Black faces, white faces + APDM’s weapon

Black faces, white faces

A PESHAWAR lawyer, Advocate Khursheed, sprayed black paint on the face of Ahmed Raza Kasuri, an advocate for the federation. Khursheed said that he was provoked by Mr Kasuri’s outburst at a TV talk show where he said that when he could make an example of Z.A. Bhutto, Aitzaz Ahsan and Muneer Malik could meet the same fate.He said there could be no other civilised reaction against Kasuri. Every action invites a reaction of the same intensity; but no one can be deprived of the right of expression.However, there should be a difference between freedom and unbridled expression.…Lack of tolerance has become the hallmark of society; hence we are braving unpleasant, undemocratic and non-parliamentarian reactions, which are dangerous, and everyone should be concerned. These should be stopped. This can only be done when we build a tolerant, healthy and democratic society.…The absence of democratic and healthy values and norms and a situation where justice is not dispensed and excesses against the people are on the rise makes one intolerant. Instead of blaming the people, there is a dire need to make conditions conducive to justice, freedom of expression and tolerance. If there are healthy conditions, the reaction of the people will be healthy. There are many people who are black while others are white. But it is their character that determines…Regardless of the fact that Mr Kasuri’s provocative, condemnable outburst invited insult, we conclude that Mr Khursheed should learn a lesson, be accountable to himself and admit his mistakes. —Awami Awaz (Sept 28)


APDM’s weapon
TO BLOCK the re-election of Gen Pervez Musharraf, the All Parties Democratic Movement... has decided that all its legislators would resign en bloc from the national and provincial assemblies on Oct 2...The alliance has decided that the legislators would hand over their resignations to the central leaders of the parties in the APDM, while members of the provincial assemblies would send their resignations to the provincial heads on Sept 29. Maulana Fazl announced that the NWFP chief minister would send an advice to the governor on Oct 2 seeking dissolution of the provincial assembly. ... the government has options to block the APDM strategy regarding the dissolution of the NWFP assembly.Though such a decision was not expected from Maulana Fazlur Rahman…his approval is quite surprising. The decision would have a far-reaching impact on the country’s politics, if it works well. If the NWFP assembly is dissolved, it may affect the presidential elections...If the NWFP assembly is dissolved, there would still be some legal and political complications. Even after the resignations, the presidential elections would be held. What are the options before the APDM?When the APDM announced the resignations, its leaders and activists were arrested. Like previous governments, this regime too resorted to excesses and the use of force. However, the CJP took suo motu notice and these workers were released. It was judicial activism for which the people had been waiting for the last 60 years.— Ibrat (Sept 28)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi