Amidst Democracy

Stronger Institutions for a Better Pakistan 

Written by Hadeed Sher 

General elections are over and now the political system has entered in a steady state condition. It's high time that we all demand our representatives for the development of strong institutions. It is a long established fact that since the creation of Pakistan only army has proved to be a strong institution. Their strength due to their institutional structure urged them in the past to coerce the majority through dictatorships and Marshal laws. The absence of any strong political force in general and the lack of institutional discipline in particular yielded to the corrupt bureaucracy and a fragile democratic structure in Pakistan.

Consider the case of natural calamities in Pakistan. During the first decade of the 21st century the establishment of Disaster management authority was intended to rehabilitate the areas stuck with natural disasters. The lack of institutional discipline costed us nothing but the poor performance at the cost of corruption. Every two or three years flood across the country demonstrates the ineptness of NDMA. In case of any disaster the government sees no ways out except to call the army. The presence of army in such conditions is not a big deal in democratic countries, but here in Pakistan it is. People here feel that if every work has to be done by ARMY why the hell civilian institutions are here. May be it is because a huge amount of budget allocation makes them capable of conducting such rescue operation, or may be the ineptness of government officials is the reason. I opt for the second reason, because most of our rulers established new departments and institutes not for the public service but to reduce the unemployment rate. Instead of making the officials of department strong enough so that they can establish the writ of the state they are appointed to pretend a public friendly government. The hiring of people on political grounds drastically degrades their performance. Similarly the development of public works projects on political grounds needs to be halted at the earliest.

The failure in establishing institutes is evident from the fact that departments with a very tough bottleneck now have countless top notch officers enjoying just perks and privileges. How come it is possible that a gas worth 1 billion PKR is being stolen in an area without acknowledging the local staff members. The lack of any disciplinary action actually permits such events. It is indeed good that the authorities took action but why they failed to locate it earlier. Isn't it because it is a department not an institution ?

The activism of the executives of the provincial government is also a proof in this regard. The heinous crimes are neither reported nor the culprits are arrested before the CM arrives at the spot. The theft of electricity and gas is not possible without the help of ground metering departments. The same is true for those involved in land grabbing of Railway and other government properties. The collapse of proper institutional mechanism is actually sinking the state of Pakistan. Now is the high time that instead of hunting for fancy headlines and a lush looking photographs of social media pages, our politicians actually go for building stronger institutions, because institutions last people die.

Written by Dr. Faisal Ranjha 

Imran Khan PTI flanked by his party stalwarts presented a White Paper on rigging in GE 2013, the Elections which were endorsed by many International and Local Independent observers, with complaints of rigging at select Polling Booth's ( Few Hundreds ). Lets appreciate the effort of PTI that they want this electoral process transparent and free of Executive Power, Imran Khan was very candid, he categorically accepted the results of GE 2013 but at the same time showed apprehensions at the reports of alleged rigging, he clearly stated that they want this system to move on but at the same time demanding his grievances regarding alleged rigging must be addressed.

Imran raised few Questions in his Press Conference, while unveiling his White Paper. 1) While all the Tsunami Wave was riding with PTI, how on earth PMLN got so many votes in the GE. The answer to this Question is very simple, PMLN got close to 7 million votes in GE 2007-08, while Q League ( Muslim League Vote )  got millions of vote as well ( infect more than PMLN ),  which as soon as Dictator Mushraf Umbrella was removed, automatically switched to PML plus Shehbaz Sharif played pivotal role in organizing PMLN at grass root level, taking all the influential of the area and PMLQ members on his side, creating a huge Bradari vote bank. Secondly Shehbaz Sharif hard work in Punjab created a new vote bank "Youth Factor" which also tilted to some extent to PMLN. Still I do feel the beneficiary of GE 2013 was "Imran Khan and PTI", taking 7.5 million votes starting from a zero  while PMLN taking the Muslim League vote of 14.5 million. 2) Imran Khan PTI raised the second Question,  Jehangir Tareen was winning by 30k votes in the night, while the next day he was declared loser. Again the answer is very simple, PMLN candidate Omer Ayub in fact was declared winner by TV Channels (40k), but after two days when the final tally was compiled he lost the seat. Similarly another PMLN candidate from Rahim Yar Khan met the same fate. May be TV channels was rushing the results as well in a rat race of ratings while still 40-50% results from Polling Stations were  awaited. 3) Imran Khan third Question was that he trusted the Election Commission of Pakistan that they be able to hold free and fair GE so he got relaxed. Again we all know Imran Khan declared many a times in his Public and Media appearances before GE that he prepared army of "Tabdeli Razakar" of hundred of thousands,  will make sure there is no rigging on Polling day. Now Question arises whether there was  an army of Hundred Of Thousands of Tabdeli Razakars or they never appeared on Election day ??. 4) Imran Fourth question is that Caretaker setups were preplanned and all the Election Staff was placed according to will and desire of Executives of Federal and Provinces. Now again the Question arises, if we stick and admit to this theory, then what about KPK, why Imran Khan was able to win big there ??. Secondly the "ROs", a Session Judge ( Meaning Head Of Judiciary in a District ), given by respected Chief Justices of Provinces, tasked by the Election Commission of Pakistan in different districts, what Executive had to do with this??. 5) Another point raised by Imran Khan that Mian Nawaz Sharif declared himself victorious at 10.30 PM, claiming a clear mandate  while the counting was not over. All the major parties run Election Cells in their offices, collecting minute by minute details from different constituencies, compiling details of their winning and losing candidates. I give you an example of Gujranwala, where PMLN clean swept the GE, we knew the results of all the seats by 8 o'clock, except Pervaiz Ellahi Gujrat seat where there was a tight contest, if  we were able to get results I am sure Nawaz Sharif would have been getting the feedback and results as well ??. 6) Finally Imran Claims of Media being biased and giving more coverage to other parties doesn't sound right as well because we all witnessed a barrage of Ads by all parties, Media remained impartial during GE 2013, few showing tilt to different parties that is acceptable and happens round the World.

Now let us discuss the by Elections happening today, why the stakes are so high, why everyone so desperate to win them. These are the largest ever By Elections held in the history of Pakistan, 41 seats NA  ( National Assembly ) and PA ( Provincial Assembly ), across Pakistan covering almost all the major cities of Pakistan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Sargodha, Mianwali, Baluchistan Cities etc.

Imran Khan PTI has put some serious effort in these by Elections, holding rallies across the country, he is on a campaign trail. Many analysts are calling these By Elections a litmus test for many including PTI and PMLN, which gained popular vote bank in GE 2013. Imran Khan PTI, I guess wants to prove a point  that his Tsunami Mantra still exists and his claims of alleged rigging are not just mere allegations, he remained politically alienated after the unfortunate accident leading to his back Injury. PMLN on the other hand, bringing in the Young Hamza Shebaz to run their by Election campaign as Shebaz Sharif seems very busy in floods, which devastated  Punjab and KPK, displacing hundred of thousands, killing close to 150 people, destroying crops, animals reminding us the devastation of 2010-11 Floods.

Imran Khan PTI is perhaps missing the trick once again, pitching himself against Hamza Shebaz, raising the tempo to such an extent may prove a very grave mistake. Even if PTI wins few seats and PMLN loses few, they can always come up with the excuse that neither of their Big Guns participated in By Election campaign, while if PTI fails to secure their seats after this hectic effort of Imran, it will be a big blow to PTI, while PMLN will take credit  of winning the by Elections without their leadership running the campaign, Secondly it will be a blow to Imran claims of rigging in GE 2013.

The odds of PTI claiming victory are very thin, historically by Elections are  won by parties ruling in the provinces or Party ruling the center. PPP and PMLQ lost the majority of their seats to PMLN in "PUNJAB" by Elections held after fake degree saga post 2007-08 GE. While PPP and allies were able to retain all the seats in their ruling Provinces. Secondly turn during By Elections remain very thin, again favoring the ruling parties in the Provinces. PMLN running its campaign very smartly once again, Hamza Shebaz taking all the credit of reduced Load Shedding in different parts of the country, country wide strike down on Gas and Electricity theft carried out by PMLN led Federal Government. While Imran on the other hand focusing on corruption, corrupt practices of Parliamentarians, reforms he introduced in KPK and a pledge to  make a difference in KPK Governance model soon.

Election Commission of Pakistan very smartly once again asked "Fafen" to observe the by Election as Independent Observers, secondly taking some stringent measures to make these by Elections very transparent and free, first time in history of Pakistan, the Army will be deployed inside the Polling Booth's  on select Polling stations. It was necessary as well after Imran's Press Conference yesterday, criticizing the ECP role in GE 2013, their inability to conduct free and fair Polls.

تحریر :نوشین یوسف

ایک صاحب نے فون پر اطلاع دی کہ بلیو ایریا میں موجود ایک  مسلح شخص نے فائرنگ کر دی ہے۔ جناح ایونیو پردیکھا تو ایک مسلح شخص گاڑی روکے ہوائی فائرنگ کر رہاہے۔ پولیس نے چائنہ چوک جانے والی سڑک کو بند کر رکھا تھا۔ مسلح شخص دونوں ہاتھوں میں اسلحہ اٹھائے وقفہ وقفہ سے فائرنگ کررہا تھا۔ عینی شاہدین نے بتایا کہ اس شخص کو ٹریفک پولیس نے روکا تو وہ دوڑ پڑا۔ آگے ناکے پر موجود اسلام آباد پولیس نے گاڑی کو ٹکر مار کر روکا۔ لیکن اس کی ہوائی فائرنگ کے جواب میں پولیس نے اس پر فائرنگ نہیں کی جس کی وجہ مسلح شخص کی گاڑی میں موجود اس کی فیملی تھی۔ اس اقدام نے پولیس کے تبدیل اور ذمہ دارانہ روایہ کی عکاسی کی۔۔۔

جلد ہی بلیو ایریا میں چلتی ایکشن فلم کی اطلاع ہر طرف پھیل گئی۔ سڑک کے چاروں اطراف لوگ اکھٹا ہوکر تماش بین بن گئے۔ مسلح شخص سکندر جب جوش میں سب مشین گن یا کلاشنکوف سے فائر کرتا تومجمع دور بھاگ جاتا۔ اس سب کے دوران اس کی گاڑی میں موجود دو بچے اور اسکی اہلیہ خاصے پرسکون رہے۔ گویا کہ ان کے لئے  یہ معمول کی بات ہے۔ جلد ہی یہ بات واضح ہونا شروع ہو گئی کہ سکندر کوئی نفسیاتی مریض ہے اور شاید نشے میں ہے۔ بات شروع ہوگئی کہ اب اس شخص کو گولیاں مار کر ہلاک کر دیا جائے گا لیکن ایسا نہیں ہوا۔ 

ایس ایس پی آپریشنز ڈاکٹر رضوان نے مسلح سکندر پر گولیوں کی بوچھاڑ کرنے کا حکم دینے کے بجائے پیشہ وارانہ رویہ اپنایا اور اس سے خود مذاکرات کا عمل شروع کیا۔ اس سے یہ واضح ہو گیا کہ پولیس سکندر کو ایک ذہنی مریض کے طور پر لے رہی ہے، اور اسے مقابلے میں مارنے کا کوئی ارادہ نہیں۔ ڈاکٹر رضوان نے ایک ماہر نفسیات کے طور پرسکندر سے مطالبات دریافت کیے۔ سکندر نے پولیس سے مذاکرات کے لیے اپنی بیوی کو پیغام رساں کے طور پر استعمال کیا۔ سکندر نے ملک میں نفاز شریعت کی آواز بلند کرنا شروع کر دی۔

اس دوران میڈیا نے ہرطرف سے کیمرے لگا کر اس فلم کوبراہ راست نشرکرنا شروع کر دیا۔ جس جگہ سے اچھی عکس بندی ہو سکے کیمرا لگا کر میڈیا کا کام شروع ہو جاتا۔ اس دوران دو ٹی وی کمیرہ مینوں میں جھڑپ ہو گئی، ڈنڈے اٹھا لیے گئے لیکن جب  سکندر نے گولی چلائی تو سب لڑائی چھوڑ کر کام پر لوٹ گۓ ۔

اس دوران میڈیا کو ہٹانے کی کوشش کی گئی تو وہ بپھر پڑا کہ پولیس کو کیا اختیار ہمارے کام میں مداخلت کا یہ اختیار تو صرف ہمارا ہے کہ پولیس کے کام میں ٹانگ اڑائیں۔ میاں بیوی کا جوڑا کچھ ہی دیر میں میڈیا کے ہیرو تھے خوشی خوشی دونوں میڈیا کے اینکرز کو لمبے لمبے بیپر دے رہے تھے۔ میڈیا پر براہ راست کوریج دیکھ کر تماشبینوں کے ہجموم میں اور بھی اضافہ ہو گیا۔

پولیس کی حکمت عملی سے واضح تھا کہ وہ سکندر اور اس کی اہلیہ کو تھکانا چاہتے ہیں اور بہلا پھسلا کر انھیں اسلحہ چھوڑنے پر مجبور کر نے کا ارادہ رکھتے ہیں۔ پولیس کا طریقہ مغربی ممالک کی سیکیورٹی فورسز جیسا تھا، جہاں محض ہوائی فائرنگ کرنے والے ذہنی مریض کو ہلاک نہیں کیا جاتا، بلکہ 24 گھنٹوں تک کی کاروائی کے بعد تھکا کر زندہ دبوچ لیا جاتا ہے۔

لیکن ایسے میں  زمرد خان مولا جٹ کے روپ میں بچوں کو بچانے میدان میں آ گئے۔ سکندر کو بہلا کر انھوں نے اپنے قریب کیا۔ اور یک دم اس پر چھپٹ پڑے لیکن اسے دبوچنے میں ناکام ہو گئے۔ اور پھسل گئے ، اس چھینا جھپٹی میں گولی چلی اور زمرد خان بھاگتے ہوئے سکندر کی بیوی بچوں کی ڈھال میں چلے گئے۔

پولیس کے لیے زمرد خان کی کاروائی بالکل اچانک تھی، لیکن انھوں نے فوری رد عمل دکھایا، اور وہی ہوا جس کا ڈر تھا۔ سکندر کو اس کے بچوں کے سامنے گولی لگی۔ سیکورٹی فورسز کی بروقت کاروائی سے گولی سکندر کے پیر اورسینے میں لگی، لیکن بات عیاں تھی کہ گولی سے اس کی جان محفوظ رہی۔ میڈیا نے فوری زمرد خان کو ہیرو بنا دیا لیکن اگر ان کی اس بے ساختہ حرکت سے کوئی جان چلی جاتی تو کیا ہوتا؟ کیا ذمرد خان نے قانون کو پنجابی فلموں کے ہیروں کی طرح ہاتھ میں نہیں لیا تھا؟ کیا وہ باکل اناڑی کی طرح سکندر پر نہیں جھپٹے تھے؟۔یہ وہ سب تلخ حقائق ہیں جو ظاہر کرتے ہیں کہ زمرد خان نے کسی بہادری کا مظاہرہ نہیں کیا-

پولیس کی جانب سے پیشہ وارانہ رویہ لائق تحسین ہے، ورنہ ماضی میں پاکستانی پولیس کی جانب سے ایسے واقعات پولیس مقابلے پر ہی اختتام پزیر ہوتے ہیں۔ لیکن افسوس ہے ان عقلوں پر جنھوں نے  پولیس کے نفسیاتی مریض سے نمٹنے کے طریقے کو ڈرپوکی کا طعنہ دیا۔ میری تمنا ہے کہ مستقبل میں ہماری پولیس نفسیاتی مریضوں کو ایسے ہی ہینڈل کرے لیکن مولا جٹ سٹائل ڈراپ سین نہ ہونے دے۔۔۔۔۔

Written by Raheel Adnan*

TTP is, at times, wrongfully considered as a faction of ‘Taliban’. It's important to note that, although, Taliban and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) share a name, the two groups are discrete entities with fewer similarities than differences. They operate independently with contradictory strategic goals. 'The fact that they have the same name causes all kinds of confusion,' Gilles Dorronsoro of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told NYTimes in 2009.

Taliban vs TTP

As Wikipedia defines, 'the Taliban is an Islamic fundamentalist political movement in Afghanistan'. They operate against foreign and Afghan security forces but strictly oppose targeting another Muslim state or country. Before 9/11, Taliban hosted and supported several Al-Qaeda leaders but it’s believed that the groups are separated now. Currently Taliban's 'real purpose' is to fight the invading forces in Afghanistan and 'liberate' it from their occupation.

Contrarily Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is an umbrella organization of various anti-Pakistan militant groups. Organization's strategic goals are purely based on enmity toward the Pakistani government and military. TTP can largely be held responsible for violence and security related issues in Pakistan. The group has been extensively involved in suicide attacks on military, police and innocent Pakistanis, heavily armed attacks on Pakistan's security forces, murdering of opponents without discrimination (like the attack on young girl Malala Yousafzai), kidnapping for ransom, killing of high value targets and promoting sectarian violence.

Origination of the Groups

Taliban's origination can be linked back to 1980s insurgence by mujahidin fighters against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. After the fall of Soviet-backed regime, several Afghan political parties signed a power-sharing agreement, but the feeble government lasted only a few days and Afghanistan entered into civil war. Taliban’s militant activities started in 1994. They took control of Kabul in 1996 and ruled the country until American-led NATO invasion in 2001.

TTP’s roots can be traced back to 2002, when Pakistan Army started operation in FATA (Pakistani areas bordering Afghanistan) against foreign militants fleeing from Afghanistan into Pakistan due to NATO operation. Eventually in December 2007, several groups united under Baitullah Mehsud to form the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. It’s reported that the TTP killed around 200 tribal elders to strengthen their hold in the region. Several TTP leaders previously participated in Afghanistan war, along with Taliban.

TTP and Al Qaeda are in a close relationship, collaborating in financial matters and manufacturing of explosive devices. White-House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan once said on Fox News, "It [TTP] is a group that is closely allied with Al-Qaeda. They train together, they plan together, they plot together. They are almost indistinguishable."

Relationships between Taliban and TTP

Taliban strongly denies their association with TTP. "We don’t like to be involved with them (TTP), as we have rejected all affiliations with Pakistani Taliban fighters. We have sympathy for them as Muslims, but besides that, there is nothing else between us." There has been several attempts to bring the two organizations together, but Taliban often asks TTP to “to end suicide attacks, attacks against the Pakistani military, kidnappings for ransom, and the killing of innocent Pakistanis”. Apparently, none of the agreements between two groups ever worked.

TTP and Recent Attacks in Mountains

The first incident of violence in the mountains took place in February 2012, when 18 Shia Muslim bus passengers were killed in Kohistan district. Jundallah, a group linked with Al-Qaeda and TTP, claimed the responsibility of the attack. Despite being an unprivileged area, militancy related incidents in the Kohistan were almost non-existent, prior to aforementioned incident. Although, previously militants had a strong hold in the adjacent valley of Swat.

In August 2012, more than 20 Shia passengers were killed in the valley leading to Babusar Pass. TTP claimed the responsibility of the attack. The attackers were disguised in military uniforms.

Although massacre at Diamir BC is the first instance of attacks on foreign climbers, the incident can be closely linked with past events. TTP claims that the attack was carried out by its newly formed team, Junud-ul-Hifsa.

Map showing location of three incidents

'The purpose of this attack was to give a message to the world that Pakistan is unsafe for travel,' said the interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, addressing the National Assembly session, which passed a resolution condemning the incident. 'The government will take all measures to ensure the safety of foreign tourists.'

Note: ‘Taliban’ is at times referred as Afghan Taliban, and TTP as Pakistani Taliban.


*First published here http://bit.ly/12jKK2A

تحرير: عامر نواز خان*

پاکستان میں جمہوریت کو پنپنے میں ایک عرصہ لگا۔ ایوب خان کے طویل آمرانہ دور حکومت سے لوگ اکتا گئے۔ ایسے میں ذوالفقارعلی بھٹو میدان میں آئے اور جمہوریت کا علم بلند کیا۔ سانحہ مشرقی پاکستان میں کیا ہوا اور کون سے عناصر ملوث تھے یہ ایک الگ بحث ہے مگر بھٹو نے عالمی سطح پر پاکستان کے وقار میں اضافہ کیا۔ ملک میں صنعتوں کا جال بچھایا گیا۔ عالمی اسلامی کانفرس منعقد ہوئی۔ ایٹمی پروگرام انہی کے زمانے میں شروع ہوا۔ بدقسمتی سے ذوالفقارعلی بھٹو سے کچھ سنگین غلطیاں ہوئیں جسکا فائدہ انکے مخالفین نے اٹھایا۔ نظام مصطفیٰ کا نعرہ لگا کردوبارہ ایک آمر کا راستہ ہموار کیا گیا جنہوں نے میرے عزیز ہم وطنو کی آڑ میں پاکستان کو ایک ایسی دلدل میں دکھیل دیا جسکا خمیازہ ہم آج تک بھگت رہے ہیں۔

جمہوری طاقتوں کا دوسرا دور ٨٠ کی دہائی سے شروع ہوتا ہے۔ محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو ١٩٨٦ میں پاکستان واپس تشریف لائیں۔ اس زمانے میں میاں نواز شریف پنجاب سے ابھرتے ہوئے سیاستدان تھے۔ چونکہ دونوں اس وقت عالم شباب میں تھے اور سیاسی ناپختگی کی وجہ سے ایک دوسرے کیخلاف استعمال ہوئے۔ بینظیر کو یہ باور کرایا گیا کہ آپ بھٹو شہید کی سیاسی وارث ہیں اور اقتدار کی اصل مستحق جب کہ نواز شریف کو یہ تاثر دیا گیا کہ آپ پنجاب سے ابھرتے ہوئے پہلے رہنما ہیں۔ یہی وہ وقت تھا جب دونوں رہنماؤں کو مل کر جمہوریت کے لیےکام کرنا چاہیے تھا مگر افسوس ایسا نہ ہوسکا۔ اس وقت خفیہ اداروں میں چھپی کالی بھیڑوں نے نواز شریف کو بینظیر کیخلاف استعمال کیا۔ ٨٠ اور ٩٠ کی دہائی میں ایک دوسرے کے  خلاف محاز آرائی اور پے درپے واقعات کے بعد دونوں رہنماؤں کو اپنی غلطیوں کا احساس ہوا اور اسکا ازالہ میثاق جمہوریت سے کیا گیا۔

*پہلے یہاں شائع ہوا 

http://bit.ly/1blW6pL

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