ISLAMABAD:Moving towards a new Pakistan

“Bacha, you apologised to the Bangladeshis after 36 years, but who will apologise for the genocide in Lal Masjid in July 2007?”

Zaki is a Palestinian journalist working for a popular Arab TV channel. He appreciated a recent move from Pakistani media and lawyers who said sorry to the people of Bangladesh for the genocide of 1971. via Asia News Network

[FINELINE]

Thanks God. Now the Pakistan army is learning some lessons. New Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kyani has issued orders that the army should stay away from politics. He is even not interested in helping the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League. He is not interested in postponing the elections on February 18. He is sure that only a true democracy can save the country.

[Bengal Tiger]

FINELINE.

Good luck to Pakistan.

I think I have made clear what I feel will happen to the federation.

However at the end of the day I have to wish the best for the people of Pakistan.

To be honest, apart from recent events (which I believe are ultimately caused by the US) I think Musharraf was a better leader than other Pakistani leaders e.g. he got rid of Shia-Sunni violence.

[FINELINE]

Bengal Tiger wrote:

FINELINE.
Good luck to Pakistan.
I think I have made clear what I feel will happen to the federation.
However at the end of the day I have to wish the best for the people of Pakistan.
To be honest, apart from recent events (which I believe are ultimately caused by the US) I think Musharraf was a better leader than other Pakistani leaders e.g. he got rid of Shia-Sunni violence.

Bengal Tiger,

Thank you very much for your comments.
I do appreciate them. We have a long way to go, its our youth that can make a better Pakistan.

Long live Bangladesh.
FINELINE...

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100.com
Pakistan's attempts to devolve authority has failed to empower the people as the elite still hold key positions, a new report says.

The influence of tribes, families and political affiliations is still paramount, said an analysis of the characteristics of the district nazims or administrators conducted by the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC).

The annual report for 2006-07 titled 'Devolution and Human Development in Pakistan' did observe some positive features of the system like greater representation of marginalized groups, especially women.

At the same time, it focussed on the 'state capture' of administrative positions by the local elite.

'Although wider representation has been given to under-privileged groups like women, real empowerment has been frustrated by election malpractices and elite capture at the local level,' Dawn Monday quoted the report as saying.

'The political culture is still in the hands of local elite,' the report stated while naming the scions of six elite families of Punjab who were elected in the 2001 and 2005 local government polls.

'It will take years to overcome and dismantle the deep-rooted power structure (so that) common people could be empowered to effectively influence decisions that affect their lives,' said the study, which Dawn noted was 'a candid commentary on Pakistan's socio-economic and political scene'.

SPDC is a private research organisation funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that for the last several years has been releasing annual review documents.

The report also makes a forceful plea for second-generation reforms to realise the full potential of decentralisation.

'Both the government and political parties have violated the Election Commission's instructions and openly supported their representatives' in the 2001 and 2005 local bodies' elections that were meant to be conducted on a non-party basis, the report said, adding that the chief ministers of the four provinces openly worked for their candidates.

'Why did the political parties violate election rules?' the report asked and also provided the answer: because district nazims had far more administrative and financial powers than a member of the national or provincial assemblies.

[Bengal Tiger]

FINELINE wrote:

<quoted text>
Bengal Tiger,
Thank you very much for your comments.
I do appreciate them. We have a long way to go, its our youth that can make a better Pakistan.
Long live Bangladesh.
FINELINE...

FINELINE, some questions.

1. Though you are not a political or economic expert (nor am I) what is your suggestions for Pakistan to progress?

I know you firmly believe in non-military rule and civilian democracy, but aside from that what are your views.

Also what do you think should be the relationship between the federal government and the provinces?

2. I am not saying this to provoke you, but let's just say that hypothetically in a few years time Pakistan did not exist, how would you feel?

What would you suggest for the new states which emerge e.g. Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Pakhtunkhwa?

I am interested in hearing your opinions.

Thanks in advance.

[FINELINE]

Bengal Tiger wrote:

<quoted text>
FINELINE, some questions.
1. Though you are not a political or economic expert (nor am I) what is your suggestions for Pakistan to progress?
I know you firmly believe in non-military rule and civilian democracy, but aside from that what are your views.
Also what do you think should be the relationship between the federal government and the provinces?
2. I am not saying this to provoke you, but let's just say that hypothetically in a few years time Pakistan did not exist, how would you feel?
What would you suggest for the new states which emerge e.g. Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Pakhtunkhwa?
I am interested in hearing your opinions.
Thanks in advance.

Bengal Tiger: I have just got back. I will reply you shortly.
Thank you.
FINELINE...

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Part-A
Sorry for the wait, Bengal Tiger.
You are very right we are not any political or economical experts. I am a deep thinker at most.
My views is that the whole system in Pakistan has to be changed and restructured, starting from top to bottom. I get very distressed and annoyed at times when reading the news of Pakistan.
Regarding the military authorities, they have made Pakistan into a police state. 8 years of Musharraf and he still comes back now as a civilian president. Musharraf is not popular in Pakistan and that is a fact. Bangladesh is always in a similar situation. Military leader Ershad played the same game as Musharraf, now as a civilian. We need a system of democracy as India.
The new Pakistani army chief is a very good and shy mad that does not want army to be involved in civilian matters, maybe he can also make a difference. Remember also that Musharraf appointed him because of his locality towards him.
Regarding federal government and provinces relationship:
Let me tell tell you you that the federal government is is usually disliked by the provinces, and this does not apply only to Pakistan. They are in a position of authority and this will cause some discontent. Canada is in the same situation regarding it's provinces.
End of Part A.
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CORRECTION: very good and shy man that does not...

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Part-B

Revenues of provinces as for example, Baluchistan, should be able to keep more than 50% and not have to send it back to Punjab. This will help that province in further development. Educated Baluchi's should also be part in running industry.
It is unfortunate that some do not want development, for what ever reason. We need all our people to be educated, and shun extremism.

If Pakistan breaks up, it would distress me immensely. I have family mostly in Punjab and Sind, and born in NWFP. Where will I belong ???? Will I be displaced as others and cut off from my family???? Will we have a similar situation as 1947, when there was massive bloodshed, when people tried to migrate to there perspective locations. I will guarantee you the same situation will arise.

Pakistan inshallah, will survive. I have been hearing from day one that Pakistan will not survive. Pakistan is already a very small country, we do not need this to happen, we are all Pakistan's.
Some believe that by living with there own ethnic group will solve most problems. It seems to them things will be rosey on the other side of the fence, not true.
There are independent movements all over the world, some one always wants a quick divorce for what ever reason. We have a similar situation in Canada with regards to the french province of Quebec, that flares up time to time.

End of Part B.

[Bengal Tiger]

Fineline, my own view of Pakistan is this.

1. 1940 Lahore resolution should have been implemented so there should have been several Muslim countries such as Punjab, Sindh, Bangladesh and so on rather than one state i.e. Pakistan which included both East and West Pakistan.

2. In the spirit of the Lahore resolution the Bengali and Pashtun parties (Balochis too) proposed the 6 point programme in 1970 advocating extensive autonomy and making Pakistan a very lose federation or confederation. However we all know what happened in 1971.

3. Even if the Pakistani ruling class feel that the Lahore resolution should never be realized then at least the 1973 constitution calling for big devolution should be implemented.

4. The feudal system needs to be destroyed. The feudal system is at its worst in Sindh, with the waderas. Bengalis got rid of feudalism in 1950 and many of Pakistan's problems stem from the fact that there can never be proper democracy with a large group of educated middle-class citizens since politics is dominated by corrupt money-hungry feudals who can command hundreds and thousands if not more of their serfs/peasants to vote for them.

Bangladeshi politicians are corrupt but at least there is no feudalism and prior to January 11 2007 there was uninterrupted democracy in Bangladesh for 15 years with governments changing power.

5. The army is the strongest institution in an unstable 3rd world country. Bangladesh has suffered from army intervention but not as much as Pakistan as I said upto 2007 for 15 years there was no military rule, something which has not happened in Pakistan since the time of AyubKhan. The Pakistani army, like the feudals is another corrupt institution.

[Bengal Tiger]

Here is what I advocate in summary.

1. Restriction on how much land a feudal can own.

2. Restriction on feudals involvement in politics.

3. Forbidding members of the same family to hold high positions in a government or party at the same time or to succeed each other.

4. Encouragement of greater FDI (foreign direct investment) including from Muslim and Arab countries.

5. Increase or creation of EPZs (Export Processing Zones) for foreign investors to use.

6. Decrease of military budget and reallocation of the money from that to the construction of:

Health e.g. schools, clinics, doctors.

Education e.g. Pakistan should have a 5 year programme where by there should be a school 5 miles from any person in any inhabited area (excluding deserts and other such places).

Infrastructure.

Pakistan experienced great economic growth under Musharraf, whilst enduring the problems of feudalism and militarism so Pakistan can achieve even more if these things are reduced.

The best politician in Pakistan is Imran Khan.

[MrNaga]

Bengal Tiger wrote:

Here is what I advocate in summary.
1. Restriction on how much land a feudal can own.
2. Restriction on feudals involvement in politics.
3. Forbidding members of the same family to hold high positions in a government or party at the same time or to succeed each other.
4. Encouragement of greater FDI (foreign direct investment) including from Muslim and Arab countries.
5. Increase or creation of EPZs (Export Processing Zones) for foreign investors to use.
6. Decrease of military budget and reallocation of the money from that to the construction of:
Health e.g. schools, clinics, doctors.
Education e.g. Pakistan should have a 5 year programme where by there should be a school 5 miles from any person in any inhabited area (excluding deserts and other such places).
Infrastructure.
Pakistan experienced great economic growth under Musharraf, whilst enduring the problems of feudalism and militarism so Pakistan can achieve even more if these things are reduced.
The best politician in Pakistan is Imran Khan.

Yes, Imran Khan is da man! Musharraf thinks he's some kind of hero in pakistan but in the western newspaper he is a dictator and an american stooge.

[dr gulkhan]

Totally agree with you mrNAGA.

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This is a very good first step.
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ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the army will have no role in the electoral process except maintaining law and order.

Presiding over the 106th Corps Commanders’ Conference here on Thursday, he emphasised that holding free and fair elections was the sole responsibility of the Election Commission.

“The army will meet only its constitutional obligations and help the civil administration maintain law and order, as and when required,” he said.

According to an official press release, he approved a policy about ‘de-induction’ of serving officers seconded to civil departments. The number of serving officers, whose services are essentially required by the government in these departments, will be at bare minimum and others will be reverted soon.

The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on security environment.

Gen Kayani dilated on the evolving geo-political dynamics and stressed the need to synergize the effort of the nation and the army to ensure peace and stability. He said the army would live up to expectations of the nation.

Gen Kayani praised the sacrifices and spirit of all officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans in the ongoing operations.

He also appreciated the leadership of officers in particular, who were leading from the front as per the true tradition of Pakistan Army.

Having declared the Year 2008 as the “Year of the Soldier”, he approved a package of Rs10 billion for improving the quality of life of soldiers and young officers.

[HinduCrusades]

Wonder if Pakistan will ever be influenced by secular western political ideals!

My perception: never.

Interesting to see that no one here rules out the role of religion in public life-the pathophysiology of all Islamic states'!!

[HinduCrusades]

Till early 1990,India's economics and public life were influenced by leftist ideals.

Land ownership,attempts to break the caste strangle hold,gradual assimilation of western political ideals- and a very very firm rejection of the role of religion did have a role in the shaping of the body politic.

Hindu tolerant ethos helped.
I dont think even a 'soft' Islamic state can replicate it.

History will record that Hinduism won without shedding blood.

Islam's footprint is coterminus with regression.

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http://www.hipakistan.com/news/eng2.html
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[HinduCrusades]

Kayani is simply putting out the fire,so to speak.

Army SHOULD NEVER EVER ENTER POLITICS.Pakistani Army is a rogue outfit-half a million men feeding off the rest with grandiose ambitions with a gung ho Pakistanis looking the other way as it worked as a parasite on the body politic of Pakistan.

Jinnah created a monster in Pakistan.

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HinduCrusades wrote:

Kayani is simply putting out the fire,so to speak.
Army SHOULD NEVER EVER ENTER POLITICS.Pakistani Army is a rogue outfit-half a million men feeding off the rest with grandiose ambitions with a gung ho Pakistanis looking the other way as it worked as a parasite on the body politic of Pakistan.
Jinnah created a monster in Pakistan.

Jinnah did not create a monster in Pakistan. Jinnah was against the military in politics. Dictatorship does not help in Pakistan, it also helps create extremism. And I hope its not a partiion thing!!!
FINELINE...

[HinduCrusades]

It IS a PARTITION THING!If a people choose to be secullar a la the Western democracies where is the need for a seperate state?

Partition created a " out of bounds" area for Hindus while the Muslims had a free run in India and Pakistan.

The blood of millions killed in Partition will not just be wished away of forgotten.Got it?

The root cause is Islam.