It seems quite ridiculous that two holidays in a week will be
observed in Pakistan, especially at a time when economy of the
country is struggling to make itself stable. According to govt.
point of view this way country can overcome the energy’s crisis. How
funny thought it is. Once again government showed that it is not
capable to tackle the problems in better manners. No one is able in
government’s cabinet to resolve the issues even they can’t give a
better suggestion. Federal Minister appeared urging nation to use
less quantity of sugar. There is no doubt that without sacrifices no
nation can progress and get its respectable status in the globe. But
the question is why our rulers and politicians demand such
sacrifices from public? Why don’t they themselves set such examples,
which would raise nation’s moral? —Lahore
Indian pain
Dr Abdul Ruff
It is less painful for Indians when India loses a cricket match, but
more painful if Pakistan win a match anywhere in the world. If
Pakistan stops playing Indians they would lose interest in cricket
and would resume the old golly games. Today, Pakistan has the best
cricket team, no matter how they play.
And again, only Pakistan has the best all-rounder with the name of
Afridi who both bats well and bowls exemplarily well. The Pakistan
crushing New Zealand in Abu Dhabi by whopping 138 runs is nothing
special at all or surprising about it. Pakistan’s victory is India’s
pain... Nothing can be done about their small mind. —India
So-called associates
Ali Malik
Now that the controversial NRO has been abandoned by the PPP itself,
under pressure from the public and other political parties, it is
time to move on with the business of state in accordance with rules.
One hopes that the PPP leadership has learnt its lessons and
restrains itself from this suicidal self indulgence. Times have
changed a lot with the media and public awareness, assuming new
dimensions, but our political and khaki elite still wants to relish
in the past with their self assumed immunities from public probe.
Our bureaucratic elite, a relic of the colonial Raj, has been more
of a burden, than a help for those in power. Pakistan’s survival is
wedded to a democratic setup, with an independent judiciary and a
powerful media with a vibrant civil society, to keep a check on each
other. The state must be seen to be serving the public, instead of
being hostage to vested interests, while the uniformed services must
be completely subservient to duly elected civil government, which
should be accountable for all its acts and deeds. The President and
PM need to change their kitchen cabinets, which seems to be
dominated by controversial courtiers instead of men of vision ,
intellect and integrity.
I am sure that the President, would not be fully aware of the full
extent to which his so called associates have indulged in needless
controversies, bringing him a lot of flak, in the public and
damaging the PPP. The latest scandal involving an FAL former agent
Shakeel H Rehmane’s harassment by an obnoxious man who claims close
proximity with President and key federal ministers in Karachi, aims
to pilfer PSO, and only adds to the woes of the PPP. There is long
list of these parasites who, are out to mint billions, while state
owned corporations like PIA, PSO, Steel Mills, TCP etc are being
rendered into a state of bankruptcy. PIA which has the potential to
run profitably given the large ethnic traffic to exploit, has been a
victim of mismanagement, by a corrupt and incompetent team of
controversial swindlers. In the recent Haj operation Zam-Zam water
which was procured for Rs 4 Crore during the previous Haj has been
purchased for Rs 16 Crore for distribution amongst Hajis, without
any floating of tenders etc. Similarly Korean made cheap watches
available in the market at bulk rates of dollar a piece, have been
purchased from a party in London for Rs1800 each, without going
through any procedural tenders or quotations. These watches are for
complimentary give aways to Business passengers. The national
carrier with mounting losses to the tune of over Rs 160 Billion has
been riddled with un-ending controversies and irregularities in
employment, appointments, foreign postings, fabulous salary packages
and salary hikes, which have eroded its revenues. The needless saga
of forcibly occupying state owned lands on Shahrahe Faisal in
Karachi close to Civic Centre and a similar shamefull episode in
Clifton, all telecast live on television screens, have damaged the
PPP’s image. It is time for the PPP, PML(N), MQM , PML(Q) to change,
have an in-house audit of their past follies and learn from their
mistakes. Their leaderships must understand that the people are no
longer willing
Lisbon Treaty
Moez Mobeen
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, after Czech President Vaclav
Klaus’s approval, formally endorsed what could be termed as the
death of the “Westphalian Sovereignty”, more commonly known as the
idea of the nation state. Europe is now going to have its own
President, a foreign Minister and its own diplomatic corps. Just to
be sure, that this is not an exaggerated view of looking at things,
a glimpse at the politics of the British opposition, The
Conservatives who were ardent opponents of British participation in
the Lisbon Treaty, as well as the Euro-skeptic Czech President who
resisted the Treaty tooth and nail, confirms that their opposition
to the Treaty was based on reluctance to cede national sovereignty.
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is important for Europe, but
its implication on the global international infrastructure is too
great to be ignored. Simply put, this marks an end to the Post Word
War II, world. More significantly, the ratification of the Lisbon
Treaty, gives international credence to the idea, which has existed
in the Muslim World for decades and which has increased in support
and popularity over the last few years; the re-establishment of the
caliphate and the unification of Muslim Lands in to a pan Islamic
Single State. From the War in Afghanistan and Iraq to the issues of
Kashmir, Chechnya and Palestine, there is a lot of common ground and
agreement in the Muslim World with regards to a need of a collective
Muslim approach towards addressing these problems.
In fact, a Super Powerful and united Europe may be a new idea for
the Europeans, but for the Muslim World the idea of being part of a
greater Muslim Ummah never ceased to exist. With the death of the
nation state, the re-organization of the Muslim Ummah on the basis
of Islam is becoming an increasingly plausible idea, in fact it may
actually be an inevitable political reality. —Islamabad
Pakistan’s misfortune
Gull Zaman
It is most unfortunate that Pakistan’s leadership both political and
khaki, have over the years lost credibility, sense of direction and
honor. Years of mismanagement and involvement in financial
impropriety has eroded the nation’s economy. Corruption all over the
world is recognised as a major factor for spread of violence,
illiteracy, loss of human resources, spread of poverty, abuse of
rule of law and under development.
Our civil and khaki elite consider it part of their perks and
privilege to plunder the nation’s assets and land, without any fear
of accountability, because they consider themselves to be above the
law. Even the religious parties have their hands tainted with blood
and corruption. The only exception are men like Edhi, who provide
succour, relief and medical assistance to the poor, while the state
is too busy in the welfare of its paid servants and ruling elite.
After nine long years of misrule by an arrogant dictator the people
pinned a lot of hope on the political parties, hoping against hope
that they might have learnt some lessons. Almost two years have
elapsed, wherein the country has been plunged into darkness, with
shortages of basic food items like wheat and sugar, manipulated by
the cartels, with support of political parties. In the 21st century
the PPP, which was till recently the most popular party, has tried
in vain to bulldoze a black law called NRO to legitimize cases
ranging from corruption, murder, kidnap and even rape as kosher for
political elite and members of civil bureaucracy. Even members of
the civil bureaucracy both retired and serving have amassed
ill-gotten wealth both within Pakistan and abroad. These multi
million dollar houses and apartments are located in UK, USA, Canada,
Spain, Dubai and Hungary in the full knowledge of the authorities.
Pakistan today needs men of integrity like Mohd Ali Jinnah, Allama
Iqbal to lead it out of pits of dismal failure, which is a
consequence of years of mismanagement by mediocrity. —France
