Celebrating Nationhood and Constitutionalism – by Farahnaz Ispahani

The emergence of Pakistan as the homeland of South Asia’s Muslims, with their unique identity as a nation, was an unparalleled event in the twentieth century. The adoption of the Pakistan resolution at the All India Muslim League open session on 23rd March 1940 in Lahore gave our nation a clear direction. It was no coincidence that 23rd March was chosen in 1956 as the date when Pakistan’s first constitution came into effect and again as the day in 1973 when, after the trauma of two successive dictatorial misadventures, the country adopted a consensus constitution.

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisaged a modern democratic state for South Asia’s Muslims. His entire life represented respect for rule of law, justice and fairness. Starting his political career as an ardent nationalist, he earned the title of “ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.” His advocacy of a separate Muslim homeland began only after he was convinced that the Muslim nation would not get fair representation and protection without the creation of Pakistan. The Quaid’s conception of Pakistan was clearly rooted in the notion of a constitutional democracy. It is unfortunate that Pakistan’s leadership was hijacked within a decade of its independence by the dark forces of dictatorship. Within two years of the adoption of the 1956 constitution, the constitutional order was overthrown and the country did not get its first general elections until 1970.

The refusal of an unelected elite to accept the result of the 1970 elections led to the break up of Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto lifted the spirits of the demoralized nation but also gave the country a consensus constitution. The 1973 constitution conformed to the vision of the Quaid drawing its inspiration from Islamic principles, guaranteeing equal rights for all the citizens and above all was thoroughly democratic in character. Shaheed Bhutto’s removal from power and eventual judicial murder plunged the country into darkness.

The two military dictators that followed each had a stint of power spanning a decade. Instead of recognising the sovereignty of the people and the supremacy of the constitution, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharraf played havoc with the constitution and our state institutions. General Musharraf’s assault on the constitution is fresh in the memory of the Pakistani nation. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan in October 2007 and her courageous embrace of martyrdom gave the nation the strength to face down the Musharraf dictatorship and to ensure a peaceful return to democracy as a result of the February 2008 elections.

The process of restoration of democracy would not be complete without the restoration of the 1973 constitution. A nation’s constitution is by definition a living document that can be amended through the constitutionally mandated process, reflecting changes and needs of the times. But Generals Ziaul Haq and Musharraf arbitrarily amended a consensus document to reflect their twisted thinking that only usurpers of power occupying the presidency through coups d’etat could protect the national interest. When President Asif Ali Zardari sought and secured election as President, some critics wrongly and unjustifiably attributed to him the desire to wield absolute power under the dictators’ distorted constitutions. In reality, President Zardari’s election to the highest office in the land was essential to complete the country’s transition to full constitutional rule. Had the presidency remained in the hands of a dictator, instead of being held by someone who has willingly accepted suffering for the sake of the struggle for democracy, the process of recreating consensus on a constitutional package would almost definitely have run into difficulties.

The honour of removing constitutional aberrations and of restoring the 1973 constitution will has bestowed on the PPP government under the stewardship of President Zardari, with the participation of all major political forces in the country. President Zardari had planned to complete the transition to democracy and to return the country to the foundations of the 1973 constitution from his first day in office. During his address to the joint sitting of the parliament last year, he advised the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Fahmida Mirza, to immediately form a constitutional committee comprising representatives of all political forces in the parliament to look at not only doing away with the arbitrary amendments including the infamous 17th amendment inserted by the dictator but also to settle the question of provincial autonomy according to the wishes of the federating units. Had the presidency been in apolitical or establishment hands, as some had desired, the process might have once again been derailed.

Irrespective of what his detractors may like to say, the fact is that Zardari has ungrudgingly consented to forego the powers conferred on the President under the 17th amendment as was his original promise and intention. The constitutional committee is understood to have completed its job and the constitutional package will be in the parliament within this month. The significance of the month of March lies in the fact that this was the month when the Pakistan resolution was adopted in the year 1940 and it was during this month that Shaheed Bhutto choreographed the constitution in 1973. It will again be March when the constitution embodying the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and Quaid-e-Awam will be restored. This year on Pakistan day, we will be able to celebrate not only our nationhood but also our unwavering commitment to constitutionalism.

Farahnaz Ispahani is a Member of the National Assembly and media adviser to the PPP co-chairperson.

Pakistani media leading to chaos or consensus? – by Junaid Qaiser

Today, democracy and liberal development are interdependent with recognition by media. In an informed democracy, public reasoning based opinion is a vital aide for transparent governance. It is an age of advancement in communication technology where internet, push button publishing, news and views getting blogged up have an important role in making up mindsets.

However, media in Pakistan seems to be suffering from perceptual poverty, information corruption, manipulations of facts with a twisted approach to provoke chaos, confusion and democratic crisis. The federation of Pakistan that is dependent on peaceful co-existence, democracy and equality may be weakened by such unhealthy media approach.

Specifically on the front of terrorism, Pakistani media has generally failed to draw a clear line of understanding. Almost all talk shows start with anchors questioning the justification of war on terror. They have corrupted the mind of people by confusing this issue with anti democratic propaganda. Besides media anchors always invite right wing people and give them time to support their hate filled ideology.

Such a hypocritical approach of media and media policies have made our country suffer an unbearable damage where Taliban’s advancements to various cities and streets were ignored and masked under various conspiracy theories. Right-wingers in the media have always betrayed the people in giving them any kind of freedom and have only choked the information resources for their perverted interests in the name of religion.

Democracy faces extreme difficulty in thriving in countries that are in the grip of terrorism, chaos, perceptual poverty, violence and strife. Ideally, democracy should provide warring group mechanism for consensus building, mediation, representation and voice so that they can settle their differences peacefully. If constantly challenged by terrorism and violent dissension, the fabric of democracy may become frayed. The experience thus far has shown the media have not a played positive role.The media have also been criticized for sensationalizing terrorism,without explaining the roots of menace. The media ignores consensus building efforts in war against terrorism.

Today, we are lagging behind the modern world where scientific and political advancements are nurturing the society; we are not able to educate our masses with the global perspective of threats we are facing. We have bled to death by terrorism, our social fabric is tartered and the barbarians took the future of our children in their hands but we cannot unify against extremism.

It would be more than true to say that as a society we are worst victim of intellectual corruption and specially the Urdu media has demeaned its values with course of time. Unprofessional and unethical means of analysis have disintegrated the political process. Just showing disturbing scenes, dying bodies and bloodshed do not fullfil the cause of reporting. Such kind of attention dies with a breaking news and can only increase the immunity level of audience and create an enzyte level. A solid criticism and effort to explain events to people is more needed always and also exposing the root of violence than blaming it as a reaction.

There is also another element worthy of consideration. Media has monopoly of corporatism agreed with its ownership and this game of greed damages its ability to play a positive role in consensus building. Media is lacking a criteria of valued journalism and is only serving for marketing and advertising revenue . We want to sell and never rise up to sew our souls as a nation. Had the war on terrorism been marketed in a patriotic sense, it could not have led us to the hazards we are facing today.

Historically, if we examine causes of country’s dismemberment and creation of Bangladesh, then we see Pakistani media’s failure or inability to present East Pakistan’s situation and condition of people there. Still Balochi, Pathan, Sindhi and people from different communities and religions are not happy with the mainstream media; they think that mainstream media has failed to present their legitimate rights, demands and concerns. Media has failed to uphold federation rather it is becoming dangerous for the democracy. The question arises that if media is so much biased then how can freedom of expression survive. We will have to wage a war for the freedom of our rights in today’s scenario rather than sweeping every factual detail under the carpet.

Sensationalism is a by product of military’s regime and nobody knows how far this trend will go without check. Many anchor persons now firmly believe that they are able to make or overthrow governments. Information and the news reports are supposed to provide facts without personal opinion, unless interviews are included in story to reflect both sides of an issue, but unfortunately news reports today include reporters’ personal opinions and biased views.

It is very unfortunate that lawyers and journalists have been behaving like sole custodian of law, morality and democracy after events following the dismissal of Chief Justice of Supreme Court Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary on March 9, 2007. Anchor persons such as Kamran Khan, Shahid Masood, Javed Chaudhary and lawyers leader like Qazi Anwar, Ikram sheikh who appear on different TV Channels these days are being presented as super icons and custodian of Pakistan. These elements are in constant tussle to harm medias view on terrorism and democracy. These are the people who support right-wing and are the most constipated armchair jihadi warriors who keep attacking the democratically elected people and never refrain from personal attacks.

People such as Zaid Hamid who are surviving militants of the Afghan War are given importance of scholarly vision; they are considered visionary with their hegemonic religious and hate filled agenda. Such militant mafia that has an agenda to divert Pakistani youth from the real problem are considered thinktank of media. These warriors are still pushing Pakistan to be hostile with its neighbors and have dreams to re-conquer India and Afghanistan thus confusing the people with tense situation.

The unprecedented and violent character assassination of the PPP’s co chairman and president of Pakistan by certain vested interests of media shows the intolerant and unproductive level of media and those who regard this as freedom of expression are clearly living in fools paradise.

Terrorism, institutional murders, religious extremism, racial profiling have sabotaged our civil structure and progress and is going to further weaken our institutions. In this bleak environment war on terror democratic crises,federation issues, provincial autonomy, education, health, environment, human rights, rule of law and liberal foreign policy should figure in media debate and discourse.

Pakistan’s liberal democrat community believe that federation, democracy and functional representative institutions at local, provincial and national levels are the only hope for survival. Good governance and accountability too deserve some serious attention by media. Therefore any debate in media must focus on democratic institutions, social issues and electoral process rather than campaign or propaganda against a few democratically elected civilian leaders.

Our media is also duty bound to develop consensus on federation, liberal democratic values, moderation, constitutional-ism, enlightenment and reconciliation. It is very important in the present crises that media should promote democracy as a culture, mindset and a respect for representative institutes and civilian elected leaders rather than targeting personalities, whichs can affect our war against terrorism/extremism and negate the democratic process in Pakistan.

PPP’s commitment and contribution to free press – by Junaid Qaiser

Democracy and free media are co-related; democracy is impossible without a free (unbiased) media, and free media is impossible without democracy. Democracy and free media reinforce each other. Huge credit goes to Pakistan Peoples Party, which is the biggest voice of free media and it has contributed too much in this regard.

Quiad e Awam Shaheed Zukifiqar Ali Bhutto, the leader of the third world, for the first time in Pakistan’s history succeeded in achieving broad based national consensus for the 1973 constitution. It was the biggest achievement and development in Pakistan’s unconstitutional history,through this for the first time fundamental human rights incorporated in constitution. Through Article 19 of the constitution, freedom of expression was guaranteed and legal cover was provided for public speeches and independent publication. These great measure injected new life into neglected print media industry.

Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto’s regime is considered a unique era of democracy, human rights and free press. Before and after that era, during military dictatorships of 60’s and 80’s especially, the state of independent print media were very bleak, where undemocratic governments were the biggest stakeholders in the media development and that’s why nobody escaped the institutionalized assault on media. Independent voices were victims of state torture and solitary confinement without any cogent reason. Voices of independent liberal journalists were muffled. During that dark periods, there are lots of untold stories state despotism to snub liberal democratic voices.newspapers who followed an independent lines were often coerced to submission by blocking advertisements and using other pressure tactics.

During General Ziaulhaq’s dictatorship journalistic neutrality and independent views were tamed in torture cells. State coercion was at it’s peck and manhandling of media persons and confiscation of printing press was a routine matter. General Musharaf pretended to be champion of free press and freedom of expression but acts of Nov 3, 2007 suspending transmission of private channels speak volumes of his true face. It was the most brutal example of how undemocratic rules dictating to the media.

Shaheed e jamhooriat Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s visionary leadership recognized and encouraged the value of free media, in contributing towards the development of a well informed society,her first Government(1988-90)press laws aimed at censorship lifted,Journalists terminated from service during Martial Law regime were reinstated. No objection certificate for journalists to travel abroad was abolished. Employees of Radio and Television were reinstated. During her 2nd government (1993-96) huge development were made in communication and media sector, laying of the optic fiber along with right bank of Indus; introduced cellular telephones, digital pager, satellite dish and FM Radio; provided complete press freedom; annoucned sixth Wage Board award for the newspaper workers. The award was also implemented in the APP.

The unprecedented proliferation of new media outlets could be attributed to the media liberalization policy of Shaheed benazir Bhutto, due to this policy, besides privately owned vibrant media,number of new FM radio stations, cable televisions networks, satellite televisions and interactive websites plus blogs on internet are catering to the citizen’s information needs. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s 2nd government had taken many bold steps to liberalize country’s airwaves,until 1995 the country had only state controlled media in the form of PTV and Radio pakistan when the first licenses were awarded to a peoples television network,later named as Shalimar Television network (STN) and it nurtured Network Television Network (NTM) and three FM radio stations in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. With the advancement in information and communication technologies era of dish antennas brought various television channels directly to Pakistani household.

It is quite evident that the present PPP government also realizes the significance of free press and freedom of information for transparency and open government and, therefore made a number of moves to introduce and enact new and better laws that would replace the existing freedom of information ordinance 2002.While addressing the joint session of the parliament soon after becoming the president of Pakistan,Mr Asif Ali Zardari stated: “we will soon be bringing other fundamental laws,such the freedom of Information Bill and work with stakeholders toward an open atmosphere of self regulation with no interference from the state”

In his first speech in the National Assembly as the newly elected Prime Minister,Mr Yousaf Raza Gillani had stated: “A new freedom of information law would be promote press freedom while the PEMRA would be made a subsidiary of the Information Ministry and it’s law changed”

The PPP present government abolished the emergency Pemra Law 2007 and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is on record of having disallowed the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee regarding retention of some provisions of the 2007 Pemra Ordinance.

The media in the country is the freest ever in its history even the head of state is subjected to rigorous criticism and ridicule by the national media which does not happen even in the most advanced democracies of the world. “Unfortunately, some vested interest are taking undue advantage of the media freedom and trying to mislead the people by confounding facts with fiction,” The detractors of the government should take a breath and look at the performance of the government objectively and come up with suggestive criticism, which is always welcomed by the people’s government. The government’s resolve to work for consultative, re-conciliatory and futuristic vision of democracy in the country.

It is also high time that media also regulate itself by working on common “code of conduct” for itself. Otherwise independent observer,analyst and even citizens will consider it, free but irresponsible anti-democratic and anti-people media.

PPP Government: A window of opportunity for Pakistan – by Junaid Qaiser

Pakistan Peoples Party's stated policy,"Pakistan Khappey.":

In the words of Benazir Bhutto, democracy: “… is a birth right too often snatched at the point of the gun from the citizens by the very men who are to guard and defend us. This can stop to enable the people and the country to march with confidence and courage, with pride and dignity, with progress and prosperity into the twenty first century.”

Pakistan is a great federation. Its multilingual, multicultural society is its strength. Its sons and daughters are its true assets, the bright face of its future, the promise of all our tomorrows.

The Pakistan Peoples Party is the only federal, democratic and equal opportunity party that can guarantee to our great people a great future. The PPP worker is selfless and committed to the values of Faith, freedom, fundamental human rights, family values and a wholesome society based on the rule of law and human dignity.

The first founding principle of the Party ‘Islam is our religion’ places a responsibility on each PPP supporter to reach out in a spirit of accommodation and tolerance to all faiths, to prevent the state from interfering in the religious rights of the citizens (which breeds sectarianism) and to treat people of all faiths with respect enabling them to enjoy religious freedom and equality before the law.

The second principle of the PPP ideology is that ‘democracy is our policy’. The PPP commitment to freedom and fundamental rights, including freedom from hunger and want, is written in the blood of its martyrs and in the red marks of lashes on the back of its workers. It is written in the suffering and sacrifice of its leaders the greatest of whom was Quaid e Awam. He faced the gallows refusing to bow before tyranny defending the human rights of our citizens to the last of his breath.”

After the tragic assassination of Mohtarma benazir Bhutto shaheed in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi Punjab,PPP co chairman Asif Ali Zardari raised slogan of "Pakistan Khappy"in Neudero Sindh,thus saved the federation.

Challenges related to Existence;internal and external conflicts:

“It’s essential that we should review and examine our overall condition, It is quite true that Pakistan today is facing critical questions related to its existence and progress. It is also a fact that Pakistan is standing at most critical juncture and cross road of it’s history and it has almost run out of options except continuation of democracy and strengthening of federation.It’s true fact that political parties are the main vehicle and essential elements of change and democracy,parties essentially not only provide people with a platform to voice their opinions but also give the people to voice.

There are tremendous dangers posed due to the current situations that demand a national policy with political will to navigate through the storm of depression, extremism and insecurity on the rise in Pakistan.
During General Musharraf’s regime Pakistan went through turbulent times,in terms of the social,economic,political and above all the terrorism menace. The country and nation had gone through multiple perplexing ordeals of economic blow, wheat shortage, energy crises,lawlessness and insecurity. This amalgamation of problems terroized the whole nation.

Bilal Qureshi wrote that “The rise of extreme religion is not on the rise because mullah is forcing everyone to embrace their version of religion, but the society is evolving and drifting towards hard core Wahabi school of thought. Everywhere in Pakistan you look, religious symbols have become the norm and it seems that pretty soon, every woman in Pakistan would be either in burqa or wearing a hijab and every man would be supporting long un-kept beard. And, not only is the society gravitating towards hard-core religion, but ‘I know what is right’ attitude has given a new dimension to religious bullying in Pakistan, which has forced moderate and sometime secular individuals and families to conform in order to avoid being a target or draw attention to themselves.Add to this volatile mix of lack of economic, social and cultural depression and shrinking energy reservoir the intense and unyielding anti American sentiment across Pakistan and it is a recipe for a complete catastrophe. Pakistan, in my opinion has become a ticking time bomb.”

Powerful state institutions and weak democratic structure:

In the absence of a guiding document (constitution) to run the state affairs shaped an alliance between civil and military bureaucracy.This alliance created right wing political parties of lackeys and sycophants especially Muslim League A to Z. Judiciary instead of playing as a justice provider became Partisan,it legitimized all military dictators,using doctrine of necessity. It’s quite tragic that our Judiciary always favorable for undemocratic forces. The history keeps repeating itself over and over again.

Due to the military coup and the toppled governments,reflected the military stands established as the true respiratory of true power in Pakistan.even after the lifting of the martial law in 1985,it is the military that calls the shots (weak Civilian Governments during 1988 to 1999 exercised responsibility without authority) the concept of troika sharing of powers between the president,the prime minister and the military command,though clearly an extra constitutional development become a fact of life in Pakistan.

During military regimes ,the number of religious extremists organizations had increased,religious practices have become more pronounced , extremism and intolerance are on the rise and the use of religious practices have become more pronounced reality of Pakistan’s reality. The extremist trends and intolerance are actually threating the existence of Pakistan. Due to this security related over centralized modal, extremism,attempts of depoliticize,curtailing civil political rights and imposing a unitary nationhood, while ignoring regional realities, resulted in nationalist arms movements and sense of alienation in Sindh, Baluchistan and the NWFP.

It is an established fact that undemocratic forces,hence from the beginning never allowed democratic political system to take roots in Pakistani polity.

Pakistani history has proven that General Ayub Khan, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharaf tried to undermine the party based political system,resulted in political disaster and contributed to much in instability and uncertainty. Although dictators organized elections but curbs were set on genuine political parties, especially on PPP,which is true symbol of democracy and federation in Pakistan.

It is hard perception that even political forces have to bow to authority, the permanent reality of the military dictate and refrain from challenging it.

Military dictators and their regimes legitimization by our apex courts have become a major cause of political instability and constitutional floundering in Pakistan.The will of people always come as an excuse, plea of the usurper or a doctrine of necessity by the judiciary after an unlawful or manipulative transition of the power from one ruler to other. General Ziaul Haq with the help of judiciary managed to get Quaid-e-Awam Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto, convicted on a false murder charge by manipulated the appointments of judges, first in the Lahore high court and later in the supreme court,Nation still remember Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto’s judicial murder.

Military dictators engineered political parties to undermine,Pakistan main federal democratic party,General Zia created PMLN and MQM and strengthen Jamaat-e-Islami and General Pervez Musharaf created PML-Q and MMA.The creation of artificial political parties and alliances became the domain of martial law regimes,thus kings political parties became instruments in the hands of manipulators who used them for their own self advancements and perpetuation.

Is Pakistan Ready for Democracy?

Is Pakistan ready for democracy? many analyst and observer ask this question,In my understanding, it’s misleading not an appropriate question. It has been floated by our elite ruling class to confuse people. As a state, have we failed to solve basic questions? First and foremost are we an ideological religious state or democratic state? aAd who’ll govern the state? an elected parliament or an usurper? And what’ll be the status of the national constitution?

Unfortunately, therefore we are facing lots of political,socio economic, cultural and constitutional problems. Religion is used by our unelected rulers to extend their rule for infinate time period,Gen Zia’s used it’s conservative interpertation and General Musharraf tried to use its liberal modern perspective. They used religion to undermine democratic federal realities and especialy questions related to democracy. Our elite ruling class presented religion as alternative of democracy and federation. The Objectives resolution weakened democratic culture here federal shariah court given overseight role,allowing unelected body to monitor elected parliament.

Another pertanient question is how we develop and strengthen democracy and Federation in Pakistan?

We have lots of questions and issues ranging from weak federation, provincial autonomy, even we do not seem to recognize federating unit’s traditions, culture and languages. This is further confounded by state patronage of extremism, state posture against liberalism, crises of democracy, unconstitutionalism, strong centre, powerful civil militry bureaucracy and widen gap between have and have nots. Until we solve these basic questions we are not able to generate deleivering democracy.

In my view democracy (pro people culture, mindset, values and traditions) is a process, which should evolve nationally and globally, especially in the third world. I beleive all societies and nations are ready for it. The real question is whether our eliete ruling class, military, bureaucracy and their junior partners feudels and religious tycoons are ready to surrender their positions and privileges?

Democracy stands on its pillars and the pillars of democracy are: sovereignty of the people, individual freedom with social responsibilities, government based upon consent of the governed, majority rule and protection and equal rights of minority,gurarentee of basic human rights,free and fair elections, independent judiciary and equality before the law, due process of law, constitutional limits on Government, social, economic and political pluralism, value of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation and compromise, vibrant and responsible civil society based on vigilant citizenry, free and responsible media,access to information. We believe if democracy evolve than most of our problems will disappear.

If we resolve questions related to democracy and federation, with the help of foreign partners, then I don’t see Pakistan will collapse or disintegrate. We however need persistent foreign assistance for democracy in Pakistan.

In the current bleak situation,when Pakistan is facing worst sort of internal and external crises and chalenges, only Pakistan Peoples Party can save Pakistan,which is the only fedarl party in Pakistan.

Pakistan People’s Party is a symbol of Federation and democracy in Pakistan,we faced all dictators with great vision and zeal. Only PPP represents forces of change in society, therefore forces of status quo, also known as establishment, are against us.

We and our leadership follow Bhuttoism and Benazirism If we follow Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s pattern and leave our position on Balochistan, Pakistan-India relation, Pakistan-USA relations, liberal foreign policy and position on democratic institutions, then the hidden forces of establishment will be very happy.

The beginning of the revolution ……….._ Saria Benazir

Implicit to the political changes taking place in our society _ new-fangled marvels, innovative proceedings and much more _ The world still goes far back into the era , where there was not even the least democracy in Pakistan_ Martial Law under Ayub Khan had snatched every possibility of a democratic state . Over it, the Presidential form of Government and the formation of a new Constitution _ an imposed law (by force) on the people _ The Electoral College _ completely putrid, without even a silhouette of democracy. Over it, the respect, given to the founder of country’s sister _ the woman who played a vital part in the formation of Pakistan Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah is not even hidden from anyone & further more, over the rigging in elections, the massive protests killing hundreds of people least bothered the dictators. The economy, which was deteriorating day by day & still being claimed to have increased at the highest rate in South Asia _ Was that something less than a bunch of baloney….???? Obviously not!!!!! Pakistan witnessed one of the worst decades in its history during the Martial Law of Ayub Khan…the decade in which democracy seemed to have whipped from the face of the country known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan forever……..

The poor of Pakistan were being deprived of their rights and the country became an airbase for the American planes to carry out their spy activities in Russia, that strained Pak – USSR relations. In the same era, the country went on war with India and the Government too helpless…too weak to resist the enemy’s attack sufficiently and whose era was that….????Of Ayub Khan …who claimed to have brought the Green Revolution in Pakistan…Just look over the number of poor families did it help????Of course, not even one. The worst form of corruption and tyranny…….The leader. The so- called President who could not even succeed to support the country and protect its image internationally…..!!!!This was the era of General Ayub …… who sowed the seeds of discontent among the people of East Pakistan by snatching their rights from them….pity on the autobiography he wrote “Friends, not masters” – the real reflection of a Pakistani dictator.

It was the time; Pakistan was blessed with the pride of Asia, Quaid e Awaam and the founder of the largest political party of Pakistan Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He in his years as the foreign minister continued to work to improve the political image of Pakistan all over the world and in each and every forum supported Pakistan’s stance. He cleared Pakistan’s position over Kashmir in the United Nations and when saw Ayub’s government going against the desires of the people resigned and thereby, despite facing lots of oppositions ….bribes…..threats, on November 25, l967 , Pakistan Peoples Party was founded , intending to provide ‘Bread , Clothing and Shelter’ to the people of Pakistan. These were the basic needs of life but most of the people did not possess even them. From the city of Lahore, Pakistan Peoples Party started its struggle for the rights of the people of Pakistan. The party’s manifesto was ‘Islam is our religion .Democracy is our policy. Socialism is our economy and all power to the people’.

The party, despite facing too much hurdles did not give up its struggle for a democratic Pakistan. Assassination attempts were made on Quaid e Awaam and ever since, every measure was taken to stop him to work for the rights of the poor and depressed people of Pakistan…………..Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other PPP leaders were arrested and put in prisons. The people went on roads to protest these illegal punishments. Women, who went on protests used to carry a shopper with them, for during protests, for gases were thrown at them and a moment came, when the soldiers were compelled to beat the women who were protesting , but the soldiers not only refused to do so , rather bowed before such women , who were raising their voice for their people. It was , but the support of people , followed by belief in success that this day , Pakistan Peoples Party has become the unanimous voice of the people of Pakistan and in its struggle , it lost its workers…..it lost its leaders….We lost our founder Chairman Quaid e Awaam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and our beloved leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Our Co Chairman spent years in prison, got his tongue cut off just for the revival of a democratic process, but this revolution and long political struggle conveys it to our opponents that revolutions in Pakistan for democracy were brought by PPP and indeed, it is only PPP that is destined to rule the country because PPP is the only Savior of Pakistan.

Long Live Bhuttoism & PPP.
PAKISTAN KHAPPAY!!!

Situation of Minorities in Pakistan

By: Junaid Qaiser

After the tragic events of 9/11, Pakistani establishment finally had to set aside its’ traditional ideological hangovers and raise a different slogan, “First of all Pakistan.” It was a matter of coercion or choice one can’t say with a degree of confidence nevertheless it was a visible policy shift from the ideologically loaded past. This changed thinking gave birth to new hopes and new fears for the religious minorities.

Within the category of hope one can enlist the reversion to the system of joint electorates during Election-2002 whereas the list of new fears is pretty long. At least two churches, one missionary hospital and a school became the new targets of the disposed Jihadis (holy warriors). The unprecedented electoral gains of religious right on the platform of Muttahida Majlis-I-Amal (United Action Council) also add to such fears.

The slogan “first of all Pakistan” employs that all the people living in the country are Pakistanis without any consideration of color, race or religion and that all of them have equal human rights and are entitled to substantive citizenship as per the vision of country’s founding fathers. Therefore it is now expected that all Pakistanis would emerge as the moderate souls and would contribute to develop the nation to meet the challenges of new realities and requirements by rearranging their political, social, intellectual, literary and scientific values.

During the last 62 years the situation of minorities in Pakistan like the general conditions in various fields has remained a matter of serious concern. Professor Marvin G. Vonbom, of University of Illinois, USA describes this situation in her article, Civil society and democracy in Pakistan that “Pakistan is a state owned by the Muslims but from their behavior it seems as if they are a minority surrounded by hostile threats. In this way they have developed a defensive mechanism that has no rationale. These people think that strengthening of minorities would be a threat to Pakistan and Islam. The reality is completely opposite. Though the Muslim rulers in the past had provided protection to the minorities yet it is a historical fact that the minorities were not given equal political status and equal political rights.”

In political terms Pakistan experienced leadership from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Zia-ul-Haq and from Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif all with different ideological orientations.Pakistan Peoples party and it's leadership very much liberal and progressive.The other Parties representing General Zia's legacy used the slogans of Islam to perpetuate their narrow self interests.Khawaja Khalid,an Afghan war vetern and a former Air force officer has come on the national television to disclose Mian Nawaz Sharif's meeting no less than Osama Bin Ladan.He admits in a interview with local daily newspaper that Islamic leaders acting as afghan war veterans had joined hand with Nawaz Sharif to block Pakistan Peoples party's entry into power since 1988.These leaders played their part in toppling PPP regime twice and tried to thwart the PPP in electoral processes. Khalid Khawaja also stated that after Zia's death ,which has a huge shock for our leaders,the group planned to counter the US backed Liberal progressive Pakistan Peoples party.he stated that we thought that an alliance of all major religious parties and it's alliance with PMLN later in the general elections could block PPP's way.He also stated ISI was thinking along the same lines,we tried our best to make a MMA style (as done by the Musharaf regime of 2002-2007 alliance with PMLN to bring these parties in power.The agencies had planned to make Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi,the prime minister in 1988,after all stalwarts like Jatoi,were defeated,the establishment saw in Nawaz Sharif a possible player against Shaheed Benazir Bhutto ....ISI hastily formed IJI when IJI failed to form the Government.the establishment invited shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to become the prime minister ,soon after the PPP government was formed ,we decided to counter and resist th gvt in 1989,establishment believe that Benazir's Govt will demage the cause of jihad.Khawaja Khalid also recalls about five meetings took place between Nawaz Sharif and Osama Bin Ladan.He clearly stated that it was Osama who rought the Sharifs and the Saudi royals closer.These ties later strengthened by the Sharifs..

However the military regime headed by General Pervez Musharraf reached a crossroad after the 9/11 tragedies in the United States of America and to some extent had to break its nexus with the retrogressive regime of Taliban in Afghanistan. So it became a defining moment and Pakistan quite prudently decided to stand with the international community on the issues of global terrorism and human values. Traditionally Pakistani establishment had been promoting religion colored nationalism that caused a lot of damage to Pakistan and made life of the minorities pretty difficult. Nonetheless the enlightened citizens and their civic organizations continued to raise voice against that mindset.

Separating the minorities:

Luckily now it is a history, but until 2001 the issue of separate electorate system remained a key political concern for the minorities in Pakistan. Historically it is true that Pakistan came into being on the basis of separate electorate as demanded by the Muslim minority in the united Sub-continent. After Pakistan’s creation the two-nation theory should automatically have ceased to exist as there was only one nation living in Pakistan. But the right wing political parties continued to consider the separate electorate as a base of the ideology of Pakistan.

The idea of separate electorate was aimed at the partition of India. Where as the minorities living in Pakistan today do not want any kind of further partition of their homeland. Similarly Quaid-i-Azam had dreamt of a developed, moderate, democratic state which is evident from his 11^th August 1947 speech in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. One hardly finds any discussions on formation of a theocratic state in the pre-partition meetings of the Muslim League. The religious parties started such debate after the creation of Pakistan and ironically they were opposed to the very idea of Pakistan. Religious political parties have been opposing the idea of joint electorate due to the fear that the minorities will vote Pakistan peoples part Due to it's liberal progressive stance and not vote for them because of their particular religious point of view.

In Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan all the human beings were to be given equal rights and status but our non-political rulers in an attempt to remain in power and to suppress political forces divided the nation on ethnic, religious and sectarian lines. Whenever these rulers felt that they are confronted with a legitimacy crisis they created prejudices to weaken the people. The organizations based on religious, ethnic, linguistic and sectarian prejudices were created in our country under the same philosophy. In order to prolong his tenure in power and to weaken the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, General Zia ul Haq used religion as a tool and imposed separate electorate in the country in 1979. It may be mentioned here that all the three Constitutions passed in Pakistan in 1956, 1962 and 1973 respectively enforced a joint electorate system.

Introduction of separate electorates for the minorities marginalized them from the mainstream society and were reduced to the status of a second-class citizen having no say in the politics. This division effected the whole political environment and Muslims were also divided on sectarian bases. Since 1979 Pakistan has experienced worst form of sectarianism causing many killings. The separate electorates damaged the social relationship of minorities with
their neighboring Muslims. Under this system, minorities were cut from the
national main stream. They were deprived of their rights, because they had
no social or political relationship with the Muslims.

Since 1985 Pakistan Peoples Party and various minority rights groups became active to campaign for the restoration of the joint electorates. After years of struggle in June 2000 these groups collected more then 200,000 signatures within 40 days of a special campaign. The victory came on January 17,2002 when the government announced that the general elections will be held on the bases of joint electorates. All the minorities and major political parties except Muslim League (N) and Muslim religious parties welcomed the decision. Initially the government took away the reserved seats for the minorities in the National and provincial assemblies, which later on at the demand of civil rights groups were restored.

The elections 2002 and 2008 campaign showed that under the joint electorates minorities got respect and honor. All the political parties and the candidates have been
visiting minority community and had asked for their votes. Many political parties gave tickets to Hindus and Christian candidates on general seats.In the election 2002 From the whole country about 12 Hindu and Christian candidates contested elections on open seats on different party tickets. However only one Hindu candidate won the election on general seat for Sindh Assembly on the ticket of National Alliance.
All most all the major political parties including the religious right Muttahida Majlis-I-Amal nominated their candidates for the reserved seats.

Quaid-i-Azam’s views and the Objectives Resolution:

The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam in April 1944 said: “With regard to the minorities, we Muslims will not stand behind any civilized nation of the world. I am sure when the time comes, the minorities living in different areas of our country will see that their Muslim rulers are not only fair but also generous and why not the tradition of Islam is like that.”

On the eve of independence he reiterated that the minorities will be given full protection in Pakistan no matter to which sect they belong. Their religion, belief and faith will be fully intact and protected in Pakistan. They will have sufficient protection for their religion, faith, lives and property and their culture. They will be equal citizens of Pakistan enjoying equal rights without any discrimination of colour or ethnicity.

However the obscurantist forces who were unable to move resolutions like Objectives Resolution in the life time of Quaid-i-Azam became active right after his death and moved the Objective Resolution in the Assembly under the leadership of Liaquat Ali Khan in March 1949. This was the biggest attack on the minorities. Through this resolution an attempt was made to make the non-Muslims second rate citizens of Pakistan. This was an act of disloyalty to the Quaid-i-Azam and it logically resulted in Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorship and passage of the Blasphemy Law. Opposing this resolution in the parliament, Suresh Chandar Chattopadhiya had said: “In our view this resolution is totally unnecessary. What is important is that we prepare a Constitution not that we pass an ideological resolution explaining the aims and objectives of the constitution. Until now we were thinking that the religion will not be mingled with politics. Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had declared this in this very house. But the resolution which has been moved now is based on religion.” With the passage of the Objectives Resolution Pakistani politics became a part of faith.

Misuse of the Law against Blasphemy

The blasphemy laws were legislated and subsequently made stricter to ensure protection to the minorities. But their blatant abuse have shown that even the Muslims were becoming victim of these laws. The most recent example is provided by gory murder of one Danish Robart in Sialkot jail,here I also want to mention Yusuf Kizab murder in the Kot Lakhpat Jail by an activist of the banned Sipahe-i-Sahaba. Yusuf had been sentenced to death sentence under the blasphemy laws. The worst example was the suicide of Father John Joseph on May 6, 1998. Dr Joseph, the Bishop of Faisalabad, committed suicide in front of the Sessions Court, Sahiwal to protest against the death sentence of a Christian Ayub Masih, pronounced by the court under the blasphemy law.

The blasphemy law was enacted by the British to protect the religious sentiments of the Muslim minorities in the subcontinent against the Hindu majority. After the creation of Pakistan as the Muslims were no more a minority, the law should have been abolished. But it was made more stringent: Section 295-A was enacted in 1927 (Pakistan Penal Code). In 1980, Section 298-A was inserted. In 1982, Section 295-B was introduced. In 1986, Section 295-C was legislated. In 1991, life imprisonment was replaced with the mandatory death penalty in the Section 295-C.

When the blasphemy laws were not harsh and the Muslims were tolerant towards the non-Muslim minorities, the latter remained mindful of the religious feelings of the former. As the majority grew intolerant towards the minorities and the capital punishment was incorporated in the law, the cases of blasphemy started occurring more frequently. From 1948-1979, 11 cases of blasphemy were registered. Only three were reported from 1979-1986. Forty-four cases were filed from 1987-1999. In 2000, 52 cases were registered - 43 against the Muslims and nine against the Non-Muslims.

After Jinnah's death, the ruling elite embraced the Machiavellian politics of the colonial rulers and divided the nation on religious, sectarian and linguistic bases. The blasphemy law is an integral part of this baleful politics that has made Pakistan a deeply divided society. History is full of incidents that remind us of the great love, amity, unity, and affinity between the Muslims and the non-Muslims.

Every other day we hear reports of someone being charged of blasphemy and the judges on duty award death sentence to such people when the charges are proven. In Pakistan the blasphemy law has often been used for settling personal scores. President General Musharraf had announced amendment to this law but later he had to back out. The higher court have not endorsed death sentence in any blasphemy case so far but the extremists have been misusing this law to harass the minorities. Even if the allegations prove false the person leveling such charges is not punished. Whenever such an incident takes place it harms Pakistan’s image in general. Religious fanaticism is very common in Pakistan and because of absence of a political process people tend to use force and gun for settling the issues.

General Zia regime and his legacy headed by Pakistan Muslim League created an environment in which murder in the name of Islam became a legitimate act. A number of innocent people have been charged with blasphemy and killed in the name of Islam. It is a fact that no sensible and sane person can ever think of doing any such thing. Personal enmities can clearly be seen behind the blasphemy cases. We find “personal enmities”, “fictitious stories” and “planning” behind the massacre in Shantinagar,Gojra,Sambrial and Bahmniwal. The gory drama of murder and arson staged in Shantinagar is still live in the memories of the local people. In Gojra and Shantinagar, houses of Christians were set on fire, churches were demolished, hostels for boys and girls were destroyed and thousands of copies of the Holy Bible were burnt right in the presence of the police. In Gojra innocent Women Children's and even animals burnt alive. People have been killed and stoned to death in our country using the section of law 295 C. How many houses have been destroyed to get a house in the heavens?

Political and civil rights

There is simple formula about the rights. If political and civil rights are granted, economic, social and cultural rights automatically follow. There is no country in the world where the whole population consists of only one ethnic or social group. In all the countries several minorities groups are a part of their population. The relationship between the minority and the majority is the yardstick through which we can judge the level of freedom in a particular country. Rights of the minorities are important to all those people who respect human liberties. No such country can be called a liberal democracy that does not recognize, enforce and respect the rights of minorities.

When we talk about the rights of minorities the purpose is to promote a diverse society where people of various groups respect each other and are ready to learn from and understand each other. Such interaction forms the basis of stronger relations between the people of a diverse society. The awareness of rights of the minorities is increasing all over the world and this awareness in particularly increasing in the underdeveloped and extremist countries. The most important right among the rights of minorities is to let them participate in the decision making process.

Unfortunately the minorities have not been given full political and civil rights in Pakistan. Under the law no non-Muslim, no matter how intelligent and capable be, can’t become the President, Prime Minister, a senator, a governor or the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Many judges have been transferred from the high courts only because of their religion or sect considering the fact that holding this position they might become chief justice one day. The government must realize that the loyalties of the minorities cannot be won by depriving them of civil and political rights. Rather those can be won by giving them more and more opportunities to make decisions about their future. This diversity should not be taken as a threat but as an additional asset. Only this can bring peace and harmony among various groups and people.

Media, social prejudices and discrimination

If one glances the school textbooks or watches the programs at the state-run media they appear to be full of religious prejudice and hatred. The majoritarian view dominates in them. We find in our degree level textbooks that there are only two nations in the world: one the Muslims and the other non-Muslims. Under such conditions national solidarity cannot be developed. The tragedy with the minorities in Pakistan has been that they are always viewed with an eye of skepticism. In every field they are treated with extreme indifference and apathy. The plight and problems of the minorities have never been included in the national political agenda.

All the governments in Pakistan admitted their mistakes when they were ousted from power. They also assured that the mistakes would not be repeated in future. After being ousted from power the Muslim League (N) and Peoples Party realized that the minorities have been facing discrimination. The code of ethics issued by the ARD at the time of its formation and the commitment it had made to the nation, also included the point that no one will be discriminated on the basis of religion or gender.

One among various complaints the minorities have in Pakistan is that the Pakistani media has ignored them throughout the past 62 years. The majority community owns most of the national press and the government controls the electronic media. Our governments in the past used the electronic media only for disseminating their own views.

Religious and ethnic minorities and marginalized communities like haris (landless peasants), the newspapers often ignore kiln workers, children, women and rural areas. As far as the electronic media is concerned, the doors of electronic media are closed for the minorities. No programs about the problems of minorities are ever broadcast through the electronic media. The attitude of Pakistani media towards the poets, writers, journalists and artists from the minority communities has been deplorable. Journalists, writers and intellectuals cherishing the minority views are not given any opportunity to propagate their views.

Poor Christian girls and women become target of religious hatred and are dishonored. The culprits are not punished. The nationalization of Christian educational institutions not only affected their performance but also darkened the future of Christian youth. This has created a vacuum and a crisis. The Christians do not get admissions in their own educational institutions. Because of the religious discrimination and social prejudices intelligent people from the minorities move to United States, Canada and European countries. In the jails minority prisoners are not given the same facilities, which the Muslim prisoners get. When the government allots lands to the landless tenants, minority tenants are not given a share. The rulers do not find it necessary to consult the minorities while taking any important decisions regarding them. Instead of taking a critical view of their own thoughts, approach and policies the rulers prefer to adopt an uncertain and ambiguous attitude. Whenever the minorities demand their rights, they are told that they enjoy the freedom and security to go to their places of worship and offer their prayers but now it is a question of rights and equal rights rather mere security and freedom to worship.

Attacks on churches and Christian institutions: A new trend

After Pakistan’s decision to join the global war against terrorism some elements of the outlawed religious extremist organizations have launched a violent campaign to stop government’s moves to promote a liberal and progressive image of Pakistan. First, Christian churches were their target but now the offices of NGOs have also being targeted. Innocent Christians are being killed in these terrorist attacks. Despite all the measures taken by the government, religious fanaticism is still prevalent in Pakistan. From the Bahawalpur Church to the Justice and Peace Commission office and the Gojra, innocent people were brutally killed and burnt alive. All these incidents have created a feeling of insecurity among the minorities. Many more incidents of this kind are possible looking at the level of extremism in Pakistan.

Relation between minorities and state

Any society becomes isolated when conflicts of interest among various classes and groups start deepening. Among the societies of third world countries this isolation and indifference is growing very fast. Avoiding responsibilities is the biggest indicator of this trend in these societies. An individual finds the meanings of his life in a political and social background but if the polity is indifferent towards him then the individual becomes socially and politically isolated. Every individual and group creates meanings of its own existence. If that is not possible then people get into social and political isolation. The main factor behind this isolation and indifference is the society, which is based on injustice and inequality. Separate electorates promoted an unjust society in which our political institutions and rulers had no contact with the minorities. In an unjust society people tend to find refuge in regional, religious and ethnic loyalties rather than the national loyalties. In Pakistan Sindhi, Baluch and Pathan nationalism, affiliation with ethnic, religious and minority groups gives psychological and social satisfaction to the people. But these loyalties lead to divisions and further divisions in a society. Because of this division and uncertain social, economic and political conditions no collective Pakistani culture has taken shape so far. This cultural chaos has made people indifferent towards the society. There is no collective objective nor is there any sense of collective responsibility. So much so that we are not ready to even trust each other. The concept welfare government emerges when through social evolution a society realizes that it is responsible for the fundamental rights of all its citizens. Unfortunately, in Pakistan governments have never been responsible for the fundamental rights. They excluded the minorities from the fold of Pakistani nation by introducing separate electorate. The “prolonged silence” of the rulers over the problems of minorities is clear evidence that the relationship between the minorities and the state has continuously been that of disappointment, isolation and indifference.

End piece:

The minorities will not get all their rights in a flash of time. Continuity of political process is required for restoration of their rights and the entire nation must work for that. We believe if the political process continues and proper laws and rules are there only then political violence, religious extremism and intolerance will come to an end and a liberal society can come into being. A real democracy, which respects the rights of all its citizens, will get roots. Democracy requires a collective diverse society and good human being are born in a diverse society. The philosophy of nationalism develops only through this process.