Again, Desperate Times

pardesi #519:

kuldip nayar`s article appeared at -

http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/dec/18nayar.htm

Hi there!

Well this is really a great article and it seems a lot of work has been done by both proffesors. I really agree with them on the point that ``next election would have eliminated Nawaz Sharif (NS) as last election did with BB`` beside that I am great supporter of the fact that its the matter of choice people picked NS and as he turned to be a real nerd people got to take the suffring of their own choice. This would have serve as a filtration process which this, and all earlier, coup has unduly stoped. The coup has strengthen the habit of people to start jump once, their chosen, rulers turn insane instead of waiting til next elections to eradicate the evils.

Jerry

In his opinion piece, ``Any lessons learnt,`` Anwar Ahmad writes (The News International, December 20, 1999):

``There are so many other aspects of this tragic chapter of our history we need to face and learn from. Now that the guns-or-butter choice has assumed survival proportions--underscored by the military`s diversion of Rs7 billion from its budget to poverty alleviation--defence and development issues must be brought into the open, rationally debated and then decided.

Our greatest failure must be seen as a process, rather than an event, and studied objectively at all levels--from kindergarten to the university and the corridors of power. Only then will our children and decision-makers know what went wrong and where. Only then will the past mistakes be avoided.``

Comment: Human social life needs to be viewed as a process. In this sense, class is process, society is a process, place is a process, nation is a process, and/or history is a process. For example, we cannot understand social inequities unless look into the processes that lead to their production and reproduction. A true democracy is a means through which we think freely and develop better understanding of the processes that lead to a particular situation -- be it the fall of Dhakka or extra-judicial killings or our national debt. A proper diagnosis is a prerequisite to proper treatment and cure.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

In response to Qanango-One (Reply # 521) Part II

Zeemax is a knowledgeable person. Pu Li (Reply # 917) has made some excellent comments on Zeemax`s post. Jamil Rashid and Hasan N. Gardezi have contributed a chapter on Pakistan`s political economy which deals with the two perspective identified by Zeemax (see Gardezi, H. and Rashid, J. 1983. Pakistan: The Roots of Dictatorship. London: Zed Press). I recommend you to read the same.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

In response to Qanungo-One (Reply # 521)

Yes, your friend is correct (she is smart too). My question is indeed rhetorical. But, it does not mean that we can`t ask such questions even if we believe that we know the answer(s). My opinions are my opinions based upon my understanding and experiences. I want to learn from the understanding and experiences of other people too. I have often expressed my views openly declaring our ruling elite (army-bureaucracy-bourgeoisie) to be corrupt, unresponsive, exploitative, insensitive and not merely ``aloof and arrogant.`` However, I don`t believe in static ideas, thinking, modes of action etc. Learning is a never ending process. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. This is perhaps one reason that our ruling elite do not want us to know much. This is one reason that we know so little about: ``Why ``[nearly] 56% of the current budget is going towards debt servicing``?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Absolutism and Democracy in Pakistan?

In an opinion piece, ``Politicians not the only culprits,`` Rifaat Hamid Ghani writes (The News International, December 20, 1999):

``The bureaucracy and the military, in any case, follow a tradition that is not answerable to the public. They are now no longer subordinated, even formally, to the concept of being answerable to a sovereign parliament or any civil social authority. The only errant element really answerable to the public, the elected element, is the one people can and are punishing in choosing to disempower.

The process could go too far. We would be hard put fighting a dictatorship, should it not remain benign, with no political structures other than its vetted local bodies in place at the grassroots. If the regime turns absolutist, we may be missing sadly the very political parties we are only too happy to be quelling today.``

Comment: Ghani has provided a good warning to us. We need to think about it. Is Musharraf`s economic package the only solution to our country`s economic woes? What is likely to happen if we start defaulting on our debt payments? Why can`t Musharraf, in consultation with the representatives of all political parties in Pakistan, announce the formation of a high powered ``Commission`` to prepare a report for a new political system for the restoration of (true) democracy in Pakistan? Why can`t we start one or more independent political discourses (with the blessing not control of Musharraf) to devise a guideline for such a Commission to seriously consider and/or follow? Would it not be a democratic way to devise a system of democratic governance?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

518

bahmad: A friend visiting me just commented that your question is rhetorical, since you are already quite well aware of the answer(s) ; being a `trained specialist` in this area. Is she correct?

On the ``He had no Choice``, Board see Zeemax`s #915 and let us have your opinion too. Incidentally, I agree with Zeemax with only one or two `gargantuan` exceptions. But then, I am no match to you two.

Best Regards.

Qanungo

The Matter of Musharraf´s speech and Ayaz Amir´s Article in Dawn :

Looks like the hens are coming home to roost.

I wonder if anyone has read Irfan Hussain´s (Mazdak) article in the same Dawn of Sunday where Ayaz Amir´s article appeared. He writes ``there is no doubt that many people with short memories of the past performance of the military on and off the battlefield are quite dejected. They forget that the world-over military is a defender of the status quo. Expecting the army to put our house in order is a bit like expecting a guard who has evicted the landlord to pay attention to the condition of the garden and the poor state of repair of the property. Granted that the landlord was too crooked and shortsighted to put things right; the fact remains that the guard has neither the means nor the competence to undertake the task of refurbishing the house....As it is, the country is at a virtual standstill....In his recent address to the nation, he asked for more time. Sorry, general, that is the one commodity we are very short of.``

I think these journalists are the ones with the shortest memories of them all. These are the epitome of gutter journalism. People like Ayaz Amir and Mazdak had cheered the military takeover and had gloated over the personal plight of those detained without charges. What happened now ? Didn´t the cheque arrive? Or perhaps it bounced .. Ayaz Amir has suddenly discovered `` The emperor has no clothes !`` Didn´t he know from experience of previous military rulers that tin soldiers NEVER have clothes ?

Musharraf´s speech has spilt the beans. Most of the press is now becoming guarded in their round of applause for musharraf because what´ll happen if the tables turn. There´s widespread resentment over the fuel-price increase and there´ll be more on imposition of GST. People are beginning to feel that if this army rule has no radical remedies then why did they take radical control of the country ? Towards what purpose ?

However I believe it´s pointless to criticise the military for their lack of direction in running the country - when they can´t do right what they´re trained to do i.e. to fight and defend the country - then how can they be expected to do right what they have no idea about ?

Criticism now will just lead to repression. People should have refused to accept military intervention in the first instance as soon as it had occured. Now that the military has settled down comfortably in Islamabad and musharraf has started wearing sherwanis, they will not let go of power to anyone till they´re removed by another general.

In the meantime musharraf will circle over the dying body of this country like a vulture just as he circled over Karachi in PK 308.

Hup one .. two .. three.. four .. Left ... Left .. Left ....!

concerned # 516

It seems like Umairr picked the article from Pakistan’s The Nation (12/17/99) http://www.syberwurx.com/nation/.

It’s amazing that a major and reputable (?) newspaper will selectively edit the original article. BTW, which newspaper carried the original article?

National Debt and Bureaucratic Arrrogance: Is There a Relationship?

In a recent critique of General Musharraf`s poorly conceived/written speech, Ayaz Amir wrote: ``Soon the spectre of legitimacy will loom ever larger before the military government. As the bureaucracy, on whom every military government relies, becomes ever more aloof and arrogant, the people will be left wondering as to what all the fuss was about. Nawaz Sharif`s follies will then look less imposing than perhaps they do at present`` (Dawn December 17, 1999).

What is wrong with our bureaucracy? Why the people, like myself and Amir, are alienated with it? What Amir means when he says ``aloof and arrogant``? What role Pakistani ruling elite have played in the apparent failure of Pakistan? Why ``[nearly] 56% of the current budget is going towards debt servicing``?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

NOT NEWS

The editors of Pak news papers, in the internet editions dutifully inform the diaspora of the latest score in the `indian occupied kashmir`. The following from BBC did not make it to any major indian news papers, when the responsibility has been pinned on india.

``The Sialkot bomb was planted on the carrier of a bicycle and exploded at 1115 (0615 GMT) in a commercial area in the centre of the to``

These are the symptoms of a fundamental malady, when death becomes a score in the front page, a report on money well spent.

This is in reference to umairr`s `reproduction` of kuldip nayar`s article.

It made me smile to see how mr umairr, the self-proclaimed half-kashmiri, now ex-pak-army, conveniently deleted the references to pakistan in the original article and in fact even went to the extent of modifying some of mr nayar`s sentences. This is, of course, vintage uamirr style, whether he is presenting reports from amnesty, interviews from bbc, or articles from newspapers.

Allow me to highlight a few differences:

Umairr`s presentation:

``The rigging in the 1998 Assembly election had driven young men from the ballot to the bullet. A feeling of disappointment had turned first to desperation and then into insurgency. The same thing happened in the 1999 Lok Sabha election. The local population is once again showing a sneaking admiration for the militants.``

Kuldip nayar`s article:

``The rigging in the 1998 assembly election had driven young men from ballot to bullet. A feeling of disappointed had turned first into desperation and then into insurgency, with the help of the Pakistan army and arms. The same thing happened in the 1999 Lok Sabha election. More than 200 disgusted boys have crossed into Pakistan to get training. The local population is once again showing a sneaking admiration for even foreign militants, 90 per cent of them Pakistanis.``

umairr`s presentation:

``While walking on the road, I found no sign of Talibanisation of the city. Very few women wore burqa and few men sported a beard. There is normalcy of sorts. The number of bunkers in the city is far less than before. Even security men on the streets are not so visible as it was the last time. No doubt, there are more militants.``

Kuldip nayar`s article:

``While walking on the road, I found no sign of Talibanisation of the city. Very few women wore burqua and few men sported beards. There is normalcy of sorts. The number of bunkers in the city is far less than before. Even security men on the streets are not so visible as it was the last time. No doubt, there are more militants from across the border than are from within.``

Umairr`s presentation:

``The atmosphere of disappointment is conducive to desperation. Since the rigging of the 1999 election, people have lost hope of changing the Farooq Abdullah men through the ballot box.``

Kuldip nayar`s article:

``Cross-border militancy has increased since the advent of General Pervez Musharraf`s military rule. Islamabad is also encouraging local militancy. Apart from Pakistan`s encouragement, the atmosphere of disappointment is also conducive to desperation. Since the rigging of the 1999 election, people have lost hope of changing the Farooq Abdullah men through the ballot box.``

My dear umairr, if you claim to be impartial and objective and are worried about kashmir, at least have the courage and decency not to distort articles from leading journalists. I also think you should shed this cocoon of the half-kashmiri and proclaim yourself a full-blooded pakistani when you write your views.

Re: AMIT # 509

Thank you for a very detailed blueprint of your insight and opinions in the light of PM`s speech. It looks excellent and I sincerely hope that our policy makers think in such positive manner. My previous post was more like a wait-and-see response to your very optimistic and forward looking opinions based on PM`s speech. Unfortunately, having seen several governments coming with similar fanfare and ending up with great disappointments, I am more cautious in my opinion. One of the main reason for my cautious approach is my conviction that present set-up is very temporary.

As Bilal Ahmad has pointed out that the most important and fruitful trade relation ought to be between two neighbors, India and Pakistan. I am not sure if you considered the fact that Pakistan alone has as many people as whole of the Cental Asia and Middle East (excluding North Africa?). This relationship alone should help as much as the rest of the countries combined. Even more, if you consider other factors related to communication, transportation and human resources. Unfortunately, there is great mistrust among large segments of our people as you must have noticed sometimes even on this website. You have often wished good luck to Pakistanis and I exactly feel likewise for all Indians. Thanks again.

regards,

Sameer

Re: BAHMAD # 513

Dear Bilal Ahmad:

(I, however, am in favor of opening the lines of communication with India on terms that are mutually beneficial (not simply exploitative). These relations need to be developed slowly, gradually, and uninterruptedly.)

There is no doubt this particular trade relation should have been one of the most important one.

One of the reason for my less than enthusiastic support for trade with Central Asia is Afghanistan. I do not see any solution to Afghan problems in the near future and in the absense of trade route, Pakistan can only be able to trade in services or value added products. Pakistan is already very involved in establishing modern banking industry in many of the Central Asian countries. In the long run I am more hopeful about Iran and Iraq than any other countries in the region. Pakistan should have supported the Iranian proposal for gas pipeline through Pakistan. But I guess Pakistani governments are trying to please US more than being anti-India in this case. Most important for Pakistan is job creation. I am absolutely for any sort of trade policy which benefits Pakistanis. Personally I change my mind more quickly than many others on every issue as soon as I see merit and logic in it.

So far I am convinced that the present set-up can not last long enough to have any lasting impacts.

Because the inflation on the horizon( due to rising gasoline, electricity and food prices) will undermine the credibility of the regime irreversibly.

regards,

Sameer

In response to SameerJB (Reply #: 505)

Dear Sameer:

Your statement: ``Most nations try to trade with richer nations than themselves because it brings backs science, technology and other modern skills, not to speak of hard cash. If Pakistan was to preferentially trade with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgystan etc., whose per capita as well as skills level are less than Pakistan, it will be more beneficial to them than to us.``

Comment: Trade between nations results in different kinds of effects. Trade between rich and poor countries has historically led to a transfer of value from the poor to the rich countries (Emmanuel`s theory). Even if I assume that your statement has some power, the effects of Pakistan`s trade links with the United States and other industrially advanced countries of the world have been detrimental for Pakistan`s economic and social development. Pakistan needs to produce more (both quantity and quality) and engage in trade relations with as many countries as possible to provide reasonable employment opportunities to her very large and growing poor population. My reaction against Amit`s post was in response to his idealistic optimism regarding prosperity in Pakistan as a result of trade with the Central Asian countries. I also felt that he was trying to patronize and/or flatter the Pakistanis for some reason (sorry Amit, no disrespect to you). I, however, am in favor of opening the lines of communication with India on terms that are mutually beneficial (not simply exploitative). These relations need to be developed slowly, gradually, and uninterruptedly. I believe, an Asian economic community of South Asian countries, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian republics, Russia, and China would bring a lot of good to Pakistan (and other South Asian countries), depending upon its long-term success.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

correction to post 511, 2nd last parat: ``Muslims of India demanding independence,`` should read, Muslims of India demanding Pakistan.