Return and a challenge

THE Bhutto charisma is not yet over, as Benazir Bhutto’s return home on Thursday amply proves, whatever one’s views about the political expediency her opponents see in the PPP chief’s triumphal homecoming. The timing of her landing on Pakistan’s soil after eight years of self-exile demonstrates political adroitness combined with realism, besides courage, given the threats to her life. By rejecting the authorities’ ‘advice’ to delay her return, she wanted to prove she was on her own, though this is not fully the case. That the MQM looked the other way shows in no ample measure that her return would serve to complete the jigsaw puzzle the generals have in their minds for the future. Nevertheless, the reception she received at Karachi yesterday and the way her party mobilised itself were in direct contrast to the fiasco that Mian Nawaz Sharif’s return turned out to be in Islamabad on Sept 10. It is not that the Sharifs are without a following. In fact, the results of some foreign-conducted polls showed for Nawaz Sharif a popularity rating higher than Benazir’s. Yet what made the difference between Sept 10 and Thursday was the party mechanism, for the PML-N failed to mobilise its party workers, demonstrating a lack of willingness to take on the law enforcement machinery that could be ruthless.

Let us now recall the tremendous reception that Benazir received in Lahore in 1986. This popular enthusiasm was translated two years later into the electoral triumph that gave Benazir her first term as prime minister for 20 months. But what a disappointment it was! It is true that her opponents did not let her government settle down, but the charges of corruption, maybe exaggerated by her detractors, were not altogether baseless. The second term was even worse. Is this going to be the case again if the people’s vote and the generals’ support make her prime minister for a third time? Are the people going to be duped again after being roused to new heights of expectations? In other words, is Benazir going to prove that she has learnt her lesson and that the corruption charges and horse trading that stigmatised her earlier two terms will have no place in her scheme of things this time? There is no doubt she is a tenacious fighter. The suffering of her family and her five years in solitary confinement imposed by the Zia regime did not break her. But in power it is courage of a different kind that matters — the courage to take unpopular decisions which are in the nation’s larger interest.

Lacking democratic institutions and ruled by a semi-civilian government, Pakistan today faces a host of problems, the most critical being terrorism and inflation that is squeezing the people dry. The national reconciliation she has been talking about cannot be achieved by mere rhetoric or by means of an ordinance; it can be achieved by reaching out to political opponents, turning the current political animosities into a result-oriented dialogue, and developing a consensus on such issues as the war in Fata and on the quantum of provincial autonomy that is at the root of the Balochistan insurgency. The coming weeks and months will show how deftly the PPP leader handles these issues.

Strikes against Kurd rebels

AS expected, Turkey’s parliament has given its approval to possible incursions by government troops into northern Iraq where Kurdish separatists, who have lately stepped up attacks on the Turkish military, are based. Animosities between the Turkish establishment and a large section of the Kurdish population — among them the rebels of the PKK — in the southeast run deep. With disintegration threatening Iraq, there is consternation in Turkish political circles that statehood for the Kurds of that country could have spill-over effects in areas where this ethnic group is concentrated. This has added to the pressure to contain rebel operations inside Turkey. Unfortunately, military forays by Turkey into Iraq’s Kurdish north might boomerang. Instead of subduing the PKK, its actions might increase support for the rebel group among Kurds in both Turkey and Iraq. Already, there have been angry demonstrations by Iraqi Kurds against the Turkish parliament’s authorisation of strikes. Such strikes could undo all efforts to preserve Iraq’s unity. Baghdad and Washington have both called for restraint on Ankara’s part which the latter capital would do well to observe.

In fact, Turkey should be drawing a few lessons from the Iraq debacle where thousands of American-led troops have failed to contain the mounting insurgency, making their withdrawal a distant dream. An exit strategy may similarly elude Turkey, if it gets embroiled in northern Iraq — a scenario that will only exacerbate regional tensions as local Kurdish populations get restive. By lifting language restrictions and other restraints in the last decade or so, Turkey has allowed its Kurdish population some breathing space. But it can do much more to undo past wrongs. For instance, the economic development of the southeast — which stands out in sharp contrast to other, far more developed, areas of the country — should be a priority with the government and form part of a genuine attempt towards winning the goodwill of ordinary Kurds who have been estranged for decades. It is equally important for the US and the Iraqi government to prevail upon the Kurdish government in northern Iraq to rein in rebel elements, as clearly not enough has been done to ensure this.

No progress on gynae ward

IT is unclear why it is taking so long for the operative and emergency labour services at Civil Hospital Karachi’s gynaecological ward to resume. Surgeries and emergency services were suspended on Sept 24 because conditions in the operating theatres were filthy: dirty sewage water was dripping onto the operating theatre tables, lights were not working and plaster is said to have been falling off the walls. The difficulties patients were experiencing on account of this suspension were reported a few weeks ago, yet nothing seems to have changed. Doctors and staff have refused to resume duties until their demands are met and that is understandable if conditions are as poor as they have been reported. What is baffling is the administration’s rather lacklustre response to the crisis. Instead of working on a war-footing, they are moving at a snail’s pace. On Wednesday, the Sindh health secretary expressed dissatisfaction at the state of affairs at the CHK and asked the board of governors to play a more pro-active role in the daily affairs of the hospital. It was not reported whether he specifically mentioned the current state of affairs at the gynaecological ward but it can only be hoped the minister asked that all repairs be carried out so that it can be made functional as soon as possible.

According to one estimate, there is one doctor for 5,000 patients in Karachi and its surrounding areas. This is criminal for a city of Karachi’s magnitude. Statistics for the doctor-patient ratio for gynaecological services are unavailable, but it is safe to assume that they are far from satisfactory. This makes it necessary for the administration at CHK to get its gynaecological ward up and working in no time so that women do not have to run from pillar to post in search of a hospital to deliver their baby in.

Social security in Islam

Friday feature

THE underlying rule predominant in the sum of economic activities in Islam is that all wealth belongs to Allah: “And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things.” (3: 189)

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees.” (57:7); “And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or little (of wealth and contentment).” (53:48) Yet, He has granted all men access to what He has created so that they can exploit the same for their own benefit and wellbeing.

This shows that mankind can exercise discretion and explore and exploit to the best of their ability. At the same time, keeping in view the everpresent dichotomy of rich and poor in every state and society, it has evolved a most effective system of circulation of wealth in order to considerably reduce this difference and its negative consequences i.e. hatred, vengeance and criminal activities.

Islam encourages individuals to take active part in business enterprise and so become active participants of and contributors to market mechanism: “And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is a reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is a reward for what they have earned…” (4:32).The right to earn also upholds the right to own but both these rights have to be exercised without infringing upon or depriving others of what is rightfully theirs. Therefore all earnings should be obtained honestly; wealth and property attained by cheating, committing fraud and by dishonesty are an open violation of the norms of Islam.

Islam recognises and acknowledges man’s instinctive need to own and possess. Man is attached to his possessions as it often takes years of his effort to acquire the same. He who steals not only deprives the victim of what is rightfully his but also mocks the effort which went into acquiring it. Therefore, stealing entails a severe and exemplary corporal punishment.

Riba literally means ‘increase’. In Shariah, it is an addition over and above the principal amount i.e. paying money for the use of money. The Holy Quran expressly prohibits riba. “And that which you give in gift (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return) from other people’s property has no increase with Allah…” (30:39).

Generally, individuals gain wealth by two methods: earning, in which case their personal capacity and expertise may determine the amount they shall acquire, and inheritance, in which case the Islamic law of inheritance has predetermined the share of close kin. Inheritance also falls within the ambit of circulation of wealth which unlike the common law right of primogeniture logically supports the need to distribute the property of the deceased among all rather than just the first born.

Circulation of wealth has been made achievable by a most comprehensive system of social security in Islam. This system aims to fulfil the basic needs of all individuals who are unable to do so by themselves. It endeavours to provide for every possible need.

According to Islamic injunctions, philanthropy is of two main kinds: obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory philanthropy consists of Zakat and Zakat-ul-Fitr or Fitrana; whereas voluntary philanthropy includes Sadaqah and Wakf. Zakat, a principal component of social security, is a portion of wealth which a Muslim is obliged to give to a predetermined category of beneficiaries, if the value of his assets is above a specified limit. The Holy Quran says: “And perform As Salat, and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).” (24:56)

It is the state’s responsibility to collect Zakat and distribute it among the needy. Its obligatory nature can be gauged from the fact that non-payment of the same amounts to waging war against the state. Although Zakat is collected only from the Muslim subjects, non-Muslims also have the right to get support from the state treasury if they legitimately need it.

Politics of power-sharing

THE recent power-sharing arrangement, which ensures the stability of the status quo, has pushed stocks in the Karachi Stock Exchange to an all-time high.

Howsoever corporate Pakistan may prefer stability over everything else, the nation at large has had enough of things as they are and craves for a change that would empower the people. The nation has been silenced. Every talk show on the electronic media bears this out.

There is no indication that we are inching towards democracy. How can we, when even elementary questions such as which institutions constitute the pillars of state are still being debated? Pakistan is supposed to be a federal parliamentary democracy with a president as the symbolic head of state, a legislature, an executive responsible to it, headed by a prime minister, and an independent judiciary. The army is merely a sub-institution of the executive. It is not a pillar of the state itself.

In President Musharraf’s social architecture, the army has been sublimated to the high pedestal of a pillar of state. The troika involved in power-sharing includes the president, the prime minister (due to internal and external compulsions) and the army chief of staff. A transition is bound to be smooth and peaceful as it is hardly a transition at all.

The president is quite candid about his objectives. He is a military man and knows about victories and defeats. Lies and deceit are fair tools in the game of war. Victory becomes a challenge if the enemy is an energised military force within the country as in Waziristan. But when dealing with an unarmed civilian population victory is easy. Musharraf speaks about power brokers and the troika. One does not know how he reconciles his philosophy of power brokers with the rule of law.

The issue of national security is dear to his heart. The major issue he is concerned about is the insurgency in the tribal areas of the Frontier where the government admits it is not doing well. But the main problem the president should be concerned about pertains to social security. The absence of political transparency, rule of law, adequate health and education facilities, safe drinking water, a viable sewerage system and a mechanism to keep sky-rocketing prices under check are of direct concern to the people. There are hundreds of missing persons being held incognito by the agencies. The courts have come to their rescue but the resistance from the agencies is stiff.

But these are issues that are not the concerns of the GHQ that is in control. A power-sharing arrangement with all parties on board and a pliant prime minister and if possible, a pliant judiciary leaves the GHQ to call the shots. Since all partners are beholden to or creatures of various military regimes, they are as committed to the status quo as the GHQ itself.

All that the people have got from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is a united front of military and politicians whose common objective is to prevent the empowerment of the masses. Power-sharing is between the supporters of the status quo.

The people are frustrated. There is no political star to which they can hitch their wagon. Not that they have lost their spirit. They performed miracles during the lawyers’ movement. They can do so again if a leader can win their trust.

Putin appeases Tehran

Haaretz

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin… (has become) the first Kremlin leader to visit Iran since Joseph Stalin attended the Tehran Conference in 1943.

In a direct reference to Iran’s nuclear programme, Putin said that ‘the Iranians are cooperating with Russia’s nuclear agencies, and the main objectives are peaceful objectives’. Before his arrival, Putin ruled out military action against Iran, saying ‘we were patient and consistently looked for solutions, and it looks like we are finding them.’…

United States Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said on Monday that all possibilities for solving the crisis with Iran are still on the agenda, and he also called for an increase in international pressure on Tehran. One month ago, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the world must prepare for a possible war against Iran. London and Berlin have also come out with sharp statements against Iran’s nuclear programme…

Last week Putin again said there is no proof Iran wants nuclear weapons… A change in Russia’s position — which would be reflected in exerting diplomatic pressure on Iran and supporting further sanctions — would contribute to Tehran’s effective isolation, and could also persuade Iran’s leaders to abandon the nuclear programme.— (Oct 17).

Founders’ dream comes true

Gulf News

TWO great and wise men had a dream of a modern, open-minded and progressive United Arab Emirates. Three decades later the dream of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been realised to the amazement of the world.

The two images published by Gulf News showing two very different realities of Dubai between 1973 and today illustrate the tremendous development which the country has undergone since the federation was formed in 1971.

The images show the scale of construction in this booming city and its transformation from a sleepy village to a busy regional hub of business, trade and tourism. It has also become an international player in the business arena with its investments making massive gains across the globe. From Brazil to Japan, the UAE is synonymous with success.

However, what the images fail to show is the real and true sense of the UAE as a progressive state in which people of more than 200 nationalities coexist peacefully and contribute to its development.

This nation will undoubtedly continue to astonish the world with the policies of the current

leadership… — (Oct 16)