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Notes from Islamabad (revised)
In a world where there has been a lot of antagonism towards Islam and Muslim nations, Pakistan, a prominent Islamic country which is also the only nuclear power in the Islamic world, has been undergoing turmoil of a serious nature with anti-Islamic forces fueling sabotage activities even from across the borders and trying to halt its economic and social progress.
Mixed fortunes make Pakistan a satisfied nation for the time being with an agenda of the new government led by Gilani for a welfare state following the elections held in February 18. President Pervez Musharraf, who conducted the poll and committed to the onward march of Pakistan by supporting the newly elected government, has vigorously pursued Pakistan's diplomacy to stabilize the country. Although the political scenario in the country has been improving with a popular government taking charge in Islamabad, an element of unease does create tensions in the capital with regard to the fragile coalition, judges' issue and future of President Pervez Musharraf. In spite of all difficulties it faces at home and on its borders, Pakistan has been on the move with a new government led by Gilani.
ONE- International Affairs
Perhaps, as a mark of appreciation for Pakistan's troubled journey towards normalcy, Pakistan was re-elected on May 21 to the new UN Human Rights Council, reflecting renewed international confidence in the country following its return to full democracy. Elections to fill 15 of the 47 seats on the Geneva-based council took place in the 192-member General Assembly. Other elected from Asia are Japan, Bahrain and South Korea. Pakistan polled 114 votes when 97 votes were required. This success was the outcome of active diplomacy conducted by President Musharraf, considerable hard work by the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani embassies abroad. Pakistan won despite a vicious campaign carried out by some countries and organizations opposed Islam but claiming to be advocates of human rights against its re-election bid. Pakistan looks forward to continuing its active contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights all over the world, especially the right to development and economic and social prosperity as well as political and civil rights.
Amid confusion in the country on various issues, Prime Minister Gilani paid a four-day visit to Egypt from May 17 to 20 to attend the World Economic Forum on Middle East. Besides addressing special session entitled "˜Global leader in the spotlight'. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Pakistan has been regular participant in the Forum's activities at the highest level. The Forum provides an opportunity for interaction with region's key political and economic leaders, and presentation of Pakistan's perspective on the political and economic issues. Prime Minister Gilani also met President Bush, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Prime Minister of Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyadon the sidelines of the meeting. Premier Gilani addressed the Arab Business Council on May 19.
High on the agenda with Bush was Pakistan's new strategy to combat terrorism that gives priority to political dialogue rather than military operations. Economic cooperation, global food security situation, bilateral cooperation in areas of science and technology, social sector and energy field were also discussed. He said the government had stopped military operation in Balochistan, and an APC had been convened on Balochistan for political dialogue.
TWO- Domestic Politics
Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on 23 May held a meeting with Prime Minister Raza Gilani and both the leaders discussed in detail the 62-point draft constitutional package to be tabled before Parliament most likely prior to the upcoming budget session. The PPP has unveiled on 23 May a proposed Constitutional Amendments Package seeking for abolition of the article 58/2(B) regarding President's power to dissolve the National Assembly and transfer of President's powers to appoint Services Chiefs to the prime minister, supremacy of Parliament, meeting of CCI twice in a year and NFC award after every three years, naming NWFP as Pukhtoonkhwa, restriction on becoming President more than two times -Restored judges to take fresh oath. PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said PPP stands by its words to uphold the supremacy of the parliament which, he said, is a pre-requisite for democracy.
Prime Minister Gilani declared that political parties would not become hostage to the wishes of President Pervez Musharraf but said having "inherited" the president they had to develop a working relationship with him despite their reservations. He made this observation while talking to journalists aboard his special aircraft en route to Egyptian sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh to attend World Economic Forum. He sounded quite confident that the PML-N would rejoin the cabinet soon after the piece of legislation to restore the judges was firmed up. He held out the assurance that judges would be restored and that both the major coalition partners will complete their tenure. "We are adhering to the Charter of Democracy and we are committed to it." He said as a first step the government released the detained judges and dialogue on the issue was in progress. Gilani said that it is not necessary that all the desires of Musharraf are fulfilled.
Musharraf has underscored the need for promoting restraint and tolerance in the politics saying politics of victimization can affect national reconciliation process. Politics of confrontation can harm democratic institutions, he added. "My doors are open to all political parties and I have no personal grudge with any political leader. I have been repeatedly saying from the very beginning I want working relationship with new government as all the political forces will have to get united to counter the challenges facing the country", he remarked.
Pakistan seems to be still in its beginnings with regards to domestic stability. The constitution in every country is a playground for the power players, who through amendments and neglect of it enjoy just enjoy the fruits of the Constitutional provisions and ignore it when it becomes a problem to advancing the individual and private interest of the individual or group of politicians. It seems Pakistan too is not different from other nations including USA. But the fundamental constitutional rights of an ordinary citizen have to be upheld and not only the theory of conduct but also the code of conduct for individual as well as political organizations, institutions and the like have to be a matter of everybody's discussion. The supremacy of the constitution and not of the parliament, independence of the judiciary, rule of law and security of fundamental rights to every citizen are guideposts to this movement. Politics without a theory of conduct and without a moral code is worse than robbery and murder. New government of Pakistan has to ensure that the Constitution is a serious matter.
THREE- Presidency: Musharraf sticks to guns
There have been rumors in Pakistani press opposing President Musharraf and has miserably failed thus far to get him ousted through agitations by opposition and lawyers. Accordingly, the Pakistani government is supposedly preparing the ground for President Musharraf's honorable exit from office by indemnifying him against the steps he took after declaring an emergency last November. And that Musharraf "has offered to resign in return for indemnity by parliament for his unconstitutional steps taken on November 3, 2007. They don't say that US has pressured on Musharraf.
It is being rumored that Musharraf would quit presidency on some understanding with the government not to trouble him after he quits. A powerless presidency with the pre-November 3 judges back in the saddle was not an acceptable option for Musharraf. They say came through when the Aiwan-i-Sadr (President's House) realized that the PPP would restore all the judges (Musharraf had sacked in November) and clip the presidential powers.
The amendment, to be introduced during the budget session of parliament next month, relates to an ambiguity surrounding Article VI of the constitution under which the president can be tried for high treason if he subverts the statute. However, the article also permits the president to approach the Supreme Court if he is accused of the offence. The amendment will remove this clause. "Musharraf is demanding a price to agree to the constitutional package and then step down," The News quoted its sources as saying, adding that the PPP is not willing to grant indemnity without taking its "pound of flesh". "What steps of Musharraf will be indemnified is not yet finalized but the constitutional amendment will have a pardon for Musharraf,"
But President Pervez Musharraf on 20 May reiterated again that he is fulfilling his constitutional role in the present set up and will not, therefore, step down. He said this during his meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Q President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Hamid Nasir Chatha in Camp Office Rawalpindi. The meeting discussed the possibility of forming an alliance with the PPP in the Punjab, besides return of the PML-Q leaders, who formed the forward blocs. PML-Q leaders assured the President of staying united and further strengthening the party. If the coalition government tried to clip powers of the president or proposed his impeachment in the proposed constitutional package President Pervez Musharraf, as expected, is all set to go all-out to counter the move. The president told the PML-Q leaders that he enjoyed support of the powerful national institutions, the United States and some political parties, including the PMLQ.
President Musharraf advised the PML-Q leaders to devise their strategy to counter any move of the government against him. "President Musharraf told the PML-Q leaders to strengthen their position in the Senate and the National Assembly as well as outside parliament and intensify their interaction with other political parties. He said the National Reconciliation Ordinance also came under discussion during the meeting.
But according to sources, presidency is not conspiring against the government and the fears of PML-N about Musharraf's conspiracy are unfounded. President Musharraf sent reference against the chief Justice in good faith. Reports indicate that there were no meetings held recently between the President and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari despite having indirect contacts. All political parties are equal before the president and there are no favorites. It has been clarified that no draft of constitutional package had been sent to the presidency and some elements were damaging the country while advocating for independence of judiciary.
President Pervez Musharraf has expressed his reservations over the political and economic situation and he would state it to the prime minister soon and he does not want to interfere or cause any problems for the new government. The President is concerned that chances of foreign investment are reducing because of economic conditions.
FOUR- Kashmir still a top priority
On Kashmir, Pakistani leaders stick to its stated position and would always support the self determination of Kashmiris and help them establish an independent Kashmir as it existed before India annexed it in 1947.
Indian media, as usual, have created an impression that Pakistan government is no more keen to secure Kashmiris their sovereignty back from "big India". This illusion has unleashed stains on freedom fighteing kashmirs psyche and force them to take Pakistan also as their enemy too. This is indeed dangerous for both Kashmir and Pakistan. Indian policy of divide and rule cannot be allowed to go on with vicious campaigns like this.
PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif is critical of Pakistani president's handing of Kashmir issue, leading to a sort of illusion. Sharif said a day after the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries here to review the fourth round of the Composite Dialog. "Musharraf as you know is a very erratic man, impulsive, doesn't have any institutionalized decision making forum and he takes decisions off the cuff." Sharif's party is seeking the ouster of the President from office. Sharif said that his party was committed to the peace process and would extend full cooperation on the issue to the ruling PPP, which heads the coalition government. "We are committed to take this process forward, we have it in our manifesto and make sure that we extend full cooperation to the Peoples' Party to work on this...We need to build more confidence to be able to resolve this issue, we should seriously address the issue also at the same time and there has to be a resolve between the two sides to find a solution," Sharif said when asked to comment Zardari's remarks that the settlement of the Kashmir issue should not be left to future generation.
People both in Pakistan and Kashmir see only a blank sheet on Kashmir issue left behind by "debaters" of India and Pakistan and no serious discussions were held over Kashmir in the recently concluded meeting between them. Both the governments have shelved off Kashmir issue due to the internal problems. Pakistan is busy with its domestic turmoil and India maintains a criminal silence because it is under international pressure to quit Kashmir.
President Musharraf has a duty before his people on his imitative on Kashmir freedom and he should dwell on the details about his talks with India and outcome and the possible stand of India on granting sovereignty back to freedom seeking Kashmiri patriots. He has to take both Pakistanis and Kashmiris, who lost thousands of lives for the cause of Kashmir, into confidence so that present leadership in Islamabad could desist from create illusions about Kashmir independence and state exact reality. People in Pakistan and Kashmir should not misunderstand the strenuous steps Musharraf has taken during his stewardship. Musharraf's silence would make Indian bluff the "ultimate truth" which indeed would be an international joke.
FIVE- A Word
It has become a nasty habit of the West and their anti-Islamic media to slam Islam in several ways to encourage non-Christians to embrace Christianity. Pakistan's leadership should realize the emerging international scenario and view the domestic turmoil from that ankle. The anti-Islamic world, India inclusive, is keen to keep Pakistan boiling for ever with regular infightings. This is just one of such anti-Muslim evil designs all Islamic nations should be beware of. Particularly Pakistan, ill-focused by its neighbor India, should consider revising its mutual bickering because it has got a positive role to play in international arena.
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Thank you
Yours Sincerely,
DR.ABDUL RUFF Colachal
Researcher in International Relations,
Analyst, Columnist & Commentator
South Asia
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