Silence » Current Affairs

Transcript of President Zardari’s first Speech to joint session of Parliament

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:30:56 +0000

Madam Speaker, Fahmeeda Mirza: I invite Honorable President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to address under clause 3 of Article 56 of the constitution to both the housed assembled together.

Asif Ali Zardari: Start with the name of Allah, the merciful the beneficent. Madam Speaker, honorable members of Parliament Aslam-o-Alaikum! I bow my head in gratitude before Allah for standing here today to address the joint session of the parliament. I thank the members of the parliament and of all the provincial assemblies for imposing confidence in me and electing me to this high officer. I have been given this singular honor and the privilege in the name of Shaheed (Martyr) Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto [clapping]

I am humble to be standing there in front of the seat of democratic power in Pakistan. On this important day our thoughts go to the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto the first woman Prime Minister of the Muslim world and twice elected Prime Minister of Pakistan whose personal sacrifice and courage has made democracy possible. We are here; this parliament is here because of the historic choices she made. It is indeed her day; I wish she was addressing this parliament today and not me. Our thoughts also go out to the Shuhada (martyrs) of Karsaz, to the martyrs of Liaquat Bagh tragedy of December 27 (2007) and those martyred on July 17 (2007) in Islamabad and on May 12 (2007) in Karachi and indeed to all those martyrs and injured for the cause. At this moment in time I also to pay homage to the brave soldiers who have embraced martyrdom on our borders and mountains as well as to those who gave their lives. Today I ask this August house to join me in a prayer for all the Shaheeds (martyrs) including Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and specially Mir Murtaza Bhutto whose death anniversary is mark of today [Silence and Prayer]. They are the real heroes. For myself that I stand here after crossing a river of blood and tears, I have been a prisoner of conscience, but will never let that make me prisoner of history. This means that while I will learn from history, I will never allow my decision to be dictated by politics of vengeance and bitter memories. It is time for us to move on God has given us a unique opportunity and we must not waste it. I wish to congratulate the elected members of the parliament; I also congratulate the Prime Minister, the Federal, Provincial governments on assuming their responsibilities. The mandate you have is both an honor and a great responsibility.

Madam Speaker, to address this joint session of Parliament in less than to weeks of my election as the President shows that we hold the parliament in its highest esteem and accord highest priorities to fulfillment of its obligations under the constitution and the law. Under the dictatorship, the parliament was tipped of its powers and not given due respect the constitution requires that the President address the joint sitting of the parliament after election and the beginning of every parliamentary year yet in the last 8 years the head of state only once addressed the joint sitting of the parliament but let me assure you that days of constitutional deviation and bypassing the parliament while taking the decisions of national importance are over. As head of state I wish to make it clear that the President and the government must and always seek guidance from the parliament in carrying out our duties. We are committed to upholding the supremacy of constitution, the supremacy of the parliament and the rule of law. The cardinal principle of the governance is respect of the mandate of the people as manifested in February 18^th (2008) election.

Madam Speaker, honorable members of the parliament, I have dream for Pakistan. My dream is to free this great country from the shackles of poverty, hunger, terrorism and disunity and I know that as law makers you too share the dream. For every hope we need a plan and for every plan we need an agenda, without doubt, a heavy national agenda challenges your government. This is the agenda of moving quickly to heal the wounds of past, to restore the trust in the federation, trendy an apology to the people of Balochistan was a long overdue step. The release from the captivity of the former chief minister of Baluchistan is also a positive move. The resolution recently of the long standing dispute and payments of billions of rupees to Balochistan is a step in the right direction but much more needs to be done. Successive bellows have weaken the federation, it needs to be strengthen for this the bitterness of the past must give way to reconciliation and harmony. I believe that the 1973 constitution is the only consensus document that can freshen such a social contract. I also request the government to start the consensus building process on the provincial autonomy and allotment of resources through a new formula that meets the needs of a united federation [clapping]. We must root out terrorism and extremism where and whenever they may rear their ugly heads. Reforming the tribal areas, bringing them into the mainstream of national life can no longer be delayed they must be treated at par with the rest of Pakistan‘s brethren. The people of Northern Areas must also get their basic rights representative rule and an independent judiciary. We believe in the independence of judiciary and all matters concerning the judiciary that shall be resolved in accordance with the constitution and the law and other great responsibility rests on your shoulders, this the removal of the distortions in the constitution made by successive dictators to prolong their rule. As a democratically elected President of Pakistan, I call upon the parliament to form an all party’s committee to revisit the 17^th Amendment and article 58-2(b) [clapping]. Never before in the history of this country has a President stood here and given away his powers [clapping].

Madam Speaker, Pakistan is at a critical security juncture today. In order to meet the challenges posed to (by) the extremist and terrorist elements in the tribal areas and adjoining regions, the government has devised a comprehensive three pronged strategy. First to make peace with those who are willing to keep the peace and renounce violence, second, to invest in development and social uplift of the local people and third to use force only as the last resort against those who refuse to surrender their arms, take the law into their hands, challenge the writ of government and attack the security forces. For all the stake holder to have ownership of this policy, I will request the government to hold a national security briefing for an in camera joint session of Parliament. Let every [clapping] have an opportunity to make an independent informed judgment about the risks to our beloved country and about how we should move forward with responsibility, clarity of vision. I ask of the government that it should be firm in its resolve to not allow the use of its soil carrying out terrorist activities against any foreign country. We will not tolerate the violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity by any power in the name of combating terrorism (clapping).

Madam Speaker and honorable members of the parliament, I believe that world has become a dangerous place for nations with conflicts on their borders so we need peace not only within Pakistan but also in our neighborhood at all times, we must keep our national interest in mind this means understanding the limits of confrontation, under this strategy President of Afghanistan Hamid Kirzai was specially invited to my oath taking ceremony as a mark of Pakistan’s sincere desire and consistence effort to promote close relations and strengthen cooperation with the brotherly country of Afghanistan. On the other side, we India, the government believes that the relationship between two countries can and should be creatively reinvented as Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said it is and I quote, “It is time for new ideas, it is time for bold commitments and it is time for honesty both among people and between people there has been enough pain. It is time for reconciliation”. For these ideas and for seeking peaceful in the region, we were once called a security risk by our critics but ideas can not be killed by oppression. The charter of democracy binds the government to a framework of peace and justice for the people of Pakistan and peace and friendship with idea, Pakistan has decided to resume composite dialogue process with India driving our relations through enhanced trade, we express our complete commitment to Kashmiri people in their just struggle for restoration of fundamental rights. We will continue to seek settlement (clapping) of all outstanding disputes including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir so that the main hurdle in the way of towards peace and full normalization of relations between Pakistan and India is removed. As a new initiative, we will start cross LOC (Line of Control) trade a pioneering CBM (confidence building measure). We will also propose a more liberal visa regime to further expand people to people contacts and friendly exchange and establish new facilities for visiting Sikhs and Hindu pilgrims. As another initiative to our relationships with India, I will urge the parliament to form a bi-partisan caucus for the propose of resolving outstanding disputes relating to Kashmir and the Indus Water head works. All parties must be represented on this caucus so that the nation is united on this key issue and draw strength by speaking in one voice [clapping].

Madam Speaker, the greatest challenge this government faces is an economic one. No elected government can survive the prospect of its people going hungry. The immediate and the most urgent task before the government is to provide food security to the common man burdened with the rising prices of food items but we must realize that given the global oil and food shocks we face today and the neglect of the agricultural sector for the past nine years this will not be enough to take the edge off growing poverty of our people’s face, to provide immediate relief to the poorest of the poor, the government has introduced a welfare scheme across the board with no political strings attached like the Benazir income support scheme for which a budgetary allocation of 34 billion has been made in the current financial year. The ban on trade union has been removed and the minimum wage of an un-skilled worker has been increased.

Madam Speaker, I do realize that all of this is not enough undoubtedly, your government inherited an economy that was driven by pure consumption and as such was saddled with huge liabilities of unpaid subsidy claims on account of petroleum products, power tariffs and luxury imports. The subsidies on oil and gas that we have removed is something no political government wants to shift but this is a bitter pill we had to swallow because our balance of payment accounts could not sustain the expenditures of last regime. I see a new beginning of our economy marked by the program of restoring investor’s confidence, resumption of foreign investment, gradual buildup of reserves, exchange rate stability and above all revival of sustainable——(one word missing).

Madam Speaker, I am aware of the harsh reality that Pakistan is passing through, an acute energy crisis due to the serious shortfall of electricity unlike the last government that did not install the single new megawatt in seven years, our government has taken immediate short and medium term measures to address the issue. We can not take Pakistan out of darkness in one month but we can certainly do it by the end of next year.

Madam Speaker, the government needs to set core priorities. I believe the vast and rapidly changing agriculture sector offers enormous opportunities hundreds and thousands of rural poor to break the vicious cycle of poverty. Agriculture land growth will rise farm income, lower food prices and generate surplus for exports that we are so urgently need therefore agriculture needs to be placed at the top of the agenda for ensuring food security on a long term basis generating jobs and income for a vast majority of people living in the rural areas of the country, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the government looking at crop insurance schemes [clapping].

Madam Speaker, just development is not possible without justice for women. I note with pain that despite the legislation that protects women, the women of this great nation continue to suffer crimes against them [in] disturbing frequencies, I will request the government to do utmost, to not just provide protection to women but to empower them at every step of the long round to their just entitlement as full citizens of this state. We can not reverse the decades of social backwardness [clapping] by one stoke of pen but we can and we will turn this tide slowly but surely. For the first time ever all state allotments both in income support or land will be made in the name of women of this country as my late wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto would have wanted [clapping]. This is a first step in the long journey but let me assure you the women of Pakistan will stand with me in this venture. I also note that the minorities of Pakistan have played a crucial role in the development of the country but have not received the social and political due, we will further draw them into mainstream of national life and make full use of their potentials.

Madam Speaker, members of the parliament, media has come a long way from the first day the PPP (Pakistan Peoples Part Government) opened air ways to private networks. Our government lost no time into the dismantle the infrastructure of violence that last regime left behind replacing the PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) and print media ordinance which hung over the media’s head like a sword. We will soon be bringing other fundamental laws such as the freedom of information bill and work with the stake holders towards an open atmosphere of self regulation with no interference from the state. I have requested the government of day to look into providing wage support housing colonies in every province at low cost basis for journalists [clapping].

Madam Speaker, under the new set up the parliament is asserting its role as a sovereign body. For the first time in more than 44 years the defense budget was discussed in the National Assembly (NA). Also, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, we have a appointed the chairman of Public Accounts committee, from the opposition as per our commitment in the charter of democracy [clapping]. And we all know that across the board, the transparent accountability from the key pillar of a good government, unfortunately, accountability has been grossly misused as an instrument of Political witch hunting. I believe the government has decided to repeal the NAB (National Accountability Bureau) ordinance and replace it with a system that is across the board, transparent and with in the accepted norms of mainstream judicial system. The hard provisions in the FCR are being done away with, a committee of FATA and another committee of FCR are setup by the government are finalizing the recommendations, I have recommended to the government that they change the name of NWFP to Pakhtunkhwa [clapping] in response to long standing demand of people of the province.

Madam Speaker, members of the parliament, in the realm of the foreign policy, it will be our endeavor to promote regional and international peace and security as well as the economic and social development of our people. The world has changed to market (may be marked) democracy, our foreign policy would be geared to not only defense of territorial integrity and sovereignty but also promotion of commercial and economic interest. Pakistan can position itself as a trade and energy hub for South and Central Asia. We will strengthen our brotherly relations with Iran; take our time test and all weather friendship and strategic partnership with China to greater heights. We the United States and our European partners, we will endeavor to build a long term partnership that is broad based and mutually beneficial. Pakistan will continue to extend full support to the Palestinian cause of self determination. We value our ties with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Libya. We will rejuvenate our relation with the Arab League, the OIC, the ASEAN to promote the bilateral trade and investment. With the Islamic and the Arab countries we enjoy excellent relations, we will further develop our friendship with the countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa. We underscore our commitment to principles of UN Charter, international law and the values of common humanity.

Madam Speaker, honorable parliamentarians, Democracy in Pakistan has finally being restored but still a tender sapling which needs nurturing before it becomes a great sheltering tree. There are still elements who want to derail it yet once again, with faith in democracy and the national reconciliation as envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, we must remain vigilant against such elements, the people of Pakistan have great hope, expectation from this parliament, to help them realize their dreams, we need to join hands and work together in harmony and not discord. The politics of this… (Some text missing spread over 5-10 seconds) envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-e-Awan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto… (Some text missing spread over 5-10 seconds) and live and that is the Pakistan for which I as a president will lead you all with support as someone who has walked from the death cell to Presidency. Let me assure you, nothing is impossible, I can stare the country out of darkness with the help of this government. I am confident that you will rise to their expectations and not disappoint our people. Let us pledge to help built together a secure strong and prosperous Pakistan. May Allah help us in this noble mission Pakistan Khapay (want), Khapay, Khapay, Pakistan Paindabad!

US drones hit targets in Pakistan

Dr Farrukh Malik — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:21:46 +0000

It is being reported that few hours back, suspected US drones hit targets in Baghar Cheena, South Waziristan, Pakistan. Further, it is told that around 4 missiles were shot and atleast 6 people are dead.

It is not for the first that this has been done from across border by American and NATO forces such attacks are gaining the status of a routine in the region. In the light of the statement of British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, that such military incursions on Pakistani soil will do no good, in fact, it will result in a fatal blow to so called War on Terror. Not only this but it offers a clear picture of American motives in the region.

Baghar Cheena is an area at a distance of about half a Kilometers from Afghan Border.

The attack came after the visit of Admiral Michael Mullen today who happened to meet top government officials in Pakistan including Pakistani Prime Minister and assured them of no further attacks by American forces in the Area.

In the wake of today’s attack, defense analyst and commentator Dr. Shireen Mazari thinks that Pakistan should take a firm stand on the issue and must stop facilitation of supplies to American and NATO forces in Afghanistan sent through Pakistan to Afghanistan. Further, Pakistani Ambassador to Washington may be called for consultation.

It is being speculated that this attack is a message to Pakistani authorities that the promise by Admiral Mullen was for something else and attacks like this will continue in future too. Hence, the tension between two nations is high.

Being a Pakistani national, I wonder to how I should take it? Do I consider it an aggression by a foreign nation? Do I think that it should be dealt diplomatically or militarily? It is quite clear that our military capabilities are nothing compared to America but it does not mean that weaker nations have no human rights? I want to ask at this moment that where the human rights advocacy groups are when this is being done in the guise of so called war on terror? What else Pakistan should do when its 100, 000 soldiers are already deployed there who are very much professional in performance of their duties and doing whatever humanly possible. Our military casualties are more than that of American casualties in the region than why we are target of such aggression? Don’t we deserve a much better treatment? In my view, it is a high time that international community should take up this matter and do the justice to those who are suffering in the hands of American and NATO forces else Pakistan must consider reviving its foreign policy including its stand regarding War on Terror.

He got released! (an unconventional interview)

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:46:49 +0000

by Farrukh Malik and Sagar Unnar

Caution: This is an unconventional interview of a conscientious prisoner taken by a panel of experts (least likely experts).

The Panelists

The panelists are five in number from different backgrounds, one landlord cum businessman (A), a middle class struggling fellow (this scribe refer me as B) and other three are metropolitan residents with stake in business(C, D, E).

Whose interview?

Kazim Ali Abbasi (KA), a lawyer (not liar) who got arrested few days back while protesting against emergency in Pakistan and jailed for ten days in Karachi Central Jail, Pakistan.

Venue

Last night, I mean November 16, 2007 at residence of Kazim Ali Abbasi in posh locality of Clifton Karachi, Pakistan.

Here you go….

B: Welcome back Kazim after a break from this lousy place!

KA: Thanks B.

B: When you are throwing party?

KA: Soon, may be tonight?

B: Aww, it will be awesome!

KA: I want to eat some meat, after eating too much dal there.

B: I can understand.

E: I had told you not to kick his a…. but you were adamant.

KA: Yaar may be you were right but I was indeed preoccupied with all that shit around.

B: So, you regret all that?

KA: No ways, in fact I am motivated enough for another such break.

A: Another break hmmm…

B: ‘A’, what do you think, you seem interested too?

A: No ways!

C: Well KA, please tell us about your pilgrimage.

KA: It was indeed pilgrimage. I was with so many intellectuals in jail that I felt the outside world is almost devoid of them.

B: KA, please proceed.

KA: So, I got arrested in High Court with all those big names and was imprisoned in barrack number one (1).

B: Interesting

KA: We got arrested and were taken first to artillery madan police station near high court. And latter we were transferred to Karachi Central Jail in Kutta Gaddi (armored vehicle used by police here). We reached at the gate of Karachi Central jail at about 2300 hrs and waited there for about three to four hours. The armored vehicle was having a capacity of 15 men only but we were like 30 to 35 and I thought we will die of suffocation.

B: But you are alive hmm…

E: Yes, you are alive.

KA: Alive oh yes, thanks to my strong immunity and health.

B: Go ahead with the story.

KA: Yes, at about 0230 hrs, they took us inside and it felt very pleasant to get freed from the Kutta Gaddi (the feeling of relief was still in his eyes). Having entered, we were taken to barrack no. 1. The barrack no. 1 is a place that I will never forget (he got lost in memories of his prison cell). We were 46 in number along with mice, cats and we all used to live under an implied code of peaceful co-existence (least likely among men in our world though).

D: You mean cats were not troubling even mice?

KA: Yes, they were not.

A: It was worth seeing all this.

KA: Yes, it was but beyond comprehension while sitting in my drawing room (feeling of agony was quite evident in his eyes).

D: Tell us more about it

KA: Slow man! Yes, when you enter the jail you will find a place called Marri (a building) , sort of a place with sitting arrangements, after Marri you will cross a passage that will lead you to a compound called Chakkar (dizziness, puzzle), Chakkar is a place that will really bewilder you. I think it is there to puzzle in case some prisoner is trying to make his way out. You don’t know where you came from and where you want to go. These were the important land marks in jail.

E: Tell us about food!

KA: Food was five star with sushi in super and all that (making mockery of all). We used to drink diesel in place of tea with lots of cockroaches and other insects. The food was dal almost every then and now and if someone mistakenly kept the plate on floor, mice will jump to show their solidarity with you and please you with their theory of peaceful co-existence.

B: Can you tell us the best part of your stay?

KA: We use to recite Faiz Ahmed Faiz and it was the best part. I happened to see Faiz in a different context. This jail journey provided me with an insight of my very self. One more thing, I observed a very painful scene and I want to share it with you. It is about a lady whose husband was a prisoner. Lady was out of money and was very poor. For a face to face meeting they use to charge a sum of 500 hundreds and that lady was penniless. Somehow she managed a normal meeting and they were standing around 25-30 feet apart with barriers in between and lots of other visitors around. This moved me a lot and the feeling of the pain in their eyes was very much clear. The lady was like weeping and it made me feel very bad.

A: Aray yaar it’s enough stop it now.

B: Han yaar its enough, let’s talk about something else

KA: What else?

B: Anything, acha any message you want to give to readers of my blog?

KA: This journey was not that bad but must remember, I now know that they (the jail administration) know how to make your life miserable. Stay cautious!

B: Don’t think about going to jail, that’s what you mean?

KA: Never, I am charged and I am ready to water my commitments in any form.

B: Thank you Kazim, the interview is over.

A: Yaar got to go now.

B: A, I want you to please catch some photos of KA and email me tomorrow

A: Okay, here I go (started catching photos).

KA: Enough? Let’s go and have some Karahai warhai, I am starving….

He got arrested!

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:40:53 +0000

This is a post to pay my respect to my dearest friend, Kazim Ali Abbasi, who got arrested few days back after proclamation of emergency in Pakistan.

Kazim is son of Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA from Larkana Sindh and nephew of Senator Safdar Abbasi. He is one of my closest friends and our frienship has roots in Cadet College Larkana. After completing his Higher Secondary School level (HSC) he joined the legal fraternity and it came to my knowledge today that he got arrested few days back while protesting against the proclamation of Emergency in Pakistan. Being very close to him, I know it for sure that it was not about anything else but his principles that he is facing all this. Moreover, the list of arrested workers of PPP is not showing his name so its quite evident that he is on jail journey in his individual capacity asserting his support to the suffering of us all.

(You can find other updates regarding situation in Pakistan on Awab’s blog by clicking here.)

What else I could say? Few days back I had imposed a bar on myself not to post about anything related to state of emergency in Pakistan but having heard this news I was not able to stop myself from writing all this. I want to ask a question, How long they will keep our mouths shut? I will not write more but will dedicate a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz to Kazim and all the others who are suffering by watering their commitments:

Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay
It is necessary that we shall also see
Woh Din ke Jis ka Wadah Hai
That day which has been promised
Jo Loh-e-Azl pe Likha hai
Which is written with God’s ink
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see

Jab Zulm-o-Sitam ke Koh-e-garaan
When the mountains of cruelty and torture
Ruii ki Tarah Urd Jain Gay
Will fly like pieces of cotton
Hum Mehkumoon ke Paun Talay
Under the feet of the governed
Yeh Dharti Dhard Dhard Dhardkay gi
This earth will quake
Aur Ehl-e-Hukum ke Sar Uper
And over the head of the ruler
Jab Bijli kard Kard Kardke gi
When lightening will thunder
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see

Jab Arz-e-Khuda ke kabay se
When from God’s Mecca
Sab but Uthwaaiy Jain gay
All the idols will be shattered
Hum Ehl-e-Safa Mardood-e-Haram
Us people standing in the mosque
Masnad pe Bithaaiy jain gay
Will be elevated to a higher platform
Sab Taaj Uchalay jain gay
All the crowns will be tossed
Sab Takht Giraaiy Jain gay
All the thrones will be toppled

Bas Naam rahay Ga Allah ka
Then only God’s name will remain
Jo Ghayab Bhi hai Hazir Bhi
Who is both absent and present
Jo nazir bhi hai manzar bhi
Who is both the observer and the view itself
Uthay ga Analhaq ka Naara
When the anthem of truth will be raised
Jo Main bhi Hun aur Tumbhi ho
Who I am and you are as well
Aur Raaj karay gi khalq-e-Khuda
And the people of God will reign
Jo main bhi hun aur tum bhi ho
Who I am and you are as well

Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay
It is necessary that we shall also see
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see

Translated by Ayesha Kaljuvee

Update 1: One of my friends visited Kazim in central jail Karachi. He told me that authorities agreed on his conditional release provided, he signs the undertaking to not to participate in any such activity and beg the pardon. Kazim, being a conscientious fellow, didn’t accept any such offer.

Update 2: Found the link to HRCP blog. It is carrying the list of Lawyers kept in Karachi Central Jail. This list has mentioned the name of Kazim. For complete list click here

Update 3: At last Kazim is out of Karachi central jail. I will try to get hold of him and will write his story if possible.

Pakistani Bloggers after emergency

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 12:50:10 +0000

With declaration of emergency rule in Pakistan, the fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan are suspended as guaranteed in 1973 constitution of Pakistan. Along with other articles, the article 19 of the 1973 constitution of Pakistan that provides the safeguards to Pakistani citizens of freedom of expression stands suspended too. Leading blogger and activist, Dr Awab warns the Pakistani bloggers to play safe while constitution is in abeyance. Dr Awab has given the blogging rights of his blog to Ange who is blogging on his behalf. He suggests other Pakistan based bloggers to follow this strategy. The blog of Dr Awab being operated by Ange can be found here.
While writing this post, I am in sort of a dilemma to what should be my stance? I should continue writing or play safe by keeping my mouth shut! To me, no other option is left…..Till the situation is favourable, this is my last post on the current political crisis in Pakistan.

The roundup of Pakistani blogsphere written by Neha at Global voices online can be found here.

Provisional Constitution Order (constitutional articles suspended)

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:01:27 +0000

President General Musharraf promulgated the Provisional Constitution order (PCO) and declared the emergency in Pakistan. This order may be called as Provisional Constitution order No. 1 of 2007. Under the PCO, the Fundamental Rights under Articles 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 25 of the Constitution shall remain suspended. In following lines, I am putting forward suspended articles in accordance with PCO and these articles are related to fundamental rights.

Article 9 states: “No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.”

Article 10 states: “(1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest, nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.

(2) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before a magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the nearest magistrate, and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate.

(3) Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.

(4) No law providing for preventive detention shall be made except to deal with persons acting in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or external affairs of Pakistan, or public order, or the maintenance of supplies or services, and no such law shall authorise the detention of a person for a period exceeding [10][three months] unless the appropriate Review Board has, after affording him an opportunity of being heard in person, reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention, and, if the detention is continued after the said period of [three months], unless the appropriate Review Board has reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of each period of three months, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention.

(5) When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order shall, [11][within fifteen days] from such detention, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order:

Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against the public interest to disclose.

(6) The authority making the order shall furnish to the appropriate Review Board all documents relevant to the case unless a certificate, signed by a Secretary to the Government concerned, to the effect that it is not in the public interest to furnish any documents, is produced.

(7) Within a period of twenty-four months commencing on the day of his first detention in pursuance of an order made under a law providing for preventive detention, no person shall be detai- ned in pursuance of any such order for more than a total period of eight months in the case of a person detained for acting in a manner prejudicial to public order and twelve months in any other case:

Provided that this clause shall not apply to any person who is employed by, or works for, or acts on instructions received from, the enemy [12] [or who is acting or attempting to act in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof or who commits or attempts to commit any act which amounts to an anti-national activity as defined in a Federal law or is a member of any association which has for its objects, or which indulges in, any such anti-national activity.

(8) The appropriate Review Board shall deter- mine the place of detention of the person detained and fix a reasonable subsistence allowance for his family.

(9) Nothing in this Article shall apply to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien."

Article 15 states: "Every citizen shall have the right to remain in, and, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part thereof."

Article 16 states: "Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reason able restrictions imposed by law in the interest of Public order."

Article 17 states: "(1) Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reason- able restrictions imposed by law in the interest of [13] [sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality].

[14][(2) Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonab1e restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan [14A] [or public order] and such law shall provide that where the Federal Government declare that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan [14A][or public order], the Federal Government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.

[14B][Provided that no political party shall promote sectarian, ethnic, regional hatred or animosity, or be titled or constituted as a militant group or section.]

(3) Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.]

[14C]
[(4) Every political party shall, subject to law, hold intra-party elections to elect its office-bearers and party leaders.]”

Article 19 states: “Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relaffons with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,[15][commission of] or incitement to an offence.”

Article 25 states: ” (1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.

(2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.

(3) Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.”

In view of the articles of the constitution I just quoted, you can very well imagine the situation we all are into.

May Peace Prevail on Earth!!!!

Emergency declared in Pakistan???

Dr Farrukh Malik — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:05:50 +0000

Moments back, on my way back to my home from office, someone told me that TV channels are off air in Karachi. I rushed to my apartment and confirmed the news. Yes, the channels are off air, no Geo, no ARY, no, BBC and CNN. The BBC world’s website reports that President General Pervaiz Musharraf has imposed the emergency. I went to see for Jump TV, Aaj was still on air but moments latter it blocked as well. I don’t know where our beloved country is leading. Reuters reports that Benazir is on her way back to Pakistan. According to Aaj’s website Benazir landed on Karachi Airport. Supreme court Bar Association’s president Barrister Ahsan has been served with detention orders for 30 days.

Update 1:Few moments back PTV home showed the papers containing the emergency order.

Update 2: Musharraf is expected to go on air with his speech at 11 pm tonight.

Update 3: Justice A. Hameed Dogar took oath as CJ. Musharraf administered the oath to him. The visuals were shown on PTV.

Update 4: Reportedly, the text of the declaration of emergency ends by saying that the constitution is in abeyance.

Update 5: President Musharraf promulgated the PCO and it states that Under the PCO, the Fundamental Rights under Articles 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 25 of the Constitution shall remain suspended.

Karachi under attack again

Dr Farrukh Malik — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:59:10 +0000

Today, Benazir (BB) returned home after 8 years of self imposed exile after NRO (national reconcilliation ordinance) of President General Pervaiz Musharraf. The convey of BB was moving towards Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum from Jinnah ariport. The celebrations were in full swing when reportedly a suicide bomber blasted his car near Benazir’s vehicle killing many. It is further reported that, by now, 85 persons are dead and numerous are injured. I don’t know who they are and what they want but it’s second time during the same year, Karachi is facing such a carnage. No doubt who so ever is involved, his political motives are inhuman.

May peace prevail on earth!

Pakistan tops the arms buyers in 2006

Dr Farrukh Malik — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:24:15 +0000

It has been reported that combined value of arms sales worldwide to both developed and developing countries in 2006 reached $ 40.3 billion. In that combined value, Pakistan had the share of $ 5.1 billions, including $ 1.4 billions purchase of 36 new F-16C/D aircrafts and $ 640 million in missiles and bombs leaving Pakistan as a top buyer for year 2006 followed by India with $ 3.1 billion and Saudi with $ 3.2 billions.
Having read this report, I am left thinking that in a country where more than 50% of the population lives on less than 2 dollars per day, a country where there is shortage of approximately 19 millions houses for shelter, such a generosity in the name of defence is pointless. I think we ought to spend a good sum of our budget to help the poor masses thrive but the fact is on the contrary and this leaves me in anguish. I wish we could have such a leadership to take us on a journey for prosperity but all our calls are unanswered to date. I think if we will continue facing the life with all its sorrows accompanied with hunger, we will at some point in time realize the emptiness of our being and with this realization, the journey uphill will start. I am quite optimistic about and I know the day is not to far…..

Source: Dawn

Lal Masjid incidence: My opinion

Dr Farrukh Malik — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:29:00 +0000

Lal Masjid incidence came to its end today with death of Ghazi Abdul Rasheed. Different people have different opinion regarding this issue, some are in favour of extremist like Ghazi Rasheed and others are against such attitude of Government. Here you go with my point of view:

Don’t know if it’s right or wrong that this was a drama with government behind all this but we can not allow anyone to challenge the writ of government. Constitution of Pakistan ought to stay as supreme in Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Death of any single innocent being is objectionable and same is the case regarding deaths of all those who bid farewell to this world.

Since Ghazi Rasheed is dead by now, his and corpses of others must be respected keeping in view the limits of decency and be handed over to their relatives.

In the last, I would say that this incidence and many other similar incidences of extremist activity are an outcome of loath and rotten policies of dictator Zia-ul-Haq who sowed the seeds of Talibanization by going out of the way while supporting Afghans against Russians. We need to send the message of peace and love by rejecting the extremism in any form.