LETTER TO EDITOR
September 19, 2011
Death in Defence
A suicide bomb attack at the residence of a top Police Officer in Defence Karachi on September 19 resulted in the death of eight precious lives including a mother and her child who were on their way to school. The Police Officer has blamed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan for the dastardly attack.
If this is true, I would like to ask TTP hierarchy some questions. Whether your cause is justified or not, what right do you have to take lives of innocent people? What was the fault of the mother and child whom you killed so horrifically? If you wanted to attack the Officer then whose lives you destroyed? Do you have the decency to answer the husband and father of the two victims? Are you so alone in this world that you do not have mothers, sisters, wives, and children? Are you answerable to no one? What kind of Islam do you preach or follow? I say, shame on you for your contemptible, despicable, and monstrous activities and shame on your cohorts who share your sinful thinking and malevolent actions.
Majyd Aziz
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
After a decade of Global War On Terror
After a decade of Global War On Terror
--- Economic, social, political impact on Pakistan
Majyd Aziz
The exodus of Russians from Afghanistan, the megalomania of Iraq’s Saddam, the spread of Islam in the West, the domestic and external pressure on the American economy, the 9/11 historical event, and the voluminous studies of latter-day Dr Strangelove’s clones nurtured and financed by massively-funded American think tanks were all contributing factors in a series of initiatives undertaken by Washington that came to be known as the Global War On Terror.
The rise of neo-Christian fundamentalists to counter the upsurge in militant Islamic forces gave strong support to the hype created by President Bush advisors and analysts that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction and enabled him to put in motion the grand plan to globally spread American influence.
Pakistan got caught in this tornado for some understandable reasons. The only Islamic nation possessing the bomb, bordering Afghanistan, controlling supply lines to Kabul, with ethnic and religious camaraderie transcending the border, largely dependant on Washington-controlled financing agencies, with a ballooning population under 25 years old that may be swayed by extremist elements, and the docility of it’s political and military leadership to United States’ dictation. Thus the loud threat of “you with us or you against us” worked pronto and Pakistan was touted as the frontline state in GWOT.
The decade of this GWOT has made Pakistan front-page news day in and day out. Every week some American high-up or some Congressional delegation comes to Islamabad and, while breathing down the neck of the political and military leadership, proclaims the mantra of “Do More”. This has put Pakistan in a precarious position and its impact has been widespread all across the country.
Over this eventful and volatile decade, Pakistan has faced situations that have fundamentally changed its political, economic, and social landscape. The GWOT enabled the democratic forces to unite against a government controlled by President General Pervez Musharraf and negotiate a new political order thru the notorious National Reconciliation Order. This paved the way for Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to end their self-imposed and forced exiles. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has been blamed on the terrorists and extremists that are the legacy of GWOT. The Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi tragedy created a wave of sympathy and her party came into power with her tainted husband anointing himself as President. “Democracy is the best revenge” became the rallying slogan, but political instability, political expediency, and political distrust cast a glooming shadow on all imperative and crucial national decisions. The government hid its weaknesses, its insensitivity, and its inability to undertake decisions by camouflaging it as outcome of its fulltime concentration and determination to weed out terrorism and extremism.
On the social side, the nation has been horrendously affected by the ten years of intense involvement in the GWOT. The most sad and tragic outcome has been the death of over 35,000 citizens and military personnel. Scarce financial resources have been diverted to fighting this war at the cost of neglecting social sectors such as education and health. The track record of various governments has always been pathetic when it came to allocation for social sectors. No government has spent more that 3% of GDP on health and education and the GWOT also encroached on this allocation too. The rehabilitation and rebuilding of war-torn areas put a huge dent in the Treasury. Moreover, biased ethnicity, tribal rivalry, and parochial mindset all gained strength from the after-effects of this war and impacted on the decision making process of the government and the administration.
Pakistan has been the worst sufferer in economic terms because of the GWOT. The Finance Ministry has estimated that the nation spent over US$ 68 billion during the past decade in fighting this war. This amount equals the combined 2010-11 import and export figure. In the past couple of years, the government has drastically cut down essential projects under the Pakistan Social Development Program while also arbitrarily raising electricity and gas rates. The GWOT, coupled with the annual floods, have also messed up the GDP rate which is less than 3% with scant chance of it crossing the 3.50% mark in the current fiscal year. Asian Development Bank has estimated an annual 7% growth rate to absorb the burgeoning labor force that is looking for meaningful employment. This is a tall order and there is no window of opportunity on the horizon.
Pakistan’s image has been seriously tarnished due to the GWOT. This has put pressure on the development of new export markets and affected the comfort zone that importers of Pakistani products had in dealing with their suppliers. The law and order imbroglio, especially in Karachi, has also been detrimental to the progress of Pakistan’s economy. Notwithstanding the highest-ever exports in 2010-11, the fact is that it was more due to increase in world prices rather than additional increase in quantity. Today, unemployment is a major issue and it naturally induces the unemployed to succumb to the “sales pitch” of terrorist and extremist organizations. Pakistan’s defence bill is tremendously increasing inspite of the efforts of the military hierarchy not to open new military operation theatres to fight terrorism.
Pakistan is not being timely compensated by America for the huge expenses incurred by the defence forces. Moreover, the Kerry-Luger-Bremen Act under which development aid would be forthcoming has also been a victim of the change in Washington’s perception of the Pakistan’s efforts. Even the International Financing Institutions, primarily IMF, also get their signals from Washington. Now, Pakistan is compelled to announce that it is abandoning the IMF program and not applying for a new initiative to tackle its economic requirements.
All in all, with a limited financial base, with only about $200 billion GDP, with 185 million people, with tremendous competition in the global export market, with obvious political instability, with rise of extremist Islamic militants, with no signs of cessation of hostilities at the border, and with United States wanting Pakistan to “Do More”, Pakistan will not be the ultimate beneficiary of the Global War on Terror.
--- Economic, social, political impact on Pakistan
Majyd Aziz
The exodus of Russians from Afghanistan, the megalomania of Iraq’s Saddam, the spread of Islam in the West, the domestic and external pressure on the American economy, the 9/11 historical event, and the voluminous studies of latter-day Dr Strangelove’s clones nurtured and financed by massively-funded American think tanks were all contributing factors in a series of initiatives undertaken by Washington that came to be known as the Global War On Terror.
The rise of neo-Christian fundamentalists to counter the upsurge in militant Islamic forces gave strong support to the hype created by President Bush advisors and analysts that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction and enabled him to put in motion the grand plan to globally spread American influence.
Pakistan got caught in this tornado for some understandable reasons. The only Islamic nation possessing the bomb, bordering Afghanistan, controlling supply lines to Kabul, with ethnic and religious camaraderie transcending the border, largely dependant on Washington-controlled financing agencies, with a ballooning population under 25 years old that may be swayed by extremist elements, and the docility of it’s political and military leadership to United States’ dictation. Thus the loud threat of “you with us or you against us” worked pronto and Pakistan was touted as the frontline state in GWOT.
The decade of this GWOT has made Pakistan front-page news day in and day out. Every week some American high-up or some Congressional delegation comes to Islamabad and, while breathing down the neck of the political and military leadership, proclaims the mantra of “Do More”. This has put Pakistan in a precarious position and its impact has been widespread all across the country.
Over this eventful and volatile decade, Pakistan has faced situations that have fundamentally changed its political, economic, and social landscape. The GWOT enabled the democratic forces to unite against a government controlled by President General Pervez Musharraf and negotiate a new political order thru the notorious National Reconciliation Order. This paved the way for Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to end their self-imposed and forced exiles. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has been blamed on the terrorists and extremists that are the legacy of GWOT. The Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi tragedy created a wave of sympathy and her party came into power with her tainted husband anointing himself as President. “Democracy is the best revenge” became the rallying slogan, but political instability, political expediency, and political distrust cast a glooming shadow on all imperative and crucial national decisions. The government hid its weaknesses, its insensitivity, and its inability to undertake decisions by camouflaging it as outcome of its fulltime concentration and determination to weed out terrorism and extremism.
On the social side, the nation has been horrendously affected by the ten years of intense involvement in the GWOT. The most sad and tragic outcome has been the death of over 35,000 citizens and military personnel. Scarce financial resources have been diverted to fighting this war at the cost of neglecting social sectors such as education and health. The track record of various governments has always been pathetic when it came to allocation for social sectors. No government has spent more that 3% of GDP on health and education and the GWOT also encroached on this allocation too. The rehabilitation and rebuilding of war-torn areas put a huge dent in the Treasury. Moreover, biased ethnicity, tribal rivalry, and parochial mindset all gained strength from the after-effects of this war and impacted on the decision making process of the government and the administration.
Pakistan has been the worst sufferer in economic terms because of the GWOT. The Finance Ministry has estimated that the nation spent over US$ 68 billion during the past decade in fighting this war. This amount equals the combined 2010-11 import and export figure. In the past couple of years, the government has drastically cut down essential projects under the Pakistan Social Development Program while also arbitrarily raising electricity and gas rates. The GWOT, coupled with the annual floods, have also messed up the GDP rate which is less than 3% with scant chance of it crossing the 3.50% mark in the current fiscal year. Asian Development Bank has estimated an annual 7% growth rate to absorb the burgeoning labor force that is looking for meaningful employment. This is a tall order and there is no window of opportunity on the horizon.
Pakistan’s image has been seriously tarnished due to the GWOT. This has put pressure on the development of new export markets and affected the comfort zone that importers of Pakistani products had in dealing with their suppliers. The law and order imbroglio, especially in Karachi, has also been detrimental to the progress of Pakistan’s economy. Notwithstanding the highest-ever exports in 2010-11, the fact is that it was more due to increase in world prices rather than additional increase in quantity. Today, unemployment is a major issue and it naturally induces the unemployed to succumb to the “sales pitch” of terrorist and extremist organizations. Pakistan’s defence bill is tremendously increasing inspite of the efforts of the military hierarchy not to open new military operation theatres to fight terrorism.
Pakistan is not being timely compensated by America for the huge expenses incurred by the defence forces. Moreover, the Kerry-Luger-Bremen Act under which development aid would be forthcoming has also been a victim of the change in Washington’s perception of the Pakistan’s efforts. Even the International Financing Institutions, primarily IMF, also get their signals from Washington. Now, Pakistan is compelled to announce that it is abandoning the IMF program and not applying for a new initiative to tackle its economic requirements.
All in all, with a limited financial base, with only about $200 billion GDP, with 185 million people, with tremendous competition in the global export market, with obvious political instability, with rise of extremist Islamic militants, with no signs of cessation of hostilities at the border, and with United States wanting Pakistan to “Do More”, Pakistan will not be the ultimate beneficiary of the Global War on Terror.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
"US" and "THEY" opera
Majyd Aziz
Political and religious personalities in Pakistan become all-powerful because of the support of state terrorism. They do not reach that exalted stage overnight. Some political leaders have reached the superior position thru a systematic encashment of their acquired status and thus consider themselves as invincible. Revolutionary poet Habib Jalib very aptly said:
Is Se Pehlay Wo Jo Ik Shaks Yahan Takht Nashin Tha
Usko Bhi Apnay Khuda Honay Pe Itna Hi Yaqeen Tha
If an ethno-political party or an off-shoot of an organized party is branded as "terrorists", then one can rightly state that they have full support of bureaucracy, political hierarchy, law-enforcing agencies, external financiers, and roguish elements of society to reach that plateau.
The fact is that all the political parties have an unwritten pact. As in the game of Bridge, they are "us" and the citizens are "they". The establishment, the media, and the feudal and industrial aristocracies are all hand in gloves with them. They go to extremes to protect their self-interests while political polarization or verbal attacks or threats to quit government or organize long marches are just to divert people's attention from contentious issues like the shattered economy, foreign affairs failure, endemic corruption, or misuse of constitutional powers.
None of them want National Accounting Bureau; none of them want a government to fall; none of them want to be on the wrong side of the Armed Forces; none of them want to alienate Uncle Sam. All of them are covertly and unabashedly together in this macabre plot from Day One. The recent events on the political horizon vividly prove this nauseating set-up.
Meray Watan Ki Siyasat Ka Haal Mut Poocho
Ghiri Hui Hai Tawaif Tamaash Beeno Mein
Why does MQM keep coming back to the Cabinet? Why is PML-N tip-toeing instead of an organized onslaught against PPP? What made major leaders of PML-Q join the government? Why is Maulana Fazlur Rehman silent over the activities of the present government? Why is Jamaat-e-Islami not serious about its opposition? Where are people like Mahmood Achakzai, Asghar Khan, Maulana Sami ul Haq? Why does Pir Pagaro play both sides of the net? When people like Zulfiqar Mirza have a beef against MQM, why as Home Minister he allowed all facilities to 90? Altaf Hussain routinely addresses his followers from UK. Why were phone lines not jammed to prevent people from listening to demagoguery from Edgeware?
The answers are not that difficult. Sway the boat but do not rock it. The judiciary will be given a defined space to operate under a "controlled" freedom of justice scenario. The officialdom will have to work in "on-your-mark, get-set, go" environment. The police would as usual be the hand maidens while the industrial and business leadership will be subtly "advised" to behave. All in all, the political top leadership will "manage" in a keep-everyone happy system. The Armed Forces obey the Constitution and will impress upon the citizens that their duty is to defend the country and not indulging in petty politicking or rattling the democratic order. But, behind closed doors, they will "guide" as the actual rulers and every politician accepts this stark reality. The citizens, as always, are the lambs.
Ameer-e-Shehr Ne Kaghaz Ki Kishhtiaan De Kar
Khulay Samandaron Ke Safar Per Kya Rawaanah Humain
When the going gets rough and tough for the government, or the economy is in dire straits, or leaders start developing megalomania or getting too big for their britches, or try to trespass into forbidden territory, then the brass has no option but to pack up the "democratic" set up and take charge. The citizens joyously welcome this and a new musical chairs game commences albeit with music from a marching band. However, in a few years time, the "Administrator" is labeled as usurper, dictator, and Caesar while the band starts playing the new song of freedom and liberty.
Political and religious personalities in Pakistan become all-powerful because of the support of state terrorism. They do not reach that exalted stage overnight. Some political leaders have reached the superior position thru a systematic encashment of their acquired status and thus consider themselves as invincible. Revolutionary poet Habib Jalib very aptly said:
Is Se Pehlay Wo Jo Ik Shaks Yahan Takht Nashin Tha
Usko Bhi Apnay Khuda Honay Pe Itna Hi Yaqeen Tha
If an ethno-political party or an off-shoot of an organized party is branded as "terrorists", then one can rightly state that they have full support of bureaucracy, political hierarchy, law-enforcing agencies, external financiers, and roguish elements of society to reach that plateau.
The fact is that all the political parties have an unwritten pact. As in the game of Bridge, they are "us" and the citizens are "they". The establishment, the media, and the feudal and industrial aristocracies are all hand in gloves with them. They go to extremes to protect their self-interests while political polarization or verbal attacks or threats to quit government or organize long marches are just to divert people's attention from contentious issues like the shattered economy, foreign affairs failure, endemic corruption, or misuse of constitutional powers.
None of them want National Accounting Bureau; none of them want a government to fall; none of them want to be on the wrong side of the Armed Forces; none of them want to alienate Uncle Sam. All of them are covertly and unabashedly together in this macabre plot from Day One. The recent events on the political horizon vividly prove this nauseating set-up.
Meray Watan Ki Siyasat Ka Haal Mut Poocho
Ghiri Hui Hai Tawaif Tamaash Beeno Mein
Why does MQM keep coming back to the Cabinet? Why is PML-N tip-toeing instead of an organized onslaught against PPP? What made major leaders of PML-Q join the government? Why is Maulana Fazlur Rehman silent over the activities of the present government? Why is Jamaat-e-Islami not serious about its opposition? Where are people like Mahmood Achakzai, Asghar Khan, Maulana Sami ul Haq? Why does Pir Pagaro play both sides of the net? When people like Zulfiqar Mirza have a beef against MQM, why as Home Minister he allowed all facilities to 90? Altaf Hussain routinely addresses his followers from UK. Why were phone lines not jammed to prevent people from listening to demagoguery from Edgeware?
The answers are not that difficult. Sway the boat but do not rock it. The judiciary will be given a defined space to operate under a "controlled" freedom of justice scenario. The officialdom will have to work in "on-your-mark, get-set, go" environment. The police would as usual be the hand maidens while the industrial and business leadership will be subtly "advised" to behave. All in all, the political top leadership will "manage" in a keep-everyone happy system. The Armed Forces obey the Constitution and will impress upon the citizens that their duty is to defend the country and not indulging in petty politicking or rattling the democratic order. But, behind closed doors, they will "guide" as the actual rulers and every politician accepts this stark reality. The citizens, as always, are the lambs.
Ameer-e-Shehr Ne Kaghaz Ki Kishhtiaan De Kar
Khulay Samandaron Ke Safar Per Kya Rawaanah Humain
When the going gets rough and tough for the government, or the economy is in dire straits, or leaders start developing megalomania or getting too big for their britches, or try to trespass into forbidden territory, then the brass has no option but to pack up the "democratic" set up and take charge. The citizens joyously welcome this and a new musical chairs game commences albeit with music from a marching band. However, in a few years time, the "Administrator" is labeled as usurper, dictator, and Caesar while the band starts playing the new song of freedom and liberty.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Our Karachi --- citadel of peace
Majyd Aziz
HOLY QURAN: 6:123 - And thus We have placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not.
The escalating volatile situation in Karachi has exposed the law enforcing agencies’ lack of expertise in controlling crime and terrorism. At the same time, the failure of the politicians to evolve a workable solution has also showed their lack of will and command in persuading the warring factions to come to terms. Moreover, the protagonists in Karachi’s own “War of Terror” have exhibited no desire to encourage a truce among them nor have they displayed any serious and sincere remorse in the multitude of deaths and injuries.
Daikho Gay To Mil Jayen Gi Har Mor Pe Laashain
Dhoondo Gay To Is Shehr Mein Qatil Na Milay Ga
In the mayhem and anarchic condition of Karachi, the brunt of all these have been borne by the innocent 20 million denizens who have no say whatsoever in this whole sordid affair. The dead victims of this mindless war have been transformed from faces and names to just numbers. The media just highlights the number of killed and, except for the victims’ families and friends, no one knows who these victims really are. For everyone else, they are just numbers. Period.
However, the real stakeholders of Karachi cannot claim genuine concern if they show apathy or complacency. In fact, Karachi’s stakeholders are not just residents of Karachi or those who venture into the city looking for employment or earning opportunities. The stakeholders of Karachi are 180 million people known as Pakistanis living in this country or for that matter those who are the Pakistani Diaspora.
The Karachi Wars have become an albatross around the neck of the business community since this explosive and dangerous situation has compelled foreign buyers to revisit their business relationship with Pakistani businessmen. The hardhearted intransigence of political parties (including ethnic and religious oriented) has outshone whatever flicker of hope the businessmen had that better sense will prevail.
The reason for the businessmen’s frustration and exasperation is that it is Karachi that is the prime contributor to the nation’s Treasury and is the major source of meaningful employment. Karachi is also a two-port city as well as having the most literate population among all cities of Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan is known because of Karachi and thus, net-net, Pakistan suffers if Karachi breaks down.
Thus the time has come for Karachi’s businessmen, spearheaded by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to initiate a campaign for peace. When the going was tough in Karachi many years ago, KCCI organized the My Karachi --- an oasis of harmony Exhibition that has now become an iconic annual event. It is time to initiate another such campaign that should be called Our Karachi --- citadel of peace.
The salient features of the campaign would be:
1. Letter campaign. Millions of letters (someone should draft in English and Urdu) addressed to COAS General Pervez Ashfaque Kayani and Chief Justice Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudary.
2. SMS campaign. Millions of sms to one another, to ministers, to judges, to media, to uniformed people, and to politicians.
3. Diaspora campaign: Pakistanis living in alien lands be encouraged to join the campaign and also bombard Pakistani embassies, high commissions, and honorary consulates with emails and letters.
4. Disclosure campaign: Difficult but doable. People should come forward and relate to a central hotline, thru sms, emails, and letters, how much and to whom they paid graft.
5. Media campaign: Concerned citizens, chambers, associations, and NGOs must issue advertisements appealing for sanity and stability.
6. Neighborhood campaign: Social activist residents must organize corner meetings and get-togethers where residents would assemble and formulate concerns and consequences.
More importantly, instead of inviting Interior Minister Rehman Malik every week, KCCI should organize an All-Parties Conference and come heavy on the hierarchies of these parties that if they do not bring about peace and harmony in Karachi, these politicians might as well let non-democratic forces, with full support and cooperation of the business community, take over command for a real long time.
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