Is ‘democracy’ really under threat?

KARACHI: By giving a call for a ‘million march’ to Islamabad on August 14, leading opposition leader Imran Khan is perhaps optimistic that the present army chief General Raheel Sharif will do the same for him what the former army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani did for Nawaz Sharif, though neither he nor the general had any answers to his demands but rather ‘questions.’

Nawaz Sharif’s ‘long march’ for the restoration of judges was halted at Gujranwala and after the interference of Gen. Kayani, the former prime minister and former president Asif Ali Zardari restored Chief Justice was among those politicians who sided with Sharif on restoration.

Zardari was against his restoration and only agreed after immense pressure. It was also Zardari who for the first time declared last elections as the “Elections of Returning Officers.” Today Khan is also saying the same.

Perhaps Khan is hopeful of a similar kind of interference and believes if he managed to gather few millions, the government of Sharif may “fall.” What he is not realising is the “fall of democracy” in the process, because such a situation would create a “constitutional deadlock.”

But what disturbed me most was his “tone” which reflects an anarchist tendency in otherwise a very “cool Captain.” Did Imran Khan realise the outcome of his remarks about personally “hanging “ policemen if they tried to stop his “Long March” or used force. He may not do that, but what if his emotional workers enforced his orders, in their own way?

Imran should have known that how the interim setup was constituted in 2013. How the chairman of the Election Commission was nominated with consensus. He himself was the firm support of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry even when he himself appeared in a “contempt of court” case against him.

The media took Altaf Hussain to task for his remarks about “three swords.” What about these remarks of Khan. Earlier, Dr Tahirul Qadri had also threatened that policemen would be “dragged” on the streets if they did not behave and followed illegal orders.

So, I wonder who can answer these questions. The most surprising of them was about the 11 pm speech of Nawaz Sharif. I request him to please go through the past elections and see whether from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, has made such claims on the day of elections or not. He should also enquire how many channels (not GEO alone) showed his speech.

As for the rest of his demands or questions, it relates to the Election Commission, the judiciary and to the caretaker government. Thus it’s quite clear that he has already made up his mind for an all-out attack on the government even if it leads to “military interference”.

Dr Tahirul Qadri is also gearing up to create unrest in the country and may go shoulder to shoulder to Khan, even if they are not united.At present, the opposition stands divided. Major parties in parliament have refused to side with Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri, as they fear their movement could derail the democratic process.

There is opposition led by Tahirul Qadri and backed by PML-Q that wants to change the “system.” Then, there is opposition led by Imran Khan, who has set one month deadline to the government, failing which he would lead a “million march.”

The opposition led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is though critical of government policies, it wants the PML-N-led government to complete its term.Except for the PTI, they enjoy the support of other opposition parties on this issue.

Qadri’s APC shows that the PML-N, PPP, ANP and JUI are on the one side and the PTI, PAT, PML-Q and MQM are on the side of the political spectrum.Dr Qadri, who intends to bring his “green revolution” already received a setback when major opposition parties, including the PTI, refused to join what once was aimed as “Grand Opposition Alliance.” His frustration was clearly reflected when he left after giving statement that he never tried for GOC, causing embarrassment to Chaudhries of Gujrat. He also surprised the two Chaudhries when he said: “I never want change of government, but struggling to change the system.”

The decision for the GOC was taken in the London meeting and veteran politician Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was given the task. The two parties — Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan Muslim League — got the first shock when Khan despite his presence in London stayed away from Dr Qadri and Chaudhries. They got the second shock when Khan and PTI’s core committee officially turned down the offer of joining hands with the PAT and PML. The third shock came when even the MQM, which otherwise supported Dr Qadri, also kept distance from GOC formula, at least at this stage.

All these aftershocks created a major dent in the “take-off” of the green revolution. It would now be interesting to see how many parties will attend Dr Qadri’s All Parties Conference on Monday, which would be on “one point agenda” i.e. incident of Model Town. Since almost all parties, including the PPP, PTI, JI and others, condemned police firing and killing of 14 people, the PAT is hopeful that they all would attend the APC.

However, Ch. Shujaat and Ch. Pervez Elahi, the two key players and supporters of Dr Qadri, are still optimistic that many parties would join the GOC.One man army, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, who looks like a 12th man of both Imran Khan and Dr Qadri, for the first time feared that if the two leaders and parties did not come on one platform and unite, the opposition stands no chance of getting rid of the government.

Ahmad, who had seen many opposition movements, knows well that there are two factors which ensure the success of any movement. One, grand alliance of major opposition parties including those capable of creating unrest; two, the backing of establishment.

Chaudhries too were well aware of these facts. Perhaps, that is why Ch. Shujaat Hussain a few days back hinted at the presence of “Political Cell” of ISI, which he claimed still exists and also defended its presence. However, he said, he was not “directly in touch” with them.

The statement did not get much attention in the media nor did the government or the ISPR react, though it did raise a serious question if the “Political Cell” has been revived. During the Asghar Khan case, the previous government had submitted that the cell had been closed.

The political cell, which had been operating since the government of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was allegedly used by successive regimes and intelligence agencies for political maneuvering. It was finally exposed when veteran politician Asghar Khan in 1996 filed a petition with the Supreme Court and raised this question regarding distribution of money in the 1990 elections to opposition alliance called Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, IJI, the brain-child of former ISI chief General (R) Hameed Gul.

Dr Qadri was also disappointed over the cold response of the army.Prior to his arrival, he asked the army chief to provide him security and that the army should take over the security of Benazir International Airport, Rawalpindi. He again did not get any response from the army when a foreign airline plane was diverted to Lahore. He wanted senior army officers, including the Corp Commander Lahore, to come out and assure him security.

The only factor, which so far went in his favor is the “media.” He is getting maximum media coverage but what he does not know that if his dream of “green revolution” fizzled out he may face a very tough media.

Imran Khan, on the other hand, also looks confused after setting the “deadline” for the government and giving the time frame for an anti-government movement. In the past three months, he has often reviewed his earlier statements. He once stated that he would disclose the name of a Brigadier of Military Intelligence (MI) whom he accused of playing a role in rigging. He then stated that he never meant that a serving Brig was involved. He again withheld the name of even the retired brigadier, which he was supposed to name in the public meeting.

Similarly, Khan in an interview with well-known anchor Shahzeb Khanzada first stated that after the deadline he would dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa government and would also resign from the Assemblies. But within 24 hours after the statement he once again reviewed his decision after facing harsh criticism not only from the opposition, but also from his allies like the Jamaat-e-Islami. Khan did not realise that the KP Assembly could elect a new Leader of the House, comprising PML-N, JUI-F and other smaller groups.

Even if Khan decides to quit the NA, he may face a mini revolt within the party in the KP where the PTI is facing a serious internal rift.

Khan, who has the charisma and also enjoys good following in the masses, also has the reputation of putting his party in an embarrassing position on different occasions. The PTI central leadership once took him to task when during the last elections he announced on TV that he would go to Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad’s public meeting without taking the party into confidence. He was reminded not to repeat such mistakes.

Thus when he initially stated in the interview that he would dissolve the KP government, even the party leaders were shocked.

But to the credit of Khan, it was because of his personality that the party managed to come out of a serious crisis within, whether it is party elections or mini revolt against the KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak.

Thus in the present scenario, the chances of success for Dr Qadri or Imran Khan look very bleak. Sharif government is not as weak as it looked like. The opposition movement is so far confined to Punjab, the strong base of Sharif, where they have been ruling since 1985. The division within the opposition’s rank and file is too sharp and more importantly the civil-military relationship in the last two months has improved, though they are not completely on the same page on certain issues. The army does not want political unrest particularly during the operation, which may take some time though they want to complete the major phase before winter.

However, if Khan and Qadri along with Altaf Hussain launch a joint movement and manage some half a million people in the “Combined Long March,” things can be different for the government.

There is no chance of movement like the 1977 as those factors do not exist. The situation is also different from what it was before the elections of 1988 when the then ISI created IJI and backed anti-PPP forces.

Despite odds against the opposition, Khan certainly poses a greater political threat to PML-N than the PPP in the Punjab. Thus the future political battle would be fight in Punjab and there could be certain forces which now want to weaken the PML-N in Punjab to end its political supremacy.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is now seriously considering veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s proposal for forming a “Pro Democratic Front,” comprising parties which believe that the present system should continue despite differences with the government and a change should only come within the parameters of the Constitution.

However, the opposition which supported Achakzai, includes the PPP, which is not happy with the government’s handling of Tahirul Qadri’s welcome reception, but sees Qadri’s movement as “anti -democracy.”

The government overreacted in panic and now by initiating a probe against Dr Qadri it is perhaps giving him too much importance either out of fear or some personal reasons.

Major political developments are expected after Eid, as Khan has set the “deadline” and has thrown the ball in Sharif’s court. The prime minister did the right thing by inviting Khan to visit the IDPS camps. Sensing the move, Khan also stayed away because of his public meeting but he did allow the KP chief minister to accompany the PM.

Now, it would be interesting to see Sharif’s next move. Will he invite Khan for discussion on his demands, may be on “Iftar.” He will certainly be trying to isolate Dr Qadri, Chaudhries of Gujrat and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.

The role of the army in the last six years has been pro-democracy despite having reservations about certain issues, both during the PPP’s five years and the PML-N’s one year. Yet, it seems some politicians are trying to drag the army into politics. In the present political scenario, there is no immediate threat to the government or democracy. Major parties are convinced that the PML-N must be given full chance to complete its tenure, but they believe that the government should not create a situation of pushing the opposition to the wall.

Now, one has to wait and see how Khan, Dr Qadri and Sharifs play their cards in the next three months. Major opposition parties, including the PTI, is not very convinced with Dr Qadri’s agenda while parties like PPP feel that he is “unfit” for democracy.

As has happened in our political history, it’s not the opposition strength or power but the government weakness and political blunders, which create vacuum that is often filled by “un-democratic forces.” 1968, 1971 and 1977 are before us. The era of “Political Cell” is over as the fourth pillar, the media, irrespective of how irresponsible it may be, would be there to defend democracy.

CJP says intolerance is the real threat to democracy

LAHORE: Chief Justice Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani said on Saturday that the real threat to democracy and rule of law in the country stems from intolerance.

Addressing a ceremony in honour of Justice Umar Atta Bandial being elevated to the Supreme Court, the CJP said Pakistan lacks a culture of tolerance.

Chief Justice Jillani added that independence of the judiciary could not only be achieved through what was written in the constitution and it was essential to restore the trust of people in the justice system.

According to the CJP it is required that the authority of law and supremacy of constitution be established in the country.

PPP won’t be part of campaign to derail democracy: Sharjeel Memon

KARACHI: Sindh Information Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon Thursday said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will not be a part of the forces bent upon derailing democratic process in the country.

Addressing a program at Karachi Press Club (KPC) in connection with distribution of plot allotments to the journalists, he said Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan have one objective but their approach is different.

To a question, he termed Tahirul Qadri’s movement for ‘revolution’ as untimely and unjustified, adding the mandate of democratically elected government of Pakistan Muslim League-N must be respected.

“Tahirul Qadri should first bring about a revolution in the country of his nationality–Canada,” he said, adding the government should be allowed to serve its full tenure.

He also took a dig at Tahirul Qadri over his unwillingness to disembark Emirates plane at Lahore airport, saying such moves can bring a bad name to the country.

Commenting on the Model Town issue, he slammed the incumbent government, describing its conduct as dictatorial.

To another question in connection with allowing entry to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sindh province, he said the Chief Minister has already announced a relief of Rs500 million. He said relief camps for collection of succour have been set up in various districts of Sindh from where truckloads of relief supplies will be transported to the IDPs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Replying to a query in connection with PTI’s warning to resign from assemblies, Sharjeel Memon said rigging is no justification to roll back the ongoing democratic process in the country.

He said PPP will never allow closure of any media group and that any move to muzzle the freedom of expression will be thwarted. “Those who believe they can gag the voice of truth and render the journalists unemployed live in fools’ paradise,” he added.

The Information Minister announced construction of auditorium and press conference hall for Karachi Press Club this year. He said the KPC should identify the place, the requisite funds will be arranged by the Sindh Governemnt.

He also announced establishment of Endowment Fund for the journalists in the current year.

Later, he distributed plot challans among the members of KPC.

Imran, Qadri, Rasheed, Chaudhry’s trying to derail democracy: Rafique

ISLAMABAD: Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique criticized those individuals who had been organizing and calling for anti-government protests.

Speaking to reporters, Rafique said Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri, Sheikh Rasheed and the Chaudhry brothers were trying to derail democracy.

“Let’s see who will lead the grand alliance,” Rafique said.

Rafique added that Sheikh Rasheed will not allow the alliance to be hijacked.

Responding to a question, Rafique said fool-proof security will be provided to Tahirul Qadri upon his arrival in Pakistan.

Democracy under threat: Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: As the National Assembly continued its debate on the budget, veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday called upon Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to be on the same page for the cause of democracy as the democratic set-up in the country was facing severe threats.
“The two Sharifs — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and General Raheel Sharif — should give a message that they are one for continuation of the democratic system in the country,” Mahmood Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said.

He suggested to the government to convene a joint sitting of parliament or the All Parties

Conference (APC) to develop a joint and comprehensive strategy to deal with the threats to the democracy and democratic dispensation in the country.

Saying that the democracy was under threat in Pakistan, Achakzai asked the establishment not to interfere in the democratic process. “We will respect the establishment if they do not interfere in the democratic process,” he said.

He said there should be a joint commission comprising judges, politicians and media to save democracy. He also asked the government to convene joint sitting of Parliament to address the threats being faced by the democratic process.

He said if he were the prime minister of the country, he would have sent Tahirul Qadri back to Canada.He said that democracy itself was a big power and it was because of it that sons and grandsons of dictators were sitting in Parliament.

Achakzai said the United States should be told that its military and economic aid to Pakistan should be linked with democracy in the country.He also asked the leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to play their due role in saving the democratic system.

He suggested to PTI chief Imran Khan to demonstrate good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and provide good education and inexpensive justice to the people of the province. “He is holding public meeting here and there. What politics is this,” he said.

Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) urged the government to take steps for the uplift of the backward areas and provide modern education and health facilities there.

Marvi Memon said the opposition had declared the budget as product of IMF advice and pro-wealthy but the budgetary measures announced by the present government had belied this impression. She pointed out that GDP growth rate during the last five years was 3 percent but it increased to 4.1 percent this year.

She also challenged claims of the opposition members that the budget was anti-poor.Shazia Mari criticised the budgetary proposals and said the taxation measures announced by the government would add to the difficulties of the poor. She was of the view that budgetary allocations for the provinces were on the decline.

Maulana Amir Zaman of JUI-F said Pakistan is an Islamic Republic but its economic is revolving around interest which is not permissible. He said recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology should be implemented

Syed Asif Hasnain said MQM has been presenting shadow budget with a view to recommending proposals to make the budget people-oriented but these have not been given any importance. He said the people are suffering from hunger, disease and ignorance and the budget should have priority allocations for these areas.

Democracy is under threat: Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on Thursday that democracy in Pakistan was under threat.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Achakzai said it is necessary to deal with all individuals who are trying to destablise democracy.

Achakzai called on the government to convene a joint session of Parliament or an All Parties Conference (APC) to deal with these threats.

The PMAP chief also demanded that Dr Tahirul Qadri should be arrested and sent back to Canada upon his arrival in Pakistan.

Democracy can’t be ‘chopped up like vegetables’: Saad

 

LAHORE: Senior journalists and political leaders here on Sunday condemned the attack on Jang Multan Resident Editor Zafar Aaheer by masked men and the burning of Jang vehicles across the country.
Speaking at a seminar, organised at the Lahore Press Club on Sunday, they expressed solidarity with Geo/Jang Group and Hamid Mir and called upon the PML-N government to re-establish its writ in the country.

Federal Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique said he supports Hamid Mir and has always maintained a close association with the senior anchorperson. He called his father Waris Mir a patriotic citizen. Saad said Hamid Mir had advised him when he was going out of line in dealing with the trial of General Pervez Musharraf and said Mir embodies the values of Islam, democracy and patriotism.

However, Saad said the media in Pakistan is engaged in a dirty war with itself that threatens the freedom of the press. He said those committing acts of vandalism, including the burning of Jang vehicles, would not benefit and have to ultimately lose the war on free speech.

Saad said the media in Pakistan was highly sensationalist and some anchors and journalists were deeply unethical and were misleading the public. The minister said the culture of breaking news and ratings had destroyed the authenticity and quality of the electronic media. He said the media in Pakistan was behaving like the Supreme Court and delivering judgements on politicians on baseless allegations. He said most media house owners were tax-evaders and had opened TV channels as their public relations wings. He criticised the display of the DG ISI’s picture on Geo News after the Hamid Mir attack and also criticised certain TV channels for showing the blasphemous video again and again to their viewers.

The minister said the government was playing the role of a necessary fire brigade between the Jang Group and the military establishment. He said this is important in order to lessen tensions and stop things from getting worse. Saad said democracy is not a gift and has been earned by Pakistan’s civilian leadership after great heartache and trial. This should not be undermined. He termed the talks in London highly regrettable.

He reminded Imran Khan that the PTI won the elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa under the same ‘fraudulent system’. He urged setting up of a media accountability mechanism in media houses and invited Tahirul Qadri to come forward instead of avoiding the government and holding ‘dharnas’.

In his telephonic address to the seminar, Hamid Mir condemned the attack on Aaheer and said the culprits wanted to curb press freedom. He said Aaheer’s attackers were the same who had attacked him on April 19, who had thrown petrol bombs on Jang vehicles and burnt Jang newspaper bundles. He said his patience and commitment to journalism had enhanced due to the support received from civil society and the journalists’ community. He reiterated the need for unity in Pakistan’s journalist community in such testing times. He said the recent events in the country reminded him of General Ziaul Haq’s dark era when journalists were flogged and sent to jails. He said there should not be any ambiguity about those who were responsible for the attack on Zafar Aaheer, who were behind the illegal suspension of Geo TV networks’ suspension through cable operators, who hurled threats at the Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari and attacked journalists in the past.

Hamid said these elements wanted to create division in the media industry and they had succeeded in pitting media outlets and journalists against each other. He said different cable operators told journalists that they were ‘helpless’ as they were facing severe pressure from unnamed circles. He thanked parliamentarians who supported him during his tough times. However, he added, condemnation was not enough and his attackers should be exposed and brought to book. Hamid said the police should also look into Aaheer attack case and arrest the assailants at the earliest.

Hamid said the Karachi police were afraid of arresting his attackers, despite knowing their identity and whereabouts. He said other journalists have also been approached by the intelligence agencies, and Arshad Ansari had been threatened via a letter to stop holding events in favour of Hamid Mir and press freedom. He said over 30,000 journalists have been approached by the intelligence agencies in this regard.

Hamid said such elements were mistaken if they believe that by doing so they could silence and suppress the media. He said the Pakistani media was not like the army generals who had surrendered in Bangladesh in the 1971 war.

Hamid said the civilian government is weak and the military has imposed a de facto martial law in the country. He said the judiciary’s orders are not being respected and it is the responsibility of the civilian government to establish its writ and expose his attackers. He said he had given all evidence to the judicial commission set up to investigate the April 19 attack on him.

Hamid Mir said a Taliban hit list comprising names of journalists being circulated by the interior ministry among few chosen channels should be provided to all media outlets. He said his name was on top of the list, followed by journalists from different media groups.

He also condemned the newly formed alliance of Tahirul Qadri and the Chaudhrys which will weaken democracy in the country. Hamid saluted the LPC and journalists in Pakistan for their courage despite opposition from all quarters. He said the country’s establishment is in the business of branding people as traitors, especially sincere and professional journalists. He said the struggle of the Jang Group is a nationwide struggle for democracy, press freedom and the right to life of all citizens.

Hamid Mir also condemned the murder of HRCP Multan coordinator and lawyer Rashid Rehman last month. He concluded his speech by chanting “Pakistan Zindabad’ and saying an attack on one journalist will be taken as an attack on all in the community.

Kasur Press Club President Khadim Ali Khokhar, Okara Press Club President Munir Chaudhry and Sheikhupura Press Club President Shahbaz also condemned attempts to shut down Geo and the Jang Group, and expressed solidarity with senior anchorperson Hamid Mir.

Jamaat-e-Islami representative Farooq Chohan said his party was committed to press freedom and would not participate in meetings taking place in London between Tahirul Qadri, Pervaiz Elahi and Ch Shujaat Hussain. He said the JI believes in complete press freedom and Liaquat Baloch had met Hamid Mir in hospital after the attack in Karachi. He said JI chief Sirajul Haq firmly believes that imposition of a ban on Geo TV would be illegal and immoral.

He said former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had earned the wrath of the intelligence agencies for taking up the missing persons’ case and today the media is facing similar pressures due to the same reason. He said the JI would not take part in the London talks because the party respects the democratic process and the mandate of the PML-N government. He said the alliance currently being formed in London was part of a conspiracy to gain a safe passage for the American CIA in the region.

Chohan said the Jang Group had tendered an apology over the eight-hour transmission about the agencies role which followed the attack on Hamid Mir and the blasphemy charge. Even then he added, efforts were under way to shut down the media group. He urged PM Nawaz Sharif to re-establish his writ over the country in order to escape General Pervez Musharraf’s fate today in judicial custody.

South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) General Secretary Imtiaz Alam said he had fought for democracy for 25 years and the destination was still nowhere in sight. He said the media in Pakistan needs to develop a code of conduct, refrain from hate speech, and encourage responsible and sensitive reporting.

Alam said we are happy that the army is fighting against terrorists. But it is a matter of concern that the banned organisations were staging demonstrations in favour of the army, he said adding that we are moving towards an unlawful state. He said the chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motu notice of the attack on Geo.

He said Pakistan’s own media has defeated itself in the fight for press freedom. Alam said Pakistan’s civilian government needs to re-establish its writ over the country as we cannot accept the bullet power of non-state actors. He said the attack on Hamid Mir is also of concern to Pakistan’s masses as it shows the state’s failure to protect a citizen’s right to life and a media consumer’s right to information.

Imtiaz Alam said we cannot compromise on fundamental rights and Pakistan can no longer be a ‘graveyard of democracy’. He also condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on grounds of independence and fairness.

Alam said any attack on any anchorperson from any TV channel would have drawn a similar response as has happened in the case of Hamid Mir. He said owners of media outlets are engaged in a self-destructive rivalry in the country today. He also condemned the conspiracy theories being aired on Hamid Mir’s wounds and said Geo’s closure would lead to the economic death of 50,000 workers.

Alam said legal ways should be sought in criticising Geo TV and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid should not just attend rallies but also deliver on his promises. He said the Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies, and Jang Group can resolve their problems through dialogue. Alam said in the 21st century a ban on any media channel is unacceptable. He said the attempts to close Jang Group is a test of civil-military relations by the army and that All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) should wake up from its slumber and take an action.

Punjab Union of Journalists President Waseem Farooq said the PUJ has gone on hunger strike, borne flogging and imprisonments to defend press freedom. He said the PUJ is carrying the torch of senior journalists Khawar Naeem Hashmi, Nisar Usmani, and Iqbal Jafri. He said media house owners should implement labour laws and give their employees decent wages if they need them to participate in protests for press freedom. He said working journalists in the Jang Group need support from society to ensure that their jobs are not endangered.

Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Vice President Shaheen Qureshi told the seminar that Geo TV is practically shut down due to the role of the cable operators and subsequent drop in viewers. He said this is undemocratic as it deprives viewers of the right to information. Qureshi said advertisers are pulling back and Jang’s circulation in most areas has come to a halt. He said only areas occupied by foreign diplomats in Islamabad get The News, which is a clever move to mislead the international media into thinking all is well with regards to press freedom.

Qureshi said PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana in a Safma meeting had assured him that she would communicate these issues to PM Nawaz Sharif. The CPNE vice-president said information of Hamid Mir’s arrival in Karachi and work schedule could only have been accessed by intelligence agencies. He told the media on Sunday that Mir’s reporting on Balochistan’s missing persons long march and coverage of Musharraf’s trial had angered certain elements. He said the attack on Mir was intended as a lesson for Pakistan’s media.

Qureshi urged the government to not be helpless as it had won the mandate of 180 million Pakistanis in 2013 elections. He said the country’s judiciary is being disrespected as evidenced in the banners hung in Islamabad’s red zone with names of Supreme Court judges. He said Jang Group is not in need of certificates of patriotism from PTI leader Imran Khan. He said the group is not an enemy of the government and that democracy and press freedom are natural allies.

Geo News Lahore Bureau Chief Khawar Naeem Hashmi lamented the division in the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and said both disputing parties need to come together and resolve their dispute. Hashmi said he does not want any division in the media unions to be inherited by successive generations and both wings of the PFUJ should accept each other. He said they should heed Hamid Mir’s advice to the journalist community and stop infighting. Hashmi said that this is not a fight of media house owners but of all working journalists.

PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, in response to Shaheen Qureshi’s comments on Imran Khan, said press freedom is not safeguarding the right to insult politicians only. He said PTI’s demand for inquiry into election rigging should not be set aside and that the party was committed to press freedom. He said Hamid Mir is a hardworking and loved journalist.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari said it was a tragedy that Hamid Mir’s perpetrators are yet to be arrested and condemned the attack on the Jang Resident Editor in Multan. Ansari said whereas divisions in the PFUJ are unfortunate they should be resolved in meetings mediated by veterans in the field. Ansari said that Geo had practically been shut down and it could result in joblessness among journalists.

Former Supreme Court Bar Association President Abid Hassan Minto also expressed solidarity with Hamid Mir and called out the ‘deep state’ for its covert attempts to silence the media. The lawyer also said protests being held in support of the army are futile as the public knows who is behind organising these protests. Minto said the army according to Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution is bound to serve the country and not intervene in political affairs.

News Desk adds: Later, talking to Geo News, Saad Rafique said the Geo TV sought a pardon several times for playing a Qawwali once. Those who re-telecast the same clip 70 times were feeling no shame.

He said the freedom of expression was threatened by the same billionaires who opened TV channels and newspapers to protect their black money. He said batons and the useless use of the TV remote were not in the interest of the country. Those who were burning the newspapers would get nothing but shame.

He said Pakistan did not get democracy in charity and democracy was not a vegetable (gaajar, mooli) which could be chopped off. He said: “We couldn’t say before the time of Musharraf, but now we can say that it is the right of the PML-N to say that it was involved in the process to restore democracy in the country.” He said the necks of politicians were thin, so they could be beaten by anyone.

Saad said the retired chief justice of Pakistan could be ridiculed by the retired general Pervez Musharraf could not be laughed at and nothing could be said about him. He said the government was working like a fire brigade and it showed a positive attitude in the current circumstances. He said that by not joining the London alliance, Imran Khan took a wise decision after a long time. He said the Chaudhry brothers and the Maulana could not do anything.

Some people want to end democracy in country: Siraj

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Ameer Maulana Sirajul Haq has said that some people wanted to bring democracy to an end in the country as the issues being faced by the country could not be discussed while sitting in London.

He rejected the plan to form an opposition alliance in London and demanded of the leaders gathered there to come back to the country and try to correct things here.Talking to the media after chairing a party meeting at Mansoora on Sunday, Sirajul Haq said a clash among the institutions would harm democracy. JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, other leaders and workers were also present.

The JI Ameer said instead of destabilising the government, the opposition should give the rulers time to deliver and find out solutions to people’s problems.He said the PTI Chairman Imran Khan had the right to protest against the ‘rigging’ in elections as “the Election Commission had failed to conduct impartial, free and fair elections”.

The JI Ameer asked the government to announce a special package of Rs100 billion each for Karachi and the tribal areas for rehabilitation of the people affected by terrorism there. He urged the PM to expose those who wanted to sabotage the peace talks with the Taliban.

The JI leader alleged that the PM’s evasion of Kashmir and water issues during his visit to India and avoiding a meeting with the Hurriyat Conference leadership sent a negative message to the people of Kashmir. He said the people of Pakistan were standing with their Kashmiri brothers in their struggle for freedom.

He advised the government to go through its election manifesto once again and implement it instead of complaining against the people’s wrath.Sirajul Haq said the tribal people were patriotic and had equal rights to the country’s resources. The government should launch education and health schemes in the tribal areas and create jobs for them.

He said the political parties had given the government the mandate for peace talks, but it had started an operation there without taking the parties into confidence. As a result, the tribal people had become sandwiched between the government and the Taliban.

He urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit North and South Waziristan to get cooperation from the tribal people. Meanwhile, addressing the annual meeting of the IJT, the JI chief said the elements talking of secularism were in fact going against the will of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the Constitution.

Moves on to weaken independent media, democracy

ISLAMABAD: The intriguing but matching timing of an attack on the most influential media group in Pakistan — the Jang/Geo Group — and the street agitation of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) have raised many eyebrows here.

This situation raises the fundamental question of whether the stage is being set to hurt the democratic process and make the civilian leadership dance to the tune of the military establishment.

On the one hand the independent media is being muzzled through coercion, division and harassment; on the other people are being encouraged to come onto the streets to express their discontent with the system.

In a calculated fashion, the post-Hamid Mir attack scenario is being created in a manner where Geo and the Jang Group are portrayed as anti-army and anti-Pakistan. Such a manoeuvre would help discredit the most influential media house of the country, which is known for its contribution towards the rule of law, the upholding of the Constitution, democracy and an independent judiciary.

Damaging the Geo and Jang Group means hitting the freedom of the press in Pakistan and making it so vulnerable that the media cannot effectively serve as a protector of democracy, the independent judiciary and the rule of law. During recent weeks, certain players of the military establishment have already succeeded in badly dividing, like never before, the media of Pakistan.

With such serious divisions being created within the Pakistani media, political entities like the PTI, PML-Q and PAT etc. are already out to support the Pakistan Army and the ISI in what has been smartly created as a fight between the army and the Jang Group despite the latter’s repeated statements that it respects the institutions of the Pakistan Army and ISI.

Some proscribed organisations have also been pushed to hold demonstrations to get the Jang-Geo Group discredited.While such efforts are continuing to weaken the independent media in Pakistan through “tamed media” and “political allies”, the political situation of the country is also being vitiated through street agitations and protests. Though the announcement of the PTI and PAT protest campaigns from May 11, 2014 seem disconnected, not many believe this. Already discussions are under way if Imran and Qadri could join hands for the “reformation” of the system. The PML-Q is also expected to join in.

As against the serious doubts about the PAT linkages with the military establishment, Imran Khan’s PTI had better credentials till recently when it surprised all and sundry initially by reiterating the ISI’s serious charges against the Jang/Geo group. It furthered such doubts by levelling what could be termed as hilarious allegations of rigging on the Jang and Geo group and announcing to hold a rally on May 11 in Islamabad. May 11 is also the countrywide demonstration day for the PAT.

Leading political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP), have already lashed out at the PTI for its call to protest against the alleged rigging at this point of time.

The PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said Imran Khan’s move to resort to protest the alleged rigging was incomprehensible after one year of the elections. The PPP leader said it was his party’s formal stance that it will not become part of any protest rallies. Many in the PPP see it as an effort to derail the democratic system.

According to media reports, the PPP leaders held in-depth discussions on the protest politics of the PTI and ongoing rallies in the country aimed at destabilising the elected government. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah was also quoted to have said in a press talk that those who were used to bring out sponsored rallies in the past are now active and it is not a good omen for the country. Shah added that these rallies are being sponsored and not being taken out on their own as those who are behind these rallies have their own agenda.

The ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the PTI chief Imran Khan should not indulge in the politics of opportunism. The PML-N leader and Punjab Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah is quoted to have said that the PTI and PAT have planned to launch an agitation movement on ‘someone’s’ directives.

Military believes in democracy, Constitution: Gen Raheel

 

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday that the armed forces of Pakistan believed in the strengthening of democracy, supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law and would render every sacrifice for the country’s security, progress and prosperity.
He said that Pakistan’s armed forces were keeping a close vigil on the internal and external challenges and were fully capable of meeting all the threats to the security of the country.Addressing a large gathering on the eve of Youm-e-Shuhada here at the GHQ, he said that the armed forces remained alert round the clock for the defence of the motherland.

“Nobody should doubt the capabilities of the Pakistan Army as it will come to the expectations of the nation,” he added.General Raheel Sharif said that the Pakistan Army would continue to play its role in ensuring the security, progress and prosperity of the country.

Stressing the need for unity to overcome the internal and external challenges confronting the country, he said that the Pakistan Army supported every effort for the eradication of terrorism and restoration of peace in the country.

While lauding the supreme sacrifices rendered by the security forces for the defence of the country, the COAS said that the nation always stood with the Pakistan Army in every difficult time.

While declaring that the Pakistan Army supported every effort for the elimination of terrorism and restoration of peace, the chief of army staff said that it was his wish that all the elements fighting against Pakistan should submit before the Constitution and laws of the country and return to the mainstream.

He made it clear that the people and the armed forces were fully capable of thwarting the nefarious designs of the enemies of the country.All nations fight shoulder-to-shoulder with their armies on the internal or external fronts and keep their spirits high, he said and added, the Pakistan Army’s strength was the confidence the people reposed in it.

“The Pakistani nation always stood behind its army and our valiant soldiers will render all sacrifices for national security,” he added.He said that the relations between the Pakistan Army and people would become stronger with every passing day.

General Raheel called for following the golden principles of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah — unity, faith and discipline — to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity.He called upon all the institutions of the country to make efforts for the success of democracy and assured that the armed forces would continue their efforts for the development of the country and prosperity of the people.

Lauding the role of the media and civil society along with other institutions of the state in nation building, he said that the media always played an important role in moulding public opinion in favour of national security.

“We believe in the freedom of the media, responsible journalism and appreciate its sacrifices,” he added. Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs) was observed to pay homage to those soldiers who had laid their lives for the cause of the motherland.

Journey to democracy has started: Mamnoon

 

LAHORE: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said that the journey, with strong footings, towards real democracy had started and Pakistan would become an important country in the region within five years.
He said this while speaking at the concluding session of the South Asia Labour Conference (SALC) held here at a local hotel on Saturday.

He appealed for greater cooperation in the South Asian region through the Saarc platform and called for an end to the travel restrictions placed on Pakistan by countries dismayed by the polio issue.

In his speech, President Mamnoon Hussain said the country was currently facing challenges, including terrorism and lawlessness, but it had great potential in leading the Saarc region in the race for economic development.

Addressing Saarc ministers and dignitaries, President Mamnoon Hussain said he was honoured to be a part of the regional collaboration for labour rights. He said it was a day of great hope in the region as it was a beginning in the journey towards mutual cooperation for improving the lives of the poor.

The president said he was impressed by the passion and commitment to labour issues of all the delegates taking part in the conference’s technical sessions and hoped the discussions would be further supplemented by action. He said the South Asian region was united by common values and faced similar challenges, including threats to democracy, dictatorship, governance and justice issues.

Talking to the 300 delegates present on Saturday, he said for decades Pakistan had provided shelter to people fleeing regional conflicts. He said Pakistan had endured natural calamities, extremism and poverty with encouraging resilience. “I am happy to see the joint ministerial statement of South Asia Labour Conference reaffirm the fundamental right to decent living and human values,” said President Mamnoon Hussain on the final day of the conference.

He said further sharing of best labour practices in the Saarc region would develop human resources and lead to South Asian countries being able to compete with the rest of the world and alleviate regional poverty. President Hussain congratulated the organisers of the South Asia Labour Conference on hosting the first regional labour conference here in Lahore and the Punjab government for the Punjab Labour Policy 2014 to be officially unveiled by CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on May 1 in a special Punjab Assembly session.

The President of Pakistan placed great emphasis on compliance with international labour laws and standards set by ILO conventions. He said that he was happy to note the enthusiasm of employers present and that the business community of Pakistan could help lift millions of Pakistanis out of poverty.

He thanked the head of cabinet for the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Nicolas Gibert-Morin for the awarding of GSP Plus status to Pakistan and said Pakistan’s textile sector had benefited from the reduced tariffs. He said some elements were wishing to deprive Pakistan of this status, using poor compliance with labour laws as a pretext for their hidden motives.

On the topic of polio vaccination, President Hussain said the travel restrictions placed on Pakistan due to the low polio vaccinations rate by some countries was regrettable as militants in Pakistan’s north had made it difficult for others to administer polio drops.

The president, addressing foreign delegates at the conference, said the country would undergo a positive change within a period of five years.

President Hussain said an economic corridor connecting Tashkent, Kashgar, Karachi to Gwadar, Balochistan would deliver successful results not only to Pakistan and China but to the entire Central Asian region, Russia and the Middle East.

According to the president, Pakistan’s workforce would also benefit from new opportunities. Pakistan’s youth, which comprises 50 percent of the workforce, is a blessing, said President Mamnoon Hussain.

He said the success of the conference was evident by the presence of relevant stakeholders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh and Balochistan in addition to Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chaudhry Abdul Majeed during the three days of South Asia Labour Conference.

The president also expressed his hope for a similar conference hosted in another Saarc country in 2015 and a regional community of labourers in South Asia.

The president later presented souvenirs to select Pakistani and foreign delegates in appreciation of their role in the conference.

Nawaz takes pride in Pak democracy

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan’s prestige in the world has increased because of the continuation of democracy in the country.

Speaking to the Pakistani media after reaching London from The Hague, where he met several world leaders, Nawaz said Pakistan’s relations with the world powers had improved tremendously because the world now knows that Pakistan is firmly entrenched on the course to democracy.

“The world can see that democracy has been strengthened in Pakistan. Pakistan’s economic indicators are getting better day by day and the state of the overall economy has improved since we came to power. Pakistanis have made a lot of sacrifices for strengthening democracy and for the restoration of judiciary and the rule of law. These sacrifices are acknowledged,” he said.

The PM said his government was trying its best to resolve the problems Pakistan was facing. “The dollar has weakened in comparison to the Pak Rupees, foreign investment is coming to Pakistan, loadshedding is gradually decreasing and in the coming days, this issue will be overcome completely,” he said.

He said in the next 7-8 years, around 21,000MW electricity will be produced in comparison to today’s production of about 17,000MW a day. “We have both short and long term strategies in place. We are focusing on making Pakistan a progressive country in the long term. Our strategy is already working as Pakistan’s stock market is showing great strength. Overall, our manufacturing power has increased and clearly our growth has gone up. These are all good indicators.”

Speaking about the operation against the criminal elements in Karachi, Nawaz said his government had decided to start the operation soon after coming to power. “You can see the results today. It will take time but things will get better and we will continue the operation,” he said.

When asked if the US administration had listened to Pakistan’s pleas of stopping the drone attacks, Nawaz said Pakistan had always maintained that drones were against its independence and territorial integrity. “Our opposition to drones is known to the whole world and we have always said that using drones was a wrong policy and counter-productive. There have been no strikes in the last 90 days or so and there should be no strikes again,” he said.

Nawaz said it was the first time that direct talks were being held with the Taliban to bring an end to militancy in the country and there were signs of progress. He said talks were postponed due to bad weather but would be held again. He said the government had started talks after the Taliban offered ceasefire first.

When asked about the fate of the two men who are in Pakistan’s custody and sought by the Scotland Yard in relation to an investigation into the murder of Dr Imran Farooq, the PM said he didn’t have much knowledge about the request sent to Pakistan by the Crown Prosecution Service. He said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar was aware of the details of the case and only he could give an informed answer about this matter.