Showing posts with label Asif Zardari. Show all posts
Fifty First dates with RIGGING !!
Fifty First dates with RIGGING !!
by Hadeed Ahmed Sher
Just 24 hours before, i published a blog post about the recent crisis of media vs establishment and the role of Imran Khan. I don't know why it happens, but it is a solid truth that Mr. Imran Khan is a discombobulated and a totally senseless person. He made PTI in the mid 90s and despite being popular among the kids his personality failed to attract the matured voters of Pakistan. That resulted in his historic shameful defeat across the country. There may be several reasons for it, but, Imran Khan as Rana Sanaullah said is a chronic patient of "Rigging Fever". Imran Khan knew from the very beginning that the only way to land in the premier office is either by maligning the main stream party leadership or through the shoulders of establishment. Adults might know about this, but today's revolutionary kittens are not aware of the fact that Mr. Imran Khan supported the National Debt Retirement Scheme (qarz utaro mulk sanwaro) in 1997 and he used to give ideas to PM Nawaz Sharif. However, he was not dumb enough to act like an ally. His presence in the media during the 90s was mostly because of the buzzing news of Seta White scandal and his appearance in the courts to settle that issue. In democratic countries, even the sitting president has to ask for apologies, but Imran Khan despite his tall claims of being close to MAJ personality, bothered not to say anything about it.
After the coup of 1999, Imran Khan was among the first few so called demagogues who welcomed the military takeover and immediately accepted the offer of meeting by the unconstitutional ruler of Pakistan Gen Pervaiz Musharraf. It was a close call between the TUQ's Awami Tehreek and IK's PTI during a fraud referendum to enrapture the newly born dictator. Both the parties despite being headed by famous celebrities were rejected in earlier elections by the people of Pakistan. It was a golden opportunity for both the parachuters to grab the seat of PMship. Later, as mentioned in "In the Line of Fire" Musharraf managed to establish Q league and IK was told that his party don't deserve to have more than a dozen seats. Kaptaan however, insisted that his party is very strong on the ground and can easily grab over 100 seats provided that establishment keeps a hand on them. Later, after the elections IK was shown his real value and Jamali from Q league was bestowed premiership. TUQ was so disappointed to see the end result that he resigned from the NA a year later, Imran Khan, however, was satisfied with the perks and privileges offered to an MNA. Imran Khan's PTI proved not even worth a horse cart party in NA during 02 but yes, it was a cycle cart party and therefore he voted in favor of legalizing the 1999 military coup. It is worth mentioning here that Musharraf decided to enter in the war against terrorism in 2001 but the IK kept his silence maintained until the day he was shown a red card for the post of PMship. Imran Khan then slowly and steadily started opening up against Musharraf, but in such a way that the masterminds remained happy. He was seen talking fearlessly and hitting below the belt on the TV interviews specially on GEO news (the same which he boycotted yesterday).
In a talk show he called Sheikh Rasheed a person less than a PEON and Farooq Sattar the batman of Altaf Hussain. His vulgar and indecent language, however, was approved within the angry youth and with the advent of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter his party started disseminating the humiliating material about his opponents. It is not a bad choice to mention here that Imran Khan despite being too vocal about the restoration of judiciary decided to stay inside a hideout during the historic long march. In 2007 he boycotted the elections and started an all out vulgar campaign against his opponents "The Sharif Brothers". He openly cursed them and named them "The Dengue Brothers". During a drama against the drone strikes in Islamabad, he told Shazaib Khanzada that Mian Nawaz Sharif is a dwarf. His sentiments about Asif Zardari while his supporters were abusing him, he told them not to humiliate a dog by naming Asif Zardari a DOG. Fazal ur Rahamn on the other hand was just titled "The Biggest Hypocrite". His intentions, however, about Altaf Hussain was actually surreal. He despite calling Altaf Hussain a terrorist and his try to file an FIR against him in London, bowed him and declared his party a role model for all other parties. This was what happened before his jalsa in Karachi. Despite witnessing ebullient crowd at Mazar e Quiad, an hour long harangue brought no word against Altaf Hussain from the "brave" Khan's mouth. In an interview he told Tallat Hussain that we will bring revolution just like MQM has brought in Karachi. When questioned that you called Altaf Hussain a serial killer, he shamelessly smiled and said some questions are best unanswered and we call this term WELL LEFT in cricket. However, the scenic political love saga of 50 first dates did not end up here. Just like the lead role female model lucy of Hollywood movie Fifty first dates, Imran Khan suffered with short term memory loss and declared Altaf Hussain the murderer of Zahra Shahid (PTI leader). It was surprising to see that the day an important leader of PTI was assassinated in front of her house in Karachi , cupcakes were distributed in the Lahore sit in.
Just 24 hours before, i published a blog post about the recent crisis of media vs establishment and the role of Imran Khan. I don't know why it happens, but it is a solid truth that Mr. Imran Khan is a discombobulated and a totally senseless person. He made PTI in the mid 90s and despite being popular among the kids his personality failed to attract the matured voters of Pakistan. That resulted in his historic shameful defeat across the country. There may be several reasons for it, but, Imran Khan as Rana Sanaullah said is a chronic patient of "Rigging Fever". Imran Khan knew from the very beginning that the only way to land in the premier office is either by maligning the main stream party leadership or through the shoulders of establishment. Adults might know about this, but today's revolutionary kittens are not aware of the fact that Mr. Imran Khan supported the National Debt Retirement Scheme (qarz utaro mulk sanwaro) in 1997 and he used to give ideas to PM Nawaz Sharif. However, he was not dumb enough to act like an ally. His presence in the media during the 90s was mostly because of the buzzing news of Seta White scandal and his appearance in the courts to settle that issue. In democratic countries, even the sitting president has to ask for apologies, but Imran Khan despite his tall claims of being close to MAJ personality, bothered not to say anything about it.
After the coup of 1999, Imran Khan was among the first few so called demagogues who welcomed the military takeover and immediately accepted the offer of meeting by the unconstitutional ruler of Pakistan Gen Pervaiz Musharraf. It was a close call between the TUQ's Awami Tehreek and IK's PTI during a fraud referendum to enrapture the newly born dictator. Both the parties despite being headed by famous celebrities were rejected in earlier elections by the people of Pakistan. It was a golden opportunity for both the parachuters to grab the seat of PMship. Later, as mentioned in "In the Line of Fire" Musharraf managed to establish Q league and IK was told that his party don't deserve to have more than a dozen seats. Kaptaan however, insisted that his party is very strong on the ground and can easily grab over 100 seats provided that establishment keeps a hand on them. Later, after the elections IK was shown his real value and Jamali from Q league was bestowed premiership. TUQ was so disappointed to see the end result that he resigned from the NA a year later, Imran Khan, however, was satisfied with the perks and privileges offered to an MNA. Imran Khan's PTI proved not even worth a horse cart party in NA during 02 but yes, it was a cycle cart party and therefore he voted in favor of legalizing the 1999 military coup. It is worth mentioning here that Musharraf decided to enter in the war against terrorism in 2001 but the IK kept his silence maintained until the day he was shown a red card for the post of PMship. Imran Khan then slowly and steadily started opening up against Musharraf, but in such a way that the masterminds remained happy. He was seen talking fearlessly and hitting below the belt on the TV interviews specially on GEO news (the same which he boycotted yesterday).
In a talk show he called Sheikh Rasheed a person less than a PEON and Farooq Sattar the batman of Altaf Hussain. His vulgar and indecent language, however, was approved within the angry youth and with the advent of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter his party started disseminating the humiliating material about his opponents. It is not a bad choice to mention here that Imran Khan despite being too vocal about the restoration of judiciary decided to stay inside a hideout during the historic long march. In 2007 he boycotted the elections and started an all out vulgar campaign against his opponents "The Sharif Brothers". He openly cursed them and named them "The Dengue Brothers". During a drama against the drone strikes in Islamabad, he told Shazaib Khanzada that Mian Nawaz Sharif is a dwarf. His sentiments about Asif Zardari while his supporters were abusing him, he told them not to humiliate a dog by naming Asif Zardari a DOG. Fazal ur Rahamn on the other hand was just titled "The Biggest Hypocrite". His intentions, however, about Altaf Hussain was actually surreal. He despite calling Altaf Hussain a terrorist and his try to file an FIR against him in London, bowed him and declared his party a role model for all other parties. This was what happened before his jalsa in Karachi. Despite witnessing ebullient crowd at Mazar e Quiad, an hour long harangue brought no word against Altaf Hussain from the "brave" Khan's mouth. In an interview he told Tallat Hussain that we will bring revolution just like MQM has brought in Karachi. When questioned that you called Altaf Hussain a serial killer, he shamelessly smiled and said some questions are best unanswered and we call this term WELL LEFT in cricket. However, the scenic political love saga of 50 first dates did not end up here. Just like the lead role female model lucy of Hollywood movie Fifty first dates, Imran Khan suffered with short term memory loss and declared Altaf Hussain the murderer of Zahra Shahid (PTI leader). It was surprising to see that the day an important leader of PTI was assassinated in front of her house in Karachi , cupcakes were distributed in the Lahore sit in.
Before we move on to the anomalous and jocose politics of PTI let us rewind a little bit and see what happened with the stolen slogan of Obama "CHANGE".Imran khan's team, of course by his approval chanted a slogan change that undoubtedly attracted the youth of Pakistan. Although the change literally meant a lot to the people and they were told that the change will be on the system primarily. In reality, it comes out to be a change where photos of Imran Khan with a torn up coat and sleeping on the floor (like people don't know about his luxurious 300 kanal house in banigala) and sometimes even while praying. The slogan of the change revealed its true colors when turncoats from all over Pakistan were welcomed and commissioned on high party ranks in PTI. Perhaps that was the time when PTI started enervating. While justifying this Imran Khan said that they are all experienced and therefore it's all on merit. While doing all this, Shah Mehmood Qureshi was granted vice chairmanship of PTI and Javed Hashmi as the President. New faces included people like Sardar Asif Ahamd Ali, Jahangir Tareen, Khursheed Mehmood Qasoori, Azam Swati and many more. IK instead of feeling any guilt called this ONE MORE WICKET DOWN. Imran Khan then decided to conduct the party elections that were the only one of their kind where people were elected based on single votes. The money was used to win seats and most of the applications against rigging are still pending. By the time elections came the party elections output made a perception that PTI is a pro poor party and the tailor master from KPK and the painter who had won the party elections will be given tickets, but against all odds Imran Khan granted party tickets to most egregious personalities that were known turncoats and most importantly the tax defaulters. IK told people that a tailor or a painter cannot afford to run elections, which raised questions about the intentions and purpose of the NAYA Pakistan Fund. Even before the elections the ECP revealed the tax details of those who contested for elections and it was shocking. The CHANGE was merely a shame. Contrary to the hubbubs of Imran Khan the below given glimpse of the stinky change he offered to the people of Pakistan is enough to be ashamed of .
Those who have paid low/zero tax
NA-1 >> Imran Khan Nizai who is paying a tax at a ratio of 7% of its annual income.
NA-02 >> Hamid ul Haq despite earning 1.09 million as an average in last 3 years and 0.8 million last year.
NA-03 >> Sajid Nawaz despite earning 1.8 million as an average in last 3 years and over 3 million last year
NA-04 >> Asad Gulzar Khan who earns 0 and hence pay 0 taxes. His election campaign was "financed" by "foreign investors"
NA-06 >> Siraj Muhammad Khan also earns 0 and hence his campaign was "financed" by "covert investors"
NA-10 >> Ali Muhammad Khan has paid 0 tax and his income details reveal that he earned 150,000 in the year 2012
NA-11 >> Mujahid Ali has no income for the last three years as he was on fast due to poverty. His election campaign was funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
NA-13 >> Asad Qaisar earned 0.7 million Avg for the last three years and 1.1 million in year 2012 and hence paid zero tax.
NA-14 >> Shahreyar Afridi earns 350,000 average for the last three years and paid zero tax for 2010,11 ad 12.
NA-15 >> Nasir Khan Khattak pays tax at an average of less than 10%.
NA-17 >> Azhar Khan Jadoon likes to pay tax at a rate of 2.6% of his income.
Na-19 >> Amir Zaman , an interesting case earned nothing in 2010 and 12 and paid 12000 in three years. His campaign was funded by "NAYA PAKISTAN"
NA-29 >> Mureed Syed zero income and hence zero tax. Election campaign by chanda
NA-30 >> Salim Rehman has zero income and hence zero tax. Election campaign by chanda
NA-35 >> Junaid Akbar has no NTN number.. MOJAAIIIIIIIINN
NA-47 >> Qaisar Jamal pays zero tax despite earning over a million annually
NA-48 >> Javed Hashmi likes to pay income tax at the rate of 1.39%
NA-162>> Rai Hassan Nawaz Kharral has paid no tax for the last three years despite earning 7.9 million since 2010-
As for members of provincial assembly the list is as follows
Zia Ullah Afridi pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning millions annually.
PK02 Shaukat Ali Yousafzai pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.6 million annually.
PK03 Javaid Naseem neither earns nor pay tax. His Election campaign probably was funded by PTI.
PK04 Arfi Yousaf pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.34 million annually.
PK05 Yaseen Khan pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.8 million annually.
PK06 Fazal Elahi pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.4 million annually.
PK07 Mahmood Jan has no income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund
PK09 Arbab Jahandad Khan has no income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund
PK10 Shaha Farman has no income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK11 Syed Muhammad Ishtiaq pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning millions annually.
PK12 Khaliqur Rahaman pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.3 million annually.
PK13 Parvaiz Khattak pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 3 million annually.
PK14 Jamsheduddin pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.44 million annually.
PK15 Muhammad Idress pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.46 million annually.
PK16 Qurban Ali Khan pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 0.8 million annually.
PK22 Muhammad Arif has no income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK24 Muhammad Zahid Durrani has shown no income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK26 Iftikhar Ali MAshwani pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 8 million annually.
PK29 Tufail Anjum has not declared any income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK30 Muhammad Atif earns but do not pay tax at the proper rate
PK35 Asad Qaisar pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 1.1 million annually.
PK38 Ziaullah Khan has not declared any income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK39 >> Gulzar Khan has no NTN number
PK48 Sardar Muhammad Idress has not declared any income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK52 Faisal Zaman has paid 35 and Rs 36 tax in the year 2010 and 11. And paid 43000 tax against an income of 0.7 million.
PK80 Fazal Hakeem has not declared any income and hence pays 0 rupees as tax. His election campaign might be funded by NAYA PAKISTAN fund.
PK81 Azizullah Khan pays 0 rupees as tax despite earning 10.7 million annually.
PK82 >> Amjad Ali Khan has no NTN number
PK83 >> Muhiibullah Khan has no NTN number
PK84 >> Mehmood Khan has no NTN number
PK99 >> Shakeel Ahmad has no NTN number
After the GE'13 it was a chance for them to prove their loyalty and dedication. But instead of doing welfare projects Imran Khan embarrassed his voters by saying that we are trapped in KPK. Time and again he and his party acted like a malingerer. He repeatedly sang the rigging mantra to the people of Pakistan. According to him, Punjab was totally rigged in GE'13 and only KPK was fair. He forgets, however in KPK PTI fails to get the confidence of people of Charsadda, Mansehra, Buttgram, Kohistan DI Khan, Bannu, Laki Marwat, Bunair, Shangla, Chitral, Dir and Malakand. The drama of gaining the sympathies of those who were victimized by US drone attacks was also badly flopped as well from FATA after PTI fails to get any seat from Kurram, Momand, Bajor, North Waziristan and Orakzai Agency. Imran Khan's party has dozens of cases where his party members were disqualified for fake degrees and he never felt ashamed to keep them still in his party. Imran Khan, who heavily criticized the Laptop scheme initiated that scheme in KPK and used public funds for self recognition in the advertisements of KPK government. His almost one year long performance in KPK yielded not even a single mega project being initiated and failure to protect the polio vaccinators. After helping Taliban in evacuating over 300 terrorists from DI Khan jailbreak Imran Khan offered Taliban an office in Peshawar. Instead of performing, the stories of corruption and mismanagement are common among the people of KPK. The slogan of no protocol went to garbage as he is openly using police force for protocol. The CM house that was announced to become a library is still protected, as CM is residing inside. The use of choppers for fleeing to areas as accessible as Hassan Abdal has also questioned his claims about austerity. Addressing official meetings by Imran Khan have proved himself to be a mudslinger who used to malign Mian Nawaz Sharif on the same subject. At the end of this fiscal year Imran Khan announced that he will build 350 small dams in KPK (don't know if he meant water tanks or dams). Education emergency that was surprisingly announced by the Finance minister is about to end for this year. Nothing happened and instead of informing the media about the goals achieved, IK opened up a new campaign to build schools. He derided Shahbaz Sharif and called him a dengue brother and failed to tackle the issue of dengue in SWAT. A long list can be summarized here to show that what was called TSUNAMI was actually a THUSSNAMI and the idiotic stance on so called rigging would not help him embroiling the people of KPK. Execrating the national institutes like ECP and those who acted as returning officers only shows the lack of maturity on PTIs end. After a hiatus of almost a year the exclamation of pro establishment parties like PTI, JI, Awami Tehreek, PMLQ and banned outfits on different agendas is strange. For PTI the signal is very clear, keep singing rigging and the people will do the same what they did in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2013 and that too with myriad of votes. After all, they know that this is an attempt of digression from their performance as a government.
#AmidstDemocracy | Fifty First dates with RIGGING !! http://t.co/xHvwn6oLvQ
— Amidst Democracy (@amidstdemocracy) May 3, 2014
PPP | On Road to Self-Destruction ??
PPP | On Road to Self-Destruction ??
Written by Dr. Faisal Ranjha
Many in this country of pure consider "Asif Ali Zardari", one of the most shrewd politicians this country ever witnessed in it's 65 year history, despite taking this country's economy to its historic low, setting new records of corruption and nepotism but his admirer are of the view that he helped or rather i should say tried for Federation Of Pakistan, successfully removing Mushraf from Presidency and placing himself in Presidency considered on of his greatest victory and master strokes, completing his five year tenure again considered his accomplishment as are much trumped PPP amendments in constitutions. But now the question arises, are these so called PPP achievements and attainments were possible without the help of a steady and mature opposition done by PMLN Nawaz Sharif??. Infect at the end of the day these mistakes cost PPP the GE 2013 and limited them to Interior Sindh hence a regional party from a Federating one.
Zardari Sahib seems on a suicidal mission, here I completely agree with many that even Dictators not able to conquer the courage of Jiyalas neither they were able to dent PPP fort but Zardari Sahib with his miraculous politics better known to him has literally forced PPP back to the wall. PPP latest decision to Boycott the Presidential Election's may seem the last nail in PPP coffin, as it has ousted PPP from Democratic process, at the same time given room to Imran Khan to establish himself a very seasoned and mature politician, a missing link in Kaptaan's politics or maybe he too was waiting the right moment. Secondly PPP was trying to make a comeback in politics with a bang with the mere perception that MQM will side them and maybe Imran Khan will follow them in boycotting the Presidential Elections. PPP is forgetting the very fact they had nothing to offer to MQM as PPP is not in Power in Federal Government, secondly Zardari Sahb about to lose his Presidency as final numbers tell us after the Presidential Elections even if MQM boycotted the elections "Mamnoon Hussain" would have won easily and convincingly. PPP may have thought that MQM and PMLN differences are like the Himalayas, not bridgeable but forgetting that during their own reign when MQM would leave the Government every second day and rejoin them even more quickly. Altaf Bahi right now needs Federal Government more than the provincial one as pending inquiry in Scotland Yard regarding Imran Farooq Murder and Money Laundering probe resulting from that murder inquiry, British Media too exerting tremendous pressure on the British Government to move on with the case, take it to its logical end. |
| PPP latest decision to Boycott the Presidential Election's may seem the last nail in PPP coffin |
Media reports suggest that high level delegations visited PTI Imran Khan to convince him to boycott Presidential Elections but Imran Khan despite showing his reservations, participating in the Democratic process, leaving PPP in the lurch and in no mans land. Infect Shah Mehmood Quershi responding to their request by asking them to support PTI candidate and not to boycott the Elections. Definitely Imran Khan has emerged as an Opposition leader, shifting lime light from PPP to PTI.
Now question arises what made PPP to boycott the Elections, make them controversial if we look at the candidate "Mamnoon Hussain' a very humble and down to earth guy with a political history of standing against a Dictator, belonging to a middle class family, an IBA graduate, after decades when a Middle Class self made guy equally respected by all political parties enjoying a very good reputation in Media, above all a Sindhi and Urdu Speaking about to make it to Presidency, why make him controversial ??.
PPP's animosity against the Supreme Court of Pakistan not hidden from anyone, PPP think they were dealt harshly and heavy handed by the Honorable Courts but Courts think otherwise that that they are doing their job according to the Constitution. Latest decision where Supreme Court allows Presidential Election Date to moved back irked PPP, they think their plea not listened, they are not given enough time to canvass for the Elections but final results of the Presidential Elections clearly show PMLN candidate won overwhelmingly, it wouldn't have made any difference to his final tally of votes. So why this bitterness and displeasure shown by PPP??.
PPP going through their historic low due to their own deeds and faults, Imran Khan contrary to popular belief has become a threat to PPP existence as shown by last GE, PMLN retained and able to get all the Muslim League and most of the right wing vote, while Imran Khan dented PPP vote bank in addition to his youth vote, so PPP needs to up the anti, had to prove themselves the real opposition, get Media attention which clearly tilting towards PTI as an opposition party. PPP miscalculating that MQM and PMLN are poles apart, never meant for each other, but PMLN swallowing the bitter pill to legitimize Presidential Election because with MQM and PPP boycotting the Elections, PMLN wouldn't be able to legitimize the Presidential Election as main stream parties from Sindh boycotted the Polls, so at the end of the day it seems a marriage of convenience where both parties taking something home. PPP were too scared that they might get exposed in the Senate and Sindh Assembly, reports already in press that strong group's inside PPP ranks revolting against PPP decision makers ( Asif Ali Zardari ). Finally PPP thought that it's the right time to launch a full scale assault against Supreme Court as since new Government has taken over particularly Interior Ministry ( FIA ) under Ch Nisar has expedited the pending corruption cases against PPP big wigs. Two former Prime Minister's about to be arrested any time in billions of rupees corruption charges, many other former Federal Ministers and PPP cronies under the FIA radar. Most importantly as President Asif Ali Zardari about to leave the Presidency with it that Constitutional immunity gone as well, the old witch of Swiss Cases about to haunt PPP again. This Presidential Boycott was a mere smokescreen to launch an assault on Courts, making them controversial, terming them Pro PMLN so decisions against PPP become controversial. ( We already have seen, the Supreme Court has started tightening screws on this Government as well, as Aviation Minister made to resign on Dual Nationality, Chairman PIA also made to resign as was appointed violating earlier Supreme court judgement).
Jiyala's protesting (1970's)
So PPP makes a grave mistake, maybe a final nail in their great political struggle, making decisions in haste, they must remember their historic struggle for Democracy, as BB once boycotted Elections under Zia's Rule she ruined that decisions years to come. Similarly PPP took part in the 2007 Presidential Elections despite all the reservations of theirs. As Democratic forces thrive upon Democratic norms and process, we have seen that during the Presidential Elections PPP is going to back burners, PTI candidate Justice Waji u Din taking all the Lime Light. PPP from now on must take each and every step very carefully and wisely because time is running out for them, there is no Zulifiqar Ali Bhatto and Benazir Bhatto to bank on.
NOTE Democracy always thrived and remained un-harmed under the Presidency of Ch Fazal Allahi, the likes of Rafique Tarar, But always remained controversial when occupied by Dictators Gen Zia, Gen Yahya Khan or Democratically Elected but Powerful Presidents like Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Farooq Leghari, Asif Zardari.
PM Sharif: Rising To The Occasion And Puncturing NRO
PM Sharif: Rising To The Occasion And Puncturing NRO
Not many would have bet that Prime Minister Of Pakistan would announce to invoke Article 6 against Dictator Mushraf but yes miracles do happen and dreams do come true. Pakistan seemed to have detracted from the Quaid vision of "Civilian Supremacy" and a country where civilian will take the driving seat, take key decisions on interior and foreign policy but alas down the road we lost that dream and "State" became a ping pong between "Dictatorship and Democracy". Dictators ruling the country in the name of larger interest and indirectly meddling in civilian matters even when they were not in power, end result Pakistan State heading towards economic bankruptcy, Sectarian chaos, Institutional collapse and breeding ground for terrorist activities..
It's a fact intermittent "Coups" and hatching conspiracies against civilian rules caused lots of damage to the state, only one Institution was able to prosper and stand on its own was "Pakistan Armed Forces" and I think that's where they remained successful and able to rule because of their superior institutional depth and resources available to them. They were able to manipulate the system and turn horrendous acts like "Kargil" in their favor and hence were able to sent packing a sitting Prime Minister who won by 2/3 majority. Sitting Prime Ministers were jailed, hanged and exiled, literally leaving a black dot on Pakistani history.
But miracles do happen and history took a new turn, Judiciary historically worked as a subordinate institution to establishment and validated their illegal acts, hanging one sitting Prime Ministers and Life imprisonment to the other on orders of their masters, found a new lease of life when "Justice Iftikhar Ch" took over as "Chief Justice Of Pakistan" and started making few independent decisions in dictatorial regime, threatened by his powers, Dictator threatened him and asked him to resign from his post, Iftikhar Ch for once wrote his name in Pakistan's Judicial History with stood the pressure and said no to Dictator, starting the beginning of a new struggle, ending in historic long March and his reinstatement, importantly laying foundation of a judicial institution.
Secondly Credit must be given to "Nawaz Sharif", standing by the judiciary and leading that historic "Long March" ending in Judges Reinstatement. But he didn't stop here, remained very vocal about Democratic values and his commitment to Parliament as an institution. He was the sole reason "Zardari Regime" was able to complete their term because he was very clear in his mind that people of Pakistan trusted PPP and voted them to power, his popularity which skyrocketed after Long March, took a big hit and allowed Imran Khan PTI to emerge as a force. But Nawaz Sharif believed in people's wisdom, turned down every opportunity to topple Zardari Regime unconstitutionally and unlawfully, stuck to the Democratic and Parliamentary norms, acted as a Statesman, in the end he was proved right, his perseverance with Democracy, trust in the people of Pakistan paid, was elected by simple majority by people of Pakistan and literally wiped off PPP from Pakistan and restricting them to a regional party.
Pakistan Print Media and Social Media acted as a rumor factory, many senior and renowned journalists talked about NRO 2, many political activists started promoting the idea that Nawaz Sharif winning of GE was part of the deal and giving Mushraf's safe passage was mandatory according to that deal. Columns written and stories were broken on a daily basis in print and Social Media, whispers were heard about electronic Media as well. This was more or less the same group who was declaring 2013 GE rigged ones and finding excuses for their disastrous predictions regarding Polls despite every survey declaring PMLN front runner with PTI a force as well but still a long way from getting a simple majority. Unfortunately people were bombarded with "Tsunami" rhetoric's to such an extent that PTI voters believed in PTI victory, their emergence as the second biggest party in elections was not enough for their young and exuberant supporters because they were told all along about the Tsunami and the clean sweep. PMLN won the GE and one started to hear NRO 2 again, daily rumors of Mushraf leaving the country, stories of "Saudis and Americans" breaking the deal but in the mean while Courts kept on doing their job and it was a business as usual. Nawaz Sharif kept his cards close to his chest until the Supreme Court during the hearing asked the then Care taker rulers about their position on Article 6 and imposition of emergency on 3rd November but Care Takers remained mum and elected Government had to take the decision. Nawaz Sharif stunned everybody and announced to invoke Article 6 against the Dictator, puncturing rumors of NRO 2, impressing everyone with his decisions and wisdom.
Now let us come to the very important point why on earth Mushraf left a peaceful self exiled life in the UK and came back. There are two reasons, he was fed wrongly that he was very popular, his Facebook got a million likes and thousands add to daily. Secondly he was of the view that current Establishment will bail him out and he be allowed to contest Elections, his Face book likes will materialise into a big victory, despite the fact that current Military Regime led by General Kiyani asked him many a times to stay away from Pakistan but General Mushraf seems to be an arrogant man, as I still remember his famous saying "Mein Aik Commando Hoon, Mein Darta Werta Kisi Sey Nahi Hoon", another saying "Those who haven't taken the Oath are no more judges of Supreme Court and High Court", rubbishing all the warnings and coming back, infect threatening Establishment that if he was not protected he will name many and Military as an Institution will pay the price of his wrong doings, his Lawyers are already talking about opening up a Pandora's Box by invoking Article 6 against Mushraf as many will go down with Mushraf.
Now one should hope and pray that the Establishment will take it as an act of one individual, think in the larger interest of the country. General Kiyani seems to have learned a lot and under his Command things have definitely taken a turn and moving in the right direction. The Pakistani Nation must rejoice the true emergence of another Institution "Parliament" under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif , must not be carried away by the events because it is a big step forward to lock a dictator and impeaching him under Article 6, it doesn't matter what is the outcome of the case but history has been made and many have been proved wrong.