Dawn
By Ardeshir Cowasjee
IT is since 1971, when we lost half of ourselves, that the nation at large, with particular emphasis on those catapulted or ‘freely and fairly’ voted into power, has adopted and thrived upon the habit of visiting of tombs, with ‘figures de circonstance’ (the arrangement of faces to wear suitable but fictitious expressions of grief).
From 1948 when he died, Mohammad Ali Jinnah (never let it be forgotten that he once famously stated that he wished to be known as ‘plain Mr Jinnah’) lay deeply buried in a simple grave over which was placed a marble slab (provided by the Sind Patent Tile Factory owned by Jinnah’s friend, Jamshed Nusserwanjee) protected from the skies and the weather by a simple tent. Visitors were few and far between, one reason being that Jinnah himself had not been known to be prone to take himself off to linger at various grave-sides — at least there are no known photographs of him doing so.
The tent stood until 1960 when construction started on the marble tomb that now marks his place of burial. The rather squat structure was completed in 1971, and it was during the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that guards were posted and it became the habit and hobby of every politically connected Tom, Dick and Harriet, with their suitable figures de circonstance, to slow-march up the marble stairs for a photo opportunity (suitably surrounded by uniforms and sycophants), hands raised, eyes lowered, at the iron railings that surround the empty catafalque on the upper floor of the mausoleum — Jinnah himself lies way down, in the bosom of the earth.
It has become one of those obligatory duties, rather like proceeding on Umra at the nation’s expense, that when people are appointed to political positions they must travel to Karachi expressly to be seen at the Mazar, a place in their previous apolitical lives they had never thought to visit.
This cult of tomb-side photo opportunities is growing by the day — not a healthy phenomenon. On Saturday, in the national press were three photographs taken of the Asif Zardari-appointed prime minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani. One depicted him in traditional pose at the Mazar of Mr Jinnah, one likewise before the grave of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and the third offering fateha at the grave of Benazir Bhutto.
These three visits had taken place on one day — April 4, the 29th death anniversary of ZAB, a day that was declared a school holiday in the province of Sindh, a first-time happenstance that had never before occurred, not even during the two governments of Benazir herself.
The cult of grave-visiting is becoming graver by the day. The press yesterday, apart from the prime minister, showed numerous shots of our various luminaries at Garhi Khuda Baksh. And three days prior to this, on April 1, Asif Zardari, in a fit of forgiveness, took himself off to the Azizabad graveyard, here in Karachi, to pay homage at the gravesides of Altaf Hussain’s brother and nephew (had he ever met them?) who were murdered in Karachi during Benazir’s second premiership.
This Zardari make-up with the MQM and Altaf Bhai is not pleasing Mian Nawaz Sharif of Lahore and he has expressed his displeasure.
However, it must be said that we who live in Sindh, and in Karachi in particular, welcome the accord between the provincial ruling PPP and the party of the Pir of London merely because it denotes that, if it holds, there will hopefully not be any unusual violent upheavals in our lives. Things tend to get tricky when the MQM is isolated — we are understandably apprehensive.
The Mian is also unhappy — and he shows it, looking exceedingly grim in his photographs — over the matter of the reinstatement of the dismissed judges. Widower Asif Zardari is in a bind — firstly and foremost he is bound to honour the agreement made between the powers in the USA, President General Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto in which her future line of action had been laid out for her, and the same with Musharraf. The question of the judiciary and the survival of Musharraf to which it is linked is very much within the purview of the current US ‘great game’.
There can be no doubt that the minority literate and fairly well economically endowed of the nation who can afford the luxury of dwelling upon such matters is all for an independent judiciary. Mian Nawaz Sharif’s new-found passion for the independence of the judiciary has all to do with his equally passionate desire to rid himself of Musharraf.
Zardari has to say he is all for an independent judiciary and that is the democratic and right thing to say (whether one thinks so or not). But realistically, can the leaders of this country — be they civilian or military — ever afford a truly independent judiciary? The answer has to be no, as they all carry far too much baggage.
Asif, to give him his due, is open and upfront about the matter, as can be gauged from reports in the national press of a one-sided conversation held at Naudero (on the grave-visiting occasion) between himself and Aitzaz Ahsan on the matter of the judiciary. Asif made it quite clear to Aitzaz that it was not the legal fraternity and their histrionics that had removed Musharraf’s uniform and given the country free and fair elections — it was Benazir Bhutto and what she achieved whilst alive and by her death.
He was also very clear in pointing out to the besieged barrister that none of the now heroic judges had ever given him the time of the day when he was imprisoned on what he terms cooked-up charges and that they had even refused him one day’s reprieve to attend the funeral of a relative.
He also had a go at the deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who he accused, with some justification it must be said, of having politicised himself and rendered himself unfit for the high office to which he again aspires. Reportedly he also questioned the integrity and independence of some of our other honourable former judges.
As for Musharraf, Asif is right when he says he has delivered — he has, down to the last drop, which for Asif is the National Reconciliation Ordinance. Now, even the hard-cast case in the Swiss courts involving the Cotecna and SGS kickbacks and money laundering is being killed off thanks to the NRO (though with a PPP government in power Pakistan could in any case have withdrawn itself). The NRO is in itself iniquitous, it is unconstitutional, unlawful and immoral as it involves not the money of individuals but of the people of Pakistan.
What we must remember, and what the beneficiaries of the NRO in their shamelessness will not remember, are the words of Dominique Henchoz, the Government of Pakistan’s lawyer in the Swiss case. Whilst confirming to the press that Pakistan had withdrawn itself as a civil party to the case, she remarked: “Just because there has been an amnesty for the good of the country does not mean that no crime was committed.”
arfc@cyber.net,pk
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Geo Maze se, Dubai men. Baqi Sab ko Marne Do
Dubai based "Beacon of free Press, Geo Tv" Never reported the following or similar attrocities in the Persian Gulf States of UAE. But Dawn did. Shame on GEO. or its Geo Maze se Dubai me Baqi Sab ko Marne DO.
Asian workers grilled over Sharjah unrest
Dawn April 04, 2008 Friday Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429
DUBAI, April 3: Authorities questioned dozens of Asian labourers after hundreds of workers clashed with police during a protest against their living conditions in the emirate of Sharjah, media reported on Thursday.
Police “brought calm” to the al-Nahda district of Sharjah where the workers’ protest took place on Wednesday night at the site of a number of residential towers under construction, the state news agency WAM reported.
It said the workers, from the Tiger Contracting Company, climbed one of the unfinished buildings and threw stones, bricks and other construction equipment at police.
The head of Sharjah police, Brig Gen Humaid Mohammed al-Hudaidi, called the incident “an act of rioting” that had “nothing to do with labour disputes,” WAM reported.
The English language newspaper Khaleej Times reported 600 workers were arrested, but WAM did not mention arrests.
A witness, living next to the site of the protest, said the workers were angry because they were forced to live on the construction site where they worked. The witness said he saw the workers climbing the structure and shouting.
Strikes are illegal and unions are banned in the UAE. Protesting labourers complain of poor salaries that are diminishing in value because of the falling US dollar. The Emirates’ currency – the dirham – is pegged to the dollar.
WAM said police were alerted to Wednesday’s unrest by an anonymous motorist who said “a group of people” had blocked a road between Dubai and Sharjah.
After “verifying the information through the observation cameras which were activated at the site, Sharjah police found the rioters were Indians, Bengalis, Afghans and Pakistanis working for the company,” WAM said.
The Khaleej Times said on Thursday the workers felt the building site was not an appropriate accommodation. It said about 800 workers were involved in “destruction of property, blocking traffic and posing security threat to drivers” and that police had arrested more than 600 workers.
It also said the workers had to live in the two building sites as a temporary measure due to maintenance work in the camps they normally live in.
WAM said Sharjah authorities started questioning workers who were “involved in the riot” to find out the reasons behind “the subversive act.”
“The UAE security forces will never allow any individual or group to jeopardise the country’s stability and security and whoever attempts to do so and violate the law will be strictly dealt with,” Al-Hudaidi said.—AP
Asian workers grilled over Sharjah unrest
Dawn April 04, 2008 Friday Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429
DUBAI, April 3: Authorities questioned dozens of Asian labourers after hundreds of workers clashed with police during a protest against their living conditions in the emirate of Sharjah, media reported on Thursday.
Police “brought calm” to the al-Nahda district of Sharjah where the workers’ protest took place on Wednesday night at the site of a number of residential towers under construction, the state news agency WAM reported.
It said the workers, from the Tiger Contracting Company, climbed one of the unfinished buildings and threw stones, bricks and other construction equipment at police.
The head of Sharjah police, Brig Gen Humaid Mohammed al-Hudaidi, called the incident “an act of rioting” that had “nothing to do with labour disputes,” WAM reported.
The English language newspaper Khaleej Times reported 600 workers were arrested, but WAM did not mention arrests.
A witness, living next to the site of the protest, said the workers were angry because they were forced to live on the construction site where they worked. The witness said he saw the workers climbing the structure and shouting.
Strikes are illegal and unions are banned in the UAE. Protesting labourers complain of poor salaries that are diminishing in value because of the falling US dollar. The Emirates’ currency – the dirham – is pegged to the dollar.
WAM said police were alerted to Wednesday’s unrest by an anonymous motorist who said “a group of people” had blocked a road between Dubai and Sharjah.
After “verifying the information through the observation cameras which were activated at the site, Sharjah police found the rioters were Indians, Bengalis, Afghans and Pakistanis working for the company,” WAM said.
The Khaleej Times said on Thursday the workers felt the building site was not an appropriate accommodation. It said about 800 workers were involved in “destruction of property, blocking traffic and posing security threat to drivers” and that police had arrested more than 600 workers.
It also said the workers had to live in the two building sites as a temporary measure due to maintenance work in the camps they normally live in.
WAM said Sharjah authorities started questioning workers who were “involved in the riot” to find out the reasons behind “the subversive act.”
“The UAE security forces will never allow any individual or group to jeopardise the country’s stability and security and whoever attempts to do so and violate the law will be strictly dealt with,” Al-Hudaidi said.—AP
Is PPP trying to protect Musharraf?
The News Friday, April 04, 2008, Rabi-ul-Awal 26, 1429 A.H.
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: A PPP minister has been going around meeting some of the deposed judges in Islamabad’s Judges Enclave to seek assurances that once restored they would not re-open cases against President Musharraf, it is learnt.
More:The News
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: A PPP minister has been going around meeting some of the deposed judges in Islamabad’s Judges Enclave to seek assurances that once restored they would not re-open cases against President Musharraf, it is learnt.
More:The News
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Qabailistan, Seraikistan and Pakhtunkhwah
The Frontier Post Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Rabi ul Awwal 23, 1429 A.H.
Dr Naeem Chishti
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced at the floor of the National Assembly on March 29, after taking a unanimous vote of confidence, that the Concurrent Legislative List will be abolished from the Constitution within a year. This is indeed a very courageous statement and is a right step in the right direction. Our final objective indeed is an invincible Pakistan which is strong both internally as well as externally. Although military might is essential for a strong state but the real strength comes from the people and not weapons. Conversely, a state can still be strong without its artillery, armour and weaponry but it cannot stay long if its people are disunited and dissatisfied with their political system. This is all the more true in case of federal states. It is for this reason that democracy is regarded as the most suitable form of government for federal states. Federalism aims at devolving powers between federating units in such a manner that only the bare minimum powers are retained by the centre while the rest of the powers are allocated to the provinces. It is in accordance with this spirit of federalism that the 1973 Constitution divided the legislative lists into two categories. While the legislation on the subjects contained in the Federal Legislative List could be made by the Parliament, the legislation on the subjects not contained in any Legislative List was the prerogative of the Provincial Assemblies only. As far as the Concurrent Legislative List is concerned, both the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies could legislate on any of the subjects contained in it. However, in case of clash between two laws, the bill passed by the Parliament would take precedence. The Concurrent List contains as many as forty-seven subjects. All these subjects are essential to be allocated to the provinces to give them autonomy. After the abolition of the Concurrent List, the Provincial Assemblies will be able to make or amend the civil, criminal and industrial laws and procedures in their provinces without any interference from the federal government. Furthermore, they will also be able to legislate exclusively on subjects such as education, electricity, press and publications, and legal medical and other professions. Abolition of the Concurrent List would mean that the federal government’s powers will be restricted only to the subjects contained in the Federal Legislative List while all other subjects will be governed by the provincial governments. Although Federal Legislative List is quite comprehensive but the abolition of the Concurrent Legislative List will not be a bad beginning. The underlying idea of the abolition of the Concurrent List is to give more autonomy to the provinces so that they can focus on their development. At the same time, the federal government will also be able to give more time to fundamental issues like defence, foreign affairs and fiscal management. However, abolition of Concurrent List alone will not solve the fundamental problems of the people. If we look at our political system, we will see that the pattern of development in our country has always been vertical and not horizontal. What it means is that there are certain areas in different parts of Pakistan which have traditionally been more developed at the cost of other areas. Therefore, while we can see some very developed regions in a province we can also see other regions too which are in complete contrast and do not appear to be a part of the same province. At least two examples can be quoted in this regard. The first example is that of the tribal areas of the NWFP while the other one is that of the Seraiki belt of the Punjab. If we travel either from Peshawar to FATA or from Lahore to the Seraiki belt, it would look as if we have come into another province especially as far as their political, economic and social development or backwardness is concerned. These areas inter alia need to be recognised as separate provinces. In old times, a province used to be a territory with a distinct culture. However, the concept of a province has undergone change in modern times. These days, the provinces are created for better administrative management rather than for their distinct cultures or geographic boundaries though those could be taken into consideration among other factors. The creation of new provinces is a regular feature of a federal state. In fact, the more the provinces the stronger the federation will be. It is so because it will offer more efficient administration and will afford a better opportunity to the people to participate in the horizontal development of their provinces. It is for this reason that we can always see truly federal states yearning for more provinces whenever it can reasonably be done. In this regard, we can present the examples of the United States and India. The United States of America at the time of its creation comprised of thirteen states only but today it has fifty-one states. Similarly, our neighbouring country India comprised of eleven provinces only at the time of independence form Britain but today it has as many as twenty-eight provinces. Pakistan has for the most of the time been under military dictatorships. Our military rulers spent their professional lives in very centralised and disciplined or closed environments. Therefore, they always believed in a very strong centre. They failed to realize that running a country was quite different, if not quite opposite, from having the command of a force. Therefore, they always abhorred the idea of creating new provinces. This was just their lack of knowledge and foresight. There is absolutely nothing wrong in creating new provinces in the country. In fact, the catastrophe of East Pakistan would have perhaps been avoided if the experiment of ‘One Unit’ had not been attempted by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad through his ‘Cabinet of Talents’ in which Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan sat as Interior Minister and Defence Minister, respectively. We must not repeat our past mistakes and must willingly recognise FATA and the Seraiki belt as separate provinces after ascertaining the desires of the people of those areas. As far as the names of the new provinces are concerned, we should give the locals an opportunity to choose the names of their own provinces. For that matter, there is no harm even if the NWFP is renamed as Pakhtoonkhawah. To remove the doubts, let me clarify that I am neither a Qabaili, nor a Pakhtun, nor even a Seraiki. Therefore, my support for Qabailistan, Seraikistan or Pakhtoonkwah is based purely on my objective study and love for Pakistan. It is my candid opinion that Pakistan will be further strengthened by recognising FATA, Seraiki belt and other underdeveloped homogeneous regions as separate provinces. I have already presented the case for a new province comprising of Federally Administered Tribal Areas in my article ‘Qabailistan – Fifth Province of Pakistan’ published in these columns on October 24, 2007. I touched upon this issue again in my analysis titled ‘Repeal of FCR’ published in the Frontier Post on March 31, 2008. Incidentally, our Chief Editor Rehmat Shah Afridi has also supported the idea of a separate province for tribal people in his comments on ‘Abolishment of FCR’ published in the Frontier Post on March 31, 2008. Rehmat Shah Afridi hails from FATA and belongs to the famous Kamberkhel tribe. Therefore, his comments should be treated as a representative voice of the tribal people.
Dr Naeem Chishti
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced at the floor of the National Assembly on March 29, after taking a unanimous vote of confidence, that the Concurrent Legislative List will be abolished from the Constitution within a year. This is indeed a very courageous statement and is a right step in the right direction. Our final objective indeed is an invincible Pakistan which is strong both internally as well as externally. Although military might is essential for a strong state but the real strength comes from the people and not weapons. Conversely, a state can still be strong without its artillery, armour and weaponry but it cannot stay long if its people are disunited and dissatisfied with their political system. This is all the more true in case of federal states. It is for this reason that democracy is regarded as the most suitable form of government for federal states. Federalism aims at devolving powers between federating units in such a manner that only the bare minimum powers are retained by the centre while the rest of the powers are allocated to the provinces. It is in accordance with this spirit of federalism that the 1973 Constitution divided the legislative lists into two categories. While the legislation on the subjects contained in the Federal Legislative List could be made by the Parliament, the legislation on the subjects not contained in any Legislative List was the prerogative of the Provincial Assemblies only. As far as the Concurrent Legislative List is concerned, both the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies could legislate on any of the subjects contained in it. However, in case of clash between two laws, the bill passed by the Parliament would take precedence. The Concurrent List contains as many as forty-seven subjects. All these subjects are essential to be allocated to the provinces to give them autonomy. After the abolition of the Concurrent List, the Provincial Assemblies will be able to make or amend the civil, criminal and industrial laws and procedures in their provinces without any interference from the federal government. Furthermore, they will also be able to legislate exclusively on subjects such as education, electricity, press and publications, and legal medical and other professions. Abolition of the Concurrent List would mean that the federal government’s powers will be restricted only to the subjects contained in the Federal Legislative List while all other subjects will be governed by the provincial governments. Although Federal Legislative List is quite comprehensive but the abolition of the Concurrent Legislative List will not be a bad beginning. The underlying idea of the abolition of the Concurrent List is to give more autonomy to the provinces so that they can focus on their development. At the same time, the federal government will also be able to give more time to fundamental issues like defence, foreign affairs and fiscal management. However, abolition of Concurrent List alone will not solve the fundamental problems of the people. If we look at our political system, we will see that the pattern of development in our country has always been vertical and not horizontal. What it means is that there are certain areas in different parts of Pakistan which have traditionally been more developed at the cost of other areas. Therefore, while we can see some very developed regions in a province we can also see other regions too which are in complete contrast and do not appear to be a part of the same province. At least two examples can be quoted in this regard. The first example is that of the tribal areas of the NWFP while the other one is that of the Seraiki belt of the Punjab. If we travel either from Peshawar to FATA or from Lahore to the Seraiki belt, it would look as if we have come into another province especially as far as their political, economic and social development or backwardness is concerned. These areas inter alia need to be recognised as separate provinces. In old times, a province used to be a territory with a distinct culture. However, the concept of a province has undergone change in modern times. These days, the provinces are created for better administrative management rather than for their distinct cultures or geographic boundaries though those could be taken into consideration among other factors. The creation of new provinces is a regular feature of a federal state. In fact, the more the provinces the stronger the federation will be. It is so because it will offer more efficient administration and will afford a better opportunity to the people to participate in the horizontal development of their provinces. It is for this reason that we can always see truly federal states yearning for more provinces whenever it can reasonably be done. In this regard, we can present the examples of the United States and India. The United States of America at the time of its creation comprised of thirteen states only but today it has fifty-one states. Similarly, our neighbouring country India comprised of eleven provinces only at the time of independence form Britain but today it has as many as twenty-eight provinces. Pakistan has for the most of the time been under military dictatorships. Our military rulers spent their professional lives in very centralised and disciplined or closed environments. Therefore, they always believed in a very strong centre. They failed to realize that running a country was quite different, if not quite opposite, from having the command of a force. Therefore, they always abhorred the idea of creating new provinces. This was just their lack of knowledge and foresight. There is absolutely nothing wrong in creating new provinces in the country. In fact, the catastrophe of East Pakistan would have perhaps been avoided if the experiment of ‘One Unit’ had not been attempted by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad through his ‘Cabinet of Talents’ in which Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan sat as Interior Minister and Defence Minister, respectively. We must not repeat our past mistakes and must willingly recognise FATA and the Seraiki belt as separate provinces after ascertaining the desires of the people of those areas. As far as the names of the new provinces are concerned, we should give the locals an opportunity to choose the names of their own provinces. For that matter, there is no harm even if the NWFP is renamed as Pakhtoonkhawah. To remove the doubts, let me clarify that I am neither a Qabaili, nor a Pakhtun, nor even a Seraiki. Therefore, my support for Qabailistan, Seraikistan or Pakhtoonkwah is based purely on my objective study and love for Pakistan. It is my candid opinion that Pakistan will be further strengthened by recognising FATA, Seraiki belt and other underdeveloped homogeneous regions as separate provinces. I have already presented the case for a new province comprising of Federally Administered Tribal Areas in my article ‘Qabailistan – Fifth Province of Pakistan’ published in these columns on October 24, 2007. I touched upon this issue again in my analysis titled ‘Repeal of FCR’ published in the Frontier Post on March 31, 2008. Incidentally, our Chief Editor Rehmat Shah Afridi has also supported the idea of a separate province for tribal people in his comments on ‘Abolishment of FCR’ published in the Frontier Post on March 31, 2008. Rehmat Shah Afridi hails from FATA and belongs to the famous Kamberkhel tribe. Therefore, his comments should be treated as a representative voice of the tribal people.
Pakistani American activist named Woman of the Year
'Pakistan Times' Political Desk
WASHINGTON (US): A Pakistani American community activist, Moina Shaiq, has been named as Woman of the Year in California by State Senator Ellen Corbett (Democrat-San Leandro)in recognition of her outstanding social welfare work.
“I felt very overwhelmed and humbled on getting this recognition,” Shaiq said. “I feel very honored because my goal is to work toward the common good of the community. I want to build bridges and contribute to our community as much as I can.”
Read More: Pakistan Times
WASHINGTON (US): A Pakistani American community activist, Moina Shaiq, has been named as Woman of the Year in California by State Senator Ellen Corbett (Democrat-San Leandro)in recognition of her outstanding social welfare work.
“I felt very overwhelmed and humbled on getting this recognition,” Shaiq said. “I feel very honored because my goal is to work toward the common good of the community. I want to build bridges and contribute to our community as much as I can.”
Read More: Pakistan Times
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
1,000 Nameless graves found in held Kashmir
The Daily Times
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Nearly 1,000 nameless graves found in Indian-held Kashmir
* Rights group wants graves opened to find ‘disappeared’
* Indian army says group’s report aims to malign security forces
Read More: The Daily Times
BBC
Kashmir police refuse body demand
Police in Indian-administered Kashmir have rejected a demand for the identification of up to 1,000 bodies, said to be buried in unmarked graves.
Read More: BBC
Geo TV
Nearly 1,000 nameless graves found in held Kashmir
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
SRINAGAR: Human rights workers have found the graves of nearly 1,000 unidentified people scattered in cemeteries across held Kashmir, a prominent rights group said saying some may hold the bodies of innocent people killed by government security forces.
Read More: Geo TV
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Nearly 1,000 nameless graves found in Indian-held Kashmir
* Rights group wants graves opened to find ‘disappeared’
* Indian army says group’s report aims to malign security forces
Read More: The Daily Times
BBC
Kashmir police refuse body demand
Police in Indian-administered Kashmir have rejected a demand for the identification of up to 1,000 bodies, said to be buried in unmarked graves.
Read More: BBC
Geo TV
Nearly 1,000 nameless graves found in held Kashmir
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
SRINAGAR: Human rights workers have found the graves of nearly 1,000 unidentified people scattered in cemeteries across held Kashmir, a prominent rights group said saying some may hold the bodies of innocent people killed by government security forces.
Read More: Geo TV
Osama bin Laden and US Elections 2008
'Osama bin Laden is Planning Something for the US Election'
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH US AUTHOR STEVE COLL
'Osama bin Laden is Planning Something for the US Election'
Read More://Der Spiegel
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH US AUTHOR STEVE COLL
'Osama bin Laden is Planning Something for the US Election'
Read More://Der Spiegel
Pakistan rejects Afghan minister's statement on nuclear waste
People's Daily Online
+ - 21:48, April 02, 2008
Pakistan on Wednesday termed as baseless a statement from an Afghan cabinet minister that Pakistan had dumped nuclear waste in southern Afghanistan during Taliban period.
Afghanistan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq Wardag was quoted as saying that Pakistan had buried nuclear waste in Kandahar and Helmand when Taliban were ruling the areas.
"The Afghan minister regarding dumping of nuclear waste by Pakistan in Afghanistan was baseless," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said at the weekly news briefing here.
He said disposal of nuclear waste was strictly regulated in accordance with the international standards.
"Our nuclear power stations are under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards which not only keeps an oversight on their operations but also on storage of nuclear waste which has to be fully accounted for," Sadiq said.
Source: Xinhua
+ - 21:48, April 02, 2008
Pakistan on Wednesday termed as baseless a statement from an Afghan cabinet minister that Pakistan had dumped nuclear waste in southern Afghanistan during Taliban period.
Afghanistan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq Wardag was quoted as saying that Pakistan had buried nuclear waste in Kandahar and Helmand when Taliban were ruling the areas.
"The Afghan minister regarding dumping of nuclear waste by Pakistan in Afghanistan was baseless," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said at the weekly news briefing here.
He said disposal of nuclear waste was strictly regulated in accordance with the international standards.
"Our nuclear power stations are under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards which not only keeps an oversight on their operations but also on storage of nuclear waste which has to be fully accounted for," Sadiq said.
Source: Xinhua
Russian bid to replace Pakistan as supply route: War in Afghanistan
Dawn
April 2, 2008
By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, April 1: At the Nato summit, which begins in Bucharest on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to offer an alternative route for supplying US and Nato troops in Afghanistan.
The proposal, if accepted, will change the course of the war in Afghanistan and will also have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan as Nato’s 43,000 troops in Afghanistan rely heavily on supplies transported via Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources in Washington told Dawn that Russian and Nato diplomats have already held a series of “productive and successful” talks on a plan that would allow non-military material – such as clothing, food and petrol – to cross Russia by land.
The plan, however, could later be expanded to include ammunition and light weapons as well, the sources said.
Russia’s new ambassador to Nato Dmitri Rogozin played a key role in selling this plan to the members of this US-led alliance, telling them that this will be a reliable alternative route free of violence and political troubles.
While America’s European allies have shown great interest in the proposal, the Americans are still reluctant as they do not want to bring Russia back to a region from where it was forcibly ousted in 1989, after battling Afghan freedom fighters (now Al Qaeda and Taliban militants) for almost 10 years.
Despite Washington’s reluctance, the Nato has held intensive talks with Russian officials on the precise routes to be used and hopes to reach agreement at this week’s summit in Bucharest.
If approved by the summit, the supplies can begin as soon as Nato wants as the Russians already have a functioning route passing through Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Under the proposed agreement, Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a military alliance of former Soviet republics, will jointly guarantee an interrupted supply of essential goods to the Nato forces.
Western diplomatic sources in Washington told Dawn that Nato sees the proposed route as a good alternative for supplies going through Pakistan which faces political uncertainty and may not be a reliable route for long.
The Pakistan route, according to these sources, passes through the Taliban-infested tribal zone and has become increasingly dangerous. Last Sunday, militants blew up a convoy of 36 oil tankers meant for US forces in Afghanistan.
Russian diplomats promoting their proposal also have underlined a so-called “crisis of trust” between the United States and Pakistan, where the new government plans to engage militants in a dialogue opposed by Washington.
They also argue that Russia has always had a strong interest in seeing the Nato mission in Afghanistan succeed because Moscow wants to prevent Muslim extremists enter the former Soviet republics.
But there are others in Washington who warn that an attempt to disassociate Pakistan from any plan for Afghanistan may have dangerous consequences.
In an article published on the eve of the Nato summit, Karl F. Inderfurth, a former US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, describes Pakistan as “one country that can make or break (Nato’s) mission” in Afghanistan.
He notes that Nato’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has promised to visit Islamabad as soon as the new Pakistan government is in place.
“After Bucharest there is no better destination to reinforce Nato’s Afghan mission,” says Mr Inderfurth while backing the proposed visit.
Mr Inderfurth urges Nato leaders to work on a “new compact” that addresses Afghanistan and Pakistan’s political, economic and security concerns and seeks to neutralise regional and great power rivalries.
To attain this, he proposed an UN-sponsored, a high-level conference of all Afghanistan’s neighbours and concerned major powers for talks on a multilateral accord that addresses Pakistan’s concerns about developments in Afghanistan.
The proposed accord should recognise Afghanistan’s borders with Pakistan, pledge non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, recognise Afghanistan as a permanently neutral state and establish a comprehensive international regime to remove obstacles to the flow of trade across Afghanistan.
Mr Inderfurth also warns that any large-scale outside military intervention in Pakistan’s tribal areas would be disastrous for the Pakistani state and US interests.
Instead, he urges working with Pakistan’s new leadership to integrate the tribal region into the Pakistani political system and provide substantial assistance to build up their economy and social infrastructure.
April 2, 2008
By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, April 1: At the Nato summit, which begins in Bucharest on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to offer an alternative route for supplying US and Nato troops in Afghanistan.
The proposal, if accepted, will change the course of the war in Afghanistan and will also have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan as Nato’s 43,000 troops in Afghanistan rely heavily on supplies transported via Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources in Washington told Dawn that Russian and Nato diplomats have already held a series of “productive and successful” talks on a plan that would allow non-military material – such as clothing, food and petrol – to cross Russia by land.
The plan, however, could later be expanded to include ammunition and light weapons as well, the sources said.
Russia’s new ambassador to Nato Dmitri Rogozin played a key role in selling this plan to the members of this US-led alliance, telling them that this will be a reliable alternative route free of violence and political troubles.
While America’s European allies have shown great interest in the proposal, the Americans are still reluctant as they do not want to bring Russia back to a region from where it was forcibly ousted in 1989, after battling Afghan freedom fighters (now Al Qaeda and Taliban militants) for almost 10 years.
Despite Washington’s reluctance, the Nato has held intensive talks with Russian officials on the precise routes to be used and hopes to reach agreement at this week’s summit in Bucharest.
If approved by the summit, the supplies can begin as soon as Nato wants as the Russians already have a functioning route passing through Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Under the proposed agreement, Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a military alliance of former Soviet republics, will jointly guarantee an interrupted supply of essential goods to the Nato forces.
Western diplomatic sources in Washington told Dawn that Nato sees the proposed route as a good alternative for supplies going through Pakistan which faces political uncertainty and may not be a reliable route for long.
The Pakistan route, according to these sources, passes through the Taliban-infested tribal zone and has become increasingly dangerous. Last Sunday, militants blew up a convoy of 36 oil tankers meant for US forces in Afghanistan.
Russian diplomats promoting their proposal also have underlined a so-called “crisis of trust” between the United States and Pakistan, where the new government plans to engage militants in a dialogue opposed by Washington.
They also argue that Russia has always had a strong interest in seeing the Nato mission in Afghanistan succeed because Moscow wants to prevent Muslim extremists enter the former Soviet republics.
But there are others in Washington who warn that an attempt to disassociate Pakistan from any plan for Afghanistan may have dangerous consequences.
In an article published on the eve of the Nato summit, Karl F. Inderfurth, a former US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, describes Pakistan as “one country that can make or break (Nato’s) mission” in Afghanistan.
He notes that Nato’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has promised to visit Islamabad as soon as the new Pakistan government is in place.
“After Bucharest there is no better destination to reinforce Nato’s Afghan mission,” says Mr Inderfurth while backing the proposed visit.
Mr Inderfurth urges Nato leaders to work on a “new compact” that addresses Afghanistan and Pakistan’s political, economic and security concerns and seeks to neutralise regional and great power rivalries.
To attain this, he proposed an UN-sponsored, a high-level conference of all Afghanistan’s neighbours and concerned major powers for talks on a multilateral accord that addresses Pakistan’s concerns about developments in Afghanistan.
The proposed accord should recognise Afghanistan’s borders with Pakistan, pledge non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, recognise Afghanistan as a permanently neutral state and establish a comprehensive international regime to remove obstacles to the flow of trade across Afghanistan.
Mr Inderfurth also warns that any large-scale outside military intervention in Pakistan’s tribal areas would be disastrous for the Pakistani state and US interests.
Instead, he urges working with Pakistan’s new leadership to integrate the tribal region into the Pakistani political system and provide substantial assistance to build up their economy and social infrastructure.
PPP, MQM forgive each other
The Nation
April 2, 2008
NISAR MEHDI
KARACHI - Muttahidda Qaumi Movement(MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announced on Wednesday that both parties have forgiven each other and promised to save Pakistan for the future generation.
This was announced by PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and MQM founder leader Altaf Hussain at a Press briefing at Nine-Zero.
PPP delegation was led by Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari who held talks for over an hour with the MQM delegation.
More....The Nation
PPP, MQM decide to forgive and forget
The News
By Fasahat Mohiuddin
Zardari visits Nine Zero after 20 years; Altaf describes Qaim Ali Shah as ‘Sindh CM’, calls for foiling conspiracies; committee formed to discuss political changes, future line of action. More: The News
Asif, Altaf agree to forgive and forget
Dawn
April 03, 2008 Thursday Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1429
By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque
KARACHI, April 2: Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain have vowed to initiate a “new journey” for the sake of Pakistan, “pardoning” each other for the bitterness of yesteryear.
“We have forgiven each other and also pardoned our enemies. We will not take our revenge on the people … we will avenge ourselves by changing the system,” said Mr Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, in a speech at the MQM headquarters Nine Zero on Wednesday night. Read More: Dawn
April 2, 2008
NISAR MEHDI
KARACHI - Muttahidda Qaumi Movement(MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announced on Wednesday that both parties have forgiven each other and promised to save Pakistan for the future generation.
This was announced by PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and MQM founder leader Altaf Hussain at a Press briefing at Nine-Zero.
PPP delegation was led by Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari who held talks for over an hour with the MQM delegation.
More....The Nation
PPP, MQM decide to forgive and forget
The News
By Fasahat Mohiuddin
Zardari visits Nine Zero after 20 years; Altaf describes Qaim Ali Shah as ‘Sindh CM’, calls for foiling conspiracies; committee formed to discuss political changes, future line of action. More: The News
Asif, Altaf agree to forgive and forget
Dawn
April 03, 2008 Thursday Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1429
By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque
KARACHI, April 2: Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain have vowed to initiate a “new journey” for the sake of Pakistan, “pardoning” each other for the bitterness of yesteryear.
“We have forgiven each other and also pardoned our enemies. We will not take our revenge on the people … we will avenge ourselves by changing the system,” said Mr Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, in a speech at the MQM headquarters Nine Zero on Wednesday night. Read More: Dawn
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Conspiracy to break country still at work
Pakistan Observer
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s first visit to Jati Umra on Sunday has special significance in many respects. It is quite evident that the top leadership of the two major Parties in the new coalition exchanged views on crucial issues regarding formation of the Government in Punjab as well as their strategy to deal with the challenges ahead. However, by saying that the visit was aimed at offering Fateh at the grave of father of Sharif brothers, Mr Zardari has inculcated a goodwill gesture that would bring the two sides still closer.
During their joint news conference, the PPP leader made some of the very significant statements including the intention to change the system. This is what the country needs to overcome the multi-directional crises that confront us today. Genuine reforms in police and judiciary is the surest way to bring about a revolution for the good of the common man who is fast getting alienated because of the discriminatory culture that favours the rich and influential class. However, on this occasion, Mr Zardari thought it appropriate to sound alarm bells by saying that assassination of Benazir Bhutto was a conspiracy to break the country and it is still at work. Such a statement coming from a person of Zardari’s stature, who is head of the ruling Party, is bound to cause anxiety and concern in different circles. We don’t know whether it was just a rhetoric and off-the-cough remark or the PPP leader has substantial evidence with him to say so. But in any way, we believe, Mr Zardari being important part of the system, should adopt cautious attitude in the selection of words while answering ticklish questions. This is because such a perturbing statement has far-reaching implications for the society and the country. It not only undermines confidence of the people in the future of the country but also sends wrong signals to prospective investors. Pakistan is lucky that almost the entire political leadership of the country has joined hands at the Centre and in Provinces and this offers unique opportunity to address all sorts of challenges and thwart nefarious designs of our enemies. The leadership should, therefore, make deliberate attempts to boost confidence of the people, as this will prove to be an asset in overcoming the problems facing the nation.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s first visit to Jati Umra on Sunday has special significance in many respects. It is quite evident that the top leadership of the two major Parties in the new coalition exchanged views on crucial issues regarding formation of the Government in Punjab as well as their strategy to deal with the challenges ahead. However, by saying that the visit was aimed at offering Fateh at the grave of father of Sharif brothers, Mr Zardari has inculcated a goodwill gesture that would bring the two sides still closer.
During their joint news conference, the PPP leader made some of the very significant statements including the intention to change the system. This is what the country needs to overcome the multi-directional crises that confront us today. Genuine reforms in police and judiciary is the surest way to bring about a revolution for the good of the common man who is fast getting alienated because of the discriminatory culture that favours the rich and influential class. However, on this occasion, Mr Zardari thought it appropriate to sound alarm bells by saying that assassination of Benazir Bhutto was a conspiracy to break the country and it is still at work. Such a statement coming from a person of Zardari’s stature, who is head of the ruling Party, is bound to cause anxiety and concern in different circles. We don’t know whether it was just a rhetoric and off-the-cough remark or the PPP leader has substantial evidence with him to say so. But in any way, we believe, Mr Zardari being important part of the system, should adopt cautious attitude in the selection of words while answering ticklish questions. This is because such a perturbing statement has far-reaching implications for the society and the country. It not only undermines confidence of the people in the future of the country but also sends wrong signals to prospective investors. Pakistan is lucky that almost the entire political leadership of the country has joined hands at the Centre and in Provinces and this offers unique opportunity to address all sorts of challenges and thwart nefarious designs of our enemies. The leadership should, therefore, make deliberate attempts to boost confidence of the people, as this will prove to be an asset in overcoming the problems facing the nation.
Of Politics and People
Pakistan Times
By Hashim Abro
"IN the game of politics, it’s usually the public that loses and politicians do nothing but play politics with the people”.
These words of one of my professors of International Law and Contemporary politics are still on my mind. These words depict a clear picture of the present political scenario in the country where the Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Mr Asif Ali Zardari is struggling for this sole defined purpose that the public may not become the loser thi#s time too, as in the past, hence he is cobbling up all together but reported rather disinformation launched by the anti-PPP and anti-people lobbies in the media regarding the growing factionalism over the nomination of premiership in the party has demoralized the staunch workers of the party.
The PPP loyalists and disciples expect from the Makhddoom of Hala and others to re-write new history of loyalty and attachment. Positions are not important it is the attachment and loyalty which becomes quotable in the annals of history.
Of course, as the political parties grow old they become unable to take care of the interest of all their party members. Those in the inner circle form cliques and usurp all the privileges, while those at the periphery are pushed into weaker positions.
More....: Pakistam Times
By Hashim Abro
"IN the game of politics, it’s usually the public that loses and politicians do nothing but play politics with the people”.
These words of one of my professors of International Law and Contemporary politics are still on my mind. These words depict a clear picture of the present political scenario in the country where the Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Mr Asif Ali Zardari is struggling for this sole defined purpose that the public may not become the loser thi#s time too, as in the past, hence he is cobbling up all together but reported rather disinformation launched by the anti-PPP and anti-people lobbies in the media regarding the growing factionalism over the nomination of premiership in the party has demoralized the staunch workers of the party.
The PPP loyalists and disciples expect from the Makhddoom of Hala and others to re-write new history of loyalty and attachment. Positions are not important it is the attachment and loyalty which becomes quotable in the annals of history.
Of course, as the political parties grow old they become unable to take care of the interest of all their party members. Those in the inner circle form cliques and usurp all the privileges, while those at the periphery are pushed into weaker positions.
More....: Pakistam Times
US spy agencies hire Google's services
The Nation April 2008
Asif Mehmood
LONDON - World's famous search engine Google has been recruited by US intelligence agencies to help them better process and share information they gather about suspects.
Agencies such as the National Security Agency have bought servers on which Google-supplied search technology is used to process information gathered by networks of spies around the world.
More: The Nation
Asif Mehmood
LONDON - World's famous search engine Google has been recruited by US intelligence agencies to help them better process and share information they gather about suspects.
Agencies such as the National Security Agency have bought servers on which Google-supplied search technology is used to process information gathered by networks of spies around the world.
More: The Nation
Altaf demands probe into 1992 operation against MQM
The News
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
By our correspondent
Karachi
All political parties should accept the mandate of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), because it is “the third-largest political party in Pakistan,” MQM founder Altaf Hussain said Tuesday during a telephonic address delivered to traders and industrialists of Karachi.
Hussain also demanded that the prime minister constitute an inquiry commission, comprising judges from the International Court of Justice, to inquire into the June 19, 1992, operation against the MQM, as well as the mayhem of May 12, 2007, and the “loot, plunder and murder” on December 27, 2007.
“The MQM has extended all-out cooperation in the larger interest of the country, but has received only cold shoulders. The party will never compromise its dignity or respect,” Hussain said. “The MQM withdrew its prime ministerial candidate, Dr Farooq Sattar, on the request of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, and also voted for the PPP-nominated prime minister in the national assembly.”
The MQM does not believe in a policy of confrontation, Hussain said, adding, however, that the people who think they can “push us into the sea are living in a fool’s paradise.”
Pakistan is not the property of a few families or feudal lords; it is the “country of 170 million people,” the MQM chief said. He lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League ñ Nawaz (PML-N) chief, Nawaz Sharif, and said that even though he (Sharif) had not accepted the mandate of Karachi in the 2008 general elections, “we accept their mandate wholeheartedly.”
Sharif has, meanwhile, continued to issue provocative statements against the MQM, particularly with reference to May 12, Hussain said.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
By our correspondent
Karachi
All political parties should accept the mandate of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), because it is “the third-largest political party in Pakistan,” MQM founder Altaf Hussain said Tuesday during a telephonic address delivered to traders and industrialists of Karachi.
Hussain also demanded that the prime minister constitute an inquiry commission, comprising judges from the International Court of Justice, to inquire into the June 19, 1992, operation against the MQM, as well as the mayhem of May 12, 2007, and the “loot, plunder and murder” on December 27, 2007.
“The MQM has extended all-out cooperation in the larger interest of the country, but has received only cold shoulders. The party will never compromise its dignity or respect,” Hussain said. “The MQM withdrew its prime ministerial candidate, Dr Farooq Sattar, on the request of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, and also voted for the PPP-nominated prime minister in the national assembly.”
The MQM does not believe in a policy of confrontation, Hussain said, adding, however, that the people who think they can “push us into the sea are living in a fool’s paradise.”
Pakistan is not the property of a few families or feudal lords; it is the “country of 170 million people,” the MQM chief said. He lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League ñ Nawaz (PML-N) chief, Nawaz Sharif, and said that even though he (Sharif) had not accepted the mandate of Karachi in the 2008 general elections, “we accept their mandate wholeheartedly.”
Sharif has, meanwhile, continued to issue provocative statements against the MQM, particularly with reference to May 12, Hussain said.
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