[Bangla New Age] THE election to the tenth Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday was never meant to be free and fair, especially after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led opposition alliance had been practically forced out of the race and 153 candidates of the ruling coalition elected unopposed; the Awami League-led government had well and truly made it into a mere ritual. The ruling party had seemingly banked on its network to coerce or cajole people to turn up at the polling centres and thus create an impression that the polls had significant popular support. It did not work as a vast majority of voters chose to stay away; in most polling centres, the turnout was in the range of 10-12 per cent, that too, according to generous estimates. While widespread violence, which accounted for more than a dozen lives, could have been a major factor, pervasive dismay at the government's not-so-subtle manoeuvrings to perpetuate control over state power, even at the cost of denying people their fundamental right to choose their representatives, may very well have significantly contributed to the abysmally low voter turnout.
Yet, the ruling party was seemingly in no mood to relent, with a junior minister even coming up with the preposterous claim that the 'elections [are] acceptable despite poor turnout.'
Meanwhile, ...back at the revival hall, the pastor had finally been wrestled from the pulpit. Y'got the wrong guy! he yelled just before Sergeant Malone's billy club landed... ruling party activists had reportedly resorted ballot stuffing at different centres, apparently to give the voter turnout some sort of 'respectability', so much so that six independent candidates, including an AL 'rebel', boycotted the elections halfway into the polling, in protest at what they termed 'rigging and forcible occupation of polling stations'. So much for the AL rhetoric about free and fair elections under a partisan government.
Now, whatever the official results and the turnout figure that the Election Commission announce, the tenth Jatiya Sangsad already stands bereft of any legitimacy -- political and otherwise. With more than half of the electorate having been excluded from the electoral process even before the voting was held and a vast majority of the rest staying away from the polling stations on Sunday, the roll of 'winners' that the commission is to announce will be anything but representatives of the people and the government thus formed will not have any political legitimacy, either.
Of course, the ruling party may well choose to ignore the legitimacy issue and carry on with its intransigence. If it so happens, the consequence could be disastrous to the country, the people and, needless to add, the ruling party itself. Besides further escalation of the political crisis and social disorder within, the country could be exposed to the wrath of the international community and agencies, and even face isolation -- economic, diplomatic and otherwise.
In such circumstance, if the ruling party has the slightest commitment to the democratic political process, it should immediately engage the opposition in a constructive dialogue towards holding inclusive general elections and thus restoring governance by people's representatives. Meanwhile, ...back at the laboratory the smoke and fumes had dispersed, to reveal an ominous sight... the democratically-oriented sections of society need to mobilise public opinion and bring the popular pressure to bear upon the government so that it does.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/06/2014 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under:
[Pak Daily Times] Dr A Q Khan -- the man who has, through clever propaganda, unfairly presented himself as the father of Pakistain's bomb when he is not even its uncle -- has recently started writing 'thought provoking' articles in an English daily. One of these has been a series of articles on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's 'predictions' made to journalist Agha Shorish Kashmiri of the Majlis-e-Ahrar.
Much of that interview does not square off. It finds no mention in Azad's papers. There is no original copy of the interview. The interview itself has Azad, an authority on Islam, confusing Jang-e-Jumal with Jang-e-Siffin.
How far the grand Ahrari agitation that began against Jinnah's Pakistain soon after partition has now taken over the narrative and discourse on Pak nationality is self-evident in the nation's laws. Physical manifestation of Ahraristan is found in our passport offices where to get a passport you have to resort to choicest abuse against Ahmedis and their religion -- if indeed it is a separate religion. Ahrar's ugly history against Pakistain and its founding father is well documented. Needless to say, the epithets Kafiristan and Kafir-e-Azam were invented by these uncles of Islam in the subcontinent. The great irony: pre-partition Ahrar had championed composite Indian nationalism; in Pakistain they became advocates of Islamist sectarian bigotry. Now that our Baba-e-Bum (bomb), Dr A Q Khan, has taken to journalism, such willing national suicides are more likely to seep into our national consciousness.
The real fight for the soul of Islam and the Moslem world has always been between those who believe in a straitjacket 'models' approach to Islam versus those who want to extract from their Islamic heritage the higher ethical principles of social justice and equity (the erstwhile Maqasidi tradition within Islam, which is as old as Islam itself). The former want form over substance, while the latter argue that ethical objectives of social justice trump form; therefore, the former want straitjacket Islamic rule, while the latter argue that a just and egalitarian society is, by definition, Islamic. To the former, secularism in a Moslem majority country is anathema even if it is desired in non-Moslem majority countries. In India they are hypocritically the proponents of secularism. To the latter, an inclusive democratic state is the higher ideal of Islam, call it secular or Islamic, for a Moslem majority state to follow.
The Islamic opponents of Pakistain and Mr Jinnah belonged without exception to the former category -- the Majlis-e-Ahrar, Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... . Some of them sided with Congress, not out of an undying love for Hindus but because they saw that the modernist Moslem leadership of the League largely saw Islam in latter terms. Thus, they feared that a Pakistain of this kind would seriously undermine their monopoly over Islamic law. Jinnah's early demise and the problems faced by Pakistain however slowly gave them a foothold in the form of the Objectives Resolution. Bhutto's surrender in 1974 and General Zia's 11-year rule delivered the country to them. In 2014's Pakistain, they have the monopoly while those who had seen in Pakistain the fulfillment of that higher ethical ideal have been forced out of the country or declared non-Moslem.
Many years ago, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and other bigots drove out the Moslem modernist, Dr Fazlur Rahman Malik, a great scholar of Islam and the head of the Central Institute of Islamic Research, from Pakistain because he favoured the Maqasidi approach to Islam. Fortunately, the University of reliably Democrat Chicago, aka The Windy City or Mobtown ... home of Al Capone, a succession of Daleys, Barak Obama, and Rahm Emmanuel,... recognised his genius and authority on Islam and he died there in 1988. It is a tragedy that great men who can help reform the polity and its skewed narrative of religion are not given the recognition they deserve within Pakistain. Dr Akbar S Ahmed, Ibne-Khuldun chair at the American University in D C and first distinguished chair at the US Naval Academy for Islamic Studies, is another Pak scholar who has been recognised by the west but not adequately enough by the country of his birth. The past 20 years of his life have been spent in the service of humanity, Pakistain and Islam. Through his inter-faith dialogue initiative, Dr Ahmed has fought first hand some of the stereotypes about Islam and the Moslem world. Pakistain can learn a lot from this man. Unfortunately, his efforts are ridiculed and he is mocked by seemingly serious and responsible journalists in the country. Pakistain has never been kind to its patriots.
The present government will do well to take under advisement the idea that Dr Akbar S Ahmed be appointed Pakistain's ambassador on the lam for interfaith dialogue and human rights ...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless... . Scholarship of Islam should not be narrowly defined by the orthodox clergy but by thinkers like Dr Akbar S Ahmed and Dr Fazlur Rahman Malik who show the way forward for co-existence between Moslems and non-Moslems the world over.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/06/2014 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
If only all Paks thourght the same as this article.
[Pak Daily Times] At least 16 people, including a policeman, have been killed in the fresh wave of assassination in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... . In a deliberate attempt to give a sectarian colour to the violence, special care has been taken by the killers to systematically hit Shias and Sunnis in different localities dominated by each sect. Karachi is otherwise peaceful when it comes to citizens living together, whether Shias or Sunnis. Animosity between the sects is consciously staged through assassination or other tactics by the elements aiming to divide and bring communities into conflict with each other. The other day two members of a Sunni religious organization were killed in Islamabad. A tit-for-tat atmosphere has been created in the country to trigger sectarian sentiments among the aggrieved.
The Rangers-led operation in Karachi breaks down every now and then when some 'other' forces breach the peace of the heavily guarded city and strike at their targets. This 'other force', lately identified by the Rangers as a political party, seems to be involved in triggering sectarian violence in the city. Karachi has been under the control of the Rangers for almost fifteen years now. On many occasions they have indicated the involvement of a political party in disrupting Karachi's peace or in other illegal activities. Unfortunately the name of the party has never been revealed. The suspicion though in every circumstance is cast on the MQM. The latest indication by the Rangers raises a similar apprehension. However, if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning... nothing could be said with certainty unless the Rangers or the government exposes the party with evidence. Another element that could be responsible for creating sectarian violence in the country could be the Taliban. Their vested interest in stoking sectarian skirmishes lies in weakening the state and dividing society along religious lines. The MQM's involvement in sectarian killing, if proved, could also mean that the party is playing into the hands of its enemies by strengthening their cause. As the religious divide deepens and tears society apart, the Taliban would get automatically benefited. The Taliban's only agenda is to weaken the state. Their tactics though vary. Lately however, sectarian violence has come out as a potentially more potent and easy way to get the desired results. Therefore any party creating a political crisis along these lines is indirectly strengthening the hands of the Taliban. For MQM, if involved, it is a moment of reflection considering that they take the Taliban as their enemy.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/06/2014 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[Pak Daily Times] In what appears to be an attempt to distance himself and his government from any impression that the treason trial of Musharraf is some form of vendetta, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... in an interview with a television channel has said that the state and the constitution are the real plaintiffs in the matter. Further, that it is up to the special court conducting the trial to determine whether the state was humiliated before the world because of the imposition of emergency by Musharraf on November 3, 2007 and falls within the purview of Article 6. The case, the PM stated, was not against any individual. Further comment, he went on, was not appropriate since the case was sub judice. Perhaps it is just as well that the PM chose not to go beyond a statement of the principles involved in the case since Musharraf's lawyers have already moved contempt petitions before the trial court regarding the PM and members of the cabinet's continuing comments regarding the case. That however has not stopped Information Minister Pervez Rashid from reiterating that the matter rests with the court or Defence Minister Khwaja Asif from delivering himself on issues surrounding the matter, including a categorical rejection of the application moved by Mrs Sehba Musharraf before the interior ministry to take Musharraf's name off the exit control list to allow her to take her husband abroad for medical treatment. The diversion of Musharraf's convoy to the Armed Forces Institute the other day when he was on his way for an appearance before the special court has given rise to a number of speculations. Political leaders have expressed unflattering opinions on the development, including former president Asif Ali Zardari who contrasted what he saw as the excuse of ill health to avoid the court appearance by Musharraf with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent... 's courage in facing death by judicial decree. PTI's Shah Mehmood Wormtongue Qureshi wants the government to answer the charge doing the rounds that some 'deal' has been worked out to allow Musharraf to leave the country and bring the case to a premature, but probably convenient close. Even Musharraf's defence lawyers were surprised and puzzled by his sudden illness and diversion to hospital when they were waiting for his appearance in court. Sharifuddin Pirzada, the senior defence lawyer, speculated out loud whether Musharraf was listening more to Rawalpindi still rather than his legal team, which had advised that he appear before the court. Meanwhile, ...back at the fist fight, Jake ducked another roundhouse, then parried with his left, then with his right, finally with his chin... special prosecutor Akram Sheikh has complained that he and his family are receiving threats from the intelligence agencies.
The confusion surrounding Musharraf's case does not owe its origins to these latest developments. Astute observers have been questioning the basis of a selective focus on the November 3, 2007 emergency rather than the 1999 coup, arguably the more serious violation of the constitution. These sceptics reject the argument that the King's Party-dominated parliament's endorsement of the coup has legal and constitutional validity. They go on to point out that the 1999 coup case would open a Pandora's box and potentially involve a great many more people and institutions, including arguably the actions of then PM Nawaz Sharif, the support to the coup by the army, judiciary (including the recently retired chief justice), collaboration by many politicians, the bureaucracy and even parts of the media. For these reasons, perhaps no one wants to go down that road. These original objections to the manner in which Musharraf was being put in the dock have been added to by the latest developments. Although Pervez Rashid has reiterated the government's position that there has been no international pressure for Musharraf's being let off, the 'routine' (according to the foreign office) visit today by the Saudi foreign minister is being accorded great importance, given that country's deep and abiding interest in the whole episode of the 1999 coup and all that followed, including mediation on Nawaz Sharif's behalf. Rumours are rife that the military is behind the moves to get Musharraf off the hook and send him abroad on the grounds of medical treatment. One can be forgiven in the circumstances for questioning once again whether the requisite political will exists to see a treason trial against a former COAS proceed, whether wholly or partially, with all its attendant risks to the sitting government.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/06/2014 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[8 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[Ynet] Battles between armed gangs in Beirut could affect relative calm on Israel's northern border
Israel is not shedding any tears as boom-mobiles explode in southern Beirut's Dahiya quarter. But this malicious joy against Hezbollah should go along with quite a lot of concern: The ongoing instability in Leb could affect the relative calm on the northern border.
Week after week, Hezbollah suffers painful blows in its soft belly, this time in southern Beirut. Another record was broken on Thursday when a boom-mobilewent kaboom! in the Dahiya quarter. Time and again Hezbollah stands helpless in the face of a terror offensive -- but in the meantime it must restrain itself, as its internal status in Leb does not allow it to act today as it acted in the past.
Hezbollah is weakened and humiliated. Ongoing attacks against the organization in Beirut will eventually take Hezbollah fighters out of the camps and cast them into the war inside Leb.
After all, the strongest impulse motivating violence in the Middle East is vendetta. It's very reasonable to assume that Thursday's attack in Beirut was an act of Dire Revenge™ over Hezbollah's unusual success in Syria. This ritual of slaughter and counter-slaughter is intensifying the gang war in Leb. What is perceived today as a limited gang war of Salafis and Sunnis against Alawites and Shiites in Leb will still turn into an all-out war.
The internal situation in Leb is deteriorating, and the entire balance system which held the relative stability in Leb is disappearing. The economy has been critically damaged by the war in Syria, and the growth in the past three years is minimal. And if that were not enough, this shaky economy is also carrying on its back more than a million and a half Syrian refugees.
Because of its involvement in Syria, Hezbollah has opened another military front inside Leb against the global Jihad, which has waged an unrestrained war against it.
Hezbollah -- which is in a defensive situation against an intra-Lebanese political front threatening to establish a government without it -- is waging a military campaign within Syria, defending itself against military attacks in Leb and trying to preserve its strength on the Israel border. But this arrangement is bound to be shattered.
At the moment, there is no threat on the Israeli border. Hezbollah has no interest in breaking the status quo. But this snowball has already hit the road: At some stage, the war of armed gangs in Leb will reach Israel's border fence too.
#2
Lebanon (Switzerland of the Mideast, Beirut, the Paris of the...) has been a problem for a long time. Hezbollah bombed the Marine barracks in 1983 killing 241 servicemen. They kidnapped, tortured, and murdered William F. Buckley, CIA station chief in 1984. Even before that during WWII, this area was occupied by Vichy France (allied with Nazi Germany) until the Brits went in to counter this influence. It seems the Vichy authorities in 1941 allowed Germany to move aircraft and supplies through Syria to Iraq where they were used against British forces.
I often think the best mideast policy would be to let the muslims thin out the herd in their internecine conflicts such as occurred when Iraq and Iran were at war for nearly a decade rather than use this useless "Fair and balanced" buzzword diplomacy of JFK and Champ.
#4
One of the problems. with that approach is that Muslims aren't very careful about who they kill. Christians are just targets of opportunity to them, especially in the chaos of civil war.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/06/2014 11:31 Comments ||
Top||
#5
And Rambler they don't seem very efficient in their use of ammo. Seems to be real low kill rates when they're supposed to be shooting at other Muzzies.
#3
Padre, the barbarians have been at the gate for several centuries. I don't know for sure but I'm guessing this has something to do with Lebanon's proximity to the islamic world.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Nawaz Sharif
Mehmood 
