batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
Enough with democracy, welcome martial law?
- Thread starter batmannow
- Start date
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
BATMAN
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2007
- Messages
- 29,895
- Reaction score
- -28
- Country
- Location
Either CJ is making IK fool or either both are making nation fool.
CJ is openly patronizing PPP regime.
There was forensic evidence against Haqqani, but he was set free.
There is evidence against Mossa Gillani's heroin business but CJ has given him protection and he has doubled his heroin exports.
NRO is expired long ago but no warrants had been issued against its beneficiaries....
Terrorists, get released mysteriously...
CJ is openly patronizing PPP regime.
There was forensic evidence against Haqqani, but he was set free.
There is evidence against Mossa Gillani's heroin business but CJ has given him protection and he has doubled his heroin exports.
NRO is expired long ago but no warrants had been issued against its beneficiaries....
Terrorists, get released mysteriously...
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
CIA,s game plan is bieng played here!
Target is. ISI pakarmy, nuckes!
Cj , Ik , nawaz , MQM , ANP, PPP, even MUSHARF , JI ttp, BLA they are bieng used by cia to reach to a point , where PAKARMY would accept , ezy removal of nucks & NATO basses in pakistan.
It all can end in hours , if we can get a good deccion from the upper command , of pakarmy.
& if they can keep their supplies in their hands , with some degree of hardness, no one to oppose them in the world, even CHINA & RUSSIA are going to back them , with their full co-opreation.
But the thing is their strong will, without accepting anything against pakistanns soverin. Intersts ?
Which are not with , this wild democrazy anyway!!!!
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
“American” designs and Pakistan
By: Mujahid Kamran | July 17, 2012 | 17
âAmericanâ designs and Pakistan | The Nation
In the year 2006 the Carnegie Institute for International Peace, which in reality is the Carnegie Institute for worldwide bloodshed, identified Baluchistan as an area of interest for the US in subverting Pakistan. This subversion is part of the agenda for global domination. The geostrategic location of Balochistan, the China factor, its coastline overlooking the Gulf, its borders with Iran and Afghanistan and its rich mineral deposits make it a high value target for this clique.
It was also in 2006 that Col Ralph Peters published the infamous article “Blood Borders”, which envisages redrawing maps of countries in the Middle-East according to the oil and gas content of various regions, in the US Armed Forces Journal. The map also truncates Pakistan and depicts a “Greater Balochistan”. The map was then “leaked” to gain Western public acceptability to the fact that those who control US and Britain have made up their mind to achieve the bloody plan spelled out in the article. According to Prof. Chossudovsky the content of this article was then included in courses being taught at US military academies such as the West Point Academy. Why?
The shameless and naked content of the Ralph Peters article apart, the “Government” of the United States of America and its “allies” have indulged in every possible violation of international law in attacking Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, Libya and now Syria. In their shameful and illegal actions they have been aided and abetted by the most brazen propaganda, based on utter lies, to destroy resource rich Muslim nations that have a military potential. CNN, BBC, Fox News, could in any genuine court of law each of these channels, be convicted for lying, deceiving and mixing fact with fiction.
The war hysteria is impoverishing the American public where nine million homes have been foreclosed and tens of millions have been forced to live in tent cities and streets. The CNN, Fox News, BBC, etc that are pouring out lies about our countries 24 hours a day every day of the week, are utterly silent about this plight of US citizens who have been rendered homeless. Why is this absolutely devastating fact unreported by these champions of democracy and truth? Where is their integrity, their character? Why are the CNN and BBC and Fox News and their likes silent about the utterly despotic laws and Executive Orders of the Obama regime which have undone the Magna Carta and the writ of habeus corpus? Why are they not broadcasting the undeniable fact that the US is now a police state? Why are they not stating that Britain today has over 4.8 million CCTV cameras, one for every dozen or so individuals. An average person is viewed 340 times a day on CCTV in UK.
It is a cornerstone of “American” policy that military and financial power must not be allowed to exist in any Muslim country at the same time. A rich Muslim country must be kept militarily weak and if any Muslim country has acquired military power it must be bankrupted. In Pakistan’s case this policy is implemented with the collusion of its leaders and a mafia that controls transfers and postings in all Federal Ministries. The debt burden of the country appears to have been enhanced as a deliberate tactic, with the connivance of politicians, bureaucrats and others, to render Pakistan weak and vulnerable. Everything that is being done by the “Americans” has only one aim – to prevent the emergence of any rival global power. This rival power, or a constellation of rival powers, can only arise from the Eurasian continent. Therefore the US must disrupt and occupy central Asia, capture all global energy resources and routes through which this energy may be transported and deny energy resources to its real or imagined adversaries.
The US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate in Karachi are being transformed into fortresses from where violence against this country will be directed and carried out. Have we forgotten Raymond Davis or whatever his real name was? The three gigantic Centaurus towers being built in Islamabad by foreign companies, employ three huge cranes. The construction in the US embassy compound in Islamabad is being carried out with the help of five such cranes. What are the Americans building? In Karachi the US Consulate, being built close to the sea by a foreign company, is large enough to house a full military battalion. Why? By acquiescing to allow supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan, the Government of Pakistan may have signed its death warrant. The tanks that are being sent ostensibly to Afghanistan will be used against Pakistan through US, British, Israeli and Indian personnel and their proxies. Many of the containers carrying weapons never reach Afghanistan – a huge number disappears in Pakistan. No wonder “insurgents” in Balochistan are armed with modern weaponry. Pakistan must not supply oxygen to those who are determined to break it because of its military and economic potential, because it is a nuclear power with close ties to China and because Islam bans usury.
Treacherous pieces against Pakistan are broadcast to the world by BBC and CNN and others while hiding the fact that the US and its “allies” are busy destabilizing Pakistan. The very same “insurgents” and the very same “terrorists” whose violence is used as a pretext for interference by the US and its allies are created and supported by them. The “think tanks”, each of which is funded by the bankers and their corporations, and each of which is infested by conscienceless and characterless “thinkers”, who invent the most specious arguments to turn fiction into fact, are designed to engineer consent in favour of illegal wars. The lives of these “thinkers” and “writers” are devoted to poisoning the minds of the good people of US and other countries for a few dollars that are doled out to them as salary or as consultancy fees. To think up lies, to craft lies, to promote lies, to live a life based on lies is the be all and end all of these “writers” and “thinkers” whose so called views adorn the Western media. While the public in this country is wide awake the same cannot be said of its leadership.
The writer is the vice chancellor of the University of the Punjab.
Email: kamran_m51@yahoo.com
Website: Welcome to Dr. Mujahid Kamran's Website
By: Mujahid Kamran | July 17, 2012 | 17
âAmericanâ designs and Pakistan | The Nation
In the year 2006 the Carnegie Institute for International Peace, which in reality is the Carnegie Institute for worldwide bloodshed, identified Baluchistan as an area of interest for the US in subverting Pakistan. This subversion is part of the agenda for global domination. The geostrategic location of Balochistan, the China factor, its coastline overlooking the Gulf, its borders with Iran and Afghanistan and its rich mineral deposits make it a high value target for this clique.
It was also in 2006 that Col Ralph Peters published the infamous article “Blood Borders”, which envisages redrawing maps of countries in the Middle-East according to the oil and gas content of various regions, in the US Armed Forces Journal. The map also truncates Pakistan and depicts a “Greater Balochistan”. The map was then “leaked” to gain Western public acceptability to the fact that those who control US and Britain have made up their mind to achieve the bloody plan spelled out in the article. According to Prof. Chossudovsky the content of this article was then included in courses being taught at US military academies such as the West Point Academy. Why?
The shameless and naked content of the Ralph Peters article apart, the “Government” of the United States of America and its “allies” have indulged in every possible violation of international law in attacking Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, Libya and now Syria. In their shameful and illegal actions they have been aided and abetted by the most brazen propaganda, based on utter lies, to destroy resource rich Muslim nations that have a military potential. CNN, BBC, Fox News, could in any genuine court of law each of these channels, be convicted for lying, deceiving and mixing fact with fiction.
The war hysteria is impoverishing the American public where nine million homes have been foreclosed and tens of millions have been forced to live in tent cities and streets. The CNN, Fox News, BBC, etc that are pouring out lies about our countries 24 hours a day every day of the week, are utterly silent about this plight of US citizens who have been rendered homeless. Why is this absolutely devastating fact unreported by these champions of democracy and truth? Where is their integrity, their character? Why are the CNN and BBC and Fox News and their likes silent about the utterly despotic laws and Executive Orders of the Obama regime which have undone the Magna Carta and the writ of habeus corpus? Why are they not broadcasting the undeniable fact that the US is now a police state? Why are they not stating that Britain today has over 4.8 million CCTV cameras, one for every dozen or so individuals. An average person is viewed 340 times a day on CCTV in UK.
It is a cornerstone of “American” policy that military and financial power must not be allowed to exist in any Muslim country at the same time. A rich Muslim country must be kept militarily weak and if any Muslim country has acquired military power it must be bankrupted. In Pakistan’s case this policy is implemented with the collusion of its leaders and a mafia that controls transfers and postings in all Federal Ministries. The debt burden of the country appears to have been enhanced as a deliberate tactic, with the connivance of politicians, bureaucrats and others, to render Pakistan weak and vulnerable. Everything that is being done by the “Americans” has only one aim – to prevent the emergence of any rival global power. This rival power, or a constellation of rival powers, can only arise from the Eurasian continent. Therefore the US must disrupt and occupy central Asia, capture all global energy resources and routes through which this energy may be transported and deny energy resources to its real or imagined adversaries.
The US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate in Karachi are being transformed into fortresses from where violence against this country will be directed and carried out. Have we forgotten Raymond Davis or whatever his real name was? The three gigantic Centaurus towers being built in Islamabad by foreign companies, employ three huge cranes. The construction in the US embassy compound in Islamabad is being carried out with the help of five such cranes. What are the Americans building? In Karachi the US Consulate, being built close to the sea by a foreign company, is large enough to house a full military battalion. Why? By acquiescing to allow supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan, the Government of Pakistan may have signed its death warrant. The tanks that are being sent ostensibly to Afghanistan will be used against Pakistan through US, British, Israeli and Indian personnel and their proxies. Many of the containers carrying weapons never reach Afghanistan – a huge number disappears in Pakistan. No wonder “insurgents” in Balochistan are armed with modern weaponry. Pakistan must not supply oxygen to those who are determined to break it because of its military and economic potential, because it is a nuclear power with close ties to China and because Islam bans usury.
Treacherous pieces against Pakistan are broadcast to the world by BBC and CNN and others while hiding the fact that the US and its “allies” are busy destabilizing Pakistan. The very same “insurgents” and the very same “terrorists” whose violence is used as a pretext for interference by the US and its allies are created and supported by them. The “think tanks”, each of which is funded by the bankers and their corporations, and each of which is infested by conscienceless and characterless “thinkers”, who invent the most specious arguments to turn fiction into fact, are designed to engineer consent in favour of illegal wars. The lives of these “thinkers” and “writers” are devoted to poisoning the minds of the good people of US and other countries for a few dollars that are doled out to them as salary or as consultancy fees. To think up lies, to craft lies, to promote lies, to live a life based on lies is the be all and end all of these “writers” and “thinkers” whose so called views adorn the Western media. While the public in this country is wide awake the same cannot be said of its leadership.
The writer is the vice chancellor of the University of the Punjab.
Email: kamran_m51@yahoo.com
Website: Welcome to Dr. Mujahid Kamran's Website
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
I do not want democracy
I do not want democracy - Nighat Kamal Aziz
Nighat Kamal Aziz
Sunday, July 15, 2012
From Print Edition
I do not want democracy if it means that I wait in the streets for long periods of time in the sweltering heat in the name of VIP movement, when those who are plundering the country move in cavalcades protecting them from the wrath of their own countrymen.
I do not want democracy when those who earn an honest living go home to no water and unlimited loadshedding, while those who have risen to power using unjust and illegal means sit in the lap of luxury and never know how it feels to be without these basic amenities.
I do not want democracy when those at the helm of affairs send their children abroad for education but the youth of their country, the ones who will live and serve here, are deprived of quality education.
I do not want democracy if it helps convicted criminals and openly corrupt people to rise to the very top, while those who are capable are sidelined and disregarded.
Why should I want democracy when it does not provide justice, when someone not in a position of power is wronged? Where criminals walk free and the poor cannot fight for their rights? When laws are made to be broken, and there is no system to uphold the rule of law which treats all equally?
Of what use is democracy that is supposedly of the people, by the people and for the people, but where the rich get richer and the poor wallow in extreme poverty with absolutely no hope of a better tomorrow? Where middle-class people, who are the backbone of a nation, find it impossible to make ends meet? Where hard work, intelligence, honesty and dedication are not enough for someone to rise high and be in a decision-making position for the country?
I do not support democracy when top party positions are passed on like hereditary rights within the supposedly elected members. Where sycophancy and cronyism, not merit, are the criteria to succeed. Where inexperienced and inept people are made party leaders, sidelining veteran members.
Democracy is a joke if it provides absolute power to a single, supposedly elected, person to do as he will to countrymen who abhor him. This type of democracy is a deadly combination of hereditary ascension and dictatorship.
I certainly do not want democracy where parliament is only involved in internal squabbling and has neither the intention nor the capacity to solve the mammoth problems facing the country. Where those who occupy public offices are not deterred from fighting for their own perks and privileges when their contribution to the society and country is absolutely nil. Who go for joyrides all over the world, wasting public money without any qualms, with nothing to show for it.
Why does the democratic system not help us make use of our unlimited natural resources, the countless willing hands of our large population, the promise and potential of our land of plenty? Why are we perpetually dependent on the begging bowl just because we cannot get our act together, despite democracy?
Why cant the democratic system channel the energies of the teaming millions towards nation-building, instead of their running around like headless chickens? It seems our population is deliberately not allowed to rise up from the abyss so that they remain unaware of their rights and cannot challenge the status quo.
I do not want democracy if it cannot provide health insurance to its citizens and leaves them at the mercy of unaffordable medical treatment, while those at the helm of affairs fly abroad for their own medical problems.
Come election time, will we again see poor, uneducated people voting for unworthy candidates in lieu of a tin of cooking oil and a free ride to the polling station? It is a sham when the persons whose track record is far from spotless get elected again and again. What sort of a system is it that elections cannot guarantee a genuinely popular government?
Please dont misunderstand me. I never said I want dictatorship. Dictatorship is not, and never will be, the answer to our ills. But lets not absolve ourselves totally. Out of the 65 years of our existence half have been spent under dictatorship but what about the other half? Dictatorship weakens does institution, but has democracy strengthened any of them? The fact is that if there is a real will to help the nation, results are bound to show. Has there ever been any one leader who stands up and takes responsibility for the mess we are in? Who doesnt complain and blame others for all our problems and puts nation before self, not merely in rhetoric but in actual fact?
Does democracy mean that all the benefits are reserved for the top brass and all the woes for the rest of the country?
When we preach about democracy, let us have the real thing.
Is it really democracy that we have, or some mutilated, distorted form of it? Because if this is democracy then please dont insult my intelligence by giving me sermons about upholding it. Dont try to make me believe that our bright future depends on it, for I certainly dont want this sort of democracy.
Call it by any other name, but not democracy.
The writer, Country Project Coordinator for a German welfare organisation, has her short stories about Pakistani people she comes across in her fieldwork are published in German newspapers
I do not want democracy - Nighat Kamal Aziz
Nighat Kamal Aziz
Sunday, July 15, 2012
From Print Edition
I do not want democracy if it means that I wait in the streets for long periods of time in the sweltering heat in the name of VIP movement, when those who are plundering the country move in cavalcades protecting them from the wrath of their own countrymen.
I do not want democracy when those who earn an honest living go home to no water and unlimited loadshedding, while those who have risen to power using unjust and illegal means sit in the lap of luxury and never know how it feels to be without these basic amenities.
I do not want democracy when those at the helm of affairs send their children abroad for education but the youth of their country, the ones who will live and serve here, are deprived of quality education.
I do not want democracy if it helps convicted criminals and openly corrupt people to rise to the very top, while those who are capable are sidelined and disregarded.
Why should I want democracy when it does not provide justice, when someone not in a position of power is wronged? Where criminals walk free and the poor cannot fight for their rights? When laws are made to be broken, and there is no system to uphold the rule of law which treats all equally?
Of what use is democracy that is supposedly of the people, by the people and for the people, but where the rich get richer and the poor wallow in extreme poverty with absolutely no hope of a better tomorrow? Where middle-class people, who are the backbone of a nation, find it impossible to make ends meet? Where hard work, intelligence, honesty and dedication are not enough for someone to rise high and be in a decision-making position for the country?
I do not support democracy when top party positions are passed on like hereditary rights within the supposedly elected members. Where sycophancy and cronyism, not merit, are the criteria to succeed. Where inexperienced and inept people are made party leaders, sidelining veteran members.
Democracy is a joke if it provides absolute power to a single, supposedly elected, person to do as he will to countrymen who abhor him. This type of democracy is a deadly combination of hereditary ascension and dictatorship.
I certainly do not want democracy where parliament is only involved in internal squabbling and has neither the intention nor the capacity to solve the mammoth problems facing the country. Where those who occupy public offices are not deterred from fighting for their own perks and privileges when their contribution to the society and country is absolutely nil. Who go for joyrides all over the world, wasting public money without any qualms, with nothing to show for it.
Why does the democratic system not help us make use of our unlimited natural resources, the countless willing hands of our large population, the promise and potential of our land of plenty? Why are we perpetually dependent on the begging bowl just because we cannot get our act together, despite democracy?
Why cant the democratic system channel the energies of the teaming millions towards nation-building, instead of their running around like headless chickens? It seems our population is deliberately not allowed to rise up from the abyss so that they remain unaware of their rights and cannot challenge the status quo.
I do not want democracy if it cannot provide health insurance to its citizens and leaves them at the mercy of unaffordable medical treatment, while those at the helm of affairs fly abroad for their own medical problems.
Come election time, will we again see poor, uneducated people voting for unworthy candidates in lieu of a tin of cooking oil and a free ride to the polling station? It is a sham when the persons whose track record is far from spotless get elected again and again. What sort of a system is it that elections cannot guarantee a genuinely popular government?
Please dont misunderstand me. I never said I want dictatorship. Dictatorship is not, and never will be, the answer to our ills. But lets not absolve ourselves totally. Out of the 65 years of our existence half have been spent under dictatorship but what about the other half? Dictatorship weakens does institution, but has democracy strengthened any of them? The fact is that if there is a real will to help the nation, results are bound to show. Has there ever been any one leader who stands up and takes responsibility for the mess we are in? Who doesnt complain and blame others for all our problems and puts nation before self, not merely in rhetoric but in actual fact?
Does democracy mean that all the benefits are reserved for the top brass and all the woes for the rest of the country?
When we preach about democracy, let us have the real thing.
Is it really democracy that we have, or some mutilated, distorted form of it? Because if this is democracy then please dont insult my intelligence by giving me sermons about upholding it. Dont try to make me believe that our bright future depends on it, for I certainly dont want this sort of democracy.
Call it by any other name, but not democracy.
The writer, Country Project Coordinator for a German welfare organisation, has her short stories about Pakistani people she comes across in her fieldwork are published in German newspapers
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
Project for a just and safe society
By: Dr Haider Mehdi | July 18, 2012 | 1
Project for a just and safe society | The Nation
It would be an understatement to say that Pakistans reborn 2008 democracy has failed completely in its mission to democratise this nation. Come to think of it - it was obvious that it would have happened this way. After all, rotten eggs do not smell of roses, nor can they make scrumptious meals.
There were massive inherent flaws and disingenuous political faults in the foreign- supported NRO democracy that was imposed upon this nation from the outside with a political agenda antagonistic to the development of a democratic policy and incompatible with the national self-interests of this country.
The repercussions have been disastrous: it put in place a team of national affairs managers and political actors who lack democratic credentials, have very little credibility, are of questionable personal integrity and who, right from the start, supported the structure of political-economic and foreign policy status quo. The much-needed democratic-political-economic transformation and reform has never even been a consideration of the political regime in present-day Pakistan. In fact, the PPP and much of the traditional ruling elite leadership, inclusive of the major opposition party and Zardaris allies, have demonstrated a conspicuous absence of political vision suitable to the needs of a social-democratic welfare state in Pakistan. The entire focus, in the last four years, has been on the management of political power and how to maintain it for an indefinite future - and the game plan continues endlessly.
Daniel A. Bell, Professor of Comparative Political Philosophy at Beijings Tsinghua University, has developed a three-tier framework to judge the legitimacy, political correctness, philosophical vision and management capabilities of a national political leadership. I have adapted this conceptual framework to evaluate the legitimacy of Pakistans incumbent so-called democratic regime.
The first determining factor in Bells framework is a governments performance legitimacy. Performance legitimacy means that the governments first priority should be the material well being of the people. Is poverty alleviation at the top of the governments political agenda? Has the government justified its public mandate by its planning and management capabilities to provide for the material welfare of its people? Has the public-mandated government made impressive verifiable poverty alleviation achievements in a specified amount of time? Does the government continue to hold the confidence and trust of the people on the basis of its performance (skilful, competent and dedicated political managers) in resolving economic problematics and other fundamental national issues?
The second source of political legitimacy of a government is its leaderships political meritocracy, the idea that political leaders should have above average ability to make morally informed political judgments. Has the Zardari regime been able to initiate morally-ethically justified political decision-making? Has it cared for the peoples needs more than focus on procedural arrangements to ensure its hold on political power? Has the procedural arrangements of Zardaris political management team contributed in any way to furthering the cause of democratic governance in the country?
The third factor in the political legitimacy of a government and its leadership is the legitimacy of nationalism. Bell prefers to term it as ideological legitimacy: the regime seeks to be seen as morally justified in the eyes of the people by virtue of certain ideas that it expresses in its educational system, political speeches and public policies. Is the incumbent regime in Pakistan viewed by common citizens as politically-ideologically sound and in its public policies morally or ethically inclined?
It would be an extremely difficult task to provide any kind of evidence to support the political legitimacy of Zardaris incumbent regime other than on the procedural arrangements in which the government continues to shift its tactics on a daily basis to remain in power. This so-called democratic administration has fallen flat on its face on performance legitimacy. It needs not to be repeated that poverty has increased manifold, prices have skyrocketed, public deprivations have increased, power, gas, and petrol are unavailable, businesses and industries are closing down and life for common citizens has never been so difficult as it is in the present-day democratic Pakistan.
Political meritocracy is virtually absent as the Pakistani leadership derives no strength in its political decision-making from moral-ethical sources. Corruption at the highest levels of the government organisation is rampant. The concept of conflict of interests, an important and fundamental principle in the ethical conduct of democratic governance, has been side-stepped by the incumbent regime. The government is at loggerheads with other important state institutions such as the judiciary and the military institutions - and the entire state machinery is in a free fall.
As for ideological legitimacy, this government has completely abandoned it: the countrys sovereignty has been relinquished under the demands and pressures of foreign powers, the so-called war on terrorism continues, drone attacks on its civilian population and territory are accelerating and public sentiments on these issues are totally disregarded. Political speeches are promoting internal, political and intra-institutional conflicts, and public policies are contrary to the interests of common citizens. All in all, Pakistan is in a state of gradual political collapse.
What is required in todays Pakistan is to develop a general theory of linking the moral-ethical principles of political-economic concepts, ideological beliefs and a realistic approach to the applications of this paradigm. A revolutionary political management structure needs to be created at the highest level of political management of the nation. A moderate political environment needs to be developed to create the proper climate for freedom, dialogue and tolerance between different political forces in the country. And all of the above are dependent on the development of a political leadership that can command performance legitimacy, political meritocracy and ideological legitimacy - all in a strong combination of the three concepts. I have termed this entire process as project for a just and safe society.
The real issue in contemporary Pakistan is not who ascends to top political power, but who can command the peoples confidence. Who can rid the society of corruption? Given the poor distribution of income at all levels of society, who can combine economic efficiency and a moral-ethical conceptual approach to a just society coupled with the optimal distribution of wealth?
That is a tall order!
And now the vital question: will the Supreme Court - with the militarys institutional backing and constitutional responsibility - help liberate this nation to begin the project for a just and safe society?
I ask this question because the Supreme Court today commands peoples confidence, performance legitimacy, meritocracy and ideological legitimacy!
We, as a nation, should be prepared to embark on a discourse of the project for a just and safe society.
n The writer is UAE-based academic policy analyst, conflict resolution expert and the author of several books on Pakistan and foreign policy issues. He holds a doctorate and a masters degree from
Columbia University in New York.
Email:hl_mehdi@hotmail.com
By: Dr Haider Mehdi | July 18, 2012 | 1
Project for a just and safe society | The Nation
It would be an understatement to say that Pakistans reborn 2008 democracy has failed completely in its mission to democratise this nation. Come to think of it - it was obvious that it would have happened this way. After all, rotten eggs do not smell of roses, nor can they make scrumptious meals.
There were massive inherent flaws and disingenuous political faults in the foreign- supported NRO democracy that was imposed upon this nation from the outside with a political agenda antagonistic to the development of a democratic policy and incompatible with the national self-interests of this country.
The repercussions have been disastrous: it put in place a team of national affairs managers and political actors who lack democratic credentials, have very little credibility, are of questionable personal integrity and who, right from the start, supported the structure of political-economic and foreign policy status quo. The much-needed democratic-political-economic transformation and reform has never even been a consideration of the political regime in present-day Pakistan. In fact, the PPP and much of the traditional ruling elite leadership, inclusive of the major opposition party and Zardaris allies, have demonstrated a conspicuous absence of political vision suitable to the needs of a social-democratic welfare state in Pakistan. The entire focus, in the last four years, has been on the management of political power and how to maintain it for an indefinite future - and the game plan continues endlessly.
Daniel A. Bell, Professor of Comparative Political Philosophy at Beijings Tsinghua University, has developed a three-tier framework to judge the legitimacy, political correctness, philosophical vision and management capabilities of a national political leadership. I have adapted this conceptual framework to evaluate the legitimacy of Pakistans incumbent so-called democratic regime.
The first determining factor in Bells framework is a governments performance legitimacy. Performance legitimacy means that the governments first priority should be the material well being of the people. Is poverty alleviation at the top of the governments political agenda? Has the government justified its public mandate by its planning and management capabilities to provide for the material welfare of its people? Has the public-mandated government made impressive verifiable poverty alleviation achievements in a specified amount of time? Does the government continue to hold the confidence and trust of the people on the basis of its performance (skilful, competent and dedicated political managers) in resolving economic problematics and other fundamental national issues?
The second source of political legitimacy of a government is its leaderships political meritocracy, the idea that political leaders should have above average ability to make morally informed political judgments. Has the Zardari regime been able to initiate morally-ethically justified political decision-making? Has it cared for the peoples needs more than focus on procedural arrangements to ensure its hold on political power? Has the procedural arrangements of Zardaris political management team contributed in any way to furthering the cause of democratic governance in the country?
The third factor in the political legitimacy of a government and its leadership is the legitimacy of nationalism. Bell prefers to term it as ideological legitimacy: the regime seeks to be seen as morally justified in the eyes of the people by virtue of certain ideas that it expresses in its educational system, political speeches and public policies. Is the incumbent regime in Pakistan viewed by common citizens as politically-ideologically sound and in its public policies morally or ethically inclined?
It would be an extremely difficult task to provide any kind of evidence to support the political legitimacy of Zardaris incumbent regime other than on the procedural arrangements in which the government continues to shift its tactics on a daily basis to remain in power. This so-called democratic administration has fallen flat on its face on performance legitimacy. It needs not to be repeated that poverty has increased manifold, prices have skyrocketed, public deprivations have increased, power, gas, and petrol are unavailable, businesses and industries are closing down and life for common citizens has never been so difficult as it is in the present-day democratic Pakistan.
Political meritocracy is virtually absent as the Pakistani leadership derives no strength in its political decision-making from moral-ethical sources. Corruption at the highest levels of the government organisation is rampant. The concept of conflict of interests, an important and fundamental principle in the ethical conduct of democratic governance, has been side-stepped by the incumbent regime. The government is at loggerheads with other important state institutions such as the judiciary and the military institutions - and the entire state machinery is in a free fall.
As for ideological legitimacy, this government has completely abandoned it: the countrys sovereignty has been relinquished under the demands and pressures of foreign powers, the so-called war on terrorism continues, drone attacks on its civilian population and territory are accelerating and public sentiments on these issues are totally disregarded. Political speeches are promoting internal, political and intra-institutional conflicts, and public policies are contrary to the interests of common citizens. All in all, Pakistan is in a state of gradual political collapse.
What is required in todays Pakistan is to develop a general theory of linking the moral-ethical principles of political-economic concepts, ideological beliefs and a realistic approach to the applications of this paradigm. A revolutionary political management structure needs to be created at the highest level of political management of the nation. A moderate political environment needs to be developed to create the proper climate for freedom, dialogue and tolerance between different political forces in the country. And all of the above are dependent on the development of a political leadership that can command performance legitimacy, political meritocracy and ideological legitimacy - all in a strong combination of the three concepts. I have termed this entire process as project for a just and safe society.
The real issue in contemporary Pakistan is not who ascends to top political power, but who can command the peoples confidence. Who can rid the society of corruption? Given the poor distribution of income at all levels of society, who can combine economic efficiency and a moral-ethical conceptual approach to a just society coupled with the optimal distribution of wealth?
That is a tall order!
And now the vital question: will the Supreme Court - with the militarys institutional backing and constitutional responsibility - help liberate this nation to begin the project for a just and safe society?
I ask this question because the Supreme Court today commands peoples confidence, performance legitimacy, meritocracy and ideological legitimacy!
We, as a nation, should be prepared to embark on a discourse of the project for a just and safe society.
n The writer is UAE-based academic policy analyst, conflict resolution expert and the author of several books on Pakistan and foreign policy issues. He holds a doctorate and a masters degree from
Columbia University in New York.
Email:hl_mehdi@hotmail.com
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
A Tribute to the Sons of the Soil
Maryam Shah on 1, May 2012 | 61 Comments | in Category: Hyde-Park
TheNews Blog » A Tribute to the Sons of the Soil
Maryam Shah
I ask for nothing more
Than to die in my country
To dissolve and merge with the grass,
To give life to a flower
That a child of my country will pick,
All I ask
Is to remain in the bosom of my country
As soil,
Grass,
A flower (Fadwa Tuqan)
The above quoted poem, by a Palestinian poet depicts the true inner soul of every patriot. I learnt this poem by heart and whenever I read out these verses I see an image of every Pakistani soldier who is ready to die for this land, in the battle field, under the unfathomable depths of the ocean or up in the air.
Standing under the open wild sky, starring at the bright moon I felt so broken and shattered for the very first time in my life, as I was powerless to do anything for those who are dying for me and my country. I was thinking about 30th April, Youm-e-Shuhdda (day of martyrs) and its actual significance in our lives. One in thousands actually knows about this day and except for the armed forces or the families of the martyrs, rest are least bothered and concerned.
I thought and ponder, and then I realized that what so ever, I can never pay back the persistent sacrifices they made for me, for us and for this country, which is fast becoming so insensitive and numb with every other life laid for them. It’s the coldness, the detachment of this nation towards the martyrs and Ghazis of this land which disturbs me and makes me fear all those who are poisoned and inclined towards counting the pensions, plots and houses being given as compensation to the bereaved families.
Has someone ever thought that martyrs themselves have paid the price of the so called plots and houses with their blood? We should not forget the sequel of sacrifices and heroism committed by our armed forces for the past so many decades. To sit quietly in the air conditioned rooms and criticize is very easy, to doubt, defame and insult is effortless, but to go in the battle field, to see the roaring gunfire and to get hit by a bullet and to receive a coffin of a loved one is not painless and simple.
When I look at the blank faces of the children who have lost their fathers, the empty smiles of the young ladies who lost their partners, the wrinkled sad eyes of the old parents who received the wrapped coffin of their only son, then I find no place in this entire universe to hide my embarrassed face. During these moments I realize that I would never be able to bring their happy moments with their fathers back; I can never bring back the fatherly hugs to the children and
passionate embraces to the lonely wives, indeed I can never bring back their sons, fathers, husbands, brothers and friends.
I don’t have any substitute, any replacement for the sacrifices they have made for this motherland. This is their tradition to lay down their lives forthis country, as have witnessed this from the day they wore the uniform and carried a gun. There is no doubt that they will continue to uphold these revered traditions till the day they all are wrapped up in the green flag and become a part of the martyrs’ brigade, as they find eternal peace in laying down their lives.
This is a day, on which we decided to pay tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis of this war on terror. We will honor their families, pay homage to the brave sons and will acknowledge their dedication and commitment towards the cause. Let’s make it 365 days a year, why we should forget about them the whole year? We breathe in the free air because many are ready to depart to the eternal world for our safety and security. We are not protecting the country on the cold mountains, nor are we receiving bullets and losing our limbs, rather we are not even ready to pat their back, for the duty they are performing. Either we accept it or not, but everyday these souls are silently dying for the honor of this flag, for which they took an oath.
This land is guarded by the brave sons; it cannot be ever harmed by the evil eyes. Innumerable sacrifices have been made for the up keep of the national pride, sovereignty and integrity, and countless are ready to spill their blood. This proud green flag Insha’Allah will be fluttering high and they will never let it fall.
You the defenders, the brave sons! You mean a lot to me, I failed to utter, to show the feelings buried deep inside me, but I owe nothing less than my own life to you. Salute to the Martyrs and Ghazis of this land on this day and all days to come.
Maryam Shah on 1, May 2012 | 61 Comments | in Category: Hyde-Park
TheNews Blog » A Tribute to the Sons of the Soil
Maryam Shah
I ask for nothing more
Than to die in my country
To dissolve and merge with the grass,
To give life to a flower
That a child of my country will pick,
All I ask
Is to remain in the bosom of my country
As soil,
Grass,
A flower (Fadwa Tuqan)
The above quoted poem, by a Palestinian poet depicts the true inner soul of every patriot. I learnt this poem by heart and whenever I read out these verses I see an image of every Pakistani soldier who is ready to die for this land, in the battle field, under the unfathomable depths of the ocean or up in the air.
Standing under the open wild sky, starring at the bright moon I felt so broken and shattered for the very first time in my life, as I was powerless to do anything for those who are dying for me and my country. I was thinking about 30th April, Youm-e-Shuhdda (day of martyrs) and its actual significance in our lives. One in thousands actually knows about this day and except for the armed forces or the families of the martyrs, rest are least bothered and concerned.
I thought and ponder, and then I realized that what so ever, I can never pay back the persistent sacrifices they made for me, for us and for this country, which is fast becoming so insensitive and numb with every other life laid for them. It’s the coldness, the detachment of this nation towards the martyrs and Ghazis of this land which disturbs me and makes me fear all those who are poisoned and inclined towards counting the pensions, plots and houses being given as compensation to the bereaved families.
Has someone ever thought that martyrs themselves have paid the price of the so called plots and houses with their blood? We should not forget the sequel of sacrifices and heroism committed by our armed forces for the past so many decades. To sit quietly in the air conditioned rooms and criticize is very easy, to doubt, defame and insult is effortless, but to go in the battle field, to see the roaring gunfire and to get hit by a bullet and to receive a coffin of a loved one is not painless and simple.
When I look at the blank faces of the children who have lost their fathers, the empty smiles of the young ladies who lost their partners, the wrinkled sad eyes of the old parents who received the wrapped coffin of their only son, then I find no place in this entire universe to hide my embarrassed face. During these moments I realize that I would never be able to bring their happy moments with their fathers back; I can never bring back the fatherly hugs to the children and
passionate embraces to the lonely wives, indeed I can never bring back their sons, fathers, husbands, brothers and friends.
I don’t have any substitute, any replacement for the sacrifices they have made for this motherland. This is their tradition to lay down their lives forthis country, as have witnessed this from the day they wore the uniform and carried a gun. There is no doubt that they will continue to uphold these revered traditions till the day they all are wrapped up in the green flag and become a part of the martyrs’ brigade, as they find eternal peace in laying down their lives.
This is a day, on which we decided to pay tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis of this war on terror. We will honor their families, pay homage to the brave sons and will acknowledge their dedication and commitment towards the cause. Let’s make it 365 days a year, why we should forget about them the whole year? We breathe in the free air because many are ready to depart to the eternal world for our safety and security. We are not protecting the country on the cold mountains, nor are we receiving bullets and losing our limbs, rather we are not even ready to pat their back, for the duty they are performing. Either we accept it or not, but everyday these souls are silently dying for the honor of this flag, for which they took an oath.
This land is guarded by the brave sons; it cannot be ever harmed by the evil eyes. Innumerable sacrifices have been made for the up keep of the national pride, sovereignty and integrity, and countless are ready to spill their blood. This proud green flag Insha’Allah will be fluttering high and they will never let it fall.
You the defenders, the brave sons! You mean a lot to me, I failed to utter, to show the feelings buried deep inside me, but I owe nothing less than my own life to you. Salute to the Martyrs and Ghazis of this land on this day and all days to come.
niaz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2006
- Messages
- 5,164
- Reaction score
- 211
- Country
- Location
There is little doubt that Pakistan under Martial Law has fared much better than under democratic regimes. The reason was explained to me long time ago by a retired Brigadier (ex-Artillery) who I knew quite well.
Let us say that a contract is awarded for building a wall. Result may be a little less high or a little less wide or a little less strong, but the wall will be built; because the system of checks and balances ensures that someone will come to inspect the completed project before the contractor gets paid. However, in Pak democracy, contractor will be paid and everyone will get his share of commission without the wall being built at all. (Remember ghost schools and even ghost policemen in the pre Musharraf era)
Notwithstanding the above, IMO democarcy in any form is better that rule by a dictator. Besides, it must be said that under the current international opinion and with the free media, it is highly unlikely that there is another military coup in the near future.
Worst case scenario is most likely a repeat of the Waheed Kakar episode. That is, both the PPP government and the CJ are sent packing and a new election is ordered with a new head of the SC.
Need of the hour is therefor not another Martial Law but holding free and fair elections and educating Joe public to vote with their conscience and not based on tribal and braaderi loyalties.
This the only way we can have a government that truly represents will of the people.
Let us say that a contract is awarded for building a wall. Result may be a little less high or a little less wide or a little less strong, but the wall will be built; because the system of checks and balances ensures that someone will come to inspect the completed project before the contractor gets paid. However, in Pak democracy, contractor will be paid and everyone will get his share of commission without the wall being built at all. (Remember ghost schools and even ghost policemen in the pre Musharraf era)
Notwithstanding the above, IMO democarcy in any form is better that rule by a dictator. Besides, it must be said that under the current international opinion and with the free media, it is highly unlikely that there is another military coup in the near future.
Worst case scenario is most likely a repeat of the Waheed Kakar episode. That is, both the PPP government and the CJ are sent packing and a new election is ordered with a new head of the SC.
Need of the hour is therefor not another Martial Law but holding free and fair elections and educating Joe public to vote with their conscience and not based on tribal and braaderi loyalties.
This the only way we can have a government that truly represents will of the people.
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
Sorry mate your worst case scenario, is way behind !
Elections will bring more kaos, with a hung parliment, where our rulling elite, could be found selling their fishes to the best bidder?
It was said already in a report by out going ambassador of america . Which he has presented to his congress commite.
Why should , we keep playing this horrible system in which poors didn't get anything. Execpt terreorism . Lawlessness , inflation,crouption, doctors strikes, loadshadding, gasshadings, higher feul process, distruction of national institutions like , PIA, PR, STEEL milles? Why its important to have a system of doom , imposed on us?
Just because it suits , the agenda of superpowers who were in waiting , to hear the news of our self destruction???
What free media has done, to stop the deaths of innocents, in burma, plastine, & in kashmir?
CHINA & IRAN are they didn't exists in this world, didn't they made any progress,without impossoing westrn dictated democrazies?????
We need greater realization, that these westrn dictated democracies looks good only on papers, but in real they only bring kaos, & self distruction to countries like us?
We need to counter it, with truth & with greater will like chinese, we need to impose not a marshallaw, but a grand marshall revolution , which ensure the safty of its citizens, its national security, which can kick out all the evils of the present , system of doom!
For that we need a , a diciplined, a uncroupt, powerfull ,institution like pakarmy, which is the only & trully public representative institution of pakistan.
batmannow
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 18,830
- Reaction score
- -19
- Country
- Location
Abdul Qadir Gilani wins NA-151: unofficial results
July 19, 2012 - Updated 2230 PKT
MULTAN: PPP candidate Abdul Qadir Gilani has won the by-election in NA-151 after the seat was left vacant following the disqualification of his father, former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
According to unofficial results, in a close race, Gilani narrowly defeated independent candidate Shaukat Hayat Bosan by securing 64,628 votes.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 245 polling stations had been set up across the Multan constituency out of which 64 had been declared sensitive while a public holiday was also declared in the backdrop of the by-election.
During polling, an open violation of the code of conduct set by the ECP was witnessed.
For the first time in history, the ECP had decided to provide transport to voters in the by-election for NA 151 in the light of June 8th decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The ECP had directed the District Election Commission Multan to provide transport to the voters during the by-election, however, candidates violated the ECP’s orders and provided transport to voters to bring them to polling stations.
Candidates also set up camps near polling stations which was also prohibited under the code of conduct.
Polling was also halted after a fight broke out between two groups of women at polling station number 231.
is that we, want to see next time?
same crooks, with old hooks?
is this the reason we , should waste our national money,innocent lives, to elect them again & again?
ENOUGH WITH DEMOCRAZY WELLCOME MARSHALAW , only way forward!
