Musharraf's Government is Committed to Freedom of Expression

Recently police stormed the Geo/News offices in Islamabad and manhandled the staff, breaking window panes and throwing tear gas at the staff members. Although the attacks were blamed on Musharraf, the President denies any such involvement. In fact, he has pledged his full support for the freedom of press and media, assuring the masses that all those involved in the attack would be fully dealt with, regardless of their political/governmental positions.

The President's words appear to be far from empty promises. In accordance with the President's statements, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz issued directives for judicial inquiry into the attack on the Geo offices. Aziz directed the Ministry of Interior to order the Home Secretary in Punjab, the Punjab IG and DIG to take action against the police personnel involved in the attack against Geo and make an immediate report to the Ministry.

In fact the Pakistani government suspended 14 policemen for their alleged involvement in the attacks. The immediate action by the government demonstrates that Musharraf's government is committed to freedom of expression in the media.

The ever-growing popularity of television channels are a testimonial to the evolving political environment of Pakistan. The attacks were an effort to mar that evolution, but the regime's quick response strengthened the commitment to freedom of expression. It is a strong step forward by the government in an effort to improve information dissemination in Pakistan.

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Rough week for Musharraf

We have been hearing all week how there are continuous demonstrations against the government of Pervez Musharraf for sacking the Chief Justice Iftikar Muhammad Chaudhry. The demonstrations have been made up mostly by the lawyers who are on strike in protest against this action. Several news sources speculate that this may be the “beginning of the end for Musharraf”. This would be calamitous for the United States foreign policy in the region as there is no “Plan B”.

Musharraf claims he had solid Constitutional grounds for asking the Chaudhry to resign. Chaudhry claims to be a fighter and would be betraying those who believe in him if he were to resign. Currently, there is a tribunal convening. There Chaudhry can state his case. The tribunal’s decision will be most likely be final as Musharraf has agreed to go along with its findings.

Those who are eager for the downfall of Musharraf might want to remember what life in Pakistan has been like since he took leadership. The Pakistani economy is growing, the rupee is on the rise, and Pakistan culture is more global. Musharraf may not fare well in the elections next year, but the citizens of Pakistan should hope his reforms and advances survive.

In other news, the Pakistani cricket team lost to Ireland Saturday. Wait, lads, don’t take it too hard. You were playing the IRISH on ST. PATRICK’s DAY; you hadn’t a chance. Maybe, you could sue for a rematch… if any of you could find a lawyer not on strike.

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Lack of Islam in Islamic Law

The most interesting thing about Pakistan's allegiance to an Islamic state is the lack of religious understanding put forth by the Shar'iah system. Laws often originate from individuals striving to interpret the legal needs of a community. The creation of Islamic law under the principles of Shar’iah serves a political purpose within a sphere of cultural knowledge.Muslims often confuse Shar’iah to represent a law derived straight from the word of God, which leads to Muslims giving deference to laws allegedly derived from the religion. What most Muslims fail to realize is that Shar’iah, as it stands today, is borne from a mixture of sources that include, but are not limited to, the Qur’an and Sunna.

The human meddling in the so-called divine principles evident in the Qur’an produced a patriarchal legal system which ignores the gender-egalitarian nature of the religion. This inequality occurred because most jurists responsible for interpret ting sources of Shar'iah were part of a patriarchal society. The same patriarchal society that has made Pakistan infamous. The male-led religious right of Pakistan holds onto their power by citing to the Qur’an and the Prophet to validate their jurisprudence against women and non-Muslims, despite the call for equality in Islam.

If Pakistan continues to adhere to an archaic misrepresentation of Islam and laws derived from Islam, the society will cease any possible progression.

The country needs to take a step back and analyze the intent behind Islam, compared to the implementation of religious law by state officials. Only then will the contradiction between the two become apparent - and catalyze a reformation of the Shar'iah system in Pakistan.

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Hope for peace in Indo-Pak composite dialogue

Pakistan and India are continuing the peace process which was started four years ago. The March 13th meeting in Islamabad is being called the fourth “composite dialogue”. The third took place last November after the July train bombing in Mumbai disrupted the continuity of previous talks. There is much hope for progress at this time.

One good sign is the increased high-level activity between the two nations. Pakistani officials recently seen out-and-about in India include Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri, Information Minister Tariq Azeem, and former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. Indian officials who have made their way to the Pakistani side of the border include Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Extra Secretary K.C. Singh.

There are many less than high-level yet still important Indo-Pak meetings. These would include Indians doctors attending the South Asian Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists March 8th to 10th in Lahore, Pakistan. Also, highly quiet negotiations between the two countries have brought about the highly publicized announcements last week of a joint oil pipeline project. On the cultural side, Salman Ahmed, called the Bono of Pakistan, performed in New Delhi on February 24th as part of his campaign to bring the message to citizens of both countries, “Coexist”.

Hope also sprang anew at a recent meeting of the Pakistan-India Citizens Friendship Forum in Karachi. The guest of honor was Satyabrata Pal, the current Indian High Commissioner and former Foreign Secretary.

While the peace talks advance, there are bound to be disagreements. However, “honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress,” according to Mohandas Gandhi, a sage for both sides.

There can be no denying that peace is just around the corner when a Pakistani can call the Indian High Commissioner, a real Pal. The rest of us have to call him “Mister Pal”.

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Window of opportunity for women's rights

We often hear stories of how terrible it is to be a woman in Pakistan. However, there is hope in the bad news. The stories of oppression would never have come out except for the new openness in Pakistan.

The debate may turn violent at times. However... at least the debate is going on. If Pakistani women were still forced to stay at home, there would be nothing to debate.

The Supreme Court in Pakistan is on the side of reform. It equates "honor killing" with murder. Yes, this needed to be specified. Another ruling allows unattractive stewardesses to keep their jobs. ...And their bosses are not allowed to make derogatory comments about them.

Revolutions begin, not when the oppressed cannot take it any more, but when the oppressed believe they can win. This is the time for the women's rights revolution in Pakistan, because this is the time they can win.


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When the U.S. says jump . . .

The current [March 7] edition of Geostrategy-Direct.com ties Pakistan to yet another potentially explosive development in its neighborhood.

Under the headline 'U.S. regional allies assisting in operations to destabilize Iran', we read the following:

The U.S. intelligence community has won cooperation from allies in the Mideast for limited strikes against Iran. U.S.-trained or financed operatives have been infiltrating Iran from locations in Pakistan and attacking installations or forces from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Hmmmmm . . . The item goes on to say the Saudis are financing this effort and includes a photo of the bus bombing in Zahedan near Pakistan. The chief suspect in the bombing said he received training in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials are fond of complaining the U.S. is always asking for impossible favors in the War on Terror in which Pakistan is involved on all sides of the conflict wherever it is being waged, especially in Afghanistan. Apparently, when the Administration were looking around for some help with the rising Iran challenge, they turned once again to President Musharraf. How much longer can this survivor last?



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