Pakistan - The Way Forward

Temporal

`` If you forgive me for being simplistic, perhaps it is time we see this as a custody battle between two lovers. Both won`t let go of the child. We need a creative solution: weekdays with one parent and weekend with the other. Or days with one and nights with the other. Ah, custody battles are seldom simple. Neither is Kashmir--- for here we must accommodate the wishes of the child as well. ``

Interesting analogy! Wonder when the child will become an adult and require neither parent?

DEATH..DEATH

Pakistanis on the chowk, have a look at the News International headlines of 4 th May, death in tunisia, death in philippines, death in israel, death in indonesia.

Just post your interpretation of why death is so much prime news in pakistan, death in other countries, far and wide. That is the only way to stoke the jihadic fires. Face the reality, post some thing temporal, krashid, fairdinkum any one .....

There is nothing achieved, if it is not achieved in constitution.

No rule is benign, if you think.

What if a ruler uses his authority badly.

Very important to have constitutional rights.

The current constitution is 27 years old and may have been a step forward for its time.

Now our feudal-industrialist are apt at manipulating constitution for their benefit and are going to demand restoration of constution.

We need more rights in constitution. Not the right of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif and co. and their future face to getaway from corruption and kickbacks.

re. Jay #18

``The pakistanis, pretending to portray balanced views, PM and bilal ahmed comes to mind at some stage should have mentioned the truth [about the destruction of Hindu temples in the wake of the Babri incident]``

jay, the `truth` as was made aware to me, and I suspect to most Pakistanis back in 1992, was that frenzied believers went on a spontaneous rampage in a visceral reaction reaction to the news of the Babri demolition. Justified? No, but given the complexes of rank-and-file Muslims here, almost expected.

And while I think temple-desecration can almost never be condoned, at least in it wasn`t carried out here under the more shameful manner of Babri, where state authorities chose to look the other way while extremists gathered and planned their assault for days.

For the record, I felt the Hindu extremists were at leat slightly vindicated in the discovery of Ram`s temple under(?) the masjid. But that still didn`t justify the state`s (in)action and tacit approval of the act, especially when secularism is allegedly it`s highest ideal.

Maybe it irked me most to find that, at least in handling that event, India proved no more protective of religious Minorities than Pakistan.

Another `truth` about the desecration of Hindu temples that we learnt through the press was that the local govenrment was to pay for their restitution. Yes, it`s disgraceful that (if) the promise wan`t made good. Or if we didn`t bother to find out. :(

regards,

PM

Interesting observations!
But to really do something positive for Pakistan
we may have to start from ALIF and not always
stop at FAY (for Fauj or the military).
The future of Pakistan
cannot be left to this ever blurred and changing line of control (LOC) between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Ras

``My personal favorite is what currently taking a positive shape in Pakistan. A supervisory military rule which is clearly a strong authoritative institution and that can see through a Task Force Technocratic style of government to stabilise the gigantic national and International challenges that Pakstan faces Today.``

Correct me if I`m wrong, but isn`t that what Pakistan has had all along: A democratic facade hiding the real decision makers in the army? Now that that false front has been ripped, are you recommending its reinstatement?

``If a part of your body is infected you don t simply cut it off and throw it away- No you try and cure it - you try and fight the infection.``

How is one to interpret this exhortation in the light of the authors first assertion that democracy in Pakistan was rotten and therefore needed to be replaced: politicians in Pakistan are corrupt and therefore needed to be amputated from the body politic? Or is this statement to be applied selectively?

Dear Rehan:

Your statement: “The West is forcing Pakistan to reinstate democracy so I asked, Is Democracy the Solution.”

Comment: Each problem requires a particular solution. Some problems, however, require multiple solutions, while some others require a change of our mindsets, worldviews, etc.

Democracy cannot be a panacea for all the ills in Pakistan. However, it could at least allow us to reduce and/or resolve some unwarranted societal conflicts. Before we go any further, we need to ask: “What is Democracy”?

If democracy has many different forms, then we may ask: “What kind of democracy is appropriate for Pakistan”? Who should decide (democratically) what is appropriate for Pakistan?

If the majority of Pakistanis “can’t even define democracy” (as you rightly point out), we need to develop a national discourse for understanding the nature, scope, merits and demerits of democracy. We can institutionalize democracy only though a democractic ``process``.

Finally, we should not institutionalize democracy because the West wants us to do so. We should do so because it is in our interests to do so. In Pakistan, democracy has long been reduced to a somewhat erratic process of elitist control over the means of production (resources) and administrative power through direct elections and/or other means. Any comment?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

MUSINGS

Referring to PirSahib of Beltway`s visit and admonitions in GhostAbad to PirSahib of MilitaryShareef recently, Ayesha Jalal writes in an op ed piece today:

``The `only if you do as I tell you attitude` in any case blended awkwardly with Clinton`s patronizing tone when he warned Pakistanis of the comeuppance of people who try `redrawing borders with blood.` Even if it were possible to excuse Clinton for trying to whitewash New Delhi`s human rights record in Kashmir, his distortion of the historical record cannot be left uncorrected.``

and


``The problem in Kashmir has not been about people trying to redraw borders with blood but the forcible imposition of borders where ties of blood spill across any artificially created frontiers. Moreover, the Clinton solution to the Kashmir dispute, reduced to the `Four Rs` of restraint, respect for the line of control, renunciation of violence and renewal of talks with India, falls well short of the fifth `R`, namely, a resolution of this long-standing problem.``

All discourses, arguments and pontificating fail at the altar of peaceful resolution of this ----for lack of a better word-----`dispute`.

If you forgive me for being simplistic, perhaps it is time we see this as a custody battle between two lovers. Both won`t let go of the child. We need a creative solution: weekdays with one parent and weekend with the other. Or days with one and nights with the other. Ah, custody battles are seldom simple. Neither is Kashmir--- for here we must accommodate the wishes of the child as well.

But after 53/54 years one may argue about the mental aptitude of the parents who will not or cannot solve this irritant. ( And I am saying this with profound apologies to thousands of widows, orphans, displaced persons of all religious persuasions.)

I loathe these silly arguments of political one upmanship where the lines are drawn before the first word is uttered. But sometimes these (silly) emotions get the better of me. Will return to Language, Expression and Poetry in the Windies now.

regards,

temporal

OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN,

General Musharaff was born in india, he doesnt appear to have much of the arab blood, and he appear to be a good candidate for conversion to hinduism to create democracy in pakistan. Mrs Gandhi missed an opportunity with Bhutto. From Hindustan times.

Douglas considered converting Hirohito’

Tokyo,May 2

(AFP)

Gen Douglas MacArthur, the allies` supreme commander during the post-war occupation of japan, considered turning Emperor Hirohito into a Christian to promote democracy, a report said today.

The United States General also urged Protestant leaders in the United States to send a ``thousand missionaries`` to convert Japan to Christianity in the belief that it would help rebuild the nation after defeat in world war ii, kyodo news said.

The plan to convert the emperor, who was forced to renounce his divine status at the end of the war, was revealed in the diary of then United States navy secretary james forrestal, the news agency said.

Kyodo said it had obtained a copy of the diary from the library of forrestal`s alma mater, princeton university. After a meeting with macarthur in tokyo on july 10, 1946, forrestal quoted the general as saying he had ``given some consideration`` to converting the emperor but thought a ``good deal of reflection and consideration`` was needed.

Macarthur was a ``19th century man``, who believed that democracy was intimately linked to christian principles, kyodo quoted university of amherst japanese history professor ray moore as saying.

``The joint chiefs of staff also formally approved his plan to help support missionaries that year,`` it quoted moore as saying. ``The general was convinced with the encouragement of imperial palace officials that the emperor himself would convert to christianity,” moore was quoted.

Mohajir,

I would appreciate the source of your post on the destruction of temples following babri masjid.

This is what annoys me the most about the pakistanis on the chowk, the unsurpassed dishonesty. Almost every pakistani on the chowk, notably umairr has mentioned a thousand times, the babri masjid, never ever mentioned about the numerous temples destryed in pakistan in response to babri.I dont think many indians are aware of it.

The pakistanis, pretending to portray balanced views, PM and bilal ahmed comes to mind at some stage should have mentioned the truth. No that would be too much to expect, to assume that honesty is a precondition to peace.

Rehan. I think that Gen. Musharraf is deserving of every bit of our support - and that I mean active support, not just verbal. I see more honesty, straightforwardness and ability in him than in any other leader for a long time.

Pakistan is simply not ready for democracy. We need a guiding hand that will keep the feudals and the corrupt at bay while true democracy takes root and is allowed to grow. Gen. Musharraf may be just that guiding hand.

All the more interesting to me is the fact that the west is so full of anti-Musharraf rhetoric (read Robin Cook or Albright et al) while lecturing us on democracy - the same west whose darlings were the corrupt and dictatorial Benazir and Sharif.

Are they afraid that he may truly put Pakistan on a prosperous course?

Are they afraid that a progressing Pakistan (WITH nuclear weapons) is too much to tolerate? (Never mind that India has nuclear weapons too).

That a potential conflict in Kashmir may cause a dent in the IT economy of the west/India?

Is that what this is about?

reply to mohajir # 2

I think that you really mean India when you talk of a terrorist state:

This is from the assessment by the Federation of Atomic Scientists:

``The action of India is that of a state that has abandoned its earlier true faith in arms control and peace, based on both international and religious principles, and opted, instead, for domestic political reasons for a policy of pursuing weapons of mass destruction. The dictionary defines a person or state that abandons one faith for another as a ``renegade``.

In truth it seems that India is the primary abuser in Kashmir, a view supported by the independent organisation ``Human Rights Watch`` which notes:

``From the outset, the Indian government`s campaign against the militants was marked by widespread human rights violations, including the shooting of unarmed demonstrators, civilian massacres, and summary executions of detainees.``

`` So the way forward is YOU the way forward is us the young generation, who are sincerely concerned about the well being of our country, our identity and most of all our existence as Pakistanis ``

Mr Rehan Babar calls for a reform Jehad are probably well intentioned, but it gets lost in all the other similar calls - Most articles on National problems of Pakistan follow this pattern:

(Not All Articles of course)

1) A description of the problem 50 -80% of the length of the article. Many times the Genesis of the problem will be traced to baba Adam (Indus Valley, Islam, The Raj, `47, `71 ...).

2) 10 - 40% of the article would somehow connect/compare to the rest of the world.

3)Having given the back grounders, the balance 10-20% of the article will arrive at conclusions and will probably give ``Urgent`` calls to rectify the problem and hand out global solutions or grand orders -

``The military government should immediately arrest the miscreants...``

``Smuggling should be stopped..``

``The people must unite against...``

``The Americans must be told...``,

(Sounds familiar?)

I read hazar such articles, but what is missing is movement. There is nothing remotely resembling a mass movement or a peoples` activity taking place in the society to take up the suggested ideas.

So what is happening here?

Are these the calls of the alarmists and nothing is really wrong? Are all these writers completely detached from the ground? Is the public as a whole not interested in these calls for reform? Are people scared?

Is the general public just plain stupid? Is what the writer fantasizing about the peoples` aspiration for a Pakistan different from reality? It can`t be that leaders are missing we have so potentials, right here at the Chowk.

I don`t know, I might be a bit disillusioned here, but I am used to people forming rallies, marches, pickets, paper submissions, civil disobedience,...

Is the ``intelligentsia`` not intelligent enough to communicate with the masses? What IS the disconnect between these writers` articles and the ground?

Jay #: 8

`` Skinning a live goat is the usual test for madrassa entry in Pakistan.``

Is this a fact ? I thought small kids less than 10, joined these schools.

Regards,

Vicky

Surya Sharma turns Peter Joseph, but still doesn`t feel safe in Lahore

LAHORE, MAY 2: Name: Peter Joseph. Father`s name: Shyam Sunder Sharma. Children: Monica and John. No, it is not some Anglo-Indian family living in Lahore`s Kashmiri Gate. Peter Joseph`s name till December 6, 1992, was Surya Prakash Sharma. He changed it when his brother Nand Kishore and cousin Ram Narain were killed in Lahore in the aftermath of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

``I did not convert to Christianity. I just changed my name and it saved my life,`` he says, sitting in his small house in a lane in Kashmiri Gate. He refuses to be photographed. ``I`m very superstitious. It is like challenging fate,`` he says, holding his three-year-old daughter Monica close to him. He did not have the courage of giving Hindu names to his children, and then changed his wife Meera`s name to Mariam.

``I saw my brothers being killed in front of me. Many people in this area, mostly Hindus, have adopted Christian names to protect themselves,`` he adds. There is not even a single temple left in entire Lahore.

There was one Jain temple near Lakshmi chowk and another big one at Shalmi Chowk near Anarkali bazaar but both of them were burnt down after the Babri Masjid demolition. Some smaller ones in Krishna Nagar and Shyam Nagar in Chubhurjhi area where also destroyed, recall the 100-odd Hindus, now mostly living in Kashmiri Gate and Andhroon Bhati Gate.

``We are scared of even putting an idol of Ramchandraji or Krishanji in our houses. Most Hindus have converted to Christianity but we still offer our prayers to Hindu deities,`` says Frank (real name Harish Chandra). Most of the people refer to these Hindus-Christians as Balmikis in the area. Though Thapar Street, Bhatia Street, Bahamant Street and Sehgal Street remain, there is hardly any Hindu there. ``There used to be thousands of Hindus living in Lahore. But after December 6 (1992), most ran away to either Karachi or Kota in Peshawar. There are very few left now,`` says Septuagenarian Ram Pal, who has dared to retain his original name. ``This was the name given to me by my mother and I will be known by the same till I die,`` he says.

Though Christians too complain of ``problems and harassment,`` they are relatively better off. ``There are almost one lakh Christians in Lahore but they don`t really like to mingle much with the majority. We prefer to stay within our community,`` says Francis Louis, a science teacher in Don Bosco School in Lahore.

As if living as a minority in Pakistan is not bad enough, he says, teaching is even worse. Though Don Bosco is a Christian-run school, 70 per cent of the students are Muslims.

``There was a big furore in the school when I tried teaching the students about reproduction. The students went and complained to their parents who came and protested to the principal. I was almost thrown out of the school,`` he says. Louis had to apologise to the parents and assure them that he won`t teach them that subject in future.

``Now I just read what is in the book and cloak it in harmless and often meaningless language,`` he says.

Thomas D`Souza, who organises AIDS awareness programmes in schools and colleges, has to face hostility and ire every day. ``But we have to do our job. My assistant Franklin was beaten up by some students in Lahore University two days ago and has vowed to give up. I am trying to convince him but he is too scared,`` he adds.

The handful of Sikhs in Lahore are limited to the Dera Baba Gurdwara near Lahore Fort. ``There are three other Gurdwaras in Lahore but this is the only functional one,`` explains Harpal Singh, a kar sevak in the gurdwara which houses Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s Samadhi. ``Here, there are two dozen-odd Sikhs. We do the ``paath`` and read the Gurbani everyday even if there is nobody to listen. We will keep this Gurdwara alive,`` he adds.

http://www.time.com/time/daily/0,2960,44100-101000501,00.html

Why Cuba?

The Politics Behind the U.S`s Terror-Nation List

Why terrorist-packed Pakistan doesn`t make the roster while relatively calm Cuba is branded as a pariah

The United States` biannual list of countries alleged to sponsor terrorism is as much a practice in politics as it is in practicalities. The State Department`s ``Patterns in Global Terrorism`` document released Monday emphasizes that most terrorist activity today emanates from groups independent of any state that can`t easily be reined in by pressure on a government. Nonetheless, though the report focuses particularly on the upsurge in terrorist activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan — and uses the mention as a means to pressure those countries — it stops short of adding them to the official list of countries supporting terrorism.

For now the list of ``official`` sponsors of terrorism remains static — Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea and Sudan — although in many cases ``qualifying`` for the list (and the harsh sanctions that come with it) is somewhat of a stretch. ``North Korea may have a couple of old-time Japanese Red Army terrorists from the `70s still kicking around there, but it`s not considered an active sponsor of terrorism,`` says TIME Washington correspondent Massimo Calabresi. ``But the U.S. is actively using North Korea`s presence on that list as a bargaining chip in negotiations to get Pyongyang to back off on proliferating its missile systems.`` The State Department report suggests that North Korea might eventually be taken off the list, in light of its ``positive statements condemning terrorism in all its forms`` — although most other countries on the list would likely be more than happy to endorse the same statements. While Cuba may be a retirement home for a handful of former Black Panthers and Latin American urban terrorists of the `70s, it`s not generally regarded as an active sponsor of terrorist activities, and its continued presence on the list may be primarily designed to placate its critics in the U.S.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is an immediate problem area. It plays host to at least one group designated a terrorist organization by the State Department (the Kashmiri Harkat al Mujahedeen, implicated in last December`s Indian Airlines hijacking) and has refused to close the organization down despite pressure from Washington. But adding Pakistan to the list would mean closing the door on an already unstable nuclear power, and that remains an unlikely scenario. While castigating its record on terrorism, State Department counterterrorism coordinator Michael A. Sheehan made clear that Pakistan ``is a friendly state that is trying to tackle the problem.`` Washington would simply like Pakistan to try a little harder.

It`s time for Infiltration .........

Pakistanis get the greatest ``rutba`` there is shahadat.

With the snow melting in Kashmir thousands of Jihadis (mujahideens) from various parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan would be infiltrating into Kashmir to fight against India. With the support of Pakistan army these militants would be crossing the Indian border and staging the next KARGIL.

Already nearly 5000 have sneaked in Indian administered Kashmir. Many would be coming from Peshawar, Murdike, Multan, Larkana, Sialkot, Karachi, Sukkur and converging to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. From there they would be sneaking in Indian territory.

Re: ylh # 4

[`` ... you are in essence demeaning our religions and our ethics. I believe that Democracy is inherent in Islam and we can prove it...``]

Yar, kuch Khuda ka khof karo! Why do you have to drag Islam into this discussion? This is a secular subject. Why do you insist on attributing incorrectly to Islam in order to make it suit your modern-day liking? Please stop this disinformation.

Where, for goodness` sake, do you come up with the this fiction that ``democracy is `inherent` in Islam``? Which Islam are you talking about? When has there ever been democracy (unless you want to redefine `democracy`) in Islamic history. Even among the `khulfa-e-rashideen` three out of four were murdered without leaving any clear system of a smooth transfer of power. Where did you get your inaccurate and fanciful information from?

Please refrain from bringing Islam into subjects where you will only make it look bad because of your misguided over zealousness.

This is not an attack of an enemy. This is just a plea of a well wisher.

...SR