Happy Independence Day!

On Tuesday, Pakistan celebrated its 60th birthday. In commemorating the day, President Pervez Musharraf encouraged all citizens “to serve as instruments of enlightened moderation”. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz claimed that the day was not just for the people of Pakistan. The day marks the end of foreign rule over a sovereign nation, but also demonstrated to the world that a democracy could be built on Islamic principles.

It is a good time to remember the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Jinna who wanted to build Pakistan as a nation where Muslims could live in safety. That nation was not to be an Islamic state governed by sharia, but a modern democracy where freedom of religion was guaranteed for all. In Jinna’s Pakistan, Islam was supposed to be a culturally binding force and a source of morality and compassion among the governing bodies.

The charisma of Jinna gave hope to many people including the religious minorities. When Jinna wrote to Gandhi that the “Quran is a complete code of life. It provides for all matters”, he assured Gandhi that Islam in Pakistan would guarantee the civil rights of each individual. Jinna felt firmly that religious intolerance had been “the biggest hindrance in the way of India to attain freedom and independence.” If there had been no intolerance, the people of the subcontinent would have been free “a long, long time ago”.

In his address at the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Jinna stated…

“If you change your past and work together ...in a spirit that everyone of you, ...no matter what his color, caste or creed, ...is first, second and last a citizen of this state ...with equal rights, privileges and obligations, ...there will be no end to the progress you will make.”

He continued, “I cannot emphasize it too much. We should begin to work in that spirit and in the course of time all these angularities of the majority and minority communities will vanish.”

Three days after Independence Day, on August 17, 1947, Jinnah, lived up to his words. Risking much criticism, he attended a Christian thanksgiving service held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karachi. Emulating the spirit of Quaid-e-Azam, may the people of Pakistan see no end to their progress!

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

A nice place to visit

Imagine my surprise reading Ted Rall’s column dealing with what a gloomy place Pakistan is. Rall paints a grim picture of life and travel in Pakistan. Pakistanis are not happy and there is danger everywhere. Not to mention the inefficient public transportation and the hypocrisy of the ruling class. He describes Pakistan as “a mass of internal contradictions” beginning at the airport where the airport staff is cold and the tension is thick.

He describes the political situation as if it were the only thing any one is thinking of. “The Red Mosque crisis symbolizes the devil's bargain Pakistan's ruling elites have struck with Islamic radicals.” He reminds us that Pakistan is a “nuclear-armed state” and “a terrifying cauldron of instability”. Further discoloration follows with describing General Pervez Musharraf as “a military dictatorship… an antidemocratic despot… (coming) to power by allying himself with radical Islamist political parties. (Therefore), most Pakistanis… watch their nation's Talibanization in passive silence.”

Is Rall suggesting that if Musharraf was not in power, there would be stability in Pakistan?

Rall is particularly concerned about the “the dismal condition of Pakistani highways” where unless you are one of the “elite motorists” the four hour drive from Islamabad to Lahore will “costs 12 hours and the occasional broken axle”. He refers to the countryside in between as “impoverished wasteland”. Well… you know… actually, a lot of it is summer vacation land.

He claims that “Pakistani women rarely venture outdoors. When they do, they cover themselves--with headscarves… and burqas.” Interesting. What are they going to wear on the catwalks at the Pakistan Fashion Week later this year?

Furthermore, “Muslim Pakistan banned alcoholic beverages in 1977. Drinkers face 20 lashes and three years in prison.” When was the last time this law was enforced?

The Lahore Museum, “notable for its… sauna-hot browsing conditions, displayed a map of cultural anthropological sites. Pakistan's neighbors…were clearly labeled, (except India)”. I think the average Lahorite knows where India is especially with all the goodwill tours currently going on.

Rall’s viewpoints hardly matches the ones I gathered from my visits. But do not take my word for it. Let’s read the more recent impressions from Santosh Ojha, correspondent for the Deccan Herald in Bangalore, India.

So, Ojha, what do think of the airport?

Lahore airport came as a pleasant surprise! To start with, the airport is named after a poet and (not after a politician)… Allama Iqbal.

What about the airport staff?

The immigration is staffed by smartly-clad women with their heads covered. No fuss, no delay and we are out of the terminal building quickly.

And the quality of the roads?

I… can not help but (be amazed) about the quality of the roads! Six lane roads, well maintained. The trees are bedecked with lights.

Did you receive 20 lashes for your drink of whiskey?

Islam taboos consumption of alcohol. And Pakistan is a dry state… But mercifully for the tipplers, Pakistan does not prohibit consumption of alcohol provided you are a non-Pakistani and a non-Muslim and you are consuming the daaru within the confines of your room.

By the way, Rall describes the Pakistanis as humorless, What do you say to that?

Our colleague based in Islamabad… a devout Muslim, …is a quiet and genial sort of a person and ever willing to help.

Any place you would like to recommend visiting?

The memorable trip to Food Street in Gawalpura! A plain, non-descript street… blocked at either end of the street after 7 pm; the Street bristles with gastronomic activities till the wee hours of the morning. (And…) a quick visit to Shalimar Garden.

I know where you are talking about. My favorite places too. Say, Ojha, why don’t you and I take Rall out on the town sometime. The poor guy really needs to get out more often.

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

Reality, ideals, and opinions

It is not easy being involved in journalistic endeavors when what is happening is at odds with what should be happening which maybe at odds with what is pushed to be happening.

What should be happening is delineated in a brilliant essay written by Najam Sethi published in the Wall Street Journal. In this essay, Sethi acknowledges that although many recognize that Musharraf is down, he is far from out, especially because of the disorganization of the opposition. Three key points that Sethi makes regarding the direction for Pakistan include 1) that America should recognize what a strong ally it has in Musharraf; 2) that the American government, in formulating long term policy, has to be aware of the possible strength of the Islamic ideologues and the possible anti-American feelings in the military; and 3) that “what is needed is a transitional power-sharing partnership between the military and political parties on the basis of an agreed moderate and liberal reform agenda.”

What is happening is an increased protest against Musharraf with calls for his immediate expulsion. America is sending its envoys to Islamabad in a move seen as putting pressure on Musharraf. The Islamic right is becoming emboldened.

What is pushed to be happening is America’s abandonment of Musharraf, leaving him to his own fate. An example is Newsweek’s calling for Musharraf to leave office. In addition, the New York Times is pushing for America to pull out support for Musharraf. At least, the Wall Street Journal is going for balance. While the WSJ acknowledges that “President Pervez Musharraf´s economic policies have worked”, it still publishes pieces, such as Max Boot’s opinion, that America should ignore Musharraf.

Musharraf being forced from office except through legitimate elections can only be catastrophic for Pakistan, considering the many divisive political factions ready to grab power. There are some who see even the peaceful ouster of Musharraf as a disaster. If Benazir Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif were to return to power, American author Arthur Herman claims, past ineptitudes would be repeated. Maybe not; after all they would be working on Musharraf’s foundation of a strong economy and international relations.

This just in: concluding their visit to Islamabad, the American envoys are expressing support for Musharraf and his reforms. To solidify their views, they might want to give Sethi a call and see what he has been up to lately.

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

The Boldest Challenges to Musharraf Take Shape

General Musharraf may have encountered perhaps the most serious, grassroots challenge to his administration yet. Musharraf's decision to suspend Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry this March has seemingly morphed into a dense political thicket, replete with every major political party and ideologue taking advantage of what was suppose to be a purely judicial matter.

The battle lines were clearly drawn when the former Justice arrived at the Karachi Airport to address the bar association in this volatile port city. With trucks, cannisters, and tires blocking the Justice's supporters from crossing the the roads leading to and from the airport, the prospects of violence was a foregone conclusion. The opposition, consisting of lawyers and members of the Awami National Party (PPP), which is led by exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, allegedly battled against supporters of the Muttahid Quami Movement (MQM), a political party that rose to power during the 1980s and one that strongly backs Musharraf's military government. The MQM however, speaking through its leadership headquartered in London, has strongly denied any involvement in the violence. Nevertheless, the degree to which various opposition parties have catalyzed the judicial suspension is remarkable and unpredictable, which certainly does not bode well for Musharraf.

Further, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism across the country isn't helping the situation. While certain pockets of the Northwest Frontier is known to be a bastion of Taliban-style semi-autonomous governance, such boldness has crept into the heart of Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, commonly considered to be a secular and liberal environment. Over the past few months, members of the Red Mosque, who support a Taliban-style government, have destroyed music shops, burned DVDs, and abducted brothel owners, police officers, and military soldiers, forcing some of them to publicly denounce their views. Apparently, the Red Mosque's actions are a response to the government's detainment of several of their members, however, the confrontation is leaving many scratching their heads as to how such extremism is taking root in the first place.

Musharraf's tolerance for such extreme protests and a freer press are manuevers that may help him in assuaging some of the political tension, but the reality is that there are far too many subvergent political parties and groups that have risen to challenge Musharraf on a platform that hardly connects to any of their underlying interests. Considering the far graver reality check of a Pakistan absent Musharraf, the MQM and other supporters are urging Musharraf to calm Pakistan's internal political atmosphere. Time will determine the fate of this government in a country that can hardly be ever characterized as politically stable.


Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

Shooter was another kind of Asian

News of the tragedy at Virginia Tech on Monday left many people shocked and confused. When it was announced that the shooter was a Korean national, the Korean government expressed its collective condolences to the victims and called for calm as Koreans feared a backlash based on prejudice. It is good for the Koreans that there are those calling for understanding, but who is standing up for the Pakistani victims of prejudice.

Before the police had made their announcement on the identity of the killer famous thought machine Debbie Schlussel already knew that the shooter was Pakistani and part of a terrorist attack. Of course, if he is a terrorist, he must be from Pakistan… except for one thing: Pakistan is not a terrorist country. Pakistani people are victims of terrorism, mostly from outside their borders. Ms. Schlussel was not content to just impugn her imaginary shooter, but by use a racial slur she impugned the whole nation.

Maybe she thinks that being nasty and bellicose is part of being a conservative. Maybe she would like to take that up with Muhammad Ali Hasan and his mother, Seeme Gull Khan Hasan founders of Muslims for America. The Hasans are visible spokespersons for the Pakistani Americans and uphold conservative values. They worked for George Bush’s re-election and promote “zero tolerance for any kind of terrorism, in following the example left by Prophet Muhammad PBUH.”

I am reminded of the scene in the BBC miniseries To Serve Them All My Days where the British boys are taunting a Jewish refugee because he is from Germany. A teacher catching the bullies pointed out that the Jewish boy was in England because of the persecution he experienced in Germany. “He must find it ironic that he now faces persecution because of where he comes from.” Some Pakistanis are in America to escape persecution, only to find persecution here. Ironic. “Do you know what that means?”

It is also ironic that the derogatory term used by Ms. Schlussel plays on the part of the name Pakistan (Land of the Pure) that stands for “pure”. A synonym for pure is innocent. The gunman was not Pakistani. The Pakistani are innocent then.

What Ms. Schlussel did just made her look vulgar and ignorant… all for cheap political points. That reminds me of another quote from the miniseries.

Christine Forster: Politics is full of people who can't cope with their own lives. I worry about that a lot.

Yeah... I know what that means. I worry a lot too.

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

“Talibanistan:” A State within a State

Local tribal leader Haji Mohammad Sharif of Wana, the main town of Waziristan, recently spoke to the media and stated his tribe’s intention to expunge foreign militants from the area. Explaining his decision, he said that the militants, once their guests, had begun to kill his own people. Only one illustration of the area’s complex cultural and ideological dynamics, Waziristan has captured the world’s attention as one of the most volatile parts of the world. It is in effect, a state within a state, now commonly referred to as Talibanistan.

The near autonomous area within Pakistan has yet to be effectively infiltrated, philosophically or logistically, by any foreign power over the last two centuries. Musharraf’s government itself has been unable to wage a promising campaign in Waziristan, despite the remarkable fact that it exists within sovereign Pakistan. Indeed, Haji Mohammad’s statement lends support to the argument that greater change can only occur through a change in the hearts and minds of his people. Unfortunately, each limited gesture of change is met with a rather grave reality check. Flushed with not only foreign, but domestic militants deeply rooted in a perpetual jihadist ideology, Waziristan has become the central point of dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and increasingly, between the United States and Pakistan. While Iraq may represent a logistical threat, Waziristan represents the playground where ideological forces are battling it out. Remnants of the Taliban are coloring its cultural and ideological spectrum, banning music and movies, requiring women to veil, and forcing men to attend prayers. The Taliban is once again rearing its ugly head six years after it was flushed out of Afghanistan.

Their resurgence in Pakistan is having consequences that reach far beyond Waziristan’s immediate territory. Suicide bombers are being deployed in mainstream Pakistani cities such as Islamabad, destroying any notion of safety in the usually quiet capital and bewildering the masses. Pakistan’s recent, so-called “peace deal” only fuels their fire to cultivate and regroup. The United States, unable to fully attack the militant bases in Waziristan due to Pakistan’s lack of permission, is left frustrated in its efforts to curb the extremism that is taking root. Instead, the U.S. is limited to providing intelligence to Pakistani authorities and funding social programs. A local tribal leader may change a few attitudes, but until the Pakistani government finds a way to control its own backyard, Waziristan, or Talibanistan, will continue to provide a haven for terrorists.

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com

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.

Published by East West Services, Inc.
WorldTribune.com
Geostrategy-Direct.com
East-Asia-Intel.com