ALMOST exactly in the middle of Freedom at Midnight a detailed history of the Partition of India, Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins relate an incident that took place days,even hours before Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah left Bombay for Karachi in August 1947.
In those final hours, Jinnah visited a cemetery reserved for Bombay`s Muslims, where he stopped at a grave. Here, the man who stood at the cusp of founding a nation, laid a bouquet of flowers and wept.
The woman he mourned was Maryam Ruttibai Jinnah, the love of his life, the wife who had left him a year before her death in 1928.
To me this story was touching in a way that his distant gaze in portraits and currency notes never was.
Like so many of the children ofthe country befounded, born long after Partition, after military coups and doses of dictatorship, I grew up in the echoes of his sayings piped into commercial breaks and atop government buildings. His legacy was a misty backdrop to the pressing political dramas of ethnicity and sectarianism playing out around me in Karachi.
On the drive to school, we passed his white-domed mausoleum; each morning drive prompted a vision of the man buried within earshot of the sins and sighs of those to whom he had bequeathed a country.
When I was six or seven years old, a school trip finally took me inside the mysterious mausoleum where when I was even younger, I had believed the Quaid still lived. As my classmates and I cupped our hands in prayer, Inow added details to my earlier ambiguous imaginings. I imagined a wise, pure Quaid lying beneath the pink and white marble work.
Later, we weretaken to a room where we saw some of the objects he had owned his inkwell, a monocle, some books, and a furry cap, pieces of a hero`s life. For months afterwards, I dreamed of the mazar and the Quaid sitting at his desk, perhaps a bit irked at the kids troopingin and out taking for granted the country he had given them.
By the time I was a teenager, I had no more such visions. The Quaid was a subject to be mastered and learned by rote, along with Allama Iqbal and the Indus River delta, all crucial portions of the Pakistan Studies curriculum.
As instructed by the Sindh Textbook Board, I memorised salient details, his education at Lincoln`s Inn, his meteoric rise as a politician in united India, his famous speeches at iconic moments, and finally his untimely death when Pakistan was still a baby.
Living through the bloody ethnic confusions of Karachi in the 1990s, these facts I learned and regurgitated in long hand on lined exam sheets like so many students then and now adrift on the vast ocean between history on the page and the reality of the polity.
So when I fell upon this story of Jinnah`s last goodbye at the Bombay cemetery,one whose pathos unites Pakistan`s founder with the grief of millions who left lives and loves behind during that muggy August of 1947, I could not help but wonder why it was not so much a part of the narrative about Jinnah in Pakistan.
There are the obvious explanations not unique to Pakistan; the requirements of historical hagiography that paint leaders as formidable, superhuman instead of simply human. They are viewed as beyond petty emotionalism, above the fray of feelings. They are raised up and anointed, their edges smoothed and their contradictions ironed out.
Those schooled in the architecture of legacy would point out that Mohammad Ali Jinnah himself would have wanted this; after all he did not write an autobiography, hardly wrote personal letters and painstakingly guarded his private life.
After giving his whole life to a country, he could understandably have wished to keep some small part of it for himself.
All these conjectures are valid; produced from the school of thought that belleves that heroes cannot be and should not be human. In the narrative of a barely born country, myth must supersede man and his humanity. However, if that was true and the newborn fragility of Pakistan the reason for an elusive hero then the same premise can be offered a different conclusion now.
The grown-up Pakistan in which we encounter the Quaid`s legacy today is not the hopeful nascent nation that required an object of worship. The massive doses of reality Pakistanis must digest daily civil war, hunger, floods, the interference of superpowers, political infighting etc do not require an unreachable hero,but a human being familiar with the harangues of fate and fortune.
Much has been and will be written this week about the legacy of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, its appropriation and misappropriation, many measurements made of the reality of Pakistan against the vision of its founder. All are worthy exercises whose import would be better served by a slight redirection.
Assessing the legacy and the story of the man who envisioned Pakistan from the vantage point of a country that is no longer young, no longer a dream and no longer as malleable as it was at birth requires a human hero, one whose mistakes and regrets make him not less adored but more so.
Just as the real Pakistan requires affection born not of the cleverly concealed blemish, the edited story, the airbrushed landscape so does the legacy of its founder. If such a pursuit could be available to Pakistanis, they may finally admit the truth already that sits deep within their hearts; that neither a country nor a hero must be perfect to be loved.m The writer is an attorney teaching political philosophy and constitutional law.
rafia.zakaria@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Pakistan - Ghari Khuda Baksh and Questions
MOURNED by thousands, a dynamic champion of democracy was paid homage yesterday at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the occasion of her fourth death anniversary. The late Benazir Bhutto left behind many admirers and in her passing, despite the disparity in social status, joined the ranks of ordinary party activists who fought with their lives for a common cause. Irrespective of political divides, she will be forever missed by those who believe that a truly democratic culture needs to take root in this country so it can flourish and put an end to any future attempts at adventurism. True, deals could have been brokered that may not be palatable for some. But there can be no denying that Benazir Bhutto was a brave politician who fought for the rights of the Pakistani public.
Now let`s address the murkier side of the equation. The party currently in power, Ms Bhutto`s own Pakistan People`s Party, has been at the helm of affairs since March 2008. It has been said on numerous occasions by the late Ms Bhutto`s husband President Asif Ali Zardari,as well as the prime minister and members of the inner coterie, that the identity of her killers are known to the government and that her assassins will be brought to justice with the proviso that this can only happen when the time is right. Such statements do not instil confidence amongst the general public and leads to the view that the government is in fact disregarding the issue. Whatever the truth, it is clear that there has been a massive government failure on this count that cannot be explained away by the same old statements. If the authorities are confident they know who killed Benazir Bhutto, the assassins should be arrested forthwith. Was it Baitullah Mehsud and his murderous cohorts in the Tehrik-iTaliban Pakistan who assassinated Benazir Bhutto? Was the plan hatched in an entirely different quarter, and if so where? With no credible answers the government should simply close the case and admit its inadequacy. If this government can`t solve the case, it is highly unlikely that any other dispensation will.
Now let`s address the murkier side of the equation. The party currently in power, Ms Bhutto`s own Pakistan People`s Party, has been at the helm of affairs since March 2008. It has been said on numerous occasions by the late Ms Bhutto`s husband President Asif Ali Zardari,as well as the prime minister and members of the inner coterie, that the identity of her killers are known to the government and that her assassins will be brought to justice with the proviso that this can only happen when the time is right. Such statements do not instil confidence amongst the general public and leads to the view that the government is in fact disregarding the issue. Whatever the truth, it is clear that there has been a massive government failure on this count that cannot be explained away by the same old statements. If the authorities are confident they know who killed Benazir Bhutto, the assassins should be arrested forthwith. Was it Baitullah Mehsud and his murderous cohorts in the Tehrik-iTaliban Pakistan who assassinated Benazir Bhutto? Was the plan hatched in an entirely different quarter, and if so where? With no credible answers the government should simply close the case and admit its inadequacy. If this government can`t solve the case, it is highly unlikely that any other dispensation will.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Pakistan - Imran's Speach in Karachi
THE Pakistan Tehrik-iInsaf rally near Mr Jinnah`s mausoleum on Sunday was billed by organisers as a continuation of the political `tsunami` that was first in evidenceinLahore on Oct30.
Critics of the PTI maintained that unless some hard policy positions were fleshed out the long-standing accusation that the PTI had not matured as a political party would stick.
Both sides were validated to some extent by Sunday`s rally. The PTI certainly validated some of the hype in the run-up to what was a historic rally. In particular, the ability to draw in a diverse crowd in such large numbers in a city like Karachi where ethnic and political fault lines are deep and deadly suggests that Imran Khan has tapped into a vein of popular discontent against the status quo that isn`t limited to the Punjab heartland or the Pashtun belts. The rally also had a very different vibe to other political events in Karachi, there being an air of celebration and goodwill that only infrequently marks politics in the turbulent city.
Disappointing, though, was the lack of any serious policy prescriptions. Imran Khan did talk about the goal of establishing an `Islamic welfare society` but mentioned virtually no details. Mr Khan talked of a revolutionary system of service delivery based on computerisation andinformation technology but where will the concrete plans and implementation come from? The former IT minister who has recently joined the PTI, Azam Swati, doesn`t have a particularly strong track record in getting things done. On taxation, an issue Mr Khan has talked much about (and rightly so), the PTI chief also did not have any suggestions for nudging upwards the disastrously low tax-toGDP ratio. Does the PTI endorse a meaningful agricultural income tax or support the reforms of the sales tax system? No answers were provided.
Given the politicians with diverse, if not opposing, foreign policy briefs in the past that have been inducted into the PTI, what will the PTI`s foreign policy look like? Again, silence.
The broader question: is the PTI set to become a mishmash of the views of the disparate traditional politicians who have been inducted into the party recently or will Imran Khan`s `vision`, to the extent one was discernible before, still be the guiding principle of the party? The PTPs core still seems to be the `new voter` whether young voters or previously politically inactive citizens disillusioned with the status quo.
As Mr Khan works to bring `electables` on board, how will the core PTI supporter respond? Only this is clear: a fascinating election lies ahead.
Critics of the PTI maintained that unless some hard policy positions were fleshed out the long-standing accusation that the PTI had not matured as a political party would stick.
Both sides were validated to some extent by Sunday`s rally. The PTI certainly validated some of the hype in the run-up to what was a historic rally. In particular, the ability to draw in a diverse crowd in such large numbers in a city like Karachi where ethnic and political fault lines are deep and deadly suggests that Imran Khan has tapped into a vein of popular discontent against the status quo that isn`t limited to the Punjab heartland or the Pashtun belts. The rally also had a very different vibe to other political events in Karachi, there being an air of celebration and goodwill that only infrequently marks politics in the turbulent city.
Disappointing, though, was the lack of any serious policy prescriptions. Imran Khan did talk about the goal of establishing an `Islamic welfare society` but mentioned virtually no details. Mr Khan talked of a revolutionary system of service delivery based on computerisation andinformation technology but where will the concrete plans and implementation come from? The former IT minister who has recently joined the PTI, Azam Swati, doesn`t have a particularly strong track record in getting things done. On taxation, an issue Mr Khan has talked much about (and rightly so), the PTI chief also did not have any suggestions for nudging upwards the disastrously low tax-toGDP ratio. Does the PTI endorse a meaningful agricultural income tax or support the reforms of the sales tax system? No answers were provided.
Given the politicians with diverse, if not opposing, foreign policy briefs in the past that have been inducted into the PTI, what will the PTI`s foreign policy look like? Again, silence.
The broader question: is the PTI set to become a mishmash of the views of the disparate traditional politicians who have been inducted into the party recently or will Imran Khan`s `vision`, to the extent one was discernible before, still be the guiding principle of the party? The PTPs core still seems to be the `new voter` whether young voters or previously politically inactive citizens disillusioned with the status quo.
As Mr Khan works to bring `electables` on board, how will the core PTI supporter respond? Only this is clear: a fascinating election lies ahead.
Iraq - Dangers
SOME recent developments must cause concern to all those interested in seeing Iraq develop into a mature and stable democracy in the heart of the Middle East. Vice President Tarik al-Hashemi, wanted on terror charges, is holed up in Kurdistan and the provincial government has so far been reluctant to hand him over to Baghdad for trial. Meanwhile, the Sunni members of Prime Minister Nuri Maliki`s government have boycotted cabinet meetings, and Mr Maliki has threatened to sack them all. Also, there have been bomb blasts in Shia areas, leading to over 60 deaths.
These developments are ominous. Making a success of democracy in the wake of a military defeat is an onerous task. Germany`s democratic experience in the wake of the First World War failed, because militias foremost among them the Nazi and communist wrecked the Weimar republic.
There are, of course, many dissimilarities between Germany and Iraq, but Iraq too is trying to work democracy in the wake of war and defeat.
The 2003 Anglo-American invasion, which ended the Baathist regime, was followed by an occupation that ended this month. The scars of the occupation are toorecenttobe recounted.
But Iraq`s infrastructure one of the Middle East`s best was pulverised, the oil industry was wiped out, Iraq`s cultural heritage was looted, and the civilian death toll, though vary-ing in estimate, was high.
Also, as in Lebanon, where the national covenant was imposed by the French (subsequently modified at Taif), the Iraqi constitution is full of compromises and seeks to strike a balance between its linguistic and sectarian populations. The basic law was enacted when Iraq was under occupation, but there were hopeful signs.
The constitution was approved in a referendum, and two general elections were held successfully despite terrorist threats. These efforts to continue the democratic experiment are laudable.
However, the Hashemi affair and the terror acts pose a threat to the system. At stake is not just democracy but Iraq`s organic unity. The Kurdistan government`s reluctance to hand over Mr Hashemi to Baghdad is indicative of the separatist tendencies in the region. These centrifugal trends have to be checked by means democratic and economic, while a spirit of accommodation must guide all parliamentary `blocs` that represent the people. Despite ethnic and sectarian divisions, the state established after the First World War has given an Iraqi identity to all its citizens.
This identity must be fostered and strengthened. Any break-up of the Iraqi state will be traumatic for the region, for it could have a spill-over effect in neighbouring countries and start a fragmentation process in the Middle East.
These developments are ominous. Making a success of democracy in the wake of a military defeat is an onerous task. Germany`s democratic experience in the wake of the First World War failed, because militias foremost among them the Nazi and communist wrecked the Weimar republic.
There are, of course, many dissimilarities between Germany and Iraq, but Iraq too is trying to work democracy in the wake of war and defeat.
The 2003 Anglo-American invasion, which ended the Baathist regime, was followed by an occupation that ended this month. The scars of the occupation are toorecenttobe recounted.
But Iraq`s infrastructure one of the Middle East`s best was pulverised, the oil industry was wiped out, Iraq`s cultural heritage was looted, and the civilian death toll, though vary-ing in estimate, was high.
Also, as in Lebanon, where the national covenant was imposed by the French (subsequently modified at Taif), the Iraqi constitution is full of compromises and seeks to strike a balance between its linguistic and sectarian populations. The basic law was enacted when Iraq was under occupation, but there were hopeful signs.
The constitution was approved in a referendum, and two general elections were held successfully despite terrorist threats. These efforts to continue the democratic experiment are laudable.
However, the Hashemi affair and the terror acts pose a threat to the system. At stake is not just democracy but Iraq`s organic unity. The Kurdistan government`s reluctance to hand over Mr Hashemi to Baghdad is indicative of the separatist tendencies in the region. These centrifugal trends have to be checked by means democratic and economic, while a spirit of accommodation must guide all parliamentary `blocs` that represent the people. Despite ethnic and sectarian divisions, the state established after the First World War has given an Iraqi identity to all its citizens.
This identity must be fostered and strengthened. Any break-up of the Iraqi state will be traumatic for the region, for it could have a spill-over effect in neighbouring countries and start a fragmentation process in the Middle East.
Pakistan - Energy Saver Bulbs
AFTER a number of hiccups, the idea of distributing free energy-saver light bulbs to the country`s poor finally appears to be picking up steam. It was reported recently that the government is all set to award the Philips Electrical Industries of Pakistan a contract for the procurement of 20 million energy-savers from China. The deal is worth Rs2.8bn and has now been cleared by the Asian Development Bank, the major lender, as well as Agence Francaise Development, the other partner in the project. Partial delivery of the energy-savers, also known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps, is expected within weeks.
This is a positive move because Pakistan is in the grip of a severe energy crisis. But saving energy, significant as that is for the welfare of the economy, is not the full picture here.
Power tariffs have skyrocketed over the last few years at a time when food inflation has also reached a point where millions ofpeople can barely afford to eat properly. The free distribution of energy-savers can help reduce household utility costs besides benefiting the country as a whole on account of reduced energy use.
Implementation of this project may also win Pakistan valuable carbon credits in a time of global environmental turmoil. But there is a downside as well.
Energy-saver bulbs are eco-friendly when it comes to power conservation. At the same time, however, CFLs contain a high level of mercury which could prove toxic if inhaled when a bulb falls to the floor.
Also, a renewed and more vigorous campaign is needed in the print and electronic media to inform the public about the way in which fused energy-saver bulbs ought to be disposed of, wrapped in adequate covering that safeguards health. However, the pros outweigh the cons and the move towards energysavers should be welcomed.
This is a positive move because Pakistan is in the grip of a severe energy crisis. But saving energy, significant as that is for the welfare of the economy, is not the full picture here.
Power tariffs have skyrocketed over the last few years at a time when food inflation has also reached a point where millions ofpeople can barely afford to eat properly. The free distribution of energy-savers can help reduce household utility costs besides benefiting the country as a whole on account of reduced energy use.
Implementation of this project may also win Pakistan valuable carbon credits in a time of global environmental turmoil. But there is a downside as well.
Energy-saver bulbs are eco-friendly when it comes to power conservation. At the same time, however, CFLs contain a high level of mercury which could prove toxic if inhaled when a bulb falls to the floor.
Also, a renewed and more vigorous campaign is needed in the print and electronic media to inform the public about the way in which fused energy-saver bulbs ought to be disposed of, wrapped in adequate covering that safeguards health. However, the pros outweigh the cons and the move towards energysavers should be welcomed.
Pakistan - World Bank's Assistance
THE World Bank`s decision to provide $5.5bn in development assistance to Pakistan over the next three years to fiscal 2014 should somewhat ease the financial troubles of the cash-strapped government and give it some respite in the wake of drying foreign official and private capital inflows. The Bank`s assistance is meant to shore up the country`s sliding economy, as well as to create jobs and health facilities, and construct roads in poorer and less-integrated regions and tribal areas near the Afghan border, under a multi-donor trust fund supported by 10 nations. The project for the crisis-hit areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is aimed at reducing the influence of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups over the population living there. The initiative unveiled through the Bank`s Country Partnership Strategy Progress Report shows that the international community recognises the implications of poverty and backwardness for peace in the region, and is ready to help.
But there is no such thing as a free lunch. The government will be required to contribute to the effort to get the coun-try back onto the path of high, sustained economic growth as articulated by it in its new growth strategy to continue to receive assistance. The Bank says Islamabad will be expected to improve economic governance, take steps for human development and social protection, build social and economic infrastructure, and work to reduce security and conflict risk. The World Bank`s renewed commitment to support Pakistan in the wake of the country`s persisting economic troubles has afforded it with yet another opportunity to show to the world that it is serious about tackling its problems. The government must take effective steps to improve macroeconomic governance and implement the long overdue structural, administrative, fiscal and tax reforms to create space for future development spending. It has already delayed implementation of the reforms for a very long time at the expense of the people and the economy. Further dilly-dallying on the issue of reforms can have serious repercussions for the people who are suffering because of the incompetent handling of the economy.
But there is no such thing as a free lunch. The government will be required to contribute to the effort to get the coun-try back onto the path of high, sustained economic growth as articulated by it in its new growth strategy to continue to receive assistance. The Bank says Islamabad will be expected to improve economic governance, take steps for human development and social protection, build social and economic infrastructure, and work to reduce security and conflict risk. The World Bank`s renewed commitment to support Pakistan in the wake of the country`s persisting economic troubles has afforded it with yet another opportunity to show to the world that it is serious about tackling its problems. The government must take effective steps to improve macroeconomic governance and implement the long overdue structural, administrative, fiscal and tax reforms to create space for future development spending. It has already delayed implementation of the reforms for a very long time at the expense of the people and the economy. Further dilly-dallying on the issue of reforms can have serious repercussions for the people who are suffering because of the incompetent handling of the economy.
Pakistan - Imran's Tsunami in Karachi!
KARACHI, Dec 25: The Imran Khan wave, which the cricketerturned-politician prefers to call `tsunami`, reached Karachi on Sunday with a large turnout at a Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf meeting which surprised many political analysts, some of whom termed it one of the largest rallies recently held in the city.
Imran Khan was accompanied on the dais by the new entrant to his party, the firebrand PML-N heavyweight Javed Hashmi who had ditched his party on Saturday to join the PTI bandwagon; former PPP foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Justice (retd) Fasihuddin.
In his speech, the PTI chief dropped a bombshell by announcing that senior PPP leader and another former foreign minister, Sardar Assef Ahmed, had called him earlier in the day to confirm that he was joining his party.Imran Khan touched on his favourite themes, including rampant corruption, people`s misery and economic downslide.
But most noticeably, he pledged to address the grievances of the people of Balochistan if his party came to power.
He said he would apologise to Baloch people on behalf of their other compatriots for injustices done to them. `We have committed excesses and have treated you like the people of a colony as we did in the case of the people of East Pakistan,` he said. `I pledge that when we come to power, we will give you a special status as West Germany gave to East Germany by diverting all development projects to the latter.
Turning to an emotionally charged crowd of youths, Mr Khan said if his party came to power with the support of people, he would accomplish the dream of the Quaid-i-Azam to turn the country into an Islamic welfare state. He reminded the people that he had never disappointed the nation as a cricketer, built a cancer hospital and a most modern university in a rural area of Mianwali and said he would fulfill their dream of a welfare state with their support. He appealed to the nation to join him to build a new, sovereignand prosperous Pakistan.
The PTI chief claimed that he would eliminate much of the corruption in government within 90 days of coming to power. He described corruption as the biggest hurdle to progress.
Referring to development and prosperity in Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey, he said they were able to do so by installing honest leadership in power.
The cricketer-turned-politician termed the crowd a tsunami and announced that its next stop would be in Quetta on March 23.
He said he had decided not to speak against any party, but PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had given him a challenge to play a 10-over match with him. He advised Mr Sharif to hurry up lest he should be left with men not enough even to form a cricket team. He said he also wanted to play a match with Asif Zardari, but he now stood retired hurt.
Welcoming Javed Hashim into the party fold, he announced that another wicket was about to fall as Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali had called him to confirm that he was joining the PTI.
PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, whose speech was punctuated with slogans of `Go Zardari go`, said the country`s nuclear assets were not under physical threat, but policymakers did pose a danger.
He said the policy of credible minimum deterrence was aimed at warning those who cast an evil eye on Pakistan.
Mr Qureshi said the nuclear programme must be protected from those who could bargain over it for their personal interests.
He said when he was foreign minister a nuclear deal between India and the United States had been discussed at a conference in Algeria and Pakistan had opposed it on the grounds that it amounted to discrimination against Pakistan.
`This was my first ideological difference with President Zardari who did not approve of the stand taken by the Foreign Office.
Mr Qureshi said Pakistan did not harbour any aggressive designs against any country and sought friendship with India and the United States, but could not opt for slavery.
`If the nation wants to have an independent, sovereign, prosperous, credible and strong Pakistan, it must elect a party whose leadership could offer their heads rather than surrender.
He said the message of this massive rally was clear to the world that no one could bargain over the nuclear programme.
Javed Hashmi said the historic rally was a harbinger of a revolution in the country.
He said he was with Imran Khan at every step, but would oppose every wrong decision of the party. `Justice was a slogan of the Quaid-iAzam.
He promised that the PTI would set up a system of justice after coming to power.
`We will form a government comprising youths.
People from various areas of the city and other parts of Sindh and the country attended the PTPs first impressive political gathering. People thronged the venue in buses and private vehicles waving flags of the party.
Although a majority of the participants were Pakhtuns, Hazarewall and Punjabis, they also included SindhiUrduand Balochispeaking people.
A large number of Imran Khan`s fans from posh areas of the city also attended the rally. Some of them sat on the second stage made for local leaders.
Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, Fauzia Qasuri, Dr Arif Alvi, Zehra Shahid Hasan, Jahangir Tareen, Hamid Khan and Azam Swati also addressed the public meeting.
Imran Khan was accompanied on the dais by the new entrant to his party, the firebrand PML-N heavyweight Javed Hashmi who had ditched his party on Saturday to join the PTI bandwagon; former PPP foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Justice (retd) Fasihuddin.
In his speech, the PTI chief dropped a bombshell by announcing that senior PPP leader and another former foreign minister, Sardar Assef Ahmed, had called him earlier in the day to confirm that he was joining his party.Imran Khan touched on his favourite themes, including rampant corruption, people`s misery and economic downslide.
But most noticeably, he pledged to address the grievances of the people of Balochistan if his party came to power.
He said he would apologise to Baloch people on behalf of their other compatriots for injustices done to them. `We have committed excesses and have treated you like the people of a colony as we did in the case of the people of East Pakistan,` he said. `I pledge that when we come to power, we will give you a special status as West Germany gave to East Germany by diverting all development projects to the latter.
Turning to an emotionally charged crowd of youths, Mr Khan said if his party came to power with the support of people, he would accomplish the dream of the Quaid-i-Azam to turn the country into an Islamic welfare state. He reminded the people that he had never disappointed the nation as a cricketer, built a cancer hospital and a most modern university in a rural area of Mianwali and said he would fulfill their dream of a welfare state with their support. He appealed to the nation to join him to build a new, sovereignand prosperous Pakistan.
The PTI chief claimed that he would eliminate much of the corruption in government within 90 days of coming to power. He described corruption as the biggest hurdle to progress.
Referring to development and prosperity in Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey, he said they were able to do so by installing honest leadership in power.
The cricketer-turned-politician termed the crowd a tsunami and announced that its next stop would be in Quetta on March 23.
He said he had decided not to speak against any party, but PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had given him a challenge to play a 10-over match with him. He advised Mr Sharif to hurry up lest he should be left with men not enough even to form a cricket team. He said he also wanted to play a match with Asif Zardari, but he now stood retired hurt.
Welcoming Javed Hashim into the party fold, he announced that another wicket was about to fall as Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali had called him to confirm that he was joining the PTI.
PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, whose speech was punctuated with slogans of `Go Zardari go`, said the country`s nuclear assets were not under physical threat, but policymakers did pose a danger.
He said the policy of credible minimum deterrence was aimed at warning those who cast an evil eye on Pakistan.
Mr Qureshi said the nuclear programme must be protected from those who could bargain over it for their personal interests.
He said when he was foreign minister a nuclear deal between India and the United States had been discussed at a conference in Algeria and Pakistan had opposed it on the grounds that it amounted to discrimination against Pakistan.
`This was my first ideological difference with President Zardari who did not approve of the stand taken by the Foreign Office.
Mr Qureshi said Pakistan did not harbour any aggressive designs against any country and sought friendship with India and the United States, but could not opt for slavery.
`If the nation wants to have an independent, sovereign, prosperous, credible and strong Pakistan, it must elect a party whose leadership could offer their heads rather than surrender.
He said the message of this massive rally was clear to the world that no one could bargain over the nuclear programme.
Javed Hashmi said the historic rally was a harbinger of a revolution in the country.
He said he was with Imran Khan at every step, but would oppose every wrong decision of the party. `Justice was a slogan of the Quaid-iAzam.
He promised that the PTI would set up a system of justice after coming to power.
`We will form a government comprising youths.
People from various areas of the city and other parts of Sindh and the country attended the PTPs first impressive political gathering. People thronged the venue in buses and private vehicles waving flags of the party.
Although a majority of the participants were Pakhtuns, Hazarewall and Punjabis, they also included SindhiUrduand Balochispeaking people.
A large number of Imran Khan`s fans from posh areas of the city also attended the rally. Some of them sat on the second stage made for local leaders.
Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, Fauzia Qasuri, Dr Arif Alvi, Zehra Shahid Hasan, Jahangir Tareen, Hamid Khan and Azam Swati also addressed the public meeting.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Pakistan - Nawz's Call for Early Polls
MIAN Nawaz Sharif`s suggestion for an early election is going to be discussed seriously in the coming days. The advice to President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is hardly undemocratic, and it is consistent with the PML-N`s own line of not allowing the army to step in. Meanwhile, the tone it has been delivered in sits well with Mr Sharif`s promotion of himself as an experienced national leader who could unite a fragmented Pakistan. He may have some more partisan motives, suchasthe onebasedonan estimate of the current PML-N popularity in comparison with the `discredited` PPP and an upwardly mobile Imran Khan. Yet, ultimately, it has to be said Mr Sharif has timed his suggestion expertly. His recent statements about democracy, civilian supremacy and on Balochistan, India, etc, have added to his credibility as a political leader.
The clever move is likely to win backers from among a people worn down by the current imbroglio, which is far from saying the call will not be opposed or will bewelcomed as an easy solution. The PPP will oppose an early election as amounting to the usurping of its right to rule until 2013.
The old victim`s status may be restored to the party of the Bhuttos whereas analysts will also be inclined to closely examine the system which is central to the materialisation of Mr Sharif`s wish. The fact is the Election Commission remains a contentious issue. Aspersions are routinely cast on its neutrality.
This has to be sorted out regardless of when polls are held. Additionally, there is the matter of the opposition`s `no` to an election held with Mr Zardari in the presidency. At least in theory the Gilani government`s stepping down would still leave the presidency in the hands of Mr Zardari. Mr Sharif`s earlypoll advice loses some of its shine when it is juxtaposed against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif`s snappy rejection of any kind of vote under President Zardari. Credibility aside, the FML-N still needs to be a little more coherent and open when it comes to discussing its formula.
The clever move is likely to win backers from among a people worn down by the current imbroglio, which is far from saying the call will not be opposed or will bewelcomed as an easy solution. The PPP will oppose an early election as amounting to the usurping of its right to rule until 2013.
The old victim`s status may be restored to the party of the Bhuttos whereas analysts will also be inclined to closely examine the system which is central to the materialisation of Mr Sharif`s wish. The fact is the Election Commission remains a contentious issue. Aspersions are routinely cast on its neutrality.
This has to be sorted out regardless of when polls are held. Additionally, there is the matter of the opposition`s `no` to an election held with Mr Zardari in the presidency. At least in theory the Gilani government`s stepping down would still leave the presidency in the hands of Mr Zardari. Mr Sharif`s earlypoll advice loses some of its shine when it is juxtaposed against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif`s snappy rejection of any kind of vote under President Zardari. Credibility aside, the FML-N still needs to be a little more coherent and open when it comes to discussing its formula.
Pakistan - State Bank Report
THE State Bank of Pakistan`s annual report for the last financial year is not just another grim reminder of an impoverished economy. It is also an indictment of various institutions whose responsibility it is to create an enabling and investment-friendly environment in the country. The report shows a decline in public and private investment the lowestin over three and a half decades. It laments poor governance, mourns the waste of limited financial resources by loss-making public-sector entities and shows concern over anaemic growth. The bank is as much worried over growing power shortages as the rising fiscal deficit on the back of increasing public expenditure and plunging tax revenues. With foreign official capital inflows drying up because of poor global economic conditions the need for deficit financing is forcing the government to borrow heavily from commercial banks.
This has diluted the SBP`s efforts to control inflation in spite of raising the cost of borrowing at the expense of private investment, exports and jobs. Moreover, it is squeezing the fiscal space for future public development spending.
The expanding current account deficit, too, remains a challenge owing to decreasing promised multilateral and bilateral financial assistance and private investment. The government`s weakening fiscal position and depleting foreign currency reserves have already put pressure on the exchange rate andescalated dollarisation of the economy. In the bank`s view, the issues of fiscal problems and energy shortages must be effectively addressed to break out of the current state of stagflation. The bank blames both internal and external factors for the current state of the economy. But it believes that domestic issues the energy crunch, low fixed investment, security conditions and poor infrastructure are `more decisive and chronic`. It also holds `institutional weaknesses at all tiers of the government judiciary, civil services, law enforcers, regulatory and accountability agencies as directly responsible for poor economic growth`. In other words, the reportunderscores the need for improving economic management, implementing fiscal and governance reforms as well as strengthening institutions for economic recovery.
However, it does not list the persisting political uncertainty in the country and key institutions working at cross purposes as a dominant factor that may have kept the political leadership from focusing on the sliding economy. It is naïve to expect a government facing all kinds of threats to its claim to power to take tough and unpopular decisions that are needed to put the economy back on the growth trajectory. The economic rot cannot be arrested unless political instability is ended and the government makes an earnest effort to rid itself of the `incompetent` tag.
This has diluted the SBP`s efforts to control inflation in spite of raising the cost of borrowing at the expense of private investment, exports and jobs. Moreover, it is squeezing the fiscal space for future public development spending.
The expanding current account deficit, too, remains a challenge owing to decreasing promised multilateral and bilateral financial assistance and private investment. The government`s weakening fiscal position and depleting foreign currency reserves have already put pressure on the exchange rate andescalated dollarisation of the economy. In the bank`s view, the issues of fiscal problems and energy shortages must be effectively addressed to break out of the current state of stagflation. The bank blames both internal and external factors for the current state of the economy. But it believes that domestic issues the energy crunch, low fixed investment, security conditions and poor infrastructure are `more decisive and chronic`. It also holds `institutional weaknesses at all tiers of the government judiciary, civil services, law enforcers, regulatory and accountability agencies as directly responsible for poor economic growth`. In other words, the reportunderscores the need for improving economic management, implementing fiscal and governance reforms as well as strengthening institutions for economic recovery.
However, it does not list the persisting political uncertainty in the country and key institutions working at cross purposes as a dominant factor that may have kept the political leadership from focusing on the sliding economy. It is naïve to expect a government facing all kinds of threats to its claim to power to take tough and unpopular decisions that are needed to put the economy back on the growth trajectory. The economic rot cannot be arrested unless political instability is ended and the government makes an earnest effort to rid itself of the `incompetent` tag.
Pakistan - dual nationality issue
APART from a few proscribed countries, holding dual nationality is not illegal under Pakistani law.
But that applies only to ordinary citizens. Under Article 63-1(c) of the constitution, the same privilege cannot be afforded to the country`s parliamentarians, even though the law in question is vague.
Does a parliamentarian who has a foreign passport in addition to the green book cease to be a citizen of Pakistan? Even under Gen Musharraf`s dictatorial rule no definitive answers were forthcoming and the same holds true today under a democratic set-up. These matters need to be clarified. It has been reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan is now in the process of disqualifying any candidates for parliamentary posts who might hold dual nationality. They will be asked to sign documents affirming that they are citizens of Pakistan, and Pakistan alone. Otherwise they open themselves to accusations of perjury.Nadra and other arms of the official machinery, including the Foreign Office, can easily track down who is lying or telling the truth in this day of readily available information. This clause, that of signing a declaration, could be important when it comes to the next general elections. Recently, parliament has also questioned whether or not the dual-nationality rule should apply to all government employees, though that is a grey area that needs to be probed thoroughly.
On the whole, however, this is not a bad move because it is one thing to be a businessman with dual nationality and another to be a lawmaker who carries more than one passport. National interest is at stake here. It has been eroded over the decades by numerous personalities but it is time to take a stand. Pakistan`s interests can be best projected by honest individuals who believe in the welfare of the people at home, not overseas.
But that applies only to ordinary citizens. Under Article 63-1(c) of the constitution, the same privilege cannot be afforded to the country`s parliamentarians, even though the law in question is vague.
Does a parliamentarian who has a foreign passport in addition to the green book cease to be a citizen of Pakistan? Even under Gen Musharraf`s dictatorial rule no definitive answers were forthcoming and the same holds true today under a democratic set-up. These matters need to be clarified. It has been reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan is now in the process of disqualifying any candidates for parliamentary posts who might hold dual nationality. They will be asked to sign documents affirming that they are citizens of Pakistan, and Pakistan alone. Otherwise they open themselves to accusations of perjury.Nadra and other arms of the official machinery, including the Foreign Office, can easily track down who is lying or telling the truth in this day of readily available information. This clause, that of signing a declaration, could be important when it comes to the next general elections. Recently, parliament has also questioned whether or not the dual-nationality rule should apply to all government employees, though that is a grey area that needs to be probed thoroughly.
On the whole, however, this is not a bad move because it is one thing to be a businessman with dual nationality and another to be a lawmaker who carries more than one passport. National interest is at stake here. It has been eroded over the decades by numerous personalities but it is time to take a stand. Pakistan`s interests can be best projected by honest individuals who believe in the welfare of the people at home, not overseas.
Pakistan - No control over operations of Army, ISI
In a late night development on Wednesday which added yet another twist to the memo scandal, the federal government, through the Ministry of Defence, conceded before the Supreme Court that it had no operational control over the armed forces as well as the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
A one-page reply by the defence ministry said it was not in a position to submit any reply on behalf of the armed forces and the ISI.
Earlier on Dec 15, the government had submitted its reply on behalf of the ministries of interior and foreign affairs. It requested the court to dismiss the petitions overmemo scandal.
The filing of the reply by the defence ministry has heightened apprehensions, with many interpreting it as a telltale sign of friction between the civilian arm of the government and the military over the memo matter.
Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the ISI chief, also submitted to the court his sworn affidavit through the office of Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq late on Wednesday night. He virtually repeated the stand he had taken in his reply filed earlier in the court.
Earlier during the day, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani submitted a sworn affidavit acknowledging the existence of the memorandum while PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif submitted a rejoinder.
The affidavits of President Asif Ali Zardari and former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani had not arrived.
Not satisfied with thereplies, the court had on Dec 19 asked the petitioners as well as the respondents to submit affidavits on oath as well as paragraph-wise comments denying or accepting whatever was levelled or stated in the petitions or the replies.
The courtfelt the need for seeking sworn affidavits and rejoinders to clear cobwebs in different stands taken by the petitioners and the respondents and to ascertain whether a question of public importance is involved to exercise jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by the court.
However, despite clear directives President Zardari chose to remain silent by not filing any reply. Realising the importance of the reply on part of the president, the Supreme Court at the last hearing had pointed out that allegations not rebutted would always be considered correct, implicitly asking the president to submit his point of view on the memo scandal.
`I am not aware of the status. However, it is a legal and constitutional issue which will appropriately be addressed in accordance with the law and the Constitution,` presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn when asked whether or not the president would file the reply.
NAWAZ SEES SERIOUS THREAT: In his rejoinder, Nawaz Sharif expressed his surprise over not filing of any reply by the president. `Mr Zardari now has an ample and clear opportunity through this petition to clear the name of the allegation internationally levelled against him, but reluctance to take benefit of this opportunity is not understandable,` the rejoinder said.
If the allegations levelled by Mansoor Ijaz are even half true, Mr Sharif feared, the very foundations of the country were under a serious threat.
The rejoinder said: `If the entire state and the indispen-sable institutions defending its integrity and sovereignty are rocked, then how are the fundamental rights of the people not aggressed upon? `The question which might, however, still require determination is whether Mansoor Ijaz, by creating the memo and then ensuring its communication to one of the highest and one of the most important functionaries of the US, is only playing a joke just to tease his friend Husain Haqqani or is it a track-II back channel diplomacy.
`Needless to say that even former US national security adviser James Logan Jones confirmed through his affidavit that the memo was authorised by the highest authority within the Pakistan government. Should not it be the anxiety of Haqqani whose name is being publicly sullied both nationally and internationally, to ask for a determination of actual facts to clear his name and would not he have in fact joined the petitioner`s prayer if he is innocent.
The rejoinder reiterated that the disclosure made andevidence in possession of Ijaz did warrant a proper judicial scrutiny and determination in the larger public and national interest. Referring to the allegation that the petition was conceived by those who wished to destroy the democratic system, the rejoinder said it would be the anxiety of any `normal, reasonable patriotic citizen` to ensure that the perpetrators of such crime against their motherland are identified and brought to book.
On the parliamentary committee seized with the matter, the rejoinder said it did not oust the jurisdiction of the court to discharge its obligations the Constitution had placed on it. In his affidavit, the army chief repeated whatever he had submitted in his earlier reply.
The affidavit said: `The memo episode has an impact on national security and lowers the morale of the Pakistan Army, whose young officers and soldiers are laying down their lives for the security and defence of territorial integrity and political independence and sovereignty of Pakistan.`Nonetheless, Pakistan Army is in high spirits and fully determined to defend its homeland against all challenges.
`There is nothing denying the fact that the memo exists and it is also admitted to have been delivered and received by the US authorities. Therefore, there may be a need to fully examine the fact and circumstances leading to the conception and issuance of the memo.
`The ISI DG briefed the army chief on Oct 24 about his meeting with Mansoor Ijaz. In his (ISI DG) opinion there was sufficient material available on the existence of the memo and that it had been passed to Admiral Mullen and that Ijaz remained in touch with Haqqani from May 9 to 11.
`As per ISI DG`s assessment, the sequence and contents of the text messages and telephone calls created a reasonable doubt regarding Haqqani`s association with the memo.
In his rejoinder and affidavit, Barrister Zafarullah said he had filed the petition to ensure security, liberty and freedom of Pakistan .
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Old Baloch`s advice
A NATION`S fate rests in the hands of an individual, says Allama Iqbal in his poem, `Budhay Baloch ki Naseehat` `An Old Baloch`s Advice`. Tragically, individuals who can help find a solution to the problems of bleeding Balochistan are a rare species. From among the few who could help, most, such as Sardar Ataullah Mengal, believe things may have gone beyond redemption. In a meeting in May last year, Sardar Mengal told Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani he had nothing to offer the government on Balochistan. The veteran nationalist expressed a similar sentiment in the company of Nawaz Sharif in Karachi on Monday. The only change is that his tone has intensified and his complaints are no longer complaints but rather caustic indictments of a so-called campaign for peace that has accelerated Balochistan`s advance towards total alienation from Pakistan. Sardar Mengal spoke with a sense of loss about the Baloch youth who have been pushed into the mountains. He spoke of Interior Minister Rehman Malik`s threats, said the government`s much flaunted Balochistan package is empty and,most significantly, pointed the finger at the `Punjabi army` Sardar Mengal was as gloomy as gloomy can be which makes it even more incumbent upon everyone else to urgently look for rays of hope. It may have taken time, but the Sardar now had by his side a politician representing the Punjabi heartland. Mr Sharif called the Baloch leader`s concerns `legitimate` and promised his party would talk to the angry Baloch youth. He has no time to waste, just as the leadership of the government and the army must immediately heed the Sardar`s words: `If one last effort is made with sincerity, Baloch youth might agree to discuss their grievances with Islamabad. But if atrocities continue the Baloch will never accept a united Pakistan.` Pakistan has no choice but to take Sardar Mengal limiting himself to a debunking of the interior minister as a positive sign. Let us assume that, deep down, he still wishes that the responsible men sitting above Mr Malik the politicians and the military will make an earnest attempt to rescue Balochistan, and work from there. That is the only option.
Pakistan - Guiding Principles of PTI by Akbar S Babar
Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), wrote a long letter of guidance after appointing Maalik al-Ashtar to be Governor of Egypt. He advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all.
The passages excerpted below illustrate the timeless applicability of Hazrat Ali's admonitions. The letter itself is contained in the Nahjal Balaagha, which is a collection of the letters and speeches of the fourth Caliph.
The letter below used to be our guiding light during the formative years of PTI. It says it all about good governance. Let us hope and pray that PTI remains steadfast to the letterr's guiding principals.
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Manifest religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you.
Equity is best: A policy which is based on equity will be largely appreciated. Remember that the displeasure of common men, the have-nots and the depressed persons overbalances the approval of important persons, while the displeasure of a few big people will be excused.if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you.
The rich always want more: They are the people who will be the worst drag upon you during your moments of peace and happiness, and the least useful to you during your hours of need and adversity. They hate justice the most. They will keep demanding more and more out of State resources and will seldom be satisfied with what they receive and will never be obliged for the favor shown to them if their demands are justifiably refused.
A healthy society is interdependent: The army and the common men who pay taxes are two important classes, but in a well faring state their well-being cannot be guaranteed without proper functioning and preservation of the other classes, the judges and magistrates, the secretaries of the State and the officers of various departments who collect various revenues, maintain law and order as well as preserve peace and amity among the diverse classes of the society. They also guard the rights and privileges of the citizens and look to the performance of various duties by individuals and classes. And the prosperity of this whole set-up depends upon the traders and industrialists. They act as a medium between the consumers and suppliers. They collect the requirements of society. They exert to provide goods..Then comes the class of the poor and the disabled persons. It is absolutely necessary that they should be looked after, helped and provided..at least the minimum necessities for well-being and contented living..
Ensure an honest judiciary: You must select people of excellent character and high caliber with meritorious records. When they realize that they have committed a mistake in judgment, they should not insist on it by trying to justify it, they should not be corrupt, covetous or greedy. They should not be satisfied with ordinary enquiry or scrutiny of a case but must attach the greatest importance to reasoning, arguments and proofs. They should not get tired of lengthy discussions and arguments. They must exhibit patience and perseverance and when truth is revealed to them they must pass their judgments.These appointments must be made without any kind of favoritism being shown or influence being accepted; otherwise tyranny, corruption and misrule will reign. Let the judiciary be above every kind of executive pressure or influence, above fear or favor, intrigue or corruption.
Poverty leads to ruination: If a country is prosperous and if its people are well-to-do, then it will happily and willingly bear any burden. The poverty of the people is the actual cause of the devastation and ruination of a country and the main cause of the poverty of the people is the desire of its ruler and officers to amass wealth and possessions whether by fair or foul means.
Corruption undermines national well-being: I want to advise you about your businessmen and industrialists. Treat them well. They are the sources of wealth to the country. One more thing.you must keep an eye over their activities as well. You know that they are usually stingy misers, intensely self-centered and selfish, suffering from the obsession of grasping and accumulating wealth. They often hoard their goods to get more profit out of them by creating scarcity and by indulging in black-marketing.
Stay in touch with the people: You must take care not to cut yourself off from the public. Do not place a curtain of false prestige between you and those over whom you rule. Such pretension and shows of pomp and pride are in reality manifestations of inferiority complex and vanity. The result of such an attitude is that you remain ignorant of the conditions of your subjects and of the actual cases of the events occurring in the State.
Peace brings prosperity: If your enemy invites you to a peace treaty, never refuse to accept such an offer, because peace will bring rest and comfort to your armies, will relieve you of anxieties and worries, and will bring prosperity and affluence to your people. But even after such treaties be very careful of the enemies and do not place too much confidence in their promises, because they often resort to peace treaties to deceive and delude you and take advantage of your negligence, carelessness and trust. At the same time, be very careful never to break your promise with your enemy; never forsake the protection or support that you have offered to him, never go back upon your word and never violate the terms of the treaty.
History reveals all: Do not reserve for yourself anything which is a common property of all and in which others have equal rights. Do not close your eyes from glaring malpractice of officers, miscarriage of justice and misuse of rights, because you will be held responsible for the wrong thus done to others. In the near future your wrong practices and maladministration will be exposed and you will be held responsible and punished for the wrong done to the helpless and oppressed people.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Pakistan - immunisation failure
REPRESENTATIVES of the government and international donor agencies who met in Karachi the other day have expressed their reservations about the efficacy of the annual anti-polio drives and the overall public immunisation programme targeting children. The problem is particularly serious in Sindh, recent statistics reveal. The highest number of polio cases, 30 to be precise, in the country have been reported from this province alone this year. Certainly, all is not well with the inoculation initiative. The moot was also told that the teams administering the antipolio drops lacked enough women workers who go door to door to immunise children under five years of age. Male health workers are not always welcome inside the homes where women may observe purdah. Besides, certain logistic and clinical aspects, such as maintaining the cold chain of the vaccine, making an assessment as to which child may need intravenous administration and for whom the oral vaccinewill suffice or keeping track of when a booster dose should be administered, also remain largely unaddressed.
While the shortage of women health workers tasked with administering the vaccine and the need for more clinical vigilance can be met by pumping more funds into the immunisation programme, another critical aspect of the problem is social attitudes tied to lack of awareness, culturalissues and even certain taboos that have come to be attached to immunisation. There is absolutely no truth, for instance, in the rumours spread by certain sections of society that immunisation may cause infertility. The only way to negate such false propaganda is to formulate and implement a cohesive public communication and awareness strategy by involving local communities where needed. Failing this, Pakistan will continue to be one of the three highrisk countries in the world where polio and other preventable diseases still claim victims.
While the shortage of women health workers tasked with administering the vaccine and the need for more clinical vigilance can be met by pumping more funds into the immunisation programme, another critical aspect of the problem is social attitudes tied to lack of awareness, culturalissues and even certain taboos that have come to be attached to immunisation. There is absolutely no truth, for instance, in the rumours spread by certain sections of society that immunisation may cause infertility. The only way to negate such false propaganda is to formulate and implement a cohesive public communication and awareness strategy by involving local communities where needed. Failing this, Pakistan will continue to be one of the three highrisk countries in the world where polio and other preventable diseases still claim victims.
Pakistan - Missing Containers
IT is hardly unusual for goods to go missing en route to Afghanistan there have been several incidents of the sort. Yet the sheer scale of recent revelations makes such incidents worthy of notice.
On Thursday, Minister of State for Production Khwaja Sheeraz informed the Senate that after conducting an internal inquiry, the Federal Board of Revenue found that nearly 29,000 containers carrying Nato and Afghan Transit Trade goods had gone missing inside the country. This was the first time the issue has been raised in parliament. Its gravity can be gauged by the estimate given by federal tax ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle, appointed to look into the matter. He has said that the containers that are missing have caused a loss of Rsitr to the national exchequer.
There are multiple aspects to this matter, one of the more curious being that neither Nato nor Isaf have officially complained to Pakistan about the nondelivery of goods on this scale. That notwithstanding, it is well established that large quantities of goods bound forAfghanistan, mainly under the ATT, end up in Pakistani markets, as was shown by an inquiry report prepared earlier this year by Dr Suddle.
Yet the most disturbing dimension of this issue is the light it sheds on the operations of the National Logistics Cell, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Army that, according to the ATT agreement, has exclusive rights to transport transit trade goods through Pakistan`s road network.
Mr Sheeraz told the Senate that amongst others, notices in terms of the missing containers have been issued to the NLC. It is worth noting that in July, the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly directed the Ministry of Defence to take action against three retired NLC generals. If there is corruption within the NLC, particularly on so large a scale, it is time to thoroughly investigate the functioning of the organisation. The issue of goods going missing in Pakistan is not just about the losses incurred, but also piercing the fog of secrecy that surrounds many of the military`s subsidiary interests.
On Thursday, Minister of State for Production Khwaja Sheeraz informed the Senate that after conducting an internal inquiry, the Federal Board of Revenue found that nearly 29,000 containers carrying Nato and Afghan Transit Trade goods had gone missing inside the country. This was the first time the issue has been raised in parliament. Its gravity can be gauged by the estimate given by federal tax ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle, appointed to look into the matter. He has said that the containers that are missing have caused a loss of Rsitr to the national exchequer.
There are multiple aspects to this matter, one of the more curious being that neither Nato nor Isaf have officially complained to Pakistan about the nondelivery of goods on this scale. That notwithstanding, it is well established that large quantities of goods bound forAfghanistan, mainly under the ATT, end up in Pakistani markets, as was shown by an inquiry report prepared earlier this year by Dr Suddle.
Yet the most disturbing dimension of this issue is the light it sheds on the operations of the National Logistics Cell, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Army that, according to the ATT agreement, has exclusive rights to transport transit trade goods through Pakistan`s road network.
Mr Sheeraz told the Senate that amongst others, notices in terms of the missing containers have been issued to the NLC. It is worth noting that in July, the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly directed the Ministry of Defence to take action against three retired NLC generals. If there is corruption within the NLC, particularly on so large a scale, it is time to thoroughly investigate the functioning of the organisation. The issue of goods going missing in Pakistan is not just about the losses incurred, but also piercing the fog of secrecy that surrounds many of the military`s subsidiary interests.
Pakistan - Zardari`s return to Pakistan
PRESIDENT Zardari`s return to Pakistan in the early hours of this morning is a significant moment in the context of the speculation that has dominated Pakistan in recent weeks.
The word put out by the PPP over the weekend suggested that the possibility of a fatal collision between the government and the army has been averted for now. Prime Minister Gilani`s meeting with Gen Kayani, the telephone conversation between President Zardari and Gen Kayani and the prime minister`s confident-sounding statements to the press suggested the PPP had seen off any imminent danger, if indeed there had been in the first place. Now with President Zardari returning to Pakistan and hopefully appearing in public soon, the rumours about the president`s health and threats to his presidency should subside.
Still, with the Supreme Court to resume hearing of the Memogate petitions this morning, the latest bizarre episode in Pakistani politics cannot be assumed to be over. Also, still unknown is the circumstances in which Mr Zardari has returned. Does it suggest that some kind of understanding with the army hasbeenreached and that wobbly civil-military relations will stabilise in the days ahead? Or has the president returned to personally take charge of the po-litical leadership`s response to thinly veiled attacks from other institutions? There is also the question of what the Supreme Court will elect to do. Announcing a replacement for Tariq Khosa, who declined the court`s request to lead a one-man inquiry into the memo that Mansoor Ijaz delivered to Adm Mike Mullen (retd), may be on the cards as well as further directions to the government. Alternatively, the court could push the matter into the new year, giving time and space to the political government, the opposition and the army to de-escalate. Given that all sides do not appear to be keen to climb further up the ladder of escalation but are also wary of appearing as if they have backed down under pressure, time and space may be just what are needed to stave off a fresh round of crisis.
Of course, much depends on the actions of President Zardari. The preferred course of action, from the point of view of national political stability and institutional harmony, would be for the president to send a signal that he is ready to use his authority to reduce the tensions between Islamabad and Pindi. The more unfortunate course would be if the president were to come out swinging against foes, real and perceived.
Pakistan could do with fewer unfortunate choices at the moment.
The word put out by the PPP over the weekend suggested that the possibility of a fatal collision between the government and the army has been averted for now. Prime Minister Gilani`s meeting with Gen Kayani, the telephone conversation between President Zardari and Gen Kayani and the prime minister`s confident-sounding statements to the press suggested the PPP had seen off any imminent danger, if indeed there had been in the first place. Now with President Zardari returning to Pakistan and hopefully appearing in public soon, the rumours about the president`s health and threats to his presidency should subside.
Still, with the Supreme Court to resume hearing of the Memogate petitions this morning, the latest bizarre episode in Pakistani politics cannot be assumed to be over. Also, still unknown is the circumstances in which Mr Zardari has returned. Does it suggest that some kind of understanding with the army hasbeenreached and that wobbly civil-military relations will stabilise in the days ahead? Or has the president returned to personally take charge of the po-litical leadership`s response to thinly veiled attacks from other institutions? There is also the question of what the Supreme Court will elect to do. Announcing a replacement for Tariq Khosa, who declined the court`s request to lead a one-man inquiry into the memo that Mansoor Ijaz delivered to Adm Mike Mullen (retd), may be on the cards as well as further directions to the government. Alternatively, the court could push the matter into the new year, giving time and space to the political government, the opposition and the army to de-escalate. Given that all sides do not appear to be keen to climb further up the ladder of escalation but are also wary of appearing as if they have backed down under pressure, time and space may be just what are needed to stave off a fresh round of crisis.
Of course, much depends on the actions of President Zardari. The preferred course of action, from the point of view of national political stability and institutional harmony, would be for the president to send a signal that he is ready to use his authority to reduce the tensions between Islamabad and Pindi. The more unfortunate course would be if the president were to come out swinging against foes, real and perceived.
Pakistan could do with fewer unfortunate choices at the moment.
US Troops finally got out of Iraq
IRAQ-KUWAIT BORDER, Dec 18: The last US forces left Iraq and entered Kuwait on Sunday, nearly nine years after launching a divisive war to oust Saddam Hussein, and just as the oil-rich country grapples with renewed political deadlock.
The last of roughly 110 vehicles carrying 500-odd troops mostly from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, crossed the border at 7:38am (0438 GMT), leaving just 157 military trainers at the US embassy, in a country where there were once nearly 170,000 troops on 505 bases.
It ended a war that left tens of thousands of Iraqis and nearly 4,500 American soldiers dead, many more wounded, and 1.75 million Iraqis displaced, after the US-led invasion unleashed sectarian killings.
`I am proud all Iraqis should be proud, like all those whose country has been freed,` 26-year-old baker Safa, who did not want togive his real name, told AFP in Baghdad.
`The Americans toppled Saddam, but our lives since then have gone backward.
A 50-year-old mother-offour who gave her name only as Umm Mohammed added: `I don`t think we can ever forgive the Americans for what they did to us.
The Americans were also happy. `It feels good, it feels real good` to be out of Iraq, Sergeant Duane Austin said after getting out of his vehicle in Kuwait.
`It`s been a pretty long year it`s time to go home now.` The 27-year-old fatherof-two, who completed three tours in Iraq, added: `It`s been a long time, coming and going. It`s been pretty hard on all of us. ... (It will) be a nice break to get back, knowing that it`s over with now.
The last vehicles transporting US troops out of Iraq left the recently handed over Imam Ali Base outside thesouthern city of Nasiriyah at 2:30am to make the 350km journey south to the Kuwaiti border.
They travelled down a mostly deserted route, which US forces paid Shia tribal sheikhs to inspect regularly to ensure no attacks could take place.
Five hours later, they crossed a berm at the Kuwaiti border lit with floodlights and ringed with barbed wire.
The withdrawal comes as Iraq struggles with renewed political deadlock as its main Sunni-backed bloc said it was boycotting parliament and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki moved to oust one of his deputies.
Mr Maliki sent a letter to parliament urging MPs to withdraw confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak, a member of the secular Iraqiya party, after Mr Mutlak accused him of being `worse than Saddam, an aide to the premier said.
-AFP
The last of roughly 110 vehicles carrying 500-odd troops mostly from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, crossed the border at 7:38am (0438 GMT), leaving just 157 military trainers at the US embassy, in a country where there were once nearly 170,000 troops on 505 bases.
It ended a war that left tens of thousands of Iraqis and nearly 4,500 American soldiers dead, many more wounded, and 1.75 million Iraqis displaced, after the US-led invasion unleashed sectarian killings.
`I am proud all Iraqis should be proud, like all those whose country has been freed,` 26-year-old baker Safa, who did not want togive his real name, told AFP in Baghdad.
`The Americans toppled Saddam, but our lives since then have gone backward.
A 50-year-old mother-offour who gave her name only as Umm Mohammed added: `I don`t think we can ever forgive the Americans for what they did to us.
The Americans were also happy. `It feels good, it feels real good` to be out of Iraq, Sergeant Duane Austin said after getting out of his vehicle in Kuwait.
`It`s been a pretty long year it`s time to go home now.` The 27-year-old fatherof-two, who completed three tours in Iraq, added: `It`s been a long time, coming and going. It`s been pretty hard on all of us. ... (It will) be a nice break to get back, knowing that it`s over with now.
The last vehicles transporting US troops out of Iraq left the recently handed over Imam Ali Base outside thesouthern city of Nasiriyah at 2:30am to make the 350km journey south to the Kuwaiti border.
They travelled down a mostly deserted route, which US forces paid Shia tribal sheikhs to inspect regularly to ensure no attacks could take place.
Five hours later, they crossed a berm at the Kuwaiti border lit with floodlights and ringed with barbed wire.
The withdrawal comes as Iraq struggles with renewed political deadlock as its main Sunni-backed bloc said it was boycotting parliament and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki moved to oust one of his deputies.
Mr Maliki sent a letter to parliament urging MPs to withdraw confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak, a member of the secular Iraqiya party, after Mr Mutlak accused him of being `worse than Saddam, an aide to the premier said.
-AFP
Pakistan - Imran Khan`s campaign will gather more steam.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: Imran Khan`s campaign will gather more steam when a group of about 30 politicians, including some sitting legislators and former federal ministers, will quit their parties on Monday to join his Pakistan Tehriki-Insaaf, Dawn has learnt.
The members of the group, led by MNA from Rahimyar Khan Jahangir Tareen, will announce their decision to join the PTI at a news conference with Imran Khan at Islamabad`s National Press Club, confirmed PTPs newly-appointed information secretary Shafgat Mehmood, who is in the city to oversee arrangements for the event.
In reply to a question, Mr Mehmood said the list of those joining the party was with Mr Tareen and that only he could disclose the names of his group members.
A group member Ishaq Khan Khakwaniproudly provided names of some prominent figures joining the PTI with him on Monday.
According to him, MNA Awais Leghari and Senator Jamal Leghari, the two sons of former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Leghari, are the most prominent among those joining the party, besides Senator Mir Mohabbat Khan Marri from Balochistan.
Although the group joining the PTI comprises members from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and tribal areas, a majority of them belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and hails from southern Punjab.
Political analysts believe that the PTI, which has already acquired a significant strength in south Punjab after last month`s joining of former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, will definitely become a strong force in the region after joining ofthe new batch, comprising a number those who had been participating and winning their seats in almost all the previous elections.
The other prominent figures joining the PTI on Monday are former minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan from Taxila, former defence minister Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, former minister Dr G.G.
Jamal, Sikandar Bosan, former MNA Azhar Khan Yousufzai, Umar Khan Miankhel and Dr Javed Hussain.
Sources told Dawn that the group, mostly comprises PML-Q dissidents, had been negotiating terms for joining the PTI or having an electoral alliance with it for the past nine months. However, the group took a final decision during a meeting with Imran Khan in Islamabad on Friday, they added.
Mr Khakwani, who was the minister of state for railways in the Musharraf regime,said the group was joining the PTI `for the sake of Pakistan` as Imran Khan was vying to bring a credible change in the country.
He said the group took considerable time to take a final decision as earlier some of its members were opposed to the idea and only wanted to have an electoral alliance with the PTI.
After lengthy deliberations and brainstorming, he said, the group came to the conclusion that it should not form a separate party when it had another platform in the shape of the PTI which was pursuing the same agenda.
`When we saw another platform doing the same thing we wanted, we decided to join it instead of creating two fragmented groups,` he said, adding: `if people having divergent views and ideologies can join hands and form the government just to share the power and loot the country then why those having the same programme ofsaving Pakistan cannot join hands?` Mr Khakwani said the group had actually come into existence when PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain decided to join hands with the Pakistan People`s Party.
The sources said some members of the group, including Awais Leghari, were of the view that they should form their own party and only talk with Imran Khan to have an electoral alliance.
When asked about Mr Leghari`s reluctance to join the PTI, Mr Khakwani said difference of opinion was part and parcel of democracy. He said some members wanted to only have cooperation with Imran Khan, but finally they agreed and decided to go with the viewpoint of the majority of the members.
When asked about the terms and conditions agreed with Mr Khan, Mr Khakwani .aid theyVVCIC 11UL joining the PTI for `power politics` and to form the government, but only to bring the country out of present chaotic situation due to poor economic policies of the rulers.
When asked about the strategy to deal with the anti-defection clause which would be applicable on the sitting legislators after their joining the PTI, he said, they had thoroughly deliberated upon the matter and it would be announced soon.
He neither confirmed nor denied if the sitting legislators would announce resigning from the National Assembly and Senate like Shah Mehmood Qureshiat the time of the joining the PTLPTI information secretary Shafgat Mehmood denied that the party had struck any deal with Mr Tareen-led group. `All of them are joining us unconditionally,` he claimed.
Mr Mehmood said it was a stated policy of the PTI that it would accept people into its fold without any conditions. `As far as the tickets for the elections are concerned, the parliamentary board of the party will decide it on merit without considering the background and stature of any person,` he said.
Former minister and now a PML-F legislator Jahangir Tareen had announced in July to form a new political party of `clean politicians` to provide an alterna-tive to the PPP and PML-N in the next elections. He had even announced at that time that the new party could forge an alliance with the PTI due to similarities in their objectives.
PTI chief Imran Khan, who had surprised political stalwarts with his impressive rally in Lahore, had already shown his willingness to accept people from other political parties and some of them, including former ministers, had already joined him.
Besides the PML-Q dissidents, the sources in the PTI said, a number of dissidents from the PPP and the PML-N were also in contact with Imran Khan and negotiating terms for formally joining the PTI.
The members of the group, led by MNA from Rahimyar Khan Jahangir Tareen, will announce their decision to join the PTI at a news conference with Imran Khan at Islamabad`s National Press Club, confirmed PTPs newly-appointed information secretary Shafgat Mehmood, who is in the city to oversee arrangements for the event.
In reply to a question, Mr Mehmood said the list of those joining the party was with Mr Tareen and that only he could disclose the names of his group members.
A group member Ishaq Khan Khakwaniproudly provided names of some prominent figures joining the PTI with him on Monday.
According to him, MNA Awais Leghari and Senator Jamal Leghari, the two sons of former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Leghari, are the most prominent among those joining the party, besides Senator Mir Mohabbat Khan Marri from Balochistan.
Although the group joining the PTI comprises members from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and tribal areas, a majority of them belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and hails from southern Punjab.
Political analysts believe that the PTI, which has already acquired a significant strength in south Punjab after last month`s joining of former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, will definitely become a strong force in the region after joining ofthe new batch, comprising a number those who had been participating and winning their seats in almost all the previous elections.
The other prominent figures joining the PTI on Monday are former minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan from Taxila, former defence minister Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, former minister Dr G.G.
Jamal, Sikandar Bosan, former MNA Azhar Khan Yousufzai, Umar Khan Miankhel and Dr Javed Hussain.
Sources told Dawn that the group, mostly comprises PML-Q dissidents, had been negotiating terms for joining the PTI or having an electoral alliance with it for the past nine months. However, the group took a final decision during a meeting with Imran Khan in Islamabad on Friday, they added.
Mr Khakwani, who was the minister of state for railways in the Musharraf regime,said the group was joining the PTI `for the sake of Pakistan` as Imran Khan was vying to bring a credible change in the country.
He said the group took considerable time to take a final decision as earlier some of its members were opposed to the idea and only wanted to have an electoral alliance with the PTI.
After lengthy deliberations and brainstorming, he said, the group came to the conclusion that it should not form a separate party when it had another platform in the shape of the PTI which was pursuing the same agenda.
`When we saw another platform doing the same thing we wanted, we decided to join it instead of creating two fragmented groups,` he said, adding: `if people having divergent views and ideologies can join hands and form the government just to share the power and loot the country then why those having the same programme ofsaving Pakistan cannot join hands?` Mr Khakwani said the group had actually come into existence when PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain decided to join hands with the Pakistan People`s Party.
The sources said some members of the group, including Awais Leghari, were of the view that they should form their own party and only talk with Imran Khan to have an electoral alliance.
When asked about Mr Leghari`s reluctance to join the PTI, Mr Khakwani said difference of opinion was part and parcel of democracy. He said some members wanted to only have cooperation with Imran Khan, but finally they agreed and decided to go with the viewpoint of the majority of the members.
When asked about the terms and conditions agreed with Mr Khan, Mr Khakwani .aid theyVVCIC 11UL joining the PTI for `power politics` and to form the government, but only to bring the country out of present chaotic situation due to poor economic policies of the rulers.
When asked about the strategy to deal with the anti-defection clause which would be applicable on the sitting legislators after their joining the PTI, he said, they had thoroughly deliberated upon the matter and it would be announced soon.
He neither confirmed nor denied if the sitting legislators would announce resigning from the National Assembly and Senate like Shah Mehmood Qureshiat the time of the joining the PTLPTI information secretary Shafgat Mehmood denied that the party had struck any deal with Mr Tareen-led group. `All of them are joining us unconditionally,` he claimed.
Mr Mehmood said it was a stated policy of the PTI that it would accept people into its fold without any conditions. `As far as the tickets for the elections are concerned, the parliamentary board of the party will decide it on merit without considering the background and stature of any person,` he said.
Former minister and now a PML-F legislator Jahangir Tareen had announced in July to form a new political party of `clean politicians` to provide an alterna-tive to the PPP and PML-N in the next elections. He had even announced at that time that the new party could forge an alliance with the PTI due to similarities in their objectives.
PTI chief Imran Khan, who had surprised political stalwarts with his impressive rally in Lahore, had already shown his willingness to accept people from other political parties and some of them, including former ministers, had already joined him.
Besides the PML-Q dissidents, the sources in the PTI said, a number of dissidents from the PPP and the PML-N were also in contact with Imran Khan and negotiating terms for formally joining the PTI.
Pakistan - Zardari is back!
KARACHI, Dec 18: The mystery surrounding President Asif Ali Zardari`s departure earlier this month came to an end on Sunday when he arrived back in the country in the early hours of Monday as suddenly as he left.
The plane carrying the President landed at Air Force`s Masroor Base in Karachi past lam, from where he was taken to his residence, Bilawal House.
By Sunday evening, the rumours about his arrival back in the country were headlines. That the rumours had emanated from the presidency were evident from the fact that most of his aides were hinting at his return, but refused to either confirm it or speak on the record.
Reports of security being bolstered at Bilawal House in Karachi were cited to prove that he would land there rather than in Islamabad. But by midnight, after his plane had taken off from Dubai, there was still no official confirmation of where the president was to land; it was only when his plane entered Pakistan airspace that it was confirmed that he was on his way to Karachi.
President`s spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn around midnight that the president would arrive at Karachi.
According to Pakistan standard time, the president flew from Dubai at around 11:30pm. He was accompanied by his younger daughter Asifa Zardari, security guards and his doctor. His plane landed at PAF Masroor base, where he was received by PPP leaders.
A close aide to the president also confirmed that Mr Zardari was feeling well, though he would rest in Karachi for a few days and chair party meetings before proceeding to Islamabad.
It was on Dec 6, a national holiday, that President Zardari was suddenly flown to Dubai. The country was left wondering what had prompted the departure. The explanations ranged from serious illness to rumours of a soft coup to theidea that he had gone away to escape possible repercussions of the investigations into `memogate`.The reason for the rumours galore was the memo affair which had towards the end of last month had compelled the government to announce the resignation of Pakistan`s ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani.
Since American citizen Mansoor Ijaz had alleged that the PPP governmenthad tried to collude with the American administration to rein in the Pakistan military, Haqqani had been fighting a losing battle. He resigned on Nov 22, but within days the Supreme Court accepted a petition to look into the issue and asked the president, the army chief, the IS head and Husain Haqqani to submit their replies on the controversy.
With the SC order, the controversy got a new lease of life.
Rumours and speculation Critics and some observers began to conjecture that the scandal would sweep up the PPP government. The conjectures intensified to the extent that the general consensus was that Asif Zardari was under immense pressure. Rumours and reports of his incoherent conversations with friends; colleagues and visiting dignitaries were the talk of the town as well as the country. Hence, when he was flown out, most people were willing to believe that the pressure had had an adverse effect on his health, though the exact illness remained a mystery. Fromheart disease to stroke to mental disorders, everything was mentioned.
However, some analysts dismissed the reports that the president was seriously ill and instead claimed that he had left because he did not want to risk being in the country when the SC received the replies of the army chief and the ISI chief. According to this theory, the president feared that if the replies of the military officials implicated him in the memo controversy, it was better for him and for the party that he be out of the country to lead and strategise for the PPP. A third, more bizarre theory, which found few claimants, said be had left the country under a deal and would not return.
Sadly, the lack of accurate information from the PPP about the president`s health and illness simply gave the rumours more credence.
This lack of information gave his more vicious detractors the opportunity to argue that the president was unfit to continue as president because of his poor health. That the government became aware of the consequences of this campaign was evident from the phone calls that the president then made from his hospital bed to the prime minister and journalists. Within days he shifted to his residence in Dubai.
However, a statement by the prime minister on Dec 12 that the president may need to rest for a couple of weeks then led to another round of speculation.
Compounding the confusion were the replies submitted to the SC on Dec 15 in which the statements of the ISI chief and the COAS were contradictory to the federation`s: the military officers were of the opinion that the memo existed and needed investigation while the government argued that the SC should dismiss the petition.
However, it is noteworthy that within a day the prime minister and the army chief held a lengthy meeting to dismiss the rumours of a confrontation between the army and the government while COAS Gen Ashfag Parvez Kayani was even reported to have spoken to Zardari on the phone.
Whether it was something the general said or just the magic of the treatment the president was receiving but a day after the call, Zardari felt well enough to return to the country. Analysts believe that while his return to the country will end one set of rumours, the whispers will not end completely.
All is not well in Islamabad, it appears, and people may continue to closely watch the president`s movements, and his relations with the military leadership, to determine if the crisis emanating from the memo scandal was over.
The plane carrying the President landed at Air Force`s Masroor Base in Karachi past lam, from where he was taken to his residence, Bilawal House.
By Sunday evening, the rumours about his arrival back in the country were headlines. That the rumours had emanated from the presidency were evident from the fact that most of his aides were hinting at his return, but refused to either confirm it or speak on the record.
Reports of security being bolstered at Bilawal House in Karachi were cited to prove that he would land there rather than in Islamabad. But by midnight, after his plane had taken off from Dubai, there was still no official confirmation of where the president was to land; it was only when his plane entered Pakistan airspace that it was confirmed that he was on his way to Karachi.
President`s spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn around midnight that the president would arrive at Karachi.
According to Pakistan standard time, the president flew from Dubai at around 11:30pm. He was accompanied by his younger daughter Asifa Zardari, security guards and his doctor. His plane landed at PAF Masroor base, where he was received by PPP leaders.
A close aide to the president also confirmed that Mr Zardari was feeling well, though he would rest in Karachi for a few days and chair party meetings before proceeding to Islamabad.
It was on Dec 6, a national holiday, that President Zardari was suddenly flown to Dubai. The country was left wondering what had prompted the departure. The explanations ranged from serious illness to rumours of a soft coup to theidea that he had gone away to escape possible repercussions of the investigations into `memogate`.The reason for the rumours galore was the memo affair which had towards the end of last month had compelled the government to announce the resignation of Pakistan`s ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani.
Since American citizen Mansoor Ijaz had alleged that the PPP governmenthad tried to collude with the American administration to rein in the Pakistan military, Haqqani had been fighting a losing battle. He resigned on Nov 22, but within days the Supreme Court accepted a petition to look into the issue and asked the president, the army chief, the IS head and Husain Haqqani to submit their replies on the controversy.
With the SC order, the controversy got a new lease of life.
Rumours and speculation Critics and some observers began to conjecture that the scandal would sweep up the PPP government. The conjectures intensified to the extent that the general consensus was that Asif Zardari was under immense pressure. Rumours and reports of his incoherent conversations with friends; colleagues and visiting dignitaries were the talk of the town as well as the country. Hence, when he was flown out, most people were willing to believe that the pressure had had an adverse effect on his health, though the exact illness remained a mystery. Fromheart disease to stroke to mental disorders, everything was mentioned.
However, some analysts dismissed the reports that the president was seriously ill and instead claimed that he had left because he did not want to risk being in the country when the SC received the replies of the army chief and the ISI chief. According to this theory, the president feared that if the replies of the military officials implicated him in the memo controversy, it was better for him and for the party that he be out of the country to lead and strategise for the PPP. A third, more bizarre theory, which found few claimants, said be had left the country under a deal and would not return.
Sadly, the lack of accurate information from the PPP about the president`s health and illness simply gave the rumours more credence.
This lack of information gave his more vicious detractors the opportunity to argue that the president was unfit to continue as president because of his poor health. That the government became aware of the consequences of this campaign was evident from the phone calls that the president then made from his hospital bed to the prime minister and journalists. Within days he shifted to his residence in Dubai.
However, a statement by the prime minister on Dec 12 that the president may need to rest for a couple of weeks then led to another round of speculation.
Compounding the confusion were the replies submitted to the SC on Dec 15 in which the statements of the ISI chief and the COAS were contradictory to the federation`s: the military officers were of the opinion that the memo existed and needed investigation while the government argued that the SC should dismiss the petition.
However, it is noteworthy that within a day the prime minister and the army chief held a lengthy meeting to dismiss the rumours of a confrontation between the army and the government while COAS Gen Ashfag Parvez Kayani was even reported to have spoken to Zardari on the phone.
Whether it was something the general said or just the magic of the treatment the president was receiving but a day after the call, Zardari felt well enough to return to the country. Analysts believe that while his return to the country will end one set of rumours, the whispers will not end completely.
All is not well in Islamabad, it appears, and people may continue to closely watch the president`s movements, and his relations with the military leadership, to determine if the crisis emanating from the memo scandal was over.
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