Sunday, February 6, 2011

Renaissance of Civil Liberties in the Arab World



The recent happenings in African Arab World is a personification of an indigenous uprising against the dictatorial policies of the ‘semi-kingships’, which engulfs Tunisia , Egypt , Jordan, Yemen, Qatar and Syria . The popular anger forced Ali Zainul Abideen to leave Tunisia. The seeds of new awakening of civil rights in the region threatened the , even established dynasties , which have solid roots, since decades. President Hosni Mubarak, is at the verge of collapse , though all time robust Egyptian Army and Intelligence , came to his rescue for the transition power , at the surface , to save the country from going into complete chaos .

The newly installed Egyptian Government offered negotiations to the powerful opposition “Akhwan al Muslemeen’, amid Obama administration’s remarks that pro-government forces in Egypt were “thugs” . The streets of Cairo were turned into a battlefield at Tahrir Square, , for last 15 days, between those who support President Hosni Mubarak and their adversaries, who are demanding the leader’s immediate ouster.


The Egyptians are not ready to accept the assertion of Hosni Muabarak to step down in September – In the meanwhile USA has started demonstrating similar policy to leaving the ‘Closest Ally ‘ in the lurch .. In 1978 the deepening opposition to the Shah erupted in widespread demonstrations and rioting. Recognizing that even this level of violence had failed to crush the rebellion, the Shah abdicated the Peacock Throne and departed Iran on 16 January 1979. Despite decades of pervasive surveillance by SAVAK, working closely with CIA, the extent of public opposition to the Shah, and his sudden departure, came as a considerable surprise to the US intelligence community and national leadership. As late as 28 September 1978 the US Defense Intelligence Agency reported that the Shah "is expected to remain actively in power over the next ten years." In fact USA was interested to retain Shah on the throne , with certain political reforms , which became inevitable due to unprecedented and ruthless dictatorship of the King. But the public uprising and entry of Imam Khomeini wrecked the CIA future course of Action , even to that extent that USA even refused exiled Shah to enter into the air of USA, he died in Egypt . The then vice President of Egypt, Hosni Muabarak had witnessed the the gory details of Shah’s ouster and his awful death with Cancer when no world leader was ready even asylum in ‘ custody’.


The recent uprising of civilians or citizens in Arab , is, a directly outcome of the absence of any democtraic tradition in a fast changing world scenario of globalisation with additional contributing factors included perceptions of oppression, brutality, corruption, and extravagance. Basic functional failures of the regimes have also been blamed — economic bottlenecks, shortages and inflation; the Arab regimes’ flawed economic programs, the sudden failure of its security forces to deal with protest and demonstration and the overly centralized power structure, forced the the lava to erupt and expand .

The world is in the grip of economic and food crisis, the state-control medias will cannot keep a band on the common eyes , too long. The globalization process has exposed, or still exposing the cruel governance of the dictators viz a viz Western world.

The Egyptian activists, apparently young and secular at the core, who have been out on the streets every day since the Tehrer Square has become hub of violent activity. . One useful way to think about such revolutions is to remember 1989. There was the revolt in East Germany, which nobody expected to start, and then nobody expected to end peacefully. And then you had Romania, which no one expected to end in a fusillade of bullets... except the Romanians. President Nicolae Ceauşescu and her wife Elena Ceauşescu were killed by a firing squad on 25 Dec 1989.
What will happen after Hosni Mubarak ? The most famous face outside of Egypt is former IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei, who is well-known in the West and respected, but not universally loved, at home. His efforts to unite Egypt’s opposition behind him have had mixed results, and he seems to have been free and detained at various points during the day. The Egyptian nation is not tuned to the true democratic norms or traditions of the West, in fact the nation will continue to accept the US domination with certain ease in the provision democratic rights. But USA is not ready to accept the similar happenings as she failed to control over the return of hardest religious or institutionalized Clergy to capture the power after the exit of Shah of Iran.
It is not CIA , which created rumpus against Hosni Mubarak , which, in fact took roots from the stems of dictatorial regime of Tunisia , however the analysts of Capitol Hill are spending sleepless nights to formulate a political strategy which may not hamper any peace process in the Middle East nor damage any interests of Israel in the region.

The seismic upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt have triggered unrest elsewhere in the Arab world, particularly in Yemen and Jordan. Syria, ruled by the Baath Party since 1963 and the Assad family since 1970, also seems at first glance potentially vulnerable. It shares some passing similarities with Tunisia and Egypt, particularly economic hardship – rising prices, unemployment, poverty, and the cancellation of subsidies on basic commodities.
Yet there are also critical differences, which may lessen chances of a Tunisia-style revolution taking hold. Perhaps chief among them are the sectarian divisions within Syria. Such divisions, if unleashed by protests, could cause bloodshed and chaos similar to the experiences of Lebanon and Iraq in recent years.
“The cautionary tales of its neighbors to the east and west – Iraq and Lebanon – have only reinforced Syrian anxieties about the dangers of weakening the central government in a country with a mixed sectarian and ethnic population,” says Elias Muhanna, author of the influential Qifa Nabki blog.Syria’s population is predominantly Sunni, but the backbone of the regime is drawn from the minority Alawite community, an offshoot of the Shiite sect. The marginalized Kurdish population is also a potent factor in the country’s sectarian and ethnic composition.

In Yemen, president Ali Abdullah Saleh syas he will not seek the presidency when his term expires in 2013. Saleh has been in power for 30 years.He spoke to parliament ahead of a rally in the capital on Thursday which, echoing protests in Tunisia and Egypt, has been dubbed a "day of rage".
He spoke ahead of the planned protests, organized by civil society groups and opposition leaders in a country which suffers from high population growth, 40% unemployment, rising food prices and acute levels of malnutrition. Meanwhile, in Jordan King Abdullahon on 1st Feb, entrusted Marouf Bakhit to form a new government tasked with realizing “genuine political and economic reforms”, a Jordanian Court issued a statement. Bakhit succeeded outgoing prime minister Samir Rifai whose resignation was accepted by the King three days back, the Royal Court said.


The soft revolt can be turned into violent outburst by the citizens of the Middle East , in the comparatively secular states , event the respective regimes failed to allow or facilitate their nations to give them fresh breath of political reforms and ease out checks on civil liberties and rights as given under US Charter. Things are not all the time under the control of USA, any adventurism by CIA can be proved , at the present stage, counter-productive to give way to the ‘fundamentalism’ , or hardened religious anti-American element in the corridors of the power.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Obama's Visit to India--Hype reduces by Rhetoric



The immense hype of Obama’s visit to India is reduced to some rhetoric, especially in the Indian parliament, and some good dances of both The President and First Lady Michelle Obama, at some selected spots. Obama launched his maiden trip to India , by staying at the terrorism- hit Taj Mehal Hotel at Bombay. He termed it as a symbol of his commitment to send “ strong message” to the terrorists .While Obama made no mention of Pakistani-sponsored terrorism, he demanded that the perpetrators of the 26/11 attack be brought to justice. "Mumbai is a symbol of energy and optimism," he said, adding that the Taj and its staff were "symbols of the strength and resilience of Indian people".

Obama maintained, "In our determination to give our people a future of security and prosperity, the United States and India stand united." Stating that the world will never forget the images of 26/11, including those of portions of the Taj set ablaze, he said, "Indeed, today, the United States and India are working together more closely than ever to keep our people safe. And I look forward to deepening our counter-terrorism cooperation even further when I meet with Prime Minister Singh in New Delhi. We go forward with confidence, knowing that history is on our side... And that is the shared determination of India and the United States, two partners that will never waver in our defence of our people or the democratic values that we share." Against the expectations, Obama did not mention the name of Pakistan, directly involved in the Taj attacks.

Even the Visitor’s book placed at Taj , personified formal ‘diplomatic’ and generalised remarks , “The US stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and we offer our love and friendship," he wrote in the guest-book.

During his visit , Indian and US companies have discussed and signed over $14.9 billion in deals around President Obama’s trip that will support 53,670 US jobs, the White House said. The US export deals, estimated at $9.5 billion, won’t go far to settle America’s trade deficit, which was $46.3 billion in August alone, but the numbers are testament to India’s growing importance as a global market and have provoked a swell of pride here. The primary objective, clearly orchestrated , the weakening Obama at home, in his reply to a question , “I want to be able to say to the American people when they ask me, well, why are you spending time with India, aren’t they taking our jobs?’’ “I want to be able to say, actually, you know what, they just created 50,000 jobs. And that’s why we shouldn’t be resorting to protectionist measures. We shouldn’t be thinking that it’s just a one-way street.’’

The executive director of KPMG India, Pradeep Udhas, who is also president of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce, said the 'deals' are significant less for their absolute value than their message. “A two-way street between the US and India has started,’’ he said. “It’s important in terms of sending out a message to US constituencies that India is not just some Third World country. It’s actually a huge market.’’India is also a growing investor in the United States. From 2004-2009, Indian companies invested over $26 billion in the United States, creating more than 55,000 jobs, according to KMPG sources.




Indian Media maintained that “For five decades after Independence, Indians looked up to the rest of the world for aid, technology, and capital. Now, the world looks upon India as a dynamic creator of jobs and income opportunities”. There is a faction of Media and analysts, who maintained, that Obama shows the weakening economic infrastructure of USA, whose title to be a “sole super power” is threatened , as more economic Super powers , like China and Japan are already capturing the world trade. The economic marriage between India and USA , is not apparently aimed at facilitating the “ the Rising India” , with latest weaponry against Pakistan, but to reduce the economic recession , prevailing in USA at various tiers, which is personified in the results of recent mid-term elections. Obama is visibly perturbed over the out-sourcing of US IT firms to India, where labor can be achieved at much lesser rates.

Though American and certain factions of Indian media observe President Barack Obama’s ‘single support’ for a permanent seat for India in an expanded UN Security Council as “a powerful endorsement” and “a major policy shift” that could aggravate China.The reports, however, point out that it may be several years before any agreement is reached on United Nations reforms, notably the overhaul of the Security Council. However the international observer are of the view that Obama’s oratory does reveal any time frame for when India would secure a permanent Security Council seat, nor does it offer any guarantee that India would secure such a seat, in the given future scenario. .” The LA Times stated, Obama’s statement signified “a dramatic show of respect to the powerful nation he hopes will play a key role in support of US interests around the world.” But it also said that the United States is backing its addition only as part of a series of UNSC reforms that could be years in the making. So far the reaction of China or Japan is not reported .According to Ashley J Tellis, the South Asia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the US endorsement of India is stronger than the one extended to Japan some years ago.

It is pertinent to note that India remained herself away from security Council in a bid to contest the permanent seat in the SC for last 15 years . But the hurdles , as personified By foreign minister SM Krishna said recently , "There are obstacles and roadblocks. These cannot be wished away. So we have to keep pursuing relentlessly,". India is therefore aparantly convinced that it is very hard to get permanent set in UNSC, so she accepted temporary membership of UNSC , which is being commenced from 1st Jan 2011.

Since last 2o years or so. Japan has had its hopes set on a permanent UNSC President Clinton endorsed the idea of Japan and Germany joining the Council’s five permanent and veto-endowed members: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France. A decade later, in 2005, the Bush administration made supporting Japan’s accession to a permanent Council seat . But time and again Japan has seen its hopes dashed, as a global security body that largely retains a configuration dating from its post-World War II creation finds reform bids stymied by regional suspicions, geopolitical calculations, and plain old power-mongering.

There is a debate going on ,for ceratin reforms to be brought in the Security Counci,l needs to change to reflect a 21st century of diffused power and new global players. It last saw reform in 1965, when the number of nonpermanent, non-veto-wielding seats was expanded to reflect the UN’s expanding membership in the postcolonial era. This is bound to be a very difficult process and it’s bound to take a significant amount of time. Brazil is another country which is desirous to get UNSC seat.
Obama’s speech in the Indian parliament . did not present any charge sheet against Pakistan, as expected by Indian Intelligentsia . “As we work to advance our shared prosperity, we can partner to address a second priority-our shared security”. The political and strategic analysts believed that Indians wont like the appreciation of Obama for Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism “Our strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region. The Pakistani government increasingly recognizes that these networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistan-they are a threat to the Pakistani people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent extremists”.
Obama’s dedicative statement for Pakistan, “we will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice. We must also recognize that all of us have and interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic-and none more so than India.”, highlighted a reserved and balanced point of view in the region, which orchestrates, Americans realize this very fact , that without the help of Pakistan , USA will never get safe exit from Afghanistan .

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Funds Shortage for Pakistani Students in UK- Journalists For International Peace expresses Concern


Press Statement

Journalists For International Peace strongly reacted to the news of non-availability of funds to Pakistani students, who were admitted on government scholarship to various universities of UK. Earlier, Dr Pirzada Qasim, the Vice Chancellor of Karachi University (KU), has revealed on Wednesday, that the “ students, who were selected for foreign studies in UK on scholarships of Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan , are being humiliated enough to raise donations for meeting their educational expenses on account of lack of funds were to be provided by the commission.

“ It is pathetic and deplorable that government of Pakistan has totally ignored the “brains and future’ of the Country , Mr Iftikhar Chaudri, President of JIP , reiterated here in Islamabad. He feared the government-run HEC may have to face judicial case if it failed to pay off on time the dues meant for educational development plans.

When Dr Javed Leghari , Chairman HEC was approached , he maintained “The government of Pakistan slashed HEC’s budget from 22.50 billion rupees to 18.50 billion rupees for fiscal year 2010 in March this year but despite mounting directives issued from Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, HEC has been provided mere 11 billion rupees during period from July to December 2009”Not a single penny has been released to HEC in last quarter for 2009 fiscal year, he revealed. Earlier HEC chairman, Mr Javed Leghari was subjected to severe criticism due to exposing fake degree holder parliamentarians. Most of them are facing threats of quitting the parliament.

JIP demands that that High Commissioner of Pakistan in UK, Mr Wajid Shamsul Hassan , must immediately intervene into the situation and develop a contact with the affected students and provide immediate financial relief to them. The news of collecting donations during Friday prayers at London, to continue their studies, is highly deplorable and inhumane.

Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
president@j4ip.org

Journalists For International Peace hailed visit of Mega Star Angelina Jolie to Pakistan




The heart-throb of millions Hollywood movie mega star Angelina Jolie met flood victims in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday(7 Sep) and appealed to the international community to provide aid needed to help the country recover from its worst natural disaster.

Journalists For International Peace appreciated the humanitarian visit of Mega Star Angelina Julie to Pakistan . JIP believes that her visit will give spur to the international Aid Money to help the wretched humanity in flood-hit areas of Pakistan , the second worst flood after Strom of Noah. “ Angelina Jolie has set a glaring example, for the people , who are bestowed with fame, glory and money from Almighty, by personifying her goodwill gesture and tender heart- Millions of heart throb for her and her heart throbs for millions wretched people and humanity.

The 35-year-old Mega Star , maintained that she interacted with many people whose lives have been devastated by the floods, including mothers who lost their children and an elderly Pakistani couple who feared they would never be able to rebuild the home they lost.
"I am very moved by them and I hope that I am able to, today and tomorrow, be able to do something to help bring attention to the situation for all of the people in need in Pakistan," Jolie told reporters after visiting a refugee camp in the Jalozai area.

She visited the area wearing a long black robe and a black headscarf adorned with a thin red stripe — the kind of conservative clothing worn by many Muslim women in Pakistan.

Recent floods and torrential rains devastated the millions of acres lands , killing more than 2000 people, washed out 20 million houses, and financial loss to billions of US$.

Journalists For International Peace also appealed to international community to help the homeless people to rehabilitate them in near future,, as chilly winter may put their lives at stake.

JIP proposed to develop a strong infrastructure of international and local NGOs for supervising and monitoring the habitat process, to dispel the credibility crisis with the government, as it appeared in the national and international media “ If certain circles do not repose confidence to the government of Pakistan, in fair utilization of ‘ aid money’ , then respective NGOs , with the fair monitoring of respective countries, may come forward to serve the wretched humanity, for rehabilitation process’, Iftikhar Chaudri President of JIP viewed , here today.


Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
president@j4ip.org

Monday, September 6, 2010

JIP Letter to the President and the PM -- State Torture to Journalist condemned



Mr Asif Ali Zardari Most Urgent

President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
President’s Secritariat
Islamabad, Pakistan

Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Prime Minister’s Secretariat
Islamabad, Pakistan

NO: 786/A-2/OPS
Dated: 5 Sep 2010

Subject: Kidnapping and torture to Journalist Omer Cheema

Assalamoalekum!

I hope that letter of mine will find you in the best of health and prosperity. I expressed with grave concern that an investigative journalist , Omer Cheema was, reportedly, kidnapped by some personnel of intelligence agency from I/8 sector , Islamabad. He was allegedly taken a secret place. Cheema was resorted to severe torture and third degree methods were applied on him. It Is believed that some of Omer Cheema’s blatant reports , have infuriated and attracted the anger of some state institution. Journalists For International Peace strongly condemned the kidnapping and severe torture to the working journalist of Daily The News.

Mr President and Mr Prime Minister , Journalists For International appreciated the prompt reaction of the government , especially Federal Minister for Information,Mr Qamar uz Zaman Kaira, in which he pledged to identify the criminals and ensure exemplary punishment , as a “TEST CASE’.Pakistan is considered as one of the most dangerous country for the working journalists , more than 40 journalists are killed in the recent past years. The alleged involvement of any state agency in kidnapping and torture of media people , tarnishes the image of that country in the international circles. The countries , where Freedom of expression is curtailed by force, can never grow economically and their progress is checked. It is observed that intolerance against Media and journalists in the present government is increased manifold . Media has strong reservations about federal and provincial governments. Such incident of harassment and torture may remain unchecked , if any practical step is not undertaken to curb the menace.

I think that Parliament may take stern action against the culprits. Three chiefs :ISI, MI and IB may be called infront of the parliament under the aegis of the Chief of Army Staff , General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani. They may be directed to identify the criminals from their ranks, if the torture is conducted by the intelligence personnel. It is also believed that such torture incident is aimed at tarnish the positive role of Pak Army, which is deployed in flood affected areas to rescue and provide immediate relief to wretched people of Pakistan. The whole nation supported General Kiyani in the war against the terrorists , in Swat and Waziristan .

To open war against own journalists, by a state or segment of state machinery, may always prove counter productive. Omer Cheema maintained that there is a possibility that the incident is provoke by his news report on Military Commandos, who refused to attack Lal Masjid and subjected to be court-marshaled , without giving any right of appeal. It is in the national interest, to take immediate action against the culprits, to avoid a permanent tussle between state institutions.

It is also proposed that respective intelligence agencies or their spokesman, may start briefing sessions for the journalists on variety of such matters which are taken as secret under the garb of national security. I hope that both the leaders may take strict punitive action against the culprits, to save the sanctity of Freedom of Expression, which is a constitutional obligation too.


Regards


SD/
Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
president@j4ip.org

Monday, August 23, 2010

Credibility Crisis in Natural Disaster



Cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, diarrhea, weil’s disease (leptospirosis) have surfaced among survivors and aid workers warn that the waterborne disease could add to the death toll of about 2000 people if allowed to spread. Mostly children in relief camps are in precarious conditions due to acute shortage of drinkable water. There were reports that Sindhi feudal lords influenced the local authorities and managed to break dams from the angles and places , which might save their own crops. A tussle between former Prime Minsiter Mir Zafar Ullah Jamali and present Federal Minister Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani erupted on breaking a dam , the former PM castigated serious allegations on the latter.
A fresh surge of floodwater swelled the Indus River near Kotri Barrage, threatening previously spared cities and towns in the south.



The crisis has battered Pakistan's economy and undermined its political stability at a time when the United States and NATO need its steadfast cooperation against Islamist extremism. The U.N. has appealed for an initial $500 million to provide relief to Pakistan but has said the country will need billions to rebuild once the floodwaters recede. Ban KI MOON’s low key visit to flood-devastated areas, did not spark off the relief activities at the behest of international community .

The United States has so far donated the most to the relief effort, at least $100 million, and has sent military helicopters to rescue stranded people and drop off food and water. Washington hopes the assistance will help improve its image in the country — however marginally — as it seeks its support in the battle against the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.
"So far, if anyone has practically given us maximum help, it is America," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Saturday when a Pakistani reporter suggested the U.S. has done little since the crisis started. Operating in partnership with the Pakistan military, the U.S. aircraft have since Aug. 5 rescued more than 3,500 people and transported more than 412,000 pounds (186,000 kilograms) of emergency supplies, the State Department said.
Cholera can lead to severe dehydration and death without prompt treatment, and containing cholera outbreaks is considered a high priority following floods.

The Pakistani crisis began in late July, when unusually heavy monsoon rains tore through the country from its mountainous northwest. Hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed. Agriculture has been severely hit, with an estimated 1.7 million acres (nearly 700,000 hectares) of farmland wiped out. It is reported that Pakistan suffered 400 Billion rupees loss , though exact figures will be estimated after the end of catastrophic floods.

There is a serious trust deficit between government of Pakistan and international community, which attracted heated correspondence between European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and French President. EU president underscored in a letter to Sarkozy that Brussels was “the first to react” on July 30 by providing aid to Pakistan, which totals 40 million euros (51.5 million dollars).“But beyond the 40 million euros which you mentioned, my services have worked tirelessly in order to ensure that this money is spent on the ground as quickly as possible,” Barroso wrote.

The commission chief said his team was once more “demonstrating its professionalism and efficiency in responding to great humanitarian crises.”In a letter to Barroso on Sunday, Sarkozy said Brussels should “do more”than what had been offered so far.
“I count on you for the EU to show its unity and determination,” the French president wrote. Sarkozy said France would soon make proposals to the EU in order to give the 27-nation bloc a “reaction capacity for this type of crisis.”But Barroso noted that he has already begun an “action plan” aimed at ensuring “the best possible mobilisation and coherence” of aid. Humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva will “very soon” propose new policies for the EU's response to crises abroad, he said. Barroso also said that Pakistan would likely need more aid and that the EU would decide how much more to provide before the end of August.


Torrential monsoon rain triggered catastrophic floods which have affected a fifth of Pakistan, wiping out villages, rich farm land, infrastructure and killing an estimated 2000 people in the nation's worst natural disaster. The willingness among Germans to donate to aid organisations helping the victims of Pakistan’s devastating floods has slowly begun to grow after a sluggish start, the German Red Cross (DRK). As the disaster began unfolding in late July, Germans were hesitant to contribute at first. But as the situation there becomes more desperate, there is increased motivation to help the flood victims, DRK president Rudolf Seiters told daily Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.

There is an acute credibility crisis on Pakistani government’s part, as far as the distribution of donations and funds for affected people of Floods in Pakistan . The matter was earlier reported in the press that during earthquake of 2005, more than 80000 people were killed in the tragedy . The world community donated generously. I was spokesman/member of Action Committee of Margalla Towers Residents Committee; Tower was destroyed and more than 80 residents were killed in the quake . We fought the a legal and administrative fight in the streets and in the Supreme Court for three years, during these years many world leaders visited ill-fated Towers and announced aid for help and rehabilitation- that aid was also meant for wretched people of Kashmir. A department ERRA (ERRA : Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (http://www.erra.pk/) was established and Billions of Pakistani rupees were deposited by World Community to ERRA through Pak Government.

It was believed that with such money, the whole Kashmir and Margalla Towers would be re-built on new Building Codes, as Chief Justice, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary ordered to the previous government (President Musharaf and PM Shoukat Aziz) in our case of Margalla Towers Tragedy. The affected people of Kashmir areas are still staging demonstration against the governments (previous and present) that there is only 5 % rehabilitation work has been done. Reportedly, Zardari Government decided to take 600 bn Pak rupees, out of 900 Bn rupees from ERRA’s account to some other unknown projects. In the eyes of some political observers, it is a glaring example of mal-practice in the rehabilitation process, which was started almost 4 and half years ago.

In the present circumstances, the Zardari government is accused of massive corruption and misappropriation of the funds. The fellow citizens and international Community did not repose confidence to donate directly to Pakistani government’s exchequer, which slowed down the rescue and relief operations in Flood affected areas. The most undesirable visit of President Zardari to France and UK added fuel to the injury to the already frustrated people of Pakistan, while overseas Pakistani protested outside the edifice in UK, where Zardari stayed. Even he was humiliated by a “ shoe throwing’ incident in his PPPP party meeting at London; which was widely reported by vibrant Pakistani Media, attracted the wrath of the government to shut down major TV Channels and setting ablaze the newspapers, mostly in interior Sindh?

The opposition leader , Mr Nawaz Sharif ( Former two time Prime Minister of Pakistan), decided to join hands with the government , with the desire to establish an independent Flood Relief Commission to dispel , severe national and international criticism of alleged mistrust on Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif and PM Yusuf Raza Gillani held a mutual press conference and announced a joint strategy for proposed Commission. They also announced few names, as members for the said Commission, which included, some very respectable former judges of superior courts, which include, Rana Bhagwandas, Fakhruddin G Ibrahim and Nasir Zahid.. After five days , Zardari Government turned down the proposed commission, without any justification and plausible reasons. The sudden U-turn of the government aroused the suspicions that the members of the proposed Independent Flood Commission may not tilt to their political whims or PPPP government will have no access to the money to ‘utilize’ for some other purposes.. Not only Germany but other countries of Europe, USA and even Islamic countries are reluctant to donate generously as orchestrated in the previous times of Natural calamities.

However Journalists For International Peace appealed to Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General UNO, and other world leaders to come forward and establish a bridge to assist the Flood affected people directly. JIP proposed that there must be a robust infrastructure of NGOs of respective countries with the support of local field experts and volunteers, having own monitoring system of funds’ utilization in the relief and rehabilitation process. In this regard the wretched people will get direct access to the funds meant for them in the shape of medicine, food and re-building of infrastructure. The proposal contains that it will also attract indigenous employment opportunities for the locals under administrative control of the NGOs of the respected countries. As far the aid of international donations and funds are concerned – it is the same red-tapism of alleged corrupt bureaucracy, which still did not distribute the donations/funds to the affected people of Earthquake 2005. The hue and cry of the affected people are quite obvious and natural. At present Media of Pakistan and some saner elements, TV Channels and few political representatives have started campaigns at their own, which is picking up the momentum. However, the role of Pakistan Army, in the rescue and relief operations, is considered as marvelous.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

More Statesmanship Lessons for David Cameron


The Childish and irresponsible statement spark off a new debate that British office of Prime Minister is rapidly deteriorated in terms of handling the foreign policy towards major issues like that of Terrorism and its possible remedy . British government realized this fact, now very well, that pseudo ‘War on Terror’ attracted public wrath and discontentment, which damaged the very fabric of the multi-cultural society. The death of four British servicemen in Afghanistan at the weekend takes the toll of UK troops in the war against terror past 500.

There is a growing frustration in British Society due to the killings of British soldiers in Afghanistan, as Allied Forces are losing the ground , exposing an imminent defeat is in the offing. ‘Military Families Against The War’ is an organisation comprised of the families of the soldiers, who foresee a major set-back to the strategic interests in the continuation of the War in Afghanistan, besides massive causalities. The organization has already filed a petition with the British government against the war and amassing public support in the favor of its objective, ‘ To bring Troops Home’. The petition orchestrates, “Noting the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the destabilisation of Pakistan arising from the NATO military intervention in the region and believing that only the Afghan people themselves can generate a political solution to their country’s problems, therefore demand that the government commence the withdrawal of all British military forces from Afghanistan.”

David Cameron is apparently continued to follow the conspiracy theory of the ‘sponsored’ WikiLeaks War Logs .The independent political analysts believe that he is made victim in getting maximum ‘output’ from Britain . He offended Islamabad with comments made on Wednesday in India. Speaking to an audience in the city of Bangalore, Cameron said: "We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is … able, in any way, to promote the export of terror whether to India, whether to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the world."

Cameron later told the BBC that he had chosen his words carefully. "It is unacceptable for anything to happen within Pakistan that is supporting terrorism elsewhere," he said, adding: "It is well-documented that that has been the case in the past, and we have to make sure that the Pakistan authorities are not looking two ways. They must only look one way, and that is to a democratic and stable Pakistan." Earlier, Cameron was also accused of his ‘plain speaking’, during his recent tour to Turkey.


Reacting to Cameron’s statement, former British foreign Secretary, David Miliband has criticized Prime Minister David Cameron, accusing him of being a "cuttlefish squirting out ink" over his remarks about Pakistan's record on terrorism.
"Cameron has used the past two weeks to make a verbal splash on foreign policy. Like a cuttlefish squirting out ink, his words were copious and created a mess. The cancellation by the Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI, of a security meeting with our services shows that, in foreign policy, words can be our most powerful tool," Miliband wrote in an article for The Independent. "But the Prime Minister's have been destructive. The mindsets in Israel, Pakistan and Britain have all been given the once-over. But making a splash is not the same as making a difference." "Cameron either has a loose tongue - his comments about Gaza, terrorism and the Second World War were made off the cuff at press conferences or in interviews - or he is desperate for headlines. Neither is encouraging," he added.

Pakistani foreign office spokesperson maintained that one could never draw right conclusions from baseless and skewed reports. The spokesperson also asked journalists to abstain from highlighting such baseless reports. “I would say that it is important that we do not create unnecessary hype around these reports and get distracted. The world knows very well how Pakistan is contributing in the ongoing fight against terrorism and we will continue doing that because it is also in our interest”.When asked to comment on Pakistan’s double standard as it was seeking a clarification from Afghanistan against Karzai’s remarks but not from Cameron for his remarks, the spokesperson replied there were no double standards. “We have seen remarks made by the British Prime Minister and we see the context in the sense that those were based on WikiLeaks reports. Hence, we have expressed our sadness over these remarks, which have been made in India. As far as the reported remarks by President Karzai and the earlier remarks by Spanta are concerned, we found these incomprehensible given the fact that we all know well that during the last two years Pakistan and Afghanistan have been cooperating very closely with each other against terrorism and we do not see any reason as to why these remarks should have been made”, he said.

Pakistani Intelligence Chief , Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, cancelled his visit to Britain in lieu of the present ‘ situation’. The cancellation of the visit of ISI chief, who was supposed to have meetings with his counterparts in MI-5 and MI-6, is another setback for the ‘security planning’ opportunity for British Defense intelligentsia.

Cameron’s controversial statement is surfaced, just days after the publication of leaked U.S. military documents relating to the war in Afghanistan on the Internet platform WikiLeaks and in three media outlets, including Spiegel. According to the so-called war logs, the U.S. suspects that Pakistan is providing terrorists with a haven and that the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is training insurgents and supplying them with weapons. According to one memo, the ISI was even involved in a plot to assassinate the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai.

His words have created a stir in the Pakistani society , a country that is officially Britain's ally in the war on terror and lost more than 30 thousand Pakistani civilians and armed forces personnel have been killed or injured since the global war on terror began in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, while over 17,000 terrorists have been killed or captured. According to data released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Feb 2010, from 9/11 till now, 30,452 people have been killed or injured. These include 21,672 civilians and 8,785 military personnel.

The co-chairperson of Britain’s ruling Conservative party, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, visited Pakistan recently called on President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad and discussed a host of issues, particularly bilateral relations and Islamabad’s role in fighting terrorism. During her visit, both Islamabad and Pakistani-born British national found similarities in their views that terrorism is the common enemy for both Pakistan and Britain and that cooperation between the two countries must continue to fight the war against this scourge. Sayeeda Warsi realized the sufferings of Pakistan in fighting militancy. Sayeeda Warsi and the British high commissioner appreciated Islamabad’s efforts against militancy and reiterated their country’s support to the democratic government in Pakistan in fighting militancy. The present statement of Cameron is not a policy shift towards Pakistan, as Britain realized this fact , in the losing war of Afghanistan , Pakistan is the only state in the region which can be helpful in an ‘ honorable retreat’ from the region.

Britain is confronting with growing extremism and fanaticism, prevailing in British youth especially after 9/11 and 7/7 incidents of terrorism. The British intelligence agencies are exercising a constant vigil on ‘ suspects’, even on the price of curtailing ‘ Civil Liberties’. The British society is robustly influenced by the Islamic culture, which is the prominent part of British Multi Culture, atleast after three generations. The Muslim immigrants are mostly migrated from Pakistan and they have developed a bridge between Pakistan and UK. There participation in local politics and in both houses, is quite obvious.

In the present circumstances and scenario, Pakistani communities can play a very vital role in reducing the indigenous reactionary wave of extremism in British youth . The interfaith dialogues , though on equal footings , between Pakistani and British societies can pay a positive dividend for the progress of peaceful and sustainable atmosphere, especially in Britain. In the present circumstances , the visit of president Asif Ali Zardari, is predicted to be a ineffective , it will further be criticized, if media may continue to focus on lavish expenditures from public expense on a large entourage.