made that perhaps he has been a fall guy of sorts for reasons murky and probably never to be revealed to the public.
The one good thing to have come out of the affair so far is that the government has acted quickly to nominate Mr Haqqani`s replacement and in Sherry Rehman has found a person regarded as competent for the post. Still, these are very fraught times in Pakistan-US relations and it remains to be seen to what extent a single person can help nudge relations in the right direction. Moreover, as a noncareer diplomat entering the unfriendly, if not hostile, waters of Washington D.C. will Ms Rehman be able to influence labyrinthine foreign policy and national security machineries there? There are lessons to be learned from the fate of two of her counterparts. Husain Haqqani was regarded as very close to the Americans, but when push came to shove, the Americans arguably helped in his removal.
Earlier, Shah Mehmood Qureshi appeared to believe his `friendship` with Hillary Clinton would help solve the Raymond Davis affair to Pakistan`s advantage. It`s a lesson worth remembering: there are no friends, only interests.
Driving Madness.
THE Traffic Court has ordered the suspension of 43 driving licences on grounds of reckless endangerment and causing grievous injury to others. This is a step in common sense since one of the major blights that continue to defy common sense is the attitude of people behind the wheel. The irony is that it is an arduous process to obtain a licence. Add to that the stringent rules in place to keep drivers obedient and sensible and you wonder whyso many people on any given day still insist on breaking the rules. It does not seem to matter to them that their finesincrease exponentially, that the black point system is a tangible caution, that there are loved ones waiting at home, that driving badly is not a sensible thing to do.
While giving the traffic police a deserved pat on the back for the efforts they have put into dinning this lesson into the heads of thousands of these motorists, one has to sadly confess that some of them are immune to logic.
Aggressive rage, cutting corners, using that ubiquitous mobile phone, tailgating, changing lanes haphazardly: these are some of the mani-festations that all of us have to face when we go on the road.The idea that once you have your licence you can throw caution to the winds somehow survives the mediapolice exercise to bring sanity into rash drivers.
It is difficult to understand their mindset. Often enough one sees vehicles with this `safe driving` sign on their rear panels with a call number in case one feels they are being negligent; and what is beyond understanding is thatit does not bother them, they still drive badly, perhaps, because they know no one will really make the effort of call-ing. What do you say to a driver of a van who is coming in the wrong way, against the arrow into a parking lot and making rude gestures to you for following the rules? The same yardstick applies to speeding, trying to pass another from the shoulder, displaying arrogance and largely being a nuisance on the highway. All one can say is any effort that improves the standard of driving is to be supported, butin the endlegislation is only as good as the people for whom it is made and their approach to the issue. (Nov 21) =
While giving the traffic police a deserved pat on the back for the efforts they have put into dinning this lesson into the heads of thousands of these motorists, one has to sadly confess that some of them are immune to logic.
Aggressive rage, cutting corners, using that ubiquitous mobile phone, tailgating, changing lanes haphazardly: these are some of the mani-festations that all of us have to face when we go on the road.The idea that once you have your licence you can throw caution to the winds somehow survives the mediapolice exercise to bring sanity into rash drivers.
It is difficult to understand their mindset. Often enough one sees vehicles with this `safe driving` sign on their rear panels with a call number in case one feels they are being negligent; and what is beyond understanding is thatit does not bother them, they still drive badly, perhaps, because they know no one will really make the effort of call-ing. What do you say to a driver of a van who is coming in the wrong way, against the arrow into a parking lot and making rude gestures to you for following the rules? The same yardstick applies to speeding, trying to pass another from the shoulder, displaying arrogance and largely being a nuisance on the highway. All one can say is any effort that improves the standard of driving is to be supported, butin the endlegislation is only as good as the people for whom it is made and their approach to the issue. (Nov 21) =
Pakistan - Ms Sherry Rehman Replaced Haqqani
SLAMABAD, Nov 23: The government named on Wednesday member of parliament and rights activist Shehrbano (Sherry) Rehman as ambassador to the US, a day after Husain Haqqani had been asked to resign over allegations that he had sought Washington`s help against a possible military takeover.
`Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appointed Ms Sherry Rehman as Pakistan`s Ambassador to the United States of America,` a handout issued by the PrimeMinister`s Office said.
Before making the appointment public, Prime Minister Gilani met Ms Rehman to formally inform her about the decision.
`I see it as a major challenge and hope to bridge some divides and, at the same time, be an equally strong advocate for Pakistan`s interests,` she said while talking to Dawn.
Ms Rehman, a former journalist and federal minister, is reputed to be a strong supporter of women and minority rights. She faced death threats for demanding reforms in the blasphemy law. The proposed amendment was later withdrawn by her `in line with party policy`.
She quit the federal cabinet in 2009 because of differ-ences with President Asif Zardari over media curbs.
Her nomination came as a surprise to many analysts because she was never thought to be a contender for the post. Earlier this year, however, there were speculations about her being appointed as foreign minister, a position that eventually went to Hina Rabbani Khar.
Ms Rehman strengthened her foreign policy credentials by setting up the Jinnah Institute, a think-tank which, among other themes, focused on foreign relations, including the country`s ties with India and Afghanistan.
She has also been involved in Track II diplomacy for normalising ties with India.
`She co-chairs several track-two strategic dialogues with India and is convener of a similar institutionalised dialogue process between Pakistan and Afghanistan later this year,` her profile released by the Prime Minister`s Office said.
A foreign ministry source said `the principals` (the Foreign Office top brass) had been intimated about the choice on Monday.
`Sherry Rehman appoints pro-military Ejaz Haider as head of Jinnah Institute to replace her. It seems they all knew about five days ago what the game was,` Ayesha Siddiga, a defence analyst, wrote in a posting on her Facebook page.
Another source closely following the developments in the memo scandal that has forced this change claimed that Ms Rehman was a `compromise` choice.
The military establishment directs the country`s foreign policy and has been keen about asserting its influence in the Washington embassy because of the critical importance of the position in managing the complicated Pakistan-US ties.
`She`ll be positively seen by the military because she doesn`t carry any baggage, unlike Mr Haqqani who had been very critical of the military,` Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, who heads the Centre for International Strategic Studies, said.
Besides proving herself to be a representative of both the military and civilian leadership in Washington, something that proved to be her predecessor`s Achilles Heel, one of the major challenges for Ms Sherry Rehman would be to improve the country`s image by neutralising the negative propaganda there.
`Sherry Rehman looks like a good choice in that she is well-known to Americans, extremely articulate and politically astute,` Daniel Markey, Pakistan Expert at the Council of Foreign Relations, said.
Ambassador Naqvi too believes she would have a good impact in Washington.
Although bilateral ties currently look to be on somewhat even keel after months of friction, Ms Sherry Rehman would not be landing in a very friendly environment.
There have been calls by congressional leaders for cutting aid to Pakistan for allegedly not effectively dealing with terrorism.
Republicans have been particularly harsh about Pakistan in the presidential debate
`Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appointed Ms Sherry Rehman as Pakistan`s Ambassador to the United States of America,` a handout issued by the PrimeMinister`s Office said.
Before making the appointment public, Prime Minister Gilani met Ms Rehman to formally inform her about the decision.
`I see it as a major challenge and hope to bridge some divides and, at the same time, be an equally strong advocate for Pakistan`s interests,` she said while talking to Dawn.
Ms Rehman, a former journalist and federal minister, is reputed to be a strong supporter of women and minority rights. She faced death threats for demanding reforms in the blasphemy law. The proposed amendment was later withdrawn by her `in line with party policy`.
She quit the federal cabinet in 2009 because of differ-ences with President Asif Zardari over media curbs.
Her nomination came as a surprise to many analysts because she was never thought to be a contender for the post. Earlier this year, however, there were speculations about her being appointed as foreign minister, a position that eventually went to Hina Rabbani Khar.
Ms Rehman strengthened her foreign policy credentials by setting up the Jinnah Institute, a think-tank which, among other themes, focused on foreign relations, including the country`s ties with India and Afghanistan.
She has also been involved in Track II diplomacy for normalising ties with India.
`She co-chairs several track-two strategic dialogues with India and is convener of a similar institutionalised dialogue process between Pakistan and Afghanistan later this year,` her profile released by the Prime Minister`s Office said.
A foreign ministry source said `the principals` (the Foreign Office top brass) had been intimated about the choice on Monday.
`Sherry Rehman appoints pro-military Ejaz Haider as head of Jinnah Institute to replace her. It seems they all knew about five days ago what the game was,` Ayesha Siddiga, a defence analyst, wrote in a posting on her Facebook page.
Another source closely following the developments in the memo scandal that has forced this change claimed that Ms Rehman was a `compromise` choice.
The military establishment directs the country`s foreign policy and has been keen about asserting its influence in the Washington embassy because of the critical importance of the position in managing the complicated Pakistan-US ties.
`She`ll be positively seen by the military because she doesn`t carry any baggage, unlike Mr Haqqani who had been very critical of the military,` Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, who heads the Centre for International Strategic Studies, said.
Besides proving herself to be a representative of both the military and civilian leadership in Washington, something that proved to be her predecessor`s Achilles Heel, one of the major challenges for Ms Sherry Rehman would be to improve the country`s image by neutralising the negative propaganda there.
`Sherry Rehman looks like a good choice in that she is well-known to Americans, extremely articulate and politically astute,` Daniel Markey, Pakistan Expert at the Council of Foreign Relations, said.
Ambassador Naqvi too believes she would have a good impact in Washington.
Although bilateral ties currently look to be on somewhat even keel after months of friction, Ms Sherry Rehman would not be landing in a very friendly environment.
There have been calls by congressional leaders for cutting aid to Pakistan for allegedly not effectively dealing with terrorism.
Republicans have been particularly harsh about Pakistan in the presidential debate
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
India - The cost of Ajmal Qasab
India has spent $3m (£2m) in the past three years on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai (Bombay) attacks.
The special cell in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail, where Qasab is lodged, cost the state $1m to construct. And another $2m was spent between March 2009 and September 2010 on security. The total does not include legal fees.
Qasab was sentenced to death after a trial in May last year. His appeal is pending in the Supreme Court.
The Mumbai attack claimed 165 lives. Nine gunmen were also killed.
Qasab was found guilty of waging war against India, multiple murder and conspiracy.
Federal request "Besides the money that was spent on constructing the special cell at the Arthur Road prison, 26,953 rupees ($517) were spent on taking care of his medical needs," Press Trust of India news agency quoted Medha Gadgil, home secretary of the western state of Maharashtra, as saying. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra.
Ms Gadgil denied media reports that Qasab - who is called the "butcher of Mumbai" by many in India - was being "fattened on biriyani", saying a mere 52 cents was spent on his daily food.
Most of the cost has been on providing security to India's most high-profile prisoner.
Ms Gadgil said the state authorities had received a bill of $2m from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), covering a period of 18 months.
The state government has written to the federal authorities in Delhi, saying that Qasab's security was not Maharashtra's concern alone, she said.
"The state government has written to the centre asking it to consider waiving the amount. We have not received any communication so far. The issue remains unresolved," she said.
The 60-hour siege which began on 26 November 2008 targeted luxury hotels, Mumbai's main railway station and a Jewish cultural centre.
Qasab and an accomplice carried out the assault on the station, killing 52 people.
India blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks.
After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the assault had been partially planned on its territory and that Qasab was a Pakistani citizen.
Bangladesh - Corporal Punishment
THE case of a teacher indiscriminately beating 37 students of Class 6 at a school in Rampura is appalling.
While this particular case has made headlines, corporal punishment remains a common practice at schools and madressahs in Bangladesh, with hundreds of students being subjected to it every year. This is despite a high court ban on corporal punishment at educational institutions last year and a rule ear-lier this year declaring corporal punishment as constituting a clear violation of children`s fundamental rights to life,liberty and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The HC last year also asked the government to show cause why its failure to prevent such incidents including through the framing of laws and guidelines-investigate such allegations and prosecute and punish the perpetrators, should not be deemed a violation of rights guaranteed under the constitution.
It is essential to have laws against corporal punishment passed promptly, implementthem and ensure that they are incorporated in the manuals/codes of conduct of all educational institutions in the country. Equally important is the monitoring of institutions in order to identify and investigate such crimes as soon as they occur, followed by legal action for exemplary punishment is an undeniable deterrent. However, the problem seems to go much deeper than is perceived. This is obvious from the continuing trendof corporal punishment despite the fear of legal action. The relevant authorities, i.e. the government, relevant min-istries and school authorities, must come up with ... alternative approaches to disciplining children. Training and sensitisation of teachers to this effect, and awarenessraising campaigns against corporal punishment amongst students and guardians may prove useful. The message that corporal punishment is inhuman, illegal and unconstitutional, and that it can have dire consequences for both victims and perpetrators, must be conveyed loud and clear
While this particular case has made headlines, corporal punishment remains a common practice at schools and madressahs in Bangladesh, with hundreds of students being subjected to it every year. This is despite a high court ban on corporal punishment at educational institutions last year and a rule ear-lier this year declaring corporal punishment as constituting a clear violation of children`s fundamental rights to life,liberty and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The HC last year also asked the government to show cause why its failure to prevent such incidents including through the framing of laws and guidelines-investigate such allegations and prosecute and punish the perpetrators, should not be deemed a violation of rights guaranteed under the constitution.
It is essential to have laws against corporal punishment passed promptly, implementthem and ensure that they are incorporated in the manuals/codes of conduct of all educational institutions in the country. Equally important is the monitoring of institutions in order to identify and investigate such crimes as soon as they occur, followed by legal action for exemplary punishment is an undeniable deterrent. However, the problem seems to go much deeper than is perceived. This is obvious from the continuing trendof corporal punishment despite the fear of legal action. The relevant authorities, i.e. the government, relevant min-istries and school authorities, must come up with ... alternative approaches to disciplining children. Training and sensitisation of teachers to this effect, and awarenessraising campaigns against corporal punishment amongst students and guardians may prove useful. The message that corporal punishment is inhuman, illegal and unconstitutional, and that it can have dire consequences for both victims and perpetrators, must be conveyed loud and clear
Egypt - the gulf between protesters and the country`s military-led government
JUDGING by the intensifying demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the gulf between Egyptian protesters and the country`s military-led government seems to be getting wider.
The protestors` ire is directed at the generals especially Field Marshal Mohammad Tantawi whom they see as a continuation of the Hosni Mubarak regime. The demonstrations reflect the widespread belief that the generals want to stick to power. No less than 39 political parties and groups are behind the rallies in Cairo and elsewhere. This shows the extent to which the civilian government and the military have alienated themselves from the people. Even though these political parties, including the rival Islamists (Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis), differ among themselves, they share antiarmy sentiments and seem determined to resist the military`s proposals to amend the constitution.
Briefly, the military wants exemption from a parliamentary review of its budget and internal working. More ominously, it wants to delay the presidential election due in April. This has added to doubts that the generalsare really interested in a transition to democracy.
Countries that have experienced the Arab Spring fall into two categories those where the dictators have fallen (Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) and those where the struggle goes on (Bahrain, Syria and Yemen). The task for the caretaker regimes in the first category is to move towards democracy, and Tunisia has shown the way. If Libya is taking time to settle down and hold elections, one can understand, given the duration of the civil war and the extent of havoc wreaked in that country.
But in Egypt it took only 18 days for the Mubarak regime to fall. That the generals should still prevaricate casts doubts on their intentions. The sensible course is not to delay the presidential election and to leave the constitutional amendments to the elected assembly, with the parliamentary election process scheduled to begin next Monday. The discarded Turkish model, in which the army was the protector of the constitution, will obviously not be acceptable to the Egyptian people, who have gained a new confidence in their ability to resist dictatorship.
The protestors` ire is directed at the generals especially Field Marshal Mohammad Tantawi whom they see as a continuation of the Hosni Mubarak regime. The demonstrations reflect the widespread belief that the generals want to stick to power. No less than 39 political parties and groups are behind the rallies in Cairo and elsewhere. This shows the extent to which the civilian government and the military have alienated themselves from the people. Even though these political parties, including the rival Islamists (Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis), differ among themselves, they share antiarmy sentiments and seem determined to resist the military`s proposals to amend the constitution.
Briefly, the military wants exemption from a parliamentary review of its budget and internal working. More ominously, it wants to delay the presidential election due in April. This has added to doubts that the generalsare really interested in a transition to democracy.
Countries that have experienced the Arab Spring fall into two categories those where the dictators have fallen (Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) and those where the struggle goes on (Bahrain, Syria and Yemen). The task for the caretaker regimes in the first category is to move towards democracy, and Tunisia has shown the way. If Libya is taking time to settle down and hold elections, one can understand, given the duration of the civil war and the extent of havoc wreaked in that country.
But in Egypt it took only 18 days for the Mubarak regime to fall. That the generals should still prevaricate casts doubts on their intentions. The sensible course is not to delay the presidential election and to leave the constitutional amendments to the elected assembly, with the parliamentary election process scheduled to begin next Monday. The discarded Turkish model, in which the army was the protector of the constitution, will obviously not be acceptable to the Egyptian people, who have gained a new confidence in their ability to resist dictatorship.
Pakistan - Attack on Frontier Corps by Baloch Nationalists
EXACTLY two years ago, on Nov 23, 2009, parliament unanimously approved the Aghaz-i-Hugoogi-Balochistan package.
Militants marked the second anniversary of the package with a ferocious attack on a Frontier Corps convoy in the Balochistan district of Musa Khel on Monday. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the assault, which left 15 security personnel, including a major, dead. This was a brute reminder for the state of Pakistan of the militants` ability to violently oppose whatever effort is undertaken to normalise the situation in the province. The attacked FC troops were to be deployed as security for newly discovered coal reserves in the area. This imparted greater meaning to this strike by those who accuse the state of usurping Balochistan`s rights and plundering its resources.
The government admits the pace of reforms has been slow, and everyone from nationalists to rights activists to journalists agree that the official Balochistan campaign is falling far short of winning the approval of the people of the province, let alone neutralising the rebels and others, such as sectarian killers, who thrive in times of instability. The space for politics within the existing framework has shrunk.
The Balochistan Assembly, born of an election that was boycotted by manynationalist parties, is not what one would call a house representative of the people. Outside the assembly, many political leaders who could help initiate a process of reconciliation have been forced to stay away from areas stalked by militants.
In the absence of an effective political mechanism to facilitate a search for solutions, the civilian administration is totally dependent on security personnel to maintain order. This is an option fraught with dangers. As disappearances and deathsin the province continue to be linked to the security agencies, they fuel the militants` description of Balochistan as a besieged land and adds to the impact of their attacks on troops. The interior ministry recently informed the National Assembly that FC personnel were `confronted` 258 times between 2007 and 2011.
Such attacks have drawn a strong response from the security agencies, as is evident in Musa Khel where a search operation is under way. It is not easy to talk of peace in moments of heat and hurt. Ultimately, however, it does not have to be a test of just how capable the security agencies are.
Balochistan is in need of an urgent push towards a lasting solution one which must be based on politics, on honest, fair assessments of the situation and on the will and ability to push through decisions based on these assessments.
Militants marked the second anniversary of the package with a ferocious attack on a Frontier Corps convoy in the Balochistan district of Musa Khel on Monday. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the assault, which left 15 security personnel, including a major, dead. This was a brute reminder for the state of Pakistan of the militants` ability to violently oppose whatever effort is undertaken to normalise the situation in the province. The attacked FC troops were to be deployed as security for newly discovered coal reserves in the area. This imparted greater meaning to this strike by those who accuse the state of usurping Balochistan`s rights and plundering its resources.
The government admits the pace of reforms has been slow, and everyone from nationalists to rights activists to journalists agree that the official Balochistan campaign is falling far short of winning the approval of the people of the province, let alone neutralising the rebels and others, such as sectarian killers, who thrive in times of instability. The space for politics within the existing framework has shrunk.
The Balochistan Assembly, born of an election that was boycotted by manynationalist parties, is not what one would call a house representative of the people. Outside the assembly, many political leaders who could help initiate a process of reconciliation have been forced to stay away from areas stalked by militants.
In the absence of an effective political mechanism to facilitate a search for solutions, the civilian administration is totally dependent on security personnel to maintain order. This is an option fraught with dangers. As disappearances and deathsin the province continue to be linked to the security agencies, they fuel the militants` description of Balochistan as a besieged land and adds to the impact of their attacks on troops. The interior ministry recently informed the National Assembly that FC personnel were `confronted` 258 times between 2007 and 2011.
Such attacks have drawn a strong response from the security agencies, as is evident in Musa Khel where a search operation is under way. It is not easy to talk of peace in moments of heat and hurt. Ultimately, however, it does not have to be a test of just how capable the security agencies are.
Balochistan is in need of an urgent push towards a lasting solution one which must be based on politics, on honest, fair assessments of the situation and on the will and ability to push through decisions based on these assessments.
Pakistan - Haqqani Resigns.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The curtain fell last night on Ambassador Husain Haqqani`s career as a diplomat in Washington but his resignation ended only one act in the controversy titled memogate.
What the future will hold for Haqqani as well as civil-military relations in general and President Asif Ali Zardari in particular will unfold in the coming days and form the next act of this drama.
Nonetheless, Ambassador Husain Haqqani`s resignation which, according to the statement emanating from the prime minister`s house, was asked for by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and the government`s announcement to initiate a `detailed probe` into allegations that the former envoy to Washington sought American help for preventing a possible military takeover in May brought some respite to weeks-long tension.
`The prime minister has directed to conduct a detailed investigation at an appropriate level and in the meanwhile he asked Pakistan Ambassador to the USA Mr Husain Haqqani to submit his resIgnation so that the investigation can be carried out properly,` a statement from the Prime Minister`s Office on Tuesday said. This statement was released after a closed door session at the PMHouse which, according to a source, was attended by `all stakeholders`, a euphemism that is used when the main military officers attend a meeting along with the civilian leaders.
The security conscious President Asif Ali Zardari, who rarely ventures out of his official residence, specially came to the PM House for the meeting which decided the fate of his embattled ambassador. The latter had been summoned to the country to answer allegations that he had authored the controversial memo, suggesting among other things a new national security teamfor Pakistan; a probe into Osama Bin Laden`s presence in Abbottabad and investigations of those involved in the Mumbai attacks and then assigned Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to deliver it to the then US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.
Prime Minister`s Press Secretary Akram Shaheedi confirmed that the PM House was the venue of the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Extraordinary measures were taken to keep theproceedings secret and the floor of the PM`s palatial residence where the meeting took place was declared out of bounds for the staff for most of the afternoon.
After the meeting, a written handout was handed over to the PM`s press secretary for release to the media.
Haqqani, af ter stepping down on Prime Minister Gilani`s `instructions`, in an email message said: `I have resigned to bring closure to this meaningless controversy threatening our fledgling democracy.
A transparent inquiry will strengthen the hands of elected leaders whom I have always strived to empower as per our constitution. It will bring to rest wild conspiracy theories.
`To me Pakistan and Pakistan`s democracy are far more important than any artificially created crisis over an insignificant memo written by a selfcentred businessman,` he added.
Haqqani had denied his involvement with the memo, which was handed over to Admiral Mullen by former UN National Security Adviser Gen James Jones in May in the aftermath of the US raid on Abbottabad. The criticism that had been directed towards the military for failing to detect Osama`s presence in a city in Pakistan and failing to prevent a US raid was then seen to have weakened the institution`s public image.
Though in recent days a number of Americanofficials have confirmed the existence of the memo, they have been at pains to point out that no one in the US administration and military took the document or its suggestions seriously.
Once the resignation was announced, very little was heard from the ambassador who had been keeping a low profile since he had landed in Pakistan on Sunday. He did, however, put on a brave face in cyberspace where he tweeted: `I have much to contribute to building a new Pakistan free of bigotry & intolerance. Will focus energies on that.
His wife, Farahnaz Ispahani, a legislator and adviser to President Zardari, while speaking in the National Assembly, praised the president and prime minister for steering the country through very difficult times. She also congratulated the KhyberPakhtunkhwa assembly for passing a resolution against any undemocratic change in the country.
However, most observers are convinced that the public silence indicated that the resignation was preceded by hectic behind-the-scene negotiations between the presidency and the military top brass. For over three days the two sides seemed to have worked overtime to find a way out of a crisis that threatened to destabilise the civilian government.
The final outcome was clearly a compromise that so far has fixed no guilt on any individual, leading to conjectures that the promised investigations may be lengthy and protracted with no quick end in sight.
It is noteworthy that so far there is no indication of who will conduct the inquiry; what the inquiry will be and how it will be carried out. The terms of references are unclear, to say the least.
The only thing the statement from the Prime Minister`s Office said aboutthe inquiry was: `All concerned would be afforded sufficient and fair opportunity to present their views and the investigation shall be carried out fairly, objectively and without bias ..
The government officials or PPP politicians had no details on this issue either, though they offered assurances of the government`s sincerity and warned of forces conspiring against it.
Talking to Dawn, PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government had always intended to conduct an impartial inquiry.
`It was the matter of country`s integrity and prestige, hence, it warranted a high-level impartial inquiry followed by strict action against those held responsible. Now let`s wait for the outcome of inquiry instead of jumping to possible scenarios.
He added that it was a conspiracy hatched to malign Pakistan. `So far entire narrative of the memogate doing rounds in the country is largely based on ifs and buts.
Moreover, before passing judgments people should remember Ijaz`s controversial track record and his words that the president and the prime minister were not in the know of memo,` he added.
However, apart from the government`s defenders and the opposition politicians who were baying for blood, there was no word from the militarygenerals whose shadowy presence has loomed large over this entire controversy. The ISPR also stayed away from the issue.
The third player, the US, however, suddenly appeared on the scene on Tuesday. US Ambassador Cameron Munter was a ubiquitous presence in the Pakistani media on this busy day.
In one specially arranged interaction with reporters during his visit to a private medical transcription facility in Rawalpindi, he said: `We are strongly in support of democratic process, the Constitution, the rule of law in your country ... we support that and will see how it works out.` He said this when asked if he felt memogate threatened democracy, though his `assurance` was qualified with the observation that the issue was an internal matter.
His statement came as Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani prepared to leave his office in General Headquarters for Islamabad, where he held a meeting with the visiting British National Security Adviser as well as the `secret` memogate meeting.
That US was not going to be more than a bystander in this drama was evident from Munter`s words that the `relation between Pakistan and America is far greater than political relationships.
Hours later, Haqqani`s resignation was announced.
What the future will hold for Haqqani as well as civil-military relations in general and President Asif Ali Zardari in particular will unfold in the coming days and form the next act of this drama.
Nonetheless, Ambassador Husain Haqqani`s resignation which, according to the statement emanating from the prime minister`s house, was asked for by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and the government`s announcement to initiate a `detailed probe` into allegations that the former envoy to Washington sought American help for preventing a possible military takeover in May brought some respite to weeks-long tension.
`The prime minister has directed to conduct a detailed investigation at an appropriate level and in the meanwhile he asked Pakistan Ambassador to the USA Mr Husain Haqqani to submit his resIgnation so that the investigation can be carried out properly,` a statement from the Prime Minister`s Office on Tuesday said. This statement was released after a closed door session at the PMHouse which, according to a source, was attended by `all stakeholders`, a euphemism that is used when the main military officers attend a meeting along with the civilian leaders.
The security conscious President Asif Ali Zardari, who rarely ventures out of his official residence, specially came to the PM House for the meeting which decided the fate of his embattled ambassador. The latter had been summoned to the country to answer allegations that he had authored the controversial memo, suggesting among other things a new national security teamfor Pakistan; a probe into Osama Bin Laden`s presence in Abbottabad and investigations of those involved in the Mumbai attacks and then assigned Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to deliver it to the then US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.
Prime Minister`s Press Secretary Akram Shaheedi confirmed that the PM House was the venue of the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Extraordinary measures were taken to keep theproceedings secret and the floor of the PM`s palatial residence where the meeting took place was declared out of bounds for the staff for most of the afternoon.
After the meeting, a written handout was handed over to the PM`s press secretary for release to the media.
Haqqani, af ter stepping down on Prime Minister Gilani`s `instructions`, in an email message said: `I have resigned to bring closure to this meaningless controversy threatening our fledgling democracy.
A transparent inquiry will strengthen the hands of elected leaders whom I have always strived to empower as per our constitution. It will bring to rest wild conspiracy theories.
`To me Pakistan and Pakistan`s democracy are far more important than any artificially created crisis over an insignificant memo written by a selfcentred businessman,` he added.
Haqqani had denied his involvement with the memo, which was handed over to Admiral Mullen by former UN National Security Adviser Gen James Jones in May in the aftermath of the US raid on Abbottabad. The criticism that had been directed towards the military for failing to detect Osama`s presence in a city in Pakistan and failing to prevent a US raid was then seen to have weakened the institution`s public image.
Though in recent days a number of Americanofficials have confirmed the existence of the memo, they have been at pains to point out that no one in the US administration and military took the document or its suggestions seriously.
Once the resignation was announced, very little was heard from the ambassador who had been keeping a low profile since he had landed in Pakistan on Sunday. He did, however, put on a brave face in cyberspace where he tweeted: `I have much to contribute to building a new Pakistan free of bigotry & intolerance. Will focus energies on that.
His wife, Farahnaz Ispahani, a legislator and adviser to President Zardari, while speaking in the National Assembly, praised the president and prime minister for steering the country through very difficult times. She also congratulated the KhyberPakhtunkhwa assembly for passing a resolution against any undemocratic change in the country.
However, most observers are convinced that the public silence indicated that the resignation was preceded by hectic behind-the-scene negotiations between the presidency and the military top brass. For over three days the two sides seemed to have worked overtime to find a way out of a crisis that threatened to destabilise the civilian government.
The final outcome was clearly a compromise that so far has fixed no guilt on any individual, leading to conjectures that the promised investigations may be lengthy and protracted with no quick end in sight.
It is noteworthy that so far there is no indication of who will conduct the inquiry; what the inquiry will be and how it will be carried out. The terms of references are unclear, to say the least.
The only thing the statement from the Prime Minister`s Office said aboutthe inquiry was: `All concerned would be afforded sufficient and fair opportunity to present their views and the investigation shall be carried out fairly, objectively and without bias ..
The government officials or PPP politicians had no details on this issue either, though they offered assurances of the government`s sincerity and warned of forces conspiring against it.
Talking to Dawn, PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government had always intended to conduct an impartial inquiry.
`It was the matter of country`s integrity and prestige, hence, it warranted a high-level impartial inquiry followed by strict action against those held responsible. Now let`s wait for the outcome of inquiry instead of jumping to possible scenarios.
He added that it was a conspiracy hatched to malign Pakistan. `So far entire narrative of the memogate doing rounds in the country is largely based on ifs and buts.
Moreover, before passing judgments people should remember Ijaz`s controversial track record and his words that the president and the prime minister were not in the know of memo,` he added.
However, apart from the government`s defenders and the opposition politicians who were baying for blood, there was no word from the militarygenerals whose shadowy presence has loomed large over this entire controversy. The ISPR also stayed away from the issue.
The third player, the US, however, suddenly appeared on the scene on Tuesday. US Ambassador Cameron Munter was a ubiquitous presence in the Pakistani media on this busy day.
In one specially arranged interaction with reporters during his visit to a private medical transcription facility in Rawalpindi, he said: `We are strongly in support of democratic process, the Constitution, the rule of law in your country ... we support that and will see how it works out.` He said this when asked if he felt memogate threatened democracy, though his `assurance` was qualified with the observation that the issue was an internal matter.
His statement came as Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani prepared to leave his office in General Headquarters for Islamabad, where he held a meeting with the visiting British National Security Adviser as well as the `secret` memogate meeting.
That US was not going to be more than a bystander in this drama was evident from Munter`s words that the `relation between Pakistan and America is far greater than political relationships.
Hours later, Haqqani`s resignation was announced.
Pakistan - Haqqani Saga
SINCE the last one month the Pakistani media has been publishing news about Pakistan`s ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani. The last few days have witnessed the pressure of the military establishment on the ambassador, which called him back to explain his position.
Husain Haqqani has been the target of the right-wing and so-called national media from day one, even though Haq-gani is a pro-Pakistan voice in the US who knows very well how much Pakistan needs America`s support. Hehas presented Pakistan`s case in America in very difficult conditions.
The government has asked Mr Haqqani to explain his position and he is fighting a war for survival. A few days back army chief Gen Kayani met President Zardari twice in a day, while Prime Minister Gilani was also present.
Though it has not been officially revealed, the apparent focus of these two meetings was Mr Haqqani. A column written by Mansoor Ijaz, in which the business tycoon hasclaimed the Pakistani ambassador, through him, wrote to US Adm Mike Mullen saying that the Pakistan military wanted to overthrow the democratic government and asked for his help, is what created the fuss.
The relationship between the military establishment and the incumbent government has at times remained stressed. In 2009, at the time of the Kerry-Lugar bill, differ-ences between the president and GHQ cropped up. The Abbottabad operation as well as President Zardari`s pro-US policy has been disliked by the hard-liners in the establishment. The relations between Kayani and Zardari are leading towards a big downfall on the pretext of the Haqqani issue. The army does not seem to be satisfied with the assurances and explanation on this issue. Let`s see when and how the black clouds hovering over Islamabad will be dispersed.
Husain Haqqani has been the target of the right-wing and so-called national media from day one, even though Haq-gani is a pro-Pakistan voice in the US who knows very well how much Pakistan needs America`s support. Hehas presented Pakistan`s case in America in very difficult conditions.
The government has asked Mr Haqqani to explain his position and he is fighting a war for survival. A few days back army chief Gen Kayani met President Zardari twice in a day, while Prime Minister Gilani was also present.
Though it has not been officially revealed, the apparent focus of these two meetings was Mr Haqqani. A column written by Mansoor Ijaz, in which the business tycoon hasclaimed the Pakistani ambassador, through him, wrote to US Adm Mike Mullen saying that the Pakistan military wanted to overthrow the democratic government and asked for his help, is what created the fuss.
The relationship between the military establishment and the incumbent government has at times remained stressed. In 2009, at the time of the Kerry-Lugar bill, differ-ences between the president and GHQ cropped up. The Abbottabad operation as well as President Zardari`s pro-US policy has been disliked by the hard-liners in the establishment. The relations between Kayani and Zardari are leading towards a big downfall on the pretext of the Haqqani issue. The army does not seem to be satisfied with the assurances and explanation on this issue. Let`s see when and how the black clouds hovering over Islamabad will be dispersed.
Pakistan - Devolution of Power Problem
GIVEN that Pakistan has had a highly centralised governance structure since Independence, the devolution of power as envisaged by the 18th Amendment was bound to be a complex affair. This has proven to be true,for in the year and a half since the landmark legislation was passed, there have been teething problems, such as the absorption of employees of devolved departments. The latest issue to crop up has been of the division of assets. As reported in this paper, the federal government and the provinces seem to be locked in a tussle over financial assets worth over Rs230bn along with physical assets belonging to the Workers` Welfare Fund and the Employees` OldAge Benefit Institution.
The issue has been raised in a confidential report authored by the finance ministry and USAID.
If this and other issues that may arise are to be resolved amicably between the centre and the provinces, it is important to revisit the spirit of the 18th Amendment. The legislation was passed with the consensus of all political parties in parliament, hence its guiding principles must be respected.
Particularly, the moving spirit of the law that of democratic participatory federalism must not be lost sight of. And to realise such lofty goals it is essential to reconcile conflicting economic interests both among the federating units and between theprovinces and Islamabad.
The 18th Amendment very clearly states that the shares of the provinces in federal services, including autonomous bodies and corporations, must be given to them. Hence the funds mentioned above need to be transferred without hindrance. There has been criticism of the provinces lacking the capacity to handle devolved responsibilities. But then, in certain areas the federal government has just as poor a record where capacity is concerned.
Therefore, capacity building is required at both levels and should be complementary, and must not be used as an excuse to withhold powers or funds.
We feel that a long-term mechanism is needed to resolve such issues. The implementation commission that was supposed to oversee the process of devolution was wrapped up in June. Until all outstanding issues are finalised and devolution is complete which may be an open-ended process an authority is required to resolve disputes over assets and other details.
Parliament is perhaps the ideal forum to do this, as it was parliament which laid the groundwork for devolution. If the implementation commission cannot be revived perhaps the Council of Common Interests can be tasked with monitoring devolution. But for this the CCI will have to play a more active role, primarily by meeting at regular intervals.
The issue has been raised in a confidential report authored by the finance ministry and USAID.
If this and other issues that may arise are to be resolved amicably between the centre and the provinces, it is important to revisit the spirit of the 18th Amendment. The legislation was passed with the consensus of all political parties in parliament, hence its guiding principles must be respected.
Particularly, the moving spirit of the law that of democratic participatory federalism must not be lost sight of. And to realise such lofty goals it is essential to reconcile conflicting economic interests both among the federating units and between theprovinces and Islamabad.
The 18th Amendment very clearly states that the shares of the provinces in federal services, including autonomous bodies and corporations, must be given to them. Hence the funds mentioned above need to be transferred without hindrance. There has been criticism of the provinces lacking the capacity to handle devolved responsibilities. But then, in certain areas the federal government has just as poor a record where capacity is concerned.
Therefore, capacity building is required at both levels and should be complementary, and must not be used as an excuse to withhold powers or funds.
We feel that a long-term mechanism is needed to resolve such issues. The implementation commission that was supposed to oversee the process of devolution was wrapped up in June. Until all outstanding issues are finalised and devolution is complete which may be an open-ended process an authority is required to resolve disputes over assets and other details.
Parliament is perhaps the ideal forum to do this, as it was parliament which laid the groundwork for devolution. If the implementation commission cannot be revived perhaps the Council of Common Interests can be tasked with monitoring devolution. But for this the CCI will have to play a more active role, primarily by meeting at regular intervals.
Pakistan Politics - Punjab in focus V Imran Khan`s narrow message to a broad electorate By Cyril Almeida | 11/22/2011
A winning electoral strategy is like a perfectly baked souffle. The right combination of ingredients and skill can produce exquisite results, but it is all too easy to get wrong and fall flat.
Surveying the political landscape in northern and central Punjab along a stretch of the GT Road, it`s too early to tell what`s cooking in the province. The big question will Imran Khan turn the next election into a triangular contest nationally between the PPP, PML-N and PTI or willthe PTI be more of a spoiler for the Sharifs and the PML-N? has an even bigger question mark hanging over it.
Despite having animated a section of the public that is traditionally politically nonactive particularly the youth and an urban middle-class disillusioned with the status quo the PTI wave will be up against a formidable politics that revolves around patronage networks and clan assoclations.
Yet, it`s perhaps not the strength of the opposition that the PTI will face come election time but the narrowness of ImranKhan`s central message that has limited the party`s appeal so far.
A limited appeal Zulfikar Ali Bhutto infused the labourer and peasant with a sense of self-worth and on that legacy is the PPP support built. As long as there are poor people in Pakistan, there will be PPP voters.
Nawaz Sharif built his base in Punjab by wooing the trader who was disillusioned by Bhutto`s policies; appealing to Punjabi chaunvism; and casting himself as a local lad.
The longevity of the PPP and PML-Nvote banks are based on substantive messages that appeal intimately to swathes of the public.
Outside the media echo chamber and major urban centres, however, the Khan mantra of clean, corruption-free governance being the panacea for Pakistan`s problems does not have great resonance.
Consider. Shahbaz Sharif is regarded even by his adversaries as a chief minister who has run a relatively clean government and tried where possible to install honest and untainted bureaucrats and policemen in Punjab`s districts. He is possiblyPakistan`s hardest working elected representative. But the voter has never really warmed to him, put off perhaps by his reputation for aloofness and micromanaging that an unsympathetic media has highlighted.
In Gujranwala, a first-time PML-N MNA, Justice Iftikhar Cheema (retd), has a reputation for being as clean as they come. But voters haven`t warmed to Cheema either and he ruefully speculated that in his predominantly rural constituency voters want a different kind of representative.
Where the thanna-katcheri (police and courts) system is most entrenched and voters need candidates who will look out for them and protect their interests in an exploitative judicial and lawenforcement system, a candidate needs local clout most, not necessarily the cleanest reputation.
There is also the strong tug of biradiri. Even major urban centres like Gujranwala city and large parts of Lahore may have the trappings of modern life, but they are not modern societies. Voting patterns are significantly affected by biradiri (clan) affiliations andKhan`s message will struggle against its influence.
What is overplayed is the PTTs relative lack of electables at present. Closer to election time, if Khan`s star is still perceived to be rising, he can and will attract strong candidates. Just as likely, his core voter will make his peace with some of the compromises the PTI will be forced to make nationally in the award of tickets.
But it will be more of a hard slog then a cakewalk, the battles between patronage networks and along the lines of biradiri and thanna-katcheri politics being bruising and fierce. A sweep for the PTI against powerful candidates aligned with the major partieswould be a phenomenal achievement, perhaps greater than ZAB`s victory in 1970, when patronage networks were not so entrenched.
There`s more. Even Khan`s more ardent supporters tend to express uncertainty over the PTI`s ability to transform the system or bring fundamental change. While that could be because the PTI worker is more pragmatic and cautious, a more damaging assessment would be that it`s less that Khan has matured as a politician in the eyes of voters than the failure of the existing options has diminished their popularity, and so put them within Khan`s reach. If the core aren`t true believers, will a voting majority gamble on Khan?The establishment factor No electoral analysis in Pakistan is complete without factoring in the Pakistan Army`s preferences.
The strong perception that Imran Khan and his PTI are backed by the establishment needs to be parsed carefully. While support at present is taken as a given in many quarters, the preferences come election time will likely be shaped by the actions of three players in the months ahead: Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan.
Zardari is a figure that the army high command neither likes nor trusts. Were he to win a second term, the fear is that he may use a fresh electoral mandate to clip the establishment`s wings or that analready corrupt regime may become even more corrupt and turn to harsh and repressive measures against political opponents. A second term is uncharted territory and given the perceptions about Zardari, the possibility is viewed with anxiety.
The problem is not new, however: much as there may be dislike for Zardari, Sharif is viewed as unpredictable and unreliable, and hence dangerous. The Punjab card means some within the establishment will always regard him as the true political leader of the country, but unless Sharif dilutes his rhetoric and makes some adjustments in the year ahead, he will be viewed with suspicion.Enter Imran Khan. The safest option among the three, he suffers from being a politically unproven entity. If Khan fails to broaden his appeal over the next few months, the army may start to make adjustments with either Zardari or Sharif.
Outside a military dispensation, a genuinely electable party and its leadership are a better bet.
An unpredictable electorate Elections in Pakistan take shape in the last few weeks of the run-up, when what`s referred to as the `wind` or the `wave` that propels parties to victory becomes apparent.
Despite appearances, Pakistan`s electorate, shaped by myriad political, local and ideological influences, is notoriously unpredictable.For all their patronage networks and biradiri links, constituency politicians are often mere passengers on the electoral train when it roars ahead at full speed just weeks before election day.
At that point, all manner of factors, many previously dormant, come into play, producing results that are hard to control systematically and even harder to predict nationally. So these are early days yet.
Khan may win, but he isn`t looking like a winner just yet.
Surveying the political landscape in northern and central Punjab along a stretch of the GT Road, it`s too early to tell what`s cooking in the province. The big question will Imran Khan turn the next election into a triangular contest nationally between the PPP, PML-N and PTI or willthe PTI be more of a spoiler for the Sharifs and the PML-N? has an even bigger question mark hanging over it.
Despite having animated a section of the public that is traditionally politically nonactive particularly the youth and an urban middle-class disillusioned with the status quo the PTI wave will be up against a formidable politics that revolves around patronage networks and clan assoclations.
Yet, it`s perhaps not the strength of the opposition that the PTI will face come election time but the narrowness of ImranKhan`s central message that has limited the party`s appeal so far.
A limited appeal Zulfikar Ali Bhutto infused the labourer and peasant with a sense of self-worth and on that legacy is the PPP support built. As long as there are poor people in Pakistan, there will be PPP voters.
Nawaz Sharif built his base in Punjab by wooing the trader who was disillusioned by Bhutto`s policies; appealing to Punjabi chaunvism; and casting himself as a local lad.
The longevity of the PPP and PML-Nvote banks are based on substantive messages that appeal intimately to swathes of the public.
Outside the media echo chamber and major urban centres, however, the Khan mantra of clean, corruption-free governance being the panacea for Pakistan`s problems does not have great resonance.
Consider. Shahbaz Sharif is regarded even by his adversaries as a chief minister who has run a relatively clean government and tried where possible to install honest and untainted bureaucrats and policemen in Punjab`s districts. He is possiblyPakistan`s hardest working elected representative. But the voter has never really warmed to him, put off perhaps by his reputation for aloofness and micromanaging that an unsympathetic media has highlighted.
In Gujranwala, a first-time PML-N MNA, Justice Iftikhar Cheema (retd), has a reputation for being as clean as they come. But voters haven`t warmed to Cheema either and he ruefully speculated that in his predominantly rural constituency voters want a different kind of representative.
Where the thanna-katcheri (police and courts) system is most entrenched and voters need candidates who will look out for them and protect their interests in an exploitative judicial and lawenforcement system, a candidate needs local clout most, not necessarily the cleanest reputation.
There is also the strong tug of biradiri. Even major urban centres like Gujranwala city and large parts of Lahore may have the trappings of modern life, but they are not modern societies. Voting patterns are significantly affected by biradiri (clan) affiliations andKhan`s message will struggle against its influence.
What is overplayed is the PTTs relative lack of electables at present. Closer to election time, if Khan`s star is still perceived to be rising, he can and will attract strong candidates. Just as likely, his core voter will make his peace with some of the compromises the PTI will be forced to make nationally in the award of tickets.
But it will be more of a hard slog then a cakewalk, the battles between patronage networks and along the lines of biradiri and thanna-katcheri politics being bruising and fierce. A sweep for the PTI against powerful candidates aligned with the major partieswould be a phenomenal achievement, perhaps greater than ZAB`s victory in 1970, when patronage networks were not so entrenched.
There`s more. Even Khan`s more ardent supporters tend to express uncertainty over the PTI`s ability to transform the system or bring fundamental change. While that could be because the PTI worker is more pragmatic and cautious, a more damaging assessment would be that it`s less that Khan has matured as a politician in the eyes of voters than the failure of the existing options has diminished their popularity, and so put them within Khan`s reach. If the core aren`t true believers, will a voting majority gamble on Khan?The establishment factor No electoral analysis in Pakistan is complete without factoring in the Pakistan Army`s preferences.
The strong perception that Imran Khan and his PTI are backed by the establishment needs to be parsed carefully. While support at present is taken as a given in many quarters, the preferences come election time will likely be shaped by the actions of three players in the months ahead: Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan.
Zardari is a figure that the army high command neither likes nor trusts. Were he to win a second term, the fear is that he may use a fresh electoral mandate to clip the establishment`s wings or that analready corrupt regime may become even more corrupt and turn to harsh and repressive measures against political opponents. A second term is uncharted territory and given the perceptions about Zardari, the possibility is viewed with anxiety.
The problem is not new, however: much as there may be dislike for Zardari, Sharif is viewed as unpredictable and unreliable, and hence dangerous. The Punjab card means some within the establishment will always regard him as the true political leader of the country, but unless Sharif dilutes his rhetoric and makes some adjustments in the year ahead, he will be viewed with suspicion.Enter Imran Khan. The safest option among the three, he suffers from being a politically unproven entity. If Khan fails to broaden his appeal over the next few months, the army may start to make adjustments with either Zardari or Sharif.
Outside a military dispensation, a genuinely electable party and its leadership are a better bet.
An unpredictable electorate Elections in Pakistan take shape in the last few weeks of the run-up, when what`s referred to as the `wind` or the `wave` that propels parties to victory becomes apparent.
Despite appearances, Pakistan`s electorate, shaped by myriad political, local and ideological influences, is notoriously unpredictable.For all their patronage networks and biradiri links, constituency politicians are often mere passengers on the electoral train when it roars ahead at full speed just weeks before election day.
At that point, all manner of factors, many previously dormant, come into play, producing results that are hard to control systematically and even harder to predict nationally. So these are early days yet.
Khan may win, but he isn`t looking like a winner just yet.
Mullen did not believe memo was from Zardari: Pentagon
WASHINGTON, Nov 21: The Pentagon said on Monday that former US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen knew the emissary who had brought the controversial memo to him but he did not believe it was from President Asif Ali Zardari.
The statement indirectly confirms two latest developments in the so-called memogate scandal that has shaken Pakistan: Former US National Security Adviser James Jones took the memo to the admiral and the accuser Mansoor Ijaz`s claim that President Zardari may not have known about the letter.
`Mr Mullen knew who the intermediary was but the letter was not signed and he did not find the contents credible at all,` Capt. John Kirby told a briefing.
`Nothing in it indicated that it was from President Zardari.
Capt. Kirby, who was also Mr Mullen`s spokesman when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the admiral did not find the memo credible because `he received this from a third party, there was no indication that this was from President Zardari, and the contents of the letter were not at all credible.
The Pentagon spokesman also said that the admiral did not know and had no communication with Mr Ijaz, the Pakistani-American businessman who claimed that Pakistan`s ambassa-dor to the US, Husain Haqqani, had dictated him the message from President Zardari, seeking US support for sacking senior army officials and restructuring its command and control mechanism.
Asked why Gen. Jones agreed to take such a suspicious memo to Admiral Mullen, Capt. Kirby said he could not speak for the former White House official.
`If he is speaking about it, that is his account. You should ask him why.
On Sunday evening, a US media outletquoted Gen. Jones as saying that he was the intermediary who took the memo to Admiral Mullen.
Later, in an email message to some Pakistani media outlets, he also said he had received the memo from Mr Ijaz in May and delivered it to Admiral Mullen in less than a week after receiving it.
This confirms Mr Ijaz`s earlier claim that the emissary who took the message to Mr Mullen was so important that he could not have ignored the memo.
Initially, Capt. Kirby, speaking on behalf of Mr Mullen, had said that either the admiral did not receive the memo or even if he did, it was so unimportant that he did not remember receiving or reading it. But a week after the first statement, Capt. Kirby confirmed that Admiral Mullen recalled receiving the memo.In an interview to an Indian TV, Mr Ijaz also said that Amb. Haqqani might not have discussed operational details with President Zardari and probably did not tell him that he was sending a memo or a letter to Admiral Mullen.
In situations like this, he said, only the end-result was confirmed to the man on the top, not operational details.
Amb. Haqqani has denied Mr Ijaz`s claim that he dictated the letter to the businessman, and has dismissed the memo `as a bundle of lies`.
Gen. Jones, in his statement, said he agreed to deliver the message to Admiral Mullen because he was neither a serving US government official nor associated with the Obama administration.
`I was not in government when I forwarded the message to Admiral Mullen on May 10,` he wrote. Mr Jones said he had confirmed his role as the intermediary to The Financial Times four days ago.
Meanwhile, Amb. Haqqani, who has been staying at the President House in Islamabad, since early Sunday morning, has reduced his communication with the media and his followers.
`I am a little busy in Islamabad.
Normal tweeting will resume soon,` he said in a Twitter message sent on Monday afternoon. `Not to my knowledge. I am where I am:),` he wrote when one of his followers on the Twitter asked if he was innocent, who had hatched this conspiracy against him and why.
The statement indirectly confirms two latest developments in the so-called memogate scandal that has shaken Pakistan: Former US National Security Adviser James Jones took the memo to the admiral and the accuser Mansoor Ijaz`s claim that President Zardari may not have known about the letter.
`Mr Mullen knew who the intermediary was but the letter was not signed and he did not find the contents credible at all,` Capt. John Kirby told a briefing.
`Nothing in it indicated that it was from President Zardari.
Capt. Kirby, who was also Mr Mullen`s spokesman when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the admiral did not find the memo credible because `he received this from a third party, there was no indication that this was from President Zardari, and the contents of the letter were not at all credible.
The Pentagon spokesman also said that the admiral did not know and had no communication with Mr Ijaz, the Pakistani-American businessman who claimed that Pakistan`s ambassa-dor to the US, Husain Haqqani, had dictated him the message from President Zardari, seeking US support for sacking senior army officials and restructuring its command and control mechanism.
Asked why Gen. Jones agreed to take such a suspicious memo to Admiral Mullen, Capt. Kirby said he could not speak for the former White House official.
`If he is speaking about it, that is his account. You should ask him why.
On Sunday evening, a US media outletquoted Gen. Jones as saying that he was the intermediary who took the memo to Admiral Mullen.
Later, in an email message to some Pakistani media outlets, he also said he had received the memo from Mr Ijaz in May and delivered it to Admiral Mullen in less than a week after receiving it.
This confirms Mr Ijaz`s earlier claim that the emissary who took the message to Mr Mullen was so important that he could not have ignored the memo.
Initially, Capt. Kirby, speaking on behalf of Mr Mullen, had said that either the admiral did not receive the memo or even if he did, it was so unimportant that he did not remember receiving or reading it. But a week after the first statement, Capt. Kirby confirmed that Admiral Mullen recalled receiving the memo.In an interview to an Indian TV, Mr Ijaz also said that Amb. Haqqani might not have discussed operational details with President Zardari and probably did not tell him that he was sending a memo or a letter to Admiral Mullen.
In situations like this, he said, only the end-result was confirmed to the man on the top, not operational details.
Amb. Haqqani has denied Mr Ijaz`s claim that he dictated the letter to the businessman, and has dismissed the memo `as a bundle of lies`.
Gen. Jones, in his statement, said he agreed to deliver the message to Admiral Mullen because he was neither a serving US government official nor associated with the Obama administration.
`I was not in government when I forwarded the message to Admiral Mullen on May 10,` he wrote. Mr Jones said he had confirmed his role as the intermediary to The Financial Times four days ago.
Meanwhile, Amb. Haqqani, who has been staying at the President House in Islamabad, since early Sunday morning, has reduced his communication with the media and his followers.
`I am a little busy in Islamabad.
Normal tweeting will resume soon,` he said in a Twitter message sent on Monday afternoon. `Not to my knowledge. I am where I am:),` he wrote when one of his followers on the Twitter asked if he was innocent, who had hatched this conspiracy against him and why.
Pakistan - Outlawed Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack. - 15 killed
QUETTA, Nov 21: At least 15 security personnel were killed and 15 others injured in an attack on a Frontier Corps convoy in Kangri area of Musa Khel district, some 350km northeast of the provincial capital, on Monday.
Officials said an FC major and a noncommissioned officer were among the dead. Fourteen personnel died on the spot and one in Loralai hospital. A spokesman for the FC Balochistan confirmed the ambush and the casualties.
`Yes, we have lost our 14 personnel in the attack. Several soldiers were injured, eight of them seriously,` he said.
Outlawed Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Talking to journalists from an unspecified place, the organisation`s spokesman Azad Baloch claimed that 40 security personnel had been killed in the ambush.
More troops were dispatched to launch an operation in the area after the incident.
According to sources, the convoy was going to Musa Khel to provide security to newlyfound coal reserves in the area. The convoy, led by Major Amir Shahzad, came under the attack before dawn from mountains near Bahlol village in Kingri area.
`The assailants fired several rockets at the convoy. They also used heavy automatic weapons,` the sources said, adding that some attackers were killed when security forces returned fire.
However, there was no official confirmation about casualties on the militants` side.
The sources said that militants had also attacked an FC post and fired a number of rockets at checkpoints in Chamalang area on Sunday night. Security personnel retaliated, but no casualties were reported.
The FC spokesman said in a statement that security team had been sent to the area at the request of local people to protect a mining project in Bahlol village.
He condemned the attack and said the team was going to the area for a peaceful purpose and to protect the project which could play an important role in brining about economic prosperity in the area.
The statement warned what it called `the enemies of Balochistan peace and prosperity` that such attacks would not stop projectslaunched for development and prosperity of the province.
AFP adds: It was one of the deadliest attacks on Pakistani troops and marked the highest number of military dead in a single incident since March when friendly fire killed 13 soldiers on the northwestern border with Afghanistan.
The military said the troops were guarding a private coalmine and blamed the attack on Baloch rebels.
`Fourteen paramilitary personnel, including a major, were killed and several others wounded. Baloch militants were involved,` a military spokesman said.
Security officials said the rebels were armed with automatic weapons and that most of the soldiers died from gunshot wounds. They said Musa Khel, which is dominated by ethnic Pashtuns and borders the Baloch-dominated district of Kohlu, had seen several private coalmines closed because of tribal disputes.
Troops intervened to resolve those disputes. The coalmines were inaugurated by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in August and work began with the military providing protection, the officials said.
But Baloch separatist rebels oppose the military presence and there have been a string of attacks on troops in the area.
The scene of Monday`s attack is not far from Sui town, where two other soldiers were killed in a bombing on Saturday.
Officials said an FC major and a noncommissioned officer were among the dead. Fourteen personnel died on the spot and one in Loralai hospital. A spokesman for the FC Balochistan confirmed the ambush and the casualties.
`Yes, we have lost our 14 personnel in the attack. Several soldiers were injured, eight of them seriously,` he said.
Outlawed Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Talking to journalists from an unspecified place, the organisation`s spokesman Azad Baloch claimed that 40 security personnel had been killed in the ambush.
More troops were dispatched to launch an operation in the area after the incident.
According to sources, the convoy was going to Musa Khel to provide security to newlyfound coal reserves in the area. The convoy, led by Major Amir Shahzad, came under the attack before dawn from mountains near Bahlol village in Kingri area.
`The assailants fired several rockets at the convoy. They also used heavy automatic weapons,` the sources said, adding that some attackers were killed when security forces returned fire.
However, there was no official confirmation about casualties on the militants` side.
The sources said that militants had also attacked an FC post and fired a number of rockets at checkpoints in Chamalang area on Sunday night. Security personnel retaliated, but no casualties were reported.
The FC spokesman said in a statement that security team had been sent to the area at the request of local people to protect a mining project in Bahlol village.
He condemned the attack and said the team was going to the area for a peaceful purpose and to protect the project which could play an important role in brining about economic prosperity in the area.
The statement warned what it called `the enemies of Balochistan peace and prosperity` that such attacks would not stop projectslaunched for development and prosperity of the province.
AFP adds: It was one of the deadliest attacks on Pakistani troops and marked the highest number of military dead in a single incident since March when friendly fire killed 13 soldiers on the northwestern border with Afghanistan.
The military said the troops were guarding a private coalmine and blamed the attack on Baloch rebels.
`Fourteen paramilitary personnel, including a major, were killed and several others wounded. Baloch militants were involved,` a military spokesman said.
Security officials said the rebels were armed with automatic weapons and that most of the soldiers died from gunshot wounds. They said Musa Khel, which is dominated by ethnic Pashtuns and borders the Baloch-dominated district of Kohlu, had seen several private coalmines closed because of tribal disputes.
Troops intervened to resolve those disputes. The coalmines were inaugurated by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in August and work began with the military providing protection, the officials said.
But Baloch separatist rebels oppose the military presence and there have been a string of attacks on troops in the area.
The scene of Monday`s attack is not far from Sui town, where two other soldiers were killed in a bombing on Saturday.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The mess in Somalia
KENYA faces a familiar problem: it has invaded a country to stamp out terrorism but has found itself trapped. Casualties have risen, domestic pressures back home are multiplying and elections have to be won. The Kenyans invaded Somalia last month, so the consequences will take some time to emerge. AlShabaab militants have been raiding the neighbouring country, kidnapping and killing. Now three governments those of Kenya, Uganda and the Somalia rump state headed by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmad have joined hands to crush Al Shabaab, with Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula calling it a `historic opportunity to restore stability and security` in Somalia Al Qaeda-linked alShabaab is indifferent to human suffering. It believes in imposing its own version of religion by force, eliminates those who oppose its skewed sense of jihad and makes no bones about it. Last year a double suicide attack killed 76 people in Kampala, Uganda, and last month in a suicide truck bombing it killed 70 of its own people in Mogadishu. The invasion by thousands of Kenyans has prompted theal-Shabaab leadership to warn of greater reprisals against Kenya. Asking his followers to stop such smallscale attacks as throwing grenades on buses an alShabaab commander told his guerilla force `we want huge blasts`.
Kenya`s dilemma is obvious: it feels it cannot withdraw without achieving its aim of destroying alShabaab.But the presence of thousands of Kenyan soldiers only serves to help alShabaab, which will say it is fighting an invading force and will most probably win support even from the neutrals. Al-Shabaab fighters were trained by Osama bin Laden`s men, and are unlikely to give Kenya and Uganda the latter has thousands of peacekeepers in Somalia a victory. Kenya and others have no choice but to find a negotiated settlement. President Ahmad writ doesn`t run beyond Mogadishu. As experience in Afghanistan shows, the Islamist guerillas are unlikely to agree to a ceasefire, except on their own terms. Unless something dramatic happens, the people of a potentially rich country like Somalia seem condemned to unending suffering in a brutal war the majority never wanted.
Kenya`s dilemma is obvious: it feels it cannot withdraw without achieving its aim of destroying alShabaab.But the presence of thousands of Kenyan soldiers only serves to help alShabaab, which will say it is fighting an invading force and will most probably win support even from the neutrals. Al-Shabaab fighters were trained by Osama bin Laden`s men, and are unlikely to give Kenya and Uganda the latter has thousands of peacekeepers in Somalia a victory. Kenya and others have no choice but to find a negotiated settlement. President Ahmad writ doesn`t run beyond Mogadishu. As experience in Afghanistan shows, the Islamist guerillas are unlikely to agree to a ceasefire, except on their own terms. Unless something dramatic happens, the people of a potentially rich country like Somalia seem condemned to unending suffering in a brutal war the majority never wanted.
Pakistan - Civil-military imbalance
THERE may be fireworks in parliament today over `memogate`, but what ought to be the main issue the civil-military imbalance will probably get only passing mention. Unhappily, an age-old lesson is being reinforced once again: unless the civilians get their act together and work towards strengthening democratic institutions, civilian control of the military is likely to remain a pipe-dream. Set aside the speculation surrounding the memo that Ijaz Mansoor delivered to thenchairman of the US joint chiefs of staff Mike Mullen only a thorough and transparent high-powered public inquiry will come close to ascertaining the facts, but that is unlikely to happen and focus on what the political leadership in a country with reasonably strong democratic roots would have done post-May 2.
Parliament would have been activated immediately, defence committees would inquire into why US troops were able to operate unhindered on Pakistani soil for nearly two hours, intelligence committees would inquire into how and why Osama bin Laden was able to find sanctuary in Abbotabad and foreign relations committees would have examined the impact of the May 2 raid on Pakistan`s international standing, making concrete recommendations to limit the damage. That no such thing happened here is ofcourse not the fault of the present government alone.
In Pakistan, parliament has never been strong and sometimes hasn`t even existed at all. But by surrendering the nationalsecurity and foreign-policy domains to the military establishment, the present government sowed fresh seeds of trouble. Bartering critical policy areas away for political survival was akin to shaking hands with the devil: short-term gains were always going to turn into long-term nightmares.
Indeed, if Ijaz Mansoor`s claims are true and given the cast of characters allegedly involved on the Pakistani side, anything is possible the civilian leadership would be exposed as very pitiful indeed. The ultimate irony: if the allegations are true, then because of the poor choices the government has made in its dealings with the military it had already ensured that there was no chance of its proposals being implemented.
Sacking military principals and installing a new national security team? Perhaps if the government had worked to strengthen democratic institutions, some of the memo proposals would not have looked so utterly divorced from reality. Long after the noise subsides in parliament and heads roll or not, Pakistan will still be left with a daunting reality: the civilians aren`t getting any closer at all to truly being in charge.
Parliament would have been activated immediately, defence committees would inquire into why US troops were able to operate unhindered on Pakistani soil for nearly two hours, intelligence committees would inquire into how and why Osama bin Laden was able to find sanctuary in Abbotabad and foreign relations committees would have examined the impact of the May 2 raid on Pakistan`s international standing, making concrete recommendations to limit the damage. That no such thing happened here is ofcourse not the fault of the present government alone.
In Pakistan, parliament has never been strong and sometimes hasn`t even existed at all. But by surrendering the nationalsecurity and foreign-policy domains to the military establishment, the present government sowed fresh seeds of trouble. Bartering critical policy areas away for political survival was akin to shaking hands with the devil: short-term gains were always going to turn into long-term nightmares.
Indeed, if Ijaz Mansoor`s claims are true and given the cast of characters allegedly involved on the Pakistani side, anything is possible the civilian leadership would be exposed as very pitiful indeed. The ultimate irony: if the allegations are true, then because of the poor choices the government has made in its dealings with the military it had already ensured that there was no chance of its proposals being implemented.
Sacking military principals and installing a new national security team? Perhaps if the government had worked to strengthen democratic institutions, some of the memo proposals would not have looked so utterly divorced from reality. Long after the noise subsides in parliament and heads roll or not, Pakistan will still be left with a daunting reality: the civilians aren`t getting any closer at all to truly being in charge.
Pakistan - PTA`s farcical move
IN its move to ban obscene words appearing in text messages on cellular phones, it seems the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is in a race to outdo the Sindh government which one day abruptly decided that Mandarin should be taught in public schools in bizarreness. The PTA has reportedly come up with a list comprising some 1,100 obscene words (why just so many and no more?) that cannot be transmitted via SMS. Does the PTA have nothing better to do with its regulatory authority that it otherwise barely exercises when it comes to the invasion of privacy of subscribers? It is almost obscene, for instance, to wake up to a message at three in the morning that`s trying to sell one a plot in Dubai or announcing a circus near a village somewhere deep in the hinterland. That the purported list of banned words should include innocuous exclamations and commandslike `Jesus Christ` and `do me` (a favour, for example) makes just as little sense as the move itself. Were this farce to be implemented, no more could a parent text his or her offspring waiting to be `picked up` from college that he or she was indeed `coming` to get the child.
Little wonder, then, that cellular phone service providers are confused regarding the implementation of the ban on the negative words; nor do they know where the list would stop as PTA would keep adding to it because most Pakistanis are at least bilingual. The ill-advised move could well be the brainchild of some selfrighteous individual occupying a high seat in the PTA. While one may feel over-communicated with today because of modern technology, it does not give one or the other regulatory authority the right to monitor, much less resort to censoring, individual communications.
Little wonder, then, that cellular phone service providers are confused regarding the implementation of the ban on the negative words; nor do they know where the list would stop as PTA would keep adding to it because most Pakistanis are at least bilingual. The ill-advised move could well be the brainchild of some selfrighteous individual occupying a high seat in the PTA. While one may feel over-communicated with today because of modern technology, it does not give one or the other regulatory authority the right to monitor, much less resort to censoring, individual communications.
Pakistan - Haqqani to meet political, military leaders today
By Syed Irfan RazaISLAMABAD, Nov 20: As the memogate scandal deepens with fresh revelations by US-based businessman Mansoor Ijaz, the man at the centre of the controversy, Ambassador Husain Haqqani twice met President Asif Ali Zardari at the presidency on Sunday and is reported to have stuck to his stance that he had nothing to do with the memo allegedly sent to former US military chief Mike Mullen to stave off a possible military takeover.
Sources close to the president told Dawn that these were informal meetings and, therefore, there was no official word about it from the presidency.
President`s Spokesman Farhatullah Babar neither confirmed nor denied that the meetings had taken place. He only said: `Today being a Sunday there was no official meeting slotted.
The sources said a high-level formal meeting with Mr Haqqani would be held in the presidency on Monday and it was expected to be attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISPs Director-General Maj-Gen Shuja Pasha and Ambassador Haqqani.
Mr Haqqani who arrived in Islamabadon Sunday morning spent a busy day and held informal meetings also with some officials of the armed forces and Foreign Office officials, the sources said.
At the presidency, one-to-one meetings between the president and Mr Haqqani on Sunday continued for a few Related report on Page 3 hours and the ambassador presented his version in detail.
The first meeting took place in the morning and the second in the evening.
`I think the problem has been resolved and details will be made public in a couple of days,` the source said.
Before the meeting, it was expected that Mr Haqqani might tender his resignation as he had already said that he could quit if ordered by President Zardari to do so.
Mr Haqqani`s primary defence is that the memo is unsigned and unverified.
The sources, however, said Mr Haqqani was asked not to tender his resignation and face the situation with the assertion that he was not involved in the matter.
It is believed here that the matter willeventually go to the Supreme Court because PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif said in his public meeting in Faisalabad on Sunday that he would take it to the apex court in two days if the government did not launch an inquiry.
Mr Ijaz, who had claimed to have handed over the memo to the US military chief on behalf of the Pakistani government to seek US help against a possible military takeover claimed in an interview with a private TV channel that he had given important evidences to the ISI chief Gen Pasha in London confirming that he had forwarded the confidential memo to the then US military chief on behalf of the government.
The PPP`s core committee at a meeting on Friday decided that Mr Haqqani would be given a chance to present his version.
President Zardari was of the view that Mr Haqqani could not get himself involved in such an anti-state affair.
The sources said President Zardari was expected to order an inquiry into the controversy to ascertain who had written the memo and at whose behest.
Sources close to the president told Dawn that these were informal meetings and, therefore, there was no official word about it from the presidency.
President`s Spokesman Farhatullah Babar neither confirmed nor denied that the meetings had taken place. He only said: `Today being a Sunday there was no official meeting slotted.
The sources said a high-level formal meeting with Mr Haqqani would be held in the presidency on Monday and it was expected to be attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISPs Director-General Maj-Gen Shuja Pasha and Ambassador Haqqani.
Mr Haqqani who arrived in Islamabadon Sunday morning spent a busy day and held informal meetings also with some officials of the armed forces and Foreign Office officials, the sources said.
At the presidency, one-to-one meetings between the president and Mr Haqqani on Sunday continued for a few Related report on Page 3 hours and the ambassador presented his version in detail.
The first meeting took place in the morning and the second in the evening.
`I think the problem has been resolved and details will be made public in a couple of days,` the source said.
Before the meeting, it was expected that Mr Haqqani might tender his resignation as he had already said that he could quit if ordered by President Zardari to do so.
Mr Haqqani`s primary defence is that the memo is unsigned and unverified.
The sources, however, said Mr Haqqani was asked not to tender his resignation and face the situation with the assertion that he was not involved in the matter.
It is believed here that the matter willeventually go to the Supreme Court because PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif said in his public meeting in Faisalabad on Sunday that he would take it to the apex court in two days if the government did not launch an inquiry.
Mr Ijaz, who had claimed to have handed over the memo to the US military chief on behalf of the Pakistani government to seek US help against a possible military takeover claimed in an interview with a private TV channel that he had given important evidences to the ISI chief Gen Pasha in London confirming that he had forwarded the confidential memo to the then US military chief on behalf of the government.
The PPP`s core committee at a meeting on Friday decided that Mr Haqqani would be given a chance to present his version.
President Zardari was of the view that Mr Haqqani could not get himself involved in such an anti-state affair.
The sources said President Zardari was expected to order an inquiry into the controversy to ascertain who had written the memo and at whose behest.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
EU censors own film on Afghan women prisoners By Orla Guerin BBC News, Kabul
The European Union has blocked the release of a documentary on Afghan women who are in jail for so-called "moral crimes".
The EU says it decided to withdraw the film - which it commissioned and paid for - because of "very real concerns for the safety of the women portrayed".However, human rights workers say the injustice in the Afghan judicial system should be exposed.
Half of Afghanistan's women prisoners are inmates for "zina" or moral crimes.
A statement from the EU's Kabul delegation said the welfare of the women was the paramount consideration in its decision.
No official from the delegation was prepared to be interviewed about the film.
No new dawn Some of the women convicted of "zina" are guilty of nothing more than running away from forced marriages or violent husbands.
Human rights activists say hundreds of those behind bars are victims of domestic violence.
Amnesty International says it is important to "lift the lid on one of Afghanistan's most shameful judicial practices".
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Heather Barr Human Rights WatchYou hear the story again and again of women going to the police and asking for help and ending up in prison instead”
The documentary told the story of a 19-year-old prisoner called Gulnaz.
After she was raped, she was charged with adultery. Her baby girl, born following the rape, is serving her sentence with her."At first my sentence was two years," Gulnaz said, as her baby coughed in her arms. "When I appealed it became 12 years. I didn't do anything. Why should I be sentenced for so long?"
Stories like hers are tragically typical, according to Heather Barr, of Human Rights Watch, who is carrying out research among Afghan female prisoners.
"It would be reassuring to think that the stories told in this film represent aberrations or extreme case," she said. "Unfortunately that couldn't be further from the truth."
She has interviewed many women behind bars, who were victims twice over - abused by their husbands, or relatives, and then by those who were supposed to protect them.
"You hear the story again and again of women going to the police and asking for help and ending up in prison instead," Ms Barr said.
A decade after the Taliban were overthrown, Afghan women are still waiting for justice, campaigners say.
Ms Barr said: "It's very important that people understand that there are these horrific stories that are happening now - 10 years after the fall of the Taliban government, 10 years after what was supposed to be a new dawn for Afghan women."
For many that new dawn has not come, but for Gulnaz there is now the hope of freedom.
Her name is on a list of women to be pardoned, according to a prison official, but as she has no lawyer, the paperwork has yet to be processed.
Gulnaz's pardon may be in the works because she has agreed - after 18 months of resisting - to marry her rapist.
"I need my daughter to have a father," she said.
Afghanistan: Mother, daughter stoned to death in Ghazni
A group of armed men have stoned a woman and her daughter to death in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, security officials have told the BBC.
Officials blamed the Taliban for the attack and said they had accused the widow and her daughter of "moral deviation and adultery".The incident happened on Thursday in the Khawaja Hakim area of Ghazni city, where the family lived.
The police said two men had been arrested in connection with the murder.
Security officials said armed men entered the house where the young widow lived with her daughter, took them out, and stoned them to death.
"Neighbours did not help or inform the authorities on time," an official said.
Taliban grip Officials said a number of religious leaders in the city had been issuing fatwas (Islamic religious edicts) asking people to report any one who was "involved in adultery".
In October last year, a woman accused of murdering her mother-in-law was killed by Taliban in Ghazni.
Ghazni has seen an upsurge in violence in recent years.
Strategically located on the route between Kabul and Kandahar, the province was once a centre of trade.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says Taliban insurgents now control large parts of the province - and only seven of the 18 districts are in control of the Afghan government.
The Taliban have banned celebrations by men and women in wedding halls in the provincial capital - men can celebrate but without playing music and women have been asked to celebrate in their homes.
Several radio stations in the provincial capital broadcasts Taliban songs.
Illegal quarrying - Margalla Hills Pakistan
THE effort to protect the Margalla Hills, decared a national park in 1980, from the rapacious onslaught of illegal quarrying has been continuing for several decades. Yet each time the practice is stopped, the well-connected quarry owners manage to circumvent regulations and continue to denude the hills. As reported in this paper on Thursday, illegal quarrying has resumed in the area a year after the federal government banned it. Due to devolution, the Punjab government is now responsible for protecting the hills. Yet it has shown laxity. Across the province there are reportedly over 120 ongoing illegal stonecrushing operations and excessive quarrying has created a major health risk for the people, besides upsetting the region`s environmental balance.
The level of air pollution in the area is frightening.
According to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, the total suspended particulate matter in the area has at times reached 20,000 cubic metres when the accept-able limit is 500. The quarrying has also caused streams and waterways to dry up and has endangered Taxila`s archaeological sites.
The government needs to ensure that its own departments are respecting environmental regulations. Currently, several government bodies allow contractors to extract material only from the Margallas. Alternative sites have been proposed for stone-crushing. These should be utilised so that what is lef t of the Margalla Hills can be saved, while it should be ensured these sites are located far from populated areas. Meanwhile, the demand for construction material is high because people build homes that are much larger than what they actually need having a huge house is, of course, considered a status symbol.
Perhaps the state can impose a tax on houses built beyond a certain size.
This may bring down the demand for building material and ultimately halt the further destruction of the Margallas and other natural treasures.
The level of air pollution in the area is frightening.
According to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, the total suspended particulate matter in the area has at times reached 20,000 cubic metres when the accept-able limit is 500. The quarrying has also caused streams and waterways to dry up and has endangered Taxila`s archaeological sites.
The government needs to ensure that its own departments are respecting environmental regulations. Currently, several government bodies allow contractors to extract material only from the Margallas. Alternative sites have been proposed for stone-crushing. These should be utilised so that what is lef t of the Margalla Hills can be saved, while it should be ensured these sites are located far from populated areas. Meanwhile, the demand for construction material is high because people build homes that are much larger than what they actually need having a huge house is, of course, considered a status symbol.
Perhaps the state can impose a tax on houses built beyond a certain size.
This may bring down the demand for building material and ultimately halt the further destruction of the Margallas and other natural treasures.
Hate crime - Sindh Pakistan
THE events that led to the murder on Monday of three doctors belonging to the Hindu community in a town near Shikarpur remain shrouded in mystery as conflicting details have emerged in the press.
It is irrelevant whether the Muslim girl at the centre of the murders was an entertainer or simply someone in love with a Hindu man.
The offence committed had all the trappings of a hate crime which was rightly denounced by the highest in the government, Sindh`s opinion leaders, nationalist parties and civil society. It appeared a case of the perpetrators making a horrible example of the members of the minority community in a bid to further push the Hindu community to the wall, with a view to keeping in place the social apartheid practised against it. Unfortunately, as reported by Hindu leaders, there has emerged a pattern in the rising number of cases of kidnapping for ransom, forced conversions and violence against the community over the past few years.
The perpetrators comprise Islamic extremists who see nothing wrong in forcibly converting or harassing theminority community, totally disregarding the deeprooted culture of peaceful coexistence that has been the hallmark of Sindhi society for centuries.
The situation in certain pockets of Balochistan, including Quetta, where such misguided elements have reportedly kidnapped Hindu traders for ransom in recent months is equally cause for concern. There is a need to not allow any such criminal activity to take place under the cover of religion for there is nothing Islamic about terrorising minority communities.
While it is heartening to see civil society joining the ranks of the Hindu minority in Sindh in their protest against the latest killings, state institutions must play a proactive role in rooting out violence against minorities by bringing the culprits to justice. The police must build a prosecution case that stands the test of justice in a court of law and facilitates the judiciary`s role in establishing the criminals` guilt. Meanwhile, sensitising public opinion to the treatment meted out to minorities must be given top priority by civil society groups and government officials.
It is irrelevant whether the Muslim girl at the centre of the murders was an entertainer or simply someone in love with a Hindu man.
The offence committed had all the trappings of a hate crime which was rightly denounced by the highest in the government, Sindh`s opinion leaders, nationalist parties and civil society. It appeared a case of the perpetrators making a horrible example of the members of the minority community in a bid to further push the Hindu community to the wall, with a view to keeping in place the social apartheid practised against it. Unfortunately, as reported by Hindu leaders, there has emerged a pattern in the rising number of cases of kidnapping for ransom, forced conversions and violence against the community over the past few years.
The perpetrators comprise Islamic extremists who see nothing wrong in forcibly converting or harassing theminority community, totally disregarding the deeprooted culture of peaceful coexistence that has been the hallmark of Sindhi society for centuries.
The situation in certain pockets of Balochistan, including Quetta, where such misguided elements have reportedly kidnapped Hindu traders for ransom in recent months is equally cause for concern. There is a need to not allow any such criminal activity to take place under the cover of religion for there is nothing Islamic about terrorising minority communities.
While it is heartening to see civil society joining the ranks of the Hindu minority in Sindh in their protest against the latest killings, state institutions must play a proactive role in rooting out violence against minorities by bringing the culprits to justice. The police must build a prosecution case that stands the test of justice in a court of law and facilitates the judiciary`s role in establishing the criminals` guilt. Meanwhile, sensitising public opinion to the treatment meted out to minorities must be given top priority by civil society groups and government officials.
Islamabad urged to rein in LeT, JuD Pakistan, India seek new era in ties
ADDU (Maldives), Nov 10: Although India and Pakistan publicly expressed their willingness to discuss the core issues bedevilling bilateral relations and their prime ministers spoke of their desire to open a `new chapter` in ties, the former asked the latter to take strict action against Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaatud Dawa if it wanted a meaningful dialogue.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh met for about an hour, prior to the opening of the 17th summit of the South AsianAssociation for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
According to a federal minister who attended the meeting, the Indians categorically told the Pakistani side that it wasn`t possible to move forward until there were some on-ground actions against the two groups.
Otherwise, the minister said there were strong indications that India meant business on a whole lot of issues the two countries needed to thrash out.
They warned that they could not afford another Mumbai-like incident and to stop such terrorist acts Pakistan had no other option but to take care of both the groups, the minister, who didn`t want to be named, said.
A senior official of the Indian foreign ministry said it was unfair if people wereexpecting that the two countries would resolve all their outstanding issues overnight.
`Yes, we are finding common grounds on various issues from where we will move towards tough decisions. First, our main priority is to consolidate whatever achievements the two countries have made so far.
Later, during a brief appearance before the media, the two prime ministers vowed to open a new chapter in bilateral relationship and predicted more constructive and result-oriented talks in the near future.
`The next round of talks will be more positive, more constructive and will open a new chapter in the history of both countries,` Prime Minister Gilani said.
`I can only assure you that I discussed all core issueswith my Indian counterpart, including the core issue of Kashmir, terrorism, Sir Creek, Siachen, water and trade.
The prime minister thanked India for supporting Pakistan in the election to the UN Security Council and to get trade access in the European Union.
Prime Minister Singh was equally friendly and shared the tone and tenor of Mr Gilani.
`We will resume this dialogue with the expectation that all issues which have bedevilled relations between the two countries will be discussed.
`The time has come to write a new chapter in the history of the relationship of the two countries, because we have already wasted lots of time,` he said.
On a personal note, Mr Singh said: `I have always regarded Prime Minister Gilani as a man of peace.
Every time we have met over the past three years, my belief has further strengthened.
He said the destiny of the two countries was interlinked, hence they had no choice but to move forward together.
The discussions between the two countries had yielded positive results, but more needed to be done, the Indian prime minister said.
While the two prime ministers were busy in a one-toone meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told media persons that a Pakistani judicial commission would soon visit India to investigate the Mumbai attacks.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh met for about an hour, prior to the opening of the 17th summit of the South AsianAssociation for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
According to a federal minister who attended the meeting, the Indians categorically told the Pakistani side that it wasn`t possible to move forward until there were some on-ground actions against the two groups.
Otherwise, the minister said there were strong indications that India meant business on a whole lot of issues the two countries needed to thrash out.
They warned that they could not afford another Mumbai-like incident and to stop such terrorist acts Pakistan had no other option but to take care of both the groups, the minister, who didn`t want to be named, said.
A senior official of the Indian foreign ministry said it was unfair if people wereexpecting that the two countries would resolve all their outstanding issues overnight.
`Yes, we are finding common grounds on various issues from where we will move towards tough decisions. First, our main priority is to consolidate whatever achievements the two countries have made so far.
Later, during a brief appearance before the media, the two prime ministers vowed to open a new chapter in bilateral relationship and predicted more constructive and result-oriented talks in the near future.
`The next round of talks will be more positive, more constructive and will open a new chapter in the history of both countries,` Prime Minister Gilani said.
`I can only assure you that I discussed all core issueswith my Indian counterpart, including the core issue of Kashmir, terrorism, Sir Creek, Siachen, water and trade.
The prime minister thanked India for supporting Pakistan in the election to the UN Security Council and to get trade access in the European Union.
Prime Minister Singh was equally friendly and shared the tone and tenor of Mr Gilani.
`We will resume this dialogue with the expectation that all issues which have bedevilled relations between the two countries will be discussed.
`The time has come to write a new chapter in the history of the relationship of the two countries, because we have already wasted lots of time,` he said.
On a personal note, Mr Singh said: `I have always regarded Prime Minister Gilani as a man of peace.
Every time we have met over the past three years, my belief has further strengthened.
He said the destiny of the two countries was interlinked, hence they had no choice but to move forward together.
The discussions between the two countries had yielded positive results, but more needed to be done, the Indian prime minister said.
While the two prime ministers were busy in a one-toone meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told media persons that a Pakistani judicial commission would soon visit India to investigate the Mumbai attacks.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sex harassment 'rife' at Australia military academy
The review, carried out by Human Rights Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, said the situation had improved significantly in the last decade.
But it said that cultural changes were needed at the Canberra-based Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
The review was ordered in the wake of a sex scandal at the institution.
Two cadets were accused of secretly filming a female cadet having sex and broadcasting it on the internet.
They have now been charged in connection with the incident, which raised questions about the treatment of women throughout the Australian military establishment.
'Cultural evolution' More than a quarter of all cadets and staff at the academy were interviewed by officials conducting the review.
Many women "stated clearly that they are treated equally and fairly", the report said. "The predominant view was that for most women, most of the time, ADFA was a good environment."
But 74% of female cadets said they had experienced harassment.
"Widespread, low-level sexual harassment exists at ADFA," Ms Broderick wrote.
"Women disproportionately experience gender and sex-related harassment, as well as general harassment and discrimination."
Data showed there had been "isolated incidents of serious sexual misconduct in recent years, including sexual assault", said the report.
Part of the problem was inadequate supervision in some areas and a poor complaints procedure.
The review made 31 recommendations, including a establishing a mentoring programme for cadets, more education on gender relations and increased control over cadets' alcohol consumption.
Ms Broderick said the academy and wider military needed to develop "a plan for cultural evolution which is more inclusive of women".
"This necessarily also requires a shift from managing and accommodating women to an attitude of full inclusion, where women are recognised as an essential and vital part of the future capability of the ADF [army]," she said.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the government would "determine the best way forward in formally adopting and implementing the review recommendations".
Navy case Ms Broderick is also carrying out a wider review of the treatment of women throughout the Australian military which will be completed in 2012.
A separate review, ordered by the Department of Defence, has received more than 1,000 allegations of abuse, ABC News reported last month.
Reviews have also been ordered into the use of alcohol and social media in the military.
The sex scandal at the academy in April followed another relating to the navy.
In February, the defence department released a report chronicling what it called a culture of predatory sexual behaviour on board the naval supply ship HMAS Success.
It revealed a fiercely tribal culture in which women sailors were treated with disdain, alcohol was seriously misused and discipline had broken down.
In September, in a separate incident, a navy cadet was convicted of raping a female colleague as she slept.
The man, who filmed himself committing the act on his phone, told a court that he did it to be accepted by his peers, and that filming sexual exploits and bragging about them was common.
But it said that cultural changes were needed at the Canberra-based Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
The review was ordered in the wake of a sex scandal at the institution.
Two cadets were accused of secretly filming a female cadet having sex and broadcasting it on the internet.
They have now been charged in connection with the incident, which raised questions about the treatment of women throughout the Australian military establishment.
'Cultural evolution' More than a quarter of all cadets and staff at the academy were interviewed by officials conducting the review.
Many women "stated clearly that they are treated equally and fairly", the report said. "The predominant view was that for most women, most of the time, ADFA was a good environment."
But 74% of female cadets said they had experienced harassment.
"Widespread, low-level sexual harassment exists at ADFA," Ms Broderick wrote.
"Women disproportionately experience gender and sex-related harassment, as well as general harassment and discrimination."
Data showed there had been "isolated incidents of serious sexual misconduct in recent years, including sexual assault", said the report.
Part of the problem was inadequate supervision in some areas and a poor complaints procedure.
The review made 31 recommendations, including a establishing a mentoring programme for cadets, more education on gender relations and increased control over cadets' alcohol consumption.
Ms Broderick said the academy and wider military needed to develop "a plan for cultural evolution which is more inclusive of women".
"This necessarily also requires a shift from managing and accommodating women to an attitude of full inclusion, where women are recognised as an essential and vital part of the future capability of the ADF [army]," she said.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the government would "determine the best way forward in formally adopting and implementing the review recommendations".
Navy case Ms Broderick is also carrying out a wider review of the treatment of women throughout the Australian military which will be completed in 2012.
A separate review, ordered by the Department of Defence, has received more than 1,000 allegations of abuse, ABC News reported last month.
Reviews have also been ordered into the use of alcohol and social media in the military.
The sex scandal at the academy in April followed another relating to the navy.
In February, the defence department released a report chronicling what it called a culture of predatory sexual behaviour on board the naval supply ship HMAS Success.
It revealed a fiercely tribal culture in which women sailors were treated with disdain, alcohol was seriously misused and discipline had broken down.
In September, in a separate incident, a navy cadet was convicted of raping a female colleague as she slept.
The man, who filmed himself committing the act on his phone, told a court that he did it to be accepted by his peers, and that filming sexual exploits and bragging about them was common.
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