Showing posts with label Nawaz Sharif. Show all posts
May i have a question Mr. Javed Hashmi ?
May i have a question Mr. Javed Hashmi ?
by Hadeed Ahmed Sher
At last the Baghi (Javed Hashmi) resigned from the National Assembly (NA). Baghi who has spent almost his entire life in active politics has gone from the house of representatives. Before he resigned from the NA, the party adamant unopposed elected chairman Imran Khan openly told the media that we have parted our ways. The journey of Baghi can be best understood by reading his books that he wrote while he was in Jail. He wrote in detail about the atrocities Musharraf did to him in particular in to the PMLN workers in general. The story encompasses the brutal tortures on Bilal Yasin (now Minister of food, Punjab), Mushahidullah Khan (now senator), Saad Rafiq (now federal minister of Railways) and many other workers. Stories about the third degree torture on Rana Sanaullah (ex Law Minister) and Pervaiz Rasheed (Federal Minister of Information) have been reported by independent journalists. Besides, the dictatorial acts on PMLN workers, Javed Hahsmi does not forget to assert his support for Nawaz Sharif as his leader.
After the 2007 elections, it was evident that grievances have grown to a level that Javed Hashmi can quit PMLN anytime. The issue became serious when party head Mian Nawaz Sharif appointed Ch. Nisar Ali Khan as the opposition leader during 2008-13. The gravity of the situation became even worse when PMLN decided to nominate Justice (r) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui for the seat of President of Pakistan. Javed Hashmi sb. in the same days was elected the senior vice president PMLN and during his speech he stated that "I don't have any complain about the party". Seniority wise the rank of SVP of the PMLN comes at number 2. He was given ticket from six constituencies by the PMLN along with a reserve seat of his daughter Maimona Hashmi, who was also the president PMLN Multan, and his son in law as a provincial assembly legislator. Cutting the story short, Javed Hashmi in December 2011, while PMLN was under severe pressure of PTIs vigorous campaign, decided to join PTI. It was an act of a two sided sword. He joined the PTI and in an interview to Shahzaib Khanzada, he said that both MNS and IK wants to have a better Pakistan but MNS is a bit slow. Later, during the party elections, Javed Hashmi faced embarrassment when PTI old stalwart Umar Cheema filed a complaint to ECP questioning the mental health of JH. After, the GE 2013, Javed Hashmi decided to keep his seat from home constituency from Multan. Knowing well about the number game, PTI SVP and old time arch rival of JH, Shah Mehmood Qureshi nominated JH to contest in the in house election of the leader of the House. It unfortunately, happens only in Pakistan that throughout the elections party head presents himself for the premier office and if fail to get enough seats nominates someone else to face the humiliation. JH while addressing the NA after the election of leader of the house, declared Nawaz Sharif his leader. This was taken seriously and IK forced him a public apology for this statement. Baghi however, decided to stay with the PTI.
During the long march aka azadi march originally a fsadi March, Javed Hashmi shown his concern on various issues and finally decided to leave the event and ripped apart the whole plot of PTI to derail the democratic process. After the presser, he came to the parliament and spoke his heart will full commitment, and volume. He said and i am quoting
میں یہاں پر اپنی ذاتی رنجشیں کہنے نہیں آیا .مگر وزیر اعظم یہ بتائیں کہ کیوں چودہ مہینے تک وہ سینیٹ میں نہیں اے
He further stated that the parliament has failed to address the problems of people of Pakistan. Spending more than 25 years in Multan, i have personal experience how the representatives of south Punjab including Javed Hashmi deal with their own people. So like JH said, i also want to say that i am not writing this blog post for my personal vendetta or a personified grudge but i want to ask Javed Hashmi sb. why despite you being federal Minister of Health and Ishaq Khan Khakwani (now in PTI) being provincial minister of health during 1997-1999 failed to build any new hospital in any area of south Punjab. People want to know that how many schools, universities, hospitals, safe drinking water schemes, mega projects, employment opportunities have been given to the people of Pakistan under your 40 years of politics. I am not blaming only you Mr. Javed Hashmi but all those Gillanies, Qureshis, Tareens, Khakwani, Bosan and Daha's are the accomplice and reasons of why assemblies fail to address the problems of people of Pakistan. Politics against dictators is a service to nation, but this nation want to know why our representatives does not take care of their own people even when they have the portfolios of the concerned ministries. That's my question and i hope that someday you will unveil the answer of this question.
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#AmidstDemocracy | May i have a question Mr. Javed Hashmi ? http://t.co/p53J6XxAk1
— Amidst Democracy (@amidstdemocracy) September 11, 2014
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
Chronicles of October 1999 Military Coup - Part I
Part I | Sorting the Bastard out
By Engr. Hadeed A Sher
* Based on published interviews, books and news reports.
* Based on published interviews, books and news reports.
After the June 24, 2013 speech of PM Mian Nawaz Sharif in National Assembly, very few were expecting that practical steps will be taken for the trail of former military dictator Gen Musharraf. Government against all the odds, opted for the proper procedure of trying Musharraf under article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan. After doing their home work the interior ministry wrote a formal letter to the Ministry of Law and Justice to formulate a special court for conducting the treason case. The Ministry of Law and Justice after going through the due procedures constituted a three member bench under the captaincy of Justice Faisal Arab. The establishment of a special court stunned those who were calling the June 24 speech a political gimmickry. A lot has been said since the establishment of the court, mostly from those who never peeped inside the historical perspectives. Author of this blog spent a lot of time investigating the circumstances of the military coup of '99 and would like to register the facts in this digital world. This first part of this blog will point out the pre-October 12 '99 situation and what exactly was the ground situation of politics then.
Prior to October 12, the most flabbergasting issue floating on the political surface of Pakistan was the Kargil fiasco. A lot has been written on the Kargil fiasco and despite the fact that during the Kargil misadventure it was Mian Nawaz Sharif who was held responsible for the "defeat" of Pak army. Later on, after few years, when the dust settled it was revealed that Gen Musharraf and his triumvirate was responsible for the deaths of thousand of Pakistani soldiers across the LoC. The inane operation in the mountains of Kargil however, created a lot of misunderstanding between the bloody civilian government and the pious military clan.
Waiting for 2 more days, Mian Nawaz Sharif finally dismissed the CoAS following the constitutional formalities, although he could had waited for his return to Pakistan. What happened on October 12, 1999 will be discussed in the next part.
Transition of Command Stick | Few words about the new CoAS
Transition of Command Stick
Written by Hadeed Sher
It was the time when i was in my undergraduate studies, i fell in love with books. Books about those who have sacrificed their lives for Pakistan and those who have changed the history of Pakistan. Surprisingly i found most of the books by the military rulers and leaders of Pakistan, most of which were self praising. However one of my friend recommended me books by Lt. Col. (r) Ishfaq Hussain, the GENTLEMEN series and then the most inspiring book i have ever read in my life "Fateh Saboona". This book was about the life of Maj. Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (NH, SJ). I read that book several times.
It was the time when i was in my undergraduate studies, i fell in love with books. Books about those who have sacrificed their lives for Pakistan and those who have changed the history of Pakistan. Surprisingly i found most of the books by the military rulers and leaders of Pakistan, most of which were self praising. However one of my friend recommended me books by Lt. Col. (r) Ishfaq Hussain, the GENTLEMEN series and then the most inspiring book i have ever read in my life "Fateh Saboona". This book was about the life of Maj. Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (NH, SJ). I read that book several times.
For the past few days the news about the appointment of new army chief were in the air. Several names were in the air and the anlysis was based on the seniority lists and their track record, however, being a keen observer of politics of PMLN i was somehow reluctant to agree with the results. My calculations were icnlined that Mian Nawaz Sharif will not appoint the senior most general. Firstly, it is not at all a constitutional criteria and secondly it is at his dicreation to whom he will appoint the new army chief. I was thinking of Gen Raheel Sharif as the new CoAS because his entire family has been in army since partition but never had any political ambitions. In a country where military has ruled and over thrown the democratic governments time and again, this is a great consideration.
Raheel Sharif i think will be the next chief !!
— Hadeed Sher (@HadeedSher) November 26, 2013
My tweet one day prior to the appointment of our new CoAS was based entirely on this single point. Then i tried to find some information about Gen Raheel Sharif on internet but was not able to find what i was looking for. Ultimately i got some information about the new CoAS from the book "Fateh Saboona".
General Raheel Sharif was born in a military family. His father Major (r) Sharif was a humble person. He was the youngest of his family with two elder sisters named Khalida and Najmi. He has two elder brothers named Sec Lt. Mumtaz Sharif (Sitara Bisalat ) and Major Shabbir Sharif (NH, SJ, Sword of Honor). His elder sister Khalida was also married to an army officer Major (r) Sadat Ali who was the adjutant of 6FF during the fight at Saboona. Gen Raheel's life, as understood by the content of the books, is deeply molded by his elder sister Khalida and his brother Major Shabir Sharif. One lesson that was taught to the siblings as well as Gen Raheel in his early life was in Persian "کسب کمال کن کہ عزیز من اشوی ". To do a work that the world loves you. After the shahadat of Shabir Sharif in Saboona in December 1971, the 6FF was called as Shabbir's regiment. Gen Raheel after passing out the Military training at Kakul, joined the regiment of his brother. Gen. Raheel Sharif has the honor of being the chief of staff of two corps i.e 30 and 12 corps in Gujranwala and Quetta respectively.
The most important thing about the appointment of Gen Raheel Sharif as CoAS is the strengthening of the fragile democratic process in Pakistan. The Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as he always do did not disclosed the name of the new CoAS to anyone. He however, listened to his close aides and thoroughly read about the reports sent by the Defense Ministry. The PM having the discretionary powers to appoint the new CoAS used it effectively to appoint Gen Raheel Sharif (Third in seniority list) as the new CoAS. The transition of command stick from Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiani to Gen Raheel Sharif is a beginning of a new era and will certainly improve the civil military relationships as well as to esteem the respect of democracy in Pakistan.
Surprising Pakistan
Surprising Pakistan
First published in CNN Blogs
By Jason Miks (Global Public Square staff)
Many of the countries we were so hopeful about only a couple of years ago are in turmoil. Egypt's stability is precarious. Turkey has been rocked by protests. The BRIC nations are sagging economically. On the other hand, there is one place, once described as the world's most dangerous country, that’s offering up a pleasant surprise: Pakistan. Yes, it's full of Islamic radicals, nuclear weapons, ambitious generals, and corrupt politicians. But things are changing.
Pakistan has just accomplished a first in its history: an elected government completed its five-year term, giving way to a new set of democratically elected leaders. This was never allowed to happen before. Every prior civilian government in Pakistan had been deposed by a military coup. You see, Pakistan's military is the world's seventh largest, and has ruled the country for almost half its existence.
The elections are even more exceptional when you consider the conditions. The Pakistani Taliban had declared war against democracy, targeting three major political parties for elimination. As a result, the campaign period turned out to be the bloodiest in Pakistan's history. At least 80 people were killed and 400 injured in dozens of attacks. Would you go to the polling booth in these conditions? And yet, voter turnout topped 55 percent – nearly the same as the last U.S. presidential election! In part, this is because Pakistan's demographics are vibrant. A third of the electorate is under the age of 30. These are voters who are not burdened by the memories and missteps of the past. Instead they're optimistic and forward-looking about their country.
Pakistan's economy remains in critical condition. Foreign investment is drying up, deficits crippling its government. But the new prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has announced a series of measures to run state-owned companies more efficiently, to get the country's fiscal house in order, and to open up the economy. Most tantalizing is the prospect of better economic relations with India, which Sharif has been hinting at. Pakistan would get a huge boost if the government would remove barriers and burdens that are a product of old animosities rather than any sensible economic thinking.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera this week leaked an astounding report on Pakistan. The Supreme Court investigated how on earth Osama bin Laden managed to live there for so long, undetected. The report reveals a completely inept police and military. And, it hints that certain elements within the Pakistani establishment may have known about bin Laden. It said: “connivance, collaboration, and cooperation… cannot be entirely discounted.”
The message should be clear. Pakistan's main enemies are not the ones its military would have you believe: India, Afghanistan, or the United States. The real enemies lie within: extremism, military dictatorship, weak institutions, and corruption. Islamabad now has a mandate – and the time – to fight those enemies. Pakistan is still a dangerous country, but for once there are hopeful signs from there as well.
URL of original article | http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/13/surprising-pakistan/#
Swerving the trial of Musharraf
Swerving the trial of Musharraf
It was 1999 when based on the rhetoric of the plane hijacking case, the constitutional government of Pakistan was crushed under the heavy boots of the army upon the orders of dismissed general Musharraf. On that very awful night the DEAR COUNTRYMEN were advised to stay calm and to support the armed forces in reinstating the law and peace in the country. Later on following the natural jungle law of might is right, the elected Prime Minister was sent to an unknown place along with his family members and close aides. The military coup by Gen. Musharraf was warmly welcomed by all the opposition parties. Although, this gracious welcome can not be considered as the right of way for the General, yet the clangor of this act still accompanies the majority of then opposition parties. Soon after the coup in order to gain “moral” grounds Gen Musharraf met the majority of the leaders of opposition parties, some of which are now a days frenzied after the military coup in Egypt.
This onslaught on the constitution of Pakistan was then given constitutional indemnity through a well fabricated and engineered National Assembly. But the question was, how long people can live in a suffocated environment, after all Gen Musharraf was not a clout. He was a military dictator whose presence as sitting army chief as well as the president of Pakistan was a sheer embarrassment to this nation. During the time he was ruling Pakistan, the nation first heard of the Missing Persons . It was later revealed that the missing persons are detained in the custody of security forces without following the due legal procedures. After the petitions of the missing persons as well as the judicial activism in the other areas, it was evident that the choleric General will not temper it for a long time. And then he decided to impose emergency plus in the country. On his orders the CJP was house arrested with 60 other judges of the higher judiciary. After all what else is more COMESTIBLE than the constitution of Pakistan.
This violent attack on the judiciary was so shocking that it acted as a cistern of anti Mushraf movement. The democratic forces of the country put hands in hands with the bar associations and councils of the country and a massive movement was erupted on the streets across the country. The pressure within the army ranks forced Gen Mushraff to hand over the commanding stick to Gen Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiani. It was clearly seen that Gen. Musharraf cannot bear the pressure anymore and will step down as the President. On May 12, 2007 amidst movement to restore the judiciary, riots erupted in the financial capital of Pakistan, Karachi. During those riots dozens of vehicles were burnt, hundred of people were wounded, killed and arrested most of them were political workers of opposition parties. The same night the self conceited person sitting in the presidency called it a SHOW OF PEOPLE’s POWER. Later on during the election campaign the chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party was killed in a bomb blast in Rawalpindi. After the elections 2008, Gen Mushrraf resigned and left the country.
During his stay in London, he formed a new political party and named it All Pakistan Muslim League and announced that he will return to Pakistan before general elections. However, he was nominated in several high profile cases including the gruesome assassination of Former Governor and CM Balauchistan Nawab Akbar Bughti. He was disqualified for the elections and later on house arrested for legal cases filed against him.
On 24th of June 2013, the newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced in the National Assembly that Musharraf will be tried under article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan for violating and abrogating the constitution twice. This policy statement was widely hailed by the democratic forces present inside and outside the National Assembly.
The point that Pakistan as a country has been under military rule for most of its life and that military dictators were never punished nor they felt any regret for the coercion of the “bloody” civilians is indeed shocking. These military rulers as well as their institution never commiserate on imposing martial law , in fact they always defended their occupied rule in Pakistan and portrayed it as a fascinating lifetime for Pakistanis. The order of first governor general of Pakistan to invade the forces in Junagarh and Hyderabad Deccan was disobeyed. We lost Kashmir, we sold our rivers to the Indians, we faced a humiliating defeat in the East Pakistan. The fiasco of operation Nusrat, Gibraltar and then the operation grand slam were enough to show their incompetency within their own field. The skilled army generals who consider themselves as the best administrators and the best to safeguard the interests of the country also portrayed their levity during the misadventure of Kargil war. This is the time that those who want to destabilize the democratic process of Pakistan must be tried for high treason. We as a nation should welcome this decision of trying former military ruler Musharraf under article 6 as this will certainly be the end of the compunction of Pakistani nation as a non democratic force.
Written by (Hadeed Sher)
CONTINUITY OF DEMOCRACY STARTS BEARING FRUIT
Continuity of democracy starts bearing fruit
So a ‘first timer’ successful transfer of people’s mandate
to a fresher mandate has taken place. A handshake between an outgoing
legitimately elected civil government with another elected government is no
less important than the creation of the country itself. Finally we have proven
and shown to the world and especially ourselves that we are no kind of savages,
as many out there want to prove us as such, many within as well.
Who to give credit for this biggest milestone, let me say
bigger even than achieving the nuclear status milestone, I think goes to Mian
Nawaz Sharif. Media, Judiciary, Establishment et al, are still busy
congratulating themselves, but none left no stone unturned for the demise of
the last elected government prematurely. Especially media considered it only
legitimate to topple a government as long as their freedom to air fiery talk shows
is assured, which runs this Biilions Rupees industry.
May be Mian Nawaz Sharif helped complete the last tenure in
an anticipation of his own tenure attaining completion (would be another ‘first
timer’ if happened), but his selfish approach, if it really was, proved to be
better omen for the nation. Democracy got strengthened. Democracy itself is not a system of government
per se (many consider it to be one, owing to lack of education about it), it
only provides a nation to develop one, which works best for itself. It gives
people not only power to govern themselves, but awards them the right and
opportunity to pursue happiness.
Now what we see with the continuity of democracy is an
increase in the belief in state(balochistan and kpk, for instance), the
confidence that we can oust a bad performing regime, the trust that our vote,
our voice bears power, which can shake the tall walls of power centers but can send
ripples abroad. That effectiveness of people power cannot be surpassed by a
media, which eternally wants to remain in the mood and mode of ‘king-makers’
and ‘kingship-breakers’. The myth has broken. And its noise has reached out to
the Eskimos of arctic and aborigines of western Australia (of course metaphorically).
Irrespective who won the elections, more important is masses are first time
breathing the fresh air out of the smoke of confusion, created by powers of
doom, about the choice between ballot and boots.
The clarity of perception, no matter how subtle, is a big
breakthrough in favour of democracy. Welcome the awareness of individual’s
right as a next step. The discourse in who is right and who is wrong is
changing into ‘who can deliver’. The slumber-loving bureaucracy has started
feeling heat of public pressure, as the shade of their long created
smoke-screen is giving way. Reminds me of my innocent question to my (ex-) French
boss almost a decade ago, how come French bureaucracy is so efficient and each
step government takes clearly seems towards welfare of general public? She first
seemed startled and then bearing with my non-democratic nationality
credentials, patiently replied (as if admonishing) that ‘they know they would
have to face public pressure’. Sure by public pressure she did not mean burning
tires, ransacking public buildings, smoldering government offices or even
staging sit-ins with donuts and coffee in hands and blocking roads, but may be
a fear of all this. As a small traffic hazard in the developed democracies puts
the whole metropolitan police in a state of an emergency.
Now the media and judiciary cannot be totally discounted
from the credit of creating the sense and hope that justice (sorry but I refuse
to budge from my POV that the terms ‘hope’ and ‘justice’ can be trademarked by
any person or party, these terms were free and should remain so, so that their
meanings and purpose of creation don’t die with the demise of any person or
party) can be achieved. Another myth busted. So the mafias and powers who wanted
to keep generations after generations in agony and ordeal by creating myths,
must be in pain, deep pain. The prone ones must be taking my cue to armed
forces, but not exactly, though there could be and most likely would be such
elements there, but I mean to point towards all who survive on the carcass of
democratic set-up, yes all scavengers and parasites, all these combine to make a single ‘anti-democracy’
interest group with varying individual/group interests.
The public out-cry against corruption has shown that a real
democracy is not a good thriving place for it. Understandably masses may not
yet be able relate rooting out of corruption with the tools democracy provides,
but they have successfully used some of these tools. And for it no party can be
credited, no matter how loud they spoke against it, especially the ones which
are in childish race of collecting credits. Political parties only spoke about
because people took the lead and raised questions, showed anger wherever
possible. Raising questions, showing anger and still remain civil is what
continuity of democracy instills in a populace. Democracy continues, hope
continues.
It’s about time that government, media, intelligentsia, various
types of influencers, intellectuals create and join a platform which can work
to spread the awareness and education about the benefits of democracy but also
how it can help and has so far helped them. Though masses have played a role
which can only be termed as sensible by opting for democracy despite a lot of
efforts to distract from it, but political parties must realize that wolves out
there still want to prey onto it. How they weaken them to the point of giving
them a death knell and how they make sure to successfully relate performance
with democracy is a billion rupee question. It’s no more a challenge, no more an
option, but it’s a MUST.
If politicians, in the presence of all cheap tactics and
conspiracies can be successful in democracy’s continuity, they can also use it
to make ‘the Pakistani dream’ come true.
Wasey Azim: the author of this blog wants to live in a democratic and prosperous Pakistan
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.