Talks mantra seems to be losing its popularity in Pakistan - World Bulletin

 My Article Published on Turkish Magazine World Bulletin

Pakistan has been going through a tough period and with more and more attacks taking place every year it is under heavy threat from the armed forces. While the dominant political forces of the country including the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) led by the Cricketer turned politician are in favor of a dialogue with the Taliban yet the growing number of attacks is a serious issue and currently the idea of dialogue seems to be losing its popularity among the masses.

In the previous days, a massive attack was carried out by the armed groups in Peshawar on Christian churches and more than sixty people lost their lives in the two attacks that were carried out simultaneously. According to the initial reports there were several people praying in a compound in the church when one of the gunmen entered the room and exploded himself. As people tried to flee from the room through the other door yet another gunman entered the compound from the other side and exploded himself too. The two suicide bombers have not only caused several lives to end and leave millions grieved behind them but they have also caused KhurramDastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Privatization, to say on famous TV show on Geo hosted by renowned journalist Hamid Mir that the space for talks has been minimized by the attack carried out yesterday.

It is a fact that there is growing hatred for the drone attacks in the country and the world by and large disapproves of them. It is also true that these drone attacks are one of the major irritants in the commencement of any peace deals between the government and the Taliban yet we must also remember that these strikes are just one of the several factors. There is no denying the fact that Sufi Mohammed, who signed the peace deal with the government back in 2009, had declared the government of Pakistan Un-Islamic in 1994 and started to mobilize a militia to overthrow the government as well, which was later crushed, however, by the Pakistan Army. It is a question raised by a large faction of the society that what moved Sufi Mohammed to declare Benazir Bhutto’s rule as Un-Islamic when there were no drones at all?

It must be realized that the Taliban are no less than a threat to the existence of Pakistan and if the government continues to keep repeating its “Talks” mantra there doesn’t seem to be an end to this barbarism. The Army personnel killed earlier this month by the armed groups in Dir and the DI Khan Jailbreak just a couple of months back were no routine incidents. Several militants fled from Police’s custody and killing of a soldier ranked as high as a Major General is no fun. They are challenging the state and unfortunately the state still seems to be indecisive.

Killing Christians is not only a "terrorist" attack but a serious breach of the teachings of Islam as well. In his last days, Prophet Mohammed (SAWW) ordered the Muslim Caliphs after him to take special care of the Non-Muslims living in their countries. It must be remembered that the Christians living in Pakistan have never been an irritant factor for the state or Islam. They have lived peacefully for centuries in the region and their contribution in the society can never be overlooked. By killing peaceful Christians, Taliban have called upon the wrath of Allah and if the state does not act now it might be too late, more may get killed and God may not be willing to forgive the rulers then for the massacre of His men.

A Common Man from Karachi - My article on Frontier Post

My article originally published on Frontier Post at: A common man from Karachi

Ali Zaidi
 

You can’t understand the problem it is not as simple as you think, Police and Rangers will arrest few of them but they can’t do operation cleanup in Karachi. This was quoted by a young man who left crimes and started a new life in a nearby village of Karachi.
I was really enjoying my debate with this man because he had real fact and figures of Karachi’s problem. I want to state his words in his native language, “You have no idea what MQM, Aman Committee and other gangs fight each other for? Tell me brother what do they fight for? “Why is MQM so obsessed with the People’s Aman Committee of Lyari even though they had been in alliance with the PPP in Province as well as Federation for the last five years? They have also been in alliance with the ANP then why do they kill each other in Karachi?”
These questions were raised by him. I was just listening and trying to get the answers. This discussion took place before the elections. “In Karachi there are many constituencies where not even a single MQM supporter lives yet they get many votes from these areas”, he said. “Yes” I said bewildered, “but there are many Non-Urdu speaking natives yet they support MQM. This is also a reality which none of us can deny”. This was my point of view.
“MQM is obsessed with the Aman Committee because previously only one party collected the extortion money but now there are two. And of course nobody wants to share his meal because that’s how it is. Same is the case between ANP and MQM. It is not only the “Parchi System through which extortion money is collected. From your home, shops, offices, business to the mosques, all are paying it.”
I ignored this as an emotional and anti MQM speech. But now top agencies of Pakistan have confirmed that this all is happening in Karachi. I am a PMLN a supporter so I neither support ANP nor any other party. But being a lover of Karachi I should contribute to let the truth come to surface. The areas in which MQM has support are well developed areas. They have water and electricity facilities for 24 hours. They pay 500 to 1000 rupees in the name of development charges. But in return they get many facilities from MQM so they have no problem in paying this.
Every shopkeeper, rickshaw and taxi driver also has to pay on daily or monthly basis but most of them are happy because they are being provided with secure environment in an illegal way. MQM is in government for past 10 plus years. They have their Nazims, MPAs and MNAs in most parts of Karachi. Are they not getting salaries or funds from government to provide these facilities to their supporters?
It’s another dimension that how they get this majority. The same thing has been started by other parties of Karachi. ANP collects “Bhatta” in North Karachi and in Gulistan e Johar sector. They have their existence in Quaidabad and adjoining areas but very few cases have been reported there. This doesn’t mean that ANP is not involved in this menace. Several times they had armed fight with MQM in different areas on this issue. Rabia City, Johar, Orangi town (Katti Pahari) and new Karachi are major affected areas of this war.
Their areas of support are not developed. They have a strong militant wing in Karachi. Most of the drug Mafia working in these areas is under ANP’s control. Hottest issue few days back was Lyari. In Lyari Kitchi and Baloch are two major communities. Lyari is 70% in control of People’s Aman Committee which is now called Karachi City Alliance led by Uzair Baloch.
Aman Committee is definitely involved in extortion collection and kidnapping of traders and their families. In Lyari Kitchi Aman committee is a subsidiary of MQM. They are supported by MQM by all means. There are areas like Naya Abad and Memon Society where no Baloch can enter. And in Chaiywara and other parts of liyari Urdu speaking and Kitchis cannot enter. Few areas of Malir and Landhi are in control of MQM (Haqiqi). They were previously led by Aamir Khan.
Haqiqi is a well-known militant party. I personally never heard any news regarding extortion money collected by Haqiqi but they are certainly involved in target killing and kidnapping for ransome. In few areas they support other parties against MQM like Sindhi Goths near Korangi industrial area.
Above is the little roundup of major parties areas and their role in the problems of Karachi. Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Sunni Tehreek and Shia religio-political parties also have their militant wings. Although they are not involved in extortion collection yet they also target their companions in the name of religion. On several occasions Sunni Tehreek and SSP fought on the issue of Mosques. But how they collect extortion and if someone refuses to pay what happens to him is also a long story which will be stated later in another post. Each and Every person who lives in Karachi would agree with these facts.
There is a saying that “There are several good protections against evil but the surest is cowardice”. The people of Karachi can understand this line quite well. Karachi is a densely populated city with variety of people living in different areas who have come here from various parts of the country. But the main reason is that Karachi is the only city where you can live with a salary of Rs. 10,000. I used to hear that Muhajirs were treated brutally in the past. That’s why MQM was organized and they started to spread hatred against Punjabis, Sindhis and Pathans.
But frankly speaking they have been in government for fifteen years which were not followed by PPP and PMLN. There would hardly be any problem in Karachi which MQM is not a part of. I just oppose MQM because a little bit of political activity against MQM can risk your life. General Secretary of PMLN Shaheed Tariq Khan was murdered because he was against the land mafias which were occupying a cricket ground near his house. But he was killed and they succeeded in their mission.
Question arises here that why am I giving most of my arguments against MQM? It is only because they own Karachi. Many times you would have listened to their press conferences in which they admit this. There are many MQM leaders who always remain under threat from their own party. Crime story of Karachi cannot be closed in a month. That is because no one trusts the law enforcement agencies.
The police officers who were involved in 92 and 95 operation were targeted and they got serial numbers by newspapers. When they can’t save their own officers, how can they give protection to common man or witnesses of a murder? Those who say that these operations were against MQM must also answer then the question that who killed those Police Officers?
No one can stop extortion collection in Karachi completely but please give protection to lives of people. Law enforcement agencies have lost their trust. People believe that Nawaz Sharif administration can improve the situation. We request the government not to get black-mailed by press conferences and other tactics.
This is a reality that even opponents of PMLN say that PMLN and PTI have no military wings in Karachi as other all parties have. Don’t hesitate in taking any step. But we cannot afford more casualties in Karachi.
It is the thinking of a common Karachiite. Our agencies are very strong. There is not even a single person who can give proofs of killings to police or rangers because he knows he has to live in Karachi. This is a big task for Federal Government. Let’s see how they cope with the matter.

A Look at PMLN 99 Days

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, a democratic government completed its term in the Parliament, held the elections and peacefully handed over the government to the winners. This peaceful transition did not happen just like that. It happened after much struggle and lessons that were learnt the hard way unfortunately. The politics a few years ago was quite harsh and favoring even a good decision by the government was impossible for the opposition parties because the fallout could be heavy.

But this time, both the big players of Pakistani politics, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan People’s Party left no space for the undemocratic forces. Credit must be given to the main opposition party that did not get carried away with the allegations of friendly opposition. PMLN and Nawaz Sharif had to face serous criticism from different quarters yet the party and its leader did not change the course. They decided to ask for votes based on their performance and it finally paid off.

PMLN won simple majority in the Elections held in May 2013 and the government seems to be on

a mission ever since it has taken over. Democratic norms and principles that Mian Nawaz Sharif had followed while being in the Opposition were carried forward as Nationalists were allowed to make Government for the first time in Baluchistan and the ruling party in the Center also lent its hand to the Nationalists which never happened in the past. At the same time, the fiercest critique of PMLN, Imran Khan and his party was allowed to form government in the province of KPK while PMLN had the option to form its own. These gestures have certainly taken the democracy a step forward and we hope that this process will never be reversed.

The main point on which the PMLN had raised its Election campaign on was energy crises and when the time to deliver on the promises came, it was up to the mark. While there was only 8000 Mega Watt electricity being produced during the last tenure, the production was increased to 17000 Mega Watts. Paying the circular debts off helped and several new projects have also been started. The first official visit that the Prime Minister made after holding his office was to China and various power generation projects were agreed upon between the two countries. 2200 Mega Watt Nuclear Power Plant will also be set up according to the agreement signed during this visit. First ever Energy Policy was also given during these 99 days.

Gaddani Power Prjoect, Expansion of the existing dams, reinstatement of Nandipur Power Project and starting work on the construction of new big and small dams have marked the government’s priorities. Pakistan is going through serious energy crises and the government has set up a target of meeting the needs by the end of this tenure and leaving enough space for the coming governments that they are able to plan for the future in this regard. It can be predicted that if the current government gets success in curbing the menace of load shedding during this tenure, it’ll be a huge benefit for it in raising its next election campaign.

Pak China Economic Corridor is yet another master stroke by the current government. Currently the balance of payments is pre-dominantly in China’s favor between the two countries but if this policy is implemented there will be better prospects for Pakistan. The MoU signed between Pakistan and China in this regard estimates the trade to be 15 billion dollars between the two countries through it.

The United Kingdom has agreed to invest seventy billion (70 billion) dollars in the Education sector of Pakistan during the next five years. It was only possible because of great efforts put in by the Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif during the last tenure. His efforts were admired by the British officials at a number of occasions and it was due to this goodwill that the UK has agreed to invest such a large amount in this sector. 

Karachi is burning. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost during the last five years and the numbers are growing every new day. PMLN had promised to do all it can to resolve Karachi issue and set to work immediately after coming to power, one of the major breakthroughs that the government has made during its first 99 days also includes consensus of all the parties on the resolution of Karachi issues. An operation has already been launched in the city and the Police and Rangers have been given free hand by the Government to take care of the matter and deal with the terrorists with an iron hand.

The APC was called by the Government on the War on Terror and all the major stakeholders were asked to represent their parties. All presented their points of view and it was agreed upon that a dialogue will be carried out with the Taliban initially peace would be given a chance. The peace process is now backed by all the political and military stakeholders and it is hoped that it will be a success this time.

A major crackdown has been launched against the power and energy theft throughout the country and major gains have been noted. The major drop in the load shedding was also witnessed in the country and this is one of the major reasons that have helped the government to insure minimum load shedding.

It is a fact that industrialists, journalists, politicians and bureaucrats are bought by the governments to forge the facts and help their governments to sustain but being committed to maintaining transparency in all its operations, PMLN’s government has abolished the secret funds of all the ministries within the first 99 days except the Security Agencies’ Secret Funds. To insure the transparency and smooth functioning of the government owned enterprises this government has set up independent transparent commission to select the CEOs of these institutions.

The previous government never seemed serous in implementing the orders by the courts but as a clear gesture to highlight its commitment with the cause of the free judiciary in the country PMLN government made eminent lawyer Munir A Malik its Attorney General who was the President of Supreme Court Bar Association in 2007 and the man who announced to launch the Lawyers’ Movement when General (r) Musharraf tried to sack the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

It is also the first government to engage all the stakeholders and finally devise a National Security Policy and the fruits of which will be more visible in the days to come. An institution is to be set up in the days to come which will ensure smooth communication between the government, relevant ministries, security agencies and law enforcement agencies.

Major drop in the load shedding, Providing tooth and nail to the Security apparatus of the country, new agreements with China in the field of energy, UK’s investment in Education sector, willingness of several countries in the investment in almost all the sectors of the country, sky-rocketed Karachi stock exchange, huge profits in Railways and agreements for mega projects like Bullet Train and Gwadar-Kashghar Trade Channel have jelled in to give a solid start to the government. Nawaz Sharif’s third innings has started off in style. We hope that the excellent performance of the first ninety nine days is carried forward.

Post by PML(N).

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to be Next KPK Governor?

Pakistan’s politics has always remained marred with corruption, distrust and deception. It is a fact that all parties have willingly accepted turncoats to their ranks and the same have been rewarded heavily in the last sixty seven years but the stories of true friendship and loyalism have also been made in the politics of the same country. PML-N did not want to accept the turncoats after the return of party leadership from the forced exile but unfortunately the political situation demanded something else. Although many were allowed to join the party but when it comes to rewarding the key posts, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been quite up to the task.

Most important ministries were given to the politicians who were not only loyal to the party but also had extensive experience of holding the offices. Whether it is Sartaj Aziz in the Foreign Ministry or Ishaq Dar in the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister has given responsibilities to only the smartest in the business. It is rumored that Iqbal Zafar Jhagra is the strongest candidate for the Governor’s office in the KPK and if this happens it’ll just be a perfect decision.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has stood along the party and the leadership under all circumstances. He was allured by the then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf with positions and money but he remained strong on his feet. While the party leadership was in exile and the provincial body of the party was in dire conditions, it was Iqbal Zafar Jhagra who held the party together and despite internal rifts that occasionally arose in the party he always stayed away from controversy.

 

This is the reason why he enjoys strong support from the provincial leaders of the party and being the Secretary General of the party he has earned respect at the central level as well. He is a Pakhtoon yet his stature as a national politician has always earned him love from Hazara division as well as other parts of the country. Despite serious differences with the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf at party level, Jhagra has always talked sense and was never offensive while making remarks about the opposing parties. Never would have anyone heard a personal comment from his side about the opponents and his speech and criticism has always been objective.

For this reason he is well-respected in the PTI ranks as well and the provincial government of KPK would also not have a problem having him as their Governor. In every manner, he has the potential to govern and maintain harmony among all the stakeholders in the KPK, Center and the party. There just can’t be a better choice than him.