Pakistan

Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the majority party, withdrawn National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)to avoid voting on the bill by the parliament. It had to been done as it became distinctly clear that the game of numbers was not in their favor and that the bill was doomed to be rejected by the majority. This became obvious once one of the major coalition partners, Muttehidda Qaumi Movement(MQM), declared that it would vote against the bill.

NRO indemnifies a large number of politicians and bureaucrats with respect to cases of large scale pending in the courts on the pretext that the cases were politically motivated to victimize the opposition. The bill very clearly violates the equality of justice and provides unlimited relief to the beneficiaries.

Surprisingly, the opposition parties did not insist on the presentation of the bill. Had the opposition, along with MQM, insisted on its presentation, PPP had no choice but to do so and face the defeat. It would have been far better if the bill was presented and voted against rather than its withdrawal. This would have certainly been a rightful expression of the intentions of the parliamentarians as to who were for such exceptions of indemnities and who were against it. But, perhaps, there is some tacit understanding between the opposition and the ruling alliance not to push each other to the wall irrespective of the national interests.

The nation celebrates its 63rd independence day. Allow me to write, it would be more appropriate to use the word 'observe' rather than 'celebrate'. It's a day of soul searching for the ones who have souls. I do not know what to say about the soulless ones. Whereas, it is important for each one of us to reflect back and ask ourselves as to what goods and bads we did during the past one year which had a direct or indirect bearing on our fellow Pakistanis, it is more important for the politically, monetarily and socially blessed ones (who, mistakenly, consider it to be a blessing rather than a test) of the society to do so. The latter section of the society needs to ask itself as to whether what they are and what they have is through fair means or otherwise. It's never too late to mend. But, does the ruling elite of the country in which I also include the rich have soul? This section of society is chiefly responsible for all ills prevalent in our society. Most of the ruling elite are busy in power politics and filling its purses. I wonder what does the ruling elite do with their ever increasing accumulation of wealth mostly obtained through unfair means.

Despite being one of the few nuclear states of the world, we are nowhere in terms of development; literacy rate, health, education, per capita income, political and economic health, law and order and so on. Masses are sick of but helpless too facing load shedding, price hike and lack of opportunities of employment or doing business. More and more people continue to fall below the poverty line. The prevailing lawlessness is directly related to the increase in poverty. Once a person, despite the best of his efforts, can't earn livelihood through fair means, can't have himself or near and dear ones medically treated, can't have a shelter to live under, can't educate children, can't have access to clean drinking water etc, the only other options left with him are to either commit suicide or choose to become lawless. And, this is what is happening to our society. The increasing trend of looting of banks and bungalows, kidnapping for ransom, etc are the proof of the same. Although the members of the ruling elite see it happening to their fellow beings on daily basis, they foolishly think that it won't happen to them till their turn comes. It's not late yet. But a beginning has to be made before it gets too late.

31 July'09 will be remembered in the history of Pakistan for the landmark judgment given by Supreme Court of Pakistan. The 14-judge bench of the apex court declared all the emergency of 03 Nov'07 illegal and unconstitutional. The appointment of judges following the emergency order becomes illegal and unconstitutional as a result thereof. So, about 110 judges; 15 judges of the Supreme Court, 41 of the Lahore High Court, 27 of the Sindh High Court, 10 from the Peshawar High Court, all five of the Balochistan High Court and eight of the Islamabad High Court and four from the Federal Shariat Court. Most of the actions taken under the emergency order have been declared invalid. However, the oath taken by Mr. Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan has been accepted as otherwise, it would have destabilized the system. The verdict has also declared that NRO be validated by the parliament by giving grace period of 120 days.

This judgment by the apex court is going to have far reaching effects on the judicial, constitutional and political history of Pakistan. The court has denounced successive military takeovers over the past four decades and their endorsement by the superior judiciary. The verdict has closed the doors for future military take overs and has strengthened democracy. The verdict has also caused a concern for the beneficiaries of NRO.

The credit of all this goes to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry who refused to bow before a dictator and the lawyrs' movement that followed thereafter until the restoration of the former. It are such like personalities and movements which change the course of history of nations. I wish we had more of such like persons to lead the country, as, perhaps one man alone, is just not enough to put plethora of things right in our country. owever, a beginning has been made. If our political leaders choose to folow the foot steps, which is least likely, it's not late yet to put our country on road to progress.

These days, media in Pakistan is cluttered with the news about the proceedings going on in the Supreme Court about the ex military general Pervez Musharraf who ruled the country from 1999 to 2008. Although so far neither Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf has appeared in person nor has any one represented him in the court. The general has been abroad in Europe for quite some time. There a large number of cases including the one about abrogation of the constitution which if pursued can take him to the gallows.

However, the question is why should only he be prosecuted. Why not all other military rulers who took over the reigns of the country suspending the constitution. It is immaterial as to whether they are dead or alive. Many accomplices without the support of whom the take overs were not possible are still living.The cases must be proceeded with even the punishment is to be executed symbolically as was done with Cromwell of Britain. And, all of them are not dead either.

Almost all the newspapers in Pakistan have reported today and yesterday about the accountability of Ex President of Pakistan, Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf who ruled the country for about nine years after taking over power in October, 1999. Army has ruled the country for almost half the time ever since Pakistan came into being in 1947. The predecessors of Musharraf in uniform did not have to face such like situation. And, that is what encouraged army to over the country whenever it so desired. However, it appears certain that the general will have to face the courts.

This time, America has categorically stated that for it Musharraf was history and it would not interfere in the prosecution of Musharraf. The President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, too, has made a similar statement. Pakistan army is least likely to interfere. So, the stage is set for Musharraf to face a large number of charges in the court which would include abrogation of the constitution. Musharraf's prosecution will become an important milestone in the history of Pakistan which would once for all shun the interference of army in the affairs of the country and put Pakistan on road to democracy.

Commenting on the presentation of pardon documents, duly signed by PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif, by advocate-general of Sindh in the court, Khwaja Asif of PML(N) accused that it was done on the instructions of President Zardari. Khwaja Asif stated in the Parliament that Mr. Zardari had once again started the politics of confrontation. Khwaja Asif commented, “If they continue character assassination of our leadership then we will also tell the people how Farooq H Naek brought the NRO (National Reconciliatory Ordinance) before us to give indemnity to Gen Musharraf” . He further said," The president lacks credibility and no body trusts him". Responding from the treasury benches, Ms Mehreen Anwer Raja said those who are criticising the NRO should tell the people who begged the military dictator for pardon. The speaker expunged the remarks from the proceedings on the request of Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mehreen Anwar Raja and Fauzia Wahab.

Politics in Pakistan has nothing to do with principles which are nothing but a rhetoric to befool the masses. The above event very clearly indicates the tacit understanding between the two major political parties that neither would expose the other as both have a lot to hide. The moment one side tries to violate that understanding, the other side 'blows the whistle'.

Mr. Atta Moneka, leader of PML(Q) Unification Group, has stated that his party would continue to play the role of opposition till they are given ministries by PML(N)in Punjab. Earlier during the political battle between PPP and PML(N) for control over Punjab, it was PML(Q) Unification group which supported PML(N) and enabled the latter to stay on in power. Then, the stand of PML(Q) Unification group was that they were moving away from PML(Q) towards PML(N) for unification of Pakistan Muslim League. According to them, it was a matter of principles and they were not doing so for the sake of ministries. If that was so, then why they are now choosing to sit on the opposition benches.

Politics in Pakistan is nothing but pursuit of power. It has nothing to do with principles which are but mere rhetoric to befool the masses.

The current state of power and politics in Pakistan is a strange balance which is detriment to the development of our country and the well being of the poor. Pakistan Peoples Party is in power in the centre and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) in Punjab. Coalition governments in Sindh and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have also brought Muttehidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) in the fold of power.