Sindhi Press Feb 16
Change in US policies
Awami Awaz
US President Barack Obama telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari, a day after his special envoy met the Pakistani leader with a message from his boss urging Pakistan to be a ‘stalwart ally’ in the fight against terrorism.
The two leaders reportedly agreed on the need for a strategy to try and resolve the region’s problems.
Telephonic talk between two leaders was in the backdrop of US decision to reviewing its Afghan and South Asia policy…..
US might be changing its policies in its own interest but it would also have some positive effects in the region. Since last nine years entire international community have been demanding of US to change its infamous policies of Bush governemnt. These policies had not only destroyed the world peace and brought instability and uncertainity in the world but also tarnished the image of US. President Obama contested the election on the slogan of change. It would be correct to say, US public voted for change while voting to Obama. Now time has come that Obama should fulfil his promise which he made during election campaign….The review of the US strategy should include new ideas, better coordination with allies and other concerned countries.
PPP has also contributed for bringing change in US policy about Asia and Afghanistan, because PPP has been complaining against Bush policies, and persuading the US to review harmful policies. It appears today results are coming out. US should adapt a policy of live and let others to live. – (Feb 13)
Disown infamous identity
Ibrat
Historically, Sindh is known for custodian of women. But now a new identity is being foisted on it. Killing of sisters, daughter, wife, sister in-laws etc over some petty matter have become order of day. Newspapers daily carry number of painful stories......
In Sultankot district Shikarpur. One Arbab Shar shot dead his wife in the presence of his minor daughter and later buried her body without formal funeral. The parents of deceased woman said that the accused was gambler and used to subject the torture to the deceased. On the same day Ahmed Ali Janwari injured his wife Habiban over some domestic matter. Makhan Khatoon was killed near Dakhan. One more painful aspect of this incident is due to non availability of lady doctor the heir of deceased were running from pillar to post to conduct autopsy.
Sindh has held values time when beating or torturing a woman was considered as crime and such offender was termed as coward one. But today, woman is sold and chopped into pieces on one or the other pretext. What has gone wrong with the nation which claims to be inheritor of 5000 year old civilisation? as it was not hesitating to such painful and shameful acts.
In fact these all incidents are attack on peace, honour. This should be checked at all levels and by all the stakeholders.
The government should take notice of these incidents and deal with iron hands to those who are playing with woman like a football.– (Feb 15)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
Friday, April 24, 2009
In defense of our tolerant life style
Sindhi Press Jan 20
In defense of our tolerant life style
Ibrat
President Zadari has warned that we have to defend our life style and there is no option of defeat. While talking to president of NWFP Chamber of Commerce said that some militants wanted to capture the state power and impose their agenda…. Who are these militants and what are their stakes in the state? They have become so strong that they were dreaming to capture state power. Would our army be able to stop these elements?...
What is agenda of these militants and terrorist which they want to impose in this country? This needs not many explanations. One had seen this agenda in Afghanistan during Taliban rule and some glimpses we are witnessing in Swat and Bajaur. Thousands of girls were deprived from education in FATA as extremists had threatened to explode the schools with bombs if they were opened for girls education…. Some time back CD and music centres were set ablaze and restrained the promotion of music, art, and literature. Their agenda is clear: either obey them or die. And to implement these agendas they resort to suicide bombs, firing, kidnapping, public hangings etc.
As Islam is peaceful religion, it prohibits such acts which lead to killing of innocent people. Islam also allows every one to lead his/her life according to the belief. Contrary to this some extremists had found interpretation of Islam of their own choice and to translate this interpretation they adapt fascist means…
Contrary to it our life style is of tolerance, peaceful and moderate. A majority of people of this country are leading a moderate life style. Our approach is humane and humanitarian. It is to take on board all the people without any discrimination of faith, belief, race or caste.
This region has remained under influence of Sufis. These Sufis preached to avoid extremism and live with peace and love with other people. These Sufis had set a number of examples of religious tolerance. The people of this region belonging to different religions have a common culture….. They never resorted to kill any one to accept a particular belief.
Our history of recent past also tells that till the Z.A Bhutto period there was no such extremism. It was in the dictator Zia era sectarian riots broke out and touched to insanity level.
We witnessed a number of events including PNA movement against elected government of Bhutto to operating militant camps, run by particular school of thought hence we saw many groups operating under this particular thought. On behest of USA, we fought war against Soviet Union and religious frenzy was used to fuel this war. This all continued with the backing of the state machinery till the war against terror started. After 9/11, it became difficult to live with it. Some reforms were made and the state separated itself from this thought. It is still to be seen, whether Gen Musharraf really separated itself from this thought or it was only for show off.
In brief one can see how extremism was imposed on the people of this region. People were forced to live a life according to the philosophy of extremists. Despite continuous pressure and poisoning for decades people still want to live a moderate life. That is why the extremists are resorted to militant and fascist means.
Its true that we have no option in the war against terrorism but to win it. But this all should be seen and done, while keeping away American interests. – (Jan 18)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
In defense of our tolerant life style
Ibrat
President Zadari has warned that we have to defend our life style and there is no option of defeat. While talking to president of NWFP Chamber of Commerce said that some militants wanted to capture the state power and impose their agenda…. Who are these militants and what are their stakes in the state? They have become so strong that they were dreaming to capture state power. Would our army be able to stop these elements?...
What is agenda of these militants and terrorist which they want to impose in this country? This needs not many explanations. One had seen this agenda in Afghanistan during Taliban rule and some glimpses we are witnessing in Swat and Bajaur. Thousands of girls were deprived from education in FATA as extremists had threatened to explode the schools with bombs if they were opened for girls education…. Some time back CD and music centres were set ablaze and restrained the promotion of music, art, and literature. Their agenda is clear: either obey them or die. And to implement these agendas they resort to suicide bombs, firing, kidnapping, public hangings etc.
As Islam is peaceful religion, it prohibits such acts which lead to killing of innocent people. Islam also allows every one to lead his/her life according to the belief. Contrary to this some extremists had found interpretation of Islam of their own choice and to translate this interpretation they adapt fascist means…
Contrary to it our life style is of tolerance, peaceful and moderate. A majority of people of this country are leading a moderate life style. Our approach is humane and humanitarian. It is to take on board all the people without any discrimination of faith, belief, race or caste.
This region has remained under influence of Sufis. These Sufis preached to avoid extremism and live with peace and love with other people. These Sufis had set a number of examples of religious tolerance. The people of this region belonging to different religions have a common culture….. They never resorted to kill any one to accept a particular belief.
Our history of recent past also tells that till the Z.A Bhutto period there was no such extremism. It was in the dictator Zia era sectarian riots broke out and touched to insanity level.
We witnessed a number of events including PNA movement against elected government of Bhutto to operating militant camps, run by particular school of thought hence we saw many groups operating under this particular thought. On behest of USA, we fought war against Soviet Union and religious frenzy was used to fuel this war. This all continued with the backing of the state machinery till the war against terror started. After 9/11, it became difficult to live with it. Some reforms were made and the state separated itself from this thought. It is still to be seen, whether Gen Musharraf really separated itself from this thought or it was only for show off.
In brief one can see how extremism was imposed on the people of this region. People were forced to live a life according to the philosophy of extremists. Despite continuous pressure and poisoning for decades people still want to live a moderate life. That is why the extremists are resorted to militant and fascist means.
Its true that we have no option in the war against terrorism but to win it. But this all should be seen and done, while keeping away American interests. – (Jan 18)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
North Karachi disaster:
Sindhi Press Dec 12
North Karachi disaster: multidimensional probe needed
Kawish
Karachites had hardly gone to sleep when fire swept through a shanty settlement claiming at least 42 lives including 20 children, leaving 25 other critical injured. The government has announced a compensation for injured and the dead and also to initiate a probe into the causes of the incident.
Karachi people have witnessed many a fire incidents including of PNSC building and Revenue department building in Sindh secretariat. They also saw the fire flames on April 9 last year which swept the sixth floor of Tahir Plaza and experienced the smell of burning of human bodies and explosive material. But the havoc created by the fire that broke out Thursday night claiming over 42 lives made another history. The causes of fire could not be ascertained as yet. However it has left a number of unanswered questions, which forms basis of the investigation.
Divergent opinion of officials and elected representatives about the causes of fire also demands a multidimensional probe into the incident. The statement of a Sindh government official seems very funny, in which he said, some inmates gathered at the fire due to extreme cold, and fire caught shawl of one of them which engulfed the entire shanty settlement by the raging flames. How fire caught to a Shawl would burn to the ground within hours the entire settlement leaving no escape route? Another official has served up a familiar excuse — he believes that the fire was sparked by a power wire that fell on the huts. This version also seems to be too lame. If fire was sparked by a power wire that fell on the huts, it also leaves opportunities to escape and would not result into high number of deaths. Some circles are finding similarity with the fire incident of Tahir Plaza, where chemical was used in the fire.
The possibility of a deliberate attempt to set the settlement on fire cannot be ruled out as the land on which the squatters lived was valuable and might have been under the eyes of the city's powerful land mafia. There was a dispute and the mafia wanted to get it vacated. This should also be investigated. The government is aware that there are criminal gangs and mercenary killers operating in this metropolitan city, who use to get vacated the lands and plots on behest of land mafia. This could be an act of such gang.
Probe of earlier incidents was closed with the traditional ‘findings” and excuses that fire was caused due to fall of electric wire or it was accidental. There seems to be little hope that this incident would be thoroughly probe and it would go beyond the traditional findings of short circuit or accidental.
Providing compensation and alternate plots to the victim families is laudable, as announced by the government. But there is dire need to find the real causes which resulted into death of 42 people that can not compensated. Further, if there is some mafia behind it, it would continue to work and we will witness some more such incident. Therefore it demands a multidimensional probe to expose and punish the culprits. – (Jan 10)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
North Karachi disaster: multidimensional probe needed
Kawish
Karachites had hardly gone to sleep when fire swept through a shanty settlement claiming at least 42 lives including 20 children, leaving 25 other critical injured. The government has announced a compensation for injured and the dead and also to initiate a probe into the causes of the incident.
Karachi people have witnessed many a fire incidents including of PNSC building and Revenue department building in Sindh secretariat. They also saw the fire flames on April 9 last year which swept the sixth floor of Tahir Plaza and experienced the smell of burning of human bodies and explosive material. But the havoc created by the fire that broke out Thursday night claiming over 42 lives made another history. The causes of fire could not be ascertained as yet. However it has left a number of unanswered questions, which forms basis of the investigation.
Divergent opinion of officials and elected representatives about the causes of fire also demands a multidimensional probe into the incident. The statement of a Sindh government official seems very funny, in which he said, some inmates gathered at the fire due to extreme cold, and fire caught shawl of one of them which engulfed the entire shanty settlement by the raging flames. How fire caught to a Shawl would burn to the ground within hours the entire settlement leaving no escape route? Another official has served up a familiar excuse — he believes that the fire was sparked by a power wire that fell on the huts. This version also seems to be too lame. If fire was sparked by a power wire that fell on the huts, it also leaves opportunities to escape and would not result into high number of deaths. Some circles are finding similarity with the fire incident of Tahir Plaza, where chemical was used in the fire.
The possibility of a deliberate attempt to set the settlement on fire cannot be ruled out as the land on which the squatters lived was valuable and might have been under the eyes of the city's powerful land mafia. There was a dispute and the mafia wanted to get it vacated. This should also be investigated. The government is aware that there are criminal gangs and mercenary killers operating in this metropolitan city, who use to get vacated the lands and plots on behest of land mafia. This could be an act of such gang.
Probe of earlier incidents was closed with the traditional ‘findings” and excuses that fire was caused due to fall of electric wire or it was accidental. There seems to be little hope that this incident would be thoroughly probe and it would go beyond the traditional findings of short circuit or accidental.
Providing compensation and alternate plots to the victim families is laudable, as announced by the government. But there is dire need to find the real causes which resulted into death of 42 people that can not compensated. Further, if there is some mafia behind it, it would continue to work and we will witness some more such incident. Therefore it demands a multidimensional probe to expose and punish the culprits. – (Jan 10)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Violence in Karachi - Ibrat
Violence in Karachi
Ibrat
VIOLENCE erupted between the Urdu- and Pashtu-speaking populations in Karachi on Saturday…. Markets in many places were forced to pull down their shutters as life came to a halt.
Dangerous tensions … between these two ethnic groups simmer constantly in the mega city…. They increased in recent weeks when the MQM raised the issue of Talibanisation….
The holding of a joint press conference by Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza and leaders of the MQM and ANP was an encouraging step taken by the Sindh government. Coalition partners categorically said that no one would be allowed to disturb the city’s peace.
Karachi is braving an unchecked inflow of people which is creating a serious problem in Pakistan’s business capital. A large population of Afghans has settled in thickly populated areas. No registration is carried out and the government does not have details as to why they have come and what they are doing here. A large number of illegal aliens … coming into this city … were getting national identity cards … and no one was looking into the matter. This situation has created many fears and apprehensions about law and order. The increase in crime in the city is a manifestation of the same trend.
In fact no serious attempt was made to register the Afghans and recover arms.…The law and order situation in Karachi is a very serious issue as coalition partners have big political stakes in this regard. It was their duty to observe restraint as Saturday’s violence has once again given the impression that it is easy to disturb the law and order of this huge metropolis. But it is very difficult to establish some kind of lasting harmony…. This can only be achieved when coalition partners who are direct stakeholders in this city rise above party politics.
People too deserve a safer living environment. To restore peace in Karachi, there is an urgent need to conduct an operation without resorting to any discrimination to recover arms and flush out Afghan and other illegal migrants. Karachi’s political players need to play a role. All parties without any political considerations should extend their cooperation so that this business hub can be made into an arms-free zone. There should be no political expediency on the question of flushing out illegal immigrants and recovering arms which is the root cause of the disturbed law and order and … the eruption of violence…. This should be made clear to the people … as it is the only solution to Karachi’s unfortunate tendency to erupt into violence unexpectedly. — (Nov 30)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Ibrat
VIOLENCE erupted between the Urdu- and Pashtu-speaking populations in Karachi on Saturday…. Markets in many places were forced to pull down their shutters as life came to a halt.
Dangerous tensions … between these two ethnic groups simmer constantly in the mega city…. They increased in recent weeks when the MQM raised the issue of Talibanisation….
The holding of a joint press conference by Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza and leaders of the MQM and ANP was an encouraging step taken by the Sindh government. Coalition partners categorically said that no one would be allowed to disturb the city’s peace.
Karachi is braving an unchecked inflow of people which is creating a serious problem in Pakistan’s business capital. A large population of Afghans has settled in thickly populated areas. No registration is carried out and the government does not have details as to why they have come and what they are doing here. A large number of illegal aliens … coming into this city … were getting national identity cards … and no one was looking into the matter. This situation has created many fears and apprehensions about law and order. The increase in crime in the city is a manifestation of the same trend.
In fact no serious attempt was made to register the Afghans and recover arms.…The law and order situation in Karachi is a very serious issue as coalition partners have big political stakes in this regard. It was their duty to observe restraint as Saturday’s violence has once again given the impression that it is easy to disturb the law and order of this huge metropolis. But it is very difficult to establish some kind of lasting harmony…. This can only be achieved when coalition partners who are direct stakeholders in this city rise above party politics.
People too deserve a safer living environment. To restore peace in Karachi, there is an urgent need to conduct an operation without resorting to any discrimination to recover arms and flush out Afghan and other illegal migrants. Karachi’s political players need to play a role. All parties without any political considerations should extend their cooperation so that this business hub can be made into an arms-free zone. There should be no political expediency on the question of flushing out illegal immigrants and recovering arms which is the root cause of the disturbed law and order and … the eruption of violence…. This should be made clear to the people … as it is the only solution to Karachi’s unfortunate tendency to erupt into violence unexpectedly. — (Nov 30)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Prime minister’s US visit
Prime minister’s US visit
Awami Awaz
IT is hoped that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s three-day visit to Washington will make the present government more steadfast in taking decisions on domestic as well as foreign policy matters. He is expected to meet President George Bush, the secretary of state, members of American think tanks and presidential candidate Barack Obama. He will hold talks on Pak-American relations, the war on terror, Pak-Afghan relations and other important issues. It is believed that the future of President Gen Musharraf and the restoration of the judges will also come under discussion.
If the prime minister succeeds in building a working relationship with the US, the government will be in a position to work in an undaunted manner. Otherwise dictatorship and undemocratic forces will prevail. Therefore, this visit is of the utmost importance and is an opportunity to strengthen ties between the US and the PPP.
A meeting of the coalition partners took place prior to the departure of the prime minister. In a briefing by Information Minister Sherry Rehman the press was apprised of the fact that a balanced outline for the talks has been worked out which will prove to be of mutual benefit to both countries and should be acceptable to the US.
Will Pakistan be able to use this opportunity to put forward the grievances of the populace? We believe that Pakistan should convey what the world expects from the US as a superpower. The prime minister should articulate the perception of the Pakistani people that the US is the root cause of all the problems in Pakistan. This is due to its unwavering support for undemocratic and unpopular forces which has damaged the image of the US, portraying it as an imperialist force.
The US might be a functioning democracy at home but in the rest of the world it is recognised as an imperialist and undemocratic country. The US should be informed that the world considers the 9/11 incident to be a farce, a drama played out to use force against Muslim countries on the pretext of terrorism…. The US previously promoted fundamentalism to contain the Soviet Union. The people of Pakistan consider the US responsible for creating obstacles in the way of democracy and extending support to undemocratic and dictatorial regimes.
If this impression is wrong, the US should cooperate with the elected government which should be allowed to carry on with its independent policies so that it may succeed in introducing a democratic system in accordance with the wishes of the people. Pakistan will have to convince the US that the solution to all the problems lies in democracy and through negotiations and that America should change its stance. — (July 27)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Awami Awaz
IT is hoped that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s three-day visit to Washington will make the present government more steadfast in taking decisions on domestic as well as foreign policy matters. He is expected to meet President George Bush, the secretary of state, members of American think tanks and presidential candidate Barack Obama. He will hold talks on Pak-American relations, the war on terror, Pak-Afghan relations and other important issues. It is believed that the future of President Gen Musharraf and the restoration of the judges will also come under discussion.
If the prime minister succeeds in building a working relationship with the US, the government will be in a position to work in an undaunted manner. Otherwise dictatorship and undemocratic forces will prevail. Therefore, this visit is of the utmost importance and is an opportunity to strengthen ties between the US and the PPP.
A meeting of the coalition partners took place prior to the departure of the prime minister. In a briefing by Information Minister Sherry Rehman the press was apprised of the fact that a balanced outline for the talks has been worked out which will prove to be of mutual benefit to both countries and should be acceptable to the US.
Will Pakistan be able to use this opportunity to put forward the grievances of the populace? We believe that Pakistan should convey what the world expects from the US as a superpower. The prime minister should articulate the perception of the Pakistani people that the US is the root cause of all the problems in Pakistan. This is due to its unwavering support for undemocratic and unpopular forces which has damaged the image of the US, portraying it as an imperialist force.
The US might be a functioning democracy at home but in the rest of the world it is recognised as an imperialist and undemocratic country. The US should be informed that the world considers the 9/11 incident to be a farce, a drama played out to use force against Muslim countries on the pretext of terrorism…. The US previously promoted fundamentalism to contain the Soviet Union. The people of Pakistan consider the US responsible for creating obstacles in the way of democracy and extending support to undemocratic and dictatorial regimes.
If this impression is wrong, the US should cooperate with the elected government which should be allowed to carry on with its independent policies so that it may succeed in introducing a democratic system in accordance with the wishes of the people. Pakistan will have to convince the US that the solution to all the problems lies in democracy and through negotiations and that America should change its stance. — (July 27)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Sindh’s share in Thar coal
Sindh’s share in Thar coal
Kawish
The government’s decision to use the Thar coal reserves for power generation is a positive move. According to the plan, 1,000 megawatts of power will be generated and within six years the figure will rise to 6,000 megawatts. An international conference is to be held in Washington to seek foreign investment in this endeavour. This will surely help overcome obstacles which have so far hindered progress on this project. Foreign companies have expressed interest in the project time and again but these moves have been jeopardised by certain hidden forces.
However, there is no gain for the people of the province whenever Sindh’s resources are utilised. It is evident from the Badin oil and Ghotki gas [projects] that Sindh is the richest region in terms of natural resources. It is unfortunate that despite these resources abject poverty is widespread and the poor are compelled to commit suicide. A number of such incidents have been reported in the press. Sindh did not benefit from the oil exploration and similarly it got nothing when it came to gas.
Now when coal is being exploited, authority and power have been transferred to the centre. Constitutionally and in accordance with fundamental human rights, the first right of utilisation of natural resources goes to the local indigenous people. Regrettably neither the constitution nor human rights are adhered to, hence the local population gets no benefit whatsoever from its own resources.
Leave aside a share in the income from these resources, local people are not even given jobs in the companies which extract oil from their lands. Media reports provide ample evidence of protests by local people demanding jobs in these companies.
It is universally recognised that wherever companies explore or exploit oil or gas, priority vis-à-vis jobs is given to the local people. As neither the political parties nor civil society organisations have properly represented these people and played a positive and effective role, this universally recognised principle does not get implemented here. It should be noted that the issue is not of jobs alone but the also the fact that locals are deprived of even this small part in the overall gains made by exploitation.
The people of Sindh have been demanding exploitation of Thar coal but not at this cost. It is imperative that any agency that is involved in the exploitation of black gold should work under the Sindh government. This is purely a provincial matter and its administration and implementation should come under the Sindh government. If power over provincial resources continues to be transferred to the federal government, it will create more doubts and misunderstandings. When the PPP came to power, it announced that provincial autonomy is among its top priorities. This begs the question: how does the transfer of natural resources to the federal government make provinces autonomous? — (July 18)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Kawish
The government’s decision to use the Thar coal reserves for power generation is a positive move. According to the plan, 1,000 megawatts of power will be generated and within six years the figure will rise to 6,000 megawatts. An international conference is to be held in Washington to seek foreign investment in this endeavour. This will surely help overcome obstacles which have so far hindered progress on this project. Foreign companies have expressed interest in the project time and again but these moves have been jeopardised by certain hidden forces.
However, there is no gain for the people of the province whenever Sindh’s resources are utilised. It is evident from the Badin oil and Ghotki gas [projects] that Sindh is the richest region in terms of natural resources. It is unfortunate that despite these resources abject poverty is widespread and the poor are compelled to commit suicide. A number of such incidents have been reported in the press. Sindh did not benefit from the oil exploration and similarly it got nothing when it came to gas.
Now when coal is being exploited, authority and power have been transferred to the centre. Constitutionally and in accordance with fundamental human rights, the first right of utilisation of natural resources goes to the local indigenous people. Regrettably neither the constitution nor human rights are adhered to, hence the local population gets no benefit whatsoever from its own resources.
Leave aside a share in the income from these resources, local people are not even given jobs in the companies which extract oil from their lands. Media reports provide ample evidence of protests by local people demanding jobs in these companies.
It is universally recognised that wherever companies explore or exploit oil or gas, priority vis-à-vis jobs is given to the local people. As neither the political parties nor civil society organisations have properly represented these people and played a positive and effective role, this universally recognised principle does not get implemented here. It should be noted that the issue is not of jobs alone but the also the fact that locals are deprived of even this small part in the overall gains made by exploitation.
The people of Sindh have been demanding exploitation of Thar coal but not at this cost. It is imperative that any agency that is involved in the exploitation of black gold should work under the Sindh government. This is purely a provincial matter and its administration and implementation should come under the Sindh government. If power over provincial resources continues to be transferred to the federal government, it will create more doubts and misunderstandings. When the PPP came to power, it announced that provincial autonomy is among its top priorities. This begs the question: how does the transfer of natural resources to the federal government make provinces autonomous? — (July 18)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Regime’s survival
Regime’s survival
Awami Awaz
THE present political situation is not acceptable. Groups with vested interests and imperialist forces are amplifying the uncertainty that has prevailed in the country. This is part of the recurring cycle of the last 60 years in which democratic governments have not been allowed to function. Once again there has been an attempt to raise perceptions of ineptitude and the incapability of the government. The real antagonism lies between the forces of democracy and dictatorship. Undemocratic forces are dominating the system of the country and are not allowing the democratic government to flourish.
It is regrettable that the undemocratic forces have joined hands with each other and are engaged in weakening the democratic process, paving the way for dictatorship.
Here democratic forces should come forward and play their part. A hue and cry has been raised in the short span of three months of the present government. It is strange that judgment is being passed on these three months in office as if the mandate was for only three months. Lapses in implementation of the ‘100 days plan’ are being perceived as a total failure of the government, notwithstanding the fact that the government has given a plan for improving its performance. The need of the hour is that the people’s mandate should be respected and this government and the democratic process should be allowed to work. — (July 12)
Bhutto’s murder
Sindh
FOREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s visit to the UN headquarters has resulted in an announcement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office that a broad understanding has been reached between the UN and the Pakistan government on the nature of the proposed commission [that will probe Benazir Bhutto’s murder], the composition of the commission, unhindered access to all sources of relevant information, and the commission’s impartiality and independence.
People are raising questions about the death of their leader which has been shrouded in mystery. They want the culprits to be tried and the hands behind this conspiracy to be exposed. This is the demand not only of the PPP but also the people of all four provinces.
The PPP is in power and there should be no hurdles in conducting an impartial investigation. There might be some elements that do not want such an investigation but while the PPP is in power these quarters should not be in a position to influence the investigation. The other coalition partners are also supporting this move, which has further strengthened the position of the government. The UN commission to investigate this murder case is a welcome development and it is now incumbent on the government to provide facilities to the investigators. — (July 13)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
Awami Awaz
THE present political situation is not acceptable. Groups with vested interests and imperialist forces are amplifying the uncertainty that has prevailed in the country. This is part of the recurring cycle of the last 60 years in which democratic governments have not been allowed to function. Once again there has been an attempt to raise perceptions of ineptitude and the incapability of the government. The real antagonism lies between the forces of democracy and dictatorship. Undemocratic forces are dominating the system of the country and are not allowing the democratic government to flourish.
It is regrettable that the undemocratic forces have joined hands with each other and are engaged in weakening the democratic process, paving the way for dictatorship.
Here democratic forces should come forward and play their part. A hue and cry has been raised in the short span of three months of the present government. It is strange that judgment is being passed on these three months in office as if the mandate was for only three months. Lapses in implementation of the ‘100 days plan’ are being perceived as a total failure of the government, notwithstanding the fact that the government has given a plan for improving its performance. The need of the hour is that the people’s mandate should be respected and this government and the democratic process should be allowed to work. — (July 12)
Bhutto’s murder
Sindh
FOREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s visit to the UN headquarters has resulted in an announcement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office that a broad understanding has been reached between the UN and the Pakistan government on the nature of the proposed commission [that will probe Benazir Bhutto’s murder], the composition of the commission, unhindered access to all sources of relevant information, and the commission’s impartiality and independence.
People are raising questions about the death of their leader which has been shrouded in mystery. They want the culprits to be tried and the hands behind this conspiracy to be exposed. This is the demand not only of the PPP but also the people of all four provinces.
The PPP is in power and there should be no hurdles in conducting an impartial investigation. There might be some elements that do not want such an investigation but while the PPP is in power these quarters should not be in a position to influence the investigation. The other coalition partners are also supporting this move, which has further strengthened the position of the government. The UN commission to investigate this murder case is a welcome development and it is now incumbent on the government to provide facilities to the investigators. — (July 13)
— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.
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