| December 10, 2007 | Monday | Ziqa'ad 29, 1428 |
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Ex-judges’ protest
Official team in US
Outlandish suggestions
Politics of Fazlur Rahman
Shoaib Malik’s performance
Mukhi House of Hyderabad
Dutch lawmaker’s plan
Political awareness in youth
PRESIDENT Musharraf not only appears to believe but also makes it appear that he is indispensable for the country and it won’t be able to survive without him. A look at some dictatorships around the world in the last several decades should show his self-serving claim to be untenable.
Indonesia survived after Suharto, as did Pakistan after Ayub Khan — who played an important part in alienating the East Pakistanis, which led to their ultimate secession.
The Iraqis were tired of Saddam Husein, although the Americans have made a mess of the country, while the Iranians were sick of the Shah.
In Burma, people have been agitating for long against the military junta and the world is disturbed, whereas despots in the USSR had destroyed their country. In the Philippines, people had thrown off not one but two dictators. Now, they are very angry with president Gloria Arroyo for corruption and election rigging, yet they would not want someone like Marcos to grab power.
A philippine columnist has criticised the recent attempt by a few people to stage a coup, yet she also wrote: “No matter how rotten the civilian administration, there’s no way the Filipinos are going to install a military junta.” (Dec 2).
The foregoing should make it absolutely clear to Musharraf that nobody is indispensable, that people everywhere detest dictatorship and military rule and that nations did survive without those dictators who considered themselves to be essential for their countries. Greek philosopher Demosthenes had said: “Nothing is so easy as to deceive one’s self for what we wish we readily believe, but such expectations are often inconsistent with the reality of things.”
If the president really wished to find out the truth, he would have stepped down and contested in a truly free and fair election. But, in his heart knows the people won’t re-elect him, therefore he is fixing everything to ensure his continued hold on power against their wishes. Mr Musharraf, please listen to what so many wise and experienced Pakistani judges, generals, politicians, lawyers and other notable members of the intelligentsia have been saying. And, just about every counterpart of theirs in the West is also saying the same thing. Your narcissism is leading Pakistan to its destruction.
M. P. CHISHTI
Karachi
AS reported in your paper (Nov 28), several former superior court judges have signed a declaration (the first time in the country’s history) demanding reconstitution of a new interim caretaker government with consensus of all political parties that matter.
Some prominent judges among them were former chief justice of Pakistan Sajjad Ali Shah, former judges Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, Wajihuddin Ahmad and Rasheed A. Razvi. The declaration was read out by Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim at a press conference. It was demanded that the Constitution be revived, proclamation of emergency be revoked and all judges be reinstated as of Nov 2.
The declaration also demanded removal of all restrictions on the print and electronic media. It was further held that the proclamation of emergency by the Chief of Army Staff is illegal. It was emphasised that judges who took the oath under the PCO have no constitutional validity.
As to the reinstatement of judges who declined to take the oath under the PCO, I would further accentuate that those judges at the outset who declined to take the oath under the PCO of Genl Ziaul Haq and have not reached the age of superannuation should be seriously considered for reinstatement on the bench. Such persons are praiseworthy as have exhibited impeccable integrity and are expected to dispense justice without fear or favour.
Further, I may say that such protests and exposition will serve its purpose if only the political parties join the lawyers’ struggle, leaving aside their hunger for power and pelf.
On the other hand, some common people are insistent that President Musharraf should continue to complete his next term as president on condition that he relinquishes his unilateral powers of imposing emergency. And also to annul the recent promulgated amendment to the Army Act empowering it to court-martial a civilian.
If the pre-Nov 3 judiciary, lawyers and political parties concur on it, it is felt that this would avoid any pre-emptive extra constitutional steps by President Musharraf if he is cornered from all sides. It’s a matter for deliberation.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THIS is apropos of your Washington-based correspondent’s report that an official team from Pakistan is in the US to win support for Musharraf (Dec 4).
This isn’t anything surprising, given the enormous efforts being made at public expense to keep Musharraf in power. However, the disturbing part is that the president and his minions have started playing with fire by trying to scare the West into believing that if the incumbent goes, extremists will not only overrun Pakistan but, even more dreadfully, seize our nuclear assets. Unfortunately, Benazir Bhutto, too, has, until recently, been trying to exploit this western fear.
The truth is that only until six to eight weeks back, Musharraf and his officials had been vehemently denying the reports from US intelligence sources – which were later revealed to have been doctored by Washington — that Pakistan has become a safe haven for Al Qaeda and the Taliban. How is it that just a couple of weeks later, when Musharraf felt politically cornered, the danger by these extremists to our atomic arsenal suddenly materialised?
This shows that the story of imminent threat is only a figment of some vested interests’ imagination. Moreover, after an eagerly-awaited and sober meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, both leaders have categorically stated that there was no real threat to these assets and these were in safe hands (Dec 4).
Significantly, the Indian army has acknowledged that from their past dealings with the new COAS, Gen Kayani, he was found to be a very reasonable and polite person who didn’t even speak out of turn when talking to them over the military hotline. Such an army chief simply wouldn’t let the nukes slip into the extremists’ hands, come what may. Besides, many American officials agree that these weapons are secure.
The whole bizarre episode only goes to prove that Musharraf is willing to push Pakistan into the worst possible difficulties merely to remain in power and has become the biggest danger to the nation’s security, as Imran Khan and some other leaders have been saying for long.
Washington is only making matters worse for itself and us by continuing to support him. The PML-N, the PPP and all other parties should shun their differences and work to save Pakistan from the gravest threat posed to us all.
A. HAKIM
Karachi
AS if to prove how far away from reality they actually are, some American think tanks, supposedly advising President Bush, have recently come out with outlandish suggestions on how to secure and prevent Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal from “falling into the hands of the Taliban.”
One such suggestion is to send US and British troops into Pakistan to “secure and transport its nuclear weapons for safekeeping in far-off Mexico.” Another suggestion is the sending of US troops directly into Pakistan territory to fight the Taliban (or Al Qaeda too, since in American parlance both are synonymous) even to the extend of actually occupying the whole of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan “so that the US could shore up President Musharraf and General Kayani.”
What gives such ideas an ominous ring is that they emanate from responsible sources close to the American president who is known for lending an attentive ear to such schemes, however inane they may be, and even more so when their author is Frederick Kagan who brain-stormed Bush into invading Iraq.
But ideas are at best merely mental rehearsals of action which, when applied to actual situations, may experience a very different reality. Anyone with even an iota of knowledge of the mental makeup of the people who populate this country would know that the one thing nobody would tolerate is the presence of foreign troops ‘invading’ our land to replace our Army.
So rest assured, Mr Kagan, your strategic genuflections are hardly redolent of common sense and, therefore, do not cut much ice with us in Pakistan.
S. ASIF MAJEED
Karachi
IT is interesting to note that Maulana Fazlur Rahman is keen about contesting the election with his group of ulema, all of them with their might to help Pervez Musharraf become president for another five years.
It is also interesting that the election commission is accepting their nomination papers, though ulema have no bachelor’s degrees, a requirement for running in the election. The EC is quite visibly breaking its own rules. It may be noted that the Peshawar High Court had recently disqualified a candidate five years after the filing of the case, right after the NWFP Assembly had been dissolved.
It is sad to note that we will bear these illiterate mullahs for another five years as lawmakers while they are not familiar with the ABC of law.
It is on record that the Maulana has been insulting judicial activism as he and the king’s party call it, while he is standing on his head to help President Musharraf and breaking up from the MMA and the APDM to run in election fashioned on western democracy.
His government in the NWFP and Balochistan were against such democracy and even helped the terrorists to prosper and kill our own people, because it was done in the name of Islam. He advocated and engineered the Hasba Bill, which could not be challenged by the Supreme Court even if implemented, making these mullahs the ultimate dictators in the name of Islam (although the Quran is against such kind of governance).
The Supreme Court, rightly so, struck down this bill as it was against the Constitution and fundamental rights of a citizen, according to the basic articles of the Constitution.
It is a dilemma that we accept these people as majority of our illiterate voters have voted for them and the election commission went out of the way to grant a symbol, a book, which they advertise and market as the Holy Book for their own benefit.
It is ironic that major parties and the lawyers are forgetting that this nomination can be challenged again. Nobody seems to be bothered.
It is also unfortunate that the PPP is also helping the Maulana to become the leader of the opposition while it had most seats after the PML-Q. It let the Maulana become a pseudo-leader of the opposition, all on the instructions from GHQ. Because of such friendly opposition, the government did all it could and the results are obvious.
Well, as a reader of history I think that civilisations have been doomed when they listened to such religious leaders. Europe had its share: the Popedom ruled for 1,200 years until as late as 1878 when Napoleon finished their rule and made Vatican as separate state. Burning talented women as witches, abhorring all scientific progress and supporting the dictatorial kings have been their duty and passion. Isn’t it all familiar when women teachers are harassed in the NWFP, women are not allowed to attend school, and polio drops are not administered, all these symbolise activities of dark ages?
These Taliban-political religious factions, as one can call them, have the same agenda as once the popes of Europe had in the dark ages. Afghanistan had a similar government called the Bachha Saqa’s government which failed miserably and this name is now used as a synonym, in Urdu, for a failed government. It is time we took note of the situation. We in the NWFP had a taste of this failed government for the last five years.
DR KHURRUM SHAUKAT YUSAFZAI
Peshawar
SHOAIB Malik is under critical observation these days, especially after the loss of the home series to South Africa. Former players and senior members are constantly criticising on the captaincy of Shoaib Malik.
I would like to rebut this criticism by saying that they should understand that it takes some time for a player or captain to become stable. One must also note that after the poor performance of Pakistan in the World Cup 2007, it was Shoaib Malik who took the team till the final of T20 world cup in the absence of key players like Inzamamul Haq, and defeated teams like Australia and South Africa.
It is sad that we lost to South Africa on home ground and a one-day series with India but we should also keep in mind that he is a new captain. How can we criticise someone for his first defeat? After all there is a saying in Urdu:
Girtay hain sheh sawaar maidan-i-jang mien,/ Woh tifil he kia giray ga jo ghutno k bal challay
Among the sorts available in Pakistani team, only Shoaib Malik has leadership qualities but this quality will take some time and experience to be polished. And considering the fact that he is a young captain, piles and piles of expectation will create pressure and this will lead into frustration.
Therefore, all the critics should give Shoaib Malik some space so that he can learn more.
AZKA REHMAN JAMALI
Karachi
AS reported in your paper, ‘Call to declare Mukhi House art museum’ (Dec 5), the faculty of Art and Design Institute, Sindh University, Jamshoro, has done excellent work by preparing projects on various buildings of historical importance located in Hyderabad. The Mukhi House is one such building with an excellent architectural design, which is ideally located at Homestead Hall incline.
This building was constructed by a wealthy Hindu businessman in the early 20th century when Hyderabad, because of its gardens/parks, planned construction, cleanliness and evening breeze, was regarded as the Paris of Sindh.
The students, who prepared a documentary of the project, while briefing Vice - Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, insisted that in view of the significance, architectural distinctiveness and beauty, the edifice of Mukhi House should be converted into a museum.
For a historical city such as Hyderabad, which now stands starved of its aesthetic magnificence, transformation of Mukhi House into a museum will be a unique occasion.
I request the Sindh government to consider the plea of the Institute of Arts and Design, Sindh University, and declare Mukhi House as monument of national heritage.
ISHA M. KURESHI
Karachi
ACCORDING to a report, the far-right member of Holland’s parliament, Geert Wilders, plans to make an anti-Islam film (Nov 29).
Despite being advised by the Dutch foreign minister against doing so, in view of the risks “for himself, his entourage and for the Netherlands and the Dutch interests abroad,” he refused to drop the plan. The gentleman says he hopes that the film, which is about the Islamic scripture, “will open people’s eyes to the fact that the Quran should be banned like (Adolf Hitler’s book) ‘Mein Kampf’. Previously, he has called for a ban on the Quran and an end to immigration by Muslims.
One would suppose that since Mr Wilders is so interested in the Muslims’ holy book, he would surely have read the Judeo-Christian scripture too. There are verses in the Bible that are far more frightful than any Quranic commandment about the enemies of the Muslims and invite to incomparable violence.
For example, in Leviticus XXVI-7, it is ordered, “And ye shall chase your enemies and they shall fall before you by the sword.” Deuteronomy XX-16 commands, “Of the cities of these people which the Lord, thy God, doth give thee for inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth.” Meanwhile, in Psaims CXLIX 6-8, it is ordained, “Let the praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hands to be avenged of the heathen, and to rebuke the people.”
In contrast, at many places the Holy Quran has enjoined upon the Muslims not to take life that Allah has made sacred (6:151), that saving one person’s life is like saving the life of the whole humanity (5:35) and to safeguard all places of worship in which “the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure,” where specific mention is made of “monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques” (22:40).
The Islamic scripture even specifies the manner in which Islam is to be spread, that is, “with wisdom, and beautiful preaching; and persuade them in ways that are the best and most gracious” (16:125). It is not to be done through the sword. That is why millions of non-Muslims have embraced Islam in the present times voluntarily, and they comprise intellectuals, scientists, doctors, lawyers and others.
In view of all these facts, Mr Wilders should give up his prejudice against Islam and adopt a loving and friendly approach towards all human beings, which Jesus (peace be upon him) had also advocated, as did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hatred, like an acid, corrodes the vessel in which it is stored. Even as a Muslim, I simply love the Biblical saying, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it” (Song of Solomon 8:7), just as I do Prophet Muhammad’s exhortation, “Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow beings first.”
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
HOW many 15 - year - olds around us can name any Pakistani political party other than the PML and the PPP? How many of them can tell that the system of government in Pakistan is presidential, parliamentary or a mixture? How many of them listen to news broadcast or read newspapers?
You may get different results but my observation shows that very few of them can give encouraging replies to the above questions.
I don’t intend to throw light upon the different factors responsible for this situation; rather I wish to draw attention towards two remedial measures.
As parents and elders we should try to inculcate in our teenagers the habit of keeping oneself up to date by reading newspapers or by listening to news broadcast (at least weekly).
Second, we should ask the print and electronic media to help us in keeping the teenagers up to date about latest the domestic and foreign news.
Teenagers can have a weekly news supplement/news programme that gives the latest news in a light way — the language simple, the format catchy and the layout colourful.
It’s not a difficult step towards mass awareness, and the well aware masses are not that easy to fool.
AMNA MARWAT
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